Jay Jay French says that IRON MAIDEN did not want to perform after TWISTED SISTER at some of the European festivals last year.

In 2016, TWISTED SISTER embarked on one final tour, titled "Forty And Fuck It", in celebration of its 40th anniversary. These shows featured the band's "core lineup" of vocalist Dee Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda and bassist Mark Mendoza, along with drummer Mike Portnoy.

During an appearance earlier today (Wednesday, March 1) on "Trunk Nation", Eddie Trunk's show on SiriusXM channel Volume (106), French talked about TWISTED SISTER final performances at some of Europe's biggest hard rock and heavy metal festivals, several of which are usually held over two or three days.

"The best time for a bill, headliner, is always ten o'clock at night, because if you're playing the graveyard shift, which is the midnight shot, I don't care who you, really, the energy is out of the room for the most part," the guitarist said. "So, you know, IRON MAIDEN and these bands are massive bands, right? They always want us to close all the European festivals for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is they don't wanna go on at midnight to two o'clock in the morning. And also, they don't wanna follow TWISTED SISTER either, 'cause we suck out most of the oxygen in the room."

He continued: "The truth of the mater is, if you watch the videos of our live shows in Europe with these hundred-thousand-people crowds, the fans are singing [TWISTED SISTER's] 'We're Not Gonna Take It' in between other bands' songs, when they're on. It's a very disconcerting feeling for them; they've gotta feel like crap. So IRON MAIDEN twice [last] year said, [adopts British accent] 'Oh, you know, we've got to make another festival tomorrow. Can you close?' Like, two of the really big festivals. And we said, 'Fine. If you want us to do it…' They did not wanna follow us. And the thing is, they show up with fifteen semitrailers, right? Like, fifteen! We show up with two duffel bags with six guitars and a backdrop."

TWISTED SISTER's original run ended in the late '80s. After more than a decade, the band publicly reunited in November 2001 to top the bill of New York Steel, a hard-rock benefit concert to raise money for the New York Police And Fire Widows' And Children’s Benefit Fund.

Asked if TWISTED SISTER's retirement will stick, French told Billboard last fall: "If you asked me in 1988 if I thought we'd ever play again, I would have said to you, 'Never, ever would this band play again,' and we did. I always hate to go 'never,' because there could be a benefit that needs our services or something like that. Outside of that, I don't see a scenario where the band would play anymore. But again, you know… who knows?"

THE PRETTY RECKLESS performed the song "Take Me Down" on last night's (Tuesday, February 28) episode of Conan O'Brien's nighttime talk show, "Conan". You can now watch video footage of the band's appearance below.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS continues its ascent on the rock charts with the release of its new single, "Oh My God". "It's just me and the band, pouring ourselves into the song, and into the camera. It's subtle — you have to really watch it to understand all the layers — but it's honest, and that to me always yields the best art," says lead singer Taylor Momsen.

"Take Me Down", nominated for "Rock Song Of The Year" at the upcoming iHeart Radio Music Awards taking place March 5, was the first No. 1 rock single from THE PRETTY RECKLESS's latest album, "Who You Selling For". This milestone marks the fourth consecutive No. 1 for the band, which broke records as the first female-fronted band to have three chart toppers in a row with "Heaven Knows", "Messed Up World" and "Follow Me Down" (all from 2014's "Going To Hell") – a feat that has not been accomplished since THE PRETENDERS in 1984, over thirty years ago.

Produced by longtime collaborator Kato Khandwala, "Who You Selling For" expands the band's sound to encompass soul, blues and rock and roll. The songs were written by Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Momsen's dark lyrics and raw, charismatic vocals are on full display and the band delivers at full intensity with a level of musicianship that raises the bar.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS will continue to tour throughout the year in support of the album, hitting major markets and festival shows, including Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma in the U.S. as well as European and South American dates.

2016 was a triumphant year for DELAIN with the release of their EP "Lunar Prelude", their latest full-length, "Moonbathers", relentless touring and the celebrations of their tenth anniversary in a sold-out Paradiso, which will appear on live DVD/Blu-ray.

Celebrating what has been an incredible year and making 2017 a worthy successor, DELAIN is thrilled to announce a very special run of shows for October 2017, dubbed the "Danse Macabre" tour.

Joining the band for this exclusive set of dates is longtime friend and collaborator, NIGHTWISH lynchpin Marco Hietala. Having contributed to most of DELAIN's records with guest appearances and after worldwide requests from fans, DELAIN and Hietala will now storm the stage together on the "Danse Macabre" tour.

These shows will feature a specially selected set list of rarely heard DELAIN songs, a sneak preview of new material, special effects and much more. "Danse Macabre" promises to be a spectacular evening with DELAIN!

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 3.

The dates are:

Oct. 26 - Paris, France - AlhambraOct. 27 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7Oct. 28 - Bochum, Germany - ZecheOct. 29 - Munich, Germany - BackstageOct. 31 - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliNov. 01 - London, UK - Koko

As previously reported, DELAIN and HAMMERFALL will join forces for a co-headline North American tour in the spring.

DELAIN will be touring on the heels of "Moonbathers". This tour will be the first time that DELAIN has played selections from the new album. Fans can expect all the DELAIN classics that they have come to love over the years as well. This will also be the first time that fans will be treated to a proper DELAIN headline show.

"Moonbathers", mastered by Grammy Award winner Ted Jensen, will satiate your hunger for the symphonic greatness, catchy hooks and a solid dose of metal that the band is known for. It showcases DELAIN from both their most extravagant and sensitive sides as they explore all things nocturnal through an especially varied set of tracks, including a surprising cover of classic rock legends QUEEN as well as a reappearance of Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY) as a special guest on opening track "Hands Of Gold".

U.K. doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast for their thirteenth studio album.

For 27 years, MY DYING BRIDE from West Yorkshire has been the voice of the hopeless and broken, combining haunting sounds with crushing misery and melancholy. With their signature sound, they've shaped the doom metal scene like barely any other act and integrated both soft violin melodies and violent death metal growls into their music, while always staying strictly loyal to themselves. And since the early nineties, the band's masterminds and founding members Andrew Craighan and Aaron Stainthorpe forged beautiful grief into twelve studio albums with songs of epic length.

Stainthorpe comments: "It is with great pleasure that MY DYING BRIDE can announce they will be joining forces with the formidable Nuclear Blast Records in early 2017 and have already begun working on material for the next LP and singles.

"It is no secret that Nuclear Blast have continued to expand greatly over the years, signing epic bands from all corners of the world and giving them the chance they deserve to make something of themselves in the ever expanding metal scene. And it's time that MY DYING BRIDE came along for the ride.

"We are hoping that this wedding between a very solid label and a well-established act will bear fruit of mighty proportions in the exciting years to come."

Since MY DYING BRIDE rarely leaves its damp catacombs to perform live rituals, each show is a highlight in itself and on April 22, the Brits will expose their legendary album "Turn Loose The Swans" in its entire length at Roadburn festival. Together with Shaun "Winter" Taylor-Steels on drums and a special backdrop lighting, the band will haunt the Dutch stage and deliver a truly unique experience.

Peaceville Records celebrated the 25th anniversary of MY DYING BRIDE with a deluxe 92-page 12-inch hardback book on the rise of the U.K. doom metal legends. The book contains five discs of rarities, early works, newly unearthed and never-previously-heard pre-production demos, band track favorites, and live audio.

California metallers DEVILDRIVER are working on an album of outlaw country covers, to be released later in the year. According to singer Dez Fafara, the effort will include thirteen "insanely heavy, swinging badass outlaw tracks by some of the best outlaw country artists," including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Jones and Johnny Paycheck and Steve Earle. Produced by Steve Evetts, the album will include appearances by "fifteen high-caliber guests," among them LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton.

Said Fafara: "So just to be fucking clear, it's never been done; we are the first! We have been working on this for a year! Get ready — you've never heard anything like this!"

DEVILDRIVER guitarist Neal Tiemann told Guitar World about the band's approach on the covers album: "I think the point is to keep the memorable melodies and lyrics intact while providing and alternate and heavier music bed. It's easy to get carried away in one of our own riffs, so we've been sure to keep refocusing on the essence of the original material."

The project started out in early 2016 when Fafara was thinking about remaking punk classics. "I loved the idea of focusing on a single genre, but I felt that country was a better way to go, because the songs would give us more ideas to work with," explained DEVILDRIVER guitarist Mike Spreitzer.

Added Tiemann: "While the theme is centered in outlaw country, we're adding some numbers that go against the grain, rather than fit inside those genre barriers."

DEVILDRIVER's latest album, "Trust No One", was released in May 2016 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2013's "Winter Kills" was once again produced by Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER) with assistance from Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL).

The first official photo of POWERFLO — the new band featuring BIOHAZARD's Billy Graziadei and former FEAR FACTORY bassist/guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers alongside Sen Dog from CYPRESS HILL, Rogelio Lozano from DOWNSET, and Brazilian drummer Fernando Schaefer — can be seen above.

POWERFLO is putting the finishing touches on its debut album for a tentative late spring release via New Damage Records. The effort was mixed by Jay Baumgardner and was mastered by Maor Appelbaum.

Regarding how the name for the new project came about, Christian told The New American Media at this year's NAMM show (see video below): "Basically, Sen Dog was spitting his game on some of the heavy riffs and shit. And he was, like, 'Do you like this?' And Roy, the other guitar player, said, 'Yeah. A power flow. That's good.' So that's where it kind of came from."

During the same interview, Graziadei described POWERFLO's musical direction as a cross between IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH and CYPRESS HILL, and expressed hope that the new project would hit the road later in the year.

In February 2016, BIOHAZARD parted ways with its frontman of five years, Scott Roberts. A replacement singer has not yet been announced.

Olde Wolbers hinted in an interview last fall that he would join BIOHAZARD as the band's new frontman, but the group has not confirmed his involvement.

The last BIOHAZARD album, 2012's "Reborn In Defiance", featured Evan Seinfeld on lead vocals.

BODY COUNT frontman, hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T has posted a brand-new, in-depth podcast focusing solely on the band's new album, "Bloodlust", which is set for a March 31 release via Century Media Records.

The podcast, which can be heard using the SoundCloud widget below, features 30-second snippets of all the songs that will appear on the album, along with Ice-T's in-depth explanations of each track.

"Bloodlust" was recorded with producer Will Putney (MISS MAY I, UPON A BURNING BODY), who also helmed 2014's "Manslaughter". The new CD features guest appearances by Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA), MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe. The effort also contains BODY COUNT's medley of the SLAYER songs "Postmortem" and "Raining Blood".

"Bloodlust" track listing:

01. Civil War (feat. Dave Mustaine)02. The Ski Mask Way03. This Is Why We Ride04. All Love Is Lost (feat. Max Cavalera)05. Raining Blood / Postmortem (SLAYER medley)06. God, Please Believe Me07. Walk With Me… (feat. Randy Blythe)08. Here I Go Again09. No Lives Matter10. Bloodlust11. Black Hoodie

Ice-T recently told Revolver magazine about "Bloodlust": "Making records is a very interesting process. You work really hard on something and finish it and then you'll be, like, 'Yo, that sounds like somebody else's record.' Or, 'Hey, didn't we just make that record three days ago?'

"One time we did two songs in a row and afterwards I looked at them and said, 'That's the same riff in each song.' So we had to pick one. But in the end, we came up with some very aggressive and cool music."

He added: "I like to start with hot metal tracks that you can listen to without a word on them and go, 'Wow, that was just like fire!’ The music tells me what the song is about, and that's when the words start coming to me. Then it's up to me not to fuck it up."

As for the choice of album title, Ice-T said: "Bloodlust is part of the human makeup. Murder is about as normal as love. It's in our nature to want to get violent and kill, but we know there are consequences. That's why we like violent movies, video games and combat sports. It's in our DNA. It's what we are."

"Manslaughter" sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 102 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 10, 2014 via Sumerian.

BODY COUNT's current lineup includes guitarist Juan Garcia (a.k.a. Juan Of The Dead; AGENT STEEL, EVILDEAD), who made his live debut with the group in November 2013 at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas.

A guitar playthrough video for "Sentence Day", a brand new song from Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's self-titled, tenth studio album, which will be released on March 17 via Relapse.

Picking up where 2014's "Inked In Blood" left off, OBITUARY show no signs of slowing down as they continue to reign as kings of death metal. Recorded at the band's home studio in Tampa, "Obituary" is a ten-track tour de force of bone-pulverizing death metal that is as heavy, uncompromising and infectious as anything they've released in the group's historic, nearly 30-year career.

"Obituary" track listing:

01. Brave02. Sentence Day03. Lesson In Vengeance04. End It Now05. Kneel Before Me06. It Lives07. Betrayed08. Turned To Stone09. Straight To Hell10. Ten Thousand Ways To Die

The cover art was created by Andreas Marschall and can be seen below.

Commented OBITUARY vocalist John Tardy: "When writing records the song titles and album titles are always the last things on our minds. We know that the songs themselves are the most important thing, so with this our tenth studio album and nearly three decades as a band, we thought it was the perfect time for a self-titled release. It always helps to have a killer album cover so we worked with Andreas Marschall, gave him our ideas and thoughts and asked him to break out the big guns to create an epic logo and he delivered like he always has for OBITUARY." Added the band in a collective statement: "We could not be any more excited about this new album. We had a blast writing and recording it and having Ken [Andrews, guitar] and Terry [Butler, bass] as part of the writing process was a very cool experience for all of us.

"We really took our time with the writing process of these new songs, recording riffs and ideas as we went along and recording them as rough mixes then listening back and making necessary changes to help mold them into the songs that we are extremely proud of. "It's always a challenge in the studio to get the song ideas out of your head onto the recording the way you want but we made sure we were comfortable with the songs and the sounds we were getting before we even hit the record button and it made it a great experience.

"It's hard to believe it's been two and a half years since the release of 'Inked In Blood' and we are so excited to get this new album into the hands of our fans.

"Can't wait for everyone to hear it. Hang on to your ass!!!!"

OBITUARY will hit the road this spring as part of the 2017 Decibel Magazine Tour with KREATOR, HORRENDOUS and MIDNIGHT. The tour kicks off on March 17 in Charlotte, North Carolina and runs through April 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Photo credit: Ester Segarra

Drum-cam footage of former SEPULTURA drummer Igor Cavalera performing the SEPULTURA songs "Breed Apart" and "Straighthate" with his brother Max Cavalera (guitar, vocals) on February 23 in Chicago, Illinois can be seen below.

Igor and Max's "Return To Roots" tour sees them celebrating the twentieth anniversary of SEPULTURA's "Roots" album by performing the LP in its entirety. They are joined by Marc Rizzo (guitar; SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ILL NIÑO) and Tony Campos (bass; SOULFLY, STATIC-X, MINISTRY, FEAR FACTORY).

"Roots", along with 1993's "Chaos A.D.", is considered SEPULTURA's most commercially successful release, having been certified gold in 2005 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for U.S. shipments in excess of 500,000 copies.

In 1996, Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band fired Max's wife Gloria as their manager.

Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January 2006).

The current SEPULTURA lineup — featuring guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. alongside Derrick Green on vocals and Eloy Casagrande on drums — released its new studio album, "Machine Messiah", on January 13 via Nuclear Blast.

Frontiers Music Srl will release QUIET RIOT's new studio album, titled "Road Rage", on April 21.

The first single from the disc, "The Seeker", can be streamed below.

Said QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali: "The songs on 'Road Rage' are very diversified and 'The Seeker' harkens back to the music of the '70s while still retaining the '80s grooves that I love to play. It is akin to taking a journey back in time through the future. It's a trip!" Famously known as the first heavy metal band to top the pop charts, the Los Angeles quartet became a global sensation thanks to their monstrous smash hit 1983 album, "Metal Health". The band now continues its historic journey in 2017 with founding member and drummer Frankie Banali who, on this new release, is joined by veteran bassist Chuck Wright (who has been in and out of QUIET RIOT since 1982) and guitarist Alex Grossi (who has been handling his duties since 2004,) together with new vocalist Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha; formerly of ADLER'S APPETITE). "I'm very excited about the release of 'Road Rage' on Frontiers Music Srl which is the first official QUIET RIOT release in eleven years," Banali said. "It contains all newly written and recorded original songs. We stayed true to the great tradition and sound of QUIET RIOT while at the same time always moving musically forward." Banali's history with QUIET RIOT spans over 34 years and he has the distinction of being the only member of QUIET RIOT to have recorded on every single QUIET RIOT release from 1983's "Metal Health" through 2017's "Road Rage". After nearly ten years since the loss of his friend and co-founding member and bandmate Kevin DuBrow, and with careful consideration, soul searching and with the blessings and support of DuBrow's family, Frankie has moved forward with the band to bring the fans "Road Rage". Musically, "Road Rage" offers exactly what you would expect from QUIET RIOT: arena-ready hard rock with strong hooks and infectious riffs, along with maturity in the songwriting that only a band with such a history and pedigree can offer.

Vocalist Jizzy Pearl (LOVE/HATE, L.A. GUNS, ADLER'S APPETITE, RATT) left QUIET RIOT at the end of 2016 to concentrate full time on his solo career.

Banali revived QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after DuBrow's death, along with Wright and Grossi. The group went through two vocalists — Mark Huff and Scott Vokoun — before settling on Pearl in 2013.

The Pearl-fronted QUIET RIOT recorded six new songs for an album called "10", which was released digitally on iTunes and Amazon.com in June 2014, but Banali pulled the songs from both download stores shortly after putting the effort on sale and hasn't made them available again. He later explained that his decision to remove "10" from iTunes and Amazon.com was motivated in part by the fact that he couldn't find a record label that would properly promote the album. In addition, he said that the system that brought us classic rock music has been forever altered by the times and the promotional and marketing engine that is broken, no longer effectively exposing music from the labels through radio and to the masses. "Road Rage" track listing:

01. Nothing But Trouble02. Let It Go03. Snake Charmer04. Hey Lil' Sister05. I Don't Need You Anymore06. Sledge Hammer07. Never You Mind08. Empty Rooms09. Dirty Money10. The Seeker11. Road Rage

Frontiers Music Srl will release "Don't Let Up", the new studio album from NIGHT RANGER, on March 24. The disc will be available in both a standard edition and a deluxe edition (featuring bonus track and bonus DVD — physical format only).

The song "Comfort Me", taken from "Don't Let Up", can now be streamed below.

NIGHT RANGER truly epitomizes the sound of the '80s, while at the same time transcending it. Since their reunion in 1996, they have brought their guitar heavy, melodic brand of hard rock into the 21st century with their unparalleled talent, energy, and creativity.

"Don't Let Up" was produced by the band.

"The 'Don't Let Up' album is the result of five musicians living and breathing rock 'n roll 24 hours a day. 35 years on and NIGHT RANGER is once again ready to let the fans know 'it's only rock and roll, but I like it,'" says NIGHT RANGER bassist and vocalist Jack Blades of the new album.

NIGHT RANGER drummer and vocalist Kelly Keagy adds: "Working on the material for the new album "Don't Let Up" was a great experience once again. I always look forward to creating music with Brad, Eric, Keri, and Jack. I'm really looking forward to playing some of this material for the fans. It rocks!"

States NIGHT RANGER guitarist Brad Gillis: "I'm looking forward to the new NIGHT RANGER studio effort 'Don't Let Up' as it's always a pleasure releasing new material to keep the bands creative flow. As typical for NIGHT RANGER, we have all the elements that made us popular in the first place, including twin-lead-vocal tradeoffs with Jack and Kelly and dual guitar harmonies and solos with my new partner in crime, Keri Kelli. We've stacked the deck again with up tempo driving rock songs, mid tempo tunes and a few acoustic ballad tracks. We're hoping this new album will be added to your existing NIGHT RANGER catalog!!!"

With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide, over 3000 live shows performed, and more than 1 billion in radio audience, NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style of that era and beyond. With songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and continue to expand their ever-growing fan-base, NIGHT RANGER is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

NIGHT RANGER has earned widespread acclaim, multi-platinum and gold album status while leaving their indelible mark on the music charts with a string of best-selling albums ("Dawn Patrol", "Midnight Madness", "7 Wishes", "Big Life" and "Man In Motion"), its popularity fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks.

NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

"Don't Let Up" track listing:

01. Somehow Someway02. Running Out Of Time03. Truth04. Day And Night*05. Don't Let Up 06. Won't Be Your Fool Again07. Say What You Want08. We Can Work It Out09. Comfort Me10. Jamie11. Nothing Left Of Yesterday

* Bonus audio track on deluxe edition

* Bonus DVD: Band Interviews; "Running Out Of Time" (video); "Day And Night" (Video)

Swedish death metallers EVOCATION will release their new album, "The Shadow Archetype", on March 10 via Metal Blade.

The official video for the song "Condemned To The Grave", taken from "The Shadow Archetype", can be streamed below.

EVOCATION guitarist Marko Palmen comments: "The video for 'Condemned To The Grave' was shot with Greenworks Television on the 4th of February at a deserted house in the small village of Golingstorp, Sweden. The deserted house was actually something that we found through a friend who specialized in photographing deserted buildings. According to villagers, the house has been deserted for at least thirty years. It's a beautiful house and the aging has perhaps added even more character to the house. The day of the video shoot was freezing... But it added a special eerie feeling since there is a small layer of snow in the landscape, and on many of the shots with the actors you can see their breaths in the air. The end result became quite spectacular (not for the weak hearted I might add...), and we all hope you enjoy the video for 'Condemned To The Grave'!?

Featuring a cover and layout by Xaay (BEHEMOTH, NILE), "The Shadow Archetype" was recorded at three different studios. Backing vocals, mixing and mastering were done at Dugout Productions. Daniel Bergstrand handled the recording of backing vocals and mixing. George Nerantzis handled the mastering. Drums were recorded at Crehate Studios together with studio engineer Oscar Nilsson.

"The Shadow Archetype" also features veteran drummer Per Moller Jensen (THE HAUNTED, INVOCATOR) on session drums. Per sets a new death metal standard on the new EVOCATION album with his complex, yet groovy drumming, which we know well from his time in THE HAUNTED. Guitars, bass, and lead vocals were recorded by the band in their own studio, Acacia Avenue Recordings.

"We started recording the drums in late June 2015 and did the last recordings with vocals in June 2016. So, we spent roughly a year in the studio with 'The Shadow Archetype'," explains Palmen. "In my opinion, the production is our strongest so far. It has all the elements I want in a production; raw brutality with a distinctive punch!"

"The Shadow Archetype" track listing:

01. Into Ruins02. Condemned To The Grave03. Modus Operandi04. Children Of Stone05. The Coroner06. The Shadow Archetype07. Blind Obedience08. Survival Of The Sickest09. Sulphur And Blood10. Imperium Fall11. Dark Day Sunrise

EVOCATION is:

Thomas Josefsson - vocalsMarko Palmen - guitarSimon Exner - guitarGustaf Jorde - bassPer Moller Jensen - session drums on the album

Junius are streaming “A Mass For Metaphysicians”, a track from their new full-length album, Eternal Rituals For The Accretion Of Light (ERAL), due out March 3rd via Prosthetic Records. Listen below.

The album marks the completion of their conceptual trilogy which began in 2009 with their evoking LP The Martyrdom Of A Catastrophist, followed by 2011's Reports From The Thresholds Of Death. Next in line was Junius' latest release, the 2014 EP Days Of the Fallen Sun.

Recorded, mixed and mastered with longtime friend and producer Will Benoit (Caspian, Rosetta, Ellie Goulding), Eternal Rituals For The Accretion Of Light takes inspiration from Elisabeth Haich's autobiography Initiation, whilst touching on topics including karma, reincarnation and spiritual development across it's ten melodically divine tracks. Following the departure of former member Mike Repasch-Nieves (guitars), the album was entirely wrote and performed by vocalist / guitarist Joseph E. Martinez, excluding drums / percussion which were completed by Dana Filloon. The album also features guest appearances from Drew Speziale (Circle Takes The Square) and Gian Minardi (General Public).

Tracklisting:

"March Of The Samsara"
"Beyond The Pale Society"
"A Mass For Metaphysicians"
"Clean The Beast"
"All That Is, Is Of The One"
"The Queen's Constellation"
"Telepaths & Pyramids"
"Masquerade In Veils"
"Heresy Of The Free Spirit"
"Black Sarcophagus"

“A Mass For Metaphysicians”:

"Clean The Beast" video;

"The Queen's Constellation" video:

Junius will embark on a headlining jaunt across the East Coast following the albums release in mid-April with support to be announced shortly. Dates can be found listed in the below tour admat. For tickets and further information, please visit this location.

New York City sludge/doom/drone trio, Unearthly Trance, have released a video for “Into The Spiral”, the opening track from their new album, Stalking The Ghost, out now via Relapse Records. Watch the new clip below.

An esoteric ritual of seismic doom, Stalking The Ghost taps into the darkest realms of the occult over the course of seven tracks that reek of utter despair. Forming a balance between slow-churning maelstrom and spine-chilling harmony, wrapped beneath a blackened cloud of rumbling feedback, Unearthly Trance sound more powerful and exploratory than ever before.

Recorded at Menegroth/The Thousand Caves Studios by Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts, Panopticon) and featuring cover art by Orion Landau (YOB, Red Fang, Graves At Sea), Stalking The Ghost restores misery to a gentrifying city.

Bundles are available via Relapse.com while digital downloads can be ordered via Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Into The Spiral”
“Dream State Arsenal”
“Scythe”
“Famine”
“Lion Strength”
“Invisible Butchery”
“The Great Cauldron”
“In The Forest's Keep” (Digital Only Bonus Track)

“Into The Spiral” video:

Album stream:

Tour dates:

April
17 - KB18 - Copenhagen, Denmark
18 - Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany
19 - Magasin4 - Brussels, Belgium
20 - Roadburn - Tilburg, Netherlands
21 - Doom Over Leipzig - Leipzig, Germany
23 - JAZ - Rostock, Germany

Invictus Productions and Iron Bonehead Productions recently announced April 7th as the international release date for the debut album from Belgium's Possession, entitled Exorkizein. Invictus will handle the album's CD release while Iron Bonehead will handle its vinyl LP version. The album track “In Vain” is available for streaming below.

One of the hottest bands in the modern black/death metal underground, Possession's ascent has been rapid but never exacting, and more than rightly earned. Forming in 2012, their debut demo, His Best Deceit - released jointly by Invictus and Iron Bonehead, in 2013 - exploded with excitement, showing an incendiary charisma rarely heard, not to mention a veteran's grasp of engaging songwriting. But for however filthy 'n' furious His Best Deceit was, less than a year later, the band released the Anneliese EP: a catacombed dirge that proved there were yet more haunting depths to this still-young band.

Between the two records, Possession's name was already on the tongues of legions worldwide - which is all the more remarkable considering their canon, to that point, consisted of six songs. Alas, in 2015 arrived the 1585-1646 mini-album. The band's longest work to date at 25 minutes, 1585-1646 studiously explored more concerted lyrical themes, marrying the conceptualism of the Anneliese EP to a still-unfolding, still-unholy synthesis of ancient Metal of Death and the pitchest-black metal. It was the band's boldest move to date, teasing their now-rabid fanbase with greater glories to come...and now they have arrived with Exorkizein.

Effectively a summation of Possession's powers and prowess they displayed across their first three recordings, Exorkizein is the bold and brazen first-album statement that will fully write the band's name into black/death legendry. Its fury is more feral and unchained than ever, its downshifts into doom more swirling and fatal, and its recording is as rounded and robust as a highly anticipated debut requires. And yet, for however much this is all unmistakably Possession, Exorkizein marks a change in lineup: vocalist Mestema is out of the band and has been replaced by Viriakh, while S.Iblis enters as new bassist. Far from a disabling blow, this lineup shakeup has resulted in a stronger Possession than ever before, brimming with madness and mystery, slavering with sin and ever prepared to strike. The youthful discordance has slightly, subtly given way to an ageless confidence, without one sacrifice of the core ethics of authentic, deeply-felt black/death metal.

More or less written in one year, with no stopping doing gigs, Possession's Exorkizein was recorded once again at Blackout Multimedia with Phorgath (Enthroned, Emptiness). Artwork was also once again created by underground icon Chris Moyen. And Possession once again chose Invictus and Iron Bonehead to release the album because they're "a loyalty-above-all kind of band, and that is part of our identity and strength."

Exorkizein tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Sacerdotium”
“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession”
“Beast Of Prey”
“In Vain”
“Take The Oath”
“Preacher's Death”

“In Vain”:

“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession”:

Much like the lyrical conceptualism explored on the previous two Possession records, Exorkizein tells a story flowing through its six central songs  the life, the work as an exorcist, and the death of Gabriele Amorth, last-known chief exorcist of the Vatican, who died on the 16th of September of 2016.

"We start writing about him before his death," the band state, "but it seems that Evil was once again on our side, as the exorcist died while we were still writing lyrics. We changed the lyrics in regards of that event."

From there, each song on Exorkizein could be summarized like this:

“Sacerdotium” - “His heart filled with faith, a young & devoted priest is about to accept the exorcist sacerdotium..." This song is about the young priest Amorth swearing the oath of the Exorcist.

“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession” - “As written in the holy book of exorcism, demoniac possession comes by progressive steps ...when the last one is complete, it is already too late..." This song explains the three steps of the demoniac possession.

“Beast Of Prey” - “Hear the words of the Evil invading your soul, feel his fire burning inside you, let him speak through your throat and tongue..." The demon speaks through the voice of the possessed one.

“In Vain” - “Hard is the work to fulfill the exorcism ritual, only a few can achieve it, many are done in vain..." The exorcist performs the ritual on the possessed one, but preaches are sung in vain as the demon is the strongest.

“Take The Oath” - “Used as living weapons, exorcist priest must kneel before the altar and swear an oath for lifetime..." The now-old priest Amorth indoctrinates young priests to force them to take the exorcist oath.

“Preacher's Death” - “At the twillight of his life, devoured by sickness, the priest is waiting to join his creator, but demons are tormenting him as they wait for his soul to ascend..." On his deathbed, the priest wishing to return to his creator is now tormented by demons telling him that Evil can't be defeated.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD's recent studio session at the BBC can be streamed using the widget below.

The band visited BBC Radio 1's "Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter" over the weekend and performed the songs "Hail To The King", "God Damn", "Nightmare" and "The Stage" at the Maida Vale studio in London, England.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD will join METALLICA for the latter's "WorldWired" 2017 North American tour. Produced by Live Nation, the summer's hottest ticket kicks off May 10 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland with openers VOLBEAT.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD is touring in support of its seventh album, "The Stage", which was given a surprise release at the end of October with almost no promotion beforehand.

The band filmed a music video last month in the Los Angeles area for the song "God Damn" from the new disc.

"The Stage" debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 album chart back in November following its surprise release. Co-produced by the band and Joe Barresi, the disc features eleven panoramic tracks tied together by an Artificial Intelligence theme. Inspired by the writings of Carl Sagan and Elon Musk, the album is the band's first thematic release. While the term "AI" conjures up images of robots and fantasy films, the band steers clear of a science fiction storyline. Instead, the album sees them taking a futurist's look at the accelerated rate at which technology's intelligence is expanding and what that means — good and bad — for the future.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD is currently on a European tour with DISTURBED and CHEVELLE and will play Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg tonight (Wednesday, March 1).

Realms Of Odoric, the artwork/soundtrack project from, SuidAkras Arkadius Antonik and illustrator Kris Verwimp, have released a new video for the song "Return To Ankrath", which is animated with the impressive illustrations by Kris Verwimp, giving an insight into the story of the second era.

 

The album includes 18 tracks with a running time of 44 minutes and tell the story of the second age of Odoric. Due to the study and completion of Arkadius at the Audiocaution Academy, the compositions are much more mature than ever before. For the first time in the history of the project, the recordings were realized with the participation of many guest musicians from all over the world.

“Towering Solitude” (studio video featuring Eva Brönner, Cello):

"Odoric Overture“, played by the Brandenburg State Orchestra:

 

New Zealand hard rock/metal act Like A Storm have just released their formidable new single, “Pure Evil”. The first offering from the band’s upcoming new record, Catacombs, is already creating a buzz amongst their fans and musical peers alike. 

“Pure Evil” was initially released to coincide with Like A Storm’s recent UK & European arena tour with Alter Bridge, Volbeat and Gojira. But word spread about the new track, and it was picked up by radio stations across America - breaking into the US Rock Top 50 without even being released as a single. 

As a result, “Pure Evil” has just become the fifth American Top 50 single in a row for Like A Storm - the first time in history that a New Zealand artist has achieved such consecutive success in US rock radio.

This new musical direction caught the attention of Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti, who commented “‘Pure Evil’ is totally killer! This song will be so badass live."

"They're hardcore," says Alter Bridge frontman Myles  Kennedy of Like A Storm's touring work ethic. "I see them show up onstage every night and give it 10,000%... They have definitely proved that they deserve every bit of success that they have coming to them."

The band also drew on experience from their relentless global tour schedule. "After playing festivals to crowds like Download and Graspop, we started approaching music in terms of what we could envision seas of people rocking out to in unison," says Kent.

Lyrically the song marks a turning point in Like A Storm’s writing, addressing the dark side of religious and political power. Says guitarist Matt Brooks: “Those members of our society who are supposed to be a shining example of morality are so often revealed to be corrupt, immoral, and even dangerous. The cover ups, scandals and exploitation that pervade the highest levels of church and government are just sickening. So 'Pure Evil' seemed like the perfect way to sum up this absolute hypocrisy - these people appear so righteous, but at their core they are the worst of the worst.”

Catch Like A Storm on tour across Europe and The UK opening for Alter Bridge. confirmed dates are as listed:

November
8 - Paris, France - Zenith
9 - Brussels, Belgium - AB
10 - Amsterdam, Holland - HMH
13 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
14 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
16 - Katowice, Poland - Spodek
18 - Stockholm, Sweden - Annexet
20 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
21 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega Main Hall
23 - Manchester, England - Arena
24 - London, England - O2 Arena
26 - Nottingham, England - Motorpoint Arena
27 - Birmingham, England - Genting Arena
28 - Cardiff, Wales - Motorpoint Arena

December
1 - Glasgow, Scotland - Hydro
2 - Leeds, England - First Direct Arena
4 - Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
5 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium
6 - Hamburg, Germany - Mehrl Theater
9 - Bologna, Italy - Unipol Arena
10 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
11 - Basel, Switzerland - Jakobshalle

The progressive dark metal project Sollertia have revealed a first glimpse of their debut album, which will be released on May 19th via Apathia Records. Preorders are available at Apathia Records.

The debut, titled Light, marks the first collaboration between Voa Voxyd (ex-Ad Inferna) and James Fogarty (In The Woods..., Ewigkeit).

The album was recorded and mixed by Voa Voxyd and mastered by Frédéric Gervais (Orakle) at Henosis Studio, who previously worked for Heart Attack and Helioss, both new albums to be released by Apathia Records next March.

Groove and death metal band MagnaCult have announced the release of their third album, titled Infinitum. MagnaCult formed in 2005, brings together a unique group of musicians from across the Netherlands: vocalist Seb, guitarists Tomas and David, bassist Stan and drummer Bionic.

The band describes the birth of their new masterpiece as challenging; personal issues and set-backs have been channeled into a force that has brought the band closer to each other. The result is a crushing new album, featuring eleven powerful and meaningful songs.

There are two guest vocalists on the new album, giving it a new depth. “We asked Alma from For I Am King to add her brutal voice to the song ‘Righteous Murder’,” says MagnaCult´s guitarist David. Theresa Smith from Metaprism out of the UK, provides vocals for the track ‘Holy-um’, a track which might come as a surprise for those who already know MagnaCult.

The artwork, done by Gustavo Sazes (Amaranthe, The Agonist, Arch Enemy), captures the meaning of the album title Infinitum. “In a time of chaos, evil clutches us by the throat again – and this time – for it, to never let go” explains Bionic.

Tracklisting:

“Righteous Murder”
“I’m Chosen”
“Scars”
“Liberate”
“Be Freed By Death”
“Holy-um”
“Infinitum”
“Thou Shall Trust No One”
“8”
“Schwatt Matt”
“Trash”

Symphonic metallers, Leaves’ Eyes, are at work on material for their next album. A brief message follows:

“Great studio sessions at Mastersound Entertainment! Working on the demo vocals for the upcoming Leaves' Eyes record! In springtime we are already back in the US and Canada!”

Tour dates with Sabaton and Battle Beast are listed below:

April
20 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
21 - Playstation Theatre - New York, NY
23 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY
25 - Club Soda - Montreal, QC
26 - Imperial de Quebec - Quebec City, QC
27 - Opera House - Toronto, ON
28 - Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
29 - Token Lounge - Westland, MI (no Sabaton)
30 - Diamond Pub and Billiards - Louisville, KY

May
1 - Concord Music Hall - Chicago, IL
2 - The Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN
3 - Park Theatre - Winnipeg, MB
5 - Union Hall - Edmonton, AB
6 - The Palace - Calgary, AB
7 - Rickshaw Theater - Vancouver, BC
8 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
9 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR (no Sabaton)
10 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
11 - City National Grove - Anaheim, CA
12 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
14 - Gothic Theater - Englewood. CO
16 - Trees - Dallas, CA
17 - Alamo Music Hall - San Antonio, TX
18 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
20 - Orpheum - Tampa, FL
21 - The Underground - Charlotte, NC
22 - The Filmore - Silver Spring, MD

Dutch black metallers Dystopia will release their second full-length album, Chaos Philosophorum, on April 21st. The band has now unveiled the first track entitled “Through The Vortex”.

The band had the following to say about the track: "‘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 (Nails, Hooded Menace, Oathbreaker). 

The artwork of the follow-up to 2013's Haat was designed by Adam Burke (Mare Cognitum, Mos Generator, Vektor) from Nightjar Illustration.

Dystopia frontman Dennis Onsia commented: "After years of growing and maturing towards our own sound, 'Chaos Philosophorum' feels like the first serious step in our own direction. This album represents us one hundred percent, both musically and emotionally. It includes influences from a lot of diverse musical genres, but I feel that we succeeded in making this album both original and organic."

Themes on Chaos Philosophorum deal with space, existence and death. "We wanted to combine these concepts in our artwork, so we took the medieval plague doctor as a strong and recognizable symbol of death, and combined it with the almost magical shapes and colors of a galaxy. As if he is casting a spell. The artist Adam Burke did a tremendous job converting our ideas into this artwork."

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Through The Vortex”
“Black Death”
“Archon”
“Interlude”
“Bound To Annihilate”

“Through The Vortex”:

On April 7th, Swedish heavy metallers Trial (swe) will release their new album Motherless worldwide via Metal Blade Records. Single “Cold Comes The Night” is streaming below.

Motherless is one of the most original heavy metal albums in a long time. Trial (swe) have refined their sound and are one of the most unique acts you can find in today's heavy metal. Preorders are available at Metal Blade.

Trial (swe) comments: "'Motherless is a multifaceted album, a creation of many different elements, yet coherently crafted to perfectly represent the entity that is Trial (swe). 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."

Tracklisting:

“Motherless”
“In Empyrean Labour”
“Cold Comes The Night”
“Juxtaposed”
“Aligerous Architect”
“Birth”
“Embodiment”
“Rebirth”

“Cold Comes The Night”:

(Band photo by: Skoorell Photography)

Slovenian thrashers Eruption have just finished recording their third full-length album, entitled Cloaks Of Oblivion, due to be released on May 2nd via Xtreem Music. The single “Drones” is available for streaming below.

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, 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.

Tracklisting:

“Pharos”
“Sanity Ascend”
“Cloaks of Oblivion”
“Drones”
“Reborn Into Demise”
“The Yearning”
“This Barren Existence”
“Seven Archons”
“The Prophet”

“Drones”:

Lineup:

Klemen Kalin - vocals
Andrej Čuk - guitars
Grega Kamenšek - guitars
Nika Krmelj - bass guitars
Ivan Cepanec - drums

Canada's Trilateral, who are set to drop their first full-length effort Elliptic Orbits, have just released a lyric video for the song "Whalefall”, featuring vocals courtesy of Kittie frontwoman, Morgan Lander. Watch the clip below.

Trilateral is a multidimensional progressive metal band with influences as diverse as their music.

A trinity of adept and nonconformist musicians, the band are not easily categorized into one simple genre, but that’s exactly what keeps hungry, forward-thinking metal fans interested in their unique sound. Although they integrate various fundamental elements of multiple genres and styles, Trilateral delivers their neural depth without mercy to shatter audiences’ expectations of what modern prog metal is truly capable of.

With their unique blend of brutality and jazz-fusion, the band manages to create a vast soundscape within every track that is not typically associated with metal.

Elliptic Orbits is set to release March 11th independently. Pre-orders can be made via the band’s Bandcamp page.

Tracklisting:

“Dividers Of Infinity”
“Cloud Forest”
“Airlock”
“Celestial Bodies”
“Whalefall”
“Fountainhead”
“Nomad”
“Blessed Protagonist”
“Charon”
“Darkless”
“Arbitrarium”
“Convergence”

“Whalefall” lyric video:

Promo video:

Band lineup:

Graeme Kalb - Guitar/Vocals
Sam Smit - Bass/Vocals
Jacob Goose - Drums

At long last, Blood Feast is reborn into the metal underground with their third full-length album, The Future State Of Wicked, set for international release on April 14th via by longtime fans Hells Headbangers. Listen to the album track “Off With Their Heads”, available for streaming below.

Blood Feast fans old and new will not be disappointed by The Future State Of Wicked, as the "holy trinity" of releases from the band’s early days – Kill For Pleasure (1987), the Face Fate EP (1988) and Chopping Block Blues (1990) – inform much of the new album. All the speed, brutality, and twists ‘n’ turns Blood Feast is known for are intact and in your face (nine of the ten songs being written by original guitarist Adam Tranquilli), yet updated with modern production. Joining Adam are vocalist Chris Natalini and bassist Tom Lorenzo, along with some new blood in Joe Moore (drums) and CJ Scioscia (guitar).

Blood Feast was formed by Adam Tranquilli, Gary Markowich (vocals), Kevin Kuzma (drums), and Lou Starita (bass) in 1985 as Blood Lust.  They quickly wrote and recorded their classic four-song demo, The Suicidal Missions. Shortly after, they became a five-piece with the addition of Michael Basden on guitar. The band was then approached by New Renaissance Records to contribute songs to their Thrash Metal Attack (“Menacing Thunder”) and Speed Metal Hell 3 (“The Suicidal Missions”). This prompted the name change to Blood Feast. New Renaissance then offered a record deal, which led to the recording of the classic Kill For Pleasure album and a US tour with Death Angel. The Face Fate EP quickly followed.

Shortly after writing and recording their proposed second album, Adam left the band. The remaining four members then re-recorded these songs, which became the album Chopping Block Blues. The band broke up shortly after the album's release in early 1990.

The five-man Blood Feast reunited for an appearance at the NJ March Metal Meltdown in 1999, but further activity was not to be. A second reunion began in 2007, albeit only with original members Tranquilli and Kuzma. Both Lorenzo and Natalini came on board in 2010, just in time for the band’s first appearance at Headbangers Open Air in Germany (they were invited back in 2013). During this stretch, Adam began writing new material, with the band even playing an early version of "INRI" at select shows.

The Blood Feast retaking its place in the metal ranks today began to take shape in March of 2014, with the addition of guitarist CJ Scioscia. When drummer Joe Moore joined a few months later, the unit was complete and immediately set to work on Adam’s stockpile of new material. Two of these songs (“Off With Their Heads” and “The Burn”) have become staples of the current live set. Such performances have become more frequent, culminating with an appearance at the True Thrash Fest 2015 in Osaka, Japan with Exciter, Hobb's Angel of Death, and Game Over and, most recently, Hells Headbangers' own festival Hells Headbash Part 2 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Now with a new generation of thrashers and metalheads holding records like Kill For Pleasure as their cherished cult classics, Blood Feast's return with The Future State Of Wicked could not be any more momentous and better timed. Exploding right out of the gates with the aforementioned evil-as-fuck thrashfest "INRI," The Future State of Wicked racks up one breathless, bloody attack after the next. In one sense, the spirit of '87 is alive and well in Blood Feast; their frenzied thrust is as rabid and red-eyed as ever, sounding like the crazed mania of men half their age. In another, perhaps more accurate sense, The Future State Of Wicked is suffused with the wisdom of the ages, the whole span of thrash and speed metal history since Blood Feast's original days on the frontlines, and it results in ten angry-yet-finessed slices of audial terror buttressed by well-rounded but never too-polished production.

Tracklisting:

“INRI”
“Off With Their Heads”
“Brethren”
“By The Slice”
“The Underling”
“Last Rites”
“Who Prays For The Devil”
“Nein”
“Remnants II”
“The Burn”

“Off With Their Heads”:

The Future State Of Wicked by BLOOD FEAST

“INRI”:

The Future State Of Wicked by BLOOD FEAST

Thrash metal stalwarts, Havok, have released a music video for “Intention To Deceive”, a track from their upcoming record, Conformicide, which will be released on March 10th via Century Media Records. Click this link to direct you to selected stores and download/streaming platforms. The new video can be found below.

In addition to Conformicide being released on CD, digital and streaming platforms, the album will also be available in an array of limited edition vinyl colors. See below for a complete list of these color LPs and where fans can purchase them.

Color Vinyls:

Black - All Outlets (unlimited)
White - CM Distro Europe Exclusive (100 copies)
Lilac - Europe (200 copies)
Golden - Nuclear Blast Europe Exclusive (200 copies)
Neon Yellow - US Stores / Indie Merch (400 copies)
Clear - Pledge Music Exclusive (300 copies)
Transparent Blue - Tour/Band Exclusive (300 copies)

Fans can now pre-order Conformicide via CMDistro or Pledge Music. Also available via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

Tracklisting:

“F.P.C.”
“Hang 'Em High”
“Dogmaniacal”
“Intention To Deceive”
“Ingsoc”
“Masterplan”
“Peace Is In Pieces”
“Claiming Certainty”
“Wake Up”
“Circling The Drain”

Bonus Tracks (Special Edition CD)
“String Break”
“Slaughtered”

Bonus Tracks (Gatefold 2LP + CD)
“String Break”
“Slaughtered”
“Claiming Certainty” (Live)

“Intention To Deceive” video:

"Ingsoc”:

"Hang 'Em High”:

Havok are on tour in the US with Suicidal Tendencies and Crowbar.

February
28 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger

March
1 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
3 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
4 - Ft. Meyers, FL - Harborside Events Center
5 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre
7 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theatre
8 - Lawrence, KS - Granada
10 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall Complex
11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Complex

 

 

European Headline Tour with Warbringer, Gorod & Exmortus:

April
1 - Edingburgh, UK - Heavy Scotland Festival * Havok only!
2 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion   
3 - Birmingham, UK - Mama Roux’s  
4 - London, UK - Underworld  
5 - Hasselt, Belgium - Muziekodroom   
6 - Tilburg, The Netherlands - 013   
7 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo  
8 - Aarhus, Denmark - Royal Metal Festival  
9 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers  
11 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia  
13 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset Klubben  
14 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset   
15 - Berlin, Germany - Cassiopeia  
16 - Markneukirchen, Germany - Framus & Warwick Concert Hall  
17 - München, Germany - Feierwerk  
19 - Vienna, Austria - Arena  
20 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Orto Bar  
21 - Brescia, Italy - Circolo Colony  
22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7  
23 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage  
24 - Nantes, France - Ferrailleur   
26 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol  
27 - Barcelona , Spain - Salamandra 1  
28 - Puget, France - Le Rats  
29 - Paris, France - Petit Bain  
30 - Essen, Germany - Turock

In a brand new interview with Billboard, DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover spoke about the band's upcoming tour, "The Long Goodbye", which starts May 13 in Europe and includes a late-summer North American leg with ALICE COOPER and EDGAR WINTER. Asked if the tour title is trying to tell fans something, Glover said: "Well, we're letting you make your own minds up. No one wants to stop. But we know that I'm 71 now, [singer Ian] Gillan is 71, we're all about late 60s, early 70s, and bodies have a way of not keeping up with your brain or your career. We're all sort of approaching that point where I can't imagine another eight years to do an album."

Glover continued: "The time is approaching when it will end, but we don't want to face that. We don't actually want to make a date or a final tour or anything. We just want to carry on as long as nature allows or is kind of dignified. If we can't do what we do anymore, then yes, it's time to stop. But we're still doing it, and we're still enjoying it very much. So all we're saying is the door is closing, but it's not closed yet."

DEEP PURPLE will release their new album, "InFinite", the highly anticipated follow-up to their worldwide chart-topping effort "Now What?!", on April 7 via earMUSIC.

"InFinite" was tracked in February 2016 at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee and was once again helmed by Bob Ezrin, who has previously worked with KISS, PINK FLOYD, PETER GABRIEL, ALICE COOPER and KANSAS, among others.

DEEP PURPLE — which has been eligible for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for two decades now — finally entered the Rock Hall as part of the class of 2016. The band's first three lineups were inducted, including drummer Ian Paice, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, late keyboardist Jon Lord, and various singers and bassists — Rod Evans; Ian Gillan and Roger Glover; and David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

GHOST was honored in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held Tuesday night (February 28) at Konserthuset in Stockholm. This marks the act's third win in this category.

The bands were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2016.

"Best Hard Rock/Metal" nominees were as follows:

* AMARANTHE - "Maximalism"* CULT OF LUNA & JULIE CHRISTMAS - "Mariner"* DARK TRANQUILLITY - "Atoma"* GHOST - "Popestar"* IN FLAMES - "Battles"

None of the GHOST bandmembers' real names have ever been revealed, although singer Papa Emeritus is believed to be Swedish rock musician Tobias Forge, who writes almost all of the group's music and does most of the act's interviews disguised as a member of his backing band of Nameless Ghouls.

Since none of the musicians in the band are ever identified, personnel changes in the group have gone unannounced. It is believed, however, that the lineup has changed a few times over the years, including at the end of 2016, when Forge is rumored to have fired all five of the Nameless Ghouls following the completion of GHOST's North American tour. As a result, GHOST's upcoming European headlining trek — which kicks off at the end of March — will apparently mark the live debut of GHOST's new lineup, featuring Forge as the sole remaining member from the band that previously toured in support of "Meliora" and last year's "Popestar" EP.

"Popestar" was released last September. The effort features covers of songs from bands like ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN and EURYTHMICS along with a new original tune called "Square Hammer".

During a recent interview with Metal Wani, the GHOST leader touched on the subject of lineup changes and how they have affected the band's sound over the years.

"From a practical point of view, you're interested in, on the one hand, preserving the sound, or the elements that make up the sound, and you still wanna progress," he said. "I think one of the secrets behind our preserving ability is the fact that we don't necessarily have to have the same six people in the room to make that sound, which helps.

"It's always a blessing and a curse when you have some of these classic bands over the course of rock and roll history, where in order for them to sound like that exact band, you need those four individuals, and if one is missing, it does not sound like that," he continued. "And, fortunately, we don't have that problem. Because performing GHOST and recording GHOST has never really been the same thing. So that we can preserve our sound; we don't have to rely on… if some people come and go, which is good. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE is the same thing. Everything goes through Josh's [Homme] hands, and therefore it sounds like QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, regardless of who he brings in and out of the band, which is, I guess, a similar situation."




[MESSAGE FROM THE CLERGY]

We wish to inform you that tonight Ghost won a Swedish Grammis Award in the category Hard Rock/Metal Act Of The Year. This is band's third Grammis win.

Thank you!

Posted by Ghost on Tuesday, February 28, 2017