David "Gus" Griesinger of BackstageAxxess.com conducted an interview with KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley at the grand opening of Kiss By Monster Mini Golf, a unique rock 'n' roll-themed amusement attraction based around KISS, on Thursday (March 15) in Las Vegas Nevada. You can now watch the chat below.

As previously reported, KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE are expected to officially announce their "massive" U.S. co-headlining tour on Tuesday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The trek will reportedly kick off on July 19 and run for almost three months.

KISS members declined to reveal any details about the upcoming tour at the "Kiss By Monster Mini Golf" grand opening on Thursday, but the band's guitarist, Tommy Thayer, did tell the Las Vegas Sun that he really enjoyed the CRÜE's performance at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in February, saying, "MÖTLEY CRÜE is one of my favorite bands." He added that KISS would be interested in entertaining such a monthlong residency at some point. "It would have to be way over the top, but we're a band that does things over the top anyway," he said. "We know no boundaries."

KISS has completed recording its new album, "Monster", for a late spring release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "It's A Long Way Down", "Back To The Stone Age", "Shout Mercy", "Out Of This World", "Wall Of Sound" and "Hell Or Hallelujah".

Jerry Gaskill, drummer for legendary rockers KING'S X, suffered a heart attack on February 26 and was rushed to the hospital. After undergoing an emergency operation, Jerry was placed in intensive care.

In a new online posting, KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick writes, "I was walking to the grocery store a few minutes ago, as I was walking out the store my cell phone rang, the ID said Jerry Gaskill! He was calling from the hospital to say hi and that he's going to be alright. He sounded great! Totally understanding everything he's been through and mentioned how thankful he was for all the support so far. He made me laugh like he always does. It's a great day!! That black flag has lifted and every day he will get better."

To help Gaskill pay his medical bills, KING'S X is offering a special MP3 download-only title, "Burning Down Boston: Live at The Channel 6.12.91". This release was edited and mastered from a stereo FOH (front-of-house) recording. While the audio is far from perfect sonically, the performance documents yet another magical night on tour while supporting the "Faith Hope Love" album. The band expands many of the cuts featured here, including performances that are blistering ("Moanjam"), heavy and funk-laden ("We Are Finding Who We Are"), beautiful ("The Burning Down"), and truly transcendental ("Over My Head"). A few songs from the show were omitted due to tape damage. However, three bonus tracks have been included (an additional 15 minutes) from the same show that were not presented in the main track listing.

In addition to the gift with this download, anyone who wants to further make a personal gift to Jerry to help him with his medical bills can send a check made out to Jerry Gaskill. Mail it to: Jerry Gaskill, c/o World Entertainment Inc., P.O. Box 3095, Sea Bright, NJ 07760. One hundred percent of your gift goes to Jerry Gaskill to help him defray his medical expenses. Jerry Gaskill is an individual and not a charity. Any funds given to him would be a gift and no further tax deduction for charitable contributions would be coming from him.

For more information, visit www.molkenmusic.com.

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on "Bag Of Bones", the ninth studio album from Swedish hard rockers EUROPE, can be streamed on the official web site of the band's guitarist, John Norum. Due on April 27 via earMusic/Edel, the CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.

"Bag Of Bones" track listing:

01. Riches To Rags
02. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues
03. Firebox
04. Bag Of Bones
05. Requiem
06. My Woman My Friend
07. Demon Head
08. Drink And A Smile
09. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home

The "Not Supposed To Sing The Blues" digital single was made available on March 9.

Commented EUROPE singer Joey Tempest: "Kevin Shirley did such a great job capturing the spirit of this band. He just let us do our thing and then pushed us and our songs to the max. Finally we express ourselves completely without restraint. Straight from heart and soul. It took some time but we have arrived!"

Added EUROPE guitar virtuoso John Norum: "Why drive VW beetle when you can drive a Rolls Royce?! 'Bag Of Bones' is a classic rock album with lots of class. Even my mom likes it!"

Regarding the new CD title, EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland said, "It's not [called 'Bag Of Bones'] because we all have lost tons of weight or found a new interest in archeology or dogs... It's just because it sounds fuckin' cool!"

In a July 2011 press release, Tempest stated about EUROPE's new CD, "We still feel we have one hell of a rock record to make. Kevin's the man for the job. We love his work with BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, and BLACK STONE CHERRY. He's the real deal. We're ready to do some serious damage."

Last year, EUROPE met up with Shirley in Stockholm to discuss the direction of the next album. Based on reactions from the fans and media, EUROPE's 2009 album, "Last Look At Eden", proved to be the band's most important record since "The Final Countdown". "I've been a big fan of EUROPE's work for many years," said Shirley. "The band is influential and highly underrated. I can't wait to make the upcoming album their most explosive to date."

The new material suggests a more straightforward rock approach evident in "Doghouse" — a new song EUROPE performed on their most recent U.K. tour. The song is also featured on EUROPE's "Europe: Live at Shepherd's Bush" DVD, released in August 2011 via earMUSIC CDs and DVDs.

earMUSIC last year released a limited deluxe book with pictures by Denis O'Regan. "Live Look At Eden" features exclusive live audio and the stunning performance at 2010's iTunes Festival in London.

Italian melodic folk death metallers KRAMPUS recently entered Black Mirror Studios in Udine, Italy to begin recording their full-length debut for a late 2012 release via NoiseArt Records.

The first two in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the new CD can be seen below.

According to a press release, KRAMPUS is an eight-piece band which offers an eclectic array of folk sounds with the usage of bagpipes, flutes, whistles, violins, and the Irish bouzouki combined with the modern metal sounds of heavy guitars, aggressive vocals, and melodic keyboards. In addition their innovative musical approach, the members of KRAMPUS address such themes as issues wotj humanity and nature, as well as environmental awareness. In March of 2011, the band released its first EP, "Shadows Of Our Time". After playing a number of major festivals in Europe, the band issued a follow-up EP, "Kronos' Heritage" in the summer of 2011.

KRAMPUS will join forces with WINTERSUN, KORPIKLAANI, VARG and TROLLFEST for the "Heidenfest 2012" tour in October/November.

GREAT WHITE — Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals) — will release its new studio album, "Elation", in Europe, Japan and USA on May 18. The 12-song CD will mark GREAT WHITE's first effort with Ilous following the band's split with founding singer Jack Russell. In addition, GREAT WHITE's 30th-anniversary show at the Key Club in Hollywood, California on March 22 will be professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming live album and concert DVD.

Stated Kendall: "We are extremely excited about our new studio album and are looking forward to sharing our new music with you all."

This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, which features Russell alongside Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar, Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) on guitar, Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) on bass and Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) on drums.

Kendall, Snyder, Desbrow, Lardie and Ilous issued a statement in December in which they claimed that Jack Russell's "frail body" and "drug abuse" prohibited him from taking part in the band's performances for the past year. They additionally revealed that Jack had undergone "five major surgeries" after his drug abuse got so bad that "his body began to shut down and ultimately resulted in colostomy surgery from a perforated bowel." In the statement, GREAT WHITE also insisted that Russell "does not have the right to start his own GREAT WHITE or use the name without our names in the lineup."

GREAT WHITE's last studio album, "Rising" (featuring Russell on lead vocals), was released in North America in April 2009 via Shrapnel Records. The CD was issued in Europe in March 2009 through Frontiers Records.

REVERENCE, the new power metal band featuring vocalist Todd Michael Hall (JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR, HARLET), guitarist Bryan Holland (TOKYO BLADE, ARREST), drummer Steve "Dr. Killdrums" Wacholz (SAVATAGE, CRIMSON GLORY), bassist Frank Saparti (TOKYO BLADE, OVERLOADED, MINDCANDY), and lead guitarist Pete Rossi, is currently mixing and mastering its debut album, "When Darkness Calls", for a late April/May release via Razar Ice Records. The CD cover artwork was designed by renowned artist Jobert Mello of Sledgehamer Graphix (PRIMAL FEAR, SABATON, HYSTERIA) and can be seen below.

"When Darkness Calls" features a guest appearance by SANXTION drummer Tony Rossi.

REVERENCE will embark on a European tour in November. Exact citites and dates will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit www.ReverenceMetal.com.

THE SKULL, the new band formed by two original members of Chicago doom legends TROUBLE — vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson — alongside the band's longtime bassist, Ron Holzner, has recruited guitarists Lothar Keller and Michael Carpenter of the Chicago, Illinois-based progressive power metallers SACRED DAWN. Glen Drover (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, KING DIAMOND), who was previously announced as a guest touring guitarist on THE SKULL's upcoming tour, will not be able to join the band on the road due to scheduling conflicts.

Commented Wagner, Olson, and Holzner in a statement: "We welcome the twin guitar attack of Lothar Keller and Michael Carpenter from SACRED DAWN. Both guitarist have been playing together for many years and that's a big plus. We are excited to begin rehearsing for our upcoming shows!"

The following festival dates have been confirmed so far. More shows will be announced soon.

June 16 - Days of The Doomed - Cudahy, WI
July 21 - Hells Pleasure - Pößneck, Germany
Sep. 01 - Stoner Hands Of Doom - New London, CT
Nov. 10 - Hammer Of Doom - Würzburg, Germany

When asked why they decided now was the right time for THE SKULL to come together, Ron told Metal Kaoz, "The 'TROUBLE jam' set at last year's Days Of The Doomed Fest [in Kenosha, Wisconsin] was the catalyst for this whole thing. Eric and Oly hadn't had the chance to talk much before [Days Of The Doomed Fest], and then when I got there the next day and we all got to hang out and talk... it was really nice! Playing 'End Of My Daze' with the whole fucking crowd singing... that's what it's all about! We all looked at each other on stage and simply went, 'Wow!'"

He added, "All of us have our [respective] bands that are doing well, but the fans really want to hear the old [TROUBLE] songs the way they're meant to be heard.

"After the [Days Of The Doomed] fest, Eric basically said to me, 'Let's start a band!', and after that night the three of us thought, 'That would be cool.' We want to give the fans to the best of our ability what they deserve. When people speak loud enough, you hear it. Well, we hear it! We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to. It's all about the fans. The fans spoke out, and the fans have been heard.

"The thing is, we can't just sit back and not listen to the fans. We want to go out and have fun and play the old songs. We don't have to go out and do this because we all have our own bands that are doing well with records coming out. We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to."

Olson was equally enthusastic about the formation of THE SKULL, telling Metal Kaos in an e-mail, "[I'm] excited to jam some TROUBLE again! [I] was a little worried there would be some drama with the fans, like with the two L.A. GUNS bands performing the same material, but there is nothing I want more than a reunion with all TROUBLE members. For now, this will do."

Wagner, Olson and original TROUBLE bassist Sean McAllister shared the stage for the first time since 1986 during Olson's RETRO GRAVE set on June 18, 2011 at the Days Of The Doomed Fest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Video footage of Wagner, Olson and McAllister performing the song "Victim Of The Insane", which was written by Olson for TROUBLE's full-length debut "Psalm 9" (1984), can be viewed below.

TROUBLE formed in 1979 and released several classic albums like "Trouble", "Manic Frustration" and "Plastic Green Head".

Eric was one of the guest singers on Dave Grohl's (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) heavy metal side project PROBOT, whose 2004 album featured heavy metal vocalists from the '80s and '90s. Wagner also makes a guest appearance in the forthcoming horror film "Jezebeth" (written and directed by Damien Dante of Satania 6 Films), to be released on Blu-ray in early 2012.

Eric Wagner left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.

Glenn Danzig will perform his "Legacy" career-spanning set featuring songs from DANZIG, SAMHAIN and MISFITS, in a number of U.S. cities in late May and early June. In addition, he has announced four DANZIG shows where he will be joined by ex-MISFITS axeman Doyle Von Frankenstein as a "special guest." Tickets for these dates will go on sale this Tuesday, March 20.

The details are as follows:

May 26 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Danzig Legacy)
May 31 - Kansas City, KS - Uptown Theatre (Danzig with Doyle)
Jun. 01 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room (Danzig with Doyle)
Jun. 02 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore (Danzig with Doyle)
Jun. 04 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore (Danzig with Doyle)
Jun. 05 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage Ae (Danzig Legacy)
Jun. 07 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory (Danzig Legacy)
Jun. 09 - Manchester, TN - Bonaroo Festival (Danzig Legacy)

It was announced last year that a "Danzig Legacy" TV special was being filmed in Los Angeles with director Mark Brooks (Adult Swim's "Metalocalypse").

THE SANITY DAYS — the project featuring four former members of legendary Bristol, England thrash metallers ONSLAUGHT who have teamed up to play music from the band's most commercially successful album, "In Search of Sanity" — recently recruited ONSLAUGHT's first vocalist, Paul "Mo" Mahoney (who sang on the band's very first record, "Power From Hell", and bass guitar on ONSLAUGHT's second album, "The Force") to play some limited shows in 2012. Paul made his comeback debut this past Thursday, March 15 at Hammerfest in Prestatyn, North Wales, where THE SANITY DAYS played most of the "Power From Hell" album along with Steve Grimmett on vocals playing the entire "In Search of Sanity" LP. This now means THE SANITY DAYS has three of the original four members from "Power From Hell" on stage and four original members in total!

Fan-filmed video footage of THE SANITY DAYS' performance at Hammerfest, as well as a short clip of a pre-festival rehearsal, can be seen below.

THE SANITY DAYS is intended as a bit of fun for the musicians and an opportunity for fans to hear music that no longer features in ONSLAUGHT's live repertoire.

THE SANITY DAYS was launched by Steve Grice, former drummer and founding member of the ONSLAUGHT, who played on all ONSLAUGHT albums thus far. He is joined in the new project by former ONSLAUGHT guitarist Alan Jordan (2007's "Killing Peace"), bassist Jase Stallard (1985's "Power From Hell" and 1986's "The Force"), and ex-GRIM REAPER singer Steve Grimmett, who fronted ONSLAUGHT for the 1989 album "In Search Of Sanity".

Released on London Records in 1989, "In Search Of Sanity" was the last album ONSLAUGHT recorded before it disbanded. Despite reaching the U.K. Top 50, its mainstream production proved controversial among bandmembers and fans alike. "We were always pleased with the songs, though," states Grice. "Over the past few years, people have nagged me to play tracks from the 'Sanity' album, but we always struggled to get them sounding right without Steve Grimmett's involvement."

Former GRIM REAPER frontman Grimmett lent his powerful voice to ONSLAUGHT for just this one album and now returns as a member of THE SANITY DAYS. "It's been a long time since I sang any songs from 'In Search of Sanity', but this was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," he said. "I have also been asked to play these songs, but it never seemed the right thing to do after ONSLAUGHT got back together."

"I'm really excited to be involved with Steve Grice again, and playing with Al and Steve Grimmett makes it extra special to me," said Stallard. "For the past six years I have been watching ONSLAUGHT's progress, thinking to myself how much I would love to get out and play again. Now this chance has arisen, I intend to enjoy every second of it."

Rehearsal:



Performance:

Guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho and keyboardist Janne Wirman of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently spoke to Artisan News about the 15th anniversary of the release of their debut album, "Something Wild", and how far they've come. You can now watch the report below.

On May 21, CHILDREN OF BODOM will release "Holiday At Lake Bodom (15 Years Of Wasted Youth)", a very special CD+DVD career retrospective in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The release will spotlight specially selected tracks from every one of the group's critically acclaimed albums (1997's "Something Wild", 1999's "Hatebreeder", 2000's "Follow The Reaper", 2003's "Hate Crew Deathroll", 2005's "Are You Dead Yet?", 2008's "Blooddrunk" and 2011's "Relentless Reckless Forever"), plus two newly recorded (and undeniably fun) cover songs and detailed liner notes penned by the members of CHILDREN OF BODOM themselves. The DVD portion of the package will include "candid touring and backstage footage from around the world”, plus the never-before-seen music video for "Relentless Reckless Forever"'s "Shovel Knockout".

"'15 Years Of Wasted Youth' is the sound of CHILDREN OF BODOM working hard, partying hard, being relentless and stubborn," says the band's guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho. "We went through many brick walls to get to where we are, and after seven studio albums, two live albums, non-stop touring, bleeding and breaking a lot of bones, I think we are justified in putting this album out. Let the music speak for itself. You have been warned."

The release of "Holiday At Lake Bodom (15 Years Of Wasted Youth)" continues CHILDREN OF BODOM's year-long anniversary celebration, which kicked off with the band's highly successful "15th Anniversary" headlining tour of North America.

In an interview with MusikUniverse.net, Laiho said that the band is scheduled to commence the songwriting sessions for its next album this fall for a 2013 release. "I have ideas, but I haven't done anything about it," Alexi said. "'Cause the thing is, I can't write when I'm touring; it's not the right kind of environment for me. I know a lot of people do it, but I just can't. And it's OK, 'cause I build a lot of ideas in my head, and my memory sucks, but one thing that I never forget is the riffs; they're always in my head somehow. So it's really not a problem."

CHILDREN OF BODOM's last album, "Relentless Reckless Forever", sold nearly 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, 2008's "Blooddrunk", opened with 19,000 units to land at No. 22. This number was roughly four times the opening tally of "Blooddrunk"'s predecessor, "Are You Dead Yet?", which premiered with 5,000 units back in October 2005 to enter the chart at No. 195.

"Relentless Reckless Forever" was certified gold in the band's home country for first-day sales of over 10,000 copies. The CD was recorded in Finland's Petrax Studios with famed rock producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET).

Artisan News caught up with POISON singer Bret Michaels n February 9 at The Grammy Foundation's annual Grammy Week preservation event at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California and asked him about his upcoming solo album. You can now watch the report below.

As previously reported, Bret told RollingStone.com that his new solo CD, "Get Your Rock On", will include guest appearances by DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen, MY DARKEST DAYS axeman Sal Costa, Jimmy Buffett and country singer Loretta Lynn.

"Loretta Lynn and I are gonna redo [POISON's] 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' together," Bret told RollingStone.com. "And, for me, growing up in a family that my father loved country music and 'Coal Miner's Daughter', this is gonna be a really awesome time."

He added, "The song 'Get Your Rock On' has Phil Collen playing guitar with me and it also has Sal Costa from MY DARKEST DAYS — [a] really, really good guitar player and good friend. Jimmy Buffet and I did a live version of 'Margaritaville' together."

Michaels said the two duets, with Lynn and Buffett, will be "two bonus tracks." And of the rest of the record he said, "It is just straight-up in-your-face rock and roll."

San Diego extreme metallers CATTLE DECAPITATION will release their new album, "Monolith Of Humanity", on May 8 (one day earlier internationally) via Metal Blade Records. The highly anticipated follow-up to 2009's "The Harvest Floor" was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero of Denver's Flatline Audio. According to a press release, "the humans of earth can expect a much more updated production complete with some surprising guest appearances and the kind of musical exploration that gained the band even more fans with 'The Harvest Floor'. Once again CATTLE DECAPITATION gives us more extravagantly intense artwork from artist Wes Benscoter and the CD/LP layout are as over the top as the album's concept itself."

A new CATTLE DECAPITATION song entitled "A Living, Breathing Piece of Defecating Meat" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

CATTLE DECAPITATION will join forces with ORIGIN, DECREPIT BIRTH, ABORTED, RINGS OF SATURN and BATTLECROSS for the "Occupation Domination" U.S. tour in April/May.

Metal Mark of SkullsNBones.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist Ryan Clark of Seattle-based Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

SkullsNBones.com: You've already released the tracks "Someone To Hate" and "My Destiny" to the world and the songs are absolutely incredible. Do these songs best represent what we can expect from ["True Defiance"]?

Ryan: I think these songs are a very solid representation of the new record. They display an element of the classic DEMON HUNTER blueprint, but also show how far we've evolved in recent years. They're like DEMON HUNTER on steroids. With that said, the record is just as varied as any DEMON HUNTER record... there are relentlessly heavy songs with little to no vocal melody, there are songs with a good mix of heaviness and melody, and slower songs that really showcase the diversity of the band. It's always been a priority for us to explore a wide range of styles on each record, as long as the album flows well as a whole. I think it's important for records to have peaks and valleys.

SkullsNBones.com: One thing that DEMON HUNTER is known for is your sick album artwork and the "True Defiance" cover is just awesome! Some bands seem to care less and less about the artwork, so why is it still important to you?

Ryan: Well, I'm as much a visual artist as I am a musician. I've been a professional graphic designer for over 11 years, and I've been heavily involved in some form of visual arts as far back as I can remember. From day one, the aesthetic element of the band has been an absolute priority- it's a priority in anything I do, but the band is a great platform for it. I think image is an important counterpart to any piece of music, whether that's through a music video, album package, photo shoot, stage performance, etc. It helps to expand the story. I will never understand musicians that care about the music alone and neglect every other opportunity to be artistic.

SkullsNBones.com: The deluxe edition of "True Defiance" includes several bonuses for the fans. I'm especially excited to hear the live acoustic songs! Do you have any plans of doing an acoustic tour in the future or throwing some acoustic songs in upcoming tours to change it up a bit?

Ryan: We've kicked around the idea of doing a full acoustic tour, and at this point we have enough mellow songs to fill out a nice set, but there are no plans to do so yet. We have done a number of acoustic performances in the past, usually at places like record stores. They're actually really fun because the atmosphere is so much different. It's very candid and intimate. We're hoping to line up a couple acoustic performances for the new record, just after it's released.

SkullsNBones.com: You recently stated that the new record will "turn the heads of those who have ignored us for the past decade." I've always felt that DEMON HUNTER was a well known and relevant metal band, so who's been ignoring you guys? Do you still feel you have something to prove after all these years?

Ryan: I think most bands feel the need to prove themselves. Everyone wants to make a record that will appeal to a certain type of person... and depending on the band, that could be a very specific, tight-knit group of like-minded individuals, and for others, the desired demographic is anyone and everyone. We fall somewhere in the middle. I definitely don't expect everyone to understand and appreciate what DEMON HUNTER does... but I think there are a lot of people that would really love the band if they gave it an honest chance. I guess what I'm talking about specifically is metal fans that have pre-conceived ideas about bands you might consider "Christian." But I also think most of these people will make an exception if the band is extraordinary. Think of how Johnny Cash has completely transcended the stigma of "Christian artist." Now maybe shrink that down into the metal world, specifically. I think it's a healthy challenge to think this way as an artist. It's the drive that makes you want to do something amazing.

Read the entire interview from SkullsNBones.com.

"My Destiny" lyric video:

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, the Soundstage in Baltimore, Maryland will host the first annual Shockwave Magazine Presents: A Fallen Blue Police Benefit. Proceeds from the show will be going to two police non-profits: Fallen Blue Organization and Safe Call Now. The concert will be headlined by Randy Jackson, lead singer of the acclaimed band ZEBRA. Fallen Blue's national spokesperson and TWISTED SISTER drummer A.J. Pero will host the event and play alongside not only Randy, but rock guitarist Bill Leverty (FIREHOUSE) and Jack Starr (VIRGIN STEELE, BURNING STARR). ICONIC TONIC and WILDSTREET will open the show with their standard breed of rock and roll.

Commented Fallen Blue's president: "I couldn't be happier to see how this show is shaping up. It will be a great night of acoustic rock, and with proceeds from the show going to Fallen Blue and our great friends at Safe Call Now, A.J. and I have some great things planned, to include some one-of-a-kind raffle items. A.J. could be challenged in a drum-off, and Randy looks to close out the show with some true rock talents in an all-star jam. We have high hopes for local police bag-pipers to open the show, as well as a rousing rendition of the national anthem. So if you're coming in early for National Police Week or the M3 Rock Festival, this will be a great way to start the weekend off."

TWISTED SISTER drummer A.J. Pero was last year named the national spokesperson for Fallen Blue, which was created as a means to provide support, both emotional and financial, for the families of police officers who are killed outside the line of duty.

Pero has spent his life entertaining rock music fans as the drummer for TWISTED SISTER. He has also dedicated his life to helping others less fortunate with his charity work.

Rock Over America recently conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES and SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba. You can now listen to the entire chat at this location. A couple of excerpts follow.

On his GUNS N' ROSES audition and how the band's fans have accepted him since he joined the group:

Ashba: "It was just surreal. It was a lot of stress, because I have SIXX: A.M., too. I didn't realize at the time just how hardcore the GUNS fans are. I was a fan — I am a fan — but you have to win their respect. And stepping in the shoes of somebody like Slash, I just didn't realize how tough it was going to be as far as winning people over. But at the same time, it makes you a real strong person, and it also was a huge challenge that I was definitely up for.

"Up until [I joined the band], I had never read a negative thing on me in the press and stuff, and when I first joined [GUNS], I got a couple of playing to some middle fingers and some hardcore fans, and I wasn't used to that. And then once I think people kind of did their homework and realized, 'Oh, this guy's been around for a bit,' slowly I started winning people over and I hope to continue to do so. But the guys [in the band] were really supportive and kept my chin up."

On GUNS N' ROSES' future:

Ashba: "I don't get involved with any project unless I honestly feel, as a songwriter and producer, I can bring something solid to the table. And with GUNS, I really feel like, outside of playing guitar for them, I'm really excited to get in there and collaborate with this band because Axl has put together one of the most amazing bands; I mean, the musicianship in this band is unbelievable. It's an honor — it's a huge honor — and I'm just trying to do the gig justice by trying to stay as true to the original vision as I possibly can.

"Coming into this, I wasn't coming in just to play guitar; I'm coming in as a songwriter. Obviously, I'm a producer [as well]. I'm not saying I'm gonna produce a GUNS record or whatever... But I'm really excited about the future, because the sky's the limit. And I know my goal is the same as Axl's [Rose, vocals], and everyone else's in the band, [which is] to put together what we all feel ultimately would be the next best GUNS N' ROSES record. So that, to me, is really exciting, and I'm always up for a huge challenge. So that's what gets me going."

"We've been touring so much since I've been in the band. Axl, we get together quite a bit, and he has played a lot of stuff he has recorded, which I can't wait to sit down with him and get my hands dirty. Obviously, as a songwriter, I've written and demoed up probably about 12 songs, I think. And some of them he has heard, some of them he hasn't yet. But I think when we get a little bit of time off, we're gonna hopefully all get together and piece together what we think is gonna be the next best thing. But ultimately, this is Axl's baby, and I wanna sit down and really get a good grasp on his vision of where he feels the next record should go and then sit down by his side and make that happen."

Ashba joined GUNS N' ROSES in March 2009 following the departure of Robin Finck.

In addition to Ashba and sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".

"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy.

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM recently entered the studio to begin recording their fifth album for a fall release via Spinefarm Records. The band states, "[We] started working at the famous Petrax studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH) [in Hollola, Finland] last week with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED) who is also mixing the album. From Petrax studio, the band will move on to two other locations in the Hämeenlinna area.

ENSIFERUM's new album will contain 10 tracks and will include guest appearances by members of DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and the legendary Finnish singer and actor Vesa-Matti Loiri.

The fifth in a series of websidodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the new CD recording process can be seen below.

ENSIFERUM's fourth album, "From Afar", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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.

"From Afar" was released on September 9, 2009 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Tero Kinnunen (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS) and Janne Joutsenniemi ('Victory Songs' producer) and was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).

Quality fan-filmed video footage of VAN HALEN's March 15 concert at Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada can be seen below.

A review of the show is available at MontrealGazette.com.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Unchained
02. Runnin' With the Devil
03. She's The Woman
04. Romeo Delight
05. Tattoo
06. Everybody Wants Some!!
07. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
08. China Town
09. Hear About It Later
10. Oh, Pretty Woman (ROY ORBISON cover)
11. Drum Solo
12. You Really Got Me (THE KINKS cover)
13. The Trouble With Never
14. Dance The Night Away
15. I'll Wait
16. Hot For Teacher
17. Women In Love
18. Outta Love Again
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man (JOHN BRIM cover)
21. Panama
22. Guitar Solo
23 Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24. Jump

VAN HALEN continues to roll out a selection of rare tracks, none of which have been played live since at least the early Eighties, on the band's current North American tour. According to The Pulse Of Radio , the latest gem to be dusted off is "Hang 'Em High" , from 1982's "Diver Down" album, which was given its first airing since probably 1983 last Sunday night (March 11) in Boston. Lead singer David Lee Roth noted the occasion by telling the audience, "That's the first time we've played that in forever."

The band began unearthing the deep cuts right from the start of the tour last month, and so far audiences have heard tracks like "Hear About It Later" from 1981's "Fair Warning" , "The Full Bug" from "Diver Down" , "Girl Gone Bad" from 1984, plus "Women In Love" and "Outta Love Again" , both from "Van Halen II" .

Almost none of these songs have been performed by VAN HALEN since the initial tour for each of their respective albums.

According to online postings, "Take Your Whiskey Home" from "Women And Children First" is a popular choice among fans for the group to dig out next, along with "Fair Warning" cuts "Dirty Movies" and "Push Comes To Shove" , neither of which have ever been performed live.

VAN HALEN is on the road behind "A Different Kind Of Truth" , its first album with Roth in 28 years.

Chevrolet Sound Garage music host Damien Fahey conducted an interview with THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy during this year's South By Southwest (SXSW) festival, which is being held in Austin, Texas. You can now watch the chat below.

One of the finest British rock acts to have enjoyed worldwide success over the last few decades, THE CULT will release its first studio album in five years, "Choice Of Weapon", on May 22 via the band's new label Cooking Vinyl.

"Choice Of Weapon" is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2007 release "Born Into This" that the U.K.'s Mojo magazine called "a wholehearted, utopian and irrefutably exciting record." Longtime THE CULT collaborator and producer Bob Rock (METALLICA, BUSH), who produced one of THE CULT's most successful albums, the platinum-certified "Sonic Temple", put the finishing touches on the foundations that were laid by co-producer Chris Goss (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, U.N.K.L.E., MASTERS OF REALITY).

The album was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band's Witch Mountain studio between July and December 2011. The new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse.

Speaking to Austin360.com, Astbury said of "Choice Of Weapon", "I think we went back to a place of instinct. There were no predetermined agendas. We've had periods of stagnation and being stale and repeating ourselves, but I think that's common. With 'Choice Of Weapon', we just said, '(Screw) it! We're going to grab every jewel we can find. We're going to play the ace and go as deep as we can.' There's definitely hard rock moments on this record, but then again, there's moments that are kind of pastoral."

"Choice Of Weapon" is aimed at the heart of THE CULT's loyal following. It reflects the current discontent and destruction of our eco systems, the search for individual meaning against a tide of rampant materialism, narcissism and disconnected lives.

"We're still growing and still developing," Astbury told Austin360.com. "We're still students; we're still inquisitive; we're still passionate. I still think what we're doing is relevant. We still have an awareness of what's going on around us. It's not like I live in a cave."

"The Day Of Redemption", the new video from the Italian symphonic power metal band MINOTAURO, can be seen below. The song is the title track of the group's forthcoming debut album, which was mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN, PRIMAL FEAR). The CD features guest appearances by Göran Edman (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOHN NORUM, STREET TALK, KARMAKANIC) from Sweden, Tom Naumann (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER) from Germany and the guitar virtuoso and session musician Bor Zuljan (SANK ROCK) from Slovenia.

MINOTAURO is a symphonic power metal band featuring musicians from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. Its sound incorporates elements of classical music and film scores. The band was formed in 2010 in Trieste, Italy by guitarist and songwriter Roko Smajlagic, joined by his friend and bass player from Croatia, Davor Pavelic, from their previous band HEAT. They then recruited drummer Emanuele Petrucci, guitarist Peter Pahor and keyboard player Ales Lavric. During the recordings of the "The Day Of Redemption" album, Italian metal singer Rudy Berginc joined the fold and MINOTAURO's lineup was completed.

MINOTAURO is:

Rudy Berginc - Vocals
Roko Smailagic - Guitar
Peter Pahor - Guitar
Ales Lavric - Keyboards, Hammond
Davor Pavelic - Bass
Emanuele Petrucci - Drums

For more information, visit www.minotauro-band.com.

Ryan Harmon of Warrior Rock Radio recently conducted an interview with GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE kicked off its "High Seas" tour on March 3 at Route 46 in Sanford, Florida.

The band's hour-long set featured the following tracks:

01. Call It Rock N' Roll
02. Lady Red Light
03. On Your Knees
04. Save Your Love
05. Face The Day + Guitar Solo
06. House Of Broken Love
07. Mista Bone
08. Rollin' Stoned
09. Save Me
10. Desert Moon
11. Rock Me
12. Paradise
13. Can't Shake It
14. Once Bitten Twice Shy

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is:

Jack Russell - Vocals
Robby Lochner (FIGHT) - Guitar
Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) - Guitar
Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) - Bass
Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) - Drums

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with the other touring version of GREAT WHITE, which features Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals).

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE will headline this summer's "America Rocks Tour" with support from FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLETBOYS, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and LILLIAN AXE.

Jack's estranged bandmates issued a statement in December in which they claimed that Russell's "frail body" and "drug abuse" have prohibited him from taking part in the band's performances for the past year. They additionally revealed that Jack had undergone "five major surgeries" after his drug abuse got so bad that "his body began to shut down and ultimately resulted in colostomy surgery from a perforated bowel."

In an interview with Metal Sludge, Russell stated about the other version of GREAT WHITE, "I don't care what they say. The proof is in the pudding. Everyone is going to see that Jack is back, that it's all rumors. I mean, do people really give a shit if I'm sober or not? They can come, they'll see I look great, I sound great."

When asked about the rumors of his poor health, Jack said, "I am fine. I just bought a 45-foot boat, and I'm living on it in Redondo Beach, my old stomping ground when GREAT WHITE was its most successful. It's nice to see my favorite sushi restaurant and favorite Italian restaurant are still around. I go fishing three times a week, and I'm in great shape. All these rumors from the other camp about me being not healthy and everyone being afraid I am going to die, it's all B.S. Those guys haven't talked to me in months. They haven't talked to me, so come on, give me a break. Who even cares? I can still sing great. End of story."

Regarding the fact that the GREAT WHITE guys and their manager have a totally different opinion on whether Jack is fit to keep going, the singer said, "They're just trying to make me look bad. They feel scared and threatened, and they should be. They don't own the name. This is my band. Everyone knows this is my band. I started in 1978 and changed the name in 1982. The others, they came in because I was the one who invited them. It was cool for a while before all this crap started. They don't own the name, they don't own the logo. [GREAT WHITE's manager] Obi Steinman sues everyone in the world, but I'm lucid, I'm clear, and I'm sober. Just because I had a rough year and a half does not mean that I gave up on my band. My name has always been synonymous with GREAT WHITE. I came up with the name, and I am entitled to use it. The other GREAT WHITE, with Terry Illous singing my songs and my lyrics, now he's sticking his name into this, covering my tunes. Write your own stuff, dude."

NERVGIFT ("Nerve-Venom" in Swedish), the new Örebro, Sweden-based punk/metal band featuring bassist/guitarist Oskar Pålsson (COLDWORKER), vocalist Calle Henriksson (KVOTERINGEN) and drummer Andreas Gustavsson (OND BRÅD DÖD), will enter the studio next weekend to make its first recording. According to the group, "Four songs will be put on tape" during the sessions. The band adds, "We will do a final (and third ever) rehearsal this week to adjust some final details."

NERVGIFT is:

Oskar Pålsson (COLDWORKER) – Guitar, Bass
Calle Henriksson (KVOTERINGEN) - Vocals
Andreas Gustavsson (OND BRÅD DÖD) - Drums

The Age Of Metal recently conducted an interview with vocalist Tony Foresta of the Virginia crossover thrash metal band MUNICIPAL WASTE, You can now listen to the chat using the Mixcloud player below.

MUNICIPAL WASTE's fifth studio album, "The Fatal Feast", will be released on April 10 in North America and April 13 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Justin Osbourn of Slasher Design and can be seen below.

"The Fatal Feast" track listing:

01. Waste In Space
02. Repossession
03. New Dead Masters
04. Unholy Abductor
05. Idiot Check
06. Covered In Sick/The Barfer
07. You're Cut Off
08. Authority Complex
09. Standards And Practices
10. Crushing Chest Wound
11. The Monster With 21 Faces
12. Jesus Freaks
13. The Fatal Feast
14. 12 Step Program
15. Death Tax
16. Residential Disaster

Both the digipack and vinyl editions will include the bonus track "Eviction Party".

"The Fatal Feast" features guest appearances by John Connelly (guitarist and vocalist for NUCLEAR ASSAULT), Steve Moore (who plays bass and synthesizers for ZOMBI), and vocalist Tim Barry (ex-AVAIL).

MUNICIPAL WASTE recently filmed a video for "The Fatal Feast" title track with Jeff Speed Films.



"The Fatal Feast" lyric video:

"The Truth", the new video from France's THE PRESTIGE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's debut album, "Black Mouths", which will be released on April 3 through Basement Apes Industries, Brain Ache, Enjoyment Records and Tangled Talk.

Recorded in two weeks in an old chapel in Laval (Normandy, France) with producer Guyom Pavesi (HEADCHARGER, DIE ON MONDAY, ANATHEMA) assisted by Amaury Sauvé (BIRDS IN ROW, COMITY, AS WE DRAW), "Black Mouths" is set outside the usual recording frame and with a strong live atmosphere. "We wanted the album to sound as if the listener was standing in the middle of the room and was part of the music," says singer and guitarist Alex. "So we just plugged, played and pushed the red button." The recording lasted 2 weeks and some new arrangements were added to the tracks to get a more intense indie rock sound: 1970s mellotron, Wurlitzer keyboard, detuned pianos, organs.

"Black Mouths" is the first time the band works with a foreign producer as they went to Stockholm, Sweden to mix with well-known Magnus Lindberg (CULT OF LUNA, REFUSED, POISON THE WELL). As guitarist Raphael tells it, "Giving your album to mix is like giving your baby, you need to find the person that will understand what you mean and expect."

"We never tried nor intend to fit in one particular genre. The main goal is to be honest and true to ourselves, and to have a shit load of fun," says drummer Thibaut.

Formed in 2009 out of the ashes of the French metalcore band DRAFTDOWN, THE PRESTIGE is described in a press release as "a high-energy quartet from Paris, which plays a mix between (post-)chaotic hardcore, intense punk, metal and rock under constant injection of adrenaline. [The group will appeal to] fans of CONVERGE, EVERY TIME I DIE, THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND, NORMA JEAN and TOUCHÉ AMORÉ."

"Black Mouths" track listing:

01. The Truth
02. Burn Down Vegas
03. Ballroom
04. Crane Flies
05. Pluie
06. The Never Ending End
07. Forward
08. Backward
09. A Thousand Trees in My Closet
10. Hooks and Lips