Fernandes will introduce 5 new guitar models, 6 new Bass models, and 4 new finishes added to existing models. New models: V-Hawk (Elite, Deluxe, X), Ravelle Steeler, Tony Campos Signature Tremor (new version), Atlas Deluxe (4 & 5 strings), Ravelle Bass X, Monterey Bass (Deluxe, X - 4 & 5 Strings) and the return of the Retrospect (4 & 5 strings) bass. New finishes: Retrorocket Pro Vintage Cream, Revolver X Dark Metallic Red, Retrorocket X Lava Flame, Blue Flame and Snow White. Also presenting new t-shirt and tank top designs. Web update will be available online by the end of January.

Artist appearances and demonstrations will include Mike Clark and Dean Pleasants of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, Dave Linsk of OVERKILL, Tony Campos of ASESINO/PRONG/MINISTRY, Jeff Walker of CARCASS, Jonny Santos of SILENT CIVILIAN/SPINESHANK, Ramon Ortiz of PUYA/ANKLA, and more. All this happening at booth 5690.

Ashmedi, leader of Mesopotamian black/thrash legends MELECHESH, endorses the Sustainer-equipped Vortex Elite. The band just headed for Istanbul, Turkey to shoot the video for “Grand Gathas Of Baal Sin” off their brand new masterpiece “The Epigenesis”. The album has also been recorded and produced in Istanbul at newly built Babajim Studios and is out now on Nuclear Blast Records.

Don't miss Ashmedi shredding on his Vortex on upcoming tours shceduled to start this spring and throughout summer, including European festivals such as Germany's Summer Breeze 2011. melechesh.com

Swiss industrial black metallers SAMAEL have set "Lux Mundi" (which translates as "Light of the World") as title of their forthcoming album, due in the spring via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD, which took almost three years to be completed, was recorded this past summer after the band spent a few days in pre-production in Germany with with longtime collaborator Waldemar Sorychta (MOONSPELL, LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.). The actual recordings took place in two different locations in Switzerland and the mix was handled by extreme metal specialist Russ Russell in Kettering, England. "Lux Mundi" will consist of 10 to 12 new songs, including first single "Antigod" and live monster "Soul Invictus" (roughly translates in English as Invincible Soul), which is a word play with the Sol Invictus used by the Romans. The song was played during the latest European tour and it soon turned out to be one of the highlights of the set, becoming a crowd anthem on the spot.

Don't miss Mas Misein's thundering Ravelle Bass on this album and also on Tour in 2011.

We are proud to welcome to our artist family, without doubt one of the hardest working and respected Heavy Metal guitarists of today’s generation, "Metal" Mike Chlasciak.

Metal Mike has written and appeared on all HALFORD Sanctuary Records label recordings Resurrection (2000), Live Insurrection (2001), Crucible (2002) and Fourging The Furnace (2003). A member of many musical projects, such as SEBASTIAN BACH's band and a scholarship graduate of Berklee College of Music, Metal Mike has also released 3 solo instrumental albums Grind Textural Abstraction (1996), Territory: Guitar Kill!!, (2000) and The Spilling (2001).

A Vortex Deluxe Limited was seen at recent Fall/Winter HALFORD performances on the hands of Metal Mike.

Adam Lehan of CATHEDRAL also picked up a Fernandes instrument for the Anniversary show, this time a Ravelle which he continues to play in current shows and recordings. Adam played guitar and wrote many songs for the albums Forest of Equilibrium, Soul Sacrifice, Statik Majik and The Ethereal Mirror. The band's sell thru DVD also features songs mainly taken from Lehan's stint in the band. He also played in UK thrash metal band Acid Reign and cult thrash band Lord Crucifier from Italy. He was guitarist for a rock project he formed with Slammer bassist Russ Burton shortly after leaving Acid Reign but chose to join CATHEDRAL just prior to the recording of their first demo tape. He now plays in FLIGHT and BENEATH THE OAK.

Mark Griffiths of British Doom Icon CATHEDRAL picked up a Gravity bass for the band's legendary 20th Anniversary show held at the O2 Academy Islington in London on December 3rd 2010, which featured two sets from the band, one of which was a 'Forest of Equilibrium' set, the final section featured songs from their latest albums.

Griff was roadie of CARCASS when he formed CATHEDRAL with grindcore pioneer NAPALM DEATH's founder/singer Lee Dorrian in 1989, establishing himself as a well respected bassist in the Black Sabbath-Influenced Doom scene of the 1990's.

Mike Davis rocked South and North America this Fall and Winter with his Atlas basses, joining forces with Roy Z and Metal Mike Chlasciak, who were also shredding on Fernandes axes.

This historic tour, which ended in Anaheim, California, on December 19th and counted with many other top bands such as Dave Lombardo's Philm, Warbringer and Ozzy Osbourne; featured plenty of iconic classics from Judas Priest, Fight and HALFORD, fronted by "The Metal God" himself, Rob Halford.

As many have seen already at their latest live shows in 2010, Carl Bensley has been sporting Gravity and Tremor Deluxe basses, giving a forceful roar to THE AUTUMN OFFERING's sound.

The band released their self-titled album last August on Victory Records, where Fernandes instruments proudly played a big part in supplying the power and bite of this acclaimed recording, make sure to grab a copy and hear it for yourself.

Relapse artist ABYSMAL DAWN is currently in the studio and recently unveiled the new Par Olofsson (EXODUS, THE FACELESS, BRAINDRILL) artwork to adorn their forthcoming album Leveling The Plane of Existence. Set for a February 1st North American release date (February 7th – UK, February 11th – Germany, Benelux, February 14th – rest of EU). A studio report has been posted, as well as a guitar lesson by lead singer/guitarist Charles Elliot with his Ravelle guitar, check it out on FPE-TV.

Additionally, ABYSMAL DAWN has announced the first North American tour in support of Leveling The Plane of Existence for early next year. Teaming up with KATAKLYSM, ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH and more for this four-week tour that will kick-off on February 24th in Cleveland, OH.

Finnish metal sextet FINNTROLL describe their music as trollish hoedown metal, which is to say that it combines the extreme elements of death metal with traditional Finnish folk melodies. Apparently the result of alcohol-induced experimentation, Finntroll's bizarre fusion began one night in March of 1997 when founding members Somnium (ex-Thy Serpent and Impaled Nazarene) and Katla decided to add the de-tuned guitars and brutal vocals of black metal to Finnish folk melodies played in the humppa style (a form of polka) on the keyboard. The two recorded the demo Rivfader with a drum machine in January of 1998, and were later joined by drummer B. Dominator, guitarist Skrymer, keyboardist Trollhorn, and bassist Tundra. Its lineup intact, FINNTROLL released a debut album, Midnattens Widunder, on Spikefarm Records the next year. For their follow-up, Jakens Tid, the band moved deeper into the realm of ancient music, incorporating elements of joik (an obscure chant that is believed to be one of the oldest-known musical forms in Europe) into their death metal maelstrom. Entering the Finnish charts at number 20, Jakens Tid was a surprise success in 2001. As of 2010, the band's discography includes 5 full-length albums and 2 EPs, their latest album Nifelvind was released February 17. Tundra will continue playing his Ravelle Bass on current Eurpoean tour and upcoming 2011 world tour.

Tour dates and updated news at finntroll.net