DECEMBER 31st 2012
MARDUK AND MOONSPELL TO PLAY IN VANCOUVER
The Invisible Orange, in partnership with Congregate Events, presents this unique evening of eclectic extreme music. Co-headlined by Swedish black metal legends Marduk and Portuguese veterans Moonspell this is neither a package any harsh metal enthusiast should miss, nor one that Vancouver may again see the likes of.

With the bill rounded off by Colombian Satanic assault of Inquisition, the brooding melodies of The Foreshadowing (from Italy) and the merciless speed of Death Wolf (featuring members of Marduk) this promises to be an evening you can't afford to miss.

No minors

DECEMBER 28th 2012
FATES WARNING COMPLETE WRITING NEW ALBUM
Guitarist Jim Matheos of U.S. progressive metal icons FATES WARNING has issued the following update:

"I'm happy to say that all the music for [the new FATES WARNING album] is now written (finally!). Still some lyrics to do, but we're close. Looking forward to sharing this with you in 2013."

FATES WARNING tapped Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, TRANSATLANTIC, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) to sit behind the kit for their first-ever visit to South America as special guests for QUEENSRŸCHE on April 14, 2012 at HSBC Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil. Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

The "Parallels" lineup of FATES WARNING played a number of shows in 2010 in support of the released special edition of the album, which was made available through Metal Blade Records. In addition to remastered audio, there is a second audio disc of live and demo material. The package also includes a DVD with nearly three hours of material, including a complete live show from the 1992 "Parallels" tour and a documentary on the making of "Parallels" which includes live, studio, and current day interview footage with all the band members, Terry Brown (producer) and Brian Slagel (CEO of Metal Blade Records).

FATES WARNING's latest CD, "X", was released in 2004 on Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2000's "Disconnected" was recorded at Carriage House studios in Stamford, Connecticut and features cover artwork by renowned record-cover artist Ioannis (DREAM THEATER, SEPULTURA, DEEP PURPLE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KING CRIMSON, BIOHAZARD, VOIVOD, UFO, OVERKILL).


DECEMBER 26th 2012
HATE RELEASE "SOLARFLESH" TEASERS
HATE Polish Death Black Metal warriors have just unleashed two teasers on their official Youtube channel for the new album "Solarflesh". Check out the teasers for this masterpiece to hit the stores in the mourn of 2013!

Check out TEASER I: http://youtu.be/DawZ0jMwdW0  

Check out TEASER II: http://youtu.be/ziRuXx3qKs0  

PRE-ORDER "SOLARFLESH" EXTENDED VERSION!

Limited First Edition 6 Page Digipack + 3 Bonus Tracks. A merciless and brutal masterpiece. Polish Extreme Metal. On their latest album "Solarflesh", HATE unleashes a merciless maelstrom of brutality and impenetrable darkness. The band revolving around frontman ATF Sinner clads dark visions and nightmares in an aggressive Black Death Metal sound that is brutal and technically ambitious. The powerful production gives the haunting riffs, thundering drums and inhuman grunts the perfect sound. The new songs are diverse, dynamic, full of details, and offer the listener a gripping experience for the entire album. "Solarflesh" is the triumphant return of the extraordinary Polish artist, and will enthrall Extreme Metal fans all over the world.

Pre-Order "Solarflesh" in Extended Version : HERE

HATE new album "Solarflesh - A Gospel of Radiant Divinity" will come out in the following dates:

20.01.2013 - ESP/FIN/SWE/NOR/GR
01.02.2013 - G/A/S & BENELUX
04.02.2013 - REST OF EUROPE
05.02.2013 - USA/CAN
 

DECEMBER 26th 2012
METAL ALLIANCE TOUR ANNOUNCE DATES
ANTHRAX will headline the third annual Metal Alliance Tour, set to kick off in March and run through the month of April. The band will perform its fan-favorite 1987 album "Among The Living" in its entirety during the trek, which will feature support from EXODUS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HOLY GRAIL and a couple of additional bands, to be announced at a later date.

"ANTHRAX has always been one of my favorite bands, and to have them be part of our tour is beyond expression. This is surely going to be one for the history books!" states tour co-organizer Dan Rozenblum.

Adds ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian: "Holy crap am I so excited about this year's Metal Alliance Tour!

"It's been a great year and a half for us since 'Worship Music' came out and to cap it off with a Grammy nomination.

"This is such a perfect lineup. To make this tour even more special, we will be playing our 'Among The Living' record in its entirety. I can't wait to play 'Horror Of It All'!

"Come on out and worship with us, my friends. You do not want to miss this. USA on Hell one more time."

General-admission tickets will go on sale on January 11.

The dates are as follows:

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY


DECEMBER 24th 2012
MIKE SCACCIA PASSES AWAY AT 47
Guitarist Mike Scaccia, known for his work with Ministry, Rigor Mortis and the Revolting Cocks, has died after suffering a seizure on stage. He was 47.

He was performing at the Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 22nd with Rigor Mortis, and collapsed during the show (according to ClassicRockMagazine report). He was taken to hospital while a band member is reported to have told fans: “It doesn’t look good.” He died soon afterwards.

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Scaccia died of a sudden heart attack brought on by a heart disease.


Vocalist Bruce Corbitt, who’d put on the event to celebrate his 50th birthday, posted on Facebook (via NME):
“My brother is gone! The only reason I am who I am is because of this man. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even be in a band. RIP Mike – the greatest guitar player I ever knew. I’m proud to say that I was always Mike Scaccia’s biggest fan, and always will be.”

Scaccia's bandmate and lead singer of Ministry, Al Jourgensen, has also reacted to the sad news via Facebook yesterday. He wrote:

"I just lost my lil' brother and my best friend... Mikey was not only the best guitar player in the history of music, but he was a close, close, close part of our family - and I just lost a huge chunk of my heart today. Our lives are forever changed. Life without Mikey is like orange juice without pulp - kind of bland. I have no words to express what this guy meant to me, my family, my career....everything!"

The guitarist co-formed Rigor Mortis in 1983 and they released their acclaimed debut self-titled album six years later. He was invited to join Ministry as a touring member by mainman Al Jourgensen in 1990. The tour went so well that he joined the industrial metal pioneers permanently. Scaccia appeared on Ministry’s "Psalm 69" and "Filth Pig" albums before leaving the band.

He reformed Rigor Mortis in 2003 and went back to Ministry around the same time, where he’d remained since. He’d also performed with RevCo in recent years.

Earlier this year Scaccia discussed his relationship with Jourgensen, telling Westword:
“We’ve had our ups and downs together. We’ve lived through a really very long and intense heroin addiction together. We’ve survived it – we got out of it. We’re like brothers, and we have fought like brothers in the past. About four years ago, we decided no more of that dumb shit. We’re best friends, man; let’s write music together. I don’t even think we’ve had an argument for four years now.”

In the same interview he said he was looking forward to completing a new Rigor Mortis album. He was also involved in the Dusters, Blohole, Lard, The League Of Blind Woman and Buck Satan And The 666 Shooters. Gibson employed him to run guitar clinics across the world.


DECEMBER 23rd 2012
AMON AMARTH TO WORK WITH ANDY SNEAP
Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH have tapped British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, ACCEPT) to helm their next studio album, tentatively due in June 2013 via Metal Blade Records.

"We are still in the writing process, and are right now working on finishing the last pieces," AMON AMARTH guitarist Olavi Mikkonen tells Decibel magazine.

Regarding AMON AMARTH's decision to work with Sneap after utilizing Jens Bogren for the band's last three studio efforts (2006's "With Oden On Our Side", 2008's "Twilight Of The Thunder God" and 2011's "Surtur Rising"), Mikkonen said, "We were looking for a change, and Andy has been in our thoughts for some years now. After meeting with him, we felt a good connection. We think this is going to be a ripper."


DECEMBER 22nd 2012
PAUL Di'ANNO ANNOUNCE
RESCHEDULED 2013 TOUR
IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno's previously announced U.S. tour, which was scheduled to kick off earlier this month, has been officially postponed until 2013. The trek was called off due to the fact that the musician had not secured a proper working visa to be able to enter the country.

In an we posting on his Facebook page, Di'Anno writes: "My personal and sincere apologies go out to all of my fans and friends (and my band LONERO) and indeed all individual show promoters and everyone involved in this supposed USA December 2012-January 2013 tour cancelation as I am deeply saddened at the total mismanagement of this whole thing. As I’m sure you can imagine, I cannot actually play the tour without first having a USA work visa.

"I would also like to point out that I have not had any news whatsoever in the past couple of weeks (despite my constant requests) on the USA work visa that I have been waiting and waiting on. Plus I was not provided with an air ticket and indeed I have not received any deposits either — just for the record.

"In brief, the only news I have ever had of this tour were the dates of the shows themselves.

"I am very sorry indeed for any fans that have not managed to get the cancelation tour information at an earlier time than this last-minute blog. This is, and has been, ALL totally out of my control, and as you can imagine, I am more than pissed off at this whole situation.

"No doubt (as usual) some (so-called) rock journalists (and their websites and blogs) will slag me off without even having any clues whatsoever as to the reasons behind this cancelation, but I guess that is what some of 'em are best at.

"The main culprit behind this mess is the arsebag guy (he'll remain nameless just for now) who was supposed to get the visa... This total tosser did 'f**k-all' and did not even tell us that he had done nothing whilst he just pissed off for Christmas and left this nightmare behind him..... He was NOT arranged by me but he WAS arranged by someone in the USA who should know better, and so I left it up to these capable people. I was supposed to be onstage tonight and thereafter with my band LONERO, and through trusting these people, it's me (as usual) who bares the brunt of all this.

"The tour is supposed to now be resheduled to next June 2013. However, this time, if these f**kers do not bother getting my U.S. visa finalised during this coming January, then (as i have pointed out to them), there won't be no tour. So watch this space and let's see if some people get their act together whilst I await the statutory slagging."

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which will require surgery soon, Di'Anno announced in July that he will stop touring next year.

Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.


DECEMBER 19th 2012
CANCER BATS RELEASE
DELUXE EDITION " DEAD SET ON"
Cancer Bats have just announced that they will release a deluxe edition of their critically acclaimed 2012 album Dead Set On Living on February 12, 2013 through Distort in Canada. This special 2-disc deluxe edition will include four previously unreleased tracks, the highly anticipated Bat Sabbath EP and exclusive Dead Set On Living and Bat Sabbath artwork. The album will be available digitally, with a limited run of physical copies available in-stores.

In support of their latest release, Cancer Bats will be headlining shows across eastern Canada during the month of February. Featuring special guests Dance Laury Dance, the Cancer Bats’ East Coast Ice Rage tour will kick-off on February 12th in Montreal, QC at La Tulipe and will wrap up on February 19^th in Kingston, ON at The Mansion. Tickets for the tour are currently on-sale. For more details visit www.cancerbats.com

CANCER BATS UPCOMING CANADIAN TOUR DATES 

DECEMBER 18th 2012
CLUTCH REVEIL ALBUM ART AND U.S. TOUR
With a little bit more than three months left before the release of CLUTCH's highly anticipated new studio effort Earth Rocker, the band has officially unveiled the album's artwork and has announced the initial dates for the first leg of the North American Earth Rocker world tour. 

The artwork was created by Nick Lakiotes, long time CLUTCH art director, who has worked on previous efforts including: Robot Hive/Exodus and Strange Cousins From the West.

CLUTCH has announced the initial dates for the first leg of the North American Earth Rocker world tour. The dates kick off March 8^th in Cincinnati, OH and are currently slated to run through March 24^th in Anaheim, CA. Support on these dates will be provided by Orange Goblin, Lionize and Kyng. Tickets for fan club members go on sale today via Pro-Rock.com and tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday December 21^st. Look for more dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Earth Rocker North American World Tour

3/8: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's

3/9: Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

3/10: Sauget, IL @ Pop's

3/11: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's Cantina Ballroom

3/12: Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom

3/14: Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom

3/18: Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep

3/19: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

3/21: Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues

3/22: Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee

3/23: Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Café Las Vegas

3/24: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues

DECEMBER 18th 2012
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA & AS I LAY DYING
JOIN U.S. TOUR
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING have announced details of their upcoming North American co-headline tour. The hugely anticipated trek gets underway February 22 at Ventura, California's Majestic Ventura Theater Half House and then continues through early April. Tickets for all dates will be on sale Friday, December 21. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING will be accompanied on the epic tour by FOR TODAY (on all dates except March 7-8), THE COLOR MORALE (February 22 - March 7), and THE CHARIOT (March 8 - April 4).

The dates are as follows:

Feb. 22 - Ventura, CA - Majestic Ventura Theater Half House
Feb. 23 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
Feb. 24 - Chico, CA - Senator Theatre
Feb. 26 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory Concert House
Feb. 27 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
Feb. 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia
Mar. 01 - San Diego, CA - Soma
Mar. 02 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Mar. 03 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
Mar. 05 - Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street Amphitheater
Mar. 06 - San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live
Mar. 07 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues Dallas (no For Today)
Mar. 08 - Lubbock, TX - Lonestar Events Center (no For Today)
Mar. 09 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
Mar. 10 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theatre
Mar. 12 - Nashville, TN - Rocketown
Mar. 13 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
Mar. 14 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
Mar. 15 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
Mar. 16 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
Mar. 17 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
Mar. 19 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Mar. 20 - Huntington, NY - Paramount Theater
Mar. 21 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Mar. 22 - Williamsville, NY - Club Infinity
Mar. 23 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Academy
Mar. 24 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theater
Mar. 25 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theater
Mar. 27 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
Mar. 28 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
Mar. 29 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Mar. 30 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Apr. 02 - Lawrence, KS - The Granada Theatre
Apr. 03 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
Apr. 04 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep



DECEMBER 17th 2012
METAL ALLIANCE TOUR
ANNOUNCES ANTHRAX HEADLINING
ANTHRAX will headline the third annual Metal Alliance Tour, set to kick off in March and run through the month of April. The band will perform its fan-favorite 1987 album "Among The Living" in its entirety during the trek, which will feature support from EXODUS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HOLY GRAIL and a couple of additional bands, to be announced at a later date.

"ANTHRAX has always been one of my favorite bands, and to have them be part of our tour is beyond expression. This is surely going to be one for the history books!" states tour co-organizer Dan Rozenblum.

Adds ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian: "Holy crap am I so excited about this year's Metal Alliance Tour!

"It's been a great year and a half for us since 'Worship Music' came out and to cap it off with a Grammy nomination.

"This is such a perfect lineup. To make this tour even more special, we will be playing our 'Among The Living' record in its entirety. I can't wait to play 'Horror Of It All'!

"Come on out and worship with us, my friends. You do not want to miss this. USA on Hell one more time."

General-admission tickets will go on sale on January 11.

For more information, visit MetalAllianceTour.com.


DECEMBER 14th 2012
VOIVOD PREMIERES NEW TRACK
On January 21st in Europe and January 22nd in North America, Canadian progressive metal pioneers VOIVOD will release their 13th studio album, Target Earth! The album's new single, "Empathy for the Enemy,"will be premiered on Full Metal Jackie this weekend (12/14-12/16), so be sure to tune in.  To find a rock station near you airing her show, please go to fullmetaljackieradio.com.

For fans that can't wait until Target Earth's release, be sure to check out the tracks "Kluskap O Kom", "Target Earth", and "Mechanical Mind" for a further preview of the album! The official Target Earth EPK, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, plus an exclusive interview with Away (Michel Langevin) and Chewy (Daniel Mongrain) about the making of the album, can also be viewed online here.

DECEMBER 13th 2012
INTRONAUT ANNOUNCE HEADLING TOUR
Post-metal prog phenomenon INTRONAUT recently announced that after much anticipation, their new album HABITUAL LEVITATIONS will be released in North America on March 19, 2013.  Leading up to the release of the album, INTRONAUT will be playing a handful of headlining shows and will then head out on a North American tour with MESHUGGAH and ANIMALS AS LEADERS.  A full list of tour dates can be seen below.

On February 5, 2013 INTRONAUT will release "Milk Leg," the first single off of HABITUAL LEVITATIONS. The song will be available on all digital platforms on this date, and the single will also be released as a single sided, etched 7" vinyl, with a release date to TBA.

Drums for HABITUAL LEVITATIONS were recorded by producer John Haddad [Exhumed, Phobia] and Derek Donley [Bereft] handled recording for all other elements on the record.  It was mixed by Josh Newell and artwork and layout will be done by David D'Andrea who has worked with the band on previous albums.

INTRONAUT recently posted a rehearsal video, where they are practicing a new song that will be featured on HABITUAL LEVITATIONS.  The footage can be seen here: http://youtu.be/WJwKs3EBeAY

INTRONAUT's last studio album, Valley Of Smoke, was met with vast critical acclaim and resulted in the band landing a direct support slot for TOOL, as well as a number of other key acts.

The band is confirmed for this year's Roadburn Festival held in the Netherlands and will be doing a full European tour around the event with The Atlas Moth and Castle.

Headlining Dates:

02/03/13 - Tempe, AZ @ Rocky Point

02/04/13 - Santa Fe, NM @ Sol

02/06/13 - Austin, TX @ Red 7

02/07/13 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's

02/09/13 - Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar

02/10/13 - Tallahassee, FL @ Rehab

Dates with Meshuggah, Animals As Leaders:

02/11/13 - Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theatre

02/12/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage / Earthlink Live

02/13/13 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte

02/14/13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts

02/15/13 - New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom

02/16/13 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore

02/17/13 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

02/19/13 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Sound Academy

02/20/13 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues

02/21/13 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's

02/22/13 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues

02/23/13 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's

02/24/13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights

02/26/13 - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada @ Union Hall

02/27/13 - Calgary, Alberta, Canada @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom

03/01/13 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

03/02/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theater

03/03/13 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues

DECEMBER 12th 2012
MARILYN MANSON ANNOUNCES 2013 TOUR
Marilyn Manson has announced a new slate out of 2013 North American tour dates. Full dates for the trek which kicks off on January 18 in Milwaukee. Manson was also recently nominated for his fourth Grammy Award, garnering a nod in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category for “No Reflection,” the lead single off his most recent album, Born Villain. Support act will be Butcher Babies.

MARILYN MANSON 2013 TOUR DATES:
Jan 18 — Milwaukee, WI — Eagles Ballroom
Jan 19 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s
Jan 20 — Columbus, OH — The LC Pavilion
Jan 22 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore
Jan 23 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
Jan 25 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome
Jan 26 — Boston, MA — House of Blues
Jan 28 — Montreal, QC — Metropolis
Jan 29 — Oshawa, ON — General Motors Centre
Jan 30 — Hamilton, ON — Hamilton Place Theatre
Feb 1 — Sudbury, ON — Sudbury Arena
Feb 4 — Winnipeg, MB — MTS Centre
Feb 5 — Moose Jaw, SK — Mosiac Place
Feb 6 — Saskatoon, SK — TCU Place
Feb 8 — Calgary, AB — Stampede Corral
Feb 9 — Edmonton, AB — Shaw Conference Centre
Feb 11 — Vancouver, BC — Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Feb 12 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
Feb 13 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theatre
Feb 15 — Modesto, CA — Modesto Centre Plaza
Feb 17 — Reno, NV — Grand Sierra Resort
Feb 19 — San Francisco, CA — Warfield Theatre
Feb 20 — Anaheim, CA — The Grove of Anaheim
Feb 21 — Los Angeles, CA — Club Nokia

DECEMBER 12th 2012
CYNIC ENTER THE STUDIO TO BEGIN NEW ALBUM
Progressive visionaries CYNIC have entered Perfect Sound studios in Hollywood, California to begin recording a new album. About the new material, drummer Sean Reinert said: "This album marks CYNIC's 5th release. It's a bold new sound for CYNIC and marks a gigantic leap in the band's progression. We've had a lot of time to let this material develop and gestate, and it finally feels ready to be unleashed on the world. I've been in trio mode with Malone and Masvidal flushing out a zillion and one details, and couldn't be happier about what's happening with these songs. They are truly alive!"

Early working titles for tracks include: "Endlessly Bountiful", "Moon Heart Sun Head", and "True Hallucination Speak".



DECEMBER 12th 2012
DEEP PURPLE COMFIRM NEW ALBUM
British hard rock legends DEEP PURPLE will release their 19th studio album on April 26, 2013 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

After various songwriting sessions in Europe, the band recorded and mixed the album in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, PETER GABRIEL, ALICE COOPER, KANSAS). The CD is expected to contain 13 tracks, including "Out Of Hand", "Hell To Pay", "Weirdistan", "Uncommon Man" and "Above And Beyond". The latter song references the band's late keyboard player, Jon Lord, in the lyric "Souls having touched are forever entwined."

According to earMUSIC, the CD is "rumored to be the perfect match from the original spirit of '70s PURPLE, and a fresh and modern production."

Regarding the album title, Gillan offered the following cryptic comment to Classic Rock: "There's a big question mark over the name at the moment. And possibly an exclamation mark as well. You can read what you like into what I've just said. All will become clear — as mud — later on. That's all I'm allowed to say. The question mark and the exclamation mark might get you intrigued."

earMUSIC will reveal details about the new DEEP PURPLE album in real time as soon as they will become available on a dedicated web site where all band members will also be able to post and interact with the fans: www.deeppurple2013.com.

DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It was the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey.

"Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas".


DECEMBER 10th 2012
BUCKCHERRY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
Multi-Platinum Los Angeles rock band Buckcherry will release their new CD Confessions February 19, 2013 via Century Media Records. “Gluttony”--the first single from the album--will be available for purchase through iTunes tomorrow (Tuesday, December 11). In the meantime, a free download of “Gluttony” is available today only (Monday, December 10) at www.centurymedia.com/specials/buckcherry. A lyric video for “Gluttony” can also be seen on the free download page.

Buckcherry just wrapped a string of UK dates and will headline North American shows in late December and January before joining Kid Rock as special guests on the upcoming “Rebel Soul” Tour beginning February 2 in Kansas City, MO. In addition, Buckcherry will co-headline Fremont Street Experience's Downtown Countdown New Year's Eve 2013 celebration in Las Vegas December 31.

While on tour, Buckcherry will preview new songs from Confessions, the band’s sixth studio album and first U.S. release for Century Media Records. Confessions merges punk grit, gutter attitude, honest storytelling, and razor sharp hooks. The lyrics are tied together by the underlying theme of the Seven Deadly Sins

Buckcherry continues to resonate because they're so unabashedly honest in their recordings and on stage. "It's a real rock 'n' roll band," says Nelson. "You get 100 percent of what we are and what we're about. We don't apologize for it."

Buckcherry--Josh Todd (vocals), Keith Nelson (guitar), Stevie D. (guitar), Jimmy Ashhurst (bass), Xavier Muriel (drums)--are one of the premier rock bands of the new millennium, having sold more than three million records in America alone and touring virtually non-stop, playing with everyone from AC/DC to Avenged Sevenfold, touring sold-out arenas alongside Nickelback and KISS, and headlining festivals ranging from the punk rock Ink-N-Iron (also featuring the Misfits and Pennywise) to Sturgis. Radio staples “Lit Up,” “Crazy Bitch” and “Sorry” have cemented the band as one of the most identifiable and sought-after bands on the radio and the live circuits, and Confessions is primed to take the band to even greater heights.

Additional dates have been added to the band’s run of headlining North American gigs. The current Buckcherry tour itinerary is as follows:

Date                City                              Venue

Solo Shows:

12/27               Libertyville, IL               Austin’s Fuel Room

12/28               Mt. Pleasant, MI           Soaring Eagle Casino And Resort

12/31               Las Vegas, NV            Fremont Street Experience (with Queensrÿche,

                                                            Quiet Riot, Pop Evil, Otherwise)

1/2                   Spokane, WA              Knitting Factory Concert House

1/4                   Lloydminster , AB         Kooler

1/5                   Edmonton, AB             Union Hall Nightclub

1/6                   Calgary, AB                 The Back Alley

1/8                   Medicine Hat , AB         Esplanade Theater

1/10                 Lethbridge, AB            Average Joe’s

1/11                 Regina, SK                  Pure Ultra Lounge

1/12                 Winnipeg, MB              The Oak

1/14                 Thunder Bay, ON        Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

1/16                 London, ON                 London Concert Theatre

1/19                 Toronto, ON                Phoenix Concert Theatre

1/20                 Niagara Falls, NY        Rapids Theatre

1/22                 Portland, ME               The Asylum

With Kid Rock and Hellbound:

2/2                   Kansas City, MO         Sprint Center

2/5                   Springfield, MO           JQH Arena

2/7                   Beaumont, TX             Ford Park Event Center

Solo Show:

2/9                   Tulsa, OK                    BOK Center

With Kid Rock and Hellbound:

2/10                 Wichita, KS                 INTRUST Bank Arena

2/13                 Bossier City, LA          CenturyLink Center

2/15                 Nashville, TN               Bridgestone Arena

2/16                 Greenville, SC             Bi-Lo Center

2/18                 Fort Myers, FL             Germain Arena

2/20                 Pensacola, FL             Pensacola Civic Center

2/21                 New Orleans, LA         New Orleans Arena

2/23                 Birmingham, AL          BJCC Arena

2/24                 Huntsville, AL              Von Braun Center

2/26                 Greensboro, NC          Greensboro Coliseum Complex

2/27                 Knoxville, TN               Knoxville Civic Auditorium

3/1                   Memphis, TN               FedEx Forum

3/2                   Louisville, KY               KFC Yum! Center

DECEMBER 8th 2012
ALICE IN CHAINS ANNOUNCE NEW SONG "HOLLOW"
Every day for the next 10 days, a new lyrical phrase from our brand new song 'Hollow' will be posted at @aliceinchains on Instagram. We want you to create an image inspired by or featuring a single word or phrase from those lyrics. Next, share those photos on Instagram or Twitter tagging #HOLLOWAIC. On [December] 18, visit [this location] to see your photos and other fan photos from around the world, then hear and become 'Hollow'."

Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell has confirmed that the band has finished recording its fifth studio album and second without original vocalist Layne Staley. The new disc will follow up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which ended a 14-year gap between studio efforts for the group and featured singer/guitarist William DuVall. Cantrell said, "In my opinion, that record stood up to anything else we've put out in our career and this new one is right up there, as well."


Alice In Chains began working on new material in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery. He said that the pressure in following up "Black Gives Way To Blue" was like "having to deal with the sophomore jinx for the second time in our career."

Alice In Chains all but faded from the scene after the release of its self-titled third album in 1995. Staley's death in 2002 seemed to seal the band's fate as well.

But Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez regrouped in 2006 with DuVall, first for several tours and then eventually to create new music.
Although no official release date has been confirmed yet for the new album, it is likely that the disc will make its debut in early 2013.


DECEMBER 6th 2012
SEVENDUST REVEIL NEW ALBUM COVER
The cover artwork for SEVENDUST's ninth album, "Black Out The Sun", can be seen below. Due on March 26, 2013 via the band's 7Bros. Records label (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group), the CD's first single, "Decay", will be sent to radio and available for download at online retail outlets January 22, 2013. The effort was recorded at Architekt Music studios in Butler, New Jersey with engineer Mike Ferretti.

"The craziest thing about this record is finishing it in about a month," guitarist John Connolly told Revolver magazine. "We haven't done that since our debut album [1997's self-titled effort]. This is one of the fastest records we've ever made, but also one of the strongest — working off instinct mostly."

According to Connolly, SEVENDUST's forthcoming CD finds the band exploring "a darker vibe," but "there's still plenty of melody," he added. "The record fits right in with 'Animosity' [2002], 'Alpha' [2007], and our self-titled album. Lots of heavy stuff and some more mellow, moody songs as well It's a nice balance of what makes for the SEVENDUST sound."

Songtitles set to appear on the 12-track CD, which was produced by the bandmembers themselves, include "Mountain" and "Murder Bar". The latter was reportedly inspired by a Butler, New Jersey bar across from the hotel where SEVENDUST was staying while recording the new CD. Rumor had it the place was popular with many of New Jersey's murderers.

"It's a basic SEVENDUST record," guitarist Clint Lowery recently told "Source Of The Sound With Wendy Campbell". "There's nothing, like, too completely different than anything we've done before. It's got a darker vibe to it. We've got a good amount of the programming element in there. It's a lot of what we do — it's heavy and it's got its melodic element in it. So if you're a SEVENDUST fan, it's more along the lines of the second and third records we did — it's kind of like that. It's got a couple of throwback vibes to it. 'Animosity' and 'Home' [1999], if I can put those two records together, it would [sound similar to the new CD]."

SEVENDUST and LACUNA COIL will join forces for a U.S. tour in early 2013. The bands will head out on a 17-date run throughout the month of February. The trek kicks off on February 2 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.



DECEMBER 6th 2012
IN FLAMES ANNOUNCE HEADLINING TOUR
Sweden's IN FLAMES is one of the most respected and well recognized heavy metal acts around the world. The band is currently out on the road as direct support for Lamb Of God, and come February, will be embarking on a headlining tour with Demon Hunter, All Shall Perish and Battlecross. Dates for the first leg of the headlining run are below, along with all other previously announced dates.

IN FLAMES comments, "We are excited to be coming back to North America once again. On this tour we hope to see some old fans and some new fans from cities we have never played before, look forward to seeing you soon."

IN FLAMES has sold over a million albums in the US alone, with their latest, Sounds Of A Playground Fading, debuting at #26 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts in the US and #1 on the German album charts. The music video for "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" off of Sounds Of A Playground Fading, can be seen here: http://youtu.be/ylfn0o66jwM

Remaining Dates with Lamb Of God:
12/06/12 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
12/07/12 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
12/08/12 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
12/10/12 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
12/11/12 - Farmington, NM @ McGee Park
12/13/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
12/14/12 - Medford, OR @ Medford Armory
12/15/12 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House
12/16/12 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO

70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise

01/28/13 - 02/01/13 - Miami, FL

Headlining Dates:
02/02/13 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
02/04/13 - Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
02/05/13 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
02/07/13 - Covington, KY @ Madison Theater
02/08/13 - Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
02/09/13 - Lincoln, ME @ Bourbon Theatre
02/10/13 - Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
02/12/13 - Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
02/13/13 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
02/14/13 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
02/15/13 - Ventura, CA @ Majestic Theatre
02/16/13 - Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory

DECEMBER 5th 2012
DEATH WOLF UNVEIL NEW ALBUM DETAILS
DEATH WOLF's brand new album, II: Black Armoured Death, has been scheduled for a worldwide release in February 2013 via Century Media Records. Today the band has revealed the cover artwork for the new album that perfectly catches the spirit of DEATH WOLF's music: pale, horrid and stripped-down, black punk rock. Besides the DANZIG-influenced material in the vein of the songs on DEATH WOLF's self-titled debut album, fans can also expect II: Black Armoured Death to cover a wide musical spectrum that will surely be worth a listen for every fan of dark sinister punk rock with a metal edge. See below for the album's track-listing: