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Het laatste nieuws uit het metalen wereldje, grotendeels verzameld door Richard V., Richard G., Nima, Neithan, Ramon en Horst. Elke dinsdag vind je hier een nieuw weekoverzicht. Wil jij het meteen weten dat er nieuw nieuws is? Volg ons dan via http://twitter.com/lordsofmetal

LAATSTE UPDATE: (31 januari 2012)

Ibanez will release a new series of guitars this spring in the MTM series. A shining example is the MTM10, a model that just breathes metal. For all you Dutch and Belgian guitarists out there, check the special Ibanez Benelux Facebook and give ‘m some likes. And keep on checking Lords Of Metal, for it might come to pass we’re giving one away soon!

GUNS N' ROSES will do a show in Rotterdam (Ahoy) June 4th. Ticketsales start Friday February 1st. http://www.livenation.nl http://www.ticketmaster.nl

From 21 to 24 March the Musikmesse 2012 will be held and make Frankfurt am Main the world’s most musical city. During the four days of the fair, you can choose from more than 30,000 instruments, attend any of the 1,000 concerts, events, autograph sessions and join workshops. It is Europe’s bigger equivalent of the American NAMM show.

The Dutch TV network Net5 is planning a new show called “Welcome To My Wedding”. For this show the network is looking for couples that would like to get married, but not necessarily have the same ideas about which procedure to follow. In every show a different couple will be followed, from which both partners will plan their own personal dream wedding. In the end fate will decide which one of the two will become their true wedding. Perhaps there are some metalheads out there who want to get married, but can’t sort it out. She might perhaps want to walk down the isle in full metal regalia, while he has his mind set on a big circus tent with a bunch of bands. Well, you get the point I guess. The network is desperately looking for such couples, so if you are such a couple, or perhaps know such a couple, feel free to send a mail to welkomopmijnbruiloft@masmedia.tv for more information.

This year's edition of the EINDHOVEN METAL MEETING is scheduled for December 14 and 15 at the Effenaar Eindhoven. There are no bands confirmed yet, early bird ticketsale starts at March 1st. www.eindhovenmetalmeeting.com

Chickenfoot just finished a short European tour in promotion of their second album ‘III’. The sold-out show in the Mitsubishi Electric Halle Düsseldorf (Germany) was taped for German television and will be aired through WDR in the legendary rock show Rock Pallast on February 27th between 00:15 and 02.15 hrs (CET).

DUFF McKAGAN (ex-GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) pens a column for Seattle Weekly, an excerpt from the January 19th edition reads as follows: "I, like every other American tuned in to at least one form of media, was inundated with verbiage about anti-piracy legislation known as PIPA and SOPA. The legislation's meant to combat theft of creative works like movies and music from overseas web sites. But when I turned to the Twitter and Facebook, I saw an overwhelming dog pile of support against the bills. Excuse me, but where were you all when piracy started to decimate the music industry? Why didn't you take a stand against that? Those free records felt good, huh? The fury from the Internet class is that the broad language in the pieces of legislation will be bad for start-ups, might prevent the next YouTube, or give the government the ability to take down a whole site because of one link to copyrighted works. In short, they're opposed to the legislation because they think it will be bad for the Internet business. Bad for business. Anti-piracy legislation could be bad for the Internet business. It almost takes my breath away. Internet piracy has claimed half of the recorded music business, and made the prospect of making a living as a musician harder for artists of all rank and file. Why didn't Google, or Facebook, or Wikipedia ever stand in solidarity with musicians, actors, and writers - most of whom have never known fame and fortune - as their works were stolen with no recourse on their sites? Where are the 'fans,' the lovers of music? Why have they never stood up and taken a stand for the men and women in front of and behind the microphone? Yes, yes, this is all boring, right? It's typical that the 'rich rock guy' would be spouting from his golden pulpit. But let me tell you something, the working stiffs at recording studios and record stores that have had to close thanks to rampant internet piracy never were rich, but they are out of a job."

The Paganfest Tour returns. ELUVEITIE, PRIMORDIAL, NEGURA BUNGET, HEIDEVOLK and SOLSTAFIR make for a very strong package and KORPIKLAANI as well as EQUILIBRIUM will be two great special guests on the extended shows! Watch the official tour trailer at this location, with exclusive preview of the brand new ELUVEITIE video for the song „Havoc“. The new ELUVEITIE album „Helvetios“ will be out February 10th via Nuclear Blast!

Blaze Bayley has announced that he will be accompanied by the following musicians on his upcoming "King Of Metal" tour:
* Matteo "Lehmann" Grazzini (Neurasthenia) – Bass
* Claudio Tirincanti – Drums
* Andrea Neri (Astarte Syriaca) – Guitar
* Thomas Zwijsen (Nylon Maiden) – Guitar
Bayley is currently at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy recording his new studio album, ‘The King Of Metal’, for a spring release. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

Heidevolk will release its fourth album, ‘Batavi’, on March 2 through Napalm Records. The ‘Batavi’ CD-release party will take place on Saturday, February 25 at Luxor Live in Arnhem, the Netherlands. In March, Heidevolk will embark on its fifth European tour as part of this year's Paganfest.

Haradwaith has entered The Source Studios near Munich with producer A.R. of Secrets Of The Moon to begin recording its sophomore album. The first in a series of video clips featuring footage from the studio can be seen here.

Gene ''The Atomic Clock'' Hoglan pulls double duty on the current TESTAMENT/ANTHRAX/DEATH ANGEL tour filling in for ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. The ANTHRAX drummer is taking a short leave from the band's concert tour to be with his mother who is terminally ill. "I am honoured to have been asked by Charlie to fill in for ANTHRAX in his time of need. We are all Metal Brethren, and this is what we do. Unite for the cause, unite for the fans, and unite for metal. Everybody on this tour has pulled together to keep this tour rollin', everybody is kicking ass. And everyone on this tour is sending our love and respect to the Benante and Bello families. And Charlie, we can't wait to have ya back where you belong, my man. I'm just keeping your throne warm for ya bro." -Gene Hoglan

Annihilator is currently working on its 14th studio release as well as a "special" recording that Waters describes as "a treat for the faithful Annihilator fans and a welcoming to our new fans." The band is also in talks with labels about a record deal for Canada and the USA.

The first three in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of ‘Ex Lives’, the new album from Buffalo's magnificently brutal metallic punk ensemble Every Time I Die, can be seen here. Due on March 6 via Epitaph Records, the CD was helmed by renowned heavy rock producer Joe Baressi (The Melvins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Parkway Drive).

Europe have set ‘Bag Of Bones’ as the title of their ninth studio album, tentatively due in April. The CD is being produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Black Stone Cherry and Journey, among others.

The first in a series of studio video blogs from Blackgates — featuring former Anthrax singer Dan Nelson, drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-Testament, Exodus, Slayer, Forbidden), guitarist Jeremy Epp (The Venting Machine) and bassist Uriah Duffy (ex-Whitesnake) — can be seen here. Blackgates recently entered the studio to begin work on its forthcoming debut album.

Slaves On Dope will release their new album, ‘Over The Influence’, on February 28 via THC: Music/Rocket Science Ventures. The CD, which was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine, will feature a guest appearance by Jonathan Cabana, lead singer of Quebec deathcore band Blind Witness, on the track ‘Dear Enemies’.

Trail Of Tears has issued the following update: "Today we have to announce that our longtime drummer, Cato Jensen, has parted ways with the band. Cato has decided to make some changes in his life and focus on other priorities. We want to thank our friend Cato for his commitment over the years and wish him all the best for the future. This brings us to announce that Trail Of Tears is hereby looking for a new person to fill the drum stool. Interested candidates should have both studio and live experience, must be dedicated, and able and willing to tour. The band is currently putting the finishing touches to their seventh album and festivals and tour dates around the world has been booked for 2012 with more to follow. Interested candidates (preferably European residents), can contact the band. Make sure that you include your personal information, biography, a photo and some video links to your work." In September Trail Of Tears finished recording its as-yet-untitled new CD at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes. The band is currently seeking a suitable record label to release the effort. The first teaser for the forthcoming seventh album from Trail Of Tears is available here.

Korpiklaani have entered the studio to begin recording their new album, ‘Kunnia’, due in August via Nuclear Blast Records. A new Korpiklaani song called ‘Metsälle’ was originally recorded late last year when the band was competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The track, which will also appear on the forthcoming CD, has since been released as a single and can be downloaded at this location.

Imperial State Electric will release its new album, ‘Pop War’, on March 9 via Psychout. The ten-song CD was recorded at Gutterview Studios in Stockholm.

‘No Place Like Home’, the new video from Primal Rock Rebellion, the project featuring Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and Sikth frontman Mikee Goodman, can be seen here. The song comes off Primal Rock Rebellion's debut album, ‘Awoken Broken’, which will be released on February 27 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Adrian and Mikee, and mixed by Simon Hanhart, whose previous credits include everyone from Tin Machine to Saxon.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for ‘The Myth Of Purity’, the forthcoming debut album from Mortad, can be seen here. The three-minute clip also includes a preview of the CD's cover artwork. ‘The Myth Of Purity’ was recorded last October with producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, Evile) and is scheduled for an early 2012 release.

Pigeon Toe has inked a deal with Lifeforce Records. The band's debut album will be released later in the year.

Former Emperor frontman Ihsahn will make a guest appearance on the sophomore solo album from ex-Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis. The CD, which is being produced by Aaron Smith (7 Horns 7 Eyes), is scheduled for release later in the year via Century Media Records.

According to TMZ.com, Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was arrested this past Saturday, January 21 in Oregon for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Deen was booked into Polk County Jail on a number of charges, including coercion, assault, criminal mischief , interfering with making a report and harassment.

According to the UK's Birmingham Mail, a Birmingham music craftsman is hoping to give cancer-stricken rock legend TONY IOMMI a boost - with some guitar therapy. John Diggins has just delivered a cherry red SG guitar to the Handsworth-born founder of BLACK SABBATH. And he's now working on another, which will be ready for Tony - who is battling lymphoma - in two months. Both are replicas of Tony's famous 'Monkey' SG, crafted by John in 1975. Now in mothballs, the guitar is one of the most famous in the world. John - head of Jaydee Custom Guitars, a family business he runs with sons Mike and Andy - told the Mail Iommi wants a collection of the instruments, all given a 'fatigued' finish so they look old. He said: "The guitars keep him occupied, which I think is important. He told me he wants a wall covered with them." The 67-year-old refused to comment on costs, but admitted it ran into thousands.

Italian label Bologna Rock City Records has released an official Eric Carr Italian tribute album entitled I'M A LEGEND TONIGHT. The album was created in support of ANT (Ass.ne Nazionale Tumori) which contributes to the fight against cancer. The details album can be found at this location.

On March 13th, MTV Press and author Bill Hale is releasing a new book called MEGADETH: ANOTHER TIME, A DIFFERENT PLACE which gives the audience a front-row seat into the early days and meteoric rise of this young band who would become one of the most influential groups of all time and, with ANTHRAX, SLAYER and METALLICA, consistently touted among the best "thrash metal" bands ever to cross the stage. This is the first Megadeth photography book and only the second book documenting their rise to rock glory, including rare, never-before-seen photographs representing a small but crucial period of time in their career. Hale's photographs, from intimate backstage photographs to screaming, kinetic live shots, are the images of a young band prepared to take on the world. Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine writes in the Foreword: "The 'work' that you hold in your hands now is the work of a friend, who is also a 'photo-grrrrrrr-apher,' and who has captured the very essence of my career: hungry, gritty, hard, cold, impersonal, personal, and very personal. Also, the sensitive unseen side of me, which was somewhat of an anomaly with the public and left me an enigma to my peers."

According to WSJ.com, AEROSMITH lead singer STEVEN TYLER has purchased a home on Hawaii's Maui for $4.8 million. It was listed for $6.5 million. On a quarter-acre, the 3,000-square-foot home has two bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Located on the water in a nature preserve area near Wailea, the pentagonal home has several outdoor decks overlooking the coastline. There's also a floor-to-ceiling aquarium and an infinity-edge saltwater pool. The seller was Fred Constant, owner of Constant-Diamond Mountain Vineyard in California's Napa Valley, who bought the property in 2002. He says he decided to sell partly because he was no longer using it enough to justify keeping it.

Anchor Bay Entertainment has picked up rights to Nothing To Fear, a horror movie that is acting as the feature producing debut of former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist SLASH and his new horror label Slasher Films. Producing with Slash are partners Rob Eric and Michael Williams. Anthony Leonardi III, a creature artist and storyboard artist who worked on Rango and the upcoming 47 Ronin, is directing the movie, which will begin shooting next month in Louisiana. Slash will also co-produce movie's score. According to Anchor Bay, the movie centers on "a family whose journey towards a better life in a small town is savagely derailed by a charismatic but emotionally conflicted man of the cloth."

Back On Black Records will release a vinyl LP edition of MOTÖRHEAD's 1916 album on March 12th. Motörhead's ninth studio album was originally released in February 1991 via WTG Records. The vinyl tracklisting: Side A 'The One To Sing The Blues' 'I'm So Bad (Baby I Don't Care)' 'No Voices In The Sky'
'Going To Brazil' 'Nightmare/The Dreamtime' Side B 'Love Me Forever' 'Angel City' 'Make My Day' 'Ramones' 'Shut You Down' '1916'.

To celebrate the band's 30 Years Of Thunder anniversary tour, W.A.S.P. leader BLACKIE LAWLESS has penned a monthly diary (fifteen in total) to chronicle the real events of the band and give fans all a little better insight to the last thirty years in their history. Check out the January diary called "Howdy There Partner... Let the Screaming Begin" at www.waspnation.com.

EMI recently announced the release of a new live IRON MAIDEN Blu-Ray, 2 DVD and 2 CD soundtrack album, on Monday March 26th (March 27th in North America via UMe). En Vivo! was filmed on April 10th, 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the Round The World In 66 Days leg of The Final Frontier World Tour.

KISS singer/guitarist PAUL STANLEY celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday, January 20th. KISSOnline has posted the following birthday greetings from Paul's bandmates: "Paul, my very best wishes on your birthday. You're the brother I never had. You've always been there. For me. For the band. For the fans." - Gene Simmons. "Happy Birthday Paul! You're a great friend & a brother in arms... We just made a kick-ass album together and had a great time doing it. You are THE rock & roll champion! Happy 60th!!" - Tommy Thayer. "Paul Stanley, Happy Birthday to the Grand Master of Ceremonies! You're still the best and I wish you only better days ahead..." - Eric Singer. In related news, PAUL STANLEY has partnered with Washburn Guitars to release the amazing PS21012 STARFIRE SIGNATURE GUITAR. The PS2012 features a carved "raised center" solid Mahogany body with chrome hardware, and has two Seymour-Duncan SM-3 Mini Humbuckers, controlled by two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch. A custom Tone-Pros Tune-O-Matic bridge and custom Paul Stanley tailpiece machined from solid aluminium completes this rocking body. This USA made guitar is available in black and white. The neck is also Mahogany and has a bound ebony fingerboard with 22 Jumbo frets and stunning "split" block inlays, with the top half being Pearl, and the bottom being Abalone. The PS2012 Starfire embodies rock and roll in a way only Paul Stanley and Washburn can. Details at www.washburn.com.

In celebration of ACE FREHLEY's "Unquestionable status as a rock icon, Gibson Custom proudly announces the release of the ACE FREHLEY "BUDOKAN" LES PAUL CUSTOM, produced in a strictly Limited Edition of 50 hand-aged guitars signed by the artist, with a further 100 hand-aged guitars, and 150 guitars treated in Gibson Custom's VOS process. Offering everything you've come to expect from Gibson Custom's artist replica guitars, the Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom is a painstaking recreation of Frehley's modified Les Paul Custom, based on intimate examination of the instrument's current condition." The Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom has been created with close cooperation between Gibson Custom, Ace Frehley and the guitar's current owner, Matt Swanson.

BLACK SABBATH bassist GEEZER BUTLER has issued the following update: "Today [Jan 19th] we got the engines back up and running at Tony Iommi's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump - it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings, it has been great working on this stuff. I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band - it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world. Sabb fans are good people, time and again you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavour.

TONY MACALPINE is set to embark on the Dream Mechanism Tour 2012, hitting Europe in February and March. He will be playing a headline set featuring songs from his new self-titled album, along with a selection of past songs - including the entire Edge Of Insanity (1986) album. February (Dream Mechanism European Tour 2012) 21 - Moho Live - Manchester, UK. 22 - The Underworld - London, UK. 24 - Rock Temple - Kerkrade, The Netherlands. 25 - Het Bolwerk - Sneek, The Netherlands. 26 - Crystal - Berlin, Germany. 27 - Hirsch - Nurnberg, Germany. 28 - Luxor - Cologne, Germany. 29 - Matrix - Prague, Czech Republic. March 3 - Randal - Bratislava, Slovakia. 4 - Club 202 - Budapest, Hungary. 5 - Silver Church - Bucharest, Romania. 6 - Sofia Live Club - Sofia, Bulgaria. 7 - Jolly Joker Balans - Istanbul, Turkey. 8 - Eight Ball - Thessaloniki, Greece. 9 - Kyttaro Live - Athens, Greece. 11 - Bloom Club - Mezzago, Italy. 12 - Galery - Pratteln, Switzerland. 14 - Razzmatazz3 - Barcelona, Spain. 15 - Ritmo & Compas - Madrid, Spain. 16 - Stereo - Murcia, Spain. 17 - Fanatic - Sevilla, Spain. 18 - El Infierno - Vigo, Spain. 19 - DOKA - San Sebastian, Spain. 21 - Divan du Monde - Paris, France (with special guest Patrick Rondat).

US country/rock singer RYAN ADAMS recently covered the RATT classic 'Round And Round' as an acoustic version for NPR. It was slammed, as expected, by some Ratt fans, and the band has since issued the following message: "OK people, calm down. Seriously. It's a twist on a Ratt classic. I understand some people would have a reaction of not liking it. I get that, but the immature slams need to stop."

In 1984, vocalist KORY CLARKE (WARRIOR SOUL) recorded an album in LA with producer/songwriter Kim Fowley (THE RUNAWAYS, Destroyer-era KISS). The album was lost for 28 Years, but it has been found and brought back to life. This Detroit band, THE TRIAL, will finally be heard. Feel free to write Clarke on Facebook.

METALLICA have issued the following tour update: "As promised, one more for the European summer vacation as we continue to expand the tour with a show in Udine, Italy at Stadio Friuli on May 13. You guessed it, a 20th anniversary celebration of the Black Album is a part of the plan. There seems to be a pattern here. Tickets go on sale January 23 at 9:00 AM local time at Ticketone.it. Met Club members should log in for details as your special pre-sale starts on January 20 and ends on January 23."

Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's only maker of real pinball games, announced today the availability of the AC/DC PINBALL MACHINE. The newest addition to the iconic Stern collection honors one of the most legendary rock and roll bands the world has ever seen. "The AC/DC pinball machine allows players to experience the power of rock and roll with their own two hands. Players will be able to rock out to 12 classic AC/DC hits including 'Back In Black', 'Highway To Hell' and 'You Shook Me All Night Long'. Other exciting game features include two separate ramps, a lower play field, ball shooting cannon, eight drop targets, a mechanized Hell's Bell and animations of the AC/DC band. Players can also join the party with a TNT detonator and the Devil's Jukebox. This tribute to one of rock and roll's most memorable bands pushes the auditory limits with its sound, style and infectious riffs. The AC/DC machine is designed to rock."

A new SAMMATH pre-production demo track is available at this location. Their upcoming 5th album will be released once again by Germany’s Folter Records. www.sammath.nl

CARACH ANGREN has entered Tidal Wave studio in Karlsruhe, Germany to begin recording its third album for a 2012 release via the French record label Season Of Mist. The first in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the studio can be seen at this location

Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan have tapped Richie Kotzen to be the guitarist/vocalist of their new project following the recent departure of John Sykes. Previous messages also stated that the plug is pulled on the entire project.

SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor and percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan unveiled their new film and TV production company, called Living Breathing Films, this past weekend at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The company, said in a press release to specialize in "mystery, suspense, horror and the dark side of life," held a press conference, launch party and acoustic performance on Saturday (January 21) for media and festival attendees, during which Taylor and Crahan announced their initial projects. Check the movie out here.

"Metal Detector" podcast recently conducted an interview with drummer Donald Tardy of Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY. During the chat, Tardy talks about his animal rescue shelter, his love of cats, and what the upcoming year holds for OBITUARY. Donald Tardy and his wife Heather operate their own Metal Meowlisha charity. The couple cares for 130 stray and feral cats. The duo steadfastly adheres to the practice of "trap/neuter/return" and advocates spaying and neutering to control the overrun of felines in their region. The TNR policy is endorsed by the ASPCA since it is a humane and effective way to control the cat population, and the Tardys fully support the method. OBITUARY is currently writing material for the follow-up to the "Darkest Day" full-length CD, released in 2009 via Candlelight Records.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of INVERLOCH.

TORTURE KILLER will release a new three-song EP entitled "I Chose Death" on March 7 via Dynamic Arts Records. It contains two new tracks and a cover version of DEMIGOD's "Succumb To Dark" song from the "Unholy Domain" demo tape.

"My Heart Is Broken", the new video from EVANESCENCE, can be seen discussed by Amy Lee here. The clip was filmed on December 1 in Los Angeles with director Dean Karr, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, OZZY OSBOURNE and MARILYN MANSON, among others.

After a brief arctic slumber, GWAR will be returning to the road this spring on the second leg of their "Return Of The World Maggot Tour". The trek kicks off with a special tribute show for fallen bandmate and friend Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, in Richmond, Virginia, at The National Theater on Friday, March 16. All proceeds from the Richmond show will benefit the Smoot Family Fund which has been established to help support Cory's widow and their unborn child.

"Anthem", the new video from ICED EARTH, can be seen here. The clip was filmed on December 7 at Essigfabrik in Cologne, Germany.

"Dry Bone Valley", the new video from MASTODON, can be seen here. The clip was directed and animated by Tim Biskup.

Brian May has no beef with science - dude's an astrophysicist, after all - but the QUEEN guitarist draws the line at experimenting on animals. As ContactMusic reports, the British rocker has joined the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in opposing the creation of a dog farm that will reportedly breed beagles for laboratory research. Beagles, indisputably, are highly intelligent sentient creatures, friends of Man for centuries," May wrote in a statement directed at Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local government. "It is completely morally unjustifiable for these animals to be made to suffer in the name of science, and I am shocked to learn of plans to set up a facility in Yorkshire to breed and supply beagles to the research industry." This isn't May's first time coming to the defense of furry creatures. In 2010, he led a campaign to stop a badger cull in Wales, and he's also the founder of Save Me, a group that aims to "promote decent treatment for animals."

OVERKILL will release their new album, "The Electric Age", in North America on March 27 via eOne Music. The CD will be made available in Europe on March 30 through Nuclear Blast Records. Overkill will embark on the "Killfest 2" headlining tour in April/May. Support on the trek will come from Belphegor, Aborted, Blackguard, System Divide and Diamond Plate.

Rapper Kanye West interrupted a SOUNDGARDEN show for a sound check. West, arriving 45 minutes late, started his sound check without any consideration or care about SOUNDGARDEN doing an actual live show on the neighboring stage on Australia’s Big Day Out festival. Cornell instantly replied by saying that it sounds like there were children playing, which was by far the friendliest thing he said, among a lot of other things. Source: www.Banana1015.com

Atlantic recording group HALESTORM has announced the release of its new album. "The Strange Case Of…" arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10.

RECKLESS LOVE will release a new digital single, "On The Radio", in the U.K. on February 20. In addition to the title track, the single will include the song "Push", which was previously unavailable in the U.K.

GRAVEWORM has announced that founding member and guitar player Stefan Unterpertinger will return to the band after ten years. He replaces Thomas Orgler, who left the group for personal reasons. Keyboard player Sabine Mair also exited GRAVEWORM due to personal reasons.

TESSERACT are working on an acoustic EP, tentatively titled "Perspective", for a spring release via Century Media Records. The effort will contain reworked versions of tracks from the band's debut album, "One", plus "a very special" cover version.

SHEAR will release its full-length debut, "Breaking The Stillness", via Lifeforce Records on the following dates:
March 13 - North America
March 23 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
March 28 - Finland
March 26 - Rest Of Europe
A new SHEAR song, "Someone Else's Eyes", is available for streaming on the Lifeforce Records Facebook page ("like" required).

VEIL OF MAYA will release their third full-length album, "Eclipse", on February 28 via Sumerian Records.

Ovation has announced two new signature Viper models YM63 & YM68 designed by the true master of neo-classical metal shred, Yngwie J. Malmsteen. As a longtime Ovation endorsee, Yngwie has incorporated many Ovation models into his live performances and recordings over the past 25 years — including the stage-friendly Viper. Yngwie's new signature Vipers, models YM68 (steel string) and YM63 (nylon string), feature a solid chambered Mahogany body, five-piece Mahogany and Maple necks, and preamp circuitry specially designed to deliver natural acoustic tone with absolutely no feedback — even at the most high-level stage volumes.

UNLEASHED have set "Odalheim" as the title of their 11th full-length album, due on April 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. According to the band, the CD "is the story about the future of Yggdrasil and those who survive Ragnarök. It is the story of the Midgard Warriors who carry on the Viking tradition into the new world Odalheim."

RUNNING WILD will release their brand new album, "Shadowmaker", in Germany on April 20, in the rest of Europe on April 23 and in the U.S./Canada on April 24 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be released as a limited first edition in a black jewel case with silver printing and slipcase plus a 40-minute bonus DVD with a "making-of" documentary and a track-by-track commentary by RUNNING WILD mainman Rock 'N' Rolf. The double gatefold LP will come with printed innersleeves and clear vinyl. There also will be a boxset limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. It contains 2 LPs, the black jewel case with the DVD, a poster, a sticker, a postcard and a 30-page book in LP size about the history of the band.

KING DIAMOND will play only two shows in Europe this summer:
June 09 - Sweden Rock Festival – Sölvesborg, SWE
June 15 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
A video message from KING DIAMOND in which he announces his band's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival can be seen here. Once satanic, now agnostic King Diamond underwent open-heart triple-bypass surgery in November 2010. He has since completed his cardiac rehabilitation program and has stopped smoking entirely, changed his diet and is getting regular exercise, according to his wife Livia Zita.

Houwitser is proud to announce that their original singer and frontman Mike van Mastrigt is back in their line-up. Mike already teamed up for some shows. Together with their new drummer Marten van Kruijssen and frontman Mike van Mastrigt, Houwitser will march on to Russia this February to do some shows. The new line-up is writing songs for the sixth full length CD. More news about the progress and release of this album can be expected in the near future. http://www.houwitser.nl http://www.facebook.com/houwitser

Introduced at Namm 2012 in Anaheim by Ibanez were the new signature guitars from SLIPKNOT’s Mick Thomson, dubbed MTM. These new regular models are based on the “Glaive” which was introduced at last Messe in 2011. Featuring ferocious looks with a tone to match, these new signature MTM models are the ultimate metal machines. The Wizard III necks allow for effortless lead playing, while the high-output Seymour Duncan® Blackouts™ EMTY™ pickups and FX Edge bridges give these low-tuned axes the perfect heavy-duty metal rhythm sound. Also new to the signature series from Ibanez is the eight string M8M Meshuggah model. This is a neck-true 8–string Prestige model made in Japan. According to Meshuggah: "This is the guitar we've been marvelling over since we received the custom shop model eight years ago. It has been used in the studio and on countless stages around the world, and is now available to you as well. Constructed to our exact specifications by master builders in Japan, the tone will speak for itself." Both models are available from June 2012. Source: Hoshino Benelux.

BEFORE THE DAWN returns after living through a phase of changes and uncertainty – cleansed, renewed and stronger than ever! Leaving pieces of both the musical and personal past behind, mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen, lead guitarist Juho Räihä and their new companions get ready for conquering your ears with the finest blend of northern gloom and harsh melodic death metal. Their seventh studio album and at the same time second release via Nuclear Blast Records is entitled “Rise Of The Phoenix” and will arise from the ashes on the 27th of April 2012! The perfectly fitting phoenix symbolism was chosen prudently as main man, vocalist and guitarist Tuomas explains: "Massive changes in the line-up during 2011 ended an era of great frustration and brought back 110% dedication and professionalism into the band. The newfound energy and motivation steered us into a victorious European tour and made it possible to produce the strongest, fastest, heaviest and definitely the most epic BEFORE THE DAWN album so far!" www.beforethedawn.com | www.facebook.com/beforethedawn | www.nuclearblast.de/beforethedawn

The UK's Shropshire Star reports: Multi-million pound plans to build a hotel and leisure complex in the grounds of former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. DOWNING's Shropshire estate were today unveiled. The Grammy
Award-winning guitarist said dozens of jobs would be created as a result of the ambitious development at his stately home near Bridgnorth. The proposals for the 320-acre Astbury Hall estate include a 63-room hotel, indoor swimming pool, spa and a top class restaurant. Mr. Downing - who quit the metal band last April after 40 years - said the hotel and leisure facilities would tie in with plans to attract some of the world's best golfers and competitions to his course on the site. He said: "I am speaking to various corporations about investment and I'm optimistic we can start pushing through with the plans for development this year. The next step is putting together all the costing of everything, which includes the golf, practice areas and purpose built clubhouse - as well as the hotel, leisure and spa facilities. I'm 60 years old now so I really want to get things completed - that's always been the endgame."

The reissue label Sundazed Music has partnered with Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. to release a series of new 7" picture-sleeve vinyl singles featuring unique and hard-to-find vintage performances by JIMI HENDRIX. The ongoing series launches in April with an initial release that combines a pair of historically significant recordings from two different Hendrix 1967 BBC sessions. One is a raucous reading of Bob Dylan's 'Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?'. Hendrix recorded his version on October 17th for BBC Radio's Rhythm and Blues show. Dylan's original version wasn't released on a legitimate album for more than 10 years after its first issue. This JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE version was a highlight of the BBC Sessions double album issued by Experience Hendrix/Sony Legacy in October 2010.

Universal Music have announced that the next two THIN LIZZY Deluxe Editions will be for Fighting and Nightlife. Due out March on 12th in the UK, the band says "they'll be packed with some great bonus material, now that Scott (Gorham) has selected and approved everything we can confirm that the releases will be double albums with bonus demos, outtakes, rarities and some great unreleased songs."

RUNAWAY PHOENIX - featuring Dash Cooper, son of ALICE COOPER on lead vocals - have released their first EP simply called The E.P, which includes six tracks including the lead-off cut 'Tug Of War' featuring the
king of shock rock himself. The E.P. tracklisting: 'Tug of War' (featuring Alice Cooper)' 'Ladies of the 80's' 'Win You Over' 'Destination Unknown' 'Invisible To You' 'What I Left Behind'. For more details visit www.runawayphoenix.bandcamp.com.

BLIND GUARDIAN check in with a quick update: "Sit back, relax and play video games? Nope, no rest for the (wicked) Guardian. More dates dates have just been announced. Check them out and hopefully you can catch a live show near you." Blind Guardian tour dates: March 29-30 - Stockholm, Sweden - Sweden Rock Cruise Sweden. April 8 - Mons, Belgium - Lotto Mons Expo (Power Prog & Metal Fest 2012). 21 - S?o Luis, Brazil - Parque Independencia (Metal Open Air 2012). 23 - S?o Paulo, Brazil - TBA (with Grave Digger). 25 - Curitiba, Brazil - TBA (with Grave Digger). 27 - Montevideo, Uruguay - La Trastienda. 29 - Santiago, Chile - Movistar Arena (Metal Fest Chile) May 15 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre (with Judas Priest, U.D.O.). 16 -
Barcelona, Spain - St. Jordi Club (with Judas Priest, U.D.O.). 18 - Sevilla, Spain - Auditorio Rocio Jurado (with Judas Priest, U.D.O.). 20 - San Sebastian, Spain - Velodromo Anoeta (with Judas Priest, U.D.O.). June 1 - Jaworzno, Poland - Metalfest Poland. 2 - Mining, Austria - Metalfest Austria. 3 - Zadar, Croatia - Metalfest Croatia. 5 - Monza, Italy - Metalfest Italy. 7 - Loreley, Germany - Metalfest Germany West. 9 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 Konzertfabrik (Metalfest Switzerland). 10 - Pilzen, Czech Republic - Metalfest Czech Republic. 29 - Dischingen, Germany - Rock am H?rtsfeldsee. July 13 - Ballenstedt, Germany - Rockharz Festival. Blind Guardian are celebrating their 25th anniversary with the release of Memories Of A Time To Come, the ultimate collection of music from 1987 to 2011, which will be released on January 20th via Virgin/EMI.

Mpire Of Evil’s full length album, ‘Hell To The Holy’, will be released March 26th, 2012 on Scarlet Records. The album boasts 10 brand-new tracks displaying the band’s infectious and groovy Heavy Metal assault, conveying Mantas’ thunderous riffs, a huge rhythm section and Dolan’s abrasive vocals into a monstrous musical holocaust which will appeal to both old school and modern Metal fans. Produced by Mantas himself and featuring stunning cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (Annihilator, Destruction, Grave Digger), ‘Hell To The Holy’ is without any doubts a “must have” album for 2012. A North American tour with British thrash legends Onslaught has already been confirmed but many more dates will follow soon. Despite having played on the album, drummer Antony “Antton” Lant has since left the band for personal reasons but a replacement for the tour will be announced soon. Follow www.scarletrecords.it and www.mpireofevil.com for all the updates.

Two years after releasing their debut "…And Kindling Deadly Slumber" The New Dominion is back and means business this time. According to their drummer Yuma van Eekelen (Pestilence) who just finished his recordings in Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam, they are in the process of making "a truly unique piece of deathmetal art." It's got all the ingredients to be a killer record that will definitely stand out; fast and aggressive riffing alternated with brutal grooves, technical high skilled drumming and a voice easily capable of doing deep grunts, high pitched screams and everything in between. Also from a compositional point of view, lots of improvement has been implemented wich results in far more interesting and throat crushing songstructures " If you want to follow their recording process, check their social media sites here, here and here.

CENTURIAN will start recording their 3rd full-length album called “Contra Rationem”, on april 27th together with producer/sound-engineer Jo Peeters (Aborted, Heaven Shall Burn, Severe Torture) and Ralph Timmermans (Mindpark) at the We Are (Music) Junkies recording studio in Eindhoven. The album will be released by Listenable records and will be their first studiorelease after 11 years. Stated by Rob Oorthuis, founding member and writer/composer of CENTURIAN: “The new record should appeal anyone who is prepared to die for his stands. Believe nothing, dare all!!! 333” A few songtitels are: Judas Among Twelve, Adversus, The Will Of The Torch, Thou Shallt Bleed For The Lord Thy God, Antinomian, Feast Of The Cross. Watch a video of CENTURIAN rehearsing the new song “Judas Among Twelve” at this location.

Evenoire have signed a deal with Scarlet Records for the release of their debut album ‘Vitriol’. Formed in 2007, Evenoire combine a wide range of influences, from Gothic to Symphonic Metal with a very distinctive Medieval/Folk approach, which has already attracted overwhelming response from the international underground Metal scene. A special mention goes to extraordinary lead vocalist Lisy Stefanoni, whose ethereal and powerful voice adds an extra dimension to the melodies and makes her one of the most promising female singers around. ‘Vitriol’ was recorded at Dreamsound Studios in Munich, Germany, with Mario Lochert (Emergency Gate, Graveworm, Visions Of Atlantis) behind the consolle. Mastering and Mixing duties were handled by Jan Vacik (Dreamscape). The album features a very special guest appearance by German soprano Gaby Koss (Haggard, Equilibrium, Nota Profana) in the song ‘Misleading Paradise’. Check out www.scarletrecords.it and www.evenoire.it for more info.

PUTERAEON wants to inform you that they will lock themselves up in the studio "RZA Mobile Recording" on the 30'th of January 2012. Together with sound engineer Kristian "Risza" Isaksson (Evergrey, Hardcore Superstar, Psycore, Reclusion, Notre Dame, Snowy Shaw) they will record the follow up entitled "CULT CTHULHU". The album will have 11 tracks and, as the debut, will be mixed by none other than super guitarist Andy LaRocque (King Diamond, Death, At The Gates) at Sonic Train Studios and the album is planned to be released in May 2012 via the German label Cyclone Empire. www.puteraeon.com

The Gardnerz have started recording their new EP that follows up their debut album ‘The System of Nature’, that was released last year through Abyss Records and Mechanix Records. Drummer Vedran Benčić recently entered Armageddon studio, Osijek Croatia to lay down his drum tracks for five new death/doom masterpieces. Soon guitarist Wilhelm and bassist Francisco will once again head over to Funky Cat Studio in Landskrona Sweden to lay down their epic tracks. And vocalist Niclas will do his thing at Ninja Studios in Malmö Sweden. "This time around the songs are a bit slower and darker then on the system of nature, we tried to continue on the path we have chosen. We have found our niche and have no reason to stray , so if you liked our first release you will like this. This time it was a bit more of a group effort and I think that made the songs stronger." - Commented guitarist Wilhelm Lindh. Here is a clip of Vedran doing his dirty deeds. The EP is to be released Abyss Records somewhere mid 2012. www.thegardnerz.com http://www.officialabyssrecords.com

MASTODON is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, United States. http://www.mastodonrocks.com

LEATHERWOLF had their January 28 headlining concert at the Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, California professionally filmed for an upcoming DVD. http://www.myspace.com/leatherwolfmusic

GOATWHORE will release its new studio album, ‘Blood For The Master’, on February 10 via Metal Blade Records. The album will be made available on CD, vinyl, and digitally. The first single, ‘When Steel And Bone Meet’, can be streamed at this location. http://www.goatwhore.net

SCORPIONS' new album, ‘Comeblack’ (containing fresh performances of signature repertoire recorded last year), is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. http://www.the-scorpions.com

MESHUGGAH will release its new album, ‘Koloss’, on March 26 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort will be made available as a CD digi, limited-edition Magic Cube (CD digi plus DVD exclusive to Nuclear Blast mail order) and two-LP brown vinyl. http://www.meshuggah.net

LAMB OF GOD has its new album, ‘Resolution’, which was released on January 23 via Roadrunner Records, available for streaming in it entirety at this location. In other news, LAMB OF GOD has scheduled the following European tour dates:
May 28 - Fuzz Club - Athens, Greece
May 30 - Hangar 11 - Tel-Aviv, Israel
Jun. 01 - Rock Am Ring - Rock Am Park, Germany
Jun. 02 - Forta Rock - Holland
Jun. 05 - Studio - Krakow, Poland
Jun. 06 - Majestic - Bratislava, Slovakia
Jun. 07 - Backstage Werk - Munich, Germany
Jun. 08 - Nova Rock - Austria
Jun. 10 - Download Festival - UK
Jun. 12 - Mandela Hall - Belfast, Ireland
Jun. 13 - Academy - Dublin, Ireland
Jun. 15 - Metaltown - Sweden
Jun. 16 - Copenhell, Denmark
Jun. 17 - Hellfest - France
Jun. 19 - Riviera - Madrid, Spain
Jun. 20 - Razzmatazz 2 - Barcelona, Spain
Jun. 22 - Graspop - Belgium
Jun. 23 - Ear Shaker Days - Switzerland
Jun. 24 - Gods Of Metal - Italy
Jun. 26 - Boogaloo - Zagreb, Croatia
Jun. 27 - Kino Siska - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jun. 28 - Rock Cafe - Prague, Czech Republic
Jun. 29 - With Full Force - Germany
Jul. 01 - Tuska – Finland http://www.lamb-of-god.com

DEATH ANGEL will release the ‘A Thrashumentary’ DVD in the spring. The DVD is a combination live video and documentary. http://deathangel.us/

KISS’ 1981 concept album, ‘(Music From) The Elder’ was intended to be the soundtrack to a movie — a movie which, due to the relative commercial failure of the album, was never made. Thirty years after the LP's original release, U.K.-based writer, musician and independent filmmaker Seb Hunter announced plans to produce a "post-apocalyptic road movie" based on ‘(Music From) The Elder’, with production slated to begin this summer. http://www.kissonline.com

CONVERGE is currently recording its new album, tentatively titled ‘All We Love We Leave Behind’, for a late spring/early summer release via Epitaph. http://www.myspace.com/converge

OSI will release its new album, ‘Fire Make Thunder’, on 27 release via Metal Blade Records. http://www.osiband.com

EXUMER has signed a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band's first album in twenty four years, ‘Fire & Damnation’, will be released in april. http://www.myspace.com/exumerwakingthefire

ENTHRONED will release their new album, ‘Obsidium’, on March 20 via Agonia Records. http://www.enthroned.be

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA (CRADLE OF FILTH, THERION, MORTIIS and ANGTORIA) is currently recording a new three-song digital EP, ‘Malediction’, with her solo band. http://www.sarahjezebeldeva.co.uk

EDGUY will support DEEP PURPLE on their German tour in November/December. The dates are as follows:
Nov. 15 - Köln, Germany - Lanxess Arena
Nov. 16 - Bremen, Germany - Halle 7
Nov. 17 - Hannover, Germany - Awd Hall
Nov. 20 - Kiel, Germany - Sparkassen Arena
Nov. 22 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
Nov. 23 - Oberhausen, Germany - Königspilsner Arena
Nov. 24 - Hamburg, Germany - O2 World
Nov. 26 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena
Nov. 27 - Berlin, Germany - O2 World
Nov. 29 - Augsburg, Germany - Schwabenhalle
Nov. 30 - München, Germany - Olympiahalle
Dec. 12 - Stuttgart, Germany – Schleyerhalle
http://www.edguy.net

IRON MAIDEN will release a new concert Blu-Ray, two-DVD set and double soundtrack album, ‘En Vivo!’, on March 26 via EMI. The concert was filmed on April 10, 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the "Round The World In 66 Days" leg of "The Final Frontier World Tour". http://www.ironmaiden.com

AMON AMARTH will celebrate their 20th anniversary with five special shows which will take place this August in Germany, Poland and Holland. The band will perform two whole sets containing songs from their entire career and will also arrange a meet-and-greet on all shows. "An Evening With – 20th Anniversary Shows":
Aug. 05 - Chemnitz, Germany - Südbahnhof
Aug. 07 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja Club
Aug. 14 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage
Aug. 16 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Tivoli
Aug. 17 - Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
http://www.amonamarth.com

SOL INVICTO, the side project of DEFTONES guitarist Stephen Carpenter and Richie Londres from the C.L.P. (CULTURA LONDRES PROYECTO) on production/guitar, will release a seven-song EP, ‘Initium II’, which will be made available for free directly from the band. More information about the EP can be found on the band’s Facebook page. http://solinvictocomiti.com/

MARK REALE, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away on Wednesday, January 25 in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old. Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11. RIOT said in a statement: "To friends and fans of Mark Reale and RIOT, we are deeply saddened to confirm that Mark has lost his battle with a lifelong illness. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated by Mark's family, friends, and bandmates at this difficult time." Upon learning of Mark's passing, Brian Slagel, founder and CEO of Metal Blade Records, said, "I was a huge fan of RIOT's 'Fire Down Under' album and got to interview them for my fanzine. Great guys and I was lucky enough to finally reissue 'Fire Down Under' and the other early RIOT albums on Metal Blade. We signed the band for their second run, so to speak, and put out some records in the '90s that did well, especially in Europe and Japan. It was a pleasure working with them and Mark was always a kind soul — an AMAZING player who really has a big time place in the history of metal. One of the really nice guys who put out some incredible stuff." Mark is survived by his father, Anthony Reale, and was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Reale. RIOT's original singer Guy Speranza died on November 8, 2003 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 47 years old. Often regarded as the best RIOT vocalist, he sang on the group's first three full-length albums — "Rock City" (1977), "Narita" (1979) and "Fire Down Under" (1981) — before being replaced by Rhett Forrester. Forrester himself left in the mid-'80s to pursue a solo career, only to be murdered on January 22, 1994 in Atlanta. http://markreale.com/

VAN HALEN will release its new album, ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’, on February 7 via Interscope Records. The deluxe-edition version will contain a bonus DVD featuring four brand new acoustic-performance videos, entitled ‘The Downtown Sessions’. http://www.van-halen.com

REVENGE have signed a deal with Eulogy Recordings. The band will release its new album, ‘Hymns Of Annihilation’, in the spring.

A CANCEROUS AFFAIR, the new project featuring ex-DARKEST HOUR members Kris Norris and Ryan Parrish, has announced the addition of keyboardist/vocalist Kristen Randall (ex-WINDS OF PLAGUE) to the group's ranks.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will release its new album, ‘Torture’, on March 13 via Metal Blade Records. http://www.cannibalcorpse.net

WHITECHAPEL are currently recording their fourth full-length album for a summer release via Metal Blade Records. http://www.myspace.com/whitechapel

I EXIST will release their new album, ‘II: The Broken Passage’, on February 6 via Prosthetic Records. http://iexistband.com/

HOUR OF PENANCE will release their new album, ‘Sedition’, on April 6 via Prosthetic Records. http://www.myspace.com/hourofpenance

3 INCHES OF BLOOD have announced the addition Byron Stroud (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY) to the group’s ranks as their new bassist. The band will release its new studio album, ‘Long Live Heavy Metal’, on March 27 via Century Media Records. http://www.myspace.com/3iob

NAPALM DEATH will release its fourteenth studio album, ‘Utilitarian’, on February 27 via Century Media Records. Upon the release of ‘Utilitarian’, NAPALM DEATH's limited-edition ‘Analysis Paralysis’ seven-inch EP will also be available for purchase in black and clear vinyl. http://www.napalmdeath.org

SOULFLY will release its eighth album, ‘Enslaved’, on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. http://www.soulfly.com

CANCER BATS will release their fourth album, ‘Dead Set On Living’, in April via Distort Inc.. The video for the track ‘Old Blood’, can be viewed at this location. http://www.myspace.com/cancerbats

Stillborn made a music video for the song "Stillborn II" from their last album "Los Asesinos del Sur". It was recorded in winter 2011/2012, in conditions described as extreme. Asked about the meaning of the video they say: "This Image is a natural extension of the track's lyrics. Two characters, two symbols, conflict, solution. We spit in faces and say it's raining." The video can be viewed at this location.

In addition to having been a professional wrestler and the star of the reality television show "Hogan Knows Best" in his time, it seems that that Hulk Hogan was also a musician in his younger days. Hogan claims that he was offered a position in Metallica playing bass while the band was still starting out. In a recent interview with The Sun (via Gibson), the heavyweight champion spoke about his days as a session musician as well as his friendship with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. "I used to be a session musician before I was a wrestler," Hogan said. "I played bass guitar. I was big pals with Lars Ulrich and he asked me if I wanted to play bass with Metallica in their early days but it didn’t work out."

Brendan "Brush" Shiels, founding member of the late 1960s/early 1970s Irish blues-rock act Skid Row - which is best known as Gary Moore's first professional band - has posted a YouTube video in which he invites Sebastian Bach, the former frontman of the American rock group Skid Row, to sing on his upcoming album, which will be released under the Skid Row name. Snake Sabo of the American Skid row picked the name on advise of his good friend Jon Bongiovi (Bon Jovi), while another band with that name was out there already. You can watch the invitation here.

Napster, the original peer-to-peer music sharing service, will live on as a streaming service in the UK and Europe as a challenger to Spotify. Although Napster has re-appeared several times via different owners since its initial closure in 2001, it was purchased in 2011 by Rhapsody. While the company opted to retire the Napster branding in the US and fold the service into its own, the original Napster brand will live on in Europe. With over 15 million tracks, it will match Spotify's UK subscription rates of £5 per month on computers and £10 per month for mobile access to unlimited music. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich famously spoke out against Napster at the time, later describing his regret after the poor publicity it gave him. Today, the music industry recognizes that it missed a big opportunity by opting to sue the service rather than find ways to legalize and monetize the system before peer-to-peer sharing took hold. For fun he also downloaded their last real album ‘Death Magnetic’ in the week before its release, just to see if he could, stating: “if anyone is entitled to get the album for free, it is me”.

Arch Enemy frontwoman Angela Gossow sung the praises of cannabis in a recent interview, explaining why she thinks it must be legalized. One of the most important things is that it helped her cure her asthma and another thing is that records tend to be ten times as much fun when you listen to it when you’re stoned.

This last piece of news this week hasn’t been translated into English. Since it is kind of an exclusive Belgian/Dutch thing I didn’t bother too much - Horst.

Zie Stijn Meuris (ex-Noordkaap, ex-Monza, Meuris), Gregory Frateur (Dez Mona) en Tom Pintens in het BRT één-programma 'De Laatste Show' toelichting geven bij de nieuwe zaalshow 'Zware Metalen' waarmee het gezelschap Hardrock- en Metalklassiekers naar het grote publiek wil hertalen. Net zoals Meuris en co zitten de songs duidelijk in een ander jasje dan normaal. Zo bleek ook uit hun vertolking van Mötorhead’s 'Ace of Spades'. Op de Facebook pagina van De Laatste Show waren, meteen na het programma en ook al tijdens, de reacties legio: sommigen vonden de aanpak origineel en fris, anderen waren verbaasd over deze 'aanpak', tot verontwaardigd. Maar... wat als je Noordkaaps 'Ik Hou Van U' in een hardrockversie zou spelen? Dat vroeg Beyond The Labyrinth zich af. Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) wilde de verbazing die de aanpak van 'Zware Metalen' opwekte toch even aan het grote publiek laten voelen door, op hun eigen relativerende manier, een nummer van Noordkaap te herwerken. De keuze viel op het alombekende ‘Ik hou van u’.... maar dan wél gebruik makend van dezelfde criteria en middelen die ook Stijn Meuris had gehanteerd bij het bewerken van de gekozen songs voor 'Zware Metalen'. De song werd volledig in een nieuw jasje gestoken en verrijkt met zeer herkenbare Hardrock-invloeden: een Guns n’ Roses achtig-intro, een Iron Maiden-achtig riffje, een AC/DC-drumpartij – kortom: de muzikale achtergrond van de Beyond The Labyrinth leden laat van zich spreken. Even werd getwijfeld om ook de tekst van het lied aan te pakken en deze van het Nederlands naar het Engels te gaan vertalen, zoals ook Raf Van Brussel iedere morgen op JOE FM doet tijdens zijn rubriek ‘het betere vertaalwerk van...', maar van dat idee werd snel afgestapt toen bleek dat de vertaling van de al simpele Nederlandse tekst resulteerde in een al even simpele Engelstalige tekst waardoor de meerwaarde leek te smelten als sneeuw voor de zon... Voor het eerst en waarschijnlijk dus ook voor het laatst kun je genieten van Beyond The Labyrinth in het Nederlands, of kleinkunst in een hardrockersjasje! De homemade video clip kan je bewonderen op op deze locatie. Meer info kan je vinden op Facebook, Reverb Nation en de Beyond The Labyrinth website.

In Concert :
Februari 17: @ Cité Culture/Brussels + Wizzard + Assia
Maart 2: De Boerderij/Zoetermeer (NL) - (Headliner : Pallas)
Maart 24: Wizzfest/Aalter
April 8: PPM Fest/Mons
April 21: De Blauwe Wolk/Zottegem
Mei 26: Spring Madness Metal Fest VI

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