HALFORD guitarist METAL MIKE CHLASCIAK has checked in from his first ever destination metal camp with School Of Rock.

"Hello all. I just wanted to send in an quick up-date to let you know that we are having a blast at the metal camp in the Catskill Mountains, upstate New York.

We have plenty of young players aged 10-19 spending days learning about music, rehearsing and performing their favorite songs. It has been nothing but an energizing experience to see so many eager young metal heads here from across six states and as far as Texas.

Any given moment you can spot plenty of METALLICA, CARCASS and DEATH t-shirts, denim vests and flying Vs. It's quite an experience to see guitars being carried in their coffin cases and to hear heated talks about the kids' favorite bands, concerts and musicians. We have all had a beachfront bonfire and an opportunity to enjoy zip line and ferociously fast go carts to boot.

We have many, very dedicated metal lovers here. Just one example is a young drummer named Evelyn from MD who has worked for nine months in order to save enough money to get herself here and enjoy the camp.

I must say that the young metallers definitely love their MESHUGGAH and SLIPKNOT, but at the same time there is deep appreciation for the momumental classic bands such as JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN or MEGADETH.

We are currently preparing for a final performance to take place on Saturday, which will feature various songs including 'I Don't Know' by OZZY, 'War Ensemble by SLAYER, 'Electric Funeral' by BLACK SABBATH, 'Another Thing Comin'' by Priest, 'Psycho Holiday' by PANTERA, 'Locked And Loaded' by Halford, and 'American Metalhead by PAINMUSEUM.

I'll check back with the final report and until then - keep flying those horns up high."

Chlasciak recently eleased a digital only EP called This Is War. The offering, named after the second single from Mike’s upcoming solo album The Metalworker, will also feature additional tracks from the full length release.

The tracklisting on This Is War is as follows:

'This Is War'

'Tonight We Ride' (instrumental)

'Hell No!'

'M Is For Metal' (instrumental)

Audio samples from the EP are streaming at this location.

Mike's upcoming full length solo record, The Metalworker, features Chlasciak and vocalist Carlos Zema (OUTWORLD, VOUGAN) alongside Kevin Talley (DAATH, CHIMAIRA, HATE ETERNAL, SIX FEET UNDER) on drums and Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) on bass.

Produced by Mike, The Metalworker was mostly recorded at Mike’s House Of Metal Studios, New Jersey and mixed by Orlando Villasenor at Dead Room Studio in San Antonio, Texas. Artwork was provided by Guilherme Sevens of Sevens Design Studio (ADAGIO, PAINSIDE).