Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL kicked off their "Dark Legacy" tour last night (Saturday, April 7) at Soma in San Diego, California. The band's only headlining run in the United States in 2012 features a set of more than two hours, with material spanning all of LACUNA COIL's albums.

Fan-filmed video footage of last night's concert can be seen below.

Commented LACUNA COIL frontwoman Cristina Scabbia: "The 'Dark Legacy' tour is a dream come true! This tour will present the history of LACUNA COIL, melding old fans with a new generation of Coilers. The 'Dark Legacy' set will offer both the electric and acoustic vibe and absolute melodic epicness!"

Added frontman Andrea Ferro: "We wanted to give our fans a special present for LACUNA COIL's fifteenth anniversary and that was the inspiration for the 'Dark Legacy' tour. The 'Dark Legacy' show will be very special, with a lot of our history in a surprise-filled set. You won't want to miss it!"

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.

(Thanks: The HMP)

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will release a split seven-inch single with Canadian singer-songwriter Feist to celebrate Record Store Day on April 21. This very exclusive and highly anticipated pressing features MASTODON covering the Feist song "A Commotion", while Feist covers MASTODON's "Black Tongue".

In a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine, MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor explained how the single idea came about. "We did [the BBC television show 'Later... With Jools Holland'], and right after we got off stage, we went backstage and and we were in the hallway with [Feist], and she was talking to [MASTODON vocalist/guitarist] Brent [Hinds]. They were involved in a conversation and were just like, 'Yeah, let's do that! We should do it for Record Store Day!' Something out of left field and something we'd like to be involved with more of."

He added, "It's fun for us. I mean, most times we end up doing covers of bands that are already sort of heavy or that is already in that vein, like the MELVINS, THIN LIZZY, METALLICA, you know what I mean? What are you gonna do to those songs to make them your own? It's kinda difficult and especially with stuff like METALLICA or the MELVINS where we're so kinda familiar and in love with the versions that METALLICA and the MELVINS and THIN LIZZY have created, you wanna make it sound like theirs because that's what you're so used to hearing. You don't really wanna mess with it. With Feist, it's something that we could really play with and do something different with."

The cover artwork for the MASTODON and Feist split seven-inch single can be seen below.

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.

Steel And Fire recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Janne "J.B." Christoffersson of Swedish heavy rockers GRAND MAGUS. You can now watch the chat below.

Due to family obligations and work commitments, drummer Sebastian "Seb" Sippola has left GRAND MAGUS. The new man behind the kit is Ludwig "Ludde" Witt (SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, FIREBIRD, SHINING).

Commented Sebastian: "It took a load off my mind that Ludwig was chosen because he is a friend of mine. By the way, honestly and objective: In my opinion Ludwig is the best replacement for me because he already knows J.B. and Fox [Skinner, bass] and he exactly knows which demands the drumming at GRAND MAGUS will make on him. They will be a great team and I'm really looking forward to see them live — though I have no idea, how my reaction will be in this situation."

Added J.B.: "When Sebastian told us that he wanted to concentrate on his family and thus leave the band, it was a tough blow. How to move forward? I knew only one possible drummer who had the combination of old school rock drumming and metal chops like Sebastian and that's Ludwig Witt who I knew through my tenure in SPIRITUAL BEGGARS. Me and Ludwig have stayed in touch after I left BEGGARS and I knew he was busy with other bands, so I couldn't really hope that he would be available. But like it was destined to happen, Ludwig agreed to do the album and join the band. It's weird, because just like it felt completely natural when Sebastian joined, it feels like Ludwig totally belongs in MAGUS! Ludwig is an awesome drummer and we are super-excited to have him on board. We'll pound out the metal together starting end of May. Prepare for the HUNT!"

Stated Ludwig: "I'm very happy to announce that I, Ludwig Witt, am the new drummer of GRAND MAGUS. I've known J.B. for over ten years and I've been a fan of GRAND MAGUS since day one so it's great to be on board. At the moment I'm learning all the classic GRAND MAGUS songs and I get a huge buzz from playing along to songs like 'Kingslayer' and 'Like The Oar Strikes The Water' so I can't wait to get out and play the stuff live together with the new stuff from our new album the hunt. See you on the road."

GRAND MAGUS will release its new album, "The Hunt", in Europe on May 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Arik Roper (CATHEDRAL, HIGH ON FIRE, SLEEP), who also handled the art on GRAND MAGUS' "Iron Will" LP.

Commented GRAND MAGUS frontman Janne "J.B." Christoffersson: "Arik Roper is a super-talented artist and we've had the pleasure of working with him before when he did the cover art for our album 'Iron Will'. This time around with the overall feel and lyrical themes of our new album 'The Hunt', Arik was the perfect choice once again. We basicallly just gave him the title and he created one of the most haunting and suggestive images ever seen. He totally nailed what the album is all about. To say we are pleased is a gigantic understatement! This piece of art will stand the test of time and become classic."

GRAND MAGUS's last album, "Hammer Of The North", was released digitally in North America in January 2011 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at 301 studios outside of Stockholm and features artwork by Necrolord.

A number of photos of the new lineup of BLACKGATES — the new East San Francisco Bay Area/New York metal outfit featuring former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson, drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-TESTAMENT, EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN) and guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) — can be found at this location.

BLACKGATES will make its live debut on May 5 at Rooster's Roadhouse in Alameda, California as part of the Cinco De Mayo Metal Throwdown with guests MUDFACE, FALLING TO PIECES and ANOTHER VOID. Free ticket giveaways will be made available via the 107.7 The Bone radio station.

For more information, go to this location.

BLACKGATES recently parted ways with bassist Uriah Duffy (ex-WHITESNAKE) and replaced him with Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE).

Commented Bostaph: "Luis is a veteran of the Bay Area metal scene and a welcome addition to the band." Von Epp added, "[Barillas has] got that Steve Harris/Geezer Butler vibe on the bass which fits perfect with what were doing, not to mention that he's a solid dude." Nelson stated, "Luis is an amazing bassist and a perfect fit for the BLACKGATES sound. He's a true bro who you know from day one will have your back in the trenches."

BLACKGATES last year entered the studio to begin work on its debut album.

Bostaph previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, "Our sound is drawn from all of our influences. Mostly, we don't want to be a thrash metal band, although we draw from that genre as well. There is something in our music for everyone. Heavy grooves, good hooks and Dan's killer pipes. I think we have an independent sound that will stand on its own." Nelson added, "It's thrashy and heavy, so it will appeal to ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT fans. But has the groove and brutality of PANTERA, and is also very melodic. The guitarist is a kid from the Bay Area named Jeremy Epp, who's an unknown, but sensational. People are gonna love him."

BLACKGATES's first demo was recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area with producer Tim Narducci (SYSTEMATIC, SPIRALARMS).

BLACKGATES is:

* Dan Nelson (ANTHRAX): Vocals/guitar
* Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN, EXODUS): Drums
* Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE): Bass
* Jeremy Von Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE): Guitar/Vocals

German/Swedish metallers AT VANCE will release their ninth album, "Facing Your Enemy", on April 27 via AFM Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Heaven Is Calling
02. Facing Your Enemy
03. Eyes Of A Stranger
04. Fear No Evil
05. Live And Learn
06. Don't Dream
07. Seeing Me Crying
08. Saviour
09. Tokyo
10. March Of The Dwarf
11. Fame And Fortune
12. Things I Never Needed

The song "Savior" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

AT VANCE's eighth album, "Ride The Sky", came out in September 2009 through AFM.

ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer — performed last night (Saturday, April 7) after the San Antonio Rampage American Hockey League game against the Milwaukee Admirals at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The festivities began at 5:30 p.m. with appearances by Natural Ear Music School bands THE NEXT DAY and ARISEN in the Bud Light Courtyard.

Fan-filmed video footage of ADRENALINE MOB's performance can be seen below.

The Natural Ear Music School is owned and operated by Moyer and teaches kids to play rock 'n' roll by ear by grouping kids in a similar age and experience range to form a functional band unit. The school was established in Austin, Texas in 1991 will open a school in San Antonio this summer.

ADRENALINE MOB travelled to Los Angeles last month to film a video for the song "Indifferent". The clip, which was directed by Scott Hansen (A DAY TO REMEMBER, UNEARTH, WILLIE NELSON), was shot in the desert in California and throughout Los Angeles and should be making its debut in the next couple of weeks.

"Indifferent" comes off ADRENALINE MOB's debut album, "Omertá", which sold around 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records and in the U.S. on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.

The 11-song effort — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

ADRENALINE MOB and KILL DEVIL HILL will join forces for a short co-headlining tour in May. The trek will kick off on May 10 in Cleveland an will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte on May 22. The shows will feature KILL DEVIL HILL followed by ADRENALINE MOB and then end in all-out jam between the two groups. Special VIP packages, including exclusive items and meet-and-greets will be available for each band.

ADRENALINE MOB will embark on a European tour in June.

Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, THE CULT) and Australian drummer Sammy "The Bull" Aliano have released the "Double Bass Drumming And Power Fills Workout" book through Cherry Lane Music.

"Double Bass Drumming And Power Fills Workout" is designed to help drummers improve their independence and control; develop coordination and fluency between their hands and feet; sharpen their reading skills; and build speed, endurance, power and precision — no matter what their drumming style. The in-depth "Power Fills" workout section is an indispensible collection of over 300 exercises and variations.

Commented drummer John Tempesta (THE CULT, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, WHITE ZOMBIE): "As a professional and versatile drummer, I couldn't be more pleased with what I found in this book. 'Double Bass Drumming And Power Fills Workout' is a book that will strengthen your playing fundamentally as well as sharpen your skills. It will build, speed, endurance, and greatly improve your independence. Any serious drummer will find that using this book will benefit them no matter what their style of playing. Whether it's rock, fusion, funk or metal, etc., The in-depth breakdown of the 'Power Fills' workout section is what separates this book from the rest. With over 300 exercises and variations, this book is a definite must for any drummer's collection. I wish I had this book years ago. Matt and Sam have truly created a masterpiece."

To order a copy of "Double Bass Drumming And Power Fills Workout", visit Amazon.com.

The Drum Brother conducted an interview with drummer Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Prominski of Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH during the band's recently completed "Full Of Hate" European tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, MISERY INDEX and SUICIDAL ANGELS. You can now watch the chat below.

BEHEMOTH's highly anticipated inaugural "Decibel Magazine Tour" with WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE will kick off on April 11 at Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio.

BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika - The New Gospel Three" DVD (2010) — a three-disc set featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD — was certified platinum in the Poland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.

BEHEMOTH recently released a video for the song "Lucifer", off "Evangelion". The Grupa 13-directed clip features Polish singer, guitarist, and poet Maciej Malenczuk, who also contributed guest vocals to the track.

Interview:



Performance:

Video footage of HAIL! — the supergroup featuring vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, BEYOND FEAR), guitarist Dave Linsk (OVERKILL), drummer Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN) and bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH) — performing on March 31, 2012 at Demco Steel in Beirut, Lebanon can be seen below. Also available is interview and press-conference footage shot before the Beirut concert.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD cover)
02. Mob Rules (BLACK SABBATH cover)
03. Whiplash (METALLICA cover)
04. South Of Heaven (SLAYER cover)
05. Burn In Hell (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
06. Painkiller (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
07. Desert Plains (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
08. Walk (PANTERA cover)
09. Territory (SEPULTURA cover)
10. Rotten To The Core (OVERKILL cover)
11. Creeping Death (METALLICA cover)
12. Symphony Of Destruction (MEGADETH cover)
13. Bloodline (SLAYER cover)
14. Wrathchild (IRON MAIDEN cover)
15. Fucking Hostile (PANTERA cover)
16. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (BLACK SABBATH cover)
17. Peace Sells (MEGADETH cover)

Encore:

18. Seek And Destroy (METALLICA cover)
19. Stand Up And Shout (DIO cover)
20. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH cover)

Linsk is filling in for HAIL!'s regular guitarist, Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), who was unable to make the band's current dates due to scheduling conflicts.

Owens, Bostaph, Lomenzo and Kisser completed a South American HAIL! tour in early March.

A slightly different lineup of HAIL! — featuring Owens, Bostaph, Lomenzo and guitarist Glen Drover (MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) — played in China and Taiwan in December.

HAIL! is planning to release a DVD that will capture the band's entire history and spotlight all of its live shows and special guests and contain exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from its travels, rehearsals, soundchecks, interviews, meet-and-greets.

Interview:



Press conference:



Performance:

The Drum Brother conducted an interview with drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz of Florida death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE during the band's recently completed "Full Of Hate" European tour with BEHEMOTH, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, MISERY INDEX and SUICIDAL ANGELS. You can now watch the chat below.

CANNIBAL CORPSE's twelfth studio album, "Torture", sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Evisceration Plague", also opened with 9,600 units to land at No. 66. That was more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 2006 CD, "Kill", which entered the chart at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies.

"Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

While "Torture" marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of 'Butchered At Birth' (1991) or 'Tomb Of The Mutilated' (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record.

Interview:



Performance:

Texas-based hard rock singer Jason McMaster's (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER, IGNITOR, BROKEN TEETH) lady, Katie, finally made an honest man of him, and on his birthday, no less! They were married last month in Los Angeles, visited the set of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", and came home with a couple of very pretty rings.

McMaster was inducted into the South Texas Music Walk Of Fame in June 2011 in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. McMaster made Texas history as the first metal artist honored by the South Texas Music Walk Of Fame.

A vocalist, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter with two gold-certified records under his belt, McMaster is notorious for being one of the busiest musicians in rock and roll. His rock and roll resume dates back to 1982 when he fronted influential progressive metal band WATCHTOWER, later moving on to make headlines with the southern sleaze rock act DANGEROUS TOYS. In recent years, Jason has been channeling his talent into the Austin-based hard rock act BROKEN TEETH, having released five albums since the band’s formation in 1999; along with two albums from his NWOHB-influenced band IGNITOR, and various tribute bands. His impact on the Texas rock and metal scene was previously recognized in 1998, with an induction into the Texas Music Hall Of Fame.

Swedish black metallers WATAIN will make an in-store appearance on April 25 at Dark Realm Records in Downey, California between 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

WATAIN will release a new DVD, "Opus Diaboli", in North America on June 5. The production commemorates the band's 13 years of chaos by providing a visual and audio documentation of their ceremonial anniversary concert performance in Stockholm and the long years of physical, intellectual and spiritual work leading up to it. "Opus Diaboli" is an epic 90-minute journey into the forbidden realms of wild-hearted Satanic metal and the manifestation of a unique band that has truly chosen a path few have ever dared to tread upon.

Comments the band in a collective statement: "This movie was first meant to be the recording of our 13-year anniversary concert, but as everything with WATAIN, it took on a life of its own and become one of our most ambitious projects to date. It is a very personal and emotional piece of work and is certainly not for the faint of heart. But for those who wish to explore the glimmering abyss of WATAIN further, this will be a rewarding release for sure. The box version of 'Opus Diaboli' [available exclusively through the band's own Wolfwear.net] contains an exclusive photobook. It was an overwhelming experience going through the massive archives in search of photos that best sum up the storm of passionate turmoil that has marked the WATAIN journey, especially since we wanted to stay away from live photos and focus more on moments off stage. The results were however very satisfying and offer a rare and spicy mixture of photos of which most have never been published previously. We are also proud to announce that this will be the first release on our own label His Master's Noise, a name originating from BATHORY who had it in mind for their own label back in the early 1980s. Just like with our merch store Wolfwear.net, from which the limited box set will be available, this time we have chosen to stand by our own and do things our way."

"Opus Diaboli" DVD: A four-panel digipack including the DVD, two audio CDs featuring the full concert plus a 16-page booklet with historical photos and flyers.

"Opus Diaboli" box: Limited 12-inch box including the DVD, two audio CDs and two LPs featuring the full concert plus an exclusive 64-page booklet with historical photos and flyers.

As previously announced, WATAIN will take part in the inaugural Decibel Magazine Tour alongside BEHEMOTH, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE. The live ceremonies will commence next week on April 11 in Ohio and bloody 26 stages, including a stop in Oklahoma City, where the trek will merge with the U.S. Torture Tour featuring CANNIBAL CORPSE, EXHUMED, ABYSMAL DAWN, and ARKAIK for an evening of audio devastation.

(Thanks: Hellthrasher)

Fan-filmed video footage of JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE's March 31 performance at the Backstage in Tacoma, Washington can be seen 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 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).

According to the Courthouse News Service, Russell filed a lawsuit (PDF file) against his estranged bandmates last month claiming that they fired him and stole the group's name while he was recovering from surgery to repair a perforated bowel. Named in the complaint were Kendall, Desbrow, Lardie and talent agency Bigg Time Entertainment.

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.

Video footage of Swedish/German/American extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY perfoming the song "The First Deadly Sin" during rehearsal on April 8 in Sweden can be seen below.

ARCH ENEMY earlier in the year amicably parted ways with guitarist Christopher Amott and replaced him with 26-year-old American musician Nick Cordle (ARSIS).

Christopher — the brother of ARCH ENEMY's other guitarist Michael Amott — was a member of ARCH ENEMY from 1996 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2011.

Commented ARCH ENEMY in a statement: "We thank Christopher for the time he's worked with the band and, of course, wish him the very best in his future endeavors. Thankfully, there is no drama behind the scenes here. This is the best way forward for all involved. Christopher simply isn't into playing extreme metal anymore. We have already chosen and rehearsed with a new guitar player and we will complete the 'Khaos Legions' 2012 touring cycle as planned. We are highly motivated and look forward to continue spreading our music around the world! Finally, our deepest thanks go to the ARCH ENEMY fans, whose amazing support and belief inspires us ever onward."

Added Michael Amott: "Nick was my first choice as he ticks all the right boxes for ARCH ENEMY with his musicality and technicality as well as his personality and dedication. [We are] looking forward to having him join us stage, the rehearsals have shown we have a devastating twin axe attack going on!"

Nick Cordle (pictured below) was raised in a musical family in Virginia by parents who teach classical piano and was immersed in 19th-century piano music as a child. Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Liszt are his early memories. There were piano and violin lessons from a very early age but a rebellious streak led to the guitar at the age of 10, and within a few years he discovered the classic thrash metal albums by MEGADETH, METALLICA, and SLAYER. This was his first real musical passion and gateway into extreme music.

Nick studied jazz and music theory at the University of Virginia from 2003 to 2007 but remains self taught in the ways of "shred" and metal. Shortly thereafter, he joined American death metal band ARSIS playing bass and guitar over a three-year period, performing with them on various European tours and countless gigs across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as well as performing and writing on their most recent album, "Starve For The Devil" (2010).

Cordle will make his live debut with ARCH ENEMY on April 13 at the opening date of the band's Japanase headlining tour.

German hard rockers BONFIRE have parted ways with Dominik Hülshorst. According to the band, "The drum duties for the near future, and possibly the far future as well, will be handled by Harry 'Fireworks' Reischmann, who already played with the band in the Ukraine in March 2012."

BONFIRE's original drummer, Hülshorst rejoined the band in time for the recording of their twelfth album, "Branded", which came out in January 2011 via LZ Records/Sony Music.

Canadian singer Jon Howard (THREAT SIGNAL, ARKAEA) has recorded a guest appearance on the forthcoming sophomore album from the French melodic death metal band T.A.N.K. (THINK OF A NEW KIND).

A teaser for the track "Inhaled" featuring Howard can be seen below.

Howard joined T.A.N.K. on stage on March 24 in Paris, France to perform "Inhaled". Check out pictures of his appearance at this location.

T.A.N.K.'s debut album, "The Burden Of Will", was released in June 2010 via Symbol Musik (with distribution through Season Of Mist). The CD featured guest appearances by Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC, ONE-WAY MIRROR, SCARVE) and Steve "Zuul" Petit (ZUUL FX).

T.A.N.K. is:

Raf Pener: Vocals
Symheris: Lead guitar
Eddy Chaumulot: Rhythm Guitar
Clément Rouxel: Drums
Olivier d'Aries: Bass

"Yippie Ya Yeah! (More Than One Good Reason)", the new Lars Walkling-directed video from German western metallers DEZPERADOZ, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Dead Man's Hand", which will be released on April 27 via Drakkar.

The brainchild of Alex Kraft (ONKEL TOM, SODOM), DEZPERADOZ is a unique crossover between heavy rock and western sound. Originally formed as a project under the name DESPERADOS and featuring Tom Angelripper (SODOM, ONKEL TOM) on vocals, DEZPERADOZ quickly evolved into a full-fledged band.

Kraft, who plays guitar, sings and writes all of DEZPERADOZ' music, and his bandmates "are filling a gap in the music world, by transfering the rough feeling of the old italo-western movies into today's world of rock/metal," according to a press release.

"Dead Man's Hand" track listing:

01. Deadwood
02. Under The Gun
03. Yippie Ya Yeah (More Than One Good Reason)
04. Badlands
05. Bullet With My Name
06. Just Like Cowboyzz Do
07. Last Man Standing
08. My Ol' Rebel Heart
09. Saloon No. 10
10. Dead Man's Hand
11. Showdown
12. Train Of Souls
13.Wild Horses
14. My Gun And Me (Southern Pride version)

DESPERADOS' debut, "Dawn Of Dying", came out in 2000 via Drakkar before the band altered its name slightly and issued "The Legend And The Truth" (2006) and "An Eye For An Eye" (2008) through AFM Records.

DEZPERADOZ is:

Alex Kraft - Lead guitar, Vocals
Markus Kullmann - Drums, Backing Vocals
Alex Weigand - Bass, Backing Vocals
Nils Stürzer - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Swedish metal project MAD ARCHITECT will release a three-song EP, "Dreamworld", featuring multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (THERION, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL, DIMMU BORGIR) on vocals. According to a press release, the EP contains "20 minutes of brutally beautiful melodic metal" and will be made available on April 10 at iTunes and Spotify.

"Dreamworld" track listing:

01. Dreamworld
02. Altered States
03. Strange Machine

The "Dreamworld" title track is available for streaming below.

Vocals: Snowy Shaw
Guitars: Magnus Daun
Bass: Dennis Forsberg
Drums: Sven Lindsten
Keyboards: Jorgen Oscarsson
Bass on "Altered States": Tomas Reinerson

The EP was mixed at Grand Recordings in Gothenburg and was mastered at The Mastering Room by Goran Finnberg (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH).

On April 5, Metal Warzone conducted an interview with NILE drummer George Kollias when the band played at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California as part of a North American tour with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, SKELETONWITCH and HOUR OF PENANCE. You can now watch the chat below. The trek kicked off on March 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at The Intersection and will wrap on April 20 in Worcester, Massachusetts at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival.

NILE has set "At The Gate Of Sethu" as the title of its new album, due in late spring/early summer via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Those Whom The Gods Detest" was once again produced and mixed by Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE and DEICIDE, among many others. NILE's guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders previously stated about the band's new material, "Some of the drumming on this record will be boggling people's minds for years to come."

"Those Whom The Gods Detest" sold 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 160 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

German female-fronted symphonic metallers XANDRIA have issued the following update:

"Bad luck for our bass guitar player Nils [Middelahauve]. Whilst we were playing the most recent shows with EPICA, Nils severely hurt his right forefinger on stage which eventually led to a serious blood poisoning after the last show. Due to this sepsis, he had to undergo surgery twice in the course of the past week, which will now disable him to tour for the upcoming 4-6 weeks. Nils surely is extremely disappointed to not hit the road again in April, but feels comfortable in knowing there is a well-known substitute: XANDRIA's European tour with EPICA and STREAM OF PASSION in April will now be played with SERENITY's Fabio D'Amore, who is happy to fill in on bass guitar for the tour. So, no worries, we won’t miss a single show. Please come out and support Fabio on his spontaneous new endeavor and wish Nils all the best for a return very soon!"

XANDRIA's new album, "Neverworld's End", was released in North America on March 6 via Napalm Records.

XANDRIA last year took part in the "Out Of The Dark" European tour with VAN CANTO, TRISTANIA, SERENITY and AMBERIAN DAWN.

XANDRIA in December 2010 announced the addition of singer Manuela Kraller to the group's ranks.

Commented Manuela: "My musical life started very late, at the age of 23. In a choir in Finland I discovered singing for me and since then it became my passion. I began to take classical singing lessons, sang in church and gospel choirs and soon I was asked to be a solo singer in choirs, at churchly and also at private occasions. But as I have grown up with metal and rock music I soon wanted to combine it with my classical background. So I started singing rock and metal songs with a friend and also wrote own songs for the first time. Soon after that I joined a metal band called NAGOR MAR (Switzerland) and I also became a singer in the German band HAGGARD, where I had great experiences on stage and on tour. And now a 'new age' has begun for me and I am very pleased to be the new singer of XANDRIA!"

XANDRIA performed several concerts in 2009 with the band's former frontwoman, Lisa Middelhauve, filling in.

XANDRIA in February 2011 parted ways with its singer of one year, Kerstin Bischof. The group stated at the time, "Due to occupational and private reasons, [Kerstin] wants to concentrate on her non-musical career in the future and cannot support XANDRIA the way it would be necessary."

Bischof joined XANDRIA in February 2009 as the replacement for Middelhauve, who left the band in May 2008 for "personal reasons." Lisa stated at the time, "My exit has nothing to do with dispute or controversy within the band. It was just time to split."

"Valentine" video:

Reformed German heavy metal legends ACCEPT kicked off their European headlining tour this past Friday, April 6 at Le Bataclan in Paris, France.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hellfire (new song)
02. Stalingrad (new song)
03. Restless And Wild
04. Living For Tonite
05. Breaker
06. Son Of A Bitch
07. Bucket Full Of Hate
08. Monsterman
09. Shadow Soldiers (new song)
10. Guitar Solo (Wolf Hoffmann)
11. Neon Nights (extended version)
12. Bulletproof (extended version)
13. Losers And Winners
14. Aiming High
15. Princess Of The Dawn
16. Up To The Limit
17. No Shelter
18. Pandemic (band stopped playing for 10 minutes because of sound problems)
19. Fast As A Shark

Encore:

20. Metal Heart
21. Teutonic Terror
22. Balls To The Wall

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

ACCEPT's new album, "Stalingrad", was released on April 6 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was once again helmed by British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY), who worked on the band's critically acclaimed comeback effort, "Blood Of The Nations".

"Stalingrad" was made available in the following formats:

* Limited CD+DVD
* CD
* 2LP (red) in gatefold
* 2LP (white/red) in gatefold - exclusive Nuclear Blast mailorder edition

Commented ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffman: "ACCEPT and Andy Sneap have the perfect synergy. This was so clear with 'Blood Of The Nations' and we are excited to continue on that path. Andy is not only an amazing and prolific producer but also a very good friend who has long become a member of the ACCEPT family."

Regarding the musical direction of ACCEPT's new album, Hoffmann told The Rock Pit last year, "We're just gonna have the same attitude, the approach; we're just gonna do more of the same, you know, without it being the same. More similar-style stuff, hopefully fresh new ideas. And I mean, we're not gonna… The intention is not to change it right now. I mean, why would we? . . . But I have to say, it's always easier said than done. It's incredibly difficult to write songs that are sort of reminiscent of the past but they're not, you know, rip-offs of your own music. That sounds incredibly very simple, but it's really not, especially if you have a sort of history of 15 albums or whatever we have. Then there are always similarities that you have to avoid. It can't be too close, but it can't be too far away from it. So it's a pretty fine line that you have to walk sometimes, but, you know, hopefully we'll manage again."

ACCEPT 2012 is:

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