Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR FEAR, SINNER) recently announced an as-yet-unnamed project with vocalist Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X, ADRENALINE MOB). He has checked in with the following update:

"We've chosen eleven great tracks and these guys will record with me and Russel in the studio:

Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN/guitars, lead guitar), Randy Black (Primal Fear/drums), Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards, vocals) and Alexander Beyrodt (Pimal Fear, VOODOO CIRCLE/additional lead guitars). Produced by Mat Sinner and mixed by Achim Koehler, with a release on Frontiers Rec early 2013. Watch out, this will be a huge album!"

Randy Black has also checked in with the following:

"Off to a great start recording the drum tracks for the forthcoming Russell Allen and Mat Sinner project. Killer tracks on this one, keep an eye out for it to be released on Frontiers Records. At the helm in the studio engineering the drum recordings is Nikolai Wurk (DUSKMACHINE). First recording session with the new custom Pearl Masters Premium Legend kit... and it's sounding spectacular!"

As previously reported, Black has been confirmed as the man behind the kit for the upcoming ROCK MEETS CLASSIC 2013 tour, which will run through Europe in February/March next year. Black joins his Primal Fear bandmates Mat Sinner (bass/master of ceremonies), Alex Beyrodt (guitars) and Ralf Scheepers (backing vocals) as part of THE MAT SINNER BAND.

Black has issued the following statement:

"One of those gigs I privately wished I had became reality recently. It is truly an honour for me to be announced as the new drummer and to join The Mat Sinner Band and Rock Meets Classic family. I'm really looking forward to working together with this great team of people and can't wait to get started. Hope to see some familiar faces on the tour."

Now into its fourth year, Rock Meets Classic showcases classic rock artists of the '70s and '80s performing their hits backed by a full-on rock band and an orchestra. Artists that have taken part in previous tours include Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE), Dan McCafferty (NAZARETH), Steve Lukather (TOTO), Lou Gramm (FOREIGNER), Chris Thompson (MANFRED MAN'S EARTH BAND) and Jimi Jamison (SURVIVOR).

Artists confirmed for the 2013 tour include former JOURNEY frontman Steve Augeri, THE HOOTERS' Eric Bazilian, MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND's Chris Thompson, and FREE/BAD COMPANY vocal legend Paul Rodgers.

The Mat Sinner Band also features TRILLIUM / AVANTASIA's Amanda Somerville (backing vocals), Avantasia's Oliver Hartmann (guitars), Jimmy Kresic (keyboards), Tiffany Kirkland (backing vocals) and Verena Schock (backing vocals).