43 years after his contribution to one of the most successful records of all time and 40 years after the release of The Alan Parsons Project’s debut album in 1976, Alan Parsons returns with all his greatest hits in a superb symphonic show.

On the evening of August 31st, 2013, a large crowd gathered at Parque Pies Descalzos in Medellín, Colombia. When Alan Parsons appeared on stage, along with the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra and his band the audience went wild. This is an audio visual document of that incredible evening.

The Alan Parsons Symphonic Project - Live In Colombia was released on May 27th on earMUSIC as a DVD, Blu-ray, 2-CD digipak, 3xVinyl, and download. Watch “Sirius” from the release below:

Alan Parsons was 19 years old when he landed a job at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, an important first step on his journey to becoming a world class engineer, producer and artist. Following his beginnings with George Martin and The Beatles, his contribution to Pink Floyd’s classic The Dark Side Of The Moon earned him worldwide attention. As a producer he had many hits with Pilot, John Miles, Ambrosia and Al Stewart. Together with his manager and creative partner at the time, Eric Woolfson, he developed the Alan Parsons Project.

Following their debut album Tales Of Mystery And Imagination (1976), they released a series of hit albums; namely I Robot (1977), Pyramid (1978), The Turn Of A Friendly Card (1980), Eye In The Sky (1982), Ammonia Avenue (1984), Vulture Culture (1985), Stereotomy (1986) and Gaudi (1987).

Then Parsons and Woolfson called it a day, but Parsons had ambitions to perform the amazing music live. Now to the great delight of his fans, for the first time on a live video and audio recording, The Alan Parsons Symphonic Project combines the talents of his amazing band with the lush sound of a 70-piece symphony orchestra, creating a very special show with unmatched quality. Together, they revitalize hits such as “Eye In The Sky“, “Don’t Answer Me“ and “Sirius“.

The lineup consists of Alan Parsons on acoustic guitar, keys, and vocals, P.J. Olsson (lead vocals), Alastair Greene (guitar, vocals), Guy Erez (bass, vocals), Danny Thompson (drums, vocals), Tom Brooks (keyboards, vocals) und Todd Cooper (saxophone, guitar, percussion, vocals). Alejandro Posada conducts the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tracklisting:

“I Robot”
“Damned If I Do”
“Don’t Answer Me”
“Breakdown”
“The Raven”
“Time”
“I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You”
“La Sagrada Familia”
“The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part One)”
“Snake Eyes”
“The Ace Of Swords”
“Nothing Left To Lose”
“The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part Two)”
“What Goes Up”
“Luciferama”
“Silence And I”
“Prime Time”
“Sirius”
“Eye In The Sky”
“Old And Wise”
“Games People Play”

Trailer:

“Don’t Answer Me”:

“Eye In The Sky”:

 

 

 

 

Swiss heavy metal band, Headless Crown, are offering a full stream of their debut album, Time For Revolution, out now via Massacre Records.

Time For Revolution offers a nice blend of classic heavy metal in the vein of Accept, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest. It’s full of powerful music and melodic vocals, but with modern flavors and an up-to-date sound. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Serge Morattel at REC Studio and comes with an artwork designed by the band's guitarist Manu Froelicher.

Tracklisting:

“The World Screams”
“Here Comes The Night”
“Edge Of Sanity”
“Stranded”
“Reach Out For The Light”
“Hellhounds”
“Searching For My Soul”
“Lonely Eagle”
“Be Seeing You”
“Evil Rising”
“Men Or Machines”

Album stream:

“Here Comes The Night” video:

“Edge Of Sanity” video:

Washington D.C.-based prog innovators PERIPHERY will release their new album, "Periphery III: Select Difficulty", on July 22 via Sumerian Records.

A song from the CD, "Flatline", can be streamed below. "Periphery III: Select Difficulty" track listing:

01. The Price is Wrong02. Motormouth03. Marigold04. The Way The News Goes…05. Remain Indoors06. Habitual Line-Stepper07. Flatline08. Absolomb09. Catch Fire10. Prayer Position11. Lune

PERIPHERY's own Adam "Nolly" Getgood oversaw production for the album as he did with the "Juggernaut" releases. Nolly will no longer be a touring member of PERIPHERY, as he will be expanding his production work in his native U.K. He remains an integral part, and a member, of PERIPHERY. At this time, no decision has been made about a touring bassist.

"Touring with PERIPHERY has shown me some of the most incredible experiences I could ever have imagined, to meet amazing people all over the world and to create friendships for life; it has truly been an honour to perform in front of every audience who has watched us play over the years," he said. "However the touring life isn't something that everyone can continue doing indefinitely, and for me, the time has come where I want to settle into a more normal existence, be able to make plans further into the future than the touring life enables, and to be able to focus more on the studio side of my music career. I will, however, be remaining as a band member and contributing in any way that I can while the band is off the road; I love all of my fellow bandmates like brothers and I'm so grateful for the incredible support they've shown as I make this huge life change. I know they are going to be taking the music and performances to the next level when they hit the road later this year."

