Audio snippets of all the songs that appear on the self-titled debut album from DJERV — the Norwegian band featuring singer Agnete Kjølsrud of ANIMAL ALPHA, drummer Erlend Gjerde of STONEGARD and WARDRUNA and guitarist Stian Kårstad of TRELLDOM — can be streamed at this location. The CD will be released on June 17 in Europe (except Scandinavia where it will arrive on June 10) via Indie Recordings (except in Poland and Czech Republic, where the album will be made available through Mystic Production).

Reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST have announced the addition of guitarist Jason Holloway to the group's ranks following the departure of Jonathan Thompson, who took a job in the medical field. Both Holloway, 27, and new ATHEIST bass player Travis Morgan, 20, have taken part in the American, and European tour dates thus far on the band's "Jupiter" world tour and "have brought a lot of new energy to ATHEIST," according to frontman Kelly Shaefer.

Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER have set "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in early September via Roadrunner Records. The CD is currently being mixed by Andy Wallace, who has previously worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, WHITE ZOMBIE, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SEPULTURA, SLAYER and NIRVANA, among many others.

"I'm incredibly psyched with the way this album came out and can't wait to share it with everybody," guitarist John Petrucci, who also serves as the producer for "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", said. "We are currently in the mix stage with the great Andy Wallace and it's all sounding amazing!"

"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess offered. "All the life changing events that surrounded us before, as well as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."

Vocalist James LaBrie said, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" track listing:

01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. The Shaman's Trance
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface

According to Christian Today, Christian leaders have slammed AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson over his recent claim that "all religions are bad" and "a waste of time."

In a recent interview with PopEater.com — an AOL blog — the 63-year-old Johnson said, "Well, I don't believe in religion, let's put it that way. I believe all religions are bad. I think they're a waste of time. Jesus was a clever man. He wasn't the son of God. We all know that he was a very clever, wonderful man and he said, 'Church is in here, meaning you are your own church.'"

Allen Palmeri, author of "The Cyberspace Letters", a novel that touches on the influences of culture, commented, "The highway to hell is paved both with good intentions and with bad philosophy like this. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. He is the alpha, which correlates with the Bible book of Genesis, and the omega, which lines up with the Bible book of Revelation. He's also the author of Brian Johnson's musical talent. When one day he comes to the end of his showmanship on earth, he will have to face the fact that Jesus is the door to God the Father, who is there."

During a recent interview with the Artisan News Service (see video below), guitarist John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER was asked if the band's upcoming dates will feature material from the much-anticipated new DREAM THEATER CD, which is expected to surface late summer/early fall via Roadrunner Records. "The album's gonna come out sometime in September, [and] at that point, we'll start our headlining [tour] in the U.S. where we will incorporate a lot of the new material and the production of the show will be centered around the new material," he replied. "But up until then we do festivals in July in Europe and we'll just play one of the new songs and it'll be part of the mix type of thing. So you won't really see that until the fall, until the album is out and we start to really tour in support of it."

The new issue of U.K.'s Rhythm magazine, which hit shelves yesterday (Monday, June 6) contains a nine-page feature on Mike Mangini, the newly recruited drummer for DREAM THEATER. Mangini talks about how he landed the DREAM THEATER gig; preserving former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy's legacy as well as creating his own; and that grueling audition process. The magazine also takes a look around Mangini's massive set-up, takes tips on playing odd time signatures and delves deep into Mangini's technique behind the kit. Plus the magazine takes a closer look at the six guys that missed out on the much-coveted DREAM THEATER gig.

Canadian thrash metal veterans ANNIHILATOR have tapped CRYPTOPSY drummer Flo Mounier for their summer festival and headline shows.

Commented ANNIHILATOR mainman/guitarist Jeff Waters : "Just returned home from a weekend jam with Flo in Quebec. [He is a] fantastic drummer and an honor for us as musicians to play with such a high-calibre drummer. While he certainly meets the high standards we set for ANNIHILATOR's drumming (Mike Mangini [STEVE VAI, DREAM THEATER], Randy Black [PRIMAL FEAR]), he brings in his own style, along with some serious mega-speed that will certainly keep us on our toes!"

