A brand new Cannibal Corpse song by the name of “Scourge Of Iron” has premiered online over at Revolvermag.com. The song comes from the groups new album “Torture“, which is due to hit stores on March 13th through Metal Blade.

The Word Alive have issued a statement regarding their recent lineup changes below:

“Dearest TeamTWA,

We come before you, to officially announce the departure of our brothers Dusty Riach, and Justin Salinas. And that is exactly what they are, brothers. TWA and TeamTWA are a family, and it will remain that way. This might come to a shock to many of you, and that is ok. Member changes are never fun for fans to hear, or bands to go through.

Reality is though, they happen. And in this case, we’re not only leaving on the best terms possible but as long as all the details get worked out, both Dusty and Justin will be playing EXTREME THING in Las Vegas NV on March 31st with us for their farewell show. So make sure you come out and support them, and us, as we all move forward!

That being said, what everyone wants to know, aside from juicy drama, which we’re sorry to report there is none… Is what are we doing moving forward, and how will this effect going into the studio in a couple days. So here you go:

The fact is that Dusty and us mutually agreed to part ways a month ago, after we decided the writing process and touring just weren’t working out. Dusty is a great keyboard/synth player, and has always added a good amount to the band. He’s a great performer, and as you know, nobody does keyboard handstands like him. He’s also an original member, and will be missed. We wish him the best of luck as he pursues different paths in his life. As he states below, we’re always going to be a family.

As for Justin, you’ll read in his statement below that he just fell out of love with drums. He definitely was a light in our band. He’s one of the funniest people we’ve all ever known, good hearted and when he came into this band we knew he belonged right away. He’s one of the hardest hitting badass drummers out there, and we appreciated all of his hard work in TWA. He’ll be starting a new life post-touring in Portland OR and we wish him the best. DG4lyfe.

WILL TWA STILL HAVE SYNTH/KEYS/ELECTRONICS!?

YES we will. Tony and Zack have been programming some of the most insane parts along with writing guitars and drum parts for the new record. We’re very confident that you guys will be more than happy with what we produce for this album in that department. That being said, we will not be replacing Dusty on the keys. We will be sampling our keyboard/synth/electronic parts completely and moving forward as a 5-piece.

As far as drums go, we’re a band that tour constantly. Mostly all the drums were programmed in, and then recorded by Justin on the last cd. This process will be the same. We’re having a close friend of the band, and great drummer record the drums on this album for us, most of which Zack and Tony have written for their perspective songs.

We DO have a new drummer who we will be welcoming in after the studio process, and once you see what he can do, you guys will be even more excited to see us live with what he can bring to the table. We’ve always been a band, that while we appreciate what our past members have done for the band, we try to progress and improve if we’re going to replace someone.

That isn’t a shot at any of our past members, but we know that you guys deserve the best, and we’ll make sure we provide that. We’re really excited about the future of the band, and stand by the statement that this will be our best body of work so far. We hope you’re ready to dominate 2012 with us, because that is exactly what we intend on doing. Thank you so much TeamTWA for standing by us, we will continue as long as you guys remain the best fans in the world. Over and out, Telle Zack Tony & Daniel.

Justin‘s statement:

“The past two years have been the most insane, amazing years of my life. I’ve made so many new friends and toured the entire world with my best friends.

While writing for the new cd and having time off in Arizona I found myself at a crossroads. Continue doing what I was doing because it’s all I’ve known the past 8 years of my life and tour… or come home for the first time and hang up the drum gloves. I’m hanging up the drum gloves.

I fell out of love with drums. Thats the only way I can explain it. I wasn’t playing them if I didn’t have to. I was feeling like playing drums was a burden, I had no more passion or drive to play.

I wish I had a juicy drama filled story of some badass band beef, but I don’t. I love Telle, Tony, Zack, Dusty, Daniel and our entire crew, yes, even brian;) with all my heart. I love our music. I love the new music. But PLAYING drums for a living is not what I want to do anymore. I’ve been touring full time since i was 18 and now im an old, old, tired 26yr old man that just wants to take another path for once.

My band are my brothers and they would do ANYTHING for me and I would do the same for them. Being gone constantly is just too much for me these days and seeing our year planned out kept eating me up inside.

I thank every single person that i’ve had the pleasure of meeting at shows, all the bands we’ve toured with and all the companies that went the extra mile for me/us.

From the bottom of my heart, you all truly changed my life and gave me an experience I will never forget.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being in The Word Alive it’s; never play music for any reason other than you genuinely LOVE it. These are the hardest working, passionate, talented, genuine people and musicians i’ve ever met. Support them because I guarantee to you they put every ounce of themselves in every song and thats what music should be about.

Thanks for every single memory we’ve shared across the world together. Time for me to stay home. : )”

Dusty‘s statement:

“I know people are waiting for me to make a statement about not being in the word alive anymore but im just going to leave it at that, I’m not in the band any more. I’ve decided to explore myself and try other things… Everything was mutual and we are still family… And everyone should just listen to music for music and continue to support the things you enjoy.

I really thank everyone who has come out and supported me in my time in the band I hope we can make new times in the future as I will always be making something… I will miss seeing you at shows and I will miss jamming with my brothers…”

NecroWretch have signed with Century Media. The band will begin writing material for their debut album for the label this spring and have a 7″ EP due out on Detest Records in early March overseas.

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammet was among the Exodus alumni who joined the latter band onstage at the Oakland Metro Operahouse this past Saturday, February 04th.

The special show took place in tribute to the 10 year anniversary of the passing of former Exodus frontman Paul Baloff. You can watch fan-filmed footage of Hammet jamming “Whipping Queen” with past and present members of Exodus below:

Slipknot/Stone Sour guitarist Jim Root is pondering a possible electronica-oriented side project with Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers. Root recently spoke with Backstageaxxess.com about the tentative project, stating:

“I live down in Florida now, and you know Sam from Limp Bizkit lives down there. I ran into him the other day. He came over to my house. He’s got a studio in his house and he’s been writing a lot of like weird kind of electronica kind of music that’s you know kinda aerial and spacey and all that stuff, it was really cool.

It had kind of a weird kind of Portishead vibe to it and I love that band, so I think I might… I mean why not. I don’t have enough projects going on, why not add another one.”

The portion regarding the potential side project starts at 8:23 in. He also mentioned that Stone Sour hope to be in the studio for their new album by March.

The Ocean will soon be releasing a new 10″ EP by the name of “The Grand Inquisitor“. The new outing will feature the three ‘Grand Inquisitor’ tracks (“The Grand Inquisitor I: Karamazov Baseness”“, “The Grand Inquisitor II: Roots & Locusts” & “The Grand Inquisitor III: A Tiny Grain Of Faith“) from the bands latest release, “Anthropocentric“.

A fourth previously unreleased seven minute track completing the conceptual arc, “The Grand Inquisitor IV: Exclusion From Redemption“, will also come with the EP. The band have gone all out for the limited edition release, pressing it on split two-colored vinyl with two different cover artwork variants.

All of the details for the outing, which will be made available in early April through the bands own Pelagic Records, can be found over at Theoceancollective.com. Meanwhile, the band themselves explained the concept for the songs featured on the release, offering:

“The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor finds Christ in medieval Seville during the Spanish Inquisition, healing the sick and raising the dead. He is captured and sentenced to be burned at the stake. The Grand Inquisitor, who questions Christ, views his presence as an encroachment in his own work: by rejectingthe Devil’s 3 temptations, the grand inquisitor argues, Christ is consciously and willingly depriving humanity of happiness – for the sake of freedom, which entails suffering.

The grand inquisitor, representing the church, claims to have “corrected Thy work, and founded it upon miracle, mystery, and authority”; corresponding to the three temptations of the Devil – under the false guise of Christ himself. Humanity is not meant to ever be free, the grand inquisitor argues. By denying man freedom, him and his church are providing for his happiness.

The lyrics of “The Grand Inquisitor IV – Exclusion From Redemption” make reference to the grand inquisitor’s ideas and to his fierce speech about Christ’s naive notion of humanity and his uncompassionate ideal of freedom.”

Armed For Apocalypse have wrapped up recording their new album “The Road Will End“. The group are currently mixing the outing for a release later this year.

††† (Crosses) surprised audiences with an encore cover of Buffalo Bill’s favorite track, Q. Lazzarus‘ “Goodbye Horses“. The cover reportedly took place at the groups San Francisco, CA stop last night, February 04th, and you can watch some sketchy fan-filmed footage of it below.

Note that the video skips ahead a bit to save you from over a minute of shrill screaming and dudes saying fuck yeah.

It would appear that The Faceless are today’s announcement for this years “Summer Slaughter Tour“. As previously reported, one new band will be announced for the trek each Sunday throughout the coming weeks. A series of posts made today, February 05th, over at the tours Facebook feature lyrics by the band.

Meanwhile, the group themselves posted on their own Facebook that a “big announcement” is coming. For those keeping score at home, the lineup for the tour now features:

Cannibal Corpse
Between The Buried And Me
The Faceless

Further bands, along with dates and venues, are currently pending.

Update – February 05th 11:31pm:

The Faceless have since been officially added to the tour.

Five Finger Death Punch recently filmed a new music video for their track “Remember Everything” and will be debuting it shortly.

All Pigs Must Die have backed out of their European touring plans. The group took to their Facebook to address the matter, offering:

“Unfortunately APMD will have to cancel the European dates we were planning for June as well as our Hellfest appearance. We will figure out another time for sure and promise to get over there as soon as we can.

Thanks for the support!!!”

Kylesa have been officially confirming the departure of bassist Corey Barhost from their ranks in recent interviews. As those who have seen the band live in the past few months can attest, he has been replaced by former band drummer, Eric Hernandez.

Meanwhile, the group have also stated that they will be spending the majority of this year working on a new album; which they plan to have out in early 2013. Vocalist/guitarist Laura Pleasants has also revealed that a b-sides & rarities record is in the cards for a release later this year.

You can watch her discuss that with Acordes De Quinta below:

Bill Ward has thanked fans for the recent support shown during his ousting from the Black Sabbath reunion following contractual disputes. Speaking through Billward.com, he stated:

“Dear Sabbath Fans,

This is Bill. I just wanted to humbly thank you all. Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve. I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages. I love you all.

Rock forever,
Bill“

Mychildren Mybride have released a teaser for their new self-titled album below. The outing is scheduled to hit stores on March 13th through Solid State. Meanwhile, a new song from it by the name of “On Wings Of Integrity Part II” is set to debut online on February 10th.

Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is making plans for the new album from his Black Light Burns group. He recently took to Twitter, offering:

“Strange things are afoot for BLB coming up this year! So far we got @AgataAlexander @jasonfiber @kimberlykane involved! The new record rules”

“And the video is gonna crush skulls! Now I just have to sucker @thekatvond and @JeffreeStar into getting involved. So excited! Buckle up!”

“New BLB, ‘The Moment You Realize You’re Going To Fall’ shooting for a September/October release, with US and European tours. That’s the goal”