MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen was interviewed on this past weekend's (February 24-26) edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

Interview (audio):



Full Metal Jackie: After stating that a reunion would never happen, what did you miss most about MINISTRY to want to get the band back up and running?

Jourgensen: I didn't miss anything, I hated it. It was my guitar player Mikey, Mike Scaccia, while we were doing the BUCK SATAN record, which was supposed to be my last record, we would jam in between songs on metal riffs, and Mikey got a CD of this, thanks to my engineer, much to my torture and Mikey called me and goes, "These riffs are really cool and you got to write some lyrics for it." So after about 80 psycho-dials from Mikey, I was like, "Okay, okay, okay, white flag I give up, I'm gonna go do this record." Mikey came out and we did this record and it came out pretty cool, I think.

Full Metal Jackie: Is "Relapse" really the fastest, heaviest thing you've ever done?

Jourgensen: Well, it's pretty cool, that's all I got to say. It's pretty cool, it's not gonna disappoint any MINISTRY fans or any hardcore fans, or anything else like that; there's a little bit for everyone. I'm glad I did it and I'm glad Mikey talked me into it, but I wasn't really looking to do this album like, "What the hell's goin' on?" It's pretty funny. It's a pretty good record.

Full Metal Jackie: Did five years between albums and not touring make you want to redefine MINISTRY?

Jourgensen: No, I didn't even think about that. I didn't think I was going to a MINISTRY record. I got out of the hospital, as you know; I'm sure it's publicized, I had this big freakout and almost died. When I got out, the first thing I thought of was BUCK SATAN and so BUCK SATAN spawned the new MINISTRY album. Eventually, as of me and Mikey jamming together, it's been a crazy road.

Full Metal Jackie: How did going country with BUCK SATAN AND THE 666 SHOOTERS ultimately affect the direction of the new MINISTRY album?

Jourgensen: It didn't affect it, because we took time out to just jam on some metal riffs on BUCK SATAN, to get away from BUCK SATAN. [Laughs] I mean, it was like anything country wasn't allowed, so me and Mikey jammed on this stuff and it came out good, but it certainly has no correlation except for the fact that we did these riffs during the country album, which is what I wanted to die on, basically. [Laughs] That was my last record, but Mikey talked me into doing this MINISTRY record, and, you know what?! He was right. I'm glad I did; it's actually a pretty good record.

Full Metal Jackie: There's going to be a "Relapse" U.S. tour in June and you've got some European dates scheduled as well.

Jourgensen: Yeah, we only got like five dates scheduled in the United States and then the other 20 are in Europe and they're all headlining these major festivals and one of 'em is a free concert in Poland, in Warsaw, that is gonna have one million people there, so that's almost like ROLLING STONES territory. It's really cool. I'd never thought I'd be in that position, so I'm very humbled and I'm very grateful to the Polish government. [Laughs] One time I saw a million people, I saw it in Grant Park in Chicago in 1979 with Pope John Paul when he first came there and I got arrested that day, of course, disorderly conduct, this and that. [Laughs] That's the only time I've ever seen a million people. That's a lot of people. I'm trying to wrap my head around it right now, just getting ready for this. I've been in front of 100,000, 200,000, no problem, this festival, that festival but a million people, I mean, come on man. That's insane, I'm in pope-ville.

Full Metal Jackie: Are you going to be in a pope mobile?

Jourgensen: [Laughs] Yeah maybe I should come onstage on that thing; that would be awesome. That's actually the best suggestion I've had in a long time. Good job.

Full Metal Jackie: Given your history as something of a political watchdog, in a presidential election year watching the primary process, what's the first thing that catches your attention about a candidate?

Jourgensen: Well, the first thing that catches my attention is that the entire Republican party is imploding. [Laughs] After last night's results with Santorum, they're imploding, it's like that picture of a snake eating its own tail — that's what they're doing, man. They're eating themselves, and I love it, because I'm a big liberal and Democrat and all this stuff. I love watching these guys eat their own tails because that's what's happening. I've been to the circus before, the Barnum & Baileys and I watched these circus clowns go around in these little Masonic hats and driving around, and that's what it reminds me of, a bunch of circus clowns. It's pretty obvious that Obama is going to be our president next year, so get used to it and be happy with it. I've actually met that guy and he's actually a really cool dude. He has a great vision for this country and he has a great work ethic so I'm all for him, enough of these clowns, get rid of these clowns.

Full Metal Jackie: Are you looking forward to this touring that's coming up?

Jourgensen: Uh, no, I hate touring. [Laughs] Not looking forward to it. I'm a studio rat. I like going in there as producer. I'm starting the RIGOR MORTIS project, I'm producing that new album, and then I've got a band from my rat pack coming in, in March and then I have a band from Mexico, from Monterrey coming in and I'm going to do PLASTILINA MOSH which is like the BEASTIE BOYS of Mexico. So I keep myself busy, but seriously, MINISTRY is done. There's no way I would have done this record without Mike Scaccia, like, psycho-dialing me every day. [Laughs] I'm glad he did it, but I like to do film scores and production now. I think I'll do one more BUCK SATAN record only because it's already almost done, I'm almost done with it, I've got eight songs written lyrically and everything else but other than that, I really like the studio part, the production part but I hate the touring part because the touring part makes me a total stoner drunk and I'm trying to stay healthy.

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has posted a short video clip from tonight's Gigantour show in Dallas, Texas. In the clip, which is available below, he can be seen hanging out backstage with Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT who are also taking part in the tour.

Guitarist Hank Shermann (MERCYFUL FATE) made his live debut with VOLBEAT on January 26 at the opening show of this year's Gigantour at the Susquahana Bank Arena, in Camden, New Jersey.

Shermann most recently shared the stage with METALLICA at one of four intimate shows which took place at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the week-long celebration of METALLICA's 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

"It's a true honor getting to work with Hank, whose guitar work has inspired all three bandmembers long before VOLBEAT was formed," VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen said in a statement. "I'm very thankful that Hank has the time to join us on Gigantour in his busy schedule."

The multi-artist Gigantour bill — with metal heavyweights MOTÖRHEAD, VOLBEAT and LACUNA COIL all personally picked by Dave Mustaine of headliners MEGADETH — will wrap on March 3 in Austin, Texas.

VOLBEAT recently parted ways with guitarist Thomas Bredahl, who had been a member of the band since 2006.

VOLBEAT last year released "Live From Beyond Hell/Above Heaven" via Vertigo/Universal on double DVD, Blu-ray, limited double DVD + audio CD, CD, digital download and VOD. The set includes footage from VOLBEAT's sold-out show in front of 10,000 fervent fans at the Forum in Copenhagen, to the House of Blues in Anaheim, California and the Rock Am Ring show in Germany. It's VOLBEAT conquering performance territory Stateside and across Europe, showing fans that the band is just as comfortable, charged and throttled in front of an audience as intimate as 1,100 or as vast as 80,000.

Olympia, Washington metallers CHRISTIAN MISTRESS have just released their sophomore album, "Possession", via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Agony & Opium" was recorded last summer with Tim Green (MELVINS, THE FUCKING CHAMPS, MONOTONIX).

"We recorded analog," said guitarist Oscar Sparbel, speaking on the band's traditional approach to recording. "It was one of the reasons we chose Tim Green and Louder Studios. We wanted to track on 2-inch tape and not use Pro Tools."

"Possession" track listing:

01. Over And Over
02. Pentagram And Crucifix
03. Conviction
04. The Way Beyond
05. Possession
06. Black To Gold
07. There Is Nowhere
08. Haunted Hunted
09. All Abandon

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS recently filmed a video for the song "Pentagram And Crucifix" in their hometown of Olympia. The clip was directed by Christine Davis and David Hoekje and will see an early March premiere.

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS will perform at the Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Holland in April. In addition, they will be on the road in other parts Europe that month, including a string of headlining shows with BLACK BREATH.

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS — Christine Davis (vocals), Jonny Wulf (bass), Oscar Sparbel (guitar), Reuben W. Storey (drums) and Ryan McClain (guitar) — has previously toured alongside THRONES, SLOUGH FEG, and more.

Denver death metallers ENEMY REIGN have completed work on their new album, "Between Hell And Oblivion", at Flatline Audio with producer Dave Otero (CATTLE DECAPITATION, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, MARTRIDEN, COBALT). According to a press release, the CD "offers up 11 tracks of mile-high deathgrind brutality as well as the debut of vocalist, Stevie Boiser who replaced former throat, Sherwood Webber (SKINLESS), last summer."

Commented the band on the output: "'Between Hell And Oblivion' is a huge milestone for ENEMY REIGN both as a band and for us individually. It means we didn't give up even when we were written off, and accomplishing that feels great. Musically, we set out to refine what we feel our style of death metal is. We aren't pretentious people, and this is not a pretentious album. It's a no-nonsense death metal album that pays homage to all the bands we grew up with and love, while keeping an eye on how we can add our own artistic license and create something we could listen to everyday. And we do... so enjoy the reign."

"Between Hell And Oblivion" track listing:

01. Haunted
02. Seven Deadly Sins
03. The Heretics Will
04. Realm Of The Hungry Ghost
05. A Viral Evolution
06. Forged From Suffering
07. Abducted
08. Cidium
09. Bathed In Flames
10. These Cursed Eyes
11. LaLaurie's Chamber

To check out the song "Realm Of The Hungry Ghost", scroll on over to SickDrummer at this location where the track is included as part of their current "Brutal Beatings" e-compilation.

ENEMY REIGN does not adhere to the restrictions of a closed-minded genre. Simply tagged "Metal for Metalheads" by friend and fans, ENEMY REIGN draws influence from early '90s death metal, late '80s grindcore and East Coast hardcore.

"Between Hell And Oblivion" will be available on digital download and vinyl next month.

For more information, visit www.enemyreign.com.

Prosthetic Records will reissue "Breathing The Fire" and "Beyond The Permafrost" from American metal masters SKELETONWITCH at the end of March. The deluxe, limited gatefold packages will be made available to coincide with the band's U.S. tour with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, NILE and HOUR OF PENANCE.

Pictured below is the new "Fire Splatter" edition of "Breathing The Fire" vinyl, one of three versions that will be available of the band's 2009 release. Also available is a close-up photo of the LP. The "Fire Splatter" LPs come in a new gatefold Stoughton "tip-on" jacket, and unlike the first and second pressings that sold out long ago, they come with a lyric insert so that Andrei Bouzikov's gatefold artwork appears unobstructed. This version is limited to 500 copies. "Breathing The Fire" will also be available on heavy duty 180-gram black vinyl (also limited to 500 pieces), in addition to a very limited edition red/yellow half-and-half 2-color vinyl that will only be available exclusively through the Prosthetic store.

The LP version of SKELETONWITCH's critically acclaimed 2007 breakthrough "Beyond The Permafrost" will also be available in three variants, all of which come in new gatefold Stoughton "tip-on" jackets as well: 180-gram black vinyl (approximately 500 pieces), "Permafrost splatter" (blue on white, approximately 500 pieces) and limited white/blue half-and-half 2-color wax that will be a Prosthetic store exclusive. The black vinyl versions of both titles will be available in select North American stores on April 10, but pre-orders will begin shipping around the third week of March.

Lastly, there are a limited amount of "Forever Abomination" blue marble pressing of their latest release, "Forever Abomination", still available. This particular release comes with two free posters.

Lily Randall of SoundShock.com conducted an interview with John Longstreth (drums) and Jason Keyser (vocals) of American death metallers ORIGIN on February 24 at The Underworld in London, England. You can now watch the chat below.

ORIGIN's latest album, "Entity", was released last June via Nuclear Blast Records.

One of the most intense and technical forces of the contemporary death metal world, ORIGIN has returned to stake its claim as the leader of metal's new wave of extremity with its fifth studio effort. As expected, the death grind trio of Mike Flores (bass, vocals), Paul Ryan (guitar, vocals) and John Longstreth (drums) continues to churn out frantic, hell-paced grids of metal torment, but now further complements the arrangements with a newfound propensity for churning grooves and the hook-laden approach that first reared its ugly, but accessible head on the band's 2007 offering, "Antithesis". The band once again returned to Chapman Recording Studios in Lenexa, Kansas to work with longtime engineer and friend Robert Rebeck.

METALLICA's four-song EP called "Beyond Magnetic", which was made available digitally in December, and as a physical CD in January, will be released on vinyl to celebrate Record Store Day on April 21. The effort consists of the quartet of previously unheard tracks that the band unveiled in concert in December during its 30th-anniversary celebration. All four tunes — "Hate Train", "Just A Bullet Away", "Hell And Back" and "Rebel Of Babylon" — were recorded during the sessions for the band's 2008 "Death Magnetic" album but left off the final track list. The studio versions of all four songs — all rough mixes — were sent to METALLICA fan club members one at a time, after each song was performed live during each of the band's four shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco.

Commented the band: "We've always been big supporters of our friends at independent retail and the annual event the third Saturday of each April... we even helped kick off the first year in 2008 with an in-store appearance at one of our hometown stores! To add to the fun, this is no ordinary black vinyl release, but instead will be on silver vinyl with an exclusive METALLICA sticker included in the package. Look for the EP on the special Saturday release date at your favorite local record store and on Metallica.com. . . Our international friends should stay tuned for details about a release outside of North America... specifics are still being worked out with our label."

About Record Store Day: Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance Of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

Record Store Day takes place annually on the third Saturday of April.

METALLICA previously stated about the four songs that made up "Beyond Magnetic": "During the 'Death Magnetic' album sessions in 2007 and 2008, we originally recorded 14 songs. When it came time to pick the songs for the final album, we decided on 10 songs that you've all come to know over the last three years. Some of you may have heard bits and pieces of those other songs on 'Mission Metallica' (remember 'Mission Metallica'?!) or heard rumors about them during the recording process, and wondered, 'What ever happened to those other four songs???.' We kept them in the vault and decided to pull them just for this special celebration, so here are the four leftover tracks from the 'Death Magnetic' sessions. They are ROUGH mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March '08. These four songs were released as gift to our closest fans, the members of our fan club, to enjoy. Now they're being made available to you."

"Beyond Magnetic" track listing:

01. Hate Train
02. Just A Bullet Away
03. Hell And Back
04. Rebel Of Babylon

"Beyond Magnetic" has sold 105,000 copies in the United States so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The 30th-anniversary shows featured METALLICA playing songs from deep in their catalog, while welcoming guests like BLACK SABBATH's Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler, Kid Rock, Lou Reed, JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, ALICE IN CHAINS' Jerry Cantrell, former bassist Jason Newsted and many others to the stage.

The final show on December 10 featured a performance by the very earliest lineup of the group.

"Death Magnetic" was officially certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 28, 2010 for shipments in the United States in excess of two million copies.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

The second in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "True Defiance", the sixth full-length album from Seattle-based Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER, can be seen below, The CD will arrive on April 10 via Solid State Records.

Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (ANBERLIN, EMERY) and mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM), "True Defiance" finds DEMON HUNTER continuing in their hard rock evolution while embracing the components that have always formed the backbone of their music: true metal, dark rock and balladry.

With DEMON HUNTER, the album artwork carries just as much of a creative and personal significance as the music. Artwork and imagery have been paramount ever since the now iconic DEMON HUNTER symbol first appeared on t-shirts and stickers in 2002.

The "True Defiance" album art, created by Ryan Clark, frontman and co-owner of Grammy-nominated design firm Invisible Creature with his brother (and former DEMON HUNTER guitarist) Don Clark, and illustrated by Angryblue (KORN, BLEEDING THROUGH, THE ACACIA STRAIN) shows continued commitment to excellence in all facets of the band.

"Anyone that knows DEMON HUNTER understands that the visual element of the band means a great deal to us," explains Ryan Clark. "Every album cover is a challenge, in that it's a re-envisioning of the band's iconic logo. We try, with each record, to make sure that re-envisioning is creative, unique and well-executed. Justin Kamerer is the artist behind the work this time, and I really love how the vision for 'True Defiance' has turned out. His attention to detail and his creative approach to our logo bring a really fresh look to something that's been used in over 100 different ways over the last decade. To me it feels like this is what the DEMON HUNTER logo was always supposed to look like."

On "True Defiance", Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Clark, Tim "Yogi" Watts (drums), Jonathan Dunn (bass) and Patrick Judge (lead guitar) are joined by their longtime friend Jeremiah Scott (guitar), whose credits as a metal musician (THE SHOWDOWN) and producer (LIVING SACRIFICE) are well established. The partnership marks a vital new chapter in the celebrated history of DEMON HUNTER, who are currently marking their 10th year of writing, breaking and erasing the rules of hard rock. Not ones to rest on their laurels, however, the members have created an album that not only lives up to their own lofty standards, but sets a new high-water mark for what DEMON HUNTER is capable of.

"We've been extremely underwhelmed with metal for the last five years or so, and that's been the fuel to create this record," Clark explains. "With an extreme over-saturation of false, fleeting, trend-hopping noise in today's metal scene, we had to make something we've been longing to hear. Something truly meaningful and artistic. Something our fans would love and something that will turn the heads of those who have ignored us for the past decade."

"True Defiance" marks DEMON HUNTER's first outing since 2010's "The World Is A Thorn", which debuted in the Billboard Top 40 and was hailed as the heaviest, fastest, and most aggressive record of the band's career. The album yielded hit videos in "Collapsing", which has racked up 1 million views online, and "LifeWar", which was viewed over 100,000 times in the past month. "The World Is A Thorn" was preceded by "Storm The Gates Of Hell" (2007), "The Triptych" (2005), "Summer of Darkness" (2004), "Demon Hunter" (2002), and the three-disc CD/DVD set "45 Days", which collectively sold half a million copies and garnered airplay on college and specialty radio, Fuse and MTV2's "Headbangers Ball" and earned the band cover features in publications like Revolver and HM.

"True Defiance" track listing:

01. Crucifix
02. God Forsaken
03. My Destiny
04. Wake
05. Tomorrow Never Comes
06. Someone To Hate
07. This I Know
08. Means To An End
09. We Don't Care
10. Resistance
11. Dead Flowers

"This record is without a doubt our most aggressive," says Ryan Clark. "Every DEMON HUNTER record must be a step up from the last. I know that's a goal for every band, but it seldom works that way — especially today, especially in metal. It seems like most bands' prime years are long behind them. I refuse to let that be the case for us."

In other news, DEMON HUNTER has announced a string of European dates with support from DEADLOCK, NIGHTRAGE and INSENSE. The trek will kick off on April 30 in Kouvola, Finland and conclude on May 5 in London, England.





"Someone To Hate" lyric video:

The "American Idol" dream is over for Creighton Fraker — the biological son of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM singer Eric "A.K." Knutson — who was one of 12 singers to be sent home during tonight's (Thursday, March 1) episode of the Fox singing competition.

"American Idol" bid farewell to half its semi-finalists on Thursday, cutting the field from 25 singers to just 13 and setting up viewers for the first round of the finals next week.

Fraker has resided in Astoria, New York for the past eight years, although he grew up in South Dakota as the adopted son of a preacher.

In an interview that aired on "American idol", Fraker said, "I was adopted when I was just a little baby and I grew up as a preacher's kid, singing church music. And then, I always had this rock and roll thing going on in me and it was kind of out of nowhere. Come to find out my birth father, who I never even knew until I was, like, 25 years old, was the lead singer of this big heavy metal band from the '80s called FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. I meet my dad and I'm like 'Oh, I get it, Fine. OK, It makes sense now.'"

Fraker went on to say that Knutson is "the person who really inspired me to audition for this," adding that, "He's a person whose opinion I can respect, so if he says I should be doing this, I guess, OK, I'm gonna do it."

After Fraker made the final 25, his birth dad said, "I've always hoped I would have a part in his life. I just can't wait for the rest of [his] career to start right now."

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM released its first album, "Doomsday For The Deceiver", on Metal Blade Records in 1986. The bassist on that LP was future METALLICA member Jason Newsted.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest album, "The Cold", was released in Europe in February 2011 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was made available in North America on September 14, 2010.



Pictured below: Creighton Fraker (left) with his biological father, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM singer Eric "A.K." Knutson

According to Amazon.co.jp and HMV.co.jp, RUSH's long-awaited new album, "Clockwork Angels", will be released in Japan on May 23 via Warner Music. The band started work on the follow-up to 2007's "Snakes & Arrows" in late 2009 with the production team of Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, STONE SOUR) and engineer Richard Chycki (AEROSMITH, DREAM THEATER).

Two songs from "Clockwork Angels" that were previously digitally released, "BU2B" and "Caravan", were reportedly re-recorded for the forthcoming CD due to a record label change in the middle of the making of the album.

As previously reported, "Clockwork Angels" is being turned into a novel by Colorado-based sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson, who wrote on Facebook, "Most of you are aware of my long-standing friendship with (RUSH drummer) Neil Peart . . . For more than twenty years, Neil and I have wanted to collaborate on something MAJOR, a way we could tie together our imaginations, and at last that's happening. I'm writing the novelization of RUSH's forthcoming album, 'Clockwork Angels'."

Anderson added that he worked with Peart to "flesh out the epic story told over the course of the music," which involves "lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life." More details will be coming.

Note: Artwork below is **NOT** the official "Clockwork Angels" cover.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)

Comprised of musicians from some of the biggest bands in recent rock history, the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars is a live show unlike any before. Bandmembers include:

* Gene Simmons (KISS)
* Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD)
* Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA)
* Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH)
* Ed Roland (COLLECTIVE SOUL)
* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)
* Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS)
* Billy Duffy (THE CULT)

Promoter Gabe Reed hosted a press conference earlier today (Thursday, March 1) at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California to officially announce the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour of South and Central America in April/May 2012. Also attending the press conference were Simmons, Sorum, McKagan, Clarke, Bach and Hughes, among others.

Commented Bach: "For me to be the singer in Gene Simmons' first-EVER side project is amazing to me! Dreams come true, indeed. If you would have told me when I was a boy that some day Gene Simmons, Glenn Hughes and myself would be in a band together, my reply would have been, No, we will not,' and I would have been wrong, haha!! See you soon Central and South America!! We are gonna rock the best of KISS, DEEP PURPLE, GUNS N' ROSES, SKID ROW and DEF LEPPARD! See you soon on tour!!!"

Check out several photos from today's press conference below.

Despite the fact that he was previously announced as one of the musicians taking part in the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour, former METALLICA and VOIVOD bassist Jason Newsted will **NOT** be making an appearance at the event.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist and MANRAZE frontman Phil Collen stopped by Ultimate Classic Rock recently for an extensive two-part interview. Collen also brought along his guitar to deliver a solo acoustic rendition of the title track off DEF LEPPARD's 1987 album "Hysteria". Check out the performance below.

When asked if there are any plans for DEF LEPPARD to release an all-new studio album anytime soon, Collen replied, "No, there's not and I'll tell you why: We actually did three new songs, three studio songs for [the live album] 'Mirrorball', which was great. I really believe in this day and age unless you're going to do an album like [MANRAZE's] 'PunkFunkRootsRock', which we did in less than two weeks; I don't think there's much point in doing an album because it's such a quick turnaround, you have a song and then it's gone. For us to do an album, it'd take at least eight months unless we were doing it on tour. What I think is going to happen — I've already started writing some of the songs — [is that] we release two or three at a time or something like that it's kind of more like an EP or something attached to another project but a full-blown album would just take us away for too long and by the rate everything is going by the time we finish the album and we go, 'Okay, here it is,' there's no more recording industry left. I think you have to be careful with it, we've got some great ideas, I've got this killer song that's totally DEF LEPPARD, it's not totally finished yet but I'm looking forward to getting that on the go as well. I think we'll be doing it in dribs and drabs. I think there will be an album that comes out of something while we've been recording three songs at a time or all at once. That'll be a bit later. I think for the very near future it'd be one or two songs attached to something else."

On the topic of what it about DEF LEPPARD's music that has allowed the band to be so massively popular for 30 years now, Collen said, "I think it was a hybrid and honestly [producer] Mutt Lange has to take a lot of credit for this because he took a really good rock band and said, 'Okay, I'm going to blend it with pop,' and he's famous at that. He'd done it with Shania Twain. I think he took country to the masses because before that it was Patsy Cline, it was Nashville, it didn't really cross over — you hear of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, but he broke it over in a big way, and that's what he did with us. Same thing with AC/DC, they were kind of a pub, R&B boogie band, old R&B, I'm talking about like blues and that, and he just broke it into a massive domain and he certainly did that with us. With us, it was a bigger area to play with because we were big fans of QUEEN, but we liked the AC/DC vibe and we grew up on the [SEX] PISTOLS and THE CLASH, so you had this vocal style that didn't sound like STYX, JOURNEY, REO [SPEEDWAGON], where it's all sweet-sounding vocals, we would actually scream their vocals out more like British bands like THE CLASH or the PISTOLS, in tune, so it was the perfect hybrid. So I think that, coupled with (the fact that) we spent so long on getting these songs together, that all the substance went into recording these albums that actually stand up — and then the whole pole-dance anthem ['Pour Some Sugar On Me'], of course, didn't hurt — but it was actually what we put into it that allowed us to last so long."

Swedish death metallers SARGATANAS REIGN have announced that SCAR SYMMETRY singer Roberth Karlsson has "put down some bad-ass vocals on two tracks" for the upcoming SARGATANAS REIGN album, "Godwork". They add, "[Roberth is] a great guy and we are very pleased with the result. Very brutal!"

Three other guest singers — to be named later — are scheduled to contribute their vocals to "Godwork".

SARGATANAS REIGN's sophomore album, "Bloodwork - Techniques Of Torture", came out in 2005 via Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records.

According to the band's official bio, SARGATANAS REIGN's take on old-school American death metal creates a unique blend that is sure to attract fans of the most brutal metal and more commercial metal genres alike.

After the release of "Bloodwork", bassist Niklas Samuelsson and vocalist Jonas Matsson left SARGATANAS REIGN due to personal reasons.

California thrashers SLAYER have once again teamed up with Jammit, this time to bring you the classic "Reign In Blood" track "Raining Blood" ("Angel Of Death" was previously available).

Get to know SLAYER from the inside out with Jammit software! Perform experimental surgery on Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman's guitars, find out what makes Dave Lombardo the godfather of double bass, or dissect Tom Araya's bass and vocals to experience SLAYER in ways that were unimaginable… until now!

By clicking here, Jammit grants you access to SLAYER's original multi-track recordings with surgical tools like section looping, variable slow down and scrolling notation, so you can see and hear if SLAYER is truly greater than the sum of its dismembered body parts. No medical license required.

For more information, visit Jammit.com.

"Don't Tell Me What To Dream", a brand new song from New Brunswick, New Jersey's melodic, thrash-metal warriors GOD FORBID, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Equilibrium", which will be released on March 27 via Victory Records. The bulk of the CD was recorded by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM), with Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER) stepping in during the the vocal-tracking stage. The effort was mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with such acts as KATATONIA, OPETH, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH.

The official release/listening party for "Equilibrium" will be held on Friday, March 16 at Duff's Brooklyn in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The address is:

Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York

For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

"With the new album, we focused on writing tight, hooky metal songs," commented guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle on the creative process for "Equilibrium", "There are some really fast, super heavy, groovy songs – some of the catchiest, most melodic songs we've ever written. We wanted a modern, but organic-sounding album that was tight but still captured the intensity of the band. The album sounds huge!"

Coyle went on to speak about the overall theme of the album, "The title of the album says it all — it's about finding your way when you're lost. The lyrics come from a very personal, very real place. The recurring lyrical theme is about the everyday struggles of life and what it takes to persevere and follow your dreams."

GOD FORBID's solidified line-up, newly managed under World Entertainment's Alexander Ford and Gunter Ford, includes lead vocalist Byron Davis, guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle, bassist John "Beeker" Outcalt, Corey Pierce on drums and newest member Matt Wicklund on guitar.

The band will support "Equilibrium" with heavy touring.

"Don't Tell Me What To Dream" (new song) audio stream:

Guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson of Seattle progressive rockers QUEENSRŸCHE will make a guest appearance with Arizona's very own QUEENSRŸCHE tribute band THE RŸCHE on May 19 at 910 Live in Tempe, Arizona. Michael will also appear at two different Total Wine & More stores in the West and East Valley on May 19 in support of his Whip Ale beer.

THE RŸCHEQUEENSRŸCHE and covers all of the amazing heart-pounding songs from their epic albums. Complete with a video storyline and a flawless recreation of amazing metal hits from one of the greatest bands in rock history, THE RŸCHE is not just a tribute, but a recreation dedicated to paying homage to QUEENSRŸCHE. Imagine going back in time to see one of the greatest progressive metal bands in history. The lights dim and the show starts, sounds from QUEENSRŸCHE's greatest albums creep from the speakers. Five musicians take the stage and in the shadows of the fog machines comes the most amazing dual lead guitars and drum crashes from one of the greatest drummers. That oh-so-recognizable bass line for "Queen Of The Reich" starts and in a long duster that you recognize as an iconic symbol, comes an an amazing vocalist, recreating the early years of QUEENSRŸCHE. This is the only QUEENSRŸCHE experience... This is THE RŸCHE.

According to RollingStone.com, RUSH's Neil Peart, Eric Clapton, SEX PISTOLS' Johnny Rotten, Carlos Santana and THE ROLLING STONES' Charlie Watts appear in Jay Bulger's documentary on legendary CREAM drummer Ginger Baker called "Beware Of Mr. Baker". The documentary will screen multiple times at SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin, Texas beginning March 10.

"Beware Of Mr. Baker" synopsis: Ginger Baker is known for playing in CREAM and BLIND FAITH, but the world's greatest drummer didn’t hit his stride until 1972, when he arrived in Nigeria and discovered Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. After leaving Nigeria, Ginger returned to his pattern of drug-induced self-destruction, and countless groundbreaking musical works, eventually settling in South Africa, where the 73-year-old lives with his young bride and 39 polo ponies.

A "Beware Of Mr. Baker" preview clip can be seen below.

"For My Enemies", the new James Zahn-directed lyric video from Chicago's DIRGE WITHIN, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's forthcoming sophomore full-length album, "There Will Be Blood", which will be released on April 10 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music. The CD was recorded at Mercenary Studios in Zion, Illinois with engineer Scott Creekmore and producer Ari Mihalopoulos and was mixed at Inner Light Studios with Ari and DIRGE WITHIN guitarist Shaun Glass.

Guitarist Matt Szlachta recently left DIRGE WITHIN to continue to focus on his passion for teaching guitar to his students and for other personal reasons. He has since been replaced by Chuck Wepfer.

"There's no bad blood at all, man," said vocalist Jeremy "Jerms" Genske. "We're all still good buds and very close. His head and heart just weren't in it anymore, and he wanted to go back to teaching. He really loves it, and that's where he felt he had to be."

DIRGE WITHIN's forthcoming album will be the band's first to feature drummer Frankie Harchut and bassist Jeff Paulick (bassist/vocalist of LAZARUS A.D.), who has been filling on bass duties on tour with DIRGE WITHIN.

"I am very excited about the new songs we've written for this new album, and that people will be able to check out my style of playing a little more," stated Harchut. "We worked our asses off writing these new songs, a lot of long nights, and I'm personally stoked to have our fans hear 'em. I really think they're gonna be into it." Jeremy added, "The songs are heavier, smarter, and more melodic in parts. Some are even a little slower! There were no rules when we were writing at all. No holds barred. Whatever came out, came out. And I think it's gonna make a really good, well-rounded metal album."

A four-and-a-half-minute YouTube clip containing audio samples of the "There Will Be Blood" album songs "For My Enemies", "There Will Be Blood", "Vultures", "Without You", "As We Prey", "Memories" and "Apathy" can be found below.

DIRGE WITHIN's "Absolution" EP was made available on August 16, 2011. The three-song effort gives fans a taste of what's to come from the band's forthcoming sophomore album.

DIRGE WITHIN's debut album, "Force Fed Lies", came out on September 1, 2009 via E1 Music.



"There Will Be Blood" audio samples:

The latest installment of the "Iron City Rocks" podcast (web site) features an interview with legendary CHICKENFOOT guitarist Joe Satriani. The podcast is now available for streaming using the audio player below.

"Iron City Rocks" podcast (audio):



Joe Satriani recently announced the release of the live-concert film, "Satchurated: Live In Montreal". "Satchurated" was filmed during Satriani's "The Wormhole Tour", supporting his studio album, "Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards", at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by Grammy- and Emmy-award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. "Satchurated: Live In Montreal" will be released to select theaters throughout the country on March 1 for a limited engagement.

For a complete list of theaters, go to this location.

With a total of ten cameras working to capture the sold-out concert, Satriani's musical best was recorded in both 2D and 3D HD formats. The high-definition filming makes Satriani's playing as much a pleasure to watch as it is to hear. Every chord change is captured and presented as if one were experiencing a living room concert of your very own! Fans of "Satch" will be eagerly awaiting the film's worldwide release in March, with theatrical presentations in both 2D and 3D formats, followed by a shorter version for television broadcast. The soundtrack from "Satchurated" was produced by Satriani and Mike Fraser and will be released on April 10 through Epic Records.

Over the last two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star "G3" guitar extravaganza. His studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. His side project, CHICKENFOOT, featuring former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, saw their debut album certified gold and have just released their second studio album. Satriani also appears in the Academy Award-nominated film "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt, recreating a national anthem performance he gave at the 2002 opening day of Major League Baseball's Oakland As. In late 2010, music sensation Nicki Minaj sampled the classic Satriani song "Always With Me Always With You" in her song "Right Through Me" from her multi-platinum debut album and in March, Satriani will revive his "G3" tour "Down Under" when he is joined by fellow legendary guitarists Steve Vai and Steve Lukather for a spring tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The video below gives you an exclusive look at the song "War" from the upcoming film.

Progressive atmospheric death metallers 7 HORNS 7 EYES have released an instrumental version of their single, "Divine Amnesty", for free download via Basick Records.

To download your copy, head over to this location. The track can also be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

As a band that has never been interested in following the latest musical trend, 7 HORNS 7 EYES has fought the challenge of forging a distinctive musical identity by bringing a fresh sound to a genre that many would argue has gotten stale. Stripped of vocals, the instrumental track is rich with atmosphere and showcases the band's technical proficiency and tasteful restraint.

Guitarist Aaron Smith explains: "We think that 'Divine Amnesty' has a pretty cool flow and identity even without vocals, and want to let people soak it up it in a slightly different way! Hope you guys dig."

"Divine Amnesty" comes off 7 HORNS 7 EYES's debut full-length album, "Throes Of Absolution", which will be released in North America on April 24 via Century Media Records. The CD, which features a guest appearance by guitarist Jeff Loomis (ex-NEVERMORE), has been many months in the making.

The cover artwork for "Throes Of Absolution" was created by Travis Smith of Seempieces (OPETH, DEVIN TOWNSEND) and can be seen below.

A teaser trailer for "Throes Of Absolution" can be seen below.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Divine Amnesty
02. Phumis: The Falsehood of Affliction
03. The Hill Difficulty
04. Cycle of Self
05. Delusions
06. A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion
07. Vindicator
08. The Winnowing
09. Regeneration

7 HORNS 7 EYES previously released a digital single, entitled "Convalescence", which can be purchased on iTunes. In addition to the title track, the single also features two tracks from "Throes Of Absolution" ("Vindicator", "The Winnowing").

With anticipation building toward the release of their upcoming self-titled album, Madison, Alabama's MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE has announced the "Dreamcatchers" Interactive Nightmare — an interactive experience that will allow fans to unlock elements of the song "Dreamcatchers".

The immersive experience finds fans waking up in a mysterious room and needing to escape. Following perilous paths, the decisions fans make will either move them along to the next step of the adventure or lead to their death.

Upon dying, fans will be treated to a segment of "Dreamcatchers", meaning that the only way to unlock each segment of the song is to explore the myriad choices that the adventure presents. Upon successful completion, fans will be prompted to restart the adventure in order to unlock new music.

Begin the adventure here.

"With the release of 'Dreamcatchers', we really wanted to try something new and different, something that would make our fans conspire together and act as a community," frontman Matthew Hasting excitedly explains. "So please, throughout Facebook, YouTube and Twitter work together to figure out the challenge that lies ahead. Choose your fate wisely and listen closely to everything you see. You will soon hear the final song before our album is released."

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE is available now for preorder with mutliple incentives including "mystery gifts" ranging from autographed tour laminate from one of the band's past tours all the way up to an autographed guitar that was used during recording of the new album!

Preorder options can be found here.

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE's third, self-titled album is scheduled for release on March 13 via Solid State Records. The eagerly awaited CD is the band's third release in six years, and the first since 2010's lauded "Lost Boy", which debuted at No. 183 on The Billboard 200 chart.

For MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, the self-titled album represents a new chapter for the band, and stamps the advent of a refined sound the members have been chasing since the group's inception.

Recorded with esteemed producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL), MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE finds the band reaching deep mentally and emotionally for what is without a doubt their crowning achievement thus far, a hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic opus that will set a fire in the hearts of old and new fans alike. With a no-holds-barred approach to programming and effects, and good, old-fashioned brutal riffage — not to mention a new level of dynamics from frontman Matthew Hasting — MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have boldly redefined themselves for this new chapter of their career.

In celebration of the release, the band will be setting sail on a two-month trek alongside FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS that includes dozens of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating in a spot at the infamous New England Metal And Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"On Wings Of Integrity Pt. 2" lyric video:

Former ANTHRAX and current RED LAMB guitarist Dan Spitz and his wife Candi as well as their twin four-year-old boys are raising awareness of the life-changing effects of autism by participating in this Sunday's Walk Now For Autism Speaks at City Commons in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"Autism is what makes our children special, we do not see it as a disability. They are beautiful, intelligent, silly and we love that they see the world differently," explains Candi Spitz, who is also on the committee for Autism Speaks. The couple's four-year-old twin songs autism diagnosis has given the Spitz family a mission to do all they can for not only their children but the 1 in 110 U.S. children currently diagnosed with the disease.

The entire Spitz family will be walking at the March 4 Walk Now For Autism Speaks event and will film portions of a documentary on their sons at the event. The currently untitled documentary is being produced by SheKnows.com, a prominent parenting website that won both a 2010 and 2011 OMMA Award for Excellence.

Dan Spitz formed RED LAMB in 2010 and recently released a self-titled debut album co-produced with Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH). Spitz and Mustaine also co-wrote the song "Puzzle Box" for the release; a video for the track is in the works with footage from Sunday's event being included. Chris Vrenna (NINE INCH NAILS, MARILYN MANSON) oversaw all programming for the album. Vrenna and Spitz are also working on a side project with more details to be announced shortly.

RED LAMB features Spitz (lead guitar, guitar, bass guitar, programming, background vocals, engineering,co-producer), Patrick Johansson (drums; YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P.) and Don Chaffin (vocals and video productions).

"The Cage" video:

The Age Of Metal conducted an interview with Erik Rutan of Florida-based extreme metallers HATE ETERNAL when the band's performed at The Clubhouse in Tempe, Arizona on February 21. You can now watch the chat below.

HATE ETERNAL's latest album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes", sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.

HATE ETERNAL's previous album, "Fury & Flames", sold 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

"Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" was recorded at Erik Rutan's Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

J.J. Hrubovcak was added as the band's bassist, alongside the devastating combo of Erik Rutan on guitar and Jade Simonetto on drums.

Commented Rutan: "'Phoenix Amongst The Ashes' is an album that we as a band worked so very hard on to achieve a record of mammoth dynamic proportions. Jade, J.J. and I gave everything we had to make a death metal record that would incorporate a balance of speed, heaviness, melody, and pure power. Every song we labored over to have stand out with originality, individuality and unique creativity. We feel we accomplished everything we set out to do with this album and are very proud of the results."

The "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" cover artwork was once again handled by Paul Romano (MASTODON, CHIODOS, THE ACACIA STRAIN, GODFLESH, EARTH CRISIS) who previously worked on HATE ETERNAL's "I, Monarch", "The Perilous Fight" (DVD), and "Fury & Flames" releases.

Heavy music presenter Christina Rowatt of Soundwave TV conducted an interview with the metal juggernaut known as HELLYEAH — featuring Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN), Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (MUDVAYNE), Tom Maxwell (NOTHINGFACE) and Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN) — this past Saturday night (February 25) at the Soundwave Festival in Brisbane, Australia. You can now watch the chat below.

HELLYEAH's third album, "Band Of Brothers", will be released on June 5 via HELLYEAH's new label home, Eleven Seven Music. The CD was recorded in Dallas, Texas at Vinnie Paul's home studio, VP's Upstairs Studio, and was produced by the band and Jeremy Parker (GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE), who also served as engineer.

Having produced track after track of heavy-hitting, in-your-face, feel-good rock and roll on their previous two albums (2010's "Stampede" and 2007's self-titled debut), HELLYEAH takes a slightly different musical direction on "Band Of Brothers". Drawing on their former bands' collective metal roots for inspiration, the influences and style of MUDVAYNE, PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN and NOTHINGFACE are immediately recognizable in tracks such as "Band Of Brothers", "War In Me" and "Rage Burn", while the party anthem "Drink, Drank, Drunk" retains the essence of earlier HELLYEAH.

Commented HELLYEAH singer Chad Gray, "I'm really excited about what we've done on this new album. I've always separated MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH as much as I could, even though it was my voice. Melodies, lyrics and just the overall style of writing were different. With 'Band Of Brothers', I just quit being afraid of who I am in relation to this band. I think we've all really gotten back to the original roots of what we've done individually and brought it together on this album. As an artist, as long as you're painting with your own brush, no one can compare or challenge you. I just painted with a bigger, heavier brush than I had with HELLYEAH in the past. I think this is what fans have always expected to hear from us, and now were giving it to them."

Added Jeremy Parker, "It's impossible not to have a good time jamming this record. It has the anger and violence of PANTERA and MUDVAYNE, but a party vibe that can only be HELLYEAH!"

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Vinnie stated about "Band Of Brothers", "On our first two records, we were a new band. We really wanted to branch out and expand and experiment with all different styles. We all come from traditional metal bands and backgrounds, so it was a great breath of fresh air to play in a band that was rock 'n' roll, blues and Southern rock. We got that out of our system and got really focused on going back to our metal roots. It's heavy, focused, groove-oriented and I'm excited about it."

Bay Area Backstage recently conducted an interview with vocalist Andrea Ferro of Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL. You can now watch the chat below.

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.

ICON IN ME — the Russian/Swedish/Danish modern metal band featuring HOSTILE BREED guitarist Dmitry Frans, Danish drummer Morten Løwe Sørensen (SUBMISSION, THE ARCANE ORDER, SCARVE, INSTANT CARNAGE, STRANGLER, SCARVE, SOILWORK) and Swedish vocalist Tony Jelencovich (M.A.N, ex-MNEMIC, TRANSPORT LEAGUE) — has released a video for a acoustic version of the track "Tired & Broken". The song, which features a guest appearance by female singer singer Tara Teresa (FIREWIND), comes off the group's "Lost For Nothing" EP, which will be released digitally on March 6 through the Chicago, Illinois-based label Goomba Music.

ICON IN ME will play several shows in Sweden later this month and will support ANTHRAX on March 18 at Milk Arena in Moscow, Russia.

ICON IN ME's sophomore album, "Head Break Solution", was released last July via Goomba Music. The CD was recorded at CBS Studio (Denmark), A-Lab (Moscow), and Grand Recordings (Sweden) and was mixed by Ben Schigel (CHIMAIRA, DROWNING POOL, WALLS OF JERICHO) at Spiders Studio. The mastering duties were carried out by Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, FIGHT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, CYNIC, THERION).

ICON IN ME's debut album, "Human Museum", was released in April 2009 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded in November 2007 at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark and was mixed by Jacob Hansen.

According to the band's official bio, ICON IN ME's style can best be described as "modern metal with some thrash, death and hardcore style elements."

Slash — the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter — joined Stevie Wonder, Sean Combs, Chris Cornell, Lenny Kravitz, LL Cool J, Common, Snoop Dogg, former President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, actors Anthony Hopkins, James Gandolfini and more this on February 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for a 70th birthday celebration to honor boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The 16th annual "Power Of Love Gala" celebrated the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali and his contribution to the world and raises awareness for Alzheimer's, Huntington's, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's, the disease "The Champ" has been battling since 1984. Proceeds from the event will go to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health's work toward enhanced treatments and research of neurocognitive disorders and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The show also featured appearances from boxing legends such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Tommy "Hitman" Hearns, and more.

CHICKENFOOT/ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar talked about how Ali is more than just a boxer, telling Artisan News (see video below), "Ali can be celebrated every single day of the week for what he's done, not just for boxing, but for mankind, and how he stood up, and stood up for his rights at a time when they stripped him of everything, and he still stood tall, and he still came back. That is a role model for any human being — white, black, any color."

"Muhammad Ali is and always has been a role model and a hero to me," said Slash. "It's a huge privilege to be able to perform in his honor. He is one of the great icons of American culture and history."

The lyric video for "Her Little 'Accident'", a brand new song from Los Angeles, California misanthropic sludge rockers -16-, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds", which will be released on CD and LP in North America on April 24 and May 7 in Europe. The CD was recorded with the band’s friend and longtime engineer Jeff Forrest at Double Time Studios in San Diego, California and then mastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull at Visceral Sound Studios.The artwork was created by Orion Landau (RED FANG, RWAKE) and can be seen below.

The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Theme From "Pillpopper"
02. Parasite
03. Her Little "Accident"
04. The Sad Clown
05. Ants In My Bloodstream
06. Broom Pusher
07. Opium Hook
08. Bowels Of A Baby Killer
09. Beyond Fixable
10. Only Photographs Remain

Commented -16- bassist Tony Baumeister: "We're very excited about the release of our new record. The addition of Mateo on drums opened a lot of doors for us creatively. We experimented with different time signatures, different tunings, and finally made the album we've wanted to make all along. The goal was to destroy our last record, and we feel like we achieved that. We can't wait for people to hear it, and can't wait to play these songs live. U.S. and European touring plans are in the works..."

Montreal's heaviest and loudest bands will take to the stage once again to battle out in round 3 for a chance to win one of two prized spots on the Heavy MTL 2012 lineup at Parc Jean-Drapeau from August 11 to 12. Round 3 will take place on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Katacombes (1635 St. Laurent) with guest judge drummer Vinny Appice, known for his solid drumming on over 25 recorded albums, many which are multi-platinum and were recorded with influential metal bands DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, to name a few, along with performing with John Lennon "live" on stage and in the studio at the age of 16.

In other news, the Heavy Metal Music Association Of Canada with ItalMelodie, Evans Drumheads and Vic Firth are proud to present a drum clinic along with a meet-and-greet signing with Vinny Appice at ItalMelodie's Montreal location at 250 Jean Talon East, 3rd floor on Wednesday, March 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the clinic are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and can be purchased at ItalMelodie.

Note: BOTB showcases will be every second Wednesday of the months leading to Heavy MTL 2012.

Show details:

* Wednesday, March 14, 2012
* Progressive/ Modern Death Thrash Metal Night
* 18+
* 8:30 p.m.
* $12 - Tickets available at Admission.com and Labyrinthe (486 Ste. Catherine West)

Participating bands:

* DEMISE OF THE CROWN
* HEROIK
* INSTANZIA
* TRAINWRECK ARCHITECT

Video footage of SHINEDOWN vocalist Brent Smith and guitarist Zach Myers performing an acoustic version of the band's new song "Bully" at the studios of Kerrang! Radio can be seen below.

It's a month to go before SHINEDOWN releases its fourth studio album, "Amaryllis", but the band is giving fans a taste of what to expect. The quartet has posted samples of several tunes from the disc at its official web site, including the title track, "Adrenaline", "Unity", "Through the Ghost", "Nowhere Kids" and more. The Pulse Of Radio asked frontman Brent Smith how he feels the band has evolved musically on this record. "The musicianship got way stronger, the songwriting got way more sophisticated, and I think that overall we were able to push ourselves in a direction that was — I don't necessarily know if it was the obvious next step, but we enjoyed the journey with each other," he said.

"Amaryllis" arrives on March 27 and follows up SHINEDOWN's biggest success yet, 2008's "The Sound Of Madness".

That disc sold more than a million copies and produced six hit singles, including a number of rock radio chart-toppers.

The first single from "Amaryllis", called "Bully", is a Top Five hit at Active Rock radio.

SHINEDOWN announced on January 30 that it will lead the 2012 edition of the Avalanche Tour. The North American trek will kick off on March 27 in Anaheim, California, with ADELITAS WAY, NEW MEDICINE and ART OF DYING also on the bill.