[Classic_Rock_Forever] Iron Maiden, KISS, Metallica, Zakk Wylde, Jon Lord, Snakecharmer, Vicious Rumors, Fullforce, Tesseract, and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

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Having recently completed the North American leg of the "Maiden England World Tour", one of the most successful rock tours of the summer, IRON MAIDEN will now be storming across Europe in 2013 playing stadiums, major festivals and arenas with this critically acclaimed show. The first date to be announced is at the U.K.'s Download festival on Saturday, June 15 when MAIDEN return to the legendary Donington Park to headline for a record fifth time! (following 1988,1992, 2003 and 2007).
 
That achievement is equally significant as 2013 is the 25th anniversary of MAIDEN first topping the bill there in 1988 when the festival was known as Monsters Of Rock attracting 107,000 fans, which is still the highest attendance ever at Donington. This was during their "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" tour, from which the current tour draws much of its inspiration for both set list and production as seen in the 1988 long form concert video "Maiden England", making this Download appearance even more unique!
 
Part two of a new video intervie with MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson conducted by Metal Hammer magazine about the upcoming Download appearance and the band's past Donington performances can be seen below.
 
Said Dickinson: "We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction from our North American fans to the 'Maiden England' tour, which was our most extensive tour there for many years. Some of the cities we played we hadn't visited in over twenty years so had no idea what to expect! But the opening night in Charlotte was packed to the rafters and the crowd was amazing. This continued throughout making the whole tour very special. We had a lot of fun playing the older songs there and the fans seemed to love the set list and Eddie's various incarnations! We all can't wait to bring this show to our European fans."
 
"We're absolutely over the moon to be headlining Donington again. The idea of returning exactly 25 years later with a show inspired by that same 1988 'Seventh Son' tour was too good an opportunity to be missed! And, thanks to modern technology, we've been able to update and improve on the original production. We will be bringing a huge new lightshow, stage set, various incarnations of Eddie, plenty of pyro and all kinds of other exciting stuff for the fans. And, of course, treating the fans to lots of their favourite songs from that period!
 
"We've had many great times at Donington and there is always a wonderful mix of bands and a really wild crowd who love their metal, all of which makes for a memorable show and fantastic party atmosphere!"
 
Added MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris: "We know how popular the 'History Of Maiden' tours are with fans of all ages, so we want to take the show to as many places as we possibly can around Europe, taking with us the full production we had in North America. We had a huge amount of fun with the set list as we got to play songs we'd not played in a very long time like 'Seventh Son', 'The Prisoner' and 'Afraid To Shoot Strangers', as well as fan favorites like 'The Trooper', 'Aces High', 'The Number Of The Beast', 'Wasted Years' and 'Run To The Hills'. The opening leg of the tour was so enjoyable for the whole band we're really looking forward to taking it to our fans in Europe, and, of course, Donington".
 
Many more European dates will be announced over the next few months.
 
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On July 13, 2013, IRON MAIDEN's "Maiden England" tour will hit Sweden, where the band will play at the magnificent national stadium in Stockholm — Friends Arena! This is the first rock show ever to be announced at this brand new 50,000-capacity venue. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, October 2 at 9:00 a.m, with an exclusive first ticket pre-sale for IRON MAIDEN fan-club members which will run from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29 through to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30 (local times). Fan-club members will also be eligible in the draw to be "First To The Barrier."
 
Commented MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson: "It is a great honor to be the first rock band to be announced to play the new national stadium, especially as we have always had a very close connection with your country and have massively enjoyed every visit."
 
"We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction from our North American fans to the 'Maiden England' tour, which was our most extensive tour there for many years. We had a lot of fun playing the older songs and the fans seemed to love the set list and Eddie's various incarnations! The band can't wait to bring this show to our Swedish fans."
 
Added MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris: "'The Final Frontier' show in Ullevi last year was magic, along with the very warm reception we recieved from our friends in Sweden. It's terrific to return next year, especially playing in the new national stadium for the first time. This time round we will be playing the older songs and think our fans will enjoy this just as much!"
 
He added, "We know how popular the 'History Of Maiden' tours are with fans of all ages and we will be taking with us the full production we had in North America. We had a huge amount of fun with the set list as we got to play songs we had not played in a very long time like 'Seventh Son', 'The Prisoner' and 'Afraid To Shoot Strangers', as well as fan favorites like 'The Trooper', 'Aces High', 'The Number Of The Beast', 'Wasted Years' and 'Run To The Hills'. The opening leg of the tour was so enjoyable for the whole band, we're really looking forward to taking it to our fans around Europe and, as always, greatly looking forward to the Swedish show."
 
A rock and roll experience like none other is set to take over the gaming industry's largest trade show with the debut of the new KISS slot game from WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc., at the twelfth annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E), October 2-4 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. In conjunction with the introduction of the new game, legendary original KISS band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will be on hand to meet and greet fans in support of this rockin' new game at the WMS booth (#1118) on Tuesday, October 2 from 10:00 a.m. until noon PT.
 
Featuring the music made famous by one of the world's most recognized and successful rock bands, the new KISS slot game offers players unique features for multi-array games, as players can be awarded one, two or three bonus video reel sets on any spin, each enhanced with WILD symbols added to the reels or the low-credit symbols removed. Additionally, when three or more bonus symbols appear on the reels, players will be awarded a Backstage Pass. Players then can choose from one of three passes that may award the Rock n' Records free spin bonus, Band Prize Top Box Bonus or the KISS Alive! Bonus with its exciting new interpretation on picking bonuses set to a soundtrack that's "Hotter than Hell" on WMS' Sensory Immersion platform with the near-concert-like surround sound. The KISS slots are sure to transform casino slot floors into party mode 'round-the-clock with "Rock And Roll All Nite And Party Every Day."
 
With game elements that feature the band member personas of the "Starchild," "Demon," "Spaceman" and "Catman," players will keep coming back for exciting bonus rounds and music from the band that's been awarded 28 gold albums, the most of any American rock band.
 
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, co-founders of KISS, noted, "We've spent 40 years bringing our spectacle music and the KISS experience to life on stages around the world. We're blown away by this new cutting edge slot game. WMS has done an incredible job of capturing the energy of KISS and bringing our classic rock to life on the casino floor."
 
Rob Bone, Senior Vice President, North American Sales and Marketing for WMS, said, "KISS is a unique and legendary band that has entertained fans around the world since 1973; and our game designers have brought the distinctive music and energetic appeal of this iconic band to life in a new slot experience that is sure to engage and entertain players everywhere. Everything that makes KISS one of the most well-known bands of all time is featured in this game, from their distinct look and original album artwork, to their chart-topping hits. We know that bringing a player popular brand like KISS to life creates some big platform shoes to fill, but I'm confident we've succeeded. And, with Gene and Paul at G2E to help kick off this exciting new product, it doesn't get any better."
 
See the rocking new KISS slot game along with more than 100 other new products that demonstrate WMS' commitment to "Engaging Players. Delivering Results." on display at G2E 2012 (booth #1118).
 
The deal was brokered by Live Nation Merchandise, KISS's exclusive worldwide licensing agent.
 
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The new collaboration between METALLICA and Vans — one of the world's leaders in the shoe and apparel market — is slated for release in October, honoring the 30th anniversary of the band's first studio album, "Kill 'Em All". The "Kill 'Em All" pack will consist of both the Vans Slip On and Sk8 Hi, with each one dressed in the hand and hammer design used for the cover art. Done in red, white and black, the vibrant kicks will give anyone instant rock-star status.
 
Several photos of the "Kill 'Em All" pack — courtesy of Blacklist — can be seen below.
 
Originally issued on July 25, 1983 through the independent label Megaforce Records, "Kill 'Em All" was recorded in two weeks on a miniscule budget in upstate New York. Although only 1,500 copies were initially pressed, the album was reissued by Elektra Records after the band signed to that label in 1984 and has since been certified triple platinum for sales of more than three million copies.
 
The original title of "Kill 'Em All" was "Metal Up Your Ass".
 
The album's opening cut, "Hit the Lights", was the first song that frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich wrote together after forming METALLICA. An early version of the track appeared on the 1982 compilation "Metal Massacre".
 
Lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was replaced by Kirk Hammett shortly before recording commenced, although Mustaine still has several writing credits on the disc and went on to form MEGADETH.
 
A number of songs from the album are still part of METALLICA's set list to this day, including "The Four Horsemen", "Seek and Destroy" and "No Remorse".
 
METALLICA has since gone on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world, selling tens of millions of copies of its eight studio albums, including 15 million alone of 1991's self-titled "black album." The band's ninth effort, "Death Magnetic", arrived in 2008.
 
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Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) has announced his first signature-edition guitar instruction collection, exclusively available at Guitar Centers across the country beginning October 1.
 
Guitar Apprentice takes a hit guitar song and breaks it down into 15 different levels of playing. The user is playing great guitar songs with a full band, supplying only a chord or two at first. The user can then work on songs at any desired speed and when it is completed is playing 100 percent of the song — including solos. At every level, Guitar Apprentice shows the user visually, exactly what and when to play at the pace he or she desires.
 
The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition Guitar Apprentice was recorded live at Wylde's Black Vatican studio in Los Angeles and features six DVDs of guitar instruction by Wylde himself, including signature rhythm patterns, solo breakdowns, tones, pedals and gear. Fifteen levels of learning are provided per song.
 
The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition Guitar Apprentice features exclusive videos, personal tours of the Black Vatican, and interviews.
 
"It's about as thorough and comprehensive a learning tool as you're gonna get. I wanted to make sure anyone learning guitar from me understood what it takes to play on a stage in front of thousands or in their own basement. I wish this was around when I first started playing," said Wylde. "This ain't no video game either."
 
The Guitar Center-exclusive version features a bonus 60 minutes of concert and interview footage including a never-before-seen prison concert and interviews from an appearance Wylde made in the U.K., interviews at the Black Vatican, a conversation with Wylde on replacing Randy Rhoads, gear talk, the story of Wylde's first guitar, a question-and-answer session and more.
 
There will be in-store promotions, including a chance to win a private lesson with Wylde — or a dream gear package featuring the same equipment Wylde uses. Fans can register by visiting their local Guitar Center and trying out the new product.
 
For more information on the Zakk Wylde Signature Edition Guitar Apprentice, go to www.guitarapprentice.com.
A week before he died this past July, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord gave his last-ever interview, to Classic Rock, for the U.K. magazine's September 2012 issue. During the chat, Lord seemed optimistic about his prognosis a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
 
"When you get to my age, the cancer is very slow moving," he said. "It's containable. My oncologist has had patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 15 or 16 years ago. They still have treatment and they still have cancer — but, crucially, they're still here. They found my cancer early and the size of the tumor has reduced."
 
Lord was resigned to the fact that he might not ever be cured him and was aiming for containment. At the time of the interview, the treatment appeared to be working.
 
"I'd like to get to my father's age," he said. "He was in his late 80s and he'd led a good life. I don't want to limp to that milestone. I don't want to drag myself over that line. I want to be active and well."
 
Lord revealed that somewhere, buried in the mountain of cards and emails and get-well messages he received after being diagnosed with cancer, was one from a long-lost friend now living in Long Island, New York: a certain guitar player called Ritchie Blackmore.
 
"He sent me a very nice letter and it was lovely to hear from him," Lord said of his former DEEP PURPLE bandmate. "My life and Ritchie's life have departed from each other so radically in the past 20 years. He's gone his way and I've gone mine. But we went through a lot together. We will always have that."
 
He continued, "Would I like to play with him again? I'd love to — there's a legion of people out there who want him to pull on that white Strat again — but I'm not holding my breath. Besides, I know more than most you should do what you want to do. Ritchie is doing that. Good luck to him."
Frontiers Records has announced the signing of British hard rock supergroup SNAKECHARMER. Consisting of original WHITESNAKE members Micky Moody and Neil Murray, along with Laurie Wisefield (WISHBONE ASH, TINA TURNER), Harry James (THUNDER, MAGNUM), Adam Wakeman (OZZY OSBOURNE) and Chris Ousey (HEARTLAND), the band is putting finishing touches on its self-titled debut album for a February 2013 release.
 
Commented Murray: "We're very excited that SNAKECHARMER has joined the Frontiers Records family, which includes many of the world's finest rock bands, and we can't wait to get out on tour in 2013 to promote our forthcoming album!"
 
Added Moody: "Like the rest of the guys, I am very pleased to be associated with such a renowned record company. We've really enjoyed writing and recording the new album and look forward to a successful future alliance!"
 
Said Wisefield: "SNAKECHARMER is looking forward to a great year ahead and a long and successful relationship with Frontiers Records. Looking forward to seeing you on the road in 2013."
 
SNAKECHARMER brings you classic twin-guitar based hard rock music with an emphasis on vocal melodies and timeless hooks. Combining influences from the classic British hard rock music of late '70's and early '80's and melting with the melodic sensibility of Chris Ousey's magic vocals akin to Lou Gramm and Paul Rodgers, SNAKECHARMER is the genuine article.
 
SNAKECHARMER is:
 
Micky Moody - Guitar, Slide Guitar, Vocals
Neil Murray - Bass
Laurie Wisefield - Guitar, Vocals
Harry James - Drums, Vocals
Adam Wakeman - Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Ousey - Lead Vocals
San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans VICIOUS RUMORS will release a new live album, "Live You To Death", on November 27 (one day earlier internationally) through SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded by Pontus Norgren of HAMMERFALL, mixed by Juan Urteaga and produced by VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe.
 
2011 was the year VICIOUS RUMORS stormed European stages with their highly acclaimed studio album, "Razorback Killers", playing 92 shows in 12 months.
 
"Live You To Death" was recorded last December on the band's European tour as the support act for Swedish metallers HAMMERFALL. It features 11 songs, including two very special studio recordings: cover versions of "Sign Of The Southern Cross" by BLACK SABBATH and "Running Wild" by JUDAS PRIEST.
 
"We wanted to do a few covers of our metal gods SABBATH and PRIEST as a tribute to where it all started," Thorpe said.
 
"Live You To Death" track listing:
 
01. Replicant / Digital Dictator
02. Minute To Kill
03. Murderball
04. Lady Took A Chance ( intro ) / Down To The Temple
05. Abandoned
06. Let The Garden Burn
07. Hellraiser
08. Soldiers Of The Night
09. Don't Wait For Me
10. Sign Of The Southern Cross (BLACK SABBATH cover) (studio recording)
11. Running Wild (JUDAS PRIEST cover) (studio recording)
 
Running time: approximately 56 minutes
 
"Razorback Killers" was released in Europe in March 2011 and in the U.S. in April 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California with producers Juan Urteaga and Geoff Thorpe.
 
VICIOUS RUMORS current touring lineup:
 
Larry Howe - Drums
Brian Allen (LAST EMPIRE, MALICE, WILD DOGS) - Vocals
Bob Capka - Guitar
Stephen Goodwin - Bass
Geoff Thorpe - Guitar
Swedish melodic metal five-piece FULLFORCE will release its second album, "Next Level", in North America on November 27 via SPV/Steamhammer. The cover artwork was once again be created by Rainer Kalwitz, who previously worked with PRAYING MANTIS and METAL CHURCH, among others.
 
"Next Level" was mixed and mastered at Roastinghouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden by Anders "Theo" Theander. The CD contains 13 songs of "melodic, heavy" metal and the band is really excited it, according to a press release.
 
"Next Level" track listing:
 
01. Broken Dreams
02. Break It, Crack It, Destroy It
03. Back To Life
04. A Night To Remember
05. Karma
06. Whispers
07. Smile At The World
08. Hate...Love...Drop It!
09. Visions
10. Course Of Life
11. Awesomeness
12. Mysterious Ways
13. Strongest Thing Of All
 
FULLFORCE's current lineup include new guitar ace Stefan Rosqvist, who replaced CJ Grimmark a few months ago.
 
FULLFORCE is:
 
Mike Andersson (CLOUDSCAPE) - Vocals
Stefan Elmgren (ex-HAMMERFALL) - Guitar
Stefan Rosqvist - Guitar
Tommy Larsson (ex-HEED) - Bass
Anders Johansson (HAMMERFALL, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums
 
FULLFORCE's debut album, "One", was released in June 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer.
U.K. progressive metallers TESSERACT have announced the addition of vocalist Ashe O'Hara to the group's ranks.
 
Hailing from Northampton, Ashe spent his early years singing in many different groups, from choirs to musical theatre, and has more recently been involved with a number of ambient/alternative metal projects in addition to doing session work. Ashe currently resides in Hove, East Sussex and is eagerly awaiting the upcoming tour and working on the new album.
 
Comments Ashe: "I have always been an admirer of their work so it's pretty awesome to be passed such a challenging flame. I am very aware of the anticipation and I am certainly feeling the weight of it, but I am equally excited for what shall be an amazing and shithot experience!"
 
Add the other members of TESSERACT: We realize that the vocalist search seemed like it took a long time, but we wanted to make sure that we found someone who was a perfect fit both on stage and in the studio and Ashe is just that. We very much appreciate the patience and support our fans have shown us and look forward to the next TESSERACT chapter."
 
A snippet of the new TESSERACT song "Nocturne" featuring Ashe can be heard in the YouTube clip below.
 
"Nocturne" will be available as a free download and streaming everywhere on October 12.
 
Comments the band: "'Nocturne', is one of the most uplifting and exciting pieces of music we have created. It faithfully continues down the same vein of groovy and euphoric progressive soundscapes that we're known for. Whilst at the same time allowing for the musical evolution that is essential for any band that has a lineup change."
 
TESSERACT recently picked up the "New Blood" award — as voted for by readers of Prog magazine — at last week's first-ever Progressive Music Awards in the U.K. and is preparing for a small run of dates through Europe.
During a recent interview with American Rock Scene, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet and political activist Serj Tankian, shared his views on the upcoming presidential election. Speaking about the two-party system that dominates American politics, Tankian said, "Here's the thing: if you want more choices, you have to create more choices. We need more parties, and that's been the case for many, many years. Even the communist party of the Soviet Union had two sides of the same coin; they had kind of a liberal side and a conservative side, they were kind of like two parties, kind of like the Democrats and Republicans, in different ways, obviously. But I point that out just to say that with two parties, it's not much of a democracy. But what makes it less of a democracy is money in politics, the K Street lobbying firms and groups like Citizens United, who make corporations into people."
 
He continued, "The real problem isn't just the choice of candidates, it's what's happening around it. The money in there. The electoral system. We really need a healthy left-wing party in this country like the Green Party or — I'm down to start a socialist party because President Obama is not socialist. The Republicans are calling him socialist and I'm like, 'Come on.' The guy made legislation where you have to buy insurance from private entities. That's not socialism, there's no public option. Most of his policies are centrist, just to the right of center, sometimes left of center. That's not socialism, but apparently, America has no idea what socialism is."
 
Asked what he thinks about the religious beliefs of the candidates, Serj said, "I'm not as concerned about the candidate religious beliefs as I am their policies. Mitt Romney's policies are… Well, first of all, he's gone back and forth between so many different policies. First he supported health care in Massachusetts, and then he turned a 360 and said, 'I don't like it anymore. I was wrong. Everything I thought, was wrong, I repudiate.' He's just trying to get the right-wingers on his side, but ultimately they are failed policies of the past. It hasn't worked for America. It's left us in debt, it's left us in wars. And the fact that he actually even said that he doesn't care about 47 percent of America. I would fucking toss him off the ticket now. That's offensive. His answer was that it wasn't a classy way of explaining it, [but] he didn't even refute it. He admitted saying those things."
 
Serj also spoke about Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, who was blasted by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Tom Morello in an op-ed piece for Rolling Stone after Ryan listed the guitarist's band as one of his favorites, despite their hardcore leftist leanings.
 
"[Ryan] didn't use RAGE's music, but he said he was a big fan," Serj said. "And I actually think he does like it, but the thing is he never actually paid attention to the lyrics. He never paid attention to what they are trying to say with the songs and what they stand for. And that's kind of scary, because if you don't know what RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE stands for in the United States of America, where the fuck have you been?"
 
He continued, "I was on the East Coast on tour with SYSTEM [OF A DOWN], and I read what Tom had posted and I e-mailed Tom and said, 'Bravo. That's one of the most beautiful things I've ever read this year.' The way he put it was so incredible. He could have just said, 'You should not like my music because we don't stand for that,' but he literally laid into him, and I was like, 'Fucking beautiful!'"
Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL have tapped Jonathan Bertorelli to direct the video for their new song "Saturday Night". The track will appear on the band's fifth album, which is due out in early 2013 via Eleven Seven Music. The band teamed up with producer Kato Khandwalla at House of Loud Studios in New Jersey earlier this year, and completed the album in Dallas.
 
A new DROWNING POOL song called "In Memory Of…" can be streamed below. The track was released last month to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the passing of the band's original singer, Dave Williams.
 
Said DROWNING POOL: "This song is dedicated to anyone and everyone who has lost a friend or family member. This one is from us to you, Dave."
 
Williams died on tour in 2002 after singing on the band's debut, "Sinner". He was replaced by Jason "Gong" Jones, who also contributed to one record, "Desensitized", before being shown the door in 2004.
 
"In Memory Of…" is the first studio recording to be made available with DROWNING POOL's fourth singer, Jasen Moreno, who replaced Ryan McCombs.
 
McCombs exited the group at the end of 2011 after a six-year stint in the lineup. He sang on two studio efforts by DROWNING POOL, 2007's "Full Circle" and 2010's self-titled fourth album.
 
Moreno, who previously sang in fellow Texas band THE SUICIDE HOOK, made his live debut as a member of DROWNING POOL on July 8 at a club in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
 
In a posting on the band's official Facebook page, DROWNING POOL guitarist C.J. Pierce wrote, "It's been a real pleasure for all of us working with Jasen Moreno. He jumped right in and stepped up to the plate. He's everything we hoped for in a singer."
 
He continued, "Jasen came in and got straight to work on new music for our next CD. Out of respect to all past singers, and most importantly the DROWNING POOL fans, he learned every song from every CD we've made in the past as well.
 
"Jasen has brought us not only a new voice but a new fire to the DROWNING POOL sound. We all can't wait to get the new music out to there to everyone with the live show.
 
"Looking forward to the rest of our career with Jasen. The singer switch is finally over!"
 
In an exclusive interview in the September 2012 issue of Guitar World magazine, Moreno said, "I am extremely happy and very grateful to be a part of the DROWNING POOL family. Everyone's been so welcoming, especially the fans. I can't praise them enough. They've made me feel right at home. This first run of live shows couldn't have gone any better!"
 
DROWNING POOL is:
 
C.J. Pierce - Guitar, Vocals
Stevie Benton - Bass, Vocals
Mike Luce - Drums, Vocals
Jasen Moreno - Vocals
 
Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have tapped EMERGENCY GATE drummer Raphael Saini for their upcoming headlining shows in Cyprus and Greece in early November. Saini will be filling in for VOA's regular drummer Thomas Caser, who is unable to take part in the trek due to his job obligations with Napalm Records as head of A&R.
 
Saini previously performed with VISIONS OF ATLANTIS in 2011 during their tour with RHAPSODY OF FIRE.
 
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS is putting the finishing touches on its fifth album, "Ethera", for an early 2013 release via Napalm Records.
 
Regarding the new album title, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS said, "'Ethera' is a word mix out of 'ether' as the quintessence of this band, the energy between the five band members, the fifth album and 'era,' leading VISIONS OF ATLANTIS to some new and interesting musical and lyrical shores while still remaining typically VISIONS OF ATLANTIS!"
 
Fabio D'Amore (SERENITY) and Ivan Moni Bidin, who is also a master at the mixing desk, produced this latest work.
 
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' "Maria Magdelena" EP was released last October.
Niclas Müller-Hansen of Sweden's Metalshrine recently conducted an interview with STONE SOUR members Josh Rand (guitar) and Corey Taylor (vocals). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
 
Metalshrine: The whole idea of doing such a huge project [referring to STONE SOUR's upcoming two-disc concept album, "House Of Gold And Bones"] — did it start off like that or was it something that just grew bigger?
 
Josh Rand: Initially, last year, Corey recorded some tracks and I went over to his house and he explained the idea and I immediately got excited. For me, right now music's in a weird place because the music industry is in such a downward spiral. The things that made me really excited and intrigued me was us really focusing on a full record and not necessarily one song and then we'll throw on fucking whatever. We didn't want any throwaways and we wanted people to have to listen from track one through to track eleven or twelve in its entirety. Everything got the same amount of attention. It wasn't like the record company thinks, "This is the single and fuck the rest of these songs because we're gonna focus on this." It was like, "We're focusing on this big, grand picture and we're just gonna go for it." In some ways, it's a big "fuck you" to the industry, [laughs] I guess, if you wanna put it that way. But as I said, everybody… I loved the [riskiness] of it and maybe that's what got me excited. It's, like, "You know what, nobody else would do this right now. A double concept record in a world that's all about just the single. This is fucking awesome!" It brought this enthusiasm and excitement to the band and everybody bought into it, so that's why we did it, basically.
 
Metalshrine: So it is in a way forcing the listener to go through the whole album and not just pick pieces of it, like kids do today. What's the thought behind releasing the first part now and the second part next year?
 
Josh Rand: There were several reasons why. One from a packaging standpoint. We're gonna do something really special how they're gonna fit together. I don't wanna get into it, because it's gonna be really cool and nobody's done it before, so I don't wanna give too much away. Also two, we looked at it almost like a movie, like sequences. This one's gonna set up the characters and it leaves you on a cliffhanger with the last of the reel of what is about to happen and then everybody's gonna have to wait [laughs] to get the rest of the story. That was the other idea and then three, we were told that in certain territories it's actually more expensive to have a double disc made than two separate discs, which we couldn't wrap our heads around. "That doesn't make any sense. How does that work?" So it was about making sure that it was affordable, both the first part and the second part. We're gonna do all this cool stuff like we're gonna do a comic book next year, or comic books and the live show will evolve, too, as disc two comes out. We're doing more than just putting out a singleand do the same shit that we've always done.
 
Metalshrine: What was it like working with [SKID ROW bassist] Rachel Bolan?
 
Josh Rand: It was crazy! We were discussing who would play bass on the record and it was more [a discussion] of a style than people first. You know, "I hear this bass being like this and this." And one night we were at Corey's, and I was, like, "What if we got Rachel Bolan?" At first, to be honest, I didn't know how everybody's reaction was gonna be. I'm a huge fan of [SKID ROW's] "Slave To The Grind", and it's, like, one of my favorite records from start to finish. I just blurted it out and everybody bought into it. At first, there was this hesitation and then it was like, "Yes, it makes sense." A lot of people, when you say Rachel Bolan or SKID ROW, everybody's mind goes to "I Remember You" or to "18 And Life", and it's like "Slave To The Grind" and even "Subhuman Race", they're fucking heavy records! And he's a phenomenal writer on top of being a phenomenal bass player and he brought this style into it that we felt had been lacking. Instead of following the guitars, he actually plays bass and it elevated all of the songs to a whole new level. He came in, a super-cool guy, and did all 24 songs in five days. It was insane! I don't think people realize how great of a player he is. It was just insane to watch him knock these songs out. With him coming in and doing that, it just added another level of energy to the whole project and he took a lot of the songs to a different level.
 
Metalshrine: Will he be part of the live show?
 
Josh Rand: Unfortunately, not. We asked if he could do it, but with his schedule with SKID ROW, he just couldn't take that break for a year and a half, two years, because that's what it's looking like this is gonna last for us. We're gonna have a friend of ours, Johny Chow [CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, FIREBALL MINISTRY, SOULFLY], play bass.
 
Metalshrine: So, did you tell Rachel to let bygones be bygones and get back together with Sebastian [Bach]?
 
Josh Rand: Honestly, I never said one SKID ROW thing to him for the entire time he was there. That's kinda their thing. You know, in some ways we're kinda dealing with it ourselves and that's the reason he's brought into the picture. [laughs] It's not my place… I wasn't gonna push the issue and go, "Just suck it up! What the hell's the fucking problem? Why can't you guys play together?" It just didn't make sense, so we didn't touch base on it.
 
Metalshrine: If you were given an ultimatum or if this thing with STONE SOUR just explodes, could you leave one band [STONE SOUR or SLIPKNOT] for the other?
 
Corey Taylor: I don't know. I'd have to kick my own ass. I mean, that's a good question. If I was made to choose, I'd quit both before I'd have to give up one, essentially. I would never allow myself to be put in that situation. It's me not being able to decide my own fate, not being in charge of my own reality. I would remove myself before I allowed anyone to dictate where I was going. But having said that, it's been fairly easy to kinda balance both. Essentially, it's about the focus, and if I can focus on one and give all my energy to that one, and then there's still some left for the other one when it comes time. It means I'm never bored. [laughs] I'm always on the fucking road. I think the problems will come when there's nobody around, you know, so I'll take it while I can get it.
 
Metalshrine: This whole concept album, is that something that came after you wrote your book? Was the book anything that sparked something?
 
Corey Taylor: Maybe. I've had the idea for the concept for a few years actually, but I've never given myself the time to really flesh it out and see it clearly. It was right about the time when we did the Sonisphere shows that, for some reason, "Boom!" it fucking hit me! I saw it as clear as day, beginning, middle and end. I knew the characters, I knew the world that I wanted to create, I knew what I wanted to do. Honestly, while I was sketching it out on this piece of paper, getting the names down, getting the conflict in there, the fucking music just [makes exploding sound]. While I was on that tour, I wrote at least seven or eight songs. Then I came back home and I demoed 11, so it was fucking insane. Right there I knew, this had the potential for something amazing. Luckily, the guys really got behind it and really embraced it and we were able to make something fucking monumental.
DEVILDRIVER and COAL CHAMBER frontman Dez Fafara has released a benefit song for his sister Kerri, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Entitled "Dark Meadowlark", the track was produced by Greg Weiss (DEVILDRIVER) and was mixed by Logan Mader (SOULFLY, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER).
 
Says Dez: "['Dark Meadowlark'] is about my sister who is a ray of sunshine, but has a dark sense of humor much like myself, thus the [track title]."
 
He added, "The song was mixed by Logan Mader and produced by Greg Weiss, who played bass and balalaika, along with Dan Yob on guitar, and Zac Morris on drums. I would also like to thank Winson and Doug at Third Encore for letting us use their amazing facilities, and Doug from Rack Attack Rentals for providing us with some great gear to record with."
 
Even with insurance, Kerri's family can't cover the costs of her surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for the upcoming year. "We have two daughters still at home, we've relocated from Boise to Irvine (really close to UCLA/UCI treatment center — what good fortune!), but the cost of two years of what's called 'out of pocket maximum costs' are definitely a burden," she says.
Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION are busy making final preparations to celebrate their 25th anniversary of the band by releasing their new album, "Les Fleurs Du Mal" and embarking on a 25th-anniversary tour. The band has signed a licensing deal with End Of The Light Records to release the CD in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The effort will be made available in North America on November 13.
 
THERION will introduce the new album to the world during the "Flowers Of Evil" 25th-anniversary tour.
 
"Les Fleurs Du Mal" is a part of an art project that THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson has been thinking about for some time:
 
"The time was never right for it, but in celebration of the band's 25th anniversary, I thought now will finally be the right time for it," Johnsson explains.
 
There are still many details that are unknown about this mystical art project, which was recorded at Adulruna studio, located in a separate building next to Johnsson's decadent "Villa Adulruna" where the band lived together while recording.
 
The "Les Fleurs Du Mal" title refers to Charles Baudelaire's (French author and poet 1821 - 1867) famous poem collection "Flowers Of Evil" ("Les Fleurs Du Mal" in French) that caused such an upset of emotions in France that the author was brought to court and got fined for "insulting the public" with six of the poems, that remained forbidden in France until 1949 when the ban was finally lifted. The spirit of the project is a tribute to Baudelaire, and is imbued into both music and artwork.
 
Said Christofer: "The project was seen as too controversial for THERION's record label, Nuclear Blast, by the final results, so I asked if it was possible to buy back the master tapes of the record and release it on my own label. And after some negotiations, my wish was granted. But THERION is of course is still signed to Nuclear Blast Records for future releases."
 
By having full control of the release now, Christofer has decided to do everything his own way, and starts by releasing the album to the loyal fans first that come to the concerts in Europe during THERION's 25th-anniversary "Flowers Of Evil" tour.
 
Christofer went on to explain: "This is the beginning of a new period that will last for a number of years, where the band will focus on doing certain projects performed by THERION rather than releasing regular albums. In the planning after the art project is a rock opera that is scheduled to take several years to complete."
 
Now during THERION's "Flowers Of Evil" tour and the band's 25th anniversary the audience can expect a breathtaking performance which combines all the elements which have been the key to THERION's success throughout the years.
In a brand new interview with AOL's Noisecreep, drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD was asked if singer Randy Blythe's ongoing legal woes in the Czech Republic tested the strength of the band. "I think on a personal level, yes," Chris replied. "It was shocking and really daunting to look down the barrel at the end of your career with something so out of left field and unexpected. In many ways, this train has been rolling a long time, you get kind of lazy and you just expect to show up at the next gig the next day. So to get derailed so violently was quite a shock. I think everyone is in a state of shock. At first you scramble around in disbelief then it sinks in. We did our best in every way to get things back on track, but during the time, there is introspection about what might be next. What is plan B? Even though I am a bit of a fatalist, I do know I have to try to find a different way to look a things and try to be able to take something from the experience that can benefit me."
 
According to Adler, the entire experience has helped him reconnect with the reason he began playing music in the first place and it has made him appreciate the band that much more.
 
"One of the things that has really shone through was that even though we've been doing this like 17 years, and it's scary to think about it being taken away — it also brings you back to reality," he said. "It reminds you that we are really doing something special; it shakes you out of that sort of safety zone that you can fall into. Not a lot of people get to do what we do, and this has certainly reminded us of that. When I realized how fragile this all is, it definitely brought me back to the level like back at the beginning — the excitement and everything."
 
Adler also spoke about LAMB OF GOD's successful return to the stage last month at the two Knotfest shows where he and his bandmates were welcomed like conquering heroes.
 
"Having the guys together was really no different; we have stood backstage together to get ready many times, of course," Chris said. "But the feeling was entirely different. There was a renewed sense of the excitement, the innocence and the lust for what it is we do, all front and center. There was tangible energy that maybe, somehow, we had started taking for granted the last few years, but now the energy was totally renewed. Outside of my continued support for Randy, that is how I have to look at it — as a wake-up call for this band."
 
He added, "There was a difference [in the feeling from the crowd as well]. Very noticeable from the start. It was a day, two days actually, full of bands, then us, then SLIPKNOT. So maybe a 20-30 minute changeover between us and the band before us. And almost that entire time was filled up with the crowd chanting Randy's name. As we took the shuttle to the stage we could hear it. We've heard the kids scream the band's name before. But this was special.
 
"Look, this was a nuclear crisis in our band and family. But we didn't know how much people out here actually knew. There was some community that formed between bands, but we didn't know how far it reached. But to have these fans excited not just about a great heavy metal show, but it was like we'd been gone for 20 years. The welcome back. The energy that came to us was just so intense. That, combined with the feeling we had between us, made for something unforgettable. That crowd created something I will never forget."
Wild Eye Releasing has just released "Tight", a hilarious "mockumentary" about four adult performers who create the all-girl rock band TIGHT and hit the road to promote their music, meet new fans and learn about friendship, perseverance and the insanity of the rock and roll lifestyle. For the first time ever, the lives of an all-female adult star rock band is documented for the world to see.
 
"Tight", which is available on DVD, follows Monica Mayhem, Tuesday Cross, Alicia Andrews and Layla Labelle as they temporarily take leave of the adult industry and try to make it as rock musicians, sweating it out in the clubs under the management of one of the biggest names in the adult industry, and former Charlie Sheen "Goddess," Bree Olson.
 
TIGHT (the band) competed and won on Howard Stern's "XXX Factor" talent competition back in April, and a new lead singer, Kelley Jean, recently replaced Mayhem, adding a new dynamic to the quartet.
 
Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep, Kelley stated about how she got involved with TIGHT, "I was on YouTube and typed in 'porn star female band' and TIGHT was the thing that popped up. I was like, 'I would have been perfect for this!' I sent them an email and said if you're ever looking for a singer, let me know. The manager wrote me and said, 'We filmed this in 2010. It's out on the market right now and if we get picked up by a distributor or network, we'll need a singer.' So the other singer moved back to Australia, got married and pregnant and there was then an opportunity. So when it got a distributor, TIGHT's manager called and offered me an audition and I said, 'Sure!' So they sent me the background music, I recorded nine demos and they loved them."
 
Asked if she has been into singing for a long time, Kelley said, "I've been singing since I was little kid. I started off with theater — you know, I was the lead in 'Annie', 'Peter Pan', 'Oliver' — then I got into the adult field at 18. I started dancing in the clubs and found modeling, then films. After a few years I got out of the clubs and lost track of my music background in the chaos of the adult work. Today, I do a lot of things around here in Detroit. I sang the national anthem for the Charlie Sheen show in Detroit. I danced for Kid Rock's 40th birthday party. Again, it's hard to be taken seriously even though I am seriously musically trained. It blows people away — they see my blonde hair and big ole boobs when I sing karaoke. Then the ladies all laugh until I start to sing and then everyone shuts up."
 
"Tight" is loaded with extras, including deleted scenes, bonus videos, unseen concert footage, sexy image galleries, trailers and four pages of liner notes, and has receiving raves: James King of the Phoenix New Times notes that "'Tight' has all the components of a perfect reality series," while The New York Post declared it "the best mockumentary since 'Spinal Tap'!" The girls' raw energy pierces the screen and makes the viewer root for this most unlikely of rock bands, even as they implode.
"21st Century Freaks", the latest album from, Swedish hard rockers FATAL SMILE, will be released in North America in early 2013 via Spectra Records. The CD, which was made available in Europe on May 14 via FS Records/GMR Music Group, was produced by Mr. Y, engineered/recorded by Philty and mixed by the two of them together. The mastering duties were handled by Mats "Limpan" Lindfors at Cutting Room Studios.
 
The "Welcome To The Freakshow" video can be seen below. The clip was directed by Owe Lingwall, who has previously worked with KAMELOT, MESHUGGAH and THE RASMUS, among others.
 
After playing 350 shows internationally during their "World Domination Tour" with such bands as DIO, W.A.S.P., QUEENSRŸCHE, DORO and LORDI in support of their last album, "World Domination", FATAL SMILE spent over a year writing and recording songs for the follow-up effort.
 
"21st Century Freaks" was recorded in the tour buses, hotel rooms and studios all over the world before eleven songs were singled out and re-recorded during 2011.
 
According to a press release, "this time [the bandmembers] have done everything on their own to make it the ultimate FATAL SMILE album, from recording and engineering to producing and mixing the album and the result is massive, with 'in-your-face' songs and a 'larger-than-life' sound!"
 
FATAL SMILE is:
 
Mr. Y - Guitar
Blade - Vocals
Alx - Bass
Philty – Drums
Candlelight Records, in cooperation with The Silent City, has set a November 20 North American release date for "The Devil", the self-titled debut album from the London-based sextet. The masked, all-instrumental band self-produced the entire recording.
 
THE DEVIL is not a typical metal act. Combining traditional/classic heavy metal with select historical, political and conspiracy-laden oracles, the anonymous masked and cloaked musicians present a cinematic soundscape that is sure to strike the fancy of the curious.
 
The 13-track album was crafted at six different recording studios and possesses a sound that is unlike any other you will encounter.
 
Earlier this year, the internationally assembled band launched the beginning of the album campaign via two select videos. Since initiation, over half a million YouTube views have been logged.
 
Two songs from "The Devil" have already been tapped for soundtrack inclusion: "Extinction Level Event", licensed to upcoming film "E.S.P.", expected late 2012; and "Divinorium", licensed to upcoming film "The Fury". "The Fury" is being directed by James Colmer ("Superman Returns", "House of Wax", "See No Evil") will feature Erica Leerhsen ("The Blair Witch Project", "Texas Chainsaw Massacre") and is expected early 2013.
 
Director James Colmer comments on his attraction to THE DEVIL for the upcoming feature film: "Choosing a track for a feature film is often times a difficult task. For us it was a quest of finding a song that could convey the driving, thematic and ominous presence of this psychological thriller in the opening scenes.
 
"When I first heard 'Divinorum', I immediately felt the connection I was looking for. It was as though it had been composed specifically for this film.
 
"I truly believe you can change the entire feeling and structure of a scene by making the right choice when it comes to music. I know we have made the right choice with THE DEVIL."
 
"The Devil" track listing:
 
01. Divinorum
02. Universe
03. Astral Dreamscape
04. World of Sorrow
05. Devil & Mankind
06. The Silent City
07. Akashic Enlightenment
08. Extinction Level Event
09. Intervention
10. Illuminati
11. Transcendence
12. Alternative Dimensions
13. Ascension
 
THE DEVIL plans to begin touring to support the album in early 2013. Collectively, they note, "It is great to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, having worked on this band and album for years. We look forward to bringing our unique live show to audiences around the world."
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/thedevilcd.jpg
FOZZY — the band featuring WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and STUCK MOJO mastermind Rich "The Duke" Ward — will take part in an in-store signing session on Thursday, September 27 at 7L00 p.m at SoundCheck Hollywood in Hollywood, California. More information is available on the flyer below.
 
FOZZY's new album, "Sin And Bones", sold around 3,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on the Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
 
FOZZY's previous album, 2010's "Chasing The Grail", opened with around 2,200 units to enter the Heatseekers chart at No. 6.
 
"Sin And Bones" was released on August 14 (one day earlier internationally) via the group's new label, Century Media Records.
 
"Sandpaper", the lead single from "Sin And Bones", features a guest appearance by AVENGED SEVENFOLD lead singer M. Shadows. The song was released via iTunes on July 17.
 
Norwegian progressive extreme metallers VULTURE INDUSTRIES entered the Conclave And Earshot Studios in Bergen early last week to begin work on their third full-length album for an early 2013 release via Season Of Mist. So far the drums have been recorded, and frontman Bjornar Nilsen, who is also producing the CD, commented that the band set out to aim for a much more organic and dynamic sound this time around, and that so far he is very pleased with the result. Once the LP has been recorded, mixing will be carried out at the Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden by Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with OPETH, PARADISE LOST, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, ENSLAVED and IHSAHN, amongst others.
 
Based in Bergen, and with two critically acclaimed releases already under its belt, VULTURE INDUSTRIES consists of Bjornar Nilsen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) on vocals, keys and programming, Øyvind Madsen (SULPHUR, ex-ENSLAVED) and Eivind Huse (SULPHUR) on guitar, Kyrre Teigen on bass and Tor Helge Gjengedal (ex-TAAKE) on drums. Nilsen, who is himself one of Norway's leading producers, is known for his highly theatrical onstage performances that earn VULTURE INDUSTRIES a myriad of new fans wherever they play.
 
VULTURE INDUSTRIES next live appearance is scheduled for October 6 at the Phantoms Of Pilsen festival in the Czech Republic.
California extreme metallers DEEDS OF FLESH have announced the addition of bassist Ivan Munguia (ARKAIK, BRAINDRILL) to the group's ranks. DEEDS OF FLESH states, "Ivan's abilities on bass are regarded as one of the elite in the scene today and we are stoked to his addition to the band."
 
The cover artwork for "Portals To Canaan", the forthcoming ninth album from DEEDS OF FLESH, can be seen below.
 
Due on January 29, 2013 via Unique Leader Records, "Portals to Canaan" will feature "amazing artwork and numerous conceptual pieces" by Raymond Swanland.
 
A pre-production teaser for "Portals To Canaan" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
 
Commented the band: "This is only guitar one and drum mapping (no second guitar, leads or vocals) to give the fans an idea of whats to come."
 
DEEDS OF FLESH's last CD, "Of What's to Come", came out in November 2008 via Unique Leader.
One of death metal's forefathers is ready to have all the sordid, insane, terrifying, and just plain metal details of his entire life chronicled in an autobiography. King Fowley, the founder of the legendary death metal band DECEASED and old-school metal troupe OCTOBER 31 has been feverishly working on creating yet another masterpiece to add to his legacy, but this time it will be in literary form.
 
Fowley, who is known the metal world over as one of the most ardent fans of true metal, has always been one of the most vocal, upfront figures and never pulls any punches when asked of his opinion. He has been tearing the music world asunder for almost three decades and after what he remarks as a life that he has lived to the fullest, Fowley is ready to give the metal world what it truly needs and that is his autobiography.
 
Fowley's work with DECEASED is unparalleled and albums like "Fearless Undead Machines", "The 13 Frightened Souls", "Luck Of The Corpse" and "Supernatural Addiction" have garnered Fowley and DECEASED immense respect and adulation throughout the metal community. Heralded as some of the greatest metal ever put to tape, DECEASED's status and reputation among metal's elite is unquestioned.
 
Fowley's life story will chronicle in almost pedantic detail every song and album ever created by DECEASED, OCTOBER 31 and every other slab of music he helped create. You'll learn about Fowley's early days, how DECEASED formed, the D.C.-area metal scene of the mid-'80s and how King escaped death multiple times. King nearly died from a horrendous blood clot, survived a stroke and kicked drugs and alcohol, two addictions that had a complete stranglehold on him.
 
And luckily for the readers, the legendary, almost fantastical party lifestyle he lived on a daily basis will finally be told in all its glory. Yeah, King has had some good times in his days. He's enjoyed throngs of women and has had his fair share of fistfights along the way as well, all of which will be touched upon in the book.
 
Written with the help of Mike Sloan (Blistering.com, Sherdog.com, SecondsOut.com, TeethOfTheDivine.com) the as-yet untitled autobiography is tentatively set for a late 2012/early 2013 release.
 
"Going down 44 years of the memory lane game with Mike has made me laugh, cry, smile, shriek and everything in between," exclaimed Fowley. "Yeah, life is a motherfucker and I've been both the mother and the fucker many, many times over! Life is for living and I know sure as hell I've been living mine and then some!"
 
"It's been an amazing journey working with King for all these months," Sloan remarked about the project he and King have been secretly working on for more than a year. "We're finally hitting the final stages of the book, though there's still plenty of work to be done. Not only has King been the driving force behind some of best metal ever produced, the guy's lived one hell of a crazy life. Whoever reads his story will be blown away by the sheer amount of triumphs and tragedies he's endured."
 
Publishing duties will come courtesy of Burning Horse Media and the autobiography will be available in both print and digital forms. It's likely to retail for $19.95. More details as to where the book can be purchased and when the exact release date of the book will be are forthcoming.
 
New York death metal veterans DEHUMANIZED have inked a multi-album deal with U.S. record label Comatose Music. The band's new CD, "Controlled Elite", will be released on November 27. The effort was recorded at Full Force Studio in Long Island, New York with engineer Joe Cincotta and it "picks up right where 'Prophecies Foretold' left off over 14 years ago, with bludgeoning blast beats and plenty of old-school NYC-style grooves with colossal audio production," according to a press release.
 
Commented Comatose Music's Steve Green: "Being a longtime fan of DEHUMANIZED, I am absolutely honored to be working with these guys. This new album is crushing and proves that DEHUMANIZED is back with a vengeance!"
 
Added DEHUMANIZED drummer and founding member George Torres: "All of us in DEHUMANIZED are extremely excited to be a part of Comatose Music and 2013 is going to be the year to remember for all fans of DEHUMANIZED. We want to spread this new album like the plague!"
 
The history of DEHUMANIZED dates back to the mid-'90s, an era that saw the rise of several legendary New York death metal acts, not the least of which included SUFFOCATION, INTERNAL BLEEDING and PYREXIA. In 1998, DEHUMANIZED released its debut album, "Prophecies Foretold". The CD was a savage crash course into the classic style of New York slam death metal. As a result of this impressive release, they are now considered by many as one of the bands who helped define and shape the undeniable sound and feel of New York death metal.
 
Sadly, in 2000 DEHUMANIZED broke up. They reformed in 2004 only to split up once again in 2007. Finally, in 2011 DEHUMANIZED resurfaced with a solid lineup and new music. In addition, they have returned to the live stage and have made appearances at several large festivals.
 
Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release his autobiography, "Sacrum Profanum", in Poland on October 17. The book, whicih was previously described by Nergal as "a really long in-depth interview," will initially only be made available in Polish, but "depending on interest, we might be translating this into English," he said.
 
The "Sacrum Profanum" cover photo was taken by Ivo Ledwozyw, with post-production by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, KAMELOT, MOONSPELL, SOILWORK, EXODUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, DECAPITATED, VADER).
 
Several promotional clips for "Sacrum Profanum" were recently directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz of Polish producers Grupa 13, with whom Nergal previously collaborated on the BEHEMOTH videos "At The Left Hand Ov God" and "Ov Fire And The Void".
 
The trailers were scripted by Nergal and are "little portraits of certain chapters of the book," according to the BEHEMOTH frontman. The clips show Nergal reading excerpts from the autobiography as well as acting out parts of stories that he describes as "some funny, some sad, some evil — some related to the band, some not." The series of trailers are in the Polish language with English subtitles.
 
The third trailer can now be seen below.
 
An excerpt from the book (in Polish) can be downloaded at this location.
 
In December 2010, Darski underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure after being diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia.

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