A five-minute interview with Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metallers DEGRADEAD — geared specifically for the Russian market — can be seen below.

DEGRADEAD's third album, "A World Destroyer", was released in North America on June 28, 2011 via Metalville Records. The CD was recorded at Peter Tägtgren's (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) Abyss studios in Pärlby, outside Ludvika, Sweden, with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW).

DEGRADEAD recently parted ways with drummer Kenneth Helgesson and is currently seeking a replacement.

On August 6, 2010, DEGRADEAD played for their first time at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken. Germany. Their full set, as performed on the W.E.T Stage before an enthusiastic audience, along with many extras, is included on the DVD release, "Live At Wacken And Beyond", which was released on February 28 via Metalville Records. The disc also contains "From Tullinge To Hyderabad", a 50-minute documentary following DEGRADEAD from their first years in Tullinge, a small suburb south of Stockholm where the band was formed, to their successful tour of India in February 2011. It includes interviews, live clips and a lot of other "interesting stuff for the fans."

German TV channel ZDF Kultur conducted an interview with Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

The members of HAMMERFALL announced in March that they were take an extended break immediately following their festival appearances this summer.

"It has been an unbelievable first 15 years, to say the least," said guitarist Oscar Dronjak, "and now we are taking a pause to ensure that we have another 15 years ahead of us."

There will be no HAMMERFALL activities in 2013, but the band promises to return strong the following year. "The plan is to use the year off to recharge our batteries and come back more vital than ever with a new album in 2014," explained singer Joacim Cans.

HAMMERFALL's new album, "Infected", sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 16 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

HAMMERFALL's previous CD, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", opened with 1,400 units to land at No. 38 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

"Infected" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2 (right behind LADY GAGA!). The CD was released in Europe in May 2011 and was made available in North America in June via Nuclear Blast Records. Laying down the foundation themselves in their own studio in Sweden, the members of HAMMERFALL then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to finish it up with acclaimed producer James Michael (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF). He also mixed the album, giving it a decisive updated edge without losing any of the essence of the band's sound.

HAMMERFALL was among the five final nominees that competed for the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" honor at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held February 14, 2012 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.

Interview:



Performance footage:

German TV channel ZDF Kultur conducted an interview with guitarist Silenoz (real name: Sven Atle Kopperud) of Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

DIMMU BORGIR's current touring lineup includes Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass.

DIMMU BORGIR performed one very exclusive show on May 28, 2011 at the Oslo Spektrum in Norway with a special, never-to-be-repeated setlist with 53 members of KORK (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra) and 30 members of the Schola Cantorum choir, who were musical guests on the band's ninth studio album, "Abrahadabra".

The concert, dubbed "Forces Of The Northern Night", was professionally filmed and was broadcast as part of a one-hour documentary in June 2011 on NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company and the largest media organization in Norway.

"Abrahadabra", the ninth album from DIMMU BORGIR, was released in Germany on September 24, 2010, in the rest of Europe on September 27, 2010, and it was made available in North America on October 12, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Professionally filmed video footage of AMON AMARTH's entire August 4 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

AMON AMARTH recently launched its very own interactive fan club, called Mobile Backstage, for smartphones, Facebook and for the Web.

"This will allow us to have a more direct communication with our fans, and will speed up the information process for everything such as news and tour dates, as well as give our fans some special peeks behind the scenes of future tours and festivals," said AMON AMARTH vocalist Johan Hegg.

"When we first thought of creating our own app, we pretty soon realized that the mobile backstage solution was the right thing for us. It's a combination of mobile and Facebook apps and a web interface that creates a digital fan club and allows us to reach all our fans no matter where they are," added AMON AMARTH drummer Fredrik Andersson.

"We're very excited to bring Mobile Backstage to AMON AMARTH," stated Paavo Bäckman, the CEO of Mobile Backstage.

With Mobile Backstage, AMON AMARTH and their fans can exchange news, pictures, videos, audio clips and messages in an intimate and personal environment, far from the noise and clutter of other social media. Fans can send messages to other fans, find and check into gigs, see the location of other fans and their online posts, play audio, and purchase tracks and tickets.

Join AMON AMARTH Mobile Backstage now — on the web, Facebook app and mobile devices.

Sweden Rock Magazine correspondent Daniela Pilic recently conducted an interview with FIREWIND and OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. (real name: Kostas Karamitroudis) for her blog, In The Rearview Mirror. You can now watch the chat below.

FIREWIND's new single, "Wall Of Sound", was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.

"Wall Of Sound" was exclusively distributed in Sweden via Sweden Rock Magazine and each copy of the magazine containing the digipak CD — including the album tracks "Wall Of Sound" and "Few Against Many" as well as a previously unreleased demo version of "Wall Of Sound" — was counted towards the certification; the single itself was **not** sold separately.

The members of FIREWIND were presented with "Wall Of Sound" gold plaques by Daniela Pilic on July 18 during their hometown concert in Thessaloniki, Greece.

"Few Against Many" sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 28 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Few Against Many" was released in Europe on May 21 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution. The CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

Produced by Gus, "Few Against Many" was recorded with his longtime bandmates, vocalist Apollo Papathanasio, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis and bassist Petros Christo, at Valve Studio in Greece as well as the Sweetspot Studios in Sweden and sees the band expanding on its signature melodic sound with some of its most aggressive songs to date. The CD also marks the recording debut of new FIREWIND drummer Johan Nunez (NIGHTRAGE).

Interview:



"Wall Of Sound" video:

Professionally filmed video footage of EDGUY's entire August 4 performance as the "surprise" closing act at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

As previously reported, EDGUY vocalist Tobias Sammet slipped off the stage this on July 14 during the fifth song of the band's performance at the Bang Your Head!!!festival in Balingen, Germany. While the rest of the band continued to play, Tobias fell into the photographers' pit, hit the concrete ground and sustained a number of injuries: a fracture of the nose, a severe hip contusion, a severe rib contusion and several abrasions and cuts. Despite the fact that Tobias was in severe pain, EDGUY performed its full set, which went on for another hour.

EDGUY's new album, "Age Of The Joker", sold around 1,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 21 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

EDGUY's previous CD, "Tinnitus Sanctus", opened with 600 units back in February 2009 to land at No. 88 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

"Age Of The Joker" was released in Europe on August 29, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Peppermint Park studio (SCORPIONS, PHIL COLLINS) in Hannover, which was previously described by the group as "a recording temple with a tremendously great-sounding room." The album features 11 songs with a total running time of over one hour. The limited-edition digipack contains a bonus disc with six additional songs.

Sonic Shocks conducted an interview with DJERV — the Norwegian band featuring singer Agnete Kjølsrud of ANIMAL ALPHA, drummer Erlend Gjerde of STONEGARD and WARDRUNA and guitarist Stian Kårstad of TRELLDOM — prior to the band's July 20 concert at HMV Forum in London, England as the support act for MINISTRY. You can now watch the chat below.

DJERV's self-titled debut album entered the official chart in Norway at position No. 8. The CD was released in the rest of Europe in June 2011 via Indie Recordings (except in Poland and Czech Republic, where the album was made available through Mystic Production).

DJERV consists of the three core members — Agnete Kjølsrud, Stian Kårstad and Erlend Gjerde. The band uses session musicians for live performances.

DJERV spent most of the fall of 2010 working on its debut album, which was engineered by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH) in Oslo, before the band traveled to Los Angeles to team up with Grammy Award-winning producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, MONSTER MAGNET) to work on the mix. The effort was mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering, and it was written and produced in its entirety by DJERV.

DJERV's story is short but eventful. The first demos surfaced early 2010, and two weeks later they were booked for the most important festival in Norway, the Oya festival. They went on to tour Norway in June 2010 and played several of the bigger Norwegian festivals during the summer. In August 2010 they released the "Headstone" EP which basically is their first-ever recorded demo tracks made available as people kept demanding to get to hear them not only on MySpace. The release of the "Headstone" EP generated some good press for the band several key magazines featured them as one of the bands to keep an eye out for in 2011. In addition, DIMMU BORGIR helped promote DJERV when they invited Agnete to participate on no less than three songs for their latest album, "Abrahadabra". Among them the lead track of the album, "Gateways", the video for which also features Agnete.

Interview:



Performance (Hellfest in Clisson, France - June 2012):

Professionally filmed video footage of DARK FUNERAL's August 4 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

DARK FUNERAL recently inked a three-album deal with Century Media Records.

Commented DARK FUNERAL guitarist and founding member Lord Ahriman: "Our bad luck with labels in the past has for sure been very frustrating. So it is with great pleasure to finally be able to turn the page, move on and start a new dark chapter in the DARK FUNERAL saga, as we join the great Century Media family. Century Media has more than enough proven to be a stable and highly professional label. And we are totally looking forward to this new cooperation, which I'm sure will prove to be very satisfying and successful for both parts. Hail the goat!"

Added Jens Prüter, head of A&R at Century Media in Europe: "I always respected DARK FUNERAL for their endurance and integrity. They've gone through some hard times, but never gave up and also never gave in to compromise on their musical and aesthetic vision. Almost 20 years after their formation, it's still the same powerhouse of unmerciful black metal and the new lineup is stronger and more focused than in the past. Thanks to Lord Ahriman and the whole band! Looking forward to their 20th anniversary in 2013 with a new album."

The new lineup of DARK FUNERAL — featuring the group's latest additions, vocalist Nachtgarm (NEGATOR) and bassist Zornheym — made its live debut on the Sweden Rock Cruise. The ship Tallink Silja Galaxy set sail from Stockholm, Sweden on October 6, 2011 and made a round trip to Turku, Finland before returning to Stockholm 23 hours later.

DARK FUNERAL last year parted ways with Regain Records. Lord Ahriman stated at the time, "Time went by and we didn't see any future whatsoever to continue to work with them."

DARK FUNERAL 2012 is:

Nachtgarm - Vocals
Lord Ahriman - Guitar
Chaq Mol - Guitar
Zornheym- Bass
Dominator - Drums

Holland's FaceCulture recently conducted an interview with bassist Jack Gibson of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal metallers EXODUS. You can now watch the chat in three parts below.

When asked whether EXODUS has plans to record the follow-up to 2010's "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" album, Gibson told Peek From The Pit in June, "We're way overdue to do it. We've just been so busy. Actually, we've been getting great tour offers over and over, and we just keep wanting to take them, and that, coupled with the fact that Gary [Holt], our main guitar player and songwriter, is out playing with SLAYER, he's filling in for [SLAYER guitarist] Jeff [Hanneman] on this whole [SLAYER tour]. Nobody really knows how long that's gonna take, how long Jeff's gonna take [to recover from contracting necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, in January 2011]. I mean, it was pretty severe what happened to him, from what I understand. So we just haven't had the time, to be perfectly honest. I know that Gary has songs, and Lee [Altus, guitar] has some stuff — they've been coming up with stuff — [but] we just really haven't had the time to sit down and hammer it all out and then record it. That takes a few months together to make that happen, and we just haven't had the time, basically. But there is gonna be another album, for sure. The way that our writing has been going and our albums have been going, it's gonna be great — I know it. What I've heard Gary noodling with. Me, him and Tom [Hunting, drums] have kind of just fooled around with it here and there, and man, it's gonna be good. Gary, he's the main driver, and [the songwriting] keeps evolving. It's one of the things I really like about the band — the music keeps getting good; it doesn't just stay the same or we don't rewrite the last one. We kind of throw the last one out and do something new each time. So I expect the same and more from the next album."

"Exhibit B: The Human Condition" was released in North America on May 18, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The CD sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 114 on The Billboard 200 chart.

EXODUS' previous album, "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A", opened with 3,600 units back in October 2007.

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Part 2:



Part 3:

On July 27, TheToneKing.com conducted an interview with SLAYER guitar tech Warren Lee at the Camden, New Jersey stop of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. You can now watch the chat below.

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King's longtime tech Armand Crump died on March 31.

The band's other axeman, Jeff Hanneman, in January 2011 contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since.

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt is filling in for Hanneman on SLAYER's summer tour, which kicked off at the end of May at All Tomorrow's Parties in England.

Quality multi-camera video footage of DEMON HUNTER's July 27 performance at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California can be seen below.

DEMON HUNTER's sixth album, "True Defiance", was released on limited-edition vinyl on July 31 via Solid State Records. Limited to a one-time pressing of 1,000 copies, the double LP, double gatefold package features stunning large-scale versions of DEMON HUNTER frontman and graphic artist Ryan Clark's beautiful artwork — making this a must-have for DEMON HUNTER fans and vinyl collectors.

DEMON HUNTER is currently headlining the True Defiance tour with support from CANCER BATS, THE PLOT IN YOU and WILLOWS.

"True Defiance", sold 12,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 36 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on April 10, 2011 via Solid State Records.

Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (ANBERLIN, EMERY) and mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM), "True Defiance" finds DEMON HUNTER continuing in their hard rock evolution while embracing the components that have always formed the backbone of their music: true metal, dark rock and balladry.

Froman Productions recently conducted an interview with the Dayton, Ohio Christian metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA during the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. You can now watch the chat below.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA released a live CD/DVD, "Dead & Alive", on June 26 via Ferret Music.

"Dead & Alive" was filmed and recorded last year during THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's hugely successful "Dead Throne Tour: North America" tour.

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA drummer Daniel Williams stated about "Dead & Alive", "I am definitely happy with the results. We had a few hiccups along the way; Jeremy [DePoyster, guitar] does all of the behind-the-scenes stuff and editing for it. But it was kind of an issue. We had gone overseas and had all of this stuff made for the DVD, and our deadline was coming up. As soon as we got back, our manager hit us up for the content and Jeremy had gone to export all of that content and his hard drive crashed. So we lost everything we had, so he had to — last minute — make a new video, throw all of the information off his backup hard drive to get it all set up. It was a huge hassle but it came out really well. But the actual DVD looks amazing. The editing was done well, the sound is great, I'm happy with how we played, can't say I played everything right, but we'll see what people say in the review of the DVD. I'm really happy and stoked about it, just as everyone else, is because it was a fun experience for us."

Regarding the departure of keyboardist James Baney, Williams said, "We split ways because it's hard to work with certain people in general. It's sometimes hard to work creatively, and he's married and such, so there were some reasons we decided to split. No, we're not looking for another keyboard player. Both of our guitarists are going to be writing the keys for future releases. We have someone playing the keyboard parts, but we are not going to be looking for a sixth member for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA."

Asked if he thinks talking about spirituality in music is becoming more popular and accepted in music, Williams said, "To me, it's weird because some people get bent out of shape and feel music has always been an outlet of a feeling or emotion or an idea out there. Every band out there, like a punk band talking about politics or a pop singer, talks about love or a boyfriend or girlfriend — or a metal band talking about our beliefs. Why does it matter? Music is always getting a point across, even if it's just to play the music, and people should understand that. It's an outlet for the artists and what the fans can enjoy. I think it should be accepted."

Peek From The Pit conducted an interview with guitarist Luca Turilli of the Italian "cinematic" metal band LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY at this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France. You can watch the chat below.

In August 2011, RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY's new album, "Ascending To Infinity", entered the German Media Control chart at the position No. 32.

"Ascending To Infinity" track listing:

01. Quantum X
02. Ascending To Infinity
03. Dante's Inferno
04. Excalibur
05. Tormento E Passione
06. Dark Fate Of Atlantis
07. Fantasia Gotica
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer's Fall
I. Alma Mundi
II. Fatum Mortalis
III. Ignis Divinus

The "Dark Fate Of Atlantis" video was filmed in Stockholm, Sweden by Swedish director Owe Lingvall of Dreamday Media (THE RASMUS, KAMELOT's "The Great Pandemonium"). The song was edited and made shorter for the video while on the CD it appears in its original version of 6 minutes and 29 seconds.

WTVR-TV — the CBS television affiliate based in LAMB OF GOD's hometown of Richmond, Virginia — has uploaded a one-minute video report (see below) on the return of the band's frontman, Randy Blythe, to the United States after spending more than a month in a Prague prison in connection with the 2010 death of a fan at one of LAMB OF GOD's shows. The singer was was accused of shoving a local fan off the stage during the group's May 2010 concert in the city. The man, who is said to have stormed the stage three times during the show, reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in his death nearly a month later.

After the Czech court doubled Blythe's bail last month from about $200,000 to about $400,000, the prosecutor once again filed a complaint against the singer's release.

A Prague court on Thursday (August 2) dismissed the request that Blythe be banned from leaving the country.

Blythe confirmed on Friday that he will return to the Czech Republic — if necessary — to face trial. "I'm an international touring artist," he said. "I have to clear my name. So, yes, I will come back [to Prague] if I'm called to court."

Video footage of SABATON's performance at this year's edition of the Przystanek Woodstock festival, which was held August 2-4 in Kostrzyn on the Oder, Poland, can be seen below.

Przystanek Woodstock is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation in order to thank all its volunteers and supporters who take part in the annual Grand Finale fundraising event in January.

Every year, Przystanek Woodstock features a few dozen bands from Poland and abroad. The guests are invited to perform on one of two stages: the Big Stage or the Small Stage, also known as the Folk Stage.

For 15 years, the Orchestra has been organizing auditions for bands willing to perform for the Woodstock audience.

SABATON's new album, "Carolus Rex", was released on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which was made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

The band previously stated about "Carolus Rex": "For the first time ever we have had an expert to help us out with the theme, the well-known Swedish historian Bengt Liljegren. We have also added some extra time in the studio to find the absolute right sound on 'Carolus Rex', and our producer, Peter Tägtgren, says that this album will mark a brand new standard for how a heavy metal album should sound like!"

Liljegren's published works include acclaimed biographies of Adolf Hitler and Karl XII. He also appeared in the popular Swedish TV series "Boston Tea Party".

SABATON recently parted ways with guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr. The band's new touring lineup is as follows:

Joakim Brodén - Vocals
Pär Sundström - Bass
Chris Rörland (NOCTURNAL RITES) - Guitar
Thobbe Englund (WINTERLONG, RAUBTIER) - Guitar
Robban Bäck (BALTIMOORE, PREY) - Drums

UNIDA, the American stoner band featuring former KYUSS and current KYUSS LIVES! vocalist John Garcia, will perform at The Hood Bar & Pizza in Palm Desert, California on Friday, August 10.

For more information, go to this location.

UNIDA originally consisted of Garcia , Arthur Seay (guitar), Miguel Cancino (drums) and Dave Dinsmore (bass). Dinsmore was later replaced by Scott Reeder, who was in turn replaced by Owen Seay. Paul Gray of SLIPKNOT fame also played with the band as a touring bassist.

In 1999, UNIDA appeared on a split CD release with Swedish band DOZER. The UNIDA portion was titled "The Best Of Wayne-Gro" EP. Later that year, they released their debut full-length album entitled "Coping With The Urban Coyote" on Man's Ruin Records.

UNIDA appeared on the High Times Records' "High Volume: The Stoner Rock Collection", contributing the track "Left Us To Mold". The band's song "Black Woman" was featured on the soundtrack to the skateboarding video game "Tony Hawk's Underground".

German death metallers FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING have completed work on their fifth album, "The Art Of Coming Apart", for a late 2012 release via Cyclone Empire. According to the band, the CD "will contain eight brutal Swedish death metal songs and two instrumentals."

The group adds, "The songs sound awesome after being mixed in Soundtunnel Studio by Ingo Maier and mastered by Dan Swanö."

"The Art Of Coming Apart" track listing:

01. The Art Of Coming Apart
02. Barren And Bleak
03. Four Winters
04. Hours Of Suffering
05. Memorial Stone
06. A Silence Dressed In Black
07. Sundown (instrumental)
08. Trapping The Unseen
09. Seasons Of Tranquillity
10. Fathomless (Epilogue)

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING's fourth album, "The Everhaunting Past / Chapter IV - A Splendid Retrospection", came out in October 2009 via Cyclone Empire. The CD's cover artwork was once again created by Sascha Ehrich.

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING in 2009 announced the addition of bassist Christopher Körtgen (SMILODON, CHAOS HD) to the group's ranks.

The band's third album, "Sterling Black Icon", was released in March 2006 via Metal Blade.

ICS Festival Service GmbH, which organizes the Wacken Open Air festival, has released the following statement:

"Unfortunately, we have sad news: We were informed by the German Red Cross that there has been a death at the Wacken Open Air 2012.

"We are shocked and send our condolences to family and friends of the deceased.

"Final details are not known at this point.

"You will find the official press release from the emergency medical service below."

Statement from the emergency medical service:

"At this year's Wacken Open Air festival, a tragic accident took place on the camping ground. As far as is known now, a festival guest laid down on canvas-covered trailer, where he fell asleep. A power generator was also located underneath the cover and running, filling the space between trailer and canvas with poisonous carbon monoxide. As it appears, the person on the trailer was breathing in this gas and consequently died. After approximately two hours, the friends of the deceased went looking and discovered the lifeless body under the canvas on the trailer. Emergency services and doctor were called immediately, but couldn't successfully resuscitate the person.

"The State Attorney has started investigations."

Matt Bishop of TheRockRevival.com conducted an interview with drummer Ben Harclerode of Knoxville, Tennessee death metallers WHITECHAPEL at a recent stop on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. You can now watch the chat below.

The new self-titled fourth album from WHITECHAPEL sold around 9,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "A New Era Of Corruption", opened with around 10,600 units back in June 2010 to land at No. 43.

"Whitechapel" was released on June 19 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was engineered and mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER), who also handled production duties alongside the band. The artwork was created by Aaron Marsh of Forefathers Group with art direction provided by WHITECHAPEL.

Photo credit: Adam Elmakias

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION have set "Spiritual Genocide" as the title of their 30th-anniversary album, to be released in November via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "The drum recording for the upcoming DESTRUCTION album, 'Spiritual Genocide', is finished! Vaaver [real name: Wawrzyniec Dramowicz] did an amazing job on the fastest DESTRUCTION album in history!"

DESTRUCTION vocalist/bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer previously said that the band's new CD would be "much more intense than 'Day Of Reckoning'! And that wasn't a blues album ...haha!"

DESTRUCTION recently completed the North American "30th Year Anniversary Tour" with support from WARBRINGER, VITAL REMAINS (who were alternating each night) and PATHOLOGY.

Inspired by IRON MAIDEN, MERCYFUL FATE, MOTÖRHEAD and VENOM, DESTRUCTION was formed as KNIGHT OF DEMON in 1982. The band's original lineup included vocalist and bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, drummer Tommy Sandmann, and guitarist Mike Sifringer. They soon changed their name to DESTRUCTION and released a demo titled "Bestial Invasion Of Hell" in 1984.

