Latest Metal News
Last updated on March 4, 2015 at 4:19 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
- Original Broken Hope Drummer Dies At 42
- Hellsaw Calling It Quits
- 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
Hot Topics
- Armored Saint Announces New Album, Release Date
- Six Feet Under Streaming New Track
- Elitist Posts "Numbered" Video
- New Preview Video Available From The Gentle Storm
- Shining Streaming New Song
- Original Broken Hope Drummer Dies At 42
- Enslaved Posts Track-By-Track Video
- Metasoma Parts With Vocalist
- Shadowkiller Signs With Pure Steel Records
- Amorphis To Enter Studio, New Album This September
31 news articles posted today (and counting...)
Armored Saint Announces New Album, Release Date
California metal legends Armored Saint announced that the band will release the first album in five years entitled "Win Hands Down." The sixth full length studio effort will be issued on June 2nd via Metal Blade Records.
Vocalist John Bush commented: "When we began talking about a new record I told Joey Vera (bass) to pretend we were a really huge band and that we could do anything we wanted. At least that was the mindset we should have, from the writing to the production. What came out was ‘Win Hands Down,’ which is our first record in five years. There’s everything from classic Armored Saint rocker songs to epic songs and we all dug deep to deliver something special. If we weren’t going to, then we shouldn’t have bothered. I’m glad we did. In May we are doing some shows in the States with Saxon. It’s a great way to get the ball rolling."
Bassist Joey Vera added: "We’re very excited about our new record coming out in June! We’ve been writing over the past year and half and we feel like we’ve written some amazing music. We can’t wait to share it!"
Armored Saint will hit the road for select dates in support of Saxon's limited North American run on the following dates:
May 12th - New York City, NY - BB Kings
May 13th - Worcester, MA - The Palladium (Upstairs)
May 23rd - San Antonio, TX - 210 Kapone's Live
May 24th - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
May 29th - San Jose, CA - Rock Bar
May 30th - Los Angeles, CA - House Of Blues
Six Feet Under Streaming New Track
Tampa death metal act Six Feet Under is streaming the new track "Open Coffin Orgy." The song will appear on the band's upcoming new release "Crypt of the Devil," which is set to drop via Metal Blade Records on May 1st (G/A/S), May 4th (EU) and May 5th (USA).
The track list for the album is:
1. Gruesome
2. Open Coffin Orgy
3. Broken Bottle Rape
4. Break the Cross in Half
5. Lost Remains
6. Slit Wrists
7. Stab
8. The Night Bleeds
9. Compulsion to Brutalize
10. Eternal Darkness
Check out "Open Coffin Orgy" here: More...
Elitist Posts "Numbered" Video
California outfit Elitist's new single "Numbered" is out now all digital retailers and will also be included for free with all orders from the band's official merch store. You can also see a music video for the new track below.
Metasoma Parts With Vocalist
London, U.K. outfit Metasoma has issued the following announcement about parting ways with the band's vocalist:
"Following recent events we have decided to part ways with our vocalist Amro Ali, we wish him the best.
"No time to rest though as we move forward! We have some very exiting things coming our way and we are now stronger than ever, those who came to see us last night know what we mean. We are on this Sunday at the Purple Turtle, come see for yourself!"
Metasoma is:
Lead Guitar - Voytek Golbiak
Rhythm Guitar - Mishiek Es
Bass Guitar - Don Merritt
Drums - Hugo Terva
Impalers Issues Album Update
Impalers just checked in with the following update about nearing the release of a new full-length album:
"Almost exactly a year ago we entered Death Island studio with producer Marco Angioni to record our sophomore full-length album, entitled 'God From The Machine.'
"We are beyond stoked that we are FINALLY nearing the point where we can actually release this thing, because we poured everything into it, and we believe it shows.
"You've already heard one of the new tracks through the 'Prepare For War' EP, and the response for that one has been really great so far. We hope you feel the same way about the rest! Also, we'll reveal the artwork for this magic beast very, very soon!" More...
Spectral Darkwave Posts In-Studio Footage
Symphonic death / doom trio Spectral Darkwave will release debut album "Last First Contact" on March 30th, 2015 via Occidental Records.
The band has now released part one of a two part documentary, which showcases the journey of Spectral Darkwave and how "First Last Contact" came to be. In this first episode below you can see the band discussing the recording process. The album's track listing is:
1. A Distant Dawn
2. Retake Mars!
3. The Occident
4. Under Ebon Lash
5. My Hand The Gavel
6. At Midnight...Alchemy
7. Compound Vengeance
8. I Am Shadow
9. Mors Technica
10. To Feast On Milk And Oil More...
Shining Streaming New Song
Shining is now revealing a brand new track taken from forthcoming full-length "IX - Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends."
Check out the new track "Besök Från I(ho)nom" in the player below, courtesy of Revovlermag.com. The new album will drop April 21st and the track listing is as follows:
1. Den Påtvingade Tvåsamheten
2. Vilja & Dröm (streaming here)
3. Framtidsutsikter
4. Människotankens Vägglösa Rum
5. Inga Broar Kvar Att Bränna
6. Besök Från I(ho)nom More...
Enslaved Posts Track-By-Track Video
Following a full album stream (still available here), Norwegian progressive extreme metal band Enslaved has a new track-by-track video online discussing "In Times."
Check out this new clip below to see Ivar explaining "One Thousand Years Of Rain" and "Nauthir Bleeding."
New album "In Times" will drop March 6th in Europe and March 10th in North America. You can read our review of the disc right here.
Max Pie Announces New Album, Posts First Trailer
Belgian power/progressive act Max Pie released a trailer clip for the upcoming third studio release, which will be entitled "Odd Memories." The album will contain 10 songs and more than one hour of music.
"Odd Memories" was mixed at Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni (DGM) and will be avalaible soon via Mausoleum Records. The cover art (shown in the first trailer below) was created by Didier Scohier of Artcore Design.
The first in a series of 10 previews will be released each Wednesday until the official release. More information on the album, including the track list and release date will be issued soon.
Check out the first teaser clip here:
New Preview Video Available From The Gentle Storm
The Gentle Storm (the new project of Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, Guilt Machine) and Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering, Devin Townsend Project)) released the eighth in a series of behind the scenes preview clips for the upcoming debut album "The Diary." In the clip seen below, Jeroen Goossens and his gigantic array of wind instruments, and see an outtake from his recording session at The Electric Castle. Arjen also explains the "gentle" and "storm" CDs in more detail.
"The Diary" is set for release on March 23rd (EU) and March 24th (USA/World) via InsideOut Music. Check out the latest clip here:
Miracle Master Seeking New Vocalist
German hard rock act Miracle Master has started a search for a new vocalist following the departure of vocalist Oliver Weers. The band is currently working on the second album and a few summer shows have been booked.
The band commented on Weers departure: "The band is really sad about the decision, but they respect it. They wish him all the best for the future and want to thank him for the unbelievable time they had together."
Oliver Weers added: "It’s not an easy decision, we have together decided that I leave the band. Miracle Master will be looking for a new screamer now, so I sincerely wish them the best of luck with that! Love and appreciate all the support from fans and friends and hope for your understanding."
The band ask that all interested parties send applications to promo@rockngrowl.com
Nightmare World Signs With Pure Legend Records
U.K. based progressive/power Metal band Nightmare World - featuring Threshold guitarist Pete Morten on guitar and vocals - has signed a worldwide deal with Pure Legend Records, a division of Pure Steel Records. The band will issue the debut full length release "In the Fullness of Time" later in the year. More information on the album is expected soon.
Pure Steel General Manager Andreas Lorenz says: "I’m glad the we can announce another high-class signing with Nightmare World from U.K. Nightmare World plays slightly progressive power metal with British stamp on absolutely intoxicating and technically highest level. With Pete Morten, guitarist from Threshold, they have to offer (believe it or not) an extremely talented singer - I can promise an extremely ambitious album!"
The band commented "After years in the making, we are really excited about signing with Pure Legend Records for the worldwide release of our debut album 'In The Fullness Of Time' on CD as well as 12 inch vinyl, and of course, download. Anyone into melodic heavy metal with killer hooks should check us out! We look forward to supporting the album with live dates in the future."
Nightmare World was formed in 2006 and released a debut EP "No Regrets" in February 2009. The line up is:
Guitar - Sam Shuttlewood
Vocals - Pete Morten (Threshold/ex-Power Quest)
Guitar - Joey Cleary
Drums - Billy Jeffs
Keys - Nick Clarke
Bass - David Moorcroft More...
Harmony Streaming "What If"
Swedish power/progressive act Harmony is streaming the track "What If." The song appears on the band's latest effort "Theatre of Redemption," which features ex-Lost Horizon/ex-Heed vocalist Daniel Heiman. The album is available now via Ulterium Records.
Check out "What If" here:
Amorphis To Enter Studio, New Album This September
Finnish metal act Amorphis started the year off by demoing new songs for their upcoming 12th studio album, which is tarted for release in September. The band will start pre-production this month in Helsinki with producer Jens Bogren. The album recordings will begin in April at Bogren's Fascination Street Studio in Stockholm.
The lyrics are written by Amorphis' spiritual mentor Pekka Kainulainen: "Like Kalevala, they are descriptions of natural phenomena, seasons and the human mind. Recccuring situations where hope and uncertainty alternate. Attempting to gain advice from higher powers. The poems do not form a complete story per se, but they are drawn together by a certain theme. We live under a red cloud and once again, time weighs us.”
The new album will be released in September when Amorphis will embark on a world tour, starting from their native Finland. Amorphis will be touring Europe with Nightwish at the end of the year.
This past December, Amorphis completed a successful Central European "Retro" tour where the band played their legendary "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" album in its entirety to celebrate the 20th anniversary of said record. As a special treat for the fans, Amorphis also played songs from their debut album, which they haven't played in more than two decades. In Germany the media praised the tour of its authencity and its "time travel to 20 years ago" aspect.
"The tour set pays homage to the TFTTL album and did not include a single song released after 1995. It was great to see how boldly Tales... functions as a whole.”
Upcoming confirmed live dates are as follows:
Amorphis Summer Festivals in Finland:
06.06.2015 Tampere – Radio City South Park
27.06.2015 Helsinki – Tuska Open Air
03.07.2015 Turku – Ruisrock
17-19.07.2015 Joensuu – Ilosaarirock More...
We Are Legend Announces New Drummer
German power/progressive act We Are Legen announced that they have added Boris "The Legend" Kellenbenz as the new drummer.
After Heiko Burst (ex-Abraxas) left the band for personal reasons, auditions where held in search for a new drummer to find someone with the same potential in drumming as Heiko. After various sessions with other candidates, Kellenbenz convinced the band after just one rehearsal and became a part of the brotherhood.
Kellenbenz is an experienced rock and metal drummer with an education at the MIM in Vienna. Guitarist Dirk Baur (ex-Coronatus) commented: "With his unique way to play and his amazing groove, he is the perfect addition to our brotherhood and brings us another step forward musically."
We Are Legend is already booked for festivals, starting in March, where Kellenbenz will make his live debut behind the drums! At the same time the band is working on their follow up to the 2013 debut album "Rise of the Legend"
"The grapes are hanging high," say Baur, "but we still have something up our sleeve!" More...
St. Elmos Fire To Release First Album In 23 Years
Pure Steel Records recording artists St. Elmos Fire announced that the writing for the next album is just about wrapped up. The California based melodic metal band has been working on the new material since late last year. It will mark the first new material since "Desperate Years" was issued on Black Dragon Records in 1992, 23 years ago.
According to guitarist Jeff Jones, the album will contain between 10 to 12 new songs: "We are extremely excited to be releasing our new music on Pure Steel. They are one of the best metal labels around and we are thrilled to be part of their metal family!"
The album will feature original band members drummer Kris Gustofson and guitarist Jeff Jones. Mike Palombi who joined the band last year will be handling the lead vocals.
Pre-production and recording for the as of now untitled new record will begin soon in the band's studio in Sacramento. More information is expected soon. More...
Shadowkiller Signs With Pure Steel Records
Northern California power/progressive act Shadowkiller has signed a worldwide deal with Pure Steel Records. The band will release the follow up to the 2013 debut album "Slaves of Egypt" this year in the form of the sophomore effort "Until the War is Won." The first salvo from the effort - a lyric video for the track "Survival" - will be released soon. More information on the album, including cover artwork, track list and exact release date will be announced soon.
Shadowkiller is:
Joe Liszt: guitar, lead vocals (D-Train, HellHound, Rocka Rollas, Ancient Empire)
Marc Petac: lead guitar (Germhead, Bad Influence, Sterling Violation)
Gary Neff: drums (Forced Psychosis, HellHound)
Dan Lynch: bass (3rd Zen) More...
Occult 45 Posts Entire New EP "Human Abhorrence"
Philadelphia’s grindcore outfit Occult 45 is streaming its new EP titled "Human Abhorrence" in its entirety below. The EP will be released on March 10 via Broken Limbs Recordings.
If you want to catch Occult 45 live on stage, check out the upcoming dates below: More...
Morbid Evils Posts Entire Debut Album
Finnish doom / sludge four-piece Morbid Evils is streaming the entire debut album "In Hate With The Burning World" set to drop March 6 via Svart Records. The band was formed by Rotten Sound’s Keijo Niinimaa early in 2014 focusing on downtuned riffs played at earthworm pace.
You can stream the full album "In Hate With The Burning World" below and order it in all formats HERE.
Der Weg Einer Freiheit Posts New Song
German black metalers of Der Weg Einer Freiheit are about to release their new album "Stellar" on March 24 via Season of Mist. In anticipation of the album release the band premieres a new song titled "Eiswanderer".
Check out the new song now below.
Headline News
Original Broken Hope Drummer Dies At 42
Broken Hope's co-founding drummer Ryan Stanek has passed away at the age of 42 on March 1st. States Broken Hope guitarist Jeremy Wagner about Stanek's unexpected death:
"I was stunned to hear of Ryan's passing and I'm still not believing it. Though Ryan and I didn't talk that often since he split from Broken Hope many years ago, we did correspond once in awhile, and we always wished each other well in whatever endeavors we were pursuing. Ryan was always an extremely talented man.
"When we first met, he was the best metal drummer within a 100-mile radius, and Joe Ptacek and I were fortunate to have this amazing drum-kid in our own backyard! Ryan co-founded Broken Hope with Joe and me. We were the core… just the 3 of us, in the beginning, all in high school. Ryan also designed the very first Broken Hope logo, which was a 'circular logo' we used on our first flyers and backdrop.
"With all that, Ryan's artistic talents went beyond drums and drawing, he also played acoustic guitar incredibly well, wrote some of the segues on the earlier Broken Hope albums, contributed his own lyrical-parts on the 'Swamped In Gore' album and also, Ryan became a singer-songwriter post Broken Hope, in other bands he formed where he expressed his art his own way, and very well done. Ryan set the bar for death metal drumming when we recorded 'Loathing.' Specifically, the track 'Siamese Screams' is a song that measures any drummer's worth if he or she can play it to Ryan's original level.
"If there's a heaven, I wish you travel well, Ryan… and I imagine you and Joe [Ptacek] have met up and are having a blast." More...
Saturnalia Temple Streaming "Black Sea Of Power"
The enigmatic Saturnalia Temple has premiered new track "Black Sea of Power" online - listen in below, thanks to Noisey.Vice.com.
The song hails from the band's second album, "To the Other," set for North American release on April 7th via The Ajna Offensive. The cover art was created by Manuel Tinnemans (The Devil's Blood, Deathspell Omega, Necros Christos) and the track listing is as follows:
1. Intro
2. ZazelSorath
3. To The Other
4. Snow Of Reason
5. March Of Gha'agsheblah
6. Black Sea Of Power
7. CrownedWithSeven
8. Void More...
Across The Burning Sky Letting Fans Pick Artwork
Across The Burning Sky has published two different designs for upcoming album "The End Is Near" and wants the fans to make the final decision as to which will actually be used.
Everyone can leave a comment at Facebook here and let Across The Burning Sky know whether you like the "Kali" or "Skull" version (both available below).
Everyone who votes will have the chance to win a download code for a free copy of the album once it is released. The designs were made by German airbrush artist Lies Maria from Brush'n Roll. More...
The Kahless Clone Announces Debut EP
"An Endless Loop," the debut EP from Chicago instrumental dark music band The Kahless Clone, will be released on March 17th.
Featuring Novembers Doom guitarist Vito Marchese, the EP is a gripping musical journey that forges the vibe of dark metal with the sonic landscape and emotional buildups of post-rock.
The Kahless Clone was started by Marchese as an outlet for some of the instrumental songs he had been writing. Marches secured the talents of Zach Libbe, Garry Naples, Andy Bunk, and Ben Johnson to help him record "An Endless Loop."
Recording, mixing, and mastering was done at Belle City Sound in Racine, WI by Chris Wisco, who was able to properly capture the mood and atmosphere of the songs. The band is currently booking live dates/tours to help promote the release. The track listing is:
1. Leave This Place With Me
2. I Can Feel Them, but I Can't Remember Them
3. Everything You See is Gone
4. A Somber Reflection More...
Ether Releasing "Hymns Of Failures"
Nearly eight years after debut album "Depraved, Repressed, Feelings," the tortured beast that is Ether rises from slumber to deliver a second strike.
Still destructive, negative, and schizophrenic, "Hymns of Failure" also sees main man Scythrawl adding a dash of experimentation and going for a more epic sound. Those who like their black metal full of contrasting moods, from the darkest of hatred to the deepest of depression will not want to miss this opus. The track listing is as follows:
1. Failure
2. Enmity
3. Coldness
4. Emptiness
5. Hypersensitivity
6. Isolation More...
Mantar Comments On Upcoming Tour Activity
Dynamic 'n' devastating power-duo Mantar has confirm dates for the group's first-ever U.S. tour, playing as direct support to Prosthetic Records recording artist Mutilation Rites.
Mantar will be touring all across the United States this month, bringing the filth 'n' fury of Svart Records debut album, "Death By Burning," to domestic audience. Dates are available below. The band also comments:
"2014 has been a crazy year for us, as we just started touring in April of that year after our debut came out and already got the chance to play 18 countries right away, including a first quick visit in the US at FEST 13 in Florida to play an awesome show with the Melvins. That was definitely one of the best Mantar shows so far, and so we are more than excited that 2015 starts with our first real US tour right away. We can't wait to play this tour together with Mutilation Rites and hope to meet shitloads of good people over there.. So, feel free to stop by and have beers with us!" More...
The Night Flight Orchestra Releasing New Album
Swedish classic rock band The Night Flight Orchestra - featuring Björn Strid (Soilwork), David Andersson (Soilwork) and Sharlee D' Angelo (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars) - has a new album entitled "Skyline Whispers" that will be released on June 9th, 2015 via Coroner Records.
The album was recorded at Nordic Sound Lab Studios, Skara (Sweden), engineered by The Night Flight Orchestra and Bengan Andersson, mixed by Sebastian Forslund, and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at Panic Room Studios, Skara (Sweden).
You can listen to Björn Strid talking about the forthcoming album with Canadian rocker Danko Jones on his podcast below. The album track listing is as follows:
1. Sail On
2. Living For The Nighttime
3. Stiletto
4. Owaranai Palisades
5. Lady Jade
6. I Ain’t Old, I Ain’t Young
7. All the Ladies
8. Spanish Ghosts
9. Demon Princess
10. Skyline Whispers
11. Roads Less Traveled
12. The Heather Reports
13. Floridian Eyes (Exclusive Digipak Bonus Track) More...
Ufomammut Streaming "Plouton"
Noisey.Vice.com has premiered the new track "Plouton" online (available below), which is the gargantuan second movement from Ufomammut's impending seventh LP, "Ecate."
Ufomammut's massive international tour in support of "Ecate" begins directly after its release, with several Italian shows preceding this two-week European tour with the UK's Conan, and including appearances at both of this year's Desertfest events in London and Berlin.
May and June will see the band on its first-ever tour of North America. Initiated by a performance at this year's Maryland Deathfest with lablemates Yob, Neurosis and countless others, Ufomammut's month-long North America Spring 2015 tour will run from May 13th through June 13th, with direct support from Relapse Records' Usnea. More...
Yesterday's Saints Announces Tour With Iron Man
Maryland doom / heavy rock statesmen Iron Man and Virginia's energetic death / power metal upstarts Yesterday's Saints have teamed up for an 11-city tour of destruction through New England and the Midwest that begins in Washington, DC on March 12th.
If you've been to a metal show at Northern Virginia's Empire, you've likely caught Yesterday's Saints melodic take on the genre hybrid, as one of the venue's favorite opening bands. Followers of Maryland's storied doom legacy should be well versed in Iron Man's 25-year history and the crushing power of guitarist Alfred Morris III's riffs.
Dates for the coming trek are as follows:
3/12: Washington, DC @ The Pinch
3/13: Allentown, PA @ Jabber Jaws
3/14: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
3/15: Brooklyn, NY @ The Paper Box
3/16: Providence, RI @ Dusk
3/17: Salem, MA @ Koto
3/18: Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe's
3/19: Ft. Wayne, IN @ Skeletunes - formerly Berlin Music Pub
3/20: Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
3/21: Columbus, OH @ Ruby Tuesday Bar CLUB IS ON OSU CAMPUS
3/22: Dayton, OH @ Courtyard Lounge - Englewood More...
Bhagavat Releasing "Annunciazione"
Bhagavat is an Italian black metal project, born in 2005 as a one-man band from Vama's mind. The initial aim was to create music deeply inspired by the masters of the Scandinavian black metal scene.
Along the years, stylistic evolution and the increasing need of live performing led to searching for additional members. This process resulted in a 3-piece line up composed of Vama, Mithra (guitar) and Maelstrom (drums).
In 2009, the promo CD "To Burn A Lair Of Snakes" was recorded and self-distributed. Now the band's first full length album "Annunciazione," originally recorded in 2012, will finally released by Rockshots Music in May of 2015. More...
Flotsam And Jetsam Heading Out On Tour
Flotsam and Jetsam is pleased to announce the first wave of confirmed club and festival dates for the band's upcoming 2015 European tour that’s scheduled to start in May and run through August.
This tour will mark the group's return to Europe, coming off 2013's "Ugly Noise" and last year’s re-recording of the 1988 classic “No Place For Disgrace."
Initially set to start in April, the tour was pushed out a month to May in order to allow Flotsam and Jetsam time to continue writing for a 2015 release that will feature new drummer Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), who joined the band in late 2014.
Tracking on this untitled effort will begin in March 2015, with more European and U.S. tour dates to follow. More...
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