The brand new lineup of JAGGERNAUT — featuring guitarist/producer Wojtek Lisicki (LOST HORIZON, LUCIFERION, AGAINST THE PLAGUES), vocalist Niclas Johnsson (FULL STRIKE, TWILIGHT ILLUSION, FATAL SMILE) and drummer Marek Dobrowolski (ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, RECLUSION) — is currently working on material with a view towards releasing an album later this year.

JAGGERNAUT's previously written tracks have been considerably "rearranged, reorchestrated and protagonized" by Wojtek, who is also producing the effort and has composed all the new material, while Niclas has come up with all the vocal arrangements and lyrics for the upcoming CD.

Three of the tracks — "Master Of Pain", "Soldier Of The Damned" and "Morbid Math" — can now be streamed below.

According to a press release, "This intriguing fusion of different artistic approaches now results in a material with wide spectrum of styles and richness of strange elements coded in a singular manner within the details, therefore also increasing the range of attraction for different metal tastes. You are going to experience everything from uplifting, catchy parts right in your face, through touching melodies, cosmic and mystical synths/effects from unknown dimensions, through aggressive, thrashy and punky riffs, then suddenly heavy and very groovy rhythms succeeded — out of nowhere — with mathematical structures executed with robotic strokes and beats. Everything amalgamated with Niclas' powerful and convincing voice, full off anger and life's misery, but then also filled with mighty lines of hope and strengthening of your inner self."

LEAGUE OF LIGHTS, the new project featuring vocalist Farrah West and keyboard player/producer Richard West (THRESHOLD), alongside guitarist Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION), drummer Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING) and bassist Jerry Meehan (ROBBIE WILLIAMS), will release its self-titled debut album on April 11 via the band's official web site.

A modern melodic rock group with '80s pop sensibilities, LEAGUE OF LIGHTS's CD "is laden with strong emotive hooks, soaring choruses and inspiring lyrics saturated in faith, hope and love," according to a press release. "The recordings form a soundscape that is both intimate and powerful, from soft atmospheric piano and electronic textures to huge guitar and orchestral layers, all the time supporting Farrah's unique and beautiful vocals."

"League of Lights" track listing:

01. I'm Alive
02. Cover Me Now
03. Last Sunset
04. Half Light
05. Ambertown
06. You Light My Way
07. Don't Leave Me Behind
08. Animé
09. Cool Of The Day
10. Heaven Sent A Star

Inner Wound Recordings has announced the signing of the progressive metal band LOST IN THOUGHT from Wales. The group's debut album, "Opus Arise", will be released on April 29. The CD, which was mastered by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, DESTRUCTION), is said to be "a must for all fans of bands like THRESHOLD, CIRCUS MAXIMUS, PAGAN'S MIND and SEVENTH WONDER."

According to a press release, LOST IN THOUGHT combines elements of progressive rock, symphonic power and melodic metal to create its unique and epic sound. The band's music consists of both heavy and distinct riffs, large orchestrations, melodic guitar and keyboard unisons, epic vocal melodies, variable time signatures and dynamic ballad sections.

"Opus Arise" track listing:

01. Beyond The Flames
02. Entity
03. Blood Red Diamond
04. Seek To Find
05. New Times Awaken
06. Delusional Abyss
07. Lost In Thoughts
08. Assimilate, Destroy

Former HIRAX guitarist Glenn Rogers announced during an appearance on AM 1300 KSET's "Beyond The Riff" program that he has begun work on two new projects. His new band "is called FINAL DECREE and will be thrash metal with melodic vocals," he said. "The lineup is Kevin Goocher from PHANTOM-X on vocals; Dave Watson, former member of HIRAX and DEATHRIDERS, on guitar; Daniel Cordova, ex-VENGEANCE RISING, on bass; and helping out on drums is Jorge Iacobellis of HIRAX."

FINAL DECREE is working on material for a late 2011 release.

In other news, Glenn has teamed up with longtime friend Ron Daniel to reform former Metal Blade recording artists VIKING. Look for a release from them also at the end of 2011.

Regarding his departure from HIRAX, Rogers said, "I wish them the very best. They will always be my metal brothers. It was just time for me to make a change, and I did not want to hold them back. Touring the way we do was becoming too much for my family, so I have to consider them first. Thanks to all the fans, and I will see you soon."

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley performed last night (Friday, March 11) outside St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida after the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators game as part of this season's outdoor concert series.

According to the Bradenton Classic Rock Music Examiner, "Ace wore his favorite number 27 on a Tampa Bay Lightning jersey with his name embedded on the back and wore dark shades throughout the concert. While Ace played and sang, he consistently bombarded the crowd with his guitar picks."

Among the songs Frehley performed were "Snowblind" and "New York Groove" from his first solo album in 1978; "Sister", from his latest CD, "Anomaly"; and "Rock Soldiers" from his second album, "Frehley's Comet".

Ace reminded the Tampa crowd that he was almost electrocuted in Lakeland at the Civic Center in 1976, then immediately jumped into his tune "Shock Me", a song both written and sung by Ace on the KISS "Love Gun" album in 1977. He also banged out KISS favorites "Love Gun" and "Deuce" and ended the concert with "Cold Gin" from the first KISS album.

Danish metallers MEMORIAL will release their sophomore album, "Shatter The Art", on April 25 via the British label Copro Records/Casket Music. According to a press release, the new CD "shows MEMORIAL taking on a more groove-heavy sound, as well as keeping their passion for brutal and speedy metal intact."

"Shatter The Art" track listing;

01. Through The Open
02. Wash It Off
03. Riding The Sledge
04. When Everyone Starts To Forget
05. Holding On To Nothing
06. Descecration II
07. Hard To Let Go
08. Rebuilding
09. Ave Agression

In 2009, after releasing its debut album, "In The Absence Of All Things Sacred", through Copro Records/Casket Music, MEMORIAL parted ways with vocalist Neil Poulsen and bass player Rune Sinnbeck and replaced them with Dennis H. Petersen and Morten Jacobsen, respectively.

The release of "Shatter The Art" will be followed by shows in Denmark and a small tour of Europe in October.

MEMORIAL is:

Dennis H. Petersen - Vocals
Kurt Soerensen - Guitar
Jeppe Soerensen - Drums
Martin Cueto - Guitar
Morten Jacobsen - Bass

For SLIPKNOT's upcoming shows in 2011, the band has asked Donnie Steele to fill in for Paul Gray on bass.

Donnie was the original guitar player in SLIPKNOT and had actually reconnected with Paul in recent years.

Commented the band: "Donnie was in the band at the very beginning, and rather than get an outsider, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Paul to play with someone from within the family. Donnie was great friends with Paul and we can't think of a better way to celebrate his memory than with someone who was there with us at the very beginning. The eight of us are looking forward to being onstage again and honoring Paul's legacy with our families in Europe and Brazil this summer."

The vocal recording sessions for the new NIGHTWISH album, "Imaginarium", have been postponed until April 4 in order to allow the band's singer, Anette Olzon, a longer recovery period after she suffered broken ribs in a recent fall. She writes on her blog, "me, [NIGHTWISH manager Ewo Pohjola of King Foo Entertainment Ltd.] and [NIGHTWISH mainman/keyboardist] Tuomas [Holopainen] decided that it's better if I rest the whole month and get in shape so I can do the vocals super good and have booked my vocal recordings from April 4 instead in another studio in Finland. This is really good, 'cause no one will be happy if the album won't sound perfect. And we don't have any hurry since the album has plenty of time to get mastered and ready still."

Holed up in the studio for the better part of this spring, NIGHTWISH is not only putting finishing touches to its new album, "Imaginarium", but also planning a movie of the same name. If all goes well, the CD will be released in early 2012, to be followed by the movie at some point further down the line. The first single off the album as well as the trailer for the film should arrive well before the end of 2011.

For the movie, NIGHTWISH has teamed up with director Stober Harju's production team and Solar Films.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach recently entered a Los Angeles studio with his new, young, virtuosic guitarist Nick Sterling and producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, SHINEDOWN, ATREYU, FILTER) to fine-tune the material that will appear on Bach's next CD, tentatively due this summer via the Italian label Frontiers Records.

Commented Bach: "This CD will follow along the lines of 'Skid Row', 'Slave To The Grind', 'Subhuman Race' and 'Angel Down'. If you like rockin' guitar riffs, high-energy songs and performances, deadly drums of doom, and ear-shattering screams, we got your rock right here!"

Sebastian previously described his new solo material as "heavy, interesting, classic sounding, modern sounding, completely rock 'n' roll — just how we like it!"

Sebastian in 2009 collaborated with HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta on several tracks for Bach's new solo album, with Nick and Charlie Bellmore of the Connecticut band PHANTOMS assisting during the pre-production process. The singer has also written material with John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON).

Am 16. April 2011 veröffentlichen die FOO FIGHTERS ihre neues Cover Album mit dem Titel "Medium Rare". Das Album kommt als Vinyl LP mit folgenden Songs in den Handel!

