Metal News for February 28, 2017
Last updated on September 14, 2025 at 3:01 AM ET
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29 news articles posted on this day.
Column
Pit Stories: Severely White Girl Drunk
In recent weeks we've covered getting rained out of Summer Breeze, experiencing some very dubious sleeping arrangements, and even a little bit of mob justice.
This week we're coming back solidly to the pit itself for a tale of having a few too many and not realizing you'd just met an admired musician - and then taking a headbutt to the gut.
Today's Pit Story comes courtesy of Shelby Tanaka, lead vocalist for the Vancouver-based band This Gun for Hire, who recalls the tale like this:
Now I don't remember most of the minor details to the story, because I was severely white girl wasted, but here it goes. The show, Texas In July. The venue, El Corazon in Seattle WA. I was there hours earlier before lines had even formed outside so I could grab a few drinks at the bar next door to get super toasty for the show.
In the bar I met a married couple there for one of the local bands playing. We bought each other drinks and talked music for a bit. A little later, Alex Good walks in and orders a beer next to us. Now, at the time, I didn't really know what Texas's lead singer looked like, so already slightly tipsy I said something to him that brought him into the conversation. 2 double whiskeys and 5 buds later, the first band was starting up so we all said "nice to meet you, goodbye."
Later in the night it was finally TIJ's time to play. I had been in the pit throwing down for every band and was well passed a sober state of mind. Lights go down, sound turns up, and who else do I see on stage other than Alex Good exhaling viciously with a low growl. I go nuts, pulling everyone's shoulder around me yelling "I had beers with him!" Their first song drops and the pit spins out of control. I work my way to the middle, only to suddenly get head-butted in the stomach by the wife of the couple I met in the bar. She looks up, sees me, grabs me on each side of the head and screams in my face "METAL!" That's one of my favorite pit memories. Be sure to check out our new album that comes out on March 31st 2017 everywhere.
This Gun For Hire's impending album "Something A Little More Sinister" is only a month away - check out two tracks from the release below. More...
Wintersun Launches Crowd Funding Campaign
That long-awaited crowd funding campaign for the upcoming Wintersun album (no, not "Time II") has arrived... and great ready to take a hit to your bank account. There's only one pledging tier available: 50 Euro (around $53) and its digital only, with no physical edition of the album. Ouch.
The uber fans who are going to be into this no matter what can make their contribution for "The Forest Season" at IndieGogo here. Those who want a less-spendy physical edition can pick it up via Nuclear Blast at a date to be determined. The new album's track listing is as follows:
1. Awaken From The Dark Slumber (Spring) 14:41
Part I The Dark Slumber
Part II The Awakening
2. The Forest That Weeps (Summer) 12:18
3. Eternal Darkness (Autumn) 14:08
Part I Haunting Darkness
Part II The Call of the Dark Dream
Part III Beyond the Infinite Universe
Part IV Death
4. Loneliness (Winter) 12:54 More...
Exarsis Comments On Controversial Cover Art
Exarsis recently unveiled the cover artwork for a new album (check it out below), which led to a slew of negative comments from fans about stereotyping and antisemitism. The band has now issued this response to the situation:
"Since we received some negativity by a number of people concerning the front cover of our upcoming record 'New War Order,' we have to set the record straight here. First of all, here comes an explanation of what the controversial part of the artwork depicts.
"What we see is a rabbi, a priest that preaches the Jewish religion. He holds a Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, which drips blood. This record talks about religion and holy wars (hence the blood). How organized religion has led to the demise of zillions of human beings since the dawn of time and continues to this day. Deaths in the name of dieties and political power.
"Our biggest influence on that are the conflicts on Palestinian soil. Hence the Jewish figure, hence the intro track called "Zionism (The Reaping)" - it's NOT against the people of Israel, but IT IS against any type of religion and religious manipulation. And we definitely NOT support ziomism. Other parts of the cover have to do with our lyrical content concerning political empowerment and control, the New War Order, death and aliens. Yes, aliens.
