SLIPKNOT will perform on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Friday, October 30 (which will actually air the morning of Saturday, October 31).

The special-edition CD/DVD reissue of SLIPKNOT's self-titled debut album sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first, shortened week of release (the set came out on Wednesday, September 9 whereas new albums usually go on sale on Tuesdays in the U.S.). The album has now shifted more than two million units domestically, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The CD portion of the "Slipknot" reissue features 25 tracks, including the original album as well as rare demos, remixes, rare b-sides and more. A companion documentary, entitled "of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams", is packed with behind the scenes footage of SLIPKNOT from 1999. This inside look features both live and backstage footage from around the world. The DVD also features a never-before-seen concert and all the music videos from their debut cycle, as well as other surprises.

In the decade since the release of "Slipknot", the band has amassed accolades that changed the face of metal. SLIPKNOT has gone on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide, win a Grammy, headline Madison Square Garden and Download festival, have numerous #1 and top 5 rock tracks and videos, as well as debut at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

SLIPKNOT has announced a string of fall tour dates, including some special appearances. The band will embark on a three-week run in October, hitting mostly West Coast markets, before ending the tour at the first annual Trinity of Terrors at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Halloween. This run of dates will also include two previously postponed shows from last month. Sacramento's DEFTONES will provide support beginning in Portland, Oregon through San Bernardino, California.

The Metal Den's Randy "Rocket" Cody recently conducted an interview with former ANTHRAX vocalist Dan Nelson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Metal Den: You issued a statement in concern with the whole ANTHRAX matter via your manager back in July, so I am not here to beat a dead horse on the subject. Looking back on it all now though, would you agree that there was a serious "chemistry" issue going on with you and the other band mates? Or with maybe one person in particular?

Dan: I've always felt that it's better to move on in life and look forward to the future… rather than concern yourself with the past.

The Metal Den: Anyone who was out at the shows or watched video of your live performance while in the band continues to shake their heads at all of this, because you clearly would've ended up being very successful with them. Do you ever sit back now and think about what could have been had you remained in ANTHRAX?

Dan: I never live my life with any regrets and never look back and wish I did something different. I chose instead to look forward to the future. We did some great things in the time we wrote and performed together, and I am very proud of that.

The Metal Den: After hearing your version of "Worship Music" (with your vocals on it), do you think fans would have dug it as much as it was being anticipated?

Dan: Absolutely.

The Metal Den: You told me you're now working on a new musical project. Is it going to be a solo Dan Nelson effort? Or with a new band entirely?

Dan: I have been writing my own music. But I am singing and playing guitar in the band INSIDE HOLLOW, as well as working on a new metal project with Paul Bostaph [TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN] that is coming out killer! Where is it being recorded and who is producing it? No set studios or producers just yet. We are still in the writing process with both bands.

Read the entire interview from The Metal Den.

Video footage of ANTHRAX's June 28, 2009 concert (with soundboard-quality audio) at the Graspop Metal Meeting on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium can be viewed below.

Swedish all-female rock/metal band CRUCIFIED BARBARA will support EUROPE on the following dates:

Dec. 26 - Lisebergshallen - Gothenburg, SWE
Dec. 28 - Hovet - Stockholm, SWE

For a list of upcoming CRUCIFIED BARBARA shows, go to this location.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA's second full-length album, "Til Death Do Us Party", was released in February. The CD was produced by Mats Levén (THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) and features guest appearances by guitarist Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD) and Mats Levén.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA was the featured musical guest on the March 5, 2009 edition of the "Nyhetsmorgon" program on Sweden's TV4. The band performed two songs and took part in an interview. Watch footage of their appearance below.

Video footage of legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE performing the song "At The End Of My Daze" on September 28, 2009 at Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden can be viewed below (courtesy of "jajairse").

TROUBLE recently debuted a brand new song, "Hunters Of Doom", from the group's forthcoming CD, "The Dark Riff".

TROUBLE previously stated that the material that is set to appear on "The Dark Riff" features "massive, killer riffs" that are "sure to please ANY TROUBLE fan . . . As you can tell by the [new album's] title, IT'S HEAVY! The band is resorting to the root of what made TROUBLE in the first place and what they are best at, DOOM! This will no doubt be the heaviest TROUBLE release since the mid-'80s when they crushed the masses with what is now known as 'Psalm 9' and 'The Skull'."

TROUBLE's recently released live album, "Live In L.A.", was recorded in Los Angeles and is available at NewTrouble.com.

TROUBLE guitarist Bruce Franklin was interviewed on the August 9, 2009 edition of the "Heavy Metal Mayhem" show on Blogtalkradio.com. The program can now be streamed below.

U.K.'s The Sun has uploaded photos of METALLICA members James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett soaking up the rays on a Miami beach during a break on the band's current U.S. tour. A posting on the web site reads, "Hetfield showed off his abundantly-tattooed arms and strange choice of headwear as he dipped his feet into the sea. Joining him was . . Hammett, who was all smiles as he unveiled his significantly less inked torso to the bathing masses."

Check out the pictures at TheSun.co.uk.

An 85-year-old METALLICA fan got to meet the band on Saturday night (October 3) before their show in Tampa, Florida, according to TampaBay.com. After a story in last Thursday's (October 1) St. Petersburg Times about the woman, named Margaret Priebe, spread throughout the Internet, representatives of the band invited both Priebe and her 48-year-old son Jim backstage, where she spent quality time with all four members of the group. Hetfield also dedicated the song "Nothing Else Matters" to Margaret in front of 18,000 people at that night's concert.

Drummer Lars Ulrich greeted Priebe as "The number one METALLICA fan," while Hetfield asked if he could hug her. The band members autographed her copy of their latest album, "Death Magnetic", and also gave her a road crew shirt.

After meeting the band, Priebe said, "They were just like what I'd thought they'd be — very nice."

Priebe first got into METALLICA nine years ago, when she heard a cut from their live "S&M" album on the radio. During a successful battle with cancer last year, Priebe kept herself going by listening to the band — along with JUDAS PRIEST, OZZY OSBOURNE and others — on her MP3 player.

Priebe told the Times, "People think I'm weird. But I'm sorry, I like it loud."

SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), entered the studio on September 14 to begin recording the group's ninth album, "The Tuoni Pathway", for an early 2010 release via U.K.'s Femme Metal Records.

Commented the band: "We have finished doing the vocals for one song and the whole thing is getting into the shape. Damn, it sounds good. Tanya Lilith did her job for 'The Call Of The Dancing Waters' more than great; excellent woman! It seems that this song shall be THE song for the video. We shall start shooting for that on 16th of October."

"The Tuoni Pathway" track listing:

01. The Call Of Dancing Waters
02. The Song Of Tomorrow
03. My Sweet Thought Of Death
04. Vuoret Ja Metsänmaa
05. Tulikannel
06. Among The Graves
07. March Butterfly
08. Pilgrim Of The Shadows
09. Farewell To Misery
10. The Tuoni Pathway

A demo version of the song "Farewell To Misery" is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. The track — which appeared on the "Demonic and Divine" compilation (Femme Metal Records) — is "a tale of an old couple still in love after 50, heading to death, so enjoy the dark ride," according to the band.

SOULGRIND's latest CD, "Pakana", was released in February 2007 via Holy Records.

"Pakana", was recorded at D studio and was released in February 2007. It was the follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records.

SOULGRIND's current lineup:

Azhemin (THY SERPENT) - Vocals
Ms W Lilith (ex-LULLACRY) - Vocals
Lord Heikkinen (TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE) – Guitar
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Agathon The Beast (GLOOMY GRIM) - Drums
TByte (TWILIGHT OPHERA) – Guitar

Original QUIET RIOT bass player Kelli Garni and Kelle Rhoads, brother of late OZZY OSBOURNE/QUIET RIOT guitarist Randy Rhoads, will take part in a live audio-video chat session on Sunday, October 11 at 5:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 p.m. EST via Garni's recently launched new social networking site, dubbed the RR Network, for fans of Randy Rhoads. The chat will be open to all registered members.

As previously reported, Garni and Kelle Rhoads are among the musicians who will perform at the Rhoadsfest, set to take place December 6, 2009 at the Whisky A Go Go. Billed as "the best Randy Rhoads tribute show ever," Rhoadsfest will be attended by other members of Randy's family and will feature a performance by Kelle with RHOADS TO OZZ (said to be "the one true authorized Rhoads tribute band"). Six acts will play at the event, which will include special Randy Rhoads features and Rhoads original artifacts on display.

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

In 1982, Rhoads, the then-lead guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE, and two others were killed at Flying Baron Estates, just outside Leesburg, Florida, when their small plane struck Osbourne's tour bus, then crashed into a mansion.

LIFE OF AGONY will perform its acclaimed debut album, "River Runs Red", in its entirety at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey on November 28 in celebration of the band's 20-year anniversary.

LIFE OF AGONY has played sporadic shows over the course of the last four years after completing its successful touring cycle for the 2005 Epic Records release, "Broken Valley". The band is currently without a record deal, having parted ways with Epic four years ago.

LIFE OF AGONY frontman Keith Caputo's latest solo album "A Fondness For Hometown Scars", was released in Europe in April 2008 via Suburban Records. The CD was produced by Martyn Lenoble (JANE'S ADDICTION, DAVE GAHAN, PORNO FOR PYROS, THE CULT); mixed by Vincent Jones (SARAH MCLACHLAN, DAVID GAHAN, MORRISSEY) and Martyn Lenoble; and was mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound in New York City.

SPOILER NYC, the New York-based punk trio featuring LIFE OF AGONY's Alan Robert on lead vocals and bass, recently uploaded two new songs — "Damaged Goods" and "Banned in 38 States" — to the band's MySpace page. The tracks come off the group's forthcoming album, "Banned in 38 States", which was recorded and mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer Ken Lewis (LENNY KRAVITZ, BEASTIE BOYS) for a 2010 release through an as-yet-undisclosed label.

Professionally filmed video footage of LIFE OF AGONY's performance at the Area 4 festival, which was held August 21-23, 2009 in Lüdinghausen, Germany, can be viewed below.



(Thanks: NJthrasher)

After several delays, the new AXEMASTER CD, "The Inner Terror", is very close to completion.

To give everyone a taste of what to expect from the disc, the Akron, Ohio-based band has chosen to release the song "Unresting Place" and feature it on as many Internet sites as possible. The track will also be available for free download on all sites that allow it.

For those of you who remember the old version of this song (with the previous singer) that was featured on the band's MySpace page a couple years ago, you should know that this is a new and very improved version. Not only is the recording much better and features current vocalist Dan Kaisk, but the lyrics and vocal lines have been completely revised. The song has been enhanced in almost every way.

To check out the track, go to www.myspace.com/thebandaxemaster.

Subsound Records has announced the signing of the Rome, Italy-based band JUGGERNAUT. According to a press release, the quintet "forges hardcore and metal music with new evocative weapons." The group's musical direction is described as "a majestic, melodic and powerful approach to the sound of the ocean, mountains and organic gears."

JUGGERNAUT's debut album is tentatively due in early 2010.

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

Video footage of AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer signing copies of his autobiography, "Hit Hard: A Story Of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top", in Hyannis, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Marlborough, Massachusetts can be viewed below. The clip contains footage of both the fan experience and Joey's experience as he makes his way through New England signing copies of the book.

"Hit Hard: A Story Of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top" was released on June 30 through HarperCollins. In the book, Kramer, a founding member and drummer of AEROSMITH, courageously tells the world how he has wrestled with depression as part of the most successful rock band in American history.

In 1997, amidst AEROSMITH's sold-out world tour and No. 1 album release, Joey revealed in an interview his ongoing struggles with depression. The response from fans and people battling those same internal demons was overwhelming. Joey — who has been the drummer in aerosmith since it was founded in 1970 and the first member of the band to release his own book — now tells the complete story: the early days of the band, glamorous drug-addled events leading up to their eventual sobriety, battles within his family and among bandmates, and the explosive internal dynamics in AEROSMITH that continue to unleash a fury of endless creativity.

This is not just another rock and roll memoir. In addition to the never-before-told AEROSMITH war stories that abound in the book, "Hit Hard" unpacks the history of a rock star who was both fragile and tough, who after years of insane wildness became willing to accept help and finally kick a serious alcohol and drug addiction, only to find that the real terrors and hard work were still ahead. It's the story of an average kid from an average American suburb who went through physical and emotional trauma. It's about years of depression and the nervous breakdown at the height of the band's comeback success. Ultimately, it is about how Joey recognized his confusion between love and abuse, awakening to the kind of self-acceptance and compassion that makes healthy relationships possible in the "real world."

Joey Kramer has been rocking with AEROSMITH since the band began in 1970. Kramer and his partners have sold over 150 million albums, and today their multigenerational, global audience is bigger than ever. In addition to the Grammys and the twenty-one multi-platinum albums, AEROSMITH was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The band has been the subject of several documentaries, including a film dedicated to Joey Kramer and his lasting influence called "It's About Time".

DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson's guest on Friday, October 9 during Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio program, dubbed "The Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show". Listen to the broadcast live via the Internet between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) U.K. time at BBC.co.uk.

Video footage of Airey's January 20, 2009 concert at Metropolis in Munich, German can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "eblinternational"). Airey and his band performed a set largely based on his new solo album "A Light in the Sky", alongside a selection of songs from Don's previous groups.

Airey's solo band consisted of the following musicians:

Don Airey - Keyboards
Carl Sentance - vocals
Clive Bunker (ex-JETHRO TULL) - Drums
Lawrence Cottle - Bass
Rob Harris (JAMIROQUOI) - Guitar

Don Airey released his latest solo album, "A Light In The Sky", in February 2008 via Mascot Records. For the effort, Airey gathered together a different set of collaborators (though Laurence Cottle of Sting/ Eric Clapton/ Brian Eno/ Bill Bruford fame once again contributes precision bass-playing), though naturally Don provides the record's central creative thrust — an entertaining mixture of instrumental and vocal songs, from the "Bladerunner"-style "Ripples In The Fabric Of Time" to the hook-laden hard rock of "Shooting Star".

Blackened death metallers ACHERON have signed with Ibex Moon Records for the U.S. release of their latest album, "The Final Conflict: Last Days Of God".

Commented bassist/vocalist Vincent Crowley: "We have really been wanting to have someone license our new album, 'The Final Conflict: Last Days of God', in the United States to help give us more of a push in our own country. When Ibex Moon stepped up and signed a deal with Displeased Records, we were very excited.

"John McEntee from Ibex Moon has really put his label/company on the map. Ibex Moon has great distribution and has been releasing excellent albums from killer bands.

"Our goals are to start promoting the new album as much as possible and get this new musical creation to all the American metal fans! And as we do this, we hope for all the fans to show their support and actually go out and buy a copy of the new CD. Don't let downloading replace the option of buying CDs! We promise those who get the new album won't be disappointed in their purchase."

The album, the band's first in six years, is out now in Europe and will be released on November 24 in the U.S.

"The Final Conflict: Last Days of God" was once again recorded at Mars Recording Compound with Bill Korecky and was mastered at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The follow-up to 2003's "Rebirth: Metamorphosing into Godhood" is a concept album based on the fall of the three major white light religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

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

A few weeks ago, ACHERON began filming the video for the song "I Am Heathen", off "The Final Conflict: Last Days Of God", with director (and ex-bandmate) Aaron Werner. The clip will be part of a promotional CD that will also contain an ACHERON interview dealing with the making of the new album and more.

Behind-the-scenes footage and photos from the video shoot can be viewed below. More clips are available at this location.

Guitarist Alex Hellid of Swedish metallers ENTOMBED has spoken to the Aftonbladet newspaper about the sudden passing of bassist Mike Alexander from the U.K. thrash metal outfit EVILE.

ENTOMBED was in the middle of a Swedish tour with AMON AMARTH and EVILE when Alexander was suddenly taken ill and rushed to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Commented Alex: "You don't ever think something like this could happen. It's so sad. Our hearts are with his family."

He added, "I said hello to him in the afternoon. Then this happened and you can't believe it's true."

According to a report in Norrländska Socialdemokraten — a daily regional newspaper published in Norrbotten, Sweden — the cause of Alexander's death is believed to be "some kind of cerebral hemorrhage" although this has not yet been corroborated by an official source.

(A cerebral hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke is a form of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or bleeds.)

ENTOMBED dedicated tonight's (October 6) concert in Östersund, Sweden to Alexander, who was just 32 years old.

The members of EVILE, who are said to be in shock, immediately cancelled the rest of the tour.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser has once again denied that the band is considering a reunion of its classic lineup — despite the fact that fans are still clamoring for vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera and former drummer Igor Cavalera to make their return.

"Two years ago, people were pressuring us for a reunion, since it was the age of reunions — from THE POLICE to ANTHRAX," Kisser told Noisecreep. "So I think people felt we might be ready to do something like that also. That is not the case. We are focused on what we are doing. We have a new drummer, and we recorded the album with him for first time. And we are in a great moment and the intention is build for the future and not be slaves to the past."

Kisser, however, stopped short of completely ruling out a reunion with the Cavalera brothers at some point in the future, stating, "You never know. This stuff can happen sooner or later. Who knows? Maybe never? Let's see. We're focusing on what we do right now."

In a September 2009 interview with "The Classic Metal Show", Max Cavalera was asked if he thought SEPULTURA's reputation was being tarnished by the band's current lineup. "Well, it's not really up to me to say that," Max replied. "I think I left it up to the fans to decide, and I think they are showing their feelings, because I don't think SEPULTURA is doing all that good these days. There's no original members [left], and it's just kind of hard to believe in a band like that, because everybody that was in it originally has left. But what can I say?! I'm pleased with what I'm doing. Playing with Igor [in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY] is great, and the way SOULFLY is coming together is great, so I just keep doing my thing."

British metallers MALEFICE recently had the privilege of travelling to New Delhi, India. They played for thousands of pumped up metal fans at the annual Rendezvous Festival. As always, the band went with cameras rolling so fans can get a glimpse inside of what the trip was like.

Part one of the video report can be viewed below.

Commented the group: "This is the first video from our trip to India. We had an amazing time, saw some incredible things and met some incredible people. This first video will give a flavor of the experiences we had during the first part of trip, the sights, sounds and uniqueness of India."

Look for part two to be posted online sometime next week.

MALEFICE's sophomore album, "Dawn Of Reprisal", was released in March via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release, the CD features "10 hammering songs leaving any metalhead worldwide nothing but satisfied with a mischievous smile on his face! Packed full of "face-melting riffs, fret-shredding guitars and a sense of groove that will stand up against any name you care to mention," "Dawn Of Reprisal" was recorded and mixed by Dan Weller and Justin Hill (ex-SIKTH) at Fortress Studios and Timeless Studios in London, and was mastered at 360 Mastering by Dick Beetham.

Commented the group: "'Dawn of Reprisal' is a massive step forward for all of us as a band, and individuals. MALEFICE has matured a lot in a short space of time and one listen to this new record will show you that. We've crafted our sound into what we all missed about metal. Killer riffs, punishing drums, intense vocals and songs you can break your neck to!"

In celebration of the arrival of the band's first studio album in eleven years, KISS has pushed up the release of their book "Kiss Army Worldwide: The Ultimate Fanzine Phenomenon" to coincide with the group's North American tour.

For the first time in KISS history, KISS fans everywhere will get an inside look and visual history told through concert photos and unique fanzines chronicling the iconic band from their beginnings in the 1970s until today. "Kiss Army Worldwide: The Ultimate Fanzine Phenomenon" includes never-before-released photos, rare fanzine covers, unique and engaging content, and other shared memorabilia from both the fans and the band. This is the ultimate must-have for every KISS fan!

The book features commentary by legendary front men Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who provide invaluable insight on topics such as the rock and roll DIY aspect of fanzines, how these fanzines greatly contributed to the band's evolution into one of the most epic and legendary bands in music history, as well as the band's appreciation of their adoring fans. In addition, it showcases interviews with members of the KISS Army from all over the world.

With KISS fans giddy with anticipation for the band's first album in over a decade and their North American tour this fall, this book will become an essential item for millions of KISS fans everywhere. Finally, here is THE ultimate book for KISS fanatics!

KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all time. Their career milestones are staggering. KISS holds honors as one of America's top gold record champions, recording 37 albums over 36 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide.

Over 30 years of record-breaking tours around the globe include high-profile appearances at Super Bowl XXXIII, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the 2005 Rockin' The Corps concert dedicated to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently, the 2009 "American Idol" finale before 30 million viewers. In September 2009, KISS received their first nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The KISS legacy continues to grow, generation after generation, transcending age, race, and creed. The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the "Hottest Band in the World" is a striking testament to the band's unbreakable bond with its fans.

For more information, go to this location.

Dutch melodic death/thrash act FUELBLOODED has inked a deal with Deka Records. The group's sophomore album, "Off the Face of the Earth", was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, THE ABSENCE, CARNAL FORGE, ONE MAN ARMY) and is being released today (October 6).

Commented FUELBLOODED guitarist Michiel Rutten: "We're very proud of our new album, 'Off the Face of the Earth'. A lot of blood, sweet and tears went into making that album, and it definitely shows — it is a bomb! Deka Records releasing it now feels great. We're looking forward to start touring for this album now!"

Check out the new song "When Passion Dies" at the FUELBLOODED MySpace page.

A seven-episode studio report documenting the recording process for "Off the Face of the Earth" is available on the band's YouTube channel.

FUELBLOODED's debut album, "Inflict the Inevitable", was released by Copro Records in March 2006.

The band recently capped off the touring cycle for "Inflict the Inevitable" by playing two club shows with Swedish melodic deathsters SCAR SYMMETRY.

FUELBLOODED is:

Peter Brinkman - Vocals
Michiel Rutten - Guitar
Danny Tunker - Guitar
Michel Steenbekkers - Bass
Norbert Moen - Drums

Finnish metallers AMORAL kicked off their European tour with AMORPHIS and BEFORE THE DAWN last Friday (October 2) at Nosturi in Helsinki. Now you can keep track of their "whereabouts, doings and mischief on the road" by following the AMORAL tour blog at this location.

AMORAL's "Year Of The Suckerpunch" video can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Show Your Colors", which entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 19.

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

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

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

AMORAL made its official live debut with Koivunen on February 6, 2009 at the Frostbite festival in Lahti, Finland.

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



(Thanks: Melica / Night Elves)

A sneak peek of "Why AC/DC Matters", the new book that is scheduled for release on October 13 via William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers), is available at this location.

AC/DC is the second-best-selling popular music act of all time, bested only by THE BEATLES. They've sold 200 million albums worldwide. "Back in Black" is the second best-selling album in the world behind MICHAEL JACKSON's "Thriller" at 49 million copies sold. In 2008, thirty-five years after AC/DC first took to the stage, their sixteenth studio album, "Black Ice", debuted at #1 in 29 countries around the world, despite the fact that it was only available in Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and via the band's web site.

So with credentials like these, why is a book titled "Why AC/DC Matters" necessary? Because, from the start, AC/DC was at best ignored — and at worst ridiculed — by the mainstream music press. In AC/DC's thirty-five-year history, the band has graced the cover of Rolling Stone exactly twice — there was no Bon Scott memorial issue, no exclusive "in-the-studio" pieces, and no fitting recognition in any of the magazine's endless "greatest" lists. The mainstream media's critical subtext has always been that AC/DC is unworthy of serious consideration, an inexplicably popular band for the tasteless masses, selling the obvious to an unseen, uncultured majority.

Now Anthony Bozza sets the record straight. In addition to helming Rolling Stone's "Random Notes" column for two years, he penned a wide array of cover stories and features on artists ranging from Trent Reznor to Jennifer Lopez to Ozzy Osbourne and Bo Didley. Bozza also has several mega-selling books to his credit: he wrote "Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem", and co-wrote comedian Artie Lange's "Too Fat to Fish" which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, "Tommyland", the autobiography of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, and Slash, the autobiography of GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER's legendary guitarist. In "Why AC/DC Matters" Bozza throws down the gauntlet when he states, "AC/DC is the greatest living rock band, end of story." Coming from him, this means something.

Bozza's perspective in "Why AC/DC Matters" is unique, combining the keen analytical eye of a pop culture critic with the zeal of a true music lover. His writing career has provided him with keen insight into what makes rock bands tick, and incredible access to its top-rung talent. In these pages we hear from rockers Tommy Lee and Slash, multiple Grammy Award-wining producer Rick Rubin, and professors of voice and guitar at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. Bozza examines AC/DC's rise and every aspect of what makes them so appealing, influential, and culturally important — the bonds of brotherhood (familial and otherwise) within the band, their instantly recognizable sound, their remarkable consistency, and their army of devoted fans who span generations. This is not a definitive biography of the band. There is no deep examination of the childhood and rise of each band member or travelogue of tour bus and backstage antics. Instead, Bozza treats us to the ultimate critical appreciation of a supremely beloved and phenomenally successful rock band. "Why AC/DC Matters" is the sum total of the long-overdue serious consideration that has been so incredibly and conspicuously absent — until now.

So, to AC/DC and their legions of fans: consider yourselves snubbed no more. "Why AC/DC Matters" validates what fans have known all along — AC/DC is the greatest rock and roll band of all time!

ILMOEntertainment conducted an interview with vocalist Ivan Moody of Los Angeles metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on October 3, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Watch the six-minute chat below.

"War Is The Answer" — the sophomore album from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH — sold 44,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD follows up FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's 2007 debut, "The Way Of The Fist", which has sold more than 350,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"War Is The Answer" was released in the U.S. on September 22 via Prospect Park Records. The CD was produced by the band and Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, IN THIS MOMENT), and was mixed by Randy Staub (METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, NICKELBACK). According to a press release, "the record evolves the band's already mature sound, ranging from the undeniable melodies in 'Hard to See' to the brutally nihilistic 'Burn It Down' — destined to please fans both new and old."

Guitarist Zoltan Bathory recently stated about the new CD, "In terms of the overall style, I would say that we've continued the journey we started on the first album, so there's a healthy balance of melody and aggression, and as always we concentrated on writing strong metal songs in the traditional sense. There's some epic moments on the record, and there's some straight-up home-wreckers, too. All I can say is, those who liked our first album are going to LOVE this one!"

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH kicked off "The Shock And Roar Tour" on September 22 in San Francisco. Joining them on the bill are SHADOWS FALL, OTEP and 2 CENTS.

On October 3, 2009, singer Brent Smith and drummer Barry Kerch of the Jacksonville, Florida-based hard rock/post-grunge band SHINEDOWN were interviewed on Santa Rosa, California's 101.7 The Fox radio station inside the "Less Is More Lounge." Watch the eight-minute chat below.

The deluxe editions of SHINEDOWN's first two albums — "Leave a Whisper" (2003) and "Us and Them" (2005) — are now available on iTunes.

"The Sound of Madness", SHINEDOWN's third studio effort, has sold 744,000 copies in the U.S. since coming out in June 2008.

Dayton, Ohio's THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAST has inked a deal with Trustkill Records. The band's full-length debut, "Domestic Blood", was recorded at Random Awesome Studios in Saginaw, Michigan with producer Josh Schroeder and is scheduled for an early 2010 release.

Commented bassist Pete DiSalvo, "I couldn't think of a better way to spend my 25th birthday weekend than celebrating signing to Trustkill Records, a label that really shows that they want us as much as we want them. It's a really nice feeling knowing that your band is appreciated by the people that matter."

THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAST began its attack on listeners' ears in early 2008 when the defunct Dayton band THE RED AFFAIR enlisted the help of fellow Dayton veteran Nick Villars.

With a sound best described as "'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' meets 'Animal House'," THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAST's only goal is "to play kick-ass tunes to kick-ass kids in every kick-ass city in the country."

THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAST is:

Nick Villars - Vocals
Jesse Blair - Guitar
Pete DiSalvo - Bass
Andy Lazier - Drums
Tim Baker - Guitar

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

North Carolina's Christian hardcore/metal act ONWARD TO OLYMPAS has inked a deal with Facedown Records. The group's debut album, "This World Is Not My Home", was recorded with Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, FOR TODAY) and is scheduled for release on January 19, 2010.

Coming up among such North Carolina bands as BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, BELOVED, and HE IS LEGEND gave the members of ONWARD TO OLYMPAS an appreciation for an array of genres.

Since its formation in 2008, ONWARD TO OLYMPAS has meticulously cultivated its sound, blending progressive metal, straight hardcore, and elements of death metal. That the band can indulge all their musical proclivities yet produce such consistent results while making it seem easy is a testament to their craftsmanship. Vocalist/guitarist Justin Gage says, "We like the challenge of including all the genres that we most enjoy without making a song sound like it is being performed by three different bands."

On "This World Is Not My Home", ONWARD TO OLYMPAS "makes sure to bring the intensity, effortlessly melding melodic singing with thick metal-core screams, occasionally bringing a little old school back to the table with crisp gang vocals," according to a press release.

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

Guitarist Dave Nassie of Orange County, California's BLEEDING THROUGH has issued the following update:

"Just wanted let all the BLEEDING THROUGH fans out there (who might be interested) know that I am teaching guitar lessons and I am currently taking on new students in the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Southern California areas.

"I have been teaching guitar since the age of 14. I teach all styles and techniques as well as music theory and orchestration. I have done many clinics throughout the world focusing on technique and writing and have worked with many artist in the studio and at home.

"Age is no limit; I currently have students that range in ages from 6 years old to 60 and have recently joined forces with Schecter Guitars and I am excited about working with them on the teaching front as well.

"I can come to you or you can come to me... I have all the tools to make lessons functional and easy and I provide everything!

"In the times when the band tours, I have the capability to do web lessons and keep lesson plans consistent, so there is no break in the teaching process. This has worked well with my current students and proves to be very functional.

"Please contact me at dnassie@yahoo.com if you are interested? $25 dollars a half hour is my current rate.

"I hope to hear from some of you and appreciate your time."

Nassie joined BLEEDING THROUGH as the replacement for Jona Weinhofen, who left the band earlier in the year.

BLEEDING THROUGH recently inked a deal with the Portland, Oregon-based independent record label Rise Records.

The group's latest album, "Declaration", sold around 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 101 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in September 2008, the CD was recorded in Vancouver, Canada with producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, LAMB OF GOD, SOILWORK, DARKEST HOUR) and is said to be thematically the band's most diverse album to date, addressing a variety of topics on tracks like "There Was a Flood" and "Death Anxiety".

Capital Chaos has uploaded video footage (see below) of BLEEDING THROUGH performing the song "Orange County Blonde & Blue" on August 28, 2009 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California.

Bob Mitchell (THE BOB MITCHELL BAND, SCEPTOR, MIND ASSASSIN, ATTACKER, VYNDYCATOR) has issued the following update:

"I just wanted to announce that I will be the host for the all-new 'Total Metal Television' show. The show will feature videos and interview segments to which I will be conducting.

"If any of you are interested at all, and you have videos that you want to feature on 'Total Metal Television', please let me know and I will give you the direct contact information of my producers for you to submit your videos.

"The show is set to premier sometime in February or March and it will be seen on Internet TV and cable outlets worldwide!"

For more information, go to this location.

Tonight's (Tuesday, October 6) SATYRICON concert at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona was cancelled by the promoter, according to a posting on the band's web site. "There is nothing we can do about it and we hate it," the group writes. "Come see us in California. We made it over from Norway. You can make it to California!"

Other bands that are taking part in the tour include BLEEDING THROUGH, CHTHONIC and TOXIC HOLOCAUST.

SATYRICON will take part in a signing session at Scrape Records in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Wednesday, October 14 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.scraperecords.com.

SATYRICON released a special-edition, two-CD version of its critically acclaimed latest album, "The Age Of Nero", on September 29 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The bonus material on this special "The Age Of Nero" package has never been available in North America before. Featuring eight live and rare recordings, this set is a must-have for SATYRICON fans.

Official Metallica.com footage from METALLICA's October 4, 2009 concert at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia — including clips of pre-show tuning-room jam and the actual performance — can be viewed below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. Ride The Lightning
04. No Remorse
05. One
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. Cyanide
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. All Nightmare Long
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Last Caress
17. Hit The Lights
18. Seek and Destroy

METALLICA has added single-song downloads to the LiveMetallica.com web site. Instead of buying only entire concerts, fans can pick whatever individual songs they want from any concert they choose from. Every song that the band has recorded in concert since 2004, covering a span of 269 shows, is available for 99 cents per MP3. Full shows are still $9.95 as MP3 files and $12.95 as higher-quality FLAC files.

Frontman James Hetfield told The Pulse of Radio about deciding to release individual songs, "Yeah, I think the song-per-song vs. album is kind of a long lost battle, I think. You know, people in the fast-food world we live in want what they want, and want it now, and when they're done with it, they're done with it. So yeah, it's about time, and I think it's the right move."

LiveMetallica.com was launched in March 2004 and makes downloads available for purchase of every show the band has played since then, often within hours of the gig's finale.

More than 300,000 downloads have been purchased at the site since its launch.

The "Vault" section of the site offers free downloads of shows recorded before 2004.

More shows will crop up at the site in upcoming weeks, since METALLICA just launched a new North American tour last month. The band has dates booked through mid-December.

Denise Quan of CNN caught up with members of ALICE IN CHAINS as they shot the video for their current single, "Check My Brain", on a Hollywood soundstage. Watch the chat below.

According to Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS, ALICE IN CHAINS's first all-new album in 14 years, titled "Black Gives Way To Blue", is on track to sell between 130,000 and 140,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The album will likely land in the Top 5 of The Billboard 200 chart, behind latest albums from PARAMORE, MARIAH CAREY, BARBRA STREISAND and BREAKING BENJAMIN.

Following its last, self-titled record in 1995, the once-mighty Seattle-based act went into a long period of inactivity, partially due to the drug problems of singer Layne Staley. Staley died in 2002, but it was another four years until the three remaining members of the band, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, first regrouped for a benefit show and then officially returned with new frontman William DuVall.

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.

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) has been confirmed for the 10th-anniversary edition of Bloodstock festival, set to take place August 13-15, 2010 at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.

Commented Townsend: "I am extremely proud to say that I have the honor of playing the 2010 Bloodstock festival in England this coming summer! It's been a while since I've played any shows so I hope you'll join me as I finally get the chance to bring this vision to the big stage.

"I will be playing selections from 'Addicted', 'Deconstruction', 'Ziltoid', 'Physicist', 'Ki', 'Infinity', 'Ocean Machine' and various other albums from the past 15 years.

"I'm extremely proud to have the opportunity to finally bring these albums to you; I have been planning this for many years. It will be an experience that I hope we will all remember for years to come.

"There's no time like the present, Let's kick some ass."

The following bands have been confirmed for Bloodstock's 10th anniversary:

ANDROMEDA
BEHEMOTH
DEVIN TOWNSEND
OBITUARY
RAGE
ROSS THE BOSS

For more information, go to this location.

Townsend will release "Addicted", the second in a series of albums to be made available under the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker, on November 17 in North America via InsideOut Music.

A six-minute audio teaser for the CD is available for streaming on Devin's MySpace page.