Most of the back catalog from the Swedish metal band SABATON will be re-released on September 24 in new "Re-Armed Editions" featuring a number of bonus tracks — including old demos, cover songs, live recordings, previously unheard material and completely new songs recorded at Studio Abyss in Sweden.

The albums being re-released are as follows:

* "Primo Victoria" (2005)
* "Attero Dominatus" (2006)
* "Metalizer" (2007)
* "The Art of War" (2008)

Commented the band: "Do you wonder what SABATON did in the studio about one month ago?

"Do you wonder why (the albums) 'Primo Victoria', 'Attero Dominatus', 'Metalizer' and 'Art Of War' are so hard to get these days?

"This is why... To be able to continue to do what we all love, meaning to continue to play music and to tour the world, we have now purchased the rights to the SABATON music. And to celebrate this we want to make them available again to all of you in a unique cooperation between SABATON, Nuclear Blast and Black Lodge.

"Now what does this mean?? Well, first it means that when you buy a SABATON album, more of the money spent on the albums will actually go to SABATON and second it means that we want to celebrate this by making the first four albums available again, but in really cool new versions!

"We give you... The SABATON Re-Armed Editions and here is a sample of one bonus track (below).

"The four first original albums of SABATON, complete with new artwork, new booklets, posters and of course: New music! We have dug deep into the treasury of SABATON to find unique, strange, funny and unexpected songs.

"Every album on the Re-Armed editions will feature new tracks and they will include some old demos, some cover songs, some live versions of songs, some really old and unheard songs and some completely new songs recorded in Studio Abyss.

"They will all be re-released on September 24th and can from today be pre-ordered right here!"

Acclaimed metal drummers Dave Lombardo, Paul Bostaph and Jon Dette — each one of whom has sat behind the kit for SLAYER at one point or another during the band's nearly-30-year-long career — posed for a joint photo this past Monday (August 30) in Long Beach, California. Check it out below.

SLAYER drummers (left to right in photo below):

* Jon Dette (1996-1997)
* Dave Lombardo (1981-1986, 1987-1992, 2001-present)
* Paul Bostaph (1992-1996, 1997-2001)

"Mind Decay", a brand new song from Slovenian thrashers NEGLIGENCE, can be streamed at this location. The track comes off the band's sophomore album, "Coordinates Of Confusion", which will be released in Europe on October 11 (three days earlier in Germany) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was mixed by NEGLIGENCE drummer Ruzz at the band's own Negligence studio and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (CONVERGE, HATEBREED, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) in New Windsor, New York.

Comments NEGLIGENCE: "We really feel that what we've done on this record is a big step forward for us.

"We took a different approach in writing the songs, since we wrote them altogether. This resulted in a more mature and heavier album opposed to our first album, 'Options Of A Trapped Mind'. That being said, we've still remained loyal to our own sound, our own thing so we're really just can't wait for our fans to get hold of the new album and hear for themselves."

"Coordinates Of Confusion" track listing

01. Mind Decay
02. Screaming Fear
03. Addicted To Aggression
04. Disharmony
05. The Way To…
06. Insane Asylum
07. The Q Box
08. Sickened
09. Shark Attack
10. Coordinates Of Confusion

Blasphyre, leader of US black/death metallers CATHOLICON, has issued the following EXCOMMUNICATED update:

"We now have the cover art for the Excom album Skeleton Key, by the great Jumali Katani. We haven't decided to release the artwork yet; but we can tell you that he definitely outdid himself. I will just say it's some of the most real looking digital art I've seen, and is a very iconic and totally 'metal' take on the Catholic seal of the Keys to the Kingdom.

The album continues to take shape and we have just potentially added on another great guest performance.

Lastly, thanks again for any of those who have checked out or supported our growing ebay store. The response has been better than we thought; and we are eternally grateful. Everything made from that goes into getting or making more CDs and records.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA have been forced to postpone their concert at the Alcatraz in Milan, Italy to Sunday, February 27, 2011 from the previously announced September 30, 2010. According to the band, the reason for the date change is the fact that SONATA ARCTICA guitarist Elias Viljanen broke his right hand "while doing his daily exercise routine." As a result, he will be unable to play guitar for the next five or six weeks.

All tickets for the September 30 show will remain valid for the new date.

Commented SONATA ARCTICA: "It was pretty shocking to hear from Elias about his accident.

"We are really sorry we need to postpone the show to a later date and want to excuse for any inconveniences this might cause to our fans in Italy and to all fans who had made travel plans from around the world. We really hope to see you all again in February at the Alcatraz".

"Control", a brand new song from MURDER CONSTRUCT — the California-based band featuring Travis Ryan (CATTLE DECAPITATION) on vocals, Leon del Muerte (EXHUMED, PHOBIA, IMPALED) on guitar and vocals, Kevin Fetus (FETUS EATERS, WATCH ME BURN) on guitar, Danny Walker (INTRONAUT, EXHUMED, UPHILL BATTLE) on drums, and Caleb Schneider (BAD ACID TRIP) on bass — is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off MURDER CONSTRUCT's debut seven-song EP, which will be released in November via Relapse Records.

Currently wrapping up the Carnival of Madness tour, Epic Records recording artists CHEVELLE celebrate their 10 hits in 10 years with the release of an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the band. The clip is part of the ongoing celebration of "Ten in 10", an intimate look into CHEVELLE, and gives the band the opportunity to share its thoughts on success and reflect on what they have become while looking back at their top ten greatest hits over the last decade. Those hits include "The Red", "Send The Pain Below", "Closure", "Vitamin R", "The Clincher", "Well Enough Alone", "I Get It", "The Fad", "Jars" and "Letters From A Thief". In an effort to give back to the fans that made it all possible, the band will perform two nights in its hometown at The Metro in Chicago on October 29 and October 30, the venue where it got its start a decade ago.

CHEVELLE's 10-year anniversary EPK can be viewed below.

On Sunday, August 22 at the Verizon Theater in Dallas, CHEVELLE shot the fan-driven music video for their new single "Shameful Metaphors". "Shameful Metaphors" is the third single off CHEVELLE's most recent release, "Sci-fi Crimes", which debuted at No. 6 on Billboard's Rock Chart, the highest entry on the chart for the band. The video is set to premiere at a later date. "Sci-fi Crimes" has already produced two top 10 singles in "Jars" and "Letter From a Thief". "Jars" peaked on the Hot Mainstream Rock Chart at No. 2 while "Letter From a Thief" peaked at No. 5.

Over the past 10 years, CHEVELLE has taken rock music to another level; their dark, ominous lyrics and unique sound combined with rich overtones make a statement that is hard to ignore and separates them from the rest of the modern rock scene. "Ten in 10" celebrates all of the band's accomplishments and is a look back on their successes while continuing to move forward towards a bright musical future.

American rock band ALTER BRIDGE has inked a deal with Roadrunner Records for all territories except North America. The group's third album, "AB III", will be released on October 8. The CD was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with CHEVELLE and RATT.

Commented songwriter/guitarist Mark Tremonti, "There is a real sense of excitement in the ALTER BRIDGE camp to be able to partner-up with Roadrunner. With their proven track record worldwide and the hard work we have put in touring internationally, it seems like the perfect combination." Wally van Middendorp, Roadrunner's Senior VP International, added, "I am extremely pleased that we have added ALTER BRIDGE to our international artist roster and I am confident the band will reach the next level with their upcoming record."

"AB III" track listing:

01. Slip To The Void
02. Isolation
03. Ghost Of Days Gone By
04. All Hope Is Gone
05. Still Remains
06. Make It Right
07. Wonderful Life
08. I Know It Hurts
09. Show Me A Sign
10. Fallout
11. Breathe Again
12. Coeur D'Alene
13. Life Must Go On
14. Words Darker Than Their Wings

ENGEL — the Gothenburg, Sweden-based quintet featuring guitarists Marcus Sunesson (ex-THE CROWN) and Niclas Engelin (PASSENGER, ex-GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES), vocalist Mangan Klavborn and drummer Jimmy Olausson (ex-MARIONETTE) — has inked a deal with Season Of Mist. The band's long-awaited second album, "Threnody", will be released in Europe on November 8. The CD was issued in Japan on April 20 via Avex.

