British vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva — who has toured and/or recorded with CRADLE OF FILTH, THERION, MORTIIS and ANGTORIA — is scheduled to begin mixing her solo album, "A Sign of Sublime", sometime in October. The drums on the CD were laid down by Max Blunos, formerly of the U.K. death metal outfit TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED. Other guest musicians that appear on the album include Martin Powell (CRADLE OF FILTH, ANATHEMA, MY DYING BRIDE) and Dave Pybus (CRADLE OF FILTH). A video for the CD's title track has just been filmed and will be featured on the limited-edition digipack version of "A Sign of Sublime". "The aim is to have a censored AND uncensored version," says Sarah. "There is nothing too bad [about the uncensored version], but, of course, it's all about the visual content that wouldn't be suitable for younger kids as it's about the power of suggestion."

Regarding the musical direction of her solo debut, Sarah says, "It's not another ANGTORIA, it's not CRADLE OF FILTH... what is it? Hell if I know! Haha... it's music! No label, just me and the people I care about doing music. It's not pompous, it's not over the top. I would like to say it's just a mixture of styles and feelings. Some tracks are fast, almost having a black metal edge, some tracks are slow, almost like a movie film score... and well, it just doesn't all sound the same, it's not blast beats from start to finish, it has feeling, and well, that's it!"

"A Sign of Sublime" will include a cover version of MEREDITH BROOKS' "Bitch", which is described by Sarah as "slightly more heavy than the original." She adds, "I did it because I love the song! Simple. It's rock! It don't know if we have added anything to the song or taken anything away. Either way, it was fun to do and that's what music is about."

On the topic of her continuing collaboration with Dave Pybus, Sarah says, "I feel lucky to have one of my best friends work with me on this album. He did ANGTORIA and, of course, Dave and I have worked together many years in CRADLE OF FILTH and I am just proud to have someone by my side who doesn't put any restrictions on me and doesn't believe in putting restrictions on music. He is open-minded and fun, loyal and very hard-working and we both have the same vision... to enjoy life and playing."

Video footage of KEEP OF KALESSIN drummer Vegard "Vyl" Larsen performing material from the band's forthcoming album can be viewed at Sick Drummer Magazine. The footage was shot during the pre-production sessions for the follow-up to KEEP OF KALESSIN's 2008 album, "Kolossus".

KEEP OF KALESSIN will head to Dugout Productions in Uppsala, Sweden this October to record the drums for the new CD with Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH). The band will then go back home to their own studio in Trondheim, Norway where they recorded both "Armada" and "Kolossus" to lay down all the other instruments and vocals. The tracks will then be sent back to Daniel Bergstrand, who will mix the entire record for an early 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Kolossus" was released in June 2008. The CD was made available via Indie Recordings and was licensed to Nuclear Blast for the following territories: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and rest of the world outside Europe (except Australia and Russia).

"13th Moon", the new video from Portuguese metallers HEAVENWOOD, can be viewed below. This clip was shot on May 30 in Braga, Portugal with the production team of Carlos Barros, Rui Correia and Ricardo Coutinho (NomedeCena.com), who are described as "young talented Portuguese video/filmmakers, designers and photographers. The video concept is based on the Zodiac signs.

"13th Moon" comes off HEAVENWOOD's third album, "Redemption", which was released in August 2008. The CD was mixed at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH). The initial recording sessions for the album took place at Ultrasound Studios with Daniel Cardoso and Ricardo Dias. The CD features guest appearances by ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters (in the song "Bridge To Neverland"), FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. (in the track "One Step to Devotion") and singer Tijs Vanneste of the Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS (in the song "Obsolete").

HEAVENWOOD is currently working on material for its fourth album alongside Russian symphonic classical composer Dominic G. Joutsen. Songtitles set to appear on the forthcoming CD include "Goddess Presiding Over Solitude", "September Blood", "The Arcadia Order", "Leonor", "A Poem for Mathilde" and "Sudden Scars".

HEAVENWOOD is:

Ernesto Guerra - Vocals
Ricardo Dias - Guitars and Vocals
Bruno Silva - Guitar
Hugo Pires - Session Bass Player
Daniel Cardoso - Session Drummer

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

Former THE EXALTED PILEDRIVER guitarist Mark Anthony (a.k.a. Kinky Pork Cream) has posted the first song from his PROJECT GEMINI solo project at this location. According to Anthony, "Transmission Channel" is a demo version of one of the instrumentals that will appear on the debut PROJECT GEMINI CD, entitled "Tornadic". He says, "I remember clearly the night the melody came to me. I was very much into watching sci-fi movies at that time and was into listening to trippy prog-metal stuff like STAR ONE or AYREON....and it certainly had an influence.. Also, my love of instrumental players like Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai were on my playlist a lot then." He adds, "I remember that I wanted to have a really melodic instrumental... not too long and that also had a sci-fi feel to it... almost like music you would hear in a sci-fi movie during a dark scene or an important scene. When I recorded the lead, I pictured a person trying desperately to contact someone while they were lost deep in space."

"Tornadic" will feature contributions from bassist Rob Tollefson (ex-PILEDRIVER) and drummer Gerry Keough (ex-PILEDRIVER, RECKON WITH ONE).

THE EXALTED PILEDRIVER's first album in 22 years, "Metal Manifesto", was released on November 18, 2008. The CD was mixed by veteran Neil Kernon (CANNIBAL CORPSE, NEVERMORE) and it follows up the classic cult discography of the band: "Metal Inquisition" (1985) and "Stay Ugly" (1986).

"Resign to Surrender (A New Age Dawns - Part IV)", a brand new song from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA, is available for streaming on the MySpace page of the European branch of Nuclear Blast Records. The track comes off the band's new album, "Design Your Universe", which is due in Europe on October 16 . The follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy" was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth.

"Design Your Universe" track listing:

01. Samadhi (prelude)
02. Resign to Surrender (A New Age Dawns - Part IV)
03. Unleashed
04. Martyr of the Free Word
05. Our Destiny
06. Kingdom of Heaven (A New Age Dawns - Part V)
07. The Price of Freedom (interlude)
08. Burn to a Cinder
09. Tides of Time
10. Deconstruct
11. Semblance of Liberty
12. White Waters
13. Design Your Universe (A New Age Dawns - Part VI)

The cover artwork for "Design Your Universe" can be viewed below (artwork by Stefan Heilemann).

EPICA recently filmed a video for the song "Unleashed" at a location near Berlin, Germany. The band's record label, Nuclear Blast, says in a press release, "After 18 hours of shooting, the director called it a day. There were many different sceneries and the guys and girl even had to act! What the story behind is about… we will tell you soon! Expect the unexpected."

EPICA guitarist Mark Jansen previously stated about the new CD: "It's been a great time at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg recording 'Design Your Universe'. We worked with the same team and we worked for the first time together with our new guitar player Isaac Delahaye [formerly of GOD DETHRONED]. This made a difference and made things very refreshing because we could add some new elements because of him. We have worked harder than ever on the details. We preferred to spend some extra money on great additions which brings our songs to a higher level instead of leaving things like they are. The result is that we worked so hard on this album that we hardly can listen to the album anymore. Now it's time to let it go and release it to humanity. We were already very happy with 'The Divine Conspiracy', but I'm sure this new album tops that one."

He added, "The album title, 'Design Your Universe', deals with new breakthroughs in quantum physics. It proves that we are all connected to each other on subatomic level. Also, it shows that we can create or at least influence matter with our thoughts… a very interesting fact. Because it changes everything for us, our whole worldview collapses once you accept these facts and integrate them in your lives. So this had to become the new album title."

EPICA will return to North America for a headlining tour in the beginning of 2010, with DAATH and BLACKGUARD as support. EPICA will offer fans a special VIP ticket which will grant them access to the venue an hour before door times, a pre-show meet-and-greet with EPICA and a event poster customized for the city of the show. Fans are urged to purchase these VIP tickets as only 50 are being allotted for each show.

"Design Your Universe" audio teaser #3:

Anglo-Australian hard rockers AC/DC have launched a special web site, ACDCBacktracks.com, featuring a countdown to an "exciting announcement" that will be made on September 29.

A short video clip promoting the new web site can be viewed below.

As previously reported, AC/DC is rumored to be releasing a box set later this year that will come in a package that doubles as a working amplifier. The set will contain three CDs, two DVDs and a vinyl record. One CD will contain studio rarities and the other two will feature live cuts, while the DVDs will contain the third volume of the band's "Family Jewels" video collections. The vinyl disc will hold the studio rarities. The set will also come with a 164-page book, three black-and-white lithographs of unpublished band photos from 1977, a flyer for a 1976 British tour and a poster from a 1977 European trek. The complete package will be sold only through AC/DC's web site, while a CD/DVD-only version called "Best Of The Box Set" may also be made available.

According to The Montreal Gazette, METALLICA has donated CAD $21,462 from the box-office take of their two sold-out shows at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday and Sunday (September 19-20) to Sun Youth, a local community services organization.

"It's a beautiful gift," said Sid Stevens, co-founder of Sun Youth. Stevens said he was told the group makes a practice of turning over part of its receipts to a local charity at every stop on its tour.

Sun Youth was asked, however, to keep the donation under wraps until the group had left Montreal.

"People sometimes look at groups of this nature in a derogatory or negative manner," said Stevens, who is not familiar with METALLICA's music. "But it's very interesting to see them donate in every city they visit."

Read more from The Montreal Gazette.

Kevin "Taz" Conklin of "The Big Dumb Radio Show" (web site) — which airs on Kalamazoo, Michigan's 92.5 WZUU FM radio station — conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine earlier this week. The chat is now available for streaming in two parts below. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow.

On how "Endgame" has been received thus far:

Mustaine: "The record is a complete smash success right now for us. Even web sites that are notorious for hating MEGADETH, like Blabbermouth, we got an 8.5 out of 10 there. I mean, go figure. And they even said something that was kind towards me, saying, 'Well, maybe it's time for us to take a lesson from Professor Dave.' And I'm thinking, 'Huh?!' I guess hell must be frozen. [laughs] And I just heard that there's a magazine — a very high-ranking, established institution... magazine in the U.K., one of the guys there said that MEGADETH is better than METALLICA. And I was like, 'Oh, my God. The next thing you know I'm gonna wake up and I'm gonna be 16 again and I'll have somebody really hot and young laying in my bed.'"

Mustaine on how "Endgame" has been received (click on player below to launch audio):



On whether it gets annoying being asked about METALLICA all the time:

Mustaine: "Nah, it depends on what they're talking about. If it's the 'he-said-she-said' stuff, that's not OK, because they weren't there. But if it's stuff like talking about anything that was to happen, currently or in the future, it's total speculation and it's up in the air. I really don't like talking about it, because I have a new record out and I've heard both records [referring to METALLICA's 'Death Magnetic' and MEGADETH's 'Endgame' — Ed.], and I think mine's better. And that's not a dig at [METALLICA]; it's just how I feel. And I know that they've got a lot of records that are better than the stuff I've put out, but not all of it, and certainly not the stuff that we made together."

Mustaine on whether it gets annoying being asked about METALLICA all the time (click on player below to launch audio):



On whether MEGADETH has been approached to do the "Big Four" tour with METALLICA, SLAYER and ANTHRAX:

Mustaine: That's just a rumor. We found out for sure it was a rumor [last week when we were in New York City for the taping of the 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' show]. My manager met with their agent and he said there's nothing [to the rumor], so if their agent doesn't even know about it, there's nothing."

Mustaine on "Big Four" tour rumors (click on player below to launch audio):



Part 1:



Part 2:

Rock it Out! Blog conducted an interview with Oderus Urungus of GWAR before the band's September 22, 2009 concert in Montclair, New Jersey. Watch the eight-minute chat below.

GWAR will take part in a signing session at Scrape Records in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Monday, November 30 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.scraperecords.com.

"Let Us Slay", the new video from GWAR, was shot in Richmond, Virginia by director David Brodsky (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL) and his MyGoodEye crew.

GWAR's new album, "Lust In Space", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart.

U.D.O., the German band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, will take part in a signing session at Saturn in Fürth, Germany on October 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Saturn
Würzburger Straße 2
Fürth, Germany

U.D.O.'s new album, "Dominator", entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 27. This marks the highest German chart entry in U.D.O.'s history.

Released on August 21 via AFM Records, "Dominator" features the following track listing:

01. The Bogeyman
02. Dominator
03. Black And White
04. Infected
05. Heavy Metal Heaven
06. Doom Ride
07. Stillness Of Time
08. Devil's Rendezvous
09. Bleeding Heart (Japanese bonus)
10. Pleasure In The Darkroom (digipack bonus)
11. Speed Demon
12. Whispers In The Dark

A limited-edition single, "Infected", preceded the full-length CD on June 26. The single was released as a limited edition of 2,222 pieces worldwide and included the title track, two non-album cuts, a remix and a live song. On the same day U.D.O. played at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany as a co-headliner.

U.D.O.'s previous studio album, "Mastercutor", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 39.

Rock bands PAPA ROACH and JET will usher in winter 2009 with a co-headlining tour of the U.S. The affordable and eclectic rock show with a festival feel starts off in late October through the end of November and offers four bands for less than forty dollars.

Tickets to the first two announced dates go on sale Friday (September 25) for the show in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium on November 5, and Saturday (September 26) for the show in Denver, Colorado at the Ogden Theatre on October 26.

A complete list of tour dates and on-sale dates will be made available shortly.

PAPA ROACH followed up its chart-topping single "Lifeline" with another song from its recent "Metamorphosis" album called "I Almost Told You That I Loved You". The group released a music video for the track and vocalist Jacoby Shaddix told The Pulse of Radio the story behind the song. "That song was born from a conversation that me and this fella Matt Zane — he's a musician but he also directs pornography films — and he was telling me about this girl. He was trying out the talent before he put her on camera, and he was like, 'Oh, Jacoby, man, the pussy was so good I almost told her that I loved her.' Me and Jay Baumgardner, the producer, looked at each other and we were like, 'Now that's a song title right there!'"

"Lifeline" was PAPA ROACH's second No. 1 hit, following its 2000 breakthrough single, "Last Resort".

"Metamorphosis", the band's fifth major label release, came out in March. The CD has sold 162,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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

For more information, visit www.scraperecords.com.

SATYRICON will headline a 24-city North American tour which begins on September 25 in Baltimore, Maryland. The influential outfit will also release a special-edition, two-CD version of its critically acclaimed latest album, "The Age Of Nero", on September 29 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The bonus material on this special "The Age Of Nero" package has never been available in North America before. Featuring eight live and rare recordings, this set is a must-have for SATYRICON fans.

Video footage of SATYRICON's performance at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, which was held August 14-16, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England, can be viewed below (courtesy of Dave Ingham a.k.a. YouTube user "triptykon").

The Toothless Cat Gallery will present a solo art exhibition from Paul Romano, the artist behind groundbreaking images from such artists as MASTODON, THE RED CHORD, HATE ETERNAL and CHIODOS. Romano will be exhibiting a collection of paintings on wood, canvas, and paper. "Workhardened" marks Romano's debut solo fine art exhibition, marking a highly anticipated event for this remarkably accomplished artist.

Romano's imaginative compositions are steeped in myth and allegory, illuminating the music for which they are made to represent. The works are not solely governed by this factor however, and remain ambiguous and haunting in their own right. The dark dreamscapes capture epic moments of tumult, such as the portrayal of a large white whale breaking a ship that simultaneously creates the calm of a mandala. As a classically trained painter, the works often pay homage to art history and are cobbled together in the refreshing, sometimes macabre perspective of Romano. Created with a variety of mediums such as oil, acrylic, and watercolor, the works are introspective and enthralling. Some of the pieces included are never before seen paintings and drawings by Romano as well as new, personal pieces, created specifically for this debut solo show.

The show will open on October 10 and continue through November 10. An opening reception will be held on October 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. A special event entitled "Collaborate With The Artist" is planned for October 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will feature interactive word games (MadLibs) written, designed, and screen printed by the artist. The artist will be present at both of these events.

The Toothless Cat is located at:

1050 North Hancock Street
Suites 86/88
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Gallery hours are 12-8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 12-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

According to the Michael Kiske Official Fanclub, former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske has joined forces with acclaimed bassist and producer Dennis Ward (PLACE VENDOME, PINK CREAM 69) in a brand new, as-yet-unnamed band. A full-length album and tour are planned for 2010.

Commented Kiske: "[This new group] will be the next big thing after HELLOWEEN for me." He added, "I will be myself on stage; whatever feels right these days. It's always the best on stage with a good band and people you like."

Kiske and Ward last collaborated on the second album from PLACE VENDOME, "Streets Of Fire", which was released on February 20 via Frontiers Records. The CD was once again recorded at Ward's studio in Karlsdorf, Germany, with Ward's PINK CREAM 69 bandmate Kosta Zafiriou and Gunther Werno of VANDEN PLAS laying down drums and keyboards, respectively. A promotional video for the song "My Guardian Angel" — written by Magnus Karlsson (BOB CATLEY, PRIMAL FEAR) — can be viewed below.

Hard Rock International's global Ambassadors of Rock Tour is heading to "Sin City" for the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas. On Thursday, October 15, rock icon Chris Cornell will perform at Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas, located on The Strip, as part of Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Tour, a global concert series featuring top artists and bands. Grammy Award-winning Native American musician Micki Free will kick off the event with a performance, followed by Chris Cornell, who will rock the stage with some of his greatest hits, as well as songs from his latest solo album, "Scream".

That evening, Chris Cornell will also donate memorabilia, which will become a permanent addition to Hard Rock's world-famous collection. The event will benefit Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that serves people in the community with intellectual disabilities to enhance their daily lives and the lives of their families through job training, employment opportunities, recreation and advocacy.

"We are truly excited to have Chris Cornell, one of rock's most iconic artists, be one of the very first musicians to perform at our newest Hard Rock location and also join our Ambassadors of Rock lineup," said Hamish Dodds, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hard Rock International. "Chris also performed in London in 2007 on our global concert tour, and we are thrilled that he will be an official Ambassador of Rock once again!"

In addition to an unforgettable live concert, the V.I.P. grand opening celebration will include a star-studded red carpet and guitar smash to commemorate Hard Rock's new cafe on The Strip. The event will also feature appearances by representatives of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of Hard Rock International; Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International; local celebrities, professional athletes and more.

According to Reality TV World, former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach is one of eight celebrities who will be attempting to shed unwanted weight on "Celebrity Fit Club"'s seventh season, which VH1 recently began filming.

"Celebrity Fit Club"'s seventh-season cast members are former "Britney and Kevin: Chaotic" co-star Kevin Federline; his pre-Britney Spears ex Shar Jackson; "Project Runway" first-season winner Jay McCarroll; R&B star Bobby Brown; former "Charles in Charge" star and "Baywatch" babe Nicole Eggert; Bach; "High School Musical"'s Kaycee Stroh; and "Bad Girls Club" alum Tanisha Thomas.

VH1 renewed "Celebrity Fit Club" for a seventh season in June, and it will follow a similar "boot camp" format to its spring 2008 sixth installment and feature the celebrities attempting to shed weight with the help of "drill sergeant" Harvey Walden and nutrition and diet expert Dr. Ian Smith.

"Celebrity Fit Club"'s seventh season will premiere on Sunday, February 14, People reported Tuesday.

According to Billboard.com, Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED), Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION), Scott Shriner (WEEZER), Dave Kushner (VELVET REVOLVER), Chris Chaney (ex-JANE'S ADDICTION) and Wayne Kramer (MC5) are among the musicians who will take part in the Scott Ford Benefit show, set to take place this Saturday, September 26 at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California. Also appearing are emcee Donovan Leitch (actor) and Steve O ("Jackass"). All money raised will go towards helping bassist Scott Ford (TWILIGHT SINGERS, THE GUTTER TWINS, CAMP FREDDY), who is suffering from an advanced bone loss medical condition resulting in severe blood infections.

Read more from Billboard.com.

Swedish female-fronted heavy rock band SISTER SIN has posted a new video clip containing footage of "random debauchery around the world in summer 2009." Watch it below.

SISTER SIN in April made a new song, "Beat 'Em Down", available for free download via MySpace page. The track was recorded as a tribute to the late great Gothenburg boxing champ Ingemar "Ingo" Johansson, who passed away in January.

SISTER SIN recently announced the addition of bassist Benton to the group's ranks. The band said, "He's cool as fuck and a very talented musician (and yes, he changed his name after DEICIDE's Glen Benton)."

"Switchblade Serenades", the debut album from SISTER SIN, debuted at No. 107 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Switchblade Serenades" was produced by Tobias Lindell at Bohus Sound Studios in Sweden.

For more information, visit www.sistersin.com.

"Bloodred Rain", the new video from WATCH ME BLEED — the German band featuring MYSTIC PROPHECY guitar player Markus Pohl and SYMPHORCE drummer Steffen Theurer — can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's debut album, "Souldrinker", which is scheduled for release on October 23 via Silverwolf Productions.

"Souldrinker" was mixed by Christian "Moschus" Moos (DELAIN, C-187, EVERON) at Spacelab studios and was mastered by Eroc (SODOM, DELAIN) at the Mastering Ranch. It contains eleven songs with guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), Nemesis (EIGENSINN) and Greek guitar wizard Constantine (MYSTIC PROPHECY, THE DESCENDING). According to Markus Pohl, the band "is extremely satisfied with the whole album, the sound and the songs." The end result is "pure metal, aggressive, in your face and heavy. Moschus and Eroc did a great job."

WATCH ME BLEED's CD features the band's first recordings with Markus Wenzel, singer of the Austrian deathcore act INZEST, who joined the group last fall as WATCH ME BLEED's second vocalist. With two aggressive singers, WATCH ME BLEED "expanded its sound to a new and diversified level," according to a press release.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/watchmebleed667.

Billboard.com has uploaded a new video interview with LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda in which he reveals that the band's follow up to 2007 No. 1 album "Minutes To Midnight" is underway now that the album by DEAD BY SUNRISE, singer Chester Bennington's side project, is finished and nearing its Oct. 13 release.

"We mentally want to get back to [2000's 'Hybrid Theory'] not because we want to sound like [that], because I don't think we do," Shinoda says of the forthcoming LINKIN PARK album, which they aim to release in the first half of 2010. "But we want to make this record a record with identity, hopefully not one you've heard before. One you can listen to and say, 'That's brand new... It's definitely LINKIN PARK, but it's definitely different.'"

Watch the chat below.

LINKIN PARK's "New Divide" clip debuted to record numbers, becoming the No. 1 music video debut this year on the MySpace Music site. The eye-popping clip, directed by LINKIN PARK's Joe Hahn, drew a staggering 1.8 million viewers in its first four days, illustrating the dominance of video consumption on MySpace Music. "New Divide" was also the No. 1 video on MySpace for several days after its launch.

Shot on a soundstage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, the "New Divide" video features key visual elements from the film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", which opened in theaters June 24.

"New Divide", which LINKIN PARK specifically wrote and recorded for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", was the band's eighth No. 1 at Alternative Radio. It's also the third song ever to debut simultaneously in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 and Alternative Charts .

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of METALLICA interviewed ALICE IN CHAINS for FMQB Productions' "Inside Alice In Chains: Black Gives Way To Blue" broadcast special, which will air on radio stations across the country starting September 25.

When asked by Hetfield what the album title means to the band, guitarist Jerry Cantrell explained that the title track is a song about late ALICE IN CHAINS singer Layne Staley, who died in 2002. "It's a really intense song and a really open-hearted song because of Layne and the experience that we all went through," he said. "It's [about] facing up to that stuff and all the good and all the bad and moving forward together. It speaks to [the fact that] things were pretty black for us. It's pretty literal, and things are starting to get a little lighter."

Cantrell also stated that having Elton John play on the song was an honor, because Elton was the first musician that he really admired. "It was a really heavy thing for me, because my whole journey starts with him. That was the first guy I really got into," Cantrell said. "Then I started discovering guitar bands like AC/DC and KISS and all sorts of other stuff. But Elton was the first thing that turned the light on for me. So to have that come full circle for all of us – for what we've all been through – and for who that song is about, it's a pretty heavy thing. It's one of the few moments in life where the universe really lines up and tells you you're doing the right thing."

The band was also very candid about going through their own battles with addiction after Staley passed away. "We kind of went off the rails and stopped touring with two number one records back-to-back because we were not in really good shape. We tried to take time off, and the plan was to focus on living a little bit," Cantrell said. Drummer Sean Kinney added, "The plan was to stop because I knew for a fact, if we were to stay out on the road, death was imminent. It wasn't just Layne — it could have been me, it could have been anybody. We pulled back from that and the theory was to try to get our act together so we could live and move on."

Later in the special, Hetfield asks ALICE IN CHAINS singer William DuVall if it was strange for him to sing someone else's lyrics. But as DuVall pointed out, music is always open to interpretation, and he takes away his own meaning from the lyrics, whether they were written by Staley or Cantrell.

"Truth is truth, and I'll relate to it on that level," he explained. "It's similar to the older songs; a tune that might be really personal to Jerry, like 'Rooster', Layne sang those songs with a lot of conviction. I come to that stuff singing a song like 'Dirt' or 'Junkhead' with my own experience, because the feelings behind those lyrics are universal. The impetus for writing them may be extremely personal, but that's the beauty of music. That's the power of it. It's all the blues to me, and I know a thing or two about the blues. I'm a blues person!"

Hetfield joined ALICE IN CHAINS on stage on November 26, 2006 at the Warfield in San Francisco to perform the song "Would?". Watch a fan-filmed video clip at YouTube. A professional-quality clip of Hetfield playing "Would?" with ALICE IN CHAINS at the Rock am Ring festival in Nürburgring, Germany on June 2, 2006 can be viewed below.

When asked by Revolver magazine if he had a close relationship with Staley, Hetfield replied, "I wasn't really close with Layne, but I remember going to see ALICE IN CHAINS many times. I remember when we were down in L.A. [in 1991, making 'The Black Album'], I left the studio early to see them play on Clash of the Titans with SLAYER. I was driving like a madman in this rented van, going on the median and scaring the shit out of my friend — 'We gotta get there!' And we get there, and they'd just got off. I was like, 'Aw, man!' [Laughs] I hung with them a little bit, always just loved their music, and I'd say that Jerry [Cantrell, AIC guitarist] and I share some life experiences, like getting a second chance at life and realizing how cool things can be. So we've got kind of a kinship that way. And seeing them play — I just love hearing those songs. Those songs are awesome and should be heard, you know? They were so unique, so ahead of their time. And out of all the Seattle stuff, that stuff is the most timeless. Unfortunately, Layne just loved the junk too much, man, and that was that. I just read in his lyrics his obsessiveness about it. And he knew where he was goin'! It's like, in the school of driving, look where you want to go — and that's what he was doing, it seems like."

NEVERBORNE, originally hailing from South Africa but now residing in Surrey, U.K., has inked a deal with Glasstone Records. The band's debut EP, "In Absence Of Fear" was produced at Surrey's Thin Ice Studios by Karl Groom (DRAGONFORCE, HAMMERFALL) and will be released on November 23.

According to a press release, NEVERBORNE writes "adrenaline-soaked metal that combines melody and brutality, harmony and chaos, hope and despair."

The band is currently writing material for its full-length debut, which will also be recorded with Karl Groom. Tentatively due in early 2010, the CD will be mastered by either Tue Madsen (HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED) or Göran Finnberg (OPETH, DARK TRANQUILLITY, IN FLAMES).

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

James Campion of The Aquarian Weekly recently conducted an interview with legendary rocker Alice Cooper. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Aquarian Weekly: Have you ever considered your lineage to Charlie Chaplin's Tramp in American pop culture? When you think of Chaplin's image today, portrayed in posters or statues, it's always the Tramp. Also, in terms of the times; how Chaplin created this hobo character, which mocked the excesses of the Roaring Twenties, the way Alice certainly lampooned the excesses of the Me Decade, as both its villain and victim.

Cooper: Oh, yeah, Alice was definitely as created as an American character, and I think he started out being a victim, because I was a victim. I was an alcoholic at the time, but never recognized it. When I invented Alice I guess it was subconsciously. Alice was always stooped over, always getting killed. The press was never real favorable. For a long time there was really nobody in Alice's corner, so I kind of created him to be that whipping boy. Later, when I became a non-alcoholic, I created Alice to be Hannibal Lecter, and suddenly a different posture, different attitude. So there were two incarnations of Alice. But yeah, I don't see why a hundred years from now someone shouldn't be playing Alice, like somebody playing Captain Hook.

The Aquarian Weekly: It's interesting hearing you refer to Alice in the third person and that sort of lends itself to the idea that you can be possessed by whatever Alice you want for the short term to make certain social comments or present ironies.

Cooper: Alice was a necessary character because you couldn't have a rock and roll drama without a villain. I mean, there needs to be heroes, villains and victims, and Alice needed to be a visual villain. There wasn't one personified villain in rock and roll, so I said, "Well, I will gladly be that!" And the great thing about being the villain is usually the villain has a great sense of humor.

The Aquarian Weekly: That brings me to your many imitators over the years. It seems to me that they've almost always failed to display the sense of humor, irony or satirical twist that Alice brought to light. Marilyn Manson, for instance, always came across to me as an overly serious rebellious figure, but without the necessary tongue-in-cheek quality that makes for more entertainment than manifesto.

Cooper: Yeah, I kept waiting for the punchline. (laughs) Now, someone with a good sense of humor is Rob Zombie. Rob's a tattoo parlor come to life. His stuff is so animated. He has as much reverence for Bela Lugosi as he does The Munsters; the scary and the absurd. He's like my brother. We have exactly the same sense of humor. Frank Zappa was like that. Zappa had a real sense of absurdity, for the right reasons. He understood absurdity, what cannot be explained. You look at it and it's purely absurd for the sake of being absurd.

Read the entire interview from The Aquarian Weekly.

(Thanks: Fullshred)

Athens, Ohio extreme metallers SKELETONWITCH have released the first in a series of webisodes documenting the recording process for their upcoming album, "Breathing the Fire". Watch the three-minute clip below.

SKELETONWITCH began recording "Breathing The Fire" on June 14 with producer Jack Endino (NIRVANA, HIGH ON FIRE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST). The CD was tracked in Seattle at both Studio Litho (owned by PEARL JAM guitarist Stone Gossard) and Endino's own Soundhouse Recording.

Pre-order packages for "Breathing The Fire" — which is due on October 13 — are now available on Prosthetic Records' webstore. The iTunes version of the album includes an exclusive bonus track called "Only No Rest for the Dead".

The cover artwork for "Breathing the Fire" can be viewed below. The cover was designed by Andrei Bouzikov, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE and many others.

Commented guitarist Scott Hedrick: "The art really sums up the new album and what drew me to heavy metal in the first place: it's brutal, evil, and in a sadistic way, it's f#$king fun! 'Breathing the Fire' is meaner, faster, and far more sickening than 'Beyond the Permafrost', and the art reflects that. We went for the jugular, and so does Andrei's art. He did an amazing job. It's f#$king killer when the artist and band share a similar approach: organic. Blood and sweat, ink and paint, tubes in amps, and non-triggered drums. A set of balls. Not gym shorts, sterile computer generated art, effects pedals and redundant arpeggios."

Audio samples of all tracks that are set to appear on "Breathing The Fire" are available for streaming on Amazon.de.

SKELETONWITCH is currently on tour with CHILDREN OF BODOM and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER through October 12 and then will provide support to THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER along with TOXIC HOLOCAUST and TRAP THEM. The band will then head to Europe for a rotating co-headline run with TOXIC HOLOCAUST and GOATWHORE.

Oakland, California death metallers SUFFOKATE will release their new album, "No Mercy, No Forgiveness", on November 17 via Mediaskare Records.

Commented guitarist Taylor Jones: "'No Mercy, No Forgiveness' is the next step in the progression of our sound. There are some very new and different things on this album that this band has never done before. Hopefully this will take us to the next level and allow us to stay on the road as that is what we do best."

SUFFOKATE has amassed a rabid and extremely loyal following since releasing the band's self-financed debut in 2004. Since then, the group has refined its lineup and sound to an amalgamation of angst-ridden hardcore, fused with a Bay Area thrash backbone. This is extreme, unapologetic metal that pulls no punches and goes straight for the jugular with a barrage of frenetic riffs and crushing grooves that will pummel you into oblivion.

In August 2008, SUFFOKATE embarked on its first U.S. tour and hasn't stopped touring since.

For audio samples and a list of upcoming shows, visit the band's MySpace page.

Reactivated Swedish death metallers DESULTORY will enter Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, NOMINON, AVERSE SEFIRA, FUNERAL MIST, NEX, ONDSKAPT, MORK GRYNING, ADORIOR) in Alvik, Sweden in November with producer Tore Stjerna to begin recording their first new album in almost 14 years. The follow-up to 1996's "Swallow The Snake" will be released in early 2010 via Pulverised Records

Commented DESULTORY lead guitar player Håkan Morberg: "The [new] songs are a mix of fast and heavy melodic death metal with dark and melancholic lyrics, all in the true spirit of DESULTORY.

"The album will be a logical continuation of 'Into Eternity' [1993] and 'Bitterness' [1994] and will be a strong bridge linking the past to the present."

DESULTORY previously stated about it decision to reunite, "After our third album in 1996, we put DESULTORY to sleep and went on to explore other musical directions. But now, 13 years later, we are back again, we felt the need to create some new death metal and that it was time for DESULTORY to be reborn. The new material for the forthcoming record will be a touch of the old DESULTORY but mixed up with new influences. It will be hard, brutal and melodic.

"Two lineup changes. Håkan Morberg is now playing lead guitar (before he was playing bass) and Jojje Bohlin is handling the bass. Still Klas Morberg on vocals and guitar and Thomas Johnson smashing the drums."

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

DESULTORY 2009 - from left to right: Klas Morberg, Håkan Morberg, Thomas Johnson and Johan Bohlin:

Grammy SoundChecks is offering 50 students — including South El Monte High School students and Grammy USM members from universities across the Los Angeles area — a unique opportunity to experience a special rehearsal with CHICKENFOOT, followed by an interactive and candid question-and-answer discussion. This event will take place on Sunday, September 27 at 3:30 p.m. before the band's performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. (***Note: This event is not open to the public***)

Grammy SoundChecks provides young people with a glimpse into the realities of music careers by inviting them to attend rehearsals and concert sound checks of major artists.

Grammy SoundChecks' goal is to engage students in conversation with the artists and their touring staff about the specifics of their careers and the necessary preparation for success.

Grammy SoundChecks has featured a host of artists, including BABYFACE, MARY J. BLIGE, MARIAH CAREY, COLDPLAY, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, DESTINY'S CHILD, MACY GRAY, BILLY JOEL, JACK JOHNSON, JUANES, JOHN MAYER, NO DOUBT, BONNIE RAITT, JAMES TAYLOR, U2 and KANYE WEST. Production pros, tech crews, tour managers, and other behind-the-scenes professionals also have participated to provide additional insight into the broad spectrum of careers available in music.

Tonight's (Wednesday, September 23) CHICKENFOOT concert at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona will be filmed for possible use on a future DVD release. The band's August 30, 2009 show at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia was also recorded for the same purpose.

CHICKENFOOT's self-titled debut album was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) on September 10, 2009 for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. The LP — which has actually shifted 315,000 units so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan — is packaged in heat-sensitive artwork, which means when you put your hand on the CD inlay, photos of the band members are revealed behind the CHICKENFOOT band logo.

CHICKENFOOT was formed last year by ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar, who enlisted former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith to complete the lineup, which has toured the U.S. and Europe since the release of the CD.

"Infected Nations", the sophomore album from British thrashers EVILE, landed in U.K. Top 100 chart at position No. 91 based on first-day sales. The CD was released in the U.S. yesterday (Tuesday, September 22) via Earache Records.

The cover art for "Infected Nations" was created by Michael Whelan, famous for his sci-fi artworks along with classic album covers from such bands as SEPULTURA and OBITUARY.

"Infected Nations" track listing:

01. Infected Nation
02. Now Demolition
03. Nosophoros
04. Genocide
05. Plague To End All Plagues
06. Devoid Of Thought
07. Time No More
08. Metamorphosis
09. Hundred Wrathful Deities

EVILE frontman Matt Drake previously stated about the CD: "When we did [2007's] 'Enter the Grave' two years ago, it was made up of songs we had been playing for a few years and some written in the excitement of actually getting to record an album. We were happy to just be making noise, but since then, we've learnt a few things and we're more interested in making music.

"EVILE fans can expect to hear a more mature offering, an album that concentrates on all aspects of what each member can do; it's a heck of a lot more focused, more satisfying and we're really proud of what we've achieved with it. Russ Russell has helped us to push ourselves to the next level and pull us out of the '80s. The whole retro thing has been cool but we feel it's time for us to leave that behind and stand up for ourselves and show people what we can really do, but fear not, it IS a thrash metal album, it is a 2009 thrash metal album, and we're dying to blow your minds with it."

EVILE recently filmed a music video for the song "Infected Nation". The clip, which can be viewed below, was shot in August at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England, with director Dan Fernbach (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES) of Static Films, whom the band previously worked with on their video for the track "Thrasher".

Danish modern metallers MNEMIC have entered the studio to begin recording their fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", for a January 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "After a minor two-year break from touring, we have returned to the studio to record 15 brand new tracks. Our batteries are recharged and we are extremely excited to let you all hear the new stuff. The material itself is a mixture of grind, rock, poly-rhythmics, and electronics, and represents the sound of a more mature MNEMIC — at least in our humble opinion.

"Compared to the last album, the recordings will be kept completely on Danish soil. This time, we are more within our own comfort zone and will be working with the same dude that made us two great sounding albums in the past, which is none other than [Danish producer] Tue Madsen [HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED], who is a really good friend and a great producer.

"The drums will be tracked at [Tue's] Antfarm Studio [in Aarhus, Denmark], while guitars, bass and vocals will be immortalized at the band's own studio under Tue's supervision. At the end of the recording process, electronics, mix and mastering will then again be handled at Antfarm Studio.

"During the recording process, we will try to keep you all updated on the progress via SonsOfTheSystem.com. There will be tons of updates, pictures, videos and information directly from the band."

Several new promotional photos of MNEMIC can be viewed below.

Tue Madsen previously worked with MNEMIC on the "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" (2003) and "The Audio Injected Soul" (2004) albums.

The band's latest CD, "Passenger" (2007), was produced by FEAR FACTORY's Christian Olde Wolbers at Track Record Studios (KISS, MEGADETH, AEROSMITH) in Los Angeles. The album featured artwork by Asterik Studios (ANTHRAX, UNEARTH) plus guest vocal appearances by Jeff Walker (CARCASS, BRUJERIA) and Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, BRUJERIA). MNEMIC also completed a video for the song "Meaningless" with Revolver Film director Patric Ullaeus.

The Art of Prog recently conducted an interview with singer Ray Alder of progressive metal legends FATES WARNING. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Art of Prog: What's the latest with FATES WARNING? I know you guys are playing ProgPower [festival in early September] and I hear from Glenn Harveston [ProgPower organizer] it's the only gig you're playing this year. But what's going on with the band? Are you guys going to do anything more?

Ray: Yeah, well right now we're in the middle of writing another record, which has been a loooong time coming, obviously. . . But the things that we do in our off time, our little other projects, other bands and things. They tend to get away from us, you know? Time just goes by so quickly, before you realize it. I was working in REDEMPTION, Jim [Mateos, guitar] was writing and recording OSI, and it takes time to get back together and do something. You know? But OSI's done now, and the focus is doing the [next FATES] record, and not really going on the road. We haven't had a record in so long, it doesn't make sense for us to really tour, you know? It's kind of like punk bands. Punk bands can just tour all the time, you know.

The Art of Prog: [laughs] So you're gonna be like THE BEATLES now, huh? You're going to put out albums with no tours anymore. [laughs]

Ray: Well, me and Jim actually had a big sitdown, over the phone, of course. But we were talking about our careers. We've been doing this for so many years. [We were] wondering whether or not it was time to throw in the towel. We had a good run. We had a good time and made a lot of fans and did some good music. But we just decided this is not the time for us to go quietly into the night. We're gonna make another record and see what happens. So we actually signed to a different label, the first time we're going to release a record that's not on Metal Blade. We signed with InsideOut [Music] in Europe.

The Art of Prog: When FATES started you started off with a sort of John Arch sound, with the really operatic, high vocals. As FATES progressed that quieted down. The music got less dynamic and flamboyant. And your voice mellowed a bit. Was that a conscious decision? Or was it just you guys getting older and you wanted to do something different?

Ray: I'm sure it had a bit to do with both. I mean, obviously, my voice isn't what it used to be. But, again, it was the style at the time to sing really, really high. As I got older, I realized I can do different things with my voice. You can actually emote more if you're not screaming. . . So you know, again, I'd only been singing for a few years when I joined the band. So I started finding myself, I think around "Parallels" time is when I really started figuring out what sounded good to me. And yeah, I was an adult, I'm not 20, I'm not saying anything about anybody else, because that's fine, whatever they want to do, because I did it. I'm saying personally, I just didn't like the high screaming any more, you know? It just sounded better singing. And somehow, my band mates agree. They said, "You know what? Yeah, let's not sing high anymore." "OK."

Read the entire interview from The Art of Prog.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)