Bat Out of Hell: Meat Loaf's Third Bat Out of Hell Series Drops October 31st

Marvin Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf, is set to release a third installment in his mega-hit series, Bat Out of Hell.

Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Out will be unleashed by Virgin in North America and Universal worldwide on October 31st. VH1 will premiere the first video from the album on August 12th. Written by long time songwriting partner, Jim Steinman, the video for "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" will feature new vocalist, Marion Raven.

Produced by Desmond Child, the album features "Bat Out of Hell" producer Todd Rundgren, among other heavy hitters. Child spoke about the album, saying, "We go to heaven, we go to hell and everywhere in between." Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, Brian May of Queen, Steve Vai and John 5 join Meat Loaf, along with Steinman, who wrote seven of the tracks.

Though it's been 14 years since the sequel, Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, Meat Loaf explains why it's rising again from the ashes. "It's a marketing tool, and it's a damned good marketing tool," Meat Loaf said. The "Bat Out of Hell" franchise has been highly successful, selling 45 million copies of the first two series.

Meat Loaf stated how this album takes more chances than previous ones. Bat Out of Hell III finds Meat Loaf with a harder rock edge, especially on the songs "Land of the Pigs," featuring Vai, and "The Monster Is Loose."

Meatloaf commented, "That scared the hell out of me, I can tell you that. I wasn't sure about it. The reaction to that song has been, 'Wow, I wasn't expecting that on a Meat Loaf record.' I think fans who liked 'Bat I' and 'Bat II' will enjoy 'Bat III,' but we'll make some new fans too." Old devotees should relax; the signature heavy piano base will still be present.

Meat Loaf will perform all three "Bat Out of Hell" albums at the London Royal Albert Hall on October 16th. That performance will kick off a tour in support for the new album; tour dates have yet to be released. The firey nocturnal animal will be the focal point of the new tour.

"This whole tour will be only the three records," Meat Loaf said. "I don't think you can bring other elements in. As much as fans may want to hear something from [prior albums] 'Midnight at the Lost and Found' or 'Couldn't Have Said It Better,' that's not what this tour will be."

Look for Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Out on Halloween of this year.