Steve Wildsmith of The Daily Times recently conducted an interview with drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the stereotypes associated with playing extreme music:

"We get that whole stereotype not just from fans, but from our families, too. People expect us to be sacrificing things and worshipping the devil and all of that stuff. My mother-in-law told me, 'I don't understand — why do you have to play this kind of music?' I told her that if I didn't play it, I'd probably be a pretty big (jerk).

"It's cathartic for us as much as it is the fans. It helps quell those inner demons that would get released some other way. But on the bus at night, we're just like everybody else — we sit around and laugh and watch TV and drink a couple of beers. We're just normal guys, but we've got a hell of a job."

On LAMB OF GOD's early years:

"There wasn't a band out there that we set out to be like. We're influenced by many, many bands, but we never sat down to say, 'We want to sound like this band.' Mark [Morton, guitar] plays in a country band when he's home; John [Campbell, bass] is really into bands like RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS; Randy [Blythe, vocals] is an old-school punk guy. So there are a lot of things that come to the table when we sit down to make a record, but we've never tried to sound like one thing or another."

On playing with his brother Willie, who is one of LAMB OF GOD's guitarists:

"I've had that chemistry with my brother for a very long time, but we all have been doing this for so long that we really do function as one now. We have that sixth sense, almost, where we know what each other is going to do before we do it. And as we continue to get to know each other better, we get better at what we do."

On the band's commercial success:

"The late 1990s and early 2000s were really full of a lot of commercial or gimmick-laden music products, and I think we've always kind of based what we wanted to do on that late-1980s speed metal vibe. Certainly, none of us have ever expected this kind of attention or results or success, if you will. I think what happened is that we were doing something different when a lot of music wasn't very good, and when people got sick of the fake reality-star music and the pendulum swung back around to real music, we were standing tall and proud."

On alternating between tours — opening for metal icons METALLICA one week and taking side jaunts with shock-rockers and fellow Richmond band GWAR on the side:

"With METALLICA, they have the luxury of being able to play for a week on, then take a week off, so during that week off we've created this secondary tour with GWAR to keep making the doughnuts, so to speak. With GWAR, we come from the same town, and we're all literally good friends. In 2000, when we put out our first album, they took us on our very first venue tour.

"We had played a few places, but our first record had just been released, and I think it sold 60 copies in the first week. Nobody knew who we were and nobody cared, so now we keep that tradition going — not that GWAR needs our help, but because it's fun and they're a good group of guys."

Read more from The Daily Times.

A new FOZZY track entitled "Let The Madness Begin" is available for streaming below. The song will appear on the band's new album, "Chasing the Grail", which is scheduled for release on January 19, 2010 via Australia's Riot! Entertainment.

FOZZY guitarist Rich Ward (who is also a member of STUCK MOJO) recently told Metal As Fuck about "Chasing the Grail", "It's about the search for something we all ultimately want in life — which is purpose. The grander answers; not stuff like, how am I gonna make it this month? How am I gonna pay my rent? How am I going to get my kids to soccer practice on time? It's a look at the grander scheme of things. It's asking, what am I supposed to do?

"A lot of people go to prayer or meditation or whatever their comfort zones are when they look for those sorts of things. But then there are people that do not. They go through their whole life not caring about those sorts of things. They never have those moments of introspection asking, 'Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? What talents and skills and gifts do I have and how do I focus those to be the best that I can be?' That's what the song is about, the quest for that. We thought it was a great constant theme for the album."

On the new album's musical direction, he said, "It's not easy to write songs like [the new track 'New Day's Dawn', which is said to feature orchestral strings and gothic vocal touches]. It's easy to write the big riffs, you know, the faster, huge grooves and stuff. That's what I'm good at. Chris [Jericho, vocals] is great at the aggressive, 'yeah yeah yeah!' kind of vocals. You really try to write a little bit outside of your comfort zone because it's nice to mix it up a bit. I mean, you don't want to do a whole album like that because as a fan, it's always nice to have your comfort stuff; something familiar — like mac 'n' cheese. But once in a while, as a side item, you want to try something new and interesting. I mean, if you put out the same album as before, fans have a tendency to say, 'This isn't anything new,' while if you do something completely different, fans are upset about that too. There's a fine line you have to walk between deviating from the course and staying on it."

"Chasing The Grail" track listing:

01. Under Blackened Skies
02. Martyr No More
03. Watch Me Shine
04. Broken Soul
05. Let The Madness Begin
06. Paraskavedekatriaphobia (Friday The 13th)
07. God Pounds His Nails
08. Pray For Blood
09. Grail
10. Revival
11. New Day's Dawn
12. Wormwood

"Martyr No More" features a special guest guitar solo by ANNIHILATOR's Jeff Waters.

HeavyHell.com recently conducted an interview with former SONIC SYNDICATE vocalist Roland Johansson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

HeavyHell.com: Why did you leave [SONIC SYNDICATE]?

Roland Johansson: I just love the time when you are on stage. But there are so many things that are included being in a band. Things that people never get to see and can't understand. I just found that that kind of life wasn't for me. All of the time you spend going in the tour bus in between the gigs, it gets quite tiresome. This all depends on what kind of person you are of course and were you are in life. I never became friend with the tour bus life. I just need to have some solid ground to stand on. It was really hard for me to find a meaningful way to spend my spare time in between the gigs. The fact of being away from home and your loved ones made it less satisfying. Some turn to fluid sources of inspiration, if you know what I mean. So I just decided that I didn't want to have that kind of life anymore. But also I just want to say that I'm a lucky guy that have had the opportunity to experience this that so few people ever will. I am satisfied with what I have accomplished in SONIC SYNDICATE. Now I have other fish to fry.

HeavyHell.com: You have met Nathan [J. Biggs, Roland's replacement in SONIC SYNDICATE], what do you think of him?

Roland Johansson: Yeah, I have met him. I think he is a really nice guy and will fit right in with SONIC SYNDICATE. You know he really was into SONIC SYNDICATE before he joined the band. I guess it was a good thing that we got to meet and he got the chance to talk to me as well before I left.

HeavyHell.com: Have you heard the new SONIC SYNDICATE material?

Roland Johansson: Sure I have heard two new songs. "Burn This City" sound a little bit different but I guess it's better to develop things a bit rather than just trying to make it sound exactly the same. It is hard for me to be objective. I start to think; I would have done it different in this or that way. But I guess everybody into music does the same thing with other peoples music.

HeavyHell.com: So what are you up to?

Roland Johansson: You know I stood you up on an earlier occasion, the reason was that I wanted to check before I went public. I got a really interesting thing coming up. Me and Jesper Strömblad from IN FLAMES are going to do a record together and that's what I have been doing lately. So I can assure you all that there will be some kick ass stuff coming along. The plan is to record the album in the beginning of next year.

HeavyHell.com: Do you have any project name for it yet?

Roland Johansson: Well we have a few, just haven't figured out which one yet.

HeavyHell.com: What will it sound like?

Roland Johansson: Well... You know the stuff I have been doing in SONIC SYNDICATE and Jesper Strömblad being a part of IN FLAMES will give you a hint. To be honest with you we don't really know exactly how it will turn out yet. It's too fresh, you know. It won't be just screams, that's for sure. No melody and I get bored. You just have to wait and see.

HeavyHell.com: Do you have plans on taking it out on the road?

Roland Johansson: Sure, we will perform live, not being out on the road like SONIC SYNDICATE, 'cause that's why I quit, you know, but we will definitely play live.

Read the entire interview from HeavyHell.com.

FLYLEAF has released a new webisode featuring the bandmembers talking about the meaning behind their new album title, "Memento Mori", the songwriting process, and recording with producer Howard Benson. Watch it below.

"Memento Mori" is scheduled for release on November 10 via A&M/Octone. For the follow-up to the band's hit 2005 self-titled debut, the band again teamed with Benson, who 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

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."

"Follow The Water", the new video from the British quintet ARCHITECTS, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's most recent album, "Hollow Crown", which was produced by John D. Mitchell (BRING ME THE HORIZON, ENTER SHIKARI).

ARCHITECTS recently completed a highly successful North American trek alongside EVERY TIME I DIE and BRING ME THE HORIZON.

"Hollow Crown" was released in Europe on January 26 in the U.S. and Canada on February 10 via Century Media Records.

ARCHITECTS made its live debut on American soil as part of last year's "Cleansing The Nation" tour alongside Century Media labelmates SUICIDE SILENCE, EMMURE, BENEATH THE MASSACRE and AFTER THE BURIAL.

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

"Just in time for the holidays, I have agreed to continue the Dave Mustaine line of coffee from Net Worth Coffee Brokers. I believe that they are going to just be doing the Christmas blend, but I have always loved this coffee and I am hoping that they will do the whole line again.

"You can inform them to have the different flavors again, if you so desire.

"I cannot wait to get home and have some of my own coffee. Unless you have traveled the world, and experienced how badly certain countries and certain coffee chains can ruin a cup of coffee, you may not know how bad people ruin this simple drink. It is beyond me.

"Water, fire, coffee beans. What is so hard about that?

"Thank God for Pam's [Dave's wife] coffee company.

"Anyway, I hope that you will be able to get all of the flavors that you liked, and if they decide to just put out the Christmas blend, then that is great by me too.

"Thanks to Net Worth Coffee Brokers for continuing to pursue me as a endorser, and I am really encouraged to bring the Droogs [MEGADETH fans] who also have gotten to taste this coffee a chance to purchase it again and to help contribute to the charities that we are going to support this time.
"We were able to send a lot of support to many different charities in the form of financial assistance to the Door Of Faith orphanage for their water pump, and the quality product itself for others, most notably an over 100 lb. shipment of small bags of coffee to the fallen or seriously injured police officers in Arizona where I used to live."

Veteran German hard rockers SCORPIONS recently spent time in the studio with Swedish producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen (the team behind THE RASMUS' "Dead Letters" CD) recording their new album for an early 2010 release.

"We are working on 12 songs at the moment," guitarist Mathias Jabs tells Scorps News. "Great stuff. Definitely 'Scorpionized' in sound and attitude. More towards the early Eighties."

Although SCORPIONS' new CD is tentatively due in Europe in March, a U.S. release date has yet to be pinned down. "Azoff Management [which represents SCORPIONS] is currently working on the [record] deal," Jabs says. "Simultaneous release is up to the record companies."

He adds, "The weak dollar has been a reason to delay the U.S. release in order to avoid bad imports in the 'rest' of the world, for all non-American bands in recent years."

SCORPIONS recently extended their record deal with Ariola, which is part of the international media conglomerate Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

The band's latest CD, "Humanity - Hour 1", was produced by James Michael and co-produced by songwriter/producer Desmond Child, who has worked with such high-profile pop/rock artists as AEROSMITH, BON JOVI, ALICE COOPER, KISS, RICKY MARTIN, CHER, MICHAEL BOLTON and BONNIE TYLER.

SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker released his official German-language autobiography, "Rock Your Life", in Germany on October 14. An English-language version is also planned. More details will be revealed soon.

SCORPIONS took part in a special concert, dubbed "A Night To Remember", on October 2 at the Grugahalle in Essen, Germany, with special guests, former members/guitarists Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker.

Check out photos at this location.

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson will "talk life, music and cars" with Nicky Horne of the U.K.-based digital radio station Planet Rock this Sunday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. (U.K. time). Johnson will discuss his new book, "Rockers & Rollers: An Automotive Autobiography" — a life story told through the cars that he's owned. And for the next two weeks, starting on Monday, October 19 at 10:00 p.m., you will be able to hear Brian reading excerpts from his book during Nicky's show.

A posting on the Planet Rock web site reads: "This is a must-hear — Brian is a truly brilliant storyteller and his book is an absolute hoot, recalling stories from his youth in Tyneside all the way to the heady days of rock n roll excess."

To listen to the program live via the Internet, go to this location.

Johnson admitted in a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine that he has been considering retirement following the band's current world tour. Johnson revealed, "We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, 'We're finishing in May (2010) and that's me done!' But Malcolm (Young, rhythm guitarist) said, 'What are you talkin' about? We're not gonna let you retire!' And now they're talking about next year. I'm going, 'What do you mean next year? We're finishing in May in Japan, I'll be tired!' And they said: 'Well, we've been offered some festivals . . .'"

Johnson, who's 62 years old, says he remains loyal to the band but admits it's getting harder as time goes by: "It's not me -- it's just my age. I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band . . . The other lads are in their early 50s. I'm the old dog in the regiment. It's a purely selfish thing. I don't want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don't want for people to see me on stage and say, 'Oh, poor old fucker, the band's carrying him!'"

The singer, who replaced the late Bon Scott in 1980, does say he's feeling good and enjoying the current "Black Ice" tour, adding, "It never gets boring. They're just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the fuck! You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"

Fan-filmed video footage of CANNIBAL CORPSE performing the song "I Cum Blood" on October 13, 2009 in Milan, Italy can be viewed below.

Photos of the sold-out concert at Club Alcatraz are available on the news blog Musica Metal.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Evisceration Plague
02. The Time To Kill is Now
03. Disfigured
04. Death Walking Terror
05. I Cum Blood
06. Fucked With A Knife
07. Sentenced To Burn
08. Evidence In The Furnace
09. The Wretched Spawn
10. Scalding Hail
11. Make Them Suffer
12. Pit Of Zombies
13. Shatter Their Bones
14. Vomit The Soul
15. Priests of Sodom
16. Unleashing The Bloodthirsty
17. A Skull Full Of Maggots
18. Hammer Smashed Face
19. Stripped, Raped & Strangled

CANNIBAL CORPSE kicked off the European Plague Tour earlier this month with direct support from DYING FETUS. On the mainland, the package is completed by EVOCATION and OBSCURA, while TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED and ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY will support the bands in the U.K.

As previously reported, CANNIBAL CORPSE issued a limited-edition 96-page comic book exclusively at the Hot Topic booth on this past summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Drawn entirely by Vince Locke, who illustrated the acclaimed graphic novel "A History of Violence" and each of the band's album covers, the "Evisceration Plague" comic graphically depicts a story for every song on the band's album of the same name — arranged in order, no less. As an added bonus, each copy comes with a copy of the album.

Due to unforeseen personal matters, the third leg of DEF LEPPARD's North American tour, set to begin on October 22, has been cancelled.

"We know how truly blessed we are to have such committed fans," said the band in a statement. "That's why we've agonized over this decision. Even if just a single concert, we don't take cancelling shows lightly, but unfortunately life's commitments need to be the priority."

Ticket refunds are available at the point of purchase.

DEF LEPPARD recently released deluxe editions of its classic albums "Pyromania" and "Adrenalize". The albums feature never-before-released B-sides and live recordings as well as nine Top 10 singles from the legendary rock band. The deluxe edition of "Pyromania" features a 15-track live show recorded at The Forum in Los Angeles in 1983. The deluxe edition of "Adrenalize" features demo tracks, live tracks and acoustic tracks.

Norwegian journalist Kristin Winsents, who was threatened with bodily harm by Dave Mustaine after she published an interview with the MEGADETH mainman focusing primarily on his brief tenure as the guitarist in METALLICA, has posted the following message in the "comments" section below the most recent BLABBERMOUTH.NET/Mustaine article: (Note: Kristin has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that she did, in fact, post this message herself.)

"Dear Dave Mustaine,

"I am very sorry that I disgust you. I am a big fan of your new album, and I have great respect for you as the undisputed leader of one of the most successful metal bands of all time. However, I will not stand for threats, and I find it sad that a 48-year-old man with 30 years of media experience tries to put the blame for his own words on me.

"I did not force you to talk about METALLICA.

"You want to see the whole interview? You are more than welcome. I am sorry to inform you, though, that it will blow your perception of me asking questions about METALLICA. Because I did not."

Meanwhile, Norwegian journalist Asbjørn Slettemark, who works with Kristin at the Norwegian broadcaster NRK's weekly pop music show "Lydverket", has posted the following message on the program's official blog:

"This story [referring to Winsents' original report] is about old times as well as the excellent 'Endgame'.

"Kristin went to the interview with the intention of talking a lot about 'Endgame', an album she had 'twittered' enthusiastically about since hearing 'Head Crusher' for the first time. It was Dave Mustaine who started talking about METALLICA, religion, pot dealing etc.

"To the people who claim that Mustaine was 'manipulated' by 'Lydverket', remember that Dave Mustaine has been in the limelight for almost three decades, [and] he knows the game. And if you've heard Kristin on NRK P3, seen her on 'Lydverket' TV, or read some of the stuff she's written the last two decades, you know she's not a tabloid, scandal-seeking kind of journalist. I don't even have to defend her; she's hands down one of the best and most thorough music journalists around here.

"Having said that: I seriously don't understand why this interview has caused so much spectacle, and I'm especially in the dark on why Mustaine himself is so pissed. He comes across as articulate, funny, honest, ambitious, and FAR more driven than most younger and older metal musicians.

"We'll get back to the rest of the interview next week; it's a great piece of journalism about a true metal legend.

"Stay tuned, people."

Norwegian mainstream media coverage of Mustaine / Kristin Winsents exchange:

Kristin Winsents:

Asbjørn Slettemark:

Pat Prince of Powerline A.D. recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

Powerline A.D.: Do you find being an entrepreneur exciting? I mean, it's a pretty exciting thing, having your own apparel and having other different projects going on.

Rob Halford: It is, yeah, and I don't lay claim to all of that because a lot of it is by this wonderful team of people that I work with. There are very few of us that can get to where we get to without the support and the dedication of other people. That's certainly the case with my primary focus of work with PRIEST, of course. That's the band that leads in my life and always will. With my solo activities, it's all the great people who work over at the offices in Phoenix, and Marc Sasso, my designer for the apparel company in New York. It's all great, you know, everybody's connected and everybody has the same type of enthusiasm and confidence and all the optimistic things I seek from people.

Powerline A.D.: It can be challenging for a creative person to get into the business and legal side of things.

Rob Halford: More importantly now with all the constant stealing and thievery that surrounds us, sadly. You know, Gene (Simmons) was talking about the new KISS record the other day, saying that it's still very simple: you're stealing from people and that's illegal. And then the big debate starts and then we go back to Lars (of METALLICA) and Napster and all this kind of thing, but it's still ongoing. So you need to protect yourself. You need to surround yourself by the right legal language. And before you know it you have an entrepreneur in your title as well, but it's important. I find myself more than ever to be at a wonderful point in my life. 58. I'm still a singer for one of the world's greatest metal bands with PRIEST. I've got my solo activities, my record company, the clothing line. So things are wonderful and I'm out having a blast.

Powerline A.D.: And it makes perfect sense for you to have your own apparel. You've always successfully connected fashion and image to music.

Rob Halford: Yeah, it is important. Again, a lot of people cite PRIEST as the inventors of the look and the sound of metal, and I think we'll take that, you know. It's an important part of what people know about the metal world. What I'm doing recently with this initial launch — with the tried and trusty t-shirts — is a step in that direction. I don't know where it will end up. We may just stay in this particular avenue but ... it's all based on the feedback. No matter what you do, in whatever career or business you run — if the support is there and the growth is there then your ideas start to move forward.

Powerline A.D.: I think it can create a buzz, especially with the fans. I can remember when I was a kid — and we were already into PRIEST — but we would go down to the newsstand to see what Rob Halford was wearing or what PRIEST was wearing. You know, the image created a buzz as well as the music.

Rob Halford: Those are... I was going to say those were the good old days. You know, the one thing I pride myself on is that I haven't turned into a cynical, bitter old man, which is very easy to become in rock n' roll. Just by virtue of living for fifty-eight years. But I don't feel that way, and the point that you raised... I know that it's just as important to the fans of new metal bands or whomever it may be. Nowadays, they don't have to go down to the corner newsstand. You just log onto to the internet and it's there for everybody to enjoy instantaneously. We live in a world of instant gratification, as you know, now. So the excitement and the buzz is to some extent more difficult to sustain, don't you think?

Powerline A.D.: Did you ever have it in the back of your mind to do your own apparel?

Rob Halford: No, I hadn't. To be perfectly honest it was out of ideas that started to be discussed when we launched Metal God Entertainment about a year ago — the platform for Metal God Entertainment. We are very slowly but methodically laying out this platform, providing projects that become real and go out into the world. At the moment — with the record company that goes through Metal God Entertainment — we've shown the ability to make really good quality product, and initially a lot of it has been on the reissues of the HALFORD and FIGHT stuff. But it was important just to let people see and feel and touch and go "Yeah, well, Rob's doing it. He's talking about it, but here's the real thing. I'm holding it in Best Buy"... or wherever. So, that's great. It's all very real ambitions that are coming to life. And, so, just one of the things that came out of that about a year ago was "What do we all feel about opportunities we can explore with clothing ideas" and we were like "Do we want to?, is it worth it?, the economy sucks." But we just said let's go ahead slowly and steadily and see what we could put together. And we just got excited when the designs and the ideas started to come forward, and we thought, "C'mon, let's see what happens." You never know what's going to happen with an idea until you lay it out to everybody. The initial feedback's been great. I just had a really crazy day in New York ... flew in and out of New York and had like 15 hours of intense grilling by people in the clothing industry and they were all very cool. They didn't kind of push me to one side. I think the fashion world is very much like the music industry — or film industry — something new is happening all the time. That's America. That's the dream. That's why I love this country. And even though we are going through the recession there is still light at the end of the tunnel. We haven't stopped. All the creative people haven't gone "Let's forget everything. Let's just stop and wait til things turn around." You can't do that. Everybody's working hard in all portions of life — whether you are in the auto industry that seems to be somewhat surviving or the record industry ... everybody's in a struggle together. But we all need to keep the ideas coming. So, that was the philosophy that we had with just moving ahead with Metal God Apparel.

Read the entire interview from Powerline A.D.

Dave Mustaine has elaborated further on what appeared to be a thinly veiled threat against a Norwegian journalist for publishing an interview (see video below) with the MEGADETH mainman that focused primarily on his brief tenure as the guitarist in METALLICA.

In a post on MEGADETH's official forum from early this morning (Friday, October 16), Mustaine wrote regarding the "Lydverket" interview, "These people are scum. Don't listen to their interviews, don't buy their shit magazine, don't go to their pathetic garbage website. And stand by, because as soon as I see that interviewer again, I am going to put him in a hospital. That is a promise. I will find him too."

The journalist in question — Kristin Winsents, who is actually a female — laughed off Mustaine's reaction to her report and said that she was not intimidated by his threats.

"The fact that he doesn't even remember that the interview was conducted by a woman tells me that he doesn't remember the circumstances very well at all," Winsents said.

"I did my best in following the restrictions put forth by the record label prior to the interview, which included not mentioning his METALLICA past. However, he was the one who brought this up," she said, adding, "Frankly, when you have been an artist for more than 30 years, you should know how an interview setting works. I'm a journalist, not a member of his fan club."

Responding to Winsents' comments, Mustaine once again took to MEGADETH's official forum to make the following statement:

"You have got to be kidding! As if there aren't enough stupid people in the world.

"Now I have some 'thing' reading my post in my forum from me — a guy who is notoriously a wise guy (since she doesn't seem very bright, I'll give you a clue — I mean me), AND I PURPOSELY SAID 'GUY' FOR A REASON, SO THIS SELF-CENTERED SCRIBE would say, 'Well he has got to be joking, because I am (maybe not) a girl.'

"Did you think I was going to like it? Deep down inside, are you that mean-spirited that you had to do this to me? DO we REALLY need one more person asking me about [METALLICA], or do we really need one more person to jump on me?

"Oh yeah, we wouldn't have you in our fanclub: even MEGADETH has standards.

"Instead, you insult someone who is reasonably smart, and say I don't remember you were a girl. And people wonder why I want to have my interviews monitored; because of assholes who keep asking the [METALLICA] questions. You show the clip that says, 'I am tired of being second,' and then you cleverly cut to 'Crush 'Em' and play the line that says, 'You'll never be more than second best?'

"You disgust me!

"Besides not being very clever, being an instigator, and just plain not very smart, you can now add 'gullible' to the litany of tabloid rag journalism credits you've amassed over your illustrious career (NOT!). Oh, by the way, if those credits mattered before, they don't matter anymore now that you are just a trash novelist.

"When you have credits in the USA, then you will matter to me.

"And while you're at it, why don't you put the entire interview up, so that people can see that I said that I don't want to answer it; so that people will see just how you really are. Just disgraceful! I hope you don't have any children that will follow in your claw prints.

"That was a long interview and you cut it up for your own benefit. You didn't play one note of our new record. Nothing. Am I supposed to say, 'Wow, what a funny bitch?'

"We were promoting our new record 'Endgame', since you probably don't know the name of it (add to list of several billion things you don't know) and you didn't say shit about it. NOTHING.

"Did you think that I came all the way to Germany and the UK to sit down and have you try to humiliate me? What the fuck is wrong with you???

"Shame on you and shame on your shitty style — OR LACK THEREOF. More like shame on whoever gave you anything better than a dismissive wave and a parting gift.

"The problem, is, NOW I really am pissed, and YESTERDAY I was joking.

"And frankly, if you are a noteworthy journalist, host or presenter I feel sorry for the good people of Norway.

"In closing, I am not going to put you in the hospital, since you clearly don't know that it was a JOKE (and I do know you were/are a female). Frankly, I wouldn't even slap you, because shit splatters."

****UPDATE***: Around 50 minutes after posting the above statement, Mustaine wrote the following message on the MEGADETH forum:

"Now that I am awake, I have had a chance to think about what I have said and I have handled this wrong.

"I was deeply offended by what I saw in an interview yesterday, and I posted something. I made a mistake saying something.

"I read the journalist's reply, and I am glad she laughed it off, and I wanted to delete my previous post this morning, but not until I wrote this.

"Kristin, we will never be friends, but thank you for not taking this serious."

"Lydverket" is the Norwegian broadcaster NRK's weekly pop music show.

Pictured below are Kristin Winsents and Dave Mustaine on the day the interview was conducted — August 7, 2009 at the Langham Hotel in London, England.

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry has told MTV News that the band is effectively off the road (they have a pair of Hawaiian gigs slated for this weekend) while he continues to focus on promoting his new solo album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel".

"Well, from where I sit, and from the latest I have heard from the other guys ... I talk to the three guys probably every week or 10 days or so, because we have a couple of gigs left to do. We're gonna be on indefinite hiatus, I think, at this point," Perry said. "We need some time apart. For myself, it's worked out great, because I've got this project going, and I'm getting all kinds of offers to do things I would normally have to turn down. ... Being in charge of the ship, I can say, 'Well, we're not going to work that night. I'm gonna go do this show.'

"I think that AEROSMITH needs some time apart to get back into the same headspace of making the record," he continued. "We need to do a great studio record, and I want to do with an A-list producer. ... I think we need some space at this point. That's from me. You'll have to ask everybody else and ask Steven [Tyler, vocals] what he thinks, but that's where I'm at."

MANOWAR will embark on the "Death To Infidels World Tour 2010" in January. The band's first world trek since 1998 is sure to be a grand testament to one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. Don't miss the chance to see MANOWAR in all of its glory as it takes up the reins for its first globe-trotting assault in more than a decade.

Tickets for the first two shows in Germany are already on sale:

Jan. 18 - Fürth, Germany - Stadthalle
Jan. 31 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium

This is the first time MANOWAR goes on an indoor tour of Germany since 2007. Add to this up-and-coming Magic Circle Music artists HOLYHELL and METALFORCE and the "Death To Infidels World Tour 2010" is sure to be one of the "don't-miss" spectacles of the New Year.

Tickets can be purchased through the The Kingdom Of Steel web site for 65 euros (all fees AND shipping included!!!).

And, for those who are thirsting to drink from the pool of molten metal that is filled with the blood, sweat and tears of MANOWAR in honor of their fans... then PROST! The "Death To Infidels World Tour 2010" "Ultimate Fan Pass"... is also on sale now... for a very limited number of 50 per show!

Each "Ultimate Fan Pass" includes:

* Admittance into the MANOWAR show of your choice during the "Death To Infidels World Tour 2010"
* "Ultimate Fan Pass" complete with laminate and lanyard
* Early admission into the venue
* Photo with MANOWAR right before the show
* Soundcheck experience (with MANOWAR present whenever possible)
* "Death To Infidels World Tour 2010" T-Shirt
* Personalized, autographed MANOWAR signature card
* Watch the show from the pit!

Priceless for any metal fan... but for MANOWAR's "Ultimate Fans"... Only 150 euros! Limited number of 50 "Ultimate Fan Passes" available per show!

MANOWAR's long-awaited new DVD in the "Hell On Earth" series is due on November 27. "Hell On Earth V" will cover MANOWAR's recent world tours including Germany, Norway, Spain, Finland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, USA and Canada. It will feature live performances of old and new classics such as "Gloves Of Metal", "The Crown And The Ring", "Hand Of Doom", "Hymn Of The Immortal Warrior", "Father", "God Or Man" and many others.

Commented Johnson: "Picking up where the Earthshaker left off.... 'Hell On Earth V' covers the amazing 'Demons Dragons & Warriors Tour' complete with onstage Vikings and all the craziness that happens behind the scenes of a MANOWAR show.

"I have done my best to show new and classic songs never captured on camera before, including the much-requested 'Mountains' and songs from the new EP, 'Thunder In The Sky'. It will be a step above 'Hell On Earth IV' in quality and spectacle."

"Father", the first song released from MANOWAR's new EP, "Hammer Of The Gods", was recorded in 16 languages and was included as a bonus CD with the band's new EP, "Thunder In The Sky".

MANOWAR's new album, "Hammer Of The Gods", which is the first installment of "The Asgard Saga", the band's unique multimedia fantasy adventure with best-selling author Wolfgang Hohlbein, is tentatively due before the end of the year.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

The first three shows on drummer Jason Bonham's (LED ZEPPELIN, UFO, FOREIGNER) "An Evening With Jason Bonham" mini-tour have been cancelled due to singer Kelly Keeling (BATON ROUGE, MICHAEL SCHENKER) falling ill:

Oct. 14 - Revolution Live - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Oct. 15 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
Oct. 16 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL

Commented Bonham: "I feel so bad for everyone that turned up and didn't know but we wanted to give Kelly all the time he needed to make sure he could or couldn't sing. We all have worked so hard the past week. I can only say it will only make it better. I hope we can be real ready for California in two weeks."

Remaining "An Evening With Jason Bonham" dates:

Oct. 29 - Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Oct. 30 - The Canyon - Agoura Hills, CA

In addition to Keeling, Bonham's backing band includes bassist Francesco DiCosmo alongside guitarists Ian Hatton and Tony Catania.

Bonham was interviewed this past Monday morning (October 12) on the "Mark And Brian" show on the Southern California rock station 95.5 KLOS. The chat is available for streaming using the audio player below.

According to Classic Rock magazine, Bonham is doing these gigs by way of tribute to Daniel MacMaster, the Canadian frontman who sang on the two albums from BONHAM (1989's "The Disregard Of Timekeeping" and 1992's "Mad Hatter"). MacMaster died on March 16, 2008, from a Group A streptococcal infection. He was 39 years old.

Jason explained: "Tragically, Daniel passed away and I always regretted the fact that I didn't do more for him during his lifetime. Just like myself, Daniel struggled with his addictions so that's something I know all about.

"2009 is the 20th anniversary of 'The Disregard Of Timekeeping', so I [wanted] to pay tribute to what was a great period in all our lives. Whether anything new will come out of it, I don't know. It's all about having fun."

Jason Bonham interviewed on "Mark And Brian" show (click on player below to launch audio):

DOKKEN and LYNCH MOB (featuring former DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch) will share the stage for the first time ever in November. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Nov. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Nov. 29 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA

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).

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford was a guest on the October 7, 2009 edition of the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn. The program is now available for streaming at this location.

"Wicked Wonderland", the first album in 15 years from Lita Ford, sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (Note: Internet/digital sales **ARE** included in the SoundScan totals.) The CD landed at position No. 31 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart.

"Wicked Wonderland" was released in Europe on October 2 via earMUSIC/Edel. The set was issued in the U.S. on October 6 through Lita's own JLRG Entertainment label as a regular CD and limited-edition vinyl with different artwork.

In an "innovative" music marketing move, Ford released a single from "Wicked Wonderland" on Stockroom.com, the world's leading fetish site. It is believed to be the first time a relatively high-profile music release has been launched through a web site catering to the alternative fetish lifestyle.

"Wicked Wonderland"'s erotic song "Bed", which explores themes of bondage, kink and power exchange in a strong and highly artistic style, was made available exclusively on Stockroom.com prior to the album's release.

"My husband Jim Gillette and I have carved out our own path to develop a wonderful and close family life," said Lita. "Though we're a long-married couple, we both have very active imaginations, including being kinky with each other, and that's what this album is about. It's sort of a sexual autobiography. We've partnered up with Stockroom.com because it's our favorite outfitter for kink products."

While previewing "Bed", fans of Lita and Stockroom are also able to view and order from "Lita's Collection", a special selection of some of the fetish gear that Lita and Jim have enjoyed, along with her personal choice of Syren latex fashion styles.

The U.K. branch of Roadrunner Records recently conducted an interview with vocalist Sharon den Adel of the Dutch symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION. Watch the chat below.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's new live album, "An Acoustic Night At The Theatre", will be released on October 30 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and November 2 in the rest of Europe. The CD will contain a brand new song called "Utopia" as well as acoustic live tracks that were recorded during the band's sold-out theater tour in November 2008. "These were very special concerts, as we added an acoustic set to our live show, making our show more intimate," the group says. "Besides this we used film projections emphasizing the great theatre ambiance."

"An Acoustic Night At The Theatre" track listing:

01. Towards The End
02. Stand My Ground
03. Caged
04. All I Need
05. Frozen
06. Somewhere (feat. Anneke van Giersbergen)
07. The Cross
08. Pale
09. What Have You Done (feat. Keith Caputo)
10. Memories
11. Forgiven
12. Utopia (feat. Chris Jones)

On October 23, WITHIN TEMPTATION will release a new single containing the "Utopia" track, which is a duet between Sharon den Adel and Chris Jones. The single will also contain "Restless", recorded live at WITHIN TEMPTATION's 2007 show in Eindhoven, Holland.

WITHIN TEMPTATION states: "In April next year we will be doing a rerun of [the acoustic] tour, where we will be doing this particular show for the last time. After that, we will prepare ourselves for the new album, new show, etc."

Sharon den Adel and WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt welcomed their second child, Robin Aiden Westerholt, on June 1. The couple also has a three-year old daughter named Eva Luna den Adel.

WITHIN TEMPTATION released a double-DVD, titled "Black Symphony", on September 22, 2008. It is also available as a double-CD.

"Apokathilosis", the new video from Greek old-school thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Sanctify The Darkness", which will be released on November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Sanctify The Darkness" track listing:

01. Bloodthirsty
02. The Pestilence Of Saints
03. Inquisition
04. Apokathilosis
05. … Lies
06. No More Than Illusion
07. Atheist
08. Beyond The Laws Of Church
09. Mourning Of The Cursed
10. Dark Abyss (Your Fate Is Colored Black)
11. Child Molester
+ enhanced part (2 video clips)

SUICIDAL ANGELS will support KATAKLYSM on a European tour in January 2010. Also appearing on the bill are BELPHEGOR, DARKEST HOUR and RESISTANCE.

SUICIDAL ANGELS was one of two bands who were awarded record deals with Boomer Entertainment and Nuclear Blast Records as part of a band contest launched by the Austrian management and booking company Rock The Nation.

This unique competition was presented and promoted by all leading European metal magazines, including the German, Italian, Spanish and Greek editions of Metal Hammer; Terrorizer (U.K.); Metallian (France); Scream (Norway); Rock Tribune (Belgium); Spark (Czech Republic); and the Dutch webzine LordsOfMetal.nl.

SUICIDAL ANGELS' debut album, "Eternal Domination", was released in July 2007 via OSM Records.

HYPOCRISY, DARK TRANQUILLITY and SUBWAY TO SALLY are the first confirmed bands for next year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2010 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany.

For more information, go to this location.

"Flamingoes", a brand new song from the Rome, Italy-based band JUGGERNAUT, is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off JUGGERNAUT's debut album, "...Where Mountains Walk", which will be released in November via Subsound Records. The CD was recorded, engineered and mixed by Valerio Fisik at HombreLobo studio in Rome and was mastered by Riccardo Pasini at Studio 73 in Ravenna. The artwork was created by Fabio Paciulli.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Of Snakes and Men
02. Flamingoes
03. Seven Companions and an Empty Chair
04. Ghostface
05. A Fish Called Atlantis
06. Nailscratched
07. Day of the Dances
08. Thank You for not Discussing the Outside World
09. The Bridge and the Shepherd
10. Diario

The CD features guest appearances by the following musicians:

* Marco Soellner (KLIMT 1918)
* Jimmy Bax and Valerio Fisik (INFERNO)
* Andrea Mancianti, Filippo Di Domenico, Giulio Maschio and Lorenzo Gabriele (ZEITLET X-EMBLE)

Commented the band: "We tried to mix flavors of Mediterranean music with grains of metal and hardcore grown on a gray field of doom. Devotion for having things down to a fine art suggested us a careful work of arrangement and filing, so that violence of form could contain a more refined expressivity, giving space to ethnic instruments and original colors. The results we got were extremely rabid and wistful works, dust and snow, overshadowing mountains and the ocean scent."

Brad Savage of Charlottesville, Virginia's 106.1 FM WCNR radio station recently conducted an interview with Kliff McBurtney of BEATALLICA — a satirical mashup act whose hilarious schtick marries the songwriting prowess of THE BEATLES to the deep-throated rock growl of METALLICA. The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

"Hero of the Day Tripper", the new video from the Milwaukee-based band BEATALLICA, can be viewed below. The song comes off BEATALLICA's new album, "Masterful Mystery Tour", which was released on August 4. The CD features 12 tracks, including "The Battery of Jaymz and Yoko" and "I Want to Choke Your Band".

OnMilwaukee.com recently conducted an interview with BEATALLICA guitarist/vocalist Jaymz Lennfield. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

OnMilwaukee.com: How does it feel in BEATALLICA these days? Does the concept still flow easily or do you have to work a little harder to work it?

Jaymz Lennfield: Like any songwriting band, some things regarding songwriting get more difficult the longer you are together. You always want to one-up yourself. A band should always be trying to compose the best material possible; make it interesting, but not too self-indulgent. With BEATALLICA, we really have to be careful to not be lax in what we mash-up. The songs need to sound natural together and seamless when it comes to transitions. It's almost like striving to be Machiavellian; make it seem like the impossible is sort of easy to do ... when in all likelihood, it's really not.

The concepts are plentiful for us as we have good composers in the band. But, eventually, the music is the master. I don't think a song is ever finished. Even some of the older songs on this CD have undergone changes, either lyrically or musically. I'm sure there will be changes in minute details down the road. The listener who is really knowledgeable of both mashed-up sides will get the differences.

OnMilwaukee.com: Do you still have the attention — good and bad — of METALLICA and Sony Music?

Jaymz Lennfield: We'll always have the eyes and ears of Sony and METALLICA on us. Sony is our label partner in Japan and they are releasing the "Masterful" CD in August, as well. Plus, just with all the crazy licensing, it's a never-ending relationship. We don't aim for that to be a battle. The main struggles are with individual licensors of songs. Some of them can be a bit, uh, volatile. The legal, political and personal jive is something I find fascinating. We've definitely learned a lot about many different topics. I speak with someone in the METALLICA camp pretty often, if not a band member himself. Got to hang with them on BEATALLICA's band birthday, April 1, in Paris; that was great. Good to catch up with those guys in person.

Kliff McBurtney interviewed on 106.1 FM WCNR (click on player below to launch audio):

The German edition of Metal Hammer magazine recently conducted an interview with ALICE IN CHAINS members Jerry Cantrell (guitar, vocals) and William DuVall (vocals, guitar). Watch the chat at this location. You can also see it below.

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

"Your Decision" is the second single to be lifted from band's first all-new album in 14 years, titled "Black Gives Way To Blue", which sold 126,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart (behind latest albums from PARAMORE, MARIAH CAREY, BARBRA STREISAND and BREAKING BENJAMIN).

ALICE IN CHAINS took part in "Stripped", Clear Channel Music Group's exclusive in-studio performance series created for artists who thrive on performing without the typical studio and video embellishments. The three-song performance, which was taped on September 9 at the PC Richard & Son Theater in New York City, can be viewed below.

Acoustic versions of the following songs are available:

* "Check My Brain"
* "Your Decision"
* "No Excuses"

ALICE IN CHAINS will perform on the October 30 edition of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien".

ALICE IN CHAINS recruited pop legend Elton John to contribute piano to the CD's title track, which is written in tribute to Staley.

William DuVall had played with his own group, COMES WITH THE FALL, as well as in Jerry Cantrell's solo band, before joining up with ALICE IN CHAINS in 2006.

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

"Revisions", the new album from Woodstock, New York progressive rockers 3, will be aired in its entirety tonight (Friday, October 16) at 9:00 p.m. EST on the South Orange, New Jersey radio station 89.5 FM WSOU. Listeners outside the New York City/North Jersey area can hear the program live via the Internet at www.wsou.net.

"Revisions" is scheduled for release on October 27 via Metal Blade Records.

Commented frontman Joey Eppard: "3 has always been a band apart. We've never been afraid to follow the artistic impulse, whether it has lead us to genre bending progressive experimentation, or, as in the case of 'Revisions', drawn us into a world defined more by melody and lyric than by instrumental prowess.

"It goes without saying that our goal has always been to create a symbiosis between these qualities, but on this record we find the poles have shifted in favor of the singer-songwriter element of what we do.

"This collection taps the rich history of 3 by re-examining some of the earlier songs that made us who we are today. Some of them are known from early live bootlegs, others existed only on cassette and were transferred to the Internet by dedicated fans who somehow dug them up (possibly out of my garage).

"In any event, these are songs that we felt deserved a second chance, a 'revision,' if you will.

"Our passion for music is truly the common thread that binds our diverse body of work!"

3 had its sophomore CD, "The End is Begun", re-released as a digipack in February 2008. The audio CD features the 13 previously released tracks as well as a bonus cut, 3's spin on the classic PINK FLOYD song "See Emily Play", which is track #14 on the audio disc. The bonus DVD features live performances of the songs "Monster", "Bramfatura" and "Amaze Disgrace" (all songs from the band's previous Metal Blade records release "Wake Pig") from the Metal Blade 25th Anniversary show from Worcester, Massachusetts. Production videos of the songs "All that Remains" and "Alien Angel" are also included on the bonus DVD.

3 took part in last year's "Progressive Nation" tour featuring progressive rock legends DREAM THEATER, Sweden's OPETH and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

3's video for the song "All That Remains", which was the first single off "The End Is Begun", can be viewed below. The clip was directed and shot by acclaimed director David Brodsky (GWAR, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, HELMET) and his crew at MyGoodEye. The performance portion of the video took place at the site of a crumbling, abandoned castle usually closed off to film/video crews. However, after hearing THREE's music they had a change of heart, convinced that this band would be the perfect complement to their location.

"The End Is Begun" was mixed by Toby Wright, who has previously worked with ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and FEAR FACTORY, among many others.

Luke of the Charlottesville, Virginia radio station 97.5 3WV recently conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett. The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

METALLICA is in the midst of a North American tour, which stops in Charlottesville, Virginia tomorrow night (Saturday, October 17) and winds down December 12 in San Jose, California. Along the way, the band will make a stop in New York City to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall Fame 25th anniversary concerts at the end of this month.

METALLICA has been playing various songs from its catalogue while in concert this fall. Three years ago, METALLICA thrilled European audiences on a summer tour by playing their entire classic 1986 album "Master Of Puppets" from front to back. From the sound of it, METALLICA would be open to doing something like that again. The Pulse of Radio asked frontman James Hetfield if the band would ever like to play another album in its entirety in concert. "It's pretty important that the fan be involved in that, you know," he said. "It was more of a fan's asking for that than us wanting to do it. You know, that was a pretty important album in our career, so pretty historic for a lot of people and that made sense. But as far as, you know — I'd love to play any and every one of them, but you know, it does really come down to the fans really holding that dear to their heart or not."

METALLICA expects to tour through the end of 2010 before taking a break. The band may start thinking about recording a new album in the second half of 2011. The most recent METALLICA set, "Death Magnetic", came out last year.

Single-song downloads have recently been added to the LiveMetallica.com website. Instead of buying only entire concerts, fans can pick whatever individual songs they want from any concert they choose from.

Kirk Hammett interviewed by Luke of 97.5 3WV (click on player below to launch audio):

"Unconditional Faith", the new video from Swiss hard rock veterans GOTTHARD, will premiere at 7:00 p.m. CET on the band's MySpace page. The clip was shot in Zagreb, Croatia this past summer and it features performance footage filmed inside the boxing ring that was used in the film as well as clips from the actual movie in which box champion Henry Maske plays the title role of Max Schmeling.

"Unconditional Faith" comes off GOTTHARD's new album, "Need To Believe", which has registered the following first-week chart positions:

Switzerland: #1
Germany: #8
Austria: #28
Sweden : #30
Japan: #57

"Need To Believe" was released on September 4 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The CD features the following tracks:

01. Shangri-La
02. Unspoken Words
03. Need To Believe
04. Unconditional Faith
05. I Don't Mind
06. Break Away
07. Don't Let Me Know
08. Right From Wrong
09. I Know, You Know
10. Rebel Soul
11. Tears To Cry

Commented singer Steve Lee: "[The cover artwork, which can be viewed below] shows the philosophy of GOTTHARD: 'Believe in yourself and do your own thing, even if you think it is impossible sometimes. Like it seems impossible to press water out of a stone. 'Need To Believe', because faith is essential."

Touting eleven No. 1 albums and six Top 10 singles in their career, GOTTHARD has opened for such renowned artists as AC/DC, DEEP PURPLE, BRYAN ADAMS and BON JOVI throughout Europe. The band has also had the honor of performing at the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival, is two-time winner of its native country's Prix Walo Award, recipient of Monaco's International Music Award, and has had its music featured on the soundtrack to the European television series "Frankie".

The cover artwork for "The Reign Of Darkness", the new album from the U.K.-based death metal act ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY, can be seen below. The CD is scheduled for release in January 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records worldwide (excluding the U.K.).

Drummer Lyn Jeffs recently quit ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY in order to focus on his other band, INGESTED. A replacement skinsman has not yet been announced

ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY's debut album, "Before The Throne Of Infection", will be released in North America via Earache Records. The LP will first be made available digitally on iTunes on November 3 before getting a physical release in the New Year with a bonus DVD. The album has been licensed from U.K. metal label Siege Of Amida Records and was first released in the USA by Ferret/Siege Of Amida Records in 2008.

ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY is set to support CANNIBAL CORPSE on the U.K. leg of their European tour in October.

Commented frontman Steve Regan: "We are all really excited that 'Before The Throne Of Infection' will be coming out on Earache Records in the U.S. They're a hard-working label that has released some of our favorite CDs and have worked with some amazing artists like DECAPITATED, CARCASS, IRON MONKEY, etc. over the years and a great bunch of guys."

ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY will play a special live show on November 3 at the Barfly in London, U.K. The show will be filmed for an exclusive DVD, to be included with the USA release of "Before The Throne Of Infection".

Lori Linstruth and AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen recently spoke to U.K.'s Ragnarok Radio about their new project, GUILT MACHINE. The chat can now be streamed using the audio player below.

GUILT MACHINE's debut album, "On This Perfect Day", was released in August via Mascot Records. The artwork was created by Christophe Dessaigne, a talented new artist whom Arjen discovered (quite by chance) while browsing Flickr. Coincidentally, it turned out that Chris is an AYREON fan, and was thrilled beyond belief when Arjen asked him to do the artwork! The GUILT MACHINE logo and packaging layout were created by Thomas Ewerhard.

"On This Perfect Day" was released in three different editions:

* Limited-edition 32-page digibook (CD + DVD)
* Special-edition digipack 24-page booklet (CD + DVD)
* Regular-edition jewel case, 24-page booklet (CD only)

As AYREON fans have come to expect from Arjen, the music of GUILT MACHINE ranges from dark and heavy to atmospheric and melancholic. But GUILT MACHINE introduces some new twists as well, particularly when it comes to the vocals. Rather than putting together an ensemble cast of vocalists from the prog, rock and metal scene, Arjen has enlisted the talents of a single alternative rock vocalist, Jasper Steverlinck.

How did Arjen get an alternative rock vocalist to switch genres and sing on a prog rock project? "In the beginning, it was hard to convince Jasper to sing on this album, because he comes from a completely different musical background," Arjen said. "He didn't even know what prog was, but we've made a believer out of him! What I admire about Jasper's voice, besides its beautiful clear timbre, is the emotion and credibility he puts into his performance and his enormous range. Because this project features just one singer I needed someone versatile enough to portray all of the different moods, and Jasper didn't disappoint. And he's a really nice and dedicated guy as well!"

For GUILT MACHINE, Arjen also chose to record with a different drummer, Chris Maitland (ex-PORCUPINE TREE). "Chris was the ideal choice this time, having both the power for the heavy sections and the subtle touch needed in the more atmospheric parts," Arjen said.

Rather than the explicit storyline you would expect in an AYREON release, the songs of GUILT MACHINE revolve around a central theme. Instead of looking outward into a world of fantasy or science fiction, the songs look inward, exploring the destructive psychology of guilt, regret and the darkest form of secret — the secrets we hide from ourselves.

"At first I asked my partner and personal manager Lori to quickly write scratch lyrics for one of the songs so I could record some guide vocals," Arjen said. "I was so impressed by what she produced that I asked her to write the lyrics for all the songs. I was unable myself to create the type of darkly enigmatic, open-ended lyrics I wanted for these songs, my specialty being sci-fi lyrics about sinister aliens. She definitely gave the songs an extra dimension with her lyrics, exorcising the demons we both had faced in the past few years. It's also no secret that I've always been a big fan of her melodic guitar style, so she also plays all the guitar solos on this album."

Despite these differences, GUILT MACHINE still has much in common with AYREON. The songs are mainly long, "epic" tracks that feature dynamic contrasts between softer, dreamy sections and powerful, heavy passages. There are intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, soaring melodies, and an eclectic selection of instruments — all what you'd expect from an AYREON release.

"In my view this is my best side project so far," Arjen said. "It comes completely from the heart, for it was written and recorded during a new inspiring phase in my life after my heavy depression. This being an entirely new project there were no expectations whatsoever, which enabled me to just let my inspiration guide me without any (outside) pressure."

Arjen Lucassen interviewed by Ragnarok Radio (click on player below to launch audio):

Century Media has set a November 13 release date for SENTENCED's complete discography in a coffin-styled box set. Entitled "Coffin - The Complete Discography", the set will include 16 CDs (144 audio tracks), 2 DVDs (42 videos) and a book.

Limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, "Coffin - The Complete Discography" contains:

CD 1 - "When Death Joins Us" (demo)
CD 2 - "Rotting Ways To Misery" (demo)
CD 3 - "Shadows Of The Past"
CD 4 - "Journey To Pohjola" (demo)
CD 5 - "North From Here"
CD 6 - "The Trooper"
CD 7 - "Amok"
CD 8 - "Love & Death"
CD 9 - "Down"
CD 10 - "Frozen"
CD 11 - "Crimson"
CD 12 - "The Cold White Light"
CD 13 - "The Funeral Album"
CD 14 - "Buried Alive I"
CD 15 - "Buried Alive II"
CD 16 - "Dead Leaves" (A Collection Of B-Sides And Rarities)
DVD 1 - "Buried Alive I"
DVD 2 - "Buried Alive II"

The surviving members of the long-defunct Finnish band SENTENCED issued a statement in June 2009 regarding the passing of the group's former guitarist and main songwriter, Miika Tenkula, who was found dead at his home on February 19, 2009. He was 34 years old.

The statement reads as follows: "To stop rumours about Miika Tenkula's cause of death, his family wishes to state the following: Miika had a genetic heart condition and died from a sudden attack at his home on February 18, 2009. For those wondering where Miika is buried, his grave can be found at the Kirkkosaari cemetery in his hometown Muhos, Finland."

A farewell video can be viewed below.

SENTENCED's posthumous DVD, "Buried Alive", was certified platinum last year in the band's native Finland. The disc topped the official Finnish chart upon its release in late 2006.

The former members of SENTENCED were presented with the platinum award for "Buried Alive" on August 14, 2008 at Century Media Records' 20th-anniversary party at the Tavastia club in Helsinki where ex-SENTENCED singer Ville Laihiala's new band, POISONBLACK, and labelmates NORTHER and KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI performed.

An e-card for "Buried Alive" DVD, which captures the Finnish band's final performance in their hometown of Oulu, Finland on October 1, 2005, can be accessed at this location. The e-card features a full mock-up of the DVD menu and a taste of "Buried Alive", including one full live song as well as snippets from all chapters.

Directed by Mika Ronkainen of Klaffi Productions, the two-disc set features the entire concert, including a special guest appearance by former SENTENCED vocalist Taneli Jarva.

SENTENCED's last-ever studio CD, aptly titled "The Funeral Album", entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 1 back in June 2005. The follow-up to 2002's "The Cold White Light" was recorded primarily at Finnvox and Tonebox studios (both in Finland), and mixed and mastered at Finnvox. Producing the effort was Hiili Hiilesmaa, who also worked with SENTENCED on the group's previous two albums, 2000's "Crimson" and "The Cold White Light".

(Thanks: www.metalfromfinland.com)