AlexIslegend.com conducted an interview with vocalist/bassist Jeff Paulick of Kenosha, Wisconsin's LAZARUS A.D. on May 24, 2009 when the band played Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts with TESTAMENT and UNEARTH. Watch the chat in two parts below.

LAZARUS A.D. recently shot a video for the song "Thou Shall Not Fear" in the "storied and (supposedly) haunted Eagle's Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin."

"Thou Shall Not Fear" comes off LAZARUS A.D.'s debut album, "The Onslaught", which was released on March 3 via Metal Blade Records.

Originally known simply as LAZARUS, the band has been pummeling audiences with their brand of modern thrash since the spring of 2005. Have no doubts that LAZARUS A.D. is a thrash band, but merely in attitude as their sound is no simple throwback to the '80s Bay Area sound. They breathe a breath of fresh air into modern thrash with intelligent, memorable riffs, mid-tempo grooves, and high-flying solos.

In January of 2007, the band recorded "The Onslaught" with Chris Djuricic (SOIL, NOVEMBERS DOOM, MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO) at Studio One. James Murphy (ex-DEATH, TESTAMENT) handled mastering duties and remixed the album for its worldwide release via Metal Blade Records.

LAZARUS A.D. is:

Dan Gapen - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Jeff Paulick - Bass/Lead Vocals
Alex Lackner - Rhythm Guitar
Ryan Shutler - Drums

Part 1:



Part 2:

HardTimes.ca has uploaded video footage of WALLS OF JERICHO's May 29, 2009 concert at the Underworld in Montreal. Watch the 23-minute clip below.

WALLS OF JERICHO's latest album, "The American Dream" (Trustkill Records), sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 11 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"The American Dream" was recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Ben Schigel and Tony Gammalo.

An e-card for "The American Dream" can be accessed at this location.

WALLS OF JERICHO and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) collaborated on an EP entitled "Redemption". The CD, which was produced by Taylor, features primarily melodic vocals and acoustic instruments.

Poland's Metal Mind Productions will re-release the debut album by reactivated Birmingham, England death metal outfit WARLORD UK. "Maximum Carnage", which was originally made available in 1996 via Nuclear Blast Records, will be remastered and will be reissued with seven extra tracks, liner notes and previously unseen photos. The CD featured Dave Ingram (BENEDICTION, BOLT THROWER) on vocals.

WARLORD UK has signed a 12-month management contract with Manchester, U.K.-based Valium Management and Promotions. A new studio album from the band is tentatively slated for a 2010 release. WARLORD UK drummer Neil Farrington is also working with ex-CANCER bassist Adam Richardson on Adam's NO LOVE LOST doom metal project.

Formed in 1992, the original lineup of WARLORD UK consisted of Mark White (bass, vocals), Andrew "Bear" Stone (guitar), Michael Gorst (guitar), and a drum machine. They eventually recruited a human drummer, Neil Hutton, later replaced by Neil Farrington.

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

David Wild of RollingStone.com conducted an interview with Eddie Van Halen at the third annual Spike Guys' Choice Awards, which was taped this past Saturday night (May 30) in Culver City, California. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

RollingStone.com: The VAN HALEN tour was such a success. Were you pleasantly surprised?

Eddie Van Halen: You never know. But I do know this. Janie [Eddie's fiancée/publicist] and I are getting married on the 27th of June, and then we'll go on a honeymoon. Then Dave [Lee Roth], Wolfie [Van Halen], Alex [Van Halen] and I are going into the studio and record some new music and go on tour about a year from now.

RollingStone.com: Did the VAN HALEN tour help fire up some new musical ideas?

Eddie Van Halen: No, I am always writing, you know. But we're a true band now. It wasn't just a reunion one-off thing. I've already gone to Dave's house four or five times over the last month. I've got so much music. It's just trying to figure out what Dave's into because we haven't written together in a long time. But it's great. It feels like we've always felt in the beginning. But I'm sober, so it's different. He's sober, so it's different. It's a wonderful feeling.

RollingStone.com: Have you heard CHICKENFOOT?

Eddie Van Halen: No, I haven't.

RollingStone.com: No particular interest?

Eddie Van Halen: Well, I don't listen to anything really, for one.

RollingStone.com: You make your own music?

Eddie Van Halen: Yeah, I'm too busy doing my own thing. I wish them well. The funny thing is that everyone who quits the band always claims they got fired by me. Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. When [Sammy] Hagar left the band, Mike [Michael Anthony] went with him. Then when we get back together with Dave, and all of a sudden, he wants back in. It's like, "No, dude, you quit the band." So my son became the bass player. But we didn't give Mike the boot to have my son play. He was around. We didn't have a bass player. "Hey Wolfie, you want to play?"

Read the entire interview from RollingStone.com.

Swedish sleaze rockers BACKYARD BABIES were recently interviewed by "Strike", a weekly metal show which is broadcast on Germany's StreetClip.tv. Watch the seven-minute chat below.

BACKYARD BABIES will support MÖTLEY CRÜE on select dates in Europe. Also appearing on the bill is DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED.

"Degenerated", the new video from BACKYARD BABIES, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest, self-titled album, which topped the chart in the group's home country in its first week of release. The CD also entered the Finnish album chart at No. 31.

Released in Europe on August 18, 208 via Billion Dollar Babies/Spinefarm, "Backyard Babies" was recorded during 90 sweaty days and nights at Polar and Big Island Sound studios in Stockholm with producer Jacob Hellner (RAMMSTEIN, APOCALYPTICA).

BACKYARD BABIES released its fifth studio full-length album, "People Like People Like People Like Us", in April 2006 via Century Media Records.

Headbang, a Turkish rock and metal magazine which is sold as a Blue Jean magazine supplement, has published its list of top 30 heavy metal and hard rock vocalists of all time (as compiled by the magazine's writers). It is as follows:

01. Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN, BRUCE DICKINSON)
02. Ronnie James Dio (ex-ELF, ex-RAINBOW, ex-BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN AND HELL)
03. Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST, FIGTH, 2WO, HALFORD)
04. Ozzy Osbourne (ex-BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE)
05. James Hetfield (METALLICA)
06. Mike Patton (FAITH NO MORE, MR. BUNGLE, FANTOMAS, TOMAHAWK, PEEPING TOM...)
07. Sebastian Bach (ex-SKID ROW, DAMNOCRACY, SEBASTIAN BACH)
08. Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS)
09. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
10. Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.)
11. King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE)
12. Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SERJ TANKIAN)
13. Ian Gillan (ex-EPISODE SIX, ex-BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, GILLAN)
14. Alice Cooper (ALICE COOPER)
15. Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES)
16. Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE)
17. Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR)
18. Eric Adams (MANOWAR)
19. Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN, SUPARED, AVANTASIA, PLACE VENDOME)
20. Lemmy Kilmister (ex-HAWKWIND, MOTÖRHEAD, THE HEAD CAT)
21. Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, JON OLIVA'S PAIN)
22. Max Cavalera (ex-SEPULTURA, SOULFLY, NAILBOMB, THE CAVALERA CONSPIRACY)
23. Jonathan Davis (KORN, JONATHAN DAVIS)
24. Philip Anselmo (ex-PANTERA, DOWN, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ARSON ANTHEM)
25. Udo Dirkschneider (ex-ACCEPT, U.D.O)
26. Mike Muir (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, INFECTIOUS GROOVES, CYCO MIKO, NO MERCY)
27. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
28. David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE, EX-DEEP PURPLE)
29. Paul Di'Anno (ex-IRON MAIDEN)
30. Jorn Lande (VAGABOND, MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENNIUM, BEYOND TWILIGHT, AYREON, AVANTASIA)

Launched in 1987, Blue Jean is Turkey's oldest youth and music magazine with a monthly circulation of 20-25,000.

Headbang, which was first published in March 2007, is the most popular rock and metal magazine in Turkey. It is also said to be the country's only monthly music magazine with rock and metal content.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED was interviewed by Andy Hall of the Lazer 103.3 radio station prior to the band's May 31, 2009 performance at Lazerfest 2009 in Indianola, Iowa. Watch the nine-minute chat below.

"Sick", the new full-length album from DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 43 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Sick" was released in North America on April 7 via Century Media Records. An e-card for the CD, which was produced by Martin Feveyear (PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, KINGS OF LEON), is available at this location.

In addition to McKagan, LOADED features drummer Geoff Reading (GREEN APPLE QUICK STEP), bassist Jeff Rouse (VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

LOADED released "Live Episode" (1999) and "Dark Days" (2001), before other commitments meant LOADED were put on the back burner to some extent, although they never split up.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's five-song EP, "Wasted Heart", was released in September 2008 via Century Media Records.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED will support MÖTLEY CRÜE on several European shows this summer.

According to The Escapist, the upcoming Brütal Legend game will feature the voice and likeness of BLACK SABBATH vocalist Ozzy Osbourne as The Guardian Of Metal.

At EA's E3 press conference, Double Fine studio head and Brütal Legend creator Tim Schafer announced (see video below) that Osbourne would join a cast that includes metal greats like Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST), Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH), Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD) and Lita Ford.

Brütal Legend will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation computer entertainment system on October 13 in North America and on October 16 in Europe.

Brütal Legend is a third-person action game rich in combat, imagery and storytelling, delivering lighter-flicking fun sure to melt your face off.

Those ready to rock can start by visiting the newly re-launched Brütal Legend web site (www.brutallegend.com), the best source online for all things Brütal Legend, from trailers to screenshots, concept art to exclusive blogs from the Double Fine studio team, epic polls and more! Over time, the site and its content will evolve and grow, so remember to check in whenever you feel the Metal Gods calling you. Sign up for exclusive updates through the Brütal Legend newsletter, or follow Brütal Legend on Twitter for intimate access and new information nearly every day.

Brütal Legend tells the tale of Eddie Riggs, played by Jack Black. The ultimate roadie, Eddie is the first person anyone calls when they need guitars tuned or stages rigged, and has a love for hot rods and a photographic memory for every heavy metal album cover, and the lyrics those albums contained. One night, a stage accident knocks Eddie unconscious, and he awakens in a world that looks very strange yet oddly familiar, a world where every heavy metal album cover and lyric Eddie knows has come to life, and where the evil emperor Doviculus and his demon army, The Tainted Coil, have enslaved the last remaining humans. When an oppressed people request Eddie's knowledge of modern warfare, he pulls from his own experience in the only occupation he's ever had, a roadie for a heavy metal band, and under his command, this barbaric force of hot-rods, Marshall stacks, leather, and chrome will bring this ancient world into the age of metal.

THE ALIEN BLAKK, the band led by guitarist/producer Joshua Craig, has uploaded its cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Snowblind" to MySpace. The track comes off THE ALIEN BLAKK's sophomore album, "Bekoming", which is expected before the end of the year via an as-yet-untermined label. The CD, which was mixed by Glen Robinson (VOIVOD, ANNIHILATOR), will feature guest appearances Deron Miller (CKY), Eric A.K. (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Kevin Talley (DAATH), Donnie Hamby (DOUBLE DRIVE) as well as contributions from the band's current lineup, which includes David Ellefson (bass; MEGADETH), Craig Nielsen (drums; FLOTSAM AND JETSAM) and Joshua Craig.

Says Craig of "Snowblind", "I wanted to play a sick-ass version of this song as we do live. The song is slow as molasses and downtuned to X. I began doing this song this slow when Joe Nunes played with THE ALIEN BLAKK in Chicago a couple years back. We were sitting in my truck in the freezing cold listening to the song and Joe suggested we play it as slow as humanly possible. We did and it was great. So the slowness stuck! When it came time to cut it, I always do a long improvised lead at the end of the song live, so we did it in the studio as well. One guitar track for the five-minute lead section at the end. I called A.K. to sing with me on it and he ended up staying and cutting on other tracks as well and did a great job. As I love acoustic guitar, the whole mid-section is acoustic guitar only with A.K. singing."

"Bekoming" track listing:

01. The Quickening (feat. special guest)
02. Erased (feat. Donnie Hamby)
03. The Path (feat. Deron Miller)
04. I Tried You
05. Jigsaw
06. Runnin' Down A Dream (TOM PETTY cover)
07. Voices Hearing Voices
08. Hate Me (feat. Eric A.K.)
09. Ann
10. Will I? (feat. Eric A.K.)
11. Psychadehlia
12. A Lie
13. Snowblind (BLACK SABBATH cover) (feat. Eric A.K.)

THE ALIEN BLAKK is currently seeking a deal for the upcoming release and can be contacted through management@thealienblakk.com.

For more information, visit www.thealienblakk.com.

OVERMASTER, the band formed by ex-WHITE SKULL singer Gus Gabarro, has inked a deal with Cruz Del Sur Music for the release of the group's debut album. OVERMASTER will enter Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy in September to begin recording the CD, tentatively due in early 2010.

According to a press release, OVERMASTER is an Italian "power metal all-star band" of sorts, featuring Gabarro alongside Carlos (ex-SKYLARK, AMETHISTA, H-GEORGE) on drums, Alessio Berlaffa (DOOMSWORD) and Pino Sicari (ex-WHITE SKULL) on guitar and Dimitri Oldani (ex-EDGE OF FOREVER) on bass. The group's music "follows the guidelines of traditional German heavy metal, supported by the unique boost and energy of Gus' vocals."

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

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu was interviewed by Samantha Knight of the Lazer 103.3 radio station prior to the band's May 31, 2009 performance at Lazerfest 2009 in Indianola, Iowa. Watch the seven-minute chat below.

KORN has been working on material for a new album with the band's original producer Ross Robinson. The band's frontman Jonathan Davis told The Pulse of Radio that the group intends to get back to the sound of its early CDs. "It's gonna be very raw, it's gonna be old school like the first KORN records," he said. "Basically, it's gonna be recorded as a four-piece band, with just Munky on guitars and Fieldy [bass] and Ray [Luzier; drums] and me. We really want to go back to that old-school vibe. It was just really intense and emotional and, you know, I have a lot of built-up aggression toward certain things that I need to get out for this record."

Davis said that many of the lyrics on the upcoming album will deal with the topic of organized religion.

Ex-KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left the band after becoming a born-again Christian, and Fieldy discusses his conversion to Christianity in a memoir that was published in March.

The band will be looking for a home for the yet-to-be-titled disc since completing its two-album deal with Virgin Records in 2007.

Austrian melodic metallers ECLIPTICA have announced the addition of new female singers Sandra Urbanek (newcomer from Vienna) and Maria Melendez (straight from Mexico City) to the group's ranks. The band has also been rejoined by bassist Alexander Basstard, a founding member of ECLIPTICA who played on 2007's "The Awakening" EP.

ECLIPTICA 2009 is as follows:

Alen Duricic - Guitar
Maria Melendez - Vocals
Alexander Basstard - Bass, Grawls
Thomas Tieber - Vocals
Roman Klomfar - Drums
Sandra Urbanek - Vocals
Markus Winkler Guitar

The new ECLIPTICA lineup will make its live debut on June 5 at the "A Night Of Power" festival at Szene Wien in Vienna, Austria.

ECLIPTICA's debut album, "Impetus", was released last December via Frontiers Records.

ECLIPTICA was founded by guitarist Markus Winkler in 2005. The group soon started to write songs and in April 2007 released its critically acclaimed first EP, "The Awakening". The group won the "Metal Battle Austria 2007" contest and played a live set at the world-famous Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

In January 2008 the band entered the Hinterhof Studios in Vienna to record its first full-length album, "Impetus". According to a press release, "the word 'impetus' stands for power, speed and energy, just like the sound of these 10 songs delivered on the album. Straight through without orchestral arrangements ECLIPTICA reduced their songs to a rough and powerful but still melodic feel. The music of ECLIPTICA is defined in their musical roots: blending the traditional heavy metal of the '80s together with intricate rhythms and progressive elements from all decades. The songwriting however is very personal and original, thus making them instantly recognizable thanks to the use of two vocalists and to the classical music elements that are incorporated in their songs. Theatrical elements and an eclectic songwriting complete the picture of a very gifted band that is now ready to be unleashed."

Check out audio samples at this location.

Video footage of MONSTER MAGNET's Ed Mundell demonstrating the new Memory Man pedal with Hazarai can be viewed below.

To check out the rest of the video interview and to see all of Ed's gear, visit www.playthisriff.com. You will also find Ed's instructional videos for the MONSTER MAGNET songs "Powertrip", "Nod Scene", "Radiation Day", "Dopes to Infinity" and "Twin Earth".

MONSTER MAGNET's latest album, "4-Way Diablo", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 81. The CD, which was produced by Matt Hyde and features a cover version of THE ROLLING STONES' "2,000 Light Years from Home", previously landed on the Swedish chart at No. 51. The album sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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

Guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow of Canadian heavy metal legends ANVIL was recently interviewed by Downshifter of Full Metal Rock. You can now listen to the chat at this location.

ANVIL will perform live after the 10:00 p.m. screening of "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil" on June 3, 2009 at The Village East Cinema in New York City.

As a result of the initial success of "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", VH1 Films and Abramorama have extensively expanded the distribution of the film and will continue throughout the summer in additional markets across the country and Canada.

Since debuting in theaters in April, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" has already grossed $380,000 in only 37 theaters, including last week's sold-out "Anvil Experience" show at the NuArt theater in Los Angeles. "The Anvil Experience" tour will also continue throughout the summer in expanded markets. At each tour stop, the film will be played immediately followed by a short performance by the band. With recent features in Newsweek and Rolling Stone, this expansion of the film marks a stellar comeback for the 30 year-old band.

Praised as "the best documentary I've seen in years," by documentarian Michael Moore, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" contains appearances by an array of heavy metal icons, including METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, former member of GUNS N' ROSES, Slash, ANTHRAX's Scott Ian, and SLAYER's Tom Araya, among others.

ANVIL performed live after the screening of "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil", at the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles on May 13, 2009. Watch footage of the performance below.

Metal Insider recently conducted an interview with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN guitarist Benjamin Weinman about the band's split with longtime label Relapse and the group's new partnership with the smaller Season of Mist Records. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Metal Insider: You say the Season of Mist deal is a collaboration with some partners and your to-be-named label. How does the Season of Mist partnership differ from a standard record deal?

Weinman: There are many things about this release that will be very standard of a typical record deal. The things that are different are what are important. We have been offered record deals, our own labels by major record companies and distribution deals. Every combination of label/artist relationship has come across my desk at some point since our deal with Relapse expired. The truth is that the industry is changing on a daily basis. To seal our fate for the next 10 years at this time could be suicide. The question is, do we want to become a record label? Hell no. I barely have time to handle all the DILLINGER business at hand, let alone all the tasks that come with releasing, promoting, marketing and distributing music. But at the same time, we are very hands-on. We know enough about our band at this point to not want to leave it in the hands of someone else completely. The Season of Mist collaboration is the perfect solution for our next release. It provides us with a knowledgeable staff and creative team to help us nurture our vision with the freedom to change our model as things change in the business.

Metal Insider: You say Trent Reznor has been an inspiration for how you want to do business moving forward. How much of it will directly influence what you do? He opted to do a direct distribution deal with RED on his last record, why not do something like that?

Weinman: Trent has proved that any band with a core following, contractual freedom and a little initiative can create a scenario where the gains are much greater for both the artist and the fan much better than a traditional label could. A direct distro deal is definitely a good move for him I think. He has created an online presence that rivals even some of the largest social networking sites. We are not there yet. I think that even smaller bands can really learn from some of the things that he has done, however. We are in the works of supercharging our online world a bit. Working on things like an iPhone app and ways to better connect with the fans more efficiently with as little middle men as possible.

Read the entire interview from Metal Insider.

Video footage of SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor talking to KWWL 7 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa about the 10th anniversary of the band's debut album can be viewed below.

SLIPKNOT's video for the song "Sulfur" was shot on March 9 in the Los Angeles area and was directed by band percussionist Shawn Crahan (a.k.a. Clown) and P.R. Brown (MÖTLEY CRÜE, MARILYN MANSON, CHIMAIRA, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), who helmed the last two SLIPKNOT clips, "Psychosocial" and "Dead Memories". The video depicts the nine members rocking out in groups of three and submerged in water one at a time. The video concept was modeled after a video installation by Bill Viola called "Ascension" that's currently on display at the Des Moines Arts Center.

Crahan told HeadbangersBlog.com about the clip, "This is the third video I've done with Paul Brown and with each video we learn more about each other and the art of SLIPKNOT, and we build on that knowledge with each new project. It's great to jump around and try new people, but sometimes it's better to stay with a winning team.

"When I write a treatment, I always think, 'What has SLIPKNOT not done? What can we embark upon that will be fun and knowledge-enhancing instead of the same old song and dance?' Our business can be routine, so I need the band to be able to do something brand new so we can look back at it later and say, 'God, this was different and fun and really artistic.'"

SLIPKNOT was awarded with an EMMA Award for "Best International Act." The EMMAs are the Finnish equivalent of the Grammys.

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have launched a "Crack The Skye" tour page featuring pictures, videos, setlist and fan commentary for each show on the band's current trek.

MASTODON last month released two versions of the band's new album, "Crack The Skye", on vinyl. The first is a standard high-quality vinyl issue with beautiful full-size album artwork. There is also a special deluxe edition mastered and pressed on two discs at 45 rpm for maximum audiophile fidelity housed in a gatefold sleeve available in a very limited edition, one-time-only pressing. This edition also includes the complete album on CD.

"Crack The Skye" sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart.

MASTODON's 2006 CD, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.

According to ContactMusic.com, "American Idol" loser Adam Lambert has dismissed rumors he will front rock legends QUEEN.

The group's guitarist Brian May gave 2009 runner-up Lambert a boost by praising his abilities after performing with the singer on the finale of the U.S. TV talent show last month.

But Lambert insists he has no plans to join the band full-time, as he wants to carve out a career in his own right.

Lambert says, "They've never actually offered me anything. They expressed interest in working together, but just said they'd like to have a meaningful conversation, and that's it. It could have meant they wanted me to come to dinner with them, it could have meant they wanted to talk about the meaning of life.

"I don't know if joining the band permanently is in the cards for me right now. They're legends; I'm just the new kid on the block."


May told Rolling Stone magazine about Lambert, "There wasn't really a quiet moment to talk, but (Roger Taylor, QUEEN drummer) and I are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with him at some point. It's not like we, as QUEEN, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn't that easy. But I'd certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there."

May, who along with Taylor parted ways with recent QUEEN frontman Paul Rodgers, added, "I've not always been positive about shows like ('American Idol'), but there is no doubt that it offers a door to some real genuine talent along the way. . . I'm confident Adam will make great use of this wonderful opportunity. I hope I'm there to see it."

Gene Simmons, who along with KISS performed with Lambert on their 1975 classic "Rock And Roll All Nite" was less impressed by Lambert, saying, "Respectfully, I don't think Adam is a rock singer. He sounds much more convincing singing ballads and Broadway shows. His voice doesn't seem to have a 'rock quality.' But, I'm sure he's going to do just fine."

Swedish melodic metallers LOST HORIZON have posted audio clips of three different songs that will appear on the band's next album. The group says, "It's midi drums here only and the whole thing is taken directly from a raw working/recording document, which means neither mix nor any kind of sound improvement has been applied on the clips, which is the very point of leaving the final effect for the real album."

Check out the clips by following these links: (Note: These are working songtitles.)

"Wizard": Audio
"Spirit": Audio
"Fire": Audio

LOST HORIZON vocalist Daniel Heiman and guitarist Fredrik Olsson left the group in 2004 in order to pursue other projects. The remainder of the band — Wojtek Lisicki (who in 2004 returned to LOST HORIZON), Christian Nyquist, Attila Publik and Martin Furängen — is continuing work on material for the group's third album, to be released through an as-yet-undetermined label (the band was previously signed to the now-defunct Music For Nations).

For more information, visit www.oncelosthorizon.com.

A number of high-quality photos from this year's Rock Hard festival, which was held May 29-31, 2009 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, have been posted online at Metal-Experience.com.

Included are pictures of the following artists:

Friday, May 29 (photos):

WITCHBURNER
ANGEL WITCH
DESTRÖYER 666
PRONG
JAG PANZER
OPETH

Saturday, May 30 (photos):

GRAND MAGUS
AUDREY HORNE
HAIL OF BULLETS
DRAGONFORCE
FORBIDDEN
JON OLIVA'S PAIN
CHILDREN OF BODOM

Sunday, May 31 (photos):

TRACEDAWN
FIREWIND
BULLET
D-A-D
HEATHEN
UFO
SACRED REICH
SAXON

Additional photos can be found at Rock 'n' Roll Reporter.

SAXON used its legendary "The Eagle Has Landed" set for the performance, which included the following tracks:

01. Battalions Of Steel
02. Heavy Metal Thunder
03. Demon Sweeney Todd
04. Strong Arm Of The Law
05. Power And The Glory
06. The Letter
07. Valley Of The Kings
08. The Eagle Has Landed
09. And The Bands Played On
10. Hellcat
11. Come Rock of Ages / Ride Like the Wind
12. Dallas 1PM
13. Wheels Of Steel
-----------------------------------
14. Live To Rock
15. Motorcycle Man
16. Crusader

SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor was interviewed by Samantha Knight of the Lazer 103.3 radio station prior to his May 31, 2009 performance at Lazerfest 2009 in Indianola, Iowa. Watch the seven-minute chat below.

Taylor performed at Rockfest with his new solo project, COREY TAYLOR AND THE JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND, which he described as "the first stoner rock disco funk band — basically a cross between SABBATH, PRINCE and ZAPPA." Members of the group include Fred Missouri and Ryan Berrier of FACECAGE, Thomas Doggett of ONE NITE STAND, Nik Sorak of the DEAD WAIT and Tyson Leslie.

Polish epic heavy metal band WITCHKING has announced the addition of singer Michal Zaczek (pictured below; RELOAD) to the group's ranks.

Commented guitarist Tomek Pater: "We had a very good contact with Michal from the very first meeting. There's no doubt that he is the right person in the right place. He passes his enthusiasm on to us with his ideas for arranging new material. We definately needed this kind of fresh blood in our veins, and despite the fact that this is only the beginning, we are all very optimistic about the future."

WITCHKING's previous singer, Tomek "Storm" Twardowski played his final show with the band on April 21 in Kraków alongside TÝR, ALESTORM and HEIDEVOLK.

"Metal Grail", the latest video from WITCHKING, can be viewed below. The clip was shot on November 11, 2008 by Psychrape Art at Rotunda club in Krakow. The song comes off the group's sophomore album, "Hand of Justice", which came out last September via Insanity Records.

Formed in 2003, WITCHKING released its self-titled debut LP in 2007 via the French label Aural Offerings.

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

The latest episode of "Talking Metal" features interview hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy conducted with LUNA MORTIS vocalist Mary Zimmer and CANDLEMASS/SOLITUDE AETURNUS frontman Robert Lowe.

The 60-minute podcast can be downloaded at this location.

"Death Magic Doom", the new album from CANDLEMASS, sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 79 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Death Magic Doom" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 52. The group's previous CD, "King of the Grey Islands", debuted at No. 83 back in June 2007.

LUNA MORTIS (formerly known as THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE) recently shot a video for the song "Forever More" with acclaimed director David Brodsky (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, BLEEDING THROUGH).

Check out photos from the video shoot at this location.

LUNA MORTIS' debut album, "The Absence", was released in North America on February 10 via Century Media Records. The CD was tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM).

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin will make a guest appearance on the debut solo album from fellow ex-GN'R axeman Slash.

Writing to his Twitter account, Slash says, "Izzy is down here putting some rhythm guitar on a track; sounds fucking cool."

Slash is recording his solo CD with former NINE INCH NAILS drummer Josh Freese and ex-JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Chris Chaney. Confirmed guest singers so far include Ozzy Osbourne and AVENGED SEVENFOLD's M. Shadows.

In a May 29 MySpace post, Slash stated about his solo album, "We're almost done with vocals — two more songs left and a couple of odds and ends. Then, I can stand back and see what we've got. It is a fucking awesome ensemble, that much I do know, with brilliant performances from each and every singer. I do hope to have a release date soon, but I can assure you, as I said before, it won't be this year. It will, most definitely, be out be very early in the New Year.

"Even though the recording process is almost done, the legal logistics involved with so many different artists takes a minute to iron out."

Slash will be joined by BLACK SABBATH legend Ozzy Osbourne, THE ROLLING STONES guitarist Ron Wood and LED ZEPPELIN drummer Jason Bonham — son of the late John Bonham, the band's original drummer — for the axeman's headlining appearance at this year's edition of the Quart festival, set to take place June 30 - July 4, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. Slash will perform a mixture of old and new material on the festival's opening day.

Slash previously played with Ozzy at the 77th Royal Variety Performance in November 2005 in Cardiff. They performed a version of THE BEATLES classic "In My Life", with family photographs projected onto the background of the stage.

Slash left GUNS N' ROSES in the mid-'90s, forming SLASH'S SNAKEPIT before later assembling VELVET REVOLVER with several other ex-members of GUNS N' ROSES and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland.

VELVET REVOLVER is currently searching for a replacement for Weiland, who was dismissed in April 2008.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer festival tour, Crüe Fest 2, has announced a partnership with Monster Energy to add an additional stage at this year's festival.

The new Monster Energy Stage doubles the entertainment value at Crüe Fest 2 with five extra bands showcasing the next generation of rock, including one local band in each tour market. The performances on the Monster Energy Stage will be staggered between main stage acts creating a non-stop music event and adding to the overall festival atmosphere. With no change in ticket prices, rock fans will be given the opportunity to see ten great rock bands for the price of one.

A local band will be chosen by the presenting radio station in each market contributing to the legacy of rock bands on the tour. The chosen band will open the Monster Energy Stage for a dedicated and Crüe Fest 2-sized crowd.

"It's always been in our hearts to turn our fans onto new rock music. A second stage seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Crüe Fest 2 and gives loyal CRÜE and rock fans more for their hard earned money. See ya there," said MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Tommy Lee.

Monster Energy has dedicated its brand to live music over the years as part of major national and international festivals, specialty concert tours and substantial one-offs, in both core sponsor and associate sponsor categories utilizing on-site activation through multiple avenues. The partnership with Crüe Fest 2 marks the first time Monster Energy will have a mobile stage dedicated entirely to their brand.

"MÖTLEY CRÜE is such an iconic band with the most loyal fans in the world. In a time where it seems everything is being cut back, MÖTLEY CRÜE is giving more to its fans and at the same time giving up and coming bands exposure. Monster Energy is proud to be a part of the havoc that will be wreaked across the nation this summer," says Brent Hamilton of Monster Energy.

The main stage at the Live Nation produced Crüe Fest 2 stars MÖTLEY CRÜE and features GODSMACK, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, DROWING POOL, and introduces CHARM CITY DEVILS. The sequel to last summer's most successful touring festival begins its North American trek in Camden, New Jersey on July 19 and comes to an end on September 5 in Darien Lake, NY.

Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) performed the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", this past Friday (May 29) in Denver, Colorado, at game six of the NBA playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Watch video footage of Zakk's performance below.

According to a posting on BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's MySpace page, the band will team up with MUDVAYNE and STATIC-X for a U.S. tour this summer. Exact cities and dates are expected to be announced soon.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "Skullage" DVD package sold 5,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 1 on the Top Music Videos chart. Released April 21 in three different configurations — CD, DVD and CD/DVD — this collection features the best of Zakk Wylde & Co. This massive greatest hits package is chock-full of live material, music videos, interviews, and a vivid cross-section of brutal and introspective tracks, from amped-up blazers like "Fire It Up" and "Suicide Messiah" to raw power ballads like "In This River" and "Spoke In The Wheel".

Showcasing the best of decade-deep career, "Skullage" is not only full of hot licks and headbangers, but some at-home moments with Zakk. "Welcome To The Compound" is a brand new interview feature with the guitar god, with some hysterical moments thrown into the mix. A package this mammoth surely caught the attention of the metal fans, which resulted in sales shooting to the top position in its first week!

Santa Barbara, California's DEVILDRIVER has more behind-the-scenes footage from its February 2009 stint on Australia's Soundwave Festival tour. Watch the clips below.

DEVILDRIVER will release its fourth full-length album, "Pray For Villains", on July 14 via Roadrunner Records. The effort — which will also be made available as a special-edition CD/DVD package featuring three bonus tracks, a behind-the-scenes DVD and expanded artwork — was recorded at Edge of the Earth studios in Los Angeles with producer Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY).

"Pray For Villains" track listing:

01. Pray For Villains
02. Pure Sincerity
03. Fate Stepped In
04. Back With A Vengeance
05. I've Been Sober
06. Resurrection Blvd.
07. Forgiveness Is A Six Gun
08. Waiting For November
09. It's In The Cards
10. Another Night In London
11. Bitter Pill
12. Teach Me To Whisper
13. I See Belief

Bonus Tracks (special edition):

14. Self-Affliction
15. Dust Be The Destiny
16. Damning The Heavens
17. Wasted Years

Disc Two - DVD (special edition):

01. "Making-Of" Documentary
02. Interviews

DEVILDRIVER filmed a video for the title track of the new album on April 9 with director Nathan Cox (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MARILYN MANSON, LINKIN PARK).

DEVILDRIVER will headline this summer's "Thrash And Burn Tour", which will kick off on July 22 and run through August 30. A European tour with BEHEMOTH and GOJIRA will follow in October.

DEVILDRIVER recently re-signed with Roadrunner Records after previously issuing three full-length albums through the label. In addition, the band has secured a new management company in the shape of Davis Entertainment Group.

Metal Gods TV has uploaded video footage of Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND performing the song "Days Of No Trust" on May 16, 2009 at Rock City in Nottingham, England. Watch it below.

FIREWIND will support the SCORPIONS on July 11 in Chania, Greece at the Perivolia Stadium. This will mark the band's first show on the Crete island and FIREWIND's only show in Greece for the remainder of 2009.

FIREWIND's first-ever live effort, "Live Premonition", was released all across Europe in December and is available as DVD, 2CD and deluxe DVD+2CD set offering a stunning 22-song set filmed and recorded last year in the band's hometown of Thessaloniki.

The 2CD version of "Live Premonition" consists of the audio portion of the main show on two separate CDs, available for the price of one CD. The DVD also features many extras such as behind-the-scenes footage, special acoustic live performances, promo clips and much more.

CMT has partnered with Big Machine Records for the first DVD release of its critically acclaimed series "CMT Crossroads", when the episode featuring TAYLOR SWIFT and DEF LEPPARD hits stores on Tuesday, June 16. "CMT Crossroads: Taylor Swift And Def Leppard" includes 11 electrifying performances by 2008's best-selling artist among all genres of music and Great Britain's premier arena rock band. The DVD will be available exclusively at a low price of $11.88, in Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. and Canada, including Sam's Club and on Walmart.com, and hits shelves the same day SWIFT and DEF LEPPARD are scheduled to appear on the 2009 CMT Music Awards. Their performance of "Photograph" is also up for both "Performance of the Year" and "Wide Open Country Video" of the Year at the CMT Music Awards.

The DVD is currently available for presale at this location.

Taped before a standing-room only audience in Nashville, Swift fulfilled her "childhood dream" when she walked onstage and performed with DEF LEPPARD. Lead singer Joe Elliott and Swift swapped lyrics on such hit songs as "Photograph", "Hysteria", "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Picture To Burn" and "Love Story". The DVD has special features that include extended and new interviews with the artists, and never-before-seen performances.

"CMT Crossroads: Taylor Swift And Def Leppard" DVD track listing is as follows:

01. Photograph
02. Picture To Burn
03. Love Story
04. Hysteria
05. Teardrops On My Guitar
06. When Love & Hate Collide
07. Should've Said No
08. Pour Some Sugar On Me

Exclusive Bonus Performances:

09. Our Song
10. Love
11. Two Steps Behind

"Performing with DEF LEPPARD was awesome!" said Swift. "It was the coolest thing in the world to have my band on stage with them, because for the past two years, before we go on stage we listen to DEF LEPPARD and just rock out and jump around. And then, we were playing on the same stage as they were. It was the most amazing feeling in the world, and we were all just trying to act cool the whole time."

"What an absolute pleasure it was to work with Taylor and her band who are a great set of musicians," says LEPPARD's Elliott. "Myself and Taylor blended really well together, I think, and everybody, both bands and the crowd, had a great time. I'm really glad we had the opportunity to do this."

In addition to the performances, the one-hour show featured reheasal, behind-the-scenes and interview footage.

Videos, picture galleres and information about the show can be found at CMT.com.

DEF LEPPARD and Taylor Swift join an elite group of performers who have taped "CMT Crossroads", which pairs country music stars with popular artists from other genrespop, rock, R&B to play together, swap stories, and share their common love of music. Previous episodes of "Crossroads" have included Lindsey Buckingham and LITTLE BIG TOWN; BON JOVI and SUGARLAND; John Fogerty and Keith Urban; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Joss Stone and LeAnne Rimes; Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; and most recently MAROON 5 and Sara Evans.

REECE, the solo project of former ACCEPT/BANGALORE CHOIR and current GYPSY ROSE frontman David Reece, has posted audio samples of three new songs — "Chasing Shadows", "Before I Die" and "Yellow" — at www.reecerocks.com. Due later in the year via AOR Heaven, the group's debut CD was produced by Andy Susemihl (U.D.O.) and features Jochen Funders from HOLY MOSES on bass, and Stefan Schwarzmann (ACCEPT, HELLOWEEN, KROKUS, RUNNING WILD, U.D.O.) on drums.

As previously reported, Reece recently laid down vocals for a track on the upcoming "Voices Of Rock" album, a collaboration between German producers Chris Lausmann (BONFIRE, FRONTLINE, JADED HEART) and Michael Voss (CASANOVA, MAD MAX, SILVER).

After several years under the radar on a ranch in Montana, Reece was contacted by Escape Records in 2007 to see what the chances would be for him to go to Sweden to sing on Swedish band GYPSY ROSE's next release. Soon after that David found himself in the studio for the next year recording and writing for the new GYPSY ROSE CD, "Another World", which was released in June 2008.