Jan. 24th:

DIO – HOLY DIVER(24K GOLD COMPACT DISC SERIES RE-MASTER)

Audiophile specialty record label Audio Fidelity will release a newly remastered edition of DIO‘s classic debut album, “Holy Diver”, in January 2012 as part of its 24K Gold Compact Disc series. This new edition promises to be a significant sonic upgrade over past releases of this timeless debut due to the use of the original 1983 Sound City studio analog 30 ips AES half-inch non-Dolby original stereo mix tapes along with the mastering expertise of renowned audiophile music restoration specialist Steve Hoffman. Most previous releases relied on post-EQ’ed cutting tapes.
“Holy Diver” is one of the most respected albums in rock and metal and Ronnie James Dio was one of the most talented and respected artists in the world.

Leaving BLACK SABBATH to create a new group built around his formidable singing and unquestionably stellar songwriting, “Holy Diver”‘s stunning quality and consistency owed much to Dio‘s carefully chosen bandmates, including powerhouse drummer (and fellow BLACK SABBATH survivor) Vinny Appice, veteran bassist Jimmy Bain, and a phenomenal find in young Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell, whose tastefully pyrotechnic leads helped make this the definitive DIO lineup. The group entered the studio to record their debut album in early 1983. Produced by Ronnie James Dio, “Holy Diver” consists of nine original cuts penned by the singer and various band members. Included are such distinctive DIO cuts as “Stand Up And Shout”, “Straight Through The Heart”, the title track and the concert favorite “Rainbow In The Dark”.

Hailed by critics as DIO‘s best work, the album was eventually certified platinum in the U.S. The CD contains a two-page spread copy of the photo-montage LP liner with images from both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH days that was included in the original vinyl release.

Jan. 24th:

SCORPIONS – COMEBLACK

SCORPIONS  “Comeblack” due in the States January 24 via Sony features 13 tracks, seven of the band’s biggest hits re-recorded, plus a half dozen cover versions of songs by some of the artists who inspired the legendary German rockers.

“We started to work out the songs last year in January and February and we noticed that there was one idea from somebody in the band saying, ‘Why are we not making it half and half, meaning SCORPIONS classics and then bands which inspired us like THE BEATLES, ROLLING STONES, YARDBIRDS and THE KINKS?’” guitarist Rudolf Schenker tells AOL‘s Noisecreep.

The SCORPIONS tried between 20 to 25 different songs before choosing the final six, indluding THE BEATLES‘ “Across The Universe” and “Tainted Love”, the track written by Ed Cobb and originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965, but best recognized from SOFT CELL‘s ’80s synthpop rendition.

“Klaus was always a big BEATLES fan, I’m more on the side of the STONES and PRETTY THINGS,” Schenker says. “That’s really a good situation for the SCORPIONS, give something a different vibe. I give the edge and Klaus gives the melody, that’s the reason why we make for a great combination. ‘Across The Universe’ is not so well known but it’s a fantastic song and Klaus sings the song fantastically.”

He adds, “I brought in ‘Tainted Love’ because I liked the song and it’s also one of the oldest compositions. I’m the guy coming in from Elvis and Little Richard and all the old rock and roll guys. For me ‘Tainted Love’ was always a song that I thought was a very good song to make a rock version out of it.”

SCORPIONS are planning to release a film of their final concert already slated for the 2013 Berlinale (Berlin’s International Film Festival). In addition, the band is sitting on a “warehouse” filled with old concert footage and previously unreleased material — including songs from 1982′s “Blackout” and 1984′s “Love At First Sting” sessions — which will also eventually see the light of day.

“The SCORPIONS will not fall apart, we are not finishing the SCORPIONS because we want to break up, but we really want to deliver something else to the fans,” Schenker says. “We have over 900 hours of film material, in front of the Pyramids, in the rain forest in Brazil, in front of Red Square and, and, and, and so on. We have so many possibilities to create great films and the bonus track thing.

“We’re not thinking about the end because we’re right in the middle of the party and we want to enjoy the party,” he adds. “When it’s sold out and the fans are really celebrating it’s unbelievable. That’s a fantastic way to finish your career. Forty years ago to now it’s been amazing, it’s better that than to fade away.”

Read more from Noisecreep.

Jan. 24th:

LAMB OF GOD – RESOLUTION 

The official lyric video for “Ghost Walking”, a brand new song from Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD, can be seen below. The track comes off the band’s new album, “Resolution”, which will be released in North America on January 24, 2012 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records). The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band’s last effort, 2009′s “Wrath”.

“Resolution” will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.

The “Resolution” cover artwork can be seen below.

“Resolution” track listing:

01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me

The “Ghost Walking” video will begin airing tomorrow (Tuesday, December 6) on VEVO and all other video outlets.

During its 2012 world tour, LAMB OF GOD, in connection with Epic Records and 914 Films, will shoot a feature film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band’s music to cope with their everyday lives.

“Wrath” sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT‘s “Fearless”) on The Billboard 200 chart.

LAMB OF GOD performed at the sixth edition of D-TOX Rockfest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. This marked the group’s first and only 2011 appearance.

Jan. 31st:

RAM – DEATH

“Flame Of The Tyrants”, the new video from Swedish metallers RAM, can be seen below. The song comes off the band’s third album, “Death”, which will be released on January 30, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Welfare Sounds Studios in the group’s hometown and was mastered by Dragan Tanaskovic at Bohus Sound.

“Death” track listing:

01. Death…
02. …Comes From The Mouth Beyond
03. I Am The End
04. Release Me
05. Defiant
06. Frozen
07. Under The Scythe
08. Hypnos
09. Flame Of The Tyrants
10. 1771

“Defiant” is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

“Death” features a guest appearance by Swedish multi-instrumentalist Freddie Wadling who has had a very successful solo career in addition to having played with such cult acts as THE LEATHER NUN, BLUE FOR TWOand FLÄSKKVARTETTEN.

RAM vocalist Oscar Carlquist previously stated about the band’s newalbum, “Again we are pushing the envelope of the RAM sound.

“This album differs quite a bit from our 2009 release, ‘Lightbringer’; the sound is rawer and has a strong nerve and honest live-like feel, but still it is extremely powerful. It was produced by me and Harry Granroth(guitars) and Per Stålberg and Olle Björk and recorded at Welfare Studios here in Gothenburg. Dragan Tanaskovic is also a huge part of this by contributing massive power in the mastering process. Song-wise, we are showing new sides of the band.

“The album is a 10-song sonic rollercoaster displaying an array of different styles, emotions tempos and aggressions, but all within the concept of traditional heavy metal, of course.

“In all honesty, I can’t choose one single song that is representative of the sound of the album as a whole. We are really pleased with this album that feels like a really cool direction to take from ‘Lightbringer’ and we can’t wait to blast these new song live!”

RAM last year parted ways with bassist Christian Strömblad and replaced him with Tobias Pettersson from the underground black metal band VORNTH.

RAM is:

Oscar Carlquist – Vocals
Morgan Pettersson – Drums
Harry Granroth – Guitar
Daniel Johansson – Guitar
Tobias Petterson – Bass

Feb 7th:

VAN HALEN – (TITLE UNRELEASED)

VAN HALEN will announce the first details of its upcoming tour on January 3, with tickets set to go on sale a week later. The band’s much-anticipated new album — which will be the band’s first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7, with the first single and video set to premiere on January 10.

VAN HALEN didn’t just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue’s web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.

The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.

VAN HALEN‘s new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.

VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.

Feb. 28th:

UFO – SEVEN DEADLY 

British rock legends UFO will release their new album, “Seven Deadly”, on February 28, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort, which was recorded with producer Tommy Newton at his Area 51 studio in Celle, Germany, will be made available as a limited-edition digipack (including two bonus tracks), a double gatefold LP with printed innersleeves and colored vinyl, standard-edition CD and as a digital download.

“Seven Deadly” track listing:
01. Fight Night

02. Wonderland

03. Mojo Town

04. Angel Station

05. Year Of The Gun

06. The Last Stone Rider

07. Steal Yourself

08. Burn Your House Down

09. The Fear

10. Waving Good Bye

11. Other Men’s Wives (bonus track)

12. Bag O’ Blues (bonus track)

According to a press release, “Seven Deadly” is “an atmospherically dense fabric consisting of classy guitars, tight rock grooves and vocals which are unique to UFO. The classic rock of ‘Burn Your House Down’ features all the important UFO strengths, ‘Going Down To Mojotown’ sees the musicians sound tougher than ever, and last but not least, ‘Wonderland’ features a pointed reference to UFO‘s early days. ‘Angel Station’ sees the band prove how classic rock music is complemented perfectly with epic elements, while ‘Fight Night’ is an excellent track to be performed in a live context.”

UFO‘s latest best-of collection, “Best Of A Decade”, was released in North America on September 28, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer.
The band’s most recent studio album, “The Visitor”, came out in June 2009.

The current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums), as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore.

Pictured below at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany (from left to right): Peter Knorn (manager, UFO), Tommy Newton (sound engineer), Olly Hahn (A&R, Steamhammer), Phil Mogg (singer, UFO)

For those of you uninitiated in the prowess of UFO, here is your free introductory licking!

AEROSMITH – (TITLE UNDETERMINED) Possible release date: May 2012

BLACK SABBATH – (TITLE and RELEASE DATE UNDETERMINED)

SOUNDGARDEN – (TITLE and RELEASE DATE UNRELEASED)

RUSH – CLOCKWORK ANGELS Possible release date: Spring 2012

SLASH – (TITLE and RELEASE DATE UNDETERMINED)

TOOL – (TITLE and RELEASE DATE UNDETERMINED)

Published by rbtaleman

Heavy metal (fiend/friend?) Writer, frustrat(or), frustrat(ee), decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Husband(twice), father(three times), grandfather(of seven), FM radio veteran, Concertgoer, music collector, muscle car aficianado. Grown up since five. Child since 45. View all posts by rbtaleman