Mikoto Cancels Tour Dates w/ Cry Of The Afflicted

Mikoto has been forced to drop off their West coast run with Cry Of The Afflicted as a result of van troubles. Here's the word from the band:

"We are very bummed but our van was not cooperating and now we are getting it ready for the Horse The Band tour we have in three weeks. Please accept our apology but we are going to be back soon, we promise!"

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Sebastian Bach To Release New Solo Album

Sebastian Bach is set to release "Angel Down" on November 20, his first solo album in eight years. The 14-song "Angel Down" was produced by Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Judas Priest), and recorded in July and August at Sound City Studios in Hollywood, CA. The CD will be released via a joint-venture between Merovingian Music, Ltd. (MRV) and Bach's Get Off My Bach Productions, and distributed worldwide through Caroline/EMI Music Group.

Joining Bach in the studio for "Angel Down" were guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Johnny Chromatic, and Bobby Jarzombek on drums, all long-time members of Bach's touring band, as well as Rob DeLuca on bass, who will join Bach and company on the road next summer.

Nine of the 14 songs on "Angel Down" were written or co-written by Bach including the first radio track, "(Love Is) A Bitchslap" (co-written with Roy Z). While more than two weeks away from its official "add" date (September 4), "Bitchslap" is already being played at powerhouse rock radio stations like KUPD in Phoenix and Boston's WAAF. Bach and Roy Z also co-wrote "You Don't Understand," "By Your Side," and "Our Love Is A Lie," while Bach teamed with Desmond Child for "Falling Into You." In addition, the band covered the Steven Tyler/Joe Perry classic "Back In The Saddle." Other tracks include "Stabbin' Daggers," "Take You Down with Me" Negative Light," "Live & Die," "American Metalhead," "Stuck Inside," and "You Bring Me Down." More...

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VBS.TV Features QOTSA Frontman

VBS.TV presents a brand new episode of new episode of VBS MEETS... featuring Interscope recording artists Queens of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, guest starring Brody Dalle (Spinnerete/The Distillers, Sire/Warner Bros.) and hosted by VBS.TV correspondent Baby Balls (aka Thomas Morton).

In this episode of VBS MEETS... VBS.TV correspondent Baby Balls (aka Thomas Morton) met up with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme at the Westside Rifle & Pistol for a lesson in firearm safety. After firing off a couple rounds (not to mention a few shots of patron) Thomas and Josh discuss the ideal QOTSA double bill, why hardcore punk is the pickled ginger of the musical world, and why you just can't beat a peach colored suit. Throughout the episode you can hear tracks like "3's & 7's" and "Turning On The Screw" from Queens' new album, "Era Vulgaris." Keep your eyes peeled for cameos from Brody Dalle (Spinnerette / The Distillers) and Westside Rifle & Pistol owner Robert Derrig.

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Lost Melvins Demos To Be Released w/ Comic Art

On October 9, 2007 Brian Walsby's 3rd book of comic art (MANCHILD 3) will be released via Bifocal Media, packaged with the Melvins "Making Love Demos" CD. Brian is a bit of a Comic art/punk celebrity who's had his artwork published in books, magazines, and on classic album art since the early 80s. He also played drums for Polvo, Ryan Adams, and Scared Straight, among others.

The Melvins CD was recorded in 1987 by the band on a 4 track. They made Brian a copy back then and lost the tapes. Since Brian's Illustrated Melvins tour diary will appear in this new book, Brian asked the band if they would be down with us releasing this long lost recording and they agreed.

You can check out one of the tunes on Bifocal Media's MySpace page.

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Cursed Frontman Launches Record Label

Cursed frontman Chris Colohan has formed his own record label called High Anxiety 416. Here's the official word from Colohan:

"After wanting to do it for so many years, I'm finally getting around to starting up a small record label to put out mainly (but not exclusively) 7" vinyl, of mainly (but not exclusively) Toronto-area bands and friends' bands. High Anxiety 416 records will be distributed exclusively by No Idea Records worldwide - so any store, distro or individual will be able to get it cheaply and reliably from them. The first 3 EPs in the works are:

Living Darkness (Toronto) - S/T EP
Our Father - (Toronto) - EP
Crux of Aux (members of Cursed) EP

And up ahead (this fall/winter):

Cheap Tragedies - (Clevo Erba-Core) 7"
Lullabye Arkestra - (Toronto, Constellation Records)
Kittens (Winnipeg, 1990's) - Discography
Ruination- final sessions 7" (with extras)
...and some other Cursed-related projects.

Once I can get some records out and everything rolling, I'm hoping to eventually publish several of the books I've been working on for years now: 9 Lives, This Highway Never Fucking Ends, and yes, holy fuck - Other People's Girlfriends.

So that's it. Most of the bands listed above have Myspace pages, check them out - but I don't use it myself. So there won't be a Myspace for High Anxiety 416, but there will be a website up this fall that you can access through the Cursed site."

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Cattle Decapitation, Veil Of Maya, etc. Tour Dates

Cattle Decapitation, Arsonists Get All The Girls, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and Veil Of Maya will hit the West Coast together in October. The following tour dates have been confirmed:

10/13 West Hollywood, CA @ The Whiskey A Go Go
10/17 Bakersfield, CA @ Jerry's Pizza
10/19 Orangevale, CA @ Club Retro
10/21 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
10/22 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
10/23 Boise, ID @ The Venue
10/25 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
10/27 El Paso, TX @ Chic's
10/29 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock

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Victory Pill Signs To Corporate Punishment

Corporate Punishment has announced the signing of UK elctro-industrial rock band VICTORY PILL, featuring ex-Pitchshifter/Prodigy guitarist Jim Davies, and ex-Prodigy drummer Kieron Pepper.

Victory Pill is the brainchild of JIM DAVIES, whose much documented first break came in the form of The Prodigy, where he shaped his style playing on several tracks on their breakthrough Fat Of The Land album. He also supplied guitars on the bands next two records. Jim toured worldwide with the band including a headline slot at Reading 2001

"I started playing guitar, solely rock/metal. My turning point was when 'dance' bands like The Prodigy started using guitars. I loved all the squelchy synth sounds and textures which I started to replicate on the guitar. I also started to get more into effects and sounds which I think is when I developed a bit of a unique style for myself."

A fan and regular stage-diver at Pitchshifter gigs, Jim approached JS Clayden after a show in 1997. "We got talking and he suggested I add some guitars to some of their tunes. He gave me a demo of www.pitchshifter.com. I added some guitars for a track called "Please Sir" after which the band invited me to Nottingham to record it. I ended up playing on 6 tracks and was asked to join the band", where he went on to co-write the albums Deviant and PSI .

Jim's last gig for Pitchshifter was immortalized as the Bootlegged, Distorted live album. "My last gig with them was a massive high and I will always remember it as such."

A unique brand of Modern Rock with a dark, electronic side, VICTORY PILL came to fruition after Jim's departure from PSI, when he teamed up with former Prodigy drummer Kieron Pepper.

"I had a big writing session over a few months which resulted in nearly 20 tunes. I played the tracks to Kieron and realized that I needed to get a band together. I tried vocals for the first time and it seemed to work well". With Kieron on board as a Bass player and second vocalist, VICTORY PILL was formed.

VICTORY PILL will release their self-titled debut in the US and CANADA on 10/23 via CORPORATE PUNISHMENT/ KOCH, and in the UK on 10/1 via OTHERSIDE/ UNIVERSAL.

You can check out several tracks from the upcoming album on the band's MySpace page.

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AILD Release Show Details Revealed

In gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated Metal Blade album, "An Ocean Between Us," AS I LAY DYING will be having a CD Release show on the day their album hits stores. On Tuesday, August 21st, the band will be at Stoney’s, located at 71 S. Wells in Reno. Doors open at 7PM.

AS I LAY DYING will be signing copies of their new Metal Blade Records release at HOT TOPIC in the Meadow Wood Mall starting at 4PM day of show. To secure a spot in line to meet the band, be sure to swing by the store to pick up the new CD and any AS I LAY DYING T-shirt and receive a wristband.

As an added bonus, the first 100 fans to pick up the new CD and any t-shirt will receive a complimentary ticket to the show later that night at Stoney’s. Tickets are limited to the first 100 fans, so get to HOT TOPIC at Meadow Wood Mall early to snag AN OCEAN BETWEEN US and a t-shirt.

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Avenged Sevenfold Post Another Teaser Online

You can now watch a brand new in-studio teaser for Avenged Sevenfold’s new album on YouTube. This one is more substantial than the first, at over two minutes.

“Critical Acclaim”, the first track from Avenged Sevenfold's forthcoming album, will be available for purchase before the album’s release on iTunes, Tuesday August 28th, 2007. A clip of the song is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. More...

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Metallica Album Will Not Include Previous Songs

Last year, METALLICA performed two new tracks live in concert that have become known as "The New Song" and "The Other New Song". Earlier this year, bassist Robert Trujillo said in an interview that neither of those cuts was going to be included on the next studio album, but that parts of one of them might be reworked into other songs. Then METALLICA surprised the audience at their show in Bilbao, Spain on June 29, 2007 when they once again performed "The Other New Song".

Sweden's Close-Up magazine caught up with Trujillo in Stockholm, Sweden on July 12, 2007 and asked him: Will "The Other New Song" be on METALLICA's next album? "Well, I don't think so and the reason is we didn't record it!" laughed Trujillo. "We call the song we played the other night 'Vulturus'. I don't know if that's gonna be the official title of the song in the future. We enjoy playing that song, it's kind of a MISFITS-y kind of a jam. We had been rehearsing it in San Francisco and having a lot of fun playing it.

"I don't think we played it so well the other night [laughs]. It was horrible actually, it was really bad. We played it last year in Japan a couple of times and it went over really well there. I think this last time we played it we hadn't played it since we rehearsed in San Francisco. So it had been a couple of weeks and all of a sudden it's, 'Let's play this song,' and it’s like 'Wait, how does it go?'

"'Vulturus' exists kind of as a live song 'cause we've already played it. The other song that we used to do was a bit of an experiment. We thought it would sound good live and we had fun playing it live. We thought maybe it was a little long, but we thought there were some really great parts in that song. We were never completely dead-set on the arrangement of that song or it existing to be a track on the album. So we've basically dissected the best of that and married it into something that's also really slammin' and exciting. So one of the new songs you will kind of hear on the album and it's gonna be great. But we really wanna get these songs recorded — not these two, but our new material. We wanna save a lot for the album and bring it out fresh and ready to go. We're still in the first phase of the recording process right now, so we don't really wanna blow our water right now."

NOTE: "The Other New Song" has been rumored to be titled "Vulturous". However, the Close-Up reporter asked Robert Trujillo to spell the title and the bassist said "It's 'V-U-L-T-U-R-U-S' — all U's."

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Velvet Revolver To Appear On David Letterman Show

VELVET REVOLVER has just been confirmed as a special guest at KROQ’s massive L.A. Invasion - Saturday, September 15th at the Home Depot Center, where they’ll perform along with such artists as THE SMASHING PUMPKINS and FOO FIGHTERS.

On a day off from their tour, Velvet Revolver will appear on The Late Show With David Letterman - Wednesday, August 22nd - for an exclusive television performance of Libertad’s newly released second single 'The Last Fight'.

The melodically transcendent and emotionally cathartic 'The Last Figh'” is one of the songs inspired by the recent passing of frontman Scott Weiland’s brother Michael. In an August 3rd interview with The Sun (UK newspaper), Scott explained: “Libertad is dedicated to Michael. It is a fitting album title as my brother was certainly searching for his own liberty and freedom up to the way he died. I was really angry at him at first, for my parents and our family but I was able to channel this anger and grief into songs as ‘The Last Fight’ and ‘For A Brother'. It made me come to terms with how sad I was.”

Libertad (RCA Records), released July 3rd, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart amidst a field of rap, pop and country music. The album’s first single, 'She Builds Quick Machines', has been dominating the rock charts, hitting the Top 3 at Active Rock and Top 4 at Mainstream Rock.

Velvet Revolver tour dates are as follows:

August
17 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
18 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon @ Jones Beach
20 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Center @ The Waterfront
21 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
23 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
24 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion @ Montage Mtn.
25 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel & Casino
27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
28 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
29 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center

September
7 - Vancouver, BC - Pacific Coliseum
8 - George, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
9 - Portland, OR - Amphitheater @ Clark County
11 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
12 - Fresno, CA - Selland Arena
14 - Concord, CA - Concord Pavilion
15 - Carson, CA - Home Depot Center (KROQ L.A. Invasion)
16 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre
18 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
20 - Sacramento, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheater
21 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay
22 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre
24 - Denver, CO - Coors Amphitheatre
25 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
27 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre
28 - Houston, TX - Woodlands Pavilion

October
2 - Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Music Center
3 - Atlanta, GA - HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
5 - Mobile, AL - Bayfest
6 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
7 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheatre
9 - Memphis, TN - Snowden Grove Amphitheatre
11 - Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theater
14 - Winnipeg, MT - MTS Center
15 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre
16 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place

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Dark Tranquillity To Tour Europe With Soilwork

Dark Tranquillity have confirmed on the band's web site that they will be embarking on the Eastpak Antidote Tour European tour with Soilwork, Caliban and Sonic Syndicate.

Here is the list of tour dates:

Sep. 30 Brighton, UK - Concorde 2
Oct. 01 Wolverhampton, UK - Wulfun Hall
Oct. 02 Leeds, UK - Cockpit
Oct. 03 London, UK - Islington Academy
Oct. 04 Nottingham, UK - Rockcity
Oct. 05 Newcastle, UK - Academy
Oct. 06 Glasgow, UK - Garage
Oct. 07 Norwich, UK - Waterfront
Oct. 09 Den Bosch, Holland - W2
Oct. 10 Utrecht, Holland - Tivoli
Oct. 11 Hasselt, Belgium - Musik O Droom
Oct. 12 Paris, France - La Tabendo
Oct. 13 Marseille, France - venue tba
Oct. 14 Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
Oct. 16 Milan, Italy - Alcatrazz
Oct. 17 Zurich, Switzerland - Abart
Oct. 18 Munich, Germany - Backstage
Oct. 19 Vienna, Austria - Arena
Oct. 20 Prague, Czech Republic - Akropolis
Oct. 21 Budapest, Hungary - A 38
Oct. 23 Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
Oct. 24 Berlin, Germany - SO 36
Oct. 25 Köln, Germany - Live Music Hall
Oct. 26 Hamburg, Germany - Grunspan

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Metallica Tops Aftonbladet's Best Summer Gigs List

Voted by the readers of the Swedish Magazine Aftonbladet's, Metallica was named the best gig this summer. Other bands who made the list include Ozzy Osbourne, In Flames, Heaven and Hell and Motorhead.

1. Metallica 28%
2. Rolling Stones 8.2%
3. Ozzy Osbourne 6.9%
4. In Flames 6.0%
5. Aerosmith 5.6%
6. The Ark 5.4%
7. Per Gessle 4.3%
8. Heaven & Hell 3.9%
9. Justin Timberlake 3.1%
10. The Hives 3.0%

The rest of the list can be found here.

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Nightwish Post "Amaranth" Video On Myspace

You can now watch the newest Nightwish music video "Amaranth" on the band's MySpace page.

Nightwish's upcoming album, Dark Passion Play, is scheduled for release late September/early October. The band will be embarking on a North American tour this fall, followed by a European tour in the winter. A list of tour dates can be found here. More...

