SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo will guest on the "M.I.B. Show" on Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

You can listen to the program live via the Internet at www.hardrockradiolive.com.

To celebrate the release of their 10th studio album "World Painted Blood", in stores on Tuesday, November 3, SLAYER will make a special appearance on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Wednesday, November 4 (airs 12:05 ET/11:05 CT), performing the new album's title track. Some 400 lucky fans who purchase "World Painted Blood" at any of the 10 participating Los Angeles-area Best Buy stores (listed below**) will receive two wristbands that will gain them access to the outdoor "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" audience to see SLAYER's special performance.

In addition, on Wednesday, November 4 at 3:30 p.m., SLAYER will make an in-store appearance at the Hot Topic store located at the Hollywood and Highland complex (6801 Hollywood Blvd.). Fans who purchase a copy of "World Painted Blood" or any SLAYER t-shirt exclusively from the Hollywood Blvd. Hot Topic will receive a wristband that guarantees the opportunity to meet the band at the in-store the next day. Only a limited number of these wristbands will be available, and once they're gone, they're gone.

** Participating Best Buy stores:

* West Los Angeles, 11301 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064
* Porter Ranch, 19929 Rinaldi Street, Northridge, CA 91326
* Burbank, 1501 N. Victory Pl, Burbank, CA 91504
* Culver City, 10799 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
* Atwater Village, 2909 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
* Westwood, 10861 Weyburn Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024
* West Hollywood, 1015 N. LaBrea Avenue, W. Hollywood, CA 90046
* Simi Valley, 1173 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, CA 93065
* Sherman Oaks, 4500 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
* Northridge, 19350 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91324

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

The address is:

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

For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

Rock 'N' Roll Books has announced that the forthcoming book "Alice In Chains: In The Studio", due in retail outlets everywhere in the spring of 2010, is now available for pre-order for $20.00 U.S. (including shipping/handling.) Featuring first-hand accounts of the writing and recording of the band's classic catalog of LPs/hits via interviews with producers Dave Jerden, Toby Wright, engineers Ronnie S. Champagne, Bryan Carlstrom, etc., the book also includes a free bonus sampler featuring unsigned, up-and-coming bands influenced by the music of ALICE IN CHAINS.

For more information, send an e-mail to rocknrollbooks@yahoo.com.

From the deepest depths of punk rock's 1970s primordial wastelands, through the stygian goth swamps of the 1980s, and on into the bloodstained arenas of 1990s heavy metal, Eerie Von witnessed it all.

Beginning as the unofficial photographer for punk legends the MISFITS and later taking charge of the bass guitar as a founding member of underground pioneers SAMHAIN and metal gods DANZIG, the evil eye of Eerie's camera captured the dark heart of rock's most vital and bleeding-edge period, a time when rock and roll was not only dangerous, but downright menacing. Eerie Von's "Misery Obscura" offers firsthand insight into everything from the MISFITS' humble beginnings in Lodi, New Jersey, to the heights of DANZIG's stadium-rock glory alongside metal superstars METALLICA.

"I've been planning this book for twenty years," Eerie Von stated. "The fans have been begging for it almost as long. It's been a great ride, and I'm glad to be able to share some of it with those who were there, and those who wish they were."

"Misery Obscura" is not only an essential visual document of music history; but Eerie's scrapbook-style stories of triumph and damnation bring to life an era the likes of which will never again be seen. Featuring layout and design by Tom Bejgrowicz, who conceived and executed the release of the infamous MISFITS "Coffin Box," Eerie Von's "Misery Obscura: The Photography of Eerie Von (1981-2009)" arrives on shelves on December 30 via Dark Horse.

A teaser for "Destroy", the new video from the Japanese hardcore/metal act EDGE OF SPIRIT, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's self-titled fourth album, which will be released on November 11, 2009 via the OCH label. The CD was mastered by Alan Douches (MASTODON, HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.

EDGE OF SPIRIT is:

Sho - Vocals
Yamaken - Guitar
Hiroki - Guitar
Hajime - Bass
Keigo - Drums

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

Danish folk metal band SVARTSOT has entered the LSD Studio in Lübeck, Germany to begin recording its sophomore album with producer Lasse Lammert (ALESTORM, INCUBATOR, HALCYON WAY, LUCY'S DOLL). The CD will be released in the spring via Napalm Records.

Check out the band's studio diary on the SVARTSOT MySpace page.

On December 17, 2008, Michael Lundquist Andersen (guitar), Niels Thøgersen (drums), Claus B. Gnudtzmann (vocals) and Martin Kielland-Brandt (bass) announced their departure from the Danish folk/viking metal act SVARTSOT. They explained in a statement, "We are sorry to announce that because of different opinions on how to run a band and how the music should sound, we have decided to leave SVARTSOT. We will surely miss all of you people out there who have supported us at live gigs, and by listening to our songs. It has been a great adventure with you all, boys and girls, and who knows. Maybe we will see you all out there at the venues again in the future, in other bands. We will all continue playing music together outside of SVARTSOT."

SVARTSOT's current lineup:

Thor Bager - Vocals
Hans-Jørgen Martinus Hansen - Whistles, Mandolin, Accordion, Other Instruments
Cliff Nemanim - Rhythm Guitar
James Atkin - Bass
Cris J. S. Frederiksen - Lead Guitar
Danni Lyse Jelsgaard - Drums

SVARTSOT released its latest album, "Ravnenes Saga", in November 2007 via Napalm Records.

"Ravnenes Saga" means "Saga of the Ravens," suggesting Odin's two ravens, Hugin and Munin (Thought and Memory). These two ravens would fly out over the world each day to return every evening and tell what they had seen. This theme fits the collection of songs on this album, telling tales of feats of courage and battles, feasts, creatures from the murky realms of folklore and womanizing. This is a pure folk metal album with Viking spirit.

SVARTSOT made a name for itself in the underground scene with its unique brand of Nordic folk metal that combines black metal influences and lyrics inspired by Scandinavian folklore and mythology.

British gothic rock/metal metal band AWAKE BY DESIGN has released its debut album, "Sentiment". The CD was recorded at Priory Recording Studio in Sutton Coldfield and was produced by Greg Chandler (ESOTERIC). It was mixed and mastered by Karl Groom (DRAGONFORCE, THRESHOLD).

According to a press release, "Sentiment" is "a unique album that offers catchy vocal and guitar melodies as well as having classical, synth-pop and '80s rock elements."

The track listing is as follows:

01. The Visions Truth
02. Ethereal
03. Silence Undone
04. Elusive Years
05. Forever They Told
06. Sentiment
07. A Scarlet Coming
08. Failures Drown
09. Never
10. Passing Through Denial

AWAKE BY DESIGN is:

Adrian Powell - Vocals, Keyboards, Piano
Toby Stewart - Lead/Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars
Callum Downing - Lead/Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars
David Favill - Bass Guitar
Jon Black - Drums
Nik Sinnett - Keyboards, Piano

AWAKE BY DESIGN was formed in the South West, U.K. in late November 2007. The band's goal was to create emotive, melodic and symphonic music to move the soul.

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

Rob Fitzpatrick of U.K.'s The Guardian recently conducted an interview with SLAYER members Tom Araya (bass, vocals) and Kerry King (guitar). A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Guardian: Do you ever do rubbish shows?

Araya: "Oh yeah. The first one's usually rubbish. You come off and look at each other and say, 'You know what, I sucked!' We have to start straight off at 150% and go straight to 200%. If we start at even 148%, we're fucked. If we're not all together from the off then half of us will never catch up."

The Guardian: You must sound bloody awful if you're not together.

Araya: "We do, yeah! That's exactly how we sound. We have a new song called 'Psychopathy Red' which is pretty intense, the first verse was great, but then I lost the intro to the second verse and I couldn't catch up at all. I had to lose that whole verse and just wait for the third. To be honest, it wasn't long to wait and no one will notice anyway."

On whether there is any truth to the rumors that SLAYER is planning on retiring soon:

Araya: "We don't know yet. I know this much: being away from your family so much doesn't get any easier. I've been married for 15 years. I have a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son and I want to make up for the all the time I wasn't there. I have nieces and nephews I've barely seen. This life demands so much of you, personally and physically. I honestly don't know how I did the first 15 years of SLAYER. How did I get so fucking wasted then play every fucking night? Then, immediately after playing, do it all over again. How the fuck did we all do that?"

The Guardian: Are you as fearless as you were at 20? Do you want it all as much?

Araya: [pauses for a long time] "Er …" [pauses again] "Wow!" [takes another 10 seconds] "It's not so much 'Do you still want it?' as much as a question of 'How much more are you willing to take?' There's so much shit that goes on behind the scenes, not just the bureaucratic bullshit that goes on with the label or with touring, but the other, bigger stuff. It's the four different personalities in the band trying to get along. Sometimes we clash, that's normal. But after 28 years you do wonder if you've grown together or apart."

On what he thinks is the greatest record ever made:

King: "That's a real sit-down-and-a-cognac question, isn't it? VAN HALEN's first record is amazing. Sure, it's rock'n'roll, but it introduced the world to what the electric guitar could do. SABBATH's 'Sabotage' is very, very heavy. AC/DC's 'Powerage', JUDAS PRIEST's 'Stained Class', some MAIDEN too …"

On what he has learnt about human nature after nearly 30 years on the road:

King: "I've learnt what not to say. Why set someone off? Some bands can't get over something someone said 15 years ago and split up, but when we go home, we just scatter. I don't need to call them. After all, what am I going to say?"

Read more from The Guardian.

Rafi of VampireFreaks.com recently conducted an interview with Tony Campos (STATIC-X, MINISTRY, PRONG, ASESINO). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

VampireFreaks.com: You are currently on tour with PRONG. How has that been going?

Tony Campos: It is going great man, but it is also cold as fuck. (both of us laughing) It got cold quick, I didn't think it would till something like December and here we are at the beginning of October.

VampireFreaks.com: What has it been like to play with PRONG?

Tony Campos: It has been great I was a big PRONG fan growing up and are one of the most influential bands for STATIC-X. So just as a fan it is really an honor for me.

VampireFreaks.com: You and Tommy [Victor] are no strangers as you were both on the MINISTRY "C-U-Latour". How did you guys come to meet before that?

Tony Campos: I have known Tommy for years. Back when he was releasing "Rude Awakening", we had the same management so we were introduced in L.A. We ended up getting reintroduced when we did the MINISTRY tour together.

VampireFreaks.com: I remember you guys did a cover of "Burning Inside". How did you end up with the honor of working with Al Jourgensen down the line?

Tony Campos: We were doing an Ozzfest in 2007 and Al was working on the MINISTRY "Cover Up" record. He ended up calling up Wayne (Static), asking if we could fly down to El Paso and track some vocals. We ended up coming out there and Al caught me a bit off guard and said, "Hey, man, just want you to know you are playing bass on some of these songs." All I could say was, "OK." Funny thing is one of tracks that I played bass on ended up being nominated for a Grammy (laughing), so that was definitetly pretty cool. After wards we ended up going to the bars together, and hanging out a lot. Fast forward a few months, Paul Raven sadly passed away and they gave me a call asking if I wanted to do the last MINISTRY tour with them. Honestly, I was amazed that they asked me to do this, and, of course, I said I would; it ended up being an amazing experience.

VampireFreaks.com: One of the highlights for me with STATIC-X was "Cannibal" which marked the return of Koichi [guitar] into the studio again. The whole album seemed darker and heavier than previous STATIC-X material. How did Koichi's return help with that?

Tony Campos: Well, the whole dynamic for the band changed after we all got back together; it seemed to become a lot tighter of a band. I mean, Tripp was a decent enough guitar player, but when Koichi came back, it was like night and day; I forgot just how good he was. He definitely brought back that really tight precision that we had back in the day, plus his keen guitar playing skills brought so much back to the music.

VampireFreaks.com: It is so appropriate that your latest album was entitled "Cult of Static" since it would seem your fans have stuck with you from beginning to end almost like a cult, what is the best part of waking to the success you have had?

Tony Campos: The greatest feeling for me is looking back at all that we did to get this band started and knowing that here we are ten years down the line and are still doing it. It has been truly an honor.

VampireFreaks.com: So what is the current state of STATIC-X. Are you guys going to be putting some new material together soon?

Tony Campos: At this point, I am not sure. I know that Wayne and his wife are getting ready to put out a solo record. Wayne said STATIC-X is right now on hold so he can see how the solo project works. In the meantime, though, I will always find ways to keep busy. Right now I have PRONG and I am also working with Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY, DIVINE HERESY, BRUJERIA) on a project called ASESINO. We haven't done a record in about three years. We have been talking about it for about a year now and will probably be doing some shows for it. I always find something to delve into sooner or later.

Read the entire interview from VampireFreaks.com.

Grinning Elk music company has "been honored" with the task of offering some of the bass guitars from the private collection of Rex Brown, bassist for PANTERA and DOWN. This particular piece is a 2001 Rex-5XL with a one-off, custom flame paint job and was played by Rex on PANTERA's "Reinventing the Steel" tour in 2001. It is featured in the videos "I'll Cast A Shadow" and "Becoming" and is in the exact condition as when Grinning Elk received it from Brown with the exception of new strings, a detail job and new hardshell case from Spector. It also retains the knob position marks applied by Rex and a certificate of authenticity.

This is your chance to own a personal piece from one of heavy metal's premier bassists.

The asking price is $4,500.

For more information, click here.

Brown had his gallbladder and polyps on his pancreas removed last month in a surgical procedure.

Rex is suffering from acute pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment.

A full and healthy recovery is expected.

DOWN tapped Danny Theriot of Metairie, Louisiana to fill in on bass for the group's recently completed North American trek, which kicked off on August 3 at Beaumont Club in Kansas City, Kansas.

(Thanks: The Metal Den)

Italian thrash-death metallers SAWTHIS (formerly SOTHIS) have posted performance footage of a new song, "Act Of Sorrow", on their YouTube channel (see clip below). The track comes off the band's forthcoming sophomore album, "Egod", which was recorded at Petemkin Studios with producer Paolo Ojetti (INFERNAL POETRY). 13 songs were written for the CD and 10 of them were tracked for the final product. Daniele "Axo" Galassi from INFERNAL POETRY played a guest guitar solo on "Barabba", which is said to be "the most atypical song that SAWTHIS has ever written."

The band's debut album, "Fusion", was released in April 2006 via Italy's Temple Of Noise Records.

For more information, visit www.sawthis.it.

A new five-minute trailer for the upcoming documentary on British rock legends SAXON, "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie", can be viewed below.

U.K.'s Coolhead Productions is putting the finishing touches on "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie". The film, which is expected to be released in December, celebrates the group's 30th anniversary. Produced by the makers of the critically acclaimed "Ian Gillan: Highway Star" (Universal, 2007), it not only has contributions from members of SAXON, past and present, but also from the likes of Lars Ulrich (METALLICA); Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD); Harvey Goldsmith, Danko Jones, Doro Pesch and many, many others. It will also feature plenty of rare archive material and previously unseen concert footage, from the classic 1980s lineup to the brilliant St. George's Day show in 2008 and Wacken Open Air in 2009. A special limited edition of "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" will contain a feature-length documentary, at least two never-before-seen concert films and plenty of revealing extra content.

"It looks good," singer Biff Byford tells News & Star. "But it has been put back because they have just got a load of new stuff from an interview with an old manager which is quite good. I'm sure I will learn things about me that I did not know...

"I'm looking forward to seeing it," he says. "I have a right to veto things, but I don’t think I will. I have seen the ANVIL [documentary]; it is funny. I like them, they're not in my top five bands of all time, but they try hard."

Once the tour and the DVD launch are out of the way, there's more work for Biff.

"We're working on a soundtrack for an American horror film based around snakes, then we start writing a new album in December."

Meanwhile, he and the family have just moved back to his native Yorkshire after living in Normandy for the past eight years.

"We are renting at the moment, but if you know anyone looking to buy a small chateau in northern France, let me know..." he says.

If you pre-buy a plush special limited edition of "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" containing a feature-length documentary, at least TWO never-seen-before concert films and plenty of revealing extra content, you will get your name on the credits and become an associate producer, allowing you to influence the content of the film by sending your suggestions to the filmmakers. You will also have the chance of winning one of five pairs of VIP passes to next year's Wacken Open Air festival AND the chance to meet SAXON singer Biff Byford and the rest of the band on their next tour.

"We're relying on our fans here and I know you’ll do us proud," said Byford. "SAXON have a great story to tell and some bloody fantastic songs to celebrate. I think you'll agree it needs to be done properly, so get your orders in now. This will be one of the best rock docs you’ll ever see."

The special limited edition of "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" will cost £25 (GBP). It will be shipped out as soon as it's complete.

For more information, go to this location.

A widget for MÖTLEY CRÜE's new "greatest-hits" collection, suitably titled "Greatest Hits", is available below. Due on November 17 via Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records, the package will feature the following track listing:

01. Too Fast for Love
02. Shout at the Devil
03. Looks that Kill
04. Too Young to Fall in Love
05. Smokin' in the Boys Room
06. Home Sweet Home
07. Wild Side
08. Girls, Girls, Girls
09. Dr. Feelgood
10. Kickstart My Heart
11. Same 'Ol Situation
12. Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
13. Without You
14. Primal Scream
15. Sick Love Song
16. Afraid
17. If I Die Tomorrow
18. Saints of Los Angeles
19. The Animal In Me (Remix)

Best Buy will feature an exclusive CD/DVD package of the new collection with a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary filmed at "Crüe Fest 2", the sophomore outing of the band's summer festival tour.

The "The Animal In Me" remix is now available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

CRÜE performed its classic 1989 album, "Dr. Feelgood", in its entirety on Crüe Fest 2 to celebrate the record's 20th anniversary.

Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records re-released "Dr. Feelgood" on September 21.

Originally issued on September 1, 1989, "Dr. Feelgood" reached #1 on the Billboard chart and went on to sell more than seven million copies worldwide. The title track reached No. 7 on the Hot 100 and earned the band their first two Grammy nominations (Best Hard Rock Performance: "Dr Feelgood" in 1989 and "Kickstart My Heart" in 1990). Twenty years later, the band was nominated for another Grammy Award and is celebrating its hit album "Saints of Los Angeles" on an arena tour of the U.S.

"Dr. Feelgood" was released as a deluxe version incorporating two CDs. The original version of "Dr. Feelgood" on one CD, and on the other a smorgasbord of delights! — four original demos from the "Dr. Feelgood" sessions, four tracks recorded live when the band played in Russia, plus a remix of "Get It For Free".

A snippet of the song "Mind Eraser, No Chaser" from THEM CROOKED VULTURES — which consists of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl on drums, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE singer/guitarist Josh Homme and LED ZEPPELIN bass player John Paul Jones — is available for streaming using the player below. The track comes off the band's self-titled debut album, which will be in stores on November 17 via DGC/Interscope Records.

"Them Crooked Vultures" track listing, according to Billboard.com:

01. No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
02. Mind Eraser, No Chaser
03. New Fang
04. Dead End Friends
05. Elephants
06. Scumbag Blues
07. Bandoliers
08. Reptiles
09. Interlude with Ludes
10. Warsaw or the first Breath You Take After You Give Up
11. Caligulove
12. Gunman
13. Spinning in Daffodils

"New Fang", the first single from THEM CROOKED VULTURES, is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

THEM CROOKED VULTURES officially kicked off its first North American tour on October 5 in Nashville. The group has been the subject of furious international buzz since making its official live debut on August 9 in Chicago.

FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins told The Pulse of Radio he's heard the VULTURES' record and likes it. "It's really great," he said. "I'm really proud of Dave, and I think he's having a real blast not having to shake his booty at the front of the stage for a while, you know?"

THEM CROOKED VULTURES taped a performance for the Austin City Limits TV program on September 30.

Several short clips of both live and studio performances by the trio have already surfaced on YouTube.

American doom legends SAINT VITUS have announcef the first of the confirmed dates for their upcoming February 2010 European tour featuring places that the band has never played or has not played in a very long time. A support band has not been chosen yet, but the preliminary dates are as follows:

Feb. 04 - Essen, Germany - Turock
Feb. 05 - Leipzig, Germany - Conne Island
Feb. 06 - Wurzburg, Germany - Posthalle
Feb. 07 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg
Feb. 10 - London, England - Scala (w/ ORANGE GOBLIN)
Feb. 15 - Wien, Austria - Arena
Feb. 17 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
Feb. 18 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
Feb. 19 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen
Feb. 20 - Oslo, Norway - Betong

Additional dates and support acts will be named soon.

In other news, SAINT VITUS will play Los Angeles and San Francisco for the first time since 1988. Dates with openers SAVIOURS are as follows:

Jan. 28 - Key Club - Los Angeles, CA
Jan. 29 - DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA

SAINT VITUS reunited in 2003 for two select shows in Germany and Chicago. Earlier this year, they headlined the Roadburn festival in Holland, which expanded to a sold-out warm up show in New Orleans and three select club shows in Germany. The band then returned to Europe this past summer to play a one-off show at the Hellfest in Clisson, France.

In an interview with Terrorizer magazine, Chandler stated about the band's growing popularity, "The irony of it all is a friend whom I used to complain to that things were not happening for us in the '80s said to me that to become popular, all I had to do was to disband and reform five years later. How true. But seriously, I don't know what really happened. I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that during the time we were gone the whole doom scene was finally blossoming, at least in Europe, and a lot of those bands were mentioning us as one of their main influences. But it still feels weird. I work in a head shop here in New Orleans, I sell pipes, you know. And few times, some customers who there looking to buy some stuff would all of a sudden just freeze in front of me and go like, 'Wait a second, are you really who I'm thinking you are?' to which I would just answer like, 'Errrrrr, I don't know." Usually, they would then rave on about me being in SAINT VITUS and being some kind of legend or whatever. And the only thing I'd tell then would be, 'Really?'"

Fan-filmed video footage of SAINT VITUS performing at Hellfest in Clisson, France June 19, 2009 can be viewed below (courtesy of "ahabb616").

Imhotep's Paul Kearns and Roy Kristensen conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci when the band played in Oslo, Norway on September 26, 2009. Watch the chat in three parts below.

DREAM THEATER recently finished filming footage for the promotional video for the song "Wither".

The "Wither" EP, which was released via online retailers, contains the following track listing:

01. Wither (Album Version) (5:25)
02. Wither (Piano Version) (5:07)
03. Wither (John Petrucci Vocal Demo) (5:24)
04. The Best of Times (Mike Portnoy Vocal Demo) (13:04)

Track 1 taken from the album "Black Clouds and Silver Linings"
Track 2-4 previously unreleased

DREAM THEATER's new album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", sold 40,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DREAM THEATER's last CD, "Systematic Chaos", opened with 36,000 units in 2007 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

In addition to the standard-version CD, DREAM THEATER's tenth studio album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", was also made available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.

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Finnish metal band EXSECRATUS, which features in its ranks Jussi Raatikainen, the older brother of CHILDREN OF BODOM drummer Jaska, has announced the addition of singer Jenni "Luna" Saira to the group's ranks. EXSECRATUS has also parted ways with keyboardist Anna Räisänen "due personal difficulties between her and and the other members of the band."

Two new songs from EXSECRATUS — "Seventh Day For The Serpent" and "Too Far Beyond" — can be heard in the YouTube clips below. According to the band, "Both [tracks] were dropped [from the group's forthcoming CD] 'cause they didn't fit the agressive style and sound of the album. So this December we'll hit the D studio once again to fill up the two spots with more agressive songs."

EXSECRATUS released its debut album, "Tainted Dreams", in Japan on January 23, 2008 through Spiritual Beast (via a licensing deal with Violent Journey Records). The Japanese pressing of the album contained new artwork and two bonus tracks: "For You" and "Death Brings Me Joy".

"Tainted Dreams" was released in Finland on September 3, 2007 via Violent Journey Records. The CD featured a guest appearance by NORTHER frontman Petri Lindroos in the track Under the Winter Moon.

For more information, visit www.exsecratus.com.

Raleigh, North Carolina-based progressive metalcore quintet BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME is featured in the first episode of "Hard" on the newly launched AUX music channel out of Canada. Watch the segment below.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will kick off a North American headlining tour on January 8, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Support on the trek will come from CYNIC, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and SCALE THE SUMMIT.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will play a record-release show for its new album, "The Great Misdirect", this Halloween at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina. The band will perform the entire new CD "plus some oldies" at the show, which will feature additional appearances by GLASS CASKET (featuring BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME drummer Blake Richardson and guitarist Dustie Waring), BRAVEYOUNG and TORCHRUNNER (featuring BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's merch/light guy Chuck Johnson).

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will embark on a U.S. tour in November with support from VEIL OF MAYA and ANIMALS AS LEADERS. A list of tour dates can be found at this location.

"The Great Misdirect" was released on October 27 via Victory Records.

A trailer for "Our Twilight", the upcoming debut four-song EP from BARREN EARTH — the new Helsinki, Finland-based project featuring members of KREATOR, MOONSORROW, SWALLOW THE SUN and MANNHAI — can be viewed below.

"Our Twilight" will be released on November 9 in Europe and November 17 in North America via Peaceville Records. According to a press release, the EP "opens with the title track, a fine exploration of brooding doom metal and prog sensibilities. Following this is 'Jewel', an exclusive bonus track taken from the album recording session from summer 2009. The second half of the EP comprises of two tracks, the epic 'The Flame of Serenity' and 'Floodred' — recorded in the summer of 2008 and specially remixed for this release by Dan Swanö (KATATONIA, OPETH, NOVEMBRE) at Unisound, who also provides additional keyboard parts on 'The Flame of Serenity'."

Check out the "Our Twilight" mini-site at this location.

The artwork was created by Niklas Sundin of Cabin Fever Media (ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILITY).

Due in early 2010, BARREN EARTH's full-length debut will contain an extended version of "Our Twilight".

BARREN EARTH will make its live debut on November 19 at Dante's Highlight in Helsinki. The band will play "Our Twilight" in its entirety plus most of the material from the upcoming debut album. Before the group goes on stage, there will be an album listening session as a warm-up for the gig.

Formed in the fall of 2007, BARREN EARTH's music "combines elements of modern and traditional (death) metal with '70s prog rock and folk," according to the group's official bio. "Among the band's influences are artists like PARADISE LOST, OPETH, PINK FLOYD, JETHRO TULL and also some pioneers of Finnish prog. The members' individual backgrounds in many internationally known and acclaimed outfits is a testament to the quality of the band's music. These same backgrounds are obviously also echoed in BARREN EARTH's music."

BARREN EARTH is:

Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN, EMPYREAN BANE) - Vocals
Janne Perttilä (RYTMIHÄIRIÖ, MOONSORROW session) - Guitar
Sami Yli-Sirniö (KREATOR, WALTARI) - Guitar
Olli-Pekka Laine (MANNHAI, CHAOSBREED, ex-AMORPHIS) - Bass
Kasper Mårtenson (VENHO) - Keyboards
Marko Tarvonen (MOONSORROW) – Drums

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

Zakk Wylde's wife Barbaranne revealed in a Twitter update that the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman has been 63 days sober as of Wednesday, October 28.

Wylde is reportedly suffering from "a rare genetic clotting disorder" for which he is currently receiving treatment in California.

In a recent radio interview, Wylde's former OZZY OSBOURNE/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY bandmate Robert Trujillo (who is currently playing with METALLICA) stated about the guitarist's health status, "I think he is doing a lot better. The last I heard, he hasn't had a drink in over a month, which is absolutely incredible for him, because this guy, if you don't know him, he's a drinking a machine and can be dangerous [laughs] if you catch him at the wrong time, or the right time. But Zakk has a heart of gold; he's really a special human being. He's very giving. And we all hope that his health gets better and that he gets it right, 'cause he is a good person. We all make mistakes and sometimes we make mistakes because of the drinking. I'm sure he's hopefully learning from that. When alcohol or drugs start taking over your health and your family and all that, that's crazy. But again, Zakk's a wonderful person; I love him dearly. He's an amazing musician, and I don't just mean guitar player. The man can play piano, he can sing, he's a got a lot of soul and he's a good spirit."

Zakk stated in an August 2009 Twitter message that he "was given a CT scan where they found three clots. I was then told each one of the clots passed through my heart. . . My left leg has a clot above the side and behind my knee, my calf and running into my heel. My right leg has a clot in between my calf and ankle."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY was forced to drop off the "Pedal To The Metal Tour" due to Zakk's condition. The rest of the bands on the trek — MUDVAYNE, STATIC-X, SUICIDE SILENCE and BURY YOUR DEAD — carried on with the remaining dates on the tour after BLS's departure.

Wylde got the "green light" from his doctor to take part in the Halloween (October 31) BLACK LABEL SOCIETY performance in Times Square (New York City) to promote his new limited-edition Epiphone Graveyard Disciple guitar. Zakk has also scheduled an in-store signing session on October 30 at Sam Ash in New York City to unveil the guitar.

(Thanks: The Metal Den)

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was interviewed on last night's (Wednesday, October 28) edition of the "Voir" show on the Québec TV station Télé-Québec. Watch the chat below.

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett has commented on the disappearance of Morgan Dana Harrington, the missing 20-year-old junior from Virginia Tech who was last seen at METALLICA's October 17, 2009 concert at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia. Speaking to Alan Cross of ExploreMusic.com, Kirk said, "I can only tell you what everyone knows, really. She went to the show in Charlottesville, got separated from her friends, never really got reunited with them, and later on, they found her purse and cell phone, but not her person. So there's been a missing person report filed and there's been a reward put out by the family and we decided to contribute to that reward, 'cause we would like to see — as parents and just of our own good nature — we would like to see her found and reunited with her family. It's a very sad thing to hear about. We're just trying to do what we can to help her and help her family out. It's a pretty intense, screwed up thing that's happened, and I really hope that she's found and that she's OK."

METALLICA has launched an iPhone application that "creates a streaming interface to your LiveMetallica account," meaning that any live show fans have downloaded from the site will automatically stream to their iPhones once they launch the app, which costs 99 cents. Fans just have to purchase the app at the iPhone store and log onto their account at LiveMetallica.com to access every gig they've downloaded, as well as a free stream of the band's latest concert. More developments and features are also on the way.

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES are featured in the first episode of "Hard" on the newly launched AUX music channel out of Canada. Watch the segment below.

In a recent interview with Live-Metal.net, Iwers was asked about guitarist Jesper Strömblad's current status after he checked himself into rehab earlier in the year. "His status is that he's still working on getting himself 100 percent — getting well and coming back as soon as he feels he's ready," Peter replied. "Now it's not gonna change. We are five members of IN FLAMES and it's not gonna change, like some people are speculating. Jesper is very much in the band, but he needs to be ready. It's up to him when he's ready to come back and is strong enough to stay on the road. He really needs to do deal with his problems, and we are there for him as much as we can, trying to support him in the best way that we can, not rushing him and showing him that his position is here when he's ready to come back.

"It has been a problem for many, many years. At the beginning of this year, he delayed this decision, but his latest decision was to check himself in and get well once and for all. And with a few minor mishaps, he's been sticking to it.

"It's a disease and a lot of people don't know. And we all had to learn, obviously. Alcoholism is a disease — you can't help it. A lot of people might say [that alcoholics are] selfish and mean, and might take what an alcoholic can do to you very personal, but remember it's a disease. It takes some time to get well. And he's one of my best friends and I'm trying to give him all the support that he needs."

When asked if the band had to take part in an intervention in order to get Jesper into rehab, Iwers said, "No, because we didn't really know how bad it was. And when you're an alcoholic, it's a hard life, obviously, but I guess somehow you know about it. We didn't know how bad it was. He actually told us about it. That was his own decision. We are sticking by him. But we are still touring because we want to be out there and play and perform the commitments that we booked this entire year. We will want to fulfill them. We can't just keep on canceling. We got together with Jesper [and determined] to keep on touring without him until he's ready to come back."

Tim Grierson of Metal Hammer magazine recently conducted an interview with KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Hammer: It's been 11 years since KISS's last record. Why did you decide that now was the right time for a new album?

Stanley: "Another question would be 'why not?' 'Psycho Circus' was enough of a reason not to do another album for me - it was a really good and heartfelt attempt to try to make a KISS album when there wasn't a whole band. But when you're more in contact with attorneys for band members than the band members, it doesn't really make for a creative process that involves four people."

Metal Hammer: So what changed?

Stanley: "The time since then has been a very, very strong one for the band. The lineup has been stable for a long time, and that's because the band really is at its best, which is four individuals coming together with one focused goal — KISS. I think what people saw in the tour of the last year is a band at its peak. You can't make an album without that. I didn't want to see the KISS name on something that I had to apologise for."

Metal Hammer: What do you say to people who contend that "Sonic Boom" can't be a classic KISS album if it doesn't have the classic KISS lineup with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss?

Stanley: "A classic album would be made by four people with a classic point of view. We weren't trying to make an album that sounded like it was recorded 35 years ago. We weren't trying to make a retro album that somebody could confuse with one that came out before. What was important for me was to capture the spirit that the band has today. That's classic. It's not classic because it's mimicking something else — it's classic because it's vibrant and it's got all the spit, piss and vinegar that a band should have."

Metal Hammer: How did Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer contribute to "Sonic Boom"?

Stanley: "We couldn't have done this without Tommy and Eric. It's always funny to hear people have this idea that the band is [just] Gene and me. 'Sonic Boom' is the four of us — anybody who thinks we could have done this without them is out of their mind. They're as big a part of this album as any of us are. From writing to rehearsing to recording, this was a four-way project. What made it so much fun and so powerful was the fact that four people were all working toward a common goal. People weren't trying to showcase themselves but [rather] make a great album. When you make a great album, everybody gets showcased."

Metal Hammer: You said last year you wouldn't make another KISS album unless you "could do it the way I wanted to do it." How did that play out with "Sonic Boom"?

Stanley: "It really came down to some guidelines of what we should and shouldn't do. And the first [rule] was 'No outside songwriters.' It's very easy to do less work and have somebody write the majority of the songs for you, but what you wind up with is somebody's interpretation of who you are. Also, 'No old material.' The songs had to be for the album. When you start with the premise that band members have entitlement, it kinda precludes songs that may be better from getting on the album."

Metal Hammer: Gene was reluctant about making a new album too, complaining about illegal downloading. How did you deal with that issue?

Stanley: "Well, it's a reality and something that you try to prevent as much as possible, certainly before the album's out. In the grand scheme of things, though, it wasn't as important as [making] this album. We had a great album in us. For the KISS legacy and for the ongoing story of this band, we saw that as taking precedent."

Metal Hammer: This album came together pretty quickly, right?

Stanley: "We literally got together and wrote. Gene initially was a little ambivalent about the idea of he and I writing together, because we've got a long history at this point of writing on our own and doing everything our own way. But it was essential to the album that we do that and that the chemistry be there. And as soon as we sat down and wrote, it was effortless — very cool and a lot of fun. It was uncharted territory for all of us. It was terrific. We did it on days off on tour, or we did it when we were home. But it was everybody sitting around on chairs or on the sofa, the easiest thing we've ever done."

Metal Hammer: A lot of newer bands don't have the showmanship that you guys bring. Why do you think that is?

Stanley: "One of the problems nowadays is that a band can sell a few million albums and then go on tour, but that doesn't prepare them to know what it takes to entertain a large audience. We come from a school where, no matter how successful your albums were, you built a following and built your ability to perform by starting in a club. Then you were third on a bill, and second on a bill. You'd better believe that by the time you headlined, you knew what it was about. The reason classic rock bands sell tickets is because people know that they're going to get something worth going to. You don't learn that craft overnight."

Metal Hammer: Y'know, a lot of people wouldn't want to be labelled "classic rock."

Stanley: "I'm proud to be in the category of classic rock bands — what's better than the word 'classic?' Are you kidding? If you want to call LED ZEPPELIN a classic rock band and then you want to call us a classic rock band, I'm not fighting. If I'm going to be lumped in with anybody, let me be lumped in with my heroes. That doesn't preclude you from being current. It means that you have a solid history and a foundation, which most bands will never achieve because they won't survive that long."

Metal Hammer: What about younger bands? Do you go out on tour thinking that you want to school them on how it's done?

Stanley: "I don't think about that. What I think about is the audience that's coming to see us. Some of them are young enough that maybe they've only heard the legend of the band, or the idea of this band that goes out and gives 100 per cent and tries to give you an amazing show and really dazzle you. I only think about going out and being as good as they expect or better. But it's also about living up to our legacy for those who have seen the band - and to blow it away. Look, there's always going to be a certain amount of doubters who wonder if we can do it again. Whether it's the new stage or 'The band's older,' or 'Can Tommy do what Ace did?', everybody's got some preconceived idea. We try to go out there and smash those preconceived ideas to bits."

Metal Hammer: So you don't feel you have to compete with other groups?

Stanley: "We compete against our legacy. The only shadow that we're in is the KISS shadow and the KISS legacy. It's like an Olympic athlete — every time you go out, you do your best to try to beat your best. You can't always, but our track record's pretty damn good."

Read the entire interview from KissOnline.com.

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are featured in the first episode of "Hard" on the newly launched AUX music channel out of Canada. Watch the segment below.

The new, self-titled album from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE was recently forced to postpone its South American tour after singer Howard Jones was taken ill.

Montreal based hardcore/metal outfit DEADWALK, which now features
ex-TOO PURE TO DIE frontmanGreg Kepka, has released a video teaser for its new album, "Scandalous". The group has also debuted two new tracks from CD on MySpace.

"With this record we wanted to find a solid mix of modern hardcore and brutal breakdowns. We basically wrote an album that we as a band would want to listen to," commented Kepka. "By keeping it short and sweet we also don't let the album wind down so the intensity keeps going up and up over the course of the disc’s 10 tracks. We hope to basically thrust ourselves into the limelight with this record and prove to people that DEADWALK is still something to be reckoned with!"

DEADWALK's debut album, "Scandalous", was recorded at Red Dusk Studio with producer Mat Laperle (BLIND WITNESS) and features a guest appearance by STICK TO YOUR GUNS frontman Jesse Barnett on the track "Frailty". The album is scheduled for a November 24, 2009, release through Year of the Sun Records.

DEADWALK has been creating a name for themselves as one of Canada's premier hardcore/metal acts for the past two years with the group's independently released EP "Powerhouse". Their energetic live show and cement heavy breakdowns have landed them opportunities to play with everyone from hardcore warriors EMMURE, BRING ME THE HORIZON and ELYSIA, to some of metal’s fastest rising acts including ION DISSONANCE and BURY YOUR DEAD.

Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall of ALICE IN CHAINS were interviewed for the "Maximum Metal" DVD Vol. 144 which was given away with Germany's Metal Hammer magazine. You can watch the chat in two parts below.

ALICE IN CHAINS' "Black Gives Way To Blue" iPhone app was released on October 27. The app features full songs from the band's acclaimed new album on Virgin/EMI, music videos, news, photos, social networking and much more. The app separates itself from the pack with an impressive level of interactivity; its custom-built functionality allows fans to interact with each of the albums 11 tracks via a touch, drag, and hold feature that reveals hidden visual gems.
"With the ALICE IN CHAINS app, we wanted to represent every song on 'Black Gives Way To Blue' as an interactive and immersive experience," says Jeff Zakim, Senior Director, Global Digital Marketing, EMI Music. "We achieved that with the custom-designed Interactive Tracks. The interactivity is furthered by giving fans the ability to share, comment and connect across Fan Wall posts, email, Facebook and Twitter.

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

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

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

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

Part 1:



Part 2:

AS I LAY DYING's "The Sound of Truth" video won an an award at this year's Hollywood Discovery Awards, which honor the winners of the Hollywood Film Festival's selected finalists in the categories of "Features", "Documentaries", "Shorts", and "Music Videos". The finalists are culled from films from the global creative community. The awards' criteria is based on the quality of filmmaking in all of its different disciplines.

The winners of the festival's film competition were announced Sunday night at the Hollywood Discovery Awards presentation ceremony at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. This year's winners are: "Crossing" by Kim Tae-Kyun for "Best Feature Film"; "Garbage Dreams" by Mai Iskander for "Best Documentary"; "Scenesters" by Todd Berger for "Best Comedy"; "Stories From The Perch" by Andrew Zimbelman for "Best Animation"; "Lambs" by Stephen Huff for "Best Short Subject"; and "As I Lay Dying - The Sound Of Truth" by Brian Thompson for "Best Music Video".

AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis comments on the win: "'The Sound of Truth' video could not have been made without an entire team of amazing people. It was a combination of two individually complex forms of art that came together seamlessly to create one great video I'm very proud of. The basic concept is related to the music and lyrics that we wrote, but Brian Thompson and his whole crew took that beyond what we could have imagined."

Directed by Brian Thompson, who helmed their futuristic clip for "Nothing Left", the video for "The Sound of Truth" was made at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California and is a continuation of the story the first video initiated. Like its predecessor, the story for this video was conceived by the band, fine-tuned by Thompson, and displays the irony and hypocrisy that takes place in a decaying futuristic society.

New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL have scheduled the following South American tour dates:

Mar. 16 - Santiago De Chile, Chile - Teatro Teleton
Mar. 18 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Opiniao
Mar. 19 - Recife, Brazil - Clube Portugues do Recife
Mar. 20 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Via Marques

The members of OVERKILL took part in a press conference on July 9, 2009 prior to the band's performance at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma. Watch footage of the question-and-answer session below (courtesy of SplatterTribe.TV).

On May 12, Megaforce Records reissued two classic OVERKILL albums on colored vinyl.

* "Feel The Fire" on red/orange marbled vinyl
* "Fuck You And Then Some" (first time on vinyl!!) which is a double LP set — one LP on regular black vinyl and the other on black/yellow marbled vinyl with a big fat middle finger etched into side D.

Both albums are limited to 500 hand-numbered copies

OVERKILL has tapped PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren to mix the band's new album.

OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni has been locked in the studio putting together what will be the band's 25th anniversary release. The group is still talking with different labels, but plans are to make the new CD available in early 2010.

Since 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the release of the debut OVERKILL album, "Feel The Fire", there are lots of plans for next year, including U.S. and European tours.

OVERKILL's second DVD, "Live at Wacken Open Air 2007", came out in February 2008 via Bodog Music. The 50-minute disc was shot during the band's headline set at the festival in front of an audience of 40,000, and features songs that span OVERKILL's 28-year career, including "Walk Through Fire" from the group's latest disc "Immortalis", "Rotten to the Core", "Elimination", "Fuck You", "In Union We Stand", "Necroshine", "Skull and Bones", "Old School" and "Wrecking Crew".



(Thanks: NJthrasher)

HELRUNAR and OBSCURITY have been confirmed for next year's Ragnarök Festival, set to take place April 30 - May 1, 2010 at Ostbayernhalle in Rieden/Kreuth, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGATHODAIMON
AKREA
ARKONA
HAGGARD
HEATHEN FORAY
HELFAHRT
HELRUNAR
KROMLEK
OBSCURITY
SÓLSTAFIR
THE VISION BLEAK

For more information, visit www.ragnaroek-festival.com.

Former beauty queen and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's ex-fiancée Bobbie Brown (WARRANT's "Cherry Pie" video) will join SIN CITY SINNERS to host the "Sinners Ball" inside Ovation @ Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas this Saturday, October 31. Doors open at 10 p.m. and it is FREE for everyone to attend.

SIN CITY SINNERS consists of Brent Muscat (formerly of FASTER PUSSYCAT), Todd Kerns (AGE OF ELECTRIC), Mike Eliis, and Rob Cournoyer (RAGING SLAB).

Bobbie Brown is an actress and model, who is best known for her sexually suggestive appearance in the video for WARRANT's anthem "Cherry Pie". She won the spokesperson competition on "Star Search" a record thirteen times and has also starred in such TV shows as "Married… with Children". She appeared in other music videos, including GREAT WHITE's "Once Bitten Twice Shy" and "House of Broken Love" and HURRICANE's "I'm On To You".

Brown is currently the host of "Do It For the Band: The Women of the Sunset Strip" on VH1.

SIN CITY SINNERS is best known for having a special celebrity guest jam with the band each week.

The group has been taking Las Vegas by storm in 2009. They were voted "Best Local Band," second only to THE KILLERS in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Best Of Vegas" readers' poll.

Although the band is known primarily for its sets of cover songs, SIN CITY SINNERS has announced plans to release a CD of original songs in December, titled "Exile on Fremont St.".

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

Listen to BlogTalkRadio.com's interview with Bobbie Brown below (April 2009).

OBSCURA bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling has rejoined resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metallers PESTILENCE after a 15-year break. Thesseling, known for his six-string fretless signature, played on PESTILENCE's fourth album, "Spheres".

"After such a long period of time it's great to be part of PESTILENCE again," Jeroen says in a statement. "I'm convinced that this cooperation will result in brilliant technical death metal.

"In order to avoid misunderstandings I want to emphasize that I will continue to work with my German colleagues of OBSCURA as well."

Adds PESTILENCE guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli: "I'm very happy to welcome Jeroen once more to the PESTILENCE camp. Also a big thanks goes out to Tony Choy, who succesfully participated on the 'Resurrection' album and tour. We all wish him the best of luck in the future!!! Tony is just too busy that we had to find a suitable replacement. I'm convinced that Jeroen, just like Tony on 'Resurrection', will put his signature on this new PESTILENCE album, that fans really don't have to compare these two great bass players with each other. Both have a great style. Also, I would like to stress that, by no means this collaboration with Jeroen will result in a 'Spheres' part 2, since this is not our goal. Our goal is to create the most brutal and technical PESTILENCE album ever. I'm currently composing new songs with the eight-string Ibanez, which will give PESTILENCE a new dimension in our own style. Key words: low, chuncky and a-tonal morbidity!!! So be ready to be blown away!!!"

Thesseling joined the German progressive death metal band OBSCURA in late 2007 and played on the group's second full-length album, "Cosmogenesis", released in February this year.

Fan-filmed video footage of PESTILENCE's July 25, 2009 performance on the Aardschok stage (powered by Jägermeister) at this year's Zwarte Cross (Black Cross) festival in Lichtenvoorde, Holland can be viewed below (clip uploaded by Erhan Düzey).

PESTILENCE's latest album, "Resurrection Macabre", was released on March 13 in Europe (April 14 in the U.S.) via Holland's Mascot Records. The band recorded a total of 14 songs during the session at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark — 11 new tracks and three classic PESTILENCE cuts (as chosen by the fans) to be included on the limited-edition first pressing: "Out Of The Body", "Chemo Therapy" and "Lost Souls". Patrick has previously described the material as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal.

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.