Added Mounier: "It is a great pleasure and honor to be performing with the legendary ANNIHILATOR!!! I grew up listening to this Canadian tech/thrash metal band and I do consider this a terrific opportunity and a personal challenge."

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST kicked off their "Epitaph" world tour earlier tonight (Tuesday, June 7) at 013 in Tilburg, Holland. The show marked the band's first-ever concert with the band's latest addition, 31-year-old guitarist Richie Faulkner (LAUREN HARRIS, DIRTY DEEDS), who replaced Kenneth "K.K." Downing in April.

PRIEST'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 And Rust (JOAN BAEZ cover) (half acoustic, half electric)
09. Prophecy
10. Night Crawler
11. Turbo Lover
12. Beyond The Realms of Death
13. The Sentinel
14. Blood Red Skies
15. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
16. Breaking The Law
17. Painkiller

Encore 1:

18. The Hellion (taped intro) / Electric Eye
19. Hell Bent For Leather

Encore 2:

20. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

2010's biggest tour is rolling back into Europe this month and BON JOVI will be giving fans across the globe a chance to experience the live show from the comfort of their homes.

The record breaking band will be streaming the first 30 minutes of their show live from Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany in front of an 80,000 strong crowd and millions watching via the internet, courtesy of Ustream.

Just click on any of these links to watch at BonJovi.com on June 12th at:

Swedish all-girl hard rock band CRUCIFIED BARBARA will enter the studio this summer to begin recording its third full-length album for a late 2011 release. Helming the new CD will be producer Chips Kiesbye, who has previously worked with HELLACOPTERS, SAHARA HOTNIGHTS, MILLENCOLIN, NOMADS, WILMER X and BONAFIDE, among others.

In other news, CRUCIFIED BARBARA will play at several festivals this summer, including Hellfest in France, Norway Rock in Norway and the Stockholm Pride Festival in Sweden.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA's second full-length album, "Til Death Do Us Party", was released in February 2009. The CD was produced by Mats Levén (THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) and features guest appearances by guitarist Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD) and Mats Levén.

DRAGGING THE CASKET, the solo project of guitarist L-G Hakamo (formerly L-G Jonasson) of the Swedish death/thrash outfit ARISE, has released its debut album, "The Undead".

The CD is available for streaming and free download in various formats and with complete cover artwork directly from the project's web site.

"The Undead" track listing:

01. Impaled By Death
02. Sickened
03. Buried
04. Empty Casket
05. Let Them Swing
06. We Are The Ones
07. Cease To Exist

Commented L-G: "I basically got tired of getting fucked over by record labels, spending a fortune on studio time and compromising about the direction of songs. I wanted to try how good it could sound if I did everything myself. Realizing my weaknesses in the vocal department, I managed to team up with a great guy named Jonatan Storm, who delivered all the vocal recordings really fast. I owe him big time for this!"

"Takao", the new video from Taiwanese metallers CHTHONIC, can be viewed below. The single was digitally released with a bonus track that features special English-language choruses sung by members of Finland's ENSIFERUM.

"The original version of this chorus is totally Taiwanese folk style, but the version that ENSIFERUM's singing sounds so Finnish folk! So amazing, we definitely want to share this version with our fans!" said by Doris Yeh, leader and bassist of CHTHONIC.

Yu Tien, a popular Taiwanese Enka singer, can be heard on the original version of "Takao".

"Takao" is a song about the Taiwanese soldiers recruited from the Takao harbor to fight in the Pacific War as part of the Japanese Imperial Army.

"Yu Tien's voice perfectly provide the passionate vibe of the song," Doris said, "But not just passionate, there are many kinds of emotions of these soldiers, they might be struggling, passionate, or confused. You can find all these feeling in this song."

DYING FETUS will release a limited-edition mini-LP this summer. Entitled "History Repeats…", it marks the band's 20th anniversary and sees the group covering tracks from artists who have influenced them (NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER, CANNIBAL CORPSE, PESTILENCE). "History Repeats…" also includes a brand new DYING FETUS track exclusive to this release. The mini-LP is limited to 5,000 copies worldwide and set for a July 19 North American release through FYE stores and Relapse mailorder exclusively. Additional information and pre-orders are available here.

