Rockerrazzi.com recently conducted an interview with former VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT singer Sammy Hagar. Watch the seven-minute chat below.

International rock music record label earMUSIC will release a new, "deluxe edition" of the eponymous debut album by CHICKENFOOT in the U.K. on October 26. The two-disc deluxe edition includes a bonus DVD disc featuring exclusive live footage, behind-the-scenes interviews and both of the band's official music videos ("Oh Yeah" and "Soap On A Rope").

CHICKENFOOT's September 23, 2009 concert at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona was 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 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.

HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with vocalist Trevor Strnad of Michigan's THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER on September 23, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Watch the 21-minute chat below.

"Deflorate", the new album from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Released on September 15 via Metal Blade Records, "Deflorate" boasts THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's brand of seamlessly mixed Swedish influenced blackened thrash and pounding American death metal muscle, and sees one of metal's most outstanding underground outfits at the peak of its unmitigated musical brutality.

"We're more confident than ever," declares Strnad of "Deflorate". "I think, as a band, we really found our footing on 'Nocturnal'. This time, we've taken this beast to the next level."

"Deflorate" was produced by THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, Mark Lewis (DEICIDE) and Jason Suecof (BENEATH THE MASSACRE, JOB FOR A COWBOY), with mixing duties handled by Suecof. According to a press release, "Deflorate" is "a multifaceted death trip: beautiful, evil, and morbidly addicting. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's fourth thrashing epic sees no punch pulled, no gravestone unturned, no soul uncorrupted."

Australia's ABC News reports that former THE RED SHORE bassist Jamie Hope has been found not guilty of driving dangerously and causing the death of two men in an accident on the New South Wales north coast.

Lead singer Damien Morris and roadie Andy Milner were killed after a mini bus carrying eight people crashed into a tree on the Pacific Highway at Moonee, near Cunningham's Bridge, on December 19, 2007.

Morris died at the scene, while Milner later died in hospital.

Three other men also suffered serious injuries.

Hope, 23, pleaded not guilty to five charges including dangerous driving causing death.

His defense argued that it was not a case of dangerous driving but a tragic accident.

This morning a jury found him not guilty of all five charges.

Read the entire article from ABC News.

HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with Athens, Ohio extreme metallers SKELETONWITCH on September 23, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Watch the 16-minute chat below.

SKELETONWITCH's new album, "Breathing the Fire", is due on October 13 via Prosthetic Records. The CD's cover artwork can be viewed below. It was designed by Andrei Bouzikov, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE and many others.

SKELETONWITCH began recording "Breathing The Fire" on June 14 in Seattle at both Studio Litho (owned by PEARL JAM guitarist Stone Gossard) and producer Jack Endino's own Soundhouse Recording.

Pre-order packages for "Breathing The Fire" 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".

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.

A double-CD digipack from one of the most important Polish black metal bands of the '90s, MASTIPHAL, was made available on September 25 via Witching Hour Productions. Entitled "Damnatio Memoriae", the set contains the group's entire discography and, as a special bonus, footage of band performing live in 1994 as well as the remastered audio track from that concert.

"We had a lot of questions regarding our stuff," explains Flauros, vocalist for MASTIPHAL and DARZAMAT. "Unfortunately, our former labels stopped the distribution of the old materials. So when this new opportunity from Witching Hour Productions arose, we had no doubts that it was worth to prepare the re-release."

Although there are rumors of a possible MASTIPHAL reformation, Flauros says that the band is not ready to make an announcement regarding any future plans.

"We had a few rehearsals during which we jammed some noisy and dirty black'n'roll, so if we decide to record something new, you can be sure it will be without compromises," he explains. "Of course, there's a question of getting the band together. Maybe this time it could work out. But for now we don't want to make any statements."

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

D-Lux Denim Brand conducted an interview with GOD FORBID's Doc Coyle before he hit the stage with LAMB OF GOD on September 22, 2009 Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey. Watch the chat below.

Doc Coyle is filling in for LAMB OF GOD's Mark Morton on the Richmond, Virginia metal band's current U.S. tour with METALLICA (as well as LOG's headlining "off" dates), which kicked off on September 14 in Nashville and will conclude on November 15 in New York City.

When asked about GOD FORBID's plans for the future, Coyle said, "We're currently trying to lock down our headlining U.S. tour, which I think is gonna [happen in] November [and maybe going into] December a little bit. So we should have that in the works in the next few weeks. And we'll probably go back to Europe next year for another tour. And we'll probably be looking for a new record label and trying to figure out what the future's really gonna hold. We don't wanna tour too much on a record that's not really supported by the record label. So, I think, [we'll] do one or two more tours, then kind of start thinking about the future."

GOD FORBID's new album, "Earthsblood", sold around 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan, to land at position No. 110 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD debuted at No. 2 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.

GOD FORBID's previous album, "IV: Constitution of Treason", entered The Billboard 200 chart at No. 119 in September 2005 after shifting 8,300 units.

Faygoluvers.net recently conducted separate interviews with Oderus Urungus of GWAR and Randy Blythe of LAMB OF GOD. Both chats can now be viewed in the YouTube clip 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.

GOD FORBID guitarist Doc Coyle is filling in for LAMB OF GOD's Mark Morton on the Richmond, Virginia metal band's current U.S. tour with METALLICA (as well as LOG's headlining "off" dates), which kicked off on September 14 in Nashville and will conclude on November 15 in New York City.

Morton did not perform with LAMB OF GOD at the last six shows of the group's summer European tour as his wife was expecting a baby. UNEARTH six-stringer Buz McGrath stepped in for these dates, which included an appearance at U.K.'s Sonisphere festival.

For a list of the LAMB OF GOD dates with METALLICA, go to this location.

Columbus, Ohio-based Christian power metallers JACOBS DREAM will release their fifth full-length album, "Beneath The Shadows", on November 10 via Retroactive Records.

According to a press release, "Beneath the Shadows" is "a concept album based on a story written by vocalist, Chaz Bond. The theme of the album is an intriguing tale, centering around the choices, experiences and decisions of Camren, the main character, who struggles to find his way in and out of darkness and into the light.

"Bond is a critically acclaimed vocalist in the prog/power metal genre and often compared to Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN), Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE), and Jimmy Brown (DELIVERANCE). The soaring vocal melodies are hook-filled and charismatic. The guitar work is thick, powerful metal, filled with great riffs and hooks. Look no further for powerful, intelligent lyrics and top-notch METAL!"

"Beneath the Shadows" track listing:

01. Welcome To My World
02. Minds Will Burn
03. Stain
04. Illusive Dream
05. Hand Full Of Dust
06. The Hell That I Breathe
07. The Darkest Hour
08. All My Fears
09. Reborn In Fire
10. Beneath The Shadows
11. The Blessing And The Curse

JACOBS DREAM quickly rose to the top of the global progressive metal heap with its 2001 self-titled debut and the 2003 follow-up release "Theater Of War". Metal scribes around the globe likened the band as a more powerful QUEENSRŸCHE and "Powerslave"-era IRON MAIDEN. After releasing three power/prog metal LPs on Metal Blade Records, the band took some time off and now returns several years later with its comeback release on Retroactive.

Mike of BrooklynRocks recently conducted an interview with Greg Anderson of the American "drone metal" act SUNN O))). The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

SUNN O))) released its seventh studio album, "Monoliths & Dimensions", in May via Southern Lord Recordings. The CD showcases the core guitar duo — Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson — incorporating influences from a plethora of guest musicians, bringing the SUNN O))) sound to epic new levels. The band also collaborated with composer Eyvind Kang (notable for his work with John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell, etc.) on various acoustic ensembles, in addition to the Helios-fueled electric guitars and basses. Key players on the album include Australian guitar genius Oren Ambarchi, enigmatic Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, TORMENTOR) and slow music godfather Dylan Carlson (EARTH), as well as Julian Priester (worked with SUN RA in the '50s, John Coltrane's African Brass band, and Herbie Hancock's Sextant band) and new-music horn player Stuart Dempster. There's also an upright bass trio, French and English horns, harp and flute duo, piano, brass, reed and strings ensembles, and a Viennese woman's choir led by Persian vocal savant Jessika Kenney.

The album is not "SUNN O))) with strings" or "metal meets orchestra" material. The band took an approach concentrating on more of allusion toward the timbre of feedback and the instruments involved, so the piece is really illusory, beautiful and not entirely linear, stating that the end product is "the most musical piece we've done, and also the heaviest, powerful and most abstract set of chords we've laid to tape."

The CD was recorded and mixed by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer at various points over the last two years, and is practice in density, gravity and momentum.

Greg Anderson interviewed by BrooklynRocks (click on player below to launch audio):

Just in time for the 2009 holiday season comes a release that is sure to grab the attention of heavy metal fans worldwide, as legendary singer Rob Halford debuts his first holiday CD "Halford III - Winter Songs" on his new label Metal God Records distributed globally by ADA Global/Warner Music Group, Fontana/Universal Music Group, Conveyor/Universal Music Canada and Sony Music Japan.

"Halford III - Winter Songs" is Rob's first solo release in more than seven years, and includes a collection of new Halford-penned tracks plus traditional holiday favorites presented with original arrangements by HALFORD (Rob Halford on vocals, Roy Z. on guitar, Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitar, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums).

Written, arranged and recorded during 2008 and 2009, "Halford III - Winter Songs" celebrates one of the most exciting holiday periods of the year.

"Well, I've always said I wanted to produce a Christmas CD," comments Halford. "The HALFORD band has assembled a fantastic release, and we're excited to have produced a collection of holiday tracks which all of us have enjoyed from a very early age."

"Halford III - Winter Songs" debuts new HALFORD tracks "Get Into The Spirit", "When Christmas Comes For Everyone", "Light Of The World", "What Child Is This", "Oh Holy Night", "Come All Ye Faithful" and more.

"Halford III - Winter Songs" will be released the week of October 26, 2009 at your favorite retailer, e-tailer, Amazon.com, HMV.com, BestBuy.com, Play.com, iTunes and HalfordMusic.com.

Two songs — "Get Into The Spirit" and "We Three Kings" — are available for purchase for $1.29 each at this location.

A commercial for "Halford III - Winter Songs" can be viewed below.

HALFORD's last studio album, "Crucible", came out in 2002. "Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1", a 2007 collection containing 15 songs spanning Rob Halford's solo career, featured two new songs, "Forgotten Generation" and "Drop Out".

Halford's Metal God Entertainment recently launched Metal God Records — a new music label providing global physical and digital distribution services for the world's rock and metal performers.

"It's been a long desire of mine to be a co-owner and participate in the operation of a label focused on supporting the rock and metal communities," Halford said in a statement. "The infrastructure we have been assembling at Metal God Entertainment now allows myself and other artists to benefit from Metal God Records global physical and digital distribution networks, promotion and marketing services, apparel products and a broad range of Artist & Repertoire services."

Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER will make an in-store appearance on Saturday, December 5 at Drummers Dream in Sydney, Australia. The event is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.drummersdream.com.au.

DREAM THEATER recently released the "Wither" EP via online retailers.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Wither (Album Version) (5:25)
02. Wither (Piano Version) (5:07)
03. Wither (John Petrucci Vocal Demo) (5:24)
04. The Best of Times (Mike Portnoy Vocal Demo) (13:04)

Track 1 taken from the album "Black Clouds and Silver Linings"
Track 2-4 previously unreleased

DREAM THEATER's new album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", sold 40,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DREAM THEATER's last CD, "Systematic Chaos", opened with 36,000 units in 2007 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

In addition to the standard-version CD, DREAM THEATER's tenth studio album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", was also made available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

Fan-filmed video footage of AVULSED's September 27, 2009 performance at the Baroeg in Rotterdam, The Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of "letthedeathmetalflow"). More clips are available at this location.

AVULSED released its long-awaited fifth full-length album, "Nullo (The Pleasure Of Self-Mutilation)", in June via Xtreem Music (trades) and Metal Age Productions (wholesale) for the European territory (except Russia and ex-USSR countries, where it was made available through Coyote Records). According to the group, "the style of the new compositions follows the band's trademarked style — brutal and heavy, yet catchy and somewhat melodic death metal with an even heavier sound this time." The LP's artwork, which is said to be "one of the most bizarre, disturbing and blasphemous covers" the band has ever had, was created by American artist Mike Hrubovcak, who has previously worked with GRAVE, MONSTROSITY, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MORTICIAN and XXX MANIAK, among others.

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

Shueh-li Ong, founder of internationally renowned electronic group XENOVIBES, recently conducted an interview with New Jersey progressive metallers SUSPYRE. The chat, which can be viewed below, was conducted as research for the article entitled "Age of Aquarius (Renaissance Raising)", written by Shueh-li for the Singapore news site SonicFreakz.

SUSPYRE performed at this year's ProgPower USA festival. The band, who parted ways with co-founder/guitarist Rich Skibinsky in January, was joined by Sam Bhoot on bass guitar, while current band member Andrew Distabile performed on guitar. The lineup was rounded out by Clay Barton (vocals), Gabe Marshall (drums), Gregg Rossetti (guitars/saxophone), and April Sese (keyboards).

"Since my main instrument is guitar, it seemed like the natural thing to do to now play guitar for SUSPYRE, and find a replacement bassist. I learned bass just to join SUSPYRE in 2006," said Andrew Distabile.

SUSPYRE released its third album, "When Time Fades…", on September 30, 2008 through Sensory Records. The band also performed at the ProgPower Europe festival in October 2008. They are now booking for 2010 festivals and tours.

For more information go to www.suspyre.com.

Matt Becker of Melodic Rock Concerts recently conducted an interview with '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford. During the chat, Lita discusses her re-entry into the world of music, the writing process of her new album, "Wicked Wonderland", her time in Sturgis at the Buffalo Chip, the upcoming tour with QUEENSRŸCHE, and everything in between. Husband Jim Gillette (ex-NITRO singer) even joins in on the fun. She says, "I think fifteen years ago I left an empty pair of shoes when I went away. And I think that empty pair of shoes is still sitting there, unfilled. So I'm back to fill them." She adds, "It's weird because fifteen years ago, record companies didn't know what to do with me. They were at a loss because I didn't do what they wanted me to do."

Listen to the entire interview at this location.

In an "innovative" music marketing move, Ford has released a single from "Wicked Wonderland", her first album in 15 years, on Stockroom.com, the world's leading fetish site. It is believed to be the first time a relatively high-profile music release has been launched through a web site catering to the alternative fetish lifestyle.

"Wicked Wonderland"'s erotic song "Bed", which explores themes of bondage, kink and power exchange in a strong and highly artistic style, will be available exclusively on Stockroom.com prior to the album's release.

"My husband Jim Gillette and I have carved out our own path to develop a wonderful and close family life," said Lita. "Though we're a long-married couple, we both have very active imaginations, including being kinky with each other, and that's what this album is about. It's sort of a sexual autobiography. We've partnered up with Stockroom.com because it's our favorite outfitter for kink products."

While previewing "Bed", fans of Lita and Stockroom will also be able to view and order from "Lita's Collection", a special selection of some of the fetish gear that Lita and Jim have enjoyed, along with her personal choice of Syren latex fashion styles.

Lita's first new studio album in 14 years, "Wicked Wonderland", is scheduled for release in Europe on October 2 via earMUSIC/Edel. The set will be issued in the U.S. on October 6 through Lita's own JLRG Entertainment label as a regular CD and limited-edition vinyl with different artwork.

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has scheduled the following European tour dates, with more to be announced:

Dec. 08 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit
Dec. 09 - Zeche, Germany - Bochum
Dec. 11 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
Dec. 12 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
Dec. 13 - München, Germany - Tonhalle
Dec. 15 - Luzern, Switzerland - Schüür

Frehley will perform the U.S. national anthem on October 4 when the Kansas City Chiefs play the New York Giants at Arrowhead stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Ace's appearance will take place prior to the game.

Frehley's new solo album, "Anomaly", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also landed at No. 20 in Sweden and No. 52 in Germany.

In addition to the standard CD release, unique "Anomaly" packages were made available at Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations. The Wal-Mart version includes an Ace autographed tattoo while the Best Buy edition is printed on silver stock, like the KISS "Double Platinum" album.

Released on September 15 via Ace's own Bronx Born Records, with Rocket Science providing a full label service platform in the U.S., "Anomaly" was produced and recorded in Westchester County, New York between 2007 and 2009 and was mixed in Los Angeles.

Frehley last year spent time on the road fronting a band that featured second guitarist Derrek Hawkins, drummer Scot Coogan (ex-BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION) and bassist Anthony Esposito (ex-LYNCH MOB).

AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton has issued the following update:

"People are always interested in what we've been listening to lately. Most of what I listen to these days is whatever I happen to be working on at the moment. I suppose I'm risking becoming illiterate when it comes to the flavor of the day. I hear tons of cool stuff all the time without necessarily checking out who's doing it. Meanwhile, I'm always in training and like to approach life as a student. There's so much cool stuff in the world to check out.

"I've been blowing a lot of money on just about every recording magazine and book there is out there.

"I've always been a music junkie and a gear-head. Ever since I was twelve I've been fascinated with recording devices. One year, for Christmas, a favorite uncle gave us kids a Wollensak reel-to-reel tape recorder. My brother and I just used that thing to death. After a few years, it started making a really loud buzzing and static noise but it would promptly stop if you gave it a sharp smack on the side.

"Now I've got myself thinking about my Uncle Bill. He was a great inspiration to me.
He was kind of famous in his own right and he had a Ferrari. A friggin' gorgeous red Italian sports car. Every time he came over we would make him open the hood and rev the engine and I would just soak up the noises of the spinning cam shafts and the flutes of the carburetors sucking in air for the hungry cylinders. Later, when he'd leave, I'd stand in the driveway and listen as he drove off.

"We lived on a back country road so he'd keep it kind of slow until he got to the big state road about a quarter of a mile away. Then we'd all smile at each other as we could hear that thing way off in the distance bellowing and shrieking as Uncle Bill took it up through the gears. It was one of the things that made up the DNA of my dreams and probably still does.

"But anyway, I suppose I should be out checking out more of what's going on in the world record-wise but I'm a bit wrapped up.

"I have been going to a bunch of shows. I saw KINGS OF LEON a few weeks ago. They played really tight. They totally get dynamics and how to structure their stuff so it translates. I've been a fan of theirs since the 'Youth...' record. When I first got it I couldn't get over how that guy's voice sounds like an old mountain man that's experienced a lifetime of bootleg whiskey and hard times.

"I'm happy that they're having a lot of success now. I'm happy for them but mostly proud that this country can appreciate it on a mass scale. Just be careful, boys.....

"I saw U2 the other night. Joe [Perry] and I have been fans of theirs for a long time. Let me first say that they played great and I'm always impressed by just how many great songs they have and how good it feels to hear the texture of their sound. But the thing that got my jaw to drop was their production. It was on a scale that nobody's ever done and possibly never will again. I could describe it but it would probably be more accurate for people to just go on the web and find pictures of it. What I can say is that the effect of being up close to it is beyond massive.

"Before they went on I was wondering if they would fall into the trap of being spread out in different time zones on the huge circular ramp that surrounds the stage. But they did a great job of spending enough time as a unit on the main part of the stage. Very cool. Damn good performance by everyone on the band. It was inspiring and I found myself in my studio working a little bit earlier than usual the next day.

"I haven't been traveling a whole hell of a lot in the last couple of months. I've been healing up from my 'non-invasive surgery.' I love that expression. I've rarely heard anything as brilliantly vague. At the time it's just what I wanted to convey. Let's just say that old prick Mr. C needed to get hit in the nose a few more times. He must not have liked it because he hasn't been seen.

"People having been asking about my dog, Papaya. She's doing well but she still thinks she can fly even though she's blind. Maybe that's the trick.

"The band has a few gigs coming up next month and then it's back into album mode. Let's just say that log pile is getting pretty high and we'll all keep chucking more onto it until it spills into plain sight.

"Keep believing, folks, there's gonna be one."

SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor will be the featured guest on tonight's (Tuesday, September 29) edition of the nationally syndicated "Loveline" radio show with host Dr. Drew Pinsky.

For more information, visit LovelineShow.com.

Corey will get hitched to his fiancée Stephanie in November 2009. This will be Taylor's second marriage.

Taylor, 35, has two children: A daughter named Angie, born in 1992, and a son named Griffin, born in 2002, whom he had with his first wife, Scarlett.

Taylor divorced Scarlett — whom he married on March 11, 2004 in a small ceremony at the Botanical center in Des Moines, Iowa — in early 2007. In the November 2008 issue of Revolver magazine, he is quoted as saying, "After I got sober, I realized my relationship wasn't right for me. My wife and I had damaged each other too much."

Rob Zombie has selected the song "What?" as the first single from his fourth solo album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool". The track heads to rock radio this week. Meanwhile, Zombie hinted in an online post that his new CD — which is due on November 17 via Geffen — could be his last, saying, "Well, pretty soon the CD will be dead. All you will have left is digital downloads. So before we say goodbye to the almighty CD, I thought I would give it a big send-off. I love being able to get great artists involved on my CD artwork and this time is the best yet. Since this may be the last true CD I make, I thought I would gather three of the top artists around to contribute some killer new Zombie art for the booklet."

The artists contributing work to the CD's booklet are Nocturnals comic book creator Dan Brereton, animation and storyboard artist David Hartman and Italian artist Alex Horley, who has worked for Image Comics and DC Comics.

"Hellbilly Deluxe 2" track listing:

01. Jesus Frankenstein
02. Sick Bubble-Gun
03. What?
04. Mars Needs Women
05. Werewolf, Baby
06. Virgin Witch
07. Dream Factory
08. Burn
09. Cease to Exist
10. Werewolf Women of the SS
11. The Man Who Laughs

Check out the cover artwork below.

Rob Zombie will kick off his upcoming North American tour on October 29 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to a press release. he will hit the road with the same band that toured behind his 2006 CD, "Educated Horses", consisting of guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D. and drummer Tommy Clufetos. Although Zombie is also busy these days directing movies, he told The Pulse of Radio he can always count on his current bandmates to return. "Whenever I'm making a movie they go off and do whatever they want, but they're all part of this band," he said. "We just did all of our photos for the tour and stuff. It's the same band, it's just that I know those guys get itchy to play."

Support on the tour will come from NEKROMANTIX and CAPTAIN CLEGG & THE NIGHT CREATURES. The latter band appeared in Zombie's latest film, "Halloween II".

The trek will include a very special Halloween event on October 31 in Hollywood, California hosted by Uncle Seymour Coffins, also seen in "Halloween II".

The "Hellbilly Deluxe 2" tour will mark Zombie's return to the road after moderate box office success as the writer and director of "Halloween II" (Dimension). His R-rated, animated feature, "The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto", was made available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray September 22.

Zombie will return to the stage on October 18, when he co-headlines Loud Park festival in Japan with SLAYER that will also feature PAPA ROACH.

"Halloween II", the follow-up to Zombie's successful 2007 remake of the original 1978 horror classic, came in at No. 3 in its opening weekend, earning $17 million at the box office. That's far less than the $31 million his first "Halloween" flick did two years ago.

Zombie's next film will be a remake of "The Blob", which he is slated to begin shooting in the spring of 2010.

Holland's FaceCulture recently conducted an interview with ALICE IN CHAINS members Sean Kinney and William DuVall. Watch the chat in five parts below.

ALICE IN CHAINS released its first all-new album in 14 years, titled "Black Gives Way To Blue", on Tuesday (September 29). Following its last, self-titled record in 1995, the once-mighty Seattle-based act went into a long period of inactivity, partially due to the drug problems of singer Layne Staley. Staley died in 2002, but it was another four years until the three remaining members of the band, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, first regrouped for a benefit show and then officially returned with new frontman William DuVall.

Cantrell told The Pulse of Radio that with the completion of a new album — something he wasn't sure would ever happen — he thinks ALICE IN CHAINS is back to stay. "You know, the possibilities are limitless," he said. "The cool thing is, this band is alive, and we're alive. And we've had an amazing life. And we've lost some people along the way, and we've had to change, and we've had to dig within ourselves to answer some very serious questions about life. It's been a real meaningful journey, and we're really dedicated to going through the process, you know, and seeing what life has to offer."

ALICE IN CHAINS recruited pop legend Elton John to contribute piano to the CD's title track, which is written in tribute to Staley.

William DuVall had played with his own group, COMES WITH THE FALL, as well as in Jerry Cantrell's solo band, before joining up with ALICE IN CHAINS in 2006.

ALICE IN CHAINS will play two nights on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" outdoor stage in Hollywood, starting Tuesday and continuing Wednesday (September 30).

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Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe conducted an interview last week with KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Boston Globe: Congratulations on the nomination [for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame]. How are you feeling about it?

Stanley: There's a long way between a nomination and induction. That being said, this is really something that I think is exciting. There is a very vocal segment of KISS fans and rock fans who have wanted us in. And so for them I'm very, very pleased.

The Boston Globe: What was the impetus for the new album, since you probably could've carried on successfully as you have until you retired?

Stanley: I think this lineup [with drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer] is so terrific and being in the midst of our most successful, biggest tour ever . . . it was so obvious, not only to me, but to the fans, how great the band is and how quintessentially we are KISS. For me it was just a matter of one stumbling block, and that would be me producing the album. It really was about, at this point, making sure that I didn't have to make apologies for something that came out.

The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?

Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

Read more from The Boston Globe.

FILTER has recorded a cover version of THE TURTLES' classic "Happy Together" for the soundtrack to the film "The Stepfather", which will hit screens on October 16. The song is currently available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

"The Stepfather" soundtrack, which is due on October 13 through Lakeshore Records, will include additional music from PUSCIFER, SEETHER and HOOBASTANK, among other bands.

FILTER is currently working on a new studio album which will sound "way meaner" than last year's "Anthems For The Damned", according to frontman Richard Patrick. Tentatively due next year, "It's gonna kind of veer off the political path," the singer recently said. "I'm kind of focusing back on what I know best, which is kind of just the insanity of being a human being, dealing with mental issues — the stuff that we all know and the stuff that we all go through."

Rhino Records released FILTER's first retrospective, "The Very Best Things (1995-2008)", on March 31.

The compilation's 14 songs encompass studio recordings, rare radio edits and a scattering of soundtrack contributions. It begins with "Hey Man Nice Shot", the Top 10 hit that put the band on the musical map in 1995 and pushed "Short Bus" — FILTER's debut — to platinum status. From there, the retrospective touches on songs that reflect the evolution of the band's music, including "Soldiers Of Misfortune", from their 2008 album "Anthems For The Damned".

"The Very Best Things" features five tracks from 1998's "Title Of Record", the certified-platinum follow-up to the band's debut, including "The Best Things", "I'm Not The Only One", and the radio edits for the singles "Welcome To The Fold" and the smash hit "Take A Picture". Taken from 2002's "The Amalgamut", the collection also features "The Only Way (Is The Wrong Way)" and the single edit version of "Where Do We Go From Here".

SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor's new solo project, COREY TAYLOR AND THE JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND, made its Los Angeles live debut last night (Monday, September 28) at the Key Club in Hollywood, California as the support act for STEEL PANTHER.

According to Rick Florino of ARTISTdirect, the band kicked off the festivities with a metallic cover of PRINCE's "Let's Go Crazy". "Taylor was all smiles as he riffed out the main verse, belting out the refrain with gusto and grit. 'Through Glass' saw Taylor's STONE SOUR comrades, Roy Mayorga and Shawn Economacki join him. It's one of those rare hits that gets better with each performance. 'Shine' was another fiery bruiser, and Taylor tore through it with swagger and substance.

"'Bother' brought the set into emotional territory, while allowing the singer to showcase those immense pipes. Everything ended with a pummeling and powerful cover of NINE INCH NAILS' 'Wish' that saw a shirtless Taylor thrashing about with SLIPKNOT-level intensity and something of a cathartic sensitivity. Bassist Jason Christopher kept smiling though as he seamlessly pounded away the groove, and Taylor flashed a grin and a middle finger as the song's distorted din rumbled into the distance."

Read the entire review from ARTISTdirect.

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Through Glass" performance can be viewed below.

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have released the following statement:

"KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will, unfortunately, have to postpone their upcoming South America tour due to the illness of lead singer Howard Jones. Howard is currently bed-ridden with a gallstone issue and has been told by his doctor that he should not leave his bed until further notice. He is currently getting proper medical care and hopes to be on his feet and in less pain by the end of the week, at which time we will determine how soon we can reschedule these South America dates.

"KILLSWITCH would like to apologize to their fans in South America for this setback and want to assure them that the band has every intention to make up these dates in the near future."

The new, self-titled album from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"When we launched www.livemetallica.com over five years ago, it seemed like the next logical step of service in the digital age as we've always encouraged you to record and trade our shows. The site gives us the chance to offer you a high-quality recording of the show you went to, or any other show for that matter, and you don't even have to sneak your tape deck, um uh, we mean portable digital recording device, into the arena! So here we are 269 shows, 5,338 songs and 310,386 downloads later and we want to thank you for all your support, encouragement and comments. Lo and behold, five-plus years later and no two set lists have been the same! Wow!!!

"Speaking of those comments . . . the one overwhelming request we've had is to offer up single-track downloads. Since we always aim to please, YOU GOT IT! That simple. Check out the new and improved LiveMetallica.com and you'll see that every song we've recorded live since the site launched from Phoenix on March 2, 2004 is now available for you to pick and choose from for $.99 each song on mp3. For the über-fan, of course the full show can still be downloaded for a dough-saving $9.95 mp3 . . . super-audiophiles can grab the high-quality FLAC version for $12.95 a full-show download.

"We have some other cool things in the works for the site too that we'll be telling you about in the coming weeks, and, of course, as the tour rolls through North America, each and every show will be added, usually within a few hours after it ends. And don't forget to visit the 'Vault' section of the site for FREE downloads of selected shows prior to 2004. Be sure to let us know what you think!"

As previously reported, METALLICA set a record for largest paid attendance for all events ever at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with their two sold-out shows on September 19-20. The San Francisco Bay Area metal giants beat out the likes of KISS, UFC, CELINE DION and U2.

Official Metallica.com footage of the September 20 Montreal concert can be viewed below.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Nudge from Dayton, Ohio radio station 103.9 The X earlier in the month that fans should not expect a follow-up to last year's "Death Magnetic" album any time soon. Ulrich said that the group will most likely be touring through the end of 2010 before taking a break, and that work on a new record probably wouldn't begin until at least the second half of 2011. Ulrich told The Pulse of Radio something along the same lines when he was asked a similar question. "I wouldn't hold my breath," he said. "Do the math yourself, as I like to hear myself say, you know. You got another year on the road, and then you gotta, you know, breathe for a little while, then you gotta do it all over again. I'd love to put records out more often, but right now, I don't know what's gonna give, in between touring and having some chill time with the family and how long it takes to, you know, make these records."

The drummer did hint to Nudge that, while a full METALLICA album could be three or more years away, the band could join the ranks of artists who are releasing music in new formats. He explained, "The record itself is starting to be sort of an outdated format, so who knows . . . We're out of our record contract, so we could go back to HQ (METALLICA's headquarters in San Rafael, California) and record something and then we could put it up on our web site and whoever wanted to download it could download it."

METALLICA took six years between 1997's "Reload" and 2003's "St. Anger", although they did also issue a covers collection and live album during that time. But it was another five years before "Death Magnetic" came out in 2008.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will embark on tour in December with THURSDAY and FAKE PROBLEMS. The dates are as follows:

Dec. 04 - Farmingdale, NY - The Crazy Donkey
Dec. 05 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
Dec. 06 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
Dec. 07 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club
Dec. 09 - Poplar Grove, IL - Chubby Rain House of Tunes
Dec. 10 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
Dec. 11 - Covington, KY - The Mad Hatter
Dec. 12 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
Dec. 14 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
Dec. 15 - Baltimore, MD - Otto Bar
Dec. 16 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club Downstairs Lounge
Dec. 17 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Dec. 18 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
Dec. 19 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East Downstairs

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN entered the studio on September 7 with producer Steve Evetts (EVERY TIME I DIE, SEPULTURA) to begin recording the band's fourth studio album, "Option Paralysis". The CD will be released in early 2010 via Season Of Mist Records in collaboration with the band's brand new label, Party Smasher Inc.

The second in a series of webisodes featuring footage from the recording studio can be viewed below. The clip contains material that was shot during the second and third weeks of the recording process (September 14-28) and focuses primarily on guitar tracking.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN vocalist Greg Puciato previously stated about the band's new songs, "Wait 'til you hear what we've got for you now. The vibe when we recorded 'Ire Works' was defined by a feeling of struggle and hope and just staying alive in the face of almost falling apart, feeling triumphant in making it through the previous couple of years, and now the vibe is OK, now we're just gonna fuck everyone up.'"

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN guitarist Ben Weinman told U.K.'s Rock Sound magazine about the band's new material, "The music we are writing is influenced by the feelings I get when I hear and see the real evils of this world. Horrible things that make me really question if there is a God or not. This shit is not comfortable, the world is not comfortable, babies are getting raped in your town for God's sake. Young girls are being sold as sex slaves, but most people sitting at their computers downloading music don't want to know. They want to sit on a message board or play fantasy football while their mommy makes them a sandwich."

Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUMhave issued the following update:

"Aapeli Kivimäki of SOULFALLEN will replace Toni [Lahtinen, guitars] at the forthcoming gigs at the end of the year.

"Toni was diagnosed Hodgin disease earlier this year and his health condition doesn't allow him to get onstage. But don't worry, Toni shall return as soon as possible."

"Amortean", the fifth album from SILENTIUM, was released at the end of January. The CD was recorded at a studio in central Finland with the multi-talented mainman of WALTARI, Kärtsy Hatakka.

"Last Look At Eden", the new album from Swedish hard rockers EUROPE, has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 31. As previously reported, the CD topped the Swedish chart in its first week of release.

"Last Look At Eden" was released in Germany on September 18 via earMUSIC/Edel Germany GmbH. The CD was issued in the U.K. on September 14.

"Last Look At Eden" track listing:

01. Prelude
02. Last Look at Eden
03. Gonna Get Ready
04. Catch that Plane
05. New Love in Town
06. The Beast
07. Mojito Girl
08. No Stone Unturned
09. Only Young Twice
10. U Devil U
11. Run With the Angels
12. In My Time

From the epic title track to the melodic ballad "New Love in Town", this album is on another level, less extreme than previous offering, 2006's "Secret Society", and with matured sound, "Last Look at Eden" is a mix of all the elements that have made EUROPE famous the world over.

Commented singer Joey Tempest: "This time we're taking a new direction with our songs, and we're exploring different styles. There is a definite classic rock vibe on several tracks on this album — a tip of the hat to groovin', funkin' '70s rock songs, with a modern twist."

He added: "We've got a couple of great ballads, plus some thundering rock tracks that will put you flat on your ass! We've taken the best bits from our recent albums and taken it to a new level 'Last Look at Eden' is more of a EUROPE album than 'Secret Society' or 'Start From The Dark'. We had to make those albums in order to do this."

EUROPE performed on the summer TV show "Sommarkrysset" on Sweden's TV4 channel on September 5, 2009. Watch video footage of their appearance below.

A commercial for "Behind The Music: Bret Michaels" — which premieres Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on VH1 — can be viewed below.

VH1's Emmy-nominated documentary series "Behind The Music" returns to focus on some of today's top artists who have had a major impact on the music world, from rock to hip-hop to pop. In addition to the dramatic storytelling that made "Behind The Music" a worldwide hit, the series will celebrate the subjects as artists and will also feature originally shot verite footage of each artist, which will anchor each story in the present day.

Bret Michaels and his band of brothers left Pennsylvania with a rock-n-roll dream and a desire to taste the good life on L.A.'s notorious Sunset Strip. Drugs, booze, women and more women — anything and everything happened. A diabetic, Bret's self indulgence took its toll, but not even collapsing on stage could slow him down. The lifestyle also cost Bret a valued romantic relationship (he turned his heartbreak into the hit power ballad ("Every Rose Has Its Thorn). After turning to alcohol and nearly losing his life in a severe car accident, Bret got a wake-up call cleaned himself up and started a successful solo career and even dabbling in film production, writing and starring in 1997's "A Letter From Death Row". In 2007, he starred in his own reality show, VH1's "Rock of Love With Bret Michaels". Over the course of three-plus seasons, Bret showed fans a different side of him and once again skyrocketed into a mainstream star, completing a long and turbulent road living in and out of the spotlight.

The "Behind The Music" series debuted on VH1 in August of 1997 and was originally created and produced for VH1 by Gay Rosenthal, George Moll and Jeff Gaspin who were responsible for many of the channel's 200-plus episodes of the series.

The current series is executive-produced by Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Stephen Mintz and Jeff Olde for VH1. Executives in charge of music talent are Rick Krim and Leah Horwitz. The Bret Michaels episode was executive-produced by Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez for Creature Films.

"Never Say My Name", the new video from Polish extreme metallers VADER, can be viewed below. Inspired by Patrick Graham's bestselling book "L'Évangile Selon Satan" (translation: "The Gospel According to Satan"), the clip tells an alternate story of the death of a messiah who curses humanity before his death on the cross and chooses life in Hell instead of Heaven. Perhaps because of its "controversial" title and content, this book is not available in the U.S. in English, but a French version can be ordered from Canada.

Commented VADER guitarist/vocalist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek: "We started the video shoot on August 15, at about noon. That day we were in the Last Supper and the slaughter of the Messiah's followers scenes, while during the night we were to take some bluebox and Janus shots. The same day in Wroclaw, the masses came to see a light-and-water show taking place just 200 meters from the place of our shooting the 'Bible scenes.' Lots of people were wondering, 'What's being shot here? A new TV series? The Bible stories? Or maybe a Discovery program?' Despite 12 hours of hard work and constant stage make-up changes, we managed to finish before 1 a.m. We went through it without a bloodshed — well, despite the Last Supper scene... but the blood was a fake.

"The next day we took the martyr shots and the Romans' armament ones, which were crucial for 'Necropolis.' Sunday: the unbearable heat and another couple of hours in the nearby gravel pit. It wasn't so easy that day. The owner of the place, who at first was eager to rent it to the Inbornmedia crew, had enough when it came to the crucifixion, burning, and the transformation of the Messiah into Janus. My roars and the burning crucifix brought about an immediate response of the security guards. They called the police and we were supposed to leave the gravel pit at once. Fortunately, we managed to 'steal' one more hour before the cops arrived. There only remained ashes. And we, together with the Romans, came back to the hotel at about. 2 a.m. And there were still the final scenes left."

"Never Say My Name" comes off VADER's new album, "Necropolis", which was released in North America on September 22. The CD was recorded at Hertz studios in Bialystok, Poland with the Wieslawski Bros.. Tue Madsen, who previously worked with such bands as MOONSPELL, CATARACT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN and many more, mixed the CD at his Antfarm Studios in Denmark.

VADER will embark on the 38-date "Decibel Presents: Nuclear Blast's Monsters Of Death Tour" through North America beginning November 4 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The complete billing for the trek is as follows:

VADER
DECREPIT BIRTH
WARBRINGER
THE AMENTA
AUGURY
SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY *

* To be replaced by SWASHBUCKLE on several dates

The "Monsters of Death Tour" will mark the North American debut of VADER's current lineup:

Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek - Guitar/Vocals
Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka (DECAPITATED) - Guitar
Reyash - Bass
Pawel Jaroszewicz (SOUL SNATCHER) - Drums

"Never Say My Name" video:



Behind the scenes:

IRON LAMB — the new Stockholm, Sweden-based band formed by underground metal veterans Johan Wallin (GENERAL SURGERY, SCURVY, BOMBSTRIKE, ex-REPUGNANT), Grga Lindström (ex-REPUGNANT), Thomas Daun (DISMEMBER, ex-REPUGNANT, ex-INSISION) and Daniel Ekeroth (TYRANT, ex-INSISION, ex-DELLAMORTE, author of "Swedish Death Metal" book) — has inked a deal with Pulverised Records. The group will enter the studio in early 2010 to begin recording its debut album.

Comments Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin Chiang: "IRON LAMB is probably one of the most unlikely band to be on our roster, but their infectious brand of 'filthrock — what they call it — and the straight-up MOTÖRHEAD-esque riffing is absolutely something that we missed and loved from the old days. There was definitely no question about it when the band approached us to work with them on the debut full-length!"

Added Wallin: "IRON LAMB are stoked on doing our first full-length on Pulverised! We're currently working on the songs, and will be ready to record during the first few months of 2010. Expect a whole lot of dubious preaching scumbag rock 'n' roll!"

IRON LAMB is scheduled to release a seven-inch EP this fall via Greece's Nuclear Winter Records.

The band made its live debut on August 22 at Swahili Bob's Tattoo & Piercing studio's fourth annual party at Hornstull Strand in Stockholm.

Two of the band's demo tracks are available for streaming on the IRON LAMB MySpace page.

A press release states: "Tired of lame-ass '80s metal revival, weak MTV-whoring 'punk rock' and image-concerned rock 'n' roll, they have joined forces to threaten the scene with some lethal rock 'n' roll/punk, hailing the spirit of TRUE rock 'n' roll and punk rock, taking shape as a bastard son of early MOTÖRHEAD and G.G. ALLIN . . . This is the real deal, born and raised in the gutter and we're here to bring danger back into rock 'n' roll!"