According to Kerrang! magazine, guitarist/vocalist Matt Tuck of Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and his partner, Charlotte, welcomed their first child, a son named Evann, on March 25.

In an exclusive interview in this week's Kerrang! magazine, the singer reveals Evann is already a fan of his dad's band.

"When Charlotte was pregnant, we put headphones on her belly to see if he'd react to music," he explains. "His biggest reaction was to SLIPKNOT's 'The Heretic Anthem'! He liked his daddy's stuff, too. We've stopped [playing music] for the moment as we don't want him screaming all the time!"

A teaser for "Lord Of The Wasteland", the debut album from the Swedish metal act STEELWING (formerly SCAVENGER), can be viewed below. Due in Europe on April 30, 2010 via Noise Art Records, a division of Rock The Nation, the CD was recorded at Deep Blue Studios with producer Nicko DiMarino. The album artwork was created by Ed Repka.

"Lord Of The Wasteland" track listing:

01. Enter The Wasteland
02. Headhunter
03. Roadkill (...Or Be Killed)
04. Sentinel Hill
05. The Illusion
06. The Nightwatcher
07. Under The Scavenger Sun
08. Point of Singularity
09. Clash of the Two Tribes

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have posted a new "Nightmail" session featuring fan questions answered by various members of the band and crew. A couple of excerpts follow below.

Q: To Anette: I wonder if NIGHTWISH have any plans to record a new album but with a mix of the older songs?I also wonder which was your best moment with the band during 2009?

A: No, any album like that isn't something we have considered and I dont think it will happen since we all feel that Tarja and the guys already have done that. But maybe a live album some day where also the older songs are included.
My best moment during 2009 were two moments: the very first gig after our break in London in March. Great to see everyone and meet them after so many months break. I also felt physically and mentally so much stronger than during 2008. Then Hartwall arena [in Helsinki] was magical. Amazing with so great musicians playing with us and to sing "Walking In The Air" and "Meadows Of Heaven" finally was something I had longed for.

Q: To Tuomas: 1) How do you imagine yourself in the next twenty years? 2) Is there any dream that you especially want to come true?

A: 1) I never look too far into the future, all I need to know or want is here and now. I hope I'll still be alive, look like an old Walt Whitman, and that life would taste as sweet as it does at the moment.

2) Well, right now I wish that the upcoming album would end up being like I have imagined it to be during the past 3 years. I just finished with the last song yesterday, such exciting times!

Q: To Emppu: What kinds of books do you read? You told someone you read books to relax...what is, let's say, the book that impressed you most?

A: Yeah, on tour you'll have a lot of time on your hands, sitting in the plane or tour bus, and reading gives you some "private" time. There's always a lot of people buzzing around, so it's an easy way to get some privacy for a while. I pretty much read all kinds of books, currently mostly historical stuff that's based on actual fact. While I was younger, I never read anything. I don't think I read one single book while in high school. I had to start reading, because the battery in my Game Boy always died on me during the long flights. :D Biggest impression — Hmmm, there are so many great books. It's hard to pick just one.

Q: To Anette: Which place/country you've been on tour that you most liked? In aspects like culture, climate, people, natural landscapes..:)

A: Oh, there have been many;=) But I did love Japan a lot. So nice people and I felt really safe walking around there all by myself. I also love Japanese food so it suited me fine. Then seeing Australia was amazing and a dream came true. I also love the U.S. just because it is so totally different from Sweden. It's just so big and people are much more open and talkative there than in my country. And to be able to have a country with so many different sides and people is just amazing ;=)

Q: To Jukka: What is it according to you that makes NIGHTWISH so popular all over the world? What are your dreams for the future with the band?

A: Good songs and utmost honesty in everything to do with music. Those are the strengths of NIGHTWISH, at least that's how I'd like to see it. I have no big dreams left for future, because my original dreams have been surpassed many times already. I just hope that NIGHTWISH is still around in ten year's time and that we still get our kicks making music.

Q: To Anette: I read from a teletext that you're getting another child. Congratulations! Do you think this is going to have any affect to the next NIGHTWISH tour in couple of years?

A: No, I dont think it will influence the coming tours. If we all could manage the last huge tour even if we are three persons that have kids, I am sure that we can make the next one working too. It's all about planning and making everyone feel OK with the schedule and I know King Foo [the management] and me and the guys can make that happen.

Q: To Tuomas, It's been a while since the dark days of "Century Child". How do you think you have changed as a person since then? Are things a lot more brighter now?

A: I wish I have changed in some matters, and I wish I haven't changed in many matters. "Dark Passion Play" was made during the darkest days, even worse than "Century Child", but things have always been well, sometimes the darkness and its boogeymen just veil the good behind.

Q: Can we expect a soloalbum from Marco Hietala anytime? It would be great to have a whole album full of songs where the singer would be only Hietala.

A: Well... I've had this continuing work in progress over ten years now. The idea would be to have a distinct world of colliding musical elements, and the lyrics for the whole thing would be in Finnish and English both. Like I said: Over ten years in progress. Might happen sooner, later or never.

"Coward", a brand new song from Canadian melodic thrash metal pioneers ANNIHILATOR is available for streaming at the Earache Records MySpace page. The track comes off ANNIHILATOR's upcoming self-titled album, which is due to be released in Europe on May 17.

Commented ANNIHILATOR guitarist/mainman Jeff Waters: "This one turned out pretty fast and thrashy but has a pretty cool slow-down in the middle of the tune. Dave (Padden) wrote the lyrics on this and is pretty pissed off at someone; I think, a former friend of the family. Nothing really technical and difficult, other than some limb-cramping guitar picking and non-stop drum rippage, but I would describe it as simply a headbanging, no-B.S. metal scorcher.

"I am looking forward to posting some more songs from the new CD soon, as each song seems to really be different."

CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band led by former SAVATAGE frontman Zak Stevens, has entered Sweet Spot Studios to begin recording its fifth album, entitled "Consequence Of Power". The second concept effort for the band, "Consequence Of Power" has been described as "a melodic power metal album catering to all fans from the old SAVATAGE era to all CIRCLE II CIRCLE European fans and breaking new ground for an all new fan base in America." A fall 2010 release through AFM Records is expected.

Commented Stevens: "It's been a hell of a ride so far, but it seems like just the beginning for some reason.

"People are really appreciating the purity of real hard rock and metal music these days since the genre became somewhat out of focus within the music industry the last five years. The demand for our style of music has roared back from fans, both young and old, on the history behind the band. We hear the calling and we continue to move forward.

"CIRCLE II CIRCLE will take you on a musical journey like no other rock/metal band. We will deliver a monumental evening of rock and roll power every night on tour. Don't miss it!"

In a recent interview with Loudtrax.com, Stevens stated about "Consequence of Power", "It will be different. Much like the other albums offer their own differences in sound. In my view, some of the new stuff is revisiting the 'traditional' rock guitar sounds and song arrangements that will take us back a chapter or two in time while others are more basic in scheme. My role, as with all our records, is to make the overall picture appeal to today's rock listener from a vocal standpoint with the best effort I can and what will hopefully result in hook after hook coming at you full blast."

Regarding the album's lyrical theme, he said, "It's a complicated and very deep concept about things happening that we don't really have much control of, and about a character who is centrally involved, against his will, into this cycle of madness, power, and a lot of crazy things. "

CIRCLE II CIRCLE's current lineup consists of Zak Stevens (vocals), Andy Lee (guitar), Mitch Stewart (bass/keyboards) and new drummer Johnny Osborn, formerly of DR. BUTCHER.

CIRCLE II CIRCLE recently signed a management deal with Venomm and is currently booking the Power Tour 2010/2011, due to begin this summer.

udio samples of all the songs that appear on DOKKEN's new greatest-hits package, "Greatest Hits 2" — a collection of all-new versions of tracks such as "Dream Warriors", "Breaking the Chains" and "Just Got Lucky", paired two new songs and two covers (including a version of "Lies", originally recorded by THE KNICKERBOCKERS, available on the Japanese version of the CD only) — are available on Amazon.com. Due in Japan on April 21 via King Records, the CD will be made available in the U.S. on Cleopatra's Deadline Records imprint.

The MP3 version of "Greatest Hits 2" has been made available for purchase via Amazon.com.

"Greatest Hits 2" track listing:

01. Just Got Lucky
02. Breaking The Chains
03. Into The Fire
04. The Hunter
05. In My Dreams
06. It's Not Love
07. Alone Again
08. Dream Warrior
09. Unchain The Night
10. Tooth And Nail
11. Almost Over (new song)
12. Magic Man (new song)
13. Bus Stop (the HOLLIES cover)
14. Lies (THE KNICKERBOCKERS cover) (Japanese bonus track)

LABYRINTH singer Roberto Tiranti has dubbed vocals for the Italian version of "I'm In The Band", a music-filled, comedy series for the entire family about a teenager who realizes his wildest dream when he joins his favorite "vintage" rock band, IRON WEASEL. Tiranti dubbed the singing parts (not the dialogue) of IRON WEASEL vocalist Derek Jupiter.

The program airs on Disney XD in the United States and on Family Channel in Canada.

Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, JON OLIVA'S PAIN) has recorded a guest appearance on "The Labyrinth Of Truths", the second full-length album from the Brazilian power metal opera project SOULSPELL. Other musicians scheduled to appear on the CD include Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, SAVATAGE), Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN) and Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE).

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen (also ex-BODINE, VENGEANCE) is hard at work on what will become a new STAR ONE album. The instrumental demos are completed, and Arjen is now working on lyrics and melody lines.

A few weeks ago, Arjen's former manager Yvette graciously hosted a demo listening party for the people on Arjen's message board. It was an open invitation, although because of limitations of space, attendance was limited to the first few people who confirmed they could make it. The nine attendees got to listen to the demos, munch on assorted goodies, and fill in feedback forms to catalog their reactions to the songs for Arjen.

Keep in mind that they heard rough demos — no vocals, no solos. These are the first demos that Arjen puts together just to get the structure and feel of the songs down before starting serious work on lyrics and vocal melodies.

Yvette kindly edited a very short video clip that gives an idea of what happened that day. In the video below, not only do you get to SEE what happened, you get to HEAR some snippets of the demos as well.

Denmark's melodic doom metal masters SATURNUS have issued the following update:

"As you might know, we went through a substantial 're-grouping' last year. Thomas A.G. Nielsen and Brian Hansen are, of course, still in the band handling vocals and bass while lead guitarist Rune Stiassny, who already participated in two European tours, also is a full-blooded member of SATURNUS. We are looking forward to present our drummer and a rhythm guitarist as well when the time comes.

"While we are humble towards the achievements of the past we are at the same time confident that we are able to carry on the flame and create a new SATURNUS album. When exactly a new album will see the light of day we can't say for sure. But what we can say is that we are currently in the process of writing new songs and that we will do some pre-recording for our album this spring.

"The new material — in our opinion — is promising indeed. But if you would like a peek listen as to how it actually sounds like we have uploaded a YouTube clip [below] from our performance of the new song 'Wind Torn' in Madrid last fall. We hope you like it… (our former drummer Jesper and Martin from NIGHTLIGHT/IRON FIRE helped us out on this tour — thank you!)."

A brand new MISERY INDEX track, "Carrion Call", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's new album, "Heirs To Thievery", which is set for a May 11 North American release via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Wright Way Studios (DYING FETUS, SLIPKNOT, MOS DEF) with engineer Steve Wright.

"Heirs To Thievery" tentative track listing:

01. Embracing Extinction
02. Fed To The Wolves
03. The Carrion Call
04. Heirs To Thievery
05. Spectator
06. The Seventh Cavalry
07. Illuminaught
08. Plague Of Objects
09. You Lose
10. Sleeping Giants

The new self-titled album from Orange County, California's BLEEDING THROUGH is available for streaming in its entirety at the band's MySpace page. Due on April 13 via the Portland, Oregon-based independent record label Rise Records, the CD was recorded at Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE, AGNOSTIC FRONT and HATEBREED, among others.

"Bleeding Through" track listing:

01. A Resurrection
02. Anti-Hero
03. Your Abandonment
04. Fifteen Minutes
05. Salvation Never Found
06. Breathing In The Wrath
07. This Time Nothing Is Sacred
08. Divide The Armies
09. Drag Me To The Ocean
10. Light My Eyes
11. Slow Your Roll
12. Distortion, Devotion

Savannah, Georgia-based band KYLESA, whose 2009 album "Static Tensions" was one of the most critically acclaimed metal LPs of last year, has inked a deal with Season of Mist. The group has commenced work on its new CD for a late 2010 release.

"We're very happy to announce our new partnership with Season of Mist for the next KYLESA release, which we are hoping to get out later this year," said the band. "We are stoked to be working with Season of Mist on this next album. They are a forward-thinking label and they have all been very accommodating and a pleasure to work with."

Regarding the new album, KYLESA added, "The writing process for the new record has been intense, taking up the better part of each day since January (that's why you haven't heard from us lately), but in return we have some new material that we're very proud of. The studio sessions at The Jam Room in Columbia start in May and end in early July; we'll try to have a few reports for you along the way."

The band is currently touring Europe until early May and will perform at the Roadburn festival in Tilburg, The Netherlands on April 15.

Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS are currently in pre-production at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts on their fifth album for a fall 2010 release via Prosthetic Records. The CD is being produced by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who previously helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' "The Fall of Ideals" (2006) and "This Darkened Heart" (2004) releases.

"When they asked me to do the new record, I gladly accepted," Adam tells AOL's Noisecreep. "Although their practice space reeks of stale beer, Burger King farts and 'Chicopee tears,' I've heard some of their new stuff and it sounds like it's gonna be pretty sweet! Expect blazing leads, Greek chugs, some female bottom, a good amount of eastern Mass kicks and big vocals from a little man. Har har har!"

ALL THAT REMAINS frontman Phil Labonte, who filled in for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones on the band's recent North American headlining tour, jokes to Noisecreep, "So I'm home from six weeks filling in on vocals for KILLSWITCH, get to our practice space, and there's Adam D again!!! FUGG!!!"

"We're in 'time to make the donuts' mode, and the donuts are metal tunes!

"We're pumped to be working with Adam again. Nothin' like making music in the spring with good friends in Massachusetts."

"Frozen", the new video from Finland's BLACK SUN AEON, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's second album, "Routa", which entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 8. The follow-up to "Darkness Walks Beside Me" is a double album featuring a Finish-winter theme and consisting of two parts — "Side A", called "Talviaamu" ["Wintermorning"], and "Side B", dubbed "Talviyö" ["Winternight"].

"Routa" track listing:

01. Core of Winter
02. Frozen
03. Sorrowsong
04. Routa
05. Wreath of Ice
06. Dead Sun Aeon
07. Cold
08. Funeral of World
09. River
10. Frozen Kingdom
11. Wanderer
12. The Beast
13. Silence
14. Apocalyptic Reveries

"Of Betrayal", a brand new song from the Finnish symphonic folk metal band KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI, can be streamed on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI's second album, "Betrayal, Justice, Revenge", which is scheduled for release on April 26 via Century Media Records. The CD's first pressing will be a very special edition featuring "awesome" packaging and two bonus tracks. According to the label, the group is "ready to surprise [the listeners] with [its] most diverse and mature album to date."

"Betrayal, Justice, Revenge" track listing:

01. Lament For The Fallen
02. Aesis Lilim
03. Seawitch And The Sorcerer
04. The Visitor
05. Manalan Vartija
06. Tuoppein'nostelulaulu
07. Chant Of The Winged One
08. Of Betrayal
09. Desolation: White Wolf

Bonus tracks (special edition):

10. Veljet
11. Where Hope And Daylight Die

"The Deafening", the sophomore album from the Gothenburg, Sweden-based metal/rock band HOSTILE CELL, will be released in white digipack on May 12 via the group's own Coreshot Productions, with distribution through Plugged Records. The cover artwork, which can be viewed below. was created by David Heleander of All Custom Tattoo.

"The Deafening" track listing:

01. River Runs Black
02. Sound of Revolution
03. Ghost
04. Reanimation
05. Freedom Fix
06. Reborn
07. 4 Walls
08. Speak or be Gone
09. The Poison
10. Hatesick *

* Featuring Tony Jelencovich (M.A.N, ex-MNEMIC, TRANSPORT LEAGUE)

French black metallers GLORIOR BELLI have completed work on their new album, "The Full Intrepid Experience Of Light", to be released later this year.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Full Intrepid Experience Of Light
02. Agitation In The Glorious Theme
03. The Night Scalp Challenger *
04. Reckless Beacons Attraction
05. Verses From Which To Whirl

*Featuring SHINING's Niklas "Kvarforth" Olsson on guest vocals.

Two classic full-length albums and two EPs from cult U.S. metallers SAVAGE GRACE are being re-released this month through Limb Music.

Out on April 9, 2010:

"Master Of Disguise / The Dominatress": Legendary album, rare mini-LP and four extra bonus tracks — remixed and mastered by Uwe Lulis.

Out on April 23, 2010:

"After The Fall From Grace / Ride Into The Night". Legendary album, rare EP and three extra bonus tracks — remastered by Uwe Lulis.

Frontiers Records has set a June 4 European release date for MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's new solo album, "Tattoos & Tequila". The digital-only release of the title track will precede the full-length effort on April 16.

Neil recorded "Tattoos & Tequila" in the winter of 2009 with The CD was recorded with bassist Dana Strum and Jeff Blando (both of SLAUGHTER) and drummer Zoltan Chaney. The album will include two new songs — "Tattoos and Tequila" and "Another Bad Day", both produced by Marti Frederiksen (AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE, DEF LEPPARD) —plus a selection of classic cuts from some of the rock giants that have influenced Vince Neil throughout his musical career. The cover songs were produced by Vince and Jack Blades (DAMN YANKEES, NIGHT RANGER).

"Tattoos & Tequila" track listing:

01. Tattoos & Tequila (album version)
02. He's A Whore (CHEAP TRICK)
03. AC/DC (SWEET)
04. Nobody's Fault (AEROSMITH)
05. Another Bad Day
06. No Feelings (SEX PISTOLS)
07. Long Cool Woman (THE HOLLIES)
08. Another Piece Of Meat (SCORPIONS)
09. Who Will Stop The Rain (CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL)
10. Viva Las Vegas (ELVIS PRESLEY)
11. Bitch Is Back (ELTON JOHN)
12. Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers (ZZ TOP) *

* Bonus track available on first pressing in digipak

"The Right To Go Insane", the new video from MEGADETH, can be viewed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). In the clip, which features no performance footage, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine is filmed sneaking onto a military facility, stealing a tank and playing crash-up derby through the streets. Video footage from the cockpit shows him singing and laughing, while shots from a surveillance helicopter depict a missile gunsight tracking him as he pillages.

"The Right To Go Insane" video is based on the events of May 17, 1995 when Shawn Timothy Nelson, a U.S. Army veteran and unemployed plumber, stole an M60 Patton tank from a United States National Guard Armory in San Diego, California and went on a rampage, destroying cars, fire hydrants, and an RV before being shot dead by police.

"If I am going to carjack something, I'm going to do it Mustaine-style and go over the top like my new M60 Abrams tank with a sunroof," Mustaine joked to Noisecreep.

Nuclear Blast USA's webshop is now taking pre-orders for the exclusive North American mail-order edition of EXODUS' new album, "Exhibit B: The Human Condition". This release features the bonus track "Devil's Teeth" and a slipcase with different artwork.

The pre-order bundles to choose from are:

* Heads t-shirt & CD: $21.00 (link)
* Grenade t-shirt & CD: $21.00 (link)
* Both t-shirts & CD: $33.00 (link)

Billboard.biz reports that Universal Music Publishing Group has signed a worldwide, deal encompassing the entire STONE TEMPLE PILOTS song catalog, including the group's upcoming self-titled, sixth-studio album coming out on May 25.

The deal consists of signing up the group's frontman Scott Weiland to a worldwide publishing administration and a renewed/extended exclusive administration agreement with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' brothers Robert DeLeo (bass guitar, vocals) and Dean DeLeo (guitar), and Eric Kretz (drums, percussion).