PERIPHERY's U.S. tour, dubbed the "Sonic Unrest" tour, launches on August 4. The month-long outing, sponsored by D'Addario and Guitar Center, includes openers SIKTH, CHON and TOOTHGRINDER.

PERIPHERY will host a four-day, immersive summer camp dubbed the Periphery Summer Jam on July 25-29 at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York.

Nuclear Blast has announced the signing of MEMORIAM, the new Birmingham, United Kingdom-based death/grind metal band featuring Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER) on vocals, Frank Healy (BENEDICTION, CEREBRAL FIX) on bass, Scott Fairfax (CEREBRAL FIX) on guitar and Andy Whale (BOLT THROWER) on drums.

Founded in January 2016, the group will release its debut album next year.

MEMORIAM was primarily developed to fill the void that was left following the tragic death of Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, the drummer from BOLT THROWER, back in September 2015. BOLT THROWER subsequently placed all activity on hold for the foreseeable future which gave Karl Willetts an opportunity to develop a new project with friends that had expressed interest in forming a band for some time.

MEMORIAM is an old-school death metal band, maintaining the standards set by their previous bands, focusing on the themes of death, loss and war. Initially, the bandmembers got together to play covers of songs that had influenced them throughout their careers within the death metal scene. However, it soon became apparent that the new songs that they created were of a superior standard.

The band commented: "The war rages on...

"It is with great pleasure that MEMORIAM announces that we have signed a recording contract with Nuclear Blast Records.

"Throughout our long careers — 30 years, to be precise — within the music industry and specifically within the death metal scene we have witnessed the growth of Nuclear Blast Records to become the number one record company within our genre.

"When we started MEMORIAM back in January 2016 we intended just to form a band to go into the rehearsal rooms to jam out some cover versions of old classic songs that had influenced us in the past along with some cover versions from the bands we had played with over the years, and maybe eventually do a few low key gigs.

"With the introduction of Scott Fairfax into the lineup, all this changed. Scott has brought with him a wealth of killer riffs and new ideas which has totally changed things around from our original intentions. Very soon we decided to scrap the idea of being a covers band and to formulate our own songs, using these riffs and ideas that Scott introduced to us, and from this we developed a whole load of new crushing, brutal old-school death metal songs which we are very proud of and can’t wait to unleash upon the world!

"When we started developing the songs, we talked about the possibility of signing to a label and releasing an album. At that point, we all decided that if Nuclear Blast approached us, we would sign to them. This is because amongst all the labels out there, none have a better relationship with the bands on their roster, none communicate better with both the bands and the fans of the music. None care as much about the music and the scene as Nuclear Blast Records.

"Nuclear Blast currently boasts the best artist roster of all the labels within the death metal genre. We are proud and honoured amongst this list!

"2016 is the year of MEMORIAM.

"Let the resistance begin..."

Markus Staiger, CEO of Nuclear Blast, adds: "Being a lifetime fan of both BENEDICTION and BOLT THROWER, it is with great pride that I announce that the new band of Frank Healy and Karl Willets has now joined the Nuclear Blast family!

"Following the first news regarding the band, I have been keeping a close eye on them and was very curious to hear their material.

"Besides me, a lot of metal magazines have been in touch with the band even before they had heard a single note of music, while the band has also received many invitations to play several summer festivals.

"After hearing their first demo songs I was completely sold and knew that I had to get in contact with Frank and Karl to seal the deal.

"MEMORIAM will please all the fans of old school death metal and especially the worldwide fan base of BOLT THROWER and BENEDICTION!

"With bands like MEMORIAM, Nuclear Blast remains the no # 1 in extreme metal!!"

Australian melodic/progressive death metal act, Be’lakor, have released a lyric video for the new song “The Smoke Of Many Fires”, from their fourth full length album, Vessels, out today (June 24th) via Napalm Records. Watch the new clip below.

Be’lakor states: "Vessels is the product of well over a year's hard work - without doubt, it's the album that has challenged us the most. It's much richer and more textured than any of our other albums. There are parts which sound like the Be'lakor that fans know, while other sections might surprise some people. Our goal was to keep the music exciting and varied, for us as much as for anyone else. Vessels is also our first concept album, which has meant that lyrically we've really pushed ourselves this time around. We hope our fans will enjoy it as much as we do!"

Vessels tracklisting:

“Luma”
“An Ember’s Arc”
“Withering Strands”
“Roots to Sever”
“Whelm”
“A Thread Dissolves”
“Grasping Light”
“The Smoke Of Many Fires”

“The Smoke Of Many Fires” lyric video:

“Roots To Sever”:

“An Ember’s Arc”:

Teaser:

Be’lakor is:

George Kosmas - Guitar / Vