Look for a killer new video by The Red Chord on this week's Headbangers Ball. The clip is for the song "Fixation on Plastics" and was shot in San Diego in 2006 and directed by Richie Valdez.

The Red Chord are currently in the studio working on their yet-untitled third album, which is tentatively due in August. This summer, the band will embark on a North American tour with Through the Eyes of the Dead, Despised Icon, All Shall Perish, See You Next Tuesday and Genghis Tron.

"This is our first full U.S. Headlining tour since the release of Clients," said frontman Guy Kozowyk in a statement. "The tour is five bands, all on different labels bringing their own styles, identities and sounds to the table to make this run into the biggest and best experience it can be for all involved, especially the kids coming to check it out."

The new Red Chord tour lauches June 1 in Philadelphia and runs through June 28 in Montreal.

Until this weekend, watch "Black Santa" over and over and over:

Their sound is almost as perplexing as their name. The Number 12 Looks Like You combines extreme metal, death metal, jazz, grindcore and hardcore into a frenzied, original sound that's wondrously exhausting to listen to.

"We don't want to sound like anybody else," singer Jesse Corman tells MTVnews.com's Metal File. "We stepped it up to the point where we've killed everything we've ever done previously, while a lot of bands that started out heavier have seemed to be going more melodic and easier on crowds — at least that's the trend. It seems to be the path a lot of these heavy bands are going these days, and we didn't want our fans to be like, 'Oh no, it's all just going to be melodic.' We wanted to make sure we really kicked some ass."

The New Jersey band's new album, Mongrel, -- which comes out June 19 -- does just that. The Number 12 Looks Like You spent four months in a Seattle studio working on the album with producer Casey Bates (Heavy Heavy Low Low, Gatsby's American Dream).

"This record's definitely something you've never heard before," says Corman. On top of being incredibly heavy, there's stuff in there that's just the catchiest stuff I've heard in so long."

For the complete interview with The Number 12 Looks Like You and the rest of this week's music news, check out MTVnews.com's Metal File.

Here's that jagged logo that might have left you guessing for the past 30 hours or so. If you're still unsure whether it's a band name or some sort of weird fishing lure, yes, it's a logo and it belongs to Japanese innovative black metal noisemakers, Sigh. For those of you keeping score at home, that' s "a) Sigh." And you probably thought it was "c) Dokken."

Sigh formed in Tokyo in 1989 and were signed by late-Mayhem singer Euronymous. Their debut album, Scorn Defeat, came out on Euronymous' Deathlike Silence in 1993, not long after the Norwegian church burner was stabbed to death by Burzum frontman Varg Vikernes.

In the beginning, Sigh were a straightforward black metal band, but over the years they've evolved into more of an avant-garde outfit that incorporates pianos, choirs, and classical orchestration into their devilish metal. To date, Sigh have released six albums, and their seventh, Hangman's Hymn: Musikalische Exequien, is scheduled for later this year.

Also of note, Sigh's last album, 2005's Gallows Gallery, was originally scheduled for release by Century Media, but the label dropped the band, purportedly because Sigh was using illegal tones that had been developed in World War II for "sonic weapon" purposes. The disc was picked up by Red Stream Records, and, as far as we know, hasn't yet rendered anyone deaf or insane.

Unlike most black metal bands, Sigh's lineup has been fairly consistent over the years, and currently features singer, bassist and keyboardist Mirai Kawashima, guitarist Shinichi Ishikawa, bassist Satoshi Fujinami and drummer Junichi Harashima.

A week after the release of Hellyeah's self titled debut, bassist Jerry Montano has left the band. A press release gave no specific reason for his departure and when contacted by Headbangers Ball Blog for comment, the group's publicist said "personal reasons on both sides" caused him to leave. A replacement has not yet been announced.

The lineup change comes as a surprise since Montano is a bandmate of Hellyeah guitarist Tom Maxwell (both play in Nothingface) and had been friends with singer Chad Gray, guitarist Greg Tribbett (both of Mudvayne) and drummer Vinnie Paul for years. In fact, it was Montano's persistent late night phone calls last year that convinced Paul to join Hellyeah.

"Originally, we used Nothingface's drummer [Chris Houk] for the demo," Montano said in a lengthy interview with Revolver in January. "But that didn't work out, so I was like, ‘F--- it, I'll just call Vinnie.' I called him and said, ‘Hey man, I got this thing,' and he was like, ‘You know, it sounds great, but to tell you the truth, I'm not ready.' I totally respected that. So, I was like, ‘Okay, I understand, but if you change your mind, it would be cool.' And then I called him one more time maybe, and the third time he called me and said, "Hey, you know, I've been sitting here thinking about it, and I decided that this could be a cool thing. Me and my brother always had a good time with you, so let's do it.'"

In the same interview for Revolver, Paul said that he and Montano had been tight since 2000 when Montano was in a band called Deadlights, which were signed to Pantera's label.

"Me and Dime kind of took him in and made him part of the family on the first Ozzfest," Paul told the magazine. "He was such a character. You couldn't stay away from him. He has a great charisma and he's fun to be around. And Dime in particular took him under his wing and taught him what the road was like. He's a total badass bass player and Dime always said, ‘You know what? He looks damn good onstage?"

In addition to being tourmates and drinking buddies with Paul, Montano was especially supportive to Paul in the weeks and months after December 2004, when Dimebag Darrell was killed onstage in Cleveland. "He'd just call out of the blue and be a fun voice to hear because he's always so positive," Paul told Revolver. "He's really the whole reason this Hellyeah thing came together."

Hellyeah will have to find someone to replace Montano soon since they're scheduled to tour with this year's Family Values starting July 16 in Saint Louis. One logical possibility is Damageplan bassist Bob Zilla, of whom Paul has always spoken highly.

"I told Bob after [Dimebag was murdered] that no matter what happens, I'm gonna find a way to play in a band with him again because me and him are just bros," the drummer said to Revolver. "It was kind hard to go ahead and commit to this band without Bob being part of it, but since Jerry was the bass player it was already set in place. And Bob's been really cool and understanding. And he's doing his tattoo shop in Texas right now. And some point in the future, we'll probably play together again."

Here's Montano's last stand with Hellyeah, "You Wouldn't Know":

When ex-Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison, ex-Faith No More singer Mike Patton and ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier formed Tomahawk and put out their self-titled album in 2001, their name had nothing to do with their style of progressive avant-metal. But with their third disc, Anonymous (out June 19), the band has delved into the tribal sounds of Native American music and created Tomahawk's most evocative and cinematic work yet.

"It was not our idea to do an album like this when we started the band, " Denison tells Headbangers Blog, but now that we've done it, it seems like it was destined to happen. "

Denison, who arranged most of the album, became interested in Native American music and culture several years ago after touring Indian Reservations with Hank Williams III. He soon discovered a variety of contemporary Native American blues and new age musicians, but nothing truly heavy.

"I was somewhat disappointed by the Native bands," Denison says. "I figured there must be native music somewhere that was more aggressive, spookier and more kinetic."

Denison's research led him to books of transcribed Indian songs from the early 1900s, around the time of Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, when the public had particular interest in Indian culture and artifacts. Tomahawk's Anonymous is composed of reworked versions of these songs, combining the atmosphere of the originals with a heavy, modern approach. Denison and Stanier recorded guitars and drums for the album in Nashville and Patton later recorded vocals and samples in San Francisco.

"The arranging and recording of these tunes began about a year ago," Denison says. "And we had to work in sections, like a movie. But the album came together quite easily once we got started and had all listened to the rough demos. I think Tomahawk fans are a fairly adventurous bunch and will enjoy this departure."

While the music on Tomahawk is serious and ominous, Denison hasn't lost his sense of humor. When Headbangers Blog asks him if he had any revelatory encounters with medicine men during his tour of the reservations, he replies.

"I never met any medicine men, but I did meet a medicine woman named Doctor Quinn... Sorry."

That's alright, Duene. Just keep your day job.

Now, here's a blast from singer Mike Patton's past -- Faith No More's "From Out of Nowhere":

Hey, here's a rarity. This black metal band are NOT from Norway or even Scandinavia. Yet, they're one of the most interesting and innovative bands associated with the scene.

Their logo reminds us of one of those Rorschach ink blot tests our junior high school psychologist gave us when we threatened to switch all of the cafeteria's regular milk to chocolate milk (it's a wonder we survived those rebel years).

Had we been shown a flash card of this logo, we'd likely have cackled, sprouted bat wings and flown out the window, but since we hadn't yet discovered the music to anchor our lives and grant us the power of the Beast, we usually mumbled something about the blobby splotches looking like pee in the snow, then got sent off to detention. Ah, the good old days.

Anyway, here are today's choices.

a) Sigh b) Girth c) Dokken d) Shirk e) Csiisri

Tune in tomorrow for the correct answer. And for now, check out another nutty black metal band, Satyricon, with "Fuel For Hatred":

Headbangers Ball Blog has learned that metal and hardcore pioneers, Bad Brains, have just taken over their MySpace URL, www.myspace.com/badbrains, from a cybersquatter who had been sitting on the account. The squatter was not using the site, nor was he a fan, but he was unwilling to give up the URL.

About a week ago, after many months and lots of legal red tape, MySpace stepped in and handed over the URL to the band.

Bad Brains are currently using the site to plug their upcoming album, Build a Nation, which was produced by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (pictured above with Brains singer H.R.). The disc is tentatively scheduled for release this summer.

"The Brains are one of most powerful and unique bands in the world," Yauch says. "They have been a huge influence on me, and it was an honor to work with them on this record."

Bad Brains Bassist Darryl Aaron Jenifer recently told Revolver magazine that the new music is in the vein of the group's 1982 hardcore ROIR cassette. On March 27, Henry Rollins debuted the new Brains track "Univeral Peace" on his radio show.

Look for the Bad Brains to tour this summer in support of Build a Nation.

Now, here's the video for "Rise":

The new cinematic Diecast video for "Nothing I Could Say" will premiere on this week's Headbangers Ball. The clip, which is set in Depression-era America, incorporates a crime photographer, several murder scenes and the ghost of a recently deceased victim into a compelling storyline with a clever twist ending. The video was shot earlier this year by directors Ian McFarland (Sick of it All) and Mike Pecci.

"We are extremely proud of our the video," says singer Paul Stoddard. "It's a concept piece that takes place in the early 1930s with a good story, hi-def quality and some great actors. It's definitely going to be different than anything else in our style, which is something that we always strive for."

Also on the video front, Diecast recently launched the "Make Your Own Diecast Video" contest with the Monster Beverage Company. Aspiring directors are encouraged to shoot a clip for anything from the band's recent album Internal Revolution," with the exception of "Nothing I Could Say" and "Fade Away." Entries must be submitted on DVD, QuickTime, AVI or .MPG files burned to CD or DVD or before June 16 to be eligible for the contest. The grand prize winner will receive an exclusive "Backyard Concert" From Diecast, a year's supply of Monster Energy drink and a Monster Energy mini-fridge.

Diecast are currently on the road with Sevendust, and Stoddard says they're having a blast. "It's great to see how everyone is learning the new record and singing and screaming along," he says. "The L.A. show was amazing. A lot of people came out including In This Moment's [guitarist] Chris, [Ozzy bassist] Blasko and even Fred Durst. After the show, we went to an insane after-party at a mansion that P.O.D. rented and managed to hang with everyone until 7 a.m. before heading off to our next adventure."

Diecast play New York on April 19 and will remain on the road with Sevendust until April 26 in Tallahassee, Florida.

The upcoming Dimmu Borgir album, In Sorte Diaboli, is being streamed online in its entity a full week before it streets, allowing fans to live with the material for a bit before they commit to buying it. The disc will be released on April 24.

In Sorti Diaboli was produced by Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, Opeth) at the new Studio Fredman in Hyssna, Sweden. The band's first concept album, In Sorti Diaboli is set in Medieval times and told through journal entries from a young man struggling with the methods and teachings of the church.

"After a life-altering epiphany, he abandons religion completely and wins a spiritual victory through his rejection of the concept of God," says a press statement from the band.

Dimmu Borgir will launch a headlining tour with Unearth, Devildriver and Kataklysm on April 20 in Cleveland, Ohio. Dates run through May 30 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Now enjoy the vid for "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse."

There are certainly shades of Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" all through Joe Carnihan's "Smokin' Aces" (Universal), as well as nods to Guy Ritchie and Martin Scorsese, but that doesn't mean the movie's not enjoyable on its own merits. It just requires a touch of patience and a lack of skepticism.

The film starts off slowly, with each of the main characters being introduced via amusing vignettes, but like a Six Flags rollercoaster, once it gets over that first climb, hold onto all your personal belongings because the s--t's about to fly.

In "Smokin' Aces," a magician turned high stakes gangster, Buddy Israel (Jeremy Piven), is getting ready to turn state's evidence and testify against his former boss Primo Sparazza (Joseph Ruskin). So, the Mafia puts a $1 million bounty out for Israel, and attracts a host of hired guns, including bail bondsman Jack Dupree (Ben Affleck) (Don't worry, he dies early on), some crazed Nazi punks, a pair of African American hit women (one played by Alicia Keys) and a mysterious and brutal Swedish assasin.

In addition to facing off against the FBI in a series of incredibly violent, fast-paced scenes, the hit men also take aim at one another with hidden knives, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, even a portable missile launcher. The plot gets confusing at times and it's sometimes not entirely clear who's killing who. There's also a major plot twist that doesn't entirely make sense, as well as a bit of a morality lesson that has left some viewers feeling ripped off. But if you're willing to suspend disbelief, strap into your seat and enjoy the bumpy ride; you'll exit breathless.

Other new films of note:

Deadlands: The Rising (Splatter Rampage/Tempe) Following a television and telephone blackout, a terrorist strike on the Nation's Capital leaves the region in a state of disarray. Before the smoke has time to clear, the dead become zombies and, of course, start to eat and infect the living. This independent homage to George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" trilogy has a lot of heart, and some cool bloodspillage, but seems to have lacked the budget to completely convey director Gary Ugarek's vision. At just under an hour, it's not exactly a full-length motion picture and after establishing a direction, the movie ends apruptly. It's a shame becuase there's plenty here to like. The cinemaphotography is effectively eerie, the music is enjoyably metallic and the makeup and gore effects are pretty convincing. Also, the editing is sharp and even the acting is acceptable. There's no question that a lot of hard work went into "Deadlands: The Rising," and we'll happily check out Ugarek's next offering, which will hopefully provide the necessary payoff this one lacks.

Sombre (Koch Lorber) Warning: This isn't your standard serial killer flick. It's more like a moody art film in which the main character just happens to be a mass murderer. As such, there's very little dialog, no jack-in-the-box scares and no graphic splatter. Still this controversial thriller by French director Philippe Grandrieux is incredibly unsettling and pretty compelling. Shot mostly in low lighting with surreal, unconventional camera work, the movie uses disturbing imagery to tell a story about a conflicted man who roams the French countryside picking up prostitutes and barmaids, having sex with them, then strangling them. Along his trails, he picks up a stranded motorist, brings her to her sister's house and proceeds to terrorize both. Strangely, one falls in love with him and he reciprocates as best he can. But both discover that removing a tiger's stripes doesn't turn it into a kitty cat.