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PA Metalfest II Details

PA Metalfest II will take place September 9th at the Masonic Temple in Milton, PA. The show starts at 1:00 PM and admission is $15. The following acts are slated to perform:

Full Blown Chaos
A Well Thought Tragedy
My Children, My Bride
White Chapel
Impending Doom
At the Throne of Judgement
Dim the Lights
Dividian
We Are the Romans
Upon a Shallow Grave
Regain the Heart Condemned
Kill the Messenger
Seas of David

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Gene Simmons Family Jewels Season 2 Wraps Up

The Season 2 finale of Gene Simmons Family Jewels will be aired on A&E this Sunday August 19th at 9:00pm ET.

Today, Friday August 17th, A&E will discount the Gene Simmons Family Jewels Collector’s Edition DVD set by 50%. This 3-disc set is regularly priced at $44.95, but for one week only, A&E will sell it for just $22.48. If you buy the set during August 17th and August 22nd, you will get $10 towards your next purchase.

The set includes:
Gene Simmons Family Jewels Complete Season One two-disc DVD set, the rare pilot episode, BIOGRAPHY: Gene Simmons - a feature length DVD presentation, unseen couch interviews, and much more! An exclusive music CD featuring two previously unreleased, never-before-heard songs from the man himself - Rain Keeps Fallin' and You're My Reason For Living.

Get 50% off Gene Simmons Family Jewels Collector set, and a $10 coupon for your next purchase.

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Paragon Signs Darkestrah, Aetherius Obscuritas

Paragon Records has announced their latest two signings: Darkestrah and Aetherius Obscuritas.

Darkestrah have been playing their brand of innovative black metal since 1999, releasing three acclaimed albums, Sary Oy, Embrace of Memory, and Epos. While Darkestrah is now based in Germany, the band formed in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.

Previous works have been described as a spiritual, almost pre-historic journey, using pagan themes in a very unique way, often paying homage to the bands Shaman roots. Great melodic parts were paired with traditional instruments like Kyl-kyjak, Komuz or Sygyt. Female Black Metal vocals and singing that created the atmosphere of the spiritual shamanic people.

Darkestrah's brand new album will be out in early 2008 through Paragon Recs.

Hungary's Aetherius Obscuritas plays fast and raging Black Metal inspired by the old masters Dissection, Ragnarok, and country mates Tormentor. Sole member Arkhorrl, regards his band as a salute to the Black Metal ancestors, and edifying the Hungarian Black Metal Scene. Aetherius Obscuritas, have previously released 3 full length albums and has established itself as one of the standouts of the thriving Hungarian Black Metal scene.

The fourth album Viziok will be available in early Autumn through Paragon.

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Bobaflex Stream New Track, Announce Album Title

Bobaflex have added a new track titled "Sellout" from their new album 'Tales From Dirt Town' to their MySpace page. A release date for the album has yet to be set.

The bands "Operation Rock Tour" with Egypt Central kicked off last week in Detroit, MI. The remaining tour dates are as follows: More...

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Chris Volz Solo Album Track Listing Revealed

Track listing for Chris Volz's (Flaw, five.bolt.main vocalist) solo debut 'Redemption' has been released. "The album will be in stores on September 11th and will include:

1. "Redemption"
2. "Altercation"
3. "All My Life"
4. "Wrong"
5. "Your Own Medicine"
6. "Once Again"
7. "Sometimes"
8. "Secure"
9. "Dear Life"
10. "Stories Of Old"
11. "Don't Save Me"

A clip of the title track from the album can be streamed here.

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Live Rammstein Video For "Ich Will" Available

A live video of Rammstein performing the track "Ich Will" can be streamed at this location. The clip is taken from their 'Volkerball' DVD which will be released in the U.S. on September 18th.

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Waysted Cover Aerosmith

WAYSTED, the reunited semi-obscure mid-'80s British heavy metal outfit led by UFO bassist Pete Way (hence the spelling of the group's name), has set "The Harsh Reality" as the title of its new album, due in October via U.K.'s Livewire Records. The CD will feature the band's "classic" lineup of Pete Way, Fin (vocals), Chris George (guitar) and Paul Haslin (drums). Also in the works is WAYSTED's cover version of AEROSMITH's "Sweet Emotion", which was recently recorded for inclusion on the cover-mount CD (featuring a compilation of rock songs from the movies) that will be given away for free with next month's Classic Rock magazine.

Says Fin: "Yes troops, the recording is all going better than planned. Six songs are already in the can, done and dusted. We did have to break off the recording process to let Fredster [the record producer] mix 'Sweet Emotion'... We are more than pleased that we chose the 'SMITH song as there is a bit of history to it, me dismissing them in my youth as some 'Mick 'n' Keef wannabees' until I met Pete [Way] in 1983, who turned me on to them and I've loved them ever since, and I think we have done it justice ... We return to Geordieland next week to put finishing touches [to 'The Harsh Reality']."

Adds Chris George: "First thing we're having a meeting with Cargo/Livewire in London, next thing we've written a whole album's worth of material and now we're almost done. As Fin said, [there are] just a few vocals to finish up. In my opinion it's one of the best recordings I've been involved with. There's some amazing songs on there, even if I do say so myself!"

WAYSTED's latest CD, "Back from the Dead", was issued in 2005 via Majestic Rock Records.

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Halford Signs New U.S. Distribution Deal

JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford and his Metal God Entertainment have announced their new United States film and music distributor Super D Independent Distribution of Irvine, California. "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" is Super D's first new Halford title, set to debut September 11, 2007.

"Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" features 13 dynamic heavy metal tracks from Rob Halford's FIGHT and HALFORD solo releases. The HALFORD band's first new songs in more than four years "Forgotten Generation" and "Drop Out" are also featured; as is an exclusive 2007 remix from FIGHT co-producer Attie Bauw "Hypocrisy U.S. Remix".

Super D is the only worldwide one-stop distributor of CD music and DVD movie titles servicing more than 24 countries. Super D's U.S. release of "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" includes a full-color, 20-page expanded booklet and bonus Metal God DVD featuring eight HALFORD promotional videos in a double-jewel case. A limited and numbered edition, with enhanced eight-panel digipak, including an original Rob Halford autograph, will be available for a very short period (edition: 5,000).

"Super D Independent Distribution grew its core business distributing a lot of metal music," says Rob Halford. "I am looking forward to re-connecting and meeting many of Super D's accounts. This relationship brings a new and powerful U.S. partner to Metal God Entertainment's new film and music releases being produced for the global rock and metal audiences. Collectively, the relationship will bring Super D and I closer to my retail consumers throughout the U.S., and that has been one of the most important elements of my search given the many changes seen at the retail-level."

This fall, Metal God Entertainment and Super D will debut "Fight War Of Words - The Film" a 5.1 documentary and concert DVD of Rob Halford's decision to leave metal legends JUDAS PRIEST in 1992 and embark upon an ambitious and un-equaled solo career. Release configurations include a bonus CD, "War Of Words - Remixed / Remastered 2007".

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Biomechanical Announce New Guitarist

The following message has been posted via the official Biomechanical Myspace account:

"We are very pleased to announce that Gus Drax a very talented guitarist from Greece has joined Biomechanical!

Gus started playing since he was 14 and has been Influenced by Dream Theaters John Petrucci also Mike Romeo, Rusty Cooley , Steve Vai, Jeff Loomis, Marty Friedman, and many more great guitarist.

John K: Was blown away by his performance. 'This guy has a great future. I am absolutely thrilled he has joined Biomechanical and can't wait to get together and gig Cannibalised!'

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Floodgate To Re-Issue Album With Bonus Tracks

Metal Mind Productions will issue a remastered edition of FLOODGATE's "Penalty" and album in Europe on September 10 (October 30 in the U.S. via MVD). The CD will be available in a new digipack edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology, limited to a hand-numbered 2,000 copies and featuring three bonus cuts: two demo recordings and one previously unreleased track.

Fronted by former EXHORDER and current ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY singer Kyle Thomas, this stoner rock band emerged in the mid-'90s, when the music scene was preparing itself for the upcoming wave of nu-metal. The New Orleans-based quartet, however, offered a completely different musical approach. "Penalty", the band's first and only LP, delivers an hour of prime doom-sludge stoner rock, comparable to the best releases by TROUBLE, DOWN or MONSTER MAGNET. It features 11 brilliantly arranged tracks, inspired by the Deep South traditions of stoner rock.

"Penalty" (remastered) track listing:

01. Shivering
02. Through My Days Into My Nights
03. Before The Line Divides
04. Those Days
05. Till My Soil
06. Whole
07. Second Guesser
08. Running With Sodden Legs
09. Imitation Salvation
10. Feel You Burn
11. Black With Sin

Bonus tracks:

12. The Sublime and The Hollow (previously unreleased)
13. Those Days (demo)
14. Imitation Salvation (demo)

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Ill Nino Album Pushed Back

ILL NINO's new album, "Enigma" (Cement Shoes Records), has reportedly had its release date pushed back to October 9. A track from the CD, entitled "Alibi of Tyrants", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

ILL NINO's last release was the "The Undercover Sessions" EP, which came out in November through Cement Shoes. The CD was comprised of three of ILL NINO's favorite cover songs from bands they loved growing up as fans, and two brand new songs — all overseen by legendary producer Andy Johns (LED ZEPPELIN, VAN HALEN, OZZY OSBOURNE), Dave Chavarri and Eddie Wohl (ANTHRAX, 36 CRAZYFISTS, MACHINE HEAD). The EP was the band's first release through Cement Shoes following their split with the Roadrunner label.

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Obituary Frontman Talks About Label Switch

Dave Fonseca of MetalReview.com recently conducted an interview with OBITUARY frontman John Tardy. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

MetalReview.com: Was there ever any point during that three or four year time period where you weren't making music, and especially when you came back and made "Frozen In Time" and Roadrunner just dropped the ball that you thought maybe you weren't going to do this stuff anymore?

John Tardy: No. There wasn't ever that feeling. Before we took that extended break there we really had planned to take a three or four month break from music. Then it wound up being six months, then it wound up being a year, and then it wound up being two years. Roadrunner wasn't coming our way with anything, as normal. They certainly weren't any help with anything. It wasn't like we were having our phones ringing off the hook with people trying to get us to do things. There was really nothing coming our way and individually we all got busy doing different things. It just seemed to make more sense at the time. Some of us were still involved with music like Donald drumming for ANDREW W.K., and some of us were just busy doing other things. It was just a fast six years that went by. It wasn't like we weren't talking, we'd still get together and this and that, but we just didn't feel inspired to do anything. And we just finally got together because somebody asked us if we wanted to do a show, so we decided to start jamming a little bit. All it took was that one practice to start learning some old songs again. And because we had not played together in so long and everybody just had so many ideas that "Frozen In Time" came together absolutely in a blink of an eye. That's carried over to the new album as well, because we have just so much stuff stockpiled from the six years off. The songs just came together effortlessly as far as the music is concerned.

MetalReview.com: It must be hard to get attention when you're on a label like Roadrunner that has huge acts on its roster like NICKELBACK, SLIPKNOT, and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Is it nice to finally be a priority again on Candlelight?

John Tardy: It is. And that's one of the main reasons we signed with Candlelight — because we would be such a priority for them. I do not understand what Roadrunner's deal is. For such a huge label for them to just shut down and focus on one band when that band starts doing good is just ridiculous.

MetalReview.com: One more Roadrunner question and then I'll put that baby to bed.

John Tardy: No, that's O.K. If you're running a label and you sign a band and you make a commitment to help them further themselves, you can't just start ignoring them when one of your other bands starts selling more records, and leave the other band hanging there. And, I don't care if that's what you're going to do, but if you are going to do that, at least tell me to go elsewhere where I'd be better off. We'd question them and be like, "Hey we're ready to do this new album if you don't want to do it and don't want to take the time we'll go elsewhere," and they'd say, "Oh no, we're gonna do it, we're gonna push it," and promise this and promise that, and then the album comes out and they just totally leave you hanging. That's what makes it worse than anything. So, if you're gonna try and be this quote unquote big record label, then do your job. Nobody expects them to spend as much on one of their small bands as they do on NICKELBACK per se, but at the same time if you have that small band that you signed, that you have a contract with, and you agreed to; you owe them a minimum amount of effort. Don't just leave them hangin'. It's just not fair.

MetalReview.com: That was a label I grew up with a lot of faith in. A lot of my favorite bands were on Roadrunner. Is there any point you can track where they started to lose faith in metal and start going for the bigger acts?

John Tardy: With us it started slowly after "Cause of Death". "The End Complete" wasn't bad, but really since then, and with stuff like "Back From the Dead", it's been a steady decline in effort on their part. I'd be the first one to sit here and say, "Hey that album sucked," but we were steadily giving them a quality product as far as OBITUARY and our music is concerned. I mean, you don't read about our albums where people are saying 'this album sucks' and this and that. It really seems to me that after "The End Complete" or during "The End Complete" is really where the effort ended on their part, as far as I'm concerned.

MetalReview.com: "Slowly We Rot" came out in 1989 and you guys have been together since 1985. Death metal has changed a lot since then. Do you have any interest in the new stuff or do you just listen to "Show No Mercy" and "Morbid Tales" and call it a day.

John Tardy: Wow, have you been reading some of my interviews? [laughs] I think a lot of the reason this band gets along so well is that we're all kind of stuck in the past, we're all kind of stuck in a rut. We all kind of look and act the same way we always have. We don't really change that much. And musically that's true too. When I listen to music, whether it is metal or not, it is usually all older stuff. I'm not sure why, I guess when I get bored of them. I'll find something newer. Until then, my "Hell Awaits" record is still gonna get played.

MetalReview.com: Do you like the new CELTIC FROST record; are you into it?

John Tardy: Uhhhhh, it's a better effort for the most part and it's got a couple of good songs on there, but there's still just something a little weird about it. It's definitely a lot better than the last couple of things they've done, that's for sure.

MetalReview.com: I'd like to see you guys tour together, that'd be fun.

John Tardy: We just played a festival with them. And it was kinda neat because DESTRUCTION's dressing room was on one side of us, and CELTIC FROST's dressing room was on the other side of us. So, that was kind of cool.

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System Of A Down Guitarist Talks About New Band

SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist Daron Malakian has posted this message on the SCARS ON BROADWAY MySpace page:

"Hey everyone. I just wanted to give you all an update on what's goin' on with my new band SCARS ON BROADWAY.

I have partnered up with John Dolmayan (SYSTEM OF A DOWN) who is playing drums, and I'm on vocals and guitar, etc. Accompanied by some great musicians, we are preparing to go into the studio really soon to record our debut album. John and I are really excited about this new project and can't wait to get on stage and perform live for you guys.

Till then, keep a close eye on the SCARS ON BROADWAY MySpace page and official website for the latest news and music...and prepare to be SCARRED FOR LIFE!

Daron Malakian"

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Evile Guitarist Speaks About Producer

UltimateMetal.com's Jason Jordan recently conducted an interview with EVILE guitarist Ol Drake. The following is an excerpt from the chat:

Q: It’s no secret that acclaimed producer Flemming Rasmussen, who produced METALLICA's finest albums, turned the knobs on Enter The Grave. Did Rasmussen exercise any creative control over your arrangements like Steven Wilson did with OPETH? If not, what was he like as a producer? Did he tell you anything interesting about Metallica that the average metalhead may not know?

A: "Flemming flew over to go through pre-production with us a few weeks before recording. He first came to one of our shows at glamorous Bradford. The next day he visited our rehearsal space (rundown warehouse with carpet) and we sat down and played through our 10 proposed songs. He sat and watched/listened. After each song he’d go through the good and bad parts of the songs. Funnily enough he liked pretty much all of it. I think there were only three or four things in all the 10 songs he made changes to for the better. As a producer he’s brilliant. I’ve said it before but he’s such a laidback, cool guy. It’s hard to not get on with him. His vision for the album was 95% exactly the same as ours. Things about Metallica the average metalhead may not know? Yes. Lars actually played ‘Dyers Eve’ so shut the fuck up already!"

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