Cemican Signs To M-Theory Audio

The Mexican-based Aztec metal group Cemican - whose unique music incorporates elements of the legends, mysticism and ideologies of ancient Mexican culture - has signed with M-Theory Audio, who plans to release the group's new album in the late spring/early summer.

Cemican - who combine the modern instrumentation of a metal band with traditional pre-Hispanic instruments - experienced a breakout year in 2018. In addition to their new single/video “Guerreros de Cemican” receiving regular airplay on SiriusXM's Liquid Metal, the six-piece group was invited to perform at the Paris edition of the Download Festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air, as well as Force Fest - described by Revolver as “Mexico's premier open-air festival” - in their native country.

The band plans to build on their momentum on 2019, when they will return to Europe in both the winter - when they'll perform at France's Cernunnos Pagan Fest and Germany's Wacken Winter Nights - as well as the summer, when they will make their debut at the French festival Hellfest. More...

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Ozzy Osbourne Hospitalised

Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne has been taken into hospital as a result of complications from a bout of flu, his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne has announced. A tweet from Mrs. Osbourne reads:

"As some of you may have heard, Ozzy was admitted to hospital following some complications from the flu. His doctors feel this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery. Thanks to everyone for their concern and love."

Ozzy recently had to cancel his European tour with fellow Midlanders, Judas Priest as a result of the illness, though he has also lent his likeness and name to a NetEnt slots game, appearing alongside other rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Motorhead and Guns N Roses.

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As I Lay Dying Show Cancelled After Uproar

Memphis, Tennessee based venue Growlers has announced that they have decided to cancel an upcoming concert by the reactivated As I Lay Dying, after a number of patrons, friends and local acts spoke out against the band's vocalist Tim Lambesis, who previously was incarcerated for attempting to arrange the murder of his wife. A statement from the venue reads:

"After hearing the combined voice of disheartened friends, local bands, and patrons, locally owned concert venue and bar, Growlers, has cancelled their scheduled show with As I Lay Dying, previously set for April 5th, and will replace it with a local show to benefit victims of domestic violence. Growlers has also canceled a show with the band Pentagram, previously set for March 24th.

"In 2014, Tim Lambesis, singer of metal band As I Lay Dying, was sentenced to up to six years in prison after being convicted of hiring someone to kill his wife. While the plot never unfolded, Lambesis spent the next two years of his life incarcerated. Just a couple of years later, and he’s back on stage, but with a remorseful attitude.

"From Lambesis, "I stand against who I became in my past… People who support AILD are not supporting the person I once was, because part of my life’s work is to undo the hurt I’ve caused. I will never be able to undo my greatest mistake, but I believe it’s better to do something rather than give up. AILD collectively condemns all forms of domestic abuse and violence. Our mission is to continually seek and implement ways to facilitate positive, meaningful change in the world around us."

"However, not everyone was ready to give Lambesis a second chance, and Growlers has created controversy in Memphis for booking his band in Memphis.

"While we believe in the justice system and the ability for rehabilitation, we are against domestic violence and will always listen to those that have gone through the pain that it has caused. Since As I Lay Dying returned to performing we’d had several requests to bring them to Memphis, despite the singer’s past. When the show was first announced, hundreds of people bought tickets right away. However, we’ve since heard the input of several people in the local community that we have the utmost respect for, and we want them to know that their voices are heard. Growler’s vehemently denounces all forms of physical and mental domestic abuse, and we’ll be replacing the As I Lay Dying show with a benefit show featuring all local bands. 100% of the proceeds will go to helping local victims of domestic abuse.”

"As a locally owned small business, supporting our community is the single most
important thing to us. In this instance, we’ve heard the community loud and clear, and we are going to do everything we can to ensure that we continue forward in providing an enjoyable entertaining environment that all of our patrons feel comfortable in. And to the people who's comments were erased we sincerely apologize, just know we stand with you."

Pentagram's touring plans have also been met with controversy following the release of frontman Bobby Liebling from Montgomery County Detention Center, where he was serving an eighteen month sentence after pleading guilty to "abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult custodian," who is believed to have been his elderly mother.

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Children Of Bodom Posts Second Track Explanation

Finnish metal stars Children Of Bodom has posted the second part in a series of videos explaining the songs from their upcoming new album, "Hexed" online. You can check it out below. "Hexed" will be released through Nuclear Blast Records on March 8th and is their tenth studio album, the first since "I Worship Chaos" in 2015.

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Aenimus Discusses "Dreamcatcher" Artwork

In the eighth trailer for their upcoming album, "Dreamcatcher," American metal outfit Aenimus discusses the artwork for the album. You can check it out below. "Dreamcatcher" is the second full length release from the band, following their debut, "Transcend Reality," which hit the shelves in 2013 and is scheduled to be released through Nuclear Blast Records on February 22nd.

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Avantasia Posts Second Album Trailer

Avantasia, the all-star rock opera spaceship piloted by Edguy singer, songwriter and producer Tobias Sammet, release their eighth full-length album, "Moonglow," via Nuclear Blast Records on February 15th. The new 11 track album sees Sammet reunited with some familiar faces from previous Avantasia albums. Guests include original Queensryche lead singer Geoff Tate, Pretty Maids frontman Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske of Helloween, Jørn Lande (ex-Masterplan), Eric Martin (MR BIG) and Magnum’s Bob Catley. Moonglow also introduces new collaborators Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian, Kreator’s Mille Petrozza and Blackmore's Night frontwoman Candice Night in a truly spectacular fashion.

Today, Avantasia release the second (of three) interview trailers, in which Tobias Sammet talks about the guest musicians on "Moonglow" and explains why he chose each of them for his songs.
Watch it below. More...

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Within Temptation Posts New Music Video Online

Dutch symphonic metal outfit Within Temptation has posted a new music video online for the song, "Supernova." You can check it out below. The song comes from the band's latest album, "Resist," which was finally released on February 1st after some delays.

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Rotting Christ Posts Another New Song Online

Greek extreme metal favourites Rotting Christ has posted another song from their forthcoming album, "The Heretics" online. You can check out the lyric video for the song, "Vetry Zlye" below. "The Heretics" will be released next Friday (February 15th) through Season Of Mist and will be their first album of all new material since the 2016 effort, "Rituals."

Frontman Sakis Tolis comments on behalf of the band: "Dear fellows, I am in the pleasant position to present to you another new song I wrote for Rotting Christ; '????? ????' (Vetry Zlye)', a song that was influenced by paganism and specifically from the Slavic pagan religions through the history of time and exalts the power of mother nature. I Hope you will enjoy the (probably) most melodic song from our upcoming album The Heretics, which is accompanied by the beautiful voice of Irina Zybina." More...

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Baest Expects To Release New Album In September

Denmark’s heaviest metal export in recent years, Aarhus-based death metal quintet Baest, are gearing up for an all-out attack in 2019 to expand upon the success of last year’s debut album, "Danse Macabre."

Kicking off February 9th, Baest will be touring the UK, Benelux and Germany with Decapitated as well as join the Polish leg of the tour in March. This comes as a much welcomed break from recording their yet-untitled, upcoming studio album, which will be released via Century Media Records on September 13th.

The band comments: "Yes, here we are again, 2018 was a great year in Baest’s short history but a truly exciting one and we’re looking forward to our longest tour so far with the mighty Decapitated and drop one hell of an album in September! See you on the road!"

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Septicflesh Films Mexican Show For DVD

Last Saturday, Greek symphonic death metal outfit, Septicflesh, delivered a historic sold out performance at the Metropolitan Theater in Mexico City. The unforgettable night, entitled Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX, was the largest production of its kind at the venue which included the band and over 130 musicians from the Symphonic Orchestra and National University Of Mexico Children's and Youth Choir. If you weren't one of the 3, 200 attendees, rest assured that you will be able to witness the achievement as live footage of the event was captured for a future DVD release.

Septicflesh's unique blend of symphonic arrangements, avantgarde elements, atmosphere and eviscerating extreme metal has been converting legions into fans since the 90s. Now, with a streak of modern classic albums under their belt such as "Sumerian Daemons" (2002), "Communion" (2008), "The Great Mass" (2011), "Titan" (2014), and now "Codex Omega" (2017) there seems to be no stopping this creative juggernaut.

Septicflesh's latest album "Codex Omega" is the first to feature former Decapitated drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner. Months of hard work and experimentation crafted the album, and resulted in 10 compositions of dark sonic bliss. Lyrically and musically, "Codex Omega" is by far the most infernal release of Septicflesh to date. The album was produced by highly acclaimed metal producer, Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amom Amarth, Kreator). Besides the orchestral side represented once again by the Filmharmonic Orchestra of Prague, the band utilized traditional instruments such as Oud and Duduk and also a 12 string electro-acoustic guitar, enhancing the mystical atmosphere of the compositions. Of course as always, Codex Omega is dominated by the relentless death guitar riffing and the pale melodies that are the trademark of Septicflesh.

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Herod Posts "Fork Tongue" Video

Herod have arisen from the ever- prosperous Swiss music scene. Throughout their young 4 years of presence, they have already shared the stage with such acts as Gojira, Crowbar, The Ocean, Carcass, Obituary, Napalm Death and Voivod – Attesting their repute as the bus boy’s of King Herod, serving up whole sides of rare riffs, disposition, beauty and authority.

Initially the brain child of guitarist Pierre Carroz, 2014 saw Herod’s debut release “They were None” via Mighty Music and a subsequent European tour. Following the departure of original vocalist David, former The Ocean (Precambrian) vocalist Mike Pilat was recruited for follow up album “Sombre Dessein”.

Pilat also plays guitar and Herod are now furnished with a supplementary layer of musicality to complement both heaviness and soundscape aspects of their palette. Carcass guitar player Bill Steer makes a guest appearance on "Fork Tongue," the new track which the band have shared today. More...

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Tyr Posts New Music Video Online

On March 8th, the Faroe Islands' Tyr will release their eighth full-length, Hel, via Metal Blade Records. Hel is a collection of ruthlessly melodic and irresistibly compelling progressive folk metal that will immediately resonate with any who have followed the band at any point over the two decades of their storied career. For a preview of the album, a video for the new single, "Sunset Shore" can be viewed below.

Týr vocalist / guitarist Heri Joensen comments: "In early January, immediately after spending our holidays in the Faroes, Gunnar and I traveled to Hungary to our bandmates, Tadeusz and Attila, in Budapest. Finally, it was time to shoot another video, our first since 2014, and we’re very happy to present this one to you!

"The Hungarian film production crew, Mihaszna Film, arranged the trips, starting from Budapest and going first to the Julian alps in Slovenia. In the fields and rivers of the snowy mountains we had some amazing scenery for 'overworld' part of the video. A few days later we traveled on to the caves of Szent-István in northern Hungary, and deep underground we found some dark and gloomy caves to be the perfect backdrop for the underworld part of this video.

"Terji wrote 'Sunset Shore', for our upcoming album, 'Hel' - to be relased on March 8th, and he plays the solo on the album version, but not in this video. We decided it was the perfect opportunity to introduce you all to the amazing talent of Attila Vörös, who recorded his own version of the solo a few days before the video shooting. The lyrics, written by me, are about how the mind can sometimes be a windswept and weatherworn landscape, and how the only thing to do, in spite of hopelessness and despair, is to aim for a better place and to work towards better times.

"We hope you enjoy the result!" More...

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1914 Signs To Napalm Records

Ukrainian WWI experts 1914 join the Napalm Family! With their unique blackened death/doom metal sound, 1914 leads you back in one of the darkest chapters of the last century - they breathe The Great War!

Strongly influenced by genre pioneers like Bolt Thrower and Entombed, 1914 have already released two full length albums, "Eschatology of War" (2015) and "The Blind Leading The Blind" (2018), which making them one of the most talked about newer bands in the genre. From now on they are part of the Napalm roster!

1914 on the signing:
“We’re so excited to work with Napalm Records, the label we know very well and fully respect. We hope our cooperation will be really fruitful and awesome. 1914 want to tell the world about The Great War, about its horrors and the senselessness of war and murders. For us, the partnership with Napalm Records is a great chance to spread these ideas all over the globe, a chance to tell everyone that war is hell, that it’s only death, mud and fear, so fuck the wars!
Be sure, we are going to take full advantage of this chance. And for all those who consider our music as political, we can say ‘just go fuck yourself’ because the worst things to have ever happened with this world are religions, ideologies and their followers.” More...

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Gojira Announces UK Tour

French metal goliaths, Gojira, have today announced their return to the UK, for a string of three headline shows in June and July. Special guests will be announced at a later date. Tickets go on general sale this Friday at 10 AM, but are also available via O2's pre-sale now and Live Nation's pre-sale tomorrow at 10 AM. Pick up tickets here.

The tour dates are as follows:

June 29 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
June 30 - London, UK - O2 Academy Brixton
July 1 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo

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Periphery Reveals New Album Details

Periphery will release their fifth album, "Periphery IV: Hail Stan," on April 5th via their own 3DOT Recordings. A music video for the album’s first single, "Blood Eagle," directed by Jeremy Danger & Travis Shinn, can be found below.

Guitar player Mark Holcomb said of the six-minute track: "We’ve known since the late stages of P4 writing sessions that ‘Blood Eagle’ would be the first song we released. It’s an unrelenting song that, even while we were writing it, we could say to ourselves: ‘We NEED to play this live.’ The original demo was vastly different, and through the songwriting process, it took on this kind of violent, explosive nature that is always hard to synthesize. That energy excited us and we knew it’d be the first thing we’d let you all hear." More...

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