American dark metal pioneers Novembers Doom have commenced recording of their 8th full length studio album, entitled Aphotic. The album is set to be released on The End Records in Spring 2011. Aphotic is being recorded at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin with longtime Novembers Doom collaborators Chris Wisco at the controls and Dan Swano mixing.  

Regarded as one of the most influential bands to rise from the SoCal punk scene during the early 1980’s, YOUTH BRIGADE embodied the Do-It-Yourself ethos that fueled the scene. The band was highly involved in the punk community, booking shows under the BYO (Better Youth Organization) moniker  

After a month long campaign of digital brutality which saw their full-length debut, Blood Fueled Chaos made available exclusively through MetalHit.com, Swedish death-mongers CALIBER 666 are now gearing up for global domination as the album’s wide-spread release date nears. On November 16th, Blood Fueled Chaos will be made available through Ibex Moon Records’ webstore and several other digital outlets. Visit  

True Widow, the Dallas-based co-ed trio known for creating hauntingly beautiful heavy music, have signed to New York-based Kemado Records with an eye on a March 2011 release.  

  What a kick ass year 2010 has turned out to be for rockers Jackyl! Jesse Dupree (Vocals), Jeff Worley (Guitar), Roman Glick (Bass) & Chris Worley (Drums) celebrated the release of the new Jackyl CD, ‘When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide’ by personally calling everyone that pre-ordered to thank them for their support. “We never expected just how cool that was going to be” Jackyl Lead Vocalist Jesse James Dupree quoted.  

After over a two-year wait, Rev Theory fans can rejoice.  Interscope / Geffen / A&M has announced a February 15, 2011 release date for the band’s third album: JUSTICE.  The lead single, which is the title track “Justice,” goes to rock radio on Tuesday, November 2nd.  The song will also be available at all digital retailers simultaneously.  Guitarist Julien Jorgensen shared, “As a band we attacked this opportunity with the intent of capturing the energy of a great live show.   

Triumphantly returning to North American shores in support of their Billboard-charting new album At The Edge Of Time, Germany’s favorite sons BLIND GUARDIAN are pleased to announce the western hemisphere’s portion of the Sacred Worlds And Songs Divine 2010 World Tour, commencing on November 19th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and concluding on December 22nd in West Springfield, Virginia.  Support acts are California’s Holy Grail and Florida’s Seven Kingdoms.  

Eternal Descent creator, Llexi Leon teams up with Calabash Animation, taking viewers into the dark fantasy realm of the popular comic book/music series. The result –  an animated short that brings to life the gothic world envisioned in print by Leon and illustrator Jason Metcalf. Eternal Descent allied with endorsers ESP Guitars, Digitech, DiMarzio Inc and publisher IDW for a viral launch over the Halloween Weekend. The 2-minute short film can be viewed in HD  

Ax-slinger Gary Hoey has had a busy year with numerous projects and extensive touring.  Most recently, he wrapped up his latest album UTOPIA, which released on his own label Wazoo Music Group.  

Florida Extreme Metal unit, King Conquer have announced a video contest to coincide with the release of their new album “America’s Most Haunted” (Mediaskare Records). Contestants will make their own cover version of one of the two new songs on the band’s myspace (myspace.com/kingconquer) either drum, guitar or vocal version and send in video of their performance.  

In the year of IV (2006) the members of the New Orleans band Down (Phil Anselmo, Jimmy Bower, Pepper Keenan, Rex Brown, and Kirk Windstein) reactivated the not so much side project after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and a 4 year hiatus since 2002’s “Down II,” picked up their instruments and went on their first ever European tour as a band. Fortunately for them, and for the Brotherhood of Eternal Sleep (Down’s worldwide fan base for those of you not familiar with it), they brought cameras and additional recording equipment. The result? “Diary of a Mad Band” a 2 CD + DVD documentary of the tour and the shenanigans that ensued.  

Swedish melodic metal masters LION’S SHARE will perform 2-3 songs together with legendary drummer Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO), during his Scandinavian Drum Day appearance on October 30 in Stockholm, Sweden. LION’S SHARE was the main band during the Ronnie James Dio Tribute Concert that took place on the Sweden Rock Cruise on October 7, together with guests from IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, KING DIAMOND, STRATOVARIUS, YNGWIE, AMON AMARTH etc.