Shaxul Records recently conducted an interview with guitarist Trevor Peres of Florida death metallers OBITUARY. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Shaxul Records: So you have a barbecue sauce. How did that come about?

Trevor Peres: I love to cook. I have a smoker. I smoke my own meat and make my own rub. And one day I was, like, "I need to make my own sauce!" If you like to barbecue, it's good to have your own sauce. So I spent about a year developing it. Trying different ideas and reading different recipes... had friends taste it. Finally, one day my friend's, like, "Dude, that is SICK! That's the recipe!"

Shaxul Records: What is the signature T-Bone element?

Trevor Peres: It's the center of the gamut. You know the flavor palette of the barbecue sauces? Right in the middle. 'Cause you've got a lot of people who like the vinegar base, some people like it really sweet/hearty, some people like spicy shit... It's got a good flavor, it's got a good spice. It's not hot, though. It's sweet but vinegary at the same time and it's tomatoey, so really...it's the center of the gamut.

Shaxul Records: Do you think when bands like BIOHAZARD, PANTERA and MACHINE HEAD got popular, that your sense of "groove" was influenced a little bit?

Trevor Peres: Absolutely not. Those guys never influenced me, ever, to be honest. I'm friends with those people, but I was already stuck in a rut at that point writing-wise. Maybe uh... SKINNY PUPPY influenced it. I don't know. Because during "World Demise" I was tripping on a lot of industrial stuff. So maybe that had something to do with it. HELLHAMMER. That's where our doom comes from I think. HELLHAMMER/[CELTIC] FROST, I mean... That shit just oozes out of us, I think. And BLACK SABBATH too. Like Terry [Butler, bass] said the other day, "It's a scary movie...on wax."

Shaxul Records: It seems like you have a lot of fun playing these days. Do you ever feel a sense of irony playing such "evil" music but having so much fun with it?

Trevor Peres: Yeah, probably. We're all a bunch of wise guys... We can't go a day without crackin a joke. In fact, John [Tardy, vocals] will look at me and say something stupid onstage and it'll make me crack up and I'm like, [laughs] "Don't do that!" I'll have to turn around and look at Donald [Tardy, drums] to stop laughing. We don't take it so fuckin serious anymore. We're having fun. We like to create heavy music. I think people appreciate… You know, people come up to me and say, "It looks like you're having a good time up there." When we write, we're definitely trying to bring out something dark and it's hard to do now 'cause we're, like... old dudes who... aren't that serious anymore! [laughs]

Shaxul Records: Do you think what you do today with OBITUARY is rebellious? Do you feel rebellious when you are doing this?

Trevor Peres: Well... not as much as I did 20 years ago. Death metal has become so popular in the world of music. I mean, even grandmas know what death metal is now. Or a least they've heard of it. So it's almost kind of a joke; it's not rebellious anymore. I've got kids, you know... I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm a rebel! You're lucky I wasn't president when 9/11 happened, let's put it to ya that way! [laughs] I'm probably crazier now than I ever been, to be honest. Fuckin, light the wick from both ends! I definitely black out more now. [laughs] No, I mean... I try to walk a straight line most of the time. Having kids makes you different. So I've gotta be around for them. I don't wanna go to jail [or anything like that]. I used to be more politically involved years ago, and finally one day I just realized I ain't gonna change the world or I don't give a fuck. I can't even watch the news because I get pissed off. Sometimes I wonder why I had kids 'cause I've gotta let them live in this fucking world. But, you know, it's part of life, I guess... I mean, I think we thought of that years ago like when "World Demise" came out, and then one day I realized it's just a waste of my fuckin energy. It really is. I mean... you're not gonna change the world. Life's too short to stress live that way. I enjoy my kids. I go to the beach, go fishing as much as I can and just enjoy being alive while I'm here. All you can do is stress yourself out, have a heart attack, and die, and have gray hair. And I don't wanna live that way.

Shaxul Records: Are you gonna vote Romney or Obama?

Trevor Peres: I'm more Republican. On my voter card it says "independent," but I vote for Republican every time, [it] seems like.

Shaxul Records: Is there something Romney said or did that made you wanna go that way?

Trevor Peres: To be honest, I haven't paid attention to much of what he said at all. I just know I don't want Obama. He's just a waste. He hasn't done anything. He's, like, "I've got a plan!" Well, what have you been doing for the past four years? [laughs] We've gotta keep you in twice to do something? That's not fair.

Shaxul Records: You ever think the whole system is the problem?

Trevor Peres: Oh, the system is the problem. I mean, politicians are a problem. Anybody who wants to be that has a problem. Power, control... [sighs] I can't imagine being a politician.

Shaxul Records: Do you think some musicians are too outspoken about their political views?

Trevor Peres: I think some musicians put too much politics in their music. Definitely. Like I said, life's too short to live that way. If you know who you are and know what you think, you shouldn't care what other people think. If you think a certain way, that's your shit. I mean people all the time are, like, "Did you vote for Bush?" And I'm like, "Yes, I did. Both times!" Because the other guys were idiots! I mean, who's the biggest idiot? You pick the lesser of the idiots. That's what it ends up being at the end of the day. 'Cause they're all kinda retards. [laughs]

Read the entire interview from Shaxul Records.

Drum! magazine recently conducted an interview with legendary extreme-metal drummer Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DETHKLOK). An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Drum!: What kind of patch-ups are you doing for [the new DETHKLOK album] "Dethalbum III"?

Hoglan: Seeing that I track the songs the day that I learn them, usually I have some tiny transitional fills to do, or this time Brendan [Small, DETHKLOK songwriter and creator] wanted me to try some different beats to match his new riffs. We're writing songs on the fly. So as the songs progress we'll play something different to match the new riffs. I rarely get to do that sort of thing but this time I did, so a few tiny little spots were fixed.

Drum!: How do you learn a song and record it the same day? That's unorthodox.

Hoglan: It is unorthodox. But I've had so many projects that are like that where the band or artist hands you the song and you play it. You need a large stockpile of fills that work and ones that you can cull from your mental brain trust of fills. Like, "Okay, I know in this style of music I have a bunch of fills that could work well." Or the artist might say, "I am not feeling that fill," so you access a different memory bank of fills. So then you try those. Option anxiety happens a lot when I work like this, usually it's the people I'm working with saying, "Let's try this or throw that up against the wall." Sometimes it bogs down the session and it can make you real tired at the end of a long day.

Drum!: How do you learn a song that fast? Do you have a Pro Tools demo or a chart?

Hoglan: I don't read, so sometimes it's a demo. When it comes to DETHKLOK recording tracks for "Metalocalypse", whatever the length of the song is in the episode, if it's 35 seconds of a song or a minute of a song or sometimes there are songs that are two and a half minutes, then we'll flesh out the rest of the song and Brendan will work on a bunch of riffs to complete the track. He usually works on them the night before and brings them in and shows me all his ideas. Sometimes I have 47 seconds of a track down on a demo. That will be the main body of the song and then we throw in another three minutes on top of that. So I have a quick memory. Devin Townsend [STRAPPING YOUNG LAD] used to say I have a "steel trap mind." I am really good; if you write a riff and forget it I will remember exactly how you played it and play it back for you.

Read the entire interview from Drum! magazine.

Fan-filmed video footage of ALTER BRIDGE and CREED guitarist Mark Tremonti performing an unreleased track called "Gone" on September 26 at The Note in West Chester, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

"Gone" was recorded during the sessions for Mark's solo album, "All I Was", which came out this past July, but was left off the final CD. The studio version of the track is expected to be made available soon.

VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen made his first appearance as part of Tremonti's solo band earlier in the month at a show in Rhode Island. This marks the first time Wolfgang has played with anyone outside of his father Eddie, his uncle Alex and singer David Lee Roth.

Van Halen is replacing Tremonti's bandmate from CREED and ALTER BRIDGE, Brian Marshall, who is sitting out the Tremonti trek for undisclosed personal reasons. The other members of Tremonti's touring band include Eric Friedman on guitar and Garrett Whitlock on drums.

(Thanks: Paul Tassin a.k.a. catworship)

Reunited hard rockers UGLY KID JOE have launched a Kickstarter campaign to offer their fans the opportunity to get involved with the production of their music video for the song "I'm Alright" off their latest EP, "Stairway To Hell".

Commented the band: "It has been a minute since our last music video, and we want to take it to the next level with this one. We're going the independent route and only with your help and generosity can we make this thing happen.

"We have lots of cool merchandise, some very rare and limited, and even a special experience on the set to offer you.

"Your donations will go directly to the making of this video, from renting the gear to hiring a kick-ass crew and sending it through post-production to be completed.

"We can only do this with your help, so if you like what you see, go ahead and throw down what you can. We’re very excited to make this video... Let's do this!"

Among the items offered through Kickstarter is to get a chance to meet UGLY KID JOE on tour in October. Other items include an opportunity to attend an UGLY KID JOE rehearsal with a friend in the U.S. and go out for dinner with the band afterwards.

This project will only be funded if at least $12,000 is pledged by Friday, October 12.

For more information, visit Kickstarter.

"Stairway To Hell" was released digitally on June 5 and physically on July 9. The CD heralds UGLY KID JOE's return, containing songs spanning the full repertoire of influences which made UGLY KID JOE one of the prime soundtracks for young snowboarders, surfers, keggers and characters worldwide. Whether it's "Devil’s Paradise", with it's hypnotic riffery and hook line, grooving and grinding its hips seductively, the melodic power-fueled darkness of "No One Survives" or the irrepressibly memorable chug-and-chorus of "I'm Alright" it's clear that UGLY KID JOE have everything they started with plus fatter chops and a (frankly) superior curve on songwriting.

"Stairway To Hell" track listing:

01. Devil's Paradise
02. You Make Me Sick
03. No One Survives
04. I'm Alright
05. Love Ain't True! (feat. Angelo Moore and Dirty Walt of FISHBONE)
06. Another Beer

UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997.

UGLY KID JOE 2012 is:

Whitfield Crane - Vocals
Klaus Eichstadt - Guitar
Dave Fortman - Guitar
Cordell Crockett - Bass
Shannon Larkin - Drums

Singer/songwriter/producer Jean Beauvoir (CROWN OF THORNS, PLASMATICS) has partnered with Pledge Music, 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. Pledgers who dontate toward the making of the new CROWN OF THORNS four-song EP will have access to unique footage, photos, and other exclusives throughout the making that will be only available to "pledgers." They will also be able to pre-order the EP, other special packages and recordings, plus be a part of the process. A portion of the proceeds will go towards helping Haitian children in need.

CROWN OF THORNS' latest album, "Faith", was released in June 2009 via Little Steven Van Zandt's Lost Cathedral label imprint. The disc brought back the trademark CROWN OF THORNS sound that established the band as a rock powerhouse, still keeping intact all the elements of infectious guitar riffs, soaring hooklines, and great melodies.

Beauvoir collaborated with Bob Clearmountain (BRYAN ADAMS, THE ROLLING STONES, BON JOVI, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E-STREET BAND) in the recording sessions for "Faith" as well as Mark Plati (DAVID BOWIE) for the mix — resulting in the best-sounding CROWN OF THORNS album yet.

On Thursday, September 27, Mistress Carrie of the Worcester/Boston, Massachusetts radio station WAAF conducted an interview with drummer Matt Cameron of reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN. You can now listen to the chat usng the audio player below.

Interview (audio):



"Been Away Too Long", the first official single from SOUNDGARDEN's new album, arrived on Thursday (September 27) at radio stations, iTunes and other digital retailers. According to The Pulse Of Radio, the song leaked briefly on Wednesday (September 26), with some stations and web sites streaming it until the band's label sent out cease-and-desist orders. But it got around enough to fire up fans on Twitter and message boards, with most proclaiming the hard-rocking track a return to form for Seattle's pioneering grunge act.

Banana1015.com called the track "a harder-hitting and true to form return of the most avant-garde group of the 1990s grunge scene," while Consequence Of Sound dubbed it "a fine modern rock track — that is, if you enjoy it coming at you 700 mph and from Mars."

The new SOUNDGARDEN album, "King Animal", comes out on November 13. It's the first all-new set of material from the reunited group since 1996's "Down On The Upside".

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year break, releasing a retrospective collection called "Telephantasm" and a concert album titled "Live On I-5".

"King Animal" track listing:

01. Been Away Too Long
02. Non-State Actor
03. By Crooked Steps
04. A Thousand Days Before
05. Blood On The Valley Floor
06. Bones of Birds
07. Taree
08. Attrition
09. Black Saturday
10. Halfway There
11. Worse Dreams
12. Eyelid's Mouth
13. Rowing

The band's first new song since regrouping, "Live To Rise", was a rock radio hit in June when it was issued as the lead single from the soundtrack of the movie "The Avengers".

SOUNDGARDEN has yet to announce tour plans in support of "King Animal".

German pagan metallers ADORNED BROOD will release their seventh album, "Kuningaz", on November 23 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at the Kohlekeller Studio in Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany with producer Kai Stahlenberg. Guest musicians on the album include Mario Pontigo, Moritz "Mo" Stübing (ALL WILL KNOW) and Florian "Blutaxt" Tamm (BLACK UNICORN). The cover artwork for the CD was created by Kris Verwimp (ABSU, MELECHESH, SUIDAKRA).

A trailer for "Kuningaz" can be seen below.

ADORNED BROOD's latest album, "Hammerfeste", was released in October 2010 via Black Bards Entertainment.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH bassist Chris Kael joined SIN CITY SINNERS on stage this past Wednesday, September 26 at Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada to perform a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "You've Got Another Thing Comin'". Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

SIN CITY SINNERS earlier in the year announced its newest addition, actor/musician Zach Throne. Zach joins original SINNERS Todd Kerns (SLASH), Brent Muscat (FASTER PUSSYCAT) and Rob Cournoyer (RAGING SLAB).

SIN CITY SINNERS released its third album, "A Sinners' Christmas" late last year. It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Hit Track Studios in Las Vegas and produced by Brent Muscat and Tom Parham, and executive-produced by Jason Green.

In 2010, SIN CITY SINNERS released two CDs of original music, "Exile on Fremont Street" and the all-acoustic "Broken Record". The SINNERS' music video, "Goin' To Vegas", received the 32nd annual Telly Award and the track "Numb" was nominated for an AVN award for "Best Original Song".

ORGY — the reactivated "death pop" band from California — filmed more footage for its "Grime Of The Century" video this past Friday, September 28 in Los Angeles. Helming the shoot is Matt Zane, an acclaimed adult-film director and frontman for the metal band SOCIETY 1.

A photo from the "Grime Of The Century" video shoot can be seen below.

ORGY filmed the live portion of the "Grime Of The Century" video on September 23 at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood.

A two-and-a-half-minute clip in which the members of ORGY talk about "Grime Of The Century", can be seen below.

"Grime Of The Century", the first new single in over seven years from ORGY, was recorded at NRG Recording and Entourage studios in North Hollywood, California. It is now available digitally on iTunes.

Several photos from the studio can be found at WireImage.com.

The band will promote the single release by embarking on three-to-five-week tour in November. Additional dates in "major markets" will take place at the end of 2012 and in early 2013.

Joining vocalist and sole remaining original member Jay Gordon in ORGY's new lineup are Carlton Bost (DEADSY, THE DREAMING, LUNARCLICK) on guitar, Ashburn Miller (DEADSY) on guitar, Nic Speck (RUN RUN RUN) on bass and Jamie Miller (SNOT, THE START) on drums.

In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Gordon was asked what the catalyst was for rebooting and moving forward with the project. "Ya know, it had just been too long," he said. "I was really interested in getting back out on the road. That was the first thing I wanted to do. It had been so long, I just wanted to get out there, brush the rust off and roll with it to see what happens. To do that you have to have a band and start playing gigs right away and that is exactly what I did."

On the topic of ORGY's new members, Jay said, "The new lineup is amazing! I don't plan on looking back, let's put it that way, they are that good. They are all amazing artists. Both guitar players, Carlton Bost and Ashburn Miller, came from DEADSY. The bass player, Nic Speck came from RUN RUN RUN. The drummer, Jamie Miller, is from SNOT and THE START. He is an amazing drummer! All of the guys are truly amazing performers and we get along great."

New Jersey/New York's ILL NIÑO filmed a music video for the song "La Epidemia" yesterday (Saturday, September 29) at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A couple of photos from the video shoot — featuring a guest appearance by EMMURE frontman Frankie Palmeri — can be seen below.

"La Epidemia" comes off ILL NIÑO's new album, "Epidemia", which will be released on October 22 via Victory Records.

The recording sessions for "Epidemia" took place in Hoboken, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Denver, Colorado.

For nearly fifteen years, ILL NIÑO has gained a loyal and dedicated fan base while creating its own unique style of Latin-influenced, aggressive metal.

Utilizing bilingual vocals, Latin/tribal rhythms and powerful melodies, "Epidemia" is bound to spread worldwide.

"Epidemia" track listing:

01. The Depression
02. Only The Unloved
03. La Epidemia
04. Eva
05. Demi-God
06. Death Wants More
07. Escape
08. Time Won't Save You
09. Forgive Me Father...
10. Invisible People

The "Epidemia" cover artwork can be seen below.

ILL NIÑO drummer Dave Chavarri previously stated about the upcoming album: "This time around, we want to explore Latin and tribal rhythms we have never explored in the past five releases, giving us no musical boundaries at all."

Frankie Palmeri laying down guest vocals on "La Epidemia":



"The Depression" lyric video:

MetalRecusants.com conducted an interview with WARRIOR SOUL singer Kory Clarke prior to the band's September 27 concert at O2 Islington Academy in London, England. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

WARRIOR SOUL's new album, "Stiff Middle Finger", will be released on October 22 via Livewire/Cargo. The features very special guest guitar players — John Ricco (former WARRIOR SOUL guitarist) and Mark Gemini Thwaite (THE MISSION, MOB RESEARCH, PETER MURPHY).

WARRIOR SOUL is in the middle of a European headlining tour. Prior to the start of the trek, Clarke said, "This is going to rock like crazy with new blood and fists pumping against corporate tyranny, bullshit wars, and lying dead religions. Our power will once again be felt and our rumble heard across the land!"

WARRIOR SOUL released a string of classic political rock 'n' roll albums starting with "Last Decade Dead Century" (1990), "Drugs, God And The New Republic" (1991), "Salutations From The Ghetto Nation" (1992) and "Chill Pill" (1993).

After forming the SPACE AGE PLAYBOYS and releasing two solo albums, Clarke has remained as venomous, aggressive and politically motivated as ever on "Destroy The War Machine" (2009) and now this new offering, "Stiff Middle Finger".

"Stiff Middle Finger" track listing:

01. Occupy
02. Planetary Revolution
03. Wall Street
04. Junky Stripper
05. A Drink To All My Friends
06. 2012
07. Tear
08. Sparkle Baby
09. Rubicon
10. Light Your Bonfires

NIGHTWISH frontwoman Anette Olzon believes it was a bad idea for the rest of her band to have used substitute singers for their show in Denver, Colorado after she was taken ill and had to be hospitalized.

KAMELOT backing singers Elize Ryd (also of AMARANTHE) and Alissa White-Gluz (also of THE AGONIST) stepped in for Anette this past Friday night (September 28) at the Ogden Theatre because Olzon was suffering from fever and vomiting and was forced to spend the night at a local hospital. The rest of NIGHTWISH stated about their decision to use stand-in vocalists for the gig, "We were in hell [on Friday]. [The] show [was] about to be canceled... But nobody gave up an inch. With the help from the ladies Elize and Alissa from KAMELOT, we actually managed to pull of a relaxed and great show! The crowd doing the mass karaoke with the band playing was absolutely amazing. We were humbled and grateful at the same time. This is unity and help from friends and fans."

