A brand new SYSTEM OF A DOWN track, entitled "Cigaro", has been made available for download in MP3 format at this location.

"Cigaro" is one of several tracks completed towards the group's forthcoming album "Mesmerize/Hypnotize", which is currently being mixed at a Los Angeles studio by Andy Wallace (KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, DISTURBED, SEPULTURA).

As previously announced, "Mesmerize/Hypnotize" will be released as a two-disc set, the first disc ("Mesmerize") dropping in the spring, the second disc ("Hypnotize") coming out roughly six months after that.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN plan to spend the next couple years on the road. Their first stop is Auckland on January 21, where they will kick off a six-day stint at New Zealand and Australia's annual traveling festival, Big Day Out.

Austrian death/black metal act BELPHEGOR have posted the cover artwork for their fifth full-length album, "The Goatreich - Fleshcult", at this location.

The cover artwork duties were handled by Austrian artist Ralph Manfreda, a "specialist for morbid blasphemy/ human-machine sculptures," according to a posting on the group's web site. "His artworks radiate coldness, are extreme and sinister."

"The Goatreich - Fleshcult" is scheduled to be released in Europe on February 28 via Napalm Records. The U.S. will receive the album on April 5 via Napalm Records USA/Ryko Distribution.

The follow-up to 2003's "Lucifer Incestus", "The Goatreich - Fleshcult" was recorded at Mastersound Studio in Fellbach, Germany and will be available in the following formats: the regular CD, limited vinyl edition (gatefold, 180 gr.), and a limited-edition digipack version featuring the instrumental track "Heresy of Fire" as a bonus.

BELPHEGOR will be teaming up with ARKHON INFAUSTUS (France) and IN AETERNUM (Sweden) for a two-and-a-half week European tour beginning on April 15. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

(Thanks: Dalia Di Giacomo / www.gryphonmetal.ch)

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King has uploaded video footage and photos detailing the process used in making his infamous gauntlets (nail-studded wristbands), which he is planning on selling through the KFKIndustries.com web site. Only 250 wristbands are apparently being made, with each one being created from scratch by Kerry himself and hand-numbered. Watch the 72-second video clip here. Check out the photos: Photo#1, Photo#2, Photo#3, Photo#4, Photo#5, Photo#6, Photo#7, Photo#8.

MANOWAR are currently in studio working on a new song to be performed at the EarthShaker Fest 2005 in Germany. The band warn the fans that this will be only one of the many great surprises they are preparing for this show and the Mega Fan Convention.

Earthshaker Fest 2005 is a three-day event set to take place July 21-23 in Geiselwind, Germany.

Legendary rock promoter/record producer Rainer Hansel brought MANOWAR and Earthshaker Fest together, knowing both were committed to presenting the highest quality production and creating the ultimate festival experience for fans. He was quoted as saying that "The time has come for the fans of open air shows to finally receive what they deserve and there is only one band I have ever worked with that has always given their all to the fans and that is MANOWAR."

The first-ever MANOWAR Mega Fan Convention will also place at Earthshaker Fest 2005. This convention is organized by Theo and Marjo Verdooren of World Wide Web Warriors, MANOWAR's 230,000-strong fan club, and will draw fans from over 13 countries for daily activities that will bring them up close and personal with the band. Marjo said, "This will be an unbelievable event for the fans and it is a dream come true for us."

For more information about the festival/convention, click here.

Billboard Radio Monitor is reporting that USA Networks has announced that POISON frontman Bret Michaels has signed on as a judge for the third season of the network's country music reality series "Nashville Star". Michaels, best known for such POISON hits as "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Something To Believe In", has recorded an as-yet-unreleased country album on his own Poor Boy label. He currently has a duet with Jessica Andrews, "All I Ever Needed", on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Michaels recently produced an album for independent country group FORTY5SOUTH. It is due April 26. He also directed in appears in the group's latest video, "We're Country So We Can".

"Nashville Star" is getting a complete overhaul in its third season with a new night, a new host, a new label partner and three new judges. The show moves to Tuesday night from its previous Saturday night home and premieres March 1 from 10-11 p.m. (ET/PT). LeAnn Rimes replaces "Access Hollywood"'s Nancy O'Dell as host. Universal South is the new label partner, and will provide a recording contract to the winner. Sony Music Nashville played that role in the show's first two seasons.

Joining Michaels as judges this year will be Arista Nashville artist Phil Vassar and artist manager Anastasia Brown of 821 Music Group. Comedian Cledus T. Judd will serve as a correspondent for the show and will provide color commentary.

STARWOOD/GEORGE LYNCH bassist Marten Andersson has issued the following update:

"Last year had some really good highlights for me, the STARWOOD album came out and we got the live show off the ground. I also had a lot of fun touring with GEORGE LYNCH among other things. Of course there was also some crappy stuff going on as well (the Dimebag murder and the tsunami in Asia etc.) I am hoping your new year is starting out great for you. I wish you all the best and much success for the year to come.

"I am doing some double-header shows with STARWOOD and GEORGE LYNCH. Make sure to come by and say hello if you are heading down to any of them. I couldn't be more stoked. I am also attending the NAMM music tradeshow on January 20-23 at the Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. I'll be hanging out with my band mates from STARWOOD and talking with people about gear and whatever else. We will be all over that place so come by and say hello. I am also playing with George at the 30-year ESP Guitar anniversary party at the Hilton on Friday night (also performing is MEGADETH) so come on by…"

STARWOOD and GEORGE LYNCH tour dates:

Jan. 13 - San Francisco, CA @ The Pound (GEORGE LYNCH GROUP)
Jan. 14 - Sacramento, CA @ The Roadhouse (GEORGE LYNCH GROUP)
Jan. 15 - Concord, CA @ Bourbon St (GEORGE LYNCH GROUP)
Jan. 18 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues (STARWOOD and GEORGE LYNCH GROUP)
Jan. 20 - Long Beach, CA @ The Vault 350 (GEORGE LYNCH GROUP) (also performing: MSG, GILBY CLARKE, BRUCE KULICK, FRANK HANNON)
Jan. 21 - Anaheim, CA @ NAMM show ESP Guitar 30th anniversary party (GEORGE LYNCH GROUP) (also performing MEGADETH)
Jan. 24 - Hermosa Beach, CA @ - Lighthouse (STARWOOD)
Jan. 27 - Hollywood, CA @ Club Vodka (STARWOOD; also performing GILBY CLARKE)
Feb. 25 - Reseda, CA @ Paladino's (STARWOOD)

SOCIETY 1 have chosen L.A. drummer Berzerk Kirk (ex-THE AMBULANCE) to take over the drum throne left vacant by Preston Nash, the ex-PRIMER 55/DOPE skinbasher who exited SOCIETY 1 after recording "The Sound That Ends Creation". Berzerk Kirk will make his live debut with SOCIETY 1 in February as SOCIETY 1 hits the road with BILE and PITBULL DAYCARE.

Kirk's own history is as extreme as that of his new band. A former medical student with a degree in biochemistry, Kirk has put the cadavers on hold and parlayed all his scientific ambition into his current occupation as rock drummer. He quips: "I am a closet sociopath with sporadic antisocial tendencies whose ambition to play drums has superceded any content within the, as of yet unspoken, Hippocratic Oath. If I need or want to do physical or psychological harm, I can and will, since I have not officially been proscribed from doing so."

In addition to harboring misanthropic surgical tendencies, Kirk has rock in his blood; his brother is none other than Tripp Eisen of STATIC-X.

Kirk explains his place in SOCIETY 1 thusly: "SOCIETY 1 feeds my own provocative philosophical musings. The gluttonous insatiabilities of the five human senses allow me to examine my own vile tendencies to seek out the true nature of what the world has deemed Evil. I contend that Evil and Freewill do not exist. They are mere descriptions of the flow of biology and physics of our universe. The music, diversity, and intensity of this foursome will enable the deeper probing of these concepts. SOCIETY 1 provides the baptism by fire — the worthless ideas will become ash and the true concepts will be strengthened. And the FANS of SOCIETY 1 — to have the opportunity to invasively examine the cerebral workings that are their thoughts and ideas will fortify my continuing research. I look forward to entering my laboratory."

SOCIETY 1's new album, "The Sound That Ends Creation", hits U.S. stores on February 22.

Danielle Demetriou of The Independent is reporting that eight members of an alleged Satanic black metal sect, "Beasts of Satan", were ordered to stand trial in an Italian court Thursday (Jan. 13) in relation to three supposed ritual killings.

