• Blabbermouth posts KORN recently recorded two songs at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, England for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" session which aired in early April as part of Daniel Carter's program. KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer was also interviewed about the session and the band's recent tour. Check out video footage below.  KORN's latest album, "The Path Of Totality", saw the band teaming up with dubstep producers and DJs to add a whole new electronic layer to their sound.  Much of the material for the album was recorded at singer Jonathan Davis' home studio, and he laid down vocals at home or in hotel rooms while on tour.  Davis said that title refers to the fact that "in order to see the sun in a full solar eclipse, you must be in the exact right place in the exact right time. That's how this album came together . . . I'm not sure it could ever happen again."  The album was released in two configurations: as a standard 11-song CD and a special edition CD that included bonus tracks as well as a DVD of "The Encounter", a full-length video concert of KORN's mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime performance in the middle of a 900-foot-long crop circle in a wheat field in Bakersfield. The complete concert, previously seen in 2010 on TV and online in an abbreviated form, was offered in its entirety to those who purchase the deluxe version.
  
  Interview:

 Performance:

• Blabbermouth reports ECW Press has unveiled two exciting special editions of "Clockwork Angels: The Novel" (ECW Press, September 2012), the landmark literary collaboration between RUSH drummer and lyricist Neil Peart and bestselling sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson. These two numbered special editions of "Clockwork Angels: The Novel" will be available for pre-order on Friday, July 27.  The Silver Edition, slipcased and autographed by both Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart, will be a beautiful addition to any collection. This limited edition of 300 copies is available from both ecwpress.com/clockworksilver and rushbackstage.com for $74.95.  The Gold Edition is a must have for die-hard fans. Slipcased and signed by both authors, The Gold Edition is accompanied by a lithograph image from the book, signed by artist Hugh Syme, and a unique autographed page of the original "Clockwork Angels" manuscript. Both pieces are presented in an attractive frame with an engraved and numbered plate. With only 302 copies available, the Gold Edition will retail for $299.95, and is available exclusively from rushbackstage.com.  The Gold and Silver editions of "Clockwork Angels" will be available for preorder on Friday, July 27, at 10 a.m. ET, while quantities last. Special editions will ship on August 31.  Kevin J. Anderson recently wrote on Facebook, "Most of you are aware of my long-standing friendship with (RUSH drummer) Neil Peart . . . For more than twenty years, Neil and I have wanted to collaborate on something MAJOR, a way we could tie together our imaginations, and at last that's happening. I'm writing the novelization of RUSH's forthcoming album, 'Clockwork Angels'."  Anderson added that he worked with Peart to "flesh out the epic story told over the course of the music," which involves "lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life."  Regarding the book cover, which can be seen below, as well as the rest of the package, Anderson said, "[It is] one of my most beautiful covers ever. The central image is from the forthcoming RUSH album, with the type and cover design by Neil Peart. ECW will publish the hardcover in September (available for preorder now), a full-color volume with paintings and complete lyrics (and the novel itself, of course).   "From the sample pages I've seen already, this will be a gorgeous book.  "The novel is a colorful steampunk fantasy, and I think it has a great deal of heart. Neil and I are very pleased with how it turned out-the creative synergy was amazing.  "'Clockwork Angels: The Novel' follows the story mapped out in the songs of the album, but the book isn't only for RUSH fans (then again, who isn't a RUSH fan???)."

• Blabbermouth reports METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN, CHICKENFOOT and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are among the artists who have re-interpreted songs from DEEP PURPLE's classic "Machine Head" album for "Re-Machined: A Tribute To Machine Head", a compilation CD which will be made available with Classic Rock magazine's upcoming DEEP PURPLE fanpack. Due on Septemer 4, the fanpack also comes with an in-depth, official, band-endorsed 124-page magazine which includes exclusive new interviews with world-class guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Steve Vai and the members of METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and CHICKENFOOT, among others, talking about recording these classic songs, plus brand new interviews with DEEP PURPLE — one of the last interviews with the late Jon Lord — on the making of their most well-loved album and exclusive and previously unpublished photographs and artefacts from the PURPLE archives.  Hearing of Jon Lord's sad passing, Glenn Hughes assembled some friends to cut "Highway Star" last week as a tribute to his dear friend. The performance is one of the greatest performances Glenn Hughes has committed to record.   "Re-Machined: A Tribute To Machine Head" track listing:
  
  01. Smoke On The Water - CARLOS SANTANA
  02. Highway Star - CHICKENFOOT
  03. Maybe I'm A Leo - GLENN HUGHES, CHAD SMITH, LUIS MALDONADO
  04. Pictures Of Home - BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
  05. Never Before - KINGS OF CHAOS (Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Arlan Schierbaum)
  06. Smoke On The Water - THE FLAMING LIPS
  07. Lazy - JIMMY BARNES, JOE BONAMASSA
  08. Space Truckin' - IRON MAIDEN
  09. When A Blind Man Cries – METALLICA
  10. Highway Star - Glen HUGHES, STEVE VAI, CHAD SMITH, LACHLAN DOLEY (exclusive track)

 Read more at Loudwire, Ultimate Classic Rock and Classic Rock

• Blabbermouth reports in a brand new interview with the Miami New Times, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars was asked if sex and life is different now that he has entered his 60s. "Well, yes," Mars replied. "Lots of things change. One doesn't. I'm still no gentleman. I'm still as big an asshole as ever. Lewd and aggressive."  He continued, "But honestly, there's one thing that's really different for me ... Being sober. And it's really helped. The playing is better. The songs are better. There are some people who drink their whole lives. But thankfully, I was just like, 'Ah, I'm over this shit. Over the drug thing. Over the booze thing. Over this other thing.' It's great to be clear-headed, instead of just sitting around going, 'Huh?' like a dummy.   "I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't have many vices, except playing my guitar too much. I guess I'm kind of a boring guy these days. But that's how I'm gonna keep going with MÖTLEY CRÜE as long as I can.  "And even after that, I'll just keep playing and writing for TV commercials, movies, old bands, new bands, baby bands, whatever, right until it's all over. There's no way I can keep touring for the rest of my life, because I don't wanna be 75 on the road like an old goat with his head hanging down.  "But one way or another, I'll keep rockin' 'till I fall down. Definitely."  Read more at Ultimate Classic Rock and Classic Rock

• Blabbermouth reports in a recent interview with Brian Aberback of Long Branch-Eatontown Patch, AEROSMITH guitarist Brad Whitford was asked if he ever thought that the band was coming to an end because of all of the drama between lead singer Steven Tyler and the rest of the band over the past two and a half years. "We were looking at all sorts of options," Brad replied. "We were at odds with Steven. He had made it clear to us that he wanted to work on his own solo thing for a while. And then he signed on to 'American Idol'. We felt a little bit left in the lurch. We wanted to go out and make music. We felt maybe we could go out and maybe bring in someone else to sing, maybe call it a different name. We talked about it but it never panned out. Things just worked out. I always knew the band would perform again, but I didn't know when or how.  Regarding what it was like working with producer Jack Douglas again on AEROSMITH's new album, "Music From Another Dimension" (Douglas produced the band's 1970s classics "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks"), Whitford said, "It was like putting on a pair of old slippers. It just felt so right. We got to work and the album just came out so good. Everybody in the band contributed music to the album. We're so psyched about it. It's going to blow people's minds. The band sounds and plays better than ever."  On the topic of the new album's release date, which was recently pushed back from August to November, Brad said, "It's unfortunate. We were going to have the song 'Legendary Child' as part of a movie soundtrack that was going to come out this summer and the movie ['G.I. Joe: Retaliation'] was delayed to next year, so the whole marketing campaign that went along with that and the album's release went right down the toilet. So the record company wanted time for a whole new approach and they wanted to get a slot to release the album they thought would be good for it. It'll be worth the wait."  Read more at Ultimate Classic Rock

• Blabbermouth reports "Inside The Machine", the first biography of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD, is set for worldwide release on October 15 by Omnibus Press. The author, Joel McIver, has previously written books about and in co-operation with artists such as SLAYER, TOOL, MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH and many other rock and metal legends, including the bestselling 2004 volume "Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica". The book features a foreword by ex-MACHINE HEAD drummer Chris Kontos, and its cover can be seen below.  McIver told BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "'Inside The Machine' is an unauthorized book, but damn, I'm proud of it. I've interviewed Robb Flynn, Adam Duce, Phil Demmel and Dave McClain so many times over the years that a book had to be written sometime. The story of MACHINE HEAD's rise, fall and rise again is pretty much unprecedented in heavy music, and I've added first-hand detail to the story from interviews with band friends and associates. I've also taken a rather different approach to the band's catalogue. The usual approach that critics take is to dismiss MACHINE HEAD's late-90s and early-00s albums as watered-down nu-metal, which is a long way from the whole truth: if you're looking for a fresh viewpoint, you'll find it here."  The official book description: "Over 17 years and eight albums, heavy metal band MACHINE HEAD have sold millions of units, earned a Grammy nomination and won personal awards from various magazines. The story is a classic 'rise, fall and rise again' scenario — they exploded onto the metal scene in 1994, enjoyed a successful string of albums and then lost their way in the nu-metal era. Now they are in the middle of one of metal's most acclaimed comebacks. Joel McIver has interviewed all the band-members several times and has a unique insight into their rollercoaster story, which includes alcohol addiction, inter-band brawls and therapy, sackings, near-splits and two decades of the heaviest music known to man, delivered all over the world."  For more information, visit www.joelmciver.co.uk. MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.  MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.  MACHINE HEAD's previous CD, "The Blackening", opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88. 

• Blabbermouth reports ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has scheduled the following Guitar Center appearances:
  
  August 9 at 7 p.m.
  Guitar Center - Block At Orange
  20 City Blvd W Ste 907D
  Orange, CA 92868
  
  August 10 at 7 p.m.
  Guitar Center
  7425 Sunset Blvd.
  Hollywood, CA 90046
  
  August 30 at 7 p.m.
  Guitar Center - San Jose
  3677 Stevens Creek Blvd.
  Santa Clara, CA 95051
  
  August 31 at 7 p.m.
  Guitar Center
  5925 Shellmound St.
  Emeryville, CA 94608
  
  Jackson Guitars has issued a limited edition Scott Ian ATL Soloist electric guitar. Only 250 of these will be available mid-price.  The ATL Soloist displays artwork from the Anthrax breakthrough album "Among The Living" depicting antagonist Rev. Henry Kane of "Poltergeist" fame. The body is made of basswood and features neck-thru construction for improved sustain and access to all 24 frets. The neck has a rosewood fingerboard with custom ATL and Thraxagram inlays and a compound radius for maximum playing comfort. A single, strategically-placed Duncan Designed humbucker with volume control inspires unrestrained power and tone.
  
  Features:
  
  * Soloist body shape
  * Basswood body
  * Neck thru construction
  * 24 jumbo frets
  * Rosewood compound radius fingerboard
  * Duncan-designed humbucker
  * Exclusive "Among The Living" graphic
  * ATL and Thraxagram inlay
  
  For more information, go to this location.

• Blabbermouth reports DOWN entered the studio last October to begin recording the first in a series of four EPs, to be released over the next few years (with a year between EPs), each touching on a different aspect of the band's sound.  According to CD Universe, the first six-song EP, entitled "EP One", which heralds the sound of DOWN going back to its roots, with influences from BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS and WITCHFINDER GENERAL, will be released on September 18.  When asked about DOWN's plans to release four separate EPs, Anselmo said, "That's the idea right now, but I think that after you work on a body of music, you need to reload, you need to refresh, you need to clear your head. Get that, digest it, get it out of your system, and then decide what direction you're going to go. It's a good idea and I think we should see it through. But there's no way we can rush it. Because I think if it is a series of four, each one should be unique, and that… We've shown flexibility — we have songs like 'Bury Me In Smoke' and then we have songs like 'Stone The Crow'… acoustic pieces and what-not… We have all that. So we've touched on many, I guess, dynamics, so… I would expect each EP to have its own life."  Fan-filmed video footage of DOWN performing a brand new song, "The Misfortune Teller", on May 29 at the Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola, Florida can be seen below.  The entire concert is available at this location.  Anselmo recently described DOWN's new EP as "very stripped down. Nothing flashy. Straight to the point… really just DOWN music. If you liked the first record, the demos… something like that… This record, we're pretty dead straight and honest and on the money as far as making it as simple and direct as possible and I think we did that. . . It has that practice-room vibe to it. We didn't really try and fucking slick it out and anything. We went the more raw route, as far as an approach."   Read more at Loudwire
  The track listing for the effort is as follows:
  
  01. Levitation
  02. Witchtripper
  03. Open Coffins
  04. The Curse Is A Lie
  05. This Work Is Timeless
  06. The Misfortune Teller
  
  Interview:
  
  
  
  
  "The Misfortune Teller" performance footage:
  
  

• Blabbermouth posts St. Louis Music Press journalist-groupie-sock-puppet extraordinaire Roxy Soxy conducted an interview with Austin Dickinson — the singer for the up-and-coming London, England metalcore outfit RISE TO REMAIN and the son of IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson — on July 5 at the Vans Warped Tour stop at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St Louis, Missouri. You can now watch the chat below.  "Heartless", a brand new song from RISE TO REMAIN, is available for free download at this location. The track is described in a press release as "a visceral, brutal statement of renewed intent that scorches its way firmly into your head, heart and soul."  "Heartless" is one of four tracks RISE TO REMAIN recorded for inclusion as bonus tracks with the U.S. version of their debut release, "City Of Vultures", which was released in America on June 5.  RISE TO REMAIN recently announced the full-time additions of bassist Connor O'Keefe and drummer Adam Lewin on drums to the group's ranks. Fans will recognize Lewin from RISE TO REMAIN's U.K. headlining tour.
  
  Interview:
  
  

• Blabbermouth posts the first teaser for "X", the tenth studio album from Helsinki, Finland-based gothic metallers THE 69 EYES, can be seen below. Due in late September through RCA/Sony Music in Finland and Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe and North America, the CD was mixed by Stefan Boman (THE HELLACOPTERS, BULLET) and is described by the band's lead singer Jyrki69 as THE 69 EYES' "most melodic-yet-melancholic" releasr to date. He added, "This is the best THE 69 EYES album ever done!"  Regarding the album title, Jyrki69 said, "We've never really celebrated anything, not that we've been playing 20 years or so (vampires don't count decades). Thus this time we thought to celebrate a bit: the new album is entitled as tenth in Roman numbers, it'll be called 'X'."  THE 69 EYES filmed a video for the song "Red" earlier this month with Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.  The full track will be made available on August 10.  Regarding the "X" cover artwork, Jyrki69 said, "The cover is pure goth 'n' roll: a psychedelic mirror image of old wild animal bones with our X-tagram projected over all. It's good, evil, magic and voodoo all together! Something to stare at when tripping on the album."  To coincide with the new album release, THE 69 EYESwill also launch its own vampire-style red wine, simply called as "Red," which will mainly be distributed in Sweden and Finland.

• Blabbermouth reports Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, who currently resides in Hollywood, California, recently conducted an interview with former KINGDOM COME/WARRANT guitarist Rick Steier. You can now watch the chat below.  Speaking about the Lenny Wolf-fronted band whose 1988 self-titled debut album was certifield gold in the U.S. for sales in excess of 500,000 copies, Steier said, "I don't know if you've heard. The buzz is that KINGDOM COME is getting back together for a reunion tour… They want the original members. Derek Shulman, who worked for PolyGram and actually signed KINGDOM COME back in the '80s, I think probably James [Kottak; former KINGDOM COME and current SCORPIONS drummer] ran into him on the road, 'cause James does the most travelling, being with the SCORPIONS. So he talked with Derek and had thrown around the idea and then Lenny got on board and said, 'It's great,' and they e-mailed me and blah blah blah. So it's in the works. If it happens, it happens. It's be fun. But if it doesn't, life goes on, right?!"  He continued, "I just ran into J.B. [Johnny B. Frank], the [original KINGDOM COME] bass player. We were at the SCORPIONS show together. It was at the Staples Center. So I ran into him. I hadn't seen him in awhile.  "So we have the nucleus [of the original KINGDOM COME lineup for a potential reunion]. [But] nobody's been able to talk to Danny — Danny Stag was the lead guitarist at the time.  "They're kind of making all the connections. I'm kind of sitting back and waiting. I think [Danny] is somewhere back where he grew up in Pittsburgh. I don't know if they've been able to get hold of him. I'm just kind of staying off to the side waiting for the word.  "What [the reunion] would entail would be doing a whole new CD featuring the original guys. And who knows?! I don't know if it would do well here, based on the musical climate here, but in Europe I think they're still into that metal sound."  The original KINGDOM COME lineup recorded and released two albums — 1988's "Kingdom Come" and 1989's "In Your Face" — before all members other than Wolf quit the group.  With a new, mostly German lineup, KINGDOM COME remains active, with several subsequent releases and tours in Europe under their collective belts.  In a March 2011 interview with The Great Southern Brainfart. KINGDOM COME singer Lenny Wolf was asked if he was hurt by the criticism that his band received early on for sounding like LED ZEPPELIN. "I was a young man, a singer who hardly spoke English and our band just exploded," he said. "We were excited and at first the press celebrated us. I remember [U.K.'s] Kerrang! [magazine] said, 'Finally, there's a band like 'the big magic Z!'' and we were all very happy. I must admit that there were some similarities, but in no way did we even get close. Every band, especially young bands, are influenced by somebody and those influences will surface when you start writing your own stuff. In the beginning, we took it as a compliment then all of the sudden some press person overheard Danny saying, 'Who's Jimmy Page?' He was saying it out of context like, 'Oh no, not this question again.' so he printed that one line: 'KINGDOM COME guitarist announces he's never heard of Jimmy Page.' This is so far out and ridiculous but the way the media works. The press loves victims. They love kicking you when you on the ground and they'll kick you even more. That's just the way it is. We also learned that bad press is better than no press and once I realized that, I just ignored it and I didn't care anymore. Fortunately, the music does all the talking and if the music gives you goosebumps and the music moves you than don't worry about it . . . We took it as a compliment and were excited. We were playing in London the night before Robert Plant was playing and we went down to see him. He was goofing with us, having fun and he was so relaxed. Robert Plant is like above all. He's really above everything. He was joking with us and it was really great. It really made me sad when I noticed Jimmy Page, who was one of my heroes, starting to whine about little KINGDOM COME who was never really a threat at all."  Read more at Classic Rock
  
  

• Blabbermouth reports "It's Not Because Of You", a brand new song from Swedish doom metal kings WITCHCRAFT, will be made available via the band's Facebook profile on Monday, July 30. The track will released digitally via iTunes as well as on limited seven-inch vinyl on Friday, August 17. The single will also include a special non-album cut called "Take Me With You When You Die". The vinyl version will be issued in at least three different-color versions — black, copper and green — and made available via Nuclear Blast mailorder only.  "It's Not Because Of You" comes off WITCHCRAFT's fourth album, "Legend", which will be released on September 21 via the band's new label home, Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "The Alchemist" was recorded with renowned producer Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (KREATOR, OPETH, AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA) in Örebro, Sweden. The CD marks the recording debut of the band's new members Simon Solomon (guitar), Tom Jondelius (guitar) and Oscar Johansson (drums). Going forward, WITCHCRAFT leader Magnus Pelander will focus on his unique vocals without playing guitar anymore.  "Legend" track listing:
  
  01. Deconstruction
  02. Flag Of Fate
  03. It's Not Because Of You
  04. An Alternative To Freedom
  05. Ghosts House
  06. White Light Suicide
  07. Democracy
  08. Dystopia
  09. Dead End
  
  Limited digipack + LP bonus track:
  
  10. By Your Definition
  
  Commented Pelander: "A friend of mine had an idea about a cover for 'Legend'. I developed the idea and gave it back to my friend who then passed it on to another friend who happened to be a designer. The designer then pushed it in a new direction. The result is already legendary."  Added bass player Ola Henriksson: "The album cover is meant to reflect the music and I think it does that with its heavy, dark and clean design." WITCHCRAFT, who formed in 2000 in tribute to band heroes Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling (PENTAGRAM), create heavy, blues-based rock augmented with touches of psychedelica and late '60s pop flourishes. The quartet's first-class songs reference the darker side of hard rock while remaining surprisingly accessible. Flying largely under the radar of the popular music landscape previously, WITCHCRAFT is a hallowed name in underground circles and has found itself championed by a diverse cross-section of distinguished music adherents including American actor Elijah Wood, who publicly called the band "amazing," and DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo, who in 2009 proudly proclaimed WITCHCRAFT as his "new favorite band."  Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free at Stockholm's UpandRunning studios with producer Tom Hakava and using only vintage amplification, WITCHCRAFT's latest album, "The Alchemist", showcases a group of musicians at ease with their playing and songwriting. Addictive melodies flow simultaneously with catchy, heavy riffs, while maintaining a relaxed and laid back feel throughout. Among its many highlights, the album features the standout songs "Walk Between the Lines" and "Hey Doctor" as well as the record's plat du jour, the three-part progressive rock odyssey of the title track "The Alchemist".
  
  

• Blabbermouth reports MONUMENT, the British classic heavy metal band featuring former members of WHITE WIZZARD, BIOMECHANICAL and THE MORE I SEE, will release its debut EP, "Rock The Night", on August 6. According to a press release, the CD "compris[es] of five stunning tracks, fuelled by massive twin guitar attack, catchy hooks and powerful tenor vocals."  The "Rock The Night" title track features a solo guest performance from JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner.  The lyric music video for the lead single, "Fatal Attack", can be seen below.  MONUMENT will celebrate the release of its EP with a special show at Islington's O2 Academy in London, England, supporting the official Ronnie James Dio tribute band DIO DISCIPLES. MONUMENT frontman Peter Ellis says, "It's a true privilege to open for the band of my late, great hero Ronnie James Dio! Bring on the good times!"  MONUMENT is:
  
  Peter Ellis - Vocals
  Lewis Stephens - Lead Guitar
  David del Cid - Lead Guitar
  Jim Ramses - Bass guitar
  Matt C - Drums
  
  

• Blabbermouth reports U.D.O.'s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria was professionally filmed for release as a DVD+CD and Blu-ray+CD, entitled "Live In Sofia", on September 28 via AFM Records.   Commented the group: "The audience was absolutely fantastic and forced us to play for nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes. More than 2,000 fans welcomed back us after 7 years and pushed everybody over his personal limit. Sofia was absolutely great and we will never forget this show. To make sure all the fans can participate of this great event, we will do everything to release the DVD/CD/Blu-ray as soon as possible."  U.D.O.'s setlist for the Sofia concert was as follows:
  
  01. Rev-Raptor
  02. Dominator
  03. Thunderball
  04. Leatherhead
  05. Independence Day
  06. Screaming For A Love Bite (ACCEPT cover)
  07. Heart Of Gold
  08. Vendetta
  09. Princess Of The Dawn (ACCEPT cover)
  10. I Give As Good As I Get
  11. Guitar Solo
  12. Neon Nights (ACCEPT cover)
  13. Break The Rules
  14. Man And Machine
  15. Drum Solo
  16. Living On A Frontline
  17. Up To The Limit (ACCEPT cover)
  18. Two Faced Woman
  19. Metal Heart (ACCEPT cover)
  
  Encore:
  
  20. The Bogeyman
  21. I'm A Rebel (ACCEPT cover)
  
  Encore 2:
  
  22. Balls To The Wall (ACCEPT cover)
  23. Burning (ACCEPT cover)
  
  The cover artwork for the DVD can be seen below.  "Celebrator", a collection of rare tracks from U.D.O., will be released on double vinyl on August 17 via High Roller Records. It is limited to 500 copies in three different colors:
  
  * 100 x white vinyl
  * 200 x yellow vinyl
  * 200 x black vinyl
  
  "Celebrator" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 73.  The set was made available in Europe on May 4 via AFM Records and was released in North America on June 19.  U.D.O.'s latest album, "Rev-Raptor", was released on May 20, 2011 via AFM Records. The recordings for the CD took place between June 2010 and February 2011 at Roxx studios (owned by U.D.O. guitarist and ex-ACCEPT drummer Stefan Kaufmann) in Pulheim, Germany. The effort was mastered by Manfred Melchior at MM Sound Digital studios in Steinhagen, Germany. The album's cover artwork is once again a comic-like motif: but the "Dominator" character is this time "a lot more effectual and colorful," according to a press release.
  
  

  

• Blabbermouth reports Texas-based metal veterans HELSTAR will release "30 Years Of Hel", a DVD containing footage of the band's March 24, 2012 30-year-anniversary hometown show at Warehouse Live in Houston, on August 31 via AFM Records. The DVD+2CD set will include footage of the band performing songs spanning its entire career, including material from the often-overlooked "Multiples Of Black" release. The package will also feature interviews with each bandmember, as well as with the entire group, conducted by "Robb's MetalWorks" and focusing specifically on this milestone. Robb Chavez of "Robb's MetalWorks" conducted an interview with Larry Barragan, guitarist and co-founding member of HELSTAR, on March 24 at the 30-year-anniversary show. The chat, which can be seen below, covers a variety of topics, including the significance of the 30-year milestone, that evening's 20-song set list, the history of Texas metal and Jackson guitars.  HELSTAR released its latest album, "Glory Of Chaos", in November 2010 via Germany's AFM Records.  Formed in Houston in the early '80s, HELSTAR cut its teeth playing backyard parties and small club gigs. It soon became apparent that HELSTAR had much more to offer then its contemporaries. Combat Records snapped up the band and released HELSTAR's debut, "Burning Star", in 1984. Next came "Remnants of War", followed by HELSTAR's breakthrough album, "A Distant Thunder", in 1988. The success of "A Distant Thunder" ultimately set up HELSTAR's most critically acclaimed album, 1989's "Nosferatu".
  
  

• Blabbermouth reports Finnish heavy metal singer Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS, CAIN'S OFFERING, KOTIPELTO) and guitarist Jani Liimatainen (CAIN'S OFFERING, ex-SONATA ARCTICA) are putting the finishing touches on an acoustic album, "Blacoustic", to be released later in the year under the KOTIPELTO & LIIMATAINEN banner. Timo says, "Matias [Kupiainen, STRATOVARIUS guitarist] mixed the album in his studio and now he is mastering it (final tuning, making each tracks into a complete album). It sounds veeery good! We still need to work on the artwork, etc. Jani and Matias did a brilliant job!"  CAIN'S OFFERING, the band featuring Kotipelto and Liimatainen, released its debut album, "Gather The Faithful", in 2009 via Frontiers Records.  Liimatainen was previously in SONATA ARCTICA and ALTARIA. In 2007, Jani parted ways with SONATA ARCTICA, a band he co-founded in 1996 and to which he devoted his time and energy for more than 10 years.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Blabbermouth reports Chicago-based hard rockers SOIL will join metal heavyweights FOZZY on a nine-date U.K. tour launching November 27 in Stoke, England and wrapping up December 6 in Brighton, England. The tour marks both bands' first return to the United Kingdom since highly successful appearances at this year's Download festival. The tour will also feature the U.K.'s own BREED 77.   "The U.K. has always been FOZZY's second home, and after the amazing experience we had rocking Download 2012, we couldn't wait to return to the U.K.," states FOZZY frontman Chris Jericho. "That's why this tour with SOIL is so huge for us. To be able to come back to England, Scotland and Wales with a band of their stature is going to blow away our fans, their fans, and make new fans for both of us! Mark my words... for excitement, energy and pure value, FOZZY vs. SOIL is going to be THE tour of the fall!!"  "It will be great to have FOZZY joining us for the tour," says SOIL bassist Tim King. "We had the pleasure of playing a few shows with them this spring and the two bands fit perfectly together."  "I've known the SOIL guys for over 15 years and even have a copy of their first demo," says FOZZY guitarist Rich Ward. "It's always great to tour with a band that you like, but it's even better when the band are your friends. Don't miss an opportunity to see this tour — and bring a helmet!"  The upcoming tour will be SOIL's last before entering the studio to record their long-awaited new album featuring the return of original frontman Ryan McCombs.  FOZZY will release its new album, "Sin And Bones", on August 14 (one day earlier internationally) via the group's new label, Century Media Records.  The dates are as follows:
  
  Nov. 27 - Stoke, UK - The Underground
  Nov. 28 - Manchester, UK - Moho Live
  Nov. 29 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
  Nov. 30 - Glasgow, UK - The Arches
  Dec. 01 - Leeds, UK - Cockpit
  Dec. 02 - Hafan Y Mor, UK - Hard Rock Hell Festival
  Dec. 04 - Plymouth, UK - White Rabbit
  Dec. 05 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
  Dec. 06 - Brighton, UK - Concorde 2
  
  
• Blabbermouth reports Los Angeles-based progressive melodic death metallers DREAMING DEAD have announced the addition of guitarist Chris McCarthy to the group's ranks. The band states, "After many tiring years of continuous search, we are very pleased to announce the addition of guitar guru and long time friend Chris McCarthy to DREAMING DEAD's lineup. We feel his contribution will take the band's live sound and songwriting to new and exciting levels. Expect devastating new material in 2013."
  DREAMING DEAD's sophomore album, "Midnightmares", was released on April 20. The follow-up to 2009's "Within One" "showcases DREAMING DEAD's ability to meld elements of black, death, thrash and Chuck Schuldiner-inspired progressive metal into one thought-provoking and intense sonic assault," according to a press release.  "Midnightmares" was recorded in part at DREAMING DEAD's home studio, with vocals, drums and mixing completed at North Hollywood's Architeuthis Sound. The cover artwork for the CD was created by renowned artist Travis Smith (OPETH, KING DIAMOND, DEVIN TOWNSEND).
  DREAMING DEAD is:
  Elizabeth Schall - Vocals/Guitar Juan Ramirez - Bass Michael Caffell - Drums/Vocals Chris McCarthy - Guitar

• Blabbermouth reports long-running metal band WILD DOGS has returned to its original four-man format after recruiting bassist Craig "Mondo" Lower. The group is rounded out by Matt McCourt on vocals, Robert Robinson on guitar and Troy Stutzman on drums.  After an appearance at Portland's three-day Black Circle metal festival with HIRAX, there has been a newfound appreciation for one of the originators of old-school shred metal.  Matt is planning a return to Europe — Germany, Holland and "whoever else will book us," he says — in the spring of 2013 with a set that is comprised of songs from WILD DOGS' first two albums (both of which were released through Shrapnel Records) and a couple DR. MASTERMIND and MAYHEM tunes. (Mondo was a memeber of the live DR. MASTERMIND group in 1986 with Deen Castronovo and Kurt James.)  WILD DOGS has released six albums, three live albums and one DVD.  The band rose to local and regional recognition in the 1980s as a pioneer of metal in the Pacific Northwest, and received international acclaim after the release of its second album.  McCourt is the only original and constant member of WILD DOGS. Several attempts to reunite most of the original bandmembers have failed, most recently in July 2010.  McCourt has kept the group active for 31 years, playing local and regional shows and international festivals with various musicians.

• Blabbermouth reports Erik Lindmark, a founding member of the California extreme metal band DEEDS OF FLESH, has issued the following update:  "As many know, a couple years back we did a drastic member change where I decided to go from doing both vocals and guitar to just guitar and backing vocals and adding Corey Athos (FLESH CONSUMED) to the lineup. Corey was going to take over, basically, all of the vocal duties, allowing me to concentrate more on just playing guitar and doing some backups here and there. We thought this would be a good move, allowing the vocals to be more aggressive and in-your-face, like on our last release, 'Of What's To Come'. We made the decision while writing this album, which is why you hear the progression in both vocals and guitar work from our previous releases. This would also allow myself to get a bit more technical and crazy on the guitar work as you hear with the added leads and over writing on 'Of What's To Come'.  "Unfortunately, the years of playing has taken its toll on my left or fret arm and I have been diagnosed with a severe level of tendonitis. Recording is not an issue, because songs are broken up into small sections and I am still recording on the new release, 'Portals To Canaan', but live is an issue. If I play for more then about two minutes straight, I get an overwhelming amount of pain in my fret arm and can no longer put any pressure on the neck and have to stop. This, in turn, live would leave nothing for me to do if Corey is doing vocals and I need to be replaced on guitar. So what we have decided is I will be doing all vocals live, but not playing guitar. Might be a bit weird, but it's either that or quit, which I do not want to do. On future releases I will still contribute to the writing process and recording, so I won't be completely out of the loop as far as guitar work goes. Inevitably, this means Corey will not be part of the current lineup. He put in a tremendous amount of effort on the lyrics for 'Portals To Canaan' and will get writing credits in the release. We wish him the best with FLESH CONSUMED and all other future projects.  "This was a very difficult decision for me, but I feel it is the only decision to move forward with DEEDS OF FLESH. I am trying to remedy the situation, but we are planning on touring for the new release next year and didn't want this to be a surprise, so thought this should be brought on now rather then later."  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. The label previously described the follow-up to 2005's "Crown Of Souls" as "nothing short of a masterpiece, combining the usual DEEDS OF FLESH sound with many added new elements, twisted and memorable guitar riffs and lead work, blistering drums, powerful vocals and mind-blowing bass lines."
  
  

  

  
  

• Blabbermouth reports Slovenian occult heavy metal act VIGILANCE has inked a deal with Metal Tank Records. The band's follow-up to 2011's "Steeds Of Time" "will crush everything in [its path] with its excellent mixture of genuine traditional speed heavy metal filled with profound devotion for primordial and ritualistic occultism," according to a press release.  Commented the band: "We are thrilled to announce that we are returning to Zalokar studios. The time is at hand to record the successor of our debut album, 'Steeds Of Time'. We have been working harder than ever before so you can expect nothing but fast, dark and untamed heavy metal."
  
  

• Loudwire posts an interview with Matt Heafy of Trivium on Tresspass America and growing up in the public eye

• Loudwire posts an interview with 3 Pill Morning singer Jeff Stebbins on new album "Black Tie Love Affair"

• Loudwire reports Deftones bassist Chi Cheng struggling with pneumonia again but slowly improving

• Loudwire wants to know your favorite Slash song

• Loudwire posts a song review for Linkiin Park's "Lost In The Echo"

• Loudwire reports Gwar singer Oderus Urungus is supporting Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe with a fundraising show

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons says "we didn’t want to put out an album like the last two"

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports how Led Zeppelin’s first U.S. show almost didn’t happen

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports Bruce Springsteen performs surprise cover of "We Shall Overcome" at Norway Memorial Concert.  Read more at Spinner

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin calls Paul Simon a "Jerk" alleges "Graceland" snub

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports Yes’ "Going for the One" turns 35

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports The Outlaws to release "It’s About Pride" album on September 25

• Ultimate Classic Rock reports Freddie Mercury photo book "The Great Pretender: A Life In Pictures" coming in September

• Classic Rock posts new music from Birch Hill Dam for the video "Fathoms"

• Classic Rock reports Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker had six ulcers and forced him to stop smoking weed

• Classic Rock reports Sebastian Bach is caught in a Guns N' Roses crossfire.  Read more at Ultimate Classic Rock

• Classic Rock posts a new video from Hawk Eyes

• Classic Rock reports security at an overbudget sponsorship festival ordered a girl to hide rock band Weapon's logo while surrounded by soldiers with real guns

• Noisecreep reports Loverboy frontman Mike Reno on reuniting with Bob Rock and touring with Journey again after 30 years

• Noisecreep posts photos from Summer Slaughter 2012

• Noisecreep posts photos of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

• Noisecreep posts a photo gallery of a day in the life of Hellyeah

• Noisecreep posts 5 songs that Dew Scented vocalist Leif Jensen wants played at his funeral

• Noisecreep reports The Devil Wears Prada to headline Rockapalooza Ohio Metal and Hip-Hop Fest Scheduled for Sept. 8

• Spinner posts the new video for "Headbanger" by Teenage Bottlerocket

• Spinner reports Pussy Riot Support Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand defend jailed Russian punk band.  Read more at Classic Rock

• Rolling Stone posts an MP3 of The Wallflowers "Reboot the Mission"

• Rolling Stone posts a new song by Gaslight Anthem "Teenage Rebellion"

• Rolling Stone posts an MP3 of "Weatherman" by Dead Sara

• Rolling Stone reports No Doubt "Settle Down" at Teen Choice Awards

• Rolling Stone reports New Order will tour North America for the first time in seven years

• Rolling Stone posts the new Avett Brothers song "Live and Die"

• Blabbermouth posts video of Lita Ford performing "Close My Eyes Forever" with an Ozzy Osbourne impersonator

• Blabbermouth posts video of James Durbin paying tribute to Ronnie James Dio

• Blabbermouth posts new music from Illdisposed "Sense The Darkness", The Chant "The Black Corner", Between The Buried And Me "Telos" (Read more at Loudwire), City Of Fire "Deliver Me" and Joe Stump "Pistoleros"

• Blabbermouth posts new videos from Jeff Scott Soto: 'Damage Control'  (See more at Classic Rock), Cloudscape: 'Your Desire' and Testament: 'Native Blood' (Lyric Video)

• Blabbermouth posts interviews with Corey Taylor on not feeling dated, Jason Hook from Five Finger Death Punch, Steel Panther, Static-X's Wayne Static, Killswitch Engage frontman Jesee Leach, ex-Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin on "moving arm", Polo Gregoletto from Trivium, Crashdiet, Sebastian Bach, drummer Jeremy Spencer of Five Finger Death Punch, Wayne Lozinak of Hatebreed Scott Ian on this version of Anthrax, Andy Trick from The Devil Wears Prada (Read more at Loudwire), Orange Goblin,  Mike 'Ricky' Martin from Iwrestledabearonce

• Blabbermouth posts performance footage from Axewound performing "Cold", The Sanity Days at Germany's "Metal Assault II Festival", Doro Pesch at Zwarte Cross, and Hell at Zwarte Cross, Killswitch Engage in Michigan, Exodus at Zwarte Cross Festival, Pain at Zwarte Cross Festival,

 Read more quick hits at Noisecreep