U.K. doom titans MY DYING BRIDE have unearthed a treasure trove of delightful band-related items in the MDB crypt and have collated them all in one place so that anyone interested in adding them to their collection may do so. Ultra-rare 12" white labels of the first EP, "Symphonaire", signed by singer Aaron Stainthorpe and guitarist Andrew Craighan, limited metallic prints, books, copies of the first LP and more. They can all be found at this location.

2010 marks the 20th anniversary of MY DYING BRIDE. To commemorate two decades of doom and gloom, the band embarked upon a project to rework familiar melodies and themes from MY DYING BRIDE's extensive catalogue into long, flowing symphonic compositions, including new vocals and passages from vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe. These arrangements have been brought to life, in cooperation with keyboard maestro Johnny Maudling (of BAL-SAGOTH fame), and will be released as "Evinta" in November on Peaceville Records.

"'Evinta', a project almost 15 years in the making, an idea that has sat smouldering and never really had a reason to burn alive until now," explained guitarist Andrew Craighan. "Nine albums worth of darkness recreated anew to mark 20 years of MY DYING BRIDE. Music arranged to the soundscapes of sorrows past. Finally the 20th anniversary allows us to release this music in a form it has been desperately, woefully waiting for. Enjoy the darkness."

"Evinta" will be available as both a two-disc and special three-disc set, each disc its own sprawling classical work spanning a large period of MY DYING BRIDE's album material. The three-disc set will also be accompanied by a specially limited 72-page hardback book, featuring rare images and photographs from the band's personal archive from over the years.

To coincide with this 20-year celebration, MY DYING BRIDE will also re-release a vinyl version of one of the band's most respected early works, "Turn Loose the Swans", which will be limited to 2,000 numbered copies, and features the original vinyl cover artwork design and gatefold sleeve.

MY DYING BRIDE has been the leading light of doom metal since their debut album, "As the Flower Withers", was released on Peaceville Records back in 1992. Influenced by acts such as CELTIC FROST and CANDLEMASS, the band's heavy atmospherics have carved a huge worldwide following over the years and they remain at the pinnacle of the genre.

MY DYING BRIDE is:

Aaron Stainthorpe - Vocals
Andrew Craighan - Guitar
Hamish Glencross - Guitar
Lena Abé - Bass
Dan Mullins - Drums
Shaun Macgowan - Keyboards/Violin

Following the recent release of the new, self-titled album from Canadian melodic thrash metal pioneers ANNIHILATOR, Earache Records launched the "Total Annihilation" campaign, reissuing six albums from the band's illustrious back-catalogue in Europe.

The first four releases in the "Total Annihilation" campaign — "Carnival Diablos", "Criteria For A Black Widow", "Waking The Fury" and "King Of The Kill" — are available now, with "Refresh The Demon" and "Remains" due to be released soon.

To thank fans for purchasing these great metal milestones, Earache Records is offering a free, sturdy bookshelf box to fans as a way of neatly and proudly displaying the six reissued albums. The free bookshelf box features stunning ANNIHILATOR artwork and includes a personal message to the fans from ANNIHILATOR mastermind and guitarist Jeff Waters.

To get your free ANNIHILATOR bookshelf box, simply e-mail your full name and address to annihilatorbox@earache.com with the subject "Annihilator box."

This offer is only available to European fans; CDs not included.

Tickets sold out in only thirty minutes for the legendary German band RAMMSTEIN's December 11 performance at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City. This will be the only U.S. show by the Berlin-based six-piece band, which has not performed in the United States since 2001. The show was announced September 27, tickets went on sale for the show Friday, October 8 at noon Eastern and before an hour passed, tickets were officially sold out. This makes RAMMSTEIN the first German band in history to accomplish such a feat.

Britain's independent heavy metal powerhouse Peaceville Records will begin releasing new editions of classic DARKTHRONE albums later this month from the recently acquired Moonfog Productions catalogue titles.

The first reissue, "Panzerfaust" — DARKTHRONE's fifth album overall — will be made available on October 25 as a double-disc set and individually numbered vinyl (2000). The 2-CD edition includes a bonus disc featuring commentary from DARKTHRONE's infamous drummer/lyricist Fenriz for a first-hand perspective behind the creation of the 1995 frost-fuelled black metal masterpiece. Additionally, Peaceville Records will reissue the rare second ISENGARD release, "Høstmørke" (1995), on October 25. The album, which was performed entirely by Fenriz, also features a special commentary disc conducted by Fenriz, reflecting on the recording process, as well as an insight into the time of the recording.

WHITE WIZZARD's cover version of DIO's legendary anthem "We Rock" is available for free download at this location (free e-mail signup required).

A new WHITE WIZZARD single featuring "Shooting Star" — which was written as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio — and "We Rock" will be released via iTunes on October 18 and will also be made available as a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl exclusively on WHITE WIZZARD's upcoming U.K. headlining tour.

Tim Lambesis, lead vocalist of the popular San Diego, California metal band AS I LAY DYING, has launched a new clothing line called Modern Rebellion. The company has launched an official web site and merchandise store through 3rd Degree Merch.

The mission of Modern Rebellion is to spread a positive message of charity and to often put one's personal needs second to those of others. With that mindset Modern Rebellion will be giving profits to Trees Of Glory, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean water for children in Duber, Ethiopia.

"For many of us growing up, rebellion was a way to fight against what we felt were pointless and oppressive rules," said Lambesis. "Times have changed. Today we often submit to popular thinking without notice and believe that our greatest purpose is to serve ourselves. The truest form of rebellion left is to reject this mindset and live for something more. That is why I have partnered in starting Modern Rebellion. What I profit from this endeavor goes to support orphanages that I have personally visited and benefits a group of people much more deserving than myself. Beyond that, I think the apparel and designs themselves create a style that well represents my personal taste."

Purchase merchandise from Modern Rebellion and learn more about Trees Of Glory at ModernRebellionApparel.com.

Heavy metal guitar enthusiasts rejoice! The world will soon be able to experience the stunning new album from guitar legend and classical metal master Yngwie Malmsteen. "Relentless" will hit streets on November 22 via Malmsteen's own Rising Force Records. The CD contains more than 60 minutes of brand new material and showcases the guitar great at his best with the signature virtuosity and mind-blowing technical speed for which he has come to be known. "Relentless" also features striking vocals from Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), who first collaborated with Malmsteen on 2008's critically-acclaimed "Perpetual Flame" (Malmsteen's first album for the Rising Force Records label).

Of the new album, Malmsteen commented, "The album title really says it all. The drive to surpass my own accomplishments can best be described with one word — relentless. After all these years of composing and playing music, I still am passionate about pushing myself to the limit — to the highest, most demanding level of playing possible."

"Relentless" track listing:

01. Overture
02. Critical Mass
03. Shot Across The Bow
04. Look At You Now
05. Relentless
06. Enemy Within
07. Knight Of The Vasa Order
08. Caged Animal
09. Into Valhalla
10. Tide Of Desire
11. Adagio B Flat Minor Variation
12. Axe To Grind
13. Blinded
14. Cross To Bear
15. Arpeggios From Hell *

* Bonus track

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently shot a video for a new song, "Was It Worth It?", from their forthcoming seventh studio album. Directing the clip was Dale "Rage" Resteghini, who has helmed over 550 music videos since 2003, including clips for such metal bands as MUDVAYNE, HATEBREED, ANTHRAX and SHADOWS FALL. Rage has also directed videos for some of the biggest names in the hip hop world, including Lil Wayne, Diddy, Snoop Dog and Ice Cube.

With a new lineup firmly in place, the heaviest band to ever rock the Maldives, SERENITY DIES, has announced that it has begun writing new material with recently added guitarist/vocalist Jared MacEachern (ex-SANCTITY). Fans of the group's debut EP, "Hacksawcracy", can expect to see the bands crushing, yet melodic modern thrash sound taken to the next level. MacEachern stated, "I'm really excited to join SERENITY DIES. This band is exactly what I was looking for and I'm stoked that they asked me to be a part of it! We've already got our collective creative juices flowing, and newsongs are in the works. We're all really looking forward to breaking some heads!"

Fan-filmed video footage of Sebastian Bach's October 6, 2010 concert at Pavilhão Atlantico in Lisbon, Portugal can be viewed below.

Bach's setlist was as follows:

01. Slave To The Grind
02. Back In The Saddle
03. Big Guns
04. Here I Am
05. (Love Is) A Bitchslap
06. Stuck Inside
07. Piece Of Me
08. 18 And Life
09. American Metalhead
10. Stabbin' Daggers
11. Monkey Business
12. You Don't Understand
13. I Remember You
14. Youth Gone Wild

German power metallers RAGE performed the song "Drop Dead" at Stefan Raab's "Stockcar Crash Challenge" on Saturday, October 9 at the sold-out Schalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The event was televised live on Pro7 and was reportedly watched by several million people.

Commented RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski: "As [soon as] we got the call that Stefan wanted his favourite metal band RAGE to perform at the opening of the show, we were pretty excited and just confirmed, of course, immediately." He continued, "The song 'Drop Dead' was chosen by Stefan. It was a lot of fun to play in front of the sold-out Schalke Arena on the truck with flamethrowers and pyrotechnics! Stefan controlled the pyros and at one point he was nearly melting the amps. " Frontman Peavy Wagner added: "Even if we got grilled, it was just an amazing experience." Drummer André Hilgers is still overwhelmed: "It was a breathtaking venue, a great crew and an absolutely awesome atmosphere."

You can watch RAGE's performance at the event at this location.

Former members of EPICA, DELAIN and AFTER FOREVER have joined forces in a brand new band called HANGOVER HERO. The Holland-based group recently completed a promotional recording at the Gate Studio (AVANTASIA, EPICA, KAMELOT) in Wolfsburg, Germany with Sascha Paeth and is currently seeking a label home. Another one of the songs that were laid down during the session, "Mr. Perfect", is available for streaming at HangoverHero.com.

On the heels of the cancellation of their European tour, Austin, Texas luminaries THE SWORD are also regretfully canceling the remainder of their scheduled U.S. dates due to the departure of their drummer, Trivett Wingo. The split is amicable and both Trivett and the rest of the band wish each other the best of the luck with their respective plans. THE SWORD is already working diligently to reschedule its European and U.S. dates.

Commented Trivett: "It is with deep sadness that I am announcing my departure from THE SWORD.

"After nearly seven years and some of the most amazing adventures of a lifetime, I have arrived at a place where I am physically and emotionally unable to continue on as part of THE SWORD. If I could go any further, I would as I love the music and JD, Bryan and Kyle are people that I deeply respect, but I have reached a point where I just can't do this anymore.

"I would like to thank the wonderful people who made this experience what it has been: the fans, the people that I have worked and all of the bands and musicians that have inspired me over the years. I thank you and apologize for any disappointment that this may cause anyone, not least of which THE SWORD."

The remaining members of THE SWORD have released the following statement regarding Trivett's departure:

"We wish Trivett nothing but the best, and it is with heavy hearts that we bid him farewell. He is a phenomenal musician and has been an integral part of this band's success. He helped to lay the foundation that we will continue to build upon, and we wouldn't be where we are without him. We wish he could continue the adventure with us, but we understand that the life of a touring musician is not for everyone. It's been a hell of a ride, and we're sad to see this part of the journey end. The show must go on, though, and will be back on the road as soon as humanly possible."

"Warp Riders", the third full-length album THE SWORD, sold around 8,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart.

MAIDEN UNITED, a new IRON MAIDEN tribute project which performs classic MAIDEN songs in new acoustic arrangements, will release its first album, "Mind The Acoustic Pieces", on December 9. The set is described as "an acoustic version of [IRON MAIDEN's classic album] 'Piece Of Mind' with new arrangements and played a selection of accomplished musicians."

Contributing artists:

* Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, AYREON): Vocals
* Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Guitar
* Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS): Bass
* Marco Kuypers (SILKSTONE): Piano
* Mike Coolen (SILKSTONE): Drums
* Anneke van Giersbergen (THE GATHERING): Vocals

A European tour will follow that will take the project to the U.K., Belgium, Holland and Germany. Additional dates/countries will be announced later.

Footage from the project's "try-out gig" can be viewed below.

Musicians featured in the video:

* Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, AYREON) - Vocals
* Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION) - Guitar
* Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS) - Bass
* Marco Kuijpers (SILKSTONE) - Piano
* Dirk Bruinenberg - Drums

An audio recording of CAVALERA CONSPIRACY — the project featuring former SEPULTURA members Max (guitar, vocals) and Igor Cavalera (drums) — performing a brand new song, "Warlord", during the band's October 11, 2010 appearance at the SWU Music and Arts Festival at the Maeda Farm in Itú (about 43.5 miles away from São Paulo), Brazil can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. Also available is a Portuguese-language interview with Max and Igor conducted at the event.

"Chapel Of Blood", the new video from MURDERDOLLS, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", which sold 8,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on August 31 via Roadrunner Records, the CD was recorded at a studio in Hollywood Hills, California with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).

M.A.N — the group formed out of the ashes of Sweden's TRANSPORT LEAGUE (featuring former MNEMIC frontman Tony Jelencovich) — has issued the following update:

"We have to inform you the sad news that our guitarist Rob Guz has decided to leave M.A.N and the music business. A personal statement will be official in the upcoming days. But we are also happy to announce Marcus 'Skägget' Bertilsson as our new guitarist in M.A.N. New fresh blood will pour in the veins of M.A.N, and we are looking bright at the future. Marcus also swings his axe in the bands INEVITABLE END and THE WEAKENING. Marcus will do his premiere show with M.A.N at Sticky Fingers (in Gothenburg, Sweden) on October 22."

California metallers LIZZY BORDEN have commenced the songwriting process for their next studio album, tentateively due in 2011. "It's gonna be more song-orientated and I want each individual song to really have something to say," the band's frontman and namesake told Sleaze Roxx in a new interview. He added, "I always like to sing about the darker side of life; it's just more interesting to me than... happy things. And through all the years, and after several recordings, I can say I'm a better singer and a better performer than back in the '80s because I'm more open-minded to all different styles of music and my way of singing. Nowadays I'm able to sing more the full range and it sounds good to me. . . All I want is to come out with the record of our lives!"

BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN & HELL guitartist Tony Iommi has revealed to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine that he has begun work on new material with the hopes of launching the 'next phase" of his career alongside longtime SABBATH bandmate/bassist Geezer Butler. Whether or not this will be part of a BLACK SABBATH reunion or a new project remains unclear at present, but Iommi has said, "What I'm doing now is writing. I've gone mad, writing loads of riffs again. I'm really enjoying it, putting stuff together. We will be doing something. I'm in touch with Geezer a lot now and we’ve been talking about what the next phase is going to be. It'll be great to get out and do something again. I don't normally say this, but there's some great ideas coming out. That's all I've got to do right now. Sit and write riffs!"

Oulu, Finland-based power metal band ULTIMATIUM has issued the following update:

"After some discussions and planning, we as a band have decided to first record a four-song promo representing four of our songs that were heard live last summer. This promo is anticipated to be ready by the end of this year and will be distributed as a physical version as well as (probably) free to download. Drums were recorded yesterday and video camera was also recording and some footage of that will also be visible sometime. From the video you can actually see Tony [Qvick, drums] nailing 'Ce'es La Vie' with a single shot, on the first take, that was supposed to be a practice shot."

ULTIMATIUM earlier in the year parted ways with Mastervox Records because "musical differences and visions about [the] third album [from ULTIMATIUM] between artist and label were just too apart."

Guitarist Nicolas Milanese of Italian metallers SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE, who was hospitalized for seven months battling an acute case of leukemia (a disease that affects the bone marrow where blood cells are produced), has received a bone-marrow transplant and is back at home continuing his recovery. He has also vowed to gradually return to playing his instrument.

Commented Nicolas: "I would like to thank my family, friends and my girl, Ena, for being so close during this difficult time. Thanks also to all the bands, the friends and the fans who have showed their support and affection."

SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE's third album, "Mothra", was released via Scarlet Records. The CD was recorded at Planet Red Studios in Richmond, Virginia with producer Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE AGONY SCENE, SCARLET, DUFRESNE, BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE, SPITFIRE, TWELVE TRIBES) and features a guest appearances by Myke Terry from BURY YOUR DEAD and Matthew Rudzinski from KILLWHITNEYDEAD. It was mastered by Alan Douches (CONVERGE, MISFITS, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, HATEBREED, MASTODON) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.

The group previously stated about the album: "'Mothra' represents a new step in our life as a band, a new shape for both our sound and our songwriting and it's our most sick and experimental album so far. It will surprise you!"

"How To Die", the brand new video from Japanese extreme metallers METAL SAFARI, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's recently released sophomore album, "Prisoner", which is available on Spiritual Beast Records.

Centered around award-winning future guitar hero Hiro, emotional screaming beast Ina, and young powerhouse drummer Yazu, along with their big friend Jun on bass, they were "proud to be independent," releasing demo recordings on the Internet, shooting music videos on their own, and handing more than 20,000 demo CDs to the fans of national/international metal acts, all without any support from labels.

With the release of the debut album, "Return To My Blood", in May 2006, METAL SAFARI gained more and more public attentions, resulting in an appearance at the biggest rock festival in Taiwan, Formoz Festival 2006. The momentum continued, and METAL SAFARI went out on a six-date headlining Asian tour in 2007, playing in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China, where they headlined the Modern Sky Festival 2007. The popular demands also brought them to Europe, where they participated in 12-date tour throughout Poland alongside of such acts as VIRGIN SNATCH, THY DISEASE, and MAHAVATAR. METAL SAFARI earned its place in the history of Japanese metal as the first-ever extreme metal band played in the mainland China, and also as the first metal band to ever tour in Poland (after visual-kei rockers DIR EN GREY). These are ALL done independently, without any support from labels.

Domestically, METAL SAFARI participated twice in Ju-Ongaku-Sai (heavy music fest), the biggest festival of Japanese metal/hardcore bands, first as one of the main-stage acts and then as the headliner. METAL SAFARI also supported THY WILL BE DONE and CALIBAN on their Japan tours, and shared the stage with such acts as LOUDNESS, EDGE OF SPIRIT, SUNS OWL and BLOOD STAIN CHILD. Not only did these activities put them at #7 of domestic independent bands of all genres, #1 of metal bands, #1 of hardcore bands, and #1 of thrash bands in "Top Artist Chart" on MySpace.com, but METAL SAFARI became the most-awaited Japanese band to play at Loud Park, the biggest metal festival in Japan.
For more information, visit www.metalsafari.com.

Southern California's purveyors of pain WINDS OF PLAGUE have entered a Los Angeles studio with renowned producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED) to begin recording their new album for an early 2011 release via Century Media Records.

Commented vocalist Johnathan "Johnny Plague" Cooke: "Coming off of [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem (the biggest tour of our career) was inspiring to say the least. Literally the day after Mayhem fest ended we were in the studio hard at work on new material. Fast forward a few weeks and we are now into week one of the recording process for our new album (yet to be named).

"We set out with producer Matt Hyde to raise the bar for WINDS OF PLAGUE both as a band and as musicians. We put a lot of our writing focus into the energy and the structure of the songs and everything else just seemed to fall into place naturally.

"Although it is early in the recording process, I can confidently say this will be our best offering yet. Both fans of 'Decimate The Weak' and 'The Great Stone War' will be pleased for we haven’t altered the formula or strayed from our roots, but injected them with rage and fury. The game certainly will change in 2011."

"There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret", the third album from Sheffield, U.K. metallers BRING ME THE HORIZON, has entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 13.
From the progressive opening riff and digital manipulation of choristers in the epic "Crucify Me" to the violins of "Don't Go" to instrumental track "Memorial", it quickly becomes clear that this is an album like no other.

"Against The Wall", a brand new song from New Jersey/New York's ILL NIÑO, has been available for purchase via iTunes. The track comes off the band's new album, "Dead New World", which is scheduled for release on October 26 via Victory Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Enigma" was self-produced, with co-production coming from Clint Lowery (SEVENDUST) and Sahaj Ticotin (RA), and mixed by Eddie Wohl (36 CRAZYFISTS, ANTHRAX, SMILE EMPTY SOUL). The album artwork was created by Tim Butler of XIII Designs (DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT, METALLICA, SLAYER, MICHAEL JACKSON).

"Dead New World" track listing:

01. God Is Only For The Dead
02. The Art Of War
03. Against The Wall
04. Mi Revolucion
05. Bleed Like You
06. Serve The Grave
07. If You Were Me
08. Ritual
09. Killing You, Killing Me
10. How Could I Believe
11. Bullet With Butterfly Wings (SMASHING PUMPKINS cover)
12. Scarred