After months of promising his next project would return to his hardcore roots, the first material has surfaced from Frank Turner’s new band.

The new band, Mongol Horde, steps away from Turner’s semi-acoustic politically charged solo output and places him more in line with Million Dead, the hardcore punk band with which he first achieved success. Although it may attract comparisons with UK hardcore band Gallows, Turner himself says the new material takes influence from Hot Snakes and seminal noisemakers The Jesus Lizard.

Watch the clip for ‘Casual Threats From Weekend Hardmen’ below.

Cult Aussie musician John Butler has a present for his fans: a newly re-recorded eleven minute version of  ‘Oceans’!

The track is one of Butler’s signature pieces, dating from his pre-fame days as a busker, appearing on his debut album and becoming a staple of live sets.

Twelve years on from it’s initial release, the track has now been re-recorded and can be downloaded FOR FREE from the official John Butler website.  Just follow the link below.

http://johnbutlertrio.com/2012/

The John Butler Trio will be appearing at the Caloundra Festival, King’s Beach Queensland on September 28th. Also appearing are The Living End, Boom Crash Opera and The Whitlams.

British metal vocalist Martin Walkyier – best known for his work with fantasy thrash metallers Sabbat and folk metal titans Skyclad – will headline the Viking Festival on September 22nd.

The “heathen arts and music festival” is to be held at Nottingham Irish Centre and admission is absolutely FREE of charge!  Walkyier adds that although the event is free, patrons will be asked in return to make a donation – no matter how small or large – to Cancer Research.

For his headline slot, Walkyier is said to be revisiting key moments from the Skyclad catalogue, most of which is now out of print.

Also apprearing will be Bull-Riff Stampede, Severed Heaven, Eibon La Furies, Khyton, A Vulgar Picture, Rezinwolf, Cynegetics and Grim Rita.

Queensrÿche have been confirmed for the line up of the 2013 Monsters of Rock cruise.

The progressive/hard rock band were recently joined by ex-Crimson Glory vocalist Todd La Torre, who replaced long-serving vocalist Geoff Tate.

Also appearing on the hard rock cruise are Y&T, Saxon, Great White, John Corabi, Femme Fatale, XYZ, Lita Ford, Tesla, Quireboys and more…

For more info, visit www.monstersofrockcruise.com

It has been announced that Lamb Of God’s upcoming tour with Adult Swim band Dethklok and French metallers Gojira has been “officially cancelled”. [Dates affected can be found here]

The reason for cancellation is due to Randy Blythe’s ongoing imprisonment in the Czech Republic. The Lamb Of God frontman is still being detained following a much publicized manslaughter case.

Lamb Of God’s PR company have issued the following statement:

“Due to the continued incarceration of Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe in the Czech Republic, the band’s co-headline tour with Dethklok scheduled to begin August 1 in Seattle has been canceled. Lamb Of God regrets the decision but the uncertainty of Randy’s release makes it impossible to carry on with the tour. Upon Randy’s release, it is the band’s intention to rebook a tour in the fall and at this time the band fully intends to participate in the Mayhem Cruise in December.

“LAMB OF GOD wishes to thank Dethklok, Adult Swim and Gojira for their support and patience as well as all of the promoters who had dates on the tour. Last but certainly not least, the band thanks all of the fans who bought tickets for the tour and who have been supportive of Randy and the band over the last month that Randy has been held in Prague. Without the fans, there is no Lamb Of God.”

Recently Blythe’s bail was doubled from $200,000 to an astronomical $400,000 – a figure still being contested by Blythe’s prosecutors.

The case goes on.