Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT have issued the following update:

"To our U.S. fans: We'll be playing the first handful of our U.S. shows without Thomas [Bredahl] on guitar. Immigration is giving him a real hard time because of an incident concerning theft of a barstool back in the day. He wasn't exactly a juvenile delinquent or anything, but to Homeland Security it's all the same. We hope to have him on board shortly. Our guitar tech will stand in for the time being and we'll, of course, keep you updated."

VOLBEAT will release its fourth album, "Beyond Hell/Above Heaven", in Germany on September 10 and in most parts of Europe on September 13 via Vertigo/Universal. The CD was once again recorded at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen. The cover artwork was created by illustrator Karsten Wrysand and can be viewed below.

Commented the band: "It's been a long process, but damn well worth it. The artwork for 'Beyond Hell/Above Heaven' is done and we're absolutely very proud of it."

"Beyond Hell/Above Heaven" track listing:

01. The Mirror And The Ripper
02. Heaven Nor Hell
03. Who They Are
04. Fallen
05. A Better Believer
06. 7 Shots
07. A New Day
08. 16 Dollars
09. A Warrior's Call
10. Magic Zone
11. Evelyn
12. Being 1
13. Thanks

"Beyond Hell/Above Heaven" features guest appearances by MERCYFUL FATE guitarist Michael Denner, NAPALM DEATH's Mark "Barney" Greenway and KREATOR's Mille Petrozza. Additionally, Jacob Oelund of the Copenhagen rockabilly outfit TAGGY TONES and songwriter Hanrik Hall swung by the studio to lay down some seriously swinging double bass and harmonica.

"We were listening to those guys when we were 14, 15 years old, and we have definitely not forgotten them for inspiring us," VOLBEAT singer/guitarist Michael Poulsen told Revolver magazine about Greenway and Patrozza's contributions to the new album. "They know VOLBEAT — they like our records. We had the opportunity to talk to those guys during the last three years touring around Europe. And to actually have them on the record is really a great compliment. What they did in the studio to the VOLBEAT sound is amazing."

Regarding the title of VOLBEAT's new album, Poulsen previously stated, "The title refers to the overall theme of the album, and it continues the storyline from where [the last VOLBEAT CD] 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood' left off…"

VOLBEAT is "very excited" about the new material, "carrying the songs into both extreme metallic territory, punk variations and some very catchy stuff at the same time," according to a posting on the band's web site.

Added Poulsen: "We have fast, slow and mid-tempo songs. We still blend different styles of punk, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, country — we still keep it very open, it's just music! I cannot say too much about it right now, but we're really excited about it and it's going to be very, very cool. Again, we're going to give people something they haven't heard before. We always try to do something special and different on each and every album."

"A Warrior's Call" is a track recently recorded by VOLBEAT as a tribute to Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler (who is also featured on the cut).

"Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood", the third studio album from VOLBEAT, received a U.S. release in March 2009 via Mascot Records.

"Hunting The Human", the new video from Israeli extreme metallers WINTERHORDE, can be viewed on the PURE ROCK RADIO Video Forum HERE. The clip was filmed in Tel Aviv-Jaffo with director Sergey Maydin and it features an appearance by renowned Israeli "underground" actress and model Angel Ogasta.

"Hunting The Human" comes off WINTERHORDE's new album, "Underwatermoon", which was released on July 30 in Europe via Twilight-Vertrieb. A conceptual effort based on a story written by WINTERHORDE's bass player and co-founder Celestial, the follow-up to 2008's "Nebula" was produced , mixed and mastered by V.Santura (TRYPTIKON, DARK FORTRESS, OBSCURA). The artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes of Abstrata Studio (ARCH ENEMY, OLD MAN'S CHILD, KRISIUN).

Commented Celestial: "'Underwatermoon' represents more-than-an-hour epic extreme metal art, blended with prog rock nostalgia and death-cold touch of North Atlantic Ocean. A must have for every open-minded metalhead who needs hunting journey through emotions in his metal."

"Underwatermoon" track listing:

01. The Shell
02. Wreckages Ghost
03. Underwatermoon
04. Hunting the Human
05. Execution
06. And Flames Wept to Heaven
07. The Curse of Gypsy
08. Delirium
09. Tenth Wave
10. Smoke Figures
11. The Martyr and Deliverance
12. Farewell

The debut WINTERHORDE album, "Nebula", was released in 2006 via Greece's Burning Star Records.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/winterhorde.

British thrashers ONSLAUGHT have set "Sounds Of Violence" as the title of their fifth album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Germany's AFM Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Killing Peace" will be recorded and mixed at Hansen Studio in Ribe, Denmark with acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN) starting on August 16.

Commented ONSLAUGHT guitarist Nige Rockett: "'Sounds of Violence' is a very fitting title for the new recording.

"Musically and lyrically, this is definately the most brutal and intense ONSLAUGHT album to date. It's full of machine-gun riffs, ferocious drum patterns and some pretty fucked up lyrical content.

"This album was never meant to be pretty. It's not a concept album by any measure but there's a definite theme to the whole package, right through from the sleeve design to the music and onto the words;, it's violence all the way.

"There's a lot of hate in 'Sounds of Violence' and a whole lot of reality in there, too, much of it straight from the heart."

An audio sample of the pre-production/demo version of the new ONSLAUGHT song "Born For War" can be heard at the band's MySpace profile.

ONSLAUGHT recorded its performance at the Damnation Festival on November 22, 2008 in Leeds, U.K. for a live CD, "Live Damnation", which was released on July 20, 2009 through Candlelight Records.

An e-card for the album can be accessed at this location.

ONSLAUGHT's last studio album, "Killing Peace", was released in March 2007 via Candlelight Records. The CD was recorded at Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE).

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI have been confirmed for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which is set to sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will appear at the event.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGENT STEEL
AMON AMARTH
DEATH ANGEL
ENSIFERUM
EPICA
EXODUS
FEAR FACTORY
FINNTROLL
FORBIDDEN
ICED EARTH
KORPIKLAANI
MARDUK
MOONSPELL
OBITUARY
RAVEN
SAXON
SODOM
SONATA ARCTICA
SWASHBUCKLE
TESTAMENT
TROUBLE
ULI JON ROTH
WITCHBURNER

SAXON will play two unique shows. One night they will perform the "Wheels Of Steel" LP in its entirety and on a different night, for the second show, they will play "Strong Arm Of The Law" from start to finish.

70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 24, 2011 aboard the Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas" from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, January 28, 2011.

Make no mistake, 70000 Tons Of Metal is not your grandma's cruise. It's also not one of the cruises that share the ship with normal cruise guests. This is an all-ship heavy metal cruise! Can you imagine that? A whole luxury cruise ship full of metalheads? And since there is no backstage area you will have the opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done!

Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$249 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, all meals and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks at the on-board restaurants and 24-hour room service!

For more information, go to www.70000tons.com.

"Take", a brand new song from veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's long-awaited new album, "The Cold", which will be released on September 14 via Driven Music Group, the label created by former KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. According to guitarist Mark Simpson, the CD features "10 songs — ALL brutal, ALL killer, NO filler!!" The cover artwork, which can be viewed below, was once created by Travis Smith (OPETH, NEVERMORE), a collaboration that the band is "extremely excited about because of his amazing skill and vision," says Simpson.

"The Cold" track listing:

01. Hypocrite
02. Take
03. The Cold
04. Black Cloud
05. Blackened Eyes Staring
06. Better Off Dead
07. Falling Short
08. Always
09. K.Y.A.
10. Secret Life

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM was recently rejoined by guitarist Michael Gilbert after Ed Carlson decided he no longer wanted to tour or record.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM has scheduled a release party for "The Cold" on Friday, September 17 at 910 Live in Tempe, Arizona.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM 2010 is:

Eric "A.K." Knutson - Vocals
Michael Gilbert - Guitar
Jason Ward - Bass
Mark Simpson - Guitar
Craig Nielsen - Drums

Metal Mind Productions released FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest DVD, entitled "Once in a Deathtime", in Europe on June 16, 2008. The disc contains footage of the band's March 8, 2008 performance at Metalmania Festival in Katowice, Poland, including live renditions of such classic songs as "Doomsday for the Deceiver", "No Place for Disgrace", and "I Live You Die". The DVD also features an interview with Craig Neilsen (drums) and Ed Carlson (guitar), biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images and weblinks. A limited-edition version of the DVD includes an audio CD containing songs recorded at the Metalmania Festival.

Canadian thrash metal pioneers EXCITER are scheduled to release their new album, "Death Machine", on September 24 via Massacre Records. The effort will be made available as a standard CD, a digipak and a limited-edition (500 copies) gatefold LP.

Regarding the musical direction of the new EXCITER material, bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen told Greece's "Metalzone" radio show in late June, "It's classic EXCITER, definitely. It's fast and in your face — straight up."

"Death Machine" tentative track listing:

01. Death Machine
02. Slaughtered In Vain
03. Skull Breaker
04. Power and Domination
05. Razor In Your Back
06. Pray For Pain
07. Demented Prisoners
08. HellFire
09. Dungeon Descendants
10. Guitar Solo (title to be announced)

Check out the cover artwork below.

EXCITER 2010 is:

Kenny "Metal Mouth" Winter - Vocals
John Ricci - Guitar
Robert "Clammy" Cohen - Bass
Richard "Rik" Charron - Drums

EXCITER's last album, "Thrash Speed Burn", was released in North America in November 2008 via Blistering Records, the label formed by industry veterans Tomas Sunmo and Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE). It marked EXCITER's recorded debut with new singer Kenny Winter, who joined the band in October 2006.

The 1988 critically maligned self-titled album from EXCITER was reissued with new artwork on January 20, 2009 via Magnetic Air/MVD.

"Gateways", the first single from "Abrahadabra", the forthcoming ninth album from Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR, will be made available for purchase via iTunes in Europe on Friday, August 20 and in North America on Tuesday, August 24.

"Abrahadabra" will be released in Germany on September 24, in the rest of Europe on September 27, and in North America on October 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The word "abrahadabra" (which roughly translates into "I will create as I speak") first publicly appeared in Chapter III of "Liber AL vel Legis" (commonly referred to as "The Book of the Law") written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in 1904.

"Abrahadabra" track listing:

01. Xibir (2:50)
02. Born Treacherous (5:02)
03. Gateways (5:10)
04. Chess With The Abyss (4:08)
05. Dimmu Borgir (5:35)
06. Ritualist (5:13)
07. The Demiurge Molecule (5:29)
08. A Jewel Traced Through Coal (5:16)
09. Renewal (4:11)
10. Endings And Continuations (5:58)

In a recent interview with the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine, DIMMU BORGIR vocalist Shagrath (real name: Stian Tomt Thoresen) was asked why the band chose to break the tradition of using a three-word title for a DIMMU BORGIR album on its latest effort. "It was a tradition for the last records to use a three-word title, basically, for the fact that it represents much more of a unity thing than just one word," he replied. "'Abrahadabra' is more about the transfusion of new blood, I would say, in a way that we have chosen to do a lot of things differently from what we had done before. We wanted to break out of the patterns in many ways, including the people who play on the record, and also the studios we have used for the record — everything is basically different, so therefore we felt it was more right to use a one-word title instead of a [three-word one]."

When asked why DIMMU BORGIR chose to hire almost 100 guest musicians to replace two former members — bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex (real name: Simen Hestnæs) and keyboardist Mustis (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) — Shagrath said, "Well, you can't see it like that; it's a stupid way of saying it. I wouldn't phrase the question like that. It doesn't make sense, really, because the orchestration has nothing to do with the firing of the two members at all. That's just a stupid question. We have used an orchestra before, but this time we're going for a bigger orchestra to make it more epic and sound bigger, and that's the way we want to go and that has, basically, nothing to do with any previous members leaving or being fired."

Regarding how DIMMU BORGIR plans to reproduce the new album live, Shagrath said, "It's not gonna be easy to bring 100 people on tour to do a show like that every night — that's basically impossible — so we'll probably use backing tracks for a lot of stuff live but also play some of the stuff on keyboards. We are planning, though, a one-off show — we'll see how it goes, but it's still in planning phase — to do a live performance with a full orchestra and a full choir, and it will probably happen sometime next year in Norway, if everything goes as planned."

"Crusader", a brand new song from RIOTGOD — the band featuring MONSTER MAGNET's Bob Pantella and Jim Baglino alongside guitarist Garrett Sweeny and vocalist Sunshine — can be streamed at AOL's Noisecreep.

"Crusader" comes off RIOTGOD's self-titled debut album, which will be released on August 17 via Metalville Records.

"Riotgod" track listing:

01. Light Of The Sun
02. Crusader
03. The Time Is Now
04. Horizon
05. 9th Life
06. Omega
07. Collapsing Stars
08. Pinata
09. Drone Station
10. Love It Or Leave It
11. Rift
12. Sweet Kaos
13. High Time
14. Grand Design
15. Fangasm*
16. Minds Eye*

* Bonus tracks on digipak only.

Pantella had the following to say about the formation of RIOTGOD: "It was just Jim and myself, you know, just spending a lot of time on the road and we just had a lot of music that we wanted to create. With MONSTER MAGNET, that's not really the case for us sometimes. That's more of Dave's [Wyndorf] thing, so we really just wanted to get together and do something a bit more on our own.

"There's a lot of time off, and personally we like to work a lot, so the desire to do more began building up over the last couple of years. We wanted to try our own thing and call our own shots with musical direction and stuff. We talked about it for years and it took a long time to really find the right people and get going.

"I've always had my recording studio, so it was easy in that aspect but it was hard to find the right ingredients — you know, sounds, personalities and such.

"We know nothing's perfect but you want to get people into the same head space.

"My singer Sunshine, who I love, the guy is a crazy son of a bitch, but musically we're in the same place. His lyrics are amazing, and he's got a great voice. He can pretty much sing anything that you can think of. I give him the music, and by the next day, it's ready to be recorded. It gels with what I'm writing perfectly.

"This is a great band to take us to a different level.

"Being in MONSTER MAGNET is an awesome opportunity to launch other things for us."

RIOTGOD is:

* Bob Pantella (MONSTER MAGNET, CYCLE OF PAIN, ATOMIC BITCHWAX, RAGING SLAB) - Drums
* Jim Baglino (MONSTER MAGNET, RIBEYE BROS, LORD STERLING, HUMAN REMAINS, DEAD GUY)
* Garrett Sweeny (PSYCHO DAISY) -Guitar
* Mark Sunshine - Vocals

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/riotgod.

Californian deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE will embark on a North American fall headlining tour with support from MY CHILDREN MY BRIDE, THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA, MOLOTOV SOLUTION and CONDUCTING FROM THE GRAVE. The massive trek, which kicks off on October 2, will conclude the band's headlining run in support of its latest album, "No Time To Bleed", and will feature the group's most visual stage show yet.

Commented guitarist Mark Heylmun: "We haven't headlined since 2008 and it's long overdue. We got a strong package that will get you pissed and certainly get you moving. We are also working hard on putting together the longest and most devastating setlist yet, so if you aren't there you are missing out. Come party! See you in the fall."

For a complete list of dates, go to www.myspace.com/suicidesilence.

On June 29, SUICIDE SILENCE reissued its "No Time To Bleed" album as a special "body bag" edition featuring a bonus DVD containing never-before-seen live performance footage.

Bonus DVD includes:

Live From The Galaxy, Santa Ana, California

* Lifted
* Your Creations
* Unanswered

The Shockhound Sessions Live

* The Price of Beauty
* Wake Up
* No Pity For A Coward

Live from Fuel TV's "The Daily Habit"

* Wake Up
* Lifted

Plus all the band's promotional videos

"No Time To Bleed" sold 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 32 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort was made available on June 30, 2009 in a number of different versions.

"No Time To Bleed" was recorded with acclaimed producer Machine (LAMB OF GOD).

CLICK POSTER FOR MORE INFO!

THE REVOLUTION MUSIC Label is pleased to announce an upcoming special CD release called "THE BEAST SELECTS BEST METAL" CD. This CD is to raise funds for the MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION world wide. 100% of the  proceeds of all profits will go to MDA. There are many great artists that have donated songs to this project. These artists include: KICK AXE, TOMMY VITALI, WARMACHINE, SKEW SISKIN, ANGEL OF NIGHTFALL, AUTUMNIS, PUBLIK PARKING, AGENT COOPER, WARPATH, TONY SMOTHERMAN and many many more.

Digital downloads of the CD will be available in June through most outlets. Hard pressed CDs will also be made available by THE REVOLUTION MUSIC Label. CDs available for pre-order at www.therevolutionmusic.com.

The label would also like to thank KELLY BRIGHTBILL (www.kellybrightbill.com) who designed the special cover for "THE BEAST SELECTS BEST METAL" CD and WILLY "THE BEAST" FORREST for acting as artist liaison and choosing the artists for the CD.

THE REVOLUTION MUSIC Label would also like to announce that a sampler of this special project will be made available through the purchase of printed copies of July's issue of VOCALS MAGAZINE (www.vocalsmagazine.com) and would like to also thank its media associates for participating in this project world wide.

WATCH the ROCK IN HELL FEST Promo Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB0piqU6D6s

THE UNSATISFIED are proud to support the Indie Horror Flick 'ROT: REUNION OF TERROR'. The movie soundtrack contains several tracks from THE UNSATISFIED as well as a full length music video in the Special Features section. Being released on DVD Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, 'ROT: REUNION Of TERROR' will be available to add to your Netflix and Blockbuster.com queues; plus it will be available for sale at Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, BarnesAndNoble.com - basically - all of your favourite stores.

The story follows a group of friends who've gathered for a reunion party at a secluded hunting cabin. Little do they know, a deranged killer has targeted them. As the night progresses, a secret is uncovered which reveals one of the most controversial and brutal endings in cinematic history.

Shot in high definition in Los Angeles by cult-Florida filmmaker MICHAEL A. HOFFMAN; 'ROT' re-defines the classic 80's slasher as it pays homage to 'PROM NIGHT', 'FRIDAY THE 13th' and films of yore.

Having been long-delayed after it's run on Pay Per View for almost a year and a half, the DVD release of the controversial film includes:

Now you can see the movie that caused a stir as it traveled the convention circuit and with distributors nationwide and finally discover the secret!!!

Here are some quotes from critics:

"4 stars...The perfect 80's slasher" - Rogue Cinema

"Frightening and shocking...I really want you to see this film" - FilmArcarde.Net

"If I could summarize ("ROT") in three words they would be 'mood, mood, mood'...I haven't felt as unnerved as this in years" - Killer Reviews

"Not your run of the mill typical indie horror...I was pleasantly surprised" - Terror Hook

"Nerve wracking...I'm not sure we've ever seen an ending quite like this one" - Pop Culture Beast

"I love who-done it films of the 80's. Why did they go away? Well in "ROT" we are brought back to the time when horror was done right. I highly recommend it" - Scared Stiff Reviews