Video footage of Irish doom titans MOURNING BELOVETH performing the song "The Mountains Are Mine" at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland on October 13, 2009 can be viewed below.

MOURNING BELOVETH's fourth album, "A Disease for the Ages", was released last year. It was the group's first CD to feature bass player Brendan Roche. Recording sessions were held over two weeks at Studio E with Markus Stock at the helm.

Commented the band: "Sound-wise the album is similar to 'A Murderous Circus' [2005] but two extra guitar tracks this time has beefed the rhythm creating a huge wall of sound. Musically the songs are very direct and we have cut off the flab that appeared on 'A Murderous Circus'. Combining the organic feel of 'Dust' with the density of 'The Sullen Sulcus' and some of the experimentation of 'A Murderous Circus' along with an aggressive undertone only hinted at previously we feel we have come up with the sound track for our deconstruction."

Former DEAD SHAPE FIGURE guitarist Erno "Ere" Talvitie (2004-2008) has rejoined the Finnish thrash metal outfit as the band's new bassist.

Commented Ere: "After about two years of being out DEAD SHAPE FIGURE and almost totally out of music 'business,' and, being as replenishing as it was, it felt damn good to get the call from the figures and being asked to play bass.

"I'm sure that almost everybody who knows Neissu's [former DEAD SHAPE FIGURE bassist] talents, whether they relate to bass playing or drinking Jaloviina and smoking cigarettes like a crazy-ass motherfucker, expect at least something like that from me too. Well, I'm not here to take Neissu's boots, simply because it's impossible. I don't think that you can find anyone in this country who could do that and still be a character that you are willing to keep in the band.

"This is something I'm asked to do and I'm quite eager to see what I'm able to bring to DEAD SHAPE FIGURE from behind the bass guitar.

"Anyway, it's so fucking good to be back with this group, but I'm taking this post slowly, day by day to see what next year brings us."

DEAD SHAPE FIGURE's full-length debut, "The Grand Karoshi", was released in May 2008 via Season of Mist. The song "Blithering Icon" is available for streaming using the audio player below.

For more information, visit www.deadshapefigure.fi.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY/CYCLE OF PAIN bassist John "J.D." DeServio will take part in an in-store performance at Sam Ash Guitars in New York City on November 5 at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, see the poster below.

"14 Devils", the new video from CYCLE OF PAIN, can be viewed below. The clip includes footage from CYCLE OF PAIN's Black Label Bash tour dates with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY.

The self-titled debut album from CYCLE OF PAIN was released on April 21 via Reform Records/Rock Ridge Music. The CD features guest appearances by Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Ray Luzier (KORN), Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL), Sen Dog (CYPRESS HILL), Russ-T Cobb, Hugo Ferreira (TANTRIC), Marcus Ratzenboeck (TANTRIC), Clip Payne (P-FUNK), Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY) and Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X).

Accompanying DeServio in CYCLE OF PAIN is vocalist/rhythm guitarist Gregg Locascio, lead guitarist Joe Taylor (who plays with Doro Pesch) and drummer Rich Monica.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

Veteran death metallers IMMOLATION have entered Millbrook Sound Studios in New York with longtime producer Paul Orofino to begin recording their eighth album, due in early 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "This will be our sixth time visiting Millbrook Studios and we are really looking forward to the whole process.

"The new album will contain 10 songs of the strongest material we have ever written.

"The new material is more violent and aggressive, with fast sections that take us to a new level of speed and intensity, while complementing the dark and sullen heavier moments. There are plenty of miserable and militant movements to please the diehard and new IMMOLATION fans alike.

"We've spent the past two months rehearsing and fine-tuning the songs so that all ten are stand-outs and create a complete listening experience. Needless to say, we are all very pleased and enthusiastic about the new material and are anxious to debut it to the fans.

"Following the recording process here in Millbrook, we have decided to try something new for the mixing process, so we have enlisted the talents of Zack Ohren (DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION, ALL SHALL PERISH). We are confident he will do an excellent job in giving a fresh new life to the IMMOLATION sound.

"We are still in the process of getting ideas together for the album's concept and cover art, but these final details will be worked out in the near future."

Catch IMMOLATION as direct support to NILE on the "Those Whom The Gods Detest Tour" in January/February.

The upcoming album will be the third consecutive release featuring IMMOLATION's current lineup:

Ross Dolan - Bass, Vocals
Robert Vigna - Guitars
Bill Taylor - Guitars
Steve Shalaty - Drums

IMMOLATION's seventh release, "Shadows in the Light", came out in May 2007 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Millbrook Sound Studios with producer Paul Orofino.

Quality video footage of IMMOLATION's July 25, 2009 performance at the Stonehenge "underground metal festival" at De Buze in Steenwijk, The Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of "letthedeathmetalflow"). More clips are available at this location.

Along with bands like SUFFOCATION, INCANTATION and MORTICIAN, IMMOLATION is one of the all important forefathers of New York death metal. Not only has the band developed its musical capabilities over the years, but it has also become one of the most intense live acts in the industry.

Veteran glam rockers JETBOY have completed recording an EP of their first original material in 20 years, and are currently negotiating for its release later this year. In addition, a rock documentary film on the band is in the preliminary stages of being shot by Reality Check TV, which also produced the "mini-doc" included in JETBOY's last CD/DVD release, "The Glam Years", on Cleopatra/Deadline Records.

"The Glam Years" contained a DVD of a 1986 concert at Los Angeles' legendary Whisky a Go-Go (featuring a chock-full of extra interviews and photos) as well as a 21-track CD of the group's greatest hits.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/jetboyrocks.

"Tomorrow Police", the new video from Chapel Hill, North Carolina rockers VALIENT THORR, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Mike Aho, and incorporates live action and the animated artwork of Tyler Wolf, a.k.a. VALIENT THORR bassist Nitewolf.

