Bassist Gareth McGrillen of the U.K./Australian drum-and-bass band PENDULUM recently spoke to AOL's Noisecreep about the group's collaboration with vocalist Anders Fridén and guitarist Björn Gelotte of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES on the latest PENDULUM album, "Immersion".

"Our favorite band growing up was IN FLAMES," McGrillen told Noisecreep. "That was incredible to work with them, since they have been an influence for so long. They are our favorite metal band, so we thought, 'Let's do a track with them.' When we supported IRON MAIDEN on tour in Europe, Anders came out and did the song ('Self Vs. Self') with us onstage and there were 80,000 metal fans in the U.K. appreciating it."

McGrillen also said he is up for remixing an In Flames song in the future as well. As for Pendulum's remixing career, they actually turned down METALLICA. They probably aren't used to hearing "no," but Pendulum nixed a remix with good reason. "We remix what we shouldn't, which would piss people off. We did LED ZEPPELIN, but we only incorporated it into our DJ set. We also did 'Master Of Puppets' for Metallica," McGrillen recalled. "The band was specific about wanting us to mix a different song, but we wanted to do 'Master Of Puppets'. So we basically didn't do it since we didn't want to do the song they wanted us to do." So Pendulum actually turned Metallica down!

Swedish power metallers DRAGONLAND have issued the following update from guitarist Olof Mörck:

"10 years have passed since we completed our debut album (The Battle Of The Ivory Plains) back in January 2001, and to properly commemorate this you can now find the whole album online on our MySpace!

It is the first chapter of a gargantuan saga that will continue into the new album to be released first half of this year, so to those unfamiliar with the Dragonland storyline, here's the place to start!

Writing of the album was begun in the summer of '99, and recorded in December - January at Los Angered with Andy LaRoque as producer. It was released in June 2001 by Black Lotus, who also released the sophomore album, Holy War.

An album recorded before the onset of Pro-Tools, the album has quite a natural and atmospheric sound, and though the production is somewhat aged, it is charming in its own right!

Enjoy this journey back in time where it all began... and keep your eyes out for the continuation of this epic saga in 2011! Hail!"

'Morning Glory Clouds (In Manus Tuas Domine)', a brand new track from the Portuguese dark-rock/metal outfit HEAVENWOOD, is available for exclusive streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the band's new album, Abyss Masterpiece, which will be released on February 28th via Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2008's Redemption was produced by Ricardo Dias and Heavenwood and was mixed and mastered by Kristian “Kohle” Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studios, Germany.

Meanwhile, Heavenwood have announced the addition to their lineup of Paulo Chanoca (DEMON DAGGER/ DECREPIDEMIC) as new session bass player.

Commented Heavenwood’s manager, Filipe Marta: "'Morning Glory Clouds' is an amazing song that will grab the listener's attention from it’s very beginning thanks to very addictive melodies/chorus and catchy riffs. I think this one is the perfect first single of this new album and I’m certain that will become a smash hit on every rock club dance floor and radio stations around the world and people must check it and spread it everywhere. 'Morning Glory Clouds' is a chilling song that no one will forget. Concerning the new session bassist, I think Paulo is a natural born talented bass player. A true war bomber aircraft that will transmit a lot of power and groove to Heavenwood. He’s got a vast experience and knowledge in extreme music that will enable him to make a very good contribution to the band."

Songs set to appear on the Abyss Masterpiece CD include:

'The Arcadia Order'
'Fading Sun'
'Like Yesterday'
'Winter Slave'
'September Blood'
'Sudden Scars'
'A Poem For Matilde'
'Leonor'
'Once A Burden'
'Goddess Presiding Over Solitude'
'Morning Glory Clouds'
'Her Lament'

Norway's Indie Recordings has announced the signing of two "extraordinarily talented and promising acts," OBLITERATION and INSENSE.

OBLITERATION is a young death metal band from Kolbotn, Norway — a small place just outside Oslo known to produce great metal bands such as DARKTHRONE, AURA NOIR and LAMENTED SOULS.

Despite being in their early twenties, the OBLITERATION bandmembers are already celebrating their 10-year anniversary, having left a trail of destruction behind them with hellblazing gigs and rock-solid releases. A stunning rehearsal demo from 2006 led to OBLITERATION signing a deal with cult label Tyrant Syndicate, a sub-label of Peaceville Records run by Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE and SARKE. The band's debut album, "Perpetual Decay", came out in May 2007 and was followed by 2009's "Nekrospalms". The group spread its dark message by touring the USA and the U.K., including festival appearances at Maryland Deathfest, Hole In The Sky, Øya Festivalen and Live Evil.

