[Classic_Rock_Forever] Aerosmith, Queen, Metallica, Rob Zombie, Anthrax and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

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Legendary rockers AEROSMITH announced today that their previously announced performance at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia on July 3 will be rescheduled. Singer Steven Tyler is under doctor's orders to refrain from performing to provide vocal rest. The concert will now take place on August 12.

AEROSMITH regrets any inconvenience and looks forward to returning to Jiffy Lube Live.

Tickets purchased for the July 3 show will be honored on the August 12 date.

AEROSMITH has pushed back the release date of its new album, "Music From Another Dimension", to November 6 from its original date of August 28.

All the recording has been completed for the disc, which will be AEROSMITH's first set of all-new material since 2001's "Just Push Play".

The first song to be heard from the album, "Legendary Child", is a reworked version of a track originally written during the sessions for 1993's "Get A Grip".

The track will also be included in the upcoming film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", which was supposed to come out last Friday (June 29) but has now been pushed back to March 2013.

AEROSMITH began work on "Music From Another Dimension" last year, with the band laying down music tracks while Tyler made his debut as a judge on "American Idol".
 
QUEEN's Roger Taylor and Brian May joined forces with "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert last night (Saturday, June 30) to take part in the Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation charity concert at Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kiev. The show was the largest social and cultural event of Euro 2012 and attracted hundreds of thousands of people on the main square of Ukraine and was seen by millions of viewers on TV screens throughout Ukraine and Poland.

In recognition of the importance and the charitable status of this project, the musicians who performed last night waived their fees.

The concert was held under UEFA support one day before the Euro 2012 final in the official Fan zone of the football championship. It was broadcasted live on Ukrainian and Polish Television.

QUEEN + Adam Lambert setlist:

01. Flash (intro)
02. Seven Seas Of Rhye
03. Keep Yourself Alive
04. We Will Rock You (Fast)
05. Fat Bottomed Girls
06. Don't Stop Me Now
07. Under Pressure (Roger/Adam duet)
08. I Want It All
09. Who Wants To Live Forever
10. A Kind Of Magic (Roger)
11. These Are Days Of Our Lives (Roger)
12. Love Of My Life (Brian)
13. 39 (Brian)
14. Dragon Attack
15. Drum Battle / Guitar Solo
16. I Want To Break Free
17. Another One Bites The Dust
18. Radio Ga Ga
19. Somebody To Love
20. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
21. The Show Must Go On
22. Bohemian Rhapsody

Encore:

23. Tie Your Mother Down (Brian)
24. We Will Rock You
25. We Are The Champions
 
Sutro eyewear has announced the launch of the Hetfield, a limited-edition sunglass frame that is the product of a design collaboration with James Hetfield of METALLICA.

The Hetfield is a classic shape with a rock-star edge. This frame is as smooth and as fast as James' Lincoln Zephyr v12. Using Zeiss optics and the Sutro stainless steel 3Click hinge, this frame is designed to take whatever a 24-stop Eastern European tour can throw at it. It will not lose screws, is 10 times stronger than a traditional hinge and gives the frame a structure that stays tight over time. Zeiss polycarbonate lenses block 100 percent of both UVA and UVB sun rays and provide the ultimate in impact resistance with the industry's toughest hard coating for superior scratch resistance. These limited-edition frames are road-worthy and built to last!

"Built to look faster than a speeding riff and to handle the life of a road dog like me," says James.

"James was very particular in what he was looking for and he just wasn't finding it out there, so we sat down and after extensive prototyping we put his vision into this frame," says designer Jeff Sand.

Founded in 2006, Sutro produces durable luxury eyewear in both sunglass and optical frames.

Sutro eyewear is currently available through boutiques and specialty retailers in the U.S., Japan and Germany.

For more information, visit Metallica.com.
 
Nikki Sixx and "Sixx Sense" have teamed up with Best Buy to host "Sixx On The Sixth", a live chat with fans on Friday, July 6 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST. The chat will be hosted on Best Buy's Facebook page. Taking time away from his duties as founder/bassist/songwriter of the world-renowned band MÖTLEY CRÜE and chart-topping band SIXX: A.M. (Sixx, DJ Ashba and James Michael), two-time New York Times best-selling author, clothing designer, philanthropist, photographer and father, will interact directly with fans.

Each night on "Sixx Sense", Nikki Sixx discusses music and lifestyle topics as he gives listeners a backstage look at the world and mind of a rock star. Joined by co-host Kerri Kasem, Sixx provides his unique perspective and attitude as the duo welcomes celebrity guests, recording artists and fascinating characters from all walks of life. All this and more are coupled with the radio station's playlist.

"Sixx Sense" celebrated its two-year anniversary in 2012 and is currently heard on nearly 100 affiliates nationwide, reaching 2.5 million weekly listeners. The show is complemented by "The Side Show Countdown With Nikki Sixx", which is available for air on weekends between 6 a.m. and midnight local time. Each weekend, the radio host and tastemaker introduces his personal new music picks, plays an array of what's happening on the rock charts, and shares his own special brand of talk radio with celebrities and other guests. "The Side Show Countdown" airs on nearly 50 stations worldwide. In addition, the "Sixx Sense With Nikki Sixx" channel is available on Clear Channel Radio's digital platform iheartradio and XM Channel 164.
On August 7, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release Rob Zombie's "Mondo Sex Head", featuring new and unique remixes of Rob Zombie classics by some of today's top DJs, including KORN's Jonathan "JDevil" Davis, Photek, the Bloody Beetroots, Drumcorps and Ki:Theory. "Mondo Sex Head" was curated and executive-produced by Jason Bentley, Music Director at L.A.'s influential KCRW and Electronic Dance Music expert. Richard Bishop, co-executive producer of RE:GENERATION music project and documentary film, supervised the project. Each track was hand-selected by Rob Zombie who road-tested many of the songs in his car, driving the L.A. streets.

Throughout his career, iconic music artist and auteur filmmaker Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of music, film and publishing. Zombie, who has sold over fifteen million albums worldwide and has earned seven Grammy nominations, is no stranger to repurposing his work, cross-fertilizing his fan base and generally pushing the limits of modern-day art. Over the years he has worked with outside DJs, remixers and producers starting with the 1992 remix of WHITE ZOMBIE's first-ever, MTV-fueled hit "Thunder Kiss '65".

"I like the idea of taking songs and reconfiguring them," says Zombie about the album, who is taking an alternative approach in the digital retail space. The album will be preceded by two separate, digital-only EPs, with tracks taken from "Mondo Sex Head" and exclusive bonus tracks.

Rob Zombie's sound and style have always lent themselves to the dance and DJ culture, and he has previously released two remix albums — including 1996's "Supersexy Swingin Sounds", which featured songs from WHITE ZOMBIE's previous albums as re-envisioned by the Dust Brothers, John Fryer, P.M. Dawn, Mike "Hitman" Wilson and Praga Khan, and others. Another collaborator on that album, Charlie Clouser, evolved into the band's producer. "American Made Music To Strip By" came out in 1999, featuring remixes from Zombie's ground-breaking "Hellbilly Deluxe" by RAMMSTEIN, Oliver Adams, DJ Lethal, NINE INCH NAILS' Chris Vrenna and Clouser.