"Medium Rare" Track List:

01 - Band On The Run (Paul McCartney and Wings)
02 - I Feel Free (Cream)
03 - Life Of Illusion (Joe Walsh)
04 - Young Man Blues (Mose Allison)
05 - Bad Reputation (Thin Lizzy)
06 - Darling Nikki (Prince)
07 - Down In The Park (Gary Numan)
08 - Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty)
09 - Danny Says (The Ramones)
10 - Have A Cigar (Pink Floyd)
11 - Never Talking To You Again (Husker Du)
12 - Gas Chamber (Angry Samoans)
13 - This Will Be Our Year (The Zombies)

Gestern wurde die erste Single "Krank" von KMFDM veröffentlicht. Das Industrial Urgestein schickt diesen Energiecocktail als Vorboten zum neuen Album "WTF?!", welches am 29. April bei Dependent erscheint. Single und Album zeigen KMFDM in Bestform und mit runderneuertem, tanzflächenorientierterem Sound, was zum Teil möglicherweise mit dem Umzug von Bandchef Käpt’n K. zurück nach Hamburg zu tun hat. "Krank" wird von zwei exklusiven Remixen von Skold und Komor Kommando sowie der schrägen B-Seite "Day Of Light" abgerundet. Der fette passende Clip ist heute veröffentlicht worden. Viel Spaß!

Former WHIPLASH singer Glenn Hansen has joined BROOKLYN MILITIA, the new "aggressive thrash metal/punk/hardcore" band featuring Paul Bento (CARNIVORE) and Joe Cangelosi (WHIPLASH, KREATOR, MASSACRE).

Commented Hansen: "I guess it all comes down to honesty. When you take this band, you're taking guys that have been in bands together since we were kids. We are like brothers. When we play, the songs just flow naturally. It's just brutal musical honesty."

The new BROOKLYN MILITIA song "Pumpkin Head" is available for streaming using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below.

BROOKLYN MILITIA is:

* Paul Bento (CARNIVORE) - Guitar
* Rich Day (PRIMAL SCREAM, WHIPLASH, DEATHCORPS, BURN VICTIMS) - Bass
* Joe Cangelosi (WHIPLASH, KREATOR, MASSACRE) - Drums
* Glenn Hansen (WHIPLASH, MOONDOG) - Vocals

Former RUNAWAYS singer Cherie Currie and Paul Inder — son of MOTÖRHEAD icon Lemmy — joined MOTÖRHEAD on stage last night (Friday, March 11) at Club Nokia in Los Angeles for a performance of the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Killed By Death". In addition, MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell made an appearance on stage during support act CLUTCH's set to perform a cover of the CREAM song "Politician".

Die wild um sich prügelnden spanischen Chaoten von HAEMORRHAGE haben sich im Studio verschanzt um am Nachfolger der 2006er Totalvernichtung "Apology For Pathology" zu arbeiten! Das neue Album mit dem Titel "Hospital Carnage" kommt am 30. Mai 2011 via Relapse Records bei uns in den Handel. Jetzt wurde HIER auf Facebook der neue Song "Flesh-Devouring Pandem" zum probehören online gestellt.

"Hospital Carnage" Track List:

01. Open Heart Butchery
02. Traumaggedon
03. Resuscitation Manoeuvres
04. Flesh-Devouring Pandemia
05. Fomite Fetish
06. Amputation Protocol
07. 911 (Emergency Slaughter)
08. Doctors Of Malpractice
09. Tumour Donor
10. Hospital Thieves
11. Splatter Nurse
12. Hypochondriac
13. Ingreso Cadaver
14. Necronatology
15. Intravenous Molestation Of Obstructionist Arteries (O-Pus VI)
16. Suffocative Tracheal Stoma (Bonus Track)

Vocalist Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), bassist Magnus Rosén (HAMMERFALL), guitarist Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) and drummer Danny "Danté" Needham (VENOM, TONY MARTIN) have joined forces in a new "supergroup" which is presently going under the working band name BLACK.

Commented Rosén: "It feels very interesting with our new band BLACK.

"We are working on new fresh metal songs and hope we will be ready for stage after the summer. We are also working on a tour in the end of this year. But so far it's not officially!

"It feels very nice to give the metal a new chance.

"It was four years ago [that] I stopped playing in HAMMERFALL. [Since then I have] been [involved with a] few metal projects, like X-WORLD/5 and REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE with Timo Tolkki from STRATOVARIUS plus a few other projects.

"BLACK is the band we will take into the future."

According to Martin, the first song that was written during the project's initial writing sessions is called "Deathless Soul" and it "sounds very dark." However, the singer is quick to point out, "I don't expect it to be completely in that vein."

BLACK is currently working on music at La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden as well as in England.

Reunited U.K. rockers WOLFSBANE — featuring former IRON MAIDEN frontman Blaze Bayley — will release their first record in 17 years on April 9. Entitled "Did It For The Money", it contains the brand new title track along with re-recordings of four old WOLFSBANE numbers.

"Did It For The Money" EP track listing:

* Did It For The Money (new song)
* Limo
* GSB
* Killing Machine
* Dance My Tune

The band — which features Bayley, guitarist Jase Edwards, bassist Jeff Hateley and drummer Steve Danger — will headline The Borderline in London the day of the EP's release.

Commenting on the reunion, Blaze said, "Although we have done other things over the years, we always had WOLFSBANE in our hearts and following our tour with THE QUIREBOYS last year, we had so much fun and have had so much interest that we decided to get back in the studio. We are going to make our first headline show a huge destruction party in London. The support really has been overwhelming! The world clearly needs saving and we're gonna start there."

"Superskum" (web site) has uploaded video footage of DEICIDE's March 2, 2011 concert at Bluebird Theater in Denver, Colorado. Check out the clips below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Homage For Satan
02. Dead By Dawn
03. Once Upon The Cross
04. Scars Of The Crucifix
05. When Satan Rules His World
06. Serpents Of The Light
07. Hang In Agony Until You Are Dead
08. Conviction
09. They Are the Children Of The Underworld
10. Death To Jesus
11. Dead But Dreaming
12. Witness Of Death
13. Desecration
14. Lunatic Of God's Creation
15. Kill The Christian
16. Into The Darkness You Go
17. How Can You Call Yourself A God
18. Sacrificial Suicide

German metallers BRAINSTORM are recording their new album, entitled "On The Spur Of The Moment". Frontman Andy B. Franck states, "Since February 25th we are back together in the studio to work on the new album. We decided to record it with Axel Heckert in the Studio 22 in Ludwigsburg. Axel is a huge fan of the band and he will help us to reach a whole new level.

"The song material we have is again more aggressive than the last songs we had written. For us, 'Memorial Roots' was a cool album, but 'On The Spur Of The Moment' will be a BLAST!

"We are really happy and excited to start recording new material because we cannot hear the old songs anymore… time for something new!"

Montreal's rambunctious and unique classical/black metal ensemble UNEXPECT has completed work on its sophomore album, "Fables Of The Sleepless Empire", at Badass Studio with producer Jef Fortin.

A song from the upcoming CD, "Orange Vigilantes", is available for free download at this location.

Regarding the new album release, the group previously said, "After some deep and profound thinking, we finally decided to take back the reins of our destiny and go independent for the release of the next album! We gave this option a lot of attention/thinking time and the conclusion was that we think it's all positive and for the best! And the fact of removing intermediaries will let us be even closer to our public!"

UNEXPECT last year announced the departure of keyboardist Exod. The band said, "The lifestyle and sacrifices that go with touring is not to everyone's taste and it's been the main reason behind his choice. We were already talking about all of this while touring North America in 2008 so it's been a well-thought decision that we all knew of for a long time. That said, it doesn't mean that there won't be more future collaborations with him as we're still very good friends and are, as always, totally musically compatible...as you'll be able to hear on the new album."

IRON MAIDEN, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER, STONE SOUR, DOWN and DIMMU BORGIR are among the nominees at this year's edition of the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards, set to take place on Monday, June 13 in London, England.

The nominees for the 2011 Golden Gods are:

Best International Band:

* AVENGED SEVENFOLD
* DIMMU BORGIR
* STONE SOUR
* CHILDREN OF BODOM
* DOWN

Best U.K. Band:

* IRON MAIDEN
* BRING ME THE HORIZON
* SKINDRED
* ARCHITECTS
* BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

Best Live Band:

* CANCER BATS
* DEVILDRIVER
* ROB ZOMBIE
* SKINDRED
* MACHINE HEAD

Best New Band:

* THE DEFILED
* KVELERTAK
* TESSERACT
* THE DAMNED THINGS
* LETLIVE

Best Underground:

* WATAIN
* KYLESA
* PRIMORDIAL
* THE DEAD LAY WAITING
* CLUTCH

Best Breakthrough:

* PARKWAY DRIVE
* A DAY TO REMEMBER
* SYLOSIS
* SABATON
* VOLBEAT

Shredder(s):

* Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE)
* Mark Tremonti (ALTER BRIDGE)
* Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM)
* Marc Rizzo (CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SOULFLY)
* Synyster Gates (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)

Metal As Fuck:

* SLAYER
* BEHEMOTH
* SLIPKNOT
* Zakk Wylde
* DEFTONES

Event Of The Year:

* Rob Zombie's return
* MANOWAR's return
* SYSTEM OF A DOWN reforming
* The "Big Four" U.K. announcement
* "Beavis And Butthead"'s resurrection

To cast your vote, go to this location.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will release "The Song Remains Not The Same", on May 3 via Entertainment One Music. The offering features unplugged versions of material from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest album, "Order Of The Black", as well as additional material recorded during the "Order Of The Black" sessions. "The Song Remains Not The Same" was conceived, created and compiled by BLS mainman Zakk Wylde himself and the title is, of course, a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, LED ZEPPELIN.

In other BLACK LABEL SOCIETY news, the next single from "Order Of The Black", "Darkest Days" impacts at radio on March 21. The track showcases Wylde's softer side with soulful lyrics, a hauntingly beautiful melody and captivating piano played by the guitar icon himself. An alternate version of the song featuring country superstar John Rich will appear on "The Song Remains Not The Same".

"The Song Remains Not The Same" track listing:

01. Overlord (Unplugged version)
02. Parade Of The Dead (Unplugged version)
03. Riders Of The Damned (Unplugged version)
04. Darkest Days (Unplugged version)
05. Juniors Eyes
06. Helpless
07. Bridge Over Troubled Water
08. Can't Find My Way Home
09. Darkest Days (featuring John Rich)
10. The First Noel

After wrapping up a series of sold-out dates in Europe, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will return to North America in early May to headline Fuse's Uranium Tour 2011 presented by Mistress Juliya.

Cherry Lane Music has set a March 14 release date for "Order Of The Black" BLACK LABEL SOCIETY featuring artist-approved transcriptions of all 13 songs from the band's searing 2010 CD. It also includes a great intro/interview with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde.

To pre-order the item, go to this location.

"Order Of The Black" sold around 33,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's previous album, "Shot to Hell", opened with 32,000 units to land at No. 21. This was less than the 45,000 copies shifted by BLS's "Mafia" (Artemis) back in March 2005 to debut at No. 15.

"Order Of The Black" was released in North America in August 2010 via E1 Music. The CD featured four unique covers designed by Zakk Wylde himself — one for each territory: North America, Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

POISONBLACK — the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala — will release its fifth album, now titled "Drive" (working title was "Lead & Roll Vol. 5"), in Scandinavia on April 27 via Hype Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Århus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST).

"Drive" track listing:

01. Piston Head
02. Mercury Falling
03. A Good Day For The Crows
04. Maggot Song
05. From Now-Here to Nowhere
06. Sycophant
07. The Dead-End Stream
08. Futile Man
09. Scars
10. Driftwood

Check out the cover artwork below.

The album's first single, "Mercury Falling", is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

Madsen previously mixed POISONBLACK's 2006 effort "Lust-Stained Despair".

"Of Rust And Bones", the fourth album from POISONBLACK, entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 6. The follow-up to 2008's "A Dead Heavy Day" was recorded with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who has previously worked with such acts as HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS and ENSIFERUM. The cover and booklet artwork was created by Teemu Hostikka.

According to the Daily Mail, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno (real name: Paul Andrews) was jailed today after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

Di'Anno, 52, was sentenced to nine months for swindling £45,000 (approximately $72,000) in benefits. He was told he would serve at least four and a half months of the sentence behind bars before being released on conditional bail.

Jane Miller QC, sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court today (Friday, March 11), said Di'Anno's public image had nothing to do with the case and he would be treated like anybody else. She said, "Your public persona is not relevant. Your greed has cost this country a lot of money. The claims were for a long time and for a large cost. It must be a custodial sentence.

"In 2002 you started claiming benefits when it was quite clear you were already working.

"It took many years to track you down, in 2007 you performed at 69 venues, in 2006 you performed 67 times.

"I do not accept you only got expenses. I give you credit for your guilty pleas and reduce the sentence from the guideline 12 months to that of nine months."

D'Anno was reportedly busted when investigators at Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) received an anonymous tip that he was still singing. They then found videos and pictures on YouTube and the rocker's own web site of Di'Anno "energetically leaping around on stage, singing to fans around the world."

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

"In 1991 I did a couple of stints in jail for guns and drugs," Di'Anno explained in a 2010 interview. "I was stupid. But after I'd done my stretch they still treated me like a criminal. And I was — but I wasn't that bad. So I didn't feel good about America. The government, not the people.

"Prison was tough, but I'm tougher. I was nobody's bitch, put it that way. You've got to do it; otherwise people will walk all over you."