"History Repeats…" track listing:

01. Fade Into Obscurity (DEHUMANIZED cover)
02. Unchallenged Hate (NAPALM DEATH cover)
03. Gorehog (BROKEN HOPE cover)
04. Rohypnol (DYING FETUS original exclusive to this release)
05. Unleashed Upon Mankind (BOLT THROWER cover)
06. Twisted Truth (PESTILENCE cover)
07. Born In A Casket (CANNIBAL CORPSE cover)

"Unleashed Upon Mankind" is now available for streaming at this location.

Cult British underground heavyweights AMEBIX re-emerge from the darkness to release of a new single, their first new material for almost 24 years. The song is entitled "Knights Of The Black Sun" and was made available on June 3. A limited-edition 12-inch vinyl single was issued on Amebix Records, in conjunction with Profane Existence. The digital download is available through Amebix Records/Easyaction.

An animation version of "Knights Of The Black Sun" can be seen below. The video was created by the team of animator Andy Lefton and director Fin McAteer. Lefton also made a follow-up interview with AMEBIX members Rob Miller and Stig C. Miller to give a little more insight into the epic work that is the band's new album, "Sonic Mass".

After 24 years away from the metal scene, legendary Spanish metallers BANZAI played a comeback headlining show in front of 22,000 fans on Saturday, June 4 in Madrid.

BANZAI was one of the respected metal bands in Spain back in the '80s and 24 years they have returned with the same basic formation: Jose Antonio Manzano (also in MANZANO, EMERGENCY and NIAGARA), Salvador Domiguez (Miguel Ríos' guitarist) and David Biosca.

BANZAI's show in Madrid was recorded for a double CD and DVD, which will include bonus features.

On August 25, British metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will release the "Single Cuts" box set containing the band's complete U.K. CBS/Columbia singles. "Single Cuts" is testament to PRIEST's enduring influence and through the singles tells the story of one of the biggest metal bands of all time. Presented in a deluxe, numbered box, "Single Cuts" boasts a massive 52 tracks across 20 CDs, featuring original singles artwork and labels plus booklet including sleeve notes and photos.

The track listing:

* 1977

"Diamonds and Rust"
"Dissident Aggressor"

* 1978

"Better By You, Better By Me"
"Invader"

* 1978

"Evening Star"
"Starbreaker"

* 1978

"Before The Dawn"
"Rock Forever"

* 1979

"Take On The World"
"Starbreaker (Live)"
"White Heat Red Hot (Live)"

* 1979

"Evening Star"
"Beyond The Realms Of Death"
"The Green Manalishi"

* 1980

"Living After Midnight"
"Delivering The Goods (Live)"
"Evil Fantasies (Live)"

* 1980

"Breaking The Law"
"Metal Gods"

* 1980

"United"
"Grinder"

* 1981

"Don"t Go"
"Solar Angels"

* 1981

"Hot Rockin'"
"Breaking The Law (Live)"
"Steeler"
"You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise"

* 1982

"You've Got Another Thing Comin'"
"Exciter (Live)"

* 1982 - "(Take These) Chains"
"Judas Priest Audio File"

* 1984

"Freewheel Burning"
"Breaking The Law (Live)"
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'"

* 1984

"Some Heads Are Gonna Roll"
"The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)"
"Jawbreaker"

* 1986

"Turbo Lover"
"Hot For Love"

* 1986
"Locked In"
"Reckless"
"Desert Plains (Live)"
"Freewheel Burning (Live)"

* 1990

"Painkiller"
"United"
"Better By You, Better Than Me"

* 1991

"A Touch Of Evil"
"Between The Hammer And The Anvil"
"You've Got Another Thing Comin' (Live)"

* 1992

"Night Crawler"
"Breaking The Law"
"Living After Midnight"

Bassist/co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld has left seminal New York City hardcore/metal band BIOHAZARD.

"We have a long history together, but it's time for a change," said guitarist/co-founder Bobby Hambel. "We wish Evan well."

Scott Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since, will step in for Seinfeld when BIOHAZARD plays the U.K.'s Download festival on June 12, and again on June 13 at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London. Hambel, guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei and drummer Danny Schuler will begin scouting for a permanent replacement when they return to the U.S.

Italian gothic metal band THEATRES DES VAMPIRES recorded all the shows on its recent European tour with HD cameras and professional digital audio equipment. At the moment Fabian Varesi from THEATRES DES VAMPIRES and Christian Ice from Temple of Noise studio are working together to finalize a new DVD and live CD. This new release will be produced by Aural Music/Dreamcell11 in a deluxe artbook that will contain both the live DVD and the live CD plus some brand-new unreleased songs and an exclusive roadbook of 50-plus pages. The live DVD will include the whole concert in Moscow at Plan B club, pro-recorded with multi-angle HD cameras. As a special bonus, the DVD will contain a long and exclusive backstage documentary of the whole 2011 European tour. The audio CD will have the great quality of the latest TdV productions.

According to the band, "[This is] the FIRST time ever that THEATRES DES VAMPIRES have released a live DVD recorded by a great staff with high professional equipment. As you will remember, the last DVD live from THEATRES DES VAMPIRES, 'The Addiction Tour 2006', was made using low-fi clips made by fans of the band. This time the result will be terrific, a 'must-have' for each THEATRES DES VAMPIRES fan."

Professionally filmed video footage of SYSTEM OF A DOWN's June 5, 2011 performance at the Rock Am Ring festival in Nürburg, Germany can be viewed below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Prison Song
02. Soldier Side
03. B.Y.O.B.
04. I-E-A-I-A-I-O
05. Needles
06. Deer Dance
07. Radio/Video
08. Hypnotize
09. Question!
10. Suggestions
11. Psycho
12. Chop Suey!
13. Lonely Day
14. Bounce
15. Kill Rock 'n Roll
16. Lost in Hollywood
17. Forest
18. Science
19. Darts
20. Aerials
21. Tentative
22. Cigaro
23. Suite-Pee
24. War?
25. Toxicity
26. Sugar

THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX — the Swedish band featuring Jörgen Sandström (vocals; VICIOUS ART, KRUX, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE), Lord K. Philipson (guitar; TORTURE DIVISION, ex-GOD AMONG INSECTS, HOUSE OF USHER, LEUKEMIA), Anders Bertilsson (guitar; COLDWORKER), Tobben Gustafsson (drums; TORTURE DIVISION, VOMITORY) and Portuguese vocalist Ms. Roque (a.k.a. Ruby Roque of WITCHBREED) — has commenced the songwriting sessions for its next album. Philipson states, "To beat [2011's] 'Bleeding The New Apocalypse (Cum Victriciis In Manibus Armis)' will be a monumental task, one we will, of course, accomplish.

"I am currently working on a huge bunch of things music wise and at the moment there's tons of stuff, song sketches and ideas to continue to work with, with one of these ideas already clocking in at over six minutes — meaning it looks like this one will be the first one completed for the next recording.

"We really do not have any schedules as for when to record this and it will take the time it takes to make it all answer to the standards I have for THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX. We haven't even discussed with Season Of Mist if they will release the next album or not; it will all show eventually. What we do know, though, is that we are determined to create another insane monster of apocalyptic visions, brutality and beauty."

"Man In The Middle", the new video from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the Anglo-American rock supergroup featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's second album, simply entitled "2", which will be released in Europe on June 13 via Mascot Records and in the U.S. on June 14 through the J&R Adventures label.

"2" track listing:

01. The Outsider
02. Man In The Middle
03. I Can See Your Spirit
04. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
05. Save Me
06. Cold
07. Smokestack Woman
08. Faithless
09. An Ordinary Son
10. Little Secret
11. Crossfire
12. Crawl

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).

Back in April, BON JOVI guitarist Richie Sambora checked into rehab "for exhaustion and to regain his sobriety." The band reportedly supported Sambora's decision and enlisted former TRIUMPH guitarist Phil "Phil X" Xenidis to fill in on tour.

According to an update via Canoe.ca, Sambora checked outo f rehab this past weekend and is heading to Europe to rejoin the band. He will hit the stage with his Bon Jovi bandmates in Zagreb, Croatia - the first show of their European tour - on Wednesday, June 8th.