EVANESCENCE is currently recording its self-titled third album at a Nashville studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz (RUSH, FOO FIGHTERS, VELVET REVOLVER, DEATH ANGEL, TRIVIUM) for a tentative October 4 release via Wind-up Records.

In a brand new interview with U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine, EVANESCENCE vocalist Amy Lee was asked how the material for the new CD came together. "It was a completely different way of doing things for us, but it was exactly what we needed," she said. "As we started to hear the body of work back in the studio, it's become really clear to me that this is a band record. I feel more connected and in sync with my band than I ever have before. Everyone has been involved with the process from the ground up and that's a first for us. This time we all got in a room together to make something, which was scary and different but it's been about letting go of control and being more collaborative. It's paid off in a way I never would have expected. The lineup we have now is really strong and I'm proud to have these guys by me."

Regarding how this new EVANESCENCE sounds, Lee said, "Looser. This album is not so glossy or tight. It's more instinctive. It's big on groove and there's some real musicianship that we're really proud of. Everyone knows our sound but that's just a foundation and we've danced on top of that! It's still very heavy and dark but we're having fun with it. Musically I don't feel trapped. I'm a lot more secure than I used to be. I used to have a lot of silly, self-imposed rules but we're breaking them all on this album. By loosening up, it feels like it's going to a higher place."

On the topic of her lyrical inspirations this time around, Amy said, "It's about life. I'm in a healthier place than I was before, when I was writing some heavy-hearted songs. But that doesn't mean the music sounds happy. I can pull from all sorts of sources and look at different things with a new perspective. The music is about me [and] my relationships. The music and the lyrics have gotten more aggressive than they ever were before too; that's one of the things making this album great."

Vocalist Andy Biersack of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES spoke to AltPress.com about the incident last Saturday (June 18) when he shattered three ribs while attempting to jump from one pillar to another during the band's album release-show at the Hollywood & Highland Center Hot Topic in California. (See video footage below)

When asked what he was trying to do, Andy said, "Really, I was trying to fly — and I've clearly not perfected that yet. No, I wish I had some great story for why I was doing what I was, but I was doing my usual thing where I climb up and then jump back onstage, which usually ends badly — though not this badly. The thing was, I was wearing cowboy boots on a slick, hard, marble surface, which I'd never jumped from before. I started to slip a bit while I was up there, and I sort of sat down thinking that I could push with my arms, and land on the adjacent pillar — and everything sort of worked according to plan, except for the fact my legs fell immediately and just slammed my ribs into the pillar."

Regarding his diagnosis, Andy said, "I've currently got three shattered ribs, most of which are sort of like bone shrapnel in my back area. I'm pretty heavily medicated right now, and I can't really feel my extremities, because if I move too often I run the risk of those pieces of bone shifting and stabbing me, and sort of causing internal bleeding — and there's also one very near my lung, that could potentially collapse it. I have to wait for these bones to fuse before I can really move too often. But this is a double-edged sword, because if I don't move often enough, the excess bone will kind of sit there and cause blood clots inside me, so I have to at least get up and try to walk several times a day."

Robert Plant's journey through the territories that have most acutely informed and inspired his music is perhaps one of the most multi-faceted of any artist from his generation. In a remarkable career that has spanned five decades, Plant has travelled from gold-maned god of hard rock to balladeering country troubadour, a process of reinvention guided by an ever-expanding musical palette and tireless searches through global song. His fantastic voyage has essayed the plantations of Mississippi, the deserts and townships of Africa and the settlements of the Appalachians.

Due on August 23, "Robert Plant's Blue Note" follows Robert's incredible and ongoing tour of musical styles and acts as travelogue in its unique approach to documenting and reviewing a career that has been built on endless fascination, consistent experimentation and a unique talent that makes the incorporation of his discoveries into a popular contemporary form seem almost effortless.

"Robert Plant's Blue Note" (order link) features rare footage, performance archive, recorded interviews, contributions from his closest collaborators, expert critique from the finest music writers, plus location film, news reports seldom seen photographs and a host of other features

British progressive metal act BEECHER has announced that it will be playing no further shows together and there will be no new material; the band is once again calling it a day.

BEECHER was signed to Earache Records, having released two albums and toured extensively before splitting up in 2005. They reformed to play three shows earlier this year, but have so far remained non-committal as to what the future may hold for them.

Commented frontman Ed Godby: "When we knocked it on the head in 2005, our personal lives were in various states of disarray and we had no inclination to continue with things. Several years on, lives sorted out a bit and the urge to pick up where we left off was strong, so we planned a few shows to see how we felt about the whole thing.

"The shows were fantastic, especially London and our hometown show in Manchester, but instead of feeling like a new beginning, it felt like an appropriate full stop to all things BEECHER."

Ed has a new band called CASTLES, which will be recording its debut album with Chris Fielding at Foel Studio, Wales this summer. Dave Hopkinson (bass), Mark Lyons (guitar) and Daniel Jones (drums) are in the early stages of a new band together, with Jones also playing in DAY FOR AIRSTRIKES. Dan Shaw (guitar) currently plays in THE ERGON CAROUSEL and PINE BARRENS.

The song "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" from IRON MAIDEN's fifth studio album, "Powerslave" (which came out in 1984), is being used in a two-minute animation film as part of Why Music Matters, a multimedia campaign designed to stress the importance of paying for music instead of stealing it. Check it below.

Commented the band: "A while back EMI Records approached us regarding the very worthy sounding Why Music Matters campaign — an initiative to try and bring awareness to the value of music. The short animation film that they commissioned with our approval has now been released."

The Why Music Matters campaign, which involves major CD, digital, and mobile retailers, as well as the major record labels, identifies all the outlets where consumers can legally purchase music and also tells the stories of iconic musicians whose work continues to resonate and influence music being made today.

Why Music Matters has reportedly received significant funding from the British Phonographic Industry and claims to be more than just an anti-piracy campaign. Its literature states: "There is an ethical choice when it comes to consuming music and this campaign serves to educate people to these choices. If you want to consume music for free, there are legitimate ways this can be done."

Legendary heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne has been forced to cancel Saturday evening's (June 25) performance at Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium. According to an official statement posted at Osbourne's web site, "Ozzy has severe laryngitis and his doctor has ordered an immediate 72 hours vocal rest before further evaluation."

Commented Ozzy: "I was so looking forward to performing at the legendary Graspop Metal Meeting. It really pains me to let people down and it is with great disappointment that I am unable to perform for the great fans of Belgium."

The reissues of OZZY OSBOURNE's classic first two solo albums, 1980's "Blizzard Of Ozz" and 1981's "Diary Of A Madman", sold around 6,000 copies each in the United States in their first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. They arrived on May 31 in definitive editions that restore and remaster the original recordings. Both were made available separately or as part of a deluxe box set that features both albums on CD and vinyl, a 100-page coffee table book, a documentary on DVD and a "full-size detailed replica of Ozzy's iconic cross."

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have been confirmed for next year's edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which will set sail from Miami, Florida to Cayman Islands on January 23, 2012 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will perform on the cruise.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AMORPHIS
CORONER
ELUVEITIE
GRAVE DIGGER
IN EXTREMO
MOONSORROW
MY DYING BRIDE
NIGHTWISH
PESTILENCE
SAMAEL
STRATOVARIUS
THERION
TRISTANIA

Ticket prices start at $666 plus $289 taxes and fees per person and include all onboard entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24-hour room service.

Maryland-based extreme metallers DYING FETUS will enter the studio in November to begin recording their new album for an early 2012 release.

DYING FETUS' last CD, "Descend Into Depravity", sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 166 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at position No. 4 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. Released on September 15, 2009 via Relapse Records, the follow-up to 2007's "War Of Attrition" was recorded at Wright Way Studios in the group's hometown with producer Steve Wright.

Remastered and repackaged editions of DYING FETUS' earliest records were made available in January. DYING FETUS' 1995 collection of demos "Infatuation With Malevolence" and the band's debut album, "Purification Through Violence", both include liner notes written by the band, archival photographs from each period, expanded artwork, and two previously unreleased bonus tracks.

MetalChroniques.fr conducted an interview with DOWN drummer Jimmy Bower before the band's June 14, 2011 performance at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked about the status of DOWN's bassist, Rex Brown (formerly of PANTERA), who is not currently touring with the group (he is being replaced by Patrick Bruders of CROWBAR), Bower said, "It's a real delicate situation, because what he went through was really… [In 2009 Brown was diagnosed with pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment. — Ed.] I mean, he's got a scar from here [points to his stomach] all the way to here. We just wish him to find peace within himself and be healthy, and we weren't seeing that for DOWN. We have Pat now. Pat's playing bass. Pat's from New Orleans, [which] makes sense. He plays with CROWBAR as well." He added, "We love Rex to death, man, and wish him the best. He has a new project as well — KILL DEVIL HILL, with Vinny Appice [DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL] — and I know he's having fun doing that. He gave Pat his blessing, so it was on a good term [that we parted ways]. But he will not be back."

During a press conference at this year's Sweden Rock Festival, DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo stated about Brown, "Just to put it kindly, [Rex] needs to address some personal things in his life and when he has to address these personal things, the extremity of them, it's gonna take him away from music and touring and stuff like that. We all support him, we love him, we're still very close with him, speak with him all the time. . . We wish the best for him."

Speaking to The Delaware County Daily Times, DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan stated about Brown, "Rex is not gonna be with us [on the road for the upcoming shows]. He's got things he needs to deal with, and we gave him an ultimatum and he's trying to work things out. We've got Pat from CROWBAR playing bass, and he's ass-kickin' in the same way. He plays with his fingers — which is really cool; he's got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on."

When asked if Rex was still considered a part of DOWN, Pepper replied, "I don't know what to really say on that; he's not out of the band, but he's not playing with us live."

During a recent interview with the "Focus In The Mix With Denise Ames" TV show, Brown was asked if he still speaks to Anselmo. "We're having a little marital spat, so… I'll just leave it at that. I'm in the doghouse," he replied.

Swedish thrash/death/black metallers DEVIAN have released the following statement:

"We have decided to put DEVIAN to rest.

"After the tour with UNLEASHED in 2009, we started to focus on the third DEVIAN opus. After a few months of hard work on the album, Legion [a.k.a. Erik Hagsted, vocals] announced that he'd leave the band. About that time we also parted ways with the label that released our two first albums, Century Media.

"Some months later, we started to negotiate with various labels, but never did found anything that would meet even our budget for recording. During this period of time, we started to feel that we had lost the glow we once had for the band and the music.

"We recorded a demo with a new direction to more ordinary metal with lots of clean vocals, [which] you can still hear [below]. This gave a new spark to the band, but it was only temporary.

"At this time Joinus [Jonas Mattson, guitar/vocals] decided to leave the band. He was 'tired' of the music DEVIAN was playing. After all, 20 years playing death/thrash metal in various acts is a long time. And the step to the direction he (and some other members) was trying to reach was a step to far and would only disappoint all of you who listened to what DEVIAN once started out as, a death metal act.

"And after Joinus left, Emil [Dragutinovic, drums], Tomas [Nilsson, guitar] and Carl [Stjärnlöv, bass] decided to put DEVIAN to sleep, forever…

"But to give up music would be to give up life. Nowadays you can find the members in the following acts;

"Joinus plays '60s and '70s rock 'n' roll in the Luciferian-themed YEAR OF THE GOAT (just released a mini-LP / mini-CD through VÁN Records) and garage smelling, denim action rock in THE HORSEHEAD UNION (album released during autumn 2011 with artwork from Skrymer / FINNTROLL).

"Tomas has teamed up with Roberth Karlsson (ex-DEVIAN, ex-EDGE OF SANITY, FACEBREAKER, SCAR SYMMETRY) and released a few hardcore-oriented albums on the hardcore Swedish label Halvfabrikat Records. This project is called Aktiv Dödshjälp. Sometime ago a well-known extreme metal band offered him the bass duties in their band. He accepted the offer and is right now sweating his guts out in a rehearsal room in Stockholm; preparing to get out on tour again [as soon as possible]! 'DEVIAN has been a good run and really cool experience for me that I'll never forget!'

"Emil has quit all his 'official' musical activities and has his studio-based two-man death metal act RUPTURE and says that he will not participate in any new projects/bands at the time being. [He says], 'As the other DEVIAN members, I came across other priorities so it just feels natural to let the band go and focus on what's to come. I hope to come across a new goal in music which doesn't involve death metal, my studio project RUPTURE is enough at the time being when it comes to extreme music. Possessed as I am with creating music, I will for sure not stop doing music, that's my life, my passion that I'll never stop doing, no matter what I'm into at the moment.'

"Carl is currently busier than ever with DIABOLICAL. 'Ars Vitae' was released earlier this year and the band has been on tour in Russia. Right now they are planning more shows and new material is being written for a new album. [He says], 'Sadly we decided to put DEVIAN to sleep, but it was obviously the right thing to do given that most members had lost the spark for the band. I'd guess that none of us will quit doing music so keep a close eye at what we're doing in our respective bands and projects. I've had tons of good times with the guys from DEVIAN and I would be very happy to play with them again in some context. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens, because personal and musical chemistry of the caliber that we've had doesn't come along very often.'

"We want to thank everyone involved in the story of DEVIAN from the bottom of our hearts. Without you this journey wouldn't have been worth anything."

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Finnish death/doom bringers HOODED MENACE.

HOODED MENACE, which takes influence from CANDLEMASS, CATHEDRAL, PARADISE LOST, ASPHYX, and BLACK SABBATH, previously released two full-length albums as well as split releases with COFFINS, ASPHYX, ILSA, and more. The band played its first U.S. live shows this past spring at Maryland Deathfest (Baltimore), Chaos In Tejas (Austin), and Doom In June (Las Vegas) festivals.

Commented HOODED MENACE guitarist Lasse Pyykko: "We're very excited about signing with Relapse Records! This seems like a logical next step for the band. Of course, we are still going to release seven-inch singles and such with smaller labels, too, because we love doing that. As for the full-length album, now we're going have all the support, promotion, and distribution we could possibly hope at this stage.

"It's pretty amazing to be part of the label with such a long and remarkable history.

"Relapse has released many albums that we are big fans of.

"We are stoked about leaving our heavily and deeply stamped mark to that long, significant list of great music."

HOODED MENACE has confirmed a handful of Finnish tour dates, including an appearances at the Ilosaarirock and Tuska festivals in July. The band will also open for doom legends SAINT VITUS in Helsinki on August 27.

Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of Italian modern metal outfit TASTERS. The band's new album, "Reckless Till The End", will be released in September.

Hailing from Livorno, TASTERS has convinced the masses with its unique blend of heavy riffing, perfect breakdowns, brutal shouts, melodic choruses and the thrill of electronic influences throughout the past two years playing more than 100 shows from the U.K. to even Sibiria.

Being in the game for more than ten years, TASTERS has what it takes to be successful in today musical environment. Until this date, the band has always managed everything by itself, from producing to booking to artwork — you name it — always achieving an astonishing outcome.

Commented the band: "We are extremely proud to announce that we signed a worldwide record deal with the almighty label Nuclear Blast and that our new album, 'Reckless Till The End', will hit the stores in September 2011. Along with this we also signed a management deal with CMC Entertainment and Brainstorm Music Marketing, working in a cooperation between them."

Commented Nuclear Blast representative Markus Jakob: "Nuclear Blast is proud and happy to welcome TASTERS to the family! They convinced us with their experience, professional attitude and their brand new tunes literally just blew us away! Watch out for this powerful cooperation — 2011 is the year of TASTERS!"

BLOODBATH originally released The Fathomless Mastery in 2008. It was hailed as another masterpiece of brutal and blasphemous metal, with a definite nod to some of the masters of the scene, such as MORBID ANGEL and ENTOMBED, flowing throughout the tracks.

This new edition of The Fathomless Mastery, available on June 28th via Peaceville, includes four bonus tracks from the Unblessing The Purity EP. Recorded in 2007, Unblessing The Purity was a ferocious storm of pure death metal extremity, and these highly sought after tracks from the sold out pressing are now included on this release.

The complete tracklisting of The Fathomless Mastery reissue is as follows:

'At The Behest Of Their Death'
'Process Of Disillumination'
'Slaughtering The Will To Live'
'Mock The Cross'
'Treasonous'
'Iesous'
'Drink From The Cup Of Heresy'
'Devouring The Feeble'
'Earthrot'
'Hades Rising'
'Wretched Human Mirror'
'Blasting The Virginborn'
'Weak Aside'
'Sick Salvation'
'Mouth Of Empty Praise'

Former MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young's SOULS ON 11 project has parted ways with singer Schascle "Twinkle" Yochim and has replaced her with 24-year-old Swedish import Guernica Mancini (pictured below).

Due to various "personal and family situations," Twinkle was unable to move forward with the project. Young immediately followed in the footsteps of mentor Neal Schon and began searching the Internet for the perfect voice. Seeking a vocalist of European sensibility led the guitarist back to his Alma mater, Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Mancini is a recent graduate of MI's Vocal Institute Of Technology and is currently attending courses in Music Business at UCLA. During her tenure at VIT, Mancini went through a self-proclaimed "'80s metal phase," exploring a natural affinity and the uncanny ability to sing in the style of Ronnie James Dio, SKID ROW's Sebastian Bach, Janis Joplin and the like.

SOULS ON 11's lineup is rounded out by the world-class rhythm section of bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) and drummer Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, PUDDLE OF MUDD).

Stay tuned for two songs, plus accompanying videos, to be released over the summer, with world tour dates to follow. Mancini will also be an upcoming guest on Young's radio show "Music Without Boundaries".

CONSFEARACY (formerly PROPHESY), the American/German metal band featuring lead vocalist Brian O'Connor (ex-VICIOUS RUMORS), guitarist Fabian Schwarz (THE NEW BLACK), bassist Günter Auschrat (THE NEW BLACK, ABANDONED), guitarist Ira Black (ex-VICIOUS RUMORS, LIZZY BORDEN, METAL CHURCH) and drummer Timo Weis, will release its self-titled debut album on July 4 (three days earlier in Germany) via Massacre Records. The group produced, recorded and mixed the CD, then mastered it with Achim Köhler in Germany.

"Consfearacy" track listing:

01. Pain Infantry (4:49)
02. Ritual Sacrifice (4:19)
03. Fall From Grace (4:33)
04. World Domination (4:49)
05. Live Again (3:22)
06. Dying To Kill (4:38)
07. Forever Falling (3:48)
08. Unbreakable (4:25)
09. Flesh & Bone (5:00)
10. Your Dead To Me (3:26)

Audio samples of all the tracks that will appear on "Consfearacy" are available for streaming on Amazon.de.

San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT last week entered the studio with British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD) to begin pre-production on their new album for a late 2011 release.

Due to a "serious injury," drummer Paul Bostaph is unable to take part in the new CD recordings but will rejoin TESTAMENT for future touring activities. Playing drums on the follow-up to 2008's "The Formation Of Damnation" will be Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (ex-DARK ANGEL, ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK), with LAMB OF GOD's Chris Adler set to make a special guest appearance on a couple of bonus tracks.

In a new online posting, TESTAMENT bassist Greg Christian states, "Eric [Peterson, guitar], Gene, Andy and I have been in the studio jammin' on the new songs since last week and today is the last day of pre-production. Gene starts recording the drum tracks tomorrow. It's coming to be, and it's heavy as shit."

Hoglan previously played drums on TESTAMENT's 1997 album, "Demonic", but didn't stick around long enough to do any touring with the band.

Regarding the musical direction of the new TESTAMENT material, the band's vocalist, Chuck Billy, stated in a 2010 interview, "The new album will most likely be a culmination of 'The Gathering' [1999] and 'The Formation of Damnation', but we're definitely not going to forget who we are or our roots. I think we've found a comfortable spot in our writing style."

Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, will re-release TESTAMENT's first four albums — "The Legacy", "The New Order", "Practice What You Preach" and "Souls Of Black" — on June 27 on deluxe limited-edition180-gram vinyl:

* "The Legacy" (originally released in 1987) (purple vinyl)
* "The New Order" (originally released in 1988) (clear vinyl)
* "Practice What You Preach" (originally released in 1989) (white vinyl)
* "Souls Of Black" (originally released in 1990) (blue vinyl)

George Lynch, the former lead guitarist for DOKKEN and leader of his own rock bands LYNCH MOB and SOULS OF WE, will release his eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years, "Kill All Control", on July 19 via Rocket Science, Inc.

What began as a follow-up to the SOULS OF WE debut, "Let The Truth Be Known", George quickly realized the project was taking on a new direction with the addition of POWERMAN 5000 drummer Adrian Ost. While writing with SOULS OF WE singer London LeGrand (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION), George noted, "The creative juices flowed and we wrote most of the CD in 10 days."

"Kill All Control" combines many of Lynch's varied styles and histories, including a reflection back to earlier days which spawned a follow-up to the instrumental DOKKEN track "Mr. Scary", called "Son Of Scary", featuring Fred Coury of CINDERELLA on drums. Additional guests on the album include a variety of known singers. Will Marten (EARSHOT), Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS), and Keith St. John (MONTROSE) all joined in on the new album in which George hopes he was able "to create an eclectic listening experience for my fans."

"Kill All Control" track listing:

01. Kill All Control
02. Brank New Day
03. Done
04. Flys Wall
05. Wicked Witch
06. Man on Fire
07. Voices In My Head
08. Resurrect
09. Here Comes The Sun
10. My Enemy
11. Son Of Scary

Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL has set "Dark Adrenaline" as the title of its new album, due in October via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Shallow Life" is once again being helmed by producer Don Gilmore (PEARL JAM, LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE), with the band this time choosing to record in its native Italy to help focus on the more personal nature of the new material.

"This time around music has been our refuge from some of the darkest days of our life and that's why the new songs have such a variety of feelings... some stuff is pretty angry, probably the heaviest we've ever written, some other songs are intense, loaded with velvet dark emotions and there's even a little space for some light at the end of the tunnel," says LACUNA COIL's male vocalist Andrea Ferro.

"People are asking me if we're going back to our roots or if we're taking another step forward in a new direction... Well, to be honest I just feel that this is 100 percent a LACUNA COIL record and that is what really matters to me. I just love the songs and we felt a big wave of inspiration. The energy with Don in the studio is sky-high and we're ready to kick some ass."

"Collectively, we did so much in between 'Shallow Life' and this one," adds LACUNA COIL's female vocalist Cristina Scabbia. "We have lots of different experiences between us. We've been loved and hurt, we grew up, we shrunk inside a little keeping ourselves together and our roots watered and are alive. I still can't believe that the energy in between us is getting better and better, but I guess that's what being a real family means."

Regarding the musical direction of the new songs, Ferro stated last month, "Some stuff is . . . probably the heaviest we have ever written. But then we have some cool songs with a dark, 'old-school' vibe, and then some other rocking songs which are a bit more modern and anthemic sounding." Scabbia added, "I just want you all to listen to it 'cause I think the old fans will be pleased as well as the new one fans. The collection of songs is the perfect balance between an older and a newer style of rock metal — with a heavy punch and melancholic shadows."

Once LACUNA COIL completes the recording sessions for the new album, the band will spend the summer performing at a select number of European festivals, including Greenfield, Graspop Metal Meeting and Sonisphere in Spain.

When asked how the new material is sounding, Cristina said in a 2010 interview with Kerrang! magazine, "It's still a rock sound. I like the direction we took on 'Shallow Life' and this is going to be in that vein. I still love metal to death, but at this point I like rock more. I like being able to bring different things that are not necessarily from metal to the album because I like the contamination between sounds. I like that music is always evolving and that you can be free to take sounds and mix them together."

Regarding whether there are any other surprises in store, Cristina said, "At this stage I actually don't know. We don't plan that, because in some ways I like to stay with that classic sound and in some other ways I like to do something completely different and surprise people. I've learned over the years that you cannot make everyone happy. If you stay classic, there will be some who say you're not innovative, and if you're innovative, people will complain that you sold out or you went off the rails. I can honestly say I don't care anymore. We want to be free to do whatever we want. We love rock and roll and we love metal, but we don't want to put any limitations on what we might make."

Dayton, Ohio Christian metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has set "Dead Throne" as the title of its new album, due in the U.S. on September 13 via Ferret Music and one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed "With Roots Above and Branches Below" was recorded at Zing Studios in Massachusetts with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TIMES OF GRACE). Additional synth/key production was handled by Joey Sturgis (who has worked on all of the THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA records so far) with further assistance on the vocal production by Jeremy McKinnon (A DAY TO REMEMBER).

Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't", a brand new song from ANTHRAX, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track is also available for free download at this location.

Commented the band: "To all of our friends around the world — ANTHRAX fans are the most loyal fans ever. You've been waiting a long, long time for us to release new music. With Joey [Belladonna, vocals] back in the band, we know that the anticipation is really high, and we love you for that. So, as a way for us to say THANK YOU, we decided to make our brand-new track, 'Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't', available as a free download, giving all of you a taste of what's to come on our first new studio album in eight years, 'Worship Music', that will be out September 13. Thank you for sticking with us my friends and now join us on this zombie killing thrill ride we call 'Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't'."

Regarding the "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" single artwork (which can be seen below), ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante said, "The cover art was done by Alex Ross. He is the greatest, in my eyes. His attention to detail is one of the things I love about him. I wanted to show the members of the band fighting their Zombie Doppleganger, I really think this is one of my favorite covers. Look for a t-shirt and single later on."

California rockers TESLA will release "Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions" in Europe on July 25 via Scarlet Records. The CD, which will be released in North America on July 12, will feature six songs that were recorded back in 2005 at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio — which also serve as the last recordings with original member Tommy Skeoch — and six newly recorded tracks, including acoustic remakes of songs from TESLA's entire catalog and two brand new songs, "Second Street" and "Better Off Without You".

"You're Fucking Below Me", the new video from Danish modern "melodeath thrashers" PITCHBLACK, can be viewed below. The clip is said to be have the same visual outline as the cover for the band's sophomore album, "The Devilty", which was banned by a German distributor.

"In the video you see an orthodox Jew, an Islamic and a Nazi being killed during a PITCHBLACK concert," says singer Daniel Fonseca about the clip's symbolism. "We have chosen some of the persons that we sing about on the record, trying to show how stupid mankind is behaving. And we're not to trying to be holy, so I — the singer — am killed as well. The crowd in the video wears white masks which symbolizes that we are all equal no matter skin color, religion and so forth. The stupidity which we see all over the world every day and where some people think they are superior to others and even want to kill other persons seems never-ending. PITCHBLACK want to erase the prejudices — with bloody hands — to stress out our point. As a band, we do not think that violence is the solution to the evilness in the world — that's why the singer is also slaughtered in the video. We don't give the solution for world peace — we just describe it and say that violence is not the solution."

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"San Francisco show?? Well, sort of…

"It all started when Kirk [Hammett, guitar] mentioned that his next-door neighbor had invited us to play at his party in San Francisco and we figured, 'Why not?' After all, it has been quite some time since we've played in our hometown, and we haven't exactly been getting out a lot lately.

"Well, it turns out that Kirk's neighbor, Marc Benioff, is the top dog at a 'small' company called Salesforce.com and his shindig actually lasts for four days and hosts over 30,000 people!

"So much for a little backyard barbeque . . .

"Following in the footsteps of Neil Young, the FOO FIGHTERS, BLACK CROWES, and Stevie Wonder, we are excited to announce that we have been invited to play at the ninth annual Salesforce.com Dreamforce convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, August 31. It promises to be quite the party... Where else can you learn everything you ever wanted to know about cloud computing during the day and then rock out with the 'TALLICA at night?

"If you're planning to attend Dreamforce, cool, we look forward to seeing you there and of course, if you're a Met Club [official METALLICA fan club] member, log in and check out how you can win tickets . . . we're giving hundreds away."

Fan-filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST's June 22, 2011 performance at the Gods Of Metal festival in Milan, Italy can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rapid Fire
02. Metal Gods
03. Heading Out to the Highway
04. Judas Rising
05. Starbreaker
06. Victim of Changes
07. Never Satisfied
08. Diamonds & Rust (JOAN BAEZ cover)
09. Dawn of Creation
10. Prophecy
11. Night Crawler
12. Turbo Lover
13. Beyond the Realms of Death
14. The Sentinel
15. Blood Red Skies
16. The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
17. Breaking the Law
18. Painkiller

Encore:

19. The Hellion (taped intro) / Electric Eye

Encore 2:

20. Hell Bent for Leather

Encore 3:

21. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Encore 4:

22. Living After Midnight