His official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"It's been half my life (15 years) since I started jamming in a room with three other guys, in a group in which I didn't know would grow to be EVILE, go through what EVILE has gone through and achieve what EVILE has so far achieved.

"Since 1999, I've put 100% of my time and life into the band we formed, while us all had/have to sacrifice a lot financially and personally along the way.

"I've had some of the best times of my life in the past 15 years and met some amazing and fascinating people. I've had the huge honour to play a part in so many things I'd never have dreamed of: paying tribute to Dimebag [PANTERA] by covering 'Cemetery Gates' in Metal Hammer; supporting MEGADETH, EXODUS and many bands I grew up listening to; playing and recording with DESTRUCTION; touring/seeing places in the world I'd never have got to see otherwise and many more.

"Over the past year, I've, unfortunately, found myself becoming more and more detached from the touring/band lifestyle.

"In my opinion, the music business for a band of our genre and 'level' determines a very unrealistic way of life to me, and I personally find it difficult to make a living and have a 'normal' life.

"This is not a plea for sympathy, I'm simply being honest.

"I've reached a point where I want a family/kids, a house, a steady and definite income and everything in between, and in regard to my personal preferences, a touring band's income and uncertainties, in the state that I feel they would continue to be in, has become incompatible with how I feel and what I want/need.

"There is no animosity between the rest of the band and I. This is purely a personal and financial decision I've been mulling over for a while and I wish them all the best for the future.

"I am not unappreciative of the position EVILE has in the music world; I know a lot of people would love to be where EVILE are.

"I want to thank each and every person who supports the band, and I want to extend a special thanks to Digby and the Earache Records crew.

"Huge apologies to anyone this disappoints, but I have to do what makes sense to me.

"I am not quitting writing or playing; I do plan on continuing to record and write my own music (solo project, general composing/recording etc), I just won't be touring etc.

"I'll still be playing the two upcoming festival shows EVILE have.

"You can keep up to date with what I'll be doing on my Twitter or on Facebook.

"A big thank you to everyone!

"Surrender To No One" track listing:

01. Surrender To No One 02. Fear My Wrath 03. I Am Sin 04. Stand And Fight 05. Freedom Within 06. Bleed Through Me 07. Call Of The Wild 08. Evil Awaits Us 09. Save Me Tonight 10. Deep Down In The Darkness 11. Rise Up

Guitarist David T. Chastain and Leather Leone have been writing material since January. Also back in the saddle is original bassist Mike Skimmerhorn. The drum tracks for the CD were recorded by Stian Kristoffersen (PAGAN'S MIND, FIREWIND) since original drummer Fred Coury is still busy touring with CINDERELLA and other projects.

The Leather-fronted version of CHASTAIN recorded five CDs in the mid-to-late 1980s: 1985's "Mystery Of Illusion", 1986's "Ruler Of The Wasteland", 1987's "The 7th Of Never", 1988's "The Voice Of The Cult" and 1990's "For Those Who Dare". After the "For Those Who Dare" tour, David and Leather amicably went their separate ways but kept in touch over the years.

Leather last year released the debut album from her SLEDGE LEATHER project, "Imagine Me Alive". The CD was inspired in 2010 when Leather called Sandy Sledge to collaborate on the Ronnie James Dio track "Egypt" for a demo tribute recording. Due to the overwhelming response for more material, SLEDGE LEATHER was born and was confirmed for Germany's Keep It True festival in April 2011.

Regarding the new CHASTAIN material, David states: "We are trying to write and record music that is expected of us but with some modern twists and turns. We demoed up 20 tracks and it was difficult to leave any of them off the CD. Stian did an amazing job with the drum tracks and his performance is probably the best drumming on any CHASTAIN release to date. We have been in no rush as we wanted to make sure everything would live up to our past releases, but at this point we are in the home stretch."

Leviathan Records in 2010 released "The Reign of Leather", a collection of CHASTAIN tracks Leather had a hand in writing during her glory days with the band. Leviathan also reissued two of the classic CHASTAIN CDs with Leather: "The 7th of Never" and "The Voice Of The Cult". Both were digitally remastered and are in their original unedited versions.

"Due to the recent rumor-inducing statements made by estranged ex-DARK ANGEL singer Don Doty, the band is forced to offer a premature release of information. "DARK ANGEL will reform for a limited number of appearances in 2014 in the U.S. and select festivals in Europe. These dates are still pending and have not yet been booked at this time. "The confirmed lineup for these rare and unique, select 2014 shows features Gene Hoglan (drums), Jim Durkin (guitar), Ron Rinehart (vocals) and Michael Gonzalez (bass). "The lack of responsibility that Don Doty is displaying by posting false information and unfounded rumors is creating confusion for DARK ANGEL fans. There is no 'Team Don Doty' or 'Team Ron Rinehart.' There is ONLY DARK ANGEL. We will not be a part of anything that damages this band and its reputation. "All future official statements will come from DARK ANGEL's management."

Doty made an online posting earlier this week in which he claimed that Hoglan would not take part in the DARK ANGEL reunion because Gene was "unable to make the practices" due to his "many commitments."

DARK ANGEL guitarist Jim Durkin said in a statement last month that any talk of the band's reunion was "premature," and added that "when I was last in the band, Ron Rinehart was my singer. And IF the band were to come back and continue. he would STILL be my singer. He was our rock when we needed him and there is NO WAY I would do this without him. He and I talk daily and are as close now as ever. If anything, all this talk has brought us all back into more frequent contact! Which is a wonderful thing."

DARK ANGEL released two albums with Don Doty on vocals — 1984's "We Have Arrived" and 1986's "Darkness Descends" — before he exited the group and was replaced by Ron Rinehart (after a brief stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two more studio LPs — 1989's "Leave Scars" and 1991's "Time Does Not Heal" — before calling it quits in 1992. Rinehart, Hoglan and Meyer reassembled DARK ANGEL more than a decade ago but were forced to abandon their reunion plans after health issues reportedly put an end to Rinehart's singing career.

Asked what he has been doing since leaving DARK ANGEL in 1987, Doty told Germany's Radio Gehacktes last month: "It's a long story, and at the same time, it's a short one. I basically started a family and showed up to my last show [with DARK ANGEL] and told the guys, 'Hey, look, [I have a] baby [on the way] and I can't be on the road and do the family thing; it was just too hard for me. There were too many beautiful women in the world and there were too many other opportunities to go off the deep end, and I just could not do that. So with that being said, I took a step back and I told the guys, 'There will be a day and I will come back and we will finish what we started."

"Scream When You See Us" comes off PRIMITAI's new album, "Rise Again", which will be released on October 14. The debut single from the album, entitled "Fortune Favours The Brave", was made available on July 31. The track is described in a press release as "a fist-in-the-air, intense slice of no-holds-barred heavy metal."

Check out a teaser clip below.

Comments PRIMITAI drummer Chris Chilcott: "Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (DREAM EVIL, ARCH ENEMY, SABATON, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL, FIREWIND) at Studio Fredman, Gothenburg, Sweden, and recorded by Tom Keech at Stakeout Studios, London, this album represents a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears. We're very proud of what we've achieved with our latest creation and can't wait for you guys to hear it."

PRIMITAI recently announced the addition of guitarist Tom Draper to the group's ranks. He replaces founding member Nick Saxby, who left the band earlier this year. Tom's arrival has added a fresh impetus to proceedings as well as, alongside Srdjan Bilic, some inspired guitar work.

PRIMITAI is:

"King Animal" track listing:

01. Been Away Too Long02. Non-State Actor03. By Crooked Steps04. A Thousand Days Before05. Blood On The Valley Floor06. Bones of Birds07. Taree08. Attrition09. Black Saturday10. Halfway There11. Worse Dreams12. Eyelid's Mouth13. Rowing

SOUNDGARDEN released the music video on January 29 for "By Crooked Steps", the second single from "King Animal".

The "By Crooked Steps" clip was directed by FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl, who submitted a treatment for the video on his own initiative after hearing the song.

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year break, releasing a retrospective collection called "Telephantasm" and a concert album titled "Live On I-5".

"Infected" comes off EYES SET TO KILL's fifth full-length album, "Masks", which will be released on September 17 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Steve Evetts, who has previously worked with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SUICIDE SILENCE and SEPULTURA, among others.

In the time leading up to pre-production and the recording of "Masks", EYES SET TO KILL decided instead of pandering or worrying about expectations, they would hunker down and demo two of their strongest new songs, the irresistibly "True Colors" and "Nothing Left To Say". Both merged anthemic scope and jarring metallic elegance, making for some of the group's catchiest fare and as a result, they joined forces with Century Media Records for their fifth studio album. "Those two songs served as a blueprint for the entire record," explains singer, songwriter, guitarist Alexia Rodriguez. "When we were writing, I didn't try to do what everybody else does. We didn't need to throw a ton of riffs into one song or get overly technical. I wanted to make music that was catchy." With that mindset, the group retreated to a Southern California studio with Evetts. In the process, Alexia evolved immensely as the band's songwriter, and the band's patented sound expanded. For the first time, Cisko Miranda added staggering screams and vocals, building the harmonies and everything became amplified from the heaviness to the hooks. "Masks" track listing:

01. Masks02. Killing In Your Name03. Lost And Forgotten04. Where I Want To Be05. True Colors06. Surface07. Little Liar08. Nothing Left to Say09. The New Plague10. Infected11. Secrets Between12. Haze13. Forbidden Line

"The Dream Calls For Blood" track listing:

01. Left For Dead02. Son Of The Morning03. Fallen04. The Dream Calls For Blood05. Succubus06. Execution - Don’t Save Me07. Caster Of Shame08. Detonate09. Empty10. Territorial Instinct / Bloodlust11. Heaven And Hell (digipak bonus track)

Digipak bonus DVD

* The Making Of "The Dream Calls For Blood"

DEATH ANGEL's North American headlining tour in support of "The Dream Calls For Blood" will kick off on October 18 in San Francisco. Support on the trek will come from 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, BATTLECROSS, REVOCATION and DIAMOND PLATE.

"We are so excited to announce this upcoming tour," commented DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda.

"We worked so hard writing, and recording this record! Especially writing this while on the road for the last three years of touring. And it reflects the triumphs, and mainly hardships, of all we went through while touring. The anger, perseverance, and energy was captured on the recording of 'The Dream Calls For Blood'.

"This tour is the PERFECT springboard to launch off of and back on the road; hungrier and more focused then ever! With a lineup of bands handpicked by us, you’re basically sonically ravaged from the moment the lights dim at the beginning of the night until the lights turn back on at the end! I'm confident every band on this bill plan on sending you home feeling like you've survived a massacre that you can't help but brag about.

"Look forward to feeding off each other's energy!

"Stay hungry! Stay thrash! See you on the road, in the pit, and at the bar!!!"

The San Francisco, Hollywood and Ramona gigs are considered CD-release shows and everyone that purchases a ticket will also receive a copy of the new DEATH ANGEL album at the show.

The live version of "Master Of Puppets", taken from "Metallica Through The Never (Music From The Motion Picture)", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. "Let's hear it for the old-school soundtrack!" said METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. Not only are we beyond psyched about our movie coming your way shortly, but the fact that we get to share the music directly in all these formats is way fuckin' cool." "Metallica Through The Never" stars METALLICA, one of the most popular, influential rock bands in history. In this music-driven, 3D motion picture event, award-winning filmmaker Nimród Antal immerses audiences in a bracing, raw and visceral cinematic experience with spectacular live performance footage of METALLICA's most iconic songs — created exclusively for film — combined with a bold, narrative story featuring imagery drawn from the band's trailblazing iconography. Dane DeHaan portrays Trip, a young roadie sent on an urgent mission, during METALLICA's roaring live set in front of a sold-out arena. The film features dazzling pyrotechnics, the most elaborate live-performance stage ever built and state-of-the-art 3-D photography, captured using up to 24 cameras simultaneously.

Picturehouse will release in North America on September 27 exclusively in over 300 IMAX 3D Theatres, and will expand into additional theaters on October 4. "Metallica Through The Never (Music From The Motion Picture)" track listing: Disc 1

01. The Ecstasy Of Gold 02. Creeping Death 03. For Whom The Bell Tolls 04. Fuel 05. Ride The Lightning 06. One 07. The Memory Remains 08. Wherever I May Roam 09. Cyanide 10. ...And Justice For All

Disc 2

01. Master Of Puppets 02. Battery 03. Nothing Else Matters 04. Enter Sandman 05. Hit The Lights 06. Orion

Says BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman Zakk Wylde: "'Ain't No Sunshine' is such a beautiful, heartfelt song. I've always loved it and wanted to cover it. It felt so right in the context of 'Unblackened'."

"Unblackened" will be released on September 24 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Zakk's label home, eOne Music, will also release the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name. The double disc release will have six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of "Queen Of Sorrow" and "Won't Find It Here", and covers of LEON RUSSELL's "Song For You" and "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".

Since their early Nineties inception, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, formed and helmed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. "Unblackened", however, unveils another side of the band.

Filmed and recorded on March 6 in high definition at Los Angeles' Club Nokia, "Unblackened" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Wylde plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanase on guitar, John DeServio on bass/vocals, Chad Szeliga on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano, and Greg Locascio providing additional vocals.

Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtler nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity. Classic tracks like "Stillborn", "The Blessed Hellride", "In This River", "Throwin' It All Away", "Losin' Your Mind" and many others are still punctuated by the stinging, searing solos that fans know and love, while showcasing the versatility of the band.

In addition to the concert, "Unblackened" is rich in bonus material. A new interview with Zakk, photo gallery, music video for "Losin' Your Mind", and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison Stocken in the U.K . are all included.

DVD track listing:

01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In The Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away12. Takillya (Estyabon) 13. Won't Find It Here14. Rust15. Speedball16. I Thank You Child17. Stillborn

CD track listing:

Disc 1

01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In the Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away

Disc 2

01. Takillya (Estyabon)02. Won't Find It Here03. Rust04. Speedball05. I Thank You Child06. Stillborn07. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone09. Lovin' Woman10. Queen Of Sorrow (unplugged)11. Song For You (cover)12. Won't Find It Here (unplugged)13. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

The album will be released as a digipak with a special booklet including fan photos and download.

Where does the title come from? Lita opens the show with her rendition of the classic Elton John track "The Bitch is Back", which was previously released as a bonus track on "Living Like A Runaway". "Well, I heard [the original version of the song] on the radio and I just thought it worked for Elton John, and it works for Lita Ford," Lita explained to Metal-Rules.com when asked how she came to cover the track. "It kind of makes a statement, saying, 'She's back,' and this is me saying this, not anybody else, you know?! It came from me, and I spoke to Elton John backstage before we released the album and I wanted his blessing. I didn't want to just take his song and do it because I've done my own version of it. It's more guitar-orientated instead of piano. So I said to him we're doing 'The Bitch Is Back' and we gave him a copy of it, and his tour manager wrote back and said, 'It's one rocking version.' But I went backstage because he came through town and I went backstage and said, 'Hello!' and he said, 'That's my song,' you know, 'That's my song,' and I said, 'Yes, it is your song,' and I said, 'Thank you for letting me do it,' and he said, 'Thank you for doing my song.' So I thought, 'Right on, I got his blessing.'"

"The Bitch is Back...Live" track listing:

01. The Bitch Is Back02. Hungry03. Relentless04. Living Like A Runaway05. Devil In My Head06. Back To The Cave07. Can't Catch Me08. Out For Blood09. Dancing On The Edge10. Hate11. Close My Eyes Forever12. Kiss Me Deadly Ford has recruited Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON) to sit behind the kit for her shows in Australia, Europe and the U.S., as well as the recent Monsters Of Rock cruise in the Bahamas.

Lita's touring drummer for much of 2012 was Scot Coogan, who has previously played with BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ACE FREHLEY and LYNCH MOB.

Lita's current touring lineup:

* Lita Ford - Guitar, Vocals * Mitch Perry (MSG, ASIA, EDGAR WINTER) – Guitar* Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON) – Drums* Marty O'Brien (WE ARE THE FALLEN, TOMMY LEE, STATIC-X, DISTURBED) - Bass

Lita last year filmed a video for the song "Mother" in Joshua Tree, California. Directing the clip was Ford's former THE RUNAWAYS bandmate Victory Tischler-Blue, whose film "Edgeplay" was based on her tenure in the 1970s all-girl teenage rock act. "Mother" is dedicated to Lita's estranged sons, Rocco and James (father is former NITRO singer Jim Gillette).

Ford's latest album, "Living Like A Runaway", was released on June 19, 2012 in North America. The effort was made available in four configurations: a double LP, limited-edition CD, standard CD and digital download. The artwork for the album was created by famed rock photographer Mark Weiss.

* Xtreem Music (Europe) CD * Seraved Records (North America) CD * Coyote Records (Russia/CIS) CD * American Line Productions (Central America) CD * Obliteration Records (Japan/Oceania) CD * Disembodied Records (South America) CD * Xtreem Music (World) vinyl 12"LP * Narrowwards Records (Asia) Cassette * Metalhit and AVULSED (World) Digital

"Ritual Zombi" track listing:

01. Dawn Of Apocalypse (intro) 02. Dead Flesh Awakened03. Z-Hunter 04. ...Was Not My Blood 05. Horrified By Repulsion 06. Zompiro 07. Elegy For The Rotting (interlude) 08. Unborn Of The Undead 09. Brainsuck 10. Zombie Ritual (DEATH) 11. Cannivegan Corpse 12. Cult Of The Living Dead 13. Devoured And Forgotten (outro)

Comments the band: "We're extremely proud of the final result. We feel we took the best decision using Javi from Moontower Studios for the mixing 'cause he knew what we wanted in every moment; his experience was essential. But the work made by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studios on the mastering which in fact wasn't a typical mastering, but kind of a second mix, was what definitely gave this new album an incredibly heavy, thick and organic sound. We never sounds so fucking crushing!! This is easily the best AVULSED album, not only production-wise, but also the own songs and the great cover artwork, of course!!".

AVULSED parted ways with drummer Ricardo "Riky" Mena in March 2012 "due to differences on how to deal with different internal issues within the band."

A snippet of the song "Godzilla" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

The four MAD MAX musicians — Michael Voss (vocals, lead guitar), Jürgen Breforth (guitar), Roland Bergmann (bass) and Axel Kruse (drums) — promise "full throttle from start to finish" and sum up the direction of their new record in just two words: "It rocks!" Or, as guitarist Jürgen Breforth puts it: "Whereas some rock groups become insipid and balladesque with time, we've taken the opposite route and deliver nothing but pure energy."

Like its predecessors, "Interceptor" was produced by frontman Michael Voss at his Kidpool Studio in Münster, with the drum recordings completed at the renowned Principal Studios in Senden. The record was mastered at the MSM Studios in Munich, where once upon a time GOTTHARD added the final polish to their works. Breforth says: "This time we made a conscious decision to allow ourselves more external output, yet without overdoing it."

There are ten new songs to marvel at on "Interceptor", including "Turn It Down", the obligatory cover song by THE SWEET. "It's what our fans are used to, so we just have to grit our teeth," jokes Breforth.

* Jani Kataja (SIDEBURN) - Vocals* Fred Estby (NECRONAUT, ex-DISMEMBER) - Drums* David Blomqvist (ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric Guitar* Tobias Cristiansson (GRAVE, ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric Bass

The A-side of the EP spotlights the title track "Mainline Riders", a cover version of NWOBHM pioneers QUARTZ.

The EP is limited to 1000 copies (300 x gold vinyl, 700 x black vinyl) and can be purchased from the High Roller shop.

Says Estby: "DAGGER was formed by me, David and Tobias in early 2009. I had some material that I thought didn't really fit for NECRONAUT, but was still too good to chuck away. When I talked to David about this, he told me he also had material that wouldn't work for DISMEMBER, which made us think about writing songs together in a different way than before. At the same time, Tobias was also writing more hard rock-oriented songs and was immediately into playing them with us. So I think the three of us really wanted to do something we hadn't done before."

Even though all three of them were into doing something new and different, no one was rushing things. "We have been rehearsing and writing songs not wanting to force anything," Estby says. "It also took a long time to find the perfect singer for the band. It was really worth the wait, though. Jani suits this band perfectly both musically and personally."

Given the "confession" Fred makes about the band member's personal taste in music, DAGGER suddenly seem less of a surprise than before. "The last couple of years on tour with DISMEMBER, we almost only listened to the classic hard rock albums we love," he says. "We also talked about how many bands tried to sound like that but never really succeeded, in our opinion."

Now with the lineup complete, DAGGER is here to play "hard rock the way we think it should be played." The EP is meant to serve as an appetizer for DAGGER's debut album, which is currently being recorded at Gutterview Recorders (BULLET, '77, IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC) in Stockholm, Sweden for an early 2014 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

"We started recording our debut album in May this year," says Estby. "While recording, we and our manager Leif from Clandestine Music thought it would be cool to release a 7" before the album just to bring out our name and sound.

"High Roller Records is a cool label, and we knew from experience that it would be fast and smooth to work with them."

Dave, Tobias and Fred are all equally involved in the songwriting for DAGGER, whose sound contains no audible traces of DISMEMBER, GRAVE or NECRONAUT.

"We write different kind of songs but within the same framework," Estby explains. "This fact allows us to help each other out when one of us doesn't have a whole song from scratch.

"Jani joined the band when the album was already written, so he will be much more involved in the songwriting for the next one."