"Day Of Reckoning", the latest album from DESTRUCTION, sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 58 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Day Of Reckoning" was the first album to feature Vaaver (INDUKTI, ex-UNSUN).

British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) has canceled his previously announced North American tour.

Commented Blaze: "It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my planned tour of the U.S. and Canada in September is cancelled.

"I am so sorry. Due to circumstances beyond my control the tour could not go ahead. I can't go into too many details because of possible litigation but I can say that the agent that booked my last U.S. tour will not be booking the next one. Work will now start on plans to tour U.S. and Canada in 2013 and beyond. I will try to play more towns and cities than ever before and announce the venue details as soon as they are confirmed.

"If there is a venue near you that puts on live music and you would like to see me play there, please send details and contact info. I will pass them on to my new agent so he can try to include your venue on the tour.

"Thank you for you understanding and thank you for your belief and the support you have given me. I will see you all in 2013."

Bayley's new studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

The 49-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

A seven-minute video clip in which ALTER BRIDGE and CREED guitarist Mark Tremonti teaches you how to play the solo in the track "You Waste Your Time" from his debut solo album, "All I Was", can be seen below.

"All I Was" sold more than 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 29 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on July 17 via Fret 12 Records, a company Mark started with his brother, Daniel Tremonti, and Tom Stanley.

With two bands and a solo career, The Pulse Of Radio asked Tremonti how he knows which project the songs he writes are best suited for. "I've just gotten this filter, this intuition that tells me what songs go to which band, and with my solo stuff, the rhythm section is so different from the other bands, I think it really stands apart," he said. "I think it's a little more aggressive than both the other bands, but you just have to hear it, I guess."

His solo band, also billed TREMONTI, features ALTER BRIDGE and CREED bassist Brian Marshall in the lineup along with guitarist Eric Friedman and drummer Garrett Whitlock.

"All I Was" track listing:

01. Leave It Alone
02. So You'e Afraid
03. Wish You Well
04. Brains
05. The Things I've Seen
06. You Waste Your Time
07. New Way Out
08. Giving Up
09. Proof
10. All I Was
11. Doesn't Matter
12. Decay

"You Waste Your Time" performance video can be seen below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). According to the group, the clip "was shot live with no tricks so it is different from the single and you will see how Mark sings in a live setting."

"You Waste Your Time" solo lesson:



"You Waste Your Time" performance video:

Professionally filmed video footage of HAMMERFALL's August 3 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

The members of HAMMERFALL announced in March that they were take an extended break immediately following their festival appearances this summer.

"It has been an unbelievable first 15 years, to say the least," said guitarist Oscar Dronjak, "and now we are taking a pause to ensure that we have another 15 years ahead of us."

There will be no HAMMERFALL activities in 2013, but the band promises to return strong the following year. "The plan is to use the year off to recharge our batteries and come back more vital than ever with a new album in 2014," explained singer Joacim Cans.

HAMMERFALL's new album, "Infected", sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 16 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

HAMMERFALL's previous CD, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", opened with 1,400 units to land at No. 38 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

"Infected" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2 (right behind LADY GAGA!). The CD was released in Europe in May 2011 and was made available in North America in June via Nuclear Blast Records. Laying down the foundation themselves in their own studio in Sweden, the members of HAMMERFALL then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to finish it up with acclaimed producer James Michael (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF). He also mixed the album, giving it a decisive updated edge without losing any of the essence of the band's sound.

HAMMERFALL was among the five final nominees that competed for the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" honor at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held February 14, 2012 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.

DEEP PURPLE, NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, ARCH ENEMY, SABATON, DORO, ANTHRAX and SUBWAY TO SALLY are the first confirmed bands for next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 1-3, 2013. AMORPHIS will perform an acoustic set, while Doro will celebrate her 30th anniversary in the music business. More acts will be announced soon.

