Latest Metal News
Last updated on January 30, 2015 at 3:23 PM ET
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Below is the latest news, but check back often for updates. You can also browse our news archive or find news by band.
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Hot Topics
- Signs Of Darkness Reveals New Album Details
- A Swarm Of The Sun Streaming New Album
- Impalers Announces New Album
- Inanimate Existence Announces U.S. Tour
- Murashita Posts Lyric Video
- Geezer Butler Thanks Fans For Support
- Crimson Falls Recruits New Guitarist
- Demolition Hammer Albums Seeing Re-Issue
- Fall Of Carthage Releasing New Album
- Extinction Level Event Posts Bass Play Through
26 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Hic Iacet Posts New Album's Title Track
Sepulchral black/death cult Hic Iacet today premieres the new track "The Cosmic Trance Into the Void," which can be heard below, courtesy of Decibel Magazine.
The track hails from the band's debut album of the same name, "The Cosmic Trance Into the Void," set for international release today via Iron Bonehead Productions. The full track listing is:
1. The Cosmic Trance Into the Void
2. Infinite Consciousness
3. Death in the Abyss of Meditation
4. Into the Bowels of the Absolute
5. Mahakala
6. The Catacombs of the Mandala More...
Korpiklaani Announces "Noita" Release
Finnish folk metal outfit Korpiklaani is pleased to announce the band has inked a new deal with Nuclear Blast for the release of upcoming album "Noita," which is set for a release in May of 2015. "Noita" follows the 2012 album "Manala" (reviewed here).
"Noita" was recorded at Petrax Studio with Aksu Hanttu handling production, recording, and mixing again. It will also be the first album to feature new accordion player Sami Perttula, who has been playing a very active role in the folk arrangements along with Fiddler Tuomas Rounakari.
Commented bassplayer Jarkko Aaltonen: “'Noita' in the traditional Finnish meaning is different than what people associate it with nowadays. 'Noita' is a person with wider knowledge and understanding of the nature and who also was believed to possess paranormal or unnatural abilities. These people were often also referred to as 'Tietäjä,' that exactly means someone with wider knowledge and understanding of pretty much everything. Native American medicine man is pretty much the same thing or actually all the different types of Shamans of the primitive peoples are the same thing. 'Noita' is someone that you turn to when you need help of some kind. Finnish 'Noita' had the ability to heal, just like their North American counterparts.
"They were very respected members of the society. Only later Christianity changed the word to mean something negative since those people were considered rivals by the church. Even in Finland this turned into a Witchhunt (=noitavaino) every now and then. Anyway, most people using Google Translate or similar will find the word 'Witch' and will probably get a bit wrong idea of the meaning, since most will probably connect it with the black sabbaths, devil marks, and such, when a way more correct translation would probably be medicine man or Shaman.”
New accordionist Sami Perttula comments: “Previously the Korpiklaani albums were played with a piano-accordion and now I play with a traditional button-accordion which was more widely used in Finland anyways. In the arrangements you can hear more tonal harmonies and folky accompaniments combined to the power-chords than before. It actually boosts up the uplifting feel of our music.” More...
Extinction Level Event Posts Bass Play Through
From the band who brought you "Better Than Djent" and the "Bass Fish Filled Music Video," the primarily bass-driven metal band Extinction Level Event just premiered the first of 3 upcoming bass play through clips.
Below you can see the first in the series, a bass play through video for the band's latest track "Layers Of My Flesh." You can also hear the previously posted track "Entropy" at this location.
Wovoka Signs With Battleground
Battleground Records has added the Southern California-based sludge act Wovoka to its roster, and the band's debut album, "Saros," will be available April 14th on CD/DD. A teaser video can be seen below. Battlegrounds Records also comments:
"Formed circa January 2013 among the monolithic concrete sprawl of the greater Los Angeles area, the post-metal quartet Wovoka have been developing a sound that speaks to the ear with a wide range of robust dynamics, fragile melodies, and measured surges of psychedelic color.
"The music is conceptual and delves deep into the many contrasting elements of human thought and belief, but it is not a sermon for or against anything, rather it is a study of what makes us tick and develop the ideas that we do. As to how Wovoka themselves perceive this great mystery, there are fragments and clues to be found within the songs, lyrics, and artwork of their upcoming debut album.
"The panoramic scope of the story is too big to be written in stone or sky, so it must be absorbed and imprinted upon the mind’s eye of each listener. Wovoka only hopes to open the door and to unveil those possibilities and points of view beyond the narrow sight of thinking oneself to be the center of the universe."
Wovoka is:
Eric Kniss - Guitar & Vocals
Rashid Nadjib - Bass
Cody Schnieders - Guitar & Vocals
Troy Schoenbaum - Drums More...
Hellish Outcast Posts Full Album Online
Norwegian extreme metal band Hellish Outcast today streams the entirety of second album, "Stay of Execution" - set for North American release on February 3rd via Listenable Records. Listen in below, courtesy of a stream hosted by Invisible Oranges.
Hellist Outcast's second album to date, "Stay of Execution" was recorded at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen: a place where milestone Norwegian black metal recordings were produced, including albums of Enslaved, Emperor, Immortal, Burzum, and others. The track listing is: More...
Ghost Ship Octavius Finishes New Album
Ghost Ship Octavius - the super group that formed in 2013 and then never really did anything - has actually completing work on an album. Guitarist Matthew Wicklund comments:
"We are very pleased to announce that the completed debut Ghost Ship Octavius album and it's final artwork will be sent off for manufacturing this coming Monday morning!
"It has been a tremendous amount of work but well worth every second. We would like to thank you all again for your support and patience...without it, this could not have happened!
"The release of this new album will mark the start of a new and very exciting chapter for us. We are super excited to take the music to stages around the world and share the ghostly, arctic GSO experience with you all! I will be posting the track listing shortly as well..." More...
Impalers Announces New Album
Following the recently released "Prepare For War" EP, Impalers will also now be dropping a full-length album. The band comments:
"We have teamed up with Norwegian record label, Crime Records, to release our sophomore album, which will have the title: 'God from the Machine!' We're stoked as hell about this collaboration and we expect great things out of this partnership."
Crime Records label owner, Martin Steene, had this to say about the signing: "Its with great pleasure and anticipation we welcome Danish thrash metallers Impalers to the Crime roster. Impalers is one of the most up and coming, hard working thrash acts out of Scandinavia at the moment.
"With the acclaimed debut 'Power Behind the Throne' (2013) and their extensive and uncompromising live shows during the past couple of years, Imaplers has carved its name into the northern metal scene with a heavy hitting hammer. More...
A Swarm Of The Sun Streaming New Album
"The Rifts," the second full-length album from Swedish atmospheric post-rock duo A Swarm Of The Sun, is officially out today on Version Studio Records. Give it a listen below, or grab your own copy at this location.
A Swarm of the Sun is an atmospheric post-rock duo from Stockholm, Sweden comprised of Erik Nilsson (Aoria) and Jakob Berglund. “The Rifts” is the duo's third release following an EP entitled “The King of Everything” (2007) and the full-length debut “Zenith”, released in 2010.
"The Rifts" was mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Refused, Khoma, Switchblade) and is a bleak and beautiful journey through the innermost landscapes of the heart and soul. More...
Signs Of Darkness Reveals New Album Details
The Belgian epic black metal band Signs Of Darkness and Shiver Records have set March 27th of 2015 as the release date for upcoming CD "The Age Of Decay." The cover artwork and track listing can be seen below.
"The Age Of Decay" was recorded at Artsounds Studios in Helchteren with producer and band member Peter Vaes. The artwork was taken care of by Marc at ArtWars Mediadesign. Marc comments:
"Working with Signs Of Darkness was quite interesting because it was the first time I worked with a Black Metal band. Their ideas on the artwork were quite appealing and challenging. It was a lot of fun working on the cover and layout. I really like their album and they are cool guys. Check 'em out in any case!!!"
1. The Rise of Serpents
2. The Age of Decay
3. Suffer the Cold
4. Clouds Over Your Masada
5. Sin
6. Amidst The Fog
7. The Sound of a Desolate Winter
8. Terra Nullius
9. Like Flies On Your Coffin
10. The Lazarus Syndrome
11. The Circle of Serpents
"The Age Of Decay" is the band's fourth full-length album since its formation in 1995. Its predecessor "Apostate" was independently released in 2011. Signs of Darkness had the following to say:
"The period during which this album was created was very intense.The songwriting, lyrical contents and also the artwork were designed in a close cooperation between all the bandmembers. The atmosphere was strong which is also the reason why we wanted to finish the recordings, mixing and mastering by ourselves. Be prepared for total mayhem!" More...
Fall Of Carthage Releasing New Album
Fall Of Carthage has announced debut album "Behold" will be released via MDD Records, with a teaser trailer now available below.
Fall Of Carthage is a new project featuring members of Suidakra and Perzonal War. The "Behold" album was recorded at Gernhart Studio (Accuser, Destruction, Elvenking) and will be released in May. The artwork was created by Björn Gooßes of Killustrations.
Demolition Hammer Albums Seeing Re-Issue
The hammer demolishes once again! "Tortured Existence" (1990) and "Epidemic Of Violence" (1992) will be reissued on vinyl, featuring heavy 180g wax and the original cover artwork. Both titles are set for release on March 9th, 2015.
"For me Demolition Hammer represents the most sheer brute force that you can have in thrash metal," is how John Kevill (Warbringer) once described this NY based act, which released three albums via Century Media Records between 1990 and 1994. Pre-orders for these new versions will come available February 9th. More...
Crimson Falls Recruits New Guitarist
Crimson Falls has issued the following announcement about recruiting a new guitarist:
"We’re very happy to announce that we already found a new guitar player in Cyril Hostijn. Cyril is a guitar player who has been active in the scene for several years now. He has played in My Aim and produced local bands such as Anti Icon, Concealed Reality and Awaiting Chaos.
"We’ve been rehearsing with Cyril for the last 3 months and we’re impressed by his skills, dedication & hard-working mentality. We believe that we’ve found the missing piece to complete our line-up and are thrilled to start working with him on new material.
"Cyril will play his first show with us next Saturday 31/01/2015 at the PAGODE BREAKT 2 Festival in Schilde (Antwerp). Come over and see us in action!" More...
Geezer Butler Thanks Fans For Support
Yesterday it was revealed that 65-year old Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath can apparently still kick as with the best of them, having been involved in a bar fight of some kind.
Although there hasn't been an official statement explaining the specifics of the situation at this point, Geezer did post a message thanking fans for support online via his Twitter page, which can be seen below.
According to a press release from the Inyo County Sheriff's Department, Geezer was arrested January 27th in California for misdemeanor assault, public intoxication, and vandalism after someone in the bar was hit and a window was broken. More...
Murashita Posts Lyric Video
Murashita - the new band led by former Hemoptysis front man/guitarist Masaki Murashita - has released a lyric video for debut single "Retribution." Check it out below.
You can pick up a copy of the single over at Bandcamp here, and the track features bassist Kelly Conlon (Death, Vital Remains), drummer Kevin Talley (Suffocation, Six Feet Under), and was mixed by Ryan Greene (Megadeth, NOFX).
Murashita will be entering the studio this Spring to record a debut EP. Stay tuned for further details. More...
Grimoire Streaming New EP
Quebecois black metal band Grimoire is streaming the entirety of new EP, "L'aorasie Des spectres rêveurs" - released this week in North America via Eisenwald - which can be heard below thanks to No Clean Singing. The EP's track listing is:
1. Tragédie Des ombres
2. Les rumeurs Des astres
3. Cachot de cristal
4. Cantilène céleste More...
Inanimate Existence Announces U.S. Tour
California technical death metal faction Inanimate Existence will bring methodical audio alchemy to the stage next month on an eighteen-date live excursion.
The "Enter Into Atonement" tour 2015 is slated to inaugurate on February 26th in Stockton, California and will trounce venues throughout California as well as Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, with the tour drawing to completion on March 15th in Sacramento.
Support will be provided by label mates and fellow technical death architects, Wrath Of Vesuvius. Inanimate Existence continues to tour in support of the "A Never-Ending Cycle Of Atonement" full-length, released this past Summer via Unique Leader Records.
2/26/2015 The 207 - Stockton, CA
2/27/2015 EPEK Print Shop - Salinas, CA
2/28/2015 Musichead - Medford, OR
3/01/2015 The Third Street Pub - Bend, OR
3/02/2015 The Pin - Spokane, WA
3/03/2015 The Palace Lounge - Missoula, MT
3/04/2015 Machinery Row - Great Falls, MT
3/05/2015 Loading Dock - Salt Lake City, UT
3/06/2015 Bushwackers Saloon - Denver, CO
3/07/2015 The Blu Phoenix - Albuquerque, NM
3/08/2015 Joe's Grotto - Phoenix, AZ
3/09/2015 Slidebar - Fullerton, CA
3/10/2015 Boondocks Tavern - Banning, CA
3/11/2015 White Oak Music - Van Nuys, CA
3/12/2015 Strummer's - Fresno, CA FREE Show!
3/13/2015 The Divebar - Las Vegas, NV
3/14/2015 Arlene Francis Center - Santa Rosa, CA
3/15/2015 On The Y - Sacramento, CA More...
Trauma Details New Album 'Rapture And Wrath'
San Francisco traditional/speed metal act Trauma have detailed the upcoming new release "Rapture and Wrath," the band's first album in thirty one years. The sophomore effort and follow up to the 1984 debut "Scratch and Scream" is set to drop on February 27th via Pure Steel Records.
It’s all there: the powerful and charismatic high-pitched vocals of Donny Hillier, which can be described as a cross between Geoff Tate and Bruce Dickinson, the hard rockin’ guitars and many exciting melodic passages. This album has everything you need, satisfaction guaranteed! On "Rapture And Wrath," groove, anthemic melodies and catchy hook lines go hand in hand. Combine that with a clean, crisp production and you got yourself a hell of a good time.
The track listing is as follows:
1. Heart Of Stone
2. When I Die
3. The Long Way Home
4. Pain
5. The Walking Dead
6. Kingdome Come
7. Egypt
8. Under The Lights
9. Don't Tread On Me
10. Too Late More...
The Gentle Storm Releases Behind The Scenes Clip
The Gentle Storm - the new procject of Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, Guilt Machine) and Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering, Devin Townsend Project) - released a behind the scenes clip on the artwork for the upcoming debut album "The Diary." The album is set for release on March 23rd (EU) and March 24th (USA/World) via InsideOut Music.
For a taste of the album, check out the lyric video for the track "Endless Sea" at this location. In the clip, Luccassen discussed the concept around the artwork. Check it out here:
Ethernity Announces First Guest Vocalist For Debut
Belgian power/progressive act Ethernity announced the first of three guest vocalists to appear on the title track of the band's upcoming debut release "Obscure Illusions," in the form of DGM vocalist Marco Basile. The album is set to drop on March 20th and was mixed by DGM guitarist Simone Mularoni.
The name "Ethernity" comes from the combination of the two words "ether" - which refers to the upper regions of space, the sky and the heavens - and "eternity" - which means the infinite time and the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death. The band was formed in 2000 and released four demos and a debut EP "Quest of Forgiveness" in 2008. Members feature former Magic Kingdom keyboardist Julien Spreutels and drummer Nicolas Spreutels.
Check out the announcement clip here:
Nightwish Releases Tenth Album Trailer
Finnish symphonic metal act Nightwish released the tenth trailer for the upcoming new release "Endless Forms Most Beautiful." The album is set to drop on March 27, 2015 (EU), March 30, 2015 (UK) and March 31, 2015 (USA) via Nuclear Blast Records.
In the video, the band wraps up the album recordings and the members reflect on the album set to be released this spring.
The track listing is:
1. Shudder Before The Beautiful
2. Weak Fantasy
3. Élan
4. Yours Is An Empty Hope
5. Our Decades In the Sun
6. My Walden
7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8. Edema Ruh
9. Alpenglow
10. The Eyes Of Sharbat Gula
11. The Greatest Show On Earth
Check out the clip here: More...
Ferium Posts Studio Update On New Album
Israeli metal outfit Ferium are hard at work in the studio working on their upcoming concept album, "Behind the Black Eyes." Video footage from the recording sessions can be viewed below.
"Behind The Black Eyes" greatly expands the concept first introduced on the band's debut album "Reflections." The connection between the two albums is evident in part by the inclusion of a new track titled "Reflections," while the debut album contained the song "The Black Eyes." "Behind The Black Eyes" is the story of one man's deteriorating relationship from beginning to end; from promising beginnings to the bitter end. Musically, "Behind the Black Eyes" raises the intensity level and deepens the impact with powerful riffs and melodic atmospheric parts, ensuring that nary a listener is left unaffected by the experience. The album will once again be produced and recorded by guitarist Boxer at his very own Boxer Studio.
Check out the clip here:
Lord Dying Releases 'Poisoned Altars' Music Video
Portland's Lord Dying released a music video for the new track "Poisoned Altars." The song is the title track of the band's latest album, which was issued earlier this week via Relapse Records.
The video was directed and by Brett Roberts and "Danger" Ehren McGhehey and edited by Brett Roberts. Check it out here:
Hirax Releases "Hellion Rising" Music Video
California old school thrash legends Hirax have released a new music video for the track "Hellion Rising."
The song appears on the band's latest effort "Immortal Legacy," which is available now through SPV/Steamhammer Records. Check out "Hellion Rising" here:
Just For Fun
Rody Walker Is Asking Alexandria For A Chance
Never being one to let an opportunity for a joke slip by, vocalist Rody Walker of Protest the Hero, which is known for highly entertaining videos, put together his own "audition" clip for the vacant vocalist spot in Asking Alexandria, complete with an original composition written specifically for the occasion.
Watch Protest the Hero Vocalist Rody Walker Asking Alexandria for a chance below.
Kaliya Posts New Song "Human Meat"
The Texas death grinders from Kaliya will be releasing a forthcoming self-titled album on March 3rd, 2015.
In anticipation of the release, the band offers another preview of its tasty grind-infused take on the classic Swedish death metal sound in the form of a new song titled "Human Meat."
Lo! Posts New Music Video "Orca"
After their critically acclaimed debut album Look and Behold (2011) and follow-up Monstrorum Historia (2013), the metallers of Lo!, hailing from Sydney, Australia, are back with a new EP: The Tongueless.
2014 was a big year for Lo! In Australia: the band supported Trivium, In Flames, Corrosion Of Conformity and Torche, to name a few. Besides the massive live presence on their continent, Lo started working on new material, immediately after the departure of former vocalist Jamie-Leigh Smith in late 2013.
”Stylistically I aimed for a harsher, more venomous tone as Lo!'s voice”, says new vocalist Sam Dillon. “Lyrically I was looking towards themes of extinction and mankind's extreme ignorance towards creatures. The track 'Orca' was inspired by the 'Blackfish' documentary highlighting the history of killer whales in captivity.” More...
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