Report

ProgPower USA XVI, Part 1: Mid-Week Mayhem

Sunday....September 20, 2015....the alarm blared at 4:45pm. I guess I forgot to change it from the normal weekday. I sit up - still reeling from the post-ProgPower USA plague, a disease that seems to permeate from the long hours and constant human communication/contact over a four day annual ritual - or rite of passage for the newbie virgins. I reach for another cough drop and open unlock my phone to reveal this morning’s round of Facebook notifications.

Oh...a tag on a video from Dragonland’s second set at ProgPower USA...yes, I said “second.” Why a tag? Well, as it turned out, yours truly was afforded the incredible honor of joining the band on stage for “The Black Mare.” As I sit and contemplate just how that weekend transpired - all the changes, the problems Glenn and Jen Harveston and all involved had to endure in keeping a solidified lineup in the face of the dreaded USCIS - there really is a magic that happens in Atlanta. No matter how it turns out...it never ceases to raise the bar each and every year. More...

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Invocation Spells Releasing Album

Forever on the hunt for the foulest sounds in the metal underground, Hells Headbangers is proud to present Invocation Spells' second album, "Descendent The Black Throne," set for international release on December 11, 2015.

Released earlier this year in South America in a limited CD version, "Descendent The Black Throne" will be fittingly released on vinyl, CD, and cassette tape formats by Hells Headbangers. The label comments:

"Hailing from the cult metal hotbed of Chile, Invocation Spells indeed invoke a potent 'n' poisonous spell here. Bestial metal, blackthrash, and especially classic speed metal all get dumped into the duo's ever-bubbling cauldron, then shot forth with a filth 'n' fury that can only come from South America.

"The recording crucially finds the balance between fuck-off raw and clear/cutting, with each incensed-yet-impassioned note ringing out through the sulfurous haze before mangling the mind with quintessentially Chilean diabolism. At eight compact songs, 'Descendent The Black Throne' wastes no time and demands repeat invocation, each galloping anthem spelling absolute possession. Invocation Spells descend the black throne and command obeisance..."

1. The Betrayal of Bastard
2. Lust to Death
3. The Black Rite
4. Occult
5. Under Shadows of Pentagram
6. Revenge of the Serpents
7. Descendent the Black Throne
8. The End of Time More...

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Invoker Reveals "Aeon" Details

The 4 piece death metal band Invoker ensures neck pain, tinnitus and spontaneous sweating. The band will drop new album "Aeon" this coming October 30, 2015 via Non Serviam Records.

This album sees Florian Jäntsch recruited as bass player, with layout design by Misanthropic-Art Illustrations. (Deserted Fear, Craft and Secrets Of The Moon). The track listing is as follows:

1. Hunger
2. Aeon
3. Secrets Of Seed
4. Lawless Hunter
5. The Wolves Chant
6. In The Womb Of Arrogance
7. Engulfed For Millions Of Years
8. Across The Abyss
9. Woods Of Nothingness More...

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Serial Hawk Posts Full Album Online

Seattle, Washington's hypnotic three-piece sludge/doom act Serial Hawk just released "Searching For Light" via Bleeding Light Records on September 18th. In celebration, the full album is also now online for streaming can be heard below. The track listing is as follows:

1. Desolate
2. Lying In Wait
3. Of Decay
4. Searching For Light More...

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Ancestral Recording New Album

Following previous full-length album "The Ancient Curse," this coming October Ancestral will mix and master new album "Master of Fate" at the Hertz Studio in Poland (Behemoth, Decapitated, Vader).

The new album, which will be released next spring, contains 9 new songs plus the bonus Helloween cover track "Savage."

Ancestral also comments: "We are honoured to announce that one song will feature Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Vision Divine, Angra) as special guest. Stay tuned for more news!" More...

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Column

Sunday Old School: Suicidal Tendencies

Thrash metal is a hugely influential genre which brought the heavier side of metal to mainstream attention with some big names and albums back in the eighties. Many bands such as Hirax and Vio-Lence were as thrash metal as it gets, while some brought new ideas and new styles to the genre. Today's column looks at a band which did just that, one which went from gang associated skaters to thrash stalwarts with danceable bass lines. Of course, this could be no one else but the one and only, Suicidal Tendencies.

Suicidal Tendencies was formed in 1981 and was originally intended as just a party band by vocalist Mike Muir, but before long, their live notoriety and popularity had the group creeping to the front of the singer's life. What helped create such a buzz around Suicidal Tendencies was the rumours surrounding them, mostly that they were involved with gangs, in part due to Muir's blue bandana and in time, a gang that revolved around the group called Suicidal Cycos sprung up in California. The band, which also consisted of guitarist Mike Ball, Carlos "Egie" Egert on drums, and bass player Mike Dunnigan, soon recorded their first demo and appeared in the Surfpunks documentary, performing the songs, "Kill" and "Parents For Adoption." Egert left after the first recording and Mike Dunnigan's brother, Sean took his place, though both brothers left after their appearance on the Slamulation compilation. More...

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Walking Corpse Syndrome Premieres New Music Video

Missoula, Montana death metal collective Walking Corpse Syndrome premieres its brand new music video "Ending Created", taken from the band’s upcoming new album "Human Delusion", which comes out independently on September 25th, 2015.

Check out now "Ending Created" below.

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Neurotic November Premieres New Music Video

Deathcore outfit Neurotic November premieres its new music video for the track "Truth About You", taken from the band's new album "Fighting Words", which is out in stores now via Victory.

You can now check out "Truth About You" below.

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