The author of the upcoming biography of the late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott has responded to the statement issued by members of Dimebag's family in which they distanced themselves from the book, claiming that Zac Crain "wrote nothing but negative reviews about PANTERA's music" during his tenure as music editor of the Dallas Observer.

In his Dallas Observer review of PANTERA's 1996 album "The Great Southern Trendkill", Crain wrote, "the Cowboys from Hell should stick to running low-class strip joints instead of trying to record albums that would be played in them. Fortunately, it looks like they've decided to do just that. Oh, except for that horrendous Dallas Stars theme song. But, hey, whatever keeps them from working on new material in the studio. And, yes, I'm fully aware that Vinnie Paul [PANTERA's drummer and Dimebag's brother] could kick the shit out of me."

Zac Crain released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET earlier today (Saturday, June 23):

"The e-mail from the family's PR camp makes it seem like the linked paragraph was one in a stream of negative PANTERA reviews written by me. It is, in fact, the only one. And the only one that ran while I was music editor at the Dallas Observer. I didn't, and don't, much care for 'The Great Southern Trendkill'. I prefer 'Vulgar Display of Power', but I suppose everyone has their own opinion on that subject. I do, however, sincerely regret throwing The Clubhouse (Vinnie's strip club) under the bus. That place is awesome — specifically Dr. Rock — and I even wrote a cover story that was, in part, dedicated to it.

"As far as PANTERA goes, I'd say what I'm really guilty of is not writing about the band enough. I think everyone in the Dallas media was guilty of that, but that's not really an excuse. Consider 'Black Tooth Grin' a bit of an apology for that.

"When I covered Darrell's memorial service for Spin and the Observer, after talking to dozens of fans and listening to everyone onstage and off talk about him, I regretted missing out on 'the full-meal deal' of the Dime experience. Nothing I can do about that now.

"The idea for the book wasn't to cash in on a tragedy, but to do what I could, given my assignment, to let people outside of the metal/hard rock community know about him. I'm sure, outside of that world, the first that people ever heard of him was on CNN. It didn't seem right to let some moron with a gun have the last word. Which isn't to say, as some have suggested here on Blabbermouth, that I'm not also a moron. I just wanted to say that I'm a moron with my heart in the right place.

"Darrell had a great story to tell, and I spent a year doing my best to tell it. I did everything I could to involve Vinnie and Rita [Dimebag's longtime girlfriend]. They didn't want to participate, and I understand. No hard feelings on my end (as if there could be).

"As for the money, people should know that I plan on donating a percentage to the Dimebag tribute fund. I told Vinnie that at the beginning, and I'm a man of my word, whether he (or anyone) believes that or not.

"And as for one other point raised in the comments, I am, in fact, an ass cancer."

Zac Crain's "Black Tooth Grin: The High Life, Good Times, and Tragic End of 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott" is scheduled for release on November 5, 2007, according to Amazon.com.

According to the book's official description, "'Black Tooth Grin' is the first biography of 'Dimebag' Darrell, the Texas-bred guitarist of the heavy metal band PANTERA, who, along with three audience members, was murdered on stage by a deranged fan in 2004 — twenty-four years to the day after John Lennon met a similar fate. Darrell Abbott began as a teenage guitar prodigy, inspired by KISS and winning local talent contests. With his brother, drummer Vinnie Abbott, PANTERA was formed, and it became one of the most popular and influential metal bands of the '90s, selling tens of millions of albums such as 'Cowboys from Hell' and 'Vulgar Display of Power' to an intensely devoted fan base. In contrast to the band's aggressive music, 'Dime' was outgoing and gregarious, devoted to his craft, and adored by just about everyone who knew him. From PANTERA's heyday to their implosion following singer Phil Anselmo's heroin addiction, from the band DAMAGEPLAN to Darrell Abbott's tragic end, 'Black Tooth Grin' is a must for anyone who misses this guitar legend."

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne posed for a portrait shoot prior to his performance at Wembley Arena in London, England on Tuesday (June 19). Check out pictures from Getty Images.

Fan-filmed video footage of OZZY OSBOURNE performing the track "Bark at the Moon" as the opening song of his headlining set at the Wembley Arena in London, England on June 19 has been posted at YouTube.

Osbourne will be the first person inducted into the new Birmingham Walk of Stars, which will honor the British city's most famous sons and daughters. Osbourne's induction ceremony will be held on July 6.

Swedish/Greek death metal outfit NIGHTRAGE will headline the No Budget festival on September 2 in Larissa, Greece.

In other news, NIGHTRAGE guitarist Marios Iliopoulos has issued the following statement regarding the band's DVD shoot, which was scheduled to take place on February 12, 2007 at Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland:

"Our DVD shot in Poland didn't take place because we had an accident when we were there to shoot the DVD. We are waiting more news to get a new date to shoot the DVD."

NIGHTRAGE has posted its video for the track "Scathing" at YouTube.com. The clip was shot in January in Athens, Greece. The song comes off the group's third album, "A New Disease Is Born", which was released in April. The CD was recorded at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, FEAR MY THOUGHTS, HEAVEN SHALL BURN).

NIGHTRAGE was originally formed in Greece back in the year 2000 by Iliopoulos (formerly of EXHUMATION, who released three high-quality death metal albums, all produced in Sweden) and his friend Gus G. (DREAM EVIL, FIREWIND, MYSTIC PROPHECY). NIGHTRAGE released two albums on Century Media Records, "Sweet Vengeance" (2003) and "Descent Into Chaos" (2005), before they parted ways with vocalist Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR, THE CROWN) and Strimell joined the band on vocal duties.

KOCH Entertainment Distribution has announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Psycho+Logical-Records. Under this agreement, KOCH is the exclusive physical and digital distributor of the label in North America.

Rapper Ron Braunstein, better known by his stage name NECRO, started Psycho+Logical-Records in 1999 at the age of 23. He released his first disc, "I Need Drugs", and sold it through a loyal staff of fans that would sell the record for a share of the profits. In 2001, when sales started to pick up, Necro struck a deal for his second album, "Gory Days". This album solidified Necro's growing fan base and his developing style of dark, raunchy lyrics over gritty hip-hop beats. The record went on to sell over 30,000 copies with no touring and very little promotion. From 2002 through 2003, Necro released a CD/DVD special edition of "Gory Days", the porno "Sexy Sluts", a compilation album and his first mixed CD. His third solo album, "The Pre-Fix For Death", released in 2004, featured the first hybrid between real hip-hop and real metal. 2005 saw the release his sex-themed album "The Sexorcist".

Expanding Psycho+Logical-Records catalog, he produced solo albums for all three MCs of the critically acclaimed underground hip-hop group NON PHIXION. These releases included his brother Ill Bill, Sabac, and Goretex. He also produced an album with hip-hop artist and hype man Mr. Hyde, and put together the "Circle of Tyrants" album, a super-group featuring Necro, Ill Bill, Mr. Hyde, and Goretex. In the following year, Psycho+Logical-Records released instrumental albums for nearly every one of the past albums Necro produced. Necro's forthcoming CD "Death Rap" will be released via KOCH this fall. Necro will also be a featured performer on this summer's Sounds of the Underground tour.

Commented Necro: "We are proud to present and be a part of the KOCH family, since KOCH is making so many moves in the indie game, basically turning the indie world into a major game and leveling the playing field. KOCH had the best situation to offer as a distribution partner so we decided to work with them. We feel they see our vision and we will fit well in their business model at retail."

"We're very excited to be working with Psycho+Logical-Records," commented Eric Lemasters, VP Business Development for KOCH Entertainment. "As KOCH continues its domination of the urban market, Psycho+Logical and Necro's releases will complement our efforts in that genre and the added marketing crossover potential into the metal scene is a unique situation that will only add to their value."

BENEDICTION bassist Frank Healy has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding the cancellation of the British band's previously announced U.S. tour:

"In response to some of the comments on Blabbermouth concerning this matter, we will clear it up now so as to stop speculation as to why we have had to pull the tour. The reason is simple: working visas.

"In the current political climate in the USA, because of past events (no need to be pointed out), the government there (and who can blame them for this) have become extremely strict over matters of immigration/visas. We do, however, feel that in our case things might be a bit of overkill. To get working visas you have to prove that you are in fact a band (well, we did play the USA as a band in 1994!). This involves sending at least 30 pages of press, recording contracts, album sales figures, album releases, etc. OK, no problem there. Then onto individual people: 'Have you in the last 20 years been arrested for any reason (even if you were not charged with the offence in the end)?' This includes non/late payment of fines, drunk in public etc. 'Have you in the last 20 years appeared in court (even if you were found not guilty of any felony)? This can include disputing parking fines, marital matters. Well, you will be incredibly surprised to know that some of us have!!! The exact reasons for refusal of entry are very minor and revolve around those reasons stated above.

"We will do our best to get over there somehow. The sales were good at such an early stage (the promoters' and venues' words, not ours). But what do you do? I'm sure we will find a way to get there in the end but it takes about three months at the moment to sort work visas out with no problems at all, never mind being drunk or not paying a parking fine more than 15 years ago!!!

"As a footnote, Nick Barker [former CRADLE OF FILTH/DIMMU BORGIR and current TESTAMENT drummer] was going to be drumming on the tour.

"Many apologies to all the good people who were going to go to any of these shows. Like us or not, we will get there in the end. Money is not an issue in this matter either. The finance was in place, the advance sales were good, the other bands for the tour were booked, the travel and accomodation were sorted. We just aren't allowed in at the moment!!!"

BENEDICTION's new album, "Killing Music", is tentatively scheduled to be released later in the year via Nuclear Blast Records.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania melodic thrashers CROWN THE LOST have posted a new song, "Bound to Wrath", on their MySpace page. The track was recorded during April and May of 2007 by Dave Watson at Soundscape Studios in Pittsburgh.

CROWN THE LOST's debut album, "Reverence Dies Within", was produced by Eric Klinger (PRO-PAIN, ICARUS WITCH) and was released in September of 2006 to critical acclaim.

CROWN THE LOST is:

Chris Renaldi - Vocals
Joe Bonaddio - Lead Guitars/Vocals
David E. Gehlke - Rhythm Guitars
Ryan Eicheldinger - Bass
Jordan Villella - Drums

For more information, visit www.crownthelost.com.

Montreal-based NEURAXIS will finish up the touring cycle for "Trilateral Progression" (2005) with two final shows this summer. The details are as follows:

Jun. 30 - Hamilton, ON @ The Underground
Jul. 01 - Toronto, ON @ The Metal Bar

NEURAXIS in March announced the addition of vocalist Alex Leblanc (ATHERETIC, POINT BLANK RAGE) as a permanent member of the group.

Commented the band: "After completing the European Domination tour, we knew Alex was the right man for the job. His vocals were crushing, and he displayed a very intense energy both onstage and offstage. We look forward to Alex contributing to the writing of our next album."

NEURAXIS is currently in the process of writing its next album.

ADEMA's new album, "Kill the Headlights" (Immortal Records), has had its release date pushed back to August 21 from the previously announced July 24. The album's first single, "Cold and Jaded", is scheduled to go for radio adds after July 4. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Marshall Altman (MARC BROUSSARD, ZEBRAHEAD). Mastering duties were handled by Eddie Schreyer at Oasis Mastering in Burbank. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

ADEMA was recently picked up by Union Entertainment Group, which also manages such well-known bands as NICKELBACK, DEFAULT and CANDLEBOX.

ADEMA last year announced the addition of vocalist Bobby Reeves of the Los Angeles-based band LEVEL to the group's ranks. Reeves joined ADEMA as the replacement for Luke Caraccioli, who left the band in October 2005 — only six months after the release of their first album ("Planets") without the contributions of singer Marky Chavez (half-brother of KORN's Jonathan Davis).

ADEMA 2007 is:

Bobby Reeves - Vocals
Tim Fluckey - Guitars
Ed Faris - Guitars
Dave DeRoo - Bass
Kris Kohls - Drums

Possum of Altitude TV recently conducted a video interview with ADEMA bassist Dave DeRoo at the Key Club in Los Angeles. DeRoo dishes on the band's new singer, Bobby Reeves ("I wish I would've met him 10 years ago; it would've made my life a lot easier," says DeRoo), the group's new record, their past mistakes, and how they've survived the business. Watch the four-minute clip at YouTube.

Jun. 23 - Fresno, CA - Babylon Club
Jul. 13 - Tucson, AZ - The Rock
Jul. 14 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Jul. 15 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
Jul. 16 - Lubbock, TX - Jake’s Backroom
Jul. 18 - San Antonio, TX - Club Kristal
Jul. 19 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
Jul. 20 - Dallas, TX - The Loft
Jul. 21 - Little Rock, AR - Revolution Music Room
Jul. 24 - Chicago, IL - Double Door
Jul. 26 - Louisville, KY - Headliners
Jul. 27 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
Jul. 28 - Huntington, WV - Monkey Bar Live
Jul. 29 - Sandusky, OH - The Underground
Jul. 31 - Falls Church, VA - State Theatre
Aug. 02 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory
Aug. 03 - Southbridge, MA - Artist Development Complex
Aug. 04 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Aug. 06 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
Aug. 08 - Fayetteville, NC - Jester’s Pub
Aug. 09 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
Aug. 10 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Club
Aug. 11 - Port St. Lucie, FL - MoJo Room
Aug. 18 - Idaho Falls, ID - Sandy Downs Festival
Aug. 22 - Long Beach, CA - The Vault 350

The organizers of the ProgPower USA VIII festival, which is scheduled for October 5-6 at Atlanta's Center Stage, have announced the details of a special "mystery" show, to be held Wednesday night (October 3) in Vinyl's (a.k.a. the Vendor's Room) with karaoke to follow afterwards.

Commented promoter Glenn Harveston: "I'm very proud to announce that for the first time ever in his illustrious career, Jon Oliva [SAVATAGE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN] will take the stage and perform an intimate one-man acoustic show. In addition to performing his biggest hits and favorite songs, the Mountain King will be telling the history behind each song along with sharing stories from the road. If you have seen any of the VH1 'Storytellers' episodes, you know just how special and unique this show is going to be."

All 200 tickets for the show reportedly sold out within five minutes of the announcement.

Check out the complete ProgPower USA VIII lineup at this location.

Acclaimed heavy metal drummer Richard Christy (ex-ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED), who currently works for "The Howard Stern Show", has teamed up with Metalkill to create a number of PC shooter and Medieval games. Their first release will be a game called Skullfuck from one of the characters in Christy's directorial film debut, "Evil Ned 3 -The Return of Evil Ned 2 - Electric Boogaloo".

TJ Killers, CEO of Metalkill, commented: "Working with Richard has been a lot of fun so far getting his first movie ready. Skullfuck should be released sometime this summer. We are both very excited of what is yet to come."

Metalkill has two game releases online called The Underworld and Evil Fate. These Beta releases feature music from CATTLE DECAPITATION, THREAT SIGNAL, FEAR FACTORY and SUFFOCATION.

For more information, visit www.metalkill.com.

Richard Christy recently posted his directorial film debut, "Evil Ned 3 -The Return of Evil Ned 2 - Electric Boogaloo", on YouTube.

Christy previously stated about the movie, "I made 'Evil Ned' when I lived in Springfield, Missouri in 1995 and I have to warn you beforehand, I had no idea what in the hell I was doing! But for all of its technical flaws there are many crazy things in this film that will make you either laugh or cry! This film was made for about 250 dollars, 200 of which was spent on beer, and it is the epitome of low-budget! If you're into beer, dirty magazines, huge hog testicles, gay monsters, Amish erotica, and evil talking ducks, then you'll love this movie!"

Richard Christy was recently cast in the upcoming comedy "Harold & Kumar 2" (IMDb). "I filmed my parts in February and had a blast!" Richard previously said. "The movie is going to be hilarious so please check it out when it comes to a theater near you!"

According to the film's official plot outline, "Harold & Kumar 2" "follows the cross-country adventures of the pot-smoking duo as they try to outrun authorities who suspect them of being terrorists when they try to sneak a bong on board their flight to Amsterdam."

Christy has played in many bands, including ICED EARTH, BURNING INSIDE, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED. Christy joined DEATH after meeting their leader Chuck Schuldiner in a bookstore while the band was looking for a new drummer after the departure of Gene Hoglan. Christy recorded three albums with DEATH (the critically-acclaimed "The Sound of Perseverance", released in 1998; "Live in L.A. (Death & Raw)", 2001; and "Live in Eindhoven", also 2001) and one album with CONTROL DENIED, "The Fragile Art of Existence", which came out in 1999.

A new MUSHROOMHEAD video has surfaced online via the Precinct 13 Entertainment MySpace page. The clip for "Damage Done" (watch it at this location) was produced by Precinct 13 during the shoot for their upcoming film "The Rage", directed by FX legend Robert Kurtzman ("From Dusk Til Dawn", "Wishmaster") and it features the fire-breathing burlesque of Miss Pussycat.

MUSHROOMHEAD makes an appearance in "The Rage", performing during a key scene. Precinct 13 also produced MUSHROOMHEAD's "1200" video (watch it at this location) which was released a few months back.

MUSHROOMHEAD last fall released its latest album, "Savior Sorrow", on double vinyl. It is a two-LP set on metallic gray and is a limited-edition release of 2,000.

MUSHROOMHEAD's video for "Simple Survival", the debut single from the band's recently released "Savior Sorrow" album, is available for viewing at YouTube.com. The clip was shot by award-winning filmmaker and music video director Chad Calek (BLEEDING THROUGH, INDEX CASE).

Released on Sept. 19, "Savior Sorrow" sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Milwaukee-based BEATALLICA, a satirical mashup act whose hilarious schtick marries the songwriting prowess of THE BEATLES to the deep-throated rock growl of METALLICA, will play its first-ever concert in Asia on Sunday, August 5 as part of the Busan International Rock Music Festival in South Korea.

As previously reported, BEATALLICA has uploaded an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) featuring an interview with the band and live footage. Watch it at this location (Quicktime required).

BEATALLICA's first official CD, "Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band", is scheduled for release on July 10 via Oglio Records. Comprised of members Jaymz Lennfield (vocals, guitar), Grg Hammettson (guitar), Kliff McBurtney (bass), and Ringo Larz (drums), BEATALLICA has been converting naysayers into believers for years by this point — having made fans throughout the world, including such renowned headbangers as DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy and ANTHRAX's Scott Ian.

BEATALLICA in 2005 received help from METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich in their dispute with the Sony Corporation over BEATALLICA's "unlawful use" of the group's compositions "without authorization or license." The case has since been resolved, with BEATALLICA being allowed once again to operate their web site, Beatallica.org, and continue performing their patented blend of BEATLES tunes in a METALLICA style.

Leeds, England-based crossover/thrash/zombie-core masters SEND MORE PARAMEDICS have split up after six years together. The band will play its final concert on October 27, 2007 at Joseph's Well in Leeds. "We will be honoring all the commitments we have made up to that date," the group said in a statement. "It's been six years but our zombie corpses are finally rotting to the point at which we can continue no more. A million thanks to you all."

SEND MORE PARAMEDICS (whose name is a reference to the 1985 horror/comedy "Return of the Living Dead") originally formed as a side project of Leeds band AND NONE OF THEM KNEW THEY WERE ROBOTS, but gradually gained a higher profile. The band plays in the 1980s crossover style, with lyrics about zombies and cannibalism, and is heavily influenced by zombie movies. On stage, they dress as zombies and the drummer dons a Mexican wrestling mask (a homage to the character in Brian Clement's "Meat Market" films).

Fan-filmed video footage of VADER and BELPHEGOR's June 20, 2007 performances at the W2 venue in Den Bosch, Holland has been posted at YouTube:

VADER (Video)

"Epitaph (For Humanity)"
"Carnal"

BELPHEGOR (Video)

"Hell's Ambassador"
"Seyn Todt In Schwartz"

VADER filmed its February 12, 2007 at the Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland for an as-yet-untitled DVD, to be released in October via Metal Mind Productions.

VADER entered Hertz Studio in Poland on March 15 to re-record 25 of the best songs from their entire discography for a 25th anniversary release, to be issued in 2008. The set will also include a DVD containing tons of bonus features, such as archival recordings, live shows, video clips and other special material.

BELPHEGOR's video for the song "Bluhtsturm Erotika" — produced and directed by Florian Werner — has been posted online at YouTube. The song comes off the group's new album, "Pestapokalypse VI", which was released on October 31, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

(Thanks: letthemetalflow)

Michigan's STILL REMAINS will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson's guests on Friday, July 20 during Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio show, aptly named "The Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show". Listen to the program live via the Internet between 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. U.K. time at BBC.co.uk.

An e-card for STILL REMAINS' upcoming second studio album, "The Serpent", can be accessed at this location. Two songs from the CD — "The Wax Walls of an Empty Room" and "Aenima in Your Sheets" — are available for streaming on the Michigan band's MySpace page.

Due on August 7 via Roadrunner Records, "The Serpent" was recorded in Los Angeles with acclaimed producer Steve Evetts (STORY OF THE YEAR, HE IS LEGEND, SAVES THE DAY).

"Expect the unexpected with 'The Serpent', as these songs are faster, darker, heavier and more melodic; truly the most honest thing we have ever written as a band," the band's frontman, TJ Miller, previously said.

A video interview with STILL REMAINS, conducted by HeavyMetalSource.com at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in April, has been posted at YouTube. Watch it in two parts: Part#1, Part#2.

Fan-filmed video footage of OZZY OSBOURNE performing his classic song "Mr. Crowley" on June 15 at the Hultsfred festival in Hultsfred, Sweden has been posted at YouTube.

As previously reported, a clip of Ozzy playing the track "Bark at the Moon" as the opening song of his headlining set at the Wembley Arena in London, England Tuesday night (June 19) has been posted at this location.

Ozzy Osbourne made a guest appearance on British Channel 4's "Popworld" program on June 2 to answer "Alex Zane's Big Ones" — including whether it's difficult to build stairs, what a movie about his life will be called, what a strip club he'd open be called, his top tips for a healthy and balanced diet, three other uses for his CD other than listening to it, his daily cleansing routine, the strangest place he's ever made love, the most humane way to eat fish, how he'd describe the French in a word. Watch the three-minute clip at YouTube.

Ozzy Osbourne's first studio album of all-new material in six years, "Black Rain", came out on May 22.

Osbourne will be the first person inducted into the new Birmingham Walk of Stars, which will honor the British city's most famous sons and daughters. Osbourne's induction ceremony will be held on July 6.

Christa Titus of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Blistering.com: What made you decide to go with Roadrunner?

Mike Portnoy: After spending 15 years with the Atlantic Group and Elektra, we had gotten a taste of the ups and downs of what the corporate major label has to offer. At this point in our career, we've really built up our audience very well on our own and have a great, great, great fan base that has sustained us through all these years and enables us to really continue what we're doing without any kind of mainstream exposure. So we wanted to get away from that whole kind of corporate major-label approach, and Roadrunner is really I think the best label out there right now in terms of their roster. I really respect the bands on the label. They range from more commercial stuff like NICKELBACK to the extreme stuff like SLIPKNOT and everything in between, so musically, they're a great label. But also they have the muscle of the major labels out there, but they really have a very independent spirit, which really helps [for] the whole camaraderie when it comes to working with a label and being hands-on with their bands. A perfect balance, really.

Blistering.com: I was surprised that once the Atlantic Group absorbed Elektra that it didn't let you out of your contract because it didn't actively promote you guys for the longest time.

Portnoy: No. Oh, no.

Blistering.com: What was behind that?

Portnoy: Album after album they kept renewing our contract, and [laughing] we kept hoping they would let us go, you know? But I think the reason they kept picking up the option is because our fan base is so strong that they're gonna sell half a million records worldwide every single time with absolutely need to market or promote us. Basically for the last several albums cruised on the strength of the fan base and basically just funded the record and put it in stores, but from there, we did all the work for a year at a time on the road, through the strength of the Internet and our fans, so, for them, it was an easy money-making situation. We would have loved to have been let go, really; we would have loved to. We were trying to get out of there many years ago and get with a label that really could further this career rather than just simply maintain it . . . Another problem with the labels every time around is they would shift personnel and staff. We started the contract with Atco Records, then it turned into EastWest, then it turned into Elektra, then it turned into Atlantic, and each and every time something like that would happen there was never time to re-establish relationships with any of these people because it was always constantly changing.

Blistering.com: Is there an overall theme to this album, or how would you say "Systematic Chaos" is different from your other albums?

Portnoy: I think it's different because there is no overlying theme or concept. [Our] last album [2005's "Octavarium"] and several of our last albums were kind of all tied together by these grand concepts, and this time around we made a conscious decision to not have a grand concept, to just have a group of individual songs, which was the way we used to write when we were younger . . . we weren't thinking of writing albums, because at that point we were just writing songs. So this album is very much in that kind of old spirit of just bangin' it out, and each song is a whole individual journey.

Blistering.com: With the song lengths you guys work in, how are you able to tell, "OK, this is long enough"?

Portnoy: Obviously, we don't have a very good gauge of that [laughs] because all the songs are in excess of 10 minutes. You know what, every once in a while we'll purposely go out of our way to try to write a short song, and those are the experiments for us, to write a short song. But the times when we [let] ourselves write without any limitations, you know, they end up being long songs. But we go until we feel that the journey is complete and the ideas that are all on the table have been fully realized and worked on. So we don't really limit ourselves. We try to just let the song go naturally where it wants to go, and for us writing long songs is totally natural. The struggle has never been to play, the struggle has always been to not play. And those are the challenges. Once in a while we'll purposely try to write a [shorter] song, and that's when we'll write something like "Forsaken" or "I'll Walk Beside You". But for the most part we let the music naturally run its course, you know, that's when we end up with the typical DREAM THEATER songs.

Blistering.com: Your product manager at Roadrunner says the label is going to give radio a shot with one of the album's songs. Since you've built a career on not having radio since "Images And Words", do you think you could break through to an extent?

Portnoy: I think every one of our albums have had songs with radio potential. If you walk back to the last few, "Octavarium" had several tracks that totally could have been on the radio. Same with "Train Of Thought"; we've always had that. Whether or not the label chooses to pursue it or radio chooses to play it, it's out of our hands. We write what we write, and we don't write singles and radio songs. But I think if you look at our catalog, they're there if people want to pursue that. I think it's a natural. This album, a song like "Forsaken", I think is a natural song and can easily sit beside any of the stuff that's on the radio today. But we don't over-concern ourselves with that aspect. We're not in the business of writing singles. We're in the business of writing albums, and if radio or mainstream media chooses to play any of 'em, then that's a bonus. But I think the reason that our band has sustained this far is because we haven't relied on that.

Blistering.com: What is it about "Images And Words" that you think brought you guys to the mainstream, but then subsequent albums you guys were separated from it?

Portnoy: That's a good question. I think it was it was the right album at the right time, and you think it would have been the wrong time, because that was when grunge was breaking through, but maybe we were kind of that response to grunge . . . I guess maybe a lot of musicians felt frustrated because bands weren't playing anymore, so maybe they reacted to that album because of that time. It was also our first album on a major label, so I guess there was an inevitable first push into the mainstream, which opened a lot of doors. But I don't know. I don't think it's a formula, because the way we wrote then is the same way we write now, so I don't think there was a formula or an equation.

Read the entire interview at Blistering.com.

Video footage of DARK TRANQUILLITY's June 15, 2007 performance at the Hultsfred festival in Hultsfred, Sweden has been posted at YouTube:

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DARK TRANQUILLITY previously stated about the Hultsfred concert: "This show was the first to display a set of animations and projections during our performance. The whole gig was filmed with pro equipment and there's a possibility that the footage will be publicly available in the future."

DARK TRANQUILLITY recently posted its promotional video for the song "Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)" at YouTube. The song comes off the group's new album "Fiction", which sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

DARK TRANQUILLITY's video for "Focus Shift" made its "Headbanger's Ball" debut on May 26. The stunning clip was shot by acclaimed director Roger Johansson (IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED) and captures the band's unmatched live intensity. The track comes off "Fiction", a scorching effort that will undoubtedly add an exhilarating new chapter to the genre's storied history. Watch the clip online at YouTube.

Classic '80s metal albums "Seven Churches" by POSSESSED and "Bonded by Blood" by EXODUS will be re-released on vinyl in a limited edition of 500 copies via Monumentum Records. Both LPs will come in a gatefold sleeve and will include all the original photos and lyrics.

For more information, visit www.monumentumrecords.com.

POSSESSED is among the confirmed bands for the Gathering of the Bestial Legion III festival, set to take place August 19, 2007 at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California. More than 30 death/black metal acts will perform on three stages.

POSSESSED's lineup at the Gathering of the Bestial Legion III and at this year's Wacken Open Air festival is expected to consist of sole original member Jeff Becerra (vocals) backed by members of California's SADISTIC INTENT.

A limited-edition POSSESSED seven-inch single on multi-colored vinyl was released last year on Boneless Records in association with B.A.D.M./N.Y.D.M. Entitled "Ashes from Hell", the first 100 copies of the single came with a collector's pick.

Formed in the early '80s, POSSESSED released "Seven Churches" via Combat Records in 1985. They would follow with "Beyond the Gates" and the five-song EP "The Eyes of Horror" before disbanding several years later. A "best-of" collection, "Victims of Death", was released in 1993.

EXODUS entered Sharkbite Studios (web site) in Oakland, California on June 10 with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY) to begin recording their new album for a late 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. "Everyone always talks about how their next record is the next this or that, all I'm going to say is this next record is a crushing landmark in EXODUS history," guitarist Gary Holt previously said. "I am stoked. Truly. Man, this new shit is aggressive with a capital A! Thrash metal at its hardest."

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED will support GORGOROTH on their upcoming European tour in November. ENTHRONED's schedule is now shaping up as follows:

Jul. 21 - BE - Méan - Mean Metal Fest
Aug. 17 - MX - Leon - [to be announced]
Aug. 18 - MX - Mexico City - Expo
Aug. 19 - MX - [to be announced]

ENTHRONED supporting GORGOROTH:

Nov. 08 - DK - Kobenhavn - The Rock
Nov. 09 - NL - Leeuwarden - Romeijn
Nov. 10 - NL - Rotterdam - Waterfront
Nov. 16 - CH - Erstfeld - Transilvania Live
Nov. 17 - FR - Lyon - [to be announced]
Nov. 18 - ES - Barcelona - Mephisto
Nov. 20 - FR - Paris - La Loco
Nov. 21 - UK - London - Scala
Nov. 22 - UK - Nottingham - Rock City
Nov. 23 - IE - Dublin - The Voodoo Lounge
Nov. 24 - IE - Cork - An Cruiscin Lan
Nov. 25 - UK - Glasgow - Cathouse
Nov. 27 - FR - Rennes - Antipos
Nov. 28 - BE - Vosselaar – Biebob

ENTHRONED has begun recording its new album, "Tetra Karcist", under the guidance of Harris Johns (SODOM, KREATOR, VOIVOD). Guest musicians on the CD include Ashmedi (MELECHESH), MkM (ANTAEUS), Verderf (ex-VERLOREN, OUROBOUROS), Harris Johns and Dungeon (ICONOCLASM).

ENTHRONED recently announced the return of drummer Alsvid for the recording sessions for "Tetra Karcist". The band also added bassist Phorgath, who "used to be [the] session guitar player [for ENTHRONED] after Nerath Daemon's departure and is the frontman of Belgian death/black metal band EMPTINESS," the group wrote in a statement. ENTHRONED also announced that guitarist Nornagest will take over the lead vocals in the group following the departure of frontman Sabathan last October.

ENTHRONED's last release was the "Black Goat Ritual" live album, which came out in 2005 via Napalm. The CD was recorded live in Porto Allegre, Brazil in 2004 and was produced and engineered by Treck and Dr. Feelgood.

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE guitarist Frank Iero has responded to claims by Marilyn Manson that the New Jersey emo titans are mere copycats.

Manson previously blasted MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, saying he was embarrassed because "these people are doing a really sad, pitiful, shallow version of what I've done."

Speaking exclusively to Kerrang! magazine, guitarist Frank Iero answered back to Manson's taunting.

"We're Marilyn Manson fans," said Iero. "I think he's really cool. The funny thing is that he seems to have lashed out at us about the make-up. That's weird to me, because I had heard of Alice Cooper before I heard of Marilyn Manson. I don't know how he could be mad at us. We never came out and said we were going to call ourselves by girl's name and then a serial killer's name.

"I'm really sorry if he feels we ripped him off," he added. "It would have been nice if he could have said something to our faces but he's been all smiles every time I've seen him. Maybe he's doing it for the press. Some people just like to talk..."

GODSMACK has cancelled its previously announced July 14, 2007 concert at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico "due to scheduling conflicts."

A three-minute audio interview with GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin, conducted earlier this month by Anne Carlini of Detroit's WRIF 101.1 FM, has been posted online at this location (Windows Media).

GODSMACK will release a 10th anniversary box set later this year. The Boston band — currently on a theater run continuing to promote its 2006 release "IV" — plans to commemorate the 10-year celebration of their first album with a package that gathers together its four studio albums, the acoustic EP "The Other Side" and a DVD featuring mini-documentaries about the making of each album. There will also be some live footage and possibly the group's 2004 acoustic performance in Las Vegas.

"We're just gonna try to make it really special," Larkin recently told Billboard.com. "Basically Universal, who we've been with since day one, said to us, 'You tell us what you need and we'll write the check. We want this to be special, too.' We wanted to make it a road case, but as we were doing some research we saw that METALLICA made one of their box sets look like a road case, so that's out. If anyone has any suggestions, we're open..."

Read more at Billboard.com.

THE HUMAN CONDITION, the Arizona-based band featuring former SACRED REICH guitarist Wiley Arnett, is putting the finishing touches on its new CD, "From the Cell". A track from the forthcoming album, "The Missing", is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. A late July release is expected.

THE HUMAN CONDITION will open for the reunited SACRED REICH on July 21 at the Venue of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The original lineup of SACRED REICH — Phil Rind (bass, vocals), Wiley Arnett (lead guitar), Jason Rainey (rhythm guitar) and Greg Hall (drums) — will reunite for several shows in Europe this summer, including an appearance at the Wacken Open Air festival on August 4. The band has also lined up two "warm-up" dates in Arizona.

Metal Blade Records released a three-disc deluxe reissue of SACRED REICH's "Ignorance" and "Surf Nicaragua" on June 15 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and June 18 (rest of Europe). Two CDs are included in the package (both remastered!) as well as a bonus DVD. The package includes liner notes by Rind and Malcom Dome (Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Total Rock Radio) and an extensive booklet with loads of previously unpublished photos.

For more information on the reissues, click here.

A recent video interview with VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan, conducted by Metal Hammer U.K., has been posted online in two parts: Part#1, Part#2.

The behind-the-scenes, making-of-video for the new VELVET REVOLVER single "She Builds Quick Machines" has been posted online in the following formats: Windows, Real, Quicktime.

Professionally filmed footage of VELVET REVOLVER's May 15, 2007 concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. has been posted at MSN Video. A 22-minute video interview with the band can be seen at this location.

VELVET REVOLVER will be the featured musical guests on NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Thursday, June 28. Check your local listings for time and station. As previously reported, VELVET REVOLVER will also perform on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on the Thursday, July 12 episode (which will actually air the morning of July 13 beginning at 12:05 a.m.).

VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum announced on last Saturday's (June 26) edition of Camp Freddy Radio, which airs on Indie 103.1 FM in Los Angeles, California, that VELVET REVOLVER will play a show at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on July 4. No further information is available at this time.

VELVET REVOLVER's new album, "Libertad", will be released on July 3.

VELVET REVOLVER and ALICE IN CHAINS will team up for a North American tour beginning early August.

icBirmingham reports that Ozzy Osbourne will spend the summer relaxing on the beach of his home city (Birmingham, England).

To celebrate the launch of the Bullring's city beach, sand artist Andrew Baynes unveiled a sand sculpture of Ozzy and now visitors to the beach, will be able to pose next to Birmingham's legendary export.

Check out pictures of Ozzy's sand sculpture: Photo#1, Photo#2.

Ozzy was chosen after the Bullring took a poll of its shoppers to find Birmingham's most famous celeb.

Osbourne will be the first person inducted into the new Birmingham Walk of Stars, which will honor the British city's most famous sons and daughters. Osbourne's induction ceremony will be held on July 6.

The following update has been posted on KISS frontman Paul Stanley's official web site:

"Director D.P Carlson has finished his companion film to Paul's upcoming concert film DVD. 'Paul Stanley – Live to Dream!' is a behind-the-scenes documentary featurette which Carlson describes as, 'an insider's glimpse' into Paul Stanley's creativity, and personal journey from his first solo album in 1978, to his latest 'Live To Win' release and tour. The film also captures the emotional and creative process of how producer/director Louis Antonelli's concert film, 'Paul Stanley – Live to Win Live!' came to be.

"'Paul Stanley - Live to Dream!' features interviews with Paul Stanley, Louis Antonelli, manager Doc McGhee, band members Jimmy McGorman, Rafael Moreira, and Nate Morton, as well as personal insights from fans attending the Chicago concert and filming."

D.P. Carlson told PaulStanley.com, "What attracted me to this film was not just the opportunity to work with one of my rock heroes from KISS, but to explore the unique relationship between filmmaker Louis Antonelli and Paul Stanley — who is one of Louis' childhood idols."

Video footage of MY DYING BRIDE's live performance at the Artmania festival, which took place June 15-17 in Sibiu, Romania, has been posted at Metalhead TV. A video interview with MY DYING BRIDE, conducted at the Artmania festival, can be viewed at this location.

Metal Hammer has posted a video interview with MY DYING BRIDE, filmed at the Download festival, which took place in the U.K. earlier in the month. The band's Download performance was their first ever despite their lauded underground status — and despite having played almost every big continental European festival.

In the interview the guys talk about finally getting to play Donington, why the UK doesn't support U.K. acts and the band's early influences.

The interview can be watched at this location.

Professionally filmed video footage of MY DYING BRIDE's April 20, 2007 concert at Paradiso, Amsterdam is available for viewing "on demand" (for free!) on the online concert channel Fabchannel.com.

MY DYING BRIDE recently announced the addition of bassist Lena Abé and drummer Dan Mullins (THINE, BAL-SAGOTH, SERMON OF HYPOCRISY) to the group's ranks.

As previously reported, a "rare" 30-minute video of MY DYING BRIDE performing at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air festival in Eindhoven, Holland has been posted online at Metal Videos.

MY DYING BRIDE's ninth studio effort, "A Line of Deathless Kings", was released in October via Peaceville/Snapper Music.

Video footage of THE GATHERING's live performance at the Artmania festival, which took place June 15-17 in Sibiu, Romania, has been posted at Metalhead TV. THE GATHERING's press conference at the Artmania festival can be viewed at Metalhead.ro.

THE GATHERING has launched a vocalist search following the recent departure of Anneke van Giersbergen. Interested male and female vocalists are invited to send a short bio and one or two MP3s to audition@gathering.nl.

Anneke van Giersbergen has announced the formation of a brand new band called AGUA DE ANNIQUE. The group will release an album called "Air" in the fall of 2007.

Anneke van Giersbergen's final appearance with THE GATHERING will take place on August 4 at the Ankkarock festival in Finland.

THE GATHERING released its latest album, "Home", in April 2006 on The End Records.

German thrashers RUNAMOK, featuring former PARADOX, TYRAN PACE and FINAL BREATH members, have been confirmed for the Earthshaker Fest, set to take place July 19-21 in Kreuth, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

AFTER FOREVER
BEATALLICA
CRADLE OF FILTH
DEW-SCENTED
DEZPERADOZ
ELUVEITIE
FEAR MY THOUGHTS
FREEDOM CALL
GAMMA RAY
GOD DETHRONED
GRAVE DIGGER
GRAVEWORM
HATESPHERE
J.B.O.
JUSTICE
KEEP OF KALESSIN
KORPIKLAANI
KREATOR
LEGION OF THE DAMNED
MASTERPLAN
MELECHESH
MOTÖRHEAD
MYSTIC PROPHECY
NORTHER
RUNAMOK
SABATON
SEPULTURA
TESTAMENT
THRESHOLD
U.D.O.
UNLEASHED
VADER
WITHIN TEMPTATION

An e-card for STILL REMAINS' upcoming second studio album, "The Serpent", can be accessed at this location. Two songs from the CD — "The Wax Walls of an Empty Room" and "Aenima in Your Sheets" — are available for streaming on the Michigan band's MySpace page.

Due on August 7 via Roadrunner Records, "The Serpent" was recorded in Los Angeles with acclaimed producer Steve Evetts (STORY OF THE YEAR, HE IS LEGEND, SAVES THE DAY).

"Expect the unexpected with 'The Serpent', as these songs are faster, darker, heavier and more melodic; truly the most honest thing we have ever written as a band," the band's frontman, TJ Miller, previously said.

"The Serpent" (view artwork at this location) tentative track listing (in no particular order):

01. Anemia in Your Sheets
02. Stay Captive
03. Dancing with the Enemy
04. Avalanche
05. Maria
06. Dropped from the Cherry Tree
07. The Wax Walls of an Empty Room
08. An undesired Reunion
09. The Serpent
10. I Could Never be Your Lover
11. Eye of the Storm
12. Float like a Feather
13. What is Love?
14. The River Song
15. Sleepless Nights Alone

A video interview with STILL REMAINS, conducted by HeavyMetalSource.com at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in April, has been posted at YouTube. Watch it in two parts: Part#1, Part#2.