U.K.-based music journalist Dave Ling recently spoke to DEF LEPPARD bassist Rick Savage about the band's forthcoming album, tentatively titled "Sparkle Lounge" (named after a backstage social room the group used each night on its last tour). The CD is an eighty percent state of completion, and as has been widely reported, the band has sent off some half-finished material to former producer Robert "Mutt" Lange to work his magic on. However, according to Ling, Savage was uncertain as to whether or not Lange will be able to complete his side of the deal in time for their deadline. "Depending on how fast he gets them back to us, they'll end up being used on this album, or the next one," explained Rick, who said of the record's direction, "Sonics-wise, it's like 'High 'N' Dry', because it has lots of rock energy, though the songs are more sophisticated; 'Hysteria' would be the closest comparison."

DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott previously told Billboard.com about the upcoming album's direction, "I'm not gonna say it's radically different to anything we've ever done. There's classic DEF LEPPARD. There's stuff that sounds like it's going back to the middle, late-'70s AC/DC and new wave-type sounding stuff. There's definitely some moments on it where anybody that's familiar with our music will go, 'Whoa! I wasn't expecting that!' We've just been very adventurous, musically, on certain numbers."

Finnish brutal/technical metallers DE LIRIUM'S ORDER have posted two new songs — "Ebola Instinct" and "Extermination Network" — on their MySpace page. The tracks come off the group's sophomore album, "Diagnosis", due in Finland on August 8 via Shadow World Records. The CD was recorded at Studio Perkele and contains "a spectacle of varying pieces of death and thrash metal which can be only minorly compared to the previous releases," according to guitarist/songwriter S.M. NekroC. "The new stuff really kicks ass as I really made it in a way I always have been yearning to do. The melody of sickest kind will be merged into the rhytms of complex death metal as it has always been the key idea behind DE LIRIUM'S ORDER."

"Diagnosis" track listing:

01. Diagnosis: Deranged
02. Extermination Network
03. Ad Infinitum
04. Panzram
05. Drowned in the World of Delirium
06. Ebola Instinct
07. To Walk with the Dead
08. Thy Flesh Consumed
09. Abducted
10. Incarnated Solvent Abuse (CARCASS cover)

For more information, visit www.deliriumsorder.net.

The makers of "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal", the much-anticipated documentary profiling the thrash metal scene of the early Eighties and its impact on the music scene, have posted a video clip of NUCLEAR ASSAULT/ex-ANTHRAX bassist Dan Lilker talking about talking about touring in America vs. Europe, and free beer. Watch it at this location (Windows Media).

"Get Thrashed" will screen on Wednesday, July 25 at 8:00 pm at Village East Cinema (located at 181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street, New York, NY 10003). Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at www.nyfimvideo.com.

"Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" traces the rise, fall and impact of thrash metal, an extreme style of heavy metal popularized in the early 1980s by bands like METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and others. It is the story of the heaviest, hardest music of the '80s and early '90s as told by the bands that lived it, the fans and bands that grew up on it and by the artists that carry the "thrash metal" flag today. The documentary throws new light on an overlooked, yet incredible music scene and how it went from a simple rumbling in the underground to a loud, obnoxious and constant roar in the (almost) mainstream. The trailer and more information can be found at www.GetThrashed.com. The documentary is produced by Saigon1515 Productions in association with Kundrat Productions.

"Get Thrashed" was directed by Rick Ernst and the documentary's Associate Producer is Rat Skates, founder and former drummer of OVERKILL.

WEDNESDAY 13 will team up with his former MURDERDOLLS bandmate Acey Slade and Acey's TRASHLIGHT VISION band for the "Ghouls On Parade" U.S. tour in October. Also scheduled to appear is ANTIPRODUCT. The first confirmed dates are as follows:

Oct. 02 - Steppin Out - Virginia Beach, VA
Oct. 03 - Monkey Bar - Huntington, WV
Oct. 04 - Rex's - Westchester, PA
Oct. 05 - Silo - Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 07 - Jaxx - Springfiled, VA
Oct. 10 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 11 - The Ritz - Warren, MI

"I am very excited to be hitting the road with Acey and TRASHLIGHT VISION," stated Wednesday 13. "On our current run, we had a show in New York City and Acey came to hang out. After many hours and many memories relived, we decided we should just get out on the road together. I had planned to take the month of October off, but this rock and roll circus needs to keep on moving! The October run will be very special for us — we will be bringing out all of our monster, Halloween-themed songs and have a new live stage show to match.

"The tour will consist of four bands. We always want to tour with some friends, but sometimes they can't afford a month-long tour, so we are going to invite some of our friends out to be the opening band and stay on the road for a few days. We are still looking for the perfect second band to share the tour with us and TLV!"

The tour will hit 20 to 30 markets. More cities and dates will be announced soon.

For all current information, tour dates and contests, check out the official tour page at this location.

Massachusetts' purveyors of all things heavy THE ACACIA STRAIN are currently out on the road on this summer's Sounds of the Underground tour supporting the band's latest effort, "The Dead Walk". Frontman Vincent Bennett has offered the following update from the road:

"This is by far the best tour we have ever done. I mean, I can't really compare it to anything because it blows most club tours right out of the water. All of the bands are sweet, all of the kids at these shows are sweet, and everyone who is involved with this tour is sweet. As far as festival tours go, this might be the best one around, and I'm not just saying that because I'm on it. If you haven't been to Sounds this year yet, make sure you get your tickets and be prepared...it's a loooong fucking day. Come hang out, most of us are down by merch for most of the day and are sweating for something to do or someone to talk to. And dudes, buy your girlfriend some fucking shorts — highly recommended. Thumbs up!"

Recorded with Adam Dutkiewicz (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), "The Dead Walk" was released last June through Prosthetic Records and has spawned a video for the track "Angry Mob Justice". Watch the clip online at YouTube.

Sharon Osbourne's father Don Arden (born Harry Levy), the English music manager, agent and businessman best known for overseeing the careers of rock groups THE SMALL FACES, ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA and BLACK SABBATH, died on Saturday (July 21) at the age of 81.

According to Telegraph.co.uk, Arden became best known for his fiercely uncompromising business methods, which were alleged to include beatings, kneecappings, threats of defenestration and the frequent deployment of muscular assistants, sometimes with firearms. In later years he also achieved a sort of reflected fame as the father of Sharon Osbourne, whose similarly forthright demeanour led her own brother once to describe her as "Don in a skirt".

Read more at this location.

(Thanks: Kyle)

RSM Records (distributed by MVD Entertainment), in association with Jeff Roberts & Jack Edward Sawyers, will release FRANKIE BANALI & FRIENDS' "24/7/365 - The Tribute to Led Zeppelin" on September 18. According to a posting on QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali's web site, "the album is dedicated with love and respect to the memory of John Henry Bonham: May 31, 1948 - September 25, 1980."

Musicians featured on the album are as follows:

Frankie Banali - drums
Tony Franklin - bass (THE FIRM, BLUE MURDER)

Vocalists:

Bobby Kimball (TOTO)
Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH)
Don Dokken (DOKKEN)
Kevin DuBrow (QUIET RIOT)
Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Alex Ligertwood (SANTANA)
Robin McAuley (MSG)
Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT)
Chas West (BONHAM, LYNCH MOB)

Guitarists:

Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE)
Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES)
Bruce Kulick (KISS)
Reb Beach (WINGER)
Bill Leverty (FIREHOUSE)
Steve Fister (LITA FORD)

Additional Musicians:

Michael Lardie - Keyboards (NIGHT RANGER/GREAT WHITE)
Neil Citron - Additional Keyboards and Guitars

Track listing:

Frankie Banali - Drums and Percussion
Tony Franklin - Bass Guitars

01. The Wanton Song

Alex Ligertwood - Vocals
Doug Aldrich - Guitar

02. Four Sticks

Glenn Hughes - Vocals
Steve Fister - Guitar
Frankie Banali – Drums, Djembe, Doumbek
Neil Citron - Keyboards

03. Kashmir

Don Dokken - Vocals
Michael Lardie - Keyboards
Steve Fister - Guitar

04. Out On The Tiles

Robin McAuley - Vocals
Reb Beach - Guitar

05. Ramble On

Paul Shortino - Vocals
Steve Fister - Guitar

06. The Ocean

Mark Boals - Vocals
Bruce Kulick - Guitar

07. The Immigrant Song

Bobby Kimball - Vocals
Gilby Clarke - Guitar

08. Royal Orleans

Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals
Gilby Clarke - Guitar

09. Gallows Pole

Kevin DuBrow - Vocals
Steve Fister – Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo

10. Custard Pie

Chas West - Vocals
Bill Leverty - Guitar

11. When The Levee Breaks

The 24 - 7 Overture - Levee Guest Vocalist: Joan Fraley

12. (They Were) The Eye Of God

Frankie Banali – Drums, Hand Percussion
Neil Citron - Guitar – Bass, Keys, Stringed Instruments

For more information, click here.

NEMHAIN, the British band featuring ex-CRADLE OF FILTH/AT THE GATES drummer Adrian Erlandsson and his wife, fetish model Morrigan Hel (a.k.a. Amber England), has issued the following update:

"Massive apologies to everyone who was expecting to see NEMHAIN play in Prague. We had to cancel the show at the last minute as we lost both of our guitar players due to extenuating circumstances, leading to Cherry's sudden move to New Zealand. We have, however, cleaned our wounds and are back with a vengeance!

"We'd like to introduce the lovely Samara (Rockworld TV) on rhythm guitar and Stevie Lee (ex-SPIT LIKE THIS) on lead guitar. We'll be kicking of our Holland tour with a warm-up show in London at The Rock n Roll Kabaret in Soho this Monday the 30th July. Get your arses down there for some serious sonic debauchery!!!

"On another note we've been confirmed for Hard Rock Hell festival on November 9th along with the likes of SAXON, THE 69 EYES, VIXEN, TWISTED SISTER and more. We're also going in to record a brand new EP in Belgium with AK (BRUJERIA, NAPALM DEATH) in early October which will be followed by a new video...excite!!!"

Upcoming NEMHAIN shows:

Jul. 30 - Rock n roll Kabaret @ The Soho Revue Bar - London, UK
Aug. 01 - Innocent - Hengelo, NETH
Aug. 02 - Waerdse tempel – Heerhugowaard, NETH
Aug. 03 - Club de bliksem - Den Helder, NETH
Aug. 04 - All American Day - Weert, NETH
Aug. 10 - The Attic – Northampton, UK
Aug. 18 - Bloodstock Open Air Festival - Burton on Trent, UK
Aug. 26 - Bar Monsta 1 year Anniversary show - London, UK
Nov. 09 - Hard Rock Hell festival - Minehead, UK

Mike Exley of Planet-Loud.com recently conducted an interview with Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Planet-Loud.com: You're well known of course, for producing music with an introverted influence rather than stuff influenced from without. There's been a very powerful and emotional stimulus to this record [ZILTOID THE OMNISCIENT], of course, the birth of your first child, but can you put down the live side of a band — say, like STRAPPING or OCEAN MACHINE — that easily?

Devin: "Yes, I think so. I love people, don't get me wrong. Individually, I love that interaction between people and I'm not an ogre or something; but huge crowds of people, huge groups of people who seemingly have endless access to you, as I get older, I'm not really into that. When you're young and say, you're on the road and someone says to you, 'Out the way, fuck you!' or whatever, you can handle that, right? But now I'm like, 'OK, fuck me, you're right.' If you can get that angry over that! You know? I can't explain it, but I find the energy of a lot of people really taxing. I never made a conscious decision to be on this rollercoaster — touring and being in front of a lot of people day and night. So, when last year, I took a step back and actually thought about it a bit deeper than I had in my youth, I realized I really didn't need it that much. I know that I'm often perceived as this odd guy who's a bit out there and I've probably, once in a while, reinforced that image, but I'm really not that person and in a way, I want even less so to be seen like that…. I may have made a mistake of saying some pretty weird things in interviews after a joint and stuff but I really like quiet — there's people out there who are way, way more 'unhinged' than I am. I'm very creative; making music, making puppets, that's my thing, but mainstream success and the demands that brings; no, not really for me. Sorry!"

Planet-Loud.com: Could you really, seriously do anything quietly though? Your personality on stage certainly has always been subversive and loud at the same time?

Devin: "Well, you can still be subversive, man! Right now we're planning on going right out into the mountains, I'll probably put stuff out on the Internet and hopefully people can just look me up and get into what I'm doing!! I'll still produce stuff — I've got some great ideas — but as for producing music itself; writing, songwriting — that's got to be a pure process. Music is so important to me that that's got to be the only way I can do it. In the purest possible way…. As soon as you have to sell yourself, tour it or put it on Ozzfest or Download, then it's just not got the vitality I need it to have."

Planet-Loud.com: Will you miss the "live presentation" side of the art form though? Any "artist" seems to in some way to demand someone else sees it, don't they?

Devin: "And with the Internet you can!! That's the whole point. You can keep it pure. Through Myspace or YouTube you can present the art as you feel it should be and you don't have to worry as to whether ten thousand, a thousand or just ten buy it. I think you have to remember that music should be done for the fun of it, not for the expectation of it, and that's really what I'm talking about now. That's what you lose when you prostitute yourself to this whole industry sometimes and you really don't have to. If I tell you that I haven't really been into the whole touring scenario for years and I went along for the sake of the entity (and my friends), you might not believe that. You've seen STRAPPING many times and we have had some awesome moments but it's the having to do it that's the problem. You can't just make a record and say, 'That's a great record but I want to move on now… Take this ZILTOID thing. There was no record one minute and four months later, there was a record. You could argue, what am I doing here doing this promo tour with the puppet show and the whole thing — that's really 'cause of Peter (at InsideOut Music) because he's been very conscientious, but I don't know even if this is a mistake? I've really got nothing to say apart from here's the metaphor, the puppet! And he's the showman, not me, man! I just hope people can accept that!"

Planet-Loud.com: Where do you feel the album sits in relation to other albums you've done like OCEAN MACHINE or INFINITY? I'd be interested to see what comes next…

Devin: "Me too actually! I don't know. I've done some ambient stuff and there might be more out there (HUMMER). Some folky stuff too that really doesn't demand too much from the listener — I don't know. To me, ZILTOID is kinda part STRAPPING, part OCEAN MACHINE, equal parts PUNKY BRUSTER; a mixture of the cleaner 'Alien' type of thing, mixed with a little less sophisticated vibe from the OCEAN MACHINE…. A crazy concept. I don't think if it'll be the cap on it — there might be more to do with that kind of vibe, but the creator in me isn't quite sure where I'm going to go. When I'm happy with the surroundings, then we'll see."

Planet-Loud.com: And that obviously brings us around to what you will do in relation to Jed, Gene, etc. — the STRAPPING "family," if you will?

Devin: "It does, and I want to make something very clear now. I love those guys and I love making music with them. I'm very proud of all that we achieved, but a record for them is a tool. They love the touring, they eat up the miles and as I've said many times, my priorities in that department have changed now. I almost wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Fred from MESHUGGAH sent over this Drum Kit From Hell program — which was awesome, by the way — and in a way that got my creative juices flowing in a totally different way. I guess, really, that the Ziltoid character also plays a part actually. I wanna say, because he fronts the project, that it makes it separate from the fact that I'm carrying on without them rather than making a case for it…. I was really surprised actually that I could make this type of music having had the kid! Priorities changed right then and there but the music that came out was nothing like what I'd envisioned I might be doing…. The point of it is, I guess, to really summarize what has come before, I'm very proud of that, there's a few little surprises but it's not radically different, it's just that it comes very much from me and is a part of me. What comes later — your guess is as good as mine. I've got a bunch of stuff I want to do. Let's see! I really have to say thank you to the guys though too, you know? The fact that they have given me the leeway to do this means that they are true friends and that's very important to remember."

Read the entire interview at Planet-Loud.com.

DISMEMBER, DISREPUTE and LAY DOWN ROTTEN are among the confirmed bands for the Bockmühlen Open Air festival, set to take place this Saturday, July 28 at Schöneck in Vogtland, Germany. The festival billing is as follows:

DISMEMBER
DISREPUTE
LAY DOWN ROTTEN
HELRUNAR
MOTOR JESUS
NECROTIC FLESH
INFERNAL TORTURE

For more information, visit www.boa-metalopenair.de.

Finnish "dark metal" band BEFORE THE DAWN has climbed to position No. 2 on the single chart in its home country with its latest release, "Faithless". The single features the title cut along with a cover of PANTERA's "Mouth of War" (featuring a guest appearance by Jone Nikula) and a live version of the song "The Black".

"Faithless" comes off the group's latest album, "Deadlight", which was released on April 4 in Finland via Stay Heavy Records.

In other news, Tomi Luoma of KILL THE ROMANCE will fill in for BEFORE THE DAWN guitarist Juho Räihä at the Ruka Open Air festival in Kuusamo, Finland on July 27. Räihä is unable to make the show because he is scheduled to play Ruka Open Air the same day with his other band GLORIA MORTI.

BEFORE THE DAWN's video for its previous single, "Deadsong" (directed by Jani Saajanaho), can be viewed here.

BEFORE THE DAWN's current lineup:

Tuomas Saukkonen (DAWN OF SOLACE, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY VIOLENT GENTLEMEN) - Vocals, Guitar
Lars Eikind (WINDS, DAWN OF SOLACE, AGE OF SILENCE) - Vocals, Bass
Juho Räihä (GLORIA MORTI, RIVERSIDE SYNDICATE) - Guitar
Dani Miettinen - Drums

(Thanks: Siria / www.konzi-tip.de)

Vocalist John Tardy of the Florida-based death metallers OBITUARY has posted the following message on the band's web site:

"All is going good. We have been busy putting one last song together for a limited-edition release of [the new OBITUARY album] 'Xecutioner's Return'. Along with the newest song, it will have special packaging and a poster included! We have also been working out our set list for the U.S. tour so we have been busy!"

Candlelight Records, together with iTunes, will premiere the first song from OBITUARY's upcoming album, "Xecutioner's Return", via an advance single. "Evil Ways" will be available for purchase starting July 31 and for fans will be the first and only advance listen of the album set to hit North American stores on August 28.

OBITUARY has posted the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Xecutioner's Return", at this location. The band once again worked with artist Andreas Marschall, who has previously created the art for "The End Complete" and the group's most recent record, "Frozen in Time".

"Xecutioner's Return" was mixed at Redroom Recorders and was mastered last month at Morrisound Studios in Tampa.

OBITUARY and long-running German thrashers HOLY MOSES will team up for a European tour in January 2008. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

As previously reported, fan-filmed video footage of OBITUARY performing the song "Find the Arise" on July 5, 2007 at the Underworld in London, England has been posted on YouTube.

OBITUARY will team up with ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, FULL BLOWN CHAOS and HEMLOCK for a North American tour in September/October.

KORN's entire new album is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

The band's eighth studio LP, which has been left untitled, comes out on July 31. The first single is called "Evolution".

According to Launch Radio Networks, simulated virtual reality images of the members of KORN, known as avatars, are performing their new single "Evolution" beginning today (Monday, July 23) at VirtualKorn.mtv.com. Fans are also be able to listen to a preview stream of the band's entire new album, while singer Jonathan Davis, guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu chat live with fans at the site from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the video for "Evolution" also premieres today on MTV2. KORN recently launched a spoof web site at EvolutionDevolution.com to promote the upcoming release of the clip. The site appears to be publicizing a new documentary with appearances by "experts" who look suspiciously like the members of the band. Jonathan Davis explained how it all came about. "We just wanted to do something different and, like, kind of a viral promotion of the album, so we came up with the whole 'evolution/devolution' thing," he said. "We shot these clips and we thought it would be funny if we were in it, and I was 'J.D. Cornelius,' Munk was 'Thelonius Monk,' Fieldy was 'Dr. Fields' or something... it's just funny. It's really cool. It's a spoof on the whole thing and I think it's great."

The band kicked off the latest edition of the Family Values tour on Friday (July 20) in St. Louis, with more than a dozen bands on two separate stages, including EVANESCENCE, HELLYEAH, FLYLEAF, ATREYU, TRIVIUM and others.

Davis and Shaffer revealed last week that their next project could be a collection of cover tunes. The band has already cut versions of songs by FAITH NO MORE, NINE INCH NAILS and the PSYCHEDELIC FURS.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx phoned into the Rod Ryan show on 94.5 The Buzz in Houston, Texas this morning (Monday, July 23) to discuss "The Heroin Diaries" soundtrack and book, MÖTLEY CRÜE's future, and whether Sixx's new band, SIXX: A.M., will tour or not. Download the audio of the interview in MP3 format at this location (6 MB).

Nikki Sixx took part in a press conference last Monday (July 16, 2007) to promote his new book and accompanying soundtrack, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star". Two separate video interviews with Nikki (and his new band SIXX: A.M.) conducted that day have been posted on YouTube:

* Altitude TV
* Metal Sanaz

Highlights from the press conference can be seen at this location.

As previously reported, an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star" can be accessed at this location. It includes the official press release, new band photos, a 32-page downloadable excerpt from the book, the "Life Is Beautiful" video and video highlights from the press conference all in one.

Nikki Sixx's new band SIXX: A.M. — also featuring James Michael and DJ Ashba (ex-BEAUTIFUL CREATURES) — made its live debut on July 16.

Due September 18 via MTV/VH1 Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, "The Heroin Diaries" offers an unflinching and utterly gripping look at Sixx's descent into drug addiction with a soundtrack, featuring James Michael and DJ Ashba (ex-BEAUTIFUL CREATURES), to match. The book is a tell-all, drawn from Nikki's 1986 and '87 journals.

Sixx found the diaries in storage and spent years compiling them for the book. He said he sees them more as a commentary on the record business than as a portrait of a lurid rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

The album will be released by Eleven/Seven Music and distributed by ADA, with a portion of proceeds donated to Nikki's Running Wild in the Night, a fundraising initiative for Covenant House.

Legendary Swedish death metallers UNLEASHED have been confirmed bands for the Way Of Darkness II festival, set to take place October 5-6 at Alte Posthallen in Bamberg, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

October 5:

ASGAIA
DAWN OF PERCEPTION
DISBELIEF
DRYROT
GORILLA MONSOON
ILLDISPOSED
MASS EXTINCTION
UNLEASHED
VARG

October 6:

A.O.K.
DAYS OF GRACE
DELIRIUM TREMENS
DISMEMBER
EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS
FLESHCRAWL
GROUND OF RUIN
MOURNING BELOVETH
MY SHAMEFUL
NAGLFAR
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT
ROMPEPROP
SCHISTOSOMA

For more information, go to this location.

KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo will conduct a drum clinic on August 29 at Pitt's Drum Shop in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The details are as follows:

Casey Grillo Drum Clinic
Pitt's Drum Shop
Wednesday, August 29, 7:00 p.m.
3556 N. Academy Blvd
(Pitt's Drum Shop new location!)
Behind Bennigans, next to A Taste of Philly

Tickets are $10.00. Purchase at Pitt's current store location (901 N. Union), or at the new location after August 2.

For more information, call 719-475-2291.

KAMELOT's video for the song "Ghost Opera" is available online at YouTube. The track is the title cut off KAMELOT's new album, which was released in North America on June 5.

"Ghost Opera" is KAMELOT's third release for SPV/Steamhammer Records. The CD was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Artwork was handled by Mattias Norén with contributions by Alexandra V. Bach, Liliana Sanchez and Derek Gores.

Danish thrashers HATESPHERE have issued the following update:

"We still have a few festivals to go before we start our insane fall program. We have a couple of headliner shows here and there, and then we will play main support for mighty BEHEMOTH in Poland. And then we have been confirmed as support for DIMMU BORGIR and AMON AMARTH throughout all of fuckin' Europe. Gonna be a blast! Thanks to DIMMU BORGIR and Direct [Management] for giving us the chance. Check the live section for the new dates.

"Our new video clip for 'Drinking with the King of the Dead' is finished. It should be on our site as soon as we get our own copy from the director."

Fan-filmed video footage of HATESPHERE performing at the Hultsfred 2007 festival, which was held June 14-16 in Hultsfred, Sweden, has been posted at YouTube.

HATESPHERE recently parted ways with drummer Anders Gyldenøh and bassist Mikael Ehlert. Replacing them in the group's current lineup are Dennis Buhl and Mixen Lindberg, respectively.

HATESPHERE entered the national chart in its home country at position No. 26 with its latest release, "Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes". The CD was mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark.

HATESPHERE has made its new video, "Forever War", available for download here.

SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan has commented on "American Idol" star Carrie Underwood's rendition of the SKID ROW classic "I Remember You", which appears in Underwood's current live set.

He said: "Pretty fuckin' cool.

"A friend called me the other morning (he woke me up) to tell me that he went to see Carrie Underwood play and she busts out 'I Remember You'.

"Pretty fuckin' cool.

"When Snake and I wrote that on my parents' back porch, we never thought in a million years that someone would cover it. Let alone someone mega-popular. Shit, we didn't want it on the album. Yeah, I said it. Album.

"Anyway, a big 'thank you' to Carrie. She did an awesome job."

Fan-filmed video footage of Carrie Underwood performing "I Remember You" this past Saturday (July 21) in Harrington, DE has been posted on YouTube. Also available is a 2006 clip of Underwood singing a half-acoustic/half-electric version of GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine".

The 23-year-old country crooner from Checotah, Oklahoma, won the title of the hit Fox talent show "American Idol" in May 2005.

Underwood will drop the as-yet-untitled follow-up to her debut album, "Some Hearts", on October 23.

France 24 conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 7, 2007 at Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux, Switzerland. Watch the six-minute clip at YouTube.

Fan-filmed video footage of MOTÖRHEAD performing its classic song "Stay Clean" at the Monsters Of Rock festival on June 23, 2007 in Zaragoza, Spain has been posted at this location.

MOTÖRHEAD's latest album, "Kiss of Death", entered the national album charts in the following countries: Germany: #4, Norway: #9, Sweden: #13, Austria: #20, Switzerland: #26, U.K.: #45, Denmark: #53. The CD was recorded at the Paramount studios in Los Angeles with Cameron Webb, who also worked with the group on 2004's "Inferno". The album includes guest appearances by POISON guitarist C.C. Deville and ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez.

(Thanks: Jtull)

A track from SALEM's new album "Necessary Evil", entitled "Once upon a Lifetime", is featured on the new CD compilation released by the French magazine Metallian. Other bands that appear on the CD include KING DIAMOND, U.D.O. and CEPHALIC CARNAGE.

Check out the CD cover artwork at this location.

An article about SALEM's concert at the Hellfest in Clisson, France was published in the biggest daily newspaper in Israel, Yediot Ahronot's YNET, which has a circulation of around half a million copies. The article includes rare band pictures from the event.

Check out the article at this location.

SALEM released its new album, "Necessary Evil", in Europe on June 4 via Season of Mist (one day later in North America). According to the group, the new material is "modern, dark, highly unique" and "heavier" than their previous efforts. The follow-up to 2005's "Strings Attached" includes a 27-minute piece entitled "Once Upon a Lifetime Parts I - V". Download the track "Once upon a Lifetime" at this location.

A video clip of MAYHEM vocalist Attila Csihar (formerly of TORMENTOR, ABORYM) performing the MAYHEM classic "Deathcrush" with SALEM on December 27, 2005 at the Theatre Club in Tel Aviv, has been posted at YouTube. A number of high-quality photos from the gig, which featured a mini-set of MAYHEM classics performed by Csihar and SALEM, is available at Metalist.co.il.

Vacaville, California's hard rock act PAPA ROACH stepped into the iTunes studio recently to record full-band versions of "Reckless" (from "The Paramour Sessions") and "Scars" (from "Getting Away with Murder"). The group also laid down an acoustic version of "Forever" off "The Paramour Sessions".

To download the "Live Session" iTunes-exclusive EP, click here.

PAPA ROACH's latest album, "The Paramour Sessions", was re-released on June 19 with a brand new cover, a free "Forever" ringtone, a fold-out poster, as well as PAPA ROACH mobile phone wallpaper.

The band recently joined up with HINDER for a 30-plus date tour running through the summer.

Victory Records will release five more titles on limited-edition, colored vinyl on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.

Following the successful response of the last wave of releases that included BAD BRAINS, BAYSIDE and COMEBACK KID, the label will be pressing SILVERSTEIN's newest LP, "Arrivals & Departures", and DARKEST HOUR's latest effort, "Deliver Us", on colored wax.

The other three releases include a reissue of the 2002 breakthrough debut from TAKING BACK SUNDAY, "Tell All Your Friends", as well as a new pressing of BLOOD FOR BLOOD's classic "Revenge On Society". The fifth title is a special, combined 12" of EARTH CRISIS' first Victory EPs, "Firestorm" and "All Out War".

Once again, two different colors of vinyl will be available for each title at your local record shop, but a limited run of 200 copies of a special color will only be available from the Victory Records webstore. Pre-orders will begin during the first week of August.

A teaser trailer for ALL THAT REMAINS' video for the song "Not Alone" has been posted on YouTube. The clip was shot on July 2 in Los Angeles with director Soren.

Check out photos from the "Not Alone" video shoot at this location.

ALL THAT REMAINS recently traveled to Audiohammer Studios in Orlando, Florida to mix the audio portion of their upcoming DVD with Jason Suecof (CHIMAIRA, TRIVIUM, BURY YOUR DEAD, DEVILDRIVER). Watch the first video report from the sessions at YouTube.

Due in October via Prosthetic, the DVD will feature live performances from the band's recent show at Theater of the Living Arts in Philadelphia, as well as from their concert in Baltimore at The Recher Theatre on July 12. ATR fans will also be treated to tons of bonus goodies on the new DVD, including behind-the-scenes footage, band and fan interviews, a live photo slideshow and all of the band's videos.

ALL THAT REMAINS recently reached a major milestone — the group's third album "The Fall of Ideals" surpassed the 100,000 mark in U.S. sales.

After a handful of domestic tour dates (including a special appearance on the Sounds of the Underground tour), ALL THAT REMAINS heads to Mexico and then Europe through August, where they will play several major festivals including the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

German power metallers ANGEL DUST have issued the following update:

"The new album will be called 'VII', which is quite obvious. The seventh album will released in 2007. A exact date is not certain yet; the recordings are making very slow progress."

ANGEL DUST guitarist Bernd Aufermann (also of RUNNING WILD) previously stated about the material that is slated to appear on the follow-up to 2002's "Of Human Bondage", "I'm VERY satisfied with the way the guitar will approach in the music and the material is, in my opinion, the best we've ever written."

"VII" will feature the following tracks:

01. Before My Fall
02. Shoot The Needle
03. Marching – Stampeding
04. Alien Man
05. One More Time
06. Street Of Iron Will
07. Consumed
08. Fear No Evil

ANGEL DUST 2007 is:

Dirk Assmuth (drums)
Bernd Aufermann (guitar)
Christian Pohlmann (bass)
Steven Banx (keyboard)
Carsten Kaiser (vocals)

Finland's monster rock 'n' roll band LORDI, currently on the main stage of Ozzfest 2007 (with headliners OZZY OSBOURNE, LAMB OF GOD and STATIC-X), have cancelled their previously announced "off-date" shows during the summer tour.

In a written statement, the band says, "Things have been going exceptionally well for LORDI this summer on Ozzfest 2007. We've had some great crowd responses so far and the shows have been a lot of fun. Lots of rock 'n' roll and pyro! And because the shows have been going over so well — the fans really are into what LORDI have brought to the tour — we feel that taking the LORDI show into a smaller club environment won't deliver the full stage show that we are playing every night as part of Ozzfest so we've decided to cancel the previously announced off-date shows in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago. We don't want to downsize the band's explosive show! We do hope that those who have bought tickets to come to the off-dates will make it out to Ozzfest and see us and all the other great bands playing in front of thousands of fans."

Ozzfest 2007 continues until the end of August.

LORDI released its album "The Arockalypse" on March 20, 2007 in North America on The End Records.

An interview with LORDI is featured on Monsters HD (the first 24/7 commercial-free all horror channel that broadcasts in 1080i high definition) both online and on the network. You can view the interview with LORDI online at www.MonstersHD.com (make sure to maximize the screen on the player located underneath the TV screen) or tune into the Monsters HD channel on the Dish network or Cablevision. The piece will air throughout the rest of the summer to promote the band's appearance on Ozzfest.

Merovingian Music, Ltd. has announced the signing of a joint venture between MRV and Sebastian Bach's Get Off My Bach Productions to launch a yet-to-be-named label owned by the artist.

MRV is part of, and is distributed exclusively, by the Caroline/EMI Music Group.

MRV's model is designed specifically for artist-owned, management-owned and independent labels, creating a partnership that provides for all label functions.

MRV CEO Jack Ponti states: "Sebastian Bach has proven himself to be a true multimedia star of music, stage and television. He has delivered a record of incredible depth and intensity that displays his growth as an artist. We look forward with eager anticipation to this journey together and are honored to be part of it."

William Hein, Senior Vice President/General Manager Caroline Music Group/EMI, adds: "Sebastian Bach has recorded a fantastic new album and Caroline Music is thrilled to be working with Merovingian on its release. Sebastian is the real deal and 'Angel Down' will be the rock comeback story of the year."

Sebastian Bach comments: "I am thrilled to be a part of the MRV/Caroline/EMI Music Group. I have known Jack Ponti for 20 years and am totally excited to be 'parters in crime' with such a trusted, talented guy as Jack and the whole MRV team.

"When my manager Rick Sales sent my new CD 'Angel Down' to Jason Flom at EMI, Jason immediately sent it to Jack and together we now have a team that I am supremely confident will be able to get my music out to the people! To have my own label together with Merovingian/Caroline/EMI is truly a dream come true.

"We look forward to a tentative October 2007 release for the new CD 'Angel Down'.

"I would like to thank Rick Sales, Jason Flom, and Jack Ponti for coming through for me!

"I am very proud of the CD and am honored to be working with such an incredible team!"

Check out pictures of the signing at this location.

Sebastian Bach's new album, "Angel Down", will be his first solo CD since 1999's "Bring 'Em Bach Alive", and first release since 2004's "Forever Wild" DVD.

Bach's current touring band consists of guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, HALFORD), bassist Rob DeLuca (SPREAD EAGLE), drummer Jason West (NEUROTICA, PITBULL DAYCARE) and guitarist Johnny Chromatic.

Check out video footage of Bach performing several new songs live:

"You Don't Understand" (video)
"Stuck Inside" (video)
"By Your Side" (video)
"American Metalhead" (video)

MEGADETH bassist James Lomenzo has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's web site:

"What a fantastic trip it's been so far this year. It's been such an honor to cross the ocean once again and play for you all with the mighty MEGADETH.

"I haven't had much time to reminisce. Family health problems have kept me pretty much on vigil since I've returned. Now that things are improving allow me to take some time to catch up.

"The enthusiastic response from the fans and the press here in the States and internationally has been mind-blowing! It's one thing to talk to a journalist on the phone and have him or her say 'this is MEGADETH back to form', but it's quite another thing to see the vehemence of the crowd as they sing along to 'Washington's Next', 'Never Walk Alone' and 'Sleepwalker' in each and every city. You have no idea what a payoff that is to see that kind of response. I humbly thank you.

"Now, on to my broken toe.

"You travel the world, a different hotel room every night. Not a whole lot of sleep... perhaps a bit of the spirits... not a scratch, not even a bruise. I return home and on my first night, I walk to the corner of my bed to grab the phone which is ringing, when all of a sudden. I'm alarmed by a strange 'click' from my right foot. I look down, only to realize that a slight miscalculation of about 2 mm put my toe in an unnatural and very painful position. I immediately reach down and try force the digit back into its rightful position next to the other little 'piggies' — no-go.

"So now, it's finally my turn to visit old Doc Barton.

"Anyway, I'm hobbling about here considering the relative safety of the continuation of our 'Tour of Duty', I may just tie myself to this chair until September... just to stave off any other potential hazards around the house.

"I'd like to extend myself to you bass players out there. Post any questions or discussions you'd like to address directly to me in the Musicians Forum. I'll be happy to participate in as many posts as my time will allow. In the past I've use my website for this but since the last spam-inator's hostile take over, I've had to shut the forum down. I'd love to pick it up right here at old Megadeth.com.

"Best to you all for now.

"Oh, one more thing. I may have something real interesting to post next week... see you then!"

A video interview with DAATH drummer Kevin Talley and guitarist Emil Werstler conducted by Roadrunner Records Italy has been posted at this location. The footage was shot this past April in Bologna, Italy.

FPE-TV recently posted video footage of DAATH's Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler shredding the axe. Check it out at YouTube.

DAATH has launched its own YouTube channel featuring a collection of videos and live performances.

DAATH has just released an exclusive remix of "Dead on the Dance Floor", a track from their debut Roadrunner release, "The Hinderers", via digital EP. The song was remixed by Danny Lohner, former of NINE INCH NAILS and A PERFECT CIRCLE.

DAATH is currently dominating the second stage at this year's Ozzfestwith fellow underground acts such as HATEBREED, NILE, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and CHTHONIC.

Razorback Records will release a full-length CD by Finland's VACANT COFFIN in 2008. The band features members from the cult early '90s death metal group PHLEGETHON and plays "some of the most intense and precise death/grind around today with a thick and heavy guitar tone, blower-bass, inhuman vocals, and insanely tight and fast as fuck blast beats," according to a press release. "This is everything death/grind should be and more!"

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

According to a posting on the AC/DC fan site CrabsodyInBlue.com, the brand new Bon Scott (AC/DC) Aussie rock web site will now be launched on Wednesday, August 1. It will have video and audio clips from the Bon Scott Celebration Concert held at the Clarement Showgrounds on February 25, 2007 as well as all the current news on the concert CD and DVD release dates. Pre-orders will be available for the CD which will mean that all of you who make pre-orders will receive your copy of the CD early and it will be autographed by some of the artists who appeared on the day.

For now, if you go to the Bon Scott Celebration Concert web site you will be able to click on the link to a temporary site showing some of the clips of the concert, including footage of THE ANGELS performing "Marseilles". In two weeks' time, more clips will be added to the web site.