Wacken Open Air was first held in 1990 as a small event for local German bands. By 1998 the event had become the major festival on the European metal calendar and has included over 70 bands from all over Europe, North America and Australia.

Wacken Open Air is usually held at the beginning of August and lasts three days, during which the festival-goers camp on several large camping grounds surrounding the actual festival area. The 70 or more bands perform across four separate stages over the course of the event.

Wacken Open Air, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in 2008 in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee.

Fan-filmed video footage of KORN performing the song "Narcissistic Cannibal" on August 3 at the Kubana festival in Veselovka, Russia can be seen below.

Photos of the concert are available at this location.

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu is sitting out the band's shows in Europe this month so that he can be home for the birth of his child. Filling in for him is Ryan Martinie of MUDVAYNE.

Fieldy married Dena Beber on May 13, 2006 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. It was her first marriage and his third. Fieldy has two daughters, Sarina and Olivia Arvizu, from his second marriage from Shela Arvizu; he and Dena had a son in early 2007 and named him Israel.

Fieldy's 2009 memoir, "Got The Life: My Journey Of Addiction, Faith, Recovery And Korn", details his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction during KORN's early years and how he became a born-again Christian to help get his life together and get sober.

After its dates in Europe, KORN will co-headline the fourth annual ShipRocked, the ultimate rock music cruise vacation which sails November 27 - December 1.

Swedish hard rockers IMPERA will release their debut album, "Legacy Of Life", in October through the U.K. label Escape Music. The CD was produced by Lars Chriss of LION'S SHARE.

According to a press release, IMPERA "consists of solid musicians who have earned their wings through hard work with an impressive number of world-class stars over the years. Their combined CV reads as a who's who in today's rock."

IMPERA is:

* Tommy Denander (TOTO, PAUL STANLEY, MICHAEL JACKSON, ALICE COOPER) - Guitar
* Matti Alfonzetti (JAGGED EDGE, SCOTT GORHAM, SKINTRADE, ROAD TO RUIN, RED WHITE & BLUES) - Vocals
* J.K. Impera (BRUCE KULICK, GRAHAM BONNET, VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, BRIAN ROBERTSON) - Drums
* Mats Vassfjord (VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, SCAAR, GRAND DESIGN, LANEY'S LEGION) - Bass

IMPERA is described as "the perfect amalgamation of everything that makes rock 'n' roll with the punches. A guitar player who, seemingly effortlessly, delivers stunning solos and riffs of that classic, timeless grit you thought were killed off by grunge. Pounding bass that will put you through the wall. Blistering drumming that's as solid as it is technically challenging. And on top of all that, add a vocalist that sings circles around the competition."

IMPERA's style "lies firmly on a classic hard rock ground with a dose of strong melodies collected from the AOR world."

For more information, visit www.impera.org.

Fan-filmed video footage of EVANESCENCE's August 3 performance at the House Of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey can be seen below.

EVANESCENCE is headlining this year's edition of Carnival Of Madness, the annual touring rock extravaganza, with support from CHEVELLE, HALESTORM and NEW MEDICINE. The trek kicked off on Tuesday, July 31 in Springfield, Illinois and will hit major cities across the U.S. including Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.

EVANESCENCE's self-titled third major label album came out last October, five years after the group issued its last effort, 2006's "The Open Door".

"Evanescence" sold 127,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Professionally filmed video footage of OVERKILL's August 3 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

OVERKILL will play a special show at the legendary punk rock concert venue 100 Club on August 9 during this year's Olympic Games in London, England.

The band's new album, "The Electric Age", sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 77 on The Billboard 200 chart.

OVERKILL's previous CD, "Ironbound", opened with 4,100 units to enter the chart at No. 192. The effort landed at No. 4 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"The Electric Age" was recorded and mixed at Gear Recording Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni.

OVERKILL is Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (bass, backing vocals), Derek "The Skull" Tailer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dave Linsk (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Ron Lipnicki (drums).