Drummer Mike Blotzer — son of RATT's Bobby Blotzer — and guitarist Tony Syphus have joined the Los Angeles-based heavy rock/sludge outfit TIJUANA BULLFIGHT. The quartet has completed work on a new album, tentatively titled "Socal Or Southern California", for an early 2013 release. Half of the CD was recorded at Scott Weiland's (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, VELVET REVOLVER) Lavish Studios with engineer Doug Grean and legendary mixer Mike Shipley (PAPA ROACH, MAROON 5), while the other half was done with engineer/musician Ashburn Miller (DEADSY, ORGY) at Entourage studios. Rae Dileo (FILTER) took care of the final mix.

Regarding their decision to call the new album "Socal Or Southern California", TIJUANA BULLFIGHT said: "This record was a direct reflection of our hometown. Every clubs we played, bar we consumed at, bands we played with to the breaks we surf or parks we skated, it all had input on this record, so it's titled rightfully so."

TIJUANA BULLFIGHT's self-titled debut, two U.S. tours and radio success of "Terrified Teenagers" and "Bleed" garnered industry attention, which enabled them to work with some of the top producers in the music business, including legendary mixer Jack Endino (NIRVANA) and Ralph Patlan (MEGADETH).

Former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist, and current NEWSTED frontman Jason Newsted was interviewed this past week by Carl of the "Standard Ass Rock Show" on the 101.5 KFLY radio station. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

"Soldierhead", the first video from NEWSTED, will make its online debut this coming week. The clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.

In a recent interview with Sonic Excess, Newsted stated about the video shoot: "It's just a simple thing, and I just wanted to capture the band. There is no heavy concept, no literal thing about bullets chasing your head or any of those things. It's old-school metal and most likely will be black and white. It was shot in an old factory. It was a gnarly, dusty, old factory and it had energy. That is what I will describe it as. I haven't got to play to the camera like that for a long time, and I was really going for it. The soldier version is something everyone will have. An HD version will be available on iTunes, but I want everyone to have it for free across the world. I want it to be the tip of the spear for everybody to see and hear what exactly it's all about."

"Soldierhead" was premiered on the December 17, 2012 edition of the "Eddie Trunk Live" show on SiriusXM satellite radio. The song comes off NEWSTED's four-song EP, entitled "Metal", which was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP will be made available as a physical CD on January 15.

"Metal" contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

By purchasing all four songs, you will receive a copy of Jason's handwritten lyrics.

NEWSTED is:

Jason Newsted - Bass, Lead Vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. (THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS) - Drums
Jessie Farnsworth - Guitar, Backing Voice

Newsted and his bandmates will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Monday, January 14 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Jason by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on the "Rockline" web site for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.

For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.



"Soldierhead" video teaser:

KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has uploaded video behind-the-scenes footage of the crew and KISS preparing to take the stage in Holmdel, New Jersey on September 22, 2012. The clip, which was shot by Keith Leroux, was filmed with a night-vision camera, and the first part of the video is silent because LED ZEPPELIN's "Rock and Roll" was playing in the amphitheater, and YouTube was blocking the video due to the background audio. Fran Stewart is captured doing the famous "you wanted the best" intro before the band breaks into "Detroit Rock City".

"Monster", the 20th studio album from KISS, sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

KISS' previous CD, "Sonic Boom", opened with 108,000 units back in October 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This marked the band's highest-charting LP ever.

KISS has notched nine Top 10 albums, according to Billboard.com. Its previous highest-charting set was 1998's "Psycho Circus", which debuted and peaked at No. 3 with 110,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group's other high-charting sets include 1975's "Alive!" (No. 9), 1977's "Love Gun" (No. 4) and 1992's "Revenge" (No. 6).

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message on the band's Facebook page:

"I just wanted to take this time on a peaceful Sunday to stop and thank you for your tremendous support. I know not everyone here is a fan, but that's OK too; this message will be waiting for you when you change your opinion of me/us. Until then, I want to sincerely thank those of you for something you have no idea that you've done, but that is really a righteous and unbelievable thing to do. You see, all faults aside, I really am trying to live my life differently today, and part of that was in finding something to believe in.

"One of the things that has happened since I started this transformation is getting involved with helping widows and orphans, and helping the homeless. Now, here's what you've done...

"I was approached with an opportunity, and thanks to your unwavering support, my family and I have been able to fund a soup kitchen in Haiti with a ministry called Outside The Bowl, and you will be proud to know that when it is started (which will be very soon), we will be feeding up to 8,000 meals a day to the less fortunate.

"I am so very grateful, and I love you all so very much (yes, even you haters), because even when I am being vilified and having my character assassinated, I can find comfort knowing up to 8,000 meals will be served each day, along with a healthy serving of love and some spiritual nourishment as well.

"Again, I cannot thank you enough.

"Love and bruises…"

On December 10, 2012, Jason Saulnier of the MusicLegends.ca web site conducted an interview with drummer Michel "Away" Langevin of Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

VOIVOD will release its 13th studio album, "Target Earth", via the band's own company, Iron Gang Factory, and Century Media on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, January 18
North America, Spain, Italy: Tuesday, January 22
Sweden, Hungary: Wednesday, January 23
Australia, New Zealand, Finland: Friday, January 25
Rest Of Europe: Monday, January 21

The CD was recorded in January 2012 at Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada and was mixed by Sanford Parker (PELICAN, NACHTMYSTIUM). The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" contains the band's first music to be written with Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005. The original art was once again drawn by Langevin and features color schemes from each one of the band's previous albums.

"Target Earth" standard CD and digital download track listing:

01. Target Earth
02. Kluskap O'Kom
03. Empathy For The Enemy
04. Mechanical Mind
05. Warchaic
06. Resistance
07. Kaleidos
08. Corps Étranger
09. Artefact
10. Defiance

"Target Earth" will also be available in the same track listing as gatefold-2LP with 180-gram vinyl in the following versions/colors:

* Black (Unlimited)
* Transparent Red (200 copies, Century Media webshop Europe)
* Transparent Blue (200 copies, Nuclear Blast mailorder)
* Orange (400 copies, Century Media USA)
* Purple (6000 copies, Century Media USA)

Additionally, there will be a limited-edition deluxe pressing of "Target Earth" as a mediabook-CD with alternate frontcover (silver on black), two quality stickers, expanded booklet as well as the two live bonus tracks recorded at the band's triumphant appearance at Roadburn festival 2012, which VOIVOD helped curate: "Target Earth" and "Man In The Trees".

"Man In The Trees" is a very special DIE KREUZEN cover version, featuring Daniel Kubinski of DIE KREUZEN on vocals, who commented on the track and his appearance: "I'm truly honored and thankful to have shared the stage with VOIVOD at Roadburn 2012 and I'm completely stoked we were able to cover one of Piggy's favorite DIE KREUZEN songs, 'Man In The Trees'. The melding of VOIVOD and DIE KREUZEN has been a long time coming and I am so glad we had the opportunity to play and record our performance together. I think our bands are open-minded within our creativity and like-minded in our approach to always stretch the boundaries and take our music to the next step!"

And last but certainly not least, "Target Earth" will be released as a CM Distro exclusive mailorder boxset in a numbered limited worldwide edition of 1,000 copies with the following content:

* "Target Earth" mediabook CD (incl. two live bonus tracks and expanded artwork/alternate frontcover)
* "Live At Roadburn 2011" CD (exclusive 10-song live CD with a four-page booklet in jewel case; previously only released by Roadburn Records as limited LP version)
* VOIVOD belt
* 1 poster (DINA3, Design of the mediabook CD cover artwork)
* 2 stickers (included in the mediabook CD)
* 3 exclusive postcards with artwork by VOIVOD's Away

The four members of VOIVOD — vocalist Denis "Snake" Bélanger, Mongrain, bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault and drummer Michel "Away" Langevin — will attend a listening party for their new album, "Target Earth", on January 24 at Café Chaos in Montreal, Quebec, Canada starting at 8 p.m. Admission to this 18-and-over event is free.

For more information, go to this location.

Interview:

"Target Earth" EPK:

Guitar hero Steve Vai was interviewed on "The Zloz Hour", the video series hosted by legendary rock photographer Neil "Zloz" Zlozower. You can now watch the 29-minute chat below.

Vai's new solo album of original material, "The Story Of Light", was released on August 14, 2012. The title came out on Favored Nations Entertainment, the label Vai founded in 1999. The sprawling and expressive 12-song set continues a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc that began with the artist's most recent studio release, 2005's acclaimed "Real Illusions: Reflections".

Although "The Story Of Light" is largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists, including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann — dueting with Vai on "No More Amsterdam", which she also co-wrote. Beverly McClellan, a season one finalist on "The Voice", appears on "John The Revelator", a track inspired by a vintage recording of blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, whose acid-soaked vocals are in the mix as well. Other highlights include the title track (which opens the album), "Gravity Storm", "The Moon And I", and "Velorum".

Throughout, three-time Grammy-winner Vai's lead guitar is as lyrically resonant as it is technically masterful, his licks and solos bending sounds and in listeners' minds in equal measure. "The Story Of Light" follows the journey of a man driven mad by grief, intertwining tragedy, revelation, enlightenment, and redemption.

"I'm always pursuing knowledge, I'm a seeker of spiritual equilibrium-and music is a big part of that," said Vai. "I've been obsessed with these kinds of ideas for years." Looking ahead, Vai envisions a third set of songs that will unravel the mysteries and reveal truths that swirl through both 'The Story Of Light' and 'Real Illusions: Reflections'. The completed trilogy, intended to be cinematic-even operatic-in scope, will include lyrics and narration.

"The Story Of Light" is Vai's 16th solo effort, and the follow up to 2009's live effort, "Where The Wild Things Are". In support of its release, Vai hit the road accompanied by his band — who are also featured on the new album: Dave Weiner (guitar), Jeremy Colson (drums), Philip Bynoe (bass), and Deborah Hensen (harp, vocals, keyboards).

GWAR frontman Oderus Urungus was interviewed for the latest edition of "Radioactive Metal". You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

In a recent interview with Legendary Rock Interviews, Oderus Urungus stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the new GWAR CD, "We've gotten going on that. We've got, like, 13 new songs written already and lyrics for around half of them and pretty much the whole concept of the album as well. We knew that it was gonna take a while, but we've finally concluded our search for a new guitar player [Pustulus Maximus]. It took a long time to find a guitar player who could fill the shoes of Flattus Maximus. It was just a tremendous task for us to do.

"As for the album, I think it's a heavy album, a metal album. I think it goes back to all different elements of the band. Is it a complete return to songs like 'Fish Fuck' or 'Fucking An Animal'? No. Does it have some of that same sense of humor? Yes… Does it rip as a metal record? Yes… most definitely. Is it afraid to be silly? No. Does it tell a story? Yes. Do I think GWAR fans are gonna love it? Yeah, because I think it's the best album we've ever written. That's what we set out to do and that's the only thing you can do after going through a tragedy like losing a guitar player, a friend, a guy who was that important to your music. It's do-or-die time with this band and that will be what happens with the next GWAR album. GWAR will always live forever but will GWAR always put out metal albums? A lot of that will be decided when we see how people react to our new record."

Interview:

"Perspectives", the new video from Austrian metallers THE SORROW, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Misery Escape", which entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 18. Released on October 26, 2012 in Europe and November 6, 2012 in North America via Napalm Records, the CD was produced and mixed by Sky Van Hoff and mastered by Jens Dreesen.