With Electronic Dance Movement (EDM) and rock rapidly banging heads together, Universal Music Enterprises' "Mondo Sex Head" couldn't arrive at a better time, featuring remixes by the likes of KORN's Jonathan "JDevil" Davis ("Thunder Kiss '65"), Photek ("Living Dead Girl"), Document One ("Let It All Bleed Out"), Ki:Theory ("Foxy Foxy" and "Pussy Liquor"), Big Black Delta ("More Human Than Human"), ††† a.k.a. Chino of DEFTONES ("Dragula"), Das Kapital ("Lords Of Salem"), Drumcorps ("Never Gonna Stop"), former GLITCH MOB member Kraddy ("Superbeast") and the BLOODY BEETROOTS ("Burn"), among others. Zombie credits the idea for the album to a conversation with his manager, Andy Gould, who told him he was constantly hearing DJs incorporate samples of Zombie's music into their performance sets.

Rob Zombie's "Mondo Sex Head" finds its creator returning to claim his legacy in the burgeoning EDM world. By bringing together music and film, rock and dance, arena mosh pits and dance club floors, Rob Zombie is proving a cultural phenomenon, with a fan base that is constantly growing.

"Mondo Sex Head" track listing:

01. White Zombie - Thunder Kiss '65 (JDevil Number Of The Beast Remix)
02. Living Dead Girl (Photek Remix)
03. Let It All Bleed Out (Document One Remix)
04. Foxy Foxy (Ki:Theory Remix)
05. White Zombie - More Human Than Human (Big Black Delta Remix)
06. Dragula (††† Remix)
07. Pussy Liquor (Ki:Theory Remix)
08. Lords of Salem (Das Kaptial)
09. Never Gonna Stop (Drumcorps Acid Remix)
10. Superbeast (Kraddy Remix)
11. Devil's Hole Girls (Tobias Enhus Remix ft. The Jane Cornish String Quartet)
12. Burn (The Bloody Beetroots Motherfucker Remix)
13. Mars Needs Women (Griffin Boice Remix)

Check out the "Mondo Sex Head" cover artwork below.
 
 
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Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, the world's largest touring heavy music festival, kicked off its fifth year yesterday (Saturday, June 30) at San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California with a record-breaking attendance of 26,105 — 4,000 more than the previous attendance record set by the tour.

The headlining slot on the main stage at Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is occupied by SLIPKNOT. Next are thrash metal kings SLAYER, followed by the legendary MOTÖRHEAD). The main stage also spotlights a ferocious mix of today's best artists in a rotation, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is produced by Rockstar Taste of Chaos organizer John Reese, Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, Live Nation, and Creative Artists Agency. The team has made the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival a standout on the summer concert circuit by following the proven model of utilizing sponsorship to deliver a lower ticket price and an enhanced concert experience. This year sees them joining forces once again with Rockstar Energy Drink as the title sponsor.
SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner will be filling in for ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante on the the first few weeks of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which kicks off today (Saturday, June 30) in San Bernardino, California. Charlie is recovering from a minor hand injury.

Bittner most recently filled in for Benante at two ANTHRAX shows in Argentina in February.



Benante and ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello (who is Charlie's nephew) missed several shows on ANTHRAX's North American tour in order to spend time with Charlie's mother, who was terminally ill. On February 4, Benante informed fans via his official web site that his mother passed away.

Bittner previously joined ANTHRAX on stage on November 8, 2011 at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, New York to perform the ANTHRAX classic "Madhouse". He also filled in on drums for Benante for two ANTHRAX shows in January 2006 after Charlie was forced to leave the tour early to attend to his wife Sandra, who gave birth to the couple's first child, Mia Charley Benante.
 
SLIPKNOT has released the following statement:

"We're sorry to announce that our brother Jim Root [guitar] will not be performing with us at [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem [Festival] today in San Bernardino due to serious health issues. Jim has been seriously sick for the past two weeks and went to the hospital last week where he was advised that his appendix burst a couple weeks before and that it could have been life-threatening. Jim is at home recovering and is awaiting surgery to have pieces of his appendix removed and hopes to join the tour as soon as he is able. SLIPKNOT will continue to headline the Mayhem festival and all other shows. We refuse to let our fans down and will not miss a single date. We will miss Jim greatly and our thoughts are with him. Jim sends his love to each and every one of our fans."

SLIPKNOT began its return last summer with a European tour, continued it earlier this year with jaunts through Australia and South America, and will now complete it this summer with a headlining slot on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The icing on the cake will be Knotfest, two festival dates put together by the band itself on August 17 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and August 18 in Somerset, Wisconsin.

In addition to the headliners, both days will include sets from DEFTONES, LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN and PRONG.

Also playing at the Iowa show will be THE URGE and DIRTFEDD, while the Wisconsin show will also feature CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOJIRA and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.

Knotfest is being positioned as a "dark carnival experience," and the event will feature circus tents, pillars of fire, amusement park rides, burlesque performers, fire-breathers, stilt walkers, drum circles made of junkyard cars, graffiti walls and even a SLIPKNOT museum.

The festival will mark the end of a two-year grieving period for the band following the May 2010 death of bassist Paul Gray from an overdose of drugs.

SLIPKNOT will tentatively enter the studio sometime in early 2013 to begin recording its fifth album. In the meantime, a greatest hits collection called "Antennas To Hell" arrives on July 24.

SLIPKNOT will also release its first-ever mobile app, Wear The Mask. The app will be made available simultaneously with "Antennas To Hell" and is marketed as part mask builder, part social connector for fans.
 
On Friday, June 29, Robert Herrera sat down with SLIPKNOT mastermind/percussionist M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan during his book signing at Book Soup in Hollywood, California. Clown talked about his photo book, "The Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey"; Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival; and future plans for SLIPKNOT. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked how SLIPKNOT's upcoming two festival dates, Knotfest, will mark "the end of the beginning," Crahan replied, "Well, it's end of the thought process of the fans and us griving the tragedy together — not leaving them alone, not us doing it alone, but helping each other. That's the end. But it is not a new beginning without [late SLIPKNOT bassist] Paul [Gray, who died in May 2010 from an overdose of drugs]; there is only nine. There'll always be nine. I don't need to think about a new bass player, I don't need to think about a new member — I don't have to and I won't. There won't be a new member, there won't be. There's nine. There'll always be nine. There's songs he's written — they'll be on the next record. His bass will always be on stage. He will always be there — for life. So it's not the end of an era on to the next thing. It's just the end of this grieving period together. We decided to do it with our fans, end it in America, end it with Knotfest for a little fun, just like he would have liked it, and then take some personal time for us, write a record, record a record, [prepare] a tour, get out on tour, and do what we do."

Crahan recently embarked on a signing tour for "Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey".

Published by MTV Books, "Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey" is a collection of explorations in darkness and light from Shawn's experimental photography, his second and equally powerful artistic outlet which he has honed for over a decade. Weird, wired, paranoid, endlessly imaginative and cancerously prolific, he's created thousands of dangerous representations of reality through eye-gouging Polaroids in numerous styles in this hand-picked collection.

SLIPKNOT began its return last summer with a European tour, continued it earlier this year with jaunts through Australia and South America, and will now complete it this summer with a headlining slot on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The icing on the cake will be Knotfest, two festival dates put together by the band itself on August 17 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and August 18 in Somerset, Wisconsin.

In addition to the headliners, both days will include sets from DEFTONES, LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN and PRONG.

Also playing at the Iowa show will be THE URGE and DIRTFEDD, while the Wisconsin show will also feature CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOJIRA and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.

Knotfest is being positioned as a "dark carnival experience," and the event will feature circus tents, pillars of fire, amusement park rides, burlesque performers, fire-breathers, stilt walkers, drum circles made of junkyard cars, graffiti walls and even a SLIPKNOT museum.

SLIPKNOT will tentatively enter the studio sometime in early 2013 to begin recording its fifth album. In the meantime, a greatest hits collection called "Antennas To Hell" arrives on July 24.

