HYPOCRISY Lets Fans Choose New Setlist

After four years, HYPOCRISY — the Swedish extreme metal band led by guitarist/vocalist Peter Tägtgren (also of PAIN) — will finally be back on the road in Europe in January as part of the "Long Time, No Death… Europe 2010" tour with SURVIVORS ZERO and HATESPHERE.

To really give the fans something special, the band has decided to let its fans vote for their favoriate songs that they want to see performed live. The top-voted songs will be played on the upcoming tour.

For more information, and to place your vote, go to this location.

HYPOCRISY was recently forced to pull out of its North American tour with ENSIFERUM because it was unable to secure the proper U.S. working visas for all members of the band.

"A Taste Of Extreme Divinity", the new album from HYPOCRISY, sold 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 23 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.

"A Taste Of Extreme Divinity" recently entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 62.

The CD was released in the U.S. on November 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The North American mail-order version of "A Taste of Extreme Divinity" features three exclusive bonus tracks.

HYPOCRISY's previous album, "Virus", came out in September 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records.

ETERNAL LEGACY To Release 'Lifeless Alive' In December

Cleveland, Ohio metallers ETERNAL LEGACY will release their new album, "Lifeless Alive", on December 8, 2009 via Auburn Records. The CD was recorded at the band's own Mercinary Studios in Cleveland and produced by guitarist/vocalist Jason Vanek. The album's cover art was designed by German artist Frank Fiedler, with additional art design by Alex Yarborough.

Commented Vanek: "This album has more attitude and power in a heavier more polished direction with less keys. It's a good mix of driving, dark metal with killer melodies and a heavier edge than our debut. The sound of LEGACY is born!"

"Lifeless Alive" track listing:

01. Purblind
02. Lifeless Alive
03. Souls Of Prey
04. Abbadon
05. Visionary Sin
06. Misery's End
07. Lost But Not Alone
08. Fight The Heavens
09. Wicked Glory
10. Braindead
11. The Dead Matter (bonus track)

"Lifeless Alive" will be distributed in the U.S. by The End, Century Media, Sentinel Steel, Amazon, CD Baby and iTunes.

The album's bonus track, "The Dead Matter", was written for "The Dead Matter" horror film, produced by Cleveland-based Midnight Syndicate Films. The movie is about a grief-stricken girl who looks to the occult for answers to her brother's death and gets far more than she bargained for when she acquires a vampire relic with necromantic powers. It is a classic horror film in the Hammer Horror Films style. In October, a sneak peek premiere of the film was shown in a major downtown Cleveland movie theater. Over 600 people were in attendance, including the entire cast and crew. The movie stars Andrew Divoff ("Lost", "Wishmaster"), Jason Carter ("Babylon 5", "Angel") and horror legend Tom Savini ("Dawn Of The Dead", "Lost Boys 2"). The film also includes cameo appearances by Jeff Hatrix (MUSHROOMHEAD, HATRIX, PURGATORY) and Auburn Records president Bill Peters.

A different mix of ETERNAL LEGACY's "The Dead Matter" will appear on a double-CD soundtrack called "The Dead Matter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" in 2010. The movie is scheduled to be released on DVD next year as well.

"From the first notes, ETERNAL LEGACY takes hold of you and then proceeds to drag you into the darkest depths with their 'The Dead Matter' track," says the film's director Ed Douglas. "A great SABBATH-influenced rocker that leaves you wanting more".

Douglas DJ'd a heavy metal show on WJCU in Cleveland from 1990-2003, the same station that hosts Peters' Friday night "Metal On Metal" program. His band MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE is regarded as the top producers of Halloween horror soundtracks that cumulatively has sold over a million CDs.

ETERNAL LEGACY is:

Jason Vanek - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Shaun Vanek - Lead Guitar
Steve Dukuslow - Drums
Tim Frederick - Bass

ETERNAL LEGACY will play a special CD-release show in Cleveland, Ohio at Peabody's on November 27, 2009. Fans who attend the concert will be able to purchase the new "Lifeless Alive" CD in advance of the release date. The band will also debut its new bass player, Tim Frederick (WRETCH), who replaced bassist/keyboardist Spencer Phillips. LOWER 13, LAW OF DESTRUCTION (featuring guitarist John Comprix from Tim "Ripper" Owens' solo band and BEYOND FEAR), GROUND ZERO and LICK THE BLADE will open. The show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

ETERNAL LEGACY was featured in the November 25, 2009 issue of Cleveland Scene magazine by legendary rock journalist Anastasia Pantsios.

ROTTING CHRIST: New Album Title Revealed

Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST have set "Aealo" as the title of their new album, due on February 15 in Europe and February 23 in the U.S. via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Lunatach Studios in Katerini, Greece and will feature guest appearances by Greek-American vocalist Diamanda Galas and PRIMORDIAL frontman Alan A. Nemtheanga.

According to a press release, "Aealo" will delve deeper than ever before into ROTTING CHRIST's Greek roots. Frontman Sakis Tolis explains: "'Aealo' is the transcription of an ancient Greek word into the Latin alphabet. It means thrashing, catastrophe or destruction and reflects the musical and lyrical content of the album.

"The concept of 'Aealo' deals with the feelings of a warrior during a battle, therefore the album's title bears this sense of anger, fear and grief."

Nemtheanga recently stated about his collaboration with ROTTING CHRIST: "'Satanas Tedeum' was one of the very first black metal demos I got in 1989. I have been a fan since then so it was with pleasure and honour to sing with a band that I have been a fan of for 20 years and friends with from the old tape-trading 'zine network since 1991. We have toured together and I have visited Hellas many times over the years. Somewhere around the late '90s, the scene became fixated with Nordic metal and forgot that great music was still being made in South America, Canada, Australia, Asia, in Eastern Europe and that the Greek scene is one of the oldest. Some of us, however, do not forget so my contribution is to honour 20 years of great music and friendship."

Regarding the musical direction of the new ROTTING CHRIST material, Alan said, "It sounds classic ROTTING CHRIST although it sees them continue where they left off with 'Theogonia', further away from the older 'satanic' feel and more into the realm of the ancient Greek gods, mythology and folklore. I think and feel it is this influence that has in many ways unchained the band, giving them more freedom to explore their own heritage and culture. It invokes the proud spirit of history, just as PRIMORDIAL tries to do! In this respect we are like brothers!"

Added Tolis: "Collaborating with Alan from PRIMORDIAL on a song from the new album was an honour for our band. By including his great voice in our album, we believe he brought the mood we were seeking for this specific song: a Celtic mood that has so many similarities with the ancient Greek culture and atmosphere that this album exhales. Alan definitely lifted up the specific song because his voice is great and, most importantly, unique. We are honoured to work with the voice of Ireland!"

Diamanda Galas makes an appearances on ROTTING CHRIST's cover version of "Orders from the Dead", from Galas' "Defixiones, Will and Testament" album, for which Sakis wrote new music.

"It is a huge honour for our band to have Mrs. Diamanda Galas on our new album", Sakis stated. "Getting her approval to use her voice as it can be originally heard in her 'Orders from the Dead' song feels like we did the most successful cover in our career, with one of the most soulful songs in the history of music. The dead are still waiting for their justification..."

LEAVES' EYES: 'Making Of Njord' Part 2 Posted Online

The second in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for "Njord", the new full-length album from LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — can be viewed below.

"Njord" registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany (Media Control): #30
Germany (Media Markt and Saturn): #24 *
U.K. (Top Independent Label Albums): #40
U.K. (Top Rock Albums): #19

* Media Markt and Saturn are Germany's leading chains for consumer electronics

"My Destiny", the new video from LEAVES' EYES, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Photos from the video shoot, as well as a German-language report from guitarist Thorsten "Tosso" Bauer, can be found on the Sounds2Move.de web site.

"Njord" was released in the U.S. on September 29 via Napalm Records.

"Njord" track listing:

01. Njord
02. My Destiny
03. Emerald Island
04. Take The Devil In Me
05. Scarborough Fair (Acoustic Version)
06. Through Our Veins
07. Irish Rain
08. Northbound
09. Ragnarok
10. Morgenland
11. The Holy Bond
12. Forya's Theme
13. Landscape Of The Dead (limited-edition bonus track)
14. Les Champs De Lavande (limited-edition bonus track)

SERJ TANKIAN's Father Releases Debut Album

SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian has issued the following update:

"Being that the holidays are a time for being with family, I felt it appropriate to update everyone about a project near and dear to my heart, the debut album by my dad, Khatchadour. The album, 'Inchbes Moranak', will be out in December at selected record stores, iTunes and our very own web store at SerjicalStrike.com. The picture of the album cover is below.

"I wanted to let you know that you can actually catch a very special performance with my father and I that will be televised [on Thursday, November 26] (Thanksgiving day) on the Armenia Fund Telethon. This is an international program that is likely to be aired in your area. The perfomance will be aired sometime between 12 p.m. PST and 1 p.m. PST and again sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. PST. You'll find a state by state listing of all the broadcasting stations and channels at [this location]. You'll also learn more about the telethon and the cause it supports, so please do so.

"Be on the lookout for more details about my dad's record and possible future special announcements. As always, I will update you on the happenings. In the meantime, we have created a MySpace and Facebook profile for him."

SEPULTURA Mourns Passing Of Former Soundman

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have released the following statement:

Our thoughts and love goes out to Nino Notaro's family.

"Nino Notaro — 'Peixe', as we used to call him — was SEPULTURA's F.O.H. [front-of-house audio engineer] for more 10 years, during 'Arise', 'Chaos A.D.', 'Roots', 'Against' and 'Nation' tours. He was a really good friend and will be deeply missed by the SEPULTURA family.

"Rest in peace, Peixe!

"Nino passed away November 22 2009, victim of cirrhosis. He leaves his 5-year-old daughter, Sophia."

"A-Lex" — SEPULTURA's first LP to be recorded without either of the founding Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor; on guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) — is available in three versions: in a deluxe digipak with an embossed cover, in a regular jewel case and on a vinyl gatefold LP.

On "A-Lex", SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book "A Clockwork Orange", creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject.

SEPULTURA Mourns Passing Of Former Soundman

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have released the following statement:

Our thoughts and love goes out to Nino Notaro's family.

"Nino Notaro — 'Peixe', as we used to call him — was SEPULTURA's F.O.H. [front-of-house audio engineer] for more 10 years, during 'Arise', 'Chaos A.D.', 'Roots', 'Against' and 'Nation' tours. He was a really good friend and will be deeply missed by the SEPULTURA family.

"Rest in peace, Peixe!

"Nino passed away November 22 2009, victim of cirrhosis. He leaves his 5-year-old daughter, Sophia."

"A-Lex" — SEPULTURA's first LP to be recorded without either of the founding Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor; on guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) — is available in three versions: in a deluxe digipak with an embossed cover, in a regular jewel case and on a vinyl gatefold LP.

On "A-Lex", SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book "A Clockwork Orange", creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject.

DAGOR DAGORATH Signs With TWILIGHT VERTRIEB

Israeli symphonic black/death metallers DAGOR DAGORATH have inked a deal with the German label Twilight Vertrieb. The band's debut album, "Yetzer Ha'Ra", will be released worldwide on January 22, 2010.

Commented the band: "We know about their (Twilight Vertrieb) long experience and professional way of working, and we believe this alliance will be mutually winning for both sides."

"Yetzer Ha'Ra" was released in Russia on August 28, 2009 through More Hate Productions.

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

Ex-ANTHRAX Guitarist Says New Band Will Feature His 'Sickest, Most Wicked Thrash Metal Riffs'

DEUXMONKEY, the new band led by former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, has parted ways with vocalist A.O.H. (SHAOLIN DEATH SQUAD) and drummer Matt Thompson (KING DIAMOND) and has replaced them with Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) and Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P. ), respectively.

Commented Spitz: "Bringing in Wade Black as our vocalist was just what we all needed. A vocalist who eats, sleeps and breathes METAL. I am confident that live we will be a musical team that our peers, fans and friends will be happy to watch create intense, intricate and creative expertise on a nightly basis."

DEUXMONKEY is:

* Dan Spitz (ANTHRAX) - Guitar
* Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) - Bass
* Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P.) - Drums
* Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) - Vocals

Spitz added, "We will start momentarily tracking what I think is just the sickest, most wicked thrash metal riffs I've written to date. If you were a fan of the 'Among The Living'-era songs I co-wrote, you will certainly want to grab hold of what we all have in store with the new band. A movement forward in time with creative new guitar sounds. I'll certainly have some video footage coming from our sessions to put up on the sites so all can watch the progression.

"After the end of my last touring cycle with ANTHRAX, I needed a long brake to take care of our identical twins, Brendan and Jaden, who were diagnosed with autism. I certainly couldn't leave Candi (my wonderful wife) to deal with the daily grind of multiple therapists at the house. We are on a better track now with them and at a point where the recording and touring cycles can start.

"Patrick and I have been hard at work in his KISS room bringing to fruition some brutally fast riffs. His double-bass feet seem connected to my picking in a way I can't explain. I guess it was meant to be."

For more information, visit the DEUXMONKEY MySpace page.

After spending 15 years on buses and planes touring the world, Dan lost his desire to play guitar. He decided to clear his head by stopping the music and starting the Swiss schooling to become a master watchmaker. He is now "back on track," having gained back the love once lost for his instrument. He said, "DEUXMONKEY is the start of many projects I plan to enter into. It's getting my feet wet, it's reconnecting with my fans and friends, whom I miss so much."

Spitz underwent open-heart surgery on June 5, 2009 after it was discovered that the main artery to his heart was almost "completely closed."

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's most recent split with singer Joey Belladonna.

In a January 2007 interview with Eddie Trunk of the "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about Spitz, "Whether people are aware or not, Danny's, like, a big deal in the really, really fancy, expensive watch world — like crazy, super-high-end watches — and he's got his own line of watches coming out. It's weird, because before the reunion I would read this stuff online, and I would just kind of be like, 'What the hell…?' But then like after hanging out with the guy for 20 months and you actually talk to him and see the watches and what-not, I was like, 'Holy crap!' It's a pretty big deal."

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band's new studio album, entitled "In The Night", will be released on January 25, 2010 in Europe and January 26, 2010 in North America.

Commented the band in a statement: "Finally, after three long years it's time to release a new album and at the same time we have again signed with Century Media Records. It's good to work with friends and that's what DREAM EVIL and Century Media has become over the past eight years.

"The new album will be called 'In The Night' and is again in DREAM EVIL's very own vein.

"We're sure that this will become the strongest DREAM EVIL release so far and with songs like 'Immortal', 'In The Night', 'Bang Your Head' and 'In The Fires Of The Sun', we will melt your brains!"

"In The Night" was once again produced at Sweden's Studio Fredman (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL), which is owned by DREAM EVIL axeman Fredrik Nordström.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Immortal
02. In The Night
03. Bang Your Head
04. See The Light
05. Electric
06. Frostbite
07. On The Wind
08. The Ballad
09. In The Fires Of The Sun
10. Mean Machine
11. Kill, Burn, Be Evil
12. The Unchosen One

DREAM EVIL will support the release of "In The Night" by embarking on a European tour, having lined up a special CD-release show in Germany as well a mini-tour with STRATOVARIUS and an appearance at next year's Bloodstock festival in the U.K.

DREAM EVIL is:

Nick Night - Lead Vocals
Dannee Demon - Guitar
Pat Power - Drums
Ritchie Rainbow - Guitar
Pete Pain - Bass

SLIPKNOT's CRAHAN, TAYLOR Discuss 10-Year Anniversary Of Debut

On October 20, 2009, Mike Sullivan of ExploreMusic.com conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan and vocalist Corey Taylor. The 29-minute chat is now available for streaming below.

The special-edition CD/DVD reissue of SLIPKNOT's self-titled debut album sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first, shortened week of release (the set came out on Wednesday, September 9 whereas new albums usually go on sale on Tuesdays in the U.S.). The album has now shifted more than two million units domestically, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The CD portion of the "Slipknot" reissue features 25 tracks, including the original album as well as rare demos, remixes, rare b-sides and more. A companion documentary, entitled "of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams", is packed with behind the scenes footage of SLIPKNOT from 1999. This inside look features both live and backstage footage from around the world. The DVD also features a never-before-seen concert and all the music videos from their debut cycle, as well as other surprises.

In the decade since the release of "Slipknot", the band has amassed accolades that changed the face of metal. SLIPKNOT has gone on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide, win a Grammy, headline Madison Square Garden and Download festival, have numerous #1 and top 5 rock tracks and videos, as well as debut at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

(Thanks: www.SlipknotNine.com)

ATREYU Bassist's Tour Story

Ken Brzezinski of Static Multimedia recently conducted an interview with ATREYU bassist Marc McKnight. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Static Multimedia: Do you have any tour stories?

Marc: Well, there was this one girl in Miami that was just hammered out of her mind. And you know, semi-attractive, and she's just HAMMERED, like sloppy drunk, right? And she somehow makes her way on our bus. She wasn't, like, at the show with us. She just wanted to see the bands, you know what I mean? So she got on our bus and we kept trying to pass her off to one of our friends or one of the crew members but she was like, "No, I want one of the band!" And she was just like riding people and stuff. So she goes in the back with someone…who shall remain nameless, and they were, you know, enjoying themselves in the back, but she had left her phone up front. So one of our friends took a picture of his balls and sent it to everyone on her contact list and said, "Sorry, I'm busy being a nut!!" So yeah, that's a pretty good story!

Static Multimedia: What was the writing and recording process like for your latest album, "Congregation Of The Damned"?

Marc: Um, well we started writing for this album in like November of last year, so it's been about a year ago now. So we started writing and we had like 13 or 14 songs and we were like, "Shit." Like, on "A Death-Grip On Yesterday" we wanted 10 songs on the record so we wrote 10 songs. So it was like, "What are we gonna do? Should we just keep going or what?" And it was like, "Nah let's just keep going and see what happens." So we ended up with like 30 songs that were all amazing. I mean, the well really never ran dry, but we just had to stop because we were like, "This is getting ridiculous." Whittled that down to 18 songs, met up with Bob Marlette, our producer, and did like pre-production stuff with him, whittled those down to 16 and, uh, recorded 16 songs. We did the drums in Henson Studios out in L.A., which is like Jim Henson, like "Muppets", which was amazing. And then we did the rest at Bob's house in Woodland Hills. It was amazing, like as far as my bass, I did all the songs in two days, I think. I just muscled through them — ten songs one day and six the second. Then the guitars went and did all their things. There were some guitars done before I did all my stuff. Because I had to, like, go back home for some family stuff and then two weeks later, they had some more guitars done. And it just really started, like... I mean, because in pre-production you have an idea of what it's going to sound like, but you don't really hear what it sounds like till everything is starting to get laid out. So once I started to hear all the guitar parts being put down and the solos starting to be put in and like all of the vocal starting to get laid down, it was awesome. But we had just focused on the music in [pre-production] so then it'd be like Alex [Varkatzas, vocals] and Brandon [Saller, drums/vocals] sitting in the studio just shredding out the vocals. And they're both like, their performances are absurd. Like, Alex hasn't written better lyrics and his performance is just amazing and he's so genuine and "there."

Static Multimedia: It seems like this album is the accumulation of your life's work…

Marc: Well, yeah, I mean it's just because we HAVE been a band for 10 years and this IS our fifth record, and we experimented a lot on the last record. There were a lot of things we learned about ourselves as a band and there were a lot of things we added to our arsenal and there were a lot of things that we were like, "OK, let's not do that again." But we did it, you know? And I don't regret doing it, any of it. Because it allowed our band to write this record and anything up to writing this was worth it.

Static Multimedia: How do you allow yourself to change when you have so many fans on, especially the web that can be so critical of the music you make?

Marc: Yeah, I've been on Lambgoat, I've been on Blabbermouth, I've been on Absolute Punk, I've been on PRP. I've seen all that sh*t and I stay away from it because I'm not doing this. No offense to them, because our fans got us to where we are, and without our fans, we're f*cked, so I'm not saying we're not doing it for them. But when we write music, we write music that we want to hear and that we love because we do it because we love it. You know what I mean? So if I started to write it for kids who only listen to "The Curse" [2004] and "Suicide Notes [And Butterfly Kisses]" , that want us to write that album again, who are we being fair to?! You know what I mean? I'm not going to be 18 years old again; I'm not going to write that record again. I want to allow the band to expand and allow the band to grow."

Read the entire interview from Static Multimedia.

TESTAMENT Frontman To Guest On Tonight's 'Friday Night Rocks'

Vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT will guest on tonight's (Friday, November 20) edition of Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM.

You can listen to the program live on the Internet between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. EST at this location.

TESTAMENT are taking the stage once again in support of their 2008 release, "The Formation of Damnation", TESTAMENT will be touring as special guest with fellow thrash legends MEGADETH and SLAYER. The tour will feature the classic lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Paul Bostaph and will mark the 20th anniversary of these major players taking the stage together on the same stage as MEGADETH and SLAYER.

"The Formation of Damnation" will be reissued just in time for this amazing tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH with a bonus CD that contains live renditions of the classics "The New Order", "Practice What You Preach" and "Souls Of Black". The tracks will also feature enhanced video clips recorded in Alcatraz for their MTV special "52/52" campaign feature as well as the music video for "More Than Meets The Eye". This special album re-release with bonus material will be in stores on February 23. TESTAMENT will have the tour reissue available on all of the dates of the upcoming "American Carnage" tour prior to it hitting stores.

As a special exclusive to the dedicated TESTAMENT legions, there will be an exclusive VIP package available for purchase. The TESTAMENT VIP Pack will include the following:

* One general admission ticket with early entry
* Exclusive meet-and-greet with the members of TESTAMENT
* Personal photograph with the band
* Autograph session (includes 8x10 photo)
* Exclusive TESTAMENT Affliction shirt
* Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered)
* Exclusive TESTAMENT music skin
* Official VIP meet-and-greet laminate
* Official set of TESTAMENT guitar picks

For more information, visit www.testamentlegions.com.

SAXON Joined By ANVIL Frontman For 'Denim And Leather' Performance; Video Available

Fan-filmed video footage of ANVIL frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow joining British heavy metal legends SAXON on stage at the O2 Academy in Leeds, U.K. on November 10, 2009 to perform the classic song "Denim And Leather" can be viewed below.

SAXON just a completed a U.K. tour with ANVIL and SUIDAKRA in the support slots.

Commented SAXON frontman Biff Byford: "We are starting writing songs for the next album next week. Also mixing all the live recordings.. 'Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie', Wacken 2004, 2007, 2009 and Sheffield. Also listening to old recordings and mixing them.

"We are hoping to be playing some festivals around the world next year, we were thinking to maybe play all the tracks of 'Wheels Of Steel' (and/or 'Strong Arm Of The Law') as a special. It is the 30th anniversary of those albums and the NWOBHM. Although we don't want to live on past glories we cannot ignore the influence this period of British rock had around the globe.

"What do you think? Should we do this or not?"

The upcoming documentary on SAXON, "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie", has had its projected release date pushed back to March 1, 2010. The delay was caused by the filmmakers' (U.K.'s Coolhead Productions) desire to include newly discovered vintage footage and additional interviews.

Produced by the makers of the critically acclaimed "Ian Gillan: Highway Star" (Universal, 2007), "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" celebrates SAXON's 30th anniversary. It not only has contributions from members of SAXON, past and present, but also from the likes of Lars Ulrich (METALLICA); Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD); Harvey Goldsmith, Danko Jones, Doro Pesch and many, many others. It will also feature plenty of rare archive material and previously unseen concert footage, from the classic 1980s lineup to the brilliant St. George's Day show in 2008 and Wacken Open Air in 2009. A special limited edition of "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" will contain a feature-length documentary, at least two never-before-seen concert films and plenty of revealing extra content.

NILE's KARL SANDERS Interviewed On 'Black Night Meditations'

Guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders of South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE was a recent guest on the "Black Night Meditations" show on the WSCA 106.1 FM radio station. Topics discussed included the influence of JUDAS PRIEST and THE BEATLES on Karl's songwriting, unreleased NILE music, the dangers of being onstage at a NILE concert, and the possibility of another solo album from Sanders.

The entire interview is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

WSCA 106.1 FM is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

"Black Night Meditations" airs every Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST.

For more information, visit www.wscafm.org.

"Those Whom The Gods Detest", the new album from NILE, sold 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 160 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 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.

A trailer for "Those Whom The Gods Detest" can be viewed below. The CD was released on November 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Produced and mixed by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE), along with a drum-recording job by Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, VITAL REMAINS, GOATWHORE), "Those Whom the Gods Detest" features the band's strongest production and perhaps its best material to date. The cover artwork was created by Michal "Xaay" Loranc, whom NILE guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders had previously worked with on his second solo album, "Saurian Exorcisms".

Sanders told Revolver magazine earlier in the year that the band's sixth full-length album will likely be NILE's most eclectic offering to date. "We're going to some very unexpected places," he said. "I've been listening to some oud music [the oud is a Middle Eastern lute — Ed.], Iranian music, and some Hindu stuff, and that stuff's definitely rubbing off on the new songs."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, UNEARTH, BIOHAZARD To Appear On DIMEBAG Tribute CD

BLABBERMOUTH.NET has received confirmation that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, UNEARTH, BIOHAZARD and KIUAS will all appear on the forthcoming "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) tribute album which is being put together by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine for a special issue that will coincide with the five-year anniversary of Dimebag's passing. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recorded a cover version of the PANTERA classic "A New Level" while UNEARTH laid down their rendition of "Sandblasted Skin" for the collection, which is expected to include the following artists/cuts, among others:

* FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH - "A New Level"
* UNEARTH - "Sandblasted Skin"
* BIOHAZARD - [to be announced]
* KIUAS - [to be announced]
* MACHINE HEAD - "Fucking Hostile"
* CHIMAIRA - "Slaughtered"
* EVILE - "Cemetery Gates"
* THROWDOWN - [to be announced]
* ZAKK WYLDE - "Suicide Note Pt. 1"
* THIS IS HELL - [to be announced]

Other artists that are rumored to have contributed songs to the CD include MALEFICE and SYLOSIS.

The song by EVILE turned out to be bassist Mike Alexander's very last and was recorded just before he himself died of a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of an artery in the lung, on October 5, 2009 while on tour with the band in Sweden.

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was co-founder and lead guitarist for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul formed DAMAGEPLAN. On Dec. 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.

Video footage of Evan Seinfeld (BIOHAZARD) performing the PANTERA classic "Walk" with Vinnie Paul (PANTERA) and SIN CITY SINNERS in Las Vegas in early July 2009 can be viewed below.

EXODUS Frontman Teams Up With TERMINAL PRESS On New Comic

EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes will be collaborating with Terminal Press on the upcoming zombie anthology comic Zombie Bomb!, edited by Adam Miller and Rich Woodall.

EXODUS' record label, Nuclear Blast, caught up with Dukes on the eve of the band entering the studio to record the follow-up to 2007's "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A" to ask a few questions.

Q: Between your cross-country motorcycle trip and touring South America, where in the hell did you find the time to come up with a zombie story?

Dukes: Brian Ferrara from Terminal Press e-mailed me while I was on tour and asked if I would be interested in being a part of Zombie Bomb! I wrote a quick, funny, kinda sick idea down and sent it to him. A week later, we were sitting in Grassroots (a bar in lower Manhattan) talking about how it was a good start but needed a twist. Three days later, I was in an airport texting him ideas. We went back and forth until we both were laughing and excited. It was a cool process.

Q: Is this the first story — aside from song lyrics — that you've ever written?

Dukes: To be honest, a few years ago I started writing a novel. It was a story in my head and it just took on a life of its own. I would write a lot, then break for a while, and begin again. This went on for two years. Then I met Brian Ferrara and his wife from Terminal Press. They wanted to do an EXODUS comic. After they started work on that, I called him and said I had a story that I had been writing and would like him to see if he thought it would be a good comic. They thought it was cool. The next day, he had Keith McCleary writing the script and now it's a comic in the process. I have seen pages of it and it's fucking awesome! Dark and evil and fucked up… just like it's supposed to be.

Q: What was the collaborative process with the Terminal Press artists like?

Dukes: Those guys are the coolest dudes ever. Amazing artists and just cool fucking people.

Q: After the story-editing process, how true to your original story did the plot remain?

Dukes: It was exact. They didn't change anything.

Q: What IS the plot? Or can you not comment on the story?

Dukes: It's about a killer. He evil and twisted. The other one is about zombies.

Q: What are the chances of you working more closely with the comic book industry in the future?

Dukes: I would love to. It's a big part of my life and I never thought I could do anything in that world, but I guess I was wrong. I really have to thank Brian Ferrara and his wife and all the people at Terminal Press for actually listening and being honest and up front about the ideas I have. They are really cool people. My life is ever-expanding into worlds I never thought I could be in. How fucking cool is that...?!

View sketches, pinups, and finished Zombie Bomb! art here.

Terminal Press' comics/metal crossover, "Exodus: Death Begets Death", is written by Keith McCleary ("Killing Tree Quarterly", "Deep Throat"), with art by Russ Manning nominee Rolo Ledesma ("Debbie Does Dallas") and colors by Narek Gevorgian ("Silent Assassin", "Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress").

"Exodus: Death Begets Death" will be available early 2010 from Terminal Press. Visit www.terminalpress.com for updates and the Terminal Press Facebook fan page for a look at some "Exodus: Death Begets Death" concept art.

REVERENCE: 'Inactive Theocracy' To Be Released On Vinyl

The gatefold double-LP version of "Inactive Theocracy" — the third album from French black metallers REVERENCE — will be released in December via D.U.K.E Records.

"Inactive Theocracy" was recently issued on CD via Osmose Productions. The effort was recorded and mixed at Drudenhaus Studios with Neb Xort (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) and was mastered at MasterLab studios in France.

"Inactive Theocracy" track listing:

01. Origin
02. Faith Design
03. Braith
04. When the Light Blossoms (feat. Hreidmarr)
05. Hypothetical Paths of Silence
06. The Axis of Horror (feat. Dk Deviant)
07. The Last Chapter
08. Hybrid Requiem Phenomenon
09. Regression of Cold Levels

Formed in 1998, REVERENCE released a few demos and split CDs/LPs between 2001 and 2004 (2003's "Decorporation" split with BLUT AUS NORD probably being the most well-known one). In September 2005, seven years after the band's inception, REVERENCE recorded its debut album, "Industrial Mental Concept", for the French label Dead Sun Records. A sophomore effort, "Chamber Of Divine Elaboration", followed in 2007 via Avantgarde Music.

According to the group's official bio, REVERENCE "adds to a basic depressive black metal structure built upon a very interesting guitar work, some industrial weird synth effects and spectral sounds that make their songs easily memorable and in some cases unique."

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

SYSTEM DIVIDE Signs With METAL BLADE RECORDS

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of extreme modern metal act SYSTEM DIVIDE, featuring Sven De Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) on vocals, Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA) and Joseph Spiller (ex-THE BINARY CODE) on guitars, Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA) on bass, and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) on drums. SYSTEM DIVIDE has already completed a video for the song "The Apex Doctrine" off the band's current EP, which will also be on the band's full-length Metal Blade debut. Check out a trailer for the new video below and be sure to head over to SYSTEM DIVIDE's MySpace page to listen to the tracks "The Apex Doctrine" and "(n)Ether". Stay tuned for more information including when and where the video for "The Apex Doctrine" will premiere, track listing and release date of the band's debut full-length album, "The Conscious Sedation", and tour dates.

Vocalist Sven De Caluwé commented: "We couldn't be more thrilled to be part of the Metal Blade roster, a label that has been pushing the boundaries of extreme music and putting lots of great new acts in the spotlight. We know SYSTEM DIVIDE is in the hands of a competent team of driven music FANS in the first place who believe in what we do, and we're going to give them their money's worth!!

"We are completing the songwriting for our first album, 'The Conscious Sedation', and are about to enter the studio to start tracking by the end of the month, for those who checked out our EP, get ready for some surprises and more extreme modern metal madness! Rock 'n roll!!"

Added Michael Faley of Metal Blade Records: "Heavy, brutal, extreme, melodic in-your-face metal. These ingredients result in a unique visual and audio assault that numbs the senses. Sven De Caluwé and Miri Milman deliver a one-two punch unseen in metal. We are very proud to add them to the Metal Blade Records family."

SYSTEM DIVIDE's "The Collapse" EP was produced and engineered by guitarist Cole Martinez and was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (ABORTED, MERCENARY, RAUNCHY, HATESPHERE, VOLBEAT).

"The Apex Doctrine" video was filmed in New York with director Kevin Custer (HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, DYING FETUS, SUFFOCATION).

According to a press release, SYSTEM DIVIDE "unites a myriad of sounds, going from STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, SOILWORK, LACUNA COIL, DIMMU BORGIR, CHIMAIRA to even MORBID ANGEL. Prepare for the unexpected!"

Founded in summer 2008, SYSTEM DIVIDE features in its ranks vocalists Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) along with longtime friends Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA), Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA), and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY). SYSTEM DIVIDE set out to revolutionize the conventions of the over-saturated melodic death metal genre, proving that extreme metal can have more depth than blast beats, while female vocals do not have to conform to the precepts of the "goth" genre. In mixing many styles, "The Collapse" breaks all the rules of extreme metal and is a landmark release for the young band.

As opposed to interjecting simple, predictable clean choruses into contrived song structures, SYSTEM DIVIDE unites serene female vocals and extreme vocals driven by lyrical themes that confront and seek to break everyday themes of disillusionment, societal materialism, and individual apathy. Musically, the band delivers myriad styles of riffing and grooves, while augmenting the entrancing soundscapes with hard-hitting drums and intricate bass lines. These elements together define the unique, spell binding, hypnotic sound of SYSTEM DIVIDE.

In order to achieve this complex calculus of sounds on "The Collapse", Cole Martinez handled tracking duties at Conquistador Recordings. Artwork for "The Collapse" was completed by Colin Marks (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ABORTED, NEVERMORE).

DANISH METAL AWARDS: Nominees Announced

According to Antenna, MESHUGGAH, MNEMIC, THE BURNING and ARTILLERY are among the acts who will perform at the next installment of the Danish Metal Awards, set to take place January 16, 2010 at Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark.

The awards event will offer the attendees a chance to experience four Danish acts. Once the show comes to an end, the Swedish extreme-metallers MESHUGGAH will deliver a full set; their first performance on Danish soil in more than four years.

Danish Metal Awards nominees:

Best Metal Album

* THE BURNING: Rewakening
* THE PSYKE PROJEKT: Dead Storm
* ARTILLERY: When Death Comes
* ANUBIS GATE: The Detachted
* HATESPHERE: To the Nines

Best Metal Debut

* KELLERMENSCH: Kellermensch
* THE CLEANSING: Poisoned Legacy
* CROCELL: The God We Drowned
* SUPERCHARGER: Handgrenade Blues
* NIGHTLIGHT: Funeral Love

Best International Metal Album

* GOJIRA: The Way of All Flesh
* MASTODON: Crack the Skye
* THE HAUNTED: Versus
* HEAVEN & HELL: The Devil You Know
* SATYRICON: The Age of Nero

Best Metal Production

* Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd for THE PSYKE PROJEKT: Dead Storm
* Jacob Hansen for ANUBIS GATE: The Detachted
* Tue Madsen for HATESPHERE: To the Nines
* EXMORTEM: Funeral Phantoms
* Kristian Kohle Bonifer for THE BURNING: Rewakening

Best Metal Cover

* THE BURNING: Rewakening
* KONKHRA: Nothing Is Sacred
* THE PSYKE PROJEKT: Dead Storm
* ANUBIS GATE: The Detachted
* CROCELL: The God We Drowned

Best Metal Video

* RAUNCHY: "Warriors"
* HATESPHERE: "To the Nines"
* VOLBEAT: "We"
* THE BURNING: "Eight Legged Omen"
* THE PSYKE PROJECT: "Winter"

Best Metal Talent

* SCARRED BY BEAUTY: We Swim
* DØDNING: Dødning
* RISING: Rising
* SEPULCHRUM: A Sepulchral Theme
* VIRA: Re-Design

Tickets for the the Danish Metal Awards are 290 Danish kroner can be purchased at Billetnet.dk.

For more information, visit www.dmea.dk.

SUFFOCATION: 'Cataclysmic Purification' Video Released

"Cataclysmic Purification", the new video from New York-based extreme metal legends SUFFOCATION, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by David Brodsky (ARSIS, GOD FORBID, KATAKLYSM, SWASHBUCKLE) with animation by Tim Kellen.

Comented SUFFOCATION bassist Derek Boyer: "'Cataclysmic Purification' audibly portrays a calamitous future approaching. With this song and the rest of the [new SUFFOCATION] album ['Blood Oath'] I think we've maintained the musical integrity of the band while still having comprehendible brutality. 'Blood Oath' combines straight forward crushing movements with unsuspecting twists that will certainly entertain everyone from the avid SUFFOCATION listener to the first-time innocent bystanders."

Relapse Records released SUFFOCATION's only official live record, "The Close Of A Chapter: Live In Quebec City", on October 27 in North America and November 2 internationally. Recorded in 2005 during the band's "Souls To Deny" world tour, the CD — which contains the band's complete, unedited performance — features the following track listing:

01. Infecting The Crypts
02. Thrones Of Blood
03. Surgery Of Implalement
04. Catatonia
05. Liege Of Inveracity
06. Despise The Sun
07. Subconsciously Enslaved
08. Immortally Condemned
09. Effigy Of The Forgotten
10. Tomes Of Acrimony
11. Breeding The Spawn
12. Pierced From Within
13. Funeral Inception

The CD is now available for streaming in its entirety at this location.

SUFFOCATION's latest album, "Blood Oath" (Nuclear Blast), sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 135 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

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

LITA FORD Breaks Her Silence About 'The Runaways' Movie

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford is finally speaking out about the infamous bio-pic on her former band, THE RUNAWAYS, which stars Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, and Scout Taylor Compton as Lita.

"Most people would want to be in a movie, but I sure didn't want anything to do with this one," admits Lita about the film, which has the working title of "The Runaways". "They're using my name and that makes me nervous as some of the people involved have tried to destroy my career since 1980."

However, Lita's attitude changed a bit after Scout Taylor Compton, the 20-year-old actress who portrays her in the film, made a special trip out to Lake Tahoe, Nevada on Saturday to see her perform with QUEENSRŸCHE.

"After meeting Scout this weekend, I feel so much better," continues Lita. "She has a heart and soul, unlike some of the people behind the movie. She also hawks a mean loogey and really is a lot like me. We both cried the first time we spoke. Scout rocks."

And Scout thinks Lita rocks, too. "Lita Ford is an icon of rock and has always been a personal hero of mine," says the actress, who is also a singer and drummer. "I can't wait for her to see the film. I put my heart and soul into portraying her and to find out she is such an amazing person was truly a blessing for me. It's something I'll never forget!"

Check out photos of Scout and Lita below.

Scout has earned herself the title of "scream queen" with key roles in such horror films as Rob Zombie's "Halloween" remake, "April Fool's Day", "Murder World", and "Wicked Little Things". She has also appeared in such films as "Obsessed" with Beyonce, the A.F.I. film "A.W.O.L.", Jennifer Garner's "13 Going on 30", and the teen comedy "Sleepover", and such TV shows as "Charmed", "Without a Trace", and "Cold Case".

"The Runaways" is directed by Floria Sigismondi, who is best known for directing music videos by such artists as DAVID BOWIE, MARILYN MANSON, and SHERYL CROW, and hits theaters nationwide in 2010.

DIMMU BORGIR Launches Official YouTube Channel

Norwegian black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have launched their official YouTube channel at this location.

From now through November 30, 2009, you can enter to win the "Rock Like Silenoz" sweepstakes. The prize? None other than DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz's exact rig, with the ESP LTD Okkultist guitar and a Blackstar Series One 200W head and a 4x12 Blackstar cabinet.

Only one lucky winner will be chosen at random for this incredible grand prize. Will it be you? Read the rules and regulations below, fill in the entry form, and best of luck!

Enter the contest at this location.

DIMMU BORGIR issued a statement on August 31 confirming keyboardist Mustis' (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) and bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex's (real name: Simen Hestnæs) departures from the group. The statement also downplayed the impact the lineup changes will have on the sound of DIMMU BORGIR next album, insisting that "the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever."

Mustis issued a statement on August 30 claiming that his dismissal from DIMMU BORGIR was caused by his efforts to "address the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'In Sorte Diaobli' would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did," he said. "Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just 'goodbye' (via text message)."

Last year's "Blackest Of The Black" tour with DANZIG helped support DIMMU's latest DVD titled "The Invaluable Darkness", which debuted at No. 5 on the Top Music Videos chart in mid-October 2008. It was also the band's last North American tour promoting their eighth studio album, "In Sorte Diaboli", which debuted on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart at No. 2, and on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 43.

FLYLEAF: 'Memento Mori' Projected To Sell 55K-60K First Week

According to Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS, FLYLEAF's new album, "Memento Mori", is on track to sell between 55,000 and 60,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

Released on November 10 via A&M/Octone, the follow-up to FLYLEAF's hit 2005 self-titled debut sees the group once again teaming with producer Howard Benson, who is known for his work with PAPA ROACH, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS.

"Memento Mori" track listing:

01. Beautiful Bride
02. Again
03. Chasm
04. Missing
05. This Close
06. The Kind
07. In The Dark
08. Set Apart This Dream
09. Swept Away
10. Tiny Heart
11. Melting (interlude)
12. Treasure
13. Circle
14. Arise

Disc 2 (Deluxe Edition):

01. Break Your Knees
02. Enemy
03. Have We Lost
04. Who Am I

The album's title comes from the well-known Latin phrase that, through the ages, has been uttered as a reminder of the mortality we all share. According to ancient texts, memento mori was historically acted out as a kind of ritual tableau in ancient Rome when a victorious general was welcomed back to the city with a parade: "Standing behind the victorious general was a servant, and he had the task of reminding the general that, though he was up on the peak today, tomorrow was another day. The servant did this by telling the general that he should remember that he was mortal, i.e. 'Memento mori."

CRADLE OF FILTH Frontman To Appear At London's 'Death And The Devil' Festival

According to FEARNet, CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth and occult writer Gavin Baddeley will celebrate the launch of their new book "The Gospel of Filth" by appearing at London's Hammersmith Riverside Studios, along with "Hellraiser" star Doug "Pinhead" Bradley (who has also lent his voice to several CRADLE OF FILTH albums) and indie filmmaker Frazer Lee (Red Lines) for the "Death and the Devil" festival: a day-long marathon saluting several classics of satanic cinema.

The twelve-hour fest, which is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, is sponsored by esteemed alt-publishers FAB Press.

Read more from FEARNet.

The history of CRADLE OF FILTH is but the linchpin that ties the expansiveness of "The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" together. With over 500 pages of content, the book reveals the unspoken and debaucherous dark side of humanity as it relates to culture, media, literature, art, film and music. It unearths the mysteries behind our insatiable fascination with vampires, werewolves, serial killers, and the occult, tracing the traditions of depravity — from folklore to pop culture.

"The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" includes interviews with all members of CRADLE OF FILTH, past and present, offering their own personal takes on the world of the macabre. In addition, it contains edifying narratives from many of today's dark music ringleaders, including H.I.M., TYPE O NEGATIVE, WITHIN TEMPTATION, PARADISE LOST, SLAYER, GORGOROTH, BEHEMOTH, and many others.

Not limiting itself to the world of music, the book features expansive discussions of dark art, poetry, and other things uttered in hushed tones, accentuated with exclusive interviews with English historian Peter Ackroyd, filmmaker Dario Argento, photographer/author Sir Simon Marsden, and artist JK Potter. If that weren't enough, "The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible" is textured with rich, decadent testimonials by Guy de Maupassant, Anton LaVey, Stephen King, Marianne Faithfull, HP Lovecraft, Aleister Crowley, and other cultural luminaries.

The first pressing of the book is a signed and numbered, leather-bound, hardcover volume featuring a bonus chapter written entirely by Filth and is only available online at www.thegospeloffilth.com. It will be followed by hardcover and trade paperback editions with different cover art. The hardcover edition will also be limited to online availability, and the paperback (which does not contain the bonus chapter) will be sold in retailers worldwide.

For more information and to see preview pages, visit www.thegospeloffilth.com.

CHTHONIC: Japanese Version Of 'Mirror Of Retribution' Includes Bonus Tracks, Video - Nov. 13, 2009

"Mirror of Retribution", the new album from Taiwanese metallers CHTHONIC, has just been released in Japan via Howling Bull Records. The Japanese version of the CD contains several bonus songs and a video.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Autoscopy (intro)
02. Blooming Blades
03. Hearts Condemned
04. Venom In My Veins
05. The Aroused
06. Sing-Ling Temple
07. 1947
08. Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains
09. Rise of the Shadows
10. Bloody Waves of Sorrow
11. Spell of Setting Sun: Mirror of Retribution
12. Blooming Blades (Taiwanese ver.)
13. Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains (Taiwanese ver.)
14. Bloody Waves of Sorrow (Taiwanese ver.)
15. Floated Unconsciously (Taiwanese ver.)
16. [enhanced] Forty-Nine Theurgy Chains

"Mirror of Retribution" sold around 270 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was issued in the U.S. on September 15 via Spinefarm Records.

CHTHONIC (pronounced "Thonic") is:

Freddy Lim - vocals
Doris Yeh - bass
Jesse Liu - guitar
Dani Wang - drums
CJ - piano/synthesizer

CHTHONIC's "49 Theurgy Chains" video can be viewed below.

In an interview with Speed Beaver Music, CHTHONIC vocalist Freddy Lim stated about the band's new album title and lyrical theme, "A mirror of retribution is the first thing you will meet when you are in hell, the Taiwanese, Oriental hell. Through the mirror, you see all the bad things you and your relatives have done in your lifetime. Each spirit has to face the mirror of retribution then the ghost king will send him to the specific level of hell that he deserves. In the Oriental hell, there are ten ghost kings in ten courts and there are 18 levels of hell and hundreds of small levels. So it takes millions of years for you to serve your sentence. So the original idea is to show this philosophy of hell. All the Asians, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Vietnam, share the same philosophy.

"No other metal band has tried to do this. It's too big! So the question is how to do it. It not just like Satan and one burning hell. So in Taiwanese temples, there are some mediums there are people who can travel through heaven and hell and find people, find dead relatives and talk with them. So we needed a story, not just the facts. The story should be in Taiwanese history, so where is the crossover point between Taiwan and hell? So we found the point is the 228 incident which happened in 1947.

"It's not just because it's the biggest massacre that happened in Taiwan, but that the last battle happened in front of a very important Taiwanese temple. So it makes sense that someone in the temple who is a medium would try to save his people, save the Taiwanese from the tyrannical KMT army. So he travelled to hell to try to rewrite the book of life and death. So the original idea is to write about the philosophy of hell and then we found the right story to link Taiwan to hell. That's the basic idea of the story.

"The first half of the story is how he went to hell and how level by level he tried to find the book of life and death and tried to rewrite it. But then the ghost kings, wizards and monsters in hell found out that he is not a normal spirit, he's still alive, his spirit just left his body, so they, in the 6th song, all the spirits and ghost and monsters, they came from hell to the temple to try to put some seals on his body and suck his spirit back to his body and not allow him to escape from his body again. Then, he decided to kill himself as the only way to go back to hell. But he failed. The end of the story is that he is locked in front of the mirror of retribution for a billion years as his sentence. I think the most interesting part of this album is that we tried to group the same kinds of hells and put them together in one song. There are the mountain of knives and sword forests, different kind of sharp hells all grouped together."

THE BULLETMONKS To Support UFO In Europe

German "high-voltage rock" band THE BULLETMONKS will support UFO on the following dates:

Nov. 19 - Progresja - Warsaw, POL
Nov. 20 - Masters of Rock Cafe - Zlin, CZR
Nov. 21 - Retro Music Hall - Prague, CZR
Nov. 22 - WZ - Wroclaw, POL
Dec. 01 - Magazzini Generali - Milano, ITA
Dec. 03 - Apolo - Barcelona, SPA
Dec. 04 - Rockstar Live - Bilbao, SPA
Dec. 05 - Heineken - Madrid, SPA
Dec. 06 - Totem - Pamplona, SPA
Dec. 08 - Z7 - Pratteln, SWI

THE BULLETMONKS is currently working on its second album for an early 2010 release via Napalm Records.

THE BULLETMONKS is:

Tyler Voxx: Lead Vocals, Lead, Rhythm Guitar
Spreace Jackson: Bass Guitar
Dangerous Dan: Lead Guitar
M. Dogg: Drums

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

SLAYER Postpones European Tour

Californian thrashers SLAYER have issued the following update:

"It is with immense disappointment that SLAYER must postpone its U.K. and European tour that had been set to kick off on November 18 in the U.K., and take the band on 19 dates through Europe, ending on December 17 in Germany. The tour will be rescheduled to kick off on March 7 in Manchester, England (complete itinerary is below).

"Vocalist/bassist Tom Araya has been under the care of a specialist for a back injury, and while he has already made substantial improvement, he is continuing on with doctor-prescribed treatment."

"Right now," said SLAYER's manager, Rick Sales, "our main concern must be the full and permanent recovery of Tom, so we have decided to clear the calendar and give him the extra time he needs to concentrate solely on good health."

Last week, SLAYER announced the postponement of its East Coast "Canadian Carnage" co-headline tour with MEGADETH; those dates will be rescheduled in February 2010.

The new European schedule is as follows:

Mar. 07 - Manchester, England - Academy
Mar. 08 - London, England - Forum
Mar. 09 - London, England - Forum
Mar. 11 - Paris, France - Bataclan
Mar. 13 - Bochum, Germany - Ruhrcongress
Mar. 15 - Tilburg, Holland - 013
Mar. 16 - Tilburg, Holland - 013
Mar. 17 - Brussels, Belgium - AB
Mar. 18 - Herford, Germany - X
Mar. 20 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
Mar. 21 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
Mar. 22 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
Mar. 24 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachtof
Mar. 25 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer Early Show
Mar. 26 - Munich, Germany - Zenith (transferred from Tonhalle)
Mar. 28 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
Mar. 29 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
Mar. 30 - Zurich, Switzerland - Volkshaus Late Show
Mar. 31 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
Apr. 02 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Apr. 03 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
Apr. 04 - Leeds, UK - Academy
Apr. 05 - Birmingham, UK - Academy

SLAYER's new album, "World Painted Blood", has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:

Canada: #8
Australia: #9
Germany: #7
U.S.: #12
Finland: #12
Norway: #15
Netherlands: #15
New Zealand: #16
Denmark: #21
Ireland: #38
United Kingdom: #41

"World Painted Blood" sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

SLAYER's last CD, "Christ Illusion", opened with more than 62,000 units to debut at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. This was the highest position ever on the chart for SLAYER, who previously reached No. 8 with their 1994 release "Divine Intervention" after moving 93,000 copies of that album in its first week.

SLAYER's 2001 album, "God Hates Us All", registered a first-week tally of 51,000 to land at No. 28, while 1998's "Diabolus In Musica" opened with 46,000 units, debuting at No. 31.

"God Hates Us All" has sold 319,000 copies and its predecessor, "Diabolus In Musica", has moved 306,000 copies so far. Several of the earlier SLAYER albums have been certified gold for sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States, including "Divine Intervention".

ARES KINGDOM: 'Incendiary' Coming Soon

Kansas City-based death/thrash metal band ARES KINGDOM will release its second album, "Incendiary", soon through Nuclear War Now! Productions. According to a press release, the album was recorded at the group's own Very Metal Sound studio and contains "nine new tracks of absolute armageddon."

With almost historical precision, ARES KINGDOM's music descends directly from the traditions of classic heavy metal, thrash and death metal, while at the same time transcending any such categorization. Theirs is a sound attributable to ARES KINGDOM alone, yet it remains a sound familiar to those that still remember SLAUGHTER LORD, MEFISTO and POISON today.

Although Chuck Keller — lead and rhythm guitars (ORDER FROM CHAOS, VULPECULA) is the architect behind ARES KINGDOM, their sound would not be possible without Mike Miller on drums (ORDER FROM CHAOS), Alex Blume on bass/vocals (NEPENTHE, BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY), and Doug Overbay on rhythm guitar, each of whose performance here clearly exhibits years of experience and rare chemistry with one another.

"Incendiary" was conceived, composed and executed with the kind of vision and effort characteristic of the creation of ancient monuments. Musically the band have once again proven themselves to be uncompromising defenders of the faith, and the album’s synthesis of several subjects and ideas becomes an inspiring declaration for the Individual against complacency, dogmatism and cloven-hoofed flock ignorance.

"Incendiary" track listing:

01. Incendiary
02. Descent of Man
03. The Destruction of Sennacherib
04. Silent Mortal Flesh (Convergence)
05. Ashen Glory
06. Beasts That Perish
07. Consigned to the Ages
08. Gathering the Eagles
09. Abandon in Place

ARES KINGDOM last year released "Firestorms and Chaos", a CD collection of early singles and demos, through NWN! Productions. Copies are available directly from the band through their official web site.

In June 2008, ARES KINGDOM played three California dates on the Blood of the Damned tour with ANGELCORPSE, GOSPEL OF THE HORNS, HOLOCAUST WOLVES OF THE APOCALYPSE, CEMETERY URN and SANGUIS IMPEREM.

HAIL OF BULLETS: 'Warsaw Rising' Video Released

"Warsaw Rising", the first-ever video from HAIL OF BULLETS — the Dutch death metal band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, former PESTILENCE/ASPHYX singer Martin Van Drunen and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen — can be viewed below. The clip was directed/edited by Dave Cardoso and Dave Hall.

The "Warsaw Rising" EP was released on July 17 (in Europe) via Metal Blade Records. Featuring two brand new tracks, one cover and three live recordings, it was made available as a six-page digipack and in a strictly limited edition of 2,000 copies only!

"Warsaw Rising" contains the new songs "Liberators" (an ode to one of the most magnificent bombers ever built) and the title track (which tells the tragic tale of the bloody 1944 Warsaw uprising). A "massive" cover of the TWISTED SISTER classic "Destroyer" and three tracks from the BULLETS' earth-shattering performance at last year's Party.San Open Air festival are also included

"Warsaw Rising" track listing:

01. Liberators
02. Warsaw Rising
03. Destroyer
04. Red Wolves Of Stalin *
05. Nachthexen *
06. The Crucial Offensive *

* live recording

"…Of Frost And War", the debut album from HAIL OF BULLETS, was released in Europe in May 2008 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded in February/March of 2008 at Excess Studios in Rotterdam, Holland and was mixed and mastered in Sweden by Dan Swanö.

HAIL OF BULLETS was formed in late 2006 through a mutual love for old-school death metal bands like AUTOPSY, BOLT THROWER, MASSACRE, CELTIC FROST and DEATH. In the summer of 2007, the band entered a Rotterdam studio to record a four-song promotional CD, which was also mixed by Swanö.

FEAR FACTORY Signs With CANDLELIGHT RECORDS

The new band calling itself FEAR FACTORY — featuring original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside bassist Byron Stroud (who played on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT) — will release its new studio album, "Mechanized", on February 9, 2010 via Candlelight Records. The CD, which was co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), was recently mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY). Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Industrial Discipline", "Powershifter" and "Fear Campaign".

"This is definitely a different chapter for us and I think it's the best thing we've ever done," Cazares tells RevolverMag.com. "Obviously, Burton and I have grown up and we've pretty much perfected what we do. More importantly we've discovered why we so were good together in the first place. Our combination just works. All the ingredients and the elements that we had in the past, combined with what we've learned since being apart feels like putting on a new glove that still feels as good as an old glove."

"I didn't want any of the soundscapes to sound natural," Bell says. "I wanted them to be really mechanical because I wanted that aspect of FEAR FACTORY to really shine again. I feel it kind of got dulled over and that's the aspect that I really enjoyed a lot about FEAR FACTORY. I was a huge fan of industrial music and still am. And you don't hear much of that anymore these days."

Regarding "Mechanized"'s musical direction, Bell told Sergio Alvite of Mexico's Search & Destroy, "It has the raw aggression of what 'Soul Of A New Machine' [1992] was but it has... I would say it has the maturity of 'Obsolete' [1998]. When I say 'maturity,' I mean that it has the songwriting skills that 'Soul Of A New Machine' did not have whereas 'Obsolete' did."

In a June 14, 2009 appearance on the nationally syndicated radio program "Speed Freaks", FEAR FACTORY drummer Raymond Herrera — who is not part of the above-mentioned lineup — stated about the group's current status, "[Guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers and I are] actually still in FEAR FACTORY. There's a big legal battle going on right now. Essentially, what's happened is Dino and Burt have become friends again and they decided to start a new band, and furthermore, they decided to call it FEAR FACTORY. They never communicated with us about it, and they're acting like there was never any contract, but there's four members that are Fear Factory Incorporated — which is the four of us — so it's almost like them two against us two, so it's kind of a stalemate. Moving forward, I don't know what's gonna happen with the trademark, so to speak. It's kind of a weird situation, but it's not a situation that we created that was weird."

Regarding why Christian and Raymond aren't involved with the new FEAR FACTORY lineup, Bell told Rock My Monkey "The fact that I have not worked with Raymond and Christian for the past three years as FEAR FACTORY is for this one reason — it's that I did not want to be involved with their manager. Her name is Christy Priske and she happens to be Christian's wife. During the 'Transgression' mixing session, her and Raymond started a love affair that lasted for a couple years. As [she was the] manager of FEAR FACTORY, this was completely unacceptable to me."

Dino's tenure with FEAR FACTORY ended in March 2002 after Bell announced his departure from the group, allegedly telling his bandmates at the time, "Look, guys, I'm not into it anymore, I don't wanna play in the band anymore, I don't wanna play with you guys, and I especially don't wanna play with you, Dino."

FEAR FACTORY eventually reformed without Dino and released two more studio albums, the aforementioned "Archetype" and "Transgression".

ARKAEA — the new band featuring Wolbers and Herrera alongside vocalist Jon Howard (THREAT SIGNAL) and bassist Pat Kavanaugh (THREAT SIGNAL) — released its debut album, "Years In The Darkness", on July 14 via E1 Music (formerly Koch Records).

DARK TRANQUILLITY's 'Where Death Is Most Alive' Tops Swedish Music DVD Chart

"Where Death Is Most Alive", the new DVD from Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY, has entered the Music DVD chart in the band's home country at position No. 1.

Commented guitarist Niklas Sundin: "We are immensely pleased to report that the people of Sweden still have a great taste in music. Our 'Where Death Is Most Alive' DVD just premiered at the #1 spot on the official Swedish DVD charts, kicking the asses of such luminaries as ABBA, MICHAEL JACKSON and MADONNA.

"Needless to say, we're humbled by the great response the DVD is receiving, and judging by the reactions at last weekend's official theatre screening we definitely have a winner on our hands. Everyone involved invested a lot of time and effort into putting together a package that really would be special and that would live up to the high expectations people would have of a 20-year anniversary release such as this, so it's great to see that it paid off.

"Thanks to everyone that attended and to everyone that has purchased the DVD."

The "Where Death Is Most Alive" CD/DVD was released on October 26 in Europe (it will be made available on November 17 in the U.S.) via Century Media Records. The footage was filmed on October 31, 2008 in Milan, Italy — a concert which makes up the upcoming DVD's main feature. Disc 1 contains 20 tracks recorded at the Milan show while disc 2 offers the "Out Of Nothing" DARK TRANQUILLITY documentary, another 21 rare live videos and all of the band's previously released promotional clips.

"Where Death Is Most Alive" was released as limited kingsize mediabook 2DVD/2CD, 2DVD, 2CD and digital download. The audio formats consist of the main show's material, mixed by Tue Madsen.

The track listing is as follows:

DVD1 - Live in Milan:

01. Intro (01:47)
02. The Treason Wall (03:48)
03. The New Build (04:22)
04. Focus Shift (04:39)
05. The Lesser Faith (05:03)
06. The Wonders At Your Feet (04:21)
07. Lost To Apathy (05:18)
08. FreeCard (04:59)
09. Inside The Particle Storm (05:51)
10. Nothing To No One (04:47)
11. Edenspring (05:31)
12. Insanity's Crescendo (07:33) *
13. Lethe (04:18)
14. Dreamlore Degenerate (03:26)
15. Misery's Crown (04:39)
16. ThereIn (06:27)
17. My Negation (06:27)
18. Yesterworld / Punish My Heaven (06:46)
19. The Mundane And The Magic (06:23) *
20. Final Resistance (04:12)
21. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive) (07:43)

* Guest vocals by Nell Sigland (THEATRE OF TRAGEDY)

Total Running Time DVD1: 01:48:20

DVD2:

1. Out Of Nothing – the DT documentary (47:33)
2. Promo videos:
2.1. Therein (05:57)
2.2. Monochromatic Stains (03:42)
2.3. Lost To Apathy (04:01)
2.4. The New Build (04:06)
2.5. Focus Shift (03:40)
2.6. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive) (05:00)
2.7. Misery's Crown (04:16) *
3. The Live Archive:
3.1. Only Time Can Tell (1991) (06:17) *
3.2. The Dying Fragment Of An Elderly Dream (1991) (04:06) **
3.3. Soulbreed (1991) (07:07) **
3.4. Yesterworld (1992) (07:33) *
3.5. Alone (1992) (05:53) *
3.6. My Faeryland Forgotten (1992) (04:35) *
3.7. Nightfall By The Shore Of Time (1992) (05:19) *
3.8. Skywards (1992) (04:46) *
3.9. Shadow Duet (1994) (06:49) *
3.10. Crimson Winds (1994) (05:33) *
3.11. Razorfever (1997) (03:10) *
3.12. Constant (1997) (03:23) *
3.13. Tongues (1997) (04:53) *
3.14. Feast Of Burden (2001) (03:53) *
3.15. Indifferent Suns (2002) (03:52) *
3.16. The Sun Fired Blanks (2002) (05:30) *
3.17. Hours Passed in Exile (2002) (04:57)
3.18. Damage Done (2004) (03:41)
3.19. One Thought (2004) (04:06)
3.20. The Endless Feed (2007) (04:54)
3.21. Blind At Heart (2007) (05:15)

* Previously unreleased live video
** Previously unreleased live video and song

Total Running Time DVD2: 3:03:49

A performance clip of "Final Resistance", taken from "Where Death Is Most Alive" CD/DVD, is available for viewing below.