OBLITERATION is hard at work on its third opus, which is set for a fall 2011 release.

Having released three "impressive" albums an "of original hybrid of technically brutal riffs and aggressive melodies," INSENSE has established a devoted fan base both in Norway and abroad. They have been called a combination of the "time signatures in the noise tech vein of the new THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, with the subtlety of NEUROSIS coupled with the extreme controlled aggression of SLIPKNOT." Others cited "SEPULTURA's raw heaviness, MESHUGGAH's technical prowess, and STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's ornate song structuring."

The spring of 2011 will see the release of INSENSE's fourth album.

INSENSE, OBLITERATION and EINHERJER will perform at Indie Recordings' label night at this year's edition of the Inferno festival on April 20, 2011 in Oslo, Norway.

"Aftermath", the new video from the Swedish melodic power metal band AXENSTAR, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's fifth studio album, "Aftermath", which will be released on January 7 via IceWarrior Records/Rock It Up Records. The cover artwork (see below) was created by Felipe Machado Franco, who has previously worked with RHAPSODY, AXEL RUDI PELL, BLIND GUARDIAN, GAMMA RAY, BLAZE BAYLEY and ICED EARTH.

AXENSTAR's fourth LP, "The Final Requiem", came out in 2006 via Massacre Records.

The band's current lineup includes the group's latest additions, drummer Adam Lindberg (INTRIVE) and guitarist Jens Klovegård (LIQUID SUICIDE).

AXENSTAR is:

Jens Klovegård - Guitar
Joakim Jonsson - Guitar
Magnus Winterwild - Vocals and Bass
Adam Lindberg - Drums

CD will be completely done mixed and mastered tomorrow. Look for a mid to late feb hard copy release and maybe a late feb early mar Free web download complete with layout and high quality audio files. Thanx to Mark and Jay for their great performances on the cd. Anyone interested in pre orders of the hard copy just email me at aurora4dth@aol.com you guys know by now my releases will come out 100% and your pre orders are safe hahah. Anyone wanting the download just hang in there and i will provide the link in the next month or so after the pressing is back from the plant. i will post some short previews or something in the next few days.

2011 is the 25th Anniversary of the original RIGOR MORTIS lineup. The Texas thrashers are preparing to celebrate this year with several anniversary Shows.

Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

February
11 - Clicks Live - Tyler,TX
12 - The Rail Club - Ft. Worth, TX
13 - Headhunters - Austin, TX

Possible dates in San Antonio,TX; Houston,TX; Oklahoma City, OK; New Orleans, LA; etc, for March and April to be announced soon.

The band is also recording two new songs in February. These will be the first songs this lineup has recorded together since their 1988 self-titled debut album. The band plans to write and record enough songs in the upcoming months for a future full-length release.

For the 25th anniversary shows RIGOR MORTIS will be playing all of the songs off their self-titled debut album, except for one song. Plus classic tracks from their other two releases, Freaks and Rigor Mortis Vs The Earth.

RIGOR MORTIS line-up:
Mike Scaccia - guitar
Casey Orr - bass/vocals
Harden Harrison - drums
Bruce Corbitt - vocals

DYING FETUS has posted the remastered versions of "Grotesque Impalement" (taken from "Infatuation With Malevolence") and "Skull Fucked" (taken from "Purification Through Violence") on the band's MySpace page. These remastered tracks come from the group's forthcoming, expanded reissues of earlier albums that will be released this year, which coincidently marks the 20th anniversary of the Baltimore-area death metal juggernauts.

SHEAR, the new Helsinki, Finland-based six-piece metal act featuring former/current members of AMORAL, OMNIUM GATHERUM, IMPERANON, ELENIUM and CRYSTAL BLAZE, will enter the studio in March to begin recording its debut album for a late 2011 release.

Commented the band: "In the last couple of months we've been writing a lot of new songs, and we're really pleased with the outcome. The songs are really diverse, ranging from very melodic songs to heavier riff-oriented songs.

"We're still in the process of laying down the finishing touches to the songs and about to start arranging the songs.

"We will keep you updated through the whole album making process by posting news and videos. Expect more frequent updates when we hit the studio."

Italian gothic metallers MACBETH check in with the following update:

"Well, not a good way to end the year 2010, but on New Year's Eve Macbeth announced that they are parting ways with their vocalist Olli. The band stated that it was difficult within the last two years to work together and that it was even not possible in the end.

Since this had negative effects on them working on the new album, they decided to part ways.

Don't be afraid the decision won't change the music and style of Macbeth, because Olli didn't compose or write the songs.

The band is now searching for a new vocalist. If you think you are able to fit in the band, feel free to contact the guys at post@macbeth-music.de.

German power metallers PARAGON have revealed more details about their forthcoming, yet-untitled new album. Since early November, the band have been busy with songwriting and rehearsing. They previously revealed that Piet Sielck will produce the new album.

Bassist Jan Bünning issued the following update: "We already worked with him on four of our previous albums (Steelbound, Law Of The Blade, The Dark Legacy and Revenge) and it will for sure be like a coming home for us. Piet worked with bands like SAXON and BLIND GUARDIAN and knows best what we have to sound like."

The artwork for the new album will once again be handled by Dirk Illing, who already created the artwork for Paragon's previous albums Law Of The Blade, The Dark Legacy and Forgotten Prophecies.

The new band photos will be shot by Stefan Malzkorn. The band are currently recording demos.

Stay tuned for further updates. Go to this location for information on Paragon.

UNVEIL THE STRENGTH, the new Orange County, California-based quintet featuring former SILENT CIVILIAN guitarist Dave Delacruz, will digitally release its debut EP, "The Awakening", in early March. The effort was engineered by Mark Haggblad and was mixed by Mike "Mawi" Rashmawi (engineer for SILENT CIVILIAN's "Ghost Stories").

UNVEIL THE STRENGTH consists of Mark Haggblad (vocals), Dave Delacruz (guitar), Nita Strauss (guitar), Sam Hutchinson (bass), and Mark Matas (drums). The band entered its studio in Costa Mesa in September 2010 with intentions of creating music that strays away from the modern-day heavy metal genre. Though shredding leads, blistering drums and brutal screams, UNVEIL THE STRENGTH wants to offer more to the listener by bringing in the melody, singing, and soul to the mix.

Commented Delacruz: "This is something that I have been working on with my best friends for quite some time and now we are officially taking it from the studio to the stage!

"In regards to SILENT CIVILIAN, I personally made the decision to leave the band because I did not agree with how things were being ran by individuals involved. I wish them the best of luck and success on all of their endeavors but that band wasn't for me anymore.

"Creating music has always been a passion of mine and now I am able to create music with best friends the right way where there is no room for ego.

"We are currently booking southern California shows but are looking to target the major U.S. cities by summer 2011!"

Former SINAMORE guitarist Tommi Muhli has launched a new female-fronted band called FRIENDS WITH ENEMIES. The Hamina, Finland-based group recently completed work on its self-titled debut EP for a June release via Roundtown Records.

"Friends With Enemies" EP track listing:

01. Juveniles
02. Burning Bridges
03. Hold Me Still
04. Down Your Guns

FRIENDS WITH ENEMIES is described in the band's official bio as "a collective of six friends with different backgrounds in making and playing music. Whether the background being in metal, pop or rock each of the members bring their own flavor to the mix that is theatrical and dramatic pop/rock music."

"The name of the band kinda reflects what the whole band is about," says Muhli. "After playing in heavy metal bands for over a decade, I felt the urge to step into some completely new field. While writing the first song after this decision I felt like I was selling my soul; like I was literally making friends with the enemy. We ended up building our whole sound based on this feeling. Fear no evil."

FRIENDS WITH ENEMIES is:

Sanette Sevón - Vocals
Tommi Muhli (ex-SINAMORE) - Guitar
Mikko Kiri - Guitar
Jarno Uski (SINAMORE) - Bass
Vili Itäpelto - Keyboards
Miika Hostikka (SINAMORE) - Drums

February 2011 will see NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) legends PRAYING MANTIS release a special limited-edition EP to celebrate 30 years since the release of their critically acclaimed album "Time Tells No Lies". Entitled "Metalmorphosis", the effort will include five songs, some of which are from the original album re-recorded by the current MANTIS lineup.

The songs the band has chosen are as follows:

01. Children of The Earth
02. Praying Mantis
03. Lovers to the Grave
04. Panic in the Streets
05. Captured City

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Alice Cooper has revealed in a new interview with ClashMusic.com how he would like to spend his last day on Earth, saying he would start the day on Hawaii before hitting the legendary golf courses at Augusta and Pine Valley. He explained, "I'd wake up in Maui. That's the best place to wake up in the world anyway, because that's sort of like halfway between Earth and Heaven. It's the halfway point. It gives you a little taste of Heaven . . . And then you're immediately on the first tee at Augusta, and then you're immediately on the first tee at Pine Valley."

Cooper added that if the record on each course is a score of 64, "two 59s would be great!"

The shock-rocker told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that people are always surprised that his game is very strong. "Three handicap, and I play five times a week, and I play really good," he laughed. "Yeah, that's the one thing I can really do, other than Alice Cooper. That surprises people, I think. They just can't believe that Alice Cooper could be a three handicap, but I am."

Cooper added that his last day would be completed by a dinner with people like Mike Myers, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Sylvester Stallone, Rob Zombie, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney — with the vegan McCartney eating a "big thick steak" in Cooper's honor.

Finally, after a jam session with his guests, Cooper said, "I think you just go to sleep. I can't imagine a long death."

As for his epitaph, Cooper suggested, "Here lies Alice. Since when he was teething, he never stopped talking 'til he stopped breathing."

Cooper is among the 2011 inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, along with Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Darlene Love and Tom Waits. The ceremony will be held on March 14 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman and sole original member Billy Corgan blasts the major labels in a new interview with Spinner.com, saying, "Something about the need for the major label system to corner the market has squeezed the excitement out of music. It's almost like the restaurant where the prices are too high — you can't enjoy your food. You feel like you're getting ripped off, but you don't know why. Fans overall have rebelled."

Corgan has been out of the system since 2008, when the PUMPKINS became free agents following the disappointing response to the PUMPKINS' 2007 comeback album, "Zeitgeist".

The PUMPKINS have been recording and posting songs online for free on a regular basis since last year, with a total of 44 tracks scheduled to be completed and collected in a massive set called "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope".

Corgan says that posting the tracks online has brought back freedom and a sense of community to the listening experience, explaining, "I grew up in the '70s and listening to the radio was important. We all listened and we all had a common experience . . . We've kind of lost that."

Corgan adds that the music industry continually refuses to catch up to the times: "Now we have a system of middle-of-the-road non-risk-takers that seem to be risk-takers but aren't really. It's systemically rewarding the wrong end of the art world."

Geilt has departed from DOOMSWORD and will continue to play with MIDRYASI and to work with his brother Deathmaster on future musical projects. DOOMSWORD would like to thank Geilt for his contribution to the band.

Christian 'Nidhoggr' Grillo (GJALLARHORN, FURY N GRACE) will take up his place. Christian is a talented musician and an old friend of the band having played with Wrathlord in FURY N GRACE and GJALLARHORN with Deathmaster and Wrathlord.

New Jersey thrashers WHIPLASH have once again parted ways with the group's original drummer, Tony Scaglione, and have replaced him with Dan Foord of the U.K.-based metal band SIKTH.

Commented WHIPLASH guitarist/vocalist Tony Portaro: "Tony [Scaglione] and I were really looking forward to working together once again, but unfortunately there are personal issues in his life that arose which take priority. Fortunately, I was able to contact Dan Foord with the help of Ben Ward of ORANGE GOBLIN and Nathan Perrier of ALABASTER SUNS, LABRAT and CAPRICORNS.

"Dan is well-schooled and plays with exceptional technique.

"Dank [DeLong, bass] and I are working together feverishly and are very much looking forward to performing live with him in the near future. We are expecting the crowds to share the adrenaline rush as we eagerly anticipate this year's live shows."

Israeli metallers BETZEFER will release their new album, "Freedom To The Slave Makers", on February 18 via Germany's AFM Records. The CD was recorded with acclaimed producer Warren Riker (DOWN, CYNIC, LAURYN HILL, SANTANA) and features the following track listing:

01. Best Seller
02. Backstage Blues
03. Feels So Right
04. Diamond Director
05. Nothing But Opinions
06. Doomsday
07. Empty Magazine
08. Perfect Lie
09. Song For The Alcoholic
10. Heavensent

"Black Rivers Flow", a brand new track from Midwest thrashers LAZARUS A.D., can be streamed in below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The song is the title track of the band's second full-length album, "Black Rivers Flow", which is scheduled for release on February 1, 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded in July and August 2010 at Belle City Sound with Chris Wisco and was mixed and mastered by James Murphy at Safehouse Production.

"Black Rivers Flow" track listing:

01. American Dreams
02. The Ultimate Sacrifice
03. The Strong Prevail
04. Black Rivers Flow
05. Casting Forward
06. Light A City (Up In Smoke)
07. Through Your Eyes
08. Beneath the Waves of Hatred
09. Eternal Vengeance

Pittsburgh-based CROWN THE LOST have posted the song 'Separate Blood From Waste' for streaming on their official Facebook page. Check it out here.

The song comes from the group’s upcoming third album, Cold Pestilent Hope, which will be released in 2011 through an as-yet determined label. The album will be the first to feature new singer Leon Mallah, bassist Timothy Boyle, and drummer Argel Marchelletta, and was produced/engineered by Dave Watson (MANTIC RITUAL, ICARUS WITCH) at Soundscape Studios in East McKeesport, PA.

Cold Pestilent Hope tracklisting:

'Pray For Death'
'Separate Blood From Waste'
'Breathe Into Emptiness'
'In Defiance of Sanctity'
'Solitude and Failure'
'Eyes Without Sight'
'Bloodsoaked Serenity'
'Consumed'
'Cold Pestilent Hope'
'Forgotten and Damned'
'Inexorable'

Swedish metallers EVERGREY will release their eighth studio album, "Glorious Collision", via Steamhammer/SPV on the following dates:

Germany: February 25
Rest Of Europe: February 28
USA/Canada: February 22

"Glorious Collision" track listing:

01. Leave It Behind Us
02. You
03. Wrong
04. Frozen
05. Restoring The Loss
06. To Fit The Mold
07. Out Of Reach
08. The Phantom Letters
09. The Disease ...
10. It Comes From Within
11. Free
12. I'm Drowning Alone
13. ... And The Distance
14. ... And The Distance (Carina bonus track)

Florida death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE will release a new DVD, "Global Evisceration", on March 15 via Metal Blade. According to the label, the set will contain approximately two hours and 49 minutes of material, including footage from the May 3, 2010 concert at Gothic Theatre in Englewood, Colorado and the May 8, 2010 performance at Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The DVD will also include bonus performances and extra segments, as well as behind-the-scenes footage covering the "Evisceration Plague" tour cycle.

The performance footage for "Global Evisceration" was shot and directed by Denise Korycki (Wild Wind Productions), who also helmed the band's "Centuries Of Torment - The First 20 Years" DVD.

On October 29, Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation released "Best Of Cannibal Corpse", featuring note-for-note transcriptions of 13 fan favorites from CANNIBAL CORPSE.

"Centuries of Torment", which came out July 2008, was certified platinum in Canada in 2009 just before the crushing release of the band's new album, "Evisceration Plague". The DVD sold 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.

Brooklyn, New York's GWYNBLEIDD has issued the following update:

"It's been a few months since last piece of news. With the beginning of a new year we've decided it's time to send you a quick update on what's going on in the GWYNBLEIDD camp!

"After the October 2009 release of 'Nostalgia', 2010 featured some of GWYNBLEIDD's biggest shows to date, as we had a chance to share the stage with a number of notable acts, including KATATONIA, ENTOMBED, ORPHANED LAND and SWALLOW THE SUN. At the same time we have been focusing on writing new material and starting to put together some of the initial pieces to the puzzle that will be the next GWYNBLEIDD album. No songtitles or anything just yet.. although we might as well reveal that the working title for the next album is 'Ascendance'.

"With that in mind, we are planning to record a 3-4-song demo of this new material, most of the music for which is ready to go! The demo will go primarily to labels we hope to attract to partner on the recording and release of the second GWYNBLEIDD full-length.

"As far as live shows, we have only one confirmed show of 2011 so far, and that is on February 4th, 2011 at Europa Nightclub in Brooklyn. We are also working on a potential short East Coast run in the first half of the year, as well as a few dates in Poland in August — but all of that is in very early planning stages — so keep your fingers crossed for us! Here's to a productive 2011!"

GWYNBLEIDD's debut album, "Nostalgia", was released in October 2009 via BlackCurrant Music.

Founded and based in New York City, GWYNBLEIDD is a band whose four members all hail originally from Poland. It is this experience — leaving one's homeland — that served as the original inspiration for "Nostalgia".

"Nostalgia" showcases GWYNBLEIDD's signature style, blending elements of progressive metal, black metal, death metal, and traditional European folk music. The album was recorded by Michal Kacunel and Tomasz Gajewski at Sia Acoustics, New York, NY, and mixed by Pawel Marciniak at Manximum Studio, Lodz, Poland. The CD was mastered by Alan Silverman (THE KINKS, CHEAP TRICK) at Arf! Digital, New York, NY. Renowned artist Travis Smith (KING DIAMOND, SOILWORK) collaborated with GWYNBLEIDD to create album art that helps tell the story of "Nostalgia"; the CD version of "Nostalgia" comes packaged in a digipack with an extensive 20-page booklet, designed by Smith and the band.

Helsinki, Finland-based "epic thrash" metallers WITHERIA, who feature in their ranks members of NOWEN, SPIRIT DISEASE, SORROWED and THE SCOURGER, will release their third album, "Vanishing Order", on March 2 via Violent Journey Records. The CD was recorded at D-Studio and sees the group "stay[ing] on a darkened thrash metal path . . . taking bits and pieces from traditional heavy metal, as well as death and black metal to create its unique style," according to a press release. [The effort] dives deeper into the depths of human mind, taking the listeners by their balls with progressive hooks, surprising twists and catchy shouted out choral bits!"

"Vanishing Order" (cover) track listing:

01. A.T.D.B.T.S.
02. Obscene Desecrator
03. The Abyss Within
04. The Final Hour
05. The Nameless Beast
06. Perished In Torment
07. Bringer Of Chaos
08. Fire In Black
09. Timeless

WITHERIA is:

Tuberculosis - Vocals
Kusmar Rotten – Lead Guitar
J. Warhead – Rhythm Guitar
Predator - Bass
Rob Diver – Drums

Fan-filmed video footage of Los Angeles-based experimental post-hardcore triumvirate PHILM — featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), guitarist/vocalist Gerry Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE), and bassist Pancho Tomaselli (WAR) — performing on December 15, 2010 at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, Colorado as the support act for HALFORD can be viewed below.

While there are elements of metal detected throughout PHILM's sound, the band manages to also incorporate such other styles as jazz, ambient, hardcore punk, experimental, and funk into its unpredictable, cacophony-heavy style. An obvious reason for this multi-genre amalgamation can be directly linked to the gentlemen that play alongside Lombardo in PHILM — Tomaselli is a longtime member of funk rockers WAR, and Nestler fronts prog metallists CIVIL DEFIANCE. Add it all up, and you get the wonderful world of PHILM.

As Lombardo himself explains, expect the unexpected from PHILM. "When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to SLAYER's sound," he says. "They couldn't be more different. PHILM's sound is almost bipolar — very unexpected of something that I would be so passionate about, and be a part of. I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent to the drummers of the late '60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as 'rhythmic emotion.' It's almost like taking all the heavy songs of the '60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today. When I think of PHILM, that's where I go."

In a recent interview with AOL's Noisecreep, Nestler stated about PHILM's formation, "Dave and I first got together in 1997 to start an original band. We later regrouped between SLAYER's scheduled tour dates in late 2009, playing some upstairs jams at the Rainbow in Hollywood. We then decided to restart our band. Pancho had met Dave a few years back at one Dave's drum clinics and we decided to invite him in."

Regarding PHILM's sound, Nestler said, "The music of PHILM is channeled through the many different influences of drum and bass, expressionism, and underground that ranges via ancient and indigenous to street. There are many different things that Dave and I have been into that have contributed to the vision of PHILM. Pancho's highly skilled bass playing, chordal color and shape have helped expand the overall sound instrumentation and groove. Dave Lombardo's drumming goes without comparison, except that it might be said, to quote Pancho that 'it's like playing with the seven, not four, horses of the Apocalypse behind you.'"

For more information, visit the PHILM Facebook page.

Guitarist Mitch Harris of U.K.'s extreme metal pioneers NAPALM DEATH has posted the following message on his Facebook page:

"NAPALM DEATH has just confirmed a studio date later this month for a mystery song! . . . It's [got] nothing to do with the new [NAPALM DEATH] album [and] it's not a cover song either. . . I will give more details when I have official clearance to do so."

In a recent interview with Dose Of Metal, NAPALM DEATH frontman Mark "Barney" Greenway stated about the band's plans for the follow-up to 2009's "Time Waits For No Slave", "We will be starting more or less from scratch in January 2011 making a new album and will record in May. Don't read that wrong — it doesn't take us that much time to get our stuff together, it's just that Russ Russell, our producer, has his hands full until May. It does seem a while since 'Time Waits…', but we recorded the previous few albums in quick succession so thought we'd hold back for a change. Time can indeed fucking wait."

"Time Waits For No Slave" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95. The CD, which was released in the U.S. in February 2009 via Century Media Records, was recorded with producer Russ Russell. Drums were tracked at Parlour Studios in Kettering and guitars, bass and vocals were done at Foel Studios in Wales. The band then returned to Parlour for the mixing sessions.