"Misery Escape" track listing:

01. Retracing Memories
02. The Escape
03. Burial Bridge
04. My Oblivion
05. A Reason
06. Buried In The Deep
07. A Thin Red Line
08. Perspectives
09. Lost Chapters
10. Dead Home
11. Follow The Lights

Limited-edition bonus tracks:

12. Nails & Daggers
13. Hold on Hope

THE SORROW's third, self-titled album, entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 24.

Video footage of MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover recording tracks for the band's forthcoming fourteenth studio album at Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California during the first week of January can be seen below.

MEGADETH's new CD is being produced by Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND. The effort will surface later this year via an as-yet-undisclosed label following the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.

Mustaine previously told NME about the direction of MEGADETH's new material, "Some of it's a little darker, some of it's a little faster. Being in this position right now, not knowing where we're gonna go or what we're gonna do, it's kind of like the world's ours to do what we want. Are we gonna go back to the speed and thrash metal roots that made us who we are? Are we gonna experiment and rely on the melody that we've discovered in MEGADETH songs?"

Mustaine also spoke about how he likes to keep MEGADETH's music more melodic than that of most thrash bands. "We've tried to do that in MEGADETH, have a little melody so that it's not just the same old grinding music like everybody else has," he said. "We're just happy to get going and get to the studio."

Johnny K produced MEGADETH's last album, 2011's "TH1RT3EN", which was also recorded at Vic's Garage.

"TH1RT3EN" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD marked the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This was the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe will stand trial February 4 on charges of manslaughter in the death of a fan at a Prague, Czech Republic concert more than two years ago.

The court originally had three months to set a trial date after announcing on December 3 that Blythe was officially indicted on manslaughter charges.

Writing on his Instagram account, Blythe said earlier today (Sunday, January 13): "The last two or three days I have been getting ready mentally to leave my home and return to Prague to do this whole trial thing in early February. It's not something I particularly WANT to do; but inside, my gut and heart tells me it is the RIGHT thing to do. I cannot turn my back on the right thing."

Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage. Blythe's predicament has galvanized the heavy rock community, with artists across the hard rock genre pledging their support.

Shortly after being released from the Pankrác prison in Prague in early August, Blythe sat down with Mark Holmberg of WTVR-TV — the CBS television affiliate based in Richmond, Virginia — to discuss his 37-day stay at the notorious Czech Republic penitentiary (see video below).

Asked about his vow to go back to Prague if there is a trial, Randy said, "I feel ethically responsible to go back there and face this charge. [The victim's] family right now is in a lot of pain, and they deserve some answers. To lose a child is the worst possible thing a human can go through, I think .. I want my name cleared. I have to go around the world and tour, you know. That's what I do. I'm not going to hide here. I'm an innocent man. I'm going to go to court and see what happens."

Regarding what the "worst-case scenario" is if he returns to Prague for a trial, Blythe told Metal Hammer magazine, "Ten years with no time off for good behavior. For my particular charge — we're saying manslaughter, but it's assault in the fourth degree with intent, resulting in the death of this young man — the sentence for that is five to 10 years with no time off. So the worst-case scenario is that get out when I'm 51, 52 years old. It's not something I really try to dwell on too much, because it's scary. I don't want to go to prison, I don't want that to happen, but the fact of the matter is it could happen. I will deal with it as it comes, that's all! can do. If you have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, you're pissing on the present. And right now, all! have is the present so I prepare myself the best I can. My band is behind me and my family's behind me and we're gonna do our best to prove my innocence. But worrying about a nebulous uncertain future, or being super-bummed out that l went to prison for 37 days does me no good."

LAMB OF GOD's manager, Larry Mazer, confirmed in a statement last month that Blythe will defend himself in the case. "We believe that Randy responded professionally to the numerous amount of fans rushing the stage that day, a number of them captured on videos that have been posted on the Internet," Mazer said. "We have testimony from the venue operator that acknowledges lax security and an improper barricade being used that evening. Numerous testimonies from fans also were contradictory as to the actions of the multiple fans that tried to access the stage."

Singer Cathrine Paulsen of Norwegian metallers TRAIL OF TEARS has released the following statement:

"[Singer] Ronny Thorsen has decided to leave TRAIL OF TEARS. The band supports him in his decision, although we think the timing is very bad. The reason for his decision has been various problems during the making of [the new TRAIL OF TEARS album] 'Oscillation', where Ronny have contributed with lyrics and vocals.

"The making of the album has been a very hard process on all of us. Ronny Thorsen felt the prosess was going too slow. Meanwhile, others have worked very hard to finish it. This major contrast between those who have spent almost every day during the last three years to make the album as good as possible, and those who have been more busy pushing some in the band to the edge of breakdown, is the main reason in this conflict.

"I have to speak my mind this time, and I really feel that I need to speak the truth.

"Through the years TRAIL OF TEARS have suffered several splitups. Last time the whole band left Ronny. I need to say there are reasons when the whole band leaves like that. Ronny was responsible for their tour in Mexico at the time. He told the band there was a contract for the tour, which there wasn't. In Mexico, all went wrong, and with no contract the band didn't have any rights. Ronny went behind their backs and sent them to Mexico with no contract — and lied about it. That's why the band left last time.

"I was thrown out of the band in 2004. After 'A New Dimension Of Might' [2002], I waited for new songs. Then I received a SMS saying I was no longer wanted in the band. In the magazines I could read that we had agreed that I quit. That was nothing but a lie that they made up. I never quit, I was kicked out without any explanation.

"In many years, Ronny and I had no contact. I was devastated after this treatment and especially when I had to read all these lies in the magazines. I feel okay about this now, but I want to finally tell what happened.

"When the band left Ronny Thorsen after the tour in Mexico, I contacted him for the first time in years. I wanted to say that even though I felt bad about beeing kicked out, I thought it was sad to hear that the band had split up. Then he asked me to work with him again, he wanted to continue TRAIL OF TEARS. I had my doubts about that, but I felt that I still had a lot to do in the band. As I said, it was never my decision to leave the first time.

"I was the one putting the new TRAIL OF TEARS together. I offered my bandmates from LUCID FEAR to join the band. That's how Bjørn Erik Næss and Cato Jensen became a part of it. Endre Moe played with Cato in CUTTHROAT, and we brought him onboard as well. I told Ronny that I expected him to show me respect, and to not backstab me again.

"During this cooperation I have felt frustration and sadness many times. I found out I still don't have any reasons to trust Ronny, as I and the rest of the band have started to read news about the band on Facebook. That means that he doesn't communicate with the band anymore. I cannot work like this, so it's easy for me to support his decision to leave the band.

"Ronny made this decision in October, still he keeps running the show alone, making decisions for the band without even asking or telling the rest. That becomes even more wrong when everyone else do most of the work in this band.

"I feel like shit writing this, but I will not tolerate anything but the truth anymore. This is hard for me, because I am an honest person who really cares for those around me. That means to take care of the other guys' interests, as well as my own. I have to set a limit and put an end to what's going on behind the scenes, before lies will be spread all over the world again."

A short time after the above statement was posted on the TRAIL OF TEARS Facebook page, Ronny Thorsen released the following response, offering his side of the story:

"Wow, what a day!

"I just came home after having dinner with my wife for her birthday. Halfway through dinner, my phone all of a sudden started going nuts and messages from all over the place started ticking in. Apparently it turned out that I had left TRAIL OF TEARS.

"After reading the statement on the official TRAIL OF TEARS Facebook page I can honestly conclude that a certain female singer has lost her final remaining piece of sanity. It is indeed fascinating how much nonsense and lies one person is able to spew forth.

"In all honesty, the working climate within the band has indeed been difficult for a while. This has been the case for quite some time and the whole thing escalated when Cathrine and guitarist Bjørn Erik Næss became a couple about a year ago and started forming their own little alliance within the band.

"It was a mutual decision amongst the members that we were going to finalize and release this new album and then go our separate ways as it was no longer possible to see eye to eye on how to run this band.