"We had no idea about the 'Der Stürmer' caricatures - as some people said - while creating this artwork in conjunction with Andrei, and that coincidence disappoints us. That's definitely not the point of our artwork. There's a simple explanation on the face of the figure: that's our mascot. 3 albums before he has appeared as a general, a politician or a mad surgeon. He could be an Islamic or a Christian priest as well, and we might do it in the future. For us, all organised religions are the same. More...
Conjonctive Posts "Down Into The Abyss"
Swiss death metal sextet Conjonctive just shared a new music video for the track “Down Into The Abyss," taken off the band’s forthcoming second full-length album "In The Mouth Of The Devil," which is due out on March 10th via Tenacity Music.
The video was directed by Brice Hincker and can be seen below. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Vladimir Cochet at Conatus Studios, "In The Mouth Of The Devil" follows the band's debut album "Until The Whole World Dies" released in 2013.
1. Purgatory
2. You're Next
3. Let Blow The Grim Wind
4. Falling In The Mouth Of The Devil
5. Down Into The Abyss
6. The Cult Of The Shining Planet
7. Burn Your Eyes
8. Hills Of Abomination
9. Defeat The Red Sun
10. Constellations & Black Holes More...
Dystopia Streaming "Through The Vortex"
Dutch black metal crew Dystopia will unleash second full-length album, "Chaos Philosophorum," on April 21st. The band has now unveiled first track "Through The Vortex" - check it out below.
Dystopia comments:: "Through the Vortex offers a perfect representation of the musical and thematical direction of the new album 'Chaos Philosophorum.' It takes you on a journey through the galaxy, it celebrates science, learning and the quest for knowledge. The music resembles that story. This song is what the universe feels like."
The album was recorded at Studio Helvete in Den Helder, mixed by Thomas Cochrane of TC Music Productions, and finally mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Artwork for the follow-up to 2013's "Haat" was designed by Adam Burke from Nightjar Illustration.
1. Intro
2. Through the Vortex
3. Black Death
4. Archon
5. Interlude
6. Bound to Annihilate More...
As Paradise Falls Posts "Star Blind"
Australian metal outfit As Paradise Falls just unleashed a brand new video single called "Star Blind." This is the first single from forthcoming full-length album "Digital Ritual," which is set for a summer 2017 release. The band comments:
"The song 'Star Blind' is meant to explore the culture of celebrity in western society. In recent years, thanks to the advent of social media, the traditional model of what famous is or was has changed by epidemic proportions. The idea of fame hasn't always been seen as such a high goal to so many people. But what was a sometimes blurry line between fame and infamy is now pretty indistinguishable by people who seek validation in a world where it's so hard to find value in themselves. In the current modern digital culture, We need to value substance more than ever."
In November 2015, while As Paradise Falls came towards the end of recording a debut album at Karma Sound Studios in Thailand, the band was invited to support I Killed the Prom Queen in Bangkok. Tragically, the night before the show, guitarist Glen Barrie suddenly passed away in his sleep, leading to a halt in progress to give each member time to grieve the loss of their brother. More...
Wolfbrigade Announces "Run With The Hunted"
Stockholm-based Wolfbrigade has issued news today of an impending ninth full-length album, titled "Run With The Hunted." Set for release in April through Southern Lord, the artwork, track listing, and further insights into the album have been made public today.
"Run With The Hunted" was recorded in both Studio Fredman in Gothenburg (At the Gates, In Flames, Martyrdöd), by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd, and in Sunlight Studio (Dismember, Entombed, Grave) in Stockholm, by Tomas Skogsberg.
Declares Wolfbrigade of the new album: "We looked to explore our rawness, writing straight-up, in-your-face, primitive songs. On this record, we decided to push the melodic strains even further, but without losing either intensity or brutality. Lyrically we have been inspired by both classic and obscure dystopian literature, finding suitably horrible metaphors for the decline of western society. The search for freedom continues, but this time the path is pointed inwards, into ourselves."
Southern Lord will release "Run With The Hunted" on LP, CD, and digital formats on April 28th. Stand by for audio previews and more on the album as it approaches release. More...
Tombs Kicking Off Tour
Brooklyn-based experimental metal outfit and recent Metal Blade signee Tombs will kick off a near-month long U.S. tour tonight in Chicago, Illinois.
From there, the band will pillage through Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah before joining Darkest Hour, Ringworm, and labelmates Rivers Of Nihil in Reno, Nevada on March 4th for a journey that will run through March 21st in Cincinnati, Ohio. See all confirmed dates below.
2/28/2017 Reggies - Chicago, IL
3/02/2017 Streets Of London - Denver, CO
3/03/2017 The Loading Dock - Salt Lake City, UT
w/ Darkest Hour, Ringworm, Rivers Of Nihil:
3/04/2017 Jub Jubs - Reno, NV
3/05/2017 Analog Theater - Portland, OR
3/06/2017 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
3/08/2017 DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
3/09/2017 Colonial Theater - Sacramento, CA
3/10/2017 The Regent - Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2017 Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
3/12/2017 Club Red - Phoenix, AZ
3/13/2017 Club XS - Tucson, AZ
3/14/2017 Blu Phoenix Venue - Albuquerque, NM
3/15/2017 Backstage Lubbock - Lubbock, TX
3/16/2017 Grizzly Hall - Austin, TX
3/17/2017 White Oak - Houston, TX
3/18/2017 The Korova - San Antonio, TX
3/19/2017 Gas Monkey Bar And Grill - Dallas, TX
3/21/2017 Northside Yacht Club - Cincinnati, OH
Dynfari Releasing New Album
Code666 Records will release "The Four Days of the Mind" by Dynfari on April 14th, 2017. The cover artwork and track listing can be found below, while Code666 had this to say:
"Alternating between post-rock vibes and black metal atmospheres, the album explores fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss' theory on the mind's abilities to cope with pain, by weaving it together with over 100 year old lamentations on human existence by early 20th century Icelandic existentialist poet Jóhann Sigurjónsson.
"The combination of the two writers' thoughts is embodied in the union of the drive of black metal with more traditional soundscapes of acoustic guitar, accordion, flute and bouzouki. Artwork by Metaztasis (Watain, Behemoth)."
01. The Four Doors of the Mind
02. 1st Door Sleep
03. Sorgarefni segi egér
04. 2nd Door Forgetting
05. Sorg
06. 3rd Door Madness
07. Bikarinn
08. 4th DoorDeath More...
The Amity Affliction Posts "Fight My Regret" Video
Roadrunner recording group The Amity Affliction just debuted an official video for “Fight My Regret,” taken from new album "This Could Be Heartbreak." The video, which was directed by Ryan Mackfall, is streaming below.
“Fight My Regret” is the fourth video released from the new LP and follows “All Fucked Up,” as well as the band’s two part epic laid out in the videos for “I Bring The Weather With Me” and “This Could Be Heartbreak.” More...
Trilateral Posts New Song
Canada's Trilateral is set to drop first full-length effort "Elliptic Orbits" on March 11th and just released a lyric video for the song "Whalefall." The track features vocals courtesy of Kittie frontwoman Morgan Lander.
1. Dividers of Infinity
2. Cloud Forest
3. Airlock
4. Celestial Bodies
5. Whalefall
6. Fountainhead
7. Nomad
8. Blessed Protagonist
9. Charon
10. Darkless
11. Arbitrarium
12. Convergence More...
Ellefson Coffee Co. Announces Grand Opening
This coming April 7-9, Ellefson Coffee Co. - the boutique coffee brand of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson - will hold a Grand Opening for its first brick and mortar shop in David’s hometown of Jackson, MN.
In addition to Ellefson himself, the event will be co-hosted by special guest comedian and That Metal Show co-host, Don Jamieson, who comments: “He’s a Grammy-winning musician, thrash metal legend and now… Mega Barista! When David and I spoke about this event I was immediately excited to jump on board. In fact, after a few cups of his Kenya Thrash blend I may just run all the way to Jackson, MN! So come raise a glass of java, and join us for this celebration of Ellefson Coffee.”
Also on display is the Museum of Deth featuring permanently displayed artifacts and memorabilia from Ellefson’s personal collection, including highlights such as David’s Jackson High marching band uniform, as well as memorabilia from other artists including Machine Head, Max Cavalera, Coal Chamber, and fellow 2017 Grammy Nominees KORN.
Adds Ellefson, "This is our heavy metal spring break in Jackson! We look forward to hosting some really fun events centering around my career’s roots and history in the area, as well as a chance to see some amazing memorabilia from my friends in music, film and TV."
In The Company Of Serpents Posts "Crucible"
Next week, Denver doom duo In The Company Of Serpents will officially unveil new studio offering, "Ain-Soph Aur."
Captured last year at Flatline Audio in the band's home city by Dave Otero, the six-track release takes its name from the three veils of negative existence which precede the manifestation of the material universe in the philosophy of Hermetic Qabalah, a Western esoteric tradition involving mysticism and the occult.
The phrase translates to Limitless Light, and is emblematic of the Qabalistic concepts which are central to the record. As a precursor to its release, today latest single "Crucible" is offered up for public intoxication. Listen in below. You can also catch the record release show:
3/31/2017 Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO w/ Dreadnought, Echo Beds, 908 More...
Loud As Hell 2017 Lineup Revealed
Western Canada's decibel-breaking heavy metal festival Loud As Hell returns for its sixth consecutive year presented by Semchuk Productions, Jurassic Ink Custom Tattoo, Prairie Fire Events, and Asher Media Relations.
Hosted in the Alberta badlands in Drumheller, this year's three day festival from August 4th-6th features 40 bands from across Western Canada and beyond. Ready to resurrect the roaring echoes of the dinosaurs that once ruled the area millions of years ago, the 2017 headliners Battlecross will be melting the faces off headbangers and sure to stir a massive pit along with stoner rockers Black Wizard, fellow sludge riffers Bison, and Canadian 80's thrash group Aggression. More...
Unearthly Trance Releases New Video
New York City sludge/doom/drone trio Unearthly Trance today premieres an official new video for "Into The Spiral." Directed by Jimmy Hubbard, the track comes by way of the band's recently issued "Stalking The Ghost" full-length album (streaming in full right here).
Unearthly Trance will embark on a short European tour surrounding an appearance at this year's prestigious Roadburn Festival, with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
4/17/2017 KB18 - Copenhagen, DK
4/18/2017 Hafenklang - Hamburg, DE
4/19/2017 Magasin4 - Brussels, BE
4/20/2017 Roadburn - Tilburg, NL
4/21/2017 Doom Over Leipzig - Leipzig, DE
4/23/2017 JAZ - Rostock, DE More...
Sail Posts "Old Tom"
British doom/sludge band Sail is today streaming "Old Tom," a blistering track that will be released on the group's upcoming album "Slumbersong." Check out "Old Tom" in the SoundCloud player below.
Sail also gave us a great Pit Story earlier this year, if you missed, give it a read over here. Previously known as Husk, the band released an album and a split before re-branding in October 2016 to better reflect a cleaner direction. More...
Bermuda Signs With Urban Yeti
Extreme metal outfit Bermuda has signed a worldwide deal with Urban Yeti Records and today releases a first sample of new music. Bermuda will release the follow-up to 2015’s "Use Your Burdens" this summer via Urban Yeti Records.
Speaking about the forthcoming record, vocalist Corey Bennett states, "This record reflects the loss, frustration, and denial associated with losing a loved one amidst other tragedies. The end message is that you have to move on. We’re looking forward to this new year and the new opportunities that come with it.”
Guitarist Noah Sias adds: "'Use Your Burdens' was a transition for not only the band but fans as well. We took some risks and people responded to the record in a big way. Moving forward with Nepenthe, we’re still taking some risks to keep things fresh but the focus still remains the same: Raw and loud. Nepenthe as a whole is a much darker experience than Use Your Burdens, focusing more on theme and variations lyrically and musically. It's a very cinematic experience end to end." More...
Trial Announces New Album
On April 7th, Swedish heavy metal band Trial will release new album "Motherless" worldwide via Metal Blade Records.
The bandcomments: "'Motherless' is a multifaceted album, a creation of many different elements, yet coherently crafted to perfectly represent the entity that is Trial. The first single that we've chosen from the album is 'Cold Comes The Night'. A ferocious, fast-paced track which displays the aggressive and more straight-forward side of the album."
1. Motherless
2. In Empyrean Labour
3. Cold Comes The Night
4. Juxtaposed
5. Aligerous Architect
6. Birth
7. Embodiment
8. Rebirth More...
Vader Announces Tour With Immolation
Polish death metal group Vader and Yonkers NY’s unique death metal crew Immolation are very pleased to announce that they will be touring the U.K. and playing a show in Dublin this coming April.
Vader will be headlining the six shows, with Immolation performing as main support. Also supporting will be Austrian brutal death metal troupe Monument Of Misanthropy, with more supports to be announced in due course.
The death metal onslaught will commence on 11th April with a performance at Manchester’s Rebellion venue, taking the extreme package to Dublin, Glasgow and London, before concluding at Bristol Death Fest and Brighton’s Mammothfest Death Metal All Dayer. More...
Eruption Announces "Cloaks Of Oblivion"
Slovenian thrash crew Eruption just finished recording third full-length album "Cloaks Of Oblivion," which is due to be released on May 2nd, 2017 via Xtreem Music. The label comments:
"While some thrash metal bands tend to sharpen their sound, becoming more aggressive, Eruption decided to step out from their traditional Bay Area-influenced sound to a more US Power/Heavy Metal sound in the vein of bands like Sanctuary, Helstar, and Vicious Rumors, all the while still retaining their usual Forbidden, Vio-Lence, and Death Angel worship. 'Cloaks Of Oblivion' is a modern classic that is graced with a kick-ass production and cover artwork straight outta the 80s, courtesy of Alex Boca.
1. Pharos
2. Sanity Ascend
3. Cloaks of Oblivion
4. Drones
5. Reborn Into Demise
6. The Yearning
7. This Barren Existence
8. Seven Archons
9. The Prophet More...
Without Mercy Posts "In Waves" Video
Vancouver, BC's Without Mercy released latest EP "Mouichido" during May of last year. The EP was a rebirth for the band, functioning as a re-release of re-recorded material from the 2014 EP "Reborn."
"Mouichido" is the Japanese word for repeat or to do one more time and is perfectly titled for the EP to signify new versions of previously recorded songs that now feature new vocalist Alex Friis and bass tracks recorded by Tristan Martin. Newly added to the EP was also a guest appearance by vocalist Mark Hunter of Chimaira on the track "In Waves," which the band is releasing a new lyric video for today
Without Mercy guitarist DJ Temple had this to say: "Working with Mark Hunter and seeing what he could do with one of our tracks was a pretty unreal experience!" More...
Six Feet Under Recruits New Guitarist
Last week, Six Feet Under released 12th studio album, "Torment." With the release of this new album, the band also welcomes Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) to its ranks as second guitarist.
Frontman Chris Barnes comments: "Hello, hello! First of all, I would like to thank all the fans that pre-ordered and purchased our new album 'Torment,' and everyone that is enjoying our new work! Thank you very much! Much appreciated!! And now, without further ado, it is with great pleasure that I announce and introduce to you our new second guitarist, Jack Owen.
"As you all know, Jack and I started off together helping form one of the greatest Death Metal bands of all time. Jack and I began talking a few months ago, after his departure from his previous band about joining forces.
"From my side of things, it's going to be amazing to work with Jack again!! We had some intense adventures, to say the least hahaha...and it's gonna be killer to step on stage with Jack for the first time in over 22 years!! Jack will be joining SFU for the entire cycle of touring for the new album and beyond! As you can imagine Six Feet Under is planning a very exciting live set list for you all to freak out over!!! More info and tour dates coming soon! Hang on to your skeleton!!" More...
Headline News
Behemoth Announces Tour With Slayer, Lamb Of God
Lamb Of God will support headlining metal legends Slayer, along with fellow supporting blackened death metal group Behemoth, on what is set to be this summer's most-anticipated heavy music tour.
The six-week expedition will rage across North America beginning July 12 in Bemidji, MN, winding up in Phoenix, AZ on August 20.
Slayer and Lamb Of God will also play Wisconsin's Rock Fest 2017 (7/13) and Rock USA 2017 (7/15), and then meet up with Behemoth at the Chicago Open Air Festival on July 16. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 3rd.
Kerry King of Slayer says, "As metal tours go, this is the one that your fellow metal heads will be bragging about if you miss it! Not very often I get to go on tour where we are all friends to start. That being said, the potential for greatness at these events is mind blowing. I look forward to being a part of it, and hanging with old friends - bands as well as fanatical fans! Let the festivities begin!" More...
Havok Releases New Video
With the release of new full-length studio record, "Conformicide," less than two week away, thrash stalwarts Havok today premiere a new music video for the track "Intention To Deceive." Check it out below.
Meanwhile, Havok continues to tour extensively throughout North American and is currently on the "World Gone Mad" tour with Suicidal Tendencies and Crowbar.
Following that run, the band will participate in a brief West Coast trek (w/Warbringer) before beginning European dates. A comprehensively list of the band's tour dates in North America and Europe can be found after the jump. More...
Ensiferum Recording New Album
Ensiferum recently entered the Astia studio in Lappeenranta, Finland, where the band recorded a few demo songs for an upcoming seventh full-length album set to be released in September 2017 via Metal Blade Records.
The quintet will soon return to the Astia studio to begin recording this new album, which will be produced once again by Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Entwine etc.).
Sami Hinkka (bass) comments: "Hi Folks! So, as some of you might have already noticed from our social media channels, we are getting ready to go record the next Ensiferum album pretty soon. Just a few weeks ago, we recorded demo versions with Anssi Kippo, who also recorded and produced 'One Man Army'. The demo session went smoothly, and working with Anssi is always such a pleasure because he is so full of creative ideas and positive attitude.
"The goal for the new album will be to capture Ensiferum's live energy on the songs, and we also plan to use analog recording as much as possible to guarantee the best possible sound. The song material will include familiar elements, but like we always love to do, we will also take Ensiferum's mighty warship to unexplored seas of musical madness. More info later." More...
Devangelic Reveals Artwork For "Phlegethon"
Italian Death Metal Group Devangelic has revealed the details of sophomore album "Phlegethon". The album will be released October 27 on Comatose Music.
The artwork was created by U.S. artist Ken Sarafin (Sarafin Concepts) and is based on Dante's Inferno; the concept revolves around a journey through the darkest and most brutal elements that characterize the masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance Poet.
Phlegethon will consist of 100% pure U.S. style brutal death metal mixed with unrelenting guitar riffs, dark atmospheres, intense blasting and ultra guttural vocals. The album will be mixed/mastered by Sasha Borovykh at TsunTsun Productions. Comatose Music will open pre-orders in the coming months. Prepare yourself for this infernal journey!
Phlegethon Track List: More...
Somnium Nox Debuts "The Alnwick Apotheosis"
Australian atmospheric black metal unit Somnium Nox debuts a new track called "The Alnwick Apotheosis", taken from the upcoming new album "Terra Inanis", which will be out in stores May 15 through Transcending Obscurity. The album was mastered by Colin Marston and features artwork by Beth Taylor, with layout designed by the band’s vocalist Ashahalasin.
Check out now "The Alnwick Apotheosis" below.
Iron Reagan Premieres New Music Video
Iron Reagan premieres a new music video for "A Dying World", taken from the band's latest album, "Crossover Ministry", which is in stores now.
Check out now "A Dying World" below.
You can catch Iron Reagan live on its North American tour with Power Trip on the following dates More...
In This Moment Shares New Official Live Video
In This Moment is streaming a new official live footage performing "Black Widow", captured during the band’s September 17th, 2016 show in Tokyo, Japan.
Check out now "Black Widow" below.
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