Vocalist Randy Blythe of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD has commented on the news that the band's latest album, "Resolution", sold around 52,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

LAMB OF GOD's previous CD, "Wrath", opened with around 68,000 units back in March 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by 2006's "Sacrament", which shifted around 63,000 units to debut at No. 8. It also represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which premiered with 35,000 copies in September 2004.

In a series of messages on his Twitter account, Randy wrote, "Thanks to all the people congratulating us for #3 chart spot in the U.S. for 'Resolution'. It's pretty cool — we are proud of the record! This confirms something that [LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton] and I have been saying for a couple of years in the press, trying to explain to people about the difference of metal/hardcore fans — that the music is much more of a LIFESTYLE thing than regular pop 'music.' Being involved in this scene runs deeper than just tunes — it provides a social group, I believe, composed of primarily folks who think DIFFERENTLY than the status quo.

"To me, coming up in the hardcore/punk scene was so much more than just records — it was friends where I had none before, an escape from the bullshit of normal life that I was totally fed up with. I believe that the metal scene is approaching that paradigm today — it's smart, starting to become politically and socially aware. The metal fans also flat-out SUPPORT their scene more as well, by going to shows even in tough economic times, and buying records to try and support the artists who make our music.

"The record industry is BROKEN, and a new model HAS to occur — there is no denying that. But I feel that the metal/hardcore/punk fans will embrace that new model and support the artists in a way that pop fans will not, or perhaps will do so only grudgingly.

"Here are some figures for y'all that illustrate what I'm talking about, that shows that metal fans still support the artists. Our record 'Wrath' debuted at #2. 'Resolution' debuted at #3. 'Wrath' SoundScanned 68,000 copies during release week. 'Resolution' scanned over 52,000 copies first week. Now, you may look at these [numbers] and say, 'Wow, their chart position and sales have declined. Their fan base must be getting smaller.'??

"NOT AT ALL. Consider this — album-to-album sales ACROSS the board are down approximately 40%. This is due to a bad economy and (ahem) downloading. LAMB OF GOD's album sales are down only about 20%.

"Take the guy with the #2 slot, Tim McGraw. His last record came in at 139,000 copies. His record that debuted last week came in at 69,000. That is about a FIFTY PERCENT DROP. So while he sold more records than us, his drop in sale was FAR LARGER than ours. It's the norm EVERYONE on the charts.

"Everyone, except… yup, you guessed it, some of the more underground types of bands.

"During our second week, we can expect to see an 80% drop in sales. This is because we have a hardcore fan base who actually went out and got the record, most probably did ON THE DAY OF RELEASE.

"We aren't a big radio band. We don't have 'hits' or airplay to drive us along the charts. But we have a fan base that will exist long after machine has EATEN the latest pop sensation and spit them out.

"How many pop singers have 17-year careers that keep growing? Not many. Flash-in-the-pan bullshit.

"So we thank you for your support. We thank you for supporting our music.

"When I say 'our' music, I mean OUR music — it's YOUR music as well as LAMB OF GOD's. Otherwise we would't be where we are.

"Thanks again, and I'll see ya in the pit.”

"Resolution" was released in the U.S. via Epic and internationally through Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".

"Resolution" features 14 songs and comes in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.

Long-time TC guitar effects user John Petrucci (DREAM THEATER) has joined forces with TC Electronic, taking their collaboration to a whole new level.

Petrucci was one of the first artists to join TC's revolutionary TonePrint concept. In total, John created five personal TonePrints in early 2011 — two for Corona Chorus, two for Shaker Vibrato and one for the Vortex Flanger. John loved having access to all effect parameters so much that he instantly agreed to develop a signature pedal together with TC — one that was based on his own TonePrints. And so The Dreamscape was born.

John wanted to gather all of his TonePrints into a single pedal even though his original TonePrints are for three different pedals in the series. Therefore, his new signature pedal contains no less than three mind-blowing modulation effects that have been painstakingly tailored with an eye on even the tiniest detail by the master himself. To take this pedal over the top, John even created a brand new TonePrint for Vortex Flanger taking the total amount of custom-tweaked tones up to six — 2 x chorus, 2 x flanger and 2 x Vibrato.

Further, there is a TonePrint setting for uploading or beaming other TonePrints to the pedal. In short, for all John Petrucci and DREAM THEATER fans, this pedal is a must-have, and for anybody else, it is a clever way of getting three top-notch modulation effects in a compact pedal that will only take up a minimum of real estate on their pedal boards.

The Dreamscape has four knobs: Speed, Depth, FX Level and one that chooses between the six integrated signature tones and one additional TonePrint. Further, the pedal has a three-way switch for toggling between Bright, Normal and Dark, which is an overall tonal shaping feature chosen by Petrucci. Finally, The Dreamscape also contains all of the great features included in other TonePrint pedals such as true bypass, one-screw-battery-access and a sturdy design made for life on the road.

John Petrucci will be visiting three Guitar Center stores in Manhattan (March 30), Central Chicago (March 31) and San Francisco (April 1), introducing The Dreamscape. These in-store appearances will give musicians the opportunity to hear Petrucci unlock the power of The Dreamscape, take a photo and also get The Dreamscape signed by Petrucci.

The Dreamscape is exclusively available at Guitar Center in the U.S., and can be pre-ordered at GuitarCenter.com in early February. and will also be available in the three stores mentioned above on March 16.

For die-hard Petrucci fans, picking up The Dreamscape online or at one of these exclusive Guitar Center locations ahead of time or online, is a must as Petrucci will only be signing The Dreamscape at these in-store appearances. In Canada, Long & McQuade will be the exclusive dealer for The Dreamscape. In the rest of the world, Dreamscape will be available February 2012.

The Dreamscape Main Features

* Six Signature Tones Tailored by John Petrucci
* One Brand New Flanger TonePrint
* Three Mind-blowing Modulation Effects in One Pedal: Chorus, Flanger and Vibrato
* Corona Chorus TonePrints Are Available as The Dreamscape TonePrints

Price: USD 249 / EUR 249

LocalBozo.com recently conducted an interview with Brett Hestla of DARK NEW DAY. You can now listen to the chat below.

DARK NEW DAY is the band featuring Clint Lowery (guitar; SEVENDUST), Corey Lowery (bass; ex-STEREOMUD, STUCK MOJO), Brett Hestla (vocals, guitar; ex-CREED, VIRGOS MERLOT), Will Hunt (drums; EVANESCENCE, ex-SKRAPE, TOMMY LEE) and Bradley "BC" Kochmit (guitar; SWITCHED a.k.a. SW1TCHED).

"New Tradition", the previously unreleased second album from DARK NEW DAY, will finally be made available on February 28 via Goomba Music.

"We're very excited about the new DARK NEW DAY release," proclaims guitarist Clint Lowery. "It seems the time is right to make these songs public and share with the fans that continue to support this project. We believe this music is still very valid and powerful today, and think its mandatory we give these songs a fair chance out in the music world. We owe it to ourselves and the DARK NEW DAY fans. 'New Tradition' sums up the mindset we were in writing the follow-up to 'Twelve Year Silence'."

"New Tradition" track listing:

01. Fist From The Sky
02. Come Alive
03. I Don't Need You
04. New Tradition
05. Tremendous
06. Sorry
07. Straightjacket
08. Take It From Me
09. Caught In The Light
10. Sunday
11. Fiend
12. Breakdown
13. Burns Your Eyes

DARK NEW DAY released its debut album, "Twelve Year Silence", in June of 2005. The CD was mixed with producer/mixer Ben Grosse, who had previously worked with FILTER, FUEL, SEVENDUST and ALTER BRIDGE. The disc featured the single "Brother" (see video below). The band went on a hiatus after releasing the "Black Porch (Acoustic Sessions)" EP while the members focused on their current projects.

The members of DARK NEW DAY came together in 2011 to compile tracks for this special release to put out as a "thank you" to all the loyal fans that have continued to follow the band and request more material from the group.

DARK NEW DAY may have been new to fans of the bandmembers' previous groups, but it was really a reunion that was twelve years in the making, as the members of DARK NEW DAY literally grew up together. Brothers Clint and Corey Lowery and childhood friend Troy McLawhorn met singer Brett Hestla and drummer Will Hunt while touring as kids in the Southeast club circuit. "We were playing a circuit that had a lot of older people in it, in their twenties, and we were all kids, so we could identify with each other," said Hunt in a 2005 interview. "We really came into ourselves on that circuit," added Corey. "It was like going to rock 'n' roll high school — you'd always try and turn it up because you wanted to impress each other."

Fan-filmed video footage of AMARANTHE's January 26 concert at Klubi in Tampere, Finland can be seen below.

AMARANTHE's self-titled debut album was released in Europe on April 13, 2011 via Spinefarm Records.

AMARANTHE's Elize Ryd was selected to fill the female singer spot on KAMELOT's recent European, South American and North American tours.

Elize previously performed with KAMELOT on the 2010 "Summer Pandemonium Tour" and the band's European trek in April/May 2010.

AMARANTHE is:

* Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE, DRAGONLAND) - Guitar, Keyboards
* Jake E (ex-DREAM EVIL, DREAMLAND) - Clean Vocals
* Andy Solveström (WITHIN Y, EVILDOER, CIPHER SYSTEM) - Screams
* Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION) - Drums
* Johan Andreassen (ex-ENGEL) - Bass
* Elize Ryd - Female Vocals

AMARANTHE's "Amaranthine" video was once again helmed by director Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with one of the "Nameless Ghouls" from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Blistering.com: The whole aspect of the band being anonymous is crucial to what GHOST is about. Does it wear you out having to go to all of these lengths to conceal your identity?

The Nameless Ghoul: Yes and no. On a day-to-day basis when we are home, it can be slightly irritating at times when you have to justify what you are doing. Some of us in the band have experienced people telling us we have to quit our jobs. It's hard to justify quitting your job because you're pursuing a musical career, but nobody knows what band you're in [laughs]. So it gives you an enormous loser tag right in your forehead and you have to say that with the loser tag, and you just fight it [laughs]. That's one of the weird perks to being in this band. There's a lot of people in your immediate surrounding that you don't share a lot of information with. Being away for months at a time, obviously that's weird when people don't' know what you're doing. On the positive side, you can be released of a lot the negative aspect of being semi-famous or recognized. Some things we are missing out on, but I'm glad to not be a part of that. I prefer being my own individual and doing things with my friends. Fortunately, I'm doing this with a lot of my friends and whenever we choose to step outside of the bubble, we can easily do so. We don't need to be entertainers or members of the band; nobody expects us to jump onstage the bar. Nobody knows…we could pass as roadies and it would be perfect.

Blistering.com: Living in the age of the Internet, it's really easy to get information on just about anyone. Are you worried about information being leaked on you guys?

The Nameless Ghoul: As long as we don't state publicly who we might be, we really don't see it as a huge problem. We're not on a worldwide "above-the-radar" basis. We're still virtually unknown as a band, much different than in a Paris Hilton sort of way [laughs]. As long as we don't have that as an attraction, there's really not much [reason] in this group to unfold our true identities. Like a public statement would have to rely on us coming out, and as long as we don't do that, we can keep on… not even denying, but not even commenting on rumors or what people say.

Blistering.com: What's the status on the follow-up to [GHOST's debut album] "Opus Eponymous"?

The Nameless Ghoul: Most of the material has been written already. Throughout the production and writing, we've been using the word "divine" a lot. Whereas with the first album, the sound was slightly "wooden," we want the new album to be stone and golden in terms of being lavished and divine. So we are trying to paint an even more solemn religion and there's all sorts of dramatic steps forward. The first album is about the arrival of the anti-Christ, about a coming darkness. The new album will about a current darkness, the presence of the devil, how it relates to divinity and how it's futile you grasp whatever is divine.

Blistering.com: Considering how successful "Opus Eponymous" was, are you prepared for what should be some extremely high expectations for this album?

The Nameless Ghoul: I can't honestly say, but I think our sort of relaxed distance from what we're doing professionally might show that we're pretty well fit for survival. You never know. We are humans as well and we're trying to make a record that's supposed to be better than something a lot of people like, of course there's some pressure. You deliberately have to try to want to remember why you are doing this in the first place. With the first album, no one had any clue about us. So I think we'll manage to do it; I think the new album will hopefully as confronting and polarizing as the first one. If it's not, then it will be a waste of everyone's time if we try to do 10 more "Rituals".

Read the entire interview from Blistering.com.

Video footage of GHOST's November 30, 2011 concert at 013 in Tilburg, Holland can be viewed below.

Swedish death metallers PUTERAEON have entered RZA Mobile Recording to begin recording their sophomore album, "Cult Cthulhu", for a May release via the German label Cyclone Empire. The 11-song follow-up to last year's "The Esoteric Order" is being tracked with sound engineer Kristian "Risza" Isaksson (EVERGREY, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, PSYCORE, RECLUSION, NOTRE DAME) and will once again be mixed by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque at his Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.

A 10-minute video clip in which the PUTERAEON members answer fan-submitted questions can be seen below. Also included is a pre-production recording of the band's new song "Children Of Dagon".

Coming from the Gothenburg area, PUTERAEON caused quite a bit of a stir with its three demo CDs, "Fascination For Mutilation", "The Requiem" and "The Extraordinary Work Of Herbert West".

PUTERAEON was spawned in 2008 by mainman Jonas Lindblood (TAETRE, THORIUM), who states the following: "I started doing some riffs that took me back to my roots in death metal, the glorious early '90s!"

In addition to Jonas (vocals, guitar), PUTERAEON features Anders Malmström (NOMINON, PROPHANITY, IMMEMORIAL, INVERTED) on drums, Daniel Vandija (13ITCH) on bass and Rune Foss on second guitar.

Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks! conducted an interview with singer Cristina Scabbia of the Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL on Saturday, January 28 at the third show of this year's Gigantour at the 5,600-seat Theater At Madison Square Garden in New York City. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the New York City concert.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "Shallow Life", opened with 21,000 units back April 2009 to land at No. 16.

LACUNA COIL's 2006 album, "Karmacode", premiered with 34,000 copies back in April 2006 to enter the chart at No. 28. It has since sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S.

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

"Dark Adrenaline" was released in North America on January 24 via Century Media Records. The CD was helmed by acclaimed producer Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE) and "deliver[s] the melodic, sensual, metallic rush for which the band has come to be known," according to a press release.

Fans both old and new have a variety of options to choose from, as "Dark Adrenaline" was released in numerous formats, including standard-edition CD and vinyl, deluxe edition digipak with a bonus DVD, sticker, poster and guitar pick and as an iTunes LP with expanded packaging, five bonus audio tracks and video. The Metal Club edition features exclusive artwork designed by the band and will be limited to 3,000 units. The Hastings edition features a bonus 10-track LACUNA COIL sampler, and the Amazon digital edition comes with a free five-track sampler. Finally, for true fans of the band, is the "Darkest Adrenaline" box set, which includes both the digipak and vinyl versions of the album along with a hardcover photo book, a LACUNA COIL custom syringe pen and ink, a lyric pad, signed lithographs created by the band and more, all housed in a LACUNA COIL medical box. This box set is limited to 500 pieces and is available exclusively through CM Distro.

Interview:



Performance:

††† (CROSSES) — DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno's latest project with FAR guitarist Shaun Lopez — made its live debut last night (Tuesday, January 31) at The Glass House in Pomona, California.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. †hholyghs†
02. †his Is A †rick
03. Bermuda Locke†
04. Fron†iers
05. Prurien†
06. †elepa†hy
07. 1987
08. †
09. The Years
10. Op†ion
11. Swan Song (GIANT DRAG cover) (feat. Annie Hardy)
12. †rophy

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

††† (CROSSES) released its second EP, "††", on January 24. A song from the effort, "Prurien†", is available for streaming at RollingStone.com.

Lopez told RollingStone.com that ††† (CROSSES)'s newest song "is one of about 20 or so we've written, and the initial idea was almost metal. It ultimately morphed into something opposite of that — less aggressive, still big and resonating."

In a recent interview with ChinaShop, Moreno stated about how ††† (CROSSES) came together, "I remember I mentioned to [Shaun] one day when we were hanging out, y'know, 'We should make a record together.' It just so happened that when I moved to L.A. I ended up living a few blocks away from him. I was down here working on recording some vocals with Shaun. We just clicked. We listened to a lot of the same music. We've always worked well together. With this project in particular, I met [guitarist] Chuck over at Shaun's house. Chuck was working on some of his solo stuff. I don't know when they started working together, but they said they were working on a project together and asked if I was interested in contributing vocals. Whenever they were working, I'd just ride my bike over there. A couple different times, I was just like, 'Let me try singing on this,' and they were like, 'OK, cool.' I'd just go in and throw in a bunch of ideas. Pretty soon they got rid of the idea of getting a bunch of different singers together. We just started working on the record together. And any time I had a break, I'd just head on over there to see what was going on and stuff. This started maybe 9 months ago, and I'd been on tour for a year and a half. I'd just spend some time over at his studio when I could."

When asked if there is somebody who's a sort of designated songwriter, Chino said, "You'd have to ask these guys about that. Most of the songs were written before I came in. I just talked to them and said, y'know, 'I really like this, can I sing on it?' I know Chuck will come in with a bunch of chord progressions. He'll send me a couple chord progressions, with a really lo-fi beat going on, and you can pretty much hear the beat in there, and send it to me, sort of like, 'See what you can come up with for this.' And him and Shaun will work on laying out the rest of the music. When he gives you a copy of the music, do you pretty much get an idea of what to sing. Shaun says that when he's writing a lot of the time, he already has in mind what I'm going to sing, and will sometimes plan it around that. It almost seems like, I'm right there with it. I'm never overwhelmed, like, 'Wow, what am I going to do with this?”' It just seems pretty natural. I'll just go in and throw out melodies."

According to StatesmanJournal.com, JOURNEY drummer Deen Castronovo pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four charges stemming from an arrest last month in Salem, Oregon.

The 47-year-old musician was charged with recklessly endangering another person, interfering with making a police report, second-degree criminal mischief and harassment.

Castronovo was arrested on January 21 for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend. TMZ.com reported that Castronovo "also received additional charges when he took the phone away from the woman while she was trying to call her father."

The woman told police that she and Castronovo had been involved in a three-year relationship, but split up about four weeks prior to the altercation.

A representative of Castronovo's claims the altercation was "a misunderstanding that should not have been escalated to such a level in the first place."

Castronovo's booking photo can be seen below.

LoudGuitars.com conducted an interview with guitarist Craig Locicero of San Francisco Bay Area metallers FORBIDDEN at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that took place January 19-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.

FORBIDDEN last fall announced the addition of drummer Sasha Horn (ex-NOVEMBER'S DOOM, AVA INFERI) from Chicago to the group's ranks.

The band's latest album, "Omega Wave", was released in Europe on October 22, 2010 and in North America on October 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD landed at position No. 27 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 producers of the black metal documentary titled "Out Of The Black" have decided to release the long-overdue film for free on the Web in the next four weeks. Executive producer Will Shackleford says, "This thing has taken way too long to complete. We have had financial difficulties, technical difficulties, alleged theft of key parts of the film, inter-genre conflicts and on and on and on... Anything and everything imaginable has been thrown at us during the filming of this documentary. So we have decided to release the film for free. We are currently working out the fine details of the release and should announce our plans in the next few days."

"Out Of The Black" will feature appearances by Simon "Pilgrim Beastarius" Rosén of CRIMSON MOONLIGHT; Grim Vindkall of DOMGÅRD; Dr. Thomas Bossius (black metal expert); Dr. Brain Kirkmeyer (U.S. metal expert); HansFurste of SVARTTJERN; Morbid of DEATH OF DESIRE; former EYES OF NOCTUM frontman Weston Cage, now of DEATH OF DESIRE; Alex Webster, Paul Mazurkiewicz and George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher of CANNIBAL CORPSE; and many more.

Adds Shackelford: "I think we have made a true underground film about black metal with the opinions derived from people in the scene. We wanted this film to be based on the opinions of the musicians in black metal and death metal. we feel we have accomplished that and to keep it underground we have decided to release it for free."

For more information, visit www.blackmetaldocumentary.com.

Pamela Ashton of LoudGuitars.com recently conducted an interview with guitarist Phil Demmel of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD. You can now watch the chat below.

MACHINE HEAD is currently taking part in a North American headlining with support from SUICIDE SILENCE and DARKEST HOUR.

MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.

MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.

MACHINE HEAD's previous CD, "The Blackening", opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.

Australian melodic power metallers BLACK MAJESTY have set "Stargazer" as the title of their new album, due in May through Limb Music.

BLACK MAJESTY began recording drums back in October 2011 with Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN) at Grapow Studios in Slovakia and has since been busy in its homeland of Australia laying down guitars and vocals.

Grapow will mix the CD in the coming months.

"Stargazer" will feature the following songtitles, among others: "The Fallen", "Edge Of The World", "The Killing Hand", "Lykan" and "Journey To The Soul".

BLACK MAJESTY has been confirmed for this year's edition of the Masters Of Rock festival in the Czech Republic alongside THIN LIZZY, EXODUS, STRATOVARIUS, EDGUY, KAMELOT, SABATON, GOTTHARD, ARCH ENEMY, WITHIN TEMPTATION, FIREWIND, BLOODBOUND and ARAKAIN, among others.

BLACK MAJESTY's last album, "In Your Honour", was released in Europe in May 2010 via Limb Music. The CD was produced by Grapow at his Grapow Studios in Slovakia. Dirk Illing (SCORPIONS, WIZARD) once again handled the album's artwork, which continues the theme of the band's past works.

Vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet of Christian hard rockers STRYPER has released instrumental audio samples (no lead vocals) of three songs — "Unsuspecting", "All That Left (For Me To Prove)" and "Taking On The World Tonight" — that will appear on his forthcoming solo album, tentatively due this summer. You can now check them out below.

Sweet entered the studio on December 18 to begin recording his new solo CD. He previously revealed that Kenny Aronoff (CHICKENFOOT) would be drumming on the record and that there would be a few "guest musicians/singers" as well.

Sweet's last solo album, "Touched", was released in December 2007 exclusively through Michael's official web site, MichaelSweet.com. The CD, which included reworked versions of four STRYPER songs, was not made available in stores.

Sweet is currently writing his first "book/autobiography," which he promises "will outline my life and give you a page-by-page layout of the early years, the ups and downs of being in a Christian rock band, behind-the-scenes stories of what really goes on 'behind the scenes' of a successful Christian rock band (good and bad), getting through the toughest battle of all, joining the legendary classic rock band BOSTON, and much much more."

STRYPER recently released short audio clips of "Bleeding From Inside Out" and "Blackened", the two new tracks which will be included on a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classic songs, to be released in the summer of 2012. The CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from "The Yellow And Black Attack", six from "Soldiers Under Command", six from "To Hell With The Devil", as well as the two aforementioned new tracks.

Michael Sweet will perform his faith-based "storytellers" solo acoustic show in churches around the world this year. The performances are a combination of STRYPER classics, new solo material, and notable praise and worship songs.

If you are interested in Michael Sweet performing at your church, please have your church leaders contact Dave Rose at Dave [at] DeepSouthEntertainment.com.

"Unsuspecting" audio sample:



"All That Left (For Me To Prove)" audio sample:



"Taking On The World Tonight" audio sample:

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach played three "special concerts" in New York City with BILLY IDOL guitarist Steve Stevens. The shows took place on January 27, January 28 and January 29 at The Iridium and featured Bach and Stevens "doing two sets a night," including "some special unexpected songs."

Video footage of Bach and Stevens performing cover versions of songs by AC/DC, JIMI HENDRIX, QUEEN, AEROSMITH, SKID ROW, VAN HALEN and BILLY IDOL can be seen below. They were accompanied at the show by Pete Thorn on second guitar, Neil Jason on bass and Anton Fig on drums.

In a recent interview with Rock Nothing But…, Bach stated about his collaboration with the BILLY IDOL guitarist, "I've always loved Steve Stevens. He's always been one of my heroes. He's a true rock star guitar player and a personality onstage. The way he plays, how he has those shotgun blasts on the guitar with the whammy bar and all that. It's just so distinctive. I've always wanted to jam with him, so yeah, we could work together in the future. I would really enjoy that. We do shows with CAMP FREDDY. Which is a band made up of Billy Morrison, Mark McGrath, Billy Idol plays quite a bit. That's where I met Steve Stevens. Dave Navarro plays a lot. Steve plays 'Youth Gone Wild' and 'I Remember You'. It's unbelievable. I never thought I'd hear Steve Stevens play SKID ROW songs."

The first two in a series of video updates from the recording sessions for "Ethera", the fifth album from Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, can be seen below. Due later in the year via Napalm Records, the CD is currently being recorded at Artesonika Studios in Pordenone (near Venice), Italy.

Regarding the new album title, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS said, "'Ethera' is a word mix out of 'ether' as the quintessence of this band, the energy between the five band members, the fifth album and 'era,' leading VISIONS OF ATLANTIS to some new and interesting musical and lyrical shores while still remaining typically VISIONS OF ATLANTIS!"

Fabio D'Amore (SERENITY) and Ivan Moni Bidin, who is also a master at the mixing desk, are producing this latest work.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' "Maria Magdelena" EP was released last October.

The band's October 23, 2011 performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium professionally filmed for an upcoming DVD.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' fourth album, "Delta", was released in North America on March 15, 2011 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany and marks the debut of the group's new singer, Maxi Nil, who joined the group in 2009.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), will release its first concert CD, "Live Over Europe", on February 28 on the J&R Adventures imprint. This two-disc CD follows up the October 2011 release of the two-disc DVD by the same name.

Recently named by Eddie Trunk and co-hosts as "Best New Band Of The Last 10 Years" on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION taped "Live Over Europe" during its debut tour in the summer of 2011. On the album, the band blazes through 17 tracks, recorded in surround over three nights, playing to packed venues in Hamburg, Munich and Berlin. The setlist includes songs from both of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's albums — 2010's self-titled debut and 2011's sophomore release, "2" — including "Black Country", "One Last Soul", "Save Me", "Man In The Middle", "Cold" and "Song Of Yesterday". Also included in the mix is "The Ballad Of John Henry" from Bonamassa's 2009 solo album and the DEEP PURPLE classic "Burn".

Producer Kevin Shirley explains: "We saw that this live act could be an awesome force of nature to behold; one that promised legendary performances like those of our heroes of classic rock. The plan was to get them out there for the entire world to hear. Records allow a certain musical finesse, but live performance promises so much in the very transient nature of a gig; chances are taken, boundaries are crossed and the most exciting performances explode. Two studio albums built a repertoire big enough for a full concert which allowed us to unleash the monster for all the world to see and feel."

"Live Over Europe" track listing

Disc 1

01. Revolution Of The Machine
02. Black Country
03. One Last Soul
04. Crossfire
05. Save Me
06. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
07. Beggarman
08. Faithless
09. Song Of Yesterday
10. I Can See Your Spirit

Disc 2

11. Cold
12. The Ballad of John Henry
13. The Outsider
14. The Great Divide
15. Sista Jane
16. Man In The Middle
17. Burn

CANNIBAL CORPSE and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will headline this year's "Summer Slaughter Tour". A new band for the trek set to be announced each Sunday beginning this coming weekend. The exact cities and dates will be revealed at a later date.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will release its twelfth studio album, "Torture", on March 13 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Evisceration Plague" offers up 12 tracks of maniacally precise, soul-searing death metal. "Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's latest album, "The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues", was released in April 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The three-song, 30-minute tour de force was recorded at Canada's Metalworks Studios and Rattlebox Studios and helmed by the Grammy award–winning producer David Bottrill (TOOL, MUSE, KING CRIMSON, DREAM THEATER).

Fan-filmed video footage of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH performing two new songs — "Analysis Paralysis" and "Quarantined" — on January 27 at the Vortex club in Siegen, Germany can be seen below.

NAPALM DEATH will release its 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"), "Utilitarian", on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

In anticipation of this release, the band has now launched an "Occupy Napalm" Facebook tab to show their support for the Occupy movement and to provide fans with the latest news about their politically-charged "Utilitarian". With downloadable Occupy-themed stencils and screensavers, plus a special video teaser for "Utilitarian" created by Mitch Harris (guitar, vocals), this Facebook tab is the place to go for everything NAPALM DEATH!

"Utilitarian" track listing

01. Circumspect
02. Errors In The Signals
03. Everyday Pox
04. Protection Racket
05. The Wolf I Feed
06. Quarantined
07. Fall On Their Swords
08. Collision Course
09. Orders Of Magnitude
10. Think Tank Trials
11. Blank Look About Face
12. Leper Colony
13. Nom De Guerre
14. Analysis Paralysis
15. Opposite Repellent
16. A Gag Reflex
17. Aim Without An Aim (bonus track)
18. Everything In Mono (bonus track)

Upon "Utilitarian"'s release, NAPALM DEATH's limited-edition "Analysis Paralysis" seen-inch EP will also be available for purchase at CM Distro in black and clear vinyl. Its B-side includes the exclusive track "Youth Offender", making this a very collectable piece for any diehard NAPALM DEATH fan.

Singer Mark "Barney" Greenway explains the album title and concept: "After some deliberation, we have decided on 'Utilitarian' as the album title. We generally try to avoid generic titles, and this seemed to have a lot of scope to it. I won't explain the full meaning of utilitarianism here because it's an ethical theory, and as ethical theories go, the depth and debate around it is quite heavy at times. It has a certain 'morality' aspect to it and that isn't something that drives me, so I also certainly have issues with it."

"So, rather than just nail that straight to the mast, of course we wanted to put our own spin on it by suggesting that those (i.e. the utilitarian in us, perhaps) who try to challenge everything, or fight against conventions, well, we go through periods of real self-doubt where we wonder if we're really making a difference. I suppose the conclusion is that, for the sake of all our freedoms, you should never stop, as even the feeling of resistance is at least a signal to those who would like to entirely control and dominate us — meaning everything from our instinctive behavior to our human entitlement to walk the earth unprovoked.

"Regarding the album overall, the final creases should be ironed out fairly soon, and immediately after that, we thought it would be good to top it off with a few U.K. dates. We've been playing one new song ('Quarantined') out on a tour of Canada and it's been well received, so we hope to perhaps throw in another one for now. Either way, we'll be bouncing off the walls again near you very soon."

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX's January 27 concert at Murat Egyptian Room in Indianapolis, Indiana can be seen below. The performance was notable because it marked ANTHRAX's first-ever appearance without both Scott Ian (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums).

ANTHRAX's setlist for the Indianapolis concert:

01. Earth On Hell
02. Fight 'Em Till You Can't
03. Caught In A Mosh
04. Antisocial (TRUST cover)
05. The Devil You Know (with DEATH ANGEL's Rob Cavestany)
06. Indians (with DEATH ANGEL's Ted Aguilar)
07. In The End (with DEATH ANGEL's Rob Cavestany)
08. Got The Time (JOE JACKSON cover) (with Ted Aguilar)
09. Medusa (with DEATH ANGEL's Ted Aguilar)

Encore:

10. Madhouse (with DEATH ANGEL's Rob Cavestany)
11. Metal Thrashing Mad
12. I Am The Law

On Wednesday, January 25, Ian contracted a bad viral infection that caused him to be hospitalized near his home in Los Angeles. He was put though a battery of tests, and received fluids intravenously. While he was allowed to go home to await the test results, ER doctors told him he could not fly for at least 24 hours; consequently Ian missed Thursday's show in Kansas City and Friday's Indianapolis concert. He rejoined the band in Fort Wayne on Saturday.

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante is taking a short leave from the band's concert tour to be with his mother who is terminally ill. Immediately following Thursday's show Kansas City, Benante flew to New York to join his family at his mother's bedside.

In Ian's absence, guitarists from TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL have stepped in to play his parts on various songs; starting with Friday's show in Indianapolis, TESTAMENT's drummer Gene Hoglan is filling in for Benante.

"We didn't want to cancel any of the concerts, we didn't want to let anyone down," said ANTHRAX's Rob Caggiano, "so we decided to figure out a way to keep the show on the road. We're so grateful to the guys in TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL for stepping up."

MUNICIPAL WASTE frontman Tony Foresta makes a guest appearance on the new album from PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION, the band featuring members of D.R.I., DEAD HORSE and VERBAL ABUSE. Tony wrote lyrics to, and sang, one song and added backing vocals to many of the other tunes on the CD, which was recorded in Austin, Texas.

D.R.I. frontman Kurt Brecht, who sings in PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION, asked Tony over six months ago if he would consider helping out on the PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION CD. There has also been talk of Brecht making a guest appearance on an upcoming release from Tony's side project IRON REAGAN.

"I had one tune on the album that I was really having problems with," says Brecht. "I was not happy with my lyrics or the delivery on the studio recording. I knew the song deserved better. Tony wrote new words and changed the phrasing to really save the day."

The release of the PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION album should coincide with the arrival of the new MUNICIPAL WASTE LP as well as the 30-year anniversary tour of D.R.I. Talk about perfect timing!

PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION is:

Kurt Brecht (D.R.I.) - Vocals
Greg Martin (DEAD HORSE) - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Ronny Guyote (DEAD HORSE) - Drums/Backing Vocals
Scott Sevall (DEAD HORSE) - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Bubba D. (VERBAL ABUSE) - Bass/Backing Vocals

Los Angeles-based hardcore band STRIFE will head down to Brazil next week to start recording its as-yet-untitled new full-length album. The group has enlisted longtime friend Igor Cavalera (SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) to play drums on the CD, which will be produced by TERROR drummer Nick Jett (TAKE OFFENSE, LIONHEART). The effort will be laid down at Mix Nova Studios in Brazil, with additional recordings set to take place at Blood Tracks Studio and Sunset Lodge in Los Angeles. Producer Matt Hyde (HATEBREED, SLAYER) will take care of the mastering duties.

Commented STRIFE guitarist Andrew Kline: "This album is going to be our best release yet… We have been working on pre-production tracks for the last few months, and the songs are amazing. This record is more along the lines of [1997's] 'In This Defiance', but with a harder and a little more modern edge. Plus Igor's drumming is really going to take everything to the next level."

A final release date, label, cover art and additional information will be revealed in the near future.

Cavalera previously made a guest appearance on STRIFE's second album, 1997's "In This Defiance".

Guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD, SEBASTIAN BACH, TESTAMENT, PAINMUSEUM) is the featured artist on the "Sounds Of Berklee" iTunes podcast.

"Sounds Of Berklee", the official podcast of the renowned Berklee College Of Music, tracks and spotlights careers of noted Berklee College of Music alumni.

Commented Mike, "I am psyched to be featured on the iTunes podcast from Berklee.

"I attended Berklee College Of Music between 1990 and 1994. It is an awesome surprise to be a part of it, to be honest — especially since I was just a crazy metalhead blowing up the amps while studying there. Most other students were a bit more 'proper' by playing jazz. I certainly was a sight with my old Chastain, Macalpine and OVERKILL T-shirts roaming the halls. I was more interested in learning Steve Vai's 'For The Love Of God' than working with the 'Real Book.' While everyone was practicing their jazz licks, I would sneak out to a local Boston rock club Axis and just immerse myself in the scene of national metal acts touring through. I think fondly of the time I have spent there."

The featured song in the podcast is "The One You Love To Hate" from HALFORD's "Resurrection" album. The track additionally features IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson.

Said Mike, "I remember recording my parts for that song in California and when both Rob [Halford] and Bruce walked into the studio's control room. Both of them just stood behind me and listened to me working. Talking about nerve-wracking, man. It was just a huge thrill to be involved. That entire album just contains incredible energy."

You can listen to the podcast at this location.

Photo credit: Mark Weiss / Weissguy Gallery

Charlotte, North Carolina-based metallers WRETCHED have entered the studio to begin recording their third full-length album, "Son Of Perdition", for a March 27 release via Victory Records. The CD is being produced by Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HE IS LEGEND, FOR TODAY) at The Basement Studio in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Last year, WRETCHED solidified its lineup with the addition of industry veterans Adam Cody (GLASS CASKET) and Andrew Grevey (LOCULUS) taking the positions of vocalist and bassist, respectively. "Son Of Perdition" marks the first official appearances by Cody and Grevey since their inception into WRETCHED.

The band took "a huge step forward, musically," on the new record, confirms guitarist, and one of the two founding members, Steven Funderbunk. He adds, "Lyrically, the fans can expect an apocalyptic-type theme that portrays a very personal experience. This record will include some of our darkest and most mature material written to date." "Son Of Perdition" also exposes a "more melodic approach to the Wretched sound," says Funderbunk. "A lot of the drums are harmonically matched with a lot of the guitar riffs. We also used a lot of cool chords we haven't used in the past. It's far more rhythmic and grooves more than our previous records."

WRETCHED will support "Son Of Perdition" on this spring's Metal Alliance Tour beginning in March, hitting 31 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

According to the unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, Universal Music has set a March 19 European release date for the "deluxe-edition" reissues of the first three DIO albums: "Holy Diver", "The Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart". These reissues are being made available worldwide, except in North America, where Warner Bros. owns the rights to the material.

In May 2010, the world of hard rock and heavy metal had lost one of its most gifted and fervent ambassadors, with the passing of Ronnie James Dio. In his position as lead vocalist for rock giants such as RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH, as well as fronting his own eponymous band for nearly three decades, Dio created some of the genres most defining and respected works. Albums such as "Holy Diver", "Sacred Heart" and "The Last In Line" all stand as towering monuments of sheer class and brilliance in the rock pantheon. Dio was also to pave the way in regards to performing live, as few equaled him. With his incredible vocal range, Dio was to preside over countless memorable rock shows, enthralling his millions of fans worldwide.

As well as the original CD being remastered, these reissues each feature a bonus CD containing an expanded booklet with notes from Malcolm Dome and has been endorsed by Ronnie's widow Wendy Dio.

"Holy Diver" was the debut album from DIO, released May 25, 1983. It was hailed by critics as some of his best work and in January 1986 it was awarded silver certification in the U.K. The upbeat sounding "Rainbow In The Dark" was to catch MTV's attention, with the title track also standing out.

"The Last In Line" was the second DIO studio album. It was released on July 13, 1984 and was the first album from DIO to reach platinum status as well as No. 4 in the U.K. chart. This new album showcased the anthemic tracks "We Rock" and "I Speed at Night" as well as the seven-minute epic "Egypt ( The Chains Are On)".

Issued in October 1985, "Sacred Heart" was the third studio album from DIO. The album reached No. 4 in the U.K. chart and was to go on to be certified gold. This was to become a much-loved DIO album, and contained the tracks "Rock N' Roll Children" and "Hungry For Heaven". The stage show that was to accompany this album was hailed as a spectacle, involving a mechanized dragon as well as lasers. Ronnie and his band were to refer to the dragon as Denzil. This was the last studio album to be released by DIO that included guitarist Vivian Campbell.

The first disc in each reissue consists of the original album, remastered by Andy Pearce. The following are details for the bonus disc included with each reissue.

"Holy Diver" - Disc Two (one studio track, along with live recordings)

01. Evil Eyes
02. Stand Up And Shout
03. Straight Through The Heart
04. Stand Up And Shout
05. Shame On The Night
06. Children Of The Sea
07. Holy Diver
08. Rainbow In The Dark
09. Man On The Silver Mountain

"Last In Line" - Disc Two

01. Stand Up And Shout (live) (B-side of "Last In Line" single)
02. Straight Through The Heart (live) (B-side of "Last In Line" single)
03. Eat Your Heart Out (live) (from "Mystery" single)
04. Don't Talk To Strangers (live) (from "Mystery" single)
05. Holy Diver (live) (B-side of "We Rock" single)
06. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (B-side of "We Rock" single)
07. One Night In The City (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
08. We Rock (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
09. Holy Diver (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
10. Stargazer (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
11. Heaven And Hell (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
12. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
13. Man On The Silver Mountain (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
14. Don't Talk To Strangers (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)

"Sacred Heart" - Disc Two

01. Hide in the Rainbow (studio track, originally on the soundtrack to the movie "Iron Eagle")
02. We Rock (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
03. The Last in Line (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
04. Like the Beat Of A Heart (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
05. King of Rock & Roll (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
06. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
07. Sacred Heart (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
08. Time To Burn (studio) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
09. Rock 'N' Roll Children (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
10. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
11. Man On The Silver Mountain (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
12. We Rock (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)

Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) and Sean Kinney (ALICE IN CHAINS) are teaming up for their own radio show. Details as to when and where this will air won't be announced for a while, but they'd like to get you involved.

The guys will be doing a segment where they'll answer questions submitted by fans. What they need is for you to e-mail them a brief question about anything: music, movies, food, travel, advice, or even their mutual disdain for milk. They are looking for anything that will get a little conversation going, and also answer the burning questions you've been dying to ask.

So keep it short and to the point, include your name, and e-mail them today at askseanandduff@gmail.com

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

Vocalist Oni Logan has reportedly rejoined LYNCH MOB and will sing on the band's upcoming album and tour.

Former DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch revealed at last month's NAMM show that he had tapped VAINS OF JENNA frontman Jesse Forte to handle the lead vocals for LYNCH MOB for the foreseeable future.

A short time later, the members of VAINS OF JENNA — who had relocated back to their native Sweden after spending several years in Los Angeles — announced that they were calling it quits.

Forte, who was born in Arkansas but moved to the West Coast at a very young age, has now revealed that he is no longer working with Lynch and will instead move on with a new project.

Says Forte, "I actually won't be working with George on LYNCH MOB. He informed me over the phone that he and Oni have reconciled and have decided to continue on. I wish them the best. Stay tuned for my next project."

Lynch and Logan reformed LYNCH MOB in 2008 and released a comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", the following year, but had a falling out in July of 2010 when Logan failed to show up for Houston, Texas gig. "Oni let the band and our fans down," Lynch stated at the time. "He quit the band at 5:30 a.m. before our 7:30 a.m. scheduled flight. He left us high and dry and did not fulfill his commitment. We are saddened and disappointed — but as a band, we are committed to honoring our obligations."

An unknown singer by the name of Chris Romero was recruited for the first two shows of that tour, while Chaz West of BONHAM handled the vocal duties on the rest of the dates.

In a January 2010 interview with PureGrainAudio.com, Oni stated about his return to LYNCH MOB, "I never thought it would happen, honestly. I am glad that it did happen, and now that it has, it is like going back in time and visiting an old friend and kind of just picking up where we left off. This is such a natural thing for me and George. Our chemistry is great, he does the music and I do the lyrics and what you have is 'Smoke And Mirrors'."

When asked how he prepares for the physical demands of a tour, Oni said, "Well, we try to do some different things as opposed to years ago when we were younger. We are pretty level-headed guys and I think we have a way of dealing with touring, for sure. I try to stay fit as much as I can. Obviously, when you are out on the road, you do not get to eat quite as well and you are pretty much sleep-deprived at times. It is all a matter of trying to find ways to keep yourself happy and sane. It is a pretty crazy rock and roll world out there, you know. Fans come out to have a good time, which is great, but there are a lot of things that come along with that as well. We try to keep level-headed and press on, because it is all about the music and nothing else."

António Melão of online magazine Hard'n'Heavy conducted an interview with guitarist Bill Kelliher of Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON before the band's January 22 concert at Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, Portugal. You can now watch the chat below.

MASTODON will hit the road for a spring North American tour in support of their current album "The Hunter", which was released by Reprise Records in September. The tour kicks off on April 4 in Portland, Maine, and visits more than 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada before wrapping up with a hometown show at Atlanta's Masquerade Music Park on May 12. These shows will feature an amazing night of powerful music featuring a dream bill with Swedish metal band OPETH as co-headliners, with special guest GHOST providing support on all dates. Collectively MASTODON has stated: "We're excited to co-headline this tour with OPETH for whom we have great respect and admiration. Having GHOST along as well will make this tour a special event." Tickets go on sale February 3 and February 4. There will be a fan presale scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local venue time on Wednesday, February 1 available only at MastodonRocks.com.

MASTODON is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's Grammy nomination is for "Curl Of The Burl", the first single from MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter".

MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise Records debut album, "Blood Mountain".

Interview:



Performance videos:

WatchMojo.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH. You can now watch the chat below.

OPETH will team up with MASTODON for a spring North American co-headlining tour. The trek kicks off on April 4 in Portland, Maine, and visits more than 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada before wrapping up at Atlanta's Masquerade Music Park on May 12.

OPETH's new album, "Heritage", sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23.

"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000.

OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", premiered with a little over 5,000 copies.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "A Rose For Epona", the new video from Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE, can be seen below. The clip was produced by the Polish company Grupa13, which previously worked with the band on the video for "Thousandfold" as well as with such other acts as BEHEMOTH and AMON AMARTH.

"A Rose For Epona" comes off ELUVEITIE's new album, "Helvetios", which will be released on February 10 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at New Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist). According to the band, Vetterli "record[ed] drums, guitars and vocals and also produc[ed] and mix[ed] the record. Most folk instruments and also vocals [were] recorded by Anna Murphy and Marco Jencarelli at the Soundfarm studios in Lucerne."

"Helvetios" track listing:

01. Prologue
02. Helvetios
03. Luxtos
04. Home
05. Santonian Shores
06. Scorched Earth
07. Meet The Enemy
08. Neverland
09. A Rose For Epona
10. Havoc
11. The Uprising
12. Hope
13. The Siege
14. Alesia
15. Tullianum
16. Uxellodunon
17. Epilogue

ELUVEITIE's last album, "Everything Remains (As It Never Was)", sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. 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.

ELUVEITIE will join CHILDREN OF BODOM on the Finnish metallers' North American headlining tour in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The trek will kick off on January 30 in Rochester, New York and run through March 4, hitting 26 cities over the course of the five-week jaunt. Boston-based extreme metal band REVOCATION and Canada's THREAT SIGNAL are also on the bill.

Making of "A Rose For Epona":



"A Rose For Epona" video: