When Connecticut hardcore metal masters, Hatebreed, started working on their covers album, For the Lions, they weren't planning to include any tracks by Slayer, and not because they weren't worthy. Slayer, says frontman Jamey Jasta was so influential and so supportive to Hatebreed that the band didn't want to pay them a disservice by screwing up one of their songs. Fortunately, Hatebreed changed their mind because "Ghosts of War," from Slayer's 1988 album South of Heaven is an excellent tribute to the masters, faithfully executed without being a photocopy of the original. Click "more" to watch the video for the song, which will debut on-air on Saturday's "Headbangers Ball," which airs from 2 to 3 a.m. on MTV2. Read more...

Igor Cavalera likes to keep it in the family. When he isn't bashing heads with his brother Max in Cavalera Conspiracy he's opening minds minds with his wife Laima Leyton in his heavy electronic dance project Mix Hell. Click "more" to see the duo in action. Read more...

For the follow-up to Sepultura's 2006 release Dante XXI, a concept album based on Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy," the band has concocted a new concept record about the Anthony Burgess novel and Stanley Kubrick film "A Clockwork Orange." The disc, A-Lex (out January 27), is Sepultura's first album not to feature co-founder Igor Cavalera, and marks the studio debut of new drummer Jean Dolabella. It was recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil at Trama studios and was mixed at Mega Studios.

Flush with storming beats, incisive riffs and ornate instrumentation, A-Lex is one of the band's most narrative, elaborate and well conceived releases. Ironically, it was also one of their most enjoyable to create. We recently tracked down guitarist and longtime band member Andreas Kisser at his Brazil home to talk about the joy of recording concept albums, the inspiration of Burgess and Kubrick and the new insights he developed about one of his favorite stories, "A Clockwork Orange."

Kisser also addressed the departure of former drummer Igor Cavalera, the addition of Dolabella and why he's uninterested in a Roots-era Sepultura reunion. Click "more" to stream or download the podcast. Read more...