The 2012 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL 72 Hour "Get Off Your Ass" Ticket Pre-Sale Starts Tomorrow - VIP Packages Available Tomorrow!

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL, the world’s largest touring heavy music festival experience, kicks off the 72 hour “Get Off Your Ass” ticket pre-sale tomorrow at 10am local time! A limited amount of tickets are available with a $5 discount during the 72 hour ‘Get Off Your Ass” pre-sale (this includes pit, reserved, and lawn tickets). Should the allotment of pre-sale tickets sell out, don’t worry; you will still have the chance to purchase regularly priced tickets. The pre-sale ticket is a 3D commemorative ticket that also doubles as a jump the line pass that permits early entrance to the venue (while supplies last). Please note that there is a maximum limit of six (6) tickets per order. Please also note that this offer does not apply to Boise, Bonner Springs and Oklahoma City tour stop tickets. Boise tour stop tickets are available now.

Additionally, this year VIP packages will be made available for the first time as part of the pre-sale, so get yours tomorrow before they are all gone! There will be two packages available: A Reserved Seat package and a General Admission package. Details of what is included in each package can be found here. A special collector’s item new for 2012 is this specially designed, limited edition Mayhem mini statue (with custom box) pictured below.

Check out a new promotional video created by SLIPKNOT’s Clown to celebrate the pre-sale at this location.

The ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL recently announced the addition of MOTÖRHEAD to the 2012 line-up! This marks the first summer tour that MOTÖRHEAD has taken part in for a long time. The legendary metal veterans join the already stellar 2012 main stage line-up, featuring multi-platinum Iowa cult metal groundbreakers SLIPKNOT in the headlining position, as well as legendary thrash metal kings SLAYER—both returning to the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL for a second turn at pummeling fans.

This year, in addition to SLIPKNOT, SLAYER, and MOTÖRHEAD, the main stage will also spotlight a ferocious rotation of today’s best artists, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA. In 2012 the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL has upgraded the production on the festival stage and this year the JAGERMEISTER STAGE will feature a special headline set by New York metal masters ANTHRAX supported by a rotation of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA, along with WHITECHAPEL, HIGH ON FIRE and the JAGERMEISTER opener. Please note that bands may vary per market.

Also recently announced: Sumerian Records is joining the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL! Headbang For The Highway will be presenting the Sumerian Records Stage at the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL this year. Sumerian Records, who are known for some of the most cutting-edge bands in heavy music today, will be bringing UPON A BURNING BODY, I THE BREATHER and Headbang For The Highway “Battle of the Bands” winners along for the ride. DIRTFEDD will also be performing on the festival. The fun doesn’t end there, as Headbang For The Highway will be holding contests all over the U.S. for unsigned bands to win opening spots on the Sumerian Records Stage at the festival. Stay tuned to www.facebook.com/sumerianrecords for more info coming soon on the line-up and how you can enter your band!

The 5th annual ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL will make a 27 date trek across the U.S. beginning on June 30th at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. The tour will also feature ROCKSTAR METAL MULISHA JUMP TEAM, on select dates. To learn more about the ROCKSTAR METAL MULISHA JUMP TEAM head to this link: http://www.metalmulisha.com/.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL is produced by Rockstar Taste of Chaos organizer John Reese, Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, Live Nation, and Creative Artists Agency. The team has made the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL a standout on the summer concert circuit by following the proven model of utilizing sponsorship to deliver a lower ticket price and an enhanced concert experience. This year sees them joining forces once again with ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK as the title sponsor.

In 2008, the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL bulldozed onto the scene and quickly made itself known as the preeminent summer destination for the hard rock and metal community. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL boasts the most powerful artist line-ups in heavy music. Artists who have performed on the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL have included hard music legends SLAYER, SLIPKNOT, KORN, ROB ZOMBIE, DISTURBED, GODSMACK, MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, MARILYN MANSON, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES, TESTAMENT, HATEBREED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, MASTODON, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, KINGDOM OF SORROW, DETHKLOK and many more. All have pummeled the stage, while delivering the intensity and heaviness that fans have grown to expect year after year.

See below for all current tour dates and log on to www.rockstarmayhemfest.com and www.livenation.com for up-to-date ticketing information.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL TOUR DATES:

6/30 San Bernardino, CA @ San Manuel Amphitheater

7/1 Shoreline Amphitheater @ San Francisco, CA

7/3 Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheater

7/4 Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheater

7/6 Phoenix, AZ @ Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion

7/7 Albuquerque, NM @ Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion

7/8 Denver, CO @ Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

7/10 Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion

7/11 Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

7/13 Tampa, FL @ 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre

7/14 Atlanta, GA @ Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood

7/15 Indianapolis, IN @ Klipsch Music Center

7/17 Bonner Springs, KS @ Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone

7/18 Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheatre

7/20 St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

7/21 Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

7/22 Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre

7/24 Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

7/25 Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center

7/27 Philadelphia, PA @ Susquehanna Bank Center

7/28 Pittsburgh, PA @ First Niagara Pavilion

7/29 Washington, DC @ Jiffy Lube Live

7/31 Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

8/1 Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake PAC

8/3 Boston, MA @ Comcast Center

8/4 Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion

8/5 Hartford, CT @ The Comcast Theatre

Gojira Announce Album Title + Release Date

French metal act Gojira, easily one of the most buzzed about and beloved extreme bands of the past five years, have revealed L'Enfant Sauvage as the title of their Roadrunner Records debut. The title translates to "The Wild Child." The album, which features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal, is scheduled to land at retail on June 26.

"When you become a musician, you don't have a boss telling you what to do so you have to be very responsible," singer/guitarist/songwriter Joe Duplantier said, shedding a little light on the title and its meaning. "With freedom comes responsibility, so I'm asking myself, 'What is freedom? What does it mean to me?' L'Enfant Sauvage reflects on that. There's no answer though. There's just life and questions."

A special collector's package of L'Enfant Sauvage will feature two bonus tracks and a double-colored vinyl version of the record, along with an exclusive t-shirt. Pre-orders will launch here shortly.

The track listing for L'Enfant Sauvage is as follows:

1. Explosia

2. L’Enfant Sauvage

3. The Axe

4. Liquid Fire

5. The Wild Healer

6. Planned Obsolescence

7. Mouth Of Kala

8. The Gift Of Guilt

9. Pain Is A Master

10. Born In Winter

11. The Fall

JANUS ‘NOX AERIS’ MAKES BILLBOARD DEBUT AT #24 ON “HEATSEEKERS” AND #33 ON “HARD MUSIC” CHARTS

Ever since the news broke in January about the March 27 release of JANUS’ new NOX AERIS album (REALID Records, through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group), fans have been anxious to hear the music. Thanks to their support, NOX AERIS debuts on Billboard’s “Alternative New Artist” chart at #7, the “Heatseekers” chart at #24 and on “Hard Music” chart at #33.

The first single, “Stains,” reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s “Active Rock” chart after garnering huge spins on such radio stations as WIIL (Chicago), KPNT (St. Louis), WBUZ (Nashville), WJJO (Madison), WWBN (Flint), KHTQ (Spokane), SiriusXM’s “Octane” and “hardDrive XL.”

In other happenings, Janus has teamed up with Guitar World magazine to offer guitar-playing fans the chance of a lifetime. By learning “Stains,” and submitting a video of themselves playing it, one lucky winner will get a chance to perform the song live with the band later this year. Further details can be found at the Guitar World website here: http://bit.ly/HbN2FI. The deadline for entries is Monday, April 16.

As Outburn magazine recently praised the new album (in a 9 out of 10 review): “NOX AERIS is a visceral sonic document of adventure and the transformation that can result…On the surface an emotionally charged blend of Deftones and Tool, NOX AERIS weaves a complex web of ethereal noise. Passages of thick, meat-grinding distortion culminate in Meshuggah style spasms and interlock beautifully with an atmospheric blanket of restrained synths…The catchiness of NOX AERIS is deceptive in masking the album’s unpredictable song structures, which speaks to Janus’ collective growth as writers. Theirs is a nuanced, understated, and powerful heaviness.”

In touring news, now that JANUS has concluded dates with Chevelle and Middle Class Rut, along with a handful of headlining shows, the band will be heading out with Cavo starting April 7 in Battle Creek and Pop Evil starting May 29. They’ll also be making a stop at Rocklahoma on May 25.

Check out JANUS at any of the following tour stops:

DATE CITY VENUE

With Cavo:

Sat 4/7 Battle Creek, MI Planet Rock
Wed 4/11 Ottawa, IL Luciana's Rural Resort
Fri 4/13 Madison, WI RSR Stage
Sat 4/14 Rockford, IL Bar 3
Tue 4/17 Sioux Falls, SD Rookies
Wed 4/18 Kearny, NE The Garage
Fri 4/20 Lubbock, TX Lonestar Amphitheater
Sat 4/21 San Antonio, TX Fiesta Oyster Bake Festival
Sun 4/22 Houston, TX Scout Bar (headlining)
Wed 4/25 Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep
Thu 4/26 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
Sat 4/28 Mesa, AZ Mesa Riverview Park (UFEST)
Tue 5/1 Abilene, TX The Lucky Mule
Wed 5/2 Little Rock, AR Juanita's
Fri 5/4 Illiopolis, IL Bunker's

Sat 5/19 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amp (KPNT Pointfest)
Fri 5/25 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma

With Pop Evil:

Tue 5/29 Billings, MT Manny’s
Wed 5/30 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
Fri 6/1 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex

TESSERACT to Release Acoustic EP 'Perspective' on May 22

Progressive-metallers TESSERACT have announced additional details to their highly-anticipated acoustic EP, Perspective. Set for a North American release of May 22 and a European release of May 21, Perspective will be available digitally, while a physical version will be available exclusively through CMDistro.com in North America and the band's webshops: European (http://www.bandstores.co.uk/shop/tesseract/) and American ( http://www.merchconnectioninc.com/collections/tesseract). The five song EP features "Eden 2.0", acoustic versions of three tracks from the band's debut album, One, plus a cover of Jeff Buckley's classic, "Dream Brother". As a special bonus, the iTunes version will contain instrumentals of all the tracks.

The Perspective EP track listing:
Perfection
April
Origin
Dream Brother
Eden 2.0

iTunes bonus tracks:
Perfection (instrumental)
April (instrumental)
Origin (instrumental)
Dream Brother (instrumental)
Eden 2.0 (instrumental)

A trailer for Perspective was recently released, featuring audio clips from all the songs on the EP. The trailer can be seen here. Earlier this year, TESSERACT also released a bass playthrough video for the song "April" off the acoustic EP. The instrumental playthrough for "April" can be seen here.

In addition to the new EP, TESERACT has been nominated for a Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for "Best UK Band". Fans can go here to vote.

WEST OF HELL to Release New Album 'Spiral Empire' on May 8th, 2012 with Reversed Records -- Featuring ZIMMERS HOLE Vocalist Chris "The Heathen" Valagao

Vancouver, BC’s WEST OF HELL is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their full-length debut album, Spiral Empire. The new album will be released with Reversed Records on May 8^th, 2012. Spiral Empire features a unique sound that preserves the band’s legendary, distinctive influences whilst incorporating modern elements, creating a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Spiral Empire was recorded at The Factory Studios in Vancouver and is produced by Juno Award winning engineer Rob Shallcross (Strapping Young Lad, GWAR, Zimmers Hole, Fear Factory).

WEST OF HELL was formed in West Auckland, New Zealand by guitarist Ivan Vrdoljak and drummer Andrew Hulme in 2002. Shortly after founding, friends of the pair finally directed them to guitarist Sean Parkinson (ex-Sinate). Parkinson established an instant chemistry with Vrdoljak and Hulme, driving the trio to immediately begin working, writing songs, and forging their trademark sound. Then, after two years of painstaking searches and monitoring the grapevine, the band was led to bassist Jordan Kemp.

With the instrumental portion of the band locked down, all that was left to be discovered was the perfect frontman. Having searched without success for perfect vocalist locally, the band decided to continue the hunt in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and uprooted to the area in 2009. In order to share their vision and establish WEST OF HELL in a larger scene, they needed a singer that was more than just a screamer, which drastically narrowed the possibilities. The band played a series of shows as a four-piece instrumental, drawing critical acclaim, and ultimately attracted the attention of the local metal community. The exposure led them to Zimmers Hole frontman Chris “The Heathen” Valagao. It was apparent to the founding members that Valagaos’s diverse skills were exactly what WEST OF HELL needed to realize the band’s ultimate vision.

WEST OF HELL is here to reclaim the great genre of metal that has been diluted by straight edge, clean cut posers who look like rejects from American Idol. WEST OF HELL will lead you back down the path of true metal! Stay tuned for upcoming information on exclusive track streams, tour dates and more coming soon!

WEST OF HELL is:

Vocals – Chris “The Heathen” Valagao

Bass – Jordan Kemp

Guitars – Sean Parkinson & Ivan Vrdoljak

Drums – Andrew Hulme

SKELETONWITCH: New Song Stream Available

Today Ohio metal goliaths SKELETONWITCH are streaming “new” track, "Tragedy of Days" at Prosthetic Records’ official bandcamp page. Never formally released on record in the States, the tune was recorded during the Forever Abomination sessions with producer Matt Hyde and appeared on the Decibel Magazine Flexi-Disc series (Oct. 2011 issue) as well as the Japanese edition of Forever Abomination.

Comments guitarist Scott Hedrick of the track: “’Tragedy of Days’ was an epic instrumental by [guitarist] Nate [Garnette]'s former band Serkesoron. They disbanded after the untimely passing of Serkesoron's frontman, Thom Wright. Shortly after the band called it quits, SKELETONWITCH was born. We re-recorded the track and Chance [Garnette] addedvocals as a tribute to Thom, immortalizing him in song."

Check out "Tragedy of Days" at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, the new vinyl reissues of the SKELETONWITCH's breakthrough releases Breathing The Fire and Beyond The Permafrost are now shipping from the Prosthetic Store. Both are available in three variants -- splatter, half-and-half and 180-gram black wax -- and feature gatefold Stoughton "tip-on" record jackets. Pictures of the limited-edition colored LPs can be seen HERE. The black vinyl versions of both albums will be available in select retail stores on April 10.

Additionally, the band recently unveiled a new video for the song “The Infernal Resurrection,” which comes off their The studio offering, Forever Abomination. To view the clip, which documents the band in live pillage mode in Europe, head over to Metal Injection. 

SKELETONWITCH are currently setting stage ablaze on tour alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile and labelmates Hour Of Penance. This marks the group's first North American tour action of 2012 in support of latest full-length, Forever Abomination. The band will take a brief break before heading overseas for a stretch of Euro dates. Confirmed dates thus far include:

SKELETONWITCH

w/ The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Hour Of Penance [remaining dates]

4/02/2012 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
4/03/2012 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
4/04/2012 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
4/05/2012 House Of Blues – Los Angeles, CA
4/06/2012 Nile Theater – Phoenix, AZ
4/07/2012 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
4/09/2012 Prophet Bar – Dallas, TX
4/10/2012 White Rabbit – San Antonio, TX
4/11/2012 Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
4/13/2012 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA

4/14/2012 Cincinnati Metal Fest @ Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH w/ Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Hour of Penance, Abysmal Dawn, Arkaik, Exhumed

4/15/2012 Skully’s Music Diner - Columbus, OH ^
4/16/2012 123 Pleasant St. - Morgantown, WV ^4/17/2012 Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD
4/18/2012 Theatre Of The Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
4/19/2012 Irving Plaza – New York, NY
4/20/2012 New England Metal & Hardcore Fest @ The Palladium – Worcester, MA

^ SKELETONWITCH only

* w/ Black Tusk

SKELETONWITCH European Tour 2012:

6/15/2012 Copenhell – Copenhagen, Denmark w/ Immortal, Anthrax, Mastodon, etc.

6/16/2012 Metal Town – Gothenburg, Sweden w/ Opeth, Mayhem, Slayer, etc.

6/18/2012 Comet Club – Berlin, Germany

6/19 Hamburg, Germany - Gruenspan w/ Killswitch Engage

6/20/2012 Luxor – Cologne, Germany

6/22/2012 Graspop Metal Meet – Hasselt, Belgium w/ Ozzy, Slash, Cannibal Corpse

6/23/2012 Earshakerdays – Basel, Switzerland w/ Black Label Society, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, etc.

6/25/2012 Durer Kert Small Hall – Budapest, Hungary

6/26/2012 Chelsea – Vienna, Austria

6/28/2012 Rock Café – Prague, Czech Republic w/ Lamb of God

6/29/2012 With Full Force Festival – Leipzig, Germany w/ Machine Head, Gojira, Meshuggah, etc.

6/30/2012 Sputnikhalle – Muenster, Germany w/ Devildriver

7/01/2012 Open Air Metal – Tuska, Finland w/ Megadeth, Ministry, Behemoth, etc.

Like Satan himself set loose in the hallowed halls of heavy metal, SKELETONWITCH careen wildly through the music’s history, gleefully destroying and setting flame to every genre along the way, only stopping at the forefront of today’s metal scene to look back and watch that fucker burn -- and then piss on the flames. No other band has tapped into the fire, fury, and frost of all things metal. Worship the ‘WITCH!

MUNICIPAL WASTE ANNOUNCE HEADLINING TOUR

Virginia’s speed metal punks MUNICIPAL WASTE are bringing their space terror back to North America beginning May 27^th on a 2-leg headlining run presented by SCION A/V! The first leg features Black Tusk as support; second leg features 3 Inches Of Blood as direct support & openers Black Tusk.

The band is out spreading the word about their upcoming new album, The Fatal Feast, available in the U.S. & Canada on April 10^th and on April 13^th in Europe.  

Tour dates are:

1^st Leg - MUNICIPAL WASTE with Black Tusk 

5/27 Soapbox Laundro-Lounge - Wilmington, NC
5/28 529 - Atlanta, GA
5/29 The Social - Orlando, FL
5/30 Vinyl Music Hall - Pensacola, FL
6/01 Chaos In Tejas Music Fest - Austin, TX ***MW ONLY***
6/02 Rubber Gloves - Denton, TX

2^nd Leg - MUNICIPAL WASTE with 3 Inches Of Blood & Black Tusk

6/15 Neumo's - Seattle, WA
6/16 Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
6/21 Reggie's - Chicago, IL
6/22 Screaming Willy's - Columbus, OH
6/23 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
6/24 Bogie's - Albany, NY
6/25 Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA
6/26 Santo's Party House - New York, NY

Additional dates will be announced soon.

Fans can pre-order The Fatal Feast CD, deluxe digi-pak, or super limited edition pop-up vinyl gatefold here.