'Thrash And Burn' Tour Dates Announced

ASKING ALEXANDRIA and BORN OF OSIRIS will co-headline this year's edition of the Thrash And Burn tour, with support from KITTIE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS, IMPENDING DOOM, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD (first half), EVERGREEN TERRACE (second half), GREELEY ESTATES, PERIPHERY, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and CHELSEA GRIN. The trek will run from July 16 to August 15.

The dates are as follows:

Jul. 16 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
Jul. 17 - Nashville, TN @ Rockettown
Jul. 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Jul. 19 - Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
Jul. 21 - Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
Jul. 22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Jul. 23 - Las Vegas, NV @ Rock The Block
Jul. 24 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
Jul. 25 - Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse
Jul. 26 - Fresno, CA @ The Crest Theatre
Jul. 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
Jul. 28 - Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theatre
Jul. 30 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
Jul. 31 - Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Event Center
Aug. 01 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Aug. 02 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Aug. 03 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Aug. 05 - Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
Aug. 06 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Aug. 07 - Richmond, VA @ Hat Factory
Aug. 08 - Long Island, NY @ Crazy Donkey
Aug. 09 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
Aug. 10 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
Aug. 11 - Buffalo, NY @ Xtreme Wheels
Aug. 12 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Ches Arena
Aug. 13 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Aug. 14 - Detroit, MI @ Harpos
Aug. 15 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

Lineup:

ASKING ALEXANDRIA
BORN OF OSIRIS
KITTIE
STICK TO YOUR GUNS
IMPENDING DOOM
THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD (first half)
EVERGREEN TERRACE (second half)
GREELEY ESTATES
PERIPHERY
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
CHELSEA GRIN

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

Former DROWN Frontman Launches LORDS OF RUIN

Orange County, California, the breeding ground for such monumental acts as THE OFFSPRING, NO DOUBT, KORN, LIT, SOCIAL DISTORTION and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, has given birth to its newest spawn: LORDS OF RUIN. The band evolved from Southern California's SIX, who in 2008 released the critically acclaimed album "Between The Warning and the War", which featured guest appearances by Mike Clark from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and bassist Tony Campos from STATIC-X.

LORDS OF RUIN is the brainchild of former DROWN vocalist Lauren Boquette, guitarist Alfunction and guitarist/bassist Corey Bush. Professional slammer Craig Waters, formerly of THE BELLRAYS, holds down the drum department.

"We were just bored with everything else around us," commented Boquette. "You can only live around trends, plastic people and sheep for so long before something snaps. It was time to destroy what had become the musical norm around here."

"We've lived on the road touring with different bands for years, we know what the real underground looks like," added Alfunction. "But it's time to turn that upside down and take over arenas."

LORDS OF RUIN will make its live debut on June 11 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California when the group joins up with the Jägermeister Music Tour featuring KORN.

"We're stoked to be able to launch the band this way, and we're beyond thankful to our people at Jägermeister for hooking this up," says Bush."We have total respect for KORN and how they've stay down with their fans. We hope to build our band in a similar way. We're here to destroy!"

LORDS OF RUIN is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on its self-titled debut album.

For more information, visit www.lordsofruin.com.

MEKONG DELTA: Eight-Minute 'Wanderer' Preview Clip Available

An eight-minute preview clip for "Wanderer On The Edge Of Time", the new album from the legendary German progressive thrash outfit MEKONG DELTA, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Due on June 10 via AAARRG Records, the CD features the following track listing:

01. Intro - Concert Guitar
02. Ouverture
03. "A Certain Fool" ( Le Fou ) / Movement 1
04. Interlude 1 - Group
05. "The 5th Element" (Le Bateleur) / Movement 2
06. Interlude 2 - Group
07. "The Apocalypt - World In Shards" ( La Maison Dieu ) / Movement 3
08. Interlude 3 - Concert Guitar
09. "King With Broken Crown" (Le Diable) / Movement 4
10. Intermezzo (Instrumental) / Movement 5
11. Interlude 4 - Group
12. "Affection" (L' Amoureux) / Movement 6
13. Interlude 5 - Group
14. "Mistaken Truth" (Le Hérétique) / Movement 7
15. Finale

The artwork was created by Eliran Kantor and can be viewed below.

According to a posting on the band's web site, "It has become clear that the story that began with one song ('Shades Of Doom'), followed by half an album (Rondo for Rockgroup 'Dances Of Death') is continued as a full album on 'Wanderer On The Edge Of Time'. More progressive than MEKONG DELTA has ever done, this album will definitely beat 'Dance Of Death' as MEKONG's finest."

MEKONG DELTA in 2008 announced the addition of vocalist Martin LeMar (TOMORROW'S EVE) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR) to the group's ranks.

"Lurking Fear", the latest album from MEKONG DELTA, was released in North America on April 22, 2008 via Locomotive Records. It was the first all-new studio album from the band since 1997.

"Lurking Fear" was made available in Europe in August 2007 as a standard jewelcase as well as a double vinyl album. The limited-edition digipack included a bonus DVD containing the band's December 21, 1991 concert in Frankfurt, Germany.

MEKONG DELTA's lineup on "Lurking Fear" included mainman/bassist Ralf Hubert alongside drummer Uli Kusch (ex-MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN), singer Leo Szpigiel (ANGEL DUST, CROWS, SCANNER, DUKE) and guitarist Peter Sjöberg (also known as Peter Lake from THEORY IN PRACTICE).

MEKONG DELTA's current lineup:

Ralf Hubert - Bass
Alex Landenburg - Drums
Benedikt Zimniak - Guitar
Erik Adam H. - Guitar
Martin LeMar - Vocals

SCORPIONS To Perform At Indonesia's Borobudur Temple

The Jakarta Globe reports that German hard rockers SCORPIONS will play a concert under the shadows of the stunning ninth-century Borobudur Temple as part of their "Get Your Sting and Blackout" farewell world tour tour.

Agus Canny, marketing director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, which manages the temple site, said the concert will be held in June of next year.

"This concert will mark the end of the 45-year musical journey of the SCORPIONS. Their management agency has met us and expects the concert to be held in mid-June of 2011," he told The Jakarta Globe on Monday.

Two SCORPIONS representatives from Indonesia and two more from Germany visited Borobudur Temple last week to map out the concert details.

Read more from The Jakarta Globe.

Producer COLIN RICHARDSON Is 'In Total Shock' Over SLIPKNOT Bassist's Death

Acclaimed British producer Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, NAPALM DEATH) and his representatives at Real Productions have issued the following statement regarding the passing of SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray:

"From Colin Richardson and all at Real, we send our deepest, most heart-broken condolences to Paul Gray's family, SLIPKNOT and their entire team. We, as so many, are in total shock over this terrible tragedy. Our love and respect for SLIPKNOT and their team goes back many years now and Colin has always been completely honoured to work with such brilliant artists. He is a true fan to the core and sends his love and condolences to everyone in SLIPKNOT and their camp. We all do, just as so many around the world will be doing the same over this tragic loss."

Richardson mixed SLIPKNOT's "All Hope Is Gone" and "9.0: Live" albums as well as the "Voliminal: Inside The Nine" and "Disasterpieces" DVDs.

CRIMSON GLORY: DIO 'Was Easily One Of The Most Influential Artists In Modern Music'

Florida-based melodic metal veterans CRIMSON GLORY have released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Ronnie was a wellspring of immeasurable talent and a shining example of the persistence, hard work, dedication, passion and creativity that it takes to become a true legend in the music world. There has not been a kinder, classier, more well-spoken individual in the realm of hard rock and heavy metal, and it is fair to say that the only thing bigger than the man's voice was his heart.

"Ronnie James Dio was easily one of the most influential artists in modern music; that influence can be heard and felt in countless bands that have emerged over the last forty years, including us!

"With the recent passing of our own singer, Midnight, we deeply empathize with the shock and profound sadness that those close to Ronnie are experiencing right now. It is our hope that Ronnie's friends, band mates and family, especially his wife, Wendy, will find comfort and solace in each other's shared love, respect and fond memories of their time spent with him, as well as the knowledge that Ronnie is incredibly loved by scores of fans of all ages, all over the world."

CRIMSON GLORY: DIO 'Was Easily One Of The Most Influential Artists In Modern Music'

Florida-based melodic metal veterans CRIMSON GLORY have released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Ronnie was a wellspring of immeasurable talent and a shining example of the persistence, hard work, dedication, passion and creativity that it takes to become a true legend in the music world. There has not been a kinder, classier, more well-spoken individual in the realm of hard rock and heavy metal, and it is fair to say that the only thing bigger than the man's voice was his heart.

"Ronnie James Dio was easily one of the most influential artists in modern music; that influence can be heard and felt in countless bands that have emerged over the last forty years, including us!

"With the recent passing of our own singer, Midnight, we deeply empathize with the shock and profound sadness that those close to Ronnie are experiencing right now. It is our hope that Ronnie's friends, band mates and family, especially his wife, Wendy, will find comfort and solace in each other's shared love, respect and fond memories of their time spent with him, as well as the knowledge that Ronnie is incredibly loved by scores of fans of all ages, all over the world."

METHODS OF MAYHEM's New Album Pushed Back To September

Tommy Lee has rocked every continent multiple times, sold millions of records with MÖTLEY CRÜE and on his own, done everything a musician dreams of doing, except he's never made a record with the entire world. The new METHODS OF MAYHEM album, now entitled "A Public Disservice Announcement", is set for release on September 21 and features Tommy Lee collaborating with the world. Lee commented, "When I founded METHODS in 1999, the whole purpose of the band was to be all over the place. In keeping with that, this METHODS isn't anything like the last one. There's no hip hop and there's no roster of guest stars. This time, it's me, my band, and the world."

Tommy Lee and his team, including producer Scott Humphrey, singer-guitarist J3 and others, wrote and recorded the songs for the new album, then made the core components of each available for download on www.thepublicrecord.com to anyone who wished to add their playing or otherwise re-interpret the music however they saw fit. Lee listened to every single submission that was uploaded, chose the best, and integrated the actual audio tracks into the album's final cuts. Every single musician whose part was used is credited and thanked on the album.

The song files were made available on The Public Record web site on October 5, 2009. By the end of the submission period in February, 2010, the page was viewed over 1 million times and over 10,000 submissions were uploaded. What came back once the public got its hands on the raw ingredients was truly all over the map — just as Tommy Lee had hoped. The diverse submissions included techno tracks sent in from Japan, hand drum rhythms from India and searing guitar solos from as close to home as San Diego.

METHODS OF MAYHEM self-titled debut was released in 1999 and was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States alone. The album featured Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock and Fred Durst, among others. METHODS OF MAYHEM's set was a featured highlight of 2000's Ozzfest.

"A Public Disservice Announcement" track listing:

01. Drunk Uncle Pete
02. Time Bomb
03. Louder
04. Fight Song
05. Blame
06. Two Ways
07. Talk Me Off The Ledge
08. Only One
09. All I Wanna Do
10. Back To Before
11. Party Instructions

SEPULTURA Comments On Passing Of SLIPKNOT Bassist

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have released the following statement regarding the passing of SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray:

"RIP Paul Gray, we're shocked and very sad, this is another tragic loss for our metal community."

Urbandale police said a man was found dead in a hotel room in Urbandale on Monday morning.

Police said there was no evidence of foul play observed, but a complete investigation will be completed by Urbandale police detectives.

In April 2010 it was announced that Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), David Ellefson (MEGADETH). He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH.

SLIPKNOT Bassist Found Dead

According to the Des Moines Register, Urbandale, Iowa police are investigating the death of SLIPKNOT's bass guitarist at a local hotel.

Paul Dedrick Gray, 38, of Johnston was found dead at approximately 10:50 a.m. today by an employee at TownePlace Suites (pictured below), 8800 Northpark Drive, police said.

There was no evidence of foul play, police said.

According to KCCI.com, the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office is assisting in the death investigation and will perform an autopsy on Tuesday. Toxicology testing will be completed to determine if there were any contributing factors in the death of Gray, police said.

Witnesses reported that items from the hotel room were carried out of the hotel around 2 p.m.

Gray was born in Los Angeles, California, and later moved to Des Moines.

Wikipedia shows that Gray has been married for two years to GodsGirls' Brenna Paul and has a tattoo of her name on his knuckles.

In a December 2009 posting on his MySpace page, Gray revealed that his wife was pregnant with the couple's first child. "I am the happiest man on the face of the earth — literally!" he wrote. He added, "This has been the best Christmas I have ever had!"

In April 2010 it was announced that Paul Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH. At the time, Paul Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!"

Back in 2003, authorities agreed to drop drug possession charges against Paul Gray in exchange for Gray's acknowledgement that he was on drugs when he was involved in a minor traffic accident (Story#1, Story#2) in the summer of 2003 in Des Moines.

Des Moines police arrested Gray on June 1, 2003 after his car collided with a car at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Carpenter Avenue.

A police report at the time said Gray "had impaired balance, slurred and dull speech, and extremely sleepy and dull behavior."

In the November 2008 issue of Revolver magazine, Gray spoke openly about his struggle with drug addiction and how it affected SLIPKNOT during the songwriting and recording process for both 2001's "Iowa" and 2004's "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses".

"I was pissed at Corey [Taylor, SLIPKNOT vocalist] and Jim [Root, SLIPKNOT guitarist] for doing [their side project] STONE SOUR," he said. "I thought, 'Fuck, we should be working on SLIPKNOT.' But we really needed that time apart. During the downtime I played with UNIDA and jammed with friends, but mostly I did a lot of drinking and some drugs — some heavy, heavy drugs… lots of heroin. I was shooting speedballs every day. And then pills. I was on everything, man. In the beginning I kind of had my shit under control, but after a while, no. I became an addict."

He added, "I wrote a bunch of stuff [for 'Vol. 3'] — like I do every record — but I would spend half the time in the bathroom [shooting up]. I'd be trying to play, and I'd fall out of my chair a couple times and fall asleep in the middle of tracking a song. There was a lot of depression going on. I wasn't mad at anybody, but everyone else was and I felt, 'Oh, fuck, my family is falling apart.' This has been the best thing that ever happened to me. And once you get to a certain point with drugs it's fuckin' so hard going through withdrawal. It's not that you don't want to quit. You just can't. Halfway through the record, the band had an intervention on me and I ended up going to rehab."

He continued, "Going through rehab in L.A. kept me good for a little while, but then we got back out on the road and I just knew too many people and I started using a lot again on and off. I had some near-death experiences — nothing I'm gonna go into any detail about — but I definitely pushed it to the very end and I'm still here. I have friends, though, who pushed it just the same way, and they are dead. Finally, I got left in rehab at the end of the arena tour with SHADOWS FALL and LAMB OF GOD and I missed the last six shows. Then, afterwards… Well, idle hands do the devil's work. I met my wife and she stayed with me and helped me, but then I'd full on run with it. Finally she said, 'I can't sit around and watch you kill yourself.' I was living in L.A. at the time, which wasn't helping because it was so easy [to get drugs]. So, I moved back to Iowa with her and went to my doctor and got straightened out. And it's been a good couple years now that I've been clean."

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

SLIPKNOT Bassist Found Dead

According to the Des Moines Register, Urbandale, Iowa police are investigating the death of SLIPKNOT's bass guitarist at a local hotel.

Paul Dedrick Gray, 38, of Johnston was found dead at approximately 10:50 a.m. today by an employee at TownePlace Suites (pictured below), 8800 Northpark Drive, police said.

There was no evidence of foul play, police said.

According to KCCI.com, the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office is assisting in the death investigation and will perform an autopsy on Tuesday. Toxicology testing will be completed to determine if there were any contributing factors in the death of Gray, police said.

Witnesses reported that items from the hotel room were carried out of the hotel around 2 p.m.

Gray was born in Los Angeles, California, and later moved to Des Moines.

Wikipedia shows that Gray has been married for two years to GodsGirls' Brenna Paul and has a tattoo of her name on his knuckles.

In a December 2009 posting on his MySpace page, Gray revealed that his wife was pregnant with the couple's first child. "I am the happiest man on the face of the earth — literally!" he wrote. He added, "This has been the best Christmas I have ever had!"

In April 2010 it was announced that Paul Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH. At the time, Paul Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!"

Back in 2003, authorities agreed to drop drug possession charges against Paul Gray in exchange for Gray's acknowledgement that he was on drugs when he was involved in a minor traffic accident (Story#1, Story#2) in the summer of 2003 in Des Moines.

Des Moines police arrested Gray on June 1, 2003 after his car collided with a car at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Carpenter Avenue.

A police report at the time said Gray "had impaired balance, slurred and dull speech, and extremely sleepy and dull behavior."

In the November 2008 issue of Revolver magazine, Gray spoke openly about his struggle with drug addiction and how it affected SLIPKNOT during the songwriting and recording process for both 2001's "Iowa" and 2004's "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses".

"I was pissed at Corey [Taylor, SLIPKNOT vocalist] and Jim [Root, SLIPKNOT guitarist] for doing [their side project] STONE SOUR," he said. "I thought, 'Fuck, we should be working on SLIPKNOT.' But we really needed that time apart. During the downtime I played with UNIDA and jammed with friends, but mostly I did a lot of drinking and some drugs — some heavy, heavy drugs… lots of heroin. I was shooting speedballs every day. And then pills. I was on everything, man. In the beginning I kind of had my shit under control, but after a while, no. I became an addict."

He added, "I wrote a bunch of stuff [for 'Vol. 3'] — like I do every record — but I would spend half the time in the bathroom [shooting up]. I'd be trying to play, and I'd fall out of my chair a couple times and fall asleep in the middle of tracking a song. There was a lot of depression going on. I wasn't mad at anybody, but everyone else was and I felt, 'Oh, fuck, my family is falling apart.' This has been the best thing that ever happened to me. And once you get to a certain point with drugs it's fuckin' so hard going through withdrawal. It's not that you don't want to quit. You just can't. Halfway through the record, the band had an intervention on me and I ended up going to rehab."

He continued, "Going through rehab in L.A. kept me good for a little while, but then we got back out on the road and I just knew too many people and I started using a lot again on and off. I had some near-death experiences — nothing I'm gonna go into any detail about — but I definitely pushed it to the very end and I'm still here. I have friends, though, who pushed it just the same way, and they are dead. Finally, I got left in rehab at the end of the arena tour with SHADOWS FALL and LAMB OF GOD and I missed the last six shows. Then, afterwards… Well, idle hands do the devil's work. I met my wife and she stayed with me and helped me, but then I'd full on run with it. Finally she said, 'I can't sit around and watch you kill yourself.' I was living in L.A. at the time, which wasn't helping because it was so easy [to get drugs]. So, I moved back to Iowa with her and went to my doctor and got straightened out. And it's been a good couple years now that I've been clean."

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

Photo below courtesy of KCCI.com

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED — the new project led by acclaimed metal drummer Richard Christy (ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE) — is hitting the road. Fans will finally have the chance to watch Christy and vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH) perform the songs from CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's debut album this July. They'll be touring from Chicago through Canada and up to Worcester, Massachusetts for a massive show with DREAM THEATER. The trek will also feature comedian Don Jamieson from VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show".

A limited number of VIP tickets will be available. The VIP ticket includes a meet-and-greet with CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, a limited-edition poster to be signed by the band, a limited-edition exclusive t-shirt, and you will also be allowed to bring any other personal items to have the guys from the band sign.

For more information, visit RichardChristy.com.

Commented Christy: "I am soooooooooooooo pumped to get out on the road and blast some heavy metal with CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED this summer! Tim Ripper Owens and I are beyond excited about this tour! The response to our debut album has been so amazing and I think people are going to be blown away when they hear these songs live! I'm sweating my buns off in the rehearsal room every day getting tighter and tighter on our songs so that we will be absolutely blistering when we get out on the road in July!

"Steve DiGiorgio [bass] and Jason Suecof [guitar] have prior commitments and won't be able to join us on this tour but we have the incredible musicians John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM) on guitar, Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR, ex-ICED EARTH) on bass, and Matt Sorg (RINGWORM) on guitar joining CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED for this tour! We'll be playing our debut album in full and we'll have plenty more surprises as well!

"Joining us as host of the tour and also doing stand-up at each show will be the hilarious comedian and carrier of the heavy metal torch, Don Jamieson from VH1's 'That Metal Show'! I've known Don for many years and I'm so psyched to have him as part of this tour!

"Coming soon we'll have more big announcements about the tour, including opening bands in each market and other cool surprises! So get ready to raise your fists and bang your heads with CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED this summer!"

Added Owens: "Man, I really look forward to this short run of shows, just going out with some friends and playing in front of some of the best fans around. And watching Don every night just tops it off!!!"

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED tour dates:

July 01 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
July 02 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's
July 03 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electrique
July 04 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
July 06 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's Down Under
July 07 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
July 08 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
July 09 - West Chester, PA - The Note
July 10 - Worcester, MA - Palladium (w/ DREAM THEATER)

The self-titled debut album from CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 6 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.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's album contains nine tracks, a bonus DVD ("The Making of Charred Walls of the Damned"), and comes in a digipack.

The recording sessions for the CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED CD took place at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof, who has previously worked with TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, BURY YOUR DEAD, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DAATH, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER and GOD FORBID, among others.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's recording lineup:

* Richard Christy - Drums
* Jason Suecof - Guitar, Producer
* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH) - Vocals
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT) - Bass

"Charred Walls Of The Damned" track listing:

01. Ghost Town
02. From The Abyss
03. Creating Our Machine
04. Blood on Wood
05. In a World So Cruel
06. Manifestations
07. Voices Within the Walls
08. The Darkest Eyes
09. Fear in the Sky
+ Bonus DVD - "The Making of Charred Walls of the Damned"

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's "Ghost Town" video can be viewed below.

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

FORBIDDEN Confirmed For 70000 TONS OF METAL Cruise

Reactivated San Francisco Bay Area metallers FORBIDDEN have been confirmed for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which is set to sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will appear at the event.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AMON AMARTH
DEATH ANGEL
EPICA
FINNTROLL
FORBIDDEN
MOONSPELL
OBITUARY
RAVEN
SAXON
SODOM
SONATA ARCTICA
STRATOVARIUS
SWASHBUCKLE
TESTAMENT
TROUBLE
ULI JON ROTH
WITCHBURNER

SAXON will play two unique shows. One night they will perform the "Wheels Of Steel" LP in its entirety and on a different night, for the second show, they will play "Strong Arm Of The Law" from start to finish.

70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 24, 2011 aboard the Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas" from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, January 28, 2011.

Make no mistake, 70000 Tons Of Metal is not your grandma's cruise. It's also not one of the cruises that share the ship with normal cruise guests. This is an all-ship heavy metal cruise! Can you imagine that? A whole luxury cruise ship full of metalheads? And since there is no backstage area you will have the opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done!

Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$249 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, all meals and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks at the on-board restaurants and 24-hour room service!

For more information, go to www.70000tons.com.

GLENN DANZIG To Appear At Toronto's RUE MORGUE FESTIVAL OF FEAR

Glenn Danzig will make an appearance at the Rue Morgue Festival Of Fear, set to take place August 27-29, 2010 in the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Rue Morgue Festival Of Fear is Canada's largest horror expo, attracting an average of 40,000-plus fans to the heart of downtown Toronto over three days in August. This powerhouse event is an extravaganza of celebrity guests, autograph signings, parties, question-and-answer sessions, seminars and workshops, and a colossal selection of movies and movie memorabilia, including books, comic books, toys, video games, trading cards, posters, anime, manga, and tons more.

With over eight million records sold, Glenn Danzig forms one third of the dark triumvirate of horror rock and roll alongside Alice Cooper and BLACK SABBATH. As the formative member of the MISFITS, Danzig brought his fascination with film and comic book horror to modern punk rock; with the heavy metal-oriented SAMHAIN, Danzig further developed his dark obsessions pushed to extremes. Following the demise of SAMHAIN, Danzig formed his own eponymous band with ex-SAMHAIN guitarist John Christ, Eerie Von on bass, and hardcore drummer Chuck Biscuits.

Danzig's talent also includes musical compositions for such projects as Rob Zombie's "Halloween", "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", "The X-Files", and has had his seminal hit "Mother" appear in the popular video game Guitar Hero 2. Also, Danzig owns and operates his adult-horror-oriented comic book company Verotik.

This year, Danzig is poised to unleash his first full-length record in six years, titled "Deth Red Sabaoth", and the much-anticipated lyric book "Hidden Lyrics Of The Left Hand" illustrated by renowned artist Simon Bisley (Judge Dred, Lobo).

Former MANOWAR Drummer Discusses ANGELS OF BABYLON In New Audio Interview

Vicky Bradley (a.k.a. Vix the Angel Of Metal) recently conducted an interview with former MANOWAR and current HOLYHELL/ANGELS OF BABYLON drummer Kenny Earl Edwards (a.k.a. Rhino). The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

ANGELS OF BABYLON, the new band featuring Rhino, Arizona based power-metal vocalist David Fefolt, guitarist Ethan Brosh and MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, recently inked a deal with Metal Heaven Records for the European release of the group's debut album, "Kingdom of Evil". Issued on January 29, the CD contains 10 new original songs, including cuts like "Conspiracy Theory", "Second Coming" and "Apocalypse 2012".

"I started compiling these songs many years ago but was patiently waiting for the optimum lineup to record and release an album like this," said Rhino. "I was introduced to Fefolt, Ellefson and Brosh a couple years back, and they provided the inspiration to forge ahead and complete the album. I think we have something really special for our fans with this new record."

The band formed in 2008 when Rhino and Fefolt began writing songs for a new album. They met Ellefson in a recording studio in Phoenix, Arizona. After hearing their material, Ellefson was impressed enough to join forces and create a new vision of heavy metal. Berklee-schooled guitar virtuoso Ethan Brosh had just finished completing a solo album when he was asked to become the final piece of the roc and roll monolith. They recorded 10 stellar tracks over the next year and a half of blistering, melodic heavy metal. The emphasis was put on huge melodies but with a heavy touch. Hammering guitars, pounding drums, driving bass, and soaring vocals are all the hallmark of ANGELS OF BABYLON.

"I think this album will surprise a lot of people due to its classic metal sound but with such majestic arrangements throughout," said Fefolt. "The melodic power on this album is definitely a force to be reckoned with!"

The music runs the gamut between progressive new metal to the roots of classic, old-school heavy metal, with every member of the band at the top of his musical genre.

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

FIREBIRD: New Song Available For Streaming

"For Crying Out Loud", a brand new song from FIREBIRD — the British power trio led by CARCASS/ex-NAPALM DEATH guitarist Bill Steer — is available for streaming using the audio player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Double Diamond", which will be released in July via Trooper Entertainment. The CD features ten songs recorded at Graveland studios in 's-Graveland, Holland during January. According to the band, "this recording heralds a new chapter for the band, seeing [guitarist/vocalist Bill] Steer and [drummer Ludwig] Witt draw inspiration from some of their earliest metal favourites such as BUDGIE, FIST and TANK."

"Double Diamond" track listing:

01. Soul Saviour
02. Ruined
03. Bright Lights
04. For Crying Out Loud
05. Farewell
06. A Wing & A Prayer
07. Pound Of Flesh
08. Arabesque
09. Lose Your Delusions
10. Pantomime

Deals for Europe and the USA have yet to be confirmed. The band welcome any interested parties.

FIREBIRD last fall parted ways with bassist Smok Smoczkiewicz "due to personal reasons." Following his departure, Australia's Tom Sutton was drafted in to play bass with the group for a landmark appearance at Loud Park festival in Tokyo. A week later FIREBIRD performed on the main stage at Damnation Festival in Leeds, this time with Terry Waker handling bass duties. The year was rounded off with a Swedish tour, featuring initially Tom Sutton on bass and then Greyum May, formerly of THE BLACK HAND.

FIREBIRD's fifth album, "Grand Union", was released in the U.S. on June 23, 2009 via Rise Above Records' new North American distribution deal with Metal Blade. The CD, which came out in Europe on April 20, 2009, was recorded and mixed over a two-week period in May 2008 at Berno studios in Malmö, Sweden where FIREBIRD's second album, 2001's "Deluxe", was conceived.

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

ACE FREHLEY, SLASH, MATT SORUM, LEMMY Perform At MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert

Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), and Ace Frehley (ex-KISS) are among the musicians who performed at the sixth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert on Friday, May 7 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California.

Fan-filmed video footage from the event can be viewed below. Photos are available at this location.

The sixth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert celebrated Women In Recovery and saluted former first lady Betty Ford and the Betty Ford Center. The evening paid tribute to Mrs. Ford, a woman who inspired so many through her courage and strength by publicly revealing her personal struggles with addiction, and her incredible work in establishing the Betty Ford Center. Susan Ford Bales accepted the MusiCares MAP Fund award on behalf of her mother. All proceeds benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources.

Over the past four years, the MusiCares MAP Fund has provided more than $3.1 million for addiction recovery treatment and sober living care for close to 1,000 clients. In addition, the MusiCares MAP Fund offers free aftercare group weekly meetings across the country.

The evening's focus on women in recovery was prompted in part by recent data — from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Transportation respectively — that indicates that only 8 percent of women who have a problem with addiction seek help, and the number of women abusing alcohol, as indicated by related traffic arrests, has risen 28 percent over the past decade. Women facing addiction often encounter challenges that may be barriers to treatment: a woman may want to avoid the stigma associated with drug addiction and rehab and try to "treat herself" without help, or she may fear losing her children, losing her job, going to jail or other repercussions. In addition, women may need assistance with childcare or medical attention if they are pregnant that many drug rehabilitation centers may not offer. As a result, MusiCares is focusing attention on the issue through this event and other activities, including panel discussions.

"When we looked at the troubling statistics about women and addiction and found that women, in general, are less likely to get the treatment they need, we recognized that our annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit would be an ideal opportunity to draw attention to this important issue," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. "Not only [did] this evening help generate critical resources for members of the music community who are struggling with addiction, but by honoring Betty Ford and her enduring commitment to recovery, we hope to shed light on the obstacles to treatment that women continue to encounter and the vital paths to recovery."

"In accepting this award you honor not only me, but all women and families who have taken a step toward recovery," said Mrs. Ford. "I am proud of the women who have struggled with the disease of addiction, and have the courage and determination to help not only themselves but their families." Her daughter and Betty Ford Center Chair, Susan Ford Bales, notes, "I know my mother is honored and even humbled by this award. I hope that it serves as motivation and a beacon of hope for other women and families to follow her example."

"Shock Me" featuring Ace Frehley, Slash, Chad Smith, Allison Robertson and Corey Parks:

"Whole Lotta Love" featuring Beth Hart on vocals, Slash on guitar, and Matt Sorum on drums:

"Sister Heroin" featuring Beth Hart and Slash:

STOS Bassist Dies On Stage

Bassist Janusz Soloma of Polish metallers STOS died on stage while performing with the band on May 8, 2010 in Myslowice, Poland after suffering a heart attack. He was 48 years old.

Janusz joined the reactivated STOS in 2000 and was part of all of the band's live shows and recorded output since then.

Commented Bart Gabriel of Hard Rocker Management (STOS' manager between 2000 and 2004 who currently represents CRYSTAL VIPER): "Sometimes words can't express the real feelings, and we still can't believe in what happened...

"We are sharing the sadness and tears with the friends and family of Janusz, and, of course, with his band mates from STOS... This is simply unreal...".

Formed in the early '80s, STOS was often called the "Polish WARLOCK" because of the presence of a female vocalist in the group's lineup. They shared the stage with such acts as RUNNING WILD, HELLOWEEN and OVERKILL and the band's debut album (after a live split LP with OPEN FIRE, entitled "Metalmania '87") sold more than 30,000 copies in Poland alone.

STOS guitarist Jan Kardas died in December 2006 after being diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.

DEATH: Never-Before-Seen Performance Video From 'Symbolic' Lineup Posted Online

Former DEATH/MONSTROSITY bassist Kelly Conlon has announced the launch of his new web site, Kelly Conlon's Riff-Xchange, at www.kellyconlon.net.

Commented Kelly: "This site is for anyone to join and everyone can participate. This Riff Xchange is for musicians to collaborate with each other, whether to gain knowledge or gain new contacts — everyone can learn. This community is for all genres of music where you can learn other styles you may not be familiar with. Learn new techniques on your instrument(s), post videos and ideas. Join up and start sharing your experiences. Everyone is welcome."

In addition to collaborating with musicians — including Kelly — you will also be able to keep up with his past and present projects, highlights from various bands he's been a part of, videos, tour news and memorable moments, and studio work. Kelly will also be independently posting videos of his bass stylings on the site.

To celebrate the launch of his new web site, Kelly has released a never-before-seen video from the original "Symbolic" lineup of DEATH — Chuck Schuldiner, Bobby Koelble, Gene Hoglan and Kelly Conlon — performing the song "Crystal Mountain" at the first show before heading to Europe for the "Full of Hate Festivals" in 1995. The clip can now be viewed on Kelly Conlon's Riff Xchange and YouTube. It is also available for viewing below.

DARK TRANQUILLITY Vocalist, Bassist Talk About New Album, Touring

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY will make their much-anticipated return to North America on May 11 as they kick off a massive headlining tour with support from THREAT SIGNAL and MUTINY WITHIN. This promises to be the longest, career-spanning DARK TRANQUILLITY setlist yet, so diehard fans will not want to miss out.

An in-depth, introspective chat with DARK TRANQUILLITY vocalist Mikael Stanne can be viewed below. He describes the meaning behind the band's critically acclaimed new album, "We Are The Void"; the difficulties of getting into songwriting mode; the meaning behind some of his favorite tracks off the new disc; winning over new fans; and his touring essentials. The band's latest addition, bassist Daniel Antonsson, also speaks candidly about how he joined the group and what he likes most about being on tour.

Stanne previously stated about the upcoming trek, "We've been rehearsing like crazy to put together a set that will blow you away. It's been hard but we feel we have a good collection of songs that represents every aspect of the band and will please fans of both new and old material. Also, the mad genius Niklas (Sundin, guitar) [was] hard at work creating amazing artwork and animation that will look incredible and add a new dimension to the show.

"This is, without a doubt, the biggest production we've done in the States.

"We Are The Void", the ninth album from DARK TRANQUILLITY, sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.

"We Are The Void" was released in North America on March 9 via Century Media Records. The LP was made available in Europe as a CD, digital download and strictly limited-edition die-cut digipak featuring two bonus songs ("Stars Of Nothingness" and "To Where Fires Cannot Feed") and a bonus DVD.

DEATH Reissues, Final CONTROL DENIED Recording To See Light Of Day Via RELAPSE

Relapse Records has announced a partnership with Perseverance Holdings Ltd. and the Schuldiner family to reissue the legendary catalog of heavy metal luminary Chuck Schuldiner and his bands DEATH, CONTROL DENIED and MANTAS.

Chuck Schuldiner's DEATH, one of the most important and influential metal bands of all-time, will see the first official digital releases of its legendary albums "Scream Bloody Gore", "Leprosy", "Spiritual Healing", "Human", "Individual Thought Patterns" and "The Sound Of Perseverance" tomorrow, May 11 at this location. These digital releases will come two days before Chuck Schuldiner would have celebrated his 43rd birthday.

Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001 at age 34 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.

Relapse will also reissue an expanded version of the classic debut album, "The Fragile Art Of Existence", from Schuldiner's progressive heavy metal band CONTROL DENIED in late 2010 as well as the first-ever collection by his pre-DEATH project MANTAS. The expanded version of "The Fragile Art Of Existence" will include bonus tracks, extra band photography, expanded art and packaging and more. Details on both releases are forthcoming.

Long-range plans include the completion and official release of the final CONTROL DENIED album "When Man and Machine Collide". Recorded over 10 years ago at Morrisound Studios with producer Jim Morris, "When Man and Machine Collide" was tracked by Schuldiner but left incomplete upon Chuck's passing. A range of officially licensed DEATH, CONTROL DENIED, and MANTAS merchandise has also been issued here. Many classic album art designs will follow in the coming months, making some highly sought-after designs available officially for the first time in years.

Stay tuned to EmptyWords.org, the official DEATH / CONTROL DENIED / Chuck Schuldiner web site, and Relapse.com for more information.

Guitar World has released its second TAB book, featuring the music of DEATH.

"Death: The Deluxe Guitar and Bass Tablature Collection" is the first song transcription book based on the DEATH catalog. Created with the endorsement of Chuck Schuldiner's family, it features full transcriptions — including guitar, bass and lyrics — of eight classic DEATH songs, such as "Pull the Plug", "Zombie Ritual", "Flesh and the Power It Holds" and many others! Plus, "Death: The Deluxe Guitar and Bass Tablature Collection" includes a life- and career-spanning biography on Chuck Schuldiner, death metal's pioneer and spiritual guide.

Transcriptions include:

* Pull the Plug", as heard on "Leprosy"
* The Philosopher", as heard on "Individual Thought Patterns"
* Crystal Mountain", as heard on "Symbolic"
* Flesh and the Power It Holds", as heard on "The Sound of Perseverance"
* Scavenger of Human Sorrow", as heard on "The Sound of Perseverance"
* Zombie Ritual", as heard on "Scream Bloody Gore"
* Spiritual Healing", as heard on "Spiritual Healing"
* Together as One", as heard on "Human"

For more information, go to this location.

ISTAPP: New Song Available For Streaming

"Vinterriket", a brand new song from Swedish extreme metallers ISTAPP, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Comments ISTAPP: "'Vinterriket' is a track that will permanently freeze the eardrums of the ones who worships the sun."

Hailing from Blekinge, Sweden, one of the traditional provinces of Sweden situated in the south of the country bordering Smaland, Scania and the Baltic Sea, are the three warlords that form ISTAPP; Mordechai von Renvaktar, C. Ashuck von Renvaktar and Fjalar. Setting out on a campaign to destroy the sun and all of its followers, ISTAPP is currently preparing to unleash the band's Metal Blade Records debut, "Blekinge", on June 8 in the U.S. and Canada.

"Blekinge" comes from the adjective bleke that corresponds to the nautical term for "dead calm," but ISTAPP's forthcoming album is anything but.

"We are confident that the piece of deadly art about to strike down on you all will be the first really true metal album ever to be released to this world," comments the band.

Cover art, which can be viewed below, was handled by none other than C. Ashuck von Renvaktar.

"Out of his memories Lord Ashuck himself created a picture of 'Blekinge' and its oak, fore-saying the inevitable path this world must wander. It will certainly hurt the eyes of many a sun-worshiper who dare to look upon it," the band states.
"Blekinge" track listing:

01. Vinterriket
02. Köldens Union
03. 1160 (Miovik)
04. I Väntan På Den Absoluta Nollpunkten
05. Evig Köld Koncentrerad
06. Snö
07. Fjällhöga Nord
08. Bortgång Af Alvrödul, Ljusets Förfall
09. - *
10. Blekinge

* Track 9 has a - listed for the song title as the band used a symbol to name this track

ISTAPP is:

Mordechai von Renvaktar - Vocals
C. Ashuck von Renvaktar - Bass
Fjalar - Drums, Guitar

FORBIDDEN: New Album Update

Reactivated San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN are continuing work on their new album, "Omega Wave", at Sonic Room/Audio Voyage Studios in Livermore, California. The CD artwork has been commissioned from Kent Mathieu (FORBIDDEN, EXODUS, AUTOPSY, EXHORDER). The album is being produced by FORBIDDEN guitarist / songwriter Craig Locicero and Tim Narducci. All tracks will be mixed by Sean Beavan (SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON, NINE INCH NAILS).

FORBIDDEN guitarist Steve Smyth has offered the following commentary on some of the songs that will appear on the upcoming CD:

"Swine": "'Swine' is a little different from the rest of the tracks to me, a little more on the 'doomy' side of things, but it has more than a few surprises in there. I'm not going to give away too much here… you'll have to wait for it!

"'Swine' has some cool odd-time stuff at the intro, FORBIDDEN style, and well-arranged by Craig [Locicero] and Mark [Hernandez]!

"I sort of created the intro riff for this song by accident. Craig and I were jamming on some of the other songs one day, and I just happened to be noodling on something, not really thinking about anything, and he looked at me, and said, 'What's that?! Play that again!' I played it again, and we turned this from something completely unconscious on my part into the intro of the song pretty quickly! Mark and Craig brought some odd-time and arrangement ideas into it from there, and the rest of the song came right into it. Awesome! I'm a huge fan of things happening like that. The riff I'm talking about has the influence of Randy Rhoads and SABBATH in it, no doubt from my years of playing a lot of that stuff in my OZZY/SAB tribute 'Sweet Leaf'. A very dark, eerie-sounding (I hope!) arpeggiated pattern that has a moving bass line underneath it as well.

"Behind The Mask": "This one starts off heavy and moody, and does not let up for a long time! Very heavy pounding metal with a lot of peaks and valleys, as well as a killer chorus that Craig came up with for this one, which absolutely is heavy as hell, and jumps around the beat; a little tricky, but grooves like a mofo!

"Again, I don't want to give away the farm on this one, but there's some really cool stuff I came up with in the bridge that I hope you'll all dig on; lots of melody in this section, and not the type of instrument or style I think was ever heard on a FORBIDDEN record, but rest assured, I kept it heavy!"

Songtitles on the new FORBIDDEN album are as follows:

* Alpha Century
* Forsaken At The Gates
* Swine
* Immortal Wounds
* Hopenosis
* Adapt Or Die
* Inhuman Race
* Behind The Mask
* Dragging My Casket
* Overthrow
* Omega Wave

Former ANTHRAX Guitarist DAN SPITZ: 'I Will Not Stop Playing And Touring Ever Again'

Former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz was released from the hospital last week after he received treatment for complications from his 2009 heart attack.

Spitz is currently hard at work on the debut album from his DEUXMONKEY project, which also features ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes, vocalist Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) and drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P. ).

Commented Spitz: "We certainly have a legendary CD here in our hands.

"The song topics are just mind-blowing!

"The music is by far the best I've ever written. The guitar tone is awesome and the lead guitar tone is just sick.

"More than 12 songs [have been] completed [thus far] by Wade, and some other oddities I've penned as well. [There are] lots of brutal riffs, and, of course, my lead guitar work is light years above anything of the past.

"I've been hard at work getting to a new level of expertise in my playing these past few years since the ANTHRAX reunion ended. I'm actually working on classical guitar a lot these days as well for something special in the future. Of course, my southern rock- and blues-based memorable lead guitar stories will play a large role in DEUXMONKEY.

"There's a bit of everything for everyone to enjoy here for sure.

"DEUXMONKEY certainly has its own identity. The hardest thing for me was to achieve this goal.

"Wade has been a trooper! He has come through the recording process with flying colors. He's been known to completely finish two songs in a day, including learning from scratch lots of material. Un-freakin'-believable!!! His opera voice training certainly has paid off in this case. I've never witnessed anything like it. So very talented.

"I'll be tying up some loose ends with Peter Baltes and off to the mega-producer's SSL for the mixing, who I will be announcing shortly as well.

"We are in the best of hands for mixing anywhere on planet earth.

"Again, thank you all for wonderful emails and concerns regarding my health.

"Tentative summer tour already planned leading into global touring.

"We'll let the music do the talking.

"Just know I'm glad to have a guitar in my hands each day and my passion for my instrument and this band is really deep.

"I will not stop playing and touring ever again."

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

For more information, visit the DEUXMONKEY MySpace page.

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."

ACCEPT: 'Teutonic Terror' Video Released

"Teutonic Terror", the new video from reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in March by director/producer/editor Dave Blass. Executive Producer is Doug Jeffery (BRITNEY SPEARS, MILEY CYRUS, RIHANNA) for Grid 41.

When asked how he came to be involved in making ACCEPT's "most metal video," longtime ACCEPT fan Blass states, "I first met [guitarist] Wolf [Hoffman] and [bassist] Peter [Baltes] back in '89 when they were touring with W.A.S.P. on the 'Eat the Heat' tour. I was a DJ in Boston doing the Sunday night metal show.

"I reconnected with Wolf later when we used a song from his classical album for a reality series I produced. After that, we talked on-and-off over the years. He reminded me that I had called him to do some photography on 'The Biggest Loser' when we needed some cool stylized photos of the contestants. The producers opted out of paying for a cool photographer and I ended up doing it myself.

"We touched base when the [band] reunion happened and talked about a video, and when it got closer, we all just decided to make it happen.

"Grid 41 is the video production company owned by Doug Jeffery who I brought in to do the project.

"I have worked with Doug for years and told him I needed a favor and that this would be a great project for his company as they are branching into music videos. They did the design work on the MILEY CYRUS 'Party In The USA' and RIHANNA 'Umbrella' videos, to name a few.

"Too pretty for my taste... I needed more tanks and fire!

"Working with the band was great. Peter was impressed when I pulled my 1985 ACCEPT shirt out of my bag at the shoot.

"I couldn't tell who was more excited, the band or the crew. Even those that weren't familiar with their music got caught up in the mosh. I mean, Wolf Hoffmann and his Flying V standing on a GIANT TANK surrounded by smoke and flames doing his guitar solo… how can you not love that?!

"Having spent many a night in high school waiting 'till midnight to catch 'Headbangers Ball' and wishing they would play 'Balls to the Wall', it was a very cool to be a part of the ACCEPT legacy.

"I think the best quote about the video comes from my production assistant, Reed Blake, who was awestruck after the first take with the huge flames, the crane, the smoke the drums, and the tanks. He said to me, 'I have never seen anything this METAL.'"

"Teutonic Terror" comes off the band's new studio album, "Blood Of The Nations", which is scheduled for release in North America on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band's 15th LP was recorded at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE). The CD — which will mark the recording debut of the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — will contain around 14 tracks, including "The Abyss", "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations" and "Pandemic".

ACCEPT 2010 is:

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums

The new ACCEPT lineup made its live debut this past Saturday night (May 8) at the 750-capacity Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Metal Heart
02. Midnight Mover
03. Living For Tonight
04. Restless And Wild
05. Son Of A Bitch
06. Losers And Winners
07. London Leatherboys
08. The Abyss (new song)
09. Run If You Can
10. Teutonic Terror (new song)
11. Breaker
12. Bulletproof
13. Neon Nights
14. Bass / Drum / Guitar Jam
15. Flash Rocking Man
16. Up To The Limit
17. Demon's Night
18. Turn Me On
19. Starlight
20. Burning

Encore 1:

21. Princess Of The Dawn
22. I'm A Rebel

Encore 2:

23. Fast As A Shark
24. Balls To The Wall

"Teutonic Terror" video:

Behind the scenes of "Teutonic Terror":

WE ARE THE FALLEN: Performance Footage Of MADONNA Cover From NYC Available

Video footage of WE ARE THE FALLEN, the group formed by EVANESCENCE co-founder Ben Moody (guitar) and other former members — John LeCompt (guitar) and Rocky Gray (drums) — along with "American Idol" powerhouse vocalist Carly Smithson and bassist Marty O'Brien (DISTURBED, KELLY CLARKSON, STATIC-X, METHODS OF MAYHEM,TOMMY LEE), performing a cover version of MADONNA's "Like A Prayer" on May 8, 2010 at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in New York City can be viewed below.

WE ARE THE FALLEN recorded a studio version "Like A Prayer" during the sessions for the band's debut album, "Tear The World Down", but opted to leave it off the record. According to Moody, the group is saving it for "something special."

"Tear The World Down" will be released on May 11 via Universal Republic Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Bury Me Alive
02. Burn
03. Paradigm
04. Don't Leave Me Behind
05. Sleep Well, My Angel
06. Through Hell
07. I Will Stay
08. Without You
09. St. John
10. I Am Only One
11. Tear The World Down

30-second audio samples of all the tracks that appear on the album can be streamed on Amazon.com.

The group's first single, "Bury Me Alive", was made available exclusively via the digital domain in early February. A second track, "Without You", is currently being streamed on the band's official web site.

WE ARE THE FALLEN made its live debut on March 23 at Kings College in London, England. A 28-city U.S. tour as the support act for HIM launched on March 26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and wrapped last night (May 9) at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.

ZONARIA: More Footage From The Road Posted Online

More behind-the-scenes footage from ZONARIA's recently completed European tour with DARK FUNERAL can be viewed below.

ZONARIA has entered the Abyss studio in Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, SONIC SYNDICATE, HYPOCRISY, CENTINEX, CARNAL FORGE) to begin recording its new album for a fall/winter release.

ZONARIA vocalist/guitarist Simon Berglund previously stated about the upcoming CD: "I'm stoked about going into the studio with Jonas. He did an amazing job on [ZONARIA's 2007 release] 'Infamy And The Breed' and has done some more incredible work with other bands. And not to mention recording in studio Abyss for the first time. Many of our all-time favorites have recorded in that studio and something magic always happens with the albums recorded there."

ZONARIA's second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", was released in the U.S. in January 2009 via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman and was mastered by Peter In De Betou at Tailor Maid.

Formed in 2002 by guitarist, main songwriter, and vocalist Simon Berglund along with axeman Emil Nyström (both were only 15 years old at that time), ZONARIA outgrew its local underground status with the debut album "Infamy And The Breed" (Pivotal Recordings, 2007) and gained Europe-wide attention through tours with IMPALED NAZARENE, MARDUK, PAIN and VADER. With influences ranging from HYPOCRISY to DIMMU BORGIR to ARCH ENEMY, ZONARIA's misanthropic mix of brutal riffs, melodic harmonies, maniacal drumming, and ominous synth lines was well received within the metal community and the band succeeded in shaping its own, unique sound.

FIREBIRD: New Song Available For Streaming

"For Crying Out Loud", a brand new song from FIREBIRD — the British power trio led by CARCASS/ex-NAPALM DEATH guitarist Bill Steer — is available for streaming using the audio player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Double Diamond", which will be released in July via Trooper Entertainment. The CD features ten songs recorded at Graveland studios in 's-Graveland, Holland during January. According to the band, "this recording heralds a new chapter for the band, seeing [guitarist/vocalist Bill] Steer and [drummer Ludwig] Witt draw inspiration from some of their earliest metal favourites such as BUDGIE, FIST and TANK."

"Double Diamond" track listing:

01. Soul Saviour
02. Ruined
03. Bright Lights
04. For Crying Out Loud
05. Farewell
06. A Wing & A Prayer
07. Pound Of Flesh
08. Arabesque
09. Lose Your Delusions
10. Pantomime

Deals for Europe and the USA have yet to be confirmed. The band welcome any interested parties.

FIREBIRD last fall parted ways with bassist Smok Smoczkiewicz "due to personal reasons." Following his departure, Australia's Tom Sutton was drafted in to play bass with the group for a landmark appearance at Loud Park festival in Tokyo. A week later FIREBIRD performed on the main stage at Damnation Festival in Leeds, this time with Terry Waker handling bass duties. The year was rounded off with a Swedish tour, featuring initially Tom Sutton on bass and then Greyum May, formerly of THE BLACK HAND.

FIREBIRD's fifth album, "Grand Union", was released in the U.S. on June 23, 2009 via Rise Above Records' new North American distribution deal with Metal Blade. The CD, which came out in Europe on April 20, 2009, was recorded and mixed over a two-week period in May 2008 at Berno studios in Malmö, Sweden where FIREBIRD's second album, 2001's "Deluxe", was conceived.

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

AS I LAY DYING: Entire New Album Available For Streaming

"The Powerless Rise", the new album from San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. From today at 12:00 p.m. PST through Monday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. PST, the entire 11-song disc — including the furious new single "Parallels" — will be unlocked and streaming live. The group will be featured act on the MySpace front page and music pages through May 11.

"The Powerless Rise" track listing:

01. Beyond Our Suffering
02. Anodyne Sea
03. Without Conclusion
04. Parallels
05. The Plague
06. Anger and Apathy
07. Condemned
08. Upside Down Kingdom
09. Vacancy
10. The Only Constant Is Change
11. The Blinding Of False Light

While AS I LAY DYING crosses the U.S. on their headlining tour with DEMON HUNTER, BLESSTHEFALL and WAR OF AGES, the group has announced a day-of-release in-store at Rolling Stones Music (7300 W. Irving Pk. Rd.) in Norridge, Illinois. The in-store signing will begin at 3:30 p.m. sharp and continue until before the band's headlining show later that night at the House of Blues (329 N Dearborn St.) in Chicago.

In tech news, AS I LAY DYING's blistering first single, "Beyond Our Suffering", is now available for fans to play and download for FREE on Tap Tap Revenge 3 via the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Tap Tap Revenge is a popular music game in the tradition of Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution that puts rhythmic skills to the test in all-new ways. Tap through the beats or shake left and right as the arrows fall. Download exclusive tracks or take on your friends head-to-head in Tap Tap Revenge's unique two-player mode.

After AS I LAY DYING wraps its current headlining U.S tour with DEMON HUNTER, BLESSTHEFALL and WAR OF AGES, the group will head overseas for shows in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, France, Holland, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and the U.K. On July 12, AS I LAY DYING will launch the "Cool Tour" with UNDEROATH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, BLESSTHEFALL, THE ACACIA STRAIN, ARCHITECTS, CANCER BATS, and WAR OF AGES. The nationwide trek will launch July 12 in Orlando and wrap in San Francisco on August 1.

AS I LAY DYING's critically and commercially acclaimed release "An Ocean Between Us" landed the No. 8 position on the Billboard Top 200 chart its first week out, making it the highest rock debut on the chart that week. The band's first-ever DVD, "This is Who We Are", entered the Billboard Top Music Videos chart at the No. 2 position in the U.S. and the No. 3 position in Canada. The DVD is also certified platinum in the United States and Canada by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition, 2008 saw AS I LAY DYING earn a Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" for the single "Nothing Left".

MANOWAR: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Brazilian Tour Posted Online

MANOWAR director Neil Johnson — who is responsible for overseeing all of the band's DVDs and music videos — has posted video footage from the Brazilian leg of the group's current South American tour. Watch the clips below.

MANOWAR's new album, "Hammer Of The Gods", which is the first installment of "The Asgard Saga", the band's unique multimedia fantasy adventure with best-selling author Wolfgang Hohlbein, is due later in the year.

MANOWAR's latest DVD in the "Hell On Earth" series was released on November 27, 2009. "Hell On Earth V" covers MANOWAR's recent world tours, including Germany, Norway, Spain, Finland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, USA and Canada. It features live performances of old and new classics such as "Gloves Of Metal", "The Crown And The Ring", "Hand Of Doom", "Hymn Of The Immortal Warrior", "Father", "God Or Man" and many others.

DREAM EVIL Drummer Interviewed In Nottingham; Video Available

Barry Anderson of Metal Storm conducted an interview with drummer Patrik "Pat Power" Jerksten of Swedish melodic metallers DREAM EVIL after the band's May 4, 2010 performance in Nottingham, England with HAMMERFALL. You can now watch the chat below.

DREAM EVIL recently shot two videos for songs off the band's latest album, "In The Night", with acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film Company AB (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL). Ullaeus has worked with the band for all visual matters ever since their majestic clip for "The Book Of Heavy Metal" and also helmed DREAM EVIL's "Gold Medal In Metal" DVD in 2008.

"In The Night", the new album from DREAM EVIL, entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 53. The CD sold around 500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. It landed at position No. 83 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 "In The Night" artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, KRISIUN) and can be viewed below. The LP is also available as a classy limited edition mediabook CD with alternate artwork, expanded booklet and including the special audio bonus tracks "Good Nightmare" and "The Return" as well as an exclusive patch.

"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.

DREAM EVIL is:

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