Latest Metal News
Last updated on February 26, 2015 at 9:16 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
- Shawn Drover Announces New Band Act Of Defiance
- The Era Of Endast Is Ending
- Former Yngwie Malmsteen Keyboardist Found Dead
- Bruce Dickinson Undergoes Cancer Treatment
- Lay Down Rotten Laid To Rot
- Tenacious D Wins "Metal" Grammy
- Faith No More Reveals New Album
- Waking The Cadaver Calls It Quits
Hot Topics
- The Rockstar Ramblings: The Darkness Returns
- Shawn Drover Announces New Band Act Of Defiance
- The Slow Death Announces "Ark" Release
- Archspire Posts Vocal Playthrough Video
- Helloween Announces Title, Reveals Art For New LP
- Sworn Enemy Announces New Tour Dates
- Thrashback Thursday: Escape To The Void
- Norhod Announces Upcoming EP
- Moonreich Signs With LADLO Productions
- Tome Of The Unreplenished Releasing Debut Album
45 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: The Darkness Returns
If you like graphic novels, blood and snappy dialogue you are in for a treat. If you like all three and also really like feet you are Quentin Tarantino. Here’s the new video “Barbarian” from The Darkness. More...
The Slow Death Announces "Ark" Release
Mexico’s Chaos Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of "Ark," the new album from Sydney doom crew The Slow Death. The album is due out March 16th, and Chaos Records comments:
"The mournful new epic follows hot on the heels of band’s 2014 split release with Majestic Downfall. 'Ark' will be released as a limited edition (1,000 copies) 6-panel digipak with 16-page booklet. 'Ark' crawls along the bottom of humanity’s vast ocean of misery through six masterfully arranged tracks of funeral doom.
"The sense of dread is omnipresent, yet so is the dark, chilling beauty of compositions that are surprisingly varied. Whether the stunning contrast of Gregg Williamson's cavernous growl to Mandy Andresen’s ghostly croon, the seamless f movement between crushing riffs and melancholic picking, or the bleak, windswept keyboard soundscapes, the one certainty is that 'Ark' is destined to be among 2015’s most celebrated doom releases."
Pre-orders are up now at this location and the track listing is as follows:
1. The Chosen Ones
2. Severance
3. Perpetuate
4. Ark
5. Declamation
6. Adrift More...
Slice The Cake Pushes Back Album Release
Slice The Cake has issued the following statement about pushing back the release of the band's new album:
"We regret to announce that 'Odyssey to the West' will no longer be released on March 1st. The album is near enough done but we ended up making the decision a few days ago that it would be better to take a bit of extra time to make sure that absolutely everything is perfect before releasing it.
"We feel this is truly our magnum opus and the extra time will make the difference between a great album and an unforgettable one.
"Aside from that, we want to make sure this album hits as hard as it possibly can when it drops, and this will enable us to get a few more things arranged behind the scenes that will help with the launch.
"To soften the blow a bit, we will be releasing 8 whole minutes of new music in the form of a single on March 1st, and soon after we will be able to reveal the new release date. We're sorry for the disappointment, but we can guarantee it'll be worth the wait!" More...
Moonreich Signs With LADLO Productions
Les Acteurs De L'ombre Productions has issued the following announcement about a new label signing:
"We are proud to announce that Moonreich has joined our ranks! After releasing their incredibly powerful 'Infernal Kommando' EP and the two full-lengths 'Loi Martiale' and 'Terriblis Est locus Iste,' the Parisian black metal band Moonreich led by Weddir will release a third album on Les Acteurs de l'Ombre productions this coming September.
"Get ready for their upcoming sonic assault. In the meantime watch Moonreich's live performance during the label's anniversary show: LADLO Black Metal Night I, held on September 27th 2014."
Norhod Announces Upcoming EP
Italian outfit Norhod has signed a new deal with WormHoleDeath for the release of an upcoming EP, which is scheduled for Spring 2015. The band comments:
"We are very excited to announce our re-signing with WormHoleDeath for the release of our new EP. In this year we worked very hard to evolve our sound and to introduce new elements and influences into our songs and we are very looking forward to make you hear them. We are very happy to work again with WHD and we are sure that together we'll do great things!"
The band is now working at Mathlab Recording Studio with producer Jonathan Mazzeo and when ready with the full tracking will fly to Canada to mix the songs with Christian Donaldson. The new EP is set to feature 6 new tracks composed to enhance the band's epic approach, symphonic sound imprint, and vision.
WormHoleDeath also comments: "We are really happy to have the chance to work again with Norhod. We have showed our trust in them by releasing their awesome debut album and we will continue with this new EP. The new tracks are strong and solid. I am sure that these guys will show what they are capable of through this release which will confirm their own style and conviction ...Just give them time and you will see. We were all happy whe the bnand showed interest in working with us again and this makes us proud. We are a good team together and we will go ahead together. That's it."
Sworn Enemy Announces New Tour Dates
New York hardcore outfit Sworn Enemy has announced the dates of the No Mercy No Surrender tour 2015.
Wretched (Victory Records), Dark Sermon (Goodfight Music), and Hammer Fight will be joining the tour, kicking off April 7th in Charleston, South Carolina and working it's way throughout the U.S. before wrapping up on May 1st in Providence, Rhode Island.
Sworn Enemy will be touring in support of latest record "Living on Borrowed Time" (Rock Ridge Music/ADA) which landed on two of Billboard’s top charts including #8 on The Heatseekers Chart and #20 on the Hard Music Chart. More...
Antagoniste Reveals "The Myth Of Mankind"
Antagoniste's "The Myth Of Mankind" is due out via I, Voidhanger Records on March 30th, 2015. The cover artwork and track listing can be seen below, with the following press release also issued:
"Pulled out of the Earth's bowels by the Great Architect, the French outsiders known as Antagoniste reveal the Eschatology by transcending the mediocrity of Mankind. Alchemists of the Black Arts, their music destroys the conception of Reality in order to create infinite possibilities.
"Fashioned, shaped and modelled at Demiurgus Studio, Antagoniste's debut album 'The Myth Of Mankind' sublimates the Metal genre with its unique mix of Sludge, Black, Avant-garde, darkened pieces of Progressive music and disharmonic Shoegaze Rock.
"This is the beginning of an evolutionary musical journey that will help you to explore your inner-self abyss." More...
Hounds Signs With Blasphemour Records
Blasphemour Records has checked in with the following update about inking a new record deal:
"Blasphemour Records is happy to announce we have brought NJ blackened hardcore act Hounds into our family. We will be releasing the 4 song EP entitled 'I' on cassette on 3/31. First pressing will consist of 25 silver tapes, and 75 gray tapes. Like our other cassettes, this one will be $5 as well. Pre-Orders will go up in about a week or so at this location. You can also download the digital version for free over here.
"2015 is turning out to be a busy year for us here at Blasphemour. If you haven't done so already, make sure you check out the other bands we have brought on in the past 2 months: Longest War, Bleak, Annulment and A Life of Torment." More...
Haiduk Recording New Album
Haiduk - the Calgary, AB one man thrashing black and death metal project fronted by Luka Milojica - is proud to announce his return to the studio to record a nine track follow-up album to 2012's debut "Spellbook."
The forthcoming release will be another concept "book" album with a strong underlying theme to each song and will see the creation and inclusion of a map based on a fantasy world of Haiduk's themes.
The mixing and mastering will be done by Robert Kukla (Arbitrator) with album artwork done by Gragoth, both of whom previously worked on "Spellbook." The album is set for a tentative release date during Summer 2015.
Luka Milojica comments: "Haiduk has only gotten darker, faster, and more pissed off! From a guitar standpoint the new riffs are busier and more intricate than ever. You’ll see many elements of 'Spellbook' here but also an evolution of the style towards ever-more bizarre, diabolical guitar work. The recording will focus on instrumental precision and creating a gloomy, blackened atmosphere to pull you into my dark fantasy world." More...
Circle Of Witches Splits With Drummer
Circle Of Witches has checked in with the following announcement about splitting with the band's drummer:
"We sadly announce that due to personal reasons we part ways with our drummer Razor. We have tried many drummers during the last month and very soon we will announce our choice! We wish good luck to Razor for his future and thank all drummers who came for an audition."
Tome Of The Unreplenished Releasing Debut Album
"Innerstanding" is the debut full-length album by a mysterious atmospheric black metal project from Cyprus: Tome Of The Unreplenished.
Sole member Hermes used to play bass guitar with the satanic black metal outfit Necrosadist, but with Tome Of The Unreplenished he explores the hidden regions of the soul, abandoning himself and the listener to an emotional roller coaster of transcendental, cosmic beauty.
In Hermes' own words, the project is "An artistic musical project created as a source of self expression and visualization, combined with a soothing yet dismal form of language and execution. The representation of conceptual philosophy, progression, and elevation through sound."
The album was mixed at The Temple Of Flesh by A. Dictator and mastered at Wormhole Studios by Valdimir Uzelac. The track listing is: More...
Haken Announces North American Tour
Prog outfit Haken will be visiting North American shores for ten dates in the Spring supporting latest album "The Mountain" (reviewed here), including a headlining appearance at the 12th annual Rites of Spring Festival (aka ROSfest) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Supporting the band on most dates is Next to None, the band featuring Max Portnoy, son of prog drummer extraordinaire Mike Portnoy. InsideOut label mate Spock's Beard is on the bill for the dates in Quebec City and Montreal. Haken guitarist Charlie Griffiths had this to say about the imminent visit:
"One of our biggest ambitions since the beginnings of the band has been to tour the USA. For it to actually be happening is an amazing feeling. We honestly can't wait to get over there and play our music.
"We've only had a couple of opportunities to meet our American friends before; first at Prog Power USA in 2011 and then at Prog Nation at Sea in 2014 and the fans were incredibly passionate about the music. We're looking forward to visiting some new places and hopefully seeing a lot more new faces.
"We've put together a great set list covering the whole Haken discography and I really think they're going to love it. For a couple of the Canadian shows we're going to be sharing the stage with Spock's Beard, which is crazy because we've been fans of theirs for years. More...
Inculter Releasing "Persisting Devolution"
Today, Edged Circle Productions sets March 27th as the international release date for Inculter's debut album, "Persisting Devolution," which is also set to be released on limited edition vinyl on May 4th.
Originally discovered by Edged Circle label head Iscariah (Immortal, Necrophagia), Inculter is a blistering death / thrash power trio hailing from the west coast of Norway. The group first burst onto the scene with the "Stygian Deluge" 7" EP in 2013. It sold out within two week from the label, and the cassette version was gone within a day.
The "Persisting Devolution" track listing is as follows:
1. Prophets Chants Intro
2. Diabolic Forest
3. Commander
4. Traducers Attack
5. Pastoral Slaughter
6. Mist Of The Night
7. Death Domain
8. Endless Torment
9. Volcanic Swarm
10. Envision Of Horror More...
Eindhoven Announces First Bands For 2015 Festival
Samael, Necrophobic, and Gehennah (Sweden) are the first acts that have been confirmed for the seventh edition of the Eindhoven Metal Meeting festival, set to take place December 11th & 12th, 2015 at the Effenaar venue in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
A whopping 29 more bands will still be added to the line-up. The organizers of the festival comment also:
"As last year's edition was completely sold-out, a logical step would be to expand. However, we unanimously decided against this as we want to maintain the unique atmosphere of the festival. Therefore, de Effenaar will once again be the place to be for all death, black, thrash, pagan and doom metal fans at the end of this year!
"The Swiss metal band Samael will play the classic album 'Ceremony of Opposites' in its entirety at the exclusive fly-in festival-show. After that, the band will perform a few extra songs.
"Necrophobic, the highly praised blackened death metal band from Stockholm finally makes a return to Eindhoven for an exclusive BeNeLux show! Anders Strokirk - who handled the vocal duties on the band's all time classic album 'The Nocturnal Silence' - rejoined the band. Do not miss this!
"The Swedish black/thrash metal band Gehennah also make their comeback to The Netherlands after 15 years of absence. Expect classic hits like 'Headbangers Against Disco' and 'Kings Of The Sidewalk' aside new material. A very limited number of Early Bird tickets are now on sale through our official website."
Carnalation Inks New Record Deal
Inverse Records has checked in with the following announcement about inking a deal with Carnalation:
"Carnalation is returning after a long and creative break and has inked a deal with a Finnish label Inverse Records. The band has been rehearsing and finishing new songs and the quintet is heading to the studio mid-March. A new five songs EP, named 'Ghosts' is due to be released June 12th, 2015. Carnalation can be seen next time live on the stage at Midsummer festival Nummirock."
A short statement from vocalist Jonne Soidinaho reads: "On the last record we were hitting with direct punches, now it's time to add destructive hooks to the ribs!"
Attack Vertical Posts "The Way To Purify" Video
Swiss deathcore quintet Attack Vertical will release fourth full-length album “The Great Waste” on March 13th via Tenacity Music.
In anticipation of its release, today the group has released a music video for "The Way To Purify," which can be seen below courtesy of PureGrainAudio.com.
Pre-orders for “The Great Waste” are now available at this location. The full track listing is as follows:
1. Black Sea
2. Democracy
3. Graveless
4. The Great Waste
5. The Way To Purify
6. End Of Life Demanded
7. Architect
8. Satan In My Mind
9. The Other One
10. Stillborn More...
Sorcerer Decodes "Sumerian Script"
Swedish epic doom metal band Sorcerer will release Metal Blade debut "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross" on March 24th on CD, vinyl, and digitally.
Today the band has teamed up with Decibel Magazine to premiere the song "Sumerian Script," which can be heard below. Pre-orders for "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross" are available now at this location.
Sorcerer was formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1988 but disbanded after two demos in 1992. In 2010 the band came back together to play the Hammer of Doom festival in Germany and a year later the Up The Hammers festival in Athens, Greece.
In the end it took over two years to write, arrange, and record, but the result is nothing but pure, heavy epic doom metal. The new album's track listing is:
1. The Dark Tower of the Sorcerer
2. Sumerian Script
3. Lake of the Lost Souls
4. Excorcise the Demon
5. In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross
6. Prayers for a King
7. The Gates of Hell
8. Pagans Dance More...
The New Roses Signs With Napalm
Germany's The New Roses just inked a record deal with Napalm Records. The label had this to say:
"The New Roses is a true rock 'n roll monster, combining influences of AC/DC, Kid Rock, The Black Roses and Aerosmith skillfully with an enriched and unique sound. A crowning achievement saw the band's track 'Without A Trace' was featured in the TV trailer for the US hit series 'Sons Of Anarchy.'
"With more than 150 shows and festivals played all over Europe in the last three years, numerous avid fans, The New Roses is ready to rock! This success of The New Roses has now gotten the band a worldwide record deal with Napalm Records / Universal. The group is hitting the studio this April to record their new album, which will be released in late summer/autumn this year."
Max Riedler (Napalm Records CEO) comments: "We are delighted to have discovered The New Roses as a bright shining star in the world of Rock music! A great band with a great future! They are totally on the right way!"
The New Roses bassist Urban Benz adds: "We are very pleased to sign to a great and established label like Napalm Records. This confirms our belief in rock and roll and what we do for years now. It also shows us how important it is to consistently and persistently pursue the own path. We feel the deal with Napalm Records as a reward for our efforts in recent years and we are now confident and highly motivated in the recordings for the new album!"
Vocalist / guitarist Timmy Rough had this to say: "It is good to know that we are on the right way! Napalm Records is a very good and experienced label and we're really looking forward to working together. We will play this year as much as possible and of course include our entire attention in the production of the new album on which we are already working very hard. We know that many of our fans have been waiting quite impatiently and we are looking forward even more to have a valuable partner with Napalm Records who will support us with full force in the production and marketing of the 2nd album!" More...
Battle Beast Parts With Guitarist
After a recent European tour and before upcoming shows in Finland this March, Battle Beast is about to undergo a crew change.
Due to insurmountable disagreements and on the initiative of other members, one the founding members, author of all the songs, and lead guitarist Anton Kabanen is forced to leave the band.
A substitute guitarist has been engaged for the upcoming shows. Anton Kabanen is going to continue making music and working on new projects. Battle Beast is already preparing new material for an upcoming fourth album.
On January 9th, Battle Beast released third full-length studio encounter "Unholy Savior" and entered the Finnish charts at number one. More...
New Year's Day Signs With Another Century
New Year's Day just inked a worldwide deal with Another Century Records (the hard rock spin off from Century Meday) and will release a brand new, full-length album later this year.
The group will spend all Summer on the Warped Tour across North America in support of the 5-song EP "Epidemic," which was released through Grey Area Records last fall. New Year's Day is also currently on tour with Motionless In White across the U.S. until March 29th. See below for all remaining tour dates.
Ash Costello (vocals) states: "We are so thrilled to be on Warped Tour again this summer. It is our favorite tour of the year, and can’t wait to get out there in the hot sun and hear your voices. We are also very excited to sign with Another Century Records and work with a great team of people, who are just as excited as we are.
"Our current tour with Motionless In White has been such an amazing experience. We have been friends for a few years and Chris sang on our last album, so it’s nice bringing it all together for us and the fans. We look forward to seeing you all soon, so come on out to the shows and be sure to come say hello to us.” More...
Bio-Cancer Releasing "Tormenting The Innocent"
The Greek thrashers from Bio-Cancer turn it up with their crushing sophomore album, "Tormenting the Innocent," due out March 24th via Candlelight. Mixed by Andy Claussen (Destruction/Krisiun), it features art by Andrei Bouzikov (Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust).
"Tormenting the Innocent" is the first worldwide release for the young five-piece and follows 2012 self-released debut "Ear Piercing Thrash." The band has shared the stage with Sodom, Onslaught, Rotting Christ, Xentrix, Artillery, & more. The track listing is as follows: More...
Headline News
Shawn Drover Announces New Band Act Of Defiance
Upon exiting the ranks of Megadeth, the metal world eagerly awaited news as to what was next for Chris Broderick (guitars) and Shawn Drover (drums).
The duo is now excited to announce a worldwide signing to Metal Blade Records for new group Act Of Defiance, which is rounded out by Henry Derek (ex-Scar The Martyr) on vocals and Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) on bass.
Act Of Defiance is recording a debut offering with world renowned producer Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall). Look for this album to be released sometime this Summer.
Broderick states: "I am so excited to finally be able to announce Act Of Defiance to the world. Shawn just finished tracking drums the first week of February and his performance and tones are simply incredible. I have started tracking rhythms and leads, as well as working with Henry to get final vocal takes while Matt will record bass at his studio. The final mix and mastering will also be handled by Zeuss.
"I am also very honored to announce that we have signed with Metal Blade Records. There is not a better label to be on than one where the employees (and owner) still understand and listen to METAL! They have shown a loyalty, backing and drive for their artists that few other labels have. As for our music, I am really enjoying the ability to create what is a killer mix of thrash and modern metal. It has a unique combination ranging from thrash to classical influences. I am very proud of what we have written and hope that you all dig it.” More...
Archspire Posts Vocal Playthrough Video
Archspire the fast-rising technical death metal outfit Archspire is streaming a brand new vocal playthrough of "Fathom Infinite Depth", from the band's Season of Mist debut, "The Lucid Collective."
Check out the awesome clip below.
Archspire also recently announced a new U.S. tour that sees the band team up with Fallujah starting on March 3rd, and running throughout the Western U.S. A full list of confirmed tour dates can be found below: More...
Whitechapel Begs "Let Me Burn!"
Tennessee's Whitechapel has unveiled a new music video, today, but be warned: "Let Me Burn" isn't like other Whitechapel videos.
The band collaborated with director Mitch Massie, the director behind the latest and most visually striking videos from Cattle Decapitation, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and more. Mitch Massie brought the lyrics to "Let Me Burn" to life in gloriously gory fashion; this video is not for those with a weak constitution. Check it out below, courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting.com.
Whitechapel vocalist Phil Bozeman explains: "The basis of the video is about a man, his wife and daughter. The story depicts the degradation of the man and him going insane. He kills his wife and eventually douses himself in gasoline and begs his daughter to strike the match. But the whole point of the story is that the man has everything he wants and needs, but has no control over his mind and suffers with clinical insanity/schizophrenia and regrets everything he has done." Guitarist Alex Wade adds: "It's our first time trying a story based video versus a performance video with us playing and we're really happy with how it came out. Phil's idea for the concept of the video mixed with Mitch Massie's directing developed a very dark and sinister feel that represents the song well." More...
Anatomy Of I Posts "Substratum" Trailer
Anatomy Of I, the band featuring vocalist/guitarist Michael Dorrian, bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Death, Testament) and drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Scarve, Soilwork), has announced that debut album "Substratum," originally released in 2011, will be re-issued by Punishment 18 Records in May.
This new version will contain bonus tracks consisting of two remixed and remastered songs and one exclusive new song. A teaser clip can be found below.
God Mother Streams New Single
God Mother just released the first single from upcoming album "Maktbehov," which is set to be released on the 26th of March through Violent Groove Music Group.
Check out the "Blodfors" single below. The upcoming album was mixed by Michael Dahlström and mastered By Brad Boathright at Audiosiege, with album art by Lina Forsgren.
Greylights Reforming As Live Band
Ottawa-based industrial deathcore band Greylights has announced the group will be packing up and heading to Toronto to re-form as a live act in August 2015.
After all the members left in January for personal reasons, founding member Ciaran Arts announced he will be moving the project to Toronto to pursue a career in audio engineering. Here is the official statement made from the Greylights Facebook page:
"Today is a huge day for Greylights. There are two hugely exciting pieces of news that I get to share with you all as well as a brand new song being released! First, the song! This new song is entitled 'The Oracle' and you can download it for free as well as the rest of 'The Ritual' EP at this location! Don’t worry though, more songs will be release in due time.
"Secondly, I am SUPER fucking pumped to announce that in August, I am moving to the Toronto area to begin my studies in audio production & engineering at Canada’s most prestigious music school, Metalworks Institute. As well as moving to the Toronto area I will be re-forming Greylights as a live band. Vocals, bass guitar and keyboards are already arranged, but we still need a drummer and a guitarist in the Toronto area, so if you happen to be such a person- or know someone that might be interested, be sure to get in touch through this Facebook page to set up an audition!
"I want to thank everyone who has stuck with this project thus-far, it would not be nearly as fun for me without you listening to my music and sharing it with like-minded friends. I am really excited to be sharing this instrumental music with you but be sure that with the addition of the amazing vocals I've got lined up it’s only going to get better and better! Stay tuned!" More...
Kontinuum Announces New Album
Kontinuum will release new album "Kyrr" via Candlelight Records on April 20th, 2015. Pre-orders are now online at this location, and the cover artwork can be seen below. The album's track listing is:
1. Breathe
2. Í Huldusal
3. Hliðargötu-heimsveldi
4. Kyrr
5. Undir Þunnu Skinni
6. Lone
7. In Shallow Seas
8. Red Stream More...
Minsk Streaming New Track
Scattered between the sleepy city of Peoria and metropolis of Chicago and drawing inspiration from a remote Belarusian city that has been burned to the ground only to be rebuilt like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, Minsk has been cultivating sonic exploration and alchemical outpourings since 2002.
Set to drop via Relapse Records on April 7th, new album "The Crash & The Draw" follows the eclectic collective's six-year hiatus and boasts eleven arresting psalms. Sample new track "To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure" in the player below.
Reflects co-founding member Timothy Mead (vocals, keyboards) of the recording: "So much attention and care have gone into this process, this renewal. We knew in order to really move Minsk forward in a meaningful way we would need to raise the bar all over again. This realization lit a fire within us to transcend what was. Lots of changes, to be sure, and yet the results are unmistakably Minsk."
Adds co-founder Christopher Bennett (guitars, vocals): "This new album will present inroads to some of the musical archetypes we initially discussed when starting this band, but ones we have not yet touched on in the macrocosmic sense. It embodies the furtherance and expansion of Minsk in ways desired in the past, but not realized until these songs began to show themselves to us. The aggregate elements combining into a solid form. We hope to reveal this process to any and all who have the ears to hear." More...
Convulse Posts "Pangaea" Video
Finnish death metallers Convulse today premiere a video for the new track "Pangaea," which can be viewed below.
The track is the first preview off Convulse's forthcoming new album for Svart Records, which follows "Evil Prevails," released by Svart in 2013. Vocalist/guitarist Rami Jämsä offers the following update:
"We are preparing a new album to be released by Svart at the end of this year. We decided to record the album in two sessions. The first session is done, and we now have four tracks recorded. Next sessions are in September, and then we will have enough, 8-10 tracks, then. As people have noticed, we are a trio nowadays. We have rehearsed a lot to improve the band's groove and versatile output; the style has evolved a lot, as you can hear.
"This time, there will be influences from progressive rock, old '80s heavy metal, and early death metal, too - all the music we have listened from the early years of the 1980s. We have always been very open-minded with our music, and want to challenge ourselves and listeners, too." More...
Column
Thrashback Thursday: Escape To The Void
Growing up listening to the "big 4" of thrash, Sepultura was another step toward the extreme for me.
"Beneath The Remains" had an early death metal feel, while "Arise" was thrashy and full of speed, but did not necessarily have all the qualities of what one would call thrash.
Having passed over "Schizophrenia" (1987) for decades due to its poor production, I finally picked up a remaster of the album and was amazed at the gems found on it. Many of the songs are flat out thrashy ("To The Wall," "Rest In Pain"), but "Escape To The Void" sticks to the old school thrash formula the best.
If you're a thrash fan, but a bit picky about production quality, and passed over "Schizophrenia" like I had, it's time to remedy that. At least give this song a listen:
Code Streaming Full New Album
Progressive black metal / post rock outfit Code has made forthcoming new album "mut" (reviewed here) available to stream ahead of its anticipated release date on February 27th in Europe and March 10th in North America via Agonia Records.
Listen to the full album below, courtesy of Noisey.Vice.com. On the new album, the band commented: "mut is the sound of us as a band freeing ourselves not just from the confines of what Code is, but from genre conventions of any description. The time for conforming has past and we have created an album that is the purest distillation of our creative ambition. This is the first time in the history of the band that we have created music with no reference points and as a result, this is our most stark, intimate and emotional album."
"mut" was recorded in Brighton Electric Studios (The Cure, Foals, Nick Cave, Royal Blood) with engineer and producer Paul "Win" Winstanley. More...
Axemaster Releases "Sanity's Requiem" Music Video
Ohio traditional/power metal act Axemaster released a music video for the new track "Sanity's Requiem." The song appears on the band's upcoming third full length album "Overture to Madness," the first album in 25 years. The album is set for a March 6th release date via Pure Steel Records.
The track listing for the album is:
1. Entering Madness
2. Sanity's Requiem
3. Forsaken
4. Dream or Nightmare
5. Thirty Pieces of Silver
6. Crimson Haze
7. Peeling Skin
8. Sinister
9. Statute of Liberty
10. Ashes
11. Chylde
12. Dark Souls
13. Epic
Check out "Sanity's Requiem" here: More...
Unleashed Posts "Where Is Your God Now" Lyric Clip
Swedish death metal veterans Unleashed released lyric video for the new track "Where Is Your God Now?," the first salvo from the upcoming new album "Dawn of the Nine." The album is set for release on April 24th, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The track list is:
1. A New Day Will Rise
2. They Came To Die
3. Defenders Of Midgard
4. Where Is Your God Now?
5. The Bolt Thrower
6. Let The Hammer Fly
7. Where Churches Once Burned
8. Land Of The Thousand Lakes
9. Dawn Of The Nine
10. Welcome The Son Of Thor!
Check out "Where Is Your God Now?" here: More...
Magnum Announces New Live Release
British melodic rock icons Magnum will release a new live album which was recorded at selected venues from their successful "Escape From The Shadow Garden" European tour in the spring of 2014. The set list comprises songs chosen from 7 of their 18 studio albums and the band has produced this album so that fans can fully appreciate the songs penned from Magnum’s beginning, in the 1970s, right up to the present day.
"Escape From The Shadow Garden - Live 2014" will be released in Scandinavia on May 6th, in Germany on May 8th, in Europe on May 11th and in the USA on May 12th as a super jewel case version, double gatefold vinyl version and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
The track list is:
(Super Jewel Case)
1. Live ‘til You Die
2. Black Skies
3. Freedom Day
4. Dance of the Black Tattoo
5. Blood Red Laughter
6. Unwritten Sacrifice
7. How Far Jerusalem
8. Les Morts Dansant
9. Falling For the Big Plan
10. All England’s Eyes
11. Vigilante
12. Kingdom of Madness More...
Ethernity Releases "Entities" Music Video
Belgian power/progressive act Ethernity released a music video for the new track "Entities." The song will appear on the upcoming debut release "Obscure Illusions," which is set for a March 20th date. The album was mixed/mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios) at Domination Studio, Italy.
The band previously revealed that the album's title track will feature vocal guest appearances by Evergrey vocalist Tom Englund (Epysode), Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Darkology) and Marco Basile (DGM).
The track list for "Obscure Illusions" is:
1. False Lamentations
2. Entities
3. Shadows on the Wall
4. Secret Door
5. Never Thought (You Would Make Me Go)
6. Rancor
7. Alone
8. Broken Memories
9. After All Has Turned To Pain
10. XIII
11. Interlude
12. Obscure Illusions
The video was directed by Cedric Huet. Check it out here: More...
Moonspell Posts Preview For New Album "Extinct"
Portuguese gothic metal act Moonspell released an interactive preview, featuring clips from the entire new album "Extinct." The album drops via Napalm Records on March 9th (UK) and March 17th (North America).
The track list for "Extinct" is:
1. Breathe (Until We Are No More) (see lyric video here)
2. Medusalem
3. Funeral Bloom
4. Domina
5. La Baphomette
6. The Last of Us (song streaming here)
7. A Dying Breed
8. Malignia
9. Extinct (song streaming here)
10. The Future Is Dark
Check out the preview clip here: More...
Helloween Announces Title, Reveals Art For New LP
German metal legends Helloween have announced that the 14th studio release will be entitled "My God-Given Right." The album is set to drop on May 29th via Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be available in CD, digipak, earbook and colored vinyl editions, which can all be pre-ordered at this location.
"My God-Given Right" was recorded between October 2014 and February 2015 at the bands very own MiSueno Studio in Tenerife, with long term producer Charlie Bauerfeind (Blind Guardian, Hammerfall) handling production and recording duties.
The cover art (shown below) was created by Martin Häusler, who commented on the recent creation: “We tried to built a world of ideas, keeping the 'classical Helloween' elements, like the pumpkins on the one hand and a complete new look on the other, just like we did it the years before, working on a Helloween artwork. A first inspiration came from the album title 'My God-Given Right' and some of the song titles like ‘Swing Of A Fallen World’, ‘Lost In America’, ‘Battle´s Won’ etc. During my research I stumbled upon the Blockbuster 'Day After Tomorrow' and the idea of just leaving the world to the 'pumpkins' was born. The most challenging part of this artwork was to have both, the Limited Edition and the 11" Earbook provided with a 3D-Lenticular-cover (a full 3D cover, visible without 3D glasses). That’s the reason the entire artwork was done 'in one piece', using a 3D program…we did not want one of those 'cheap Lenticular-covers, done by converting a 2d-version', but the best possible real 3D result: So don’t get any other versions – this will be a true collector’s item!” More...
Godless Angel Posts New Lyric Video
Lawrence, Kansas based one man death and thrash metal juggernaut Godless Angel (Derek Neibarger) is streaming another new song from the upcoming album "Harvester of Shadows", which is scheduled for worldwide release by Inverse Records on February 27.
Check out "Containment Breach in Sector 6" below.
Beautality Posts New Song
London-based outfit Beautality is gearing up to release "Einfallen: A Tale ov Torment & Triumph" this coming March 16th through Nordavind Records.
Today the band has also released a new track off the album titled "From The Abyss". Check out the new track below.
Nepente Posts New Song
The Colombian blackened death metalers of Nepente are about to release "I Will Get Your Soul" on March 31st via Cimmerian Shade Recordings. In anticipation of the new album the band is streaming one track off the new album titled "Show Me That You Are Suffering" below.
"I Will Get Your Soul" was recorded at Manizales Studio (Colombia) and mixed/mastered at Hertz Recording Studio (Bialystock, Poland) by Slawomir and Wojciech Wieslawski.
Benighted Posts Live Video Clip
French death metal grindcore outfit Benighted have just released a new live CD and DVD set entitled "Brutalive The Sick". Today the band offers a new live performance clip from the DVD for the track "Collapse" below.
States Benighted about the release: “The show was recorded at Sylak Open Air 2014 in France. These 13 tracks represent our unleashed fury on stage whipped up by an amazing crowd. We hope this makes for a suitably brutal and insane birthday gift for all of you!”
Just For Fun
Andy Rehfeldt: Mary Poppins Sings Death Metal
Andy Rehfeldt is famous for doing hilarious death metal mashups, for example his death metal version of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer". This time Rehfeldt has found a new victim and satirizes Mary Poppins.
You can now watch his death metal version of "Dupercalifragilisticexpialidocious".
Exodus/Slayer's Holt Tells "Rock Star Stories"
As part of Affliction's "Rock Star Stories" series, Jose Mangin (SiriusXM, Liquid Metal, Ozzy's Boneyard, Octane), recently asked Exodus and Slayer guitarist Gary Holt to share a tale from the road.
Check out the clip below.
Wrath Of Vesuvius Posts New Clips
California technical death metal band Wrath Of Vesuvius, now more commonly known as Wrvth, recently joined forces with Unique Leader Records for the release of a third self titled full-length due out June 16th.
The band offers a first taste of the new album by presenting an album sampler video and studio footage clip below. More...
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