Plus: Ani DiFranco [ tickets ], Todd Snider [ tickets ], more

Slayer [ tickets ]
"Christ Illusion"
(American)

Those who like it hard and fast will be glad to know that Slayer is releasing a new album. "Christ Illusion" is the band's first studio record since 2001's "God Hates Us All" and the first to feature the original lineup--Tom Araya (vocals, bass), Kerry King (guitar), Jeff Hanneman (guitar) and Dave Lombardo (drums)--since 1990's "Seasons in the Abyss."

The record was produced by Josh Abraham, who is best known for his work with such pop-metal acts as Staind and Velvet Revolver, with the great Rick Rubin serving as executive producer. Larry Carroll, who did the cover artwork for the group's three best-known albums--"Reign in Blood," "South of Heaven" and "Seasons in the Abyss"--painted an original piece for the new album's cover.

Last month, the band finished up the North American portion of its "Unholy Alliance" tour, a trek that was postponed a month so that Araya could recover from gallbladder surgery.

Breaking Benjamin [ tickets ]
"Phobia"
(Hollywood)

The popular rock band returns with the follow-up to 2004's "We are Not Alone," a work that was certified platinum thanks in large part to the hit singles "So Cold" and "Sooner or Later."

The first single from the album is "The Diary of Jane." The initial pressing of "Phobia" will include an acoustic version of "The Diary of Jane," which will be deleted from the set for subsequent shipments, according to Breaking Benjamin's website.

The band is currently touring North America, opening a number of gigs for Staind and sharing the stage with the likes of Dropping Daylight, Soil and Evans Blue.

Gin Blossoms [ tickets ]
"Major Lodge Victory"
(Hybrid)

The Grammy-nominated pop-rock band is back with its first new studio album in 10 years. The record's debut single, "Learning the Hard Way," is already being played at many AAA radio stations.

The group remains best known for its platinum-plus-selling major-label debut, 1992's "New Miserable Experience," which produced the mega-hits "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You." The Gin Blossoms originally broke up in 1997, one year after the release of the commercial disappointment "Congratulations ... I'm Sorry," but regrouped for shows in 2001 and 2002.

Ani DiFranco
"Reprieve"
(Righteous Babe)

Having finished up a year's hiatus to recover from tendonitis, the singer/songwriter is back with a new album. It's the 19th album of her career and her first since last year's "Knuckle Down."

DiFranco has batches of tour dates scheduled in North America through October. She will next hit the stage on Friday (8/11) as part of the Regina Folk Festival in Saskatchewan.

Todd Snider
"The Devil You Know"
(New Door)

The acclaimed Nashville singer/songwriter drops the follow-up to 2004's "East Nashville Skyline." The 40-year-old folk musician also recently contributed to three tribute albums--most notably, he recorded a version of "Maybe You Heard" for "The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson."

Snider has a handful of dates currently scheduled in support of "The Devil You Know," including a two-night stand (8/15-16) at the Canal Room in New York.

More new releases:
Agalloch, "Ashes Against the Grain" (The End)
Aly & AJ, "Into the Rush" (Hollywood)
Cassie, "Cassie" (Bad Boy)
Dirty Pretty Things, "Waterloo to Anywhere" (Interscope)
The Doors, "The Best of the Doors" (Rhino)
Frances Faye, "No Regrets" (Jasmine)
Fourplay, "X" (RCA)
Gabriel & Dresden, "Gabriel & Dresden" (Organized Nature)
Nina Gordon, "Bleeding Heart Graffiti" (Warner Bros.)
Hellogoodbye, "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!" (Drive Thru)
Steve Holy, "Brand New Girlfriend" (Curb)
Kaki King, "Until We Felt Red" (Velour)
Rick Ross, "Port of Miami" (Def Jam)
Selah, "Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album" (Curb)
The Walker Brothers, "Everything Under the Sun" (Universal)
Jody Watley, "The Makeover" (Avitone)

Soundtracks and scores:
"The Last Kiss" (Lakeshore)
"World Trade Center" (Sony)