SLIPKNOT will also release its first-ever mobile app, Wear The Mask. The app will be made available simultaneously with "Antennas To Hell" and is marketed as part mask builder, part social connector for fans.
 
 
Why Fifty-one concertgoers were hurt and nine sustained serious injuries when a single lightning bolt struck a mast at the eastern German festival With Full Force Saturday night.

According to Spiegel Online, the lightning strikes sent some music fans flying through the air — and left behind a wasteland of destroyed tents, panicked guests and a venue flooded with mud and deep puddles. "The first showers, heavy as they were, provided just an inkling of what was to come," the site describes. "Just before 2 a.m., the next black cloud parked over the stage. And the lightning it unloaded resulted in 51 injuries, three of them landing in the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital."

Emergency services spent several hours at the scene treating those who had been sheltering in a cocktail bar near where the lightning struck, The Local reports.

With Full Force annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors in the town of Roitzschjora near Leipzig. This year, bands like SOULFLY, MACHINE HEAD, FLOGGING MOLLY and PENNYWISE performed at the event. are some Americans so strongly opposed to gay marriage? Punk rock icon Henry Rollins is convinced that not so many people are actually opposed. Instead he sees it as a fundraising tool for small fringe groups. He shares his views with Big Think below.

The 51-year-old Rollins, who counts singer/songwriter, radio DJ, actor, author and spoken-word artist among his achievements, released his first travel book, "Occupants", in 2011. A collection of photographs taken on his global trawls, the book captures moments in Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, and is accompanied by a written commentary.

"I put out my point of view in a pretty cogent, sober manner," Rollins told Adelaide Now of his quest to gather life experience for his spoken-word gigs. "I go far and wide into the world and get information from crazy, distant places and bring it back to report to you, the audience member, with as much clarity and hopefully vivid storytelling interest as I possibly can. . . I go very far and wide and make sure the information comes from a lot of sweat and choleric burn so I can justify taking two hours of your life every 18 months. By the time you hear me say something from the stage I have busted my arse coming up with every possible angle of that thought."
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF7vNVmb2fo&feature=player_embedded
 
 
"We're all concerned about him. We're hoping for the best," Mark Blythe, the brother of LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe told WTVR-TV, the CBS television affiliate based in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday (June 29).

Czech police spokeswoman Jana Rosslerova told the Associated Press that that a court is set to rule today (Saturday, June 30) on whether to continue detaining Randy in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago.

Rosslerova said that Blythe was arrested Wednesday, accused of causing bodily harm resulting in death — a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.

Blythe, 41, is reportedly accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck the fan who had come on stage, and that person later died.

According to WTVR-TV, another Czech online news site, Aktualne.cz, has published statements from a witness — a friend of the victim — who said the fan wasn't using drugs or alcohol and fell back directly on his head. The victim lapsed into a coma and died weeks later.

LAMB OF GOD was scheduled to perform on Thursday at the Rock Café in Prague with SKELETONWITCH and ALL SHALL PERISH but that show ended up getting canceled.

LAMB OF GOD's publicist, Adrenaline PR, issued a statement yesterday stressing that "under no circumstances was there a fight of any kind involved [during LAMB OF GOD's 2010 concert]. This incident deals with a fan that three times during the concert jumped the barricade and rushed Randy during the performance. It is alleged that the third time, security was not able to reach him and that Randy pushed him back into the audience where supposedly he fell and hit his head."
 
According to the Czech news site Blesk.cz, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe appeared in court shortly before 10 a.m. today for a hearing in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago.

Blythe, who was arrested Wednesday (June 27) at the Prague airport on manslaughter charges, will reportedly be released on 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000 — an amount which, according to the site, Randy claimed was the equivalent of his annual income). Since most banks are closed this weekend, Blythe will be allowed to pay off his bail on Monday (July 2). The singer, who did not speak at his hearing and was "timid as a lamb," was considered a flight risk by the judge and will reportedly have to remain in the country at least for the next two days. Photos and video footage (see below) of Blythe in court show him wearing an OBITUARY hooded sweatshirt and American flag hat. For safety reasons, he also had his shoelaces removed while he was in the pre-trial detention cell.

LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton — who, along with the rest of the band, is in Prague, tweeted a few hours ago, "Today just turned into a FANTASTIC day!!!"

Blythe, 41, who was represented by two lawyers in court, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain.

According to WTVR-TV, another Czech online news site, Aktualne.cz, has published statements from a witness — a friend of the victim — who said the fan wasn't using drugs or alcohol and fell back directly on his head. The victim lapsed into a coma and died two weeks later.

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.

LAMB OF GOD was scheduled to perform on Thursday at the Rock Café in Prague with SKELETONWITCH and ALL SHALL PERISH but that show ended up getting canceled.

LAMB OF GOD's publicist, Adrenaline PR, issued a statement yesterday stressing that "under no circumstances was there a fight of any kind involved [during LAMB OF GOD's 2010 concert]. This incident deals with a fan that three times during the concert jumped the barricade and rushed Randy during the performance. It is alleged that the third time, security was not able to reach him and that Randy pushed him back into the audience where supposedly he fell and hit his head."
 
When asked by a person on Twitter how he felt about LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe "slaughtering" a fan during a Prague concert two years ago, leading to Randy's arrest past Wednesday when he tried to re-enter the country, DISTURBED frontman David Draiman replied, "[Randy] didnt 'slaughter' anyone. The kid jumped on stage and started a brawl, and Randy defended himself. That his life was lost in the process is truly unfortunate, but Randy is my friend and he's no murderer. I feel for the child and for the family and for Randy, but you have to understand that ever since Dimebag Darrell [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist] was assaulted, shot, and murdered on stage by a 'fan,' all of us have been very defensive/cautious of anyone jumping up on stage. I'm not saying that it's OK, or justified, or anything like that, only that it's an unfortunate/tragic set of circumstances, and that I know Randy's intention was not to kill the kid. That's my opinion. I've heard yours. That is all."

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain.

According to WTVR-TV, another Czech online news site, Aktualne.cz, has published statements from a witness — a friend of the victim — who said the fan wasn't using drugs or alcohol and fell back directly on his head. The victim lapsed into a coma and died two weeks later.

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.
 
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain. A post-mortem reportedly found that he had not been drunk or under the influence of drugs.

In a series of tweets, Ian wrote, "[It's] complete and utter bullshit for [Randy] to be treated like a criminal for something he didn't do. Now fans can see first-hand why there's no stagediving anymore. Especially in the post-Darrell world we live in. [Referring to late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott, who was killed on stage by a crazed 'fan' in December 2004.] It's all fun and games until people get murdered, die and get arrested." He added, "Randy didn't cause that fan's death. That fan chose his path. People need to take responsibility for their actions no matter what the consequence. Of course it's sad that this person died, it's a tragedy, but it's not Randy's fault. I wouldn't have expected this to happen in Europe. The repercussions from this are going to make shows even more stringent than they already are."

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.
 
Four-fifths of LAMB OF GOD — everyone except singer Randy Blythe — returned home to Virginia last night, less than four days after Blythe was taken into custody in Prague, Czech Republic in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago.

LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton wrote on Twitter, "Finally HOME! 4/5 of us anyway. I can't wait to give Randy a big bear hug and kiss his pointy, stubbly face! Thanx for all the support y'all! Flooded with questions about Randy. I truly understand and appreciate [your] concern. But it would be irresponsible for me to comment on any of it. Again….thank y'all SOOOO much for your love and support during these difficult times. It means the world to us."

Blythe, who was arrested Wednesday (June 27) at the Prague airport on manslaughter charges, will reportedly be released on 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000 — an amount which Randy claimed was the equivalent of his annual income). Since most banks are closed this weekend, Blythe will be allowed to pay off his bail on Monday (July 2).

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently pushed a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain. A post-mortem reportedly found that he had not been drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.
 
**Update**: According to Novinky.cz, Randy Blythe's bail money has not yet arrived at the court account. LAMB OF GOD's management is attempting to transfer the funds as soon as possible. Once the bail has been met, the prosecutor will have to approve Blythe's release before he can leave the prison. Otherwise, the court will determine the conditions of the singer's release.

The original article follows below.

According to Blesk.cz, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe will remain in the Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic for at least the next days in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago.

Although it was reported on Saturday that Blythe would be released today after posting 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000 — an amount which Randy claimed was the equivalent of his annual income), it now appears that the singer won't be able to get his freedom until next week.

Judge Petr Fassati of Prague 8 district court stated: "There may well be certain conditions placed upon [Blythe's] release, such as staying in the Czech Republic, or the availability of a specific address. If the conditions are violated, it could lead to an international arrest warrant being issued."

Blythe, 41, who was arrested on June 27 at the Prague airport on manslaughter charges, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain. A post-mortem reportedly found that he had not been drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.

LAMB OF GOD was scheduled to perform on June 28 at the Rock Café in Prague with SKELETONWITCH and ALL SHALL PERISH but that show ended up getting canceled.

LAMB OF GOD's publicist, Adrenaline PR, issued a statement on Friday stressing that "under no circumstances was there a fight of any kind involved [during LAMB OF GOD's 2010 concert]. This incident deals with a fan that three times during the concert jumped the barricade and rushed Randy during the performance. It is alleged that the third time, security was not able to reach him and that Randy pushed him back into the audience where supposedly he fell and hit his head."
 
SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo, WHITECHAPEL guitarist Ben Savage and THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA vocalist Mike Hranica are among the musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain. A post-mortem reportedly found that he had not been drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Speaking to Loudwire, Lombardo said, "I can only make a presumption of what happened, but a kid jumps onstage, he accidentally pushes him off in the wrong way, hits his head, dies on the way to the hospital. Now if that's what happened, I don't know. But you've got to be gentle with these kids. You can't just push them offstage. We're talking five feet, sometimes six feet off the ground. That's a hard fall and if he's going up against a guardrail or something, you never know what he hit on his way down, I just don't know what to say, but I see it happening."

Ben Savage (WHITECHAPEL) (via Loudwire): "That's terrible. I don't know. Some people are crazy and they'll come up and grab you or something and that's not cool … I mean Europe, I love being there, but as an American it's just a different world and you're not as comfortable at times. I feel bad for him because that would be horrible to be in a jail in a foreign country where they may not speak your language or understand your values and where you're coming from. I just want to send positive vibes out to him because I would hate to be in that situation."

Mike Hranica (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) (via Loudwire): "As soon as I read [the report], I was like, 'This is getting blown out of proportion.' The things I have heard about Randy is that he's a down-to-earth metal dude … I just feel it's getting blown out of proportion."

Slow-motion video footage of what may or may not be the stage incident which allegedly resulted in the death of a fan at the LAMB OF GOD concert in the Czech Republic more than two years ago can be seen below. The clip was originally aired on Saturday (June 30) as part of a TV report from Czech Republic's TV Nova.

**IMPORTANT**: It should be noted that the TV Nova report did not claim that this was, in fact, footage of actual stage jump that that led to the person's death. The performance clip from LAMB OF GOD's 2010 concert in Prague was only included in the report to illustrate the behavior of vocalist Randy Blythe and the fans during the show.

According to Czech media reports, Blythe will be released today (Monday, July 2) on 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000 — an amount which Randy claimed was the equivalent of his annual income).

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.
 
THE UNGUIDED — the new Swedish band featuring former SONIC SYNDICATE members Richard Sjunnesson (vocals), Roland Johansson (vocals) and Roger Sjunnesson guitar; (Richard's brother) — has issued the following update:

"We are happy to announce that our friend Richard Schill (KING LEAF EXPERIENCE, MY COLLAPSE, ex-SHINING) from Halmstad will fill in on drums for THE UNGUIDED on our upcoming summer shows. Richard is not only a really talented drummer but also an old friend to the band. We did numerous shows together in the past with our previews bands, and it feels really cool to have him onboard!"

THE UNGUIDED's "Phoenix Down" video can be seen below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

"Phoenix Down" comes off THE UNGUIDED's debut album, "Hell Frost", which was released last November via Despotz Records.
 
Finnish metal marauders FINNTROLL will enter Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki at the end of November to record their sixth full length album. The as-yet-untitled CD will be released in early 2013 through Century Media.

Commented FINNTROLL guitarist Mikael "Routa" Karlbom: "So far we have pretty much half of the material ready for the upcoming album, so there's still a lot of work to do before we enter studio. We are very excited about new material and we believe fans will be too when they get their hands on this new stuff. And on this point we're still talking only about the demo versions of the songs. Can't wait to get to studio and hear how the songs takes their first breaths and actually come alive."

FINNTROLL last September released a special tour edition of their latest album, "Nifelvind". The digipak tour edition came with new artwork by the band's guitarist, Skrymer, and an extra CD including three brand-new cover versions: "Insects" (OINGO BOINGO), "Can You Forgive Her?" (PET SHOP BOYS) and "The God That Failed" (METALLICA). The cover versions were recorded and mixed at Sonic Pump Studios between June 27, 2011 and July 4, 2011 by FINNTROLL and Nino Laurenne.

"Nifelvind" was released in North America on March 9, 2010 via Century Media Records.
 
Swedish hard rockers OUTSHINE have announced the departure of singer Erlend Jegstad.

Commented the band: "For quite some time, there has been internal issues regarding the ambition, time, economy and overall direction of what OUTSHINE should aim for in the future. This has now come to a point where we can't collaborate any more.

"We've been playing together for seven years and have had some really great moments. The albums and tours has been amazing to do but now this all has come to an end. In order for OUTSHINE to rather go forward than backwards this breakup is needed. We wish E.J. the best and hope everything goes well for him."

The band, which will continue as a three-piece, is now in discussions with labels Rambo/Gain and Swedish (Dead Tree Music), Dutch (Metal Revelation / Marjo Verdooren) and American management (Indie 500 / Cameron Kellenberger) on how the band will continue with the release of the new album, "Addiction".

Added the band: "We are focusing on putting together a plan on how we should continue with everything. It's sad that we've ended up like this but we love playing music, we love playing in OUTSHINE and we want to continue to evolve. We really hope to see you all out there on the road again!"

"Addiction" was released on June 6 via Rambo Music, a division of Gain Music Entertainment (which is distributed and partly owned by Sony Music). The CD was recorded last fall at Grand Recordings studio in Gothenburg, Sweden with producers Svein Jensen (M.A.N, SISTER SIN, HIDE THE KNIVES, TROUBLEMAKERS, DEVILICIOUS) and Jimmy Norberg (OUTSHINE guitarist) and was mastered by Göran Finnberg (MESHUGGAH, OPETH, THE HAUNTED, IN FLAMES).
 
According to WashingtonExaminer.com, rock supergroup CAMP FREDDY will kick off both the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay, Florida and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"CAMP FREDDY is bipartisan so we talked to the guys and said, 'Hey, will you guys play both sides of this?' They were like, 'We'd love to,' " explained Jamestown Entertainment's president, Freddie Wyatt, whose D.C.-based company is planning a pop-up nightclub in Tampa and various events at the NC Music Factory in Charlotte, including the CAMP FREDDY shows.

When asked what musical guests the band will jam with, Wyatt said, "We don't know who they'll bring. There's a couple of people that we requested, that we've put into the mix, but they don't really tell us until we get to soundcheck, which is actually kind of fun."

CAMP FREDDY is the Los Angeles-based "jam" group featuring Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), Billy Morrison (ex-THE CULT bassist, current CIRCUS DIABLO vocalist), Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), Donovan Leitch (son of legendary folk singer Donovan), and Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION, ALANIS MORRISETTE).

In an interview with Gibson.com, Navarro was asked if there will ever be a CAMP FREDDY album. "We talked about it for many, many years, but the logistics of something like that really doesn't translate to what we're about," he replied. "We're a live band and we're about the fun on stage and whoever's gonna get up with us — we don't know from night to night. And when you go into a studio to record songs that have already been recorded, it's difficult to recreate that kind of energy and spontaneity, so it's unlikely at this juncture."

Since its formation nine years ago when they rocked the opening of The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles at the invitation of Brent Bolthouse, CAMP FREDDY has performed on both coasts of America and on national television shows ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn", "Last Call with Carson Daly").
 
According to EW.com, DEFTONES has set a tentative October 9 release date for its seventh album.

Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2010's "Diamond Eyes", DEFTONES vocalist Chino Moreno said, "Obviously we're an aggressive band — not the heaviest, but there's a lot of attack. But there's also this lush beauty that flows within everything that we do, and that's my favorite part of the band. To me, it's the epitome of what the DEFTONES do."

The CD was once again helmed by Nick Raskulinecz, who produced "Diamond Eyes" and has also worked with FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH, EVANESCENCE and ALICE IN CHAINS. "He's a very hands-on guy," Moreno told EW.com. "We adopted a work ethic that was really productive on the last record. We said we were going to work eight hours a day, and since we had those hours, everybody in there was super focused. Before that we had been working up in Sacramento, and the vibe was everybody would come in and hang out and we would work when we got around to it. We had to get more efficient."

As in the past, DEFTONES will record a handful of covers, some of which will undoubtedly make it various special editions of the new album. "We've done a lot of '80s stuff, but we wanted to do something from farther back," Moreno explained. "We sat down and everybody had their computers on and were playing songs that we like. So we're going to do an Elvis Presley song — we have five Elvis songs that we've been talking about. And we're going to do EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE. Hopefully we'll get at least two, maybe three or four."

He added, "It's always fun. We're done with the real creative part of having to come up with music out of thin air, and now we can be experimental with someone else's song."
 
Sacramento's DEFTONES has tentatively set October 9 as the release date for its seventh album, which will follow up 2010's "Diamond Eyes". That disc was the group's most successful and acclaimed outing in years, and lead singer Chino Moreno told Billboard.com why the band got back to work faster than usual. "It was important that we wanted to not drag it out," he says. "We have a well-documented history of taking forever to make records. But with our last record, we did it in a really short, good amount of time, probably four or five months from the time we started writing until we finished it. For us, that was record time, so this time the idea was, 'Let's go in and start a record on this date and let's try to be finished by summertime and keep this work ethic we kind of stumbled upon on the last one,' and we did."

DEFTONES worked again with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who produced "Diamond Eyes" and has also worked on albums by RUSH and FOO FIGHTERS.

The new disc is currently being mixed and the band has yet to decide on a title. Asked how it sounds, Moreno told Billboard.com, "It's not a super fast or slow record. It's very dynamic. Some of my favorite things about DEFTONES are the dynamics. Yes, we're a heavy band, but we're not just in-your-face aggro the whole time, punching you in the face. There's a lot of aggression in some of the music, but there's also this very soothing element where there's a lot of soundscapes rather than attack, attack, attack the whole time. I understand that's a big part of our sound, but I really feel like we reached a peak on our dynamics on this record with those two qualities — the beauty of something and just straight, ruthless aggression."

The group also intends to continue their tradition of recording several cover tunes that could end up as B-sides, with Moreno revealing that they've been toying with songs from ELVIS PRESLEY and EARTH, WIND & FIRE, among others.

DEFTONES will promote the new CD's upcoming release with a string of tour dates with SYSTEM OF A DOWN, beginning on August 2 in Camden, New Jersey.

"Diamond Eyes" debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard album chart when it came out, making it the band's highest charting effort since 2003's "Deftones".

"Diamond Eyes" featured two Top 20 rock hits in the title track and "You've Seen The Butcher".

The album was written and recorded after the late 2008 auto accident that left bassist Chi Cheng in a semi-comatose state. An album completed before Cheng's accident, titled "Eros", remains unreleased.

Cheng remains in a semi-comatose state although he has been showing gradual signs of consciousness and recovery for the past year. His replacement on "Diamond Eyes", Sergio Vega, also plays on the new DEFTONES disc.
 
In the largest-ever protest against Walmart, thousands of Southland residents marched through L.A.'s Chinatown to call for an end to the "Walmartization" of L.A.

Chinatown residents, community organizations, faith and labor leaders, musicians Tom Morello and Ben Harper, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, U.S. congresswoman Judy Chu, L.A. labor leader Maria Elena Durazo and union workers stood with Walmart associates and warehouse workers to call on the retailer to change the way it treats workers and communities.

"Our demands are clear. Walmart must provide a living wage, quality health care, demonstrate respect for local communities, and uphold workers' rights here and around the world," said Joe Hansen, president of the United Food And Commercial Workers international union.

Marchers passed through the streets of Chinatown as they made their way from Los Angeles State Historic Park (the Cornfield) to the intersection of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Blvd. — the proposed site of a controversial new Walmart store. Speakers called on Walmart to stop its cycle of impoverishing communities and on city officials to reject Walmart's proposal for a store in Chinatown.

"We don't want Walmart to destroy Chinatown and unique neighborhoods across L.A. and the United States just to make a few executives in the Walton family richer," said Tom Morello, guitarist with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Morello, performing under his folk rock moniker THE NIGHTWATCHMAN, sang his popular "Union Song" and what he called the "uncensored version" of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land".

Fellow Grammy winner and singer-songwriter Ben Harper showed up between touring gigs to play "We Can't End this Way". Harper, a downtown Los Angeles resident, spoke powerfully about how Walmart would negatively affect his community.

In the run-up to the massive rally, local and national momentum continued to build as thousands united to call on Walmart to improve its treatment of workers and communities. Grammy winner Steve Earle released a song urging Angelenos to come to today's rally and all three major Los Angeles mayoral candidates — City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Councilmember Eric Garcetti and City Councilmember Jan Perry — pledged their support for the rally and promised not to take money from Walmart.

"For far too long corporations like Walmart have been getting special treatment, while middle-class families have been struggling in this tough economy and bearing the brunt of the tax burden. Let's send a message that our city needs responsible development that builds our middle class and encourages the growth of a thriving small business sector," said Greuel.

New energy has been building for months as Walmart associates, warehouse workers and community supporters have denounced the retailer's alleged Mexican bribery scandal and cover-up, labor violations at warehouses that move Walmart goods in Southern California and the company's aggressive efforts to open a Chinatown store against the wishes of local residents.

Controversy continues to swirl in Los Angeles around the proposed Chinatown Walmart and questions are growing about how the company may have manipulated the building approval process. Permits were approved with little oversight and public input in the dead of night — before the L.A. City Council could vote on an ordinance that would have potentially impacted the chain's ability to build a store in Chinatown.

Chinatown residents decried Walmart's attempts to locate a store there. "We don't want to see a Walmart in our historic community," said King Cheung, a Chinatown resident and member of the Chinatown Community For Equitable Development. "When Walmart comes to town, mom-and-pops are forced to close, people lose their jobs and livelihoods, and the jobs Walmart creates keep people in poverty and force them to rely on public assistance for basic needs like health care. Chinatown is not the first community to fight to keep Walmart out — and unless the company changes, we won't be the last."

"Walmart's chief product is poverty. Walmart gets rich by keeping its employees poor; however, Walmart workers are organizing for decent wages and affordable benefits. They have the right to dignity and respect and Walmart can afford to do better. Until Walmart stops selling poverty, we don't want it in Los Angeles," said Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the L.A. County Federation of Labor. This march marked the largest mobilization of rank-and-file union members in support of Walmart associates and warehouse workers, who are organizing to improve conditions.

The demonstrators announced specific demands, which they said Walmart must meet in order to restore trust among workers, communities and customers. "I work hard at Walmart's Crenshaw store, but even with a promotion, I still have to rely on public health care for my kids," said Girshriela Green, a Walmart associate and member of OUR Walmart, a growing organization of Walmart associates nationwide. "Working hard should mean getting ahead — but it doesn't at Walmart. If we don't put an end to the Walmart model of making a few people rich and keeping the rest of us struggling, we are going to live in a country with no middle class at all. For my kids and for my community, I'm speaking out for change at Walmart."

Walmart has had a recent string of setbacks in its efforts to build new stores in urban areas as communities push back against the company. Walmart recently abandoned plans to develop two stores in the Boston metro area after local residents voiced strong opposition to the planned stores. The company's New York efforts have been stalled as the New York City Comptroller filed a lawsuit in connection with the recent bribery scandal.
 
German/Norwegian melodic metallers MASTERPLAN have tapped Czech musician Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (CRADLE OF FILTH) to lay down the drum tracks for the band's new album.

Commented MASTERPLAN guitarist/mastermind Roland Grapow (formerly of HELLOWEEN): "We are very happy that we found Martin. He is a very talented and powerful drummer and besides that he is an amazing gifted songwriter."

Added Martin: "I feel honored that the band has chosen me to record drums on the new MASTERPLAN album! I have always been a huge fan of MASTERPLAN's music and I am indeed looking forward to record the new MASTERPLAN album! This is going to be a blast, no doubt about it!"

Back in March, Grapow revealed that he had 15 songs written for MASTERPLAN's next album. He added, "We are looking for a more powerful album this time... still with great melodies and feelings, but also with more orchestration and faster stuff again… just more metal."

In an August 2011 interview with the Czech web portal Kultura21.cz, Grapow stated about the status of the songwriting sessions for the next MASTERPLAN album, "This time we tried not to make demo productions, which have a poor sound — so we wanted to make really nice pre-production [recordings] which sound very close to the album sound, which is very easy [to do] in my studio now. I think we have many, many new ideas which, I guess, are a little bit more modern and more aggressive as well. So we try not to follow any trends of MASTERPLAN — I'm not saying we're reproducing the first album or the third one or the fifth one. I think we always have to try to make some surprises for the people. The 'Time To Be King' album is great, but this new album sounds a bit different again. I always want to do this, because I'm not that kind of guy who wants to make every year the same album."

On the topic of MASTERPLAN's numerous lineup changes, Grapow said, "I think it's always difficult in this band, I guess. If you see, the first album just came out after a big turbulence — leaving HELLOWEEN, Uli [Kusch, drums] and me. I think this band always needs some very bad moments to some great songs. [Laughs] And it looks like MASTERPLAN, basically, is my main band, and whoever will sing and whoever will play in the band, I'm happy with, or if Jorn [Lande, vocals] will stay as long as possible. But, basically, at the moment, I'm thinking the main songwriters are Axel [Mackenrott, keyboards] now and me. Also Jan [S. Eckert], the bass player, who was very involved in different in projects and has a great job now, just called me one week ago. He's happy to continue with MASTERPLAN and he's looking forward to the next album and the next tour. So whatever happens, this band will continue. It's very important for me to show that we still have the power and the ability to write beautiful melodies and some aggression and rock and metal songs. Whatever we do, we want just to make good-quality stuff."

MASTERPLAN's last CD, "Time To Be King", was released on May 21, 2010 through AFM Records. The CD's first single, "Far From The End Of The World", was issued on April 16, 2010.
 
During a recent conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO) revealed that he has parted ways with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.

"Due to my scheduling with other projects that I'm doing, it became a little bit hard for me to keep a really solid working schedule with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, so we amicably, we just basically parted ways," Sarzo said. "So they can actually find somebody who can devote more time to the band and I can actually pursue other bands that I'm doing."

Sarzo's other projects include the Japanese anime-inspired project ANIMETAL USA and TRED, the new band featuring former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson, TWISTED SISTER drummer AJ Pero and ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando. His time is further occupied by shows with the official Ronnie James Dio tribute band DIO DISCIPLES and his ongoing duties with the Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp.

A collector's edition of Rudy's book, "Off the Rails: Aboard the Crazy Train in the Blizzard of Ozz", was released in August 2008 via TooSmart! Publishing. According to Sarzo, "The new edition is beautiful and includes many more pictures throughout the book as well as a 16-page glossy spread of Ross Halfin photos from the beginning of our tour."

"Off the Rails" includes a first-person account from Rudy's personal day-by-day diary of events while touring with Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads in the early Eighties. The book was originally due in 2005 but was delayed after Sharon Osbourne allegedly applied pressure to have it pulled.
 
Swedish guitar sensation Stefan Lindholm will perform live with drummer John Macaluso (TNT, ARK, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, HOLYHELL), Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR), Mats Levén (THERION, CANDLEMASS, TREAT, KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and friends on July 4 at Pub Anchor in Stockholm, Sweden. They will play "Far Beyond The Sun" by YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, "Red House", "Spanish Castle Magic" and jam as well.

Lindholm's bands VINDICTIV and RAVEN LORD are currently in the studio recording new albums.

Linholm has played for PHENOMENA, SOULSPELL, FIRECRACKER and worked with Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Oliver Hartmann (AT VANCE, AVANTASIA) and Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RING OF FIRE).
 
Slovenian thrash metallers SARCASM have inked a deal with the Serbian label Grom Records for the worldwide Internet distribution of their music. The band is recording new material right now and plans to release a new single, "Z Mano Je Slabo" ("I Don't Feel So Good") very shortly. The single will be distributed online in co-operation with Grom Records, while physical CDs will be made available through SARCASM's web site, www.sarcasm-band.com.

SARCASM's "Crematory" album was first published in 1989, reissued in 2002, 2007 and 2010, is almost sold out, and will soon be reissued again. "Igra Narave" ("Twisted Way Of Nature"), was issued in 2002, was sold out, and is at the moment available only on the Internet. "Something To Believe In", released in 2010, is still available.

SARCASM will celebrate its 25th anniversary the best way it can: on stage, thrashing with their fans on Metal Mania Open Air festival, set to take place July 19-21 in Komen, Slovenia.
 
HADES singer Alan Tecchio will be joined by members of OVERKILL and SEVEN WITCHES for an appearance at this edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, set to take place July 26-28 in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. Their set is being billed as "A Night Of Hades Music With Alan Tecchio & Friends" and they will exclusively play music from the first two HADES records.

In order to "warm up" for the Headbangers Open Air concert, "Tecchio & Friends" will play a one-off U.S. show on Tuesday, July 24 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey.

Regarding how he chose the musicians to join him at the Headbangers Open Air concert, Tecchio previously said, "[When HADES guitarist] Dan Lorenzo decided not to play the show, no one else in the band wanted to do it without him since he is the band's founder. I felt the same way initially. However, since the promoters had already been advertising us for over eight months, I felt an obligation to deliver on our promise to play. We finally came to an agreement that our set will be billed as 'A Night Of Hades Music With Alan Tecchio & Friends' and we will exclusively play music from the first two HADES records.

"In all fairness, bassist Kevin Bolembach, who has been in HADES now for the past few years, will be on bass and Ron Lipnicki from OVERKILL (who was also on one HADES CD — 'DamNation') will be on drums, so there is at least some related HADES history there for two of the players and myself.

"Personally, I hate it when I see a band and there is only one original member left so I came as close to getting former members as I could.

"On guitar, Jack Frost [SEVEN WITCHES, ex-SAVATAGE] immediately offered to help since I am in the early stages of writing a new SEVEN WITCHES CD with him anyway. He suggested his friend and bandmate in a local cover band, Sean Tarr, as the second guitarist. I checked out Sean at a gig and he really blew me away. So that took care of the axemen."

Lorenzo issued a statement in May saying that he was pulling out of the Headbangers Open Air gig because it would have required of him "to work at least an hour or two a day for months to play the songs adequately." He added, "Playing 25-year-old songs just isn't where my head and heart is this year."
 
 
Los Angeles metallers WINDS OF PLAGUE will enter the studio on Tuesday, July 3 with producer Will Putney (SHADOWS FALL, SUICIDE SILENCE) to begin recording their fourth album for a late 2012 release via Century Media Records.

WINDS OF PLAGUE's third full-length CD, "Against The World", sold 8,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on April 19, 2011 via Century Media Records, the effort featured guest appearances from members of HATEBREED, TERROR, FOR TODAY, STRAY FROM THE PATH and former world heavyweight wrestling champion and sports entertainment legend Ultimate Warrior (who performs an epic spoken-word track entitled "The Warrior Code"). It was described in a press release as "the heaviest-hitting record of the band's already heralded career."
 
Bassist Tomas Celechovsky of the Czech Republic-based classical symphonic metal band SYMPHONITY (formerly NEMESIS) lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on June 27.

Celechovsky joined SYMPHONITY in 2004, one year after the release of the band's debut album, "Goddess Of Revenge", which was made available under the band name NEMESIS via Underground Symphony Records.

SYMPHONITY's second album, "Voice From The Silence", was released in 2008 through Limb Music Products.

The band's current lineup includes German vocalist Olaf Hayer, who previously sang on albums from Luca Turilli (RHAPSODY) and DIONYSUS.
 
Due to "family commitments," drummer Neil Cooper of Irish rockers THERAPY? will sit out the band's festival shows in July and early August. Alan Lynn from LA FARO will fill in for the July shows and Adam Sinclair (engineer, mixer, producer of the THERAPY? albums "Crooked Timber" and "A Brief Crack Of Light") will sit behind the kit for the August dates . THERAPY? says, "Anyone familiar with their work will know the THERAPY? drum throne is in good hands until Neil returns mid-August."

Affected dates:

Jul. 13 - Castle Clam - Klam, Austria
Jul. 14 - Forest Glade Festival - Wiesen, Austria
Jul. 15 - Bokpop Festival - Valkenburg, Holland
Jul. 21 - Glasgowbury Festival - Eagles Rock, Draperstown, Northern Ireland, UK
Aug. 02 - Casablanca Festival - Hemiksem, Belgium
Aug. 03 - Nirwana Tuinfeest Festival - Lierop, Holland
Aug. 04 - Lott Festival - Raversbeuren, Germany

"Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing", the latest video from THERAPY?, can be seen below. The clip was filmed with British video directors Sitcom Soldiers. The song comes off THERAPY?'s 13th album, "A Brief Crack Of Light", which was released on February 6 via Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Blast Studios in Newcastle and was produced by the band and Adam Sinclair. The artwork was created by acclaimed artist Nigel Rolfe, who previously worked on THERAPY?'s "Troublegum" and "Suicide Pact - You First" albums. The "Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing" single will precede the full-length effort on January 23.
 
California metallers BONDED BY BLOOD will celebrate the release of their brand new studio album next week with a free show in Fullerton, California.

"The Aftermath" is due to be released on July 2 in Europe and July 3 in North America, and BONDED BY BLOOD are inviting fans to join in the celebrations with a completely free show on Monday, July 2 at the Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen. Joining BONDED BY BLOOD are EXMORTUS, ENROT and MONOLITH.

"The Aftermath" was tracked at at Darth Mader Music in Los Angeles with producer and former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (DEVILDRIVER, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH). The cover art was created by Vitaly S. Alexius (EVILE, INSIDIOUS DISCREPANCY, ETERNAL REIGN).
 
Vocalist Jimmie Strimell has announced his departure from the Swedish metal band DEATHDESTRUCTION.

Commented the remaining members of the group: "After several discussions about what we think is best for this band, and where we need to be going, the four of us decided that Jimmie should focus on his commitments with [his other band] DEAD BY APRIL, and leave DEATHDESTRUCTION. There are no hard feelings from any of us — there's nothing but love!

"After DEAD BY APRIL's appearance on the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest, the band got a second breakthrough in Sweden, which, of course, affects DEATHDESTRUCTION's touring possibilities.

"Jimmie doesn't want to be the guy holding back the band's opportunities to tour, do live shows etc, due to gigs with his other band. So, even though this wasn't what we'd planned, all four of us feel that this is the best solution.

"We sincerely wish the best to Jimmie and DEAD BY APRIL.

"So, for the time being, we have no singer. We've just started writing new material for our second album that will be released on Sony Music. We are totally stoked about it and can't wait to hit the studio again together with our producer Roberto Laghi!

"So if any one of you out there think you're the man for this job, give us a shout at deathdestructiongbg@gmail.com."

DEATHDESTRUCTION last year inked a deal with the Swedish branch of Sony Music Entertainment. The band's three-song EP, "Fuck Yeah", was released in April 2011 and was followed by the group's self-titled debut album in August. The CD was recorded at IN FLAMES' IF Studios with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE).

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

[to be announced] - Vocals
Henrik Danhage (ex-EVERGREY) - Guitar
Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Jonas Ekdahl (ex-EVERGREY) - Drums
 
Decibel magazine's inaugural "Women In Metal" issue featuring Laura Pleasants (KYLESA), Mlny Parsonz (ROYAL THUNDER) and Marisa Martinez (CRETIN) is on newsstands now.

The August issue features a photo session with the three innovative female musicians as well as interviews with JUCIFER, Doro Pesch, LANDMINE MARATHON and an assortment of women in the music industry.

KYLESA, who have been on the road consistently since the fall 2010 release of "Spiral Shadow", recently reissued "To Walk a Middle Course" and "Time Will Fuse Its Worth" on colored vinyl limited quantities via Alternative Tentacles. The band returns to the road on July 27 with a performance at the Greenville Festival in Germany with a number of additional festival dates during the European run, including performances at Wacken Open Air and Area 4 festivals.

ROYAL THUNDER recently released their debut album, "CVI", to rave reviews, including Pitchfork who described Parsonz as "equal parts riot grrl and gospel diva." The Atlanta-based quartet is currently on tour with VALIENT THORR through July 19. ROYAL THUNDER performs back-to-back hometown shows on July 22 and 23 at The Masquerade.

CRETIN is currently writing their highly anticipated sophomore album and long-awaited follow-up to 2006's "Freakery". Transgender grinder Martinez has also served as the legendary band REPULSION's live guitarist for the past few years.
 
 
According to The Pulse Of Radio, STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis has pushed back the release date for his first full-length solo album, "The Road", to September 11. The disc was originally supposed to arrive last Tuesday (June 26). No explanation has been given for the delay. "The Road" follows up Lewis' 2011 debut solo EP, "Town Line", which entered the Billboard Country Albums chart at No. 1 and featured the hit single "Country Boy". The new album, produced by Nashville hitmaker James Stroud, is likely to follow in the same musical vein as the EP.

The first official single and video from "The Road", titled "Endless Summer", has been out since late April.

Lewis wrote nine of the 10 songs on the CD, with the exception of "Grandaddy's Gun". That was composed by Nashville songwriters Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Bobby Pinson, marking the first time Lewis has ever recorded another artist's music for an album.

Lewis is also embarking on a string of summer solo dates that began over the weekend in Texas and will take him into mid-August, when he'll reconvene with STAIND for the Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival tour, alongside GODSMACK, SHINEDOWN, PAPA ROACH, ADELITAS WAY, REDLIGHT KING and others.

"The Road" track listing:

01. 75
02. The Road
03. Endless Summer
04. Red, White & Blue
05. Lessons Learned
06. Forever
07. Grandaddy's Gun
08. State Lines
09. Anywhere But Here
 
Swedish death metallers DEMONICAL have issued the following update:

"As a lot of people have asked us during the past months what's up with the DEMONICAL lineup, we feel that it is time to sort things out.

"Since February Pablo Magallanes [guitar] is no longer a member of DEMONICAL. Only about two months after he officially joined the band we had to part ways due to him moving back to South America and as a result of this, some of the shows during the spring were done as four-piece.

"The timing of Pablo's departure was not the best as Johan [Jansson, guitar] had already last autumn notified us that because of personal reasons he needs to take some time off from all touring activities during this summer. However, Johan will be back again after the summer and everything will be back to normal.

"We have not yet decided and feel no rush in deciding what to do with the vacant guitarist slot. We will continue as a five-piece live — that's for sure — but in which form (full-time or session member) is yet to be decided.

"As of now, we have Daniel Gustavsson and Antti Kurvinen with us to fill in on guitars and so far everything has worked out incredible well.

"The shows we have done this spring have been awesome - actually some of the best shows we have ever done — and we are all very much looking forward to the exciting festivals and club battles that we have ahead of us."

DEMONICAL's third album, "Death Infernal", was released in April 2011 via Germany's Cyclone Empire Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden under the watchful eye of DEMONICAL frontman Sverker Widgren. Other individuals taking part in the creation of "Death Infernal" were Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and photographer Soile Siirtola.
 
 
On October 29, 2007, a tour bus accident claimed the life of DECAPITATED drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, and gravely injured the band's lead singer, Adrian "Covan" Kowanek, who has yet to make a full recovery.

After he underwent what was deemed to be "successful" neurosurgery, a 36-hour pharmacological coma ended with Covan suffering a cardiac arrest and diffuse cerebral hypoxia (wherein brain impairment occurs due to low blood oxygen levels) because of alleged "medical negligence." Covan returned home after another six months of treatment in October 2008. Since then, Covan has made vast improvements, but still is unable to communicate and care for himself and requires 24-hour care.

A documentary about Covan and "Covan Wake The Fuck Up Tour", which was held in January this year, will be available for purchase the last quarter of this year. All proceeds from the disc sales will go to cover Adrian's treatment. The DVD will include footage of the January 28 concert at the club Kwadrat in Krakow as well as a documentary and other bonus features.

33 bands from the Polish rock and metal scenes took part in a charity tour, "Covan Wake The Fuck Up Tour 2012", to help Covan.

The following bands performed in 10 biggest cities in Poland:

HUNTER
DECAPITATED
FRONTSIDE
VIRGIN SNATCH
CHAINSAW
CORRUPTION
TRAUMA
THY DISEASE
QUO VADIS
PARRICIDE
MASACHIST
NEOLITH
ANAL STENCH
MADE OF HATE
TOTEM
CIRYAM
BUTELKA
DEIVOS
MILCZENIE OWIEC
ALASTOR
CALM HATCHERY
BEHEADING MACHINE
THE SIXPOUNDER
HEART ATTACK
OGOTAY
REDEMPTOR
LOSTBONE
THRASHER DEATH
DEVON
EMPATIC


The tour started on January 19 in Pod Palma club in Rzeszow and wrapped on January 28 at Kwadrat club in Krakow. This final concert was narrated by the famous satirist Adam Grzanka from the "Chatelet" cabaret.

At each concert there was a merchandise sale of a special "Covan Wake The Fuck Up" collection. All proceeds from these sales and ticket sales were supposed to be transferred to directly to Adrian's family.

A four-and-a-half-minute video report from Poland's national television station TVP on Covan's current medical status can be seen below. The report itself is in Polish, but English subtitles are available by clicking on the "CC" button below the video's progress bar.

For more information, go to www.wakeupcovan.com.
 
 
Swedish death metal masters DIABOLICAL have entered Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden to begin recording their fifth album, "Neogenesis". The CD is once again being produced by the band's vocalist/guitarist Sverker Widgren.

DIABOLICAL guitarist Carl Stjärnlöv explains the album title: "Apart from being a physiological term, the title 'Neogenesis' translates to 'new beginning.' The word originates from greek and latin and it marks a new beginning for DIABOLICAL in many ways. Furthermore the title has a much more profound significance to the theme and concept of this album."

Regarding the recording process and musical direction of tne new material, he added, "The drum tracks laid down are amazing, and we are all very excited about continuing to work on 'Neogenesis'. There are definitely some new flavors to our sound, and most importantly, the song material of 'Neogenesis' is by far the greatest we've done."

"Neogenesis" track listing:

01. Into Oblivion
02. Metamorphosis
03. Oracle
04. Ex
05. World in Silence
06. Reincarnation of the Damned
07. Fields of Nihil
08. Dialogue with the Dead
09. Wolves' Choir
10. The Age to Come
11. Humanitas

The second in a series of video reports featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "Neogenesis" can be seen below.

DIABOLICAL's latest album, "Ars Vitae", came out in February 2011 via Abyss Records.

The band's third full-length CD, "The Gallery of Bleeding Art", was released in November 2008 through ViciSolum Productions.
 
American black metal outfit ABIGAIL WILLIAMS has released the following statement:

"After much consideration, we have decided to make these upcoming ABIGAIL WILLIAMS shows our last U.S. tour. This was a very hard decision to make but feels absolutely necessary at this point.

"I've had the best times of my life with this band and learned so much about what I want to do with music as well as what I don't like about the industry etc. and we honestly feel like its best to put the band to rest after making what we feel to be our very best album. I'm honestly just feeling satisfied with everything we have done as ABIGAIL WILLIAMS and I feel ready to put it to rest. We want everyone to know this has nothing to do with differences inside the band as we are still very much a family and these are still the same people I want to make music with now and in the future. We think that 2012 is the perfect year for new beginnings and we definitely plan to put music out later this year in the form of a new band(s).

"It would be easy to give people the names to our new projects here but rather than capitalize off this announcement, we would rather word get out naturally starting with our friends when the time is right.

"We want to thank our friends and fans who have supported us through the good and bad times over the years, we know its been a very bumpy road at times. We are still very dedicated to making music and this change will actually allow us to do more of what we want to do and be more productive.

"We hope to see everyone on the road for this tour that we booked DIY for the most part by ourselves. Also we want to emphasize that this is our last U.S. tour and that we are open to touring overseas if the right tour comes up."

For a list of tour dates, go to this location.

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS's latest album, "Becoming", was released in January via Candlelight Records. The CD was recorded in various warehouses throughout Los Angeles with frontman Ken Sorceron handling the mixing, mastering, production and engineering duties for the entire album.

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