Latest Metal News
Last updated on December 5, 2013 at 5:59 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
- LostProphets Singer Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse
- Trigger Effect Vocalist Passes Away
- Gamma Ray's Studio Destroyed In Hamburg Fire
- Threat Signal Comments On Guitarist's Health Issue
Hot Topics
- Watain Releases First Ever Music Video
- Machine Head To Record New Album
- Max Cavalera Recording Music For ESPN World Cup
- Whyzdom Entering The Studio
- Atlantis Chronicles Announces Japanese Tour
- Kurgaall Posts New Album Preview
- Rabbits Posts "No (More) Depth" Video
- Red Enemy Signs With Mediaskare Records
- Echelon Posts New Music Video
- In This Moment Releases "Whore" Video
30 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Payload Issues Vocalist Update
Finnish outfit Payload split with the band's vocalist earlier this year, and now guitarist Vic Lausas has checked in with the following update:
"As you probably know, we've been interviewing and auditioning quite a few singers already to fill the empty spot in the band, but still no perfect match.
"Things are looking quite good on that area though, we've been talking with some of the top level singers in Finland and we also have agreed three more auditions already for December.
"Finding the perfect front for the band isn't easy, but we will get there. Just be patient and show us your love on the way, and we will blow your mind!"
Exhumed Streaming Split Track
In honor of an upcoming combo assault with hardcore thrash miscreants Iron Reagan, today the gorelords in Exhumed expel a new canticle of chaos in the form of "Gravewalker."
Comments Matt Harvey, minister of diseased death rattles and obscene elegies: "In between our seemingly endless road schedule and recording a new album, we managed to squeak in some time to barf up a couple new tracks and cover songs for this split with our tight buds in Iron Reagan. They're a bit more stripped-down and nasty than the last album [Necrocracy], which was a lot of fun for us. This EP is all about cutting loose and getting down and dirty. We hope you'll join us in the grime and turn out for our week of shows with the Reagans just in time to have one last rager before you spend the holidays with your creepy drunk aunt who keeps touching your face at the table - you know the one I mean! See you mutants on the road!"
Get gruesome with "Gravewalker" in the player below, courtesy of MetalSucks.net.
In related news, Exhumed will sson unite with Iron Reagan for a short run of live abrasions set to kick off in Las Vegas. Details are as follows:
12/08/2013 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV
12/09/2013 The Metro - Oakland, CA
12/10/2013 The Casbah - San Diego, CA
12/11/2013 Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA
12/12/2013 Rocky Point - Tempe, AZ
12/14/2013 Gothic Theater - Denver, CO More...
Frontierer Releases New Album
The Scottish/U.S. duo of Frontierer has today released new album "The Collapse," which can be heard in the player provided below, or downloaded on a name-your-price basis via Bandcamp here.
"The Collapse" consists of the following tracks:
1. The Collapse 02:08
2. The Spiral 02:15
3. The Deception 01:33
4. The Override (Digital Rewire) 01:24
5. The Target 01:02
6. The Swarm 02:01
7. The Ascension (Rebirth) 02:36 More...
Doro Announces Guests For 30th Anniversary Shows
When Doro celebrates her big anniversaries, she will traditionally welcome several heroes of the rock and metal scene, and this will also be the case for her 30 year stage anniversary. Doro will be playing two shows on May 2nd and May 3rd, 2014 at CCD-Stadthalle, where her fans can look forward to seeing many superstars.
Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian has already confirmed his appearance. As of today it is also confirmed that Miland "Mille" Petrozza of Kreator and Udo Dirkschneider, the former Accept shouter, will come to Düsseldorf to celebrate Doro's anniversary together with her.
Udo comments: "Of course! For Doro I will always be up front. Actually I was planning on being part of her show in Wacken this summer, but I could not make that date.”
"I have the most awesome friends and colleagues," Doro bursts out about the Teutonic trio. You can see her live on these dates: More...
Hammerfall To Release Album, Play Wacken 2014
Two years ago, the Swedish heavy metal templars from Hammerfall announced a creative break after celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut "Glory To The Brave."
“We are taking a pause to ensure that we have another 15 years ahead of us," previously said Oscar Dronjak. Singer Joacim Cans added: “The plan is to use the year off to recharge our batteries and come back more vital than ever with a new album in 2014."
Hammerfall is now proud to announce a performance at the 25th anniversary of the 2014 Wacken Open Air. And the show won’t be a standard one! Oscar Dronjak explains:
“It’s very fitting that, when Wacken celebrates its 25th anniversary, they will get a proper 'Glory To The Brave' anniversary show. This will be a throwback show to the European gig that launched it all for us: Wacken Open Air 1997. The set list will consist of all the songs from the first album and we'll of course add some newer songs at the end. We will do this very unique show at Wacken and nowhere else, so if you miss it, you missed it.”
In August 2014 the new and yet-untitled studio album of Hammerfall will be released. There will also be a single – released on vinyl and digitally – upfront in June. More...
Rabbits Posts "No (More) Depth" Video
Rabbits once again run rampant with another video from the "SOS (Singles, Other Shit)" release.
Produced by the band's Joshua Hughes, the "No (More) Depth" video was directed Adam Cornelius, also recently to blame for Diesto's video for "Edge of the World" and Honduran's "Yawnmower."
Check out the new video below, courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan. You can also catch the band live:
12/14/2013 Dekum Manor - Portland, OR w/ Honduran, Sloths
1/11/2014 Slabtown - Portland, OR w/ Gaytheist
1/31/2014 Tonic Lounge - Portland, OR w/ Graves at Sea, Norska, Drunk Dad More...
Red Enemy Signs With Mediaskare Records
Mediaskare Records has signed Dublin, Ireland’s Red Enemy, who will be coming to the U.S. in February to record a new album with producer Taylor Voeltz (Mureau).
For now, a music video for the band’s previously recorded song “Changing The End” has premiered on the Mediaskare YouTube channel and can be seen below.
“The song addresses a topic that has certainly had no shortage of coverage amongst bands over the past two decades, which essentially is standing up for what you believe in,” stated the band. Adding, “It’s about not settling for the mundane, getting out there and grabbing whatever it is you believe in with both hands. It’s a cliché topic, but one that constantly rears its head on a daily basis. Everyone should strive to have the courage and ambition to follow their heart regardless of what anyone tells you. It seems obvious, but no harm in reminding people of that as much as possible.”
The video for the track was directed by Luke Daly, who came up with the concept. The band comments: “He had this vision he had wanted to make a reality for some time and he figured we were the band to help make that happen. We loved it instantly. We had wanted to do something completely different for some time, something out of the ordinary, something that would make people go 'what the hell did I just watch there,' and this was the perfect opportunity with an incredibly talented director. The video itself depicts two particular aspects of the song meaning, courage and perseverance. There were some crazy long days and some touchy issues with the quarry owner but we got it done and the final product is delish.” More...
Scythia Releases New Music Video
Do you fancy yourself a jolly good time with a mischievous dwarf? Perhaps whilst downing a few cold brews with some fun-loving medieval ruffians? Throw in some powerful, folk-driven heavy metal to make the experience even better, and you’ve transported yourself to a mystical world by way of Scythia's new music video for "Bear Claw Tavern!"
Watch the new official music video below, courtesy of Guitar World.
The old world-themed music video, directed by fantasy movie director Richard Olak and filmed at the Storm Crow Tavern in the band’s hometown of Vancouver, BC, is an uproarious three-minute scorcher featuring the band rocking out in a medieval tavern filled with hooligans and mysterious characters.
"Bear Claw Tavern" is the first single cut from the band’s upcoming melodic, power/folk fusion record, "…Of Conquest." The track listing is as follows:
1. Fanfare 1516
2. Merchant of Sin
3. Bear Claw Tavern
4. Sailor's Accolade
5. Reflections
6. The Kraken
7. Into the Storm
8. Land of Scythia
9. Wrath of the Ancients
10. Army of the Bear
11. Path Through the Labyrinth
12. Departure More...
Kurgaall Posts New Album Preview
The Italian black metal horde Kurgaall is honored to present the first preview from the upcoming album "Voluntas Luciferi."
Check out the song "Lucifer will Reign Again" below, and the full album will be released later this month on Deathstorm Records.
Oozepus Signs With Domestic Genocide
Domestic Genocide Records has signed a pact with Tokyo-based Oozepus, welcoming the trio to their ever-morphing society of auditory sickness. The label comments:
"Uchino, of Japanese doom lords Coffins, initiated Oozepus in 2012, in order to re-examine his earlier roots as Compromise You Need -- the band previous to Coffins in the mid-'90s -- was forged in the more industrial/death tradition of Godflesh, Dead World and Skin Chamber.
"Taking on vocal and guitar duties, he recruited fellow Coffins-mate Satoshi on drums, and bassist/vocalist Ohkubo of Linekraft and Albiorix Requiem, the band began crafting this elder template into a new design.
"Oozepus released first recordings earlier this year in the form of a three-song demo issued through Three Plugs Records/Pagan Result, the material displaying a bruising, hypnotic metallic style comparable to early Swans, Godflesh, Scorn and no wave with a molten, organic persuasion. The potent demo caught the ear of American-based Domestic Genocide (Cerna, Akris, etc.) who contracted the outfit to join the label roster." More...
Machine Head To Record New Album
Machine Head signed with Nuclear Blast back in October, and now the band has issued the following update about gearing up to enter the recording studio:
"As you may have noticed there aren't any, 'hey, were in the recording studio' updates happening. That's because were not!
"A few Journals ago I said we'd hit the studio at end of October, and while we tried our damnedest to make that deadline, the fact is, we weren't ready.
"We started writing in January of this year but between the bassist auditions, teaching Jared all the old tunes, rehearsing for headline dates, doing Mayhem, getting Jared up to speed on the new tunes, and back into writing mode in September, we just didn't have the songs yet. We probably only wrote music for 4 out of those 9 months, if we went in, it would have been rushed. More...
Echelon Posts New Music Video
Austria's Echelon has released another video from the upcoming LP "Vivito! Creato! Moritor!" You can experience "Die Grauen des Krieges (An Incomplete List)" in the player below, or see the previously posted video for "Tod und Teufel" at this location.
The "Vivito! Creato! Moritor!" album's track listing is as follows:
1. Les Grandes Misères de la Guerre
2. Der Baum der Gehängten
3. Tod und Teufel
4. Strappado
5. Desastres de la Guerre
6. Der Krieg in mir
7. Des Teufels Bluthund
8. Die Grauen des Krieges
9. Effet de neige à petit Montrouge
10. Vor mir türmen sich die Scherben
11. Ewigkeit
12. Totengeigen
13. Triptychon: Der Krieg More...
In This Moment Releases "Whore" Video
You've heard the song, now it's time to see the video - In This Moment is proud to unveil "Whore" in its full cinematic splendor, and has released the song's official music video today. Watch the video right here.
Directed by Robert Kley, who was also at the helm for the band's "Adrenalize" and "Blood" videos, "Whore" co-stars Motionless In White frontman Chris Motionless.
"His look is so perfect for the dirty vintage feel of the video, and he was a perfect gentleman while being violated by me," says In This Moment frontwoman Maria Brink.
"I knew how amazing placing the visual arts to 'Whore' would be when we wrote it, and I have been waiting to release this video since we recorded the song," Brink continues of the band's new video. "I am so passionate about the concepts and every single detail that goes into shooting a music video, and I created my own stimulating visual metaphor to make this - I am grateful to have worked with Robert Kley again, he always seems to help me bring what I see in my mind to life. 'Whore' is a song that pushes boundaries, and I needed the video to do the same. The song is about taking back control. It is about rising above and finding the power within ourselves. I hope everyone enjoys it!"
Adds guitarist Chris Howorth: "'Whore' is one of my favorite songs on 'Blood' and the video is the best we have created to date - it's just as creepy and sexy as our live show, with a bunch of extra surprises. Maria really outdid herself on this one... this is her twisted vision brought to life, enjoy!" More...
Atlantis Chronicles Announces Japanese Tour
French modern death-prog metallers Atlantis Chronicles will tour Japan with Vomitory and Beyond Creation to promote the "Ten Miles Underwater" album released via via Coroner Records. Dates for the trek are as follows:
17 December 2013 Flying Son - Sendai (Japan)
18 December 2013 Nanba Rockets - Osaka (Japan)
19 December 2013 Graf - Fukuoka (Japan)
20 December 2013 Bad Lands - Hiroshima (Japan)
21 December 2013 Sunash - Shizuoka (Japan)
22 December 2013 Cyclone - Tokyo (Japan) More...
In Her Memory Calling It Quits
Oregon outfit In Her Memory has released the following announcement about deciding to call it quits:
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
"Thank you guys for all the support, but life has caught up with us and its time to put IHM behind us, and focus on the things life has blessed us with.
"We have opened for every band imaginable and have shook the hands of legends. We pounded the fists of thousands of awesome Fans and never let critics get under our skin (well to much) but either way... we did it our way.
"100000000 beers and 7 years later through all the ups and downs we can honestly say.... we are satisfied. Thank you to every band we have shared the stage with and to every kid that ever came to an In Her Memory show.
"Love you guys.
"P.S. Here is a previously unreleased song we hope you enjoy." More...
Cognitive To Record New Album
New Jersey band Cognitive has issued the following statement about gearing up to enter the recording studio:
"Its official, we will be entering Full Force Studio January 18th to record our self titled full length. This CD will be the first to feature our new vocalist Jorel Hart, as well bassist Art Sikora.
"With this album, we hope to really bring out the best parts of Cognitive's abilities. We really pushed hard to have a coherent, technical, catchy and well written song structure for all the metal heads out there to enjoy.
"From brutal to progressive to melodic, we tried to insure the signature cognitive sound, with new elements to keep things fresh, we want to move forward, but not forget our roots. that along with Tony Koehl's artwork, we hope to create an experience to all the fans out there musically and visually. This CD will crush, and we will be a very busy band this year with a lot of big news on the way.
"By the way, expect some killer guest vocal appearances on this album as well!"
Throwdown Reveals New Album Details
Southern California's Throwdown is set to release "Intolerance" on January 21st, 2014. The new LP will be the band's first since "Deathless" was released back in 2009. Frontman Dave Peters weighs in on the announcement:
"Completing this record felt great in so many respects, most important of which was the opportunity to finally give longtime supporters of the band this music that I've had swirling around in my head over the past four years.
"The variety of people from different places and scenes, who have found the band through vastly different avenues over the past 15 or so years, will each get into it for their own unique reasons I think. And for those who think it’s junk, it’s only about 28 minutes they have to regret."
"Deathless" and "Vendetta" collaborator Zeuss (Hatebreed, Crowbar, Demon Hunter) returned to mix the new record. The new album was recorded at Hurley Recordings in Costa Mesa, California with producer Davey Warsop and mixed at Planet Z.
"Intolerance" features guitar solo contributions from Dave Nassie (Bleeding Through, No Use For A Name, Infectious Grooves), who joined Throwdown’s recent touring lineup alongside Demon Hunter drummer Tim “Yogi” Watts and "Deathless" era bassist Mark Mitchell. The track listing is as follows: More...
Stormwarrior Unveils Artwork & Track List
German power metal band Stormwarrior unveiled the album artwork and track list for the upcoming new album "Thunder & Steele." The album drops on January 24th via Massacre Records. The artwork - shown below - was created by Felipe Machado.
"Thunder & Steele" was mixed and mastered by Piet Sielck (Iron Savior),and will be made available as a CD or vinyl LP format. The track list is:
1. Thunder & Steele
2. Metal Avenger
3. Sacred Blade
4. Ironborn
5. Steelcrusader
6. Fyres In The Nighte
7. Die By The Hammer
8. Child Of Fyre
9. One Will Survive
10. Servants Of Metal More...
Whyzdom Entering The Studio
French female-fronted band Whyzdom has issued the following announcement about gearing up to enter the recording studio:
"We are very happy to announce that the first recording session of our 3rd album will start on 5th January 2014!
"Nicolas Chaumeaux will play drums during 3 days. Other sessions will follow closely for guitars and vocals. We are really excited and we can't wait to let you discover our new songs!
"As usual, you can expect Philharmonic Metal at its best!"
Stay up-to-date on the band's recording process by heading over to the Whyzdom Facebook profile.
Max Cavalera Recording Music For ESPN World Cup
Yesterday Soulfly front man and guitarist Max Cavalera went into the studio with producer John Gray to write and record the music for ESPN's World Cup 2014 coverage.
Being of Brazilian roots, and with the love of soccer flowing through his veins, this is a dream come true for Max. Zyon Cavalera will be slamming on the drums and adding some Brazilian flavored percussion as well.
Soulfly's latest album, "Savages," is out now worldwide and available online and in stores. You can stream the full album below. More...
Indian Streaming New Track "Rhetoric Of No"
Chicago sludge act Indian is streaming the new song "Rhetoric of No.." The track appears on the upcoming new release "From All Purity," which is set for release via Relapse Records on January 17th (Benelux/Germany/Finland), January 20th (EU/UK) and January 21st (North America).
Check out "Rhetoric of No" here:
Voivod Releases "Kluskap O' Kom" Music Video
Canadian legends Voivod released a new music video for the track "Kluskap O' Kom." The song is taken from the latest album "Target Earth," which is available now via Century Media Records.
The video was created by Nicola Piovesan. check it out here:
Grand Magus Releases "Trumph & Power" Lyric Video
Swedish doom/traditional metal act Grand Magus released a lyric video for the new track "Triumph & Power." The song is the title track to the upcoming new album, which is set for release on January 31st (EU), February 3rd (UK) and February 4th (USA) via Nuclear Blast.
The track list for "Triumph And Power" is:
1. On Hooves Of Gold
2. Steel Versus Steel
3. Fight
4. Triumph And Power
5. Dominator
6. Arv
7. Holmgång
8. The Naked And The Dead
9. Ymer
10. The Hammer Will Bite
11. Blackmoon (Bonus Track)
Check out "Triumph & Power" here: More...
Watain Releases First Ever Music Video
Watain released the band's first ever music video for the track "Outlaw." The song appears on the latest album "The Wild Hunt," which is available now through His Master's Noise via Century Media Records (see review here).
The video is produced by Watain and Johan Bååth, who already directed the band's Opus Diaboli DVD in 2012. The band commented: "The 'Outlaw' video is a knife stab in the face of today's clean and witty metal scene and yet another step for us to bring back something real and extreme into this limping music movement."
Check out the video here: More...
MaYaN Releases Second Video Studio Report
Dutch melodic metal act MaYaN released the second video studio report on the recordings of the new album "Antagonise," the band's second album. The release is set to drop via Nuclear Blast on January 31st (EU) and February 4, 2014 (USA) via Nuclear Blast Records.
About the album....the band explains that "it's dealing about the current state of the world in which a small group of elites have all the power and try to dominate humanity. The tension is rising and the outcome yet unknown."
The track list of "Antagonise" will be:
1. Bloodline Forfeit
2. Burn Your Witches
3. Redemption ~ The Democracy Illusion
4. Paladins of Deceit ~ National Security Extremism part 1
5. Lone Wolf
6. Devil in Disguise
7. Insano
8. Human Sacrifice
9. Enemies of Freedom
10. Capital Punishment
11. Faceless Spies ~ National Security Extremism part 2
Check out the report here: More...
Benedictum Releases New Music Video "Scream"
Benedictum released a new music video for the track "Scream." The song appears on the band's latest album "Obey," which was issued just this week in North America via Frontiers Records.
Check out the video here:
Blackbird Signs With Pure Rock Records
German hard rock band Blackbird have signed a worldwide deal with Pure Rock Records, a division of Pure Steel Records. The new release "Of Heroes and Enemies" is expected in 2014, but the exact date has not yet been revealed. More information on the release is expected shortly.
Blackbird is:
Angus Dersim - vocals, lead guitar
Bora Karakus - rhythm guitars
Fritzi Delli - bass guitar
Steffen T. - drums More...
Legion Of The Damned Posts Preview Clip Of New LP
Dutch death thrashers Legion of the Damned released a preview featuring clips from the entire new album "Ravenous Plague." The album is the band's sixth full length studio effort and will drop via Napalm Records on January 8th (ESP/SWE/NOR), January 3rd (GAS/FIN/BENELUX) and January 7th (UK/Rest of Europe/North America).
The track list for "Ravenous Plague" is:
1. The Apocalyptic Surge
2. Howling For Armageddon
3. Black Baron
4. Mountain Wolves Under a Crescent Moon (streaming here)
5. Ravenous Abominations
6. Doom Priest
7. Summon All Hate
8. Morbid Death
9. Bury Me in a Nameless Grave
10. Armalite Assassin
11. Strike of the Apocalypse
Check out the preview clips here: More...
Silent Force Releases "Circle Of Trust" Video
German melodic metal act Silent Force, with the new lineup featuring vocalist Michael Bormann (Powerworld/Redrum) and bassist Mat Sinner (Primal Fear/Sinner), released the new music video "Circle of Trust." The song appears on the new album "Rising From the Ashes," which is scheduled for release on December 13th (EU) and January 21st (USA) via AFM Records.
The track list for the album is:
1. Caught in Their Wicked Game
2. There Ain't No Justice
3. Circle of Trust
4. Living to Die
5. Before You Run
6. You Gotta Kick It
7. Turn Me Loose
8. Born to Be a Fighter
9. Anytime Anywhere
10. Kiss of Death
Check out "Circle of Trust" here: More...
The Unguided Posts "Inception" Video Teaser
Swedish melodic death metal act The Unguided - featuring Ex-Sonic Syndicate members Roland Johansson (vocals) and Roger Sjunnesson (guitars) - posted a teaser clip for the upcoming new single and music video "Inception." The song is taken from the band's upcoming new release "Fragile Immortality," the sophomore full length album that drops via Napalm Records on Jan. 31st (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Benelux), Feb. 5th (Spain, Sweden, Norway), Feb. 3rd (Rest Of Europe) and Feb. 11th (North America).
The single is out on: December 20th (World) and January 21st (North America). The track listing for "Fragile Immortality" is:
1. Inception
2. Defector DCXVI
3. Granted
4. Eye of the Thylacine
5. Unguided Entity
6. Carnal Genesis
7. Enforce
8. Blodbad
9. Only Human
10. Singularity
11. Oblivion
12. Deathwalker
13. Unguided Entity (Zardonic Remix)
14. Deathwalker (Zardonic Remix)
15. When All the Seraphim Cry (Zardonic feat. The Unguided)
Check out the teaser here: More...
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