[Classic_Rock_Forever] Rolling Stones, Queen, Van Halen, Manowar, Queensryche, Circle II Circle, and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

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he Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has said that the band didn't agree to play The Olympics opening ceremony because they weren't 'stage ready'.

Speaking to ITN – via Rolling Stone - in a video which you can see below, Jagger said: "I didn't think, to be honest, we were quite stage ready. We haven't played in a long time and we weren't really stage-ready, and it's a very big gig and it's very risk-taking. I didn't think the band themselves felt they were really ready to do it at this point."

However, he added that the band do want to play some shows later this year. "We hope we're going to do some gigs this year. We haven't actually finalised them, but we hope we're going to do some gigs. We've done rehearsing, hanging out together and all that discussing so you know, we've been seeing each other quite a lot."

Keith Richards has also confirmed that The Rolling Stones are rehearsing together once again. The band celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first ever gig today (July 12) and Richards has said that they are now back playing together again after a lengthy break.

Speaking to BBC News, Richards said of the band's current status: "There's things in the works - I think it's definitely happening. But when? I can't say yet. We're playing around with the idea and had a couple of rehearsals - we've got together and it feels so good."

Richards was speaking as a new photography exhibition called The Rolling Stones: 50 opens at London's Somerset House. The free exhibition will be held from July 13-August 27 in the landmark venue's East Wing Galleries and will coincide with the release of a book of the same time. The book will feature 700 shots and words from the band on their history, and will hit UK bookshops today.

To read more about The Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary, pick up the next issue of NME, which includes a celebration of the band's amazing career. It is on newsstands next Wednesday (July 18) or available digitally.
 
 
Speaking in London at a new exhibition of 50 years of pictures of the band, the rocker said the boys had been rehearsing their huge back catalogue in the States.
He added: "We had a good play in New York five days ago. We did 50 songs in five days. It was brilliant."
He also said: "What we do is live in hope and hopefully this week we'll unfold some plans."
Former bassist Bill Wyman has also rehearsed with the band and Ronnie said: "It's like he'd never been away."
Keith Richards admitted this week that the Stones have met up but would not say when he would be performing live again with Ronnie, Mick Jagger and drummer Charlie Watts.
But he did say: "We're playing around with the idea and had a couple of rehearsals. We've got together and it feels so good."
 
They could always take up Michael Eavis's offer to play at Glastonbury.
At the exhibition Sir Mick said: "It feels really good, if a little long in the tooth – l'm just kidding. It's quite surprising. It does seem a long time but I'm really happy about it."
Back in the day they would have grabbed the fittest groupies and gone straight to The Grove hotel for a tear-up – but things are far more subdued these days.
Mick added: "I'm going to take my daughters (Georgia and Elizabeth) out."
Charlie did a fine job working the crowded room in his incredible tailored suit.
Rolling Stones 50, A Photographic Exhibition, with free entry, opens at London's Somerset House, today. If you're a fan, go.
 
 
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert has revealed he "would love" to make an album of original material with legendary British rockers QUEEN.

QUEEN's Roger Taylor and Brian May joined forces with Lambert for a series of European dates, including two shows at London, England's Hammersmith Apollo this week.

When asked during a live web chat with Capital FM if he would be interested in recording new material with QUEEN, Adam replied (see video below), "Yeah, I mean, I would love to work with them in any capacity in the future. I don't think I would turn any offer down. I mean, they're amazing. I don't know what that would be, but hey…"

Lambert said last month that he knows that he can't replace Freddie Mercury in his shows fronting QUEEN — but he doesn't intend to let anyone down either. He told the Daily Mail that when he performs with the remaining members of QUEEN, he will learn from the experience.

He said, "We want to keep the music alive and give it an energy that would have made Freddie proud. You can't replace him. But playing with QUEEN is the best thing that could happen to me. My intention is to pay tribute to Freddie. I'm looking forward to spending time with Brian and Roger. I want to make myself familiar with their more obscure songs and hear some stories from the guys themselves. I'll get my own personal QUEEN documentary. Working with them is going to be a great honor, but I'm also very keen for people to hear my own music, so who knows what the future will hold?"
 
 
Before Van Halen announced the cancellation of several summer 2012 tour dates, Guitar World got the chance to spend several days on the road with the band, especially with Eddie Van Halen.
The great news is he's happier, healthier and playing better than ever. As Eddie tells Guitar World in this exclusive in-depth interview from the current August 2012 issue, he has a lot to be thankful for, including his band's latest album, A Different Kind of Truth. (Buy it on iTunes.)
GUITAR WORLD: The last time we talked, you said you weren't sure if you wanted to make a new Van Halen album. What changed your mind?
I think I was pissed off at the time. I didn't want to do something new because I felt that even if we did, the fans wouldn't like it anyway. We just snapped back and realized that, hey, we're doing this for us, too. This is what we do. We make music for a living. Like I've always said, if you like what you're doing, you're halfway there; if someone else likes it, that's even better. If they don't like it, at least you like it. Not to be selfish, but you kind of have to be.
What got the ball rolling on this album?
Wolfgang's enthusiasm. He was going, "Come on, come on!" We went up to 5150 and started jamming. It felt like a comfortable old pair of shoes. Working with Dave again was like we had never left each other. It was that comfortable. We've known each other since high school. When you have old friends, five or six years can go by when you don't see each other, but you just pick up where you left off.
We started recording at the studio at my house with just Alex, Wolfgang and me. Basically it's the same way we start any record. We went through our archives of stuff we had already written. Wolfgang picked out a bunch of tunes. "She's the Woman" was the first one. We started jamming on songs like "She's the Woman" and "Bullethead" and reworked them.
Dave was onboard from the beginning. I was already recording and engineering demos of "She's the Woman," "Bullethead" and "Let's Get Rockin'," which is now "Outta Space." I sent Pro Tools files of recordings over to Dave, who was working over at Henson Studios, where he likes to record, which got him totally excited. He said, "Let's get going!"
How did you choose John Shanks [Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac] to produce the album?
The most difficult part of the process was deciding whether or not we should use a producer and who we should use. We had a big list of producers. Ever since we did that interview together with Tony Iommi [for GW's Anniversary 2010 issue], I've been in contact with Tony a lot. Sabbath is doing their reunion also, and they're working with Rick Rubin. I don't think Rick is the right producer for the kind of band that Van Halen is, but his name was in the hat.
So was Pat Leonard [Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Madonna]. Dave doesn't have a home studio, so he goes down to Henson to record, write and keep his voice in shape. One day he told me that he ran into this guy named John Shanks. I thought he was an odd choice, but we were open to anything. John asked what we had. I played him our three demos, and he loved them.
It was actually Wolf's idea for the album to be a collection of our B-sides along with three reworked songs, which would be new to our audience. Instead of the "Best Of" it would be the "B's Of" — you know, songs like "Drop Dead Legs," "Girl Gone Bad"… It would be a record of our more hardcore songs and none of the pop stuff. That was the initial plan for this album, but the deeper we dug, the more we found. At the same time I was writing new songs.
Dave got very excited about that. We all did. We ended up recording demos for 35 songs. All of those songs were ready to go, and we were able to play them all. We called John again and asked, "Are you busy? Do you want to come up and take a listen?" He was like, "Whoa! You've got a shitload of songs here!" We pretty much left it to John and Wolfgang to pick the songs, and it all went from there.
For the new album, Wolfgang pulled out some songs from the band's past, which is something the group had done for previous records. For example, on Fair Warning, the band was still drawing on material like "Mean Street"/"Voodoo Queen," which were from the demos you recorded before the first album came out. We were doing things like that even later.
"Seventh Seal" [from Balance] is a song that I wrote before Van Halen was even a band. "Hang 'Em High" [from Diver Down] was written long before we put it on an album. Same with "House of Pain" [from 1984], which was also on the demos we recorded in 1976 with Gene Simmons.
We approached this record no different than any other. The internet has changed everything. Now everyone knows where things came from. Before the internet nobody would have known that these were songs that we had already written but never released. When the album first came out, some people were saying that we purposely did old songs to get the public to relate to our old sound. But this record wasn't planned that way. Whenever we make a record the first thing we do is go over what we already have in the bag that we can pick from, and then we focus on writing new material.
When we were digging around, I was amazed how fresh some of the songs sounded. I was going, "Did I really write that way back then?" The biggest trip is that I wrote some of those songs when I was still in high school and even junior high. A good idea is a good idea no matter when you do it.
For the rest of this interview, check out the all-new August 2011 issue of Guitar World, which is available now at the Guitar World Online Store. The issue also includes an up-close-and-personal look at Ed and Wolfgang Van Halen's stage rigs and an exclusive interview with Wolfgang! The new issue is available now at the Guitar World Online Store.
According to Novinite.com, MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio has endorsed the campaign for the adoption of stray dogs launched in Bulgaria's capital Sofia.

Over 10,000 stray dogs are roaming the streets of Sofia, according to a former employee of the Ecobalance municipal company.

Prior to being re-elected at the end of October 2011, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova vowed to "cut down in half the number of stray dogs in the Bulgarian capital the next two years."

On Friday, DeMaio and Fandakova visited the Seslavtsi dog shelter in the capital.

"There are stray dogs all over the world, but it is important that you have been taking measures to tackle the problem," DeMaio told Fandakova, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.

Aggressive stray dogs are believed to have been responsible for killing two elderly men since the beginning of 2012.
 
Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE) will sing the American national anthem on Saturday, July 14 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will start the second half of its 2012 season tomorrow night at Evergreen Speedway.

The start time has been moved up an hour to accommodate the four divisions/series. 5 p.m. is when the racing will begin, with spectator gates opening at 2 p.m.

Evergreen Speedway is located at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe where Highways 2 and 522 collide.

For tickets and information, go to www.evergreenspeedway.com or call 360-805-6100.

Tate previously performed the U.S. national anthem on October 14, 2007 when the Seattle Seahawks hosted the New Orleans Saints at Qwest Field. Video footage of his rendition can be seen below.

The singer, who is currently embroiled in a legal battle with his estranged QUEENSRŸCHE bandmates over the rights to the group's name, recently signed a worldwide recording contract with InsideOut Music.

Tate is currently finishing production on his first InsideOut Music release. The album is planned for release this fall, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren announced on June 20 that they were parting ways with Tate and recruiting powerhouse vocalist Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY as his replacement. The new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup has already performed live, having played two successful shows in their home city of Seattle under the name RISING WEST.
 
CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band formed by ex-SAVATAGE frontman Zak Stevens, rejoined by guitarist Bill Hudson (ex-CELLADOR) for their upcoming European dates, which include an appearance at this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The Wacken concert will contain a special performance of the entire classic 1997 SAVATAGE album "The Wake Of Magellan", which featured Stevens.

In other news, CIRCLE II CIRCLE has teamed up with Rage On Stage Management for the the territories of USA and Canada. Stevens commented on the new partnership: "I'm very excited to announce that CIRCLE II CIRCLE has teamed up with Rage On Stage Management for management, promotions, and booking in the USA and Canadian territories. This was a move we needed to make to increase our overall presence here at home and in Canada. We're really looking forward to connecting with a lot more of our fans across North America as a result of this signing."

Frank James, the president of Rage On Stage Management, added: "Through my musical years, SAVATAGE has always been a staple of my diverse sense and taste in a band. These guys have obviously paved a road for which many continue to follow and with Stevens keeping that door open with CIRCLE II CIRCLE, fans of then and now couldn't be happier."

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is currently working on a new album, entitled "Seasons Will Fall", for an early 2013 release.

The band's first-ever career retrospective, "Full Circle - The Best Of", will be made available in Europe on July 20. The collection contains highlights from CIRCLE II CIRCLE's five studio albums plus many B-sides, bonus tracks and rare songs. All tracks have been remastered for this compilation exclusively.

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is:

Zak Stevens: Vocals
Mitch Stewart: Bass
Bill Hudson: Guitars
Christian Wentz: Guitars
Henning Wanner: Keyboards
 
According to WTVR-TV — the CBS television affiliate based in Richmond, Virginia — official sources have confirmed that LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's next Czech court appearance in connection with the death of a fan at one of the band's concerts is scheduled for Thursday, July 19.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal group — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Blythe, who has already posted bail of 4 million Czech Koruna (approximately $200,000), will have been imprisoned for three weeks by the time he gets his next day in court.

Next week's hearing will reportedly involve a panel of judges that meet to review the prosecutors bail challenge; they can approve the bail or annul the bail.

The Prague Monitor reports that district court judge Petr Fassati said that even after that ruling, a Prague attorney could still be allowed to again comment on bail.

Martin Holub, a lawyer at Šafra & Partners, told The Prague Post if bail is revoked, Blythe could be kept in prison for up to six months.

"The authorities will be concerned about him leaving the country and then having to begin extradition proceedings," Holub said. "If, however, the appeal court confirms the decision of the previous court, Randy Blythe should be released on the day that decision is made."

Jonathan Crane, a reporter from the Prague Post, told WTVR-TV that a legal expert believes the Blythe's defense team should have quite a strong case. "Even if Randy was responsible for the alleged attack, the expert said that who is to say that he wasn't accidentally kicked or trodden on or left without help by fans below the stage," Crane said.

The U.S. Embassy in Prague on Wednesday released a very brief statement regarding Blythe: "The U.S. Embassy provides standard consular services to American citizens in need of assistance. We cannot discuss specific cases due to privacy concerns."
 
HATRIOT, the new San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band led by former EXODUS frontman frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza, has inked a deal with Germany's Massacre Records. The group will enter the studio on August 15 with producer Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TESTAMENT) to begin recording its debut album, "Heroes Of Origin", for a January 2013 release. The cover artwork for the CD will be created by Mark Devito, who has previously worked with MOTÖRHEAD and ANVIL CHORUS, among others.

Souza has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding HATRIOT's new label home: "HATRIOT is very excited and extremely proud to announce that we have signed with one of the premiere metal labels in existence today, Germany's Massacre Records, who join us to fulfill our goal of world domination and relentless touring, to bring our fans the heaviest Bay Area thrash music of the modern era! Thank you all for the support that has made this dream of ours come alive!"

In other news, HATRIOT's new drummer is none other than Steve's 18-year-old son, Nicholas Souza. Nicholas auditioned for the band after the recent departure of Alex Bent and "proved himself to be the best choice," according to Steve.

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

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

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

When asked why he thinks thrash metal has enjoyed something of a revival in more recent years, Zetro told Über Röck, "You know, I get asked this a lot, and I think it is because the first wave of thrash came and went so fast. I mean, it started in the mid-'80s and was gone by 1991 or so. The older bands still have something to say, and I feel that's why they are still able to put out great music so many years later. Now the fans that were young kids back then have bands of their own, so these new bands are naturally influenced by the old sound and it has come full circle. Of course, with technology and things like they are today, it is a totally different ballgame when it comes to marketing the music. I don't know that there will ever be another band as big as the 'Big Four' or anything, because the business structure just isn't there anymore, but it is really cool to see these new bands carrying the torch of what we helped invent back in the old scene."

HATRIOT's "Blood Stained Wings" video can be seen below.

HATRIOT is:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals
Kosta Varvatakis - Guitar
Miguel Esparza - Guitar
Nicholas Souza - Drums
Cody Souza - Bass
 
Roger Scales of TheyWillRockYou.com recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

TheyWillRockYou.com: You recently announced your departure from BLUE ÖYSTER CULT after five years in the band. What factors led to this decision?

Rudy: Well, as I got more involved with ANIMETAL USA, another new project I'm currently involved with called TRED, plus my involvement with the DIO DISCIPLES and my ongoing work with the Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp, it doesn't allow me any additional time to continue to tour with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. It was a very amicable split and it just came to a point where I was cancelling appearances and it was just a mutual decision to part ways. It was so wonderful to be able to play with them. They are dear friends of mine and I will always treasure the time I had playing with them.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Speaking of the DIO DISCIPLES, what is the current status of this tribute to Ronnie [James Dio] and are there additional plans to record and or tour into the future?

Rudy: They are doing some dates coming up in July and August and due to my involvement with ANIMETAL USA, I could not be involved in them. James Lomenzo will be my replacement. Whenever I'm available, I will do the dates because this is a celebration of Ronnie's legacy and his friendship with the fans and anyone whom he ever played with. This will continue for as long as the fans demand it.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Since the death of Kevin Dubrow in 2007, QUIET RIOT has continued on with Frankie Banali [drums] as the sole remaining member from the band's heyday. Would you ever consider a reunion with Frankie and Carlos [Cavazo, guitar]?

Rudy: I would never say never because that was such a significant part of my life and they are both such good friends of mine. I still hang out with Frankie a lot. We get together frequently and drink coffee and get caught up on projects that we are involved with both personally and professionally. Carlos and I run into each other at events around town on occasion and while out on tour. Everyone is pretty focused in on what they are working on right now. Carlos is a great fit for RATT and he is really enjoying himself. Frankie is carrying on the tradition of QUIET RIOT and his vision of the band. Everybody is happy and healthy and that's what most important.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Earlier you mentioned another band project you're involved with TRED with Mike Orlando [ADRENALINE MOB], Dan Nelson [ANTHRAX] and AJ Pero [TWISTED SISTER]. What stage is that in currently?

Rudy: We have all been very busy working on some other projects at the moment. Mike is out with ADRENALINE MOB, AJ is touring with TWISTED SISTER and Dan is working on some solo material so we are just waiting for our schedules to open up. I will be heading to the East Coast in mid-July to do some promo and rehearse with the band so we can finish up the album. We are still trying to secure a record deal. We have some offers on the table and once everyone finishes up with their other commitments, we will forge ahead. I'm very excited about it because it's so different. It returns to a style of funk metal playing on this record and it takes me back to my roots in the 1970s when I was playing a lot of slap bass. It fulfills a whole other musical side to me.
 
ARTISTdirect.com editor-in-chief Rick Florino recently spoke to STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor about the song "Taciturn", which will appear on STONE SOUR's forthcoming fourth album, "House Of Gold And Bones".

"House Of Gold And Bones", a two-part concept effort, was recorded at Sound Farm Studios, just outside STONE SOUR's home base of Des Moines, Iowa, with producer David Bottrill (TOOL, MUSE, STAIND). According to Taylor, part 1 will contain 12 songs and will be released in October via Roadrunner Records, with the second 12-track part to follow next year. Each disc will include one half of the story, the lyrics for which fans will have to visit the band's official web site. Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Absolute Zero", "RU486" and "A Rumor Of Skin".

At some of his recent solo European festival appearances, Taylor began playing an acoustic version of "Taciturn".

"That song translates so well acoustically," exclaims Taylor.

"When I wrote 'Taciturn', I knew it was something that could go either way. It could be a full band piece or it could be something I could play on my own.

"If I was going to give the people a first taste of what 'House Of Gold And Bones' parts 1 and 2 are going to be, 'Taciturn' is a nice way to give them a cool picture of it even in a stripped-down sense. That song is essentially about trust. It's about trying to find the courage to open up to the people you care about, love, and value, knowing that they're going to be there to catch you when it all comes down. They're going to be there for you when nobody else is. It's about letting go of the anchors that hold you down in life, opening yourself up and saying, 'If you're there for me, I'll be there for you. You've just got to give me a second'."

As previously reported, SKID ROW's Rachel Bolan laid down the bass tracks for the new STONE SOUR CD. He has described the material on the record as "fucking fierce."

Taylor recently told Revolver magazine about STONE SOUR's forthcoming CD, "Picture [PINK FLOYD's] 'The Wall' crossed with ALICE IN CHAINS' 'Dirt' with some good heavy blasts in there," Corey said. "The heaviest song is a total ass-kicker that sounds as if SLAYER and ANTHRAX had a baby. Then, there's a darker bluesy dirge that has the vibe of LED ZEPPELIN's 'In My Time Of Dying'. There's even a little industrial vibe. It's definitely going to blow people's fucking minds.

Taylor added that he came up with a very ambitious concept for the disc.

"The album is a morality play about a man who's standing at the crossroads of his life trying to figure out what to do next," he said. "He's going, 'Do I move foward and evolve? Do I become more responsible or do I run backwards and pilfer the basket of youth?' Sometimes it's romantic to live in the mistakes that you made when you were 20, and condemn yourself to perpetual adolescence."

Guitarist Josh Rand recently said that the CD will be "another progression for the band," adding. "Musically, we have always challenged one another to push things to our limits, and this record is no exception."
 
(bass, guitar) have joined forces with ex-NEVERMORE drummer Van Williams in a brand new project which is currently working on original material. A short taste of what is to come can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

Commented Barlow: "Well, though we are still in the early stages of progress, we are really excited about what we are hearing thus far. We hope that you have patience with us as we continue with this creative process and search for a record label that will help us bring our music to you all in the best way. Thanks for all your support.... More to come!"

Barlow announced his retirement from ICED EARTH in March 2011, citing his commitment to his family and the need for the group to tour more as the reasons for his exit.

Vidales left ICED EARTH earlier this year for reasons which were not disclosed. He says, "I know from the outside it seems nuts to leave a band with so much going for it, but from the inside it made a lot of sense to me." He adds, "I did not leave because Matt left or so we could work on this [new project], I also did not leave because of the heavy touring. I was actually glad that the touring had picked up. My reasons are private. The guys in the band know, and that's all who need to know."

Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis announced their departure from NEVERMORE in April 2011 due to personal differences with the band's lead singer, Warrel Dane, and bassist, Jim Sheppard.
 
DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara has announced plans to record a benefit song for his sister Kerri, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. He writes on Twitter, "[I'm] not gonna sit and do nothing while my sister faces down cancer… [I'm going to] record a song and put it on iTunes to help her kids." He later added in another tweet, "Within three hours, I've got a pro producer, a pro mixer and a handful of musicians willing to contribute to my sister's song!"

As previously reported, DEVILDRIVER bassist Aaron "Bubble" Patrick has been sitting out the band's recent tour dates after being diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumonia, an inflammation and swelling of the lung, caused by an infection with the bacteria. Filling in for Patrick has been his former BURY YOUR DEAD bandmate Chris Towning.

DEVILDRIVER recently inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's next album is tentatively scheduled for a release in 2013.
 
Australian/Los Angeles tech-metal masters DEVOLVED have set "Reprisal" as the title of their new album, due on November 20 via Unique Leader Records. Drummer, lyricist and founding member John Sankey stated, "'Reprisal' is absolutely the most innovative and progressive DEVOLVED album yet. I had a very specific vision for this album when I began the writing process both musically and lyrically, it is the most definitive representation of what I have always wanted DEVOLVED to be. Conceptually, it is based on the ideologies of individual control, advancement, revenge and empowerment within a global society that has reverted back to the most basic means of survival, every man for himself, kill or be killed... which perfectly compliments the intensity, aggression and unrelenting brutality of the music."

All music on the new DEVOLVED album was written and performed by John Sankey and Mark Hawkins (ROBOTS PULLING LEVERS), with lyrics and arrangement by Sankey. The vocals were performed by DEVOLVED's new lead singer, Mark Haggblad (UNVEIL THE STRENGTH), following the departure of Kyle Zemanek (DEADSETT). The CD will feature guest appearances from several noteable artists, including ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Francesco Artusato.

"Reprisal" track listing:

01. Systematic Avenger
02. Accelerated Human Degeneration
03. Reprisal Of The Damned
04. Supremacy Enforced
05. Embodiment
06. Collateral Damage
07. Apocalyptic Visionary
08. Terminal Enslavement
09. Corrupted Mind Processor
10. Inanimate Infinity
11. (Cadence Of) The Dirge (EXHORDER cover; bonus track)

Sankey late last year recorded all the demo drum sessions for the new FEAR FACTORY album, "The Industrialist", and co-wrote and programmed all the drum parts, along with FF guitarist Dino Cazares, for the final CD. He was unable to join FEAR FACTORY as the band's new touring drummer due to visa restrictions.

Cazares previously stated about the new DEVOLVED material, "Systematic brutality at its best. Raising the bar once again with their intellectual song arrangements [and] insane drum patterns that would make any tech metal fan turn their heads. This band just keeps getting better and better. Welcome to the end of everything that you once knew and say hello to the future."

DEVOLVED's last album, "Oblivion", was released in May 2011 via Unique Leader Records.
 
DETHKLOK, the animated band from Adult Swim's "Metalocalypse", will perform on the USS Midway battleship tonight in San Diego, California. The group will make its first live appearance of 2012 as "Metalocalypse" comes to life at the San Diego Comic-Con convention. Those attending the free concert will enjoy new animation and new songs from DETHKLOK's upcoming album. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the party will keep rocking after DETHKLOK with another special guest performance.

The current DETHKLOK touring lineup consists of Brendon Small, Gene Hoglan (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL), Mike Keneally (FRANK ZAPPA) and Bryan Beller (STEVE VAI).

Created by Brendon Small ("Home Movies") and Tommy Blacha ("Da Ali G Show"), the "Metalocalypse" TV series launched in 2006 and kicked off its fourth season at the end of April on Adult Swim. One of the most popular series on the cable network, "Metalocalypse" portrays DETHKLOK as a death metal band with enough popularity to be the world's seventh-largest economy. In reality, DETHKLOK is the highest-selling band in death metal, exploding onto The Billboard 200 with "The Dethalbum", debuting at No. 21 in 2007 and "Dethalbum II" at No. 15 in 2009. Both albums contain full-length versions of songs partially heard on the show.

Alfred Music Publishing last year partnered with Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Adult Swim, to present the first authentic bass TAB transcriptions of songs by DETHKLOK.
 
Mythological occult metal discoverers ABSU announce the release of their new single, "Hall Of The Masters" courtesy of this year's Adult Swim Singles Program. Once again, the band has showcased their signature style of occult black/thrash mythology to dark new calculating territories — whirlwinds of razor-sharp guitar work and top-notch drumming. The track was recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas and once again mixed by J.T. Longoria (KING DIAMOND, SOLITUDE AETERNUS). An official video to accompany the song will be released on September 10, directed by filmmaker Daniel Garcia.

In other news, ABSU has confirmed new festival and tour dates for the summer and fall months. Late August will see the band performing at Slaughter By The Water III — the annual festival taking place in Alameda, California aboard massive aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Hornet — followed directly by two shows in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. November sees the band traveling to South America for a string of eight shows throughout Columbia, Chile and Brazil. More Stateside tour actions are being confirmed to be announced in the weeks ahead.
 
Sweden's ultimate purveyors of dark rock/metal KATATONIA have announced dates for an extensive European tour in support of their forthcoming ninth album, "Dead End Kings", which hits stores in Europe on August 27 and in North America on August 28 through Peaceville Records. Support on the trek will come from French shoe-gazers ALCEST and Boston's JUNIUS.

Comments KATATONIA lead guitarist Anders Nyström: "We are very much looking forward to a tour that definitely stands out from the rest. Stare into November's darkness with us! Be with us at the side of December's deathbed! Come meet us at the chosen dead ends of Europe..."

Tickets go on sale from Monday, July 16, with general and VIP options being available direct from Katatonia.com and the band's official Facebook page.

"Dead End Kings", which features a guest appearance by Norwegian singer Silje Wergeland (THE GATHERING), was recorded over a two-month period at Stockholm's Ghost Ward studios and the band's new, as-yet-unnamed headquarters. David Castillo returned to "twiddle the knobs," while band co-founders Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström and Jonas Renkse handled the rest of the production duties.

Commented Renkse: "'Dead End Kings' is about the corridors of our mind from where there is no return. Be a king or queen in your own right in these hallways, even at the dead end. Carry your burden with pride. That's what we are doing, twenty years and counting. Kings, because we believe in what we are creating, in our own disturbing faith."

Added Anders: "This album has doors revolving into many different genres of music but remain disguised within the KATATONIA trademark. We have walked the fine line between attempting not to repeat ourselves but also not to distance us away from what people know and love. We're now ready to hand over the evidence and whatever the direction this has taken is now for you to decide. We're confident the creativity and passion on this album is something that will be echoing even beyond the dead end."

"Our seal of identity is on here for sure," Nyström told Decibel magazine. "We haven't gone and changed our sound, but we've further explored some different angles of good music, and that's what we need to do to keep the focus. It might not be so obvious to some, but to others it will be a bigger deal. So, sure, a few surprises and a few songs going off territory are in there, but overall this album is a natural follow-up to [2009's] 'Night Is The New Day', and that is what we wanted to do."
 
Harley Flanagan, who founded the legendary hardcore band the CRO-MAGS at the age of 14 and toured with the band for some twenty years, was arrested in New York City on July 6 on charges of attacking several members of the new CRO-MAGS lineup during the CBGB Festival. Flanagan, who had been a panelist at one of the event's seminars, allegedly attempted to attend the concert of his former band. Neither Harley Flanagan nor Parris Mayhew, the two founding members of the band, is still in the CRO-MAGS.

According to news reports, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33, was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Flanagan was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

New York Natives published an interview with Flanagan yesterday in which Harley claimed that he was invited to the Webster Hall gig and had a VIP pass which he used to enter the venue. He said he went there with "the best of intentions" hoping to mend years of bickering and make the fans happy. After he was invited to the backstage dressing room, he said that instead of being welcomed, as he expected to be, he was jumped by a group of men.

CRO-MAGS vocalist John Joseph has now released the following "response" to Harley's version of events:

"[Harley's] been watching too many sci-fi movies.

"First off, Harley was NOT invited to the show. He was told repeatedly by CBGB [Festival organizers] NOT to come. (I have all the texts and e-mails to CBGBs and security.) He was given a CBGBs laminate to attend another event ('American Hardcore' screening) and then used it to sneak into the show. And if he wanted to talk and resolve things, as he claims, why didn't he come before doors where we could [have] taken care of any beef he had? No, he just wanted to come on the stage during show and try and do something to gain press — well, he got his press alright.

"At 6 p.m. [Harley] texted Louise (CBGBs) and asked her what time we were going [on]. She didn't respond, but warned me. To which I alerted security to let them deal with it, [as] I had a show to do. He showed up 20 minutes before [and] hid in the crowd outside our dressing room door with a backpack and a KNIFE, never knocking on our door and saying, 'Yo, guys... can we talk?' He was also heard ranting outside that he was putting a stop to us playing his music (his music?). And while sitting outside our door told someone else that said to Harley that he doesn't care about the beef he attends both HARLEY'S WAR shows and CRO-MAGS shows, that he was just a fan of the music. Harley's response: 'Yeah, well, fuck you. Some shit's about to go down, so if you don't wanna be involved, keep fucking walking.' He also told people initially that I was in the dressing room when it all went down, making it look like I set him up when a thousand people saw me on stage ready to play.

"Look here's the bottom line: Security was told to come up and they never did. So knowing this dude always carries weapons and his plan was obviously to use the laminate to gain access to the stage while we played and hearing what he was ranting that night, also remembering the whole Dimebag Darrell [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist who was killed on stage] situation, as we were on stage about to go on, he was asked to come in the dressing room by Mike. When Harley was grabbed to be searched for weapons, the fight ensued and those three took him down where he pulled a knife and began stabbing people. When the security finally arrived, he wouldn't drop the knife and THEY banged him up, not those three. Again, dozens of witnesses.

"Look if you got beef, a show with women and children on stage ain't the place to bring it. I believe those three stopped a much worse situation where perhaps kids could have got hurt who were on stage. And no one snitched — I refused to talk to the cops. Unfortunately for [Harley], it's a criminal case so no one has to press charges 'cuz he did that shit in a public venue. We have a way of dealing with matters — it's called 'street justice.' You pull a knife, I pull a pipe and smash your face in. And I did have a pipe on stage, by the way, knowing this dude can't really fight and always has a weapon, as I said.

"DMS are not thugs, so for the new jacks who weren't even around long enough to remember their past and said that — keep your mouths shut. For the last 10 years plus, they have been security at shows stopping violence, even promoting the Black N' Blue Bowl and other events where there is NEVER violence. If they had been doing security that night, Harley would have never got in and ALL of this could have been avoided. And only Mike is DMS, not the other two, and anyone who REALLY knows him (not you keyboard commandos talking crap anonymously) will attest to the fact that he's the nicest dude in the world and NEVER starts trouble. The other one is a veteran who tried to get the knife away from Harley. The other just a friend of the band. And Mike (Harley's replacement) was the one who got stabbed first.

"Bottom line, [Harley] was told not to come, he showed up right before we went on, he made threats and then he stabbed people. End of story.

"We will make up the show with SICK OF IT ALL as we are discussing another date now, but I wanted to set the record straight.

"Sure, obviously anyone who knows the past (it's all in my book, 'The Evolution Of A Cro-Magnon') knows [Harley] has a problem with me. He talks shit all the time — I do not. But he knows my bell and where I live. He NEVER rang it once. I told him we can go to the East River and resolve any issues. He refused. So if you wanna believe all the lies and B.S. that dude posts on [Facebook] — your choice. The truth is an entirely different thing, though. Your sympathy should lie with those who got stabbed, not the dude who did the stabbing and caused this whole problem. So stop gossiping and move on — that's what we are doing.

"See you in the pit.

"Peace and PMA."

Friends and fans of Harley Flanagan have set us a defense fund to help cover his attorney fees. Donations for the fund can be made here.

The family of Mike "The Gook" Couls has set up a donation fund via PayPal to help absorb the extraordinary expenses accrued from having been stabbed multiple times and hospitalized — with no insurance. More information is available at this location.
 
Rock guitarist Ron Marks, former guitarist for the legendary Swiss metal group CELTIC FROST and founder of SUBSONIC, has signed a distribution and development deal with DSN Music. Marks will make three previously released SUBSONIC albums — "Super-Vel", "No Such Soul" and "Blood Groove" — available on a compilation box set titled "Trifecta".

"This is certainly not my first rodeo," said Marks, "but it is my pleasure to sign with a company as professional and modern as DSN. The high level of respect and attention to details that they devote to their artists has all but vanished within the music industry."

Marks performed as lead guitarist for CELTIC FROST in 1987, and toured the U.K. and U.S. with the group in support of the "Into The Pandemonium" release. He is also credited as a co-writer on CELTIC FROST's 1990 album "Vanity/Nemesis". After his stint with CELTIC FROST, Marks decided to move on and fufill a lifelong dream to create his own project.

In 2000, Marks founded and launched the SUBSONIC, which spawned six albums: "Super-Vel", "No Such Soul", "Blood Groove", "Honeycomb", "Mach Ten" and "Hell's Half". Three music videos ("Dream American", "A Day Late" and "Fix") were released as well. SUBSONIC explores irreverent social visions and affirms how satire eclipses doctrine.

"When SUBSONIC and DSN joined forces, I thought, 'Why release only one album? Why not a box set of three?'" stated Marks. "They agreed and 'Trifecta' is the result. This release catalogs 'Super-Vel', 'No Such Soul', 'Blood Groove' and the evolution of SUBSONIC to that point. An evolution that continues forward."

Marks has received high honors in the rock industry over several decades, and is endorsed by major music brands such as Dean guitars, Marshall amps, S.I.T. strings and Steve Clayton products.

"Trifecta" is scheduled for a worldwide release via DSN Music this fall, and will be available via online and mobile stores such as Amazon.com, iTunes, Rhapsody.com, Google Music, Spotify, eMusic.com, iHeartRadio and hundreds more.
 
With a pedigree that boasts all three members of New York's cult doom act UNEARTHLY TRANCE, plus founding ELECTRIC WIZARD and RAMESSES bassist/guitarist Tim Bagshaw, SERPENTINE PATH should immediately top any doom metal fan's want-list.

Due on September 11 via Relapse Records, SERPENTINE PATH's self-titled debut is described in a press relase, as "an absolutely crushing album which both references and reinterprets its members previous bands but with a decidedly more punishing death metal approach. . . [It] combines vicious vocals with punishingly killer riffs to create unparalleled evil that's equal parts 'Paranoid' [BLACK SABBATH] and 'Severed Survival' [AUTOPSY]."

SERPENTINE PATHTim Bagshaw on guitar, Jay Newman on bass, Darren Verni on drums and Ryan Lipynsky on vocals — released its debut seven-inch single, "Depraved", earlier this year via Parasitic Records.
 
 
According to RollingStone.com, Bret Michaels hopes to get Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) to come in and redo "Go That Far", the theme from Bret's "Rock Of Love" reality-TV show, for the POISON singer's forthcoming solo album, "Bret Michaels And Friends: Get Your Rock On". Bret also wants CHEAP TRICK's Rick Nielsen to come in to play on a reworked version of POISON's hit "Talk Dirty To Me", Michaels says. "I think that'd be great to have him come in and put his style on a song that I remade in an over-the-top, punk-metal fashion."

Due in September, "Bret Michaels And Friends: Get Your Rock On" will feature guest appearances by Loretta Lynn and Joe Perry (who play on a reworking of the POISON smash ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn") and Jimmy Buffett, Lil Jon, Michael Anthony (VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT), Ace Frehley (KISS), all the LYNYRD SKYNYRD guys, members of .38 SPECIAL and BLACKFOOT and RASCAL FLATTS' Jay DeMarcus.

According to Bret, his new version of POISON's "Nothin' But a Good Time" will feature Frehley, Anthony and Lil Jon. "Ace Frehley is the real deal," says Michaels. "He laid down this amazing solo and then Michael Anthony came in, he did the backups, and I was like, 'Just play some Michael Anthony licks.' He did, and that's what made magic on the song."
 
Bob Zerull of Zoiks! Online recently conducted an interview with former BIOHAZARD and current ATTIKA 7 frontman Evan Seinfeld. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Zoiks! Online: How would you describe the [ATTIKA 7] album "Blood Of My Enemies"?

Evan: "Blood Of My Enemies" is a collection of songs Rusty [Coones, guitar] wrote in prison and songs he and I wrote together, here in SoCal. It's dark, heavy, melodic, and extremely over the edge. It screams hope in the face of desperation and stinks of hatred, pain and revenge! The songs are authentic, genuine, and anthemic, [with] huge sing-along choruses and simply the most musical thing I have ever been a part of. A lot of people who have heard it have told me that I should have done something like this a long time ago.

Zoiks! Online: How was it working with [producer] Mudrock and what did he bring to the album?

Evan: Mudrock is a genius... he is like one of those guys with a strange bedside manner, but simply more meticulous than anyone I have ever worked with, and I have worked with a lot of amazing producers. Mud was the first guy to get me to reinvent myself as a singer, and use my voice as an instrument that would be growing. It's crazy — just listen to the record, drum, bass guitar sounds, vocal sounds, He really harnessed the raw power and emotion of the songs, especially Rusty's lead playing. he helped me so much with my guitar sound and gave us the metal that rocks. He helped me to find the next chapter in my reinvention of my voice. His incredible vintage gear mixed with his knowledge were just two of the keys to the special sauce that makes "Blood Of My Enemies" a phenomenal freshman effort for ATTIKA 7.?

Zoiks! Online: You've watched the music industry change over the years, Now that you've got this new band, what's it like trying to establish a new band with the state the music industry is in?

Evan: Is there really an industry? I have no expectations, just drive, motivation, and a love for music that I share with Rusty and my band brothers. It is certainly a different time, and to tell you the truth, I have a lot of great ideas on how to get our music out to the metal fans of the world, but ultimately, this is my life, i love to tour, sing, play and rock! The Internet is an amazing tool and it circumvents a lot of traditional means and mediums in which people used to access music and info. The most interesting difference is that way less people support bands and buy music than they did in my earlier years. What's kind of funny and pathetic is that many music "industry" people say bullshit like, "Now, we make our money touring and selling merchandise," which really means, people don't buy a lot of records anymore, but the truth is, bands always made money touring,... if they worked hard. ATTIKA 7 has a real hardcore, blue-collar work ethic, so I'm sure we will have a long and strong career. The thing I like least about nowadays is the lame keyboard ninjas that all have an opinion about everything and everyone and simply talk shit about everyone and everything.. so here are a few rules to live by 1.) If someone says something online, but they don't use their real name, and or address to back it up, they really didn't say anything. 2) People who talk shit about bands or other celebs online but have never actually achieved anything on their own, their opinions don't technically count, and 3) If someone calls you a douchebag, it just means that they are jealous of you, your success and or talent. The advent of social media and everyone having a voice is one of the greatest modern advances we have made as a society, but remember, if you are a nerd, and you dis everything that is cool, then all you have left is Jonah Hill and "Napoleon Dynamite". Wait, that is actually all we have left... ATTIKA 7 is here to change that! We are looking to make it cool to be badass again....
 
Dan Marsicano of About.com Heavy Metal recently conducted an interview with Karl Sanders of South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

About.com Heavy Metal: Where do you see [the new NILE album] "At The Gate Of Sethu" fitting into the band's catalog?

Karl Sanders: That's probably a pretty good question. I've noticed a lot of people ask similar things. In other words, everybody needs a frame of reference. I see so many reviews where people try to put in the context of, "This NILE album is like this other NILE album." I get that people need a frame of reference, because that's how we talk about things. Trying to compare it to past NILE records is an avenue that doesn't bear a lot of fruit. In other words, this album is really different from other NILE records. I think it needs to be judged on its own merits. If you try and say, "Where's 'Unas Slayer Of The Gods'?" or "Where's 'Cast Down The Heretic'?", and you think in those sort of terms, it leads one to not hear the record as its own vital identity. I think this record has a life of its own. We did a lot of different things. There's a lot of musical progression that we wanted to cleanly capture on this record. A lot of different ideas; a lot of different places we're going with things. I think trying too hard to compare it to past NILE records does it a disservice to listeners' enjoyment.

About.com Heavy Metal: When you guys sit down to write a new record, do you start with a clean slate? Do you not think about things the band has done in previous years?

Karl Sanders: We try not to. The temptation is always there to, "Oh, let's do something like this," or "Let's not do something like that," from both sides of the yin-yang equation. With this one, I did not want to do a record that was exactly like any of the previous records, other than the fact that if you were ever a NILE fan at any point in the band's history, there's something you probably like on this record, and probably some stuff you will hate. There's a lot of stuff that goes all the way back to the early days of the band. Listening to this record, it's best to approach it with a clean slate. As a listener, if you pile too many expectations on it, you're going to walk away going, "I don't understand what they're doing." The truth of the matter is, we're sticking to our own identity, but trying to reach outward creatively within the context of the death metal idiom.

About.com Heavy Metal: After all these years of writing material, have you found a comfortable mindset when it comes to sitting down and writing songs? Do you approach songwriting the same way every album? Do you try to mix things up?

Karl Sanders: I really believe in letting the song happen and unfold, however it may take shape. If you try to stick too many preconceived strict rules on how it is done, then you are immediately limiting the creativity. Whichever way the metal gods want to hand inspiration to me, that's fine with me. I don't put any rules on it.

About.com Heavy Metal: With the extensive catalog the band has, it's surprising that you have never released a live album. Is there any reason behind that?

Karl Sanders: Not any sort of legitimate reason. None of our record labels allowed us the luxury of entertaining that option. People have been bugging us about a live DVD now for 10 years. We had it built into our Nuclear Blast contract when we signed with them, but I don't see it happening anytime soon, unless for some reason, the metal gods intervene and people at the label come to their senses and realize they could make money on it.

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