The eight suspects, four of whom are members of "Beasts of Satan" from Busto Arsizio near Milan, are facing charges in relation to the murder of three companions.

The discovery of the body of Mariangela Pezzotta (photo), who was buried in a shallow grave after being shot, in January last year led police to the gang, and to the discovery that two other members, Fabio Tollis and Chiara Marino (photo), had been killed in 1998.

Chiara Marino (photo), a 19-year-old girl, was reportedly killed under a full moon by a knife plunged into her heart in 1998.

Her companion, Fabio Tollis (photo#1, photo#2), a 16-year-old singer, was allegedly killed at the same time by a hammer blow to the head and buried alongside her in woods near Milan after he tried to stop the other band members carrying out the murder.

On Thursday, a judge in Busto Arsizio ordered three of the suspects to face charges in a fast-track trial starting on February 21. The fast-track system will allow only a limited amount of evidence to be introduced in a closed-door hearing and will result in a reduced sentence if a defendant is convicted. The remaining suspects will stand trial in June.

Italian authorities have been investigating whether the alleged killers were part of a wider network of Satanists, according to Antonio Pizzi, who is appearing for the prosecution.

Among those standing trial in the fast-track system will be Andrea Volpe (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3, photo#4, photo#5), one of the alleged leaders of the group and the former boyfriend of Pezzotta.

After turning state's evidence, Volpe revealed the grisly details surrounding the alleged murders. He claimed that, after the first two victims were murdered, another sect member, a 26-year-old woman, danced on their graves shouting: "Zombies, now you are only zombies."

Describing Pezzotta's death, Volpe detailed a bizarre meeting at a chalet. Pezzotta, who was thought to have threatened to make public the previous alleged murders, met with her former boyfriend and his current girlfriend.

After toasting one another with champagne, Ms Pezzotta was reportedly shot in the face by Volpe, who then contacted another alleged group leader to help bury her.

Last October, a leaked notebook appeared to link the young suspects to devil worship. It contained grisly entries such as "blood and death, blood raining down, blood bathing all my body, blood thirsty for blood" and "crush those who are our friends, or who would like to be but aren't up to it, crush them then laugh".

There were also pages of instructions on conducting Satanic rites and the dangers involved. "Madness is always one of the risks," the notes warn. "It's necessary to maintain concentration on hatred."

German "Star Search" winner Martin Kesici's video for the song "Leaving You for Me", featuring a special guest appearance by NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen, has been posted online at Viva.tv (choose connection and player).

The "Leaving You for Me" single is scheduled for release on January 31. The single will include the promotional video for the song. Check out the photos from the video shoot, which took place last October at Rosala Center (Viking Village) on the west coast of Finland, at this location.

(Thanks: Novocain)

Ohio's NBC 4 is reporting that the man who killed four people at the Alrosa Villa nightclub last month, including former PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, had several unused rounds before he was shot and killed by an officer, police said Thursday (Jan. 13).

Nathan Gale, 25, of Marysville, fired his weapon 15 times, police said. He had two magazines with 10 rounds in each in his semiautomatic handgun. He reloaded his weapon once, police said, and there were five rounds left in the magazine after he was shot.
NBC 4 reported that Gale's mother legally purchased the weapon, a Baretta, model 92FS.

Police also said that Gale, a former Marine, did not say anything prior to his shooting rampage. There were several rumors from people inside the club who said they heard Gale say something to Abbott before shooting him.

Authorities said they did not know the order the victims were shot Dec. 9, but were investigating.

Columbus police Officer James D. Niggemeyer, who arrived in the nightclub less than one minute earlier, shot and killed Gale. Niggemeyer has not spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

(Thanks: Jayinohio)

More information has surfaced regarding the upcoming DVD release of TESTAMENT's classic "Seen Between the Lines" band documentary. A fan favorite for over a decade, "Seen Between the Lines" was originally released on VHS in 1991 and has been re-recorded in DVD format to enhance picture clarity and sound quality for today's TESTAMENT followers.

"Seen Between the Lines" contains a live set recorded during the band's 1991 world tour, four promotional music videos, rare video interview clips, and exclusive behind-the-scenes and candid footage of the early years of this metal juggernaut.

Featuring the "classic" lineup of Chuck Billy (vocals), Eric Peterson (guitar), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Greg Christian (bass) and Louie Clemente (drums), this footage takes fans back to the day when TESTAMENT were in their prime: a hungry young metal band out to conquer the world. "Seen Between the Lines" is a visual documentation of how the band wowed fans with their technical prowess, coupled with their unbridled aggression, both in the studio, and on the stage.

"Seen Between the Lines" DVD will include the following:

Recorded live in 1991:

01. Eerie Inhabitants
02. Face in the Sky
03. Greenhouse Effect
04. Souls of Black
05. Sins of Omission
06. Disciples of the Watch

Music videos:

01. Nobody's Fault
02. Practice What You Preach
03. Souls of Black
04. The Legacy

Sweden's MÖRK GRYNING have officially split up. A posting on the group's web site from the band's multi-instrumentalist Jonas Berndt (a.k.a. Goth Gorgon) reads as follows:

"MÖRK GRYNING is no more. Yesterday I called everyone in the band and told them I'm leaving.

"I know many people will be disappointed because of this decision I've made, but I'm afraid it was something I had to do. Black or death metal simply doesn't attract me in the way it used to do. I've always loved what we have done but I have lost the spark you so dearly need when you're in a band like this.

"Thanks to all old and new fans who has supported us during the years. We have decided to publish the material we have been working on the latest months, and you can download the songs below."

The demo songs available for download are as follows:

01. The Aurora (mp3)
02. All Discarded (mp3)
03. Disguise My Parting (mp3)
04. Pure (mp3)

SHADOWS FALL will shoot a new video for the track "Inspiration On Demand" in Puerto Rico at the end of the month with acclaimed director Zach Merck (12 STONES, ATREYU). The group are also set to embark on a massive U.S. arena tour alongside SLIPKNOT and LAMB OF GOD on March 4.

In other news, Brian Fair (vocals) will host MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball" for two episodes set to air on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 in place of Jamey Jasta. The band's current single, "What Drives The Weak", has exploded at Active Rock radio helping their latest album, "The War Within", scan over 150,000 copies in under four months. The album debuted at #20 on the Billboard chart and has garnered accolades in such mainstream publications as Billboard, Blender and Stuff, among others. SHADOWS FALL were also recently hailed as a "Band To Watch In 2005" by Spin magazine.

Fair further describes his thoughts on the upcoming tour: "We're totally excited about our next U.S. tour where we once again will be playing with bands that we are not only friends with but also fans of. We've been friends with the guys in SLIPKNOT for a while but have not had the chance to actually tour with them. We look forward to this opportunity. There should be lots of crazy tour stories to add to our growing list."

SHADOWS FALL will also embark on tours of Australia, Japan and Korea beginning Feb. 7.

Voxilla.com is reporting that Lowell, MA-based VoIP provider BroadVoice might just have landed its own celebrity rock star.

According to BroadVoice President David Epstein, Steven Tyler, lead singer of the AEROSMITH (and father of actress Liv Tyler), tried out the company's VoIP service at the Panasonic booth during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.

Tyler made a few calls using the service and, Epstein said. was so satisfied with the quality he signed up on the spot for the company's Unlimited World Plan.

The front of BroadVoice's web site now features a photo of Tyler next to the words “He tried it, he liked it, he signed up." A link from the photo opens another, featuring Tyler at CES holding a sign that reads “VoIP Phone Service Powered by BroadVoice."
"He seems pretty happy," said Epstein. "There's some possibility that the relationship will expand over time. Stay tuned."

Video footage of DEEP PURPLE's Ian Paice at the recording sessions for the new MOONSTONE CD, the project of Italian guitarist Matteo Filippini, has been posted online at this location (MPG, 19.4 MB).

As previously reported, Paice laid down drums tracks for three songs that are set to appear on the CD, the musical direction of which is being described as "genuine British-oriented '70s classic rock," not a million miles removed from the likes of FREE, JIMI HENDRIX and DEEP PURPLE. Among the other musicians that have recorded guest appearances for the project are Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), Graham Bonnet (RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ALCATRAZZ, IMPELLITTERI, BLACKTHORNE), Eric Bloom (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT), John Lawton (ex-URIAH HEEP), Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER, WHITESNAKE), Carmine Appice (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLUE MURDER, VANILLA FUDGE) and Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT, HEAVEN & EARTH).

STORMWITCH frontman/founding member Andy Mück has set "Tears of Rage" as the title of the group's tenth studio album, tentatively due in late 2005/early 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Mück is in the process of rehearsing with several new musicians after the rest of the group's most recent lineup — guitar players Fabian Schwarz (ex-TYRAN PACE) and Martin Winkler (ex-NIGHTWOLF), bass player Dominik Schwarz, keyboardist Alexander Schmidt (ex-TYRAN PACE) and drummer Marc Oppold (ex-TYRANT) — decided to leave the band due to irreconcilable professional differences.

According to Nuclear Blast, Andy has decided not to feature keyboards on any future STORMWITCH recordings, but will continue to utilize a two-guitar format.

STORMWITCH, who count HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak as one of their biggest fans (HAMMERFALL used to play a cover version of the STORMWITCH track "Ravenlord"), released their ninth album, "Witchcraft", last November through Nuclear Blast Records.

SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva's official web site has posted the following message regarding the death of Dawn Marae Oliva, widow of original SAVATAGE guitarist Criss Oliva, who passed away on Tuesday (Jan. 11):

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we at jonoliva.net announce the passing of Dawn Oliva on Tuesday, January 11, 2005. Dawn was found in her home yesterday afternoon by family members.

"As most of you know, Dawn was the wife of guitarist Criss Oliva of SAVATAGE who was killed in 1993 by a drunk driver while on the way to the Livestock Festival in Zephyrhills, FL. Dawn was in the car with Criss at the time and survived the accident.

"Since Criss' passing, Dawn has had a difficult time with his loss. May Dawn now finally be at peace and with Criss by her side once again.

"God bless you Dawn!"

According to a posting at the KISS fan site KissNews.de, the FBI (Federal Bureau Of Investigation) launched an investigation in the early 1980s into the possibility of civil unrest at major pop/rock concerts, including those staged by KISS. View the actual FBI documents pertaining to the case in PDF format at this location.

German thrashers DESTRUCTION are on the verge of signing a new record deal with the AFM label. A posting on the group's web site reads as follows:

"After four terrific and successful years with Nuclear Blast, the decision to work with a new label wasn't easy at all"

"We would like to thank Markus Staiger and his team for the great friendship and the fantastic work! They had a big participation of the positive progress of our reunion!

"AFM Records is the new partner of our trust! The contracts will get signed within the next days! The new album will be released via AFM/Soulfood here in Central Europe and thru other distribution partners of the label worldwide a little later this summer!

"The pre-production is running at full blast. Because of the intense worldwide touring, it feels that the band never sounded tighter and more motivated than at this present moment!

"Watch out for the new riff-monster that will write thrash metal history! And that's a fuckin' promise!"

DESTRUCTION's most recent album, "Metal Discharge", was released in September 2003 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Antichrist" was the first DESTRUCTION album to feature drummer Marc Reign, who replaced Sven Vormann in 2001.

Jeremy Austin of TheStage.co.uk is reporting that Sharon Osbourne will appear in "The Vagina Monologues" for a limited six-week run at the Wyndhams in April, producer Mark Goucher has announced.

The comedy — written by American Eve Ensler — features women talking about their intimate bits and has been a huge hit on Broadway and in the West End.

Negotiations are ongoing as to who will join the wife of rock star Ozzy Osbourne and former "X Factor" judge in the show but Goucher said they will be of a similarly high profile. His co-producer Sally Greene is said to be delighted with the casting.

London-born Osbourne, daughter of legendary rock manager Don Arden, commented: “I am extremely excited and honored to be asked to appear in London in 'The Vagina Monologues' in the West End.”

It is only the second time the show, written by Eve Ensler, has been performed in the West End. It previously opened at the Arts Theatre for ten weeks, before enjoying an extended run in different venues. Stars have included models Jerry Hall and Sophie Dahl, comedienne Jenny Eclair and actress Maureen Lipman. Original director Irena Brown will return for this production.

Finnish metallers MY FATE have uploaded a new track, entitled "Cold Hive of Death", at this location.

"Cold Hive of Death" comes off the group's upcoming sophomore album, "Kill the Light", due in Finland on April 18. A worldwide release will follow a short time later.

MY FATE entered the studio last November begin recording the CD, which will be "massive-sounding, diverse, dark and heavy as hell," according to the band.

"Kill the Light" projected track listing:

01. Sacrilegehymn
02. Cold Hive Of Death
03. Distinction
04. Dead Man
05. Baneflow Cycle
06. The Claw
07. I Buried You
08. Totalitarian
09. Dim The Light
10. Embody Me
11. The Darkness Beckons

Commented MY FATE guitarist Jaakko Järvensivu: "When we wrote songs for the second album, we wanted to change the song structures a little and bring in some new influences. The riffs and beats have become more challenging. A clearly new thing is that we have some cool guitar harmonies there, and though the songs are filled with hooks, they're not so obvious. We have been influenced by thrash and even death metal, but the dark and soulful parts are still present. They're just darker and more soulful than before. The guitars leave more space to the bass, and the vocals are more diverse and brutal than on 'Happiness Is Fiction'. The songs are arranged way better and they really challenge the listener. The album will also be much faster than its predecessor."

The classic STRATOVARIUS lineup of Timo Tolkki (guitar), Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jörg Michael (drums), Jari Kainulainen (bass) and Jens Johansson (keyboards) has reunited and is currently working on completely new material for release in late 2005/early 2006.

"Since his breakdown in April, we have patiently been waiting for Timo Tolkki's health to improve. It has been, and since about six weeks he has been strong enough to go back to work," reads a joint statement from the group.

"Also during the past months, after much talk, soul-searching and reflection most of the damage within the band has been repaired. The rest of us now understand Timo's condition, and have slowly come to terms with it. There has been forgiveness, and everyone has a good relationship again.

Many of the immense problems we were facing have now found concrete solutions."

Former NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic told the Tacoma News Tribune that some of the music he has been working on during the recent months may surface later in the year. He said, "I'm still making music. I have my studio, and I'm recording things and I have as much fun as possible. But I have that luxury, and I can work on political things. So I can basically just go where my passion takes me." He referred to solo material he has been writing. When asked if it might come out, he replied, 'You might be surprised, like later in the year. It might all come together. Right now, I'm just doing it for myself, and that's what it's all about."

In other news, Krist is a keynote speaker at the Grammy Career Day on Thursday (Jan. 13) at the University of Puget Sound Concert Hall in Tacoma, WA. More information is available at this location.

(Thanks: The Internet Nirvana Fan Club)

Launch Radio Networks is reporting that QUEEN's "We Are The Champions" is among the five finalists for BRITs25: The Best Song Award, choosing the best British song of the past 25 years to commemorate the silver anniversary of Great Britain's Grammy counterpart, the Brit Awards. "We Are The Champions" joins four other songs selected by listeners of BBC Radio 2, including JOY DIVISION's "Love Will Tear Us Apart", KATE BUSH's "Wuthering Heights", ROBBIE WILLIAMS' "Angels", and WILL YOUNG's "Leave Right Now". The winner will be announced on February 9 at the Brits ceremony in London, England.

The surviving members of QUEEN will be touring this year with former BAD COMPANY/FREE singer Paul Rodgers, commencing March 19 at the Nelson Mandela 46664 AIDS Awareness Concert in South Africa. North American dates are expected in the late summer and fall.

Austrian "shock metal" outfit FIRESTORM will be featured on an upcoming RAGE tribute album, "Back In Time", with their version of the track "Solitary Man". An audio sample of the cut is available for download in MP3 format at this location.

"Back In Time", which will consist of contributions solely from Austrian metal acts, will also include an appearance by SCARECROW with their cover of "Don't Fear the Winter". No further details are currently available.

Upcoming FIRESTORM shows:

Jan. 22 - Crack up 6 Festival – Bodensdorf, AUT
Jul. 15 - Kaltenbach Open Air - Spital am Semmering, AUT
Jul. 23 - First Attack Festival – Stauffendorf, GER

Launch Radio Networks is reporting that the new JUDAS PRIEST single "Revolution" is out now, and it showcases the return of vocalist Rob Halford to the band. It also shows how the band has grown musically over the course of their career. Lead guitarist K.K. Downing said there are a couple of reasons why JUDAS PRIEST is a better band now than they've ever been. "Experience, I suppose, and the ever-wanting as a band to continually develop, you know, and to go forward, and to always try and push the boundaries of metal and rock, in order to achieve a greater acceptance," he said. "That's what JUDAS PRIEST has always been about."

Rob Halford's first album with the band in 15 years, "Angel of Retribution" was produced by Roy Z, who has previously worked on solo albums from Halford and IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson. The set will be bundled with a concert DVD shot in a bullring in Valencia, Spain. A March 1 release via Epic Records is expected.

According to SportsEnd.com, ALICE COOPER will be playing a private show to help launch Phillips-Van Heusen and Tehama's jointly designed IZOD-G brand of fashion-forward performance apparel for golf. The invitation-only concert is expected to take place at the end of January in Orlando, Florida. No further details are currently available.

NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED and HEAVEN SHALL BURN have teamed up to release a charity single to raise money to help the victims of the tsunami.

For this very special occasion, NAPALM DEATH donated the brand-new track "The Great and the Good", featuring former DEAD KENNEDYS frontman Jello Biafra on guest vocals, from their upcoming "The Code Is Red...Long Live The Code" album. THE HAUNTED picked the song "Smut King" from the digipak pressing of their acclaimed "rEVOLVEr" CD, and HEAVEN SHALL BURN added "Strassenkampf" (originally by DIE SKEPTIKER and featuring guitarist Patrick Schleitzer on vocals), the exclusive bonus track of the Korean pressing of "Antigone". All three bands and Jello Biafra wrote liner notes for the single.

To collect as much money as possible, NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED, HEAVEN SHALL BURN and Century Media Records decided not to make this a retail single. The single will be strictly limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies and sold only at the two NAPALM DEATH shows in January. Some copies might be sold directly by the bands.

NAPALM DEATH shows:

Jan. 22 – Bochum, GER @ Matrix
Jan. 24 – London, UK @ Underworld

THE RING, the Swedish band featuring former HUMANIMAL/GREAT KING RAT guitarist Pontus Norgren, ex-JEKYLL & HYDE frontman Jakob Samuel and ROYAL HUNT/ex-JEKYLL & HYDE guitarist Marcus Jidell (on bass), have posted the following message on their official web site:

"There is already a bunch of songs written for the new album and we are now working with the little details to make the songs as good as possible. Jakob has been writing some great lyrics and we are really enjoying our time in the studio. At this moment it's just Marcus and Jakob in the studio while Pontus is in Japan with EUROPE [working as part of the road crew], but he will be back soon with us to continue with his parts of the recordings. In the end of January and February we are doing some gigs soon to be announced in Sweden."

THE RING's debut album, "Tales From Midgard", was released last year through Italy's Scarlet Records.

The first part of a trilogy based on the fantastic story of Tolkien's first part of "Lord of the Rings", "Tales From Midgard" features "magnificent" cover artwork by JP Fournier (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, IMMORTAL, DRAGONFORCE).

TESLA, SHINEDOWN and VANILLA FUDGE (featuring Pat Travers and Carmine Appice) will take part in a benefit concert on February 25 for the survivors of the Station nightclub fire. The event, which will be hosted by the Wake Up the Love Foundation, will be held at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

The benefit marks the second anniversary of the tragic fire that went down as the country's fourth largest. The fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island claimed the lives of 100 people, injured 200 others, and left 65 children without one or both parents. Two years later there are still no adequate funds for the families of the victims, or the numerous survivors that attempt to live with physical impairments. There are only 15 survivors that qualified for Social Security benefits, but many of those can't come close to meeting their monthly needs. Although many civil suits have been launched over this tragedy, it will be 5-10 years before any of the cases make it to court.

All proceeds from tickets sales and charity auctions will benefit the Station Family Fund, a non-profit charitable organization that was founded by survivors and family members affected by the Station nightclub fire. The organization provides immediate, short-term relief and services as well as long-term support and serves the needs of the survivors' and victims' families that may arise in the future. The Station Family Fund's goal, through community outreach, is to alleviate any financial hardships that may be incurred so that survivors' and victims' families may focus on their long, emotional, and spiritual healing process. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit The Doc Fund in memory of Michael "Doc" Gonsalves by WHJY who is a sponsor of the event.

Tickets for this event will go on-sale Saturday January 15. They can be purchased at the Providence Performing Arts Center web site, www.ppacri.org , in person at the PPAC box office, or by telephone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787).

(Thanks: www.rockislife.com )