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Glendale, Arizona extreme metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY will release their
highly anticipated sophomore album, "Ruination", on July 7 via Metal Blade Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2007's "Genesis" was tracked at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) and will be mixed by Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES).

The cover artwork for "Ruination" has been unveiled and is available for viewing below. The striking, quasi-conceptual piece was designed by Brent Elliott White and takes its inspiration from JOB FOR A COWBOY frontman Jonny Davy's album lyrics and concepts.

"The ideas involved with the new album branch off from our last record, 'Genesis', but are more politically based," states Davy. Topics addressed by the album’s schema revolve around modern-day worldwide dilemmas and controversial issues including "propaganda in the mainstream media and television, humanitarian rights of Northern Korea, the modern genocidal government of Nubia, the use of torture in American military tactics, overruling by world governments and police states/martial law."

JOB FOR A COWBOY will film a video for the new song "Regurgitated Disinformation" on Saturday, June 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is inviting fans to attend and be part of the event. The shoot will take place in First Unitarian Church beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Downloadable vouchers for the video shoot/live performance will cost just .94 cents and will go on sale tomorrow (May 9) at this location. In addition to the video shoot, the evening will include a full live set from both JOB FOR A COWBOY and a "special guest" opening act.

The event voucher will be exchanged for an "admission wristband" on the day of the show. Wristbands will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 12 p.m. (noon) on June 6 at the main entrance of The First Unitarian Church and will only be available to those who purchased the voucher in advance. The wristband will guarantee admission to the show that evening as well as both a special meet-and-greet with JOB FOR A COWBOY and a limited-edition poster that includes a promo code to download a special digital Metal Blade sampler featuring new music from JOB FOR A COWBOY, CANNIBAL CORPSE, BEHEMOTH and more. Fans who arrive too late to receive wristbands will still be able to partake in the meet-and-greet and receive the poster with digital sampler promo code. Full details on the event can be found at this location.

"Ruination" marks the JOB FOR A COWBOY recording debut of drumming prodigy Jon "The Charn" Rice, who has toured with the band since the release of "Genesis" and features ten tracks of state-of-the-art heavy metal music.

According to a press release, "Ruination" "sees JOB FOR A COWBOY advance by leaps and bounds; the record is a concentrated hotbed of astounding dexterity, scorching attack, sleek arrangement and thundering musical muscle. Infectious riffs, keen dynamics and the assertive vocals of rising star frontman Jonny Davy combine to produce an album that is at once powerful, expressive, confident and commanding."

Commented Davy, "JOB FOR A COWBOY has toured the world and faced a ton of challenges over the course of the last year and a half. All of the hard work that we've put in and everything that we've experienced is directly reflected in our new songs, which we know are our best yet."

Upon the release of "Ruination", JOB FOR A COWBOY will hit the road as one of the featured acts of the 2009 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival alongside SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON and more. The 27-date North American trek is slated to launch on July 10 in Sacramento, California.

Christopher Porter of Washington Post Express recently conducted an interview with vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below

Washington Post Express: Do you wish more extreme metal bands sang about real-world politics rather than, say, dragons and Satan?

Greenway: I'm not gonna sit here and play bat and ball with other bands for doing what they do because it's entirely up them. There is always a danger within the general genre of heavy music for people to sometimes look down on other bands because they do this or that, but, frankly, I have no opinion on them at all. Let them do what they do — more power to their elbow. For me, I have to do what I need to do. I think the lyrics in many ways are an extension of me. The only thing I can say is that, obviously, someone writing about fantasy — dragons and stuff like that — it's not an extension of them; it's more obviously them picking up on certain themes that have a lot of times been quite stereotypical. Again, it's entirely up to them; I don't want to cast a judgment on them. But I just feel the need to do things in a certain way and be very involved with what I do. I don't wish to sound pretentious, but I would like to be connected to my art.

Washington Post Express: Are you ever surprised that NAPALM has lasted this long and remained so relevant and passionate?

Greenway: I think it's important to say, from my perspective, I don't associate age with things. I hate to resort to -isms, but ageism is the great travesty, really, that is not often addressed. We always tackle — rightly so — sexism and racism and stuff like that, but ageism is something that gets pushed to the background a little bit. I think it's really unfair in a lot of ways. We all do it; we all sort of resort to the kind of train of thought because you're a bit older that this might be different, or that might be different. And, yes, it is in a sense that you may be of more refined views because you have been in a lot more situations, but I don't think we should necessarily connect creativity — or lack thereof — to age. I don't think there's any kind of distinction to be made there; I really don't. People might disagree with that, but to be honest, the sorts of things I'm doing now within the band and playing live, I could have quite easily done when I was 21. My approach is no different; my influences aren't really any different from when I was 19 when I joined NAPALM. I've always had difficulties understanding why people tie age to creativity or personal achievement within a band scenario. ... If [critics] see the band before they hear the band ... and they don't know much about the band, I think they're more inclined to make a negative judgment. If they see the band and go, "Bloody hell, they're in their mid-40s, mid-50s or whatever, what are they gonna have to offer?"

Washington Post Express: But do you see a time when NAPALM might stop?

Greenway: I couldn't put a time limit on it, really, partly because of what we've been talking about. This is a question that comes up quite regularly. It's gonna be circumstances that dictate. All of us in the band would like to think that if it does stop it's because we decided to do it, that it's not exterior forces or physical / people forces that force us to do it. That it's not any direct pressure from any music industry thing. For me, it will be if I just run dry creatively and the gigs started to feel like a chore — just in terms of, well, you can't really be bothered — it's a natural thing, it does happen. Once it gets to that point, I'll just quit; I can't half do stuff. It would just be not really pleasurable to me to go through the motions. Of course, there's personal circumstances. [Guitarist Mitch Harris'] family is growing; he's just had another baby with his wife. I'm not leading people down any paths, but when the family starts to widen like that, who knows how long Mitch is going to want to do it for? For me, personally, I got really no circumstances right now that would prevent me from doing it. I do have a long-distance relationship, which can be quite difficult, but for the most part this one is working out.

Washington Post Express: But if NAPALM did stop, would you ever consider running for office?

Greenway: I don't know about that. ... Mainstream politics stinks, man, it really does. The power structures really bug me. I won't go into this too deeply because we'll be at this forever, but I think the structures that are in place at the moment give the people in power more rights than you and me have, and how can that be right? Systems evolve and systems change, and maybe there's an argument that the whole worldwide system really needs to change so the people at the bottom of the scale right now really get more input, because it's just not happening and it needs to at some point if we want to maintain a peaceful, tolerant world — it's just got to. So, in that sense, NAPALM's not really — I'm probably playing cat among the pigeons right here — but is it really a political band at the end of the day? I don't know. I see it as an extension of the things I believe in, and the band does: humanitarianism and peace and tolerance. Is that politics? Maybe it is and maybe it isn't, I don't know. But would I still be involved [in social issues] if the band were to go on pause? Well, yeah, because I was of that nature before I joined the band. It wasn't like I flipped a coin overnight and decided this was how I was gonna direct myself; I was that way, to be honest, since I was 6 or 7 years old. My dad was involved with trade unions, and I understand what I believe to be injustice. So, I will always be involved with something, because I can't really see me working for someone in a suit, making money for them, and getting really bored. [laughs]

Read the entire interview from Washington Post Express.

HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with Mark "Barney" Greenway when NAPALM DEATH played Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 17, 2009. Watch the 14-minute chat below.

Metal Asylum recently conducted an interview with STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Asylum: Was it hard for the band to carry on after [former guitarist and main composer] Timo Tolkki left?

Jens: Yeah, it was. About a year ago I was on the fence, our drummer was completely against the band carrying on as STRATOVARIUS, [Timo] Kotipelto [vocals] was half and half, our bass player was sort of for it, our guitar player…well we didn't have one at the time, haha.

Metal Asylum: When Tolkki left the band, what were the circumstances? Did he leave and say the remaining members had his blessing to continue performing STRATOVARIUS songs but not as STRATOVARIUS?

Jens: I think he didn't know what he wanted. I think he left with the thought the band was over. He didn't think we would continue on without him. He posted some statements about why he ended STRATOVARIUS, then we posted a few statements we would at least leave open the possibility of continuing as STRATOVARIUS because Jörg [Michael, drums] was against it. At the time we didn't have any songs, we had no guitar player. Then as a result, Tolkki got so pissed off because we left the possibility open to continue as STRATOVARIUS that he made another statement saying like, "Fuck those guys, continuing without me as STRATOVARIUS, they can do whatever they want without me." I think he was very ambivalent and some days wanted to sue us to get the name back. It's a long story really.

Metal Asylum: What is the relationship now between the remaining members of STRATOVARIUS and Tolkki?

Jens: Actually, it's good. Unfortunately, we had this Internet war. I think sometime in September last year, we made an announcement we would continue under that name STRATOVARIUS because we started recording these songs that sounded like STRATOVARIUS. After we announced that, he became upset again but then about five weeks ago Tolkki sent me a e-mail that said, "Dude, I had this really weird dream that we were all friends. Can we talk about this?" So I said, "Sure, why not?" So I guess he had a complete turnaround on this issue, which is good. He said it was because he had this dream or nightmare.

Metal Asylum: With that, is there a possibility of Tolkki returning to the band in the future?

Jens: I think first we have to give this a shot for a couple records. I think one of the reasons why he wanted to stop STRATOVARIUS is because he got sick of playing this kind of music and he thought STRATOVARIUS wasn't doing anything interesting anymore. I also think he had some personal problems with our singer Timo Kotipelto and drummer Jörg Michael. But of course, he may come up with something that is like power metal as well. Did you hear his new band REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE? I think several songs on their first release, "New Era", could have been STRATOVARIUS songs, but I am not so sure about this new one, "Age of Aquarius". I know a lot of people were saying the REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE didn't sound like STRATOVARIUS, but that's the whole point.

Metal Asylum: When will STRATOVARIUS release a concert DVD?

Jens: That's another thing. The old STRATOVARIUS records from about 1995 to 2000, were on Noise Records and they got bought by Sanctuary, and they got bought by Universal. So Universal has rights and we would have to ask and pay them as well. But, we did get the rights to release two DVDs with the old lineup with Tolkki because we do have the footage shot. It's sad, because the one shot in Milano, Italy, from 2003 was really good but the guy who was supposed to edit it had some kind of breakdown and didn't finish the work. The mixes are also done and after this guy disappeared someone found the tapes in the garbage. It's crazy, the crazy world of STRATOVARIUS, haha. The other show is from Sao Paulo in 2005 shot with six cameras. It is pretty nice. We just have to somehow find the way to get the money to finish them.

You can read the entire interview at www.metalasylum.net.

Professionally filmed video footage (courtesy of Metallica.com) from the last two shows of METALLICA's current European tour — on Saturday, May 16 in Oberhausen, Gemany and Sunday, May 17 in Cologne. Germany — can be viewed below. Included are clips from backstage rehearsal jams, fan meet-and-greets and actual performances.

METALLICA's digital "box set" called "The Complete Metallica", featuring the band's entire 163-track recorded catalog, was made available last month.

"The Complete Metallica" was released during a high-profile period for the San Francisco-based hard-rock heroes. On March 29, Activision released the highly anticipated video game Guitar Hero: Metallica, featuring 28 songs from the band's nearly 30-year career. In addition, METALLICA was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which honors legendary rock and roll performers, in a ceremony which took place in Cleveland on April 4.

METALLICA recently completed its first proper tour of the United States and Canada in four years in support of the platinum-selling "Death Magnetic", which debuted at No. 1 in September 2008 and won two Grammy Awards for "Best Metal Performance" (for the track "My Apocalypse") and "Best Recording Package."

DEEP PURPLE vocalist Ian Gillan and MR. BIG members Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan will be the featured guests on this weekend's (May 23) edition of "The Classic Metal Show".

"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard every Saturday night between 9:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net.

Gillan was interviewed for a recent "The Metal File" podcast from Montreal's CHOM-FM. You can stream the show online at this location.

Gillan will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson's guest tonight (Friday, May 22) during Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio program, dubbed "The Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show". Listen to the broadcast live via the Internet between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) U.K. time at BBC.co.uk.

"One Eye To Morocco" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 97. The CD was released on March 31 in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment.

In Europe, "One Eye To Morocco" is available in the following formats: standard CD, limited-edition CD (details to be announced), 2CD (standard CD + CD single) and 2LP set.

MR. BIG released a new "best-of" album titled "Next Time Around" on April 29 through WHD Entertaiment. The collection includes songs that were voted on by fans and contains two previously unreleased songs, "Next Time Around" (2009 remastered version) and "Hold Your Head Up" (2009 remastered version). It was made available as a limited deluxe edition with a bonus DVD.

"The Asgard Saga", the world premiere of the fantasy collaboration between MANOWAR and Wolfgang Hohlbein, will begin at Magic Circle Festival III, scheduled to take place at the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany on July 18, 2009. Headlining the festival, MANOWAR will perform material from the concept album currently in the works. It is based on Hohlbein's tales of one of the most iconic characters in Norse mythology, Thor, the God of Thunder. Hohlbein will debut the captivating fantasy adventure that is promised to be full of action, drama, romance, passion and conflict. It is a modern spin on the classic tale interpreted via the media of our time: the internet, interactive web communities, books, music, video games and beyond. The first phase of this concept launched worldwide last week at www.asgard-saga.com.

Regarding the new album's musical direction, bassist Joey DeMaio told MetalItalia.com, "We're thinking that this album will be more guitar-oriented. At first we thought about pursuing the symphonic approach, but then we said, 'No, let's never make the same album sound twice.' This one will be as heavy, but more guitar".

Video footage of MANOWAR in the studio at Magic Circle Music mixing new material from the album that will be performed exclusively at the Magic Circle Festival can be viewed below.

Italian melodic death metallers DISARMONIA MUNDI, whose recording lineup includes SOILWORK vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid, have inked a deal with Coroner Records.

Before the release of their fourth album, entitled "The Isolation Game", tentatively due in October/November, a completely remastered version of the band's debut LP, "Nebularium", will see the light of day. The re-release will contain a bonus CD entitled "The Restless Memoirs" EP, featuring previously unreleased tracks and completely new artwork.

"Nebularium + The Restless Memoires EP" will be released in a double digipack on June 26.

"Nebularium" track listing:

01. Into D.M.
02. Blue Lake
03. Mechanichell
04. Guilty Claims
05. Burning Cells
06. Demiurgo
07. Nebularium
08. Awakening

"The Restless Memoirs" EP track listing:

01. Across The Burning Surface
02. Flare
03. Spiral Dancer
04. Kneeling On Broken Glass
05. Chester
06. Ghost Song

The recordings for "The Isolation Game" took place at Ettore Rigotti's The Metal House studios in Italy. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Perdition Haze", "Stepchild Of Laceration", "Digging The Grave Of Silence" and "Cypher Drone".

DISARMONIA MUNDI is:

Ettore Rigotti: guitars, drums, vocals, bass, keys
Claudio Ravinale: vocals, lyrics
Björn "Speed" Strid: lead vocals

Björn "Speed" Strid previously sang on DISARMONIA MUNDI's "Fragments of D-Generation" (2004) and "Mind Tricks" (2006) albums.

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

The German edition of Metal Hammer recently conducted an interview with guitarist Niklas Sundin of Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY. Sundin talked about the band's early days and the upcoming re-releases of the albums "Projector", "Haven" and "Damage Done".

"'Haven' is actually my least favourite DARK TRANQUILLITY record," he said. "It's a bit too safe in places and could probably benefit from more variation. The contrast between the soft and heavy parts could have been much bigger. And some of the midtempo material isn't my cup of tea. But, as I said, we've always made the albums that felt important at the time, so I can't say that I'd change anything."

Read the entire interview at this location.

"Projector", "Haven" and "Damage Done" wil be re-released in a luxurious slipcase packaging with bonus material as well as the rarities compilation "Yesterworlds" on May 25, 2009 in Europe via Century Media Records. All releases are available at a fan-friendly price and also feature extensive liner notes as well as new layouts and designs by guitarist Niklas Sundin. As a very exclusive bonus, the three album reissues also contain one song each from the band's upcoming DVD, "Where Death Is Most Alive", due later this year.

Commented the band: "We're happy to announce that 'Projector' (1999), 'Haven' (2000) and 'Damage Done' (2002) will be reissued with additional bonus content. As with the 'Fiction' reissue of last year, these new editions feature all the material that was recorded during the respective studio sessions, giving the listener the full experience of what was put on tape at the time."

In addition, DARK TRANQUILLITY will release a limited-edition album entitled "Yesterworlds", featuring the "Trail Of Life Decayed" demo (1991) and the "A Moonclad Reflection" 7" EP (1992).

The band stated: "The real gem, however, is that we found the master tape of an old promo recording that was made in March 1994 and only sent out to a handful of tape trading contacts and record labels. This is the first D.T. studio recording with Mikael Stanne on vocals and Fredrik Johansson on guitar, and it features 'Punish My Heaven', 'The Gallery' and 'Away, Delight, Away'. Also, 'Yesterworlds' features a version of 'Punish My Heaven' taken from the semi-legendary 'W.A.R. Compilation Vol. 1' album, originally released on Wrong Again Records in 1994. This is the first recording we made in Studio Fredman, and the song itself is a bit faster and less controlled than the album version found on 'The Gallery'."

These new versions feature brand new layouts and extensive liner notes from the band members.

"Projector" (68:41)

01. FreeCard (4:34)
02. ThereIn (5:57)
03. UnDo Control (5:13)
04. Auctioned (6:09)
05. To A Bitter Halt (4:51)
06. The Sun Fired Blanks (4:19)
07. Nether Novas (6:16)
08. Day To End (3:10)
09. Dobermann (4:41)
10. On Your Time (5:40)

Bonus Tracks:

11. Asleep In The Bandaged Light (3:21) *
12. No One (4:41) **
13. Exposure (3:52) **
14. ThereIn (live) (5:57) ***

* previously unreleased
** taken from the "Exposures – In Retrospect And Denial" album
*** previously unreleased live track, taken from the upcoming "Where Death Is Most Alive" DVD

"Haven" (59:00)

01. The Wonders At Your Feet (3:01)
02. Not Built To Last (3:39)
03. Indifferent Suns (3:35)
04. Feast Of Burden (3:26)
05. Haven (3:32)
06. The Same (3:10)
07. Fabric (3:56)
08. Ego Drama (4:35)
09. Rundown (3:53)
10. Emptier Still (3:40)
11. At Loss For Words (6:42)

Bonus Tracks:

12. In Sight (4:40) *
13. Misery In Me (4:11) *
14. Cornered (3:59) *
15. The Wonders At Your Feet (live) (3:01) **

* taken from the "Exposures – In Retrospect And Denial" album
** previously unreleased live track, taken from the upcoming "Where Death Is Most Alive" DVD

"Damage Done" (59:41)

01. Final Resistance (3:01)
02. Hours Passed in Exile (4:45)
03. Monochromatic Stains (3:38)
04. Single Part of Two (3:52)
05. The Treason Wall (3:30)
06. Format C: for Cortex (4:30)
07. Damage Done (3:28)
08. Cathode Ray Sunshine (4:14)
09. The Enemy (3:56)
10. White Noise / Black Silence (4:09)
11. Ex Nihilo (4:31)

Bonus Tracks:

12. I, Deception (3:55) *
13. Static (4:40) **
14. The Poison Well (4:08) **
15. The Treason Wall (live) (3:30) ***

* taken from the limited digipak version of "Damage Done"
** taken from the "Exposures – In Retrospect And Denial" album
*** previously unreleased live track, taken from the upcoming "Where Death Is Most Alive" DVD

"Yesterworlds" (52:53)

01. Midwinter (Intro) (0:56) *
02. Beyond Enlightenment (4:49) *
03. Vernal Awakening (5:22) *
04. Void of Tranquillity (7:36) *
05. Unfurled By Dawn (7:24) **
06. Yesterworld (7:56) **
07. Punish My Heaven (demo version) (4:43) ***
08. Away, Delight, Away (demo version) (5:19) ***
09. The Gallery (demo version) (4:11) ***
10. Punish My Heaven (alternative version) (4:37) ****

* taken from the "Trail Of Life Decayed" demo
** taken from the "A Moonclad Reflection" 7-inch EP
*** previously unreleased tracks
**** taken from the "W.A.R." compilation

Guitarist Paul Allender of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH was recently interviewed by Andrew Haug of Triple J's "The Racket" (based in Australia). Listen to the chat in streaming audio at the Triple J web site: Windows Media, Real Media (NOTE: The first part of the Allender interview begins around the one-hour, 25-minute mark). Check out the program's entire playlist at this location.

CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 37. The CD sold a little over 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" is the follow-up to "Thornography", which shifted nearly 13,000 copies in the U.S. the first week out to enter The Billboard chart at No. 66. This was roughly in line with the performance of its predecessor, "Nymphetamine", which premiered with almost 14,000 copies back in October 2004.

"Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder" is conceptual and is based on the well-documented, true-life fall from grace of a shadowy historical figure named Gilles de Rais, a wealthy French nobleman who was one of Joan of Arc's brothers-in-arms. He was best known, however, as a prolific serial killer who mixed prayers with his nightly murders as well as an aspiring alchemist. He was accused of a panoply of crimes, among them heresy, demonology and kidnapping. There's even an extreme fringe sect of historians who question de Rais' true status, with some convinced he was framed.

On Sunday, May 17, Chicago heavy rockers SOIL stopped by the MSC Radio Network studios take part in an interview and perform a song for the small crowd on hand. The event was dubbed "The Metal Daycare" by frontman A.J. Cavalier.

Cavalier, before the song started, placed his guitar case in front of the audience, which mainly consisted of the members of the MSC Radio Network as well as their children and special guest JCB (vocalist from DEMONS WITHIN), and asked for donations. After the band was done it was confirmed that they raised 25 cents.

SOIL talked about the last leg of their tour with DOPE, the work on the new album, influences and a few other items.

You can listen to the interview/performance at this location.

SOIL recently inked a European deal with Germany's AFM Records. The group's new album is being recorded at Groovemaster Recording Studios in Chicago with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, 3 DOORS DOWN, STAIND, FINGER ELEVEN) and is scheduled for release later in the year. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Like It Is", "Temptation", "Surrounded", and "Picture Perfect".

SOIL last year signed with Driven Music Group — the Phoenix, Arizona-based music label and entertainment company created by Brian "Head" Welch, a founding member, songwriter and guitarist from the multi-platinum rock band KORN — for the North American release of the group's next studio album.

SOIL's latest CD, "True Self", was released in May 2006 via DRT Entertainment. The follow-up to 2004's "Redefine" was recorded and mixed at Bomb Shelter studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ulrich Wild (STATIC-X, TAPROOT).

Metal Hammer Presents... Subterranea recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH. You can listen to the chat in two parts below.

BEHEMOTH will release its ninth full-length studio album, "Evangelion", on August 7 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records and August 11 in North America through Metal Blade. The CD was mixed at Miloco Studios in London, England by Colin Richardson, who has previously worked with MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT, NAPALM DEATH and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, among many others.

Check out the cover artwork below.

Commented Nergal (guitar, vocals): "'Evangelion' combines a pure art form with a direct message. It was also important for us to ensure that the graphical presentation did justice to the record. Again, we have worked with Tomasz Danilowicz, who has created his best illustration yet for BEHEMOTH. The picture is of The Great Harlot of Babylon riding the seven-headed beast. Saints bow before her in worship whilst the tablets of the Ten Commandments lie broken at her feet. It represents our vision and the interpretation of the New Testament parable where the 'Whore of Babylon' is a symbol of rebellion and resistance against God. I am fascinated by stories whose source lies in the Bible and we have used biblical symbolism, coupled with my own experience and outlook, in our lyrics or on the covers of previous BEHEMOTH records. I love to juggle with meanings and play around with symbolism which is exactly what I have done in this case. The main character of our new cover is an archetype of disobedience, individualism, self-determination and a free, unfettered will — these are universal keywords which are typical and crucial in understanding the character of our works, life as a whole and the true nature of man."

Nergal previously stated about the new material, "I must confess that I'm way more excited about this record than I was for [2007's] 'The Apostasy'. It's probably the whole label situation that we had to deal back then, Inferno's injury that caused crazy deadlines that completely drained the energy out of my system… I even started treating that album as unwanted child. Weird, because from time perspective, it's a great one. This time though everything was planned much in advanced. I found time to live my life, get some energy back, get inspired and so on… When we met in October it was obvious that all of us were really hungry for making new music. It's definitely 100% BEHEMOTH. I would risk saying that we do have our own style but it's still improving, evolving in different directions every time we approach new project. Most of the songs are the really fast, technical and intense, at the same time there's a lot of diversity. There's even a very slow, massive song that's probably the most epic tracks in BEHEMOTH's history. Everything sounds more serious and…dangerous (I love that word, ha ha). There's probably more sinister vibe in our music this time too."

BEHEMOTH has been confirmed for the second annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, set to take place this summer. The band will perform on the Hot Topic stage alongside CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, JOB FOR A COWBOY and WHITECHAPEL on over 25 dates.

Nergal interview Part 1:



Nergal interview Part 2:

Guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries of Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA were recently interviewed for Joe's Podhole podcast. You can now listen to the chat at this location.

CHIMAIRA's new album, "The Infection", entered the official Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) chart at position No. 76. The CD also landed on the chart of the Australian electronics and music retailer JB Hi-Fi at No. 33.

"The Infection" sold 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart.

CHIMAIRA's previous album, "Resurrection", opened with 16,000 copies back in March 2007 to land at No. 42.

"The Infection" was released in North America on April 21 via Ferret Music and in Europe on April 24 through Nuclear Blast. The CD was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City with Ted Jensen and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, TERROR, THE ACACIA STRAIN).

CHIMAIRA will embark on a European tour alongside their old friends from Boston, UNEARTH, as well as California's straight-edge outfit THROWDOWN.

CHIMAIRA has announced summer dates supporting HATEBREED on the "Decimation Of The Nation" tour that will also feature heavy hitters WINDS OF PLAGUE, DYING FETUS and TOXIC HOLOCAUST. The trek kicks off on July 31 in Rochester, New York.

VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan's side band, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, took part in a signing session and performance at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey on Monday, May 18 at 5:00 p.m.

Watch video footage of the appearance below.

McKagan recently made his radio host debut with "Radio Loaded", a one-hour show on 99.9 KISW "The Rock of Seattle" and at KISW.com. The program and bonus material is now available for streaming and download at KISW.com.

"Sick", the new full-length album from DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 43 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.

"Sick" was released in North America on April 7 via Century Media Records. An e-card for the CD, which was produced by Martin Feveyear (PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, KINGS OF LEON), is available at this location.

In addition to McKagan, LOADED features drummer Geoff Reading (GREEN APPLE QUICK STEP), bassist Jeff Rouse (VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

LOADED released "Live Episode" (1999) and "Dark Days" (2001), before other commitments meant LOADED were put on the back burner to some extent, although they never split up.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's five-song EP, "Wasted Heart", was released in September 2008 via Century Media Records.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED will support MÖTLEY CRÜE on several European shows this summer.

According to New Orleans' CBS affiliate WWL-TV, authorities have released a number of disturbing items owned by the 15-year-old student at Larose-Cut Off Middle School in Louisiana who shot himself in the head on school grounds Monday morning (May 18), moments after firing at a teacher who refused his order to praise Marilyn Manson.

The student, who was identified as Justin Doucet, is in critical condition at a local hospital. He left a suicide note in which he explained that he planned to kill others before taking his own life with a gun belonging to his father. Doucet walked into a seventh-grade English class shortly before 9:00 a.m., telling the teacher to say "Hail Marilyn Manson" before attempting to shoot her.

The items found by the authorities include the lyrics to the SLAYER song "Raining Blood" and a picture Doucet drew of himself. Dressed with camouflage pants and shoes and an AC/DC "Highway to Hell" shirt in the drawing, he gave himself a title: "The LCO Gunman."

"The writings suggest a very troubled person who is dealing with some anger issues who has a fascination with the antichrist, the end of the world, Nazism, Marliyn Manson, those sorts of things," said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. "And this desire to carry out a Columbine-like event."

Read the entire report from WWL-TV.

Click here to see all of the items released by the Lafourche Sheriff’s Office.

Photos below are courtesy of WWL-TV.

Items owned by Justin Doucet:

Polish thrashers THE NO-MADS will release their long-awaited third album, "The Age Of Demise", on June 6. According to a press release, the CD is "a must for fans of HOLY MOSES and aggressivenes of ARCH ENEMY. Music of THE NO-MADS is nuclear power that burns everything on its way to the ground! The sound of 'The Age Of Demise' kills with Tom Zalewski's (HORRORSCOPE, TOTEM, ROOTWATER, COMA) excellent production. Almost 40 minutes of pure fury and energy that will rip your head off and remind you the best achievements of DESTRUCTION, SODOM and KREATOR. Little bit of technology will satisfy fans of MEKONG DELTA and SADUS."

"The Age Of Demise" will contain a bonus DVD featuring a full show recorded at the Thrash Attack festival, music videos, an interview and "making-of ..." footage.

THE NO-MADS is:

Sylwia "Alkoholady" Papierska - Vocals
Przemek Latacz - Guitars
Damian "Oskar" Roskosz - Drums
Jozef Brodzinski - Bass

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

According to U.K.'s Rock Sound magazine, the final track listing for "No Time To Bleed", the forthcoming album from California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE, is as follows:

01. Wake Up
02. Lifted
03. Smoke
04. Something Invisible
05. No Time To Bleed
06. Suffer
07. …And Then She Bled
08. Wasted
09. Your Creations
10. Genocide
11. Disengage

"No Time To Bleed" is scheduled for release on June 30 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with acclaimed producer Machine (LAMB OF GOD).

RockOnAltitude.com has posted video footage of SUICIDE SILENCE performing two new songs — "Wake Up" and "Lifted" — at the Bamboozle Left, which was held April 4-5, 2009 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California. Watch the clips below.

SUICIDE SILENCE vocalist Mitch Lucker previously stated about the band's new CD: "There is absolutely no doubt that this is our strongest effort to date. We've all grown quite a bit as musicians over the last few years. The last record was tracked in a live setting over a period of two weeks and this time around we've carefully crafted a record on an even larger scale with Machine's services at the helm. This is a huge step in the right direction for us."

SUICIDE SILENCE is headlining the second stage of the Music As A Weapon IV tour alongside DISTURBED, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LACUNA COIL and CHIMAIRA, among others. This will be followed with a stint on the "Canadian Carnage" tour this June with SLAYER, MEGADETH and MACHINE HEAD.

As previously reported, SUICIDE SILENCE has announced the addition of bassist Dan Kenny (ex-ANIMOSITY) to the group's ranks. The band comments: "As many of you may know, we parted ways with Mike Bodkins late last year and have been touring with Dan Kenny (ex-ANIMOSITY) on bass ever since. Things have been going very well with Dan and we feel it appropriate to welcome him into the family on a permanent level at this point. Please come out and party with all five of us on the Music as a Weapon IV currently in progress and make Dan feel at home! The second stage (the one we headline) is completely FREE. Long live Dan Kenny!"

Video footage of SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser performing the band's track "Kaiowas" on this past Wednesday's (May 13) edition of the Brazilian show "Venegas Music TV" on Just TV can be viewed below.

Kisser's first-ever solo album, "Hubris I & II", is scheduled for release on June 15 via Holland's Mascot Records. A two-disc set, the self-produced effort was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.

Kisser previously stated about the album, "I'm very pleased with the result and I'm excited to hear it all done. It was a long process, a learning process and a great experience. It's a musical journey trough the influences I had for last 15 years of my life and at the same time it's very different from everything I did so far."

"Hubris" comes from Greek word "hybris," which means "excessive pride, wanton violence."

"Hubris I & II" track listing:

I:

01. Protest!
02. Euphoria/Desperation
03. Eu Humano
04. The Forum
05. Virgulândia
06. God's Laugh
07. R.H.E.T.
08. Em Busca Do Ouro
09. Lava Sky
10. A Million Judas Iscariotes

II:

01. Sad Soil
02. Worlds Apart
03. Breast Feeding
04. Page
05. Domenicana
06. Vivaldi
07. 0120
08. Armonia
09. Hubris
10. Mythos
11. O Mais Querido

Check out audio samples on Andreas' MySpace page.

France's NRV TV has uploaded a new interview with Andrea Ferro and Cristina Scabbia of the Italian rock/metal act LACUNA COIL. Watch it at this location.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Shallow Life", registered the following first-week chart positions:

France: #46
Germany: #52
Italy: #25
Spain: #95
Switzerland: #64
The Netherlands: #76
U.K. (Rock Albums): #2
U.K.: #42
USA: #16

"Shallow Life" sold 21,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

LACUNA COIL's previous CD, "Karmacode", opened with just under 34,000 copies back in April 2006 to land at No. 28. It has since sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S.

The band's 2002 album, "Comalies", has shifted more than 300,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Shallow Life" was released in the U.S. on April 21 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in September/October at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Don Gilmore, who has previously worked with LINKIN PARK, TRAPT, AVRIL LAVIGNE, GOOD CHARLOTTE, THE VERONICAS, PEARL JAM, TRUST COMPANY and DURAN DURAN.

Since reforming last year, legendary extremists GOREAPHOBIA have been waiting to unleash hell upon the masses. On May 16, 2009 they get that chance. As one of the three featured acts at the May Metal Massacre at The Sterling Hotel in Allentown, Pennsylvania (TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION and ANAL BLAST round out the top of the bill), GOREAPHOBIA promises to lay waste to those in attendance with a blistering mixture of old material and brand new tunes from the band's upcoming album, "Mortal Repulsion" (Ibex Moon Records). In addition, GOREAPHOBIA has announced plans to film the event for a DVD which will span the history of the band.

Commented guitarist Alex Bouks: "We are recording footage for a DVD at The Sterling Hotel in Allentown. The DVD will include songs from our new record, 'Mortal Repulsion', as well as the old classics. We plan on releasing the DVD later this year that will also include old footage of interviews with the bandmembers."

At the height of the late 1980s, the thrash and death metal underground was headed toward a new and exciting change when a Philadelphia-based, extreme, darkened, death metal entity named GOREAPHOBIA was born. Alex Bouks (guitars) and Chris Gamble (bass/vocals) founded the band in the summer of 1988. Alex and Chris had the same interest in extreme underground metal music. The style, sound, and lyrical concepts were influenced by some of the most inspiring, and pioneering bands of our time such as REPULSION, NECROVORE, PENTAGRAM (Chile), NECROPHAGIA, POSSESSED, CARNIVORE, VOIVOD, HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST and AUTOPSY.

GOREAPHOBIA has shared the stage with countless well-known and respected metal acts such as MORBID ANGEL, NOCTURNUS, SEPULTURA, NAPALM DEATH, CARCASS, REPULSION, AUTOPSY, DEATH, ENTOMBED, and UNLEASHED. With only one demo, and a 7" EP released by Relapse Records in 1991 named "Omen of Masochism", GOREAPHOBIA embarked on a large North American tour as the support act for New York death metal masters IMMOLATION in the summer of 1992. Approximately one year later, the bandmembers decided to go seaprate ways and continue on to new ventures and other side projects. Now in 2009, the renewed and compelling power of GOREAPHOBIA has re-ignited both Alex and Chris to reconnect and continue the passion for the musical entity GOREAPHOBIA. With a shining new soul of darkness and ravenous musical inspiration, GOREAPHOBIA has become stronger and more seriously focused then ever before with the addition of Jim Roe (drums) and John McEntee (guitars), both from the legendary extreme death metal band INCANTATION. The relationship between both bands has always been of great friendship, respect, and support. It was only wise and fitting to have these two extreme death metal forces join as one.

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

A new SUFFOCATION song, "Cataclysmic Purification", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the legendary New York death pioneers' new album, "Blood Oath", which is scheduled for release in Europe on July 3 and in North America on July 14 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Blood Oath" will be available in three formats exclusive to the North American territory. In addition to the standard retail version, there will be a mail-order edition available exclusively through the Nuclear Blast U.S. webstore, and a digital version through iTunes.

The details and track listings for each release are below.

SUFFOCATION entered the studio on January 31 with Joe Cincotta (who worked on the band's last two releases) to begin recording "Blood Oath". The follow-up to 2006's self-titled record was mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH) and cover artwork (see below) was once again brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM).

"Blood Oath" regular North American track listing:

01. Blood Oath
02. Dismal Dream
03. Pray For Forgiveness
04. Images Of Purgatory
05. Cataclysmic Purification
06. Mental Hemorrhage
07. Come Hell Or High Priest
08. Undeserving
09. Provoking The Disturbed
10. Marital Decimation
11. Pray For Forgiveness (instrumental version)
12. Dismal Dream (rough mix unmastered)

Limited-edition blood-red mail-order version:

01. Blood Oath
02. Dismal Dream
03. Pray For Forgiveness
04. Images Of Purgatory
05. Cataclysmic Purification
06. Mental Hemorrhage
07. Come Hell Or High Priest
08. Undeserving
09. Provoking The Disturbed
10. Marital Decimation
11. Blood Oath (instrumental version)
12. Cataclysmic Purification (rough mix unmastered)

Also includes: red jewel case, limited-edition shirt, trading cards (featuring all five members), poster autographed by the band, exclusive red SUFFOCATION bag to house all of these items listed above.

iTunes track listing:

01. Blood Oath
02. Dismal Dream
03. Pray For Forgiveness
04. Images Of Purgatory
05. Cataclysmic Purification
06. Mental Hemorrhage
07. Come Hell Or High Priest
08. Undeserving
09. Provoking The Disturbed
10. Marital Decimation
11. Undeserving (rough mix unmastered)
12. Marital Decimation (instrumental version)

The final "Blood Oath" artwork can be found below.

Video footage of SUFFOCATION performing a new song, "Mental Hemorrhage", on March 29, 2009 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California can be viewed below (clip shot and uploaded by Jess Schoppert).

The uncensored version of the new MARILYN MANSON video, "Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon", can be viewed below. The clip was shot with director Delaney Bishop, a filmmaker and photographer based in Los Angeles. He has directed music videos for JURASSIC 5, CUT CHEMIST and ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK. Delaney has also worked on a twenty-minute short entitled "The Death of Salvador Dali" featuring Manson's ex-wife Dita Von Teese, a project which broke new ground in new media, as the film was made available for download through iTunes.

"Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon" is the first single from Manson's upcoming album, "The High End Of Low". The CD is due out on May 26 and is his first with longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000's "Holy Wood".

Manson has also posted the album artwork online. The cover is a rather subdued, eerily lit photo of the singer with a glowing necklace around his head.

The official track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Devour
02. Pretty As A Swastika
03. Leave A Scar
04. Four Rusted Horses
05. Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon
06. Blank And White
07. Running To The Edge Of The World
08. I Want To Kill You Like They Do In The Movies
09. WOW
10. Wight Spider
11. Unkillable Monster
12. We're From America
13. I Have To Look Up Just To See Hell
14. Into The Fire
15. 15

Manson told England's Kerrang! magazine about the new effort, "This is not a record that we would leave black and self-titled and mature. This is the experienced record. This album is the 12th-grade guy that has VD and did cocaine in high school, who has been arrested once and the ninth-grade girl wants to fuck him."

Produced by Manson, Vrenna and Twiggy, "The High End Of Low" was recorded in Manson's Hollywood Hills studio and also features the track "I Want to Kill You Like They Do In The Movies". Manson says of the new album, "I think my life definitely ended and began. The record sounds very final, but it's almost optimistic — though that feels like a strange word to use. It's a phoenix from the fire and a redemption resurrection."

Manson's new lineup, including Ramirez (for the first time in close to a decade), plus keyboardist Chris Vrenna, and drummer Ginger Fish, will close the main stage at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, this July through August. Manson will also kick off his world tour with a headline festival run this June in Europe.

Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS has posted another new song, "Exist", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "A Higher Place", which is scheduled for release on July 7 to coincide with the band's second appearance on The Summer Slaughter Tour. The CD was recorded at Planet Z in in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, WHITECHAPEL and THE ACACIA STRAIN, among others. Guitarist Lee McKinney commented, "The songs are a much more mature evolution of what we were doing before; with the new album, you can expect longer, more developed material. For the fans who feel like they've been waiting for a long time or feel like they're in the dark on it, it's all for the better. I don't feel that 'A Higher Place' is really what most people are expecting; it will be so much more. This is the best material we've written so far and we're very proud of it."

BORN OF OSIRIS' debut album, "The New Reign", was produced by Michael Keene of THE FACELESS.

The band's sound is said to be "an epic mix of intricate and memorable melodies with challenging time signatures that still hold an infectious groove, all while maintaining sheer, tasteful brutality."

U.K. metallers ENOCHIAN THEORY have been confirmed for the ProgPower Europe 2009 festival, set to take place October 2-4 at JC Sjiwa in Baarlo, The Netherlands. According to the festival organizers, "probably hardly anyone has ever heard of this band, but that will definitely change when they will release their new album in August 2009. ENOCHIAN THEORY is one of these new bands you discover at ProgPower Europe, as you are used from us we alway try to book some unknown talents, ENOCHIAN THEORY definitely will surprise many of you."

ProgPower Europe 2009 festival billing is shaping up as follows:

CHAOS DIVINE
CLOUDSCAPE
ENOCHIAN THEORY
KNIGHT AREA
NEVERLAND
PROSPECT
SEVENTH WONDER
VANITY

Seven more bands will be announced soon.

CANDLEMASS, MAYHEM, SOLITUDE AETURNUS and DEW-SCENTED are among the newly confirmed bands for the Rock City Open Air 2009 festival, set to take place August 20-23 in Fetesti, Romania.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGATHODAIMON
AMON AMARTH
ANCIENT RITES
BELPHEGOR
BETRAYER
BLAZE BAYLEY
BLOOD RED THRONE
BRAINSTORM
BUCOVINA
CANDLEMASS
CIRITH GORGOR
CLAYMORE
CROSSOVER
DAWN OF DESTINY
DE PROFUNDIS
DEW-SCENTED
EASTERN FRONT
EINHERJER
EUPHOBIA
GHAMOREAN
HANZEL UND GRETYL
HOLLENTHON
IMMORTAL
INFECTED RAIN
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE
LAKE OF TEARS
MACBETH
MAYHEM
MORIBUND OBLIVION
NOTHNEGAL
ONSLAUGHT
OVERGARVEN
PAUL DI'ANNO
PRIMAL FEAR
SINNER
SIRENIA
SNAPJAW
SOLITUDE AETURNUS
STORMLORD
SYMBOLIC
TAINE
THE COLD EXISTENCE
THE REVENGE PROJECT
THEATRES DES VAMPIRES
TRAIL OF TEARS
TROOPER
VENDETTA

Terminal Press and Nuclear Blast Records have teamed up for one of the most brutal comics of the year with "Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress." This is the first in a series of books influenced by the lyrical, artistic and musical concepts from Nuclear Blast’s polarizing roster of bands translated into the comic medium by the creative teams at Terminal Press.

Three reluctant men are chosen to quest to the Dark Fortress in a desperate attempt to protect their land from a growing evil. Despite a legend warning that the harsh land built upon lava fields is actually the gateway to Hell, they make their way across the treacherous path, encountering horrors, madness and death along the way. The three men will either survive the journey and learn the secret behind the legend of the Dark Fortress, or meet a most gruesome demise.

"Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress" utilizes the artistic vision and lyrical themes of the biggest Black Metal band in the world, DIMMU BORGIR, to create a powerful and thought-provoking fantasy horror comic book.

"I am artistically influenced and more passionate about metal music than any other genre or medium” says Terminal Press publisher and writer Brian Ferrara. “This is a project that I have always wanted to do and have thought about for years. I wanted to bring metal bands into comics in a way that would do them justice. These are books for fans of the bands, but they will also be able to stand on their own."

"Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress" is written by Brian Ferrara (Silent Assassin, Debbie Does Dallas), with art by Narek Gevorgian (Silent Assassin, Tell Them Johnny Wadd is Here).

A "Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress" preview book containing original artwork and pin-ups created specifically for this edition will be available as a San Diego Comic Con Exclusive at the Nuclear Blast Records booth (#116). The Limited Edition print run will only be available at the convention and through TerminalPress.com.http://www.terminalpress.com/

"Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress" will be available later this year from Terminal Press. A promo image is available here.
http://www.terminalpress.com/images/news/TP_DIMMU_PROMO_01.jpg


Purchase Dimmu Borgir music at:
BUY - NB USA
BUY - NB EUROPE
BUY - NB MP3 SHOP
BUY - eMusic
BUY - Napster
BUY - Rhapsody
BUY - iTunes
BUY - Amazon
BUY - FYE
BUY - Barnes and Noble
Dimmu Borgir + Terminal Press Team Up!
Dimmu Borgir MySpace Page

On April 21, Florida-based death metal legends CANNIBAL CORPSE received their platinum plaques in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for the seven-plus-hour DVD set "Centuries of Torment" (which came out July 2008).

"Centuries of Torment" was certified platinum in Canada earlier this year just before the crushing release of the band's new album, "Evisceration Plague".

The DVD sold 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.

Bassist Alex Webster commented on the end of the Canadian dates as they come to a wrap: "Our recent Canadian tour was a total success, every show was packed and the crowds were full of energy. We really received a great response, which is something we've come to expect from our Canadian fans. We want to thank all of our Canadian fans for coming out to the gigs and making the tour so killer, and also for making 'Centuries of Torment' and 'Evisceration Plague' two of the most successful releases in our band's history."

In a 2008 interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Webster stated about "Centuries of Torment", "We're thankful for all the good reviews, but pretty much all the praise should go to [director/producer] Denise Korycki. She basically did everything. She shot the footage, she edited it, and she was the one who was in charge of organizing it and making it into a coherent story. That had to be a pretty difficult job for her because there is a lot of ground to cover. We did not know how dedicated she was going to be to this and how much work that she was going to put into it. She really made it her full time job for several months and we've never really had anything like that."

CANNIBAL CORPSE will embark on the European Plague Tour in the fall. Direct support will come from DYING FETUS.

On the mainland, the package will be completed by EVOCATION and OBSCURA, while TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED and ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY will support the bands in the U.K.

CANNIBAL CORPSE has confirmed its first Japanese tour in support of the band's new album, "Evisceration Plague". They will headline the Extreme the Dojo Vol. 22 tour with support from THE FACELESS and MISERY INDEX.

"Evisceration Plague" sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. This is more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of the band's previous CD, "Kill" (2006), which landed at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies. In 1996, CANIBAL CORPSE's "Vile" premiered at No. 151, with more than 6,100 copies sold.

David "Gus" Griesinger of BackstageAxxess.com conducted an interview with STATIC-X frontman Wayne Static and Wayne's wife, former adult film star Tera Wray, on April 23, 2009 prior to the band's concert in Buffalo, New York on the Snocore tour. Watch the 10-minute chat below.

Wayne Static recently told Jason Bracelin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he and his wife have seldom left each other's side since they first met at the 2007 Ozzfest.

"My wife travels with me. She's sitting right here next to me," Static said. "She travels with me everywhere we go. We're inseparable. Being married has not affected my career at all other than just making me happier to be on the road.

"She's kind of become part of the show," he added. "She brings us our shots onstage. I'm putting her in all our videos; she's in the album artwork. She's here to stay, and definitely going to be a part of STATIC-X from now on."

22-year-old Wray was a Hooters girl before getting into porn. She appeared in 22 movies, including Matt Zane's series "Tattooed and Tight", "Punkd Ur Ass" and "Radium".

Wray married Static in January 2008 during the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.

"I like girls, and I like sharing my husband with a cool hot chick," Wray said in a recent interview with The Daily Rock web site. "It wouldn't be fair to just make him watch. Whoever said two's company but three's a crowd never had a threesome, obviously. Trust is important, but true love is what holds it together."

Legendary New Jersey thrashers WHIPLASH will share the stage with California metal veterans AGENT STEEL on August 13 at Smuget in Oslo, Norway. Support at the show will come from Norwegian thrashers NEKROMANTHEON.

A poster for the gig can be viewed below.

WHIPLASH recently completed tracking its new album, "Unborn Again", at Mozart Studio with world-renowned engineer/producer Harris Johns (SODOM, KREATOR, HELLOWEEN, SEPULTURA). The band mixed and mastered the CD at Spiderhouse Studio.

"Unborn Again" is scheduled for release on July 15 via Pulverised Records.

WHIPLASH is a three-piece power trio hailing from New Jersey. The band was assembled back in 1984 when Tony Portaro (guitar, vocals) and Tony Scaglione (drums) joined forces, recruited Tony Bono on bass and released their first CD, "Power and Pain", in 1985 on Roadrunner Records. The debut CD was followed up by their first live performance at Ruthie's in Berkley, California with POSSESSED and DEATH ANGEL.

WHIPLASH's current lineup:

Tony Portaro - Guitar/Vocals
Joe Cangelosi (ex-KREATOR) - Drums
Rich Day Bass (ex-PRIMAL SCREAM) - Bass

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

Bassist Henkka Seppälä (a.k.a. Henkka T. Blacksmith) of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently spoke to Noisecreep about frontman Alexi Laiho's broken shoulder which he sustained when he was ejected from his bunk as a result of the band's tour bus taking an irregularly harsh sharp turn.

"It was a normal night," Henkka said. "He was in the bunk. Everybody went to bed and he sleeps in the highest bunk. Then at some point, he just woke up and he was trying to get out of the bunk at the same time the bus a little bit turned. It was bad timing. He fell down on the floor all the way from the bunk. I woke up and I helped him up. He was complaining that his neck hurts a little bit. Then he went back to bed."

A couple days later, Laiho sought a doctor's advice, according to Henkka. "It was pretty bad," he said. "X-rays showed there's a broken shoulder and internal bleeding. It should take six to four weeks to heal."

Against recommendation, Laiho has decided to remain on the road and will "bite the bullet" to give metal fans the electric live performances they have come to love from the Finnish act. For the duration of the "No Fear Energy Tour" — which also features LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, GOD FORBID and MUNICIPAL WASTE and is set to run through May 15 — Alexi will be resigned to wearing the arm in a sling, restricting movement at all times when he is not on stage. "I am going through a great deal of pain every second that I am awake," Laiho said. "However, I can still play the guitar and I will give everything I have to try to finish this tour and play every remaining show!"

"He can play," Henkka concurred. "The thing is the movement of the arm is OK for playing. It's a little bit painful. I guess. He cannot move like normally. He can't do any tricks, he just has to stand and play. He has to take it easy to get it to heal. He just has to take a lot of painkillers, I guess. It's a big thing when you start canceling shows. If there's anyway we can do it, we'll do it. I think we've canceled two shows in our career. It would have to be pretty serious to do that."

Fan-filmed video footage of Alexi speaking about his broken shoulder during CHILDREN OF BODOM's April 29 set at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri can be viewed below.

CHILDREN OF BODOM will release a new album, titled "Skeletons In The Closet", in September through Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to last year's "Blooddrunk" is a selection of cover versions, some of them existing recordings, others specially laid down for this release.

CHILDREN OF BODOM has been recording covers since the early days of its career, some predictably heavy ("Silent Scream" by SLAYER, for example), others reflecting an altogether broader taste ("Talk Dirty To Me" by POISON), so fans will be intrigued to see which of the existing ones get the final nod here, and also which news ones are added to the list.

The first two Century Media releases from Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY — "Stigmata" (1998) and "Burning Bridges" (1999) — will be reissued in Europe on May 25, 2009, featuring new layouts, additional slipcase packaging, multiple bonus tracks (including live tracks from Japan featuring former vocalist Johan Liiva) and much more.

Commented guitarist Michael Amott: "I recently worked with the Century Media team on putting the reissues of 'Stigmata' and 'Burning Bridges' together. There's a bunch of cool bonus tracks on both albums plus track by track commentary from myself and liner notes from ex-vocalist Johan Liiva. These reissues came out just right and I hope the ARCH ENEMY die-hards as well as newcomers will dig checking them out!"

"Stigmata" (reissue):

01. Beast Of Man (3:37)
02. Stigmata (2:11)
03. Sinister Mephisto (5:46)
04. Dark of The Sun (7:00)
05. Let The Killing Begin (5:19)
06. Black Earth (6:40)
07. Tears Of The Dead (5:55)
08. Vox Stellarum (2:09)
09. Bridge Of Destiny (7:46)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Hydra (0:57)
11. Diva Satanica (3:44)
12. Damnation’s Way (3:50)
13. Diva Satanica (live) (4:05)
14. Beast Of Man (live) (3:38)
15. Bass Intro / Tears Of The Dead (live) (6:05)
16. Bridge Of Destiny (live) 5:42)

Total playing time: 74:24

"Burning Bridges" (reissue):

01. The Immortal (3:43)
02. Dead Inside (4:13)
03. Pilgrim (4:33)
04. Silverwing (4:08)
05. Demonic Science (5:23)
06. Seed Of Hate (4:09)
07. Angelclaw (4:06)
08. Burning Bridges (5:31)

Bonus Tracks:

09. Fields Of Desolation '99 (6:02)
10. Star Breaker (3:27)
11. Aces High (4:26)
12. Scream Of Anger (3:50)
13. The Immortal (live) (3:55)
14. Dead Inside (live) (4:35)
15. Pilgrim (live) (4:34)
16. Silverwing (live) (4:16)
17. Angelclaw (live) (4:39)

Total playing time: 75:30

According to Billboard.biz, Activision Blizzard has confirmed the development of the Guitar Hero: Van Halen music-based game. It is scheduled for release in the second half of the year and will definitely cover the David Lee Roth era, featuring the band's greatest hits. No specific tracks were listed, but Activision said it will include music from guest bands like QUEEN, WEEZER, BLINK-182, THE OFFSPRING, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and others.

The biggest questions center around which band personnel will appear in the game. There's no word on whether original bassist Michael Anthony will be excluded from the game play in favor of current bass player Wolfgang Van Halen, and it's also unknown whether the game avatar of singer David Lee Roth will be joined by Sammy Hagar or even Gary Cherone.

Guitarist Eddie Van Halen recently said in an interview that work on a new VAN HALEN album could begin later this year.

Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Mutiny Within

Daath

Opeth

ROADRUNNER UNITED THE CONCERT

Cynic

New York progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER will take their PROGRESSIVE NATION tour back on the road for its second incarnation with a run through America and Canada in July/Aug 2009.

In addition to a headlining set by DREAM THEATER, this year's package will feature the outstanding musicianship of ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA as well as two incredibly talented imports from Sweden: PAIN OF SALVATION and BEARDFISH.

PROGRESSIVE NATION was created by DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy and its successful inaugural run in 2008 also featured OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and THREE.

Portnoy once again hand-picked all of the bands for the 2009 bill based on their diversity and musicality. He comments: "This year's lineup is so exciting for me. Every band is bringing something very unique to the package to create an incredibly well rounded musical experience. I am just as excited to be watching all the bands from the side of the stage as I am to be performing with mine in the center of it!"

Fresh on the heels of his Grammy win, Dweezil Zappa is pleased to announce his plans to join forces with Dream Theater as part of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour: "It's no secret that I started ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA with the intention to diversify and expand the audience for my father's music. I figured I'd probably have to do it one concert at a time. Playing with DREAM THEATER on the PROGRESSIVE NATION tour is a great way to accomplish that goal. Music fans who are seeking something to challenge their senses should definitely consider attending this great bill."

Portnoy adds, "It is an absolute honor for me to have ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA on board. Frank Zappa is one of my all-time biggest heroes and his music practically invented the term ‘progressive'. Dweezil is doing an amazing job carrying on the tradition of his father's daring spirit and like his dad, has surrounded himself with a band of jaw-dropping, incredible musicians"

Gildenlow also joked, "Actually, Mike has been on our backs now for two years in what we believe to be a personal campaign, bordering on harassment, to make us come over. So when he asked us about PN09, it was a joy to finally be able to say yes. And if Mike didn't give up on us, then hopefully America hasn't either."

Vocalist/Keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom of BEARDFISH is equally excited: "When we read on a website that Mike Portnoy had our album "Sleeping in Traffic Part 1" among his favorite releases of 2007, we just couldn't believe it and we were really happy about it! And now we once again gasp for air since we've been asked to join PROGRESSIVE NATION 2009 together with DREAM THEATER (one of the biggest bands in this genre today!), PAIN OF SALVATION (hey, fellow Swedes!!!) and ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA (being a HUGE Zappa fan myself, I think this is really cool!). Since we've only played the US once before we simply can't wait to come over and rock out!"

PROGRESSIVE NATION will be the first North American tour for DREAM THEATER in support of their newest Roadrunner Records release which is slated for a June 2009 release.