The "Tomorrow Police" video is described in a press relase as "a disturbing vision of a futuristic police state where law enforcement power has gone unchecked. Singer Valient Himself likens it to "Robocops gone wild, minus the boobs."

"Tomorrow Police" comes off VALIENT THORR's latest album, "Immortalizer", which was released in June 2008 via Volcom Entertainment. The CD was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jack Endino, who has previously worked with NIRVANA, SEAWEED, SUPERSUCKERS, MUDHONEY and HIGH ON FIRE, among many others.

VALIENT THORR released a DVD, "In Heat", in November 2008. A candid and behind-the-scenes look at the band's rock 'n' roll exploration of Earth, the disc featured footage shot on the road in the U.S. and Europe — including the Volcom Tour 2007, shows with THE SWORD, MOTÖRHEAD, Warped Tour, FU MANCHU and more — as well as material that was filmed in the studio in Seattle during the recording sessions for "Immortalizer".

Finnish metallers AMORAL have issued the following update:

"We are sorry to announce that we will not be playing in Cracow on Tuesday, [October] 27th. [On Saturday] our singer Ari [Koivunen] slipped in a stairway and hurt his chest badly, among other places. [On Sunday], during our soundcheck in Prague, the pain got unbearable and he was taken to see a doctor. This was just an hour before our showtime, meaning he [wasn't] able to do [Sunday night's] show. Since we were already there, our gear all set up, we decided to play a short instrumental set without Ari. Tuomas from BEFORE THE DAWN stepped up and sang 'Pusher' with us, which he learned just 30 minutes before the gig!

"A huge thank you to Tuomas for helping us out, and also to the amazing crowd, who were more than understanding and supportive of our situation. You guys rule! We can't wait to get back and play you a proper show.

"We've decided, given the doctor's advice, to let Ari rest for the next two days. Unfortunately this means that the Cracow gig is a no-go.

"We hate cancelling shows more than anything, but this is absolutely nessessary to make sure he won't get worse and that we won't have to cancel the rest of the tour completely.

"We were really looking forward to the Cracow show, as we've never played in Poland before. We hope you understand and enjoy BEFORE THE DAWN's and AMORPHIS' great gigs.

"If all goes well and Ari gets better fast, we'll be joining the tour again in Budapest on Wednesday the 28th. We'll keep you posted."

Video footage of AMORAL's October 10, 2009 performance at Camden Underworld, London, England can be viewed below (courtesy of SoundShock.co.uk).

AMORAL kicked off its European tour with AMORPHIS and BEFORE THE DAWN on October 2 at Nosturi in Helsinki.

You can keep track of AMORAL's "whereabouts, doings and mischief on the road" by following their tour blog at this location.

AMORAL's latest album, "Show Your Colors", entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 19.

"Show Your Colors" was released in the U.S. on June 9 through Spinefarm Records via Fontana distribution. Available in Finland since May 6, the CD was recorded at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

An e-card for "Show Your Colors" can be accessed at this location.

"Year Of The Suckerpunch", the first AMORAL track to be released featuring Koivunen, entered the national chart in the band's home country at position No. 19. In addition to the title cut, which was written and composed by Varon, the single includes a cover of the MISFITS song "Dig Up Her Bones".

Koivunen is best known as the winner of the 2007 Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols". He has released two solo albums thus far — 2007's "Fuel For The Fire" and 2008's "Becoming".



(Thanks: fireangel / Night Elves)

Southern Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have scheduled a listening party and signing session for their new album, "Those Whom The Gods Detest", on Friday, November 6 at Earshot Records in Greenville, South Carolina beginning at at 7:00 p.m. Hear the new CD in its entirety, buy the album and have Karl Sanders, Dallas Toler-Wade and George Kollias sign it in person. Former members and contributors Jon Vesano, Mike Breazeale, Pete Hammoura and touring bassist Chris Lollis will also be on hand to celebrate.

The event is open to the public.

For more information, visit www.earshot.com.

Produced and mixed by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE), along with a drum-recording job by Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, VITAL REMAINS, GOATWHORE), "Those Whom the Gods Detest" features the band's strongest production and perhaps its best material to date. The cover artwork was created by Michal "Xaay" Loranc, whom NILE guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders had previously worked with on his second solo album, "Saurian Exorcisms".

The song "Permitting the Noble Dead to Descend to the Underworld" is now available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Sanders told Revolver magazine earlier in the year that the band's sixth full-length album will likely be NILE's most eclectic offering to date. "We're going to some very unexpected places," he said. "I've been listening to some oud music [the oud is a Middle Eastern lute — Ed.], Iranian music, and some Hindu stuff, and that stuff's definitely rubbing off on the new songs."

"Those Whom the Gods Detest" is scheduled for a November 3 North American release via Nuclear Blast Records.

New York death metale legends SUFFOCATION have announced their co-headlining tour of Latin America with NAPALM DEATH. The dates are as follows (with some venues soon to be announced):

May 05 - Mexico DF - Mexico City @ [to be announced]
May 07 - Venezuela- Caracas @ [to be announced]
May 08 - Colombia - Bogota @ Teatro Metropol
May 09 - Ecuador - Quito @ Bunga
May 11 - Peru - Lima @ Voce
May 13 - Chile - Santiago @ Teatro Caupolican
May 14 - Argentina - Bs As @ Teatro Flores
May 15 - Brazil - Curitiba @ [to be announced]
May 16 - Brazil - Sao Paulo @ [to be announced]

Relapse Records will release SUFFOCATION's only official live record, "The Close Of A Chapter: Live In Quebec City", on October 27 in North America and November 2 internationally. Recorded in 2005 during the band's "Souls To Deny" world tour, the CD — which contains the band's complete, unedited performance — features the following track listing:

01. Infecting The Crypts
02. Thrones Of Blood
03. Surgery Of Implalement
04. Catatonia
05. Liege Of Inveracity
06. Despise The Sun
07. Subconsciously Enslaved
08. Immortally Condemned
09. Effigy Of The Forgotten
10. Tomes Of Acrimony
11. Breeding The Spawn
12. Pierced From Within
13. Funeral Inception

The CD is now available for streaming in its entirety at this location.

SUFFOCATION's latest album, "Blood Oath" (Nuclear Blast), sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 135 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The follow-up to 2006's self-titled record, "Blood Oath" was recorded with Joe Cincotta (who worked on the band's last two releases) and was mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH). The cover artwork (see below) was once again brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM).

"Blood Oath" is available in three formats exclusive to the North American territory. In addition to the standard retail version, there is a mail-order edition available exclusively through the Nuclear Blast U.S. webstore, and a digital version through iTunes.

SUFFOCATION filmed a video clip for the track "Cataclysmic Purification" on May 31 with director David Brodsky (ARSIS, GOD FORBID, KATAKLYSM, SWASHBUCKLE).

Jason Le Miere of RevolverMag.com recently conducted an interview with MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

RevolverMag.com: What stage are you at with [your new solo album] album?

Vince Neil: Just working on the music right now. Haven't gotten in the studio yet, just working on songs. We'll probably get the music done next month. I'll get into vocals in December, should have it finished up by January.

RevolverMag.com: How is it different for you playing with you solo band, as opposed to with MÖTLEY CRÜE?

Vince Neil: Well, MÖTLEY CRÜE is, you know, MÖTLEY CRÜE, a big production and everything. My thing is basically going out with my fiends and just having a good time and just playing straight-ahead rock 'n' roll. Right now it's just one-offs, so it's I'm home, then we got to fly to the gig, do the gig, then fly back home, where obviously with MÖTLEY we don't do that. Like I said, in 2010, after the record comes out, we'll go out and do a proper tour and get back on the bus.

RevolverMag.com: How long have you been together with the guys in your solo band?

Vince Neil: I've been with these guys maybe three or four years, I guess. Sometimes band members change in solo bands, some guys go out and do other stuff while I'm playing with MÖTLEY, but these guys I've been together with these guys for a while.

RevolverMag.com: How does the writing process work for your solo album, does everyone contribute?

Vince Neil: Everybody comes in with ideas everybody. It's a band, and we treat it as such. So everybody has ideas. Everybody comes in and we collaborate and put stuff together.

RevolverMag.com: What can we expect from the album, any surprises?

Vince Neil: No, it's just straight-ahead rock 'n' roll, man. That's what I do.

Read the entire interview at RevolverMag.com.

Vince Neil and his solo band performing on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada:

"Bleed", the new video from the Dutch metalcore act BLEED, can be viewed below. The clip was produced and directed by Dave Hazeleger and it "showcases the band at its best — energetic and aggresive," according to a press release.

Says singer Thomas: "Nowadays, metalcore seems to be all about posing. The music is weak and video's are huge MTV popcorn productions. We wanted to take the genre back to its core: A clash of metal and hardcore that makes you want to kick people in the face."

BLEED is based in Amsterdam and consists of former members of underground favorites NECROLOGY, STANDARD, CARDINAL and MINDFIELDS. The group's recently released promo has received critical acclaim and is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page.

Video footage of BARONESS singer/guitarist John Baizley talking about his first gallery show, "The Art of John Baizley" (which opens on November 6 at the Metropolis gallery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and runs through November 30) can be viewed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep).

As the singer/guitarist for BARONESS, Baizley has toured the world over, releasing several critically acclaimed albums on the iconic Relapse label — also home to MASTODON, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, NEUROSIS and countless others.

As an artist, John has created the album art for all the BARONESS releases as well as many other classic albums, including PIG DESTROYER's "Phantom Limb" and "In Return" by TORCHE. The newest release by HBO supergroup FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS will also feature John's album art.

John's lush artwork shows the influence of two major artists — Pushead, through his morbid subject matter and fine-line detail, as well as Art Deco godfather Alphonse Mucha. The few available prints John has made, most culled from album art, or specially made tour-only posters have all been hopelessly sold out, resulting in a fanatic fanbase competing for the precious available works on sites such as ExpressoBeans.com — putting John in the same rabid collector conversation as Shepard Fairey, Emek, and others.

John's first foray into the fine arts world came in September 2008 at a group show for Upper Playground's Fifty24Sf Gallery, along with peers Stephen O'Malley — of the band SUNN O))), Aaron Turner (from the band ISIS), as well as noted printmaker Aaron Horkey.

November 2009 at the Metropolis Gallery will be John Baizley's landmark first solo show, and will for the first time contain original works available for sale.

For more information, visit www.metropolis-store.com.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has responded to several fan postings on the band's official forum in regards to the status of the group's relationship with its record label, Roadrunner Records, and the possibility of MEGADETH releasing another studio album as a follow-up to this year's "Endgame".

On the choice of "44 Minutes" as the next single from "Endgame":

Mustaine: "It doesn't matter what song we choose as a single, we have no radio presence. Hell, my own hometown plays nothing from MEGADETH, but they sure do play my last band every hour.

"The radio person at Roadrunner has a very different approach to radio than I do, and since we never get any substantial radio impact, and all I have been able to do was have a Number 1 single, five or so Top 5 singles, many Top 10, dozens of Top 40, yet we can't get anything played from this new record with any consistency, I would say we have a very different approach.

"So far, I have had 'A Tout Le Monde' banned, and rejected last year, and nothing after that, and this year we have given away two songs and we are already on the third track, and I had to actually call up the guy and ask him for interviews, to which he said, 'I didn't know you wanted to do interviews.'

"Therefore, singles do not matter anymore."

On whether MEGADETH can release a "live" or compilation album in order to fulfill the band's current contract with Roadrunner Records:

Mustaine: "I don't know, but I do know that I am a man of my word and that I am going to fulfill my contract. Rest assured though that I am not going to be releasing a compilation record nor a live record for my final record for Roadrunner."

On Mustaine allegedly stating in a previous online post that Roadrunner wanted to extend the MEGADETH contract and re-sign MEGADETH for more albums and that Roadrunner threatened stop producing "Endgame" unless Mustaine complied:

Mustaine: "I said that the president [of Roadrunner] came out and said it was the last record and that if we didn't re-sign with them for more records they were going to stop selling the record, and I have always known that there was another record owed, I just wanted to see what they were going to do, and I also face the physical problems, so regardless of what they say or don't say, if my neck or spine says, 'You're done, Dave,' then I am done.

"I hate talking about this because it is not fair to the other guys [in MEGADETH] when it suggests no job security.

"I love my my relationship with a lot of the people that I am working with, and I know that it seems selfish sometimes to say that I am going to stop. But if the body or the hands say that's it, well, then that is it.

"I still have fire in my belly and I really wished that 'Endgame' was handled differently, but I am going to trust God to sort this out, and if the record was meant to die quickly and if I am meant to suffer another blow to my ego, my pride, my legacy and so on, in order to be a better person and to be closer to God, well, then I will soldier on and complete my time there with grace and honor.

"I can tell you that while it is destroying our tenure with Roadrunner, I am not going to let this bother me anymore. I think history will dictate this whole thing, and I am completely prepared to work, so we will see where it goes now."

"Endgame" has sold around 76,000 copies in the United States since its release five weeks ago. The CD registered the following U.S. weekly sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan:

Week 1: 44,696
Week 2: 12,833
Week 3: 8,640
Week 4: 5,583
Week 5: 3,948

"Endgame" currently sits at position No. 142 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Tzvetina Ivanova (a.k.a. Wishmistress) of Metal Hangar 18 conducted an interview with vocalist Joakim Brodén of Swedish metallers SABATON when the band played Sofia, Bulgaria on October 17, 2009 with Germany's RAGE. Watch the chat in two parts below.

SABATON's latest album, "The Art of War", landed on the Swedish chart at No. 5. The follow-up to 2006's "Attero Dominatus" was recorded at Abyss Studios with producer Peter Tägtgren and was made available in three formats: normal CD, gatefold LP and a limited-editon CD that comes in a DVD package that also includes the exclusive book "The Art of War".

Part 1:



Part 2:

Video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee and METHODS OF MAYHEM mastermind Tommy Lee taking part in a photo session and spending time in the sun in Cabo San Lucas can be viewed below.

METHODS OF MAYHEM's "Public Mayhem" album collaboration project was launched on October 5. Lee and METHODS producer Scott Humphrey posted isolated instrument tracks, or stems, from the upcoming album on the web site ThePublicRecord.com. Anyone with a great musical idea is invited to play a part in helping to achieve true "Public Mayhem", i.e. collaborate on the album. A wide range of formats are available to work with, including RiffWorks, WAV, Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools and the Four Track 3.0 iPhone application. Participants will also have a chance to perform with METHODS OF MAYHEM at their record-release show.

"Public Mayhem" is set for release in early 2010.

A charitable donation will be made on behalf of all participants to the MusiCares Foundation. Established by The Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares provides emergency health and human services and addiction recovery resources to music people in need. Whether artists or other industry professionals, MusiCares is there with a safety net of support for those who have given the gift of music to our lives.

Video and sound updates are being posted at ThePublicRecord.com featuring submission highlights and weekly giveaways for the best audio and video entries.

METHODS OF MAYHEM earlier in the year inked a worldwide deal with Loud & Proud Records, a Roadrunner Records imprint focusing on established artists.

Lee formed METHODS OF MAYHEM in 1999 after he left MÖTLEY CRÜE. The all-star project collaboration with rapper TiLo featured input from LIMP BIZKIT's Fred Durst, THE CRYSTAL METHOD, Kid Rock, Snoop Dogg, and Mix Master Mike. After signing to MCA, METHODS OF MAYHEM issued its self-titled debut LP in late 1999.

Desislava Zaharieva (a.k.a. Braindead) of Metal Hangar 18 conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Peavy Wagner of veteran German metallers RAGE when the band played Sofia, Bulgaria on October 17, 2009 with Sweden's SABATON. Watch the chat below.

RAGE will release its new album, "Strings To A Web", on February 5, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Twilight Hall Studio and was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL). The cover artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard (AVANTASIA, THERION), and it shows the soundchaser as a spider, caught in a web.

"I am really proud of the album, we hardly ever sounded more inspired and it is an absolute highlight in our career," says Wagner. Drummer André Hilgers adds, "This albums show all the different faces and characters and I call it the most enormous and multifarious record I ever recorded."

"Strings To A Web" includes melodic and anthemic tracks such as "Into The Light" and "The Beggar's Last Dime", as well as powerful thrashers like "Purified" and "Tomorrow Never Comes". But the heart of the record comes in the shape of the 16-minute masterpiece "Empty Hollow", a progressive fairytale that unites everything RAGE is about.

"You can compare 'Empty Hollow' to our 'Lingua Mortis Suite' from the 'Speak Of The Dead' record," says guitarist Victor Smolski. "This song was recorded with an orchestra and is divided into five parts.

"As a band we have discovered a lot of new possibilities and elements, even in Peavy's vocals, my way of playing guitar or the arrangements in André's drumming."

Dayal Patterson of the English magazine Metal Hammer decribed the record as an "intense, frantic and technical assault tempered by clean sung choruses and harmonies!" His spanish collegue Sergi Ramos of Metal Hammer stated, "Everything you love about today's RAGE sound plus a dose of old-school thrown in for good measure."

"Strings To A Web" will be released on vinyl, jewelcase and a special limited digibook with bonus material.

Swedish melodic rockers M.ILL.ION have announced the addition of guitarist Andreas Grövle to the group's ranks.

Commented M.ILL.ION founding member and bassist B.J Laneby: "[Andreas is] only 21 so he was a tryout for some time. He's done great, both on tour and in rehearsals, so we asked him to come aboard full time and I think he will suit the band perfectly. I understand he's been a fan and owns all the albums so he knows very well what we're about. Now he can leave the audience and step up on stage, where he belongs! Musically he's got a great tone and a wide register and visually has the look of a true viking!

"[We are] looking forward to writing, recording and touring the upcoming album with Andreas. We welcome a great musician and overall nice guy to M.ILL.ION."

Added Grövle: "I have known [M.ILL.ION's] singer Ulrich Carlsson and been a fan of the cool M.ILL.ION music for a couple of years. And when I got the call some months back about the guitarist position, asking me if I wanted to try out, I immediately said 'Yes!'

"The jokes are flying, we share the same kind of humour and playing with them is a lot of fun!

"I feel happy and honoured to be chosen as the new guitar player for this brilliant melodic rock band!"

M.ILL.ION's sixth studio album, "Thrill Of The Chase", was released in May 2008 via Metal Heaven. The CD was recorded between November 2007 and January 2008. Mixing was done in February at the world-class Bohus Studio (ABBA, STATUS QUO) in Sweden by Tobias Lindell and B.J Laneby.

For more information, visit www.million.o.se.

"Tears With A Smile", the new video from Finnish hard rockers ANCARA, can be viewed below. The song — which is described as "a duet ballad" — features a guest appearance by Agnes Pihlava, a finalist in the 2005 Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols".

Commented frontman Sammy Salminen: "I wanted to write a song like 'Black Snow' from our first album. I still like the lyrics in that one. 'We Paint December' is not a preaching song, but more of a story about 'fear' images of the future. I think the humanity is painting our last colors in to our works right on the very planet, if nothing will change. The song is one of the heaviest songs on the album and it was one of the last songs that we finished in the sessions. Because planning the Christmas starts earlier each year, so how about we put to our wish lists: Dear Santa, could we get a new brain to our society?"

"Tears With A Smile" comes off ANCARA's third album, "Chasing Shadows", which was released in Finland on October 21. According to the group, the CD's release was "postponed by two months because the band decided to release the album independently though their own Dks Music label and give the Finnish distribution in to Bonnier Amigo Music's hands. Co-operation with Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS, KOTIPELTO) [who released ANCARA's last album, 2007's 'Beyond the Dark', through his High & Loud label] still continues, with his contacts Europe has shown some interest towards ANCARA, and the band starts their European tour in October."

Commented guitarist Juha Wahlstén: "First of all, it was wonderful to make an album with a really professional producer, because you personally just tangle on the small irrelevant things and you only see your own material in a very narrow way. Our producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, LORDI, THE 69 EYES, APOCALYPTICA, SENTENCED, SEPULTURA) saw our in more neutral and open-minded way.

"The recording process started with quite a lot of pressure on me before [guitarist] Gary [real name: Tuomas Keskinen; TECHNICOLOUR, NEGATIVE, MONDAY] joined the band, because the composing responsibility was completely on my shoulders, and I had to make new songs in a few weeks. But I had doodled unused material and from those bits and pieces we made five new songs and Gary added his finishing touch in to the songs.

"When looking in to the future we have more resources for future records, because Gary is known as a splendid songmaker and arranger.

"The soundscape and material is a mixture of metal and pop-rock. I'm sure that the metalheads and old fans might feel a bit alienated at first, but hopefully also the non-metalheads might like more of our material now."

Regarding the new ANCARA album, producer Hiili Hiilesmaa said, "I am very satisfied with the result, because there was no rush in any point, so the songs and ideas were thought through. Usually the best things remained and the bad ones were dropped out with time almost naturally. In addition to that, none of the band members had ego problems, but all were equal. This is not usually self-evident when it comes to music. The need for showboating was absent.

"The album is melodic metal made in 1980s spirit but still being modern. I avoided on purpose going too much to the '80s with the sound.

"What separates ANCARA from the masses is that it doesn't flirt with dark subjects like most of the modern metal bands, and that is what makes it so fascinating Also the guys make their kind of music and I believe that one of the band's strengths is wide target audience."

For more information on ANCARA, go to this location.

AC/DC's Italian concert promoter Barley Arts has issued a statement refuting reports that the band is planning to perform at the Olympic Stadium in Turin on June 8 and June 9, 2010.

The rumors were started by the daily Italian newspaper La Stampa and quickly spread on the web.

The statement indicates that Barley Arts' web site is the only official source for any news regarding a possible AC/DC show in Italy and that all other published information should be treated as nothing but a rumor — unless it is confirmed on the Barley Arts site.

AC/DC will release a limited-edition box set called "Backtracks" on November 10. The set, which comes in two versions, will be available on November 10 only through the ACDCBacktracks.com web site. As previously speculated, the "deluxe" package is housed inside a fully operational AC/DC amplifier and will come in a limited, autographed run of 50,000 copies. Included in the set are three CDs of live and studio rarities, two DVDs, a vinyl LP also containing studio rarities, a 164-page coffee table book, fine art lithographs of rare photos, a reproduction of an early AC/DC concert flyer and other memorabilia, including a button, guitar pick, and more.

A standard edition will feature two CDs of live and studio material, a single DVD plus bonus videos.

The first DVD is the long awaited video compilation "Family Jewels 3", which rounds up the group's music videos, live performances, and promotional clips from 1992 to 2009. The second DVD, "Live At The Circus Krone", captures a complete club show that the band played in Munich in 2003.

Details on pre-ordering the set are available at the web site, along with the full track listing.

Among the studio rarities included in the set are alternate versions of a number of early AC/DC tracks, as well as the never-before-released "Love Song", possibly the only ballad the band ever wrote with original singer Bon Scott.

(Thanks: Musica Metal / Deep Purple Italia)

ARKAEA — the band featuring FEAR FACTORY members Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drums) — has been forced to pull out of the remaining five shows on the KITTIE North American tour.

Commented ARKAEA vocalist Jon Howard (also of THREAT SIGNAL): "For the past week, I had been pushing myself to perform with the flu and I hoped it would eventually fade away, but it got worse. Once the sickness moved into my lungs I took my ass to the clinic in Flint, Michigan. I had a chest x-ray and it turns out I have pneumonia. The doctor almost put me into a hospital bed I was so bad... I decided my health is the most important and I came home to rest.

"A big thanks to everyone on the tour — KITTIE, SOIL, STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, crew and the fans — for making this tour such a blast! I wish it could have ended on a better note for me, but that's life sometimes."

"Gone Tomorrow", the new video from ARKAEA, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with Dale "Rage" Resteghini (HATEBREED, TRIVIUM, MUDVAYNE) and Dan Dobi (BLEEDING THROUGH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, WARBRINGER) at the helm.

"Years In The Darkness", the debut album from ARKAEA sold 980 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 39 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Years In The Darkness" was released in the U.S. on July 14 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The CD was produced by Christian Olde Wolbers and ARKAEA and mixed by legendary producer Terry Date, best known for his work with the DEFTONES, SLIPKNOT, WHITE ZOMBIE, SOUNDGARDEN and PANTERA. The album was mastered at Sterling Sound by Ted Jensen, who mastered FEAR FACTORY's gold-certified 1998 release "Obsolete".

Howard has been a part of the FEAR FACTORY family ever since Wolbers served as producer for THREAT SIGNAL's debut, "Under Reprisal". Given that connection, the chemistry was there the instant the band started jamming. Howard has managed to push himself as a singer with the help of the veteran musicians. "I always try to do new things and experiment with my voice, and this project has been challenging," said Howard. "It always takes a little time to get comfortable working with new people and a new style of music, but I got over that really fast with Christian and Raymond, and I feel very comfortable where we're going right now."

Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force Records will release a compilation CD with a "big-surprise bonus track that is a unique song choice for the guitar god," according to a posting on Yngwie's MySpace page. More information will be made available soon.

Rising Force Records has begun releasing rare archival concert footage that many Malmsteen collectors will want to have. The first is Yngwie in Korea, which was madea available on October 13, 2009. This is the raw footage that was shot by the Korean media, and it features no bells and whistles.

"Live In Korea" DVD track listing:

01. Rising Force
02. Catch 22
03. Crucify
04. The Wizard
05. Adagio
06. Far Beyond The Sun
07. Wild One
08. Miracle Of Life
09. Bad Reputation
10. Trilogy Suite - Guitar Solo
11. Masquerade
12. Seventh Sign
13. Acoustic Solo - Black Star
14. I'll See The Light

If you are a completist and want to see these concerts, the DVD is highly recommended.

Malmsteen in March released an all-instrumental acoustic album, "Angels Of Love", which contains rearrangements of his ballad songs played on acoustic guitar and string and choir arrangements only. It is a masterpiece showing the tender, delicate version of his classic songs as well as a new composition. Yngwie also released two DVDs via Rising Force Records in March — "Live Animal" and "Live In Budokan".

"Perpetual Flame", the latest full-length studio album from Malmsteen, was the first-ever Yngwie effort to be issued via Rising Force Records, It marked the debut of Malmsteen's new singer, ex-JUDAS PRIEST/ICED EARTH frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens.

(Thanks: Fullshred)

Grindcore supergroup LOCK UP headlined the Terrorizer Stage at the U.K.'s Damnation Festival on Saturday, October 24 at Leeds University Union.

The almost mythical extreme metal behemoth — AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg, Anton Reisenegger of PENTAGRAM and CRIMINAL on guitar, NAPALM DEATH bassist Shane Embury and ex-DIMMU BORGIR and TESTAMENT drummer Nick Barker — played in the U.K. for the first time in almost ten years.

Fan-filmed video footage of the band's performance — the song "Submission" along with covers of TERRORIZER classics "Storm of Stress" and "Fear of Napalm" dedicated to late TERRORIZER, NAPALM DEATH and LOCK UP guitarist Jesse Pintado — can be viewed below (clips uploaded by Dave Ingham a.k.a. YouTube user "triptykon").

Reisenegger replaced the late Pintado, who sadly passed away in August 2006.

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry's solo band, dubbed THE JOE PERRY PROJECT, has scheduled the following dates:

Nov. 10 - The Fillmore at Irving Plaza - New York, NY
Nov. 11 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
Nov. 13 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH
Nov. 14 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
Nov. 15 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
Nov. 18 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Nov. 19 - The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor - Winsor, ON
Nov. 21 - Fantasy Springs Resort Casino - Indio, CA
Nov. 23 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Nov. 24 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Nov. 25 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA

Perry's fifth solo album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel", was released on October 6 via Roman Records. The hard driving, ten-song, in your face, collection features Perry's trademark rock and blues ferocity, as well as the CD's first single, the blazing "We've Got A Long Way To Go". Recorded this past spring at the BoneYard, Perry's state-of-the-art home studio, where AEROSMITH's "Honkin' On Bobo" and "Just Push Play" were recorded, "Have Guitar, Will Travel" is entirely written and produced by Perry.

Still as scorching hot on guitar as he is preternaturally cool in his persona, "Have Guitar, Will Travel" is a departure for Perry in that the CD was conceived as a band recording. From start to finish it took only forty-seven days to complete. "Making this record in such a short period of time gave us a chance to capture an energy and flow that was very different from the last record," said Perry. "The way the players came together at a time when I had the music and lyrics in my head ready to go was pure synchronicity. The last record rocked, but this one rocks and then some. I'm really proud of it."

"We've Got A Long Way To Go", the CDs first single, showcases the voice of a young German singer known as Hagen, found completely by chance on YouTube by Joe's wife Billie. "I first called him from Cleveland when I went to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jam with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Flea and METALLICA," said Perry. "It took several minutes to convince him that it wasn't a prank call, but a true invitation to audition to sing on the CD." Hagen mans the microphone for five tracks, while Perry sings lead on four. The remaining tenth song is an instrumental entitled "Wooden Ships".

In addition, Perry attracted an esteemed roster of some of the best players that the music world has to offer; bassist David Hull, who played with THE BUDDY MILES BAND at 19 and was in THE JOE PERRY PROJECT in the '80s, drummer Ben Tileston, a Boston University percussion graduate, who plays drums with two of Perry's sons in TAB THE BAND, Paul Santo, who's played Hammond organ/pipe organ with the likes of Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Ozzy Osbourne, drummers Scott Meeder and Marty Richards and Willie "Loco" Alexander, Boston's "Godfather of Punk," who was part of the Bostown sound of the band THE BAGATELLE.

A six-week Twitter search was conducted to find the CDs title. The winner, out of nearly 2000 entries, was Joe Piscitelli, who used a play on the old CBS television program "Have Gun – Will Travel".

The release of "Have Guitar, Will Travel" follows self-produced solo releases including "Let The Music Do The Talking" (1980), "Once A Rocker, Always A Rocker" (1983), "I've Got The Rock 'N' Rolls Again" (1981) and 2005's "Joe Perry", which received universal critical praise and earned Perry his first solo Grammy nomination for "Best Instrumental Song" ("Mercy").

Mark Boals of Denmark-based hard rockers ROYAL HUNT has finished laying down the vocals for the band's new studio album.

A short video clip of Mark in the studio can be viewed below.

ROYAL HUNT is continuing to post regular updates, photos, video clips as well as offering a "track-by-track" breakdown of the recording process on the group's official web site.

ROYAL HUNT recently parted ways with bassist Per Schelander and replaced him with Andreas Passmark (NARNIA, ROB ROCK, E-TYPE).

ROYAL HUNT decided to revisit its roots and incorporate some of the musical values of the '70s into its songwriting as well as — in order to reinforce that particular atmosphere — employing mostly "retro" means of production (recording in analog format exclusively being one of them) for its tenth studio album. The music has been described as "an interesting mix of what's been tagged as classic rock nowadays (established by KANSAS, GENESIS, ELP's earlier works and DEEP PURPLE, URIAH HEEP's classics from the same era) and ROYAL HUNT's trademark composition/delivery."

ROYAL HUNT's latest album, "Collision Course - Paradox II", was released in March 2008. The CD, which is said to be the conceptual follow-up to the 1997 release "Paradox", marks the recorded debut with the band of new vocalist Mark Boals, who has previously played with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE, BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB and RING OF FIRE, among others.

ALICE IN CHAINS has announced an October 27 release date for the "Black Gives Way To Blue" iPhone app. The app features full songs from the band's acclaimed new album on Virgin/EMI, music videos, news, photos, social networking and much more. The app separates itself from the pack with an impressive level of interactivity; its custom-built functionality allows fans to interact with each of the albums 11 tracks via a touch, drag, and hold feature that reveals hidden visual gems.

A demo of the app can be viewed below.

"With the ALICE IN CHAINS app, we wanted to represent every song on 'Black Gives Way To Blue' as an interactive and immersive experience," says Jeff Zakim, Senior Director, Global Digital Marketing, EMI Music. "We achieved that with the custom-designed Interactive Tracks. The interactivity is furthered by giving fans the ability to share, comment and connect across Fan Wall posts, email, Facebook and Twitter.

Among the songs featured on the app, which will be available in most major markets, is lead single "Check My Brain", which continues to hold the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Rock Songs Chart.

Fueled by the hit single, "Black Gives Way To Blue" entered The Billboard 200 chart at No. 5, with sales exceeding 126,000 copies.

ALICE IN CHAINS will team up with "A Looking In View" director Stephen Schuster once again to shoot a video for the band's next single, "Your Decision". More information will be made available soon.

To coincide with the band's European tour, ALICE IN CHAINS will release the "Your Decision" single on November 16 in the U.K.

Jonathan Clarke, host of "Out of the Box" on Q104.3, New York's classic rock station, recently conducted an interview with legendary guitarist Steve Vai. The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

2010 will mark Vai's 30-year touring anniversary. Vai first stepped into the spotlight in 1980 as a guitarist in Frank Zappa's band but his indelible contribution to music came during his solo career, which includes combined sales of nearly six million albums. "Live In Minneapolis - Where The Wild Things Are" was filmed during Vai's sold-out Sound Theories tour which spanned several continents.

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray September 29. A live audio CD that contains select performances from the DVD came out the same day.

Steve Vai interviewed on "Out of the Box" (click on player below to launch audio):

UNEARTH's latest music video, for the track "Grave Of Opportunity", has premiered exclusively on the massive gaming community site Destructoid.com. Watch it below.

The "Grave Of Opportunity" clip was shot with Artificial Army. Vocalist Trevor Phipps states, "We wanted to give the vibe of a party meeting music. That goal was achieved and then some with the video game/kegger theme."

On November 10, 2009, fans will be able to get their hands on the new deluxe version of UNEARTH's latest album, "The March". The CD will come with a bonus DVD featuring a tour documentary entitled "The Three Day March", with footage shot by acclaimed director Doug Spangenberg (LAMB OF GOD, EVERY TIME I DIE, JOB FOR A COWBOY) during UNEARTH's recent tour of the northeastern U.S. The DVD will also contain footage from inside the studio during the band's recording sessions for "The March" as well as party material from the band's recent tour with TESTAMENT, entitled "Gig Life". In addition to the candid behind-the-scenes clips, performance footage of four songs will be included from last year's Wacken Open Air festival. Rounding out the DVD are the three music videos shot for "The March" — "My Will Be Done", "Grave Of Opportunity" and "Crow Killer".

Fans who have got their hands on the band's DVD, "Alive From The Apocalypse", know that UNEARTH are a near-perpetual party machine while on the road, so this bonus footage and the new videos are not to be missed!

UNEARTH's song "Grave of Opportunity" is now available as a downloadable track on the Guitar Hero World Tour. The song is part of the Ferret Music/Metal Blade Track Pack, which also contains THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's "Dez Moines" and CHIMAIRA's "On Broken Glass".

"The March" originally hit streets on October 14, 2008 and debuted at No. 45 on The Billboard 200 chart. Revolver magazine called "The March" a "magnificently majestic group effort" and praised it as "some of the smartest writing in metal."

This past summer while co-headlining the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, the members of SLAYER sat down on their tour bus backstage in Camden, New Jersey and talked about the eleven tracks on their upcoming album, "World Painted Blood". In the latest clip — which can be viewed below — Kerry King (guitar) gives us the backstory on "Public Display Of Dismemberment"".

The official CD-release and listening party for "World Painted Blood" will be held on Friday, October 30 at Duff's Brooklyn in Williamsburg, New York beginning at 9:00 p.m. Free "World Painted Blood" merchandise and autographed copies of the best-selling Decibel magazine to date — the SLAYER issue — will be given away at the 21-and-over event, for which there is no cover.

The address is:

Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York

For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

"World Painted Blood" is scheduled for release on November 3 via American Recordings. The CD will initially ship with four special collector's edition covers. Each of the four covers will display one-fourth of a provocative continental map illustrated with human skulls and bones; when placed together, the four images form a complete and grisly map of the world.

All four of the initial CD packages will include a special blood-red, see-through top panel with the map displayed beneath it.

"World Painted Blood" track listing:

01. World Painted Blood
02. Unit 731
03. Snuff
04. Beauty Through Order
05. Hate Worldwide
06. Public Display Of Dismemberment
07. Human Strain
08. Americon
09. Psychopathy Red
10. Playing With Dolls
11. Not Of This God

"World Painted Blood" was recorded in Los Angeles over two time periods, during October 2008 and then between late January and March 2009. The CD was produced by Greg Fidelman, who's spent time in the studio with METALLICA, THE GOSSIP, THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, SLIPKNOT and others, and executive-produced by longtime SLAYER colleague Rick Rubin, who suggested Fidelman for the project.

Montreal-based death/grindcore metallers NEURAXIS have enlisted Olivier Pinard (VENGEFUL) on bass and Olivier Beaudoin (ex-ETERNAL BURDEN, STAREBLIND) on drums for upcoming shows.

Commented singer Alex Leblanc: "We started jamming with the two Olis and it's been amazing so far. They are really talented and we can't wait to assault stages with them."

Upcoming NEURAXIS dates:

Nov. 28 - Ottawa, ON - Cafe Deckuf (with The Last Felony, Revocation)
Nov. 29 - Toronto, ON - Wreckroom (with Revocation)
Dec. 04 - Trois-Rivieres, QC - Rock Cafe le Stage (with The Last Felony, Unfallen)
Dec. 05 - Rimouski, QC - Paradis (Rimouski Deathfest 3)
Dec. 11 - Moncton, NB - The Manhattan
Dec. 12 - Halifax, NS - Gus Pub

"Darkness Prevails", the latest video from NEURAXIS, can be viewed below. The clip was shot last fall with director Chris Alsop.

"Darkness Prevails" comes off NEURAXIS' latest album, "The Thin Line Between", which was released in July 2008 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded by Jeff Fortin (ANONYMUS) and the band in February and March of 2008 and features guest vocals from Luc Lemay (GORGUTS). The album artwork was created by Dennis Sibejin (CHIMAIRA, JOB FOR A COWBOY).

The U.K. branch of Roadrunner Records has posted a track-by-track guide to ATREYU's new album, "Congregation Of The Damned", featuring Alex Varkatzas (vocals) and Dan Jacobs (guitar). The first clip in a two-part series can be viewed below. Part two will be made available on Wednesday (October 28).

On October 26, the day before the long-anticipated release of "Congregation Of The Damned", ATREYU will be the featured guest on the syndicated radio program "Rockline", which starts at 11:30 p.m. EST/ 8:30 p.m. PST.

To hear the show on the Web, go to RocklineRadio.com and click on "listen live." The call-in number to ask the band a question live is 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).

In celebration of the release of the album on October 27, ATREYU will present a live webcast of their entire concert from The National in Richmond, Virginia. Before the show, cameras will follow ATREYU throughout the day, catching them on their tour bus, backstage before the show, and finally on stage for the concert.

ATREYU are on tour with HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD through November 21, playing their final show in Los Angeles.

The band will sign copies of "Congregation Of The Damned", which has been selected as the exclusive Amazon.com "Deal of The Day" on October 27, for fans that purchase the album the week of release at shows in Richmond, Virginia (October 27), New York City (October 29), Baltimore (October 30) and Philadelphia (October 31).

"Congregation Of The Damned", produced by Bob Marlette (OZZY OSBOURNE), mixed by Rich Costey (THE MARS VOLTA, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) with select tracks mixed by Noah Shain (ENDLESS HALLWAY, SONNY), is the follow-up to 2007's "Lead Sails Paper Anchor", which was fueled by the Top 5 Active Rock hit "Becoming The Bull" and the #2-charting Alternative Rock hit "Falling Down".