Latest Metal News
Last updated on December 9, 2013 at 7:09 PM ET
We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands.
Below is the latest news, but check back often for updates. You can also browse our news archive or find news by band.
Recent Headlines
- 2013 Metal Grammy Nominees Revealed
- LostProphets Singer Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse
- Trigger Effect Vocalist Passes Away
- Gamma Ray's Studio Destroyed In Hamburg Fire
Hot Topics
- Metallica Footage From Antarctica Available
- Godhunter Unveils New Album Artwork
- 2013 Metal Grammy Nominees Revealed
- Luca Turilli's Rhapsody To Headline Made Of Metal
- Auroch To Release New EP
- Black Messiah Releases New Music Video
- Abazagorath Drum Cam Footage Available
- Horse Drawn Death Machine To Record Album
- Diecast Issues Statement On Album Delays
- The Inspector Cluzo Signs With Suicidal Records
30 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Godhunter Unveils New Album Artwork
Godhunter is finalizing the last few details on the imminent debut full-length release, "City Of Dust."
The album's eight anthems engulf exactly fifty minutes of brand new material, recorded with trusted cohort Ryan Butler (Landmine Marathon, Unruh) at his Arcane Digital Studios (Exhumed, Misery Index), where Godhunter's "Wolves" EP also came to fruition.
"City Of Dust" will be released cooperatively between the band's own newly-founded Battleground Records and Earsplit's also recently-formed label, The Compound. The first strike will see the album disbursed on CD digipak and digital download on February 18th, 2014, followed by a limited, deluxe 12" LP version shortly thereafter.
The track listing is as follows:
1. Despite All
2. Rats In The Walls
3. Brushfires
4. Snake Oil Dealer
5. Shooting Down The Sun
6. Palace Of Thorn
7. City Of Dust
8. Plague Widow More...
Abazagorath Drum Cam Footage Available
NYC Metal Scene has released drum cam footage of Abazagorath performing at Saint Vitus on December 6th, 2013. Check it out below.
The band's new album "The Satanic Verses" was also recently recorded and is now in the final stages of post-production. Further details will be coming shortly.
The Inspector Cluzo Signs With Suicidal Records
French percussion/guitar duo The Inspector Cluzo has confirmed a union with Suicidal Records, the label founded by founding Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves frontman, Mike Muir, who will release The Inspector Cluzo's fourth album "Gasconha Rocks" stateside this Winter.
The following press release was issued about the band and album:
"A band who prides themselves on maintaining such a badass style of funk without the installation of a bass player, The Inspector Cluzo formed in 2007 when their then current act's four-stringer never showed up for practice, therefore initiating a lifelong goal of abusing and demoting bassists the world over.
"Boasting a fully DIY attitude and system in every aspect, the duo -- guitarist/vocalist Malcom Lacrouts and drummer/backing vocalist Phil Jourdain -- has handled their own management, booking, label and promotion since inception, even amidst their massively and steadily growing fanbase over the years. Their rampant live performances have been heavily documented online as the band has infiltrated over forty countries on tour to date, including massive festivals all over the globe, indisputably ranking them one of France's most hard-touring bands.
"The members are also heavily involved in organic farming on their own land and are fighting for the respect and freedom of all the world's diverse human cultures. The new album is talking about that and the respect to all farmers and people living from their ground working for the diversity of the world.
"Delivering a soulful explosion of funk-influenced classic rock with jacked-up intensity, The Inspector Cluzo's fourth studio full-length, Gasconha Rocks, was recorded in full analog by the band on their old MCI mixing desk on their farm in Mont de Marsan, Gascony. The album's diverse ten tracks capture the act's most closely represented recording of their insanely energetic live show. Gasconha Rocks will see stateside release in February through Suicidal Records, with official releases in Australia and Asia to follow. A confirmed US street date and further details on the release will be confirmed in the coming days." More...
Blinded Memory Signs With Sliptrick
Blinded Memory has issued the following announcement about inking a deal with Sliptrick Records:
"We are stoked to announce, that we have signed a deal with Sliptrick Records, and our upcoming EP will be distributed worldwide!
"We feel honored to join the SLPT family, and are looking forward to accomplish many great things together! We are going to celebrate this amazing news and the release of our upcoming EP on December 20 at Nice Place, so we hope to see all you guys there and have the biggest party ever."
Sliptrick Records also issued the following press release about the band:
"Blinded Memory are a fresh melodic metalcore band from Riga/Latvia born in 2010.
After several years of playing shows across Latvia and active promotion on the internet, the BM family grew into a small army of people, blending heavy yet melodic riffs, catchy melodies and breakdowns, filled with emotional harsh vocals.
"In 2010-2011 the band has released an EP album 'Scars, Actions, Revival EP' and an internet single 'The Downfall.' In 2013 Blinded Memory has released 2 singles – 'Reborn' and 'Hypocrite' from the highly awaited new EP 'From The Ashes,' that will be released on December 20th."
Auroch To Release New EP
Canada's Auroch has issued the following update about the coming release of a new EP:
"We have approved the final vinyl master for the 'Seven Veils' EP, which will be out shortly through Graceless Recordings, and draw nearer to completing the video for it. Until then, rejoice in this lecherous death metal adultery."
Luca Turilli's Rhapsody To Headline Made Of Metal
Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody is proud to announce that on Friday, August 15th 2014, the band will headline the first evening of the Made Of Metal festival in Hodonin, Czech Republic. The group will be presenting a cinematic show based on video projection and other surprises, with more news coming soon.
The band also recently revealed the first details on an upcoming album which will be recorded and mixed once again in the Backyard Studios of Sebastian Roeder (Kempten, Germany) and is set to be released by Nuclear Blast in 2014. A trailer for the new album is available below. More...
Monolord Streaming Album's Title Track
Sweden’s psychedelic doom band, Monolord, is set to release first full-length LP “Empress Rising” via Easy Rider Records in April 2014.
The five song album comes in at almost 50 minutes of skull crushing heavy grooves for all fans of guitar driven rock and roll, stoner rock, and heavy riffs. As a free gift from Monolord and EasyRider Records you can now hear the title song “Empress Rising” below, courtesy of Roadburn.com. The track listing is as follows:
1. Empress Rising (12:20)
2. Audhumbla (7:23)
3. Harbinger of Death (8:35)
4. Icon (8:15)
5. Watchers of The Waste (9:49) More...
El Drugstore Streaming New Single
As New Jersey's El Drugstore prepares to sail the "Plague Ship" debut full-length, the first bait traps have been set with the release of the album's maiden single.
Hear "The Natives Are Getting Useless" courtesy of MetalSucks in the player provided below.
"Plague Ship" will see release on Nefarious Industries -- the band's own conjoined independent label founded with cohorts in A Fucking Elephant in 2011 -- in digital format on the last day of the year, December 31st, with a physical pressing to follow. The track listing is as follows:
1. Tell Them I Said Something
2. Hipster Tits
3. Enthusiastic Corruption of the Public Good
4. Fascinating Underpants
5. By What Ill-Begotten Means Have You Procured This Meat?
6. The Natives Are Getting Useless
7. Tokyo Assault
8. Wheel of Sadness
9. Pandemonium in the Bronx
10. Steakback More...
Metallica Footage From Antarctica Available
Metallica recently played a live show in Antarctica, and photos from the set can be found at the band's Facebook profile here. An hour and a half long video from the show is available below. Metallica comments:
"This was the most unique show Metallica has ever done. The band, contest winners, research station scientists (from Russia, South Korea, China, Poland, Chile, Brazil and Germany), and the ship crew, all crammed in this little dome out on the helipad of Carlini Station in ANTARCTICA!
"The energy in the little dome was amazing! Words can not describe how happy everyone was. The band cranked out 10 songs for the small crowd including Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Sad But True, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Master of Puppets, One, Blackened, Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman, and Seek & Destroy.
"No word on if there were any penguins were attendance."
Black Messiah Releases New Music Video
Black Messiah has just released a new video clip for the song "Wildsau," taken from the new album "Heimweh," which was released on November 29th. Check it out below. The album's track listing is as follows:
1. Symphonia Pagana
2. In the Name of Ancient Gods
3. Jötunheim
4. Wildsau
5. Edmund von Ostanglien
6. Nidhögg
7. Heimweh
8. Die Quelle der Weisheit
Netherbird Comments On Album Delay
Netherbird has issued the following statement about delays in the release of the band's new album:
"Greeting all! As some might have already discovered the release of our third full-length album 'The Ferocious Tides Of Fate' is slightly delayed.
"It is being printed now and will reach our distributor early next week. Then shipped to the stores. So it will be out soon. Thanks for your patience, and please do pre-order in your store, it makes a difference! Horns high!"
Philip Anselmo Comments On Upcoming Down EP
CobraMetal's Andrew Melendez recently conducted a phone interview with Phil Anselmo. In the interview, Philip comments on finishing the vocal recording for a new Down EP. Hear the full conversation below.
Adaliah Recording New Album
Florida hardcore/metal outfit Adaliah has issued the following brief announcement about working on an upcoming album:
"New album is being recorded as we speak! Once finished, it will be sent off to Brian Hood at 456 Recordings to get mixed & mastered! Get stoked!"
You can also catch Adaliah live on these dates: More...
Diecast Issues Statement On Album Delays
Boston's Diecast announced its return last year and plans for an upcoming album. The band has now checked in with the following statement about delays in the album release:
"We understand that everyone is very anxious for the new record and wants to know what the $&@%ing hold up is!! We feel we should bring you all up to speed on what the issues are.
"We have run into some financial issues with the new record. Without getting into the specifics we have lost our financial backing and need to pull the funds to finish this from our own pockets! This does not discourage us in anyway and we are going to be hitting this balls to the wall!! This only means that it's just gonna take a little time.
"We hold ourselves to a very high standard on our recordings. We want to give you all the absolute very best in performance as well as quality of the recording. We will not just settle, or, due to cost, put something out we are not 1000% happy with!! We hit a period where we had to stall the record due to capital but, with some new things that are on the horizon (which we cannot announce yet) things are gonna turn around very quickly! All that needs to happen now is a few punch-ins on the performance side of things. Then off the be mixed and mastered! Then it's DONE!
"We hope this sheds some light on the situation! Hang in there everybody! It's coming ASAP! Thank you all for sticking with us and being patient! That shows the true dedication of our fans and believe us, we realize and appreciate it!! WE want this record done as much as you! Just to warn you though, be prepared for something brutal!! From all of us here at DIECAST, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"
Freedom Call Reveals "Beyond" Details
The German melodic metal band Freedom Cal has scheduled a March 4th, 2014 North American release date for latest studio album, "Beyond."
The album will be released as a limited box set version including bonus CD, book and poster, a 2LP gatefold colored vinyl version including bonus tracks, a digi version, and download.
"Beyond" was recorded by the current line-up featuring Chris Bay, Lars Rettkowitz (guitar), Ilker Ersin (bass) and Ramy Ali (drums) at the Separate Sound Studio in Nuremberg and Freedom Call's own studio. The album was produced by Chris Bay and Stephan Ernst.
The box set track listing is as follows:
1. Union Of The Strong 5:02
2. Knights Of Taragon 4:44
3. Heart Of A Warrior 3:13
4. Come On Home 4:03
5. Beyond 7:49
6. Among The Shadows 3:45
7. Edge Of The Ocean 3:37
8. Journey Into Wonderland 3:59
9. In The Rhythm Of Light 4:03
10. Dance Off The Devil 3:45
11. Paladin 4:09
12. Follow Your Heart 3:51
13. Colours Of Freedom 4:15
14. Beyond Eternity 3:03 More...
Devastating Enemy Calling It Quits
Austrian metal outfit Devastating Enemy has issued the following announcement about deciding to call it a day:
"After 5 years of existence, two albums and tons of crazy shows and tours we decided to lay this band to rest.
"It was one of the hardest decisions we ever had to face, but we just figured out, that it´s simply not working out anymore.
"At this point we want to thank all of you for your endless support over the years. It´s been a hell of a trip and we´re grateful for every single person who made Devastating Enemy what it is today. Special thanks goes out to our fifth member behind the scenes, Stefan.
"We currently can´t tell you about further plans or circumstances of this separation, but as we wish to give you a proper farewell, we´ll keep you updated.
"Thank you." More...
Evocation Splits With Two Members
Sweden's Evocation has issued the following announcement about parting ways with two members:
"We have some sad and glad news to announce from Evocation. We’ll start with the sad news; since some months ago we received word from Janne and Vesa that they would no longer be a part of the band after 2013.
"There is no big drama behind the departure of the two brothers, it’s just that they no longer have the energy or motivation to continue and also they have different priorities in their lives nowadays. You can read their comments about leaving Evocation below. We all feel sad but we respect their decision and want to wish them good luck with their future endeavours. Also we want to thank them for all their contributions and being a part of the band ever since the beginning in 1991. Thank you and good luck Janne & Vesa! More...
Soreption Posts New Lyric Video
Soreption has released a lyric video for the track "Breaking the Great Narcissist," taken from the band's upcoming February 18th release "Engineering the Void," due out via Unique Leader Records.
Check out the clip below, and the full album's track listing is as follows:
1. Reveal The Unseen
2. The Nature Of Blight
3. Breaking The Great Narcissist
4. A Speech To Survival
5. Utopia
6. Monumental Burden
7. I Am You
8. Engineering The Void
Devangelic To Record New Album
Devangelic has checked in with the following announcement about gearing up to enter the recording studio:
"The song writing of the first CD is finally finished! We are very happy of the result of the whole pre-productions!
"We can announce that we'll enter, next 4th February 2014, the 16th Cellar Studio in Rome (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Blasphemer, and more) to record our debut album!
"Soon will reveal the album title, final trackl ist and cover art (by Japanese maniac Toshihiro Egawa Art) followed by many shows and fests planned for 2014! Gonna be an intense blasphemous year! Stay tuned! Meanwhile enjoy our promo track 'Unfathomed Evisceration!'" More...
Abolishment Of Flesh Announces Tour Dates
Texas based death metal band Abolishment of Flesh has announced the group will be touring alongside Embryonic Devourment on the Brutal Alliance Tour 2014. Dates are as follows:
April 18: San Francisco, CA
April 19: Long Beach, CA
April 20: Los Angeles, CA
April 21: Las Vegas, NV
April 22: Salt Lake City, UT
April 23: Denver, CO
April 24: Omaha, NE
April 25: Milwaukee, Wi (NYDM Bash featuring Internal Bleeding)
April 26: Milwaukee, Wi (NYDM Bash featuring Internal Bleeding)
April 27: Des Moines, IA
April 28: Kansas City, MO
April 29: Oklahoma City, OK
April 30: Amarillo, TX
May 01: Albuquerque, NM
May 02: Phoenix, AZ
May 03: San Diego, CA More...
Putrid Pile Posts "Blood Fetish" Video
Putrid Pile has released a new music video for "Blood Fetish," which is the title track of the same album available now from Sevared Records. Check it out below. Putrid Pile is:
Shaun LaCanne - vocals, guitars, bass, and drums
Shaun also comments: "Special thanks to Andrew and company and Tippett Films for this amazing experience! Please bands like the Tippett Films page on Facebook and if you consider yourself a friend or fan of Putrid Pile please share the hell out of this video! I am very proud of it, hope you like it!"
Gospel Of The Horns Seeking Fan Photos
Gospel of the Horns is gearing up to release a box set next year which will consists of 2 LPs, 2 MLPs, a 7" with new tracks, the "Satanists Dream" and "Sinners" demos, a live DVD, poster, and 20 page booklet.
The band has now checked in with the following announcement about seeking flyers and fan photos to include with the set:
"As Gospel of the Horns will be releasing the Box set in April 2014, we are on the look out for flyers (old and new), drunken photos, reviews and anything else which you believe would fit well in this 20 page booklet of doom. Contact us here or at bandmasterwolf@hotmail.com."
Cap De Craniu Releases New Video
Cap De Craniu has released a new official music video for "The World Between Dream And Reality And The Man Without a Shadow." Check it out below. You can also stream the band's entire previous album "I'll Kill If I Live" over at this location.
Betrayer Entering The Studio
Indiana-based outfit Betrayer has issued the following update about preparing to enter the recording studio:
"Justin and James are getting ready to head to The Nook Recording Studio to track guitars for our first song that we will be releasing early 2014 with our new name!
"We've been waiting for this day for a very long time and we can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
"Many hours and sit down practices have gone into the writing of our new music so we hope you enjoy it as much as we had fun writing it! Video updates are coming soon!"
Stay up-to-date on the band's recording process over at the Betrayer Facebook profile.
Headline News
2013 Metal Grammy Nominees Revealed
The 2013 Grammy nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category have now been revealed, and are as follows:
"T.N.T." - Anthrax
"God Is Dead?" - Black Sabbath
"The Enemy Inside" - Dream Theater
"In Due Time" - Killswitch Engage
"Room 24" - Volbeat Featuring King Diamond
As usual, there's nothing on the extreme side to be found, but at least actual metal bands have made the list. Anyone want to bet which performance wins?
Keep in mind, last year Halestorm somehow won best metal performance in a lineup that featured Lamb of God, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden, so it seems likely voting for the most rock-focused and least metallic band may be the way to go.
And when your done with that, let us know what the REAL best metal performance of 2013 should have been - Grammy's be damned!
Malevolence Streaming Full New Album
Portugal's Malevolence has now released the new album "Antithetical" (reviewed here), which is the follow-up to 1999’s "Martyrialized."
The "Antithetical" album was produced by Carlos Cariano and recorded in 20M2SEA Studio by Paulo Pereira in Portugal. Mixed and mastered at Woodshed Studio by V. Santura (Triptykon, Pestilence), the album includes drummer extraordinaire Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, Devin Townsend).
The band has now teamed up with Decibel Magazine to stream all of "Antithetical." Give it a listen in the player below. You can also read the band's track-by-track breakdown of the album right here. More...
Exthenia Posts New Documentary Clip
Finland's Exthenia has just released a new episode of "Exthenia TV," which can be viewed below. This 16 minute clip features music video shooting, album recording, tripping around Helsinki & Hyvinkää, and antics in hotel rooms.
Exthenia is:
Juho Raita - vocals/guitar
Mikael Weckström - lead guitar
Jere Blom - keyboards
Ville Lähteenmäki - drums
Imminent Sonic Destruction Posts New Video
Detroit-based prog metal band Imminent Sonic Destruction has released a video for the song "Breaking Through."
This live video was recorded in 2012 at the band's album release show at The Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI. Check out the 13-minute epic performance video below.
Last month ISD completed the search to replace drummer Pat DeLeon, who left the band earlier this year. After several auditions, ISD has tapped Dan Chapa (Switchline, Rockstar).
ISD is now hard at work on the follow-up to the 2012 debut CD "Recurring Themes" (reviewed here) which was produced by Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Sepultura). More...
Dragonsclaw Releases New Music Video
Australian traditional metal band Dragonsclaw released a the third music video for the sophomore album "Judgement Day." The new video is "Watching My Every Move," which features a guest vocal appearance by David Reece (ex-Accept), can be seen in the player below. Check out the previous videos for "Fly: Defenders of the Skies, Pt. II" and "Battle Cry". "Judgement Day" is available via Killer Metal Records.
In addition, as a holiday gift to the fans, the band is offering a free download of the new compilation album, "Fleshwounds," over at this location. The compilation includes the all the band's videos to day and 2 unreleased rarities.
Check out "Watching My Every Move" here: More...
Timo Tolkki's Avalon Recruits Floor Jansen
Timo Tolkki reported that the upcoming Timo Tolkki's Avalon sophomore LP (working titled Avalon II) will feature Nightwish/ReVamp vocalist Floor Jansen as the main singer. In addition, Tolkki will bring Avalon out on the road for a European Tour in May 2014.
Jansen provides lead vocals on the upcoming first single and promotional video. The release date for both single and the video is planned for March 2014. The recordings are currently taking place in East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Jansen joins the cast that already includes Epica singer Simone Simons and the reunion of the early Stratovarius. Lineup: Tuomo Lassila on drums (the founder of Stratovarius) and Antti Ikonen on keyboards (the original keyboard player of Stratovarius).
The European Tour will coincide with the release of the album. More details on the album release date, live lineup and dates will be revealed later.
Timo Tolkki commented: “I am right now recording probably the best vocalist I have worked with in my whole career. This has been a jaw dropping experience and I thought I have already seen it all. Floor has proven me wrong. For example in the 10 minute title track of the album, she delivers in my opinion the best vocals of her career so far. This song is probably the biggest sounding of my whole career and Floor simply makes it an astonishing, almost breathtaking experience! We are both surprised of how amazing this has turned out to be and both very happy to hear how amazing it sounds.” More...
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