Commented ENGEL: "We're extremely proud to say that we've inked a deal with the one and only Season of Mist! It feels really great to be a part of this company and we look forward to our continued success with them on board.

"With an established roster of some amazing artists already on their books and Season of Mist backing us up, we aim for world domination, starting NOW!"

"Threnody" track listing:

01. Threnody
02. Sense The Fire
03. Until Eternity Ends
04. To The End
05. Down
06. Heartsick
07. Feed The Weak
08. For Those Who Will Resist
09. EverySin - Leaves A Mark
10. Roll The Dice
11. Elbow And Knives
12. Perfect Isis
13. Fearless (bonus track for Japan)

U.K-based metallers POWER QUEST will enter Foel Studios (PAUL RODGERS, NAPALM DEATH, THE WILDHEARTS) in Wales next week to begin recording their new album, "Blood Alliance", for an early 2011 release via Napalm Records. Ten songs will be laid down for the follow-up to 2008's "Master Of Illusion", including one bonus track, with the band planning to have recording wrapped up during the first week of October. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Rising Anew" and "Time To Burn".

Commented POWER QUEST mainman/keyboardist Steve Williams: "I don't actually ever recall being so excited about an album as I am about 'Blood Alliance'. I just can't wait for everyone to hear it!"

Jonathan Barkan of Bloody-Disgusting.com recently conducted an interview with drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Bloody-Disgusting.com: You just recently finished the [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem Festival where you were one of the headlining acts. How was the tour as a whole?

Chris: It was great! We didn't know what to expect coming in. In fact, when we first signed up for it, we were slightly hesitant, just because with the bands that were on it; we didn't know if our fans would really appreciate us doing a tour with some of those bands. Not to say that I don't like those bands, they're fine! But our audiences are not necessarily the same. But what we learned was that the tickets were cheap, some of our good friends were on the second stage, so we didn't think anybody would really complain about the deal, when it came down. And also what we figured out, kinda early on, was that even though we wouldn't normally play with KORN or ROB ZOMBIE, that a lot of the people who like those bands, the people that are coming to see them, may never have seen a band as heavy as LAMB OF GOD and we may be able to turn on some of those people to something a little more on the dark side. And I think it worked! I think the tour went great! We played the small shows, which was like 16,000 people, so we had a great opportunity to spread the word if you will.

Bloody-Disgusting.com: You've got tour dates lined up in South America as well as dates with METALLICA again later this year. What other tour plans have you got in the works?

Chris: Well, we've been out since December of 2008 and the longest we've been home is three weeks since then. So, we're going to end in December of 2010, which would make it a full two-year touring cycle, which a lot of bands don't get to do these days really. We're very lucky that people want us to come around that much. So that's it! Mayhem was our last U.S. run. We're going to take the month of January off, see if we can reconnect with our family, see what that life looks like [laughs]. Then maybe we'll get together and start writing a new album!

Bloody-Disgusting.com: So there are tentative plans to approach a new album in the beginning of next year?

Chris: Yeah! Actually one of our guitar players, Mark [Morton], has like seven or eight demos he has put together on his own. Willie [Adler], the other guitar player, has three or four as well. February, we'll put our heads together and see if we can mash those into something special.

A six-and-a-half-minute audio teaser for "A Discord Electric", the new album from the Danish modern metal combo RAUNCHY, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The CD will be released through Lifeforce Records on September 20 in Denmark; October 8 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; October 11 in the rest of Europe; and on October 12 in the U.S.

"A Discord Electric" track listing:

01. Dim the Lights and Run
02. Rumors of Worship
03. Blueprints For Lost Sounds
04. NGHT PRTY
05. Street Emperor
06. Shake Your Grave
07. Tiger Crown
08. Big Truth
09. The Great Depression
10. The Yeah Thing
11. Ire Vampire
12. Gunslingers and Tombstones

Vocalist Maria Brink of Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT revealed in a Facebook posting that she was involved in a motor vehicle accident yesterday (Tuesday, August 31) that left her with injuries that required a trip to the hospital.

"I had a pretty intense day," she wrote on Tuesday. "I was in a car crash. We got hit by a dude going 55 [miles per hour] and we were stopped at light." She added, "I am home from hospital now and fine, though. I have whiplash and a sprained wrist. I am smiling and laughing at a funny movie and on pain meds. I am grateful. It could have been so much worse!"

In a new Facebook posting from today, she wrote, "I feel bright and great today. I don't even need pain meds, so no more worries about me at all."

SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison tells Kyle Munson of DesMoinesRegister.com that he still mourns the passing of SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray, who was found dead May 24 in an Urbandale, Iowa hotel room. "He was my best friend and still is," Jordison said. "And he was my musical soul mate."

Jordison also reveals that there were times when he could have been the casualty of rock-star excess and substance abuse in place of his late bandmate.

"I've been done with that stuff for three years," he says. "I thought it was all fun and games, but it's not. ... After I got done with my (2007) tour with KORN, I really went for it after that. ... It caught up with me, and that's it — I just stopped."

"Life is definitely a lot more precious now," he adds. "Music right now, really, when I play it, it's like I'm playing it for all the people that I've lost. I think about them all the time."

On the topic of whether SLIPKNOT will continue, Jordison says, "There will be another SLIPKNOT record, of course.

"But, you know — there aren't any replacements. Everyone in the band plays bass and can play guitar. We'll get to that point when we get there. But I want everyone to know — and all my SLIPKNOT fans and all my Iowa fans to know — that no matter what I'm doing right now with [ROB] ZOMBIE and MURDERDOLLS, that SLIPKNOT will return.

"But we're still dealing with the passing of Paul, God rest his soul. ... Paul would never want us to not make another SLIPKNOT record."

CHICKENFOOT, the rock supergroup featuring former VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, tentatively plans to record its second album this fall — but Smith might not be behind the kit this time. Hagar told The Pulse of Radio that Smith's commitments to the CHILI PEPPERS could stop him from returning to the 'FOOT. "Chad's a problem, I'm gonna tell everybody straight up," Hagar told The Pulse of Radio. "To me, Chad is CHICKENFOOT. But Chad's, you know, the CHILI PEPPERS are, they've been writing for a year and they haven't even started recording, and I just don't see a window now. 'Cause once they start recording, Chad's never gonna be able to get a break, and then when they're done with that, they're gonna go out on the road for a year and a half. So we really don't know what to do right now, but I think we're gonna probably play with a few different guys and see what happens."

CHICKENFOOT's self-titled debut disc came out in June 2009 and was certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 copies.

Smith and the CHILI PEPPERS have not released an album since 2006's "Stadium Arcadium". The band parted ways with guitarist John Frusciante last year, replacing him with Josh Klinghoffer.

Hagar, meanwhile, told Billboard.com this week that CHICKENFOOT has four songs and seven other pieces of music in the works for its sophomore effort, which they hope to start recording soon.

The band will play in Indio, California on September 10 and Stateline, Nevada on September 11, and Smith is expected to perform at both gigs.

Sydney, Australia-based unhinged metallers KUNVUK have just completed the mixing and mastering of their debut album, Immute:Jackals. The album was recorded, engineered, mixed and produced by the band’s lead guitarist/vocalist David Hart and mastered by the legendary Rick O’Neil (FAITH NO MORE, GRINSPOON, BOB DYLAN) at Turtlerock Mastering.

Recorded at the band’s own Shadow Mekanik Studios, the album will be released as a two-disc digipack edition. The first disc will contain 12 new compositions rallying from the brink of insanity to the pinnacle of clarity. Coupled with this will be a second disc which will contain the reconstructed, rerecorded, remixed and remastered version of the band's demo EP, The Gone Mekanik Anticipation Demonstration.

Painstakingly recorded over a two year period and representing the culmination of years of no sleep and damaged nerves, Immute:Jackals has been completely independently funded and produced and will be self-released via the band's own label, The Light of Damnation Records. It is expected to drop towards the end of September 2010 though no official date has been announced by the band at this stage.

Adam "Nergal" Darski, the 33-year-old guitarist/vocalist from Poland's greatest extreme-metal export, BEHEMOTH, was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow

Since Nergal's health issues were first made public, the band, its management and label has received an overwhelming response from fans and bands all over the world asking how they can directly help Nergal. In response to everyone offering his or her help in terms of setting up benefits and shows to raise money for the frontman, Nergal has issued the following statement:

"I haven't intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words.

"Regarding my personal low opinion of human kind, I'm shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations.

"I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I'm unable to reply to all of them.

"The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time.

"The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states.

"If you know the history of BEHEMOTH you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his 'Art of War' said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!

"So I want to emphasize that BEHEMOTH will by no means goes through any hibernation state. Obviously all concert plans must be postponed until some unknown point in the future, but things are happening!

"Lately our newest video for '…Alas, Lord is Upon Me' has premiered and stirred up quite a storm in mass media, which fills us with utter pride. Plus we've just finished the project of our new DVD; 'Evangelia Heretika' is a three-disc release, a real encyclopedia of BEHEMOTH with nearly five hours of material and a bonus audio CD that will be out in November (Metal Blade in the U.S., Nuclear Blast in Europe). Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it! Our official webstore has been functional for a couple of days and official merchandise and some very exclusive stuff can be bought there.

"At the beginning of 2011, Peaceville in Europe and Metal Blade in U.S. will reissue the EPs with new artwork, bonuses, liner notes, and more.

"As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we're remaining active wherever we can.

"Finally, I want to comment on some opinions which, provoked by religious circles, lead to far-fetched and inaccurate interpretations.

"I was surprised to hear my illness became a pretext for some people to embark on their own crusade. Opinions suggesting I might come closer to God or abandon my ideals and grovel to the only correct world view in this country not only surprised but also frightened me. This is a typical example of supporting one's own views by preying on someone's misfortune. 'He fell ill so he will convert to Christianity, he will discover the religion he fought against is actually close to him.'

"Halt! Why should the illness change my point of view?

"It is true this is a difficult time for me and the thoughts of ultimate matters are hard to chase away. But the idea that I will change my opinions, priorities, and values as a consequence of my illness sounds as if someone regards my head, and not my body, ill. Suggesting I might convert are ridiculous. To what would I convert? After all, I know Christian mythology pretty well, not only in its literary version, and I find nothing good, creative or beautiful in it. I read books better and wiser than the Bible. War, blood, blackmail, rapes, incest, pedophilia, zoophilia, collaboration and treachery — each page emanates with evil.

"Some may say I don't understand the message of the Bible. I'd rather say the Christianity is nothing more than a rusty and archaic structure that is going to fall down any moment. It lasts only because of the gullible that follow the shepherd blindly; without any questions, without any consideration, not to any promised land, but to an intellectual slaughter. So, I say to those, who see some chances to break my rules, and myself because of the illness: over my dead body!"

Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW will enter the studio tomorrow (Thursday, September 2) to begin recording its new album for a late February 2011 release. The group states, "We have been working on the new material throughout the summer, and despite the extremely hot weather we've had in Finland, none of it is present in the atmosphere of the new songs. This stuff is cold, heavy and crushing. Lyrically we're dealing with life after the end of the world, so there is no light at the end of that tunnel either."

You can follow MOONSORROW's recording sessions, which will take place at various studios in Finland, at the band's newly launched studio blog.

Reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST will release their long-awaited fourth album, "Jupiter", on November 9 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at LedBelly studios in Atlanta, Georgia with engineer Matt Washburn and was mixed by Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER).

"Jupiter" track listing:

01. Second To Sun
02. Fictitious Glide
03. Fraudulent Cloth
04. Live And Live Again
05. Faux King Christ
06. Tortoise The Titan
07. When The Beast
08. Third Person

Audio samples of all 10 tracks that appear on "Avalon", the long-in-the-works debut solo album from GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD is scheduled for release on September 14. A first single from the disc, called "Sinner's Prayer", arrived at rock radio stations on August 3 and is now available for purchase at Amazon.com.

"Avalon" track listing:

01. Avalon
02. 7 Years
03. Broken Road
04. Sinner's Prayer
05. My Light
06. The Rise
07. Until Then...
08. The Departed
09. Eyes Of A Child
10. In Through Time