Barry Clayton, the man behind the spoken-word introduction to "The Number Of The Beast", the title track of IRON MAIDEN's classic 1982 album, has died at the age of 80.

During the recording sessions for "The Number Of The Beast", the band reportedly asked the famous horror film actor Vincent Price to read the intro text to the title song. However, according to MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, Price refused to do it for anything less than £25,000. The bandmembers then heard of someone who read ghost stories at Capital Radio and got him to do it instead. The man was Clayton, who had no interest in MAIDEN, but obliged when he was asked to put on a Vincent Price kind of voice.

"Woe to You Oh Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding
Reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six."

Roadrunner Records Max Cavalera of Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy and Sepultura, fame is known for partnering with a wide array of artists, ranging from Fred Durst to Chino Moreno to even Sean Lennon over the years. On Soulfly's 'Omen,' Cavalera teamed up with The Dillinger Escape Plan's vocal maniac Greg Puciato for the song 'Rise of the Fallen.' That collaboration went so well that the duo are working together once again on an as-yet unnamed project.

Puciato posted a photo on his website of a CDR with both their initials scrawled on it, in a metallic script, of course. The screamer also issued a Facebook update on the project:

"Day two out here on this writing session with Max. Hotter than f--- in the middle of the Phoenix desert. Snakes and scorpions abound....drawn to the deafening noise coming from the room. Demoing heavy music the best way possible...at blistering volumes, no headphones, guitars and mics everywhere, all plugged in at all times, sweating and uncomfortable like we're fifteen in a garage again. Maybe haven't heard Max sound this pissed since 'Chaos A.D.' Okay, time to get to work. Just checkin' in."

We can't even call that a teaser. That's a lot of information that certainly wets metal appetites.

Roadrunnerrecords.com got further details from Cavalera himself, who said, "Everybody ask me, 'Hey Max, are you gonna do another Nailbomb?' and the answer is always 'No,' because we killed Nailbomb on purpose. So when Greg approached me with an idea of a project, I said I'll do it, but it has to be like Nailbomb. I'm gonna share the vocals with Greg. We're gonna have a bunch of killer guest musicians, and it'll be the closest thing to a Nailbomb experience. I promise you it is going to be heavy as f---, angry as f---, and aggressive as f---. Me and Greg are pissed off and we're coming your way!!!!"

Consider that fair warning as f---.

Danish band Volbeat announced that Mercyful Fate guitarist Hank Shermann will stand in for recently departed guitarist Thomas Bredahl for the upcoming Gigantour with Megadeth in the U.S. commencing in January 2012.

See below the last video from the DVD:  live from beyond hell / above heaven

Swallow the Sun has announced some details for the band's new album, set to be released early 2012.

The album was recorded at Drum Forest Studios in Viitasaari, as well as Sonic Pump Studios and Noisework studios in Helsinki. It is set to be released February 1st, 2012 through Spinefarm records. Some guest musicians will be appearing on the album, including Aleah Stanbridge of Trees of Eternity, who will be appearing on two tracks, and Anette Olzon of Nightwish, featured on the track "Cathedral Walls."