Southern California hardcore band STRIFE filmed a video earlier today (Sunday, September 23) for an as-yet-unspecified track off its forthcoming album, "Witness A Rebirth". The CD will be released in October via 6131 Records.

Some bands leave such an impression on fans that, even after two decades, their sound still resonates deep and wide. STRIFE is just such a band, having once again tapped into the energy that has kept listeners interested for 21 years.

After touring throughout the world in recent years, STRIFE decided it was time to unleash a new batch of songs and break their 11-year streak of recording silence. The groundwork for what would become their newest album, "Witness A Rebirth", had been laid and their collective efforts began down the road to realization.

With producer Nick Jett (TERROR, ROTTING OUT, BACKTRACK) at the helm, STRIFE recruited friend and previous collaborator Igor Cavalera (founding member of SEPULTURA) to perform drums for the album and traveled to Brazil to start the recording process with him. Soon after, they returned to California and put the rest of the pieces into place, including guest vocals by Billy Graziadei (of BIOHAZARD) and Scott Vogel (of TERROR), plus a guitar solo by Marc Rizzo (of SOULFLY). The result serves as a testament to their talent, bridging their past (especially the highly acclaimed album "In This Defiance", with which this album shares four-fifths of the members) with a more contemporary hardcore sound. "Witness A Rebirth" is at once both refreshing and evocative.

Two screenshots from the video for the song "Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" from American/German/Swedish symphonic metallers KAMELOT can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia with director Ivan Colic, who has previously worked with MOONSPELL, SOILWORK, HAMMERFALL, TYPE O NEGATIVE and SYMPHONY X, among others. The video, which features guest appearances by Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) and Alissa White-Gluz (THE AGONIST), is expected to make its online debut in the coming days. Alissa's cameo was shot by Von Wong Photography at Studio Newreel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

"Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)", which is available on iTunes, comes off KAMELOT's new album, "Silverthorn", due on on October 30 in North America, October 26 in Germany and October 29 in the rest of Europe via Steamhammer/SPV. The CD will mark the band's first release with new singer Tommy Karevik, the 30-year-old Swede who previously fronted SEVENTH WONDER (a group that he is still a member of).

In a recent interview with the Kamelot France web site, KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood stated about "Sacrimony", "We have a lot of strong songs on the album, but this one was the first one that we wanted to play [during this summer's European tour]. Ironically, it was one the last song we wrote the music for. I remember sitting with [KAMELOT keyboardist] Oliver [Palotai] in Stuttgart and I had to leave the next day for Florida. I said, 'Let's make one more song, something fast and uptempo.' That was the genesis for 'Sacrimony'. Later, [new KAMELOT singer] Tommy [Karevik] laid down a killer vocal melody and it was pretty much like on the demo. Later, we invited Elize Ryd [KAMELOT touring backing vocalist] to sing on that song."

The "Silverthorn" LP and limited edition will have one version of the cover artwork, while the standard version of "Silverthorn" will have a different but equally exquisite version. The standard version is presented as an Ecolbook. The limited edition contains the Ecolbook, a bonus CD with nearly 60 minutes of music, a 44-page book and an exclusive poster. The double LP version is a gatefold on colored vinyl and includes the CD.

Tommy first appeared as one of the guest singers on KAMELOT's very successful 2011 Pandemonium World Tour.

KAMELOT is currently supporting Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH on their North American tour.

Making of "Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" video:



"Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" audio sample:

Metal-Trails.com conducted an interview with Swedish melodic metallers AMARANTHE at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

AMARANTHE will enter the studio on September 24 to begin recording its sophomore album for an early 2013 release. The follow-up to last year's "Amaranthe" will once again be recorded at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen.

Commented AMARANTHE guitarist Olof Mörck: "In between our constant and never-ending touring, we have tirelessly been working on our next album, which is really starting to come together. We have lived and breathed the same 12 songs from the first album every day for a year now, and to introduce a number of completely fresh tracks will really lift AMARANTHE to the next level! The theme and atmosphere of the album is futuristic and ultra modern, something underlined by the first teaser poster. The music itself will be instantly recognisable as AMARANTHE, but there is definitely a new and unique twist to the songs.

"People often ask us if there is a big pressure to follow up such a successful album, and always say 'no, not one bit.' Not when you sit down and listen to new tracks such as 'Invincible', 'Burn With Me' and 'Stardust'. We simply cannot wait to hit the road all over the world with these new babies!"

A seven-minute video clip featuring highlights from AMARANTHE's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, can be seen below.

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

AMARANTHE is the project featuring Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE, DRAGONLAND), Jake E (ex-DREAM EVIL, DREAMLAND), Andy Solveström (WITHIN Y, EVILDOER, CIPHER SYSTEM), Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION) and Johan Andreassen (ex-ENGEL).

AMARANTHE vocalist Elize Ryd has been filling the female singer spot on KAMELOT's European, South and North American tours.

AMARANTHE is:

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

Interview:



Wacken Open Air highlights:

DEFTONES played its new song, "Leathers", live for the first time yesterday (Saturday, September 22) at the Epicenter festival at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California.

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

The studio version of "Leathers" is available for free download at Deftones.com. The song comes off DEFTONES' seventh studio album, "Koi No Yokan", which is scheduled for release on November 13. The group worked again with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who helmed 2010's "Diamond Eyes" and has also worked on albums by RUSH and FOO FIGHTERS.

"Koi No Yokan" track listing:

01. Poltergeist
02. Romantic Dreams
03. Leathers
04. Swerve City
05. Entombed
06. Graphic Nature
07. Tempest
08. Gauze
09. Rosemary
10. Goon Squad
11. What Happened To You?

Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep, DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno stated about the songwriting process for "Koi No Yokan", "We were coming out of a tough time, obviously, and our goal was to kind of rebuild what we created over all the years. I felt like we had to prove ourselves. We'd taken so much time between records, had some inner turmoil, and our records were starting to get pieced together versus really being created together, so for us it was a chance to get back to basics. We didn't have an idea of what sort of style we wanted. We just came in fired up and motivated to do something great. It was all very positive. We had more songs than ever, tons of ideas."

The sixth in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for "Awakened", the sixth album from San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING, can be seen below. Due on September 25 via Metal Blade Records, the CD was produced by Bill Stevenson, who has played drums for both the DESCENDENTS and BLACK FLAG and is one of the most highly renowned producers in rock. His production credits include work on records by RISE AGAINST, NOFX, PROPAGANDHI, THE CASUALTIES, ANTI-FLAG and many more. The album was mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT).

The cover artwork for "Awakened" was created by Metastazis with Tiffanie Uldry and can be seen below.

AS I LAY DYING recently completed a video for the new single "A Greater Foundation" with director Drew Russ (A DAY TO REMEMBER, FALLING IN REVERSE) and producer Robby Starbuck. The performance-based clip was shot on location in Los Angeles.

"We were all impressed with Drew's ability to capture the intensity of live band performances in his videos, and 'A Greater Foundation' is no exception," explained AS I LAY DYING bassist Josh Gilbert. "Drew's technique, along with the all-day participation of some of our diehard fans in Los Angeles, definitely accentuated the energy of the song and makes for an exciting and dynamic video."

Speaking about "Awakened" in a recent interview, AS I LAY DYING guitarist Nick Hipa said, "I can't say that there's anything [on there] that's going to shock anyone. I mean, it sounds like AS I LAY DYING. We're really proud of it because I feel like this is the best 11 songs that we've [written]. It's a very well written record; it's so fast-paced. My way I describe it — it's jam after jam. There's no filler, so by the time you get through the album, you're like, 'Man, that was quick — I can listen it again.' Again, this is just my take on, so hopefully fans will be able to hear that as well."

AS I LAY DYING will launch a European tour with TRIVIUM, CALIBAN and UPON A BURNING BODY before returning to the U.S. in November for a nationwide tour.

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Brooklyn, New York-based progressive/experimental instrumental metal band BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS will release its second full-length album, "Horrorscension", on October 23 via Black Market Activities. The CD marks the recording debut of the group's drummer, Weasel Walter, a multi-instrumentalist renowned for his work under the name THE FLYING LUTTENBACHERS and his widespread collaborations across the free jazz, noise, and metal genres. Walter joins founding members Colin Marston (12-string Warr guitar) and Mike Lerner (guitar). Marston is also a member of KRALLICE, GORGUTS and DYSRHYTHMIA, as well as an acclaimed recording engineer whose recent credits include KAYO DOT, JARBOE and ALTAR OF PLAGUES.

"Horrorscension" showcases BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS' signature method of songcraft: all songs are composed in written form before ever being played. Despite its jaw-dropping complexity, the music is delivered with a raw, visceral attack — something closer to punk than to the antiseptic sound of music-school perfectionism all too common amongst younger technical bands. Marston stated, "I would love it if, when people hear 'Horrorscension', they think 'Whoa, what the hell is going on?' rather than 'Wow, they can play their instruments well.'"

"Horrorscension" was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Marston at his The Thousand Caves studio in Queens, New York. The cover art is by longtime collaborator Terry Grow.

"Horrorscension" track listing:

01. Disintegore
02. Monolithic Destractions
03. Horrorsentience
04. Deluge of Sores
05. Putrefucktion
06. Annihilvore

"Slithering", a brand new song from Portuguese extreme progressive metallers MALEVOLENCE, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below (courtesy of Decibel magazine). The track comes off the band's upcoming third full-length album, "Antithetical", which was written and produced by Carlos Cariano, recorded by Paulo Pereira at 20m2sea Studio (Portugal), and mixed and mastered at Woodshed Studio (Germany) by V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, OBSCURA, PESTILENCE).

The follow-up to 1999's "Martyrialized", "Antithetical" features the lineup that recorded "Martyrialized", including core members Carlos Cariano (vocals, guitar), Aires Pereira (bass), Fred Noel (guitar), Paulo Pereira (keyboards) alongside session drummer extraordinaire Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, JEFF LOOMIS).

The main theme of "Antithetical" illustrates a razor-sharp concept inspired from Ancient Greek Etymology (1580s, from Gk. Antithetikos) that reflects the diametrical opposition to a number of propositions consisting in the revelation of a divergent thought. Pertaining to "Antithetical", the Anti (against) + Thesis (position), as a figure of speech (mainly used by the authors of the Baroque period; style of the epoch known as the art of conflict) acknowledge opposition towards the relative thesis expressed.

Commented MALEVOLENCE singer/guitarist/songwriter Carlos Cariano: "'Antithetical' is loaded with intoxicatingly corrosive contrasts whilst the album represents pure rebellion, a pure nonconformist extension towards the current situation of the globe, an upheaval towards the current language that has no force of expression and no meaning, due to the predictability of words and counterfeit actions that have become commonplace worldwide. Inner strength and living values nowadays are negatively base underneath relative truths and we are expressing ourselves precisely antithetically whilst insisting on critical thinking."

A press release states: "Music and lyrics are far beyond the average practice and 'Antithetical' is a very unnatural progressive slab of extreme sonic amalgamation creating parallelisms to simplify extremes whilst apprehending both the positive and the negative perspectives of existence, in order to erect with the synthesis that transcends both.

"As hope is antithetical to despair, the contrasts established within the album serve in effect to give tension to the broad-spectrum body of work consisting of seven songs.

"'Antithetical' includes the most epic material (longest song clocking at 9:27), plus the heaviest proportional songwriting ever accomplished on the eighteenth year of existence of the collective.

"Exploring experimental yet instrumental mind bending extreme metal structures, the album is a pure heavy mammoth demonstration on extreme progressive metal territory."

The very striking illustrative piece was produced by the design bureau Kkstructures. "By portraying the central album conceptual theme fueled by the art of conflict, Kkstructures, in straight involvement with the band, twisted an eye-catching visual parallelism dissecting the antithetical contrasts between the positive and negative extremes," according to a press release. "Transcending the opposites by mode of individual revelation (summon insurgence) whilst erecting a differing perspective throughout exorcising thesis, the visual mind bending design brings forth in the process the social global context trivialization invoking an upheaval synthesis. The fire combustion epitomizes the universal purification (in need) as an unrelenting way of forward critical thinking."

T-Mobile-Music.pl conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza of German thrash metal veterans KREATOR on June 2, 2012 at Metalfest at Zalew Sosina in Jaworzno, Poland. You can now watch the chat below.

After KREATOR's current "North American Teutonic Terror Attack 2012" tour with ACCEPT, the band will film a video for the song "From Flood Into Fire", and will stay on the road in Europe until the end of the year.

KREATOR's new album, "Phantom Antichrist", sold 3,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 1 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.

Released on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records, "Phantom Antichrist" was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH).



Photo by Stefan Heilemann of Heilemania

Global rock royalty from such bands as IRON MAIDEN, SLIPKNOT, WHITESNAKE, CHICKENFOOT, THE CULT, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DEEP PURPLE, JUDAS PRIEST, SLAYER and BLACK SABBATH took part in last night's (Saturday, September 22) Marshall 50th-anniversary event at Wembley Arena in London, England. The luminaries celebrated the life and work of revolutionary amp pioneer Jim Marshall with an unparalleled display of rock virtuosity.

Following the sad news of Jim's death in April, the event, which was already planned to commemorate Marshall's 50th anniversary, was ultimately held in honor of the legendary man and his remarkable life.

IRON MAIDEN's Nicko McBrain compèred the event and was joined by the world's most legendary guitarists, acclaimed musicians and Marshall enthusiasts.

A full review — including photos — is available at Examiner.com.

Check out fan-filmed video footage below.

Marshall died in April at the age of 88. A message posted at the web site of Marshall Amplification, the company he founded 50 years ago, stated, "Jim's ascent into the history books as 'the Father of Loud' and the man responsible for 'the Sound of Rock' is a true rags-to-riches tale. Cruelly robbed of his youth by tubercular bones, Jim rose to become one of the four forefathers responsible for creating the tools that allowed rock guitar as we know and love it today to be born. The groundbreaking quartet also included the late, great trio of Leo Fender, Les Paul and Seth Lover — together with Jim, they truly are the cornerstones of all things rock."

The site described Marshall as "a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life."

The cause of Marshall's death was not announced.

A former singer, drummer and music shop owner, Marshall eventually landed a job as an electrical engineer that helped him design a transportable amplifier to use at his own live shows. Consulting with musicians like THE WHO's Pete Townshend and DEEP PURPLE's Ritchie Blackmore, Marshall refined his invention and opened Marshall Amplification in 1962.

By the mid-1960s, he had created the classic Marshall Stack, consisting of one head containing the actual amplifier, on top of two stacked loudspeaker cabinets each containing four 12-inch loudspeakers arranged in a square layout. The setup has become an iconic symbol of rock music played as loud as possible.

01. Instrumental Jam

* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

02. Lil' Devil (THE CULT cover)

* Corey Taylor
* Billy Duffy
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy

03. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH cover)

* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Doug Aldrich
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

04. Slide It In (WHITESNAKE cover)

* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Doug Aldrich
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

05. Flight Of Icarus (IRON MAIDEN cover)

* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Doug Aldrich
* Nicko McBrain
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George

06. Living After Midnight (JUDAS PRIEST cover)

* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Doug Aldrich
* Nicko McBrain
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Corey Taylor
* Nick Bowcott

07. Cheap Sunglasses (ZZ TOP cover)

* Paul Gilbert
* Mike Portnoy
* Eli Gilbert
* Jaz Lochrie

08. Manic Depression (JIMI HENDRIX cover)

* Paul Gilbert
* Mike Portnoy
* Eli Gilbert
* Jaz Lochrie

09. Rocky Mountain Way (JOE WALSH cover)

* Paul Gilbert
* Mike Portnoy
* Eli Gilbert
* Jaz Lochrie

10. Still In Love With You (THIN LIZZY cover)

* Corey Taylor
* Phil Campbell
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy
* Tyler Campbell

11. Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD cover)

* Corey Taylor
* Phil Campbell
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy
* Kerry King

12. Mouth For War (PANTERA cover)

* Kerry King
* Nick Bowcott
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy
* Corey Taylor

13. Hell Bent For Leather (JUDAS PRIEST cover)

* Kerry King
* Nick Bowcott
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy
* Tim "Ripper" Owens

14. Fairies Wear Boots (BLACK SABBATH cover)

* Zakk Wylde
* Kerry King
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy

15. Into The Void (BLACK SABBATH cover)

* Zakk Wylde
* Nick Bowcott
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy

16. Stillborn (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)

* Zakk Wylde
* Nick Bowcott
* Jaz Lochrie
* Brian Tichy

17. Baroque And Roll

* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

18. Evil Eye

* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

19. Guitar Solo

20. Far Beyond The Sun

* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

21. Satch Boogie

* Joe Satriani
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy

22. Always With Me, Always With You

* Joe Satriani
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy

23. Goin' Down (FREDDIE KING cover)

* Joe Satriani
* Paul Gilbert
* Nicko McBrain
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George

24. Black Country (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION)

* Glenn Hughes
* Søren Andersen
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

25. Soul Mover

* Glenn Hughes
* Søren Andersen
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

26. Mr. Big (FREE cover)

* Glenn Hughes
* Søren Andersen
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman
* Andy Fraser

27. Mistreated (DEEP PURPLE cover) / Rock Me Baby (B.B. KING cover)

* Glenn Hughes
* Søren Andersen
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman
* Yngwie Malmsteen

28. Smoke On The Water (DEEP PURPLE cover)

* Glenn Hughes
* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Joe Satriani
* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Phil Campbell
* Paul Gilbert
* Doug Aldrich
* Søren Andersen
* Nicko McBrain
* Tobi Earnshaw
* Jaz Lochrie
* Chris George
* Brian Tichy
* Adam Wakeman

Band:

* Chris George - Guitar
* Nick Bowcott - Guitar
* Jaz Lochrie - Bass
* Brian Tichy - Drums
* Adam Wakeman - Keyboards

Guests:

* Al Murray - MC
* Andy Fraser - Bass
* Billy Duffy - Guitar
* Corey Taylor - Vocals
* Doug Aldrich - Guitar
* Emi Gilbert - Keyboards
* Glenn Hughes - Vocals/Bass
* Joe Satriani - Guitar
* Kerry King - Guitar
* Mike Portnoy - Drums
* Nicko McBrain - Drums/MC
* Paul Gilbert - Guitar/Vocals
* Phil Campbell - Guitar
* Søren Andersen - Guitar
* Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
* Tyler Campbell - Guitar
* Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Guitar
* Zakk Wylde - Guitar

Neuweltmusic conducted an interview with LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine prior to the band's September 15 concert at The Button Factory in Dublin, Ireland as the support act for FIREWIND. You can now watch the chat below.

LEAVES' EYES released a digital-only EP, "Melusine", on December 16, 2011 in Europe and December 20, 2011 in the U.S. via Napalm Records. The five-track EP effort included no less than four previously unreleased songs.

LEAVES' EYES' latest album, "Meredead", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 32. Released on April 22, 2011 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via Napalm Records, the effort was made available exclusively as limited-edition mediabook CD, including bonus track and bonus DVD "Live At The Metal Female Voices Fest", strictly limited-edition deluxe box set and regular jewel case.

T-Mobile-Music.pl conducted an interview with SOULFY mainman Max Cavalera on June 2, 2012 at Metalfest at Zalew Sosina in Jaworzno, Poland. You can now watch the chat below.

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.

"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 current lineup features drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass.

On September 16, Josh Rundquist (a.k.a. That Drummer Guy) conducted an interview with Devin Townsend, Canadian multi-instrumentalist and ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind, prior to Devin's concert at Station 4, St. Paul, Minnesota as part of the "Epic Kings & Idols Tour" with KATATONIA and PARADISE LOST. You can now watch the chat below.

"Epicloud", the next album from Devin Townsend to be released under the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT banner, was issued on September 18 in North America and will be made available on September 24 in Europe via InsideOut Music. The CD features a guest appearance by former THE GATHERING frontwoman and previous Devin collaborator Anneke Van Giersbergen.

"Epicloud" is available in the following formats: standard CD jewel case; limited-edition digipack with bonus CD; double vinyl gatefold with an exclusive bonus track; and digital download on iTunes with two exclusive bonus tracks, "Cry Forever" (demo) and "Take My Ego" (demo).

The idea for "Epicloud" came about while Devin was attempting to write material for the follow-up to his 2007 "Ziltoid The Omniscient" concept album about a fictional extraterrestrial being named Ziltoid from the planet Ziltoidia 9.

Regarding the musical direction of "Epicloud", Devin told Noisecreep, "Over the course of the full record, there's sort of new agey stuff, jazzy stuff, really heavy stuff. We basically cover the gamut. 'Epicloud' is the first record that I felt confident enough to include all those things on one record so it goes between melodic hard rock to schizophrenic heavy metal to country to really ambient stuff and it's all in one place. I'm using a gospel choir, a string section and a horn section for this one as well. On [the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album] 'Deconstruction', I got to use the Prague Philharmonic [orchestra] and really go far into making an absurd album as over the top as possible and on 'Epicloud' I'm trying to take the same advantages to make some things musically very pleasing, as opposed to just claustrophobic."

Interview:



"True North" audio stream:

Addie Rox of Tampa Bay's Mayhem Magazine recently conducted an interview with new QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Mayhem Magazine: A lot of your influence comes from Geoff Tate. What kind of influence do you think your particular sound will have? How will it be the same or differ from original QUEENSRŸCHE material?

Todd: A lot of the little crying inflections, or when you enter a phrase… Michael Sweet [STRYPER] does it a lot too. You know, he [Tate] has a cleaner voice than I have. Even from my early teens, I've had a little bit of a raspier voice, but I can mimic… I don't like to say the word "mimic," but I need to in order to properly do the songs the way they need to be done. So, I mean, I struggle a little bit with staying clean, because I'm used to doing a lot of the higher, more metal, edgier-type music. His is not so aggressive, and in the music I sing with CRIMSON GLORY, it's heavier and vocals are dirtier and grittier. So as far as how would my sound, or the new stuff sound, I think it will sound edgier, and I have a tendency of wanting to do the [Rob] Halford style metal screaming where I think that they're [fellow QUEENSRŸCHE members] wanting to tone that down; maybe they think it's a little dated. But there are times that I want to show the power and the metal side of it. QUEENSRŸCHE is metal, but I think I'll lend a different texture.

Mayhem Magazine: How do you feel about "replacing" one of your idols, Geoff Tate. Is it bittersweet?

Todd: Well… the term that you are using is very delicate. To say the word "replacing," some would arguably say he is irreplaceable. I am, in fact, filling those shoes, that role, so it's probably a fair term, although a lot of people, for political correctness, try to not use this. To be politically correct, or for professional courtesy, I feel people are afraid to use that word because it will garnish criticism, but the fact of the matter is, that is what it is. To be compared, to even be in the same breath as somebody who is probably the biggest influence, vocally, within the genre is surreal, but I feel like I've already been down this road with CRIMSON GLORY because Midnight was a very highly revered singer and I've been kind of held to the fire on that. I'm not worried about the naysayers who are, like, "Fuck this guy! QUEENSRŸCHE will never be QUEENSRŸCHE without Geoff Tate." I respect that, I understand that. I'm a fan, too, so I won't criticize someone for that opinion, but at the same time, and I don't know this from the members, but it's fairly evident that Tate is moving in a different direction. The [recent QUEENSRŸCHE] music appears, from an outsider looking in, that it is not what the fans are really wanting, in my opinion. And so, maybe the fans expect the band to not do something, but it's like, if I sound too much like him, I'm being labeled as a clone, but if I sound nothing like him, then they say, "This guy sounds nothing like what it should sound like!" So I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. So I just say, I do the best that I can. Yes, my phrasing is very similar to him; it's going to be. If I was a guitar player that just grew up on Yngwie [Malmsteen] and Paul Gilbert or Michael Angelo, it's going to be reflected in that playing. If you play like Steve Vai, they are going to be on your sleeve.

Mayhem Magazine: Have you had any formal vocal training?

Todd: I've never had any formal training or taken a single lesson — not one. It was actually right before my debut show with CRIMSON GLORY in Marietta, Georgia that I was able to find a very well-respected vocal coach in the area and I really wanted more of an evaluation. I was told from him, "Do you know how many people that come to me and sing like you do? Hardly any, very few. Whatever you have done to teach yourself, don't stop." I try to find my own way to sing any QUEENSRŸCHE song and not strain my throat, but make it sound effortless. There's always room for improvement.

Mayhem Magazine: Do you feel like you are having to win over the QUEENSRŸCHE fans?

Todd: The difference for me is, I don't have the history, because it's not my voice on those records. It's not my voice they fell in love with. It's hard; it really makes it harder. Luckily, the CRIMSON fans accepted me the way that they did and I think it's because I've proven that I am a better singer live than Midnight was. I don't like saying it, but it's true — even the band says it. I don't have his range; I can't sing so super high. I can hit some high stuff, but it's not what makes a great singer; it's pretty overrated. It's cool. Not a lot of people can do it great, but it's still a bit overrated. Emotion is where it's at. Not that I should care too much what people think to the point that it consumes me, but if I make the band happy and proud, I can't ask for anything more. I'm human; these are my vocal cords. People expect too much. Even out of Geoff Tate, they expect too much. "Oh he doesn't have the range." Dude, the guy's voice, in my opinion, is still fucking awesome. The problem is when you build your sound around a range that he's known for, and then you don't deliver like the record. I mean, come on — it's a record. Those lines are done a million times and they take the best takes and they put it together. The record is forever, right? Well, live, very few sound like the record and let's face it, QUEENSRŸCHE is some of the hardest material in the world to sing.

Mayhem Magazine: How different is the singing from your CRIMSON GLORY songs?

Todd: Well, the CRIMSON GLORY songs, Midnight had a scratchier voice. You don't hear any scratch on any Geoff Tate's stuff. You're going to hear it, to some degree, with my voice. Even on the live stuff, that's just how I sing. I think the range on CRIMSON is much higher — I know it is — but trying to be able to sing clean is challenging, but I can do it fairly well. Lots of factors are involved, too, like climate, travel, fatigue, rest, minimizing talking, etc. Our voice is our instrument.

You can read the entire interview from Mayhem Magazine.

Legendary guitarist Slash kicked off this year's edition of WRIF's Rocktoberfest with a live question-and-aswer session yesterday (Saturday, September 22) at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan. You can now watch the chat below.

Slash's second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love", came out in May and was recently certified gold in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales in excess of 35,000 copies.

"[The album has] been really well received and I was really pleased with the record in the first place; it's great," Slash said. "You never know what exactly is going to happen and I never have any what you'd call expectations, but once it's out there and people sort of dig it for the right reasons, it's always a good feeling."

Slash recently revealed that he and singer Myles Kennedy have already begun working on music for the guitarist's next album, to be recorded sometime next year.

"We are working on material, gathering ideas for another [record] at this point," Slash told Rapid City Journal. "We are sort of like in those early stages where I'm just recording different guitar ideas and I turn Myles on to it. He's thinking about his stuff and what he's going to do with it and so on."

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry spoke to FoxNews.com about his recent appearance on Discovery channel's "Sons Of Guns" program, a reality television series that centers on Red Jacket Firearms LLC, a Louisiana-based business that manufactures and sells custom weapons.

"I have always been fascinated with guns," he said. "I grew up in America, so granted, it is part of our heritage and it is written into the laws of how this country is run. I've been fascinated with all kinds of weapons my whole life, and as I have been able to afford to acquire pieces, here and there I started to collect."

"I was very fascinated by the time when firearms went from being fire sticks to being something people could use to hunt and to survive," he explained. "That era, that 'black powder' era of firearms, has been my area of interest, and it turns out that Will from the show used to do the Calvary thing, so he is a 'black powder' aficionado."

Perry — who recently referred to himself as a "definite old-school Republican" — also revealed that he would like to see some "continuity" in terms of gun laws from state to state.

"It seems ridiculous that you can be in one state with your driver's license and buy a firearm, and then in the next state it is totally illegal," he told FoxNews.com. "There are real problems to that, but as soon as you bring up the subject and say 'gun control' it sets a red flag. It is definitely a difficult issue, and the bottom line is the Constitution is what it is, and I stand by everything that is in it. Right now, some of the statistics show that some of the safest places in the country are places where law-abiding citizens are allowed to have firearms, and the crime rates are low."

Jet of Metal Messiah Radio's "The Metal Magdalene With Jet" recently conducted an interview with drummer Kelly David Smith of Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. You can now listen to the chat in below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM has set "Ugly Noise" as the title of its new album, which the band is currently writing for a tentative early 2013 release.

When asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the new CD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM guitarist Michael Gilbert told Metal Army America in July, "I worked with [former METALLICA and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist] Jason Newsted on a few songs, and he's given me some tips about some things and opened my view up towards how I look at my music and how I want the listeners to perceive the points I'm trying to make."

He added, "[Jason] is really passionate about music, so when I called him and talked to him, I just wanted him to help out with some lyrical stuff and hear some of the music I was writing. He's a great songwriter, too. I'm not sure if everything that he got to do in METALLICA, if he was restrained a little bit, I'm not sure about all that sort of stuff, but as far as with me, anytime he wants to write with me, he's got full rein and he's got absolute say-so in everything that happens. It's a 50-50 relationship, as it would be with Eric ['A.K.' Knutson], our singer, writing music with us, or Kelly [David Smith], our drummer."

Regarding the musical direction of the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM material, Gilbert said, "It's probably the most mature it's ever been, but if you wanna classify it as close to any other record that we've done, it's probably gonna be close to [1995's] 'Drift'. If we were gonna make a record right after 'Drift', which was out fifth record, 'Ugly Noise' would be the next one — with this lineup, you know."

Funding for the next FLOTSAM AND JETSAM album is being aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM last summer parted ways with drummer Craig Nielsen and was rejoined by Kelly David Smith.

The band's current lineup is the same as the one that recorded the "Cuatro" (1992), "Drift" (1995) and "High" (1997) albums:

Eric "A.K." Knutson - Vocals
Ed Carlson - Guitar
Michael Gilbert - Guitar
Jason Ward - Bass
Kelly David Smith - Drums

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest album, "The Cold", was released in Europe in February 2011 via Nuclear Blast. The CD's cover artwork was created by Travis Smith, who has previously worked with OPETH, NEVERMORE, AMORPHIS and KING DIAMOND, among others.

"The Cold" was released in North America on September 14, 2010.

Shure, one of the world's leaders in wired and wireless microphones and professional audio systems, recently conducted an interview with vocalist Burton C. Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares of Los Angeles cyber metallers FEAR FACTORY. You can now watch the chat below.

FEAR FACTORY is preparing to release a video for the title track of their new album, "The Industrialist". The clip, which will contain footage from this past June's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium, was helmed by James Zahn, the man responsible for creating the "The Industrialist" album trailer.

Released in North America on June 5 via Candlelight Records, "The Industrialist" is a conceptual record based around a story written by Burton C. Bell. Lyrics to the album's ten songs divulge the narrative as discussed recently by Bell with Decibel magazine. The album's artwork was created by American designer Anthony Clarkson with additional direction from the band. The album was made available on three formats — standard CD, a limited edition deluxe digi-book (featuring two additional songs), and 180-gram double vinyl.

FEAR FACTORY earlier in the year enlisted Matt DeVries as the band's new bass player. DeVries, previously of CHIMAIRA (where he played guitar) and most recently SIX FEET UNDER, joined FEAR FACTORY as the replacement for Byron Stroud (now with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD). FEAR FACTORY also tapped Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY, SYSTEM DIVIDE) as its new touring drummer.



Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Beliefnet, which is described as "a large multi-faith e-community that aims to provide a free forum for religious information and inspiration, spiritual tools, and discussions and dialogue groups," recently conducted an interview with FOZZY frontman and WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho. You can now watch the chat in twelve parts below.

Speaking about his faith, Jericho said, "I basically got into Christianity through Christian rock, which is another reason why music has always been important to me; it was through STRYPER. And Michael Sweet [STRYPER frontman] and I have become really, really good friends. I actually just sang on his last solo record that's about to come out.

"When I was in high school, it was ambition and fate. And my ambition was to play bass guitar in a Christian metal band. And I vividly remember having a deam that I was in STRYPER. And here I am, whatever it was — 20, 25 years later — on stage singing with STRYPER. It blew my mind. It blew my freaking mind, man. I even said that on the microphone: '25 years ago, I had a dream that I would be playing in STRYPER, and now I am.'

"I have been a Christian for years and years and years. That's how I've been able to get this far — by always having God have my back. And I haven't always been the best of Christians, but at the end of the day, I know who the boss is. And he has granted me two wishes, to where if I died tomorrow, how many [other] people can say they've done this, and the answer is zero. How many people have been a world champion in the WWE and had a record that was No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers charts? I mean, there might be a novelty thing, but for a real band, I think I'm the only one; I think I am."

FOZZY's new album, "Sin And Bones", sold around 3,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on the Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 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.

FOZZY's previous album, 2010's "Chasing The Grail", opened with around 2,200 units to enter the Heatseekers chart at No. 6.

"Sin And Bones" was released on August 14 (one day earlier internationally) via the group's new label, Century Media Records.

"Sandpaper", the lead single from "Sin And Bones", features a guest appearance by AVENGED SEVENFOLD lead singer M. Shadows. The song was released via iTunes on July 17.

T-Mobile-Music.pl conducted an interview with former HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST and current TRIPTYKON singer, guitarist, and main songwriter Tom Gabriel Warrior after TRIPTYKON's June 1, 2012 performance at Metalfest at Zalew Sosina in Jaworzno, Poland. You can now watch the chat below.

On TRIPTYKON's forthcoming DVD:

Tom: "It's a very ambitious project. It's not just a live DVD, it's a concert film. It's also an expensive project and we're working on it. It's definitely a plan that we wanna realize, but I can't give you a definite release date yet. But we are working on it — very definitely — and eventually it's gonna happen. And there's also a second DVD in the planning.

"There's a million projects, but sometimes you have to be a little patient.

"I don't like to do quick things; I like to do things right and to do them appropriately. To me, what counts is not the speed, what counts is the quality of the product, and sometimes quality takes a little more work."

On TRIPTYKON's current lineup:

Tom: "Right now we are so happy to be in this lineup; this lineup has already worked together for almost four years. So we all hope that it's gonna stay like this. We are four very different people — we have different ages, different lives. Hopefully, we will develop together, so we can stay together for a long time; we all want that. But, you know, life is unpredictable. But I can tell you: yes, we love playing in this band and in this lineup — very much so. All four of us are very close friends."

On being considered an extreme-metal "icon":

Tom: "I'm a human being. I mean, what's different about me? That's a huge word, and [people] put that on me all the time. But I come from a very simple background. I grew up extremely poorly, I was abused, I had to fight violence. I had no connections, no friends or whatever.

"HELLHAMMER was formed in a tiny little village with nothing — no talent, no contacts, no money, no nothing. And I remember that very, very well — every day. So I don't see what should make me an icon. I've just been very lucky to create music and that people listen to my music. And if anything, it's the people out there, the audience like today, that makes a band an icon, but certainly not the musicians. You can play all the music that you want, if nobody listens to it… It's the fans, it's the audience that makes a band big, or makes a band special.

"I hate when musicians walk around — and there's one or two bands on this festival, too, that I know personally — I hate when it gets to their heads and they think they're geniuses or whatever, because it's not true. It's the people out there — they give you the platform, they are open, they give you the chance, they listen to your music, they create what you are, not the musicians. I'm a human being; I'm a metal fan like you. What makes me different? We both are passionate for this music. That's really all there is to it."

TRIPTYKON consists of V. Santura (guitar, vocals), Norman Lonhard (drums, percussion), Vanja Slajh (bass), and Tom Gabriel Fischer (voice, guitars). The group has unambiguously stated that it pursues the continuation and further development of the path Warrior began in HELLHAMMER and CELTIC FROST.

According to TMZ.com, SCORPIONS drummer James Kottak and his ex-wife are involved in a bitter custody dispute over their teenage son.

Kottak filed legal documents this month asking the court to change a decision that was made in July that awarded Athena Lee — MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's sister — primary custody of their 15-year-old son and ordered him to pay more than $3,000 a month in child and spousal support.

In his request to modify an existing child custody order, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Kottak claims their son has been living with him since January of this year after the teenager had a falling out with his mother. Kottak also says Athena has been through several rehab stints for alcohol addiction.

The musician — who was married to Athena from 1996 to 2010 — says he should be granted primary physical custody, with Athena getting visitation rights. He also wants the court to reduce his child support payments.

Kottak, who joined the SCORPIONS in 1996, lists his income at $12,000 month but indicates that this could change because his contract with the band has yet to be renewed.

For her part, Athena — an acclaimed drummer in her own right who was a member of Kottak's band KOTTAK (formerly KRUNK) for a number of years — claims that she's been sober since January 13, 2012 and is allowing her son to live with Kottak so he can stay in his school district.

"He's trying everything he can to knock me down," Athena says, adding, "It's only about the money to James."

The couple has three children; one girl, Tobi, and two boys, Miles and Matthew.

Athena, who is one of the stars of the new reality series "Ex-Wives Of Rock" on the Canadian network Slice, said in a promotional clip for the show, "Marrying a musician is not a bad idea — it's the worst idea ever." She also described her marriage to Kottak as "miserable."

Video below: Athena Lee introduction video from "Ex-Wives Of Rock":



Video below: James Kottak and Athena Lee interviewed together in May 2010 in Berlin, Germany during a KOTTAK European tour:



Pictured below: James and Athena at NAMM in 2009: