Dream Theater Enters The Studio

In late 2017, Dream Theater signed with Sony Music’s progressive imprint InsideOutMusic. Now, in preparation for the band’s fourteenth studio album and their first album ever produced in collaboration with this leading worldwide label, they are pleased to announce that they have entered the studio to begin the writing process.

Recently, John Petrucci and James LaBrie shared a quick video update from the writing sessions on the band’s official Facebook page (see below).

James comments: "We’ve been here for one week and it is going sensational. Everybody is in the one room… and I gotta tell you, if the first week is any indication of where this album is going, you’re in for a treat."

John adds: "There’s a lot of ideas flowing, and it’s already been really productive after only a week in. So far the music is heavy, progressive, melodic, shredding and it’s epic." More...

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From Satan To Sumeria: Belphegor And Melechesh

Black metal is a genre which has been debated and argued over perhaps more than other sub-genre. What is black metal? Should it be changed and expanded upon? Is it OK for black metal bands to achieve commercial success? Whatever the answers to those may be, it's a fascinating area of discussion and a style of metal in a world of its own. Last week at The Dome in Tufnell Park, London, I witnessed three bands all rooted in black metal, but with three different ideas on how to go about it.

Unfortunately, I hadn't realised that German death metal outfit Commander were performing tonight, so I missed out on them, though I did arrive in time to see Utrecht, Netherlands based blackened thrashers, Bleeding Gods. Having only released their sophomore, "Dodekathlon" a few months ago through Nuclear Blast, the band were fired up and ready to promote it, along with their debut, "Shepherd Of Souls." The Dutch sextet put on a blistering performance which will have delighted fans of Behemoth, Vader and tonight's headliners, Belphegor. Unfortunately I'm not very familiar with their music and I couldn't find a setlist but I can confidently say that Bleeding Gods are destined for headlining European tours of their own and their fan base is only going to get bigger with both music and live performances as strong as this. More...

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A Perfect Circle: Strictly For Fans

After a long absence, A Perfect Circle are back. Now with their fourth studio album, "Eat The Elephant" in stores, their first in fourteen years, A Perfect Circle are once more on the lips of all rock and metal fans who like their music on the more progressive side of things. As part of their tour of Europe, I went along to London's famous Brixton Academy to see what the band are like in the live setting.

Opening the show was Cork, Ireland's own, Talos. While there seemed to be a few fans in, for the neutral this was as boring as music gets. From the slow, whale like vocal delivery to the meandering music, which may have had the intention of a nature walk, but was more of a slow moving traffic jam. I'm sure Talos work well as background music and as mentioned, they clearly work for some people, but there wasn't anything to get excited about, or even interested in for those watching out of curiosity. More...

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Body Count Brings South Central To London

If there's one word thrown around in music all too often, it's "legend." However, if there's one person that deserves that tag, it's Ice-T. The man credited with the first gangsta rap song ("Six In The Morning") by many has earned a reputation for his social commentary and tales of life in poor America, as well as his precise vocal delivery and story telling prowess. However it isn't just rap where Ice-T has had a profound effect, as in the early 90s he revealed his band, Body Count, put together with long time friends.

Their self-titled debut sold well but was massively controversial for its lyrical content, most notably the song, "Cop Killer," which was condemned by actor and NRA spokesman Charlton Heston and even President George H.W. Bush. Fast foward to 2018 and Body Count now have six albums under their belt, the most recent of which, "Bloodlust" was released last year. So, at the tender age of sixty, does Ice-T, Ernie C and company still have it? What do you think? More...

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Tyrant Disciple Debut 'The Great Dead One'

Death/Thrash metal band Tyrant Disciple from Kauhajoki, Finland released a new single 'The Great Dead One'. The track is taken from their upcoming debut album 'Weight Of Oblivion' which is released by Inverse Records on September 7th 2018.

Check it out below:

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Eriphion Premiere Full-Album Stream Of Debut EP

Hailing from Athens, Greece black metal band Eriphion premiere the full-album stream of the band's brand new debut EP "Hossana", out in stores now via Bandcamp.

Check out now "Hossana" in its entirety below.

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The Aphelion Premiere "The Twilight Basin"

Ottawa based progressive metal band The Aphelion premiere a new song called "The Twilight Basin", taken from their upcoming debut album "The Labour Division", which will be out in stores August 17th via Bandcamp.

Check out now "The Twilight Basin" below.

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Backwoods Payback Premiere New Song "Whatever"

Stoner-grunge veterans Backwoods Payback premiere a new song entitled "Whatever", taken from their upcoming new full-length "Future Slum", which will be released on August 3rd in CD, vinyl and digital formats via Bandcamp.

Check out now "Whatever" below.

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Report: Vinnie Paul Died From Major Heart Attack

The Las Vegas Review-Journal are reporting that drummer Vinnie Paul‘s (HELLYEAH, ex-Pantera, etc.) passing this past Friday, June 22nd, according to those who knew him was the result of a ‘major heart attack’. An exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed/determined yet.

Last night Paul‘s ex-Pantera bandmate Phil Anselmo shared the below photo of a lit candle. Anselmo and Vinnie had a bitterly estranged relationship for well over a decade.

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