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ROB ZOMBIE And KORN Join Forces For Cover Of DIAMOND HEAD’s ‘Am I Evil?’ (Video)

Rob Zombie and his band were joined by KORN guitarists Brian "Head" Welch and James "Munky" Shaffer on stage on November 10 in Rapid City, South Dakota to perform a cover version of the DIAMOND HEAD classic "Am I Evil?" (a song famously covered by METALLICA). Video footage of the performance can be seen below (clip filmed by Sébastien Paquet and Mark Bennett).

MESHUGGAH Is ‘Excited’ About Returning To The Studio

Guitarist Mårten Hagström of Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH was interviewed on Chile's Radio Futuro before the band's November 12 performance at Teatro Caupolicán in Santiago. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud player below. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow. On MESHUGGAH's plans for the immediate future: Mårten: "This is kind of the finishing end of the 'Koloss' tour. We're coming off this and then we're doing India once again and then we're, like, out. We might be doing a couple of anniversary shows next year, but that's about it. So what's gonna happen now is come December, we're gonna look at writing a new album. We always do that — it's, like, two more years or touring and then two years of writing the album. And then it takes a little while before the albums actually turn up. So we're feeling pretty excited about that. 'Cause it's always, like, when you've been doing one thing for a long time, it's always nice to switch it up — go from touring back into the studio, and then when you're fed up with the studio, you switch back out to the touring. So that's good." On how MESHUGGAH's latest album, "Koloss", compares to the band's albums: Mårten: "That's always hard given the fact that if I'm comparing it, I'm compating it to a bunch of different albums that are different by themselves. But if there's one thing that I think we're kind of happy with regarding 'Koloss', it's, like, we like the songs and all of that, but the thing is how the production and the material came together to form maybe a little bit of an atmosphere, a little more organic and a little more groovy than before — not a hundred percent as machine-like to the feel as the older stuff. And that was something we wanted. We didn't wanna lose our spirit, sort of, but we wanted to go for what was important right now, and that was to make something more dense. And everything around us is, like, focused on, especially with all the talk about the 'djent' scene and everything, there's so much stuff going on that's solely focused on technicalities and the technical aspects and how you do this when you tweak this and how's the guitar set up and blah blah blah. That's great, but we still wanna remind ourselves [to] focus on why we're doing this — because we love playing music, and music is an emotion, it's not a math effort. So that's why we wanted to do it that way, and we're happy we succeeded — for us. It sounds the way we wanted it to." As previously reported, MESHUGGAH is featured on the cover of the November 2013 issue of the Indian edition of Rolling Stone magazine. MESHUGGAH will perform at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender festival in India at the end of this month. The fourth edition of the festival will feature more than 200 bands across six stages in four cities.

ZAKK WYLDE Says New BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Studio Album Should Arrive In April

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) at the Bass Player LIVE! Concert & Awards Show, which was held this past Saturday night (November 9) at the historic Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The concert honored heavy metal legend, BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler, and featured an all-star band of rock luminaries performing BLACK SABBATH songs as a tribute to Butler. The performance culminated with Geezer joining the band for the finale. Zakk's chat with "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" can be seen below. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new live DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video, "Unblackened", was released on September 24 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Wylde's label home, eOne Music, also released the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name. The double disc release has six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of "Queen Of Sorrow" and "Won't Find It Here", and covers of LEON RUSSELL's "Song For You" and BILL WITHERS' "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone". Since their early Nineties inception, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, formed and helmed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. "Unblackened", however, unveils another side of the band. Filmed and recorded on March 6 in high definition at Los Angeles' Club Nokia, "Unblackened" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Wylde plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanase on guitar, John DeServio on bass/vocals, Chad Szeliga on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano, and Greg Locascio providing additional vocals. Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtler nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity. Classic tracks like "Stillborn", "The Blessed Hellride", "In This River", "Throwin' It All Away", "Losin' Your Mind" and many others are still punctuated by the stinging, searing solos that fans know and love, while showcasing the versatility of the band. In addition to the concert, "Unblackened" is rich in bonus material. A new interview with Zakk, photo gallery, music video for "Losin' Your Mind", and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison Stocken in the U.K . are all included.

MAX CAVALERA: SEPULTURA Was ‘Taken Hostage’ By ANDREAS KISSER

Thomas Stanley Orwat Jr. of RockMusicStar recently conducted an interview with Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. RockMusicStar: You have recently written an autobiography. When will it be released? Max: Yes, it's coming out in February in America. It's called "My Bloody Roots", and it's out in Brazil already and Poland, and it's going to come out in America in February. I've been working on this book for the last three years. I did thousands of interviews, and Dave Grohl [FOO FIGHTERS, NIRVANA] did the introduction of the book. He wrote a really cool introduction; it's really funny. It's a great book; it's got a lot of cool people in it, like Mike Patton [FAITH NO MORE], David Vincent [MORBID ANGEL], Sharon Osbourne. It's an amazing book. It's gonna tell my whole story. It's gonna tell about the split; I finally tell the truth about why I left SEPULTURA. All the stuff that happened, all the tragedies that happened, and then there's some funny stuff, like puking on Eddie Vedder [PEARL JAM], and shit that happened in my career and my life. They're all crazy stuff. Everything's gonna be in the book, and it's going to be great for people to read that. RockMusicStar: Wow, I can't wait. That's awesome. How is it doing in Brazil? Max: It's doing really good, man. It's gonna probably make the best-selling list of the Brazilian books, and we're very excited about that. People in Brazil are very excited, they are reading the shit out of it. I get a lot of comments on Facebook, from my wife, she does Facebook, and gets a lot of people talking about how much they love the book, and has really, really great reviews. A lot of people especially like the part when I talk about the split from SEPULTURA, because I really explains my side of the story, about how I really felt, and why I left my own band. And a lot of people, after they read that, they will understand. And, for them, it makes sense that I did what I did, that I left SEPULTURA. They would have done the same. After they read it, they understand why I did it, and it makes sense after you read what I said about the split, you'd think that it was the rational thing to do, for me, was to leave them, you know. Even though it was my own band from the beginning, it was kind of like, all of my integrity, you know, and that's why I decided to leave. It's going to be great. It tells all of those stories, and puts kind of a final stamp on the whole "SEPULTURA split" shit, and talks about SOULFLY and how it was created, and how cool SOULFLY was building over the years, and the cool people I worked with. Sean Lennon is in the book, Corey Taylor [SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR] is in the book, all talking about how it was to work with me, and I think it's going to be great. I can't wait for people in America to read it. It's going to come out through a company called Jawbone. They're going to distribute the book in America. RockMusicStar: I always wondered about the SEPULTURA thing. I always thought to myself, I mean, I don't know the all the little nuances about the spilt. That's why I'm looking forward to reading your book, but, I always wondered why you didn't just fire everyone from SEPULTURA, keep the name, and find replacements.

TONY IOMMI To Be Honored By Coventry University

The lead guitarist of iconic rock band BLACK SABBATH and a princess of the Royal House of Jordan are among the outstanding individuals set to receive honorary degrees from Coventry University next week. Tony Iommi, who co-founded BLACK SABBATH in Birmingham in 1968, and Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali will be honoured by the University during its graduation ceremonies in Coventry Cathedral. Celebrated Coventrian and artist George Shaw — whose haunting depictions of the city's Tile Hill landscape have won him acclaim and a Turner Prize nomination — is also being recognized by the institution. The honorary graduands will receive their commendations in the same week that around 7,000 students are awarded their degrees from the University. Iommi will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Tuesday, November 19 in recognition of his contribution to the world of popular music, in particular his role as one of the founding fathers of heavy metal music and his status as one of the industry's most influential figures. On the Friday, Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali — who founded the Jordan Media Institute with which Coventry University has links — will become an Honorary Doctor of Letters for her contribution to the field of journalism and media. Honorary awards will also be presented to designer and educational fundraiser Lady Frances Sorrell, prominent lexicographer Michael Rundell and long-standing Coventry University governor Celia Fitzhugh. Iommi, who will be heading straight from the graduation ceremony to join BLACK SABBATH in Helsinki for the start of their latest European tour, said: "It's a great honor to receive the doctorate, which comes towards the end of a challenging but amazingly successful year for me. I'd like to thank everyone at Coventry University for my nomination and look forward to meeting them at the ceremony." Professor Madeleine Atkins, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said: "It's a pleasure to be welcoming these exemplary individuals to our graduation ceremonies to receive their awards alongside our graduating students. Each of them has excelled in their field in such a way as to be worthy of recognition, and I hope our own students will be inspired by the drive and commitment they have shown throughout their careers."

PARADOX Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement

Bassist Olly Keller has left long-running German metallers PARADOX and has been replaced by Tommy Kittsteiner Calvanese. Says the band: "We wish Olly all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the band and his outstanding achievements, which he delivered to 'Electrify' (2008), 'Riot Squad' (2009) and 'Tales Of The Weird' (2012)." PARADOX last month signed a new worldwide deal with AFM Records, extending its contract with the label. The band's new studio album is due in fall/winter 2014. Says the label: "We're looking forward to another killer thrash album from Charly [Steinhauer,PARADOX guitarist/vocalist] and his boys, which should arrive in late 2014." Added the band: "We've been 13 years with AFM Records and happy to continue working with a label which we rely." PARADOX's latest album, "Tales Of The Weird", was released in December 2012 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Steinhauer and was mixed and mastered by Victor Bullok(a.k.a. V. Santura; TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS) at Woodshed Studio in Landshut, Germany. The cover art was created by Claudio Bergamin. "Tales Of The Weird" featured guest appearances by Bob Katsionis (FIREWIND) and Gus Drax (SUNBURST). PARADOX is: Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar) Christian Muenzner (guitar) Tommy Kittsteiner Calvanese (bass) Daniel "Evil Ewald" Buld (drums)

AMON AMARTH: Official ‘As Loke Falls’ Lyric Video

The official lyric video for the song "As Loke Falls" from Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH can be seen below. The track comes off the band's ninth studio album, "Deceiver Of The Gods", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 25 via Metal Blade Records. In Germany, "Deceiver Of The Gods" entered the Top 100 chart at No. 3, the official Media Market/Saturn chart at #3 and the German Media Control Weekend Trend chart at No. 2. "Deceiver Of The Gods" came in at No. 9 on Canada's Top 200 chart, No. 2 on the Hard Music chart and No. 21 on the Digital Music chart. Additionally, the record came in at No. 2 on the iTunes Metal chart, No. 2 on the iTunes Rock chart and No. 7 on the iTunes Top 200. In the U.K., the record entered the official album chart at No. 67, the Rock/Metal chart at No. 4 and the Independent chart at No. 14, marking the highest U.K. chart placements for the band yet. Elsewhere, "Deceiver Of The Gods" came in at No. 9 on the Top 100 album chart in Switzerland, No. 7 on the Austrian Top 100, No. 9 in Sweden, No. 27 in Denmark, No. 51 in France, No. 34 in Czech Republic and No. 51 in Hungary. Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), "Deceiver Of The Gods" delivers ten fiery battle hymns made of buzzsaw riffs and epic harmonies all driven by vocalist Johan Hegg's commanding Viking roar and absorbing accounts of Norse crusades and treachery. "Deceiver Of The Gods" comes adorned with another outstanding Tom Thiel-created cover portraying a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki and Thor. As an added bonus,Messiah Marcolin (CANDLEMASS) makes an appearance as guest vocalist on eighth track,"Hel". AMON AMARTH will embark on a U.S. headlining tour in January. Very special guest on the dates will be ENSLAVED, with additional support from SKELETONWITCH.

LAMB OF GOD: ‘As The Palaces Burn’ 10th-Anniversary Documentary Available For Streaming

Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD will release a special 10th-anniversary edition of their "As The Palaces Burn" album on November 11. After some serious detective work tracking down the original album master tapes, the band went in with producer Josh Wilbur (who also produced LAMB OF GOD's "Wrath" and "Resolution" CDs) and gave "Palaces" a full-on, ass-kicking remix and remaster, front to back, top to bottom. The remixed version of "Palaces" is now how they had originally intended it to be. To go along with the album re-release, LAMB OF GOD also shot a brand new DVD documentary recounting the recording process and the stories behind the music which features new interviews with original producer Devin Townsend, the band members and current producer, Josh Wilbur. You can now stream the entire documentary at Qello. LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler comments: "We are lucky to have the opportunity, a decade after our first attempt, to bring what I consider to be our master work up to speed sonically. "Ever since the original release, we've been distraught about the sonic qualities of 'As The Palaces Burn'. "The band had captured lightning in a bottle and the budget limitation of a sophomore album turned our lightning into a firefly in a jar. "The songs are undeniable and we've always been very proud of how this album launched our career. It feels appropriate to revisit now that we can and give this very special album the chance to reach our original hopes and its true potential." "As The Palaces Burn" 10th-anniversary edition track listing: 01. Ruin

VOIVOD Releases ‘Kluskap O’ Kom’ 7″ Single

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have released a new EP, "Kluskap O' Kom". The seven-inch single contains the studio album version of the title track as well as a live version of the same cut. Check out exclusive colors and packages at CM Distro. "Kluskap O' Kom" comes off VOIVOD's latest album, "Target Earth", which sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was issued on January 22 via the band's own company, Iron Gang Factory, and Century Media. VOIVOD's previous album, "Infini", opened with around 840 units back in July 2009. "Target Earth" was recorded in early 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 guitarist Dan Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005. The original art was once again drawn by drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and features color schemes from each one of the band's previous albums.