Metal Underground.com

Rage Comments On "The Soundchaser Archives"

After previously announcing the cover artwork and track list for the upcoming 30th anniversary release "The Soundchaser Archives," which will be out on May 23rd, German heavy metal act Rage now presents the first part of the liner notes on this ultimate song collection.

1. Anybody Home: "This is a newly recorded song we created from leftover ideas we had from the '21' sessions. At that time we couldn´t find the right grooves for it and after changing the arrangement a million times, it was too late for that album. Now, after re-visiting the tune two years later, it came out naturally. It was real fun for us to turn up the volume and kick it out roughly, a good marker for our future."

2. Mystery Trip: "This was a bonus track for the European limited edition version of 'Unity.'"

3. In Union: "This is a leftover Song Victor wrote for the album »Into the Light« which he produced for the Nuclear Blast 25th Anniversary. Originally it was planned that Hammerfall's Joacim Cans would sing it, but we couldn´t schedule the recording session, as he was too busy. So we planned to give it to Tarja Turunen with new lyrics written especially for her (‘Raven And Swan’). Unfortunately she also turned it down, as it seemed too heavy for her, so she sang something different. In the end the song was used by Mind Odyssey for their 'Time To Change It' album. What you hear now is our first demo with Peavy´s pilot vocals."

4. Long Hard Road: "At the time we worked on »Carved In Stone«, we used to rehearse in the studio, so we would record our new ideas directly in a good quality. What you hear is absolutely live with no overdubs at all. This is already the second version we recorded, five minutes before that, Peavy finished the lyrics."

5. Full Moon (international version): "This is a re- mix from several versions of this song we did as bonus tracks for the diverse versions of Speak Of The Dead. At this time we recorded the song in five different languages that were only issued in the specific territories. Peavy sung it in English, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese. Of course these versions were real live killers in the language´s countries, as you can imagine. For the first time you can hear a funny new mix with all these languages, a Babylonian joy." More...

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Ninjaspy Announces "Jump Ya Bones" Tour

Vancouver, BC's ska/metal crossbreed Ninjaspy (a band of brothers literally) is proud to announce the "Jump Ya Bones" tour. The band comments:

"It has been 7 years since we've put out a full length record. The long wait ends this spring 2014, as we prepare to go into the studio with brand new material this May. But before we do, we need your support to make this new album a reality, and you'll have many opportunities to throw us a few bones during the IndieGogo Campaign beginning April 1st and at any of the Western Canadian tour dates where we will perform all of our new songs."

Following "Pi Nature," Ninjaspy has toured across Canada on multiple occasions in addition to touring Japan in 2010. In 2013, the band unleashedmusical graphic novel "No Kata" with the single "Skaingkh (The Skank)."

Dates for the upcoming trek are as follows: More...

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Falconer Finishes Recording Album

Swedish folk metal outfit Falconer has finished the recordings for 8th album "Black Moon Rising," scheduled for release on June 6th of this year.

The band comments: "So now the mix and mastering is done for Black Moon Rising. After having a break from the studio and then returning my first impression was: 'Was it that much double bass drums?'

"I'm sure this album will compete with Northwind as being my favourite album though they are not alike. The last album entirely in Swedish was really rewarding to do but I must admit it's always great to be back where you feel you belong! Well, enough with the self admiration for this time."

Producer Andy LaRocque simply had the following to say: "This is how Falconer should sound!" Falconer's previous album, "Armod," was released in 2011.

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Xentrix And In Extremo The Latest Named To 70K '15

70,000 Tons of Metal promoters UMC, kept up the swift pace of band announcements for the 2015 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal, this time adding the 10th and 11th bands: U.K. thrash legends Xentrix and German modern folk pioneers In Extremo.

The festival casts off on Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, returning on Tuesday, January 26, 2015 aboard a new ship, Liberty of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean), which will accommodate four stages.

All the information on the festival, along with booking information can be found at 70000tons.com.

Xentrix and In Extremo joins the previously revealed bands, with 49 still to be announced:

Annihilator
Arch Enemy
Blind Guardian
Chimaira
Ensiferum
Equilibrium
Heathen
Therion
Threshold More...

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Mohawk Club Gives Statement on SXSW Tragedy

As was previously reported, on March 13th a drunk driver sped away from a police stop, crashed through barricades, and hit several fans waiting to enter the Mohawk Club on Red River during SXSW. Two died and 23 were injured in the crash.

The Mohawk club, a venue previously featured on Metalunderground.com (read the road report on Suicidal Tendencies), issued the following statement concerning the accident and the next day's events: More...

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Qantice Releases More In Studio Footage

French symphonic metal act Qantice, now fronted by Damnation Angels vocalist PelleK, released more footage from the studio on the making of the sophomore album "The Pantonauts." The new footage shows the violin recordings.

The album will be released on April 7th (EU), and an unspecified date in May for the USA. It is available now in Japan.

The track list for "The Phantonauts" is:

1. Bygones
2. Epic Fail (streaming here)
3. Hoverland
4. Phantonaut
5. Slayers' Jig
6. The Last Circus
7. Giant of Embers
8. Swansong by Syphelia
9. The Gest of Nekroxyter
10. Stars
11. Mild Illusion

Check out the clip here: More...

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Beelzefuzz To Record New Album This Summer

Stoner metal band Beelzefuzz has issued a brief update about the band's upcoming activities, including recording of a new album this summer and some planned shows:

"Wow! Lotsa things buzzin' with the Fuzz...gearing up to head back to the studio late summer/early fall to record album number two for The Church Within Records! Also hitting the road this summer for a few shows with Blackfinger but in the meantime keep your eye out for the VINYL version of the S/T LP due out this Spring!"

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Mutank Releases Music Video

Montreal QC's mosh happy thrashers Mutank have posted a new video for the track "The Heavy Hand of The Doomsday Clock," one of eight solid speed riffing tunes from the band's latest release "M.E.C.H. Metal," released this past February.

Formed when three Newfoundlanders crossed paths in the Canadian heavy metal capital, with Ahmed Saad who hails from the Middle East, the injection of music immediately began to flow through their veins and "M.E.C.H. Metal" was soon born.

“It stands for Middle East Coast Heavy Metal; Our drummer being from the Middle East and the rest of the members being from the east coast of Canada,” explains Stephen Reynolds (bass, vocals). "Every single person in this band is a songwriter, so the songs come out with their own feel and develop naturally. ‘We don’t shackle ourselves to any kind of focused idea, which brings about a sort of honesty in the music not often found in metal." More...

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Incantation Announces New Album

After recruiting a new touring guitarist last week, Incantation is returning with "Dirges of Elysium," a new album to be released via Listenable Records in May. The band comments:

"Elysium. Sky Burial, Necromancy, A cult in ancient Prussia, and Pure Blasphemy all await those who will hear the new release. The music is diverse and holds more aggression then our previous, along side with more doom hymns heard at a demonic funeral!

"As each and every record gets better by date, this by far surpasses any past materials!! Hell awaits in the ashes of Elysium!!... HELL AWAITS indeed!"

Further details are forthcoming, and you can also see the band's previous music video for "Invoked Infinity" below. More...

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Valfreya Releases New Music Video

Valfreya has released a video clip for the acoustic version of "Deity's Grace," which was produced by Bookaking Productions and filmed at the 2013 Salon de la Passion Médiévale et Historique. Check it out below. The band's previous music video for "Odin's Fury" is also available at this location.

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The Agonist Recruits New Vocalist

It was just announced today that Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist) would be replacing Angela Gossow in Arch Enemy.

Now The Agonist has announced a replacement vocalist with Alissa's departure. The band comments:

"Today we announce that after 3 albums and countless tours we officially part ways with vocalist Alissa White-Gluz. We wish Alissa all the best with Arch Enemy and her future endeavors.

"It is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for The Agonist! We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the The Agonist family. Please give a warm welcome to very talented vocalist Vicky Psarakis!

"Stay tuned for new The Agonist material coming VERY soon!"

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Krisiun Embarking On Tour

Brazilian death metal trio Krisiun will be heading back on the road in North America this week with German thrashers Destruction. See below for all upcoming dates.

Mar. 18--The Palladium--Worcester, MA *
Mar. 19--Marlin Roon @ Webster Hall--New York, NY *
Mar. 20--Empire--Springfield, VA *
Mar. 21--Mojo 13--Wilmington, DE *
Mar. 22--Alrosa Villa--Columbus, OH *
Mar. 23--The Casbah--Johnson City, TN *
Mar. 24--Fubar--St. Louis, MO *
Mar. 25--Infest--Austin, TX **
Mar. 26--Tricky Falls--El Paso, TX **
Mar. 27--Joe's Grotto--Phoenix, AZ **
Mar. 28--Cheyenne Saloon--Las Vegas, NV **
Mar. 29--Mirror Image--Anaheim, CA **
Mar. 30--The Whisky--West Hollywood, CA ** More...

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Headline News

Angela Gossow Steps Down From Arch Enemy

In early June 2014, Arch Enemy will unleash 9th studio album, "War Eternal," worldwide via Century Media Records and Trooper Entertainment in Japan. In what seems like but apparently is not an early April Fools joke, Century Media records has issued the following statement about the band now replacing front woman Angela Gossow:

"With this upcoming release, the band will introduce a new member to their ranks: Alissa White-Gluz, former vocalist of Canadian extreme metallers The Agonist. Angela Gossow, who joined Arch Enemy in 2000 and made her debut on the now classic Wages Of Sin (2001), will be stepping down as front-woman and focusing on management, while Alissa takes her place."

Angela Gossow comments: "Dear ARCH ENEMY fans, this is not easy to tell you...I have decided to step down from being ARCH ENEMY's voice of anger. After 13 years of pure fucking metal, 6 studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests. I will however remain business manager for ARCH ENEMY, and I will continue to develop my artist management roster.

"I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I've known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine - and now she's getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001.

"I want to thank all ARCH ENEMY fans, our labels Century Media (worldwide) and Trooper Entertainment (Japan), our dedicated road crew, and in particular Michael, Daniel and Sharlee for their love and support throughout all these years. It's been one hell of a ride! We conquered every situation, made it through thick & thin together in the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. Thank you all for being there with me on stage, in front of the stage, and backstage. You have touched my heart, and I hope I was able to give something back to you. I am grateful for the wonderful memories - I will cherish them forever!

"I am looking forward to the next decade of ARCH ENEMY madness! Right now I am listening through rough mixes of the new studio album and I am blown away! 2014 will see a renewed ARCH ENEMY at the top of their game. I am proud to be part of this ARCH ENEMY chapter, albeit in a different way - revving up the engines behind the scenes. I hope to see you in front of the stage; I will join you there this time. Let the killing begin, once again!" More...

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Anubis Gate Streaming New Track

Anubis Gate has teamed up with Progtopia to premiere the new song "Never Like This" off the upcoming album "Horizons."

Give it a listen below or over at this location. "Horizons" is due out April 15th, 2014 and the track listing is as follows:

1. Destined To Remember
2. Never Like This (A Dream)
3. Hear My Call
4. Airways
5. Revolution Come Undone
6. Breach Of Faith
7. Mindlessness
8. Horizons
9. A Dream Within A Dream
10. Erasure More...

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Gus G. Posts Album Track-By-Track

Ozzy Osbourne guitarist and Firewind mastermind Gus G. has launched a track-by-track video for his upcoming solo album debut, "I Am The Fire", due out tomorrow (March 18th) in North America via Century Media Records.

Featuring clips of each album track and an exclusive interview with GUS G., the video can be viewed below. The album's track listing is as follows:

1. My Will Be Done (feat. Mats Levén)
2. Blame It On Me (feat. Mats Levén)
3. I Am The Fire (feat. Devour The Day)
4. Vengeance (feat. David Ellefson)
5. Long Way Down (feat. Alexia Rodriguez)
6. Just Can't Let Go (feat. Jacob Bunton)
7. Terrified (feat. Billy Sheehan)
8. Eyes Wide Open (feat. Mats Levén)
9. Redemption (feat. Michael Starr)
10. Summer Days (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
11. Dreamkeeper (feat. Tom S. Englund)
12. End Of The Line (feat. Mats Levén) More...

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Death Toll Rising To Support Kataklysm And Aborted

Death Toll Rising is proud to announce the band will be performing Western Canadian tour dates with Katakylsm and Aborted during the "Kill The Elite Tour," which includes a hometown show in Edmonton, AB.

Guitarist Drew Copland comments: "We are incredibly excited to finally take 'Infection Legacy' on the road and into BC after such a positive response since the album's release. It is an honour to be able to do this with such powerhouses as Kataklysm and Aborted, and we will make good use of our time on stage to destroy as best we can!"

Apr 10 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop - w/ Katakylsm, Aborted 'Kill The Elite Tour'
Apr 11 - Calgary, AB - The Rebublik - w/ Katakylsm, Aborted 'Kill The Elite Tour'
Apr 12 - Kamloops, BC - Columbo Lounge w/ Katakylsm, Aborted 'Kill The Elite Tour'
Apr 13 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw - w/ Katakylsm, Aborted 'Kill The Elite Tour' More...

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Funeral Presence To Release Debut Album

The Ajna Offensive today announces May 27th as the North American release date for Funereal Presence's debut album, "The Archer Takes Aim."

Following an obscure self-titled 10” released in 2011, Funeral Presence's "The Archer Takes Aim" promises to hold firm to the concept of less is more, that staying firmly rooted in one lineage is not a wrong: an album that is not trying to convert anyone or change minds.

Conceived, bred, and nurtured in darkness, the album consists of grotesque, strong-willed, and ugly black metal from a band that revives the atmosphere & attitude of a long-gone but defining era of the genre. The track listing is as follows:

1. The Tower Falls
2. Gestalt Des Endes
3. The Archer Takes Aim
4. Dämmerlicht More...

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Aborym Signs With Agonia Records

Aborym - the extreme electro/industrial metal band featuring Italians Fabban and Paolo Pieri (Hour Of Penance) together with Norway’s Bard "Faust" Eithun (Emperor, Blood Tsunami, Mongo Ninja) - has inked a new record deal with Agonia Records.

Details on band's seventh full-length album, the follow-up to 2013's "Dirty" (reviewed here), are yet to be announced.

The band is currently working on a new video for the song "Bleedthrough," taken from the last album. The clip is being directed by Andrea Malkavian and the Victorlab crew. "Bleedthrough" will be the second video from "Dirty," with the previous clip for the title track available below. More...

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Elvenking To Release New Single

Elvenking is set to drop new album "The Pagan Manifesto" this coming May 9th via AFM Records, but ahead of the full album will be a digital single titled "Elvenlegions."

The single is due out on March 21st, 2014 and the cover artwork can be seen below. The art for the full upcoming album can also be seen at this location. More...

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Belphegor Reveals New Album Title

Austrian blackened death metal outfit Belphegor has announced that the title of their forthcoming tenth studio album will be, "Conjuring the Dead" and that it will hit the shelves on August 8th in most of Europe, with a UK and French release of August 11th to follow. A North American release date has not yet been confirmed, though it would likely be around August 12th. The album was produced by Erik Rutan and will be released through Nuclear Blast.

Speaking about the album, frontman Helmuth stated: "The tenth full-length entitled Conjuring The Dead is tracked. For over two years we worked on the nine compositions. We got every arrangement to the highest audio potential, added a lot of new, haunting, and compelling structures/ rhythm parts and tritone intervals. We decided to record in the USA this time. The combination of European metal's cold and sick elements crossed with an American brutal sound was the master plan. We're on fire! Expect more shredding, more magick, more of everything."

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Fan Filmed Footage Of New Metallica Song Posted

Fan filmed footage of American metal stars Metallica performing a new song entitled, "Lords of Summer" live in Bogota, Colombia has been posted online and is available to watch below.

It is not yet known whether or not the song will appear on the band's next studio album, which Metallica is rumoured to be recording sometime later this year, or if it is still a work in progress, but details will be revealed as soon as they become available. More...

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Death SS Releases "Dionysus" Video Clip

Italian horror rock artists Death SS posted the fourth music video/single from the comeback release "Resurrection." Check out "Dionysus" in the player below. The song was issued as an extended single/EP with two non-album tracks "Temptation" and "The Glory of the Hawk" and is available via Lucifer Rising Records.

Check out "Dionysus" here:

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Diabulus In Musica Posts "Argia" Album Preview

Spanish symphonic metal act Diabulus In Musica released a preview clip, featuring snippets of the entire new album "Argia." The album drops on April 8th in North America via Napalm Records (April 14th in EU; April 11th G/A/S & Benelux).

The track list for the album is

1. Et Resurrexit (Libera Me)
2. From the Embers
3. Inner Force
4. Furia de Libertad (feat. Ailyn Giménez of Sirenia)
5. Maitagarri
6. Sed Diabolus
7. Spoilt Vampire
8. Eternal Breeze
9. Mechanical Ethos
10. Encounter at Chronos' Maze (feat. Thomas Vikström of 7days/Therion)
11. Indigo
12. Healing
13. Horizon

Check out the preview clip here: More...

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