"I want to make it perfectly clear that I had every intention to do just that, to release one last killer album and then for everyone to go on with other musical endeavours. This, obviously, was not possible.

"Cathrine says in her statement that the timing is bad. Well, no shit. I had no intention to announce any departure before we had honed up to commitments and released this final album. It was my sincere wish that everyone could act as normal, regular adults here and do the right thing, both towards our fans as well as our business partners. Again, a pure ego trip from her side prevented that from happening.

"What is also interesting to see is that Cathrine failed to mention that both bassist Endre Moe AND drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow have also decided to leave the band. The three of us have done so because we are tired and completely drained from the drama caused by Cathrine and her guitarist boyfriend. So, to quote Cathrine's own words, when several members leave, then there is indeed a reason for it. Well, three members just walked out on you and your boyfriend, Cathrine, including the founder and sole original member of the band, so maybe you should look in the mirror and ask yourself if it's everyone else's fault or if the problem is in fact closer to yourself that what you like to think.

"I have been more than fair with Cathrine and stood by her side and supported her after behaviour where few others would. I also find it puzzling that Cathrine has chosen to stay in the band for as long as she has if everything was as bleak, frustrating and sad as she claims it to have been.

"As for her comments about what happened in Mexico seven years ago, I'm not even going to comment on those, as it is absolutely retarded for someone to have such strong opinions on something that you were not part of.

"Were you in Mexico, Cathrine? No, you were not.

"The last time that the band experienced member exits, I chose to take the high road refusing to to lower myself to the level of those who left, who tried to set a new world record in shit-talking. Because of that, I allowed people who I regarded as friends to be brainwashed by only hearing one side of the story. Well, this will not happen again and this time I will stand up for myself.

"Because of the fact that I have been blocked from the band's official Facebook page (very mature), you can read my words here on my personal page.

"So, as something ends, something else begins.

"I have been planning to launch a new band for a while and there will be some news about that in the near future.

"TRAIL OF TEARS has been a part of more than half my life since it was started more than 15 years ago. It has been a tremendous ride and I've had a blast.

"From now on let's look ahead. There is a lot more fun to be found out there!

"Stay safe all of you, thanks for your amazing support and I look forward to see you all soon!"

TRAIL OF TEARS' seventh full-length album, "Oscillation", will be released on March 22 via Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was recorded last year at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes.

The "Oscillation" cover art was created by Finnish artist Jan Yrlund and can be seen below.

Fan-filmed video footage of TRAIL OF TEARS performing a brand new song, "Eradicate", at last year's edition of the Metal Female Voices Fest, which was held on October 19-21, 2012 at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium, can be seen below.

"Eradicate" (new song) performance:

Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS peformed the title track of their new album, "Dirty Dynamite", on last night's "Swiss Awards" TV show. You can now watch video footage of their appearance below.

"Dirty Dynamite" will be released on February 22 in Europe via Sony Music and in North America on March 5, 2013 via The End Records.

Sony Music is offering a free download of the title track at this location (e-mail sign-up required). It was the last song that was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, England at 5 o'clock in the morning. Bassist Chris Von Rohr added some honky tonk piano licks on the original "Lady Madonna" piano at the studio.

"Dirty Dynamite" marks the return of KROKUS guitarist Mandy Meyer after 30 years.

Chris Von Rohr, along with vocalist Marc Storace, recently laid down bass and vocal tracks at London, England's Abbey Road Studios for the band's 17th album, "Dirty Dynamite". Sound engineer for the recording sessions is again Dennis Ward, who also recorded the band's last album, "Hoodoo".

KROKUS 2013 is:

Marc Storace - Vocals
Chris Von Rohr - bass
Fernando Von Arb - Lead Guitar
Mark Kohler - Rhythm Guitar
Mandy Meyer - Guitar

Sitting behind the drums on KROKUS' upcoming tour will be several guest drummers, including Kosta Zafiriou (PINK CREAM 69), who also played on the new CD.

Drummer Freddy Steady left KROKUS in May 2011 because he "concluded that he really wanted to play music just for fun in small clubs rather than conquering the world, playing arenas on huge stages with pyro props, etc.," according to guitarist Fernando Von Arb.

MELTED SPACE, the French "opera metal" project created in 2007 by composer and pianist Pierre Le Pape (WORMFOOD, EMBRYONIC CELLS), is preparing to release new mini-album, "Between". The CD will feature artwork by by Strychneen Studio and guest appearances by Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES), Ashmedi (MELECHESH), Black Messiah (SETH) and El Worm (WORMFOOD).

According to a press release, "Between" will contain a mix of symphonic, black and modern metal and acoustic music. The lyrical concept will deal with Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers and central characters of Rome's foundation myth.

MELTED SPACE's first instrumental album, "There's A Place", featured 26 singers and musicians from bands like HACRIDE, DESTINITY, THE OLD DEAD TREE, CARNIVAL IN COAL, PHAZM, KELLS and OTARGOS.

Kalle-Rock.de conducted an interview with guitarist Jerry Horton of Californian rockers PAPA ROACH before the band's December 4 concert in Berlin, Germany with STONE SOUR. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

PAPA ROACH's trek with STONE SOUR marked the band's first extended tour since Jacoby Shaddix had surgery on his vocal cords in September. Asked by the Armed Forces Network how his voice was holding up, Shaddix said, "Voice is great. I'm slaying it on the shows so far and I feel really good. I was definitely blessed to go to the right doctor and get my surgery performed by him. It was scary, but I'm good."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Shaddix said that during his recovery, he got to spend some time with his kids and also learn the latest musical trends. He explained, "After my surgery, I had some time at home so I was helping coach my son's tackle football team . . . I'd turn around and they're behind me doing the 'Gangnam' dance. I was like, 'Alright, we save that for after practice.'"

Even before his vocal problems started, Shaddix admitted in several interviews that he came close to committing suicide earlier in the year as he struggled with both marital problems and falling off the wagon.

PAPA ROACH and STONE SOUR will hit the road in the U.S. together on a co-headlining tour that begins on January 20 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

PAPA ROACH has posted a performance video for the song "Still Swingin'", filmed during the European tour with STONE SOUR. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Connection", which sold 22,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 17 on the Billboard album chart.

Interview (audio):



"Still Swingin'" performance:

"Stormcrow", the new EP from Indianapolis doomsters THE GATES OF SLUMBER, will be released on January 29 via Scion Audio/Visual, (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market. The CD was recorded by Sanford Parker and it features cover artwork by Dave Quiggle.

"Stormcrow" will contain five brand new songs:

* Death March
* (Devil's Grip) - Driven Insane
* Son Of Hades
* Dragon Caravan
* Of That Which Can Never Be

THE GATES OF SLUMBER last year parted amicably with drummer J. Clyde Paradis, who recorded and toured behind the 2011 album "The Wretch" (Rise Above Records).

THE GATES OF SLUMBER started in 1998 as a backlash against the stoner rock trend prevalent at the time and with their mixture of BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM, and prime-era CELTIC FROST, the band has crushed or converted unbelievers ever since.

"The Wretch" was released in May 2011 via Rise Above/Metal Blade. The CD was recorded at England's Orgone Studios with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, ANGEL WITCH).

John Corabi, former lead singer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE SCREAM and UNION, was interviewed on a recent edition of the "Maximum Threshold" radio show. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Corabi serves up a passionate, soulful dose of both new and classic songs on this all-new acoustic release. Available on Rat Pak Records, "Unplugged" offers five new original tracks, seven re-recorded classic songs and in addition, features an exclusive 2012 behind-the-scenes interview with John. The album features John Corabi on vocals/guitar, Cheney Brannon (formerly of COLLECTIVE SOUL) on percussion/vocals, Topher Nolen on bass/vocals, D.A. Karkos on guitar/vocals, Matt Farley on percussion/vocals and Bruce Kulick (KISS, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD) on guitar (on "Hoolgan's Holiday" and "Man In The Moon").

"Unplugged" track listing:

01. Love (I Don't Need It Anymore)
02. If I Never Get To Say Goodbye
03. Are You Waiting?
04. Crash
05. Everything's All Right
06. Father, Mother, Son
07. Hooligan's Holiday
08. If I Had A Dime
09. Loveshine
10. Man In The Moon
11. Open Your Eyes
12. I Never Loved Her Anyway
13. 2012 Interview (bonus track)

For more information, visit www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com.

Corabi originally joined CRÜE in 1992 as the replacement for the group's original singer, Vince Neil, who was fired due to personal differences. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart. When Neil returned to the fold in 1997, Corabi was left on his own and formed the band UNION with ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

For a list of upcoming John Corabi tour dates, visit www.johncorabi.com.

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman recently spoke to Artisan News about the inspiration behind his new industrial project, DEVICE, and the role former FILTER guitarist Geno Lenardo and the film "Underworld" played in its creation. Check out the report below. Also available is a clip of Draiman, shown with his DEVICE bandmates Will Hunt (drums) and Virus (guitar), praising TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider, calling him one of hard rock's "most enigmatic" frontmen.

"Vilify", the first single from DEVICE, will go for radio adds on February 19. The band's full-length debut will follow on April 9 via Warner Bros.. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "You Think You Know", "Recover", "Hunted" and "War Of Lies".

DEVICE filmed a video on Friday (January 11) for "Vilify" with renowned director P.R. Brown, who has previously collaborated with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M.

Special guest musicians on the DEVICE album:

* Terry "Geezer" Butler (BLACK SABBATH)
* Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION)
* M. Shadows (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)
* Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
* Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)

Draiman revealed the existence of the project last March, saying it would be in the vein of industrial acts like NINE INCH NAILS and MINISTRY. He later announced that Lenardo was joining the group, although further members' identities have yet to be unveiled.

DISTURBED went on an open-ended hiatus in 2011, with Draiman saying at the time that all four members wanted some time to pursue other endeavors. "We've got other things that each of the band members wanted to pursue individually, outside of DISTURBED," he said. "There's other businesses we have, there's other interests. We've got futures hopefully to help cultivate for our families and our children, and they can't all revolve specifically around DISTURBED."

DISTURBED has not indicated when it plans to return, although all four members say they're likely to come back.

Aside from Draiman, DISTURBED bassist John Moyer has branched out recently by joining ADRENALINE MOB, a new group also featuring ex-DREAM THEATER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer Mike Portnoy.

According to the New York Post, AEROSMITH lead singer Steven Tyler and his fiancée of one year, Erin Brady, have "officially" split.

It was previously reported in October that Tyler and Brady were having trouble in their relationship but "it's over for good this time," a source "close to the couple" told the paper.

Brady reportedly did not accompany Tyler when he vacationed in Hawaii with his extended family over New Year's.

Previously an accountant for Tyler on tour, Brady told Oprah Winfrey in a 2011 interview that although she bore witness to the worst of Steven's bad-boy behavior, she knew his ways could be reformed and she wanted to be the one to do it.

"I saw him, how he behaved… badly," she said, according to ETOnline.com, telling Oprah she had to step up to the plate as the womanizing continued when their relationship became romantic. Her strategy was to "play" as he would when Tyler would stray, which he admits was a wake-up call and an instigator towards treating the women of his life with the respect they deserve.

"There was some behavior I am ashamed of and I shouldn't have done," Steven explained. When asked bluntly if he believed he could remain monogamous with Erin, Tyler confidently replied that he could. "I don't want to hurt anybody again," he said. "For all the divorces I've had I've hurt those girls deeply."

Steven and Erin dated for six years, since Tyler divorced Teresa Barrick. He was also married to Cyrinda Foxe from 1978 to 1987.