Writing on her official blog, Olzon voiced her displeasure over the fact that NIGHTWISH played a concert without her, stating, "I was never asked if it was OK they used Elize and Alissa in the show [Friday] night. I don't think it's a good decision they made and I'm sorry for those of you who came to see the whole band but got something else. But I was very ill and this decision wasn't mine.'

She continued in a separate posting, "This is just music. Like life, sometimes we get ill and shows do get canceled. Rihanna wouldn't ask Britney Spears to sing for her if she was ill."

She concluded, "To think a show is more important than the humans in the band is, for me, so totally not in this world."

Photos of Friday night's concert can be seen at this location (courtesy of Brandon Marshall).

Olzon rejoined NIGHTWISH on stage last night (Saturday, September 29) at The Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah. She wrote on her blog after the concert, "Sorry for not being in top form, but I did my best at least."

Olzon joined NIGHTWISH in 2007 as the replacement for Tarja Turunen after the latter was fired in 2005.

Pictured below: Anette Olzon

Video footage below: NIGHTWISH performing with Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz on September 28 in Denver, Colorado

Vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH was interviewed by Metalship prior to the band's August 23 performance in Tokyo, Japan. You can now watch the chat in three parts below.

NAPALM DEATH's latest album, "Utilitarian" sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

NAPALM DEATH's previous album, 2009's "Time Waits For No Slave", opened with around 1,800 units to land at No. 19 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Utilitarian" was released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

Interview part 1:



Interview part 2:



Interview part 3:

University Press Of New England has just released "Killer Show - The Station Nightclub Fire, America's Deadliest Rock Concert", which is described as "the definitive book on The Station nightclub fire on the 10th anniversary of the disaster."

The official book description: "On February 20, 2003, the deadliest rock concert in U.S. history took place at a roadhouse called The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island. That night, in the few minutes it takes to play a hard-rock standard, the fate of many of the unsuspecting nightclub patrons was determined with awful certainty. The blaze was ignited when pyrotechnics set off by GREAT WHITE, a 1980s heavy-metal band, lit flammable polyurethane "egg crate" foam sound insulation on the club’s walls. In less than 10 minutes, 96 people were dead and 200 more were injured, many catastrophically. The final death toll topped out, three months later, at the eerily unlikely round number of 100.

"The story of the fire, its causes, and its legal and human aftermath is one of lives put at risk by petty economic decisions — by a band, club owners, promoters, building inspectors, and product manufacturers. Any one of those decisions, made differently, might have averted the tragedy. Together, however, they reached a fatal critical mass.

"'Killer Show' is the first comprehensive exploration of the chain of events leading up to the fire, the conflagration itself, and the painstaking search for evidence to hold the guilty to account and obtain justice for the victims.

"Anyone who has entered an entertainment venue and wondered, 'Could I get out of here in a hurry?' will identify with concertgoers at The Station. Fans of disaster nonfiction and forensic thrillers will find ample elements of both genres in 'Killer Show'."

For more information, visit UPNE.com.

Veteran hard rock bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DIO DISCIPLES, WHITE LION, HAIL!) recently spoke to Aphex CEO David Wiener about Lomenzo's participation in the new season of "The Amazing Race", premiering on Sunday, September 30 at 8 p.m. EST.

The 11 teams hoping to win a grand prize of up to $2 million were announced by CBS in late August.

Lomenzo, 53, will compete with teammate Mark "Abba" Abbattista, 45, a friend, entertainment lawyer and HAIL! manager.

When asked what the biggest challenge was that he and his teammate will face on the "Race", Lomenzo responded, "I don't think we will have too many challenges. We work pretty well together."

While the prize money remains at $1 million, if the team which wins the first leg end up as victors of the entire competition, they will double the prize and receive $2 million.

"The Amazing Race" is an eight-time Emmy Award-winning reality series hosted by Emmy Award-nominated host Phil Keoghan, which pits 11 teams, each comprised of two members, against each other on a trek around the world for approximately 25 days. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of challenges, some mental and some physical, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams who are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning $1 million.

"Black Baccara", the new video from German female-fronted melodic death metallers DEADEND IN VENICE, can be seen below.

DEAEND IN VENICE recently launched a PledgeMusic.com campaign to raise the funds for the recording of its second album. Entitled "A View From Above", the follow-up to 2010's "See You On The Ground" is tentatively due next year. The cover artwork for the CD was designed by Archetype Design.

"A View From Above" track listing:

01. Ides Of May
02. Black Baccara
03. A Glow In The Dark
04. Changing Directions
05. Devolution Of The Crown
06. In Dawnless Days
07. An Alien In Disguise
08. Nothing’s Left In Long-Closed Eyes
09. Ocean Of Regret
10. Call From The North
11. The Overview

According to a press release, DEAEND IN VENICE's musical style is influenced by the Gothenburg melodic death metal sound as well as modern metalcore bands.

DEADEND IN VENICE is:

Annabell Klein (female vocals)
Christian Litzba (Growls)
Tim Schmidtke (Guitar)
Kevin Klein (Guitar)
Andreas Ackermann (Bass)
Frank Koppe (Drums)

Eva Eisen, the mother of KISS frontman Paul Stanley, died on Saturday, September 29. She was 88 years old.

Said Paul: "My mother found so much pleasure and fulfillment in all the various types of music that she so loved. It was through her that I, too, found that same passion. She lived long enough to see, enjoy and love an extended family that included her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She found numerous ways to contribute to her community and was appreciated and loved by those who knew her. My mom was the matriarch of our family and words cannot express our loss."

Added the other members of KISS: "From the earliest days of KISS until recently, Eva was always seen by fans at New York-area shows.

"We send our deepest sympathies to Paul and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya was interviewed by Debarun Borthakur of Seven Sisters Post ahead of the band's October appearance at the Rock 'N India festival in Bangalore.

On being accused of being Nazi sympathisers, Satanic preachers and even racists because of their lyrics:

Araya: "Man is pretty evil. Nazism and Satanism reflect Man's dark nature and extreme religious beliefs, good and evil. Kerry [King, guitar] writes all the anti-religious songs. He considers himself an atheist. But SLAYER as a band does not preach."

On how even age has failed to mellow down one of the four most influential heavy metal bands of all time:

Araya: "We have maintained our signature intensity, which is the heavy and fast. Age, huh? SLAYER has lived up to its signature intense music and crazy lyrics for the last 30 years with every new album that we come out with."

On SLAYER's expectations for the India concert:

Araya: "We hear that there are a lot of metal fans out here, particularly SLAYER [fans]. We are excited about it. This is the first live SLAYER experience for our fans in India. We are expecting to see a great crowd singing and shouting along with us."

"The magic of SLAYER is SLAYER itself. We will play pure music with great sound and lights. No gimmicks, no acts. Just SLAYER."

On SLAYER's upcoming 12th studio album:

Araya: "We are working on a new album, aiming for a 2013 release. We are experimenting with a lot of sounds. What we can tell you is that the new album will be very SLAYER."

Less than a year and a half after calling it quits, New Jersey metallers MUTINY WITHIN have announced plans to complete their sophomore album, the demo recordings for which were laid down in early 2011.

A teaser for the forthcoming CD, "Synchronicity", is available in the YouTube clip below.

In a recent interview with AFGM, MUTINY WITHIN vocalist Chris Clancy stated about the forthcoming album, "It's essentially the old lineup but without Drew [Stavola, keyboards]. We're just doing it in our spare time. They send me parts over and I put it together in Pro Tools. I just have a few more tracks to record vocals on, Brandon [Jacobs, guitar] has a few solos to record and then we're done."

He added, "We're not sure on the track listing 100% yet. There's one song that I'm having a really hard time writing vocals for so we might lose a track. It should still be 11-12 tracks, though. We want to get it out before the end of the year."

Asked if MUTINY WITHIN has any plans to tour in support of the upcoming album, Clancy — who is a U.K. national — said, "It'd be really great to tour, but it's just impossible now. It's mainly immigration issues. It'd cost me $5,000 just to get a visa to tour with. Same with Dan [Daniel Bage, guitar]. On top of that, we had to sell our van to cover debts, and everybody has jobs or is in college now. Getting good tours without a label is near impossible, too. Without tour support, we'd never have gotten out of New Jersey as we lost thousands every tour due to fuel costs and lack of merch sales."

The self-titled debut album from MUTINY WITHIN landed at position No. 41 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.

"Mutiny Within" was released on February 23, 2010 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at Bieler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida with producer Jason Bieler (SIKTH, SKINDRED, DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, NONPOINT) and was mixed by Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford of Nott-In-Pill studios in Newport, Wales, United Kingdom.

Florida death metallers MORBID ANGEL have been denied entry to Canada and will be unable to play their two scheduled shows there on September 30 (Montreal) and October 1 (Toronto).

Commented MORBID ANGEL frontman David Vincent: "Regretfully, as much as we wanted to continue the musical onslaught, the Canadian immigration officers at the border had other intentions. Canada is NOT HAPPENING."

Affected dates:

Sep. 30 - Montreal, QUE, Canada - Club Soda
Oct. 01 - Toronto, ONT, Canada - Opera House

Quality fan-filmed video footage of MORBID ANGEL's September 28 headlining performance at The Trocadero in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

MORBID ANGEL has just kicked off a month-long North American tour with support from Sweden's DARK FUNERAL and GRAVE. The headlining run, the band's first in six and half years, runs through October 21 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Said David Vincent about the group's setlist: "We are playing many songs [on this tour] from 'Altars Of Madness' and 'Covenant'. We have put together a setlist that highlights the diversity of the first four classic MORBID ANGEL albums in a way that celebrates the paradigm shifting creativity that has defined extreme music for decades."

MORBID ANGEL recently announced that it will also play a set of "all-time classic songs" on its upcoming European tour with KREATOR, NILE and FUELED BY FIRE, which kicks off on November 1 in Antwerp, Belgium.

On February 24 (February 28 in North America), Season of Mist released a compilation of remixed tracks from MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Illud Divinum Insanus". Far from being just revamped versions of the seminal extreme metal band's newest songs, this collection presents the work of 39 artists from the electro / industrial, techno and club scene.

MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 141. The effort marks MORBID ANGEL's first CD to feature bassist/vocalist David Vincent since 1995's "Domination".

Video footage of FIREWIND's September 28 performance at Knust in Hamburg, Germany can be seen below.

FIREWIND's new album, "Few Against Many", entered the official chart in Greece at No. 42 and in Germany at No. 90. Released in Europe on May 21 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution, the CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

Produced by Gus, "Few Against Many" was recorded with his longtime bandmates, vocalist Apollo Papathanasio, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis and bassist Petros Christo, at Valve Studio in Greece as well as the Sweetspot Studios in Sweden and sees the band expanding on its signature melodic sound with some of its most aggressive songs to date. The CD also marks the recording debut of new FIREWIND drummer Johan Nunez (NIGHTRAGE).

A two-camera edit of HATEBREED's September 27 performance at Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California can be seen below (courtesy of Rock Hard Live).

HATEBREED is currently headlining the "10 Years Of Perseverance" tour, a United States headline trek commemorating the 10th anniversary of the band's 2002 major-label debut, "Perseverance". The tour features direct support from WHITECHAPEL and special guests ALL SHALL PERISH and DEEZ NUTS.

HATEBREED recently finished recording its new full-length album for an early 2013 release. The CD was produced by the band with assistance from Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUICIDE SILENCE, ALL THAT REMAINS, SHADOWS FALL).

Commented HATEBREED guitarist Wayne Lozinak: "It was a great experience working with Zeuss and Josh Wilbur on this one. Every song is heavy, straight and to the point, in keeping with the traditional HATEBREED sound. Can't wait to put some of these songs in the set and start playing them live!"

Added HATEBREED bassist Chris Beattie: "This is the album that HATEBREED fans have been waiting for — catchy, ignorant and full of energy!"

Regarding the musical direction of the new HATEBREED material, vocalist Jamey Jasta told "Maximum Threshold", "We did enough experimenting, I think, on the last record… A lot of people really liked that record and it did gain us a lot of new fans, but on this record, with the 10-year anniversary of [HATEBREED's 2002 album] 'Perseverance' and with Wayne [Lozinak, guitar] being back in the band — this will be his second record with us — it's just fun to kind of keep with the old-school influences. I hear more CRO-MAGS and KILLING TIME and SHEER TERROR and OBITUARY and BOLT THROWER and SLAYER and ENTOMBED and those kind of '80s and '90s influences in there. Which is fun for us, because we emulate the bands that we love. We try to make it our own sound and make it our own style, but at the end of the day, we're just fans of those styles of bands."

After the "Perseverance" tour, HATEBREED will join LAMB OF GOD, IN FLAMES and SYLOSIS on the road this fall from October 30 through November 19.

HATEBREED will headline the Persistence Tour 2013 in Europe in January.

Tampa, Florida death metallers RESURRECTION will embark on the "Autumn Anguish" European tour this week. The trek will kick off on October 5 in Prague, Czech Republic nad will wrap on October 20 in Amsterdam.

RESURRECTION's current lineup consists of founding member and guitarist John Astl, drummer Gabriel Lewandowski (EQUINOX, HELLWITCH, ACHERON), vocalist Jon Deloe and bassist Manny Martinez.

The band recently performed a hometown show crowd where they were joined by Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE) and Jack Owen (DEICIDE) for a cover of IRON MAIDEN's "The Trooper". Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

RESURRECTION's 2013 plans include the recording of a new full-length album, followed by European and South American tours.

The group is currently in discussions with a few record labels about a new recording contract.

RESURRECTION released its latest album, "Mistaken For Dead", in North America in October 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD was issued in Europe in July 2008 through Massacre Records.

RockMetal Inc. recently conducted an interview with NONPOINT vocalist Elias Soriano. You can now watch the chat below.

NONPOINT's video for the song "Left For You" will make its online debut on Monday, October 1 on VEVO. The track comes off the band's self-titled album, which will be released on October 9 via Razor & Tie. The CD was produced/mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MEGADETH) and features additional production and mixing from Brian Virtue (30 SECONDS TO MARS, CHEVELLE).

A 30-second preview of the "Left For You" video is available below.

"Nonpoint" features 12 of the most raw and real songs of their 15-year career with unique, uncompromising, and undeniable hard rock on their self-titled ninth studio album and first for Razor & Tie. Weathering lineup changes, label shifts, and other trials and tribulations, founding members Elias Soriano (vocals) and Robb Rivera (drums) regrouped with fresh blood — Dave Lizzio (guitar), Adam Wolosyzn (bass), and Rasheed Thomas (guitar) — and captured pure fire this time around.

"Nonpoint" pre-order bundles are also available now at Nonpoint.com. The bundles include a variety of t-shirts and jersey designs as well as the full album and digital download.

NONPOINT is currently on the road for a headline tour that will run through November. The band recently wrapped a summer run with CALL ME NO ONE.

Soriano explains the new album, "We wanted this record to be a punch in the face. There was a lot of stuff I wanted to artistically vent about. It's a fresh start for us. We felt like having a self-titled record says it all. We hit the reset button, and there's life again. You can hear it musically. We're not going anywhere."

"This album is the beginning of a brand new chapter in the world of NONPOINT... rejuvenated and full of positivity," adds Rivera. "Elias has written his most personal lyrics yet that shows the signs of endurance this band has had in our 15-year career."

The band opened up the floodgates to the new album by unleashing one of its heaviest tracks, "I Said It", as a free download on their web site this summer and the fans responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, welcoming the onslaught. The first official single, "Left For You", is for sale now on iTunes.

"Nonpoint" track listing:

01. Lights, Camera, Action
02. The Way I See Things
03. I Said It
04. Left For You
05. International Crisis
06. Another Mistake
07. That Day
08. Pandora's Box
09. Go Time
10. Independence Day
11. Temper
12. Ashes

Interview:



"Left For You" video preview:

Bassist Paolo Gregoletto of Florida metallers TRIVIUM spoke to a music business/label class this past Friday, September 28 at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He said, "[I] never thought I'd do that." He added after the session, "That was fun! [I] took questions for an hour and half."

Video footage of Gregoletto's appearance at FAU can be seen below.

Speaking to PureGrainAudio's Mitch Lafon at this year's edition of the Heavy MTL festival, TRIVIUM guitarist Corey Beaulieu was asked if the band is planning to return to the studio soon to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "In Waves". "We've got a few things [coming up], like South America and a European headlining tour. That wraps up November 20 — [that] is the last show — but then the rest of the year is gonna be, I guess, recharging; we're taking a break. And as soon as January hits, we're pumping out a new album that will hopefully be out maybe August or September next year; that's kind of the goal."

According to the guitarist, TRIVIUM has been amassing new ideas for the past few months while touring the world in support of the band's latest CD.

"The whole time we're on tour, we're always writing," he said. "So we're always coming up with ideas and we've been demoing, just on a laptop, in the back of the bus — very do-it-yourself-type stuff. But it sounds great. We're really getting the ideas worked out and we're just trying as much done on tour that we can possibly do and get the songs as best as they can be, so once we get off tour, we don't have to sit around for a couple of months trying to figure out what the fuck we're doing. We just wanna get in the studio and get this stuff recorded."

TRIVIUM's latest album, "In Waves", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career.

"Of Fire, And Fucking Pigs", a brand new song from England's ANAAL NATHRAKH, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Vanitas", which will be released on November 6 via Candlelight Records. Produced by Mick Kenney (BLEEDING THROUGH, INGESTED), the CD carries the band's signature and regarded union of black metal and grindcore.

ANAAL NATHRAKH's seventh album, "Vanitas" "sounds like someone showing you what the end of the world is like via the medium of a thousand hammers soaked in acid," says vocalist Dave Hunt. Digging into the record particulars, he notes, "It's more articulate and focused than any album before it in way of composition and recording technique. We worked hard and we're convinced it has paid off."

Since its inception in 1999, ANAAL NATHRAKH has gained a reputation for embodying the audio essence of pure evil. Various collaborations with the likes of Sethlans Teitan (WATAIN), Shane Embury and Danny Herrera (NAPALM DEATH), and others, have placed the band high on media as well metal fans "must-seek-out" list. This alongside countless placements in "Best Album Of The Month/Year" awards, ANAAL NATHRAKH's status as one of the leading lights in extreme metal is undeniable.

ANAAL NATHRAKH will tour Canada for the first time just as "Vanitas" is released. Beginning in Montreal on November 7, the tour will end in Sherbrooke on November 18.

"Vanitas" track listing:

01. The Blood-Dimmed Tide
02. Forging Towards The Sunset
03. To Spite The Face
04. Todos Somos Humanos
05. In Coelo Quies, Tout Finis Ici Bas
06. You Can't Save Me, So Stop Fucking Trying
07. Make Glorious The Embrace Of Saturn
08. Feeding The Beast
09. Of Fire, And Fucking Pigs
10. A Metaphor For The Dead

Artery Recordings/Razor & Tie will release ATTILA's new maxi single, "Party With The Devil", on October 30. The effort features the title track backed with "Soda In The Water Cup".

ATTILA will hit the road as the headliner of the "Party With The Devil" tour from October 26 through November 15. Also appearing on the bill are MAKE ME FAMOUS, ISSUES, ICE NINE KILLS and ADESTRIA. After this run, ATTILA will join the Monster Energy Outbreak tour, which also features headliners ASKING ALEXANDRIA and support bands AS I LAY DYING, SUICIDE SILENCE and MEMPHIS MAY FIRE. The North American trek kicks off in Edmonton, Alberta on November 16 and wraps in Tampa, Florida on December 16.

"Party With The Devil" is the first new music from ATTILA since the band's 2011 full-length album "Outlawed", which debuted at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart.

ATTILA formed in Atlanta, George in 2005 while the bandmembers were still in high school. The group has since toured with the likes of EMMURE, ALESANA, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, ALESANA, A SKYLIT DRIVE and SLEEPING WITH SIRENS.