Latest Metal News
Last updated on January 28, 2015 at 1:17 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.
Recent Headlines
Hot Topics
- Chainfist Releases New Video
- Behemoth Releasing Biography
- The Agonist Posts "My Witness, Your Victim" Video
- Agnostic Front Issues Track-By-Track Break Down
- Blind Guardian Recruits Barend Courbois
- Aversions Crown Recruits New Vocalist
- Iris Divine Signs With Sensory Records
- Oceans Ate Alaska Premieres New Music Video
- Down Posts "We Knew Him Well" Live Video
- Amon Amarth Begins Work On New Material
11 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Sorcerer Signs With Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Swedish epic doom metal band Sorcerer, will release "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross" on March 20th on CD, vinyl, and digitally.
Pre-orders for the album are available now at this location, and you can also hear the song "The Dark Tower Of The Sorcerer" below. The band comments:
"Sorcerer are proud to have signed with the legendary metal label Metal Blade, home of many bands that has inspired us to start making music. With the new album 'In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross' we hope to continue where we ended many years ago. It is all the fans that have supported us through the years that has inspired us to do this album and we really looking forward to meet you all on gigs and festivals soon!"
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 a new album, but the result is nothing but pure, heavy epic doom metal. The process of putting all bits and pieces together and making it ready for mix and mastering was the work of drummer Robert Iversen, who was acting as the spider in the recording web. The album was mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Devin Townsend). The track listing is as follows:
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...
Blind Guardian Recruits Barend Courbois
In the course of his career he has played over 4,000 shows and recorded over 60 albums and worked together with musicians like Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake), Zakk Wylde, and Atma Anur (Journey). In 2004 he was voted as best metal and all around bass player by Guitar Player magazine.
His name is Barend Courbois, and he is the new bass player of Blind Guardian – out on January 30th (Europe) and February 3rd (North America), fans will be able to enjoy his skills on the upcoming album "Beyond The Red Mirror" (reviewed here).
“This was the longest production I have ever been involved in,” the Dutch musician explains. “As we all know, the recordings took a total of two years. The music is so versatile, which is just what makes the style of Blind Guardian so unique.”
Regarding his own style, Courbois is quite confident: “I play in a very powerful, but also melodic way,” he explains. “You could compare me to John Deacon. Something that Queen-fans Hansi Kürsch and Gitarrist André Olbrich really like.” More...
Behemoth Releasing Biography
"Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors" by Lukasz Dunaj serves as the definitive Behemoth biography. This book, officially blessed, or rather damned, by Behemoth, serves as an in depth look at the history of the events that materially influenced the band.
As Dunaj points out in the intro, this isn't "Poland's response to Motley Crue's biography The Dirt." Simply put, "Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors" is the story of Behemoth, the music, and the band's rise to the upper echelon of metal, becoming a household name in Poland.
"Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors" is a 490 page, hardcover tome that is being released by Metal Blade Records in February 2015. The book includes quotes and anecdotes from current and former members that provide context and details in addition to the author's narrative, plus interviews with Tomas Krajewski, Rob Darken, Graal, Havok, and more. The artistically presented pages are splattered with old photos of the band, flyers, and lyric sheets. Pre-orders are available now at this location.
From the foreword by Krzysztof Azarewicz: "If, as a cultural anthropologist, I were to point to a single cosmic force which Behemoth's music expresses, I would name it not Satan but Dionysus. A deity that represents not only the intoxicating influence of cosmic energies and earthly benefits, but also their benevolent healing properties. A deity of strength and pride. A deity of creative might."
Nergal discusses the acquisition of his first electric guitar: "The first communion was a very important moment for me. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Of course, not as a religion experience - I didn't understand anything and couldn't care less. Same as all the other kids. We all stood there with our votive candles and waited for one thing. Cash. The first communion must be one moment when you get the most money you're ever going to get as a child. And for this money, I bought myself my first electric guitar. Not a bike, no Legos - a guitar." More...
Agnostic Front Issues Track-By-Track Break Down
The New York hardcore pioneers from Agnostic Front have released a full track-by-track commentary for every song on upcoming album "The American Dream Died." Find the piece written by the band's iconic frontman, Roger Miret, below.
The band is also announcing a collaboration of Madball guitarist Matt Henderson on the song "A Wise Man." Commented Miret: "Matt Henderson tracked all guitars for 'A Wise Man' being that song has a total 'One Voice' era feel! Our good friend Ricky Singh (Backtrack NYHC) is to credit for the songs existence! The band executed it with such a great feel and bringing in our brother and ex-AF veteran Matt Henderson to solely do the guitar tracks was just magical!"
Miret had this to say about each track on the release:
"The American Dream Died: It’s a harsh look at what’s going on today in our society. The intro that precedes this song says it all! It’s a reaction to everything happening around us right now. The higher ups are out of control!
"Police Violence: This is our reaction to what’s going on in our country regarding the unprovoked brutality of our citizens by those who we pay to 'protect and serve' us. If they are going to act like criminals, then they should be prosecuted as one! They have some kind of elite fraternity-like understanding that they protect each other with. Don't abuse your badge!
"Only In America: It's sad to learn that the people who serve in our military and risk their lives fighting in wars come home to the government not giving a shit about them, especially if those veterans were wounded mentally or physically. They gotta go through a lot of bullshit just to try and get a little help and support. You've gotta be blind if you don't see that, only in America. This is why I strongly believe the US Government should stop policing the world, and start caring for the issues right here in the USA!
"Test Of Time: Learning from the past is important, to help you move forward and not make the mistakes we did in our youth. Longevity is the key to success. We won't get left behind. More...
The Agonist Posts "My Witness, Your Victim" Video
The Agonist has brought out another video from forthcoming album "Eye Of Providence," due out February 24th. "My Witness, Your Victim" can be seen below, courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting.com. Guitarist Danny Marino had this to say about the video:
"We're thrilled to release the My Witness, Your Victim video! This is the first video we are releasing that was directed and edited by our very own Bassist Chris Kells. Chris shoots music videos for other bands when he is not touring with us and it was really cool to finally do one for The Agonist.
"Lyrically this song dives into the album theme of the Eye of Providence. We live in a world where everything is being tracked and the more we interface with technology the more we lose our humanity. We're really happy with how the video turned out and believe it or not the actor was not harmed (too much) during the shoot!"
You can also watch the band's previously released music video for "Gates Of Horn And Ivory" over at this location. More...
Iris Divine Signs With Sensory Records
Northern Virginia-based trio Iris Divine has joined The Laser's Edge family by signing with the label's progressive metal subdivision, Sensory Records, for the late Spring release of impending debut album, "Karma Sown." Sensory Records comments:
"With a brand of emotional, progressive hard rock/metal not quite like anything else out there, Iris Divine is musically rooted in the raw energy and rhythmic interplay of Rush and King's X. Fans of dark, guitar-driven rock bands from Alice In Chains, Deftones to the contemporary metal riffing of Lamb of God and Pantera, will connect to the heavy core of the band's modern sound.
"Add to that progressive complexity and moody synths inspired by Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, and a liberal dose of memorable hooks and melodies, to understand some elements of the band's sound. And yet, the band has a distinct identity, not quite sounding like any of the aforementioned bands, and with an emotional urgency that pulls subtly from alternative and other influences.
"Hailing from just outside of the Washington, DC area, Irisi Divine has opened for such acts as Katatonia, Orphaned Land, Fates Warning, and Periphery, channeling its studio output into intense, passionate live performances that balance precision with in-the-moment catharsis. Often called a 'musician's band,' the band time and again earned the respect of its regional peers, and could well become new faces gaining prominence among the musician community on a wider scale. More...
Aversions Crown Recruits New Vocalist
After announcing he would be sitting out a tour, Colin Jeffs has decided to step down permanently from Aversions Crown.
Mark Poida, who has been filling in for Jeffs on the current European tour alongside Within The Ruins, has stepped up to join the band as the full time new vocalist.
The band announced on its Facebook page this morning: “Please welcome Mark Poida to the mic who will be stepping up to fill Colin's very big shoes. If you've seen us this year in Australia or Europe, you'll know that Mark has a huge voice and will be crushing it for us moving forward. Cheers Colin for all the good times!”
Colin announced the departure is not due to his recent vocal scare and thanked fans for support, saying: "Friends, unfortunately the time has come for me to part ways with Aversions Crown. This is a difficult call for me to make but a necessary one. The band has been my sole focus for the past 5 years and whilst it has been an amazing experience it has also been a very draining one.
"I've reached a point in my life where this band is just not what I want to focus on anymore and feel as though if I can't put 100% of my heart into this I shouldn't be doing it at all, this decision is not linked to me being absent from the current tour or my recent vocal scare, it’s something I had comes to terms with before these events. Thanks to everyone who has ever supported what I do in any way, it’s been real. Peace." More...
Chainfist Releases New Video
"Black Rebel Noise," a brand new video from Danish metallers Chainfist, can be viewed below. The track is taken from the band’s album "Scarred," which was released on October 6th, 2014. A previously released lyric video for "Statement" can also be seen at this location.
Amon Amarth Begins Work On New Material
Asked if the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2013's "Deceiver Of The Gods", Ted Lundström of Swedish death metallers Amon Amarth states: "Yeah, we just started very recently. We have some ideas for songs and lyrics, but we haven't really sat down to put it together yet. But after this tour, that will be our main focus, just to work on the album 24/7. So hopefully we can record it after the summer. That's the plan. But we don't have any finished songs yet."
Regarding when fans should expect to see the new Amon Amarth album, Ted says: "I would hope that we can release it early next year. But it depends on so many factors: record label and release schedule and touring and studio time and all that. But hopefully early next year we can get it out. That would be our plan. The plan is to stay out of shows. We will see. If something really interesting shows up, we might do something. But our plan is to not do any festivals whatsoever this year."
You can now watch the entire chat below.
Down Posts "We Knew Him Well" Live Video
Down's video for the song "We Knew Him Well" can be seen below. The clip was filmed at Southport Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana by Mike Holderbeast and the Cement Level crew.
States Philip Anselmo about "We Knew Him Well": "I kinda like people to think for themselves and come up with their own conclusions, because a lot of times I'll have a couple of specifics in mind and then somebody will come along and say to me what their thoughts are on a certain songs is about. And I find it really interesting, because it's something that I haven't even considered before in my life and it makes sense to me the way they explain it. So, "We Knew Him Well" is about several different people, not just in my life, but the lives of my bands, family life, anybody that is, I guess, very very close to you. That's one I wrote for them."
Oceans Ate Alaska Premieres New Music Video
Stemming from Birmingham, UK, the five-piece Oceans Ate Alaska offers a progressive strain of experimental modern metalcore. The band found inspiration for their name from the world's largest recorded mega-tsunami - measuring at 1,700 feet high - that demolished Alaska's coastline in 1958. The band was attracted to the natural disaster's national headline that read "Oceans Ate Alaska" where they decided to carry the name on a path to make their own history.
Oceans Ate Alaska premieres a new song and music video "Vultures and Sharks". The the track is featured on the band’s forthcoming album, "Lost Isles" which is set to drop February 24 via Fearless Records.
Check out "Vultures and Sharks" below.
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