Accept Guitarist: 'We Have Not Seen Fans So Happy In A Long, Long Time'

After debuting their new lineup to a sold-out audience in New York this past May and then traveling to Europe to devastate the masses with shows in 16 different countries in 80 days (including two shows opening for AC/DC), reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT will return to tour the U.S. for the first time in 14 years on a co-headlining tour with KING'S X. ACCEPT's first show will kick off the eleventh annual ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta.

Commented ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffman: "Believe me, this was boot camp, but we loved every minute of it!

"Twelve months ago, there was nothing on the horizon that would have made us believe we would be on the stages of the world again as ACCEPT… and here we are! [New lead vocalist] Mark Tornillo inspires us to get it all out in a way we have not been challenged before. We can't wait to be on stage with him!!!! He is the new kid on the block and he is the reason we are back again. It is such a relief, such vitamin shot!!! And if we could, we would never stop!!!"

When asked what has surprised the band the most about their fans, Hoffman responded enthusiastically, "NO doubt about it, the biggest surprise is the way they make us feel welcomed. Of course we hoped the fans would be happy to have us back — who would not believe that about their fans? — but what is happening here, everywhere we go, is a total knock-out for us. We have not seen fans so happy in a long, long time."

ACCEPT U.S. tour dates:

Sep. 09 - Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA (no KING'S X)
Sep. 23 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Sep. 24 - Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live
Sep. 25 - Sayreville, NJ - The Starland Ballroom
Sep. 27 - New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Sep. 29 - Foxborough, MA - Showcase Live
Oct. 01 - Reading, PA - The Silo
Oct. 02 - Mount Clemens, MI - The Emerald Theatre
Oct. 09 - Chicago, IL - The Arcada
Oct. 12 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
Oct. 13 - Houston, TX - House of Blues

More October shows will be announced soon.

ACCEPT's new album, "Blood Of The Nations", will be released on the following dates:

August 20: Europe (via Nuclear Blast)
September 4: Japan (via Universal)
September 14: North America (via Nuclear Blast)

"Blood Of The Nations" was recorded at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, MASTERPLAN). The CD — which marks the recording debut of the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — contains the following 12 tracks:

01. Beat The Bastards
02. Teutonic Terror
03. The Abyss
04. Blood Of The Nations
05. Shades Of Death
06. Locked And Loaded
07. Kill The Pain
08. Rollin Thunder
09. Pandemic
10. New World Comin'
11. No Shelter
12. Bucketful Of Hate

ACCEPT 2010 is:

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums

Professionally filmed video footage of ACCEPT performing two new songs — "The Abyss" and "Teutonic Terror" — at this year's installment of the Rock Hard festival, which was held May 21-23, 2010 at the Amphitheater in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, can be viewed below. Also available is a German-language interview with the band's guitarist, Wolf Hoffmann. (Note: The footage originally aired on WDR's [German public TV] series "Rockpalast".)

Motley Crue At U.K.'s Sonispherer: Walking To The Stage

NME TV has uploaded video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE preparing to hit the stage at the U.K. edition of the Sonisphere festival, which was held July 30 - August 1, 2010 at Knebworth Park. Watch the clip below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's latest "greatest-hits" collection, suitably titled "Greatest Hits", was released on November 17, 2009 via Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records.

Best Buy features an exclusive CD/DVD package of the new collection with a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary filmed at "Crüe Fest 2", the sophomore outing of the band's summer festival tour.

CRÜE performed its classic 1989 album, "Dr. Feelgood", in its entirety on Crüe Fest 2 to celebrate the record's 20th anniversary.

Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records re-released "Dr. Feelgood" on September 21, 2009.

Originally issued on September 1, 1989, "Dr. Feelgood" reached #1 on the Billboard chart and went on to sell more than seven million copies worldwide. The title track reached No. 7 on the Hot 100 and earned the band their first two Grammy nominations (Best Hard Rock Performance: "Dr Feelgood" in 1989 and "Kickstart My Heart" in 1990). Twenty years later, the band was nominated for another Grammy Award and is celebrating its hit album "Saints of Los Angeles" on an arena tour of the U.S.

"Dr. Feelgood" was released as a deluxe version incorporating two CDs. The original version of "Dr. Feelgood" on one CD, and on the other a smorgasbord of delights! — four original demos from the "Dr. Feelgood" sessions, four tracks recorded live when the band played in Russia, plus a remix of "Get It For Free".

Behemouth: Video Online

Fans can now head over to BEHEMOTH’s official YouTube Channel and MetalBlade.tv to check out the brand new production video for the track Alas, Lord Is Upon Me off the group’s latest release Evangelion.

The video for Alas, Lord Is Upon Me was produced and directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz and Grupa 13 who also shot BEHEMOTH’s videos for Ov Fire and the Void and At the left hand ov God. Fans can also check out a behind the scenes clip from the video shoot in website band.

Testament's AlexSkolnick: A Change In Winter Plans

TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick has posted the following message on his official web site:

"It's been nearly ten years since my first TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA winter tour. Each year it's been an incredible experience, traveling from arena to arena being an important part of the largest symphonic rock production in history. This year, however, I've decided to make the difficult decision of stepping out of the spotlight (and lasers, fog, fire and snow) and embarking upon new adventures.

"The reasons for this are twofold.

"As one might imagine, the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA winter tour is a demanding one — with long days and an action-packed show that calls for no less than 200% of yourself, often twice a day from the mid-October rehearsals to the final show in January.

"While the awesome response from fans and the collaboration with fellow performers make it beyond worth it, there comes a point, after so many years of annual grueling intensity, for some of us to draw upon that quarter of a year's worth of time and energy in order to launch a renewed focus on our own visions.

"In my case, this process begins with the release of a brand new album (ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO's 'Veritas', due October 15) to be followed by heavy touring, including winter dates in support of RODRIGO Y GABRIELA.

"There are many other endeavors in the works, the information of which will be continually updated online at AlexSkolnick.com. Furthermore, as someone who has been on tour with multiple projects and running on all cylinders during the entire calendar year since 2006, reclaiming this three-month period will open up the option to take breaks once in a while, remember what home looks like, lessen the constant separation from friends and loved ones and recharge my own batteries as needed.

"Of course, I'll miss doing the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tour. The stage time, friendships and overall experience has been invaluable.

"I'm grateful to Paul O'Neil and Nightcastle Management for the opportunity, to all the musicians and singers for the good times and to all the fans for the unyielding support; you guys are the best! I look forward to seeing many of you out there in different configurations."

Agent Steel Featuring Returning Vocalist John Cyriis: First Photo Released

The first photo of the new lineup of the Californian metal band AGENT STEEL — featuring the group's returning vocalist, John Cyriis — can be viewed below. The picture was taken by Alex Solca on July 23, 2010.

AGENT STEEL is currently rehearsing its classic material as well as working on new songs for future release. One of the tracks that Cyriis has been writing lyrics to has a working title of "Behold...The Great Race".

Cyriis appeared on AGENT STEEL's first three releases — "Skeptics Apocalypse" (1985), "Mad Locust Rising" (1985) and "Unstoppable Force" (1987).

AGENT STEEL's fifth album, "Alienigma", was issued by Mascot Records on August 31, 2007.

AGENT STEEL 2010 is:

John Cyriis - Vocals
Juan Garcia - Guitar
Bernie Versailles - Guitar
Robert Cardenas - Bass
Rigo Amezcua - Drums