THRESHOLD/HEADSPACE frontman Damian Wilson, who has also worked with STAR ONE, AYREON and MAIDEN UNITED, will release "I Thought The World Was Listening. 1997-2011" on October 28. This retrospective will span two CDs and feature remastered tracks from throughout Wilson's solo career, re-recorded versions of important songs and previously unreleased new material.

"I Thought The World Was Listening. 1997-2011" will be released on CD and as digital download.

An accompanying solo tour is being planned for November in support of this release.

"I Thought The World Was Listening" can be pre-ordered from August 2 to October 2.

The pre-order package includes:

* A signed copy of the CD
* A bonus CD as digital download, featuring the live set Damian did in 2006 with STREAM OF PASSION
* A DAMIAN WILSON BAND t-shirt
* A DAMIAN WILSON BAND stick-on tattoo

To pre-order this package or for more information, visit the only official Damian Wilson web site, www.damian-wilson.net.

Professionally filmed video footage of DIO DISCIPLES — the new project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards) alongside bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) and singers Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) and Toby Jepson (LITTLE ANGELS, GUN) — performing at this year's edition of the Graspop Metal Meeting, which took place June 24-26, 2011 in Dessel, Belgium, can be viewed below.

Swedish metallers STEELWING will enter Leon Music Studios in Karlstad, Sweden later this month to begin recording their sophomore album for an early 2012 release via NoiseArt Records, a division of Rock The Nation. The as-yet-untitled CD will be helmed by Rikard Löfgren, who has previously worked with DEATHSTARS, MAMAKIN, ENFORCER and VOMITORY, among others.

According to a press release, STEELWING's new album "will take the post-apocalyptic heavy metal onslaught into outer space with a full on tribute to cult 1980's science fiction movies.

"Fans of the previous album will not be disappointed by the intense twin-guitar riffage, supersonic metal screams and furious double-kick action, but the band promise more diversity and dynamics as well.

"Some of the song titles set to appear on the album are 'Full Speed Ahead!' and 'Solar Wind Riders', [both] of which have already been performed live this year to the approval of headbangers all over Europe."

Commented the band: "Rikard was one of several possible producers suggested to us by our management, not someone we had initially considered but after looking into his previous works, we decided to meet with him earlier this year and discuss our ideas for a second album. We immediately felt confident that he was the right man for the job: as a metalhead, he understands our influences and what we want to achieve, but as a pop producer we also believe that he will be able to bring out the best in our songwriting."

Bassist Skürk left STEELWING in February "due to life priorities that do not include any more extensive touring." His replacement is Nic Savage, who was described in a press release as a "blond bass thrasher and devoted U.S. metal disciple."

"Beyond The Entombed", a brand new song from Cincinnati, Ohio's ROSE FUNERAL, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Gates Of Punishment", which will be released on September 27 via Metal Blade Records.

According to a press release, "Gates Of Punishment" is "a fitting progression of the band's dark and foreboding sound. Guest vocal appearances from Kate Alexander and Steve Tucker (MORBID ANGEL) add to the dark atmosphere that is created throughout the album. Seven string guitars tuned to drop A, haunting melodies, insane blasts and enough groove to keep heads banging will make this one of the heaviest releases of 2011."

Commented ROSE FUNERAL vocalist/guitarist Ryan Gardner: "We had the greatest time recording 'Gates Of Punishment'. It is definitely a HUGE step for ROSE FUNERAL. I can honestly say this album just crushes any release we have done. We are looking to turn heads and drop jaws with this album.

"'Gates Of Punishment' is filled with intense blasts, fast-paced solos, melodic harmonies, dark chords, pissed off vocals, and harsh breakdowns. This is the sound i have been searching for with ROSE FUNERAL, and I couldn't be happier. All I can say is that with the guys I have, it will be a huge climb in sound every album from now on."

"Gates Of Punishment" track listing:

01. Legions Of Ruination
02. Grotesque Mutilation
03. Beyond The Entombed
04. False Divine (feat. Steve Tucker)
05. Arise Infernal Existence
06. Malignant Amour (feat. Kate Alexander)
07. A Recreant Canticle
08. The Desolate Form
09. Entercism
10. Amidst Gehenna
11. Gates Of Punishment

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST will release the "Draconian Times MMXI" DVD on November 7 via Century Media Records.

Sony Music reissued PARADISE LOST's seminal 1995 album "Draconian Times" through the "Legacy" series; featuring the entire digitally remastered album, including a 5.1 Dolby Surround mix in a brand-new collector's edition digipak box set, so fans could hear the album like never before. Along with this release, the band performed "Draconian Times" live at a series of seven exclusive gigs this past spring in Utrecht, Bochum, London, Paris, Athens, and Thessaloniki.

"Draconian Times MMXI" features the London show at The Forum on April 1, a documentary from the whole tour filmed by the band's bass player Steve Edmondson, interviews about the history of "Draconian Times" with producer Simon Efemey, Nick Holmes (vocals), Greg Mackintosh (guitar), Aaron Aedy (guitar), Steve Edmondson (bass) and Andy Farrow (manager since 1990) and the two promo videos from PARADISE LOST's latest album, "Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us".

Commented Holmes: "It was great fun doing the 'Draconian Times' live shows and the response outshined our expectations by far. All the shows were great, but the London show was a real highlight and thankfully captured on film. Jens Bogren has mixed the songs brilliantly, the extras are fun, and the whole thing has come together tremendously well. We are lucky to have such devoted fans, prepared to travel all over the world to see our shows. This DVD is dedicated to them, and I hope they thoroughly enjoy it!"

Fans have a chance to leave their memories of the legendary "Draconian Times" album on the new DVD. Pre-order the limited-edition double DVD plus live CD at CM Distro Europe until August 29, leave your memories (no more than 30 words), and your words and name will appear in the final credits of the DVD. Please understand that Century Media will not use any comments that are of a sexual or offensive nature.

The main show was directed and produced by Paul Green of Cybertech Productions. Jens Bogren, who produced the last PARADISE LOST album (as well as releases by OPETH and AMON AMARTH, among others) mixed and mastered the audio sound at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The cover artwork for "Draconian Times MMXI" was created by Justin Kamerer.

"Draconian Times MMXI" track listing:

01. Enchantment
02. Hallowed Land
03. The Last Time
04. Forever Failure
05. Once Solemn
06. Shadowkings
07. Elusive Cure
08. Yearn For Change
09. Shades Of God
10. Hands Of Reason
11. I See Your Face
12. Jaded
13. Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us
14. True Belief
15. One Second
16. Say Just Words
17. Rise Of Denial
18. As I Die

"Empires (Part 2)", a brand new song from the veteran all-girl Canadian metal outfit KITTIE, can be streamed below (courtesy of RevolverMag.com). The track comes off the band's sixth album, "I've Failed You", which will be released on August 30 via eOne Music. The CD was recorded at Beach Road Studios in Goderich, Ontario, Canada. The band once again worked with producer Siegfried "Siggy" Meier, who helmed KITTIE's last CD, 2009's "In The Black".

Finnish metallers SKIRMISH will release their debut album, "Through The Abacinated Eyes", on August 31 via Violent Journey Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at D-studio in Klaukkala, Finland under the supervision of Jarno Hänninen.

According to a press release, "people have tried to chain SKIRMISH inside genre limits, such as death or thrash metal, but the band's driving force has been to stay outside of categories and to rather make good music in a tight leaning position."

"Through The Abacinated Eyes" track listing:

01. Premonition
02. Conquest
03. Insurgency
04. Mystery In A Blazing Dream
05. Death Beyond
06. Astral Infinity
07. Indebted
08. The Forlorn Masque

SKIRMISH is:

It's been three years since VELVET REVOLVER parted ways with singer Scott Weiland, and time appears to have healed all wounds. Although Weiland and the band split on unfriendly terms, the vocalist told Classic Rock magazine, "We patched things up and we get along. I see them every now and again, we text each other. And you know, we can never say never. Who knows, maybe we'll do some shows some time."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Weiland was reflective in the interview about his time in VELVET REVOLVER, which teamed him with former GUNS N' ROSES members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. He said, "That was right when I was getting off dope and those guys were all sober and clean, and I had a very special kind of kinship because we'd all experienced the same things . . . It was a great band to see live, and I think we made two exciting albums."

Weiland reunited with his original band, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, just as his run with VELVET REVOLVER was coming to a close. STP has toured constantly since and recorded a new album last year.

VELVET REVOLVER has still not found a replacement vocalist and is more or less on hiatus, although it was recently revealed that the group recorded an album's worth of material with STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor.

In a recent interview with Brazil's "Lokaos Rock Show", VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum said about the band's current status, "After [we parted ways with] Scott Weiland [in 2008]… We had such a great first record, especially. The second album is still a good album, but… It's hard to replace Scott for that particular band, I think.

"When we did VELVET REVOLVER, we wanted to make a modern rock album, and we had to figure out a way to make that work. We didn't wanna be like GUNS N' ROSES. We knew we had that in us anyway, especially the Slash and Duff sound was the initial sound of [GN'R's classic debut album] 'Appetite For Destruction', the way they played together and everything. Part of that chemistry was there, and when we added Scott, it brought it into a more modern rock element. He came more from grunge — the Seattle [sound like] SOUNDGARDEN, PEARL JAM and bands like that. So it took it sort of forward. We became more of a modern rock band and we were on modern rock radio."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, DISTURBED frontman David Draiman is speaking out on the speculation regarding the band's future, which he himself started two weeks ago when he hinted that the group's current tour could be its last for a while — if not for good. Draiman confirmed to The Pulse Of Radio that DISTURBED plans to take an indefinite hiatus, and gave some hints about the "personal reasons" behind the decision. "Many of those reasons are have to do with the state of the music industry in general and, you know, the demise of hard rock and heavy metal right now, and I think it's just a good time for DISTURBED, after 10 to 12 years straight of touring, to go away for a little while and kind of wait for the phoenix to rise from the ashes here," he said. "It's frightening times right now, and it's just a good time for us to go away."

But Draiman also admitted that DISTURBED may in fact never come back. "It could be a concern," he said. "You don't know. We don't know. I can't definitively tell you one way or the other at this point. We really haven't gotten that far in our discussions. We all agree that we are going to step away for an indefinite period of time."

Draiman told Billboard that one thing the hiatus is not about is any personal strife between the four band members, saying, "This is really not due to any animosity — I want to make that very clear. In fact, we just had dinner together last night. Believe me, it's not like we can't work with each other anymore or we don't get along."

The singer said that all four members of the group have other creative endeavors they'd like to pursue, with both he and guitarist Dan Donegan interested in producing other acts.

Draiman added that he doesn't think a solo album is in his future. But he also told Billboard, "Depending on how far those individual interests end up taking us, and depending on how much we end up missing (the band) over the course of time — which, of course, at some point I'm sure we will — that will determine if and when we return."

In the meantime, the band is still touring the country on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which passes through Virginia Beach on Tuesday (August 2). Some sort of live release and a B-sides collection may also be in the works.

Robert Reid of the Lonely Planet blog recently conducted an interview with IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Lonely Planet: Why in the world does a guy selling 85 million records bother with a job as a commercial pilot?

Bruce: I wanted to try to get my hands on something a little bigger than my little twin-engine, piston-engine airplane, and sadly, I can't afford to get my own airport and jumbo like John Travolta, so I thought I'm going to have to get a job. I thought I'd get some sort of job flying cargo, I never expected flying on an airline. But ten years ago, I did. And been flying long enough, they gave me my fourth stripe, and I'm sitting here as a captain.

Lonely Planet: What do you like about being a jet pilot?

Bruce: You're in an alien place, kept alive by this little cocoon of aluminum, piston engine and fuel. It's a mechanical beast you have to look after, and sometimes you think "I shouldn't be here! This is just some kind of miracle." And I still get that same buzz every time I go near a plane. We have some awful mornings we have to do as pilots. You drag yourself out of bed at one o'clock in the morning, when no decent person is awake. It's freezing cold, and everything's covered in frost. And then there it is! A hundred tons of big shiny aluminum tube, with two great huge engines on it. And someone's given it to you for the day. I just think it's a huge privilege. And I never get tired of pinching myself and going "That's pretty cool."

Lonely Planet: Any comparisons with flying and singing for IRON MAIDEN?

Bruce: When I'm flying, I don't often get the luxury of putting my feet up and just daydreaming awhile. Because there's just always something to do. Strangely, it's same for me being in front of a hundred thousand people. I run on stage, I got two hours. And I got a lot of stuff to do. I got 30 pages of lyrics flicking through my head, and juggling with the crowd. You don't really have much time to stand there and go, "Wow, isn't this cool?" It's only afterwards.

Christine Caruana of Australia's Loud recently conducted an interview with vocalist Maria Brink of Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Loud: Your latest release, "A Star-Crossed Wasteland", is very different from your previous releases, which is expected as you are an experimental band. Do you think it depicts the IN THIS MOMENT you've been working towards?

Maria: Yeah, I think we are definitely finding our defining sound. Like you said, we experiment a lot and we go from really melodic to really heavy, we're kind of all over the place, and I think we kind of collaborated a lot of aspects of our band in that album.

Loud: So writing for the new album has begun?

Maria: Yeah, we're slowly starting to write now. Slowly starting to dive into it, and it's really exciting, it's like starting all over again. I get so excited, just everything about it, the creation of it, the concept, everything.

Loud: "A Star-Crossed Wasteland" hinted at a concept album, do you think your next album will be a full concept album, or steering away from that idea this time?

Maria: I don't think so. I definitely do love the idea of having the loosely threaded concept theme to it, not the story from the beginning to the end, because I feel too constricted with my writing. I do like a loose story line that goes through an album because it's cool to write, and metaphorical, versus something like, "Oh, I'm really sad my boyfriend left me." It kind of gets old for me, so it's kind of cool to write my personal experiences in a story, metaphorically. I like that.

Loud: You do all the lyric writing for IN THIS MOMENT, correct?

Maria: Yeah, I write all the lyrics, and the melodies, but when it comes to the actual music, we all kind of do that together.

Loud: What inspires you the most, is it strictly personal experiences, or do other bands, movies and books play apart too?

Maria: It is a collaboration of all of those things. Definitely, whereever you are in life is going to influence your writing. Like if somebody you truly love just died, or you know, obviously how you're feeling strongly in your life is going to have an overtone in your album. I am influenced by art in general, in movies and visual things and other music of course. So it's kind of everything together. Then I find what I'd like the overall feel to the album to be like, then I go from there.

Loud: You are a big inspiration to other female metal and punk vocalists, as well as fans. Does that put a whole new world of pressure on you personally?

Maria: No, you never really feel like that personally. You're never like, "Oh, I'm an inspiration!" You know what I mean? [laughs] It definitely does somewhat, in some ways, like I get thousands of fans writing to me that maybe at one point they were suicidal and our music kind of gave them an inspiration. I write about dark things, but I always end it [that] there is a light at the end of a dark tunnel. So I personally don't want to write about things too morbid or dark, because you don't want to influence them completely in a dark way. But at the same time, I still want to be real and always have a balance between the dark and the light. So, I just have to be

Japanese rockers DIR EN GREY have released the following open letter expressing their feelings about this year's tragedy in their home country:

"The earthquake this March took the lives of many people, including many DIR EN GREY supporters. Now, in many places throughout the country, high radiation levels have been detected; everyone, including ourselves, has been exposed to the radiation and there are even some who say the contamination is so bad we are at risk to not be able to travel to the USA and other countries in the future.

"On March 11th, the band was in the studio in Tokyo working on the new album when the earthquake hit. Afterwards the power shortages and transportation chaos caused further complications, and our many thoughts crossed our mind: 'Will this album really be completed?'; 'Will we ourselves be able to continue working towards the completion?'; and 'Is it right to continue making this album?'

"August 3rd 2011 is the release date of our new album, 'Dum Spiro Spero'. This normally would have been a wonderful day where our work was to be released out into the world. However, there are still many people in Japan suffering from the disaster and so with the intention of self-restraint, we will to refrain from words of joy on this occasion. But we cannot stop moving forward due to this.

"We are currently in Japan; however, it is unclear to what extent the government's statements are correct, and to be honest, no one really knows what is going on in Japan right now. The safety regulations for safe level of radiation exposure keep getting increased higher and higher, yet the only official announcement is that 'there is no effect on health.'

"We can no longer tell whether we are a democratic nation. Unless you are careful with your words, you will be taken down with significant force. At this point, we do not have the ability to truly find out what is occurring in our own country. However, we want to know the truth. People are able to overcome huge obstacles and problems if they know the truth.

"In the album title 'While I Breath I Hope', and our music video 'Different Sense' that we released just prior to the album, our sense of wanting to take action that will lead to a breakthrough in the current situation is reflected.

"The beginnings of something as significant as the velvet revolution are said to have been in the 'Prague Spring' which was started by a rallying of people of culture.

"For all of you who have read this, we ask that you do what you can to support us in our search for the truth."

"Different Sense" video:

Next year marks the ten-year anniversary of DEMON HUNTER.

Each of the band's albums and other projects were released with Solid State Records. Both the band and label are proud to announce a deal that will see them continue to partner together.

"Solid State has always been an important part of DEMON HUNTER," said DEMON HUNTER singer, songwriter and co-founder Ryan Clark. "They helped market the band before we'd even started writing our first record and they continue to push the band further with each new album. From the very beginning, Solid State has allowed DEMON HUNTER to do things our own unique way and they've become a vital part of the band's existence. Re-signing was a no-brainer for us."

The first DEMON HUNTER album emerged in 2002. Its cover, like all subsequent releases (including their live album), was emblazoned with a now iconic symbol that's been tattooed, spray painted, sculpted and otherwise creatively displayed by the band's devoted following ever since. The group blended devastating heaviness with melodic hooks long before it was fashionable.

With close to half a million albums sold around the world, DEMON HUNTER's unique connection with their fans and steadfast commitment to the presentation, message and musicianship of their output continues to invigorate and inspire. "Demon Hunter", "Summer of Darkness", "The Triptych" and "Storm The Gates Of Hell" are all landmarks in the genre. "45 Days" chronicled fans across the world (and in the Armed Forces abroad) whose lives have been touched in empowering and breathtaking ways by DEMON HUNTER's sound and fury.

"I am elated to have the opportunity to continue to work with DEMON HUNTER," remarked Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records president and founder Brandon Ebel. "DEMON HUNTER is a core artist for the Solid State/Tooth & Nail family. Ryan Clark is an extraordinary songwriter, musician, artist and friend. We're looking forward to supporting Ryan and the DEMON HUNTER team on future projects and further developing the DEMON HUNTER brand worldwide."

Legendary rockers Alice Cooper will release his hugely anticipated new album, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare", later this year via Universal Music Group.

Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, the record picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.

That original album is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special and cemented Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theater, television, film and much more.

More than 35 years later, Alice and Ezrin have resurrected the horror and humor for a new generation.

"This is Alice's nightmare 35 years later," explains Alice, "Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we're not writing for me, we're writing for Alice. We kept the first 'Nightmare' album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us."

There is an array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on three tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice "dad"; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice's current touring band and featured prominently on the first "Nightmare" album.

Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number very much in the spirit of THE ROLLING STONES. And then there's the ballad "Something To Remember Me By", described by Alice as "the prettiest song we have ever released."

Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice's nightmare.

From the opener, "I Am Made Of You", through the already established live favorite and first single "I'll Bite Your Face Off", to the surprising duet with Ke$ha, "What Baby Wants", this album is a reminder that albums just aren't made this way anymore.

And musicians do not play together like Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith anymore.

"I wanted a '70s feel for 'When Hell Comes Home'," says Alice, "and I didn't even have to ask for it, it's just how they play and they did it live in the studio. When they got done playing the basic track, Bob and I just looked at each other, that sound is built into their DNA. We didn't need to go and fix anything. The way they finished was a little bit ragged and that's the way we used to finish songs, that's what I like about it."

Co-writers on various songs include the aforementioned Bob Ezrin, Ke$ha, Neal, Dennis, Michael, plus BUCKCHERRY's Keith Nelson, Desmond Child (who famously co-wrote and produced "Poison" with Alice), longtime collaborator Dick Wagner, current touring band member Chuck Garric and film composer Jeremy Rubolino.

"That's my rebellion," says Alice of the more surprising guests, "I like people that don't belong and yet what they're doing works perfectly. I don't care where it comes from, as long as it's right. If you tell me something doesn't work, I'll work my head of until it does then shove it down your throat.

"I think a lot of my audience is going to go 'KE$HA!?', but she probably wrote the most disgusting lyrics in the song — we had to rein her in. I like people to know that just because artists are put in a pigeon hole, that doesn't mean that's what they are. Give people a little room."

With Steve Hunter, one of rock's great guitarists, added to the band's line-up of guitarists Damon Johnson and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel, Alice has been tearing up venues worldwide on his 2011 "No More Mr. Nice Guy" tour.

Alice gave fans a treat in June with a surprise performance at London's tiny 100 Club, when actor Johnny Depp joined in on guitar. Alice showcased the powerful band that had blown away the Download festival crowd the previous weekend.

This year, the original Alice Cooper group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and Alice was honored with both the Kerrang! Icon Award in the U.K. and the Revolver Golden God Award in the USA.

* U.K. fan pack album release / global album release: September 16
* U.K. general album release: October 17

Single: "I'll Bite Your Face Off"

* Limited-edition seven-inch picture vinyl: September 12 with exclusive live version as the B-side
* Digital: August 22 with "Caffeine" as B-side

"Welcome 2 My Nightmare" will be released first as a "fan pack" in conjunction with Future Publishing in September, with a conventional release following in October. The fan pack includes the album, a giant poster, a facepaint set, a metal badge, an Alice face mask and a 132-page magazine dedicated to all things Alice.

"Fan Pack" track listing:

01. I Am Made Of You
02. Caffeine
03. The Nightmare Returns
04. A Runaway Train
05. Last Man On Earth
06. The Congregation
07. I'll Bite Your Face Off
08. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
09. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture

Exclusive fan pack bonus tracks:

15. Under The Bed
16. Poison (Live at Download Festival)

Standard U.K. and international track listing:

01. I Am Made Of You
02. Caffeine
03. The Nightmare Returns
04. A Runaway Train
05. Last Man On Earth
06. The Congregation
07. I'll Bite Your Face Off
08. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
09. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture

Standard bonus track:

15. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

Deluxe U.K. and international track listing:

01. I Am Made Of You
02. Caffeine
03. The Nightmare Returns
04. A Runaway Train
05. Last Man On Earth
06. The Congregation
07. I'll Bite Your Face Off
08. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
09. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture

Deluxe bonus tracks:

15. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
16. No More Mr. Nice Guy (Live at Download Festival)
17. The Black Widow (Live at Download Festival)

General album formats — released via Universal Music Group:

1. 2xLP blood-red vinyl with poster and exclusive track "Flatline"
2. Deluxe digipak CD with exclusive "ticket to hell" not available anywhere else, plus poster and bonus tracks "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place", "No More Mr. Nice Guy (live at Download Festival)", "Black Widow (Live at Download Festival)"
3. Standard CD/Digital Album with bonus track "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"
4. iTunes-exclusive album with bonus track "A Bad Situation" and track-by-track commentary

Chris Ingham, group publisher at niche publishing house Future, which is pioneering "The Fan Pack" format, tells The Independent, that the fanpack format has the potential to transform the relationship between the magazine industry and the music business. "Record companies have acknowledged that music magazines are amplifiers but they have also thought they were parasites," he says. "Moving forward, magazines will be seen much more as partners and something to rely on."

Other albums that have been released in the U.K. as "fanpacks" include Slash's self-titled solo CD, MOTÖRHEAD's "The Wörld Is Yours" and WHITESNAKE's "Forevermore".

Fan-filmed video footage of MR. BIG performing a cover version of the DEEP PURPLE classic "Smoke On The Water" on July 31, 2011 at Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California can be seen below. The track was played during the second encore of MR. BIG's headlining concert at the venue and saw the bandmembers exchanging musical instruments — with guitarist Paul Gilbert on drums, vocalist Eric Martin on guitar, drummer Pat Torpey on bass and bassist Billy Sheehan on vocals.

Athens, Ohio's SKELETONWITCH will release its new album, "Forever Abomination", in October via Prosthetic Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Breathing The Fire" was recorded at a Los Angeles studio with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, KREATOR). The effort will include the track "The Infernal Resurrection", the demo version of which appears as the B-side on the final seven-inch of a limited-edition vinyl trilogy. This marks SKELETONWITCH's first recording with the group's new drummer, former DEMIRICOUS skin-pounder Dustin Boltjes.

"Forever Abomination" will be released on the following dates:

Mainland Europe: October 7
United Kingdom: October 10
North America: October 11
Japan: October 19

The album will be issued in three formats: digital download; a six-panel, plastic-free digipak; and a triple-gatefold LP (which in turn will be available in several color variants). More details are available at ForeverAbomination.com.

"Forever Abomination" track listing:

01. This Horrifying Force (The Desire To Kill)
02. Reduced To The Failure Of Prayer
03. Of Ash And Torment
04. Choke Upon Betrayal
05. Erased And Forgotten
06. The Infernal Resurrection
07. Rejoice In Misery
08. Cleaver Of Souls
09. Shredding Sacred Flesh
10. Sink Beneath Insanity
11. My Skin Of Deceit

ANVIL are true defenders of the faith and they've never lost sight of their vision to create uncompromising, dyed in the wool heavy metal. They have been on a rock 'n' roll journey for the past 30 years and while few bands can make it to the three year mark, ANVIL have closed in on three decades of the most uncompromised and ear-pleasing metal known to headbangers. The band's career has developed into a very public rocket ride into the musical and pop culture stratosphere only recently, though.

Ever since the award-winning documentary "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" propelled the Canadian band from their respectable, hard-earned status as a band revered by the likes of METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD and GUNS N' ROSES, and not to mention, "Anvil!" director Sascha Gervasi, who served as a former roadie for ANVIL and was compelled to make a film about this object of his affection, to a heavy metal feel good story that attracted an exponential amount of new fans to a heritage band, ANVIL founding members, vocalist/guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner, have made sure that one thing remains constant. And that's their dedication to their music.

While they continue to craft new, relevant and exciting hard rock music, it's their history and their catalog that ensures ANVIL's firm and immovable place in the annals of metal history. Their status as legends is inarguable, even though they are still active as ever.

Overall, though, ANVIL don't have their own chapter in the heavy metal encyclopedia; they have their own volume, thanks to a rich, revered cannon that old fans continuously revisit, all the while attracting new fans to their lair with continued quality music. That's how damn good ANVIL are…

…And that's precisely why The End Records, which also released the band's fourteenth album, "Juggernaut Of Justice", earlier this year, is choosing to celebrate ANVIL's career with "Monument Of Metal: The Very Best Of Anvil", a 19-track career retrospective that will earn "must-own" and "must-hear" status for fans both fans new and old.

Due on September 27, this set collects choice cuts from ANVIL's career and the track listing was hand-selected by the members of ANVIL and spans their three-decade career. It is designed to show you why the aforementioned likes of GUNS 'N ROSES, METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD, ANTHRAX, SLAYER and more have praised ANVIL as pioneers and way pavers in the heavy metal world. It's a retrospective spanning the band's entire iconic career and a comprehensive heavy metal history lesson captured on record.

"This compilation demonstrates the full diversities of the ANVIL's sound and feel, from the classics though the dark years to the current," said rhythm-keeper Reiner about the songs collected in this set. "These tracks are more to do with power and melody rather than just the speed aspect, although there relevant gems included here! We could endlessly compile ANVIL tracks, as most are outstanding in their own rights. I feel this 'Monument Of Metal' makes a statement introducing Anvil to new pounders along satisfying the faithful."

Lips concurred, saying, "This compilation is a great diverse collection of ANVIL's history. It's a good retrospective of 30-plus years of the creating and recording of ANVIL's music. These tracks are among some of our favorites." He did admit that choosing songs was no easy task, since each of ANVIL's songs is a like a kid to him, saying, "Picking them was not easy as generally speaking we love everything we've ever done....otherwise we wouldn't have recorded the music to begin with. This will serve as a great introduction to ANVIL as well as make for great listening pleasure for our old diehard fans. Enjoy and stay heavy!!!"

"Monument Of Metal: The Very Best Of Anvil" track listing:

01. Metal On Metal (re-recorded from "This Is Thirteen", 2009 / originally from "Metal On Metal", 1982)
02. Winged Assassins (re-recorded, originally from "Forged In Fire", 1983)
03. 666 (from "This Is Thirteen", 2009)
04. Thumbhang (from "This Is Thirteen", 2009)
05. School Love (re-recorded, originally from "Hard 'N' Heavy", 1981)
06. Heat Sink (from "Metal On Metal", 1982)
07. March Of The Crabs (instrumental) (from "Metal On Metal", 1982)
08. Plenty Of Power (from "Plenty Of Power", 2001)
09. Mothra (from "Metal On Metal", 1982)
10. Sins Of The Flesh (from "Worth The Weight", 1992)
11. Jackhammer (live) (from "Past And Present; Live In Concert", 1989)
12. Juggernaut Of Justice (from "Juggernaut Of Justice", 2011)
13. No One To Follow (from "Absolutely No Alternative", 1997)
14. Mad Dog (from "Strength Of Steel", 1997)
15. Bottom Feeder (from "Back To Basics", 2004)
16. Race Against Time (from "Still Going Strong", 2002)
17. American Refugee (from "This Is Thirteen", 2007)
18. Fire In The Night (from "Pound For Pound", 1988)
19. Park That Truck (from "Speed of Sound", 1999)

During a recent interview with AOL's Noisecreep, vocalist Dez Fafara of California metallers DEVILDRIVER was asked about his reaction to Amy Winehouse's death in light of his band's addiction-related issues with DEVILDRIVER's former bassist Jonathan Miller. "Get off drugs. Get off hard drugs," Fafara replied. "If you're on hard drugs right now and you're listening to this, get off hard drugs — now. Your spirit will tell you what's good and what's bad, and you know what you're doing."

He added, "I feel sorry because [Amy was] a great artist, man. Her first record is amazing.

"I listen to everything from blues to black metal, I'm not just that solid metal guy.

"I feel sorry for everyone around her. Great talent.

"My whole thing is, if I see you going over the deep end, you're not going to do it on my watch. I left COAL CHAMBER because they were all on drugs, on methamphetamine, and I knew me going on stage was feeding them money, feeding them drugs. I left. And with Jon, this time I don't have to leave, you leave."

DEVILDRIVER's current bassist Aaron "Bubble" Patrick (ex-BURY YOUR DEAD) suffered a back injury last week but was able to recover in time to perform with the rest of the band at the Heavy T.O. and Heavy MTL festivals over the weekend.

"The new lineup is amazing — not even a hitch," Dez said. "We had no idea he'd be the guy. He plays bass, and we said, 'How many tunes do you know?' And he said, 'I know them all.' He filled in and now he's filled in for near 70-100 shows."

When asked if Patrick is officially in DEVILDRIVER now or still just earning his stripes as a touring member, Dez said, "At this point, it's working so we're just not thinking about it. I'm sure there will be a statement one day — he's in or he's out. But look, he's done 100 shows with us — seems like he's hanging out. He's a great guy and he's straightedge. He brings a whole feeling to the band that's different and I've watched everyone come to their senses, really, as well."

SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera's son Zyon sat behind the drum kit for the band's July 31 performance at the Lokerse festival in Lokeren, Belgium following the rumored recent departure of the group's longtime drummer, Joe Nunez. The concert also marked the debut appearance with SOULFLY of the band's new bassist Tony Campos (STATIC-X, PRONG, ASESINO, MINISTRY, POSSESSED), who replaced Bobby Burns earlier in the year.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Lokerse performance can be seen below.

Zyon made many special appearances with Max's other band, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, on CC's recent European tour, performing "Attitude/Cockroaches" at Sonisphere, With Full Force, and Hellfest festivals, to name a few. According to Max's wife/manager (and Zyon's mom) Gloria Cavalera, Zyon learned to drum "sitting at the feet of some of the most gifted metal drummers of all time, including his uncle Igor Cavalera, Bill Ward and Roy Mayorga, to name a few." This was a special guest appearance only, since Zyon's full-time band is MOLD BREAKER, which he formed with his younger brother Igor.

Bassist Johny Chow, who has played with SOULFLY's Max Cavalera and Marc Rizzo (guitar) in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and is a member of FIREBALL MINISTRY, loaned his skills to SOULFLY for the band's recent touring activities.

SOULFLY's latest album, "Omen", sold 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart.