Fan-filmed video footage of QUIET RIOT's April 20 performance at the Sunset Cove Amphitheatre in Boca Raton, Florida can be seen below.

QUIET RIOT in March recruited Scott Vokoun as its new lead singer.

The band played several shows in early February with ex-MONTROSE vocalist Keith St. John following the departure of Mark Huff.

QUIET RIOT's current touring lineup is as follows:

Scott Vokoun - Vocals
Frankie Banali - Drums
Chuck Wright - Bass
Alex Grossi - Guitar

QUIET RIOT singer Kevin DuBrow died in November 2007 of an accidental cocaine overdose. He was 52 years old.

QUIET RIOT was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum On Feel The Noize". The song, featuring DuBrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

Fan-filmed video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil and his solo band performing the CRÜE classic "Piece Of Your Action" on April 27 at Cubby Bear in Chicago, Illinois can be seen below.

Neil's live backing band continues to consist of bassist Dana Strum and Jeff Blando (both of SLAUGHTER) and drummer Zoltan Chaney.

Neil's latest solo album, "Tattoos & Tequila", sold 7,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 57 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued in Europe on June 4, 2010 via Frontiers Records and was made available in the U.S. on June 22, 2010 through Eleven Seven Music.

Neil recorded "Tattoos & Tequila" in the winter of 2009 with Strum, Blando and Chaney. The album includes two new songs — "Tattoos and Tequila" and "Another Bad Day", both produced by Marti Frederiksen (AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE, DEF LEPPARD) — plus a selection of classic cuts from some of the rock giants that have influenced Vince Neil throughout his musical career. The cover songs were produced by Vince and Jack Blades (DAMN YANKEES, NIGHT RANGER).

"Weather Systems", the new album from the U.K. atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA, sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 22 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.

In other news, Holland's FaceCulture conducted an interview with ANATHEMA vocalist/guitarist Vincent Cavanagh. You can now watch the chat in five parts below.

"Weather Systems" was released on April 24 via The End Records. The follow-up to 2010's "We're Here Because We're Here" was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to ANATHEMA past, present and future. The record was produced and mastered by Christer-André Cederberg (ANIMAL ALPHA, IN THE WOODS..., DRAWN), whom ANATHEMA's Daniel Cavanagh has described as "a revelation. His calmness and brilliance has helped to bring about the greatest inter-band chemistry that ANATHEMA have experienced together in their career."

The bar for "Weather Systems" has been set pretty high, but Daniel Cavanagh is certain that the album will exceed these lofty expectations, stating, "it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album."

He continues, "This is not background music for parties. The music is written to deeply move the listener, to uplift or take the listener to the coldest depths of the soul."

The intertwining melodic structures of these profoundly beautiful songs are intensely powerful, yet simple. These are songs that will transport the listener closer to the heart of life, that is to say, to the heart of themselves.

It is also an album of polarity. The play of opposites; light and shade, birth and death, love and fear. The simple truths of life and loss, hope and strength and darker internal themes are all explored here.

ANATHEMA's career stretches back to 1990 when the band formed in Liverpool. Since then the band has embarked on a remarkable musical journey, initially emerging as pioneers of melodic heavy music and continually evolving over the ensuing years, always remaining true to their original goal of creating forward thinking, meaningful, passionate and honest music.

"Weather Systems" will please fans who call for more of Lee Douglas' vocals, as her role within ANATHEMA's brand of alternative, melodic rock has matured to become an integral energy. In this way and more, "Weather Systems" is the sound of a band finding their voice and growing in stature, moving further along their artistic path with a truly stunning musical vision.

Their best ever work? "Not yet," says Daniel, but he does believe that with "Weather Systems" they have surpassed previous glories. "We are pleased and proud of the record and we feel that, alongside the best moments of 'We're Here Because We're Here', this record contains our very best work so far in what is becoming a long career."

"Weather Systems" track listing:

01. Untouchable, Part 1
02. Untouchable, Part 2
03. The Gathering Of The Clouds
04. Lightning Song
05. Sunlight
06. The Storm Before The Calm
07. The Beginning And The End
08. The Lost Child
09. Internal Landscapes

Interview part 1:



Interview part 2:



Interview part 3:



Interview part 4:



Interview part 5:

Zach Shaw of Metal Insider conducted an interview with bassist Mike D'Antonio of Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE prior to the band's April 22 appearance at New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Insider: At what point did it become apparent that KILLSWITCH ENGAGE was no longer going to move forward with [vocalist] Howard Jones?

Mike: When we started writing the new record, there was just no creative juices flowing on his end. And after the last record, we kind of got a sense that things weren't going right. Then the interim, in between the two years that we had off and writing the new record, it was just not going into the proper direction. We could tell that it was stifled, a very stifled situation. So that's all I can really say. It was easy to tell.

Metal Insider: When did the idea of bringing Jesse Leach back into the group come up? I know that he went through an audition process, but when did his name first pop up?

Mike: I mean, it's pretty much the first thing that comes up when you're thinking about replacing. The third vocalist never works out. But we wanted to try everyone we could possibly think of. We had a really short list of names that we thought were appropriate, and Jesse was at the top. We tried out a bunch of people; you never know if there's that diamond in the rough that you haven't heard or sat down with and played with. You just never know what's going to come out of a situation like that. So we had a little audition in New York City, and Jesse was involved in that. We had started about 11:30 in the morning, and about every fifteen minutes it was a new guy coming in and auditioning. We were playing the same two to three songs over and over and over. So by 4 o'clock, we were shot. We didn't want to play anymore. And then Jesse walked in, and this energy hit us. We proceeded to play like 12 tunes, like "Bang, bang, bang, bang!" And they all just felt right and no one wanted to stop, and that's the energy you need if you're going to pick yourself up and keep going. We all felt it, looked at each other and said, "Wow! We haven't felt like this with anybody who's come through here yet, and there's probably a good reason for that."

Metal Insider: I know that Jesse will be singing a good amount of Jones' material. Were there any hesitations about doing this, from both him and the band?

Mike: It was a priority to whoever was going to step into Jones' shoes to be able to sing his songs because they're the ones that really propelled us. Fans will say what they want to say, but the songs' videos were the ones that got us moving in the right direction. And pretty much every video is Howard and his stuff. So it had to happen that way. We don't want to gyp fans. Fans want to see songs they know and like. There's a good mix, it's about half and half. And Jesse's cool with it. Jesse puts his own spin on it, which is also really cool. It's not going to sound like exactly Howard Jones. It's going to sound like an angst-ridden Jesse Leach screaming stuff out with his own vibe. But it works really well, and I think fans are going to be very satisfied. It's not a cover version.

Read the entire interview from Metal Insider.

Performance:

In a brand new interview with SPIN magazine, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich was asked if he was surprised by the reaction to "Lulu", the band's collaborative album with Lou Reed. "It was more spiteful than anyone was prepared for," Lars replied. "Especially against Lou. He is such a sweet man. But when METALLICA do impulsive riffing and Lou Reed is reciting abstract poetry about German bohemians from 150 years ago, it can be difficult to embrace."

Lars also said that he never had second thoughts when sweet Lou came in with lyrics like "I swallow your sharpest cutter / Like a colored man's dick". "I understand that to some 13-year-old in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, it can all seem a little cringe-worthy, but to someone raised in an art community in Copenhagen in the late '60s, that was expected," he said.

On the topic of Orion Music + More — the two-day festival created by METALLICA that will take place on June 23-24 at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey — and whether it's necessary for METALLICA to charge $150 for a ticket, Lars said, "We're not being paid to play Orion. It costs close to $10 million to put it together. That's gotta come from somewhere other than, 'METALLICA's gonna write a check.'"

Ulrich told Brazil's Wikimetal last September that he felt good about recording "Lulu", which came out to poor sales and disastrous reviews last November. Ulrich said, "It's definitely very unique, and whether it's unique in a good way or unique in a not-so-good way, I have no idea yet. The people whose opinions I trust say it's very good. It feels very good; it's a lot of fun to do. But whether it's making a new sound, or paving a new way, I have no idea."

The drummer added that METALLICA's success has given them the freedom to try new things, which is essential to the band's longevity. He explained, "I think that 30 years in, we have to kind of do these things to keep us alive. If we get stuck doing the same thing over and over again, it becomes automatic . . . that's not the band I'd like METALLICA to be. I know some people would like METALLICA to make the same record every two years, but that's not what I want METALLICA to do, and I'm not interested in doing that."

"Lulu" polarized fans around the world and earned METALLICA some of the most scathing reviews of its career. The effort features the former THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman's spoken-word poetry and lyrics combined with METALLICA's musical assault for a jarring experience that doesn't sound like anything METALLICA has ever attempted before. A concept album based on two early 20th century plays by German author Frank Wedekind, the CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.

The collaboration between METALLICA and Reed was sparked by their performance together of Reed's "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat" at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009.

The songs were all written by Reed with extensive arrangement contributions by METALLICA.

Only two songs on the album are under five minutes in length, while two are more than 11 minutes long and the closing cut, "Junior Dad", clocks in at 19 minutes.

Niclas Müller-Hansen of Sweden's Metalshrine recently conducted an interview with Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE and Slash's (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) solo band. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metalshrine: Tell me about the new Slash album ["Apocalyptic Love"]? How many songs were actually written since there's a bunch of different bonus tracks?

Myles: Yeah, I'm trying to remember… I think the total written might hover around 18 or something in that area and then I think we ended up recording 15 of them. I believe so.

Metalshrine: How did you work? Was it you and Slash doing the most of it or was it a group effort?

Myles: As far as the writing goes, Slash and I wrote the songs and brought the songs to Todd [Kerns, bass] and Brent [Fitz, drums] and started arranging them as a band and they were very helpful in that respect, as was Eric Valentine, the producer. There were different stages that helped us achieve our goal.

Metalshrine: What did Valentine bring to the whole production of the album? Did he bring ideas for songs as well?

Myles: Eric's great and a really great filtering process, which is what you want with a producer. Somebody whose instincts you trust, so he would certainly help with the arrangements and parts and he was very involved. I have a lot of respect for Eric and he's probably one of the best producers in the business. He's so passionate and he works so hard. Not only was he producing it, but he was engineering and he mixed it and mastered it. He did everything in that respect, so it was pretty incredible.

Metalshrine: Your solo album, is that finally coming out this year or what's the plan?

Myles: Nah, with this record coming out, we're gonna be touring extensively so there is just no window of time. That is probably the hardest part, trying to get that finished up and out there and just finding a period where I can promote it somewhat. Not just throw it to the wind and it'll disappear.

Metalshrine: Is it all done?

Myles: You know what, it's written and the music is all recorded and we just have to take about two weeks and record the vocals. The lyrics are done and all that. My friend Brian Sperber, who did the record with me, I just have to go to his studio in New York and knock out the tracks and finish them up and mix them.

Metalshrine: What other guys are on the record?

Myles: It's actually a lot of friends, local friends of mine from here in the north west for the time being and Slash was kind enough to offer his guitar prowess on a track which turned out really cool and then I have some other friends to bring in as well, so we shall see.

Metalshrine: What kind of style of music is it? Leaning towards ALTER BRIDGE or Slash's stuff?

Myles: You know, it's actually… people who have heard it say it's closer to my previous band back in the late '90s, THE MAYFIELD FOUR. It kinda has that vibe to it. It's something that I'm really excited to get out one of these days. It's definitely different from both SLASH AND THE CONSPIRATORS and ALTER BRIDGE stuff.

Read the entire interview from Metalshrine.

"Silent Gods", a brand new song from U.K. progressive black/death metallers DE PROFUNDIS, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's third album, "The Emptiness Within", which will be released on May 7 in the U.K. and May 11 in the rest of Europe via Kolony Records. The CD was once again produced by Fernando Pereira Lopes (MISANTHROPE, ORAKLE) and DE PROFUNDIS and was mixed at the Studios Davout (AC/DC, THE ROLLING STONES, OZZY OSBOURNE) in Paris, France. The cover artwork was created by the renowned artist Costin Chioreanu (Twilight13media), who has previously worked with ULVER, DARKTHRONE and ABSU, to name a few.

"The Emptiness Within" track listing:

01. From The Depths... (intro)
02. Delirium
03. Silent Gods
04. This Wretched Plague
05. Twisted Landscapes
06. Release
07. Dead Inside
08. Parallel Existence (instrumental)
09. Unbroken (A Morbid Embrace)

DE PROFUNDIS filmed its first-ever promotional video — for the song "Twisted Landscapes" — in March in Leicester. The clip was directed by Jordan Saunders of Dead Parrot Productions.

DE PROFUNDIS' second album, "A Bleak Reflection", came out in February 2010 via Kolony Records.

DE PROFUNDIS is:

Craig Land - Vocals
Roman Subbotin - Guitar
Shoi Sen - Guitar
Arran McSporran - Fretless Bass
Nick Tingle - Drums

"Silent Gods" audio stream:



"This Wretched Plague" audio stream:

The second in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "Delusional Noise", the sophomore album from Finnish death/thrash metallers THE UNDIVINE, can be seen below. The CD will be released on May 18 via Inverse Records.

According to a press release, "Delusional Noise" is "a theme album about insanity divided into two brain blocks. The left cortex titled Secretary Of Lunacy deals with the outcome resulting from substances, fear and paranoia. The right cortex titled Strength, Hope And Fall deals with so called 'mechanical keys' used to open the gate to oblivion. The end not necessarily meaning death, but an end of an episode or some kind of change. The central character from both stories are indeed insane, but don't see themselves that way. Instead they see themselves as the solution for their problems, whatever they are."

"Delusional Noise" track listing:

Left Cortex - Secretary of Lunacy

01. Columbian Tie
02. Satellite Monarchy
03. 'Til Dreads Come Home
04. Seduction

Right Cortex - Strength, Hope and Fall

05. Landmine Marathon
06. The Walker Experience
07. One Step to Parabellum
08. Balisong Flip

09. Delusional Noise

THE UNDIVINE is:

Henri Harberg - Vocals
Iiro Illman - Guitar
Juha Pakalén - Guitar
Ville Riihelä - Bass
Rainer Tuomikanto - Drums (session)

Webisode 2:



Webisode 1:

Sweden's CrankItUp.se recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier and drummer Mario Duplantier of French progressive metallers GOJIRA. You can now watch the chat below.

GOJIRA played the title track of its forthcoming fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", this past night (Monday, April 30) at Rockstore in Montpellier, France. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Due on June 26 via Roadrunner Records, "L'Enfant Sauvage" (which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

In a recent interview with Metalshrine, Joseph Duplantier stated about GOJIRA's new album title, "We couldn't call it 'The Wild Child', because it's hard to translate 'L'Enfant Sauvage'. It's not really the wild child as understood in English, because a wild child for me, has an aspect like someone out of control somehow. 'L'Enfant Sauvage' in French… 'Sauvage' is something that is not educated or something that is like free and completely free in nature. A wild flower that goes wherever she wants and becomes something beautiful. The idea with 'L'Enfant Sauvage' is like with a human that would grow up in nature, raised by wolves, for example, without the influence from others and the influence from institutions or society in general. Without a social security number. [laughs] Not even a name. This is what you are and I am on the inside, right? How much the education and the culture, emotions and the guilt are interacting with us and it changes us and how far are we from this pure child inside? That's the question we had on this album."

A special collector's package of "L'Enfant Sauvage" will feature two bonus tracks ("This Emptiness" and "My Last Creation") and a double-colored vinyl version of the record, along with an exclusive t-shirt.

"L'Enfant Sauvage" track listing:

01. Explosia
02. L'Enfant Sauvage
03. The Axe
04. Liquid Fire
05. The Wild Healer
06. Planned Obsolescence
07. Mouth Of Kala
08. The Gift Of Guilt
09. Pain Is A Master
10. Born In Winter
11. The Fall

Interview:



"L'Enfant Sauvage" performance:



"L'Enfant Sauvage" studio version:

The first in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from TRILLIUM's European tour as the support act for DELAIN can be seen below.

TRILLIUM — the metal project launched by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville — released its debut album, "Alloy", on November 1, 2011 in North America (three days later in Europe) via Frontiers Records.

"Alloy" is a collection of songs that's charged with emotion and exploration and a very personal statement from Amanda.

"Since I'm an eclectic and diverse person and musician, that certainly comes out in this album," the singer states in a press release. "I think that the diversity is what is going to set this album apart from other stuff that's out there right now. It's got big choruses and epic symphonic hits, guitar solos you could imagine being played on a mountain top with an aerial camera view, but it's also got a lot of soul added to the raise-your-fists-in-the-air-and-make-a-mean-face vibe".

Musically, TRILLIUM melts rock and metal in a new, interesting and different way from anything Amanda has worked on so far. "Alloy" is also graced with the talents of several musicians with whom Amanda had the honor of working in the past. Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, HDK) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, AVANTASIA, EPICA, AFTER FOREVER) were the main songwriters along with the American singer on this album. They have brought a lot to the project and have certainly allowed the sound to be a lot richer and stronger.

"Sander is all around an awesome songwriter and guitar player, and he's especially good at coming up with riffs and movements of a song, while Sascha is a fantastic producer who can play any instrument there is — and play the hell out of it — and his sense of songwriting is really strong!" says Amanda.

Other contributing musicians include Miro Rodenberg, who handled all of the orchestral and keyboard arrangements, Robert Hunecke on drums, Olaf Reitmeier on acoustic guitar, Simon Oberender on keyboards (and mastering). But there are more surprises are on the record.

"Working with Mat Sinner on KISKE-SOMERVILLE established a solid professional relationship and I also found a good friend in him," says Amanda. "We co-wrote 'Love Is An Illusion' together for this album and it was a pleasure working with him once again!"

And last, but in no way least, Jorn Lande has lent his epic voice to the song "Scream It". Somerville tells the story: "I actually wrote that song with Jorn in mind not for his status in the scene, but because I absolutely love his voice, he's a wonderful friend of mine through working together on AVANTASIA and he was the perfect 'actor' to play the character in the song. And he nailed it!"

"Alloy" was released in a lavish digipack CD edition and includes the following songs:

01. Machine Gun
02. Coward
03. Purge
04. Utter Descension
05. Bow To The Ego
06. Mistaken
07. Scream It
08. Justifiable Casualty
09. Path Of Least Resistance
10. Into The Dissonance
11. Slow It Down
12. Love Is An Illusion *

* bonus track

"Alloy" recording lineup:

* Amanda Somerville - Lead and backing Vocals, Keyboards
* Sascha Paeth - Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums
* Sander Gommans - Guitar
* Miro - Arrangements and Keyboards
* Olaf Reitmeier - Acoustic Guitar
* Robert Hunecke - Drums
* Simon Oberender - Keyboards
* Jorn Lande - Guest Lead Vocals on "Scream It"



"Coward" video:

Brian Rademacher of RockEyez recently conducted an interview with veteran San Francisco Bay Area vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza (HATRIOT, TENET, DUBLIN DEATH PATROL, EXODUS, LEGACY). You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

HATRIOT supported TESTAMENT on February 19 at The Avalon in Santa Clara, California. Multi-camera video footage of the performance can be seen below (courtesy of Zero To Hero Films).

Regarding HATRIOT's musical direction, Zetro told Metalholic.com, "It's in the vein of typical Bay Area thrash, but these guys are a lot younger, so there's gonna be some blast-beats in there. There's gonna be some kind of death [metal] approach to it, a little bit. 'Cause these guys are new. They're raw, and they're fast, young, heavy, hard and aggressive, and I'm trying to convey that along as well."

He added, "These new kids seem to understand what we did in the '80s, but still bring a little bit of a new essence to it. We put that together with what I write vocally and it's turned out to be really, really killer. It's good stuff."

HATRIOT's lineup includes Zetro's 21-year-old son Cody, who got his first bass as a present from his father after Zetro bought it off current EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson. "I told him," said Zetro, "You have to try out [for the bassist position in HATRIOT if you want to be in the band]. There's no nepotism here, boy. If you can hang, you're on. So he actually tried out, and he got the gig."

Zetro saved some of his strongest praise for HATRIOT drummer Alex Bent, whom he called "a monster" and "probably the best drummer I've seen, ever." He added, "He's like a machine. He plays drums constantly, like eight hours a day. He's an animal in the studio, he's an animal live. I don't know if HATRIOT would be the same with another guy."

HATRIOT's December 23, 2011 concert at The Avalon in Santa Clara marked the band's first live performance with new guitarist Miguel Esparza

HATRIOT is:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals
Kosta Varvatakis - Guitar
Cody Souza (Zetro's son) - Bass
Alex Bent - Drums
Miguel Esparza - Guitar

HATRIOT last year made its entire four-song demo available for free download.

Featured tracks:

01. The Fear Within
02. Weapons Of Class Destruction
03. Globacidal
04. The Mechanics Of Annihilation

"Weapons Of Class Destruction" audio stream:



Interview:



Performance footage (February 19 at The Avalon in Santa Clara, California):

HardRockChick conducted an interview with bassist Orion (real name: Tomasz Wróblewski) of Polish bands BEHEMOTH, VESANIA and BLACK RIVER before BEHEMOTH's April 29 concert at the White Rabbit in San Antonio, Texas. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

BEHEMOTH is currently taking part in the inaugural "Decibel Magazine Tour" with WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE. The trek kicked 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 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.

On April 23, Japan Nick Perkel of Montclair State University's WMSC 90.3 radio station conducted an interview with MINISTRY guitarist Sin Quirin. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud player below.

MINISTRY's new album, "Relapse", sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 193 on The Billboard 200 chart. Issued on March 26, the CD was recorded last fall at mianman Al Jourgensen's industrial compound studio in with his favorite co-conspirators Mike Scaccia (RIGOR MORTIS), Tony Campos (STATIC-X), Tommy Victor (PRONG) and Casey Orr (RIGOR MORTIS, GWAR).

Thirty years and 12 albums later, as well as a near-death experience in 2010, Jourgensen rises as a phoenix from the ashes with "Relapse" — still angry, still political and very very pissed off. Relapsing back into the music industry after a four-year hiatus, Jourgensen launches his audio assault with "Ghouldiggers", a no-holds-barred metal bullet aimed directly at the pitfalls of the industry he has survived. Everything Jourgensen predicted on "Houses Of The Molé", "Rio Grande Blood" and "The Last Sucker" has transpired and as we approach the Mayan calendar of the End of Days in 2012, Jourgensen, re-invigorated by the global 99 Percenters and Occupy Wall Street movement, navigates through "Relapse" once again as a reluctant prophet accusing, dissecting, cajoling and exhorting greed, corruption and lies.

Reaching back to his punk rock roots, Jourgensen and his MINISTRY pirates cover S.O.D.'s "United Forces" — a track written 20 years ago still relevant today as a call to arms for the unrighteous and to those who feel disenfranchised by the "system" as it stands today.

Cited as the driving force behind a cross-section of metal genres from industrial's NINE INCH NAILS and STATIC-X to nu metal's KORN, LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT, and receiving six Grammy nominations for "Best Metal Performance", Jourgensen returns with his greatest achievement to date with "Relapse".

"Relapse" track listing:

01. Ghouldiggers
02. Double Tap
03. FreeFall
04. Kleptocracy
05. United Forces
06. 99 Percenters
07. Relapse
08. Weekend Warrior
09. Git Up Get Out 'n Vote
10. Bloodlust
11. Relapse Defibrillator Mix (Special Limited Edition)

Interview:



"99 Percenters" video:

Sound+Vision has posted an exclusive 10-minute interview clip with STORM CORROSION, the long-discussed and highly anticipated collaboration between two of the modern progressive rock scene's most innovative and multi-talented artists — Mikael Åkerfeldt of OPETH and PORCUPINE TREE's Steven Wilson. In the clip below, which was shot in a near-the-end-of-the-alphabet corner of a well-stocked record shop, the progressive pair discuss the vintage albums they both love, show us the importance of album artwork and how to properly unfold Black Moses, how to spot the influences on demos, and much, much more.

Due on May 8, the "Storm Corrosion" Special Edition Blu-ray/CD Set & Collector's Edition Double LP Bundle (pre-order link) is $50, and includes the album on 180-gram black virgin vinyl, in a gatefold jacket with exclusive artwork; a digital download of the entire album in high-quality FLAC files; the Blu-ray/CD version of the record, which offers the album on CD; a Blu-ray disc containing a 5.1 audio mix of the entire album, two exclusive demo tracks, and five instrumental tracks; a 24" x 36" fold-out poster; and a separate 12" x 12" poster autographed by both Mikael Åkerfeldt and Steven Wilson.

The "Storm Corrosion" Collector's Edition Double-LP Set (pre-order link) is $35, and includes the vinyl version, the digital download, and the two posters.

"Storm Corrosion" track listing:

CD

01. Drag Ropes (9:52)
02. Storm Corrosion (10:12)
03. Hag (6:28)
04. Happy (4:53)
05. Lock Howl (6:09)
06. Ljudet Innan (10:20)

Blu-ray:

01. Drag Ropes
02. Storm Corrosion
03. Hag
04. Happy
05. Lock Howl
06. Ljudet Innan
07. Drag Ropes
08. Storm Corrosion
09. Hag
10. Happy
11. Lock Howl
12. Ljudet Innan
13. Drag Ropes (demo)
14. Hag (demo)

A little background information on the genesis of this project: Åkerfeldt and Wilson have been friends since the late '90s, when Wilson co-produced OPETH's revered "Blackwater Park" album. Over the years, they'd often spoken of working on a project together, but it wasn't until recently that they managed to make something happen, when Mikael flew over to visit Steven in the U.K. and they ended up in Wilson's home studio throwing ideas around. That visit was the nascence of a whole self-titled album, written and produced by the pair, and mixed by Wilson.

The sound of STORM CORROSION can best be described as enchanting, orchestral, ambient, epic (half the album's tracks clock in around the 10-minute mark) and nothing short of surprising to the new ear. However, the musicians' respective fanbases will be primed to appreciate the new output, with Wilson's recent solo album, "Grace For Drowning", and OPETH's "Heritage" having brought them to a logical place to understand STORM CORROSION. This eponymous collection is almost viewed as one side of a musical triangle.

Says Wilson, "If you'd asked me three months ago about the music, I would have said, 'Expect the last thing you would expect.' But actually, now that 'Heritage' and 'Grace For Drowning' have come out, I don't think it's going to be that much of a shock to people, because it's almost like a third part of the trilogy, in a way. If anything, it's even more orchestral, even more stripped down, even more dark, twisted and melancholic… but it certainly feels like it comes from the same place as 'Heritage' and 'Grace For Drowning', which indeed it does because it was written during the same period.”

"Some of the music on this record I think is the most beautiful music I have participated on ever," adds Åkerfeldt. "There's some magical sections on there. Musically, I think we've created something earthy, a bit frightening, exhausting, profound and rather intense. All at the same time. I can safely say I don't know any other band or artist that sounds anything like STORM CORROSION. I guess that was also one of our goals, so to speak."

Roadrunner Senior VP of A&R, Monte Conner, welcomed STORM CORROSION to the Roadrunner family, commenting, "I am honored to have the Roadrunner logo on the STORM CORROSION album. Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt have demonstrated time and time again that they are two of the truest and most important artists working today, and it is not often that I get to work with musicians of this caliber. This album is a beautiful piece of work that will appeal to fans of Steven and Mikael's past records, while at the same time exploring new avenues for both artists."

Interview:



"Drag Ropes" video:

Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING have parted ways with bassist Gorlan and have replaced him with Jakob.

Commented the band: "[Jakob] already recorded the bass in the new album and the ones of you that have already seen him live [on the recent tour with RHAPSODY OF FIRE] know he's got some skills! Obviously, this also means that we have to say goodbye to Gorlan, one of our dearest friends inside the band who was with us for so many years. This is life... especially in a band like ELVENKING, but one sure thing is that we and Gorlan will always be friends even if we won't share the stage anymore."

Added Gorlan in a statement: "After more than ten years, I would like to thank all the great fellows in the ELVENKING family, especially the older ones. While I'm writing this words, I'm not sad or angry: I'm leaving a great part of my life, but I need to direct my efforts towards my personal life, even if this mean leaving the band.

"As you can imagine, being an ELVENKING member is a heavy duty...they smell like hell, you have to live together in a van full of every kind of shit many days a month and the worst thing is that they love to take showers all together… OK, I like these weird kind of things, but I prefer to stop! We have run so many miles side by side, at this time I pick a different choice but the direction is the same so we'll see what the future will bring!"

In other news, ELVENKING has re-signed with AFM Records for another two albums.

ELVENKING entered Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland on February 24 with producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, LORDI, SONATA ARCTICA, APOCALYPTICA) to begin recording its new album for a mid-2012 release. Nino previously worked with the band on "The Winter Wake" and "The Scythe" CDs.

Drummer Zender left ELVENKING last year for "personal" reasons and was replaced by Symohn.

ELVENKING's "Your Heroes Are Dead" video can be viewed below. The song comes off ELVENKING's most recent album, "Red Silent Tides", which was released on September 17, 2010 in Europe (November 9 in North America) via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Piranha studios in Karsdolf, Germany with producer Dennis Ward (ANGRA, PINK CREAM 69, PRIMAL FEAR). The album's cover artwork was created by Samuel Araya, who has previously worked on CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography" CD.

Bassist Simone Bertozzi of Danish modern metallers MNEMIC will miss the first three shows of the band's upcoming tour due to "some last-minute kidney issues." He says, "I'm feeling well already, but, unfortunately, I'm forced to miss the [dates] in order to take the necessary medical tests and treatment measures. No panic, though, 'cause longtime friend Bo Lund (also known as THE HAUNTED's sound engineer) will provide the proper low-end dose on the first gig in Lyngby (Denmark), and the guys will increase their headbanging for the Czech Republic gigs to fill my empty spot. I will get back on the road with my fellas starting from Sunday, May 6th in Ferrara, Italy."

MNEMIC will release its fifth album, "Mnemesis", in Europe on June 8 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aabyhøj, Denmark with longtime producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, HIMSA, SICK OF IT ALL). The cover artwork was created by Metastazis (MORBID ANGEL, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, PARADISE LOST, ULVER) and can be seen below.

Commented guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie: "The arrival of 'Mnemesis' is getting closer and closer. With this said, we are announcing the full track list of the album, and later on we will be releasing some tunes for you all to hear. In other news we are actually going on tour next month! More precisely we are taking a run out in Europe, and later this year we are hitting Australia for the very first time. We're very excited about this, and looking forward very much to be playing in this corner of the world!"

"Mnemesis" track listing:

01. Transcend
02. Valves
03. Junkies On The Storm
04. I've Been You
05. Pattern Platform
06. Mnemesis
07. There's No Tomorrow
08. Haven At The End Of The World
09. Ocean Of Void
10. Blue Desert In A Black Hole
11. Empty Planet (bonus track)

MNEMIC last year parted ways with drummer Brian "Brylle" Rasmussen and guitarist Rune Stigart and replaced them with Brian Larsen and Victor-Ray Salomonsen, respectively.

MNEMIC 2012 is:

Guillaume Bideau - Vocals
Mircea Gabriel Eftemie - Guitar
Victor-Ray Salomonsen - Guitar
Simone Bertozzi - Bass
Brian Larsen - Drums

MNEMIC's fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", was released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Asheville, North Carolina's Rock 104.9 radio station recently spoke to DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen about the upcoming "Rock Of Ages" show on August 11 in Charlotte; the "Rock Of Ages" film; working on new material on the road; his accident; Raven Drum Foundation; "Electric Hand Rhythm & Change"; and connecting with people on a level beyond music. You can listen to the chat using the audio player below.



DEF LEPPARD will make a return to the United States this June with a massive summer tour which will include fellow rockers POISON and LITA FORD.

DEF LEPPARD's influential career includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums — including two of the best-selling albums of all time, "Pyromania" and "Hysteria". Most recently, the band released their first live album, "Mirror Ball: Live & More" last summer, which rose to the Top 20 on The Billboard 200 chart. The album captures the group's legendary concert experience, bringing together live versions of classic LEPPARD hits such as "Rock Of Ages", "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Foolin'".

With 100 million records sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, DEF LEPPARD — Joe Elliott (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick "Sav" Savage (bass) and Rick Allen (drums) — continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career, the band has produced a series of classic groundbreaking albums that set the sound for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group's spectacular live shows, filled with powerful melodic rock anthems, have become synonymous with their name. For the past thirty years the band's concerts have become must-see events and have quickly made them an institution in the touring industry, as they continue to sell out arenas worldwide.

"Satchurated: Live In Montreal", the live-concert film from Joe Satriani, one of the most respected and innovative guitarists in the world today, sold 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 3 on the "Top Music Videos" chart.

Commented Joe: "'Satchurated' DVD is #3!!! Big thanks to all of my fans worldwide for making this happen. See you out there on the road!"

"Satchurated: Live In Montreal" 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. 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! 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.

The third in a four-part video series — a journey through SOULFLY's eight-album discography with the band's mainman, Max Cavalera — can be seen below. In the third clip, he tells stories from the making of 2005's "Dark Ages" and 2008's "Conquer".

SOULFLY's eighth album, "Enslaved", sold 5,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 82 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Omen", opened with 6,000 units in June 2010 to land at No. 73.

SOULFLY's 2008 album, "Conquer", premiered with 8,400 copies to enter the chart at No. 66. This number was in line with the opening tally of the CD's predecessor, "Dark Ages", which shifted a little more than 8,000 copies during its first week of release in October 2005 to debut at No. 155.

"Enslaved" was released on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.

SOULFLY's video for the song "World Scum" was conceptualized by SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera and director Thomas Mignone (MUDVAYNE, SLIPKNOT, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, MORBID ANGEL) and produced through Mignone's production company Doom Incorporated. Mignone filmed the video in and around Los Angeles. Various scenes depicting humanity's perspectives of some of the world's significant historical — such as the attack on the Russian Czar by nihilists, the mass production of Zyklon B poisons, the Gulag prisons, the assassination of the president, and a final showdown between Jesus and the Anti-christ — are seen and reflected in the song's lyrics. The cinematography is by Peter Leininger; the special EFX makeup is by Maggie Hunter, the production design is by Hanna Dryland, and digital compositing and post-production is by editor/visual EFX artist Christopher Neil.

SOULFLY's current lineup features Kinkade, Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass.

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Part 1:

Fan-filmed video footage of MESHUGGAH's April 30 performance at the House Of Blues in Dallas, Texas can be seen below.

MESHUGGAH's new album, "Koloss", sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Released in March 2008, MESHUGGAH's previous CD, "obZen", opened with 11,400 units to debut at No. 59. This was substantially more than the 7,000 first-week total achieved by its predecessor, "Catch 33", which entered the chart at No. 170 back in June 2005.

"Koloss" was released in Germany on March 23 and the rest of Europe on March 26 (March 27 in North America) as a CD digi, limited-edition Magic Cube (CD digi plus DVD exclusive to Nuclear Blast mail order) and two-LP brown vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records.

Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY debuted a brand new song, "Amputated Enigma", during their April 29 concert at The Dominion House in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

CRYPTOPSY in January tapped bassist Olivier Pinard (NEURAXIS, VENGEFUL) as the replacement for guitarist-turned-bassist Youri Raymond.

Raymond left CRYPTOPSY in December, explaining in a statement that "it's in the best interest of both the band and I to part ways." He added, "As a musician, moving from guitar to bass was a great challenge, but honestly, I never really felt comfortable in that position and my motivation in general was stagnating."

Lead guitarist and songwriter Jon Levasseur rejoined CRYPTOPSY in May 2011.

"The Unspoken King", CRYPTOPSY's sixth full-length and first to feature new vocalist Matt McGachy, was released June 24, 2008 to a wide array of reactions. Drummer Flo Mounier explained his intention in reshaping the dynamics of the band to Decibel magazine: "I'm a fan of different sorts of music, and I think it's most fun when a band puts out an album that has elements of everything; you get this thing called diversity, not boredom. That's what we're trying to do. Still, I think people are going to be surprised how brutal this album is."

Ed Lanouette (DARK DAY SUNDAY) is filling in for SHADOWS FALL bassist Paul Romanko on the Massachusetts metal band's current U.S. tour.

Ed earned his bachelor's degree at Berklee College Of Music and graduated with a master's degree in jazz performance from the Boston Conservatory. He cites his main influences as Jaco Pastorius and BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler.

In addition to Lanouette, DARK DAY SUNDAY features in its ranks FATES WARNING guitarist Frank Aresti and SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner.

Fan-filmed video footage of SHADOWS FALL's April 27 concert at Downtown in Little Rock, Arkansas can be seen below.

SHADOWS FALL's new album, "Fire From The Sky", is scheduled for a May 15 release via Razor & Tie. Recorded at Zing Studios in late 2011, the CD reunites SHADOWS FALL with longtime friend, producer/engineer and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE/TIMES OF GRACE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, ALL THAT REMAINS). The album was mixed by Brian Virtue and features some of the band's most complex and melodic material in years.

The cover artwork for "Fire From The Sky" was designed by Aaron Marsh of Forefathers.

Sweden's TIAMAT is currently recording its tenth studio album, "The Scarred People", at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm. An October release via the band's new label, Napalm Records, is expected.

The first in a series of video clips from the studio can be seen at this location.

TIAMAT's latest CD, "Amanethes", was produced by Johan Edlund and was recorded mainly at The Mansion in Greece, with additional recordings taking place at Studio Mega in Sweden and Cue in Greece. The album was mixed and mastered by Siggi Bemm in Woodhouse Studios, Germany in January 2008.

Century Media Records released a limited-edition collector's box from TIAMAT entitled "The Ark of the Covenant - The Complete Century Media Years". Limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, this noble box set also includes two exclusive audio CDs, a numbered authenticity certificate, as well as a comprehensive 74-page booklet with all lyrics, terrific artwork, rare photos and extensive liner notes by Anders Iwers.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of New York City doom-dwellers SERPENTINE PATH.

A true pedigree of the doom underworld, SERPENTINE PATH consists of current and former members of ELECTRIC WIZARD, RAMESSES and UNEARTHLY TRANCE.

The band — Tim Bagshaw on guitar, Jay Newman on bass, Darren Verni on drums and Ryan Lipynsky on vocals — released its debut seven-inch single, "Depraved", earlier this year via Parasitic Records.

SERPENTINE PATH recently completed work on its self-titled full-length debut for a fall release.

Commented Newman: "SERPENTINE PATH is honored to announce that our debut album will be released by Relapse Records! The four of us aim for nothing but the most uncompromising and intense death/doom metal songs we can possibly create."

Capital Chaos has uploaded multi-camera video footage of CARNIFEX's April 28 performance at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California. Check it out below.

CARNIFEX's latest album, "Until I Feel Nothing", was released on October 25, 2011 via Victory Records. Produced by Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING), the follow-up to 2010's "Hell Chose Me" "captures an in-your-face extremity that drips with malice and ferocity, solidifying the effort as the most anticipated album of the year," according to a press release. The cover artwork was created by famed comic book illustrator Menton3 (Silent Hill, Monocyte) and can be seen below.

During the writing process for the new CD, CARNIFEX "aimed to redefine their extreme sound, resulting in their most brutal album to date. The dark, blasphemous approach to 'Until I Feel Nothing' results in an abrasive record, complete with blood-curdling screams and razor-sharp guitar riffs — the kind only CARNIFEX is able to flawlessly deliver."

Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records has set an August 21 release date for "Last Of A Dying Breed", LYNYRD SKYNYRD's first studio album since the September, 2009 release of "God & Guns", which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart and gave the band their highest debut since 1977. "Last Of A Dying Breed" reunites the band with producer Bob Marlette, who helmed "God & Guns".

"It was great to get back in the studio with Bob for this new album," said Gary Rossington. "We kind of went back old school this time. All of us playing together in the studio as a band, tracking songs and creating licks. We had a lot of fun and the music really flowed for us, so that's when you know you are on to something good. We can't wait to let the fans hear these songs and play 'em live."

Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, LYNYRD SKYNYRD have recorded an album that continues the tremendous legacy that began over 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, a legacy that was halted for a decade after the 1977 plane crash that killed three bandmembers, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since then, the band tragically lost Billy Powell, Ean Evans, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Huey Thomasson, yet they rock on.

Joining LYNYRD SKYNYRD will be bass player Johnny Colt, an original member of THE BLACK CROWES, who has also played with TRAIN and ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA. When asked about receiving a phone call from Rickey Medlocke on behalf of LYNYRD SKYNYRD to join the band, Johnny said, "What else do you say to Medlocke, Rossington and Van Zant? We're talking southern rock royalty. We're talking LYNYRD SKYNYRD. The only thing out of my mouth was when and where!"

With a catalog of over 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem "Sweet Home Alabama" having over two million downloaded ringtones, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers LYNYRD SKYNYRD remain a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.

California metallers BONDED BY BLOOD are offering fans a free download of a brand new track, titled "Restless Mind". The song is taken from the band's third studio album, "The Aftermath", which will be released on July3 in North America (one day earlier internationally) via Earache Records. The CD was tracked at at Darth Mader Music in Los Angeles with producer and former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (DEVILDRIVER, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH).

Commented BONDED BY BLOOD frontman Mauro Gonzalez: "We chose 'Restless Mind' as the first single because it showcases a few different elements of the new album. The lyrics are basically about the troubles we go through in modern society, such as insomnia due to stress of high expectations."

You can download "Restless Mind" for free (e-mail sign-up required) at this location.

BONDED BY BLOOD is currently on tour in North America with KITTIE, BLACKGUARD and THE AGONIST. BONDED BY BLOOD drummer Carlos Regalado says, "So far this tour has been an amazing experience! We have made so many new friends and have been enjoying the honor of sharing the stage every night with such awesome bands like THE AGONIST, BLACKGUARD and, of course, KITTIE. So much has happened in just three weeks, and we look forward to the next month of shows together. More tours to be announced soon! Be ready for 'The Aftermath'!"

Regarding BONDED BY BLOOD's new album title, Regalado previously said, "[The album title has] got a simple meaning behind it — the aftermath of all the shit we've been through in the past couple years: member changes, unexpected problems on the road, personal issues, a lot of obstacles that almost ended BONDED BY BLOOD.

"This is what we love, this band is everything to us, we weren't going to let other people dictate and destroy our aspirations and dreams.

"'The Aftermath' cover art is just straight up badass, it shows what society is doing wrong and how things need to change, or mother earth will fuck you up."

BONDED BY BLOOD's second album, 2010's "Exiled To Earth", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 86 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.

Extreme-metal drummer Gene ''The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (DETHKLOK, FEAR FACTORY, TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) has issued the following update:

"Hey everybody, I just got back from Chile, where I played with TESTAMENT at The Metal Fest and boy, was it a hoot! I swear, the swirling mass of metalheads was a site to see indeed. You young'ns with yer karate choppin', believe me, you would get mowed down in the psychosis that is a Chilean pit, no doubt about it.

"There was somewhere around 10-12,000 ragers there [see video below], and at some points there were at least 4,000 lunatics running in that circle, and all innocents would be cut down like weeds in that wall of utter brutality. My hat's off to ya, Chilean Metalhead, you know how to bring it.

"It was also great to hang out (albeit briefly) with my bros in FORBIDDEN, ANTHRAX (who were on FIRE, [by the way]!), KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, OBITUARY, EXODUS, and FEAR FACTORY. I wish I could have stayed the next day to see what the ragers would have done for EXODUS. 'Toxic Waltz'? 'Toxic Death Sprint of the Apocalypse' is more like it.

"I do have some maddeningly sad news to report, however. Somewhere at the venue, the Movistar Arena, my gear bag was stolen, containing my two Alesis DM5's, my triggers, my stickbag, my in-ears, my leg weights, but most importantly, my BOOTS. The same boots I've played and recorded in for almost the last decade.

"Sentimentality aside, they don't make these boots anymore, as the company who makes them, Boodaz, went out of business around the time I got them. Or else I would just be forced to go out and pick up another pair of size 13 Flameboots. Since I can't do that, I am going to appeal to you directly, my Chilean friends.

"If, for whatever reason, you were to gain knowledge of the whereabouts of my bag (or the bag itself), especially my boots, could I ask you to contact me in care of Rob Shallcross, my manager, at rob@reversedrecords.com. Those boots mean an awful lot to me, and you would have me as friend for life if you would find a way to have them returned to me. Y'see, though the contents of my gear bag can be replaced (at QUITE a cost to me personally), the boots can't.

"So of course, I'd love for the entire gear bag to be returned to me, but I would REALLY appreciate it if at least the boots were. I wouldn't be able to thank you enough, my Chilean friends.

"Thank you so much, Gene.

"P.S.: I had to play in tennis shoes for the first time in 17 years this weekend. They might as well have been ballet slippers. Okay, I'm gonna stop sniveling about it now. Thanks for listening, my friends."

Long-running German death metallers RESURRECTED have set "Morbus" as the title of their upcoming five-track EP. The effort, which will be mixed at the end of May by Jörg Uken at Soundlodge Studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany, will contain two new songs ("Covered With Maggots" and "Bewareness Of Truth") alongside a re-recording of "Butchered In Excrement" and cover versions of FEAR FACTORY's "Self Bias Resistor" and MASSACRE's "Dawn Of Eternity".

Vocalist Carsten Scholz recently left RESURRECTED for health reasons and was replaced by Christoph Mieves (GRIND INC.). In addition, drummer Hazim Fouad exited the group due his move to Bremen. Going forward, RESURRECTED's drum duties are being handled by Dennis Thiele, who is described by the band as "a good friend and dedicated death metal maniac."

RESURRECTED 2012 is:

Christoph Mieves - Vocals
Dennis Thiele - Drums
Ben Bays - Bass
Thomas Granzow - Guitar

RESURRECTED released its sixth album, "Fierce", in 2009 via Metal Age Productions. The CD was recorded at Soundlodge studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany with Jörk Uken (GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY).

The official lyric video for MEGADETH's song "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "TH1RT3EN", which sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"TH1RT3EN" was recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others. The artwork was once again created by artist John Lorenzi, who worked on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".

"TH1RT3EN" marks the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This is the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".