A&M/Octone recording group FLYLEAF has set a November 10 release date for "Memento Mori", the follow-up to the band's hit 2005 self-titled debut. To record "Memento Mori", the Belton, Texas-based quintet again teamed with producer Howard Benson, who — in addition to FLYLEAF's debut — is known for his work with PAPA ROACH, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS.

"Memento Mori" track listing:

01. Beautiful Bride
02. Again
03. Chasm
04. Missing
05. This Close
06. The Kind
07. In The Dark
08. Set Apart This Dream
09. Swept Away
10. Tiny Heart
11. Melting (interlude)
12. Treasure
13. Circle
14. Arise

Disc 2 (Deluxe Edition):

01. Break Your Knees
02. Enemy
03. Have We Lost
04. Who Am I

A compelling blend of powerful guitars and soaring melodies, "Memento Mori" is highlighted by the stirring, melodic "Arise", the thunderous, riff-fueled "Beautiful Bride", the high-flying "Missing", and the dynamic, urgent "Set Apart this Dream". Though song contributions come from every member of the band, "Memento Mori" features a lyrical theme that started out as a kind of urgent and hopeful personal message from FLYLEAF vocalist Lacey to her teenaged sister. "I feel like the new songs began as a kind of open letter to my little sister, saying, 'Please don't make the mistakes that I have made,'" explains the thoughtful and reflective Lacey. "When I'm on stage and look out into the crowd, I see my sister in so many faces. With the title 'Memento Mori' we took that feeling a step further so that it now encompasses meaning for the rest of the band as well; essentially to make the most of the time we've all been given. 'Memento Mori' is universal."

The album's title comes from the well-known Latin phrase that, through the ages, has been uttered as a reminder of the mortality we all share. According to ancient texts, memento mori was historically acted out as a kind of ritual tableau in ancient Rome when a victorious general was welcomed back to the city with a parade: "Standing behind the victorious general was a servant, and he had the task of reminding the general that, though he was up on the peak today, tomorrow was another day. The servant did this by telling the general that he should remember that he was mortal, i.e. 'Memento mori."

FLYLEAF — Lacey, guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann, bassist Pat Seals, and drummer James Culpepper — have been touring the world nearly non-stop since the September 2005 release of their self-titled debut album. On the strength on three top-charting rock singles — "I'm So Sick", "Fully Alive" and the RIAA gold smash "All Around Me" — FLYLEAF soared to RIAA platinum heights while steadily drawing new legions of passionate fans. The album spent 133 weeks on The Billboard 200 while staking claims in the top 5 of the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and the top 15 of the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts. Last year saw the band contribute their rendition of "What's This?" to the star-filled compilation "Nightmare Revisited", a rock homage to the music of director Tim Burton's now-classic 1993 film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

SHADOW GALLERY, widely considered a major and innovative force within the realms of progressive rock and metal, have returned with their sixth studio effort, "Digital Ghosts". Following up 2005's "Room V" as well as the "Prime Cuts" compilation release of material from previous albums in 2007, "Digital Ghosts" will be released on October 26 in Europe and November 3 in North America via InsideOut Music.

After the tragic passing of lead singer Mike Baker in October 2008, SHADOW GALLERY's new CD introduces new vocalist Brian Ashland and not only sees the entire band once again sharing additional vocal duties but also features guest vocal appearances by Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Clay Barton (SUSPYRE) to complement the release. With "Digital Ghosts", SHADOW GALLERY's members Brendt Allman, Carl Cadden-James, Gary Wehrkamp, Ashland and returning drummer Joe Nevolo (who appears on two songs of the record) have focused their powerful energies on creating a seamless blend of progressive, metal, and symphonic rock as a transcendent work of musical art that advances the boundaries of these genres into new directions.

Commented Wehrkamp: "As a band, we are thrilled to have new music to share with everyone. This album is a dedication to our wonderful fans, and also to the memory of our singer and friend Mike Baker.

"We had to deal with a few tragic events during the course of this recording, but pressing on we approached the production the way we always do: Trying to provide our very best. We had a terrific time making this record and hope all the emotion and love we put into it endures, transcends and touches everyone who is ready for it.

"You can expect some shades of a new direction on this record. We had long been trying to incorporate more prog elements and the time was right to stretch out a little bit, while remaining true to the heavy and powerful rock based songs that have been a staple of SHADOW GALLERY since the earliest days."

"Digital Ghosts" track listing:

01. With Honor
02. Venom
03. Pain
04. Gold Dust
05. Strong
06. Digital Ghost
07. Haunted

The second and third "Digital Ghosts" promo trailers can be viewed below.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"[Addressing the fans who post on the MEGADETH forum] I love you all so much. I see how much you want to help me, and how you are all helping squash the METALLICA bashing, and the poll at Metal Hammer [for the best MEGADETH album ever]. I see how you are going out to the streets and checking in the stores and calling up the stations, and I appreciate it.

"The hard work begins now, and that starts with me. We have to prepare for a Phase 2 from the label (which should go without saying), but we are getting ready to choose a new single and Roadrunner's President told my manager Mark Adelman (best MEGS manager to date), that they 'decided that they were going to go with a phase 2 for the new record.' I told our beloved webmaster this, and in his childlike honesty he said, 'Um, shouldn't there be like a phase 3, 4, and 5 too?' I said, 'One would think so,' so, I have to chalk this up to the hard work that you are all doing for us out on the streets.

"We are going to make some really killer posters available to you guys to download and print up to distribute in your towns and take to your favorite places (including, but not limited to) clubs, stores, venues, events, arcades, tracks, courts, fields, and gyms. In return, we decided that we are going to make some show PASSES ONLY available for those who really can rise to the occasion on helping us get in the trenches and again (including but not limited to) flier, poster, call and request, survey, research, and promote the band.

"Next, I thought that after getting an 8.5 and some very complimentary things said by Blabbermouth about me, that we were going to have a new relationship, and I am so glad that the BM gang is warming up to me.

"I do have to say that I cannot win regarding talking or not talking about my past band. No matter how I try to deal with my previous band, I get grief; if I don't talk about it, I get slagged; if I do talk about it, I get slagged. The sad thing is that I am so careful with what I say anymore that I am not being myself very much anymore in interviews.

"So, here are the answers you are waiting for and I after this, I am going to start saying 'no comment' in the interviews because I just cannot stop this feud. It sucks that something that the bands don't even care about is being kept alive by the fans, and the ones who complain about it are the ones who are keeping this terrible thing alive.

"Here goes: I did say that I thought that we [MEGADETH] have [released] a better record [in 'Endgame' than METALLICA did in 'Death Magnetic'], but I also said that this is the only time that I have felt like that, and that they [METALLICA] have had many great records. I was really disappointed to see my quote taken out of context, and not just out in the Net, but even here [on MEGADETH's official forum].

"Here is the dirt on the [rumored] 'Big Four' tour [featuring METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX]: the only ones that have asked us if we want to do this are you [the fans]. If we were asked, it would need to be by their management/agent, and they haven't, although we would 100% strongly consider it, and now, I am not going to answer this question again.

"Back to Dave the nice guy! Thanks to everyone for their unbelievable support and kindness, and I especially want to say, 'thank you' to the Blabbermouth brats for the 8.5! I really do think that you guys would enjoy being a regular at Megadeth.com in our forums and I think that we have a lot of bands that we all like in common.

"Off to get in shape for the tour, grrruntt!!!"

Photo below courtesy of Megadeth.com

Legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF WE) was interviewed for episode 20 of Metal Rules! Radio. The entire podcast can now be streamed using the audio player below.

In a recent interview with Kevin "Taz" Conklin of "The Big Dumb Radio Show" (web site), which airs on Kalamazoo, Michigan's 92.5 WZUU FM radio station, Lynch was asked about a possible LYNCH MOB tour in support of the band's comeback studio album, entitled "Smoke And Mirrors". "I'm talking a little preemptively here, but one of the things on the table is a potential DOKKEN-LYNCH MOB tour — kind of like that WWF spectacle where you come out with all that history and get people talking, and that's always good," George said. "And we'll play some DOKKEN songs as well in our set. And they're welcome to play some LYNCH MOB songs, but that's not gonna happen... I'm kidding."

Regarding whether he would make an appearance on stage with his former DOKKEN bandmates if LYNCH MOB were to tour with DOKKEN, Lynch said, "Absolutely. That's be part of the deal. I'd come out at the end and we'd have a little reunion, and it'd be awesome. Me and Don [Dokken] could come out, make out for a while, and then we'd dive into a couple of old DOKKEN songs for old times' sake."

Audio samples of all 13 songs that appear on "Smoke And Mirrors" are available for download at HeavyHarmonies.com (scroll down). The CD was released in Europe on September 18 (October 13 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records.

LYNCH MOB's current lineup includes Logan and Lynch alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and drummer Scot Coogan (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ACE FREHLEY).

George Lynch interviewed on Metal Rules! Radio (click on player below to launch audio):

Former MEGADETH and current F5 bassist David Ellefson has posted the latest episode in "David Ellefson's Rock Shop", an ongoing YouTube video series hosted by the bassist himself.

In Episode 20, entitled "Intonation & Setup", David goes over the details of setting up and intonating your instrument for optimum playability.

Ellefson previously stated about his "David Ellefson's Rock Shop" YouTube video series, "I'm always asked questions from fans and other musicians about playing the bass, the business side of our industry, and music in general. So, I decided to create these regular video webisodes as a way to inform and respond to many of those questions."

In addition to numerous gold and platinum records and seven Grammy-nominated works, David is the author of the book "Making Music Your Business" and has two metal bass guitar instructional DVDs through Rock House Method entitled "Metal Bass Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2". He is also a featured bass clinician, keynote speaker and panelist on the subject of music and the music industry.

Previous episodes can be viewed at this location.

The December 2009 issue of Guitar World magazine (featuring Jerry Cantrell on the cover; see cover image below) includes an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Guitar World: You've stated that Chris Broderick is the best guitarist you've had in MEGADETH. Taking into account the caliber of the guys who have come before him, that's no small compliment.

Mustaine: There's a difference between a great guitar player and having that little extra something, that flair. And Chris has it. I've been saying that he reminds me of Randy [Rhoads], because finding Chris makes me feel like I know what Ozzy [Osbourne] must have felt when he discovered Randy. So we get along great. You know, people have heard me say that I "sang" solos to [former guitarist] Marty [Friedman] in the studio, and I did. I did it to [former guitarists] Jeff [Young], Chris [Poland] and Al [Pitrelli], too. But Chris Broderick? I only did it two times, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of notes on [MEGADETH's new album] "Endgame". Now that it a testimony to a guy who has studied his partner.

Guitar World: Do you ever talk to any of the former members? In particular, do you have a relationship with Dave Ellefson [former MEGADETH bassist], with whom you had a pretty public falling out after almost 20 years of playing together?

Mustaine: You know, Dave sued me for 18-and-a-half million dollars. [In 2004, Ellefson filed suit against Mustaine claiming, among other things, breach of fiduciary obligation, libel and emotional distress. — Ed.] And he lost. That had to have hurt. And the fans — a lot of them turned on him. That had to have hurt. He lost one of his oldest friends. That had to have hurt. There probably were a lot of changes, financial and otherwise, he had to make in his life after MEGADETH. That had to have hurt, too. And I'm not the kind of guy to sit back and watch that happen to somebody who, at one point, I loved. So I met with Dave a while ago and we had dinner, and he said, "You know, [suing you] was the stupidest thing I've ever done. I wish I never did it." So I forgave him. Bottom line for me is there's this one little thing I'll always be curious about: I just keep thinking, if he had won the lawsuit, what would he have done? Would he have taken 18-and-a-half million dollars from me? Or would he have just said, "You know what? I was just trying to prove a point. Let's get back together and you behave yourself."

Guitar World: Do you think he wants to be back in MEGADETH?

Mustaine: I don't know. I think a person would be nuts not to want to be with me. I have a successful enterprise here. The band is better now than we've ever been. And I think our success right now is probably more obvious than it's ever been.

Guitar World: Does it surprise you that you're still standing?

Mustaine: Yes, but here's the thing that I love — the way the story is coming to a climax. Retirement is looming, and I'm actually okay with it. It's a lot different when you surrender the baton as opposed to having someone take it out of your hand. And I'm ready to pass the baton because there are so many guitar players that are better than me right now, and there have been all along. I think there's a new generation out there that needs to have its shot.

Guitar World: When you say "retirement is looming" — just how close is it?

Mustaine: I've got one more record on my contract. Then I'm done.

Guitar World: What will you do after that?

Mustaine: I'll probably move off into the private sector. I have a studio going [Vic's Garage, in San Marcos, California] that I'm handling with my son, and we're trying to do a little "metal academy"-type thing there. Just something cool to give back to the community, because, man, I'm so overpaid and underworked. I have to give something back.

Guitar World: When that day comes, will you leave feeling you accomplished everything you set out to do?

Mustaine: I feel that way right now. So I very much could walk away. And I'm actually leaning more toward leaving than staying because of my own pride and concern for wanting to go out on top. It's important for me to do the right thing, and I think it would be great, if I was going to stop, to do it on the right level. Especially in this business, because people are always clamoring for more and more. But like I said, it's time for me to start getting into some philanthropy.

The December 2009 issue of Guitar World magazine is available on newsstands now.

For more information, visit GuitarWorld.com.

New York Hard Rock Examiner conducted an interview with GWAR bassist Casey Orr (a.k.a. Beefcake the Mighty) backstage at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey on September 22, 2009. The chat can now be viewed in two parts below.

GWAR will take part in a signing session at Scrape Records in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Monday, November 30 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.scraperecords.com.

"Let Us Slay", the new video from GWAR, was shot in Richmond, Virginia by director David Brodsky (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL) and his MyGoodEye crew.

GWAR's new album, "Lust In Space", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Part 1:



Part 2:

Scott Smith of May The Rock Be With You recently conducted an interview with WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

May The Rock Be With You: You have a brand new album due on October 5 through Kick Music/Sony Music in Denmark titled "Mike Tramp & The Rock N Roll Circuz". Can you explain the concept behind the "Rock N Roll Circuz"?

Tramp: Well, it sort of came about during the [Danish] TV show ["Tramp Allstars"; see video below] that I was doing, where from week to week I used a lot of different costumes and outfits. When people were asking what I was all about, I just used to say that this was my rock 'n' roll circuz. When later, I prepared to record the album and put it all together, I created an atmosphere around the band that made us visualize this old fallen apart circus. From there we built certain things into the songs and into the album. But it's still a Mike Tramp album.

May The Rock Be With You: Is this album going to primarily be a local release in Denmark?

Tramp: The album will first be released in Denmark and then bit by bit in other countries. But from day one, I am making the album available on my website and others, so my diehard-loyal fans around the world can also experience what I call my best album ever, my masterpiece. Copenhagen, Denmark is now my main base and home. I have returned to where I was born and it is the right time in my life to do this. There is so much that has matured here and ready to be harvested. But most of all, I am ready to come back home again.

May The Rock Be With You: What can we expect from the new album from a musical point of view? Is it a logical continuation from past solo releases?

Tramp: Yes, it is a continuation from my past solo albums and then it is so much more. An artist hates to admit or say this but even though I am proud of songs that I have written and recorded on my other solo albums, I never managed to take the production all the way and obviously I know the reasons why. But this time no stone has been left unturned, no compromises have been made. This album is complete in every way.

May The Rock Be With You: Did you record the album entirely in Denmark and did you self-produce the album? Generally speaking, how did the recording process for this album compare to past experiences?

Tramp: The album was all recorded and mixed in the same studio. I am co-producing this album with my friend and guitar player Søren Andersen. I proudly admit than Søren has been a blessing in disguise to this album. He was able to find all the missing things in my music and compliment my songwriting and it has left so completely satisfied with it all.

May The Rock Be With You: Will the "Rock & Roll Circuz" be taken on the road to promote the album? And if so, where will it go?

Tramp: Of course. I am starting off with my first big tour of Denmark ever (check my MySpace for all the tour dates) and early next year I will venture out into the world, step by step. This album can sustain for a long, long time.

May The Rock Be With You: Upon your return to Denmark earlier this year, you appeared for a few months on the music reality TV show "Tramp Allstars". What was the reaction of the Danish people to your re-emergence as a public figure, given it's been over 30 years since you first shot to stardom with MABEL?

Tramp: It was a great chance to show and tell an entire country my life story of 32 years in rock 'n' roll. You have to keep in mind that not everyone knew who I was. But I can tell you this much: now they do, and it is in a good way. I didn't sell out, I was able to give them everything I stand for and believe in….

May The Rock Be With You: Through your involvement with "Tramp Allstars", did you find it a satisfying and liberating experience pulling together a bunch of people from varying musical and social backgrounds and imparting some of your extensive rock 'n' roll and worldly wisdom to those you led? Is this something you could see yourself being more involved in down the track?

Tramp: To be very honest, the thing that I loved most about it was not having to be up on stage being the singer, but instead being in front guiding and leading this choir. And yes, I would love very much to be working and helping others in the future, as I have much energy and knowledge that I like to pass on.

Read the entire interview from May The Rock Be With You.

"Tramp Allstars" Danish TV show featuring Mike Tramp:

Ontario, Canada, MONOLITH has completed work on its debut album for an early 2010 release via Bombworks Records. The CD was recorded at Batcave Studios with Adam Wathan and was mixed and mastered with Jordan Valeriote at Sundown Studio.

The track listing is as follows:

01. A Faithful Few (3:14)
02. Call Of Wisdom (3:23)
03. Across The Baltic (4:55)
04. Chokehold (3:29)
05. Break The Cycle (4:12)
06. Golgotha (5:34)
07. Second Birth (4:42)
08. Ultimatum (4:04)
09. Reject The Counterfeit (3:14)
10. Eternal Throne (5:33)
11. More Than Conquerors (3:54)
12. Monolith (5:06)

According to a press release, MONOLITH plays "a unique brand of orchestrally driven extreme metal that blends crushing metal riffs and brutal vocals with killer melodies, soaring clean vocals, and a heavy dose of synths and orchestral instrumentation."

Two of the band members, Colin Parrish (guitar, vocals) and Colin Nafziger (drums, vocals) were formerly members of Canadian band ASHER, who self-released a full-length called "Harmonious Thought" in 2006 that crossed extreme metal music with melodic power pop female vocals, with some death metal vocals scattered throughout. Imagine EVANESCENCE and FLYLEAF colliding with DIMMU BORGIR and KITTIE.

After the demise of ASHER, the two Colins went on to join forces with Simba Gallant to form MONOLITH, which stays solidly in the extreme metal realm (DIMMU BORGIR still comes to mind) but blends many other influences, providing for a very different and refreshing metal listening experience.

The band takes its name from the mysterious rectangular object in the Arthur C. Clarke classic sci-fi novel "2001", and much like the many surprises the monolith contained within, the band MONOLITH is ready to shock the metal scene with an impressive debut that is different, catchy, memorable, melodic, and brutal all at the same time.

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

Vocalist Davin of the South Philadelphia vegan straight-edge natives KINGDOM was interviewed on August 2, 2009 in Tallinn, Estonia by a an Estonian hardcore web site. The chat can be viewed below.

In other news, bassist Pierce has left KINGDOM. Davin writes in an online posting, "We're still all great friends. Message boards will be sorry to hear that there was no epic battle or dramatic reason for him to leave, just the usual: needing money, wanting time with his family, etc.

"Pierce has been with KINGDOM in one way or another since our very first show in 2006 (he was one the first to buy our demo!), then he did merch for us on a two-month long U.S. tour in 2007, then he joined the band in 2008, we wrote and recorded a record together, and traveled around the world. He's one of my best friends, my little big brother, a multi-talented dude who can rap, breakdance, rollerblade, and shred the bass, and he will never not be moshing to MADBALL.

"KINGDOM will still go on without him, even though he's going to be awwfully hard to replace. Ben (our original drummer) has still not been replaced (we've been touring with fill-ins since he left), so we're still looking for a drummer, and now we're also looking for a bassist.

"If you're interested, vegan, straight edge, and able to get to Philly for practice, and able to tour a lot starting next year — get in touch!"

KINGDOM's latest album, "The Rage That Guides", was released in March through Eulogy Recordings. The CD was recorded by Drew Faulk in December 2008.

For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.

MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick will take part in a live phone interview with Metal Assault Radio on Monday, September 28, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. EST (1:00 p.m. PST).

You can listen to the chat online at www.metalassaultradio.com.

MEGADETH and SLAYER will team up for the Canadian Carnage East five-date tour in November. The trek kicks off on November 8 in Moncton, NB and wraps up in Toronto on November 13. The tour will feature MACHINE HEAD and SUICIDE SILENCE, and will see MEGADETH and SLAYER alternating the closing spot. Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

MEGADETH and SLAYER laid waste to four Canadian cities earlier in June when they joined up for the first Canadian Carnage, marking the first time the bands had shared a stage anywhere in 18 years.

Photo below courtesy of Metal Mind Productions

Swedish melodic death metallers THE COLD EXISTENCE have announced the addition of guitarist Robin Lindström (VANISHING SYSTEM) to the group's ranks.

THE COLD EXISTENCE recently inked a deal with Pulverised Records. The band's third album will be recorded at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND guitarist) Sonic Train studios in Varberg, Sweden with producer Peter Laustsen for an early 2010 release. According to the label, THE COLD EXISTENCE's new material is "very fast and brutal and will be the best album by this band yet."

Commented Pulverised A&R manager Calvin Chiang: "THE COLD EXISTENCE approached us some time ago and what we heard on their latest album, 'Sombre Gates', totally caught us off guard! We have confidence that the third full-length will slay everything else they have done in the past!"

"Sombre Gates" was released in March 2009 through Kolony Records. According to a press release, "bearing the legacy of DISSECTION, [THE COLD EXISTENCE's] blackened/death metal non-compromising sound is also reminiscent of such seminal bands as BEHEMOTH, NILE, AT THE GATES and HYPOCRISY. Willing to tour steadily through Europe, the band now relies on the super heavy and ultra-fast sound of an Andy La Rocque-mastered (KING DIAMOND) release. Black/death metal at its finest!"

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

Anglo-Australian hard rockers AC/DC have launched a special web site, ACDCBacktracks.com, featuring a countdown to an "exciting announcement" that will be made on September 29.

A second short video clip promoting the new web site can be viewed below.

As previously reported, AC/DC is rumored to be releasing a box set later this year that will come in a package that doubles as a working amplifier. The set will contain three CDs, two DVDs and a vinyl record. One CD will contain studio rarities and the other two will feature live cuts, while the DVDs will contain the third volume of the band's "Family Jewels" video collections. The vinyl disc will hold the studio rarities. The set will also come with a 164-page book, three black-and-white lithographs of unpublished band photos from 1977, a flyer for a 1976 British tour and a poster from a 1977 European trek. The complete package will be sold only through AC/DC's web site, while a CD/DVD-only version called "Best Of The Box Set" may also be made available.

The next leg of AC/DC's "Black Ice" world tour, which was set to hit Phoenix, Arizona on October 1, will be postponed to a later date. Subsequent shows in Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee will also be rescheduled. The tour will resume on October 16 in Washington, D.C. (see below for full itinerary).

AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson recently underwent a medical procedure and at the advice of his doctor is taking some time to rest.

The "Black Ice" world tour kicked off in October 2008 and has crisscrossed North America and Europe twice.

This November, the "Black Ice" world tour will visit Latin America and by early 2010 the tour will hit Australia and New Zealand.

AC/DC's "Black Ice" album was released globally on October 20, 2008 and topped sales charts in 29 countries. In the U.S. alone, "Black Ice" sold 780,000 copies in its first week and has since shifted in excess of 2 million units.

DEATH BREATH — the Swedish old-school death metal project featuring former ENTOMBED drummer and main songwriter Nicke Andersson (most recently the frontman of rock 'n' roll band THE HELLACOPTERS) — has completed the third recording session for its new album. According to the group, the recording process "eent in an exceptionally evil manner. The flying Vs were flying around uncontrollably, completely poltergeist."

DEATH BREATH's latest EP, "Let It Stink", was released in the U.S. in August 2007 via Relapse Records.

"Let It Stink" featured four brand new songs as well as three covers by BATHORY ("Sacrifice"), G.B.H. ("Lycantrophy") and DISCHARGE ("Maimed And Slaughtered"). The CD version of "Let It Stink" contained a brand new version of the video for the song "Death Breath" as well as the original one.

Noah Cohen of Bergen County Top News Examiner reports: Three men have been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 worth of musical instruments — including a rare Eddie Van Halen Fender guitar — from a Midland Park (New Jersey) music supply store, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said.

A shipping supervisor at American Musical Supply and his friend worked together to orchestrate the alleged scheme, according to the county prosecutor’s office.

Posing as a customer, the friend purchased several inexpensive items online from the store. The supervisor then replaced the order with more expensive items, switched the shipping labels and had unsuspecting delivery workers package and ship the high-end music equipment, the prosecutor said.

Read more from Bergen County Top News Examiner.

Former KISS drummer Peter Criss has commented on the band's nomination for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He writes on his web site, "I would like to thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the nomination and recognition of the original KISS. As a founding member, I am deeply grateful to the Hall of Fame for their consideration. It would be an honor and a dream come true to be inducted."

KISS and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS are among the first-time nominees for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Also included for the first time on the list of a dozen nominees are GENESIS, THE HOLLIES, LL COOL J and Jimmy Cliff. Returning for another shot at the Hall are the STOOGES, ABBA, THE CHANTELS, DARLENE LOVE, LAURA NYRO and DONNA SUMMER. Five of the 12 will be chosen for induction, with their names revealed in January and the 25th annual ceremony set to take place on March 15 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City.

KISS has been eligible since 1999, but has been passed over several times by the Hall's nominating committee, leading to tension between the band and the Hall.

If KISS does get in, it is not clear who would be inducted alongside remaining original members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, although it's almost certain that fellow founders Criss and Ace Frehley would be invited.

The Hall of Fame will celebrate its 25th anniversary with two concerts on October 29 and October 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Among the acts scheduled to perform are U2, METALLICA, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ERIC CLAPTON, SIMON & GARFUNKEL and others.

Photo courtesy of PeterCriss.net

ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell honored the band's late singer, Layne Staley, by performing the song "Black Gives Way To Blue" by himself at the group's homecoming show in Seattle Thursday night (September 24) as the spotlight lit up an empty stool with a mic stand in front of it.

Fan-filmed video footage of Cantrell's solo performance and the rest of ALICE IN CHAINS' concert can be viewed below.

"Black Gives Way To Blue", the title track of ALICE IN CHAINS' new album, is a heart-stirring tribute to Staley, who died in 2002. The album version of the song features a special guest appearance by Elton John on piano.

ALICE IN CHAINS recorded "Black Gives Way to Blue" with producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) at the Northridge, California studio of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl.

In their first late-night network performance in more than 10 years, ALICE IN CHAINS will appear on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for two consecutive nights on Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30 at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT. The appearances follow ALICE IN CHAINS' sold-out national tour and coincide with the highly anticipated September 29 release of "Black Gives Way to Blue" (Virgin/EMI).

The much-buzzed-about event kicks off on Tuesday, September 29 on the Bud Light Outdoor Stage — the largest outdoor stage among the late night talk shows — with an electrifying performance in the middle of Hollywood. On Wednesday, September 30, ALICE IN CHAINS will perform a special intimate acoustic set on the late night's indoor lobby stage. Each performance will include one song from new album "Black Gives Way to Blue" and one classic hit. The September 29 show will see the group performing their brand-new, chart-topping lead single "Check My Brain" — hailed by Spin as "one of the catchiest songs of ALICE IN CHAINS' history" — and the show on the 30th will spotlight new acoustic track, "Your Decision".

ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino recently conducted an interview with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH drummer Jeremy Spencer. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

ARTISTdirect.com: On "War is the Answer", it feels like everything has become far more intense. Would you say that's the case?

Jeremy: Yeah, that's what we were hoping would happen [Laughs]. We really didn't know how it would end up when we were making it. After it was finally completed, it was everything we wanted and more. We really achieved what we were hoping to achieve.

ARTISTdirect.com: And what were you hoping to achieve exactly?

Jeremy: Just growth! We didn't want to make the same record again, and we didn't want to make a record where every song sounded the same. We wanted to take the listeners on a journey up and down. I think we struck a great balance between melody and aggression. It just sounds like a more mature DEATH PUNCH record to all of us. We've been on the road for a few years, and we learned how to play together. We saw what worked live and what didn't. When we went back in to write songs, everything started flowing. It came out exactly the way we wanted it.

ARTISTdirect.com: Where did the "journey" for this album begin? These songs definitely didn't just happen overnight.

Jeremy: Yeah, you're right. Some of them did happen rather easily. A lot of the time, we were just writing and demoing in Zoltan's [Bathory, guitar] living room. We camped out at his house for a couple months. Some of the songs were more difficult than others, and we experienced a few computer problems recording along the way [Laughs]. That made the creative process a little more difficult, but we basically tried to stay out of the way and let the songs write themselves. I know that sounds a bit cheesy or whatever, but it's true. The more you try to mess with something, the more you interfere with it. That just stifles the process!

ARTISTdirect.com: The jump from "The Way of the Fist" to "War is the Answer" is massive. It's similar to PANTERA's transition from "Cowboys from Hell" to "Vulgar Display of Power".

Jeremy: That's great, man. It's kind of what we talked about. We thought it'd be really important for us to make FINGER DEATH PUNCH's "Vulgar" right now. I'm not comparing "War is the Answer" to "Vulgar" at all, but we wanted to make our version.

Read the entire interview from ARTISTdirect.com.

Kerry King, legendary guitarist for the notorious thrash metal band SLAYER and a B.C. Rich guitar endorser, made several in-store appearances at select B.C. Rich retailers while on the 2009 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The special events were co-sponsored by EMG pickups.

Video footage from one of the Guitar Center signing sessions can be viewed below (courtesy of B.C. Rich).

SLAYER's "World Painted Blood", the band's highly-anticipated new album set for a November 3 release (American Recordings), will initially ship with four special collector's edition CD 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.

The "World Painted Blood Deluxe Edition" will have its own special layout of the map cover art and will be in a double-digipak housed in a blood-red, see-through plastic sleeve. The "Deluxe Edition" will include the "World Painted Blood" CD, the "Playing With Dolls" DVD, a 20-minute animated graphic novel featuring music from the album (including part of a new non-album song), and an expanded booklet.

"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.

Powerhouse American vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) was interviewed for episode 17 of Metal Rules! Radio. The entire podcast can now be streamed using the audio player below.

Owens recently wrapped up a short European tour as the support act for HEAVEN & HELL.

Owens' backing band for the trek consisted of the following musicians:

Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORHCESTRA) - Guitar
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM) - Guitar
David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5) - Bass
Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) - Drums

"Play My Game", the first solo album from Tim "Ripper" Owens, landed at position No. 66 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.

"Play My Game" was released via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

Professionally filmed video footage of Tim "Ripper" Owens performing the BEYOND FEAR track "Scream Machine" on June 13, 2009 at this year's Download festival at Donington Park, United Kingdom can be viewed below.

Tim "Ripper" Owens interviewed on Metal Rules! Radio (click on player below to launch audio): (Note: The Owens interview begins around the 34-minute mark.)

Capital Chaos conducted an interview with REVCO (p/k/a REVOLTING COCKS) guitarist Sin Quirin on September 24, 2009 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California. Watch the 11-minute chat below.

REVCO's current touring lineup:

Josh Bradford (STAYTE, SIMPLE SHELTER) - vocals
Sin Quirin (MINISTRY) - guitar
Clayton Worbeck (STAYTE, SIMPLE SHELTER) - keyboards
Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY, PRONG, JOHN 5) - drums
Stevie Banch (SPYDERBABY) - bass

REVOLTING COCKS is the long-running side project from Al Jourgensen (MINISTRY) and a slew of collaborators over the outfit's twenty-plus-year history. The band will release a remix record titled "Sex-O MiXXX-O" on September 29 via Al's own 13th Planet Records.

The ten-track album couples longtime conspirators, including Luc Van Acker, Dave "Rave" Ogilvie and MARILYN MANSON's Chris Vrenna, with current REVCO players Clayton Worbeck and Stayte (which features the aforementioned Worbeck as well as Josh Bradford).

The original album, "Sex-O Olympic-O", was released in the fall of 2008 and was hailed by Alternative Press as the "most satisfying album" Jourgensen had created to date with REVCO and went on to dub the album as a "celebration of hedonism and glorious excess."

"Sex-O MiXXX-O" track listing:

01. HookerBot3000 (tweaker mix) - Remixed by Chris Vrenna of MARILYN MANSON
02. Keys To The City (Invincible mix) - Remixed by Crabbi of Vileevils & POP WILL EAT ITSELF
03. Red Parrot (Juarez Tunnel mix) – Remixed by MEGAJIVE
04. Robo Bandidos (A Chilling Effect mix) – Remixed by Doug Firley of GRAVITY KILLS
05. Cousins (Sexy Problems = Sexy Solutions mix) – Remixed by Clayton Worbeck of REVOLTING COCKS
06. Touch Screen (Shower Strangulation mix) – Remixed by Luc Van Acker
07. I'm Not Gay (I'm So Gay Club mix) – Remixed by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie of SKINNY PUPPY
08. Abundant Redundancy (Clockworks and Cold Steel mix) – Remixed by Stayte
09. Lewd Ferrigno (Club On mix) – Remixed by Andy LaPlegua of COMBICHRIST
10. Wizard of Sextown (Bisected Banshee mix) – Remixed by Seismologist

Legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) has been added to the list of musicians who will take part in the Scott Ford Benefit show, set to take place tonight (Saturday, September 26) at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California. Also appearing are Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED), Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION), Scott Shriner (WEEZER), Dave Kushner (VELVET REVOLVER), Chris Chaney (ex-JANE'S ADDICTION), Wayne Kramer (MC5), emcee Donovan Leitch (actor) and Steve O ("Jackass"). All money raised will go towards helping bassist Scott Ford (TWILIGHT SINGERS, THE GUTTER TWINS, CAMP FREDDY), who is suffering from an advanced bone loss medical condition resulting in severe blood infections.

For more information about this event, go to this location.

Jeff Becerra of reactivated California death metal pioneers POSSESSED was interviewed for episode 19 of Metal Rules! Radio. The entire podcast can now be streamed using the audio player below.

POSSESSED's current lineup features sole original member Becerra (vocals) backed by musicians from California's SADISTIC INTENT.

The band will play a special one-off show on December 13, 2009 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California.

Tickets are on sale now through EnterTheVault.com and through all other normal ticketing systems.

In the October 2008 issue of Guitar World magazine, Becerra talked candidly about the 1989 shooting that left him paralyzed from the chest down, his battle with drugs and alcohol, the early days of the Bay Area thrash metal scene and his future as a wheelchair-bound frontman for the death metal legends.

Regarding the robbery that left him paralyzed, Becerra said: "The first bullet went into my chest about six inches above the nipple, went through the lung and stuck on the inside of my spine. I put my hand up as I was going down, and the second bullet clipped the top of my ring finger off. But at least it didn't hit me in the head. So I was on the ground, and the first guy put the gun to my head and pulled the trigger, and the gun jammed — luckily for me, some criminals don't know how to clean their automatic weapons."

On performing at the 2007 Wacken Open Air festival in Germany, Becerra told Guitar World: "The show was amazing, and it was a great way for me to get back into the scene — but I was terrified, just shaking onstage in front of like 60,000 people. It was really emotional for me to be back out there, and I was really hoping that people wouldn't look at the chair and see 'poor Jeff.' I just didn't want to make a fool of myself and of the POSSESSED name — I didn't want to lose the only thing I ever was, you know?"

Guitar World has posted exclusive interview outtakes and photos of Jeff at this location.

Jeff Becerra interviewed on Metal Rules! Radio (click on player below to launch audio):



Photo below courtesy of GuitarWorld.com

GOATWHORE will perform on Halloween night (October 31) at House of Shock, the infamous haunted attraction in New Orleans.

House of Shock is a haunted attraction started in 1993 by Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN), Ross Karpelman (DOWN keyboardist), Jay Gracianette and Steven Joseph (who toured with PANTERA in various road-crew capacities) as a fun alternative to the average Halloween party. Since then it has grown into a huge event spanning the entire month of October and is rated one of the top ten haunted attractions in the country.

The House of Shock will be open every weekend in October starting October 2.

For more information on the House of Shock, go to this location.

GOATWHORE's new album, "Carving Out The Eyes Of God", sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 190. The CD landed at No. 67 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.

"Carving Out The Eyes of God" was released in the U.S. on June 23 via Metal Blade Records.

For the follow-up to 2006's "A Haunting Curse", GOATWHORE headed back to St. Petersburg, Florida to record with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios, with mastering being handled by Alan Douches of West West Side.

A 2009 Fuse TV mini-documentary on House of Shock can be viewed below.

Harmonix and MTV Games have announced that a five-pack of songs from ALICE IN CHAINS will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Wii.

ALICE IN CHAINS' five-pack of songs joins "Man in the Box", available on-disc on Rock Band 2. The five-pack features the band's new single, "A Looking in View" from the band's first album in 14 years, titled "Black Gives Way to Blue", which will be released day-and-date with the DLC pack. The five-pack also includes "Would?", which was featured in the soundtrack to the film "Singles" and won the award for "Best Video from a Film" at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Sept. 29) and PlayStation 3 system (Oct. 1):

* "A Looking in View"
* "Check My Brain"
* "No Excuses"
* "Rooster"
* "Would?"

These tracks will be available for purchase as "Alice in Chains Pack 01" and as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system and as individual tracks on Wii.

Price:

* $1.99 USD, .99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

* $8.49 USD, 5.25 UK and €6.59 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for "Alice in Chains Pack 01"

* $2.00 USD (200 Wii Points) per track

* Denotes $.99 (80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) or $1.00 (100 Wii Points) per track

Bass player Brian Perry (PRONG, LIZZY BORDEN, Jake E. Lee's WICKED ALLIANCE, DIRTY LOOKS) has announced the launch of his first clothing line, the Walk And Roll Clothing Company.

A t-shirt company aimed at infants, toddlers, kids and mom's to be, Walk And Roll Clothing features slogans based on the world's most iconic and popular rock bands and their classic rock album titles, and songs twisted in a way to make them childlike in nature. Sayings such as "For Toes About To Walk", "Welcome To My Daycare", and "Master Of Muppets" among others are available for purchase from www.walkandrollclothing.com.

Perry conceived the idea for the Walk And Roll Clothing Company in 2007 when his nephew, Jordan Perry, was born and could not find anything he liked in the local stores in Los Angeles. Perry recalls, "While shopping for the very first time for a newborn I could not for the life of me find anything that was cool and/or clever. So I went home and designed my own. Walk and Roll - For Toes About To Walk!"

Starting with one design spoofing AC/DC, Perry has grown the line to include upwards of 15 designs, including titles spoofing VAN HALEN, PINK FLOYD, CHEAP TRICK, SEX PISTOLS, DEF LEPPARD, ALICE IN CHAINS and others.

Swedish "pop/metal" band DEAD BY APRIL will make an in-store appearance at Avalanche Records in Glasgow, United Kingdom on October 5 at 4:30 pm. The store is situated at 34 Dundas Street, Glasgow G1 2AQ, 150 yards from Queen St. Station and Buchanan St. Underground Station.

"Angels Of Clarity", the latest video from DEAD BY APRIL, can be viewed below.

DEAD BY APRIL will support SKINDRED on a U.K. tour in September/October. To coincide with the trek, DEAD BY APRIL will release the "Angels of Clarity" single in the U.K. on September 28 via Spinefarm Records. This digital-only release will feature the following track listing:

01. Angels Of Clarity (album version)
02. Angels Of Clarity (remix by Shawn "Clown" Crahan from SLIPKNOT) *
03. Losing You (acoustic version) *
04. Promise Me (acoustic version) *
05. Angels Of Clarity (video)

* Exclusive to this release

DEAD BY APRIL's self-titled debut album was released in the U.K. on August 3 via Spinefarm. The CD, which was issued in Sweden on May 13 via Universal, was produced by Henrik Edenhed, who has previously worked with ROBYN, LAMBRETTA, TEDDYBEARS, CHRISTIAN WALTZ and THE SOUNDS.

"Losing You", the first single from DEAD BY APRIL, topped the official chart in the band's home country.

For more information, visit DEAD BY APRIL's MySpace page.

Hachette Audio has set an October 22 U.K. release date for the audiobook version of Ozzy Osbourne's long-awaited memoir, "I Am Ozzy". The book, which was originally slated to arrive almost two years ago but was delayed twice, will be published in the U.K. on October 1.

Ozzy will do a week-long publicity tour in England and Ireland upon the book's publication which will include the following book-signing events:

*** Oct. 02 - HMV 150 Oxford Street, London, U.K. (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)

*** Oct. 03 - Waterstone's Bluewater, West Village, Greenhithe, Kent, U.K. (1:00 -3.00 p.m.)

*** Oct. 08 - WHS, 29 Union Street, Birmingham, U.K. (4:30 - 6.30 p.m.)

*** Oct. 10 - Eason, 40 Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, IRE (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

*** Oct. 10 - Hughes & Hughes, St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, IRE (3:00 - 5:00 p.m.)

Due to time constraints, access to the London event is limited. 300 wristbands will be available from the store on the day of the event from 9:00 a.m. on a first-come-first-served basis; one per customer only, no reservations.

"I Am Ozzy, The Autobiography" chronicles the star's humble beginnings in the U.K. to his current position as international music and TV celebrity.

In a statement, he revealed what fans can expect from the bio, explaining: "They've said some crazy things about me over the years. I mean, okay: 'He bit the head off a bat.' Yes. 'He bit the head off a dove.' Yes. But then you hear things like, 'Ozzy went to the show last night, but he wouldn't perform until he'd killed fifteen puppies…' Now me, kill fifteen puppies? I love puppies. I've got eighteen of the fucking things at home. I've killed a few cows in my time, mind you. And the chickens. I shot the chickens in my house that night.

"It haunts me, all this crazy stuff. Every day of my life has been an event. I took lethal combinations of booze and drugs for thirty fucking years. I survived a direct hit by a plane, suicidal overdoses, STDs. I've been accused of attempted murder. Then I almost died while riding over a bump on a quad bike at fucking two miles per hour.

"People ask me how come I'm still alive, and I don't know what to say. When I was growing up, if you'd have put me up against a wall with the other kids from my street and asked me which one of us was gonna make it to the age of 60, which one of us would end up with five kids and four grandkids and houses in Buckinghamshire and Beverly Hills, I wouldn't have put money on me, no fucking way. But here I am: ready to tell my story, in my own words, for the first time.

"A lot of it ain't gonna be pretty. I've done some bad things in my time. I've always been drawn to the dark side, me. But I ain't the devil. I'm just John Osbourne: a working class kid from Aston, who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time."

Publisher Antonia Hodgson called the book "fantastic," adding that it was "very much in the tone of his voice, very funny and a very full story."

Ozzy did a cover shoot for the book on June 17.

A U.S. publication date has yet to be announced.

Ozzy's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, published her own best-selling memoir in 2005, called "Extreme: My Autobiography". A second volume was rushed out in 2008 after Ozzy's book was delayed.

Ozzy is working on a new album that he expects to release next year.

Finland's HardcoreSounds.net conducted an interview (see below) with guitarist Rob Arnold and bassist Jim LaMarca of Cleveland's CHIMAIRA before the band's September 22 concert at Nosturi in Helsinki. Also available is video footage of the actual performance.

CHIMAIRA rhythm guitarist Matt DeVries is sitting out the remainder of the band's European tour so that he can be home in time for the birth of his son. Filling in for him for the rest of the European dates is Emil Werstler of DAATH.

DeVries will be back on stage with CHIMAIRA for the band's U.S. tour with TRIVIUM, which kicks off on October 29.

Commented Matt: "This is going to be one of the happiest moments of my life and I want to thank the fans for understanding my absence. Emil is one of the most talented guitarists I have ever jammed with and I am fully confident he will do a fantastic job filling in. I'll be back on stage riffing in a few weeks."

CHIMAIRA will play its tenth annual Christmas show on December 27 at the House of Blues in the band's hometown.

The band will embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in January 2010. Support on the trek will come from DOUBLE DRAGON. This will be CHIMAIRA's first headlining Australian tour, having previously played the country as a support act for IN FLAMES, BIOHAZARD and KORN.

Interview:



Performance:

Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, who currently resides in Hollywood, California, recently conducted an interview with original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Watch the chat below.

In other news, Frehley will perform the U.S. national anthem on October 4 when the Kansas City Chiefs play the New York Giants at Arrowhead stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Frehley's new solo album, "Anomaly", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also landed at No. 20 in Sweden and No. 52 in Germany.

In addition to the standard CD release, unique "Anomaly" packages were made available at Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations. The Wal-Mart version includes an Ace autographed tattoo while the Best Buy edition is printed on silver stock, like the KISS "Double Platinum" album.

Released on September 15 via Ace's own Bronx Born Records, with Rocket Science providing a full label service platform in the U.S., "Anomaly" was produced and recorded in Westchester County, New York between 2007 and 2009 and was mixed in Los Angeles.

Frehley last year spent time on the road fronting a band that featured second guitarist Derrek Hawkins, drummer Scot Coogan (ex-BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION) and bassist Anthony Esposito (ex-LYNCH MOB).