Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED were honored at SKAP's (Svenska Kompositörer Av Populärmusik, The Swedish Society Of Popular Music Composers) annual ceremony this past Monday, May 16 at Blå Hallen in Stockholm.

Every year SKAP awards scholarships and prizes to celebrate Swedish creativity across all musical genres. The awards ceremony takes place in tandem with SKAP's annual spring party which is organized with the composers in mind and creativity as the main focus. During the event, there are 13 recipients of a scholarship valued at 40,000 SEK (approximately $6,350) each.

A photo of THE HAUNTED guitarist Patrik Jensen and vocalist Peter Dolving accepting the SKAP grant at this year's ceremony can be seen below.

Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY completed their run on the Jägermeister Music Tour earlier this spring, coinciding with the release of their latest single, "It's A Party". The band partnered with Jägermeister to compile iconic live footage from the tour into an exclusive live video showcasing the band's electric energy behind "It's A Party". Check out the clip beow.

"The video is a compilation of a few different performances on our last tour," says BUCKCHERRY guitarist Keith Nelson. Vocalist Josh Todd adds, "It is the true essence of what we are about and when BUCKCHERRY hits the stage, we get the party started."

BUCKCHERRY premiered the "It's A Party" live video on Twitter, instructing fans to tweet a special message to unlock and view the video.

Sweden's THE QUILL will release its new album, "Full Circle", on June 24 in Europe and July 26 in North America via Metalville Records. According to a press release, the CD "is packed with heavy rock firmly rooted in the Seventies but vibrant and updated rather than retro. Yes, there's a new twist to the sound. Less is more, if you will. The songs are sharp, direct and catchy, built around big riffs, big grooves and big hooks. Just check out 'Sleeping With Your Enemy' and try to get that chorus out of your head. Surrender to the up-tempo outburst of energy that is 'Medicine'. And physically feel how 'Bring It On' simply rocks like a motherfucker. Very much classic rock and yet contemporary in the FOO FIGHTERS / QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE vein. Needless to say, THE QUILL is a band reborn."

"Full Circle" was mixed by songwriter/producer/artist Chris Laney (real name: Ulf Larsson).

An audio teaser for "Full Circle" available for streaming using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below (click on "Songs" tab).

With the touring cycle for THE QUILL's fifth album, "In Triumph", completed, the band and singer Magnus Ekwall parted ways and THE QUILL was put on the backburner. Drummer Jolle Atlagic joined now-defunct Finnish glam legends HANOI ROCKS — touring Europe and Japan in the process — and also did a stint in THE REAL MCCOY band alongside FOO FIGHTERS guitarist Chris Shiflett. Christian Carlsson (guitar) and Robert Triches (bass) also kept busy with other projects. In early 2010, it was THE QUILL time again. Songs were written and Magz Arnar filled the vacant vocalist spot. It was a perfect match. The versatile singer has heaps of energy and a powerful voice that fits THE QUILL like a glove. Magz has the required range to sing the old stuff but also a rawness that the band was looking for.

THE QUILL 2011 is:

Magnus Arnar (vocals)
Christian Carlsson (guitar)
Jolle Atlagic (drums)
Robert Triches (bass)

Legendary keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW) will release a new solo album, "All Out", on August 22 via Provogue Records. The CD features a guest appearance by blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION).

"All Out" track listing:

01. The Way I Feel Inside
02. Estancia
03. People In Your Head
04. B'cos
05. Running From The Shadows
06. Right Arm Overture
07. Fire
08. Lon Road
09. Wrath Of Thor
10. Tobruk

Two songs ("Of Death" and "Buried Alive") from "Of Death", the second full-length album from blackened metallers BYFROST, can be streamed in the SoundCloud player below. The eight-track effort, which is due for release on June 27 via AFM Records in both CD and LP formats, was recorded at the Conclave & Earshot Studios in the band's home town of Bergen, Norway, and was produced by ENSLAVED's Herbrand Larsen together with BYFROST, and co-produced by ENSLAVED guitarist Ice Dale. Mastering was carried out by Knut Fug Prytz at the Magica Mastering Studio. Artwork and design are once again in the hands of Christian Sloan Hall, known for his work with bands like DIMMU BORGIR and SLAYER.

"Of Death" track listing:

01. May the Dead Rise
02. Eye for an Eye
03. Buried Alive
04. Of Death
05. Full Force Rage
06. Shadow of Fear
07. Sorgh
08. All Gods are Gone

MASTODON guitarist Brent Hinds will unleash two very special projects this year: WEST END MOTEL and FIEND WITHOUT A FACE.

FIEND WITHOUT A FACE is a rockabilly/porno/metal concoction mixed with a bit of a country, surf guitar and applesauce on the side. They've been rockin' house parties for nearly two decades, but word on the street is that they're about to go legit thanks to Rocket Science! The self-titled debut features 13 tracks of singular awesomeness that needs to be experienced by anyone looking for a bit of adventure in their listening outings. Like a fat man sending back soup, these boys are on a mission for the world's condition. FIEND WITHOUT A FACE is armed and dangerous, packing just pantyhose, a fez and a bit of Vyvanse.

WEST END MOTEL is a conglomerate of losers, poets and hobo-sexuals. Tom Cheshire met Hinds in Atlanta on a corner under a bridge in 1993. They were panhandling and drinking cough syrup and before long, music began spewing from their pores. Songs were written on an acoustic guitar and a bucket with the occasional toy piano in the background. Late nights turned into early mornings and much booze was consumed. They write and sing for the underdog and give the listener a glimmer of hope. Originally, they aimed for a Simon and Garfunkel hanging out with Ethel Merman but the end product sounds more like Nick Cave fronting GOGOL BORDELLO. The songs take on a life of their own and no two tracks sound alike. Throw Mike Shina, Stiff Penalty and Ben Thrower into the mix and you got yourself one good time. WEST END MOTEL is now an official collective and are ready to get down to proverbial business with nine-track debut, "Don't Shiver, You're A Winner". 2011 is their year and they're on a mission with no luggage. The band took over Brooklyn this past fall, where rich men, housewives, home bums and a garbageman danced in the streets. The West Coast is next, then the world. These men love music and write for people who love music. It's that simple. They write songs of loss and laughter and occasionally offer a new lease on life. They're a gospel band, a soul band, a band of gypsies… Hear for yourself.

FIEND WITHOUT A FACE and WEST END MOTEL will be released as a two-CD set via Rocket Science Inc. on June 7. Said Hinds of the recordings: "I feel like a thousand umpa lumpas have been lifted from my back. I want to thank everyone that made this possible.. in the time it took to put these two albums out, I wrote five more, so whoever likes this kind of stuff, there's a lot more where this came from."

Brent Hinds Presents FIEND WITHOUT A FACE And WEST END MOTEL two-CD set:

Disc 1:

FIEND WITHOUT A FACE

01. Calypso
02. Black Grass
03. Green Slime
04. Cha-Cha
05. Bank Robbin Bandits
06. Tsunami
07. Hot Rod
08. New York
09. Don't Like
10. Cosmonaut
11. Stupido
12. Get Straight
13. Volcano

Disc 2:

WEST END MOTEL

Don't Shiver, You're A Winner

01. The Confident Wino/...And We Are Here To Entertain You
02. The Devil Called Me Tommy
03. I Like It A Lot
04. She's On Fire
05. Under My Skin
06. Silly Old Song
07. Highwaters

MEGADETH has tapped Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis; DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD, STAIND) to produce the band's new album, tentatively due this fall via Roadrunner Records. The drum tracking for the CD began earlier this month, with the entire recording process expected to be completed by the time the group hits the road this summer as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with DISTURBED and GODSMACK.

Speaking to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine stated about the band's upcoming album, "This is our 13th studio record, and we've already had a bunch of weird things happen. Car problems, stuff disappearing, a guy who worked for me that was the most white-laced guy you could imagine falling out on drugs and disappearing...but this one's got me excited!"

When asked if still seeing people succumb to drugs affects him as an ex-addict, Mustaine said, "I know why some people get loaded because it feels good. Some people get loaded when their teams win, some get loaded when their teams lose, some get loaded when their team's starting a game, some get loaded when nothing's even happening, but that's just a recreational, emotional thing. But when you get to that place when you're strung out [on heroin], that's a bitch, because it's not very gracious. It doesn't discriminate; it will take anybody down."

Vincent Cavanagh of the U.K. atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA has issued the following update:

"This week, due to circumstances outside of our control, the full band will not be able to travel to the U.S. to perform with BLACKFIELD. Despite making every effort and exploring all avenues to make this trip possible, we were not able to find a solution.
"Our fans are our number one priority and so as not to let you down, we've generated enough support to keep most of our American Dream alive but this does still mean a few unavoidable changes to the plan.

"We wanted to let you know that instead of the full band appearing, myself and Danny [Cavanagh] will now be performing acoustically. We're really excited as it's our first time in the States and with absolute respect for fans who have bought tickets, we want to go over and give you a great show. Even though we'll be focusing mainly on the newer material, we're still ready to play some of the old songs if people want to hear them! In fact, to us, these acoustic gigs are more special and exciting in a way — they are less structured and more improvised than a full band show — there's room for a bit of freedom on the night. Additionally, due to the unprecedented style of these shows we have decided to record these rare acoustic performances for forthcoming special releases and exclusive online content.

"We really feel this is just the beginning OF ANATHEMA's U.S. story and Danny and I are looking forward to meeting everyone. We will be on the merchandise stand after every performance to greet you all and we will do our best to make sure the full band gets to tour in the USA as quickly as possible, perhaps even headlining before the end of the year.

"Whilst we realise this is a significant change from the original plan and we are disappointed that we can't perform with the full band, we are thrilled that we can still play to our fans in the USA. In true ANATHEMA spirit, the show WILL go on."

San Antonio cult TV show "Robb's MetalWorks" has released a four-minute preview of an interview with Mark Tremonti of ALTER BRIDGE and CREED conducted on May 3, 2011 at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois. Mark discusses ALTER BRIDGE's new album, "ABIII"; the rumors of an ALTER BRIDGE/CREED tour; his upcoming "Tremonti Project" release which will include speed and thrash metal; and why Texas crowds rule.

Regarding his upcoming solo project, Tremonti said, "I just had three months off while [ALTER BRIDGE singer] Myles [Kennedy] was touring with Slash, so I figured it was a good time to get some music put together. I collaborated with Eric Friedman [a.k.a. Erock] and Garrett Whitlock. All this stuff that I wanted to see the light of day that never really got used for ALTER BRIDGE and CREED is what I'm putting on the record. There's a lot of speed metal and thrash stuff in there — riffs that I had sitting around — that I'm putting on this record. So it's definitely a heavier-sounding album."

The full 15-minute interview will be released later this year via cable in the south Texas region.

Multinational metallers POWERWOLF have set "Blood Of The Saints" as the title of their fourth album, due in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on July 29; and August in the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records in Europe. The CD will be released as a regular CD, a limited-edition digibook 2-CD (exact content to be revealed shortly) and on vinyl. The cover art was created by POWERWOLF guitarist Matthew Greywolf.

Commented Greywolf: "We're really excited about this album. It's been a hard piece of work, but it was so goddamn worth it.

"I think on 'Blood Of The Saints' we really delivered a striking balance of mighty melodic stuff and some serious wolfish metal madness, all dressed up in some highly catchy tunes.

"We can hardly wait until the album is finally out and we can celebrate these tunes together with all of you. Be prepared!"

"Blood Of The Saints" track listing:

01. Agnus Dei (Intro)
02. Sanctified With Dynamite
03. We Drink Your Blood
04. Murder At Midnight
05. All We Need Is Blood
06. Dead Boys Don't Cry
07. Son Of A Wolf
08. Night Of The Werewolves
09. Phantom Of The Funeral
10. Die, Die, Crucified
11. Ira Sancti (When The Saints Are Going Wild)

FIREWOLFE is a new band featuring vocalist David Fefolt (HAWK, MASI, ANGELS OF BABYLON), guitarists Paul Kleff and Nick Layton, Jay Schellen (HURRICANE, ASIA) on drums and Zack Uidl (THOUGHTS BETRAYED) on bass. Due in July, the group's debut album has been described as "a turbine-powered, twin guitar, screaming eargasm" with overtones of DIO, IRON MAIDEN, SCORPIONS, and JUDAS PRIEST.

Commented FIREWOLFE in a statement, "We love heavy metal!!! So we're just writing an album that we personally would want to buy and we are doing it the old-fashioned way... turning up to ten and just kicking ass! There's nothing high-tech about it."

A new Ronnie James Dio compilation album, entitled "Mightier Than The Sword: The Ronnie James Dio Story", will be released in the U.K. on June 6 via Sanctuary. The two-disc collection will feature tracks from ELF, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, DIO and HEAVEN & HELL, as well as Dio's solo material.

The track listing is as follows:

Disc 1:

01. Carolina County Ball (ELF)
02. Love Is All (RONNIE JAMES DIO)
03. The Temple Of The King (RAINBOW)
04. Catch The Rainbow (RAINBOW)
05. Stargazer (RAINBOW)
06. Run With The Wolf (RAINBOW)
07. Kill The King (RAINBOW)
08. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (RAINBOW)
09. Lady Of The Lake (RAINBOW)
10. Gates Of Babylon (RAINBOW)
11. Die Young (BLACK SABBATH)
12. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH)
13. Children Of The Sea (BLACK SABBATH)

Disc 2:

01. The Mob Rules (BLACK SABBATH)
02. Voodoo (BLACK SABBATH)
03. Country Girl (BLACK SABBATH)
04. Holy Diver (DIO)
05. Rainbow In The Dark (DIO)
06. We Rock (DIO)
07. Rock 'N' Roll Children (DIO)
08. All The Fools Sailed Away (DIO)
09. I (BLACK SABBATH)
10. Push (DIO)
11. One More For The Road (DIO)
12. Shadow Of The Wind (BLACK SABBATH)
13. Neon Knights (HEAVEN & HELL)
14. Bible Black (HEAVEN & HELL)

DC4, the Los Angeles-based hard rock band featuring guitarist Rowan Robertson (ex-DIO) alongside brothers Jeff Duncan (ARMORED SAINT, ODIN) on lead vocals and guitar, Shawn Duncan (ODIN) on drums and Matt Duncan on bass, has inked a European deal with Metal Blade Records. The group's third album, "Electric Ministry", will be released this summer. The CD was produced by legendary producer Bill Metoyer, who has worked on a host of classic metal albums by bands such as SLAYER, W.A.S.P., FATES WARNING, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, ARMORED SAINT and D.R.I.

Commented Rowan: "It's an honor to be on Metal Blade Records! I feel that we made a very honest and powerful record and to have it released by a label that shares our love for hard music is a blessing!"

Added Jeff Duncan: "I am thrilled and honored beyond belief! I have been in the Metal Blade family as a member of ARMORED SAINT for most of my career so to have DC4 welcomed into the fold is about as good as it gets!"

Israeli "dark death metal" act ETERNAL GRAY has inked a deal with Season Of Mist. The band's second album, "Your Gods, My Enemies", was recorded at Studio Underground in Sweden and will be released in the fall.

Commented ETERNAL GRAY guitarist Dory: "We are very positive that this partnership will bring us to new levels, having set a high self-standard with our debut, 'Kindless'.

"Our forthcoming album, 'Your Gods, My Enemies', is now in good professional hands and you guys can rest assured we did our best to make it sound fresh, rich and strong, a timeless piece that we're very proud of.

"Being alongside bands such as MORBID ANGEL, MAYHEM, CYNIC and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, to name but a few, we feel it's our obligation to continue working hard and step by step take ETERNAL GRAY to the top of death metal's elite.

"We expect and are ready for a full, busy schedule that will include touring, working on new material and generally keep providing you with the best we can on all fronts together with the Season Of Mist family."

STONE SOUR — the band featuring SLIPKNOT members Corey Taylor (vocals) and Jim Root (guitar) — has released the following statement:

"It is with regret that we have decided to cancel the remaining dates on our current headline tour. Our friend and drummer, Roy Mayorga, suffered a minor stroke a couple of nights ago after our show in Des Moines. He's doing great and is expected to make a 100% recovery. We apologize to all the fans and look forward to getting back out on the road with Roy in the coming months."

Mayorga joined STONE SOUR in 2006 after the band's previous drummer, Joel Ekman, left the group in order to spend time with his nine-year-old son, who was diagnosed with brain stem glioma (brain cancer).

STONE SOUR bassist Shawn Economaki was forced to leave the band's current tour to deal with undisclosed "personal issues." For some of the recent shows, STONE SOUR played with a replacement bassist.

STONE SOUR took part in the "Avalanche Tour" with SKILLET, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, HALESTORM and ART OF DYING.

Known for its relentless touring and one-of-a-kind, fearless live show, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE — the Shreveport, Louisiana quintet now transplanted to Los Angeles, California — has announced a change in musical direction. The group's foray into black metal is exemplified by its newly designed logo and band photos.

"We were sick of getting lumped in with 'scene' and 'whatever-core' bands, so we decided to embrace our roots and just go straight black metal on the new album," says guitarist Steven Bradley. "I'd say 90 percent of the new record is straight-up black metal, so we had to change our image to match... Because, of course, that's just as important, if not more so, than the music."

California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE will release their new album, "The Black Crown", on July 12 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with heavyweight producer Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, EVERY TIME I DIE, HATEBREED) and features the following songtitles, among others: "Human Violence", "Cancerous Skies" and "Fuck Everything".

The cover artwork for "The Black Crown" was created by the Delaware-based freelance graphic designer and illustrator Ken "K3N" Adams, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD.

SCELESTUS (pronounced sha-less-tus), the new project featuring former MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason Popson (a.k.a. J Mann), current MUSHROOMHEAD drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton, and ex-THE AUTUMN OFFERING guitarist Tommy Church, has just released its self-titled EP via Filthy Hands/Megaforce. A full-length album will follow in the fall.

"Scelestus" track listing:

01. Everything We Hold
02. Backdraft Recall
03. Damn The Deceiver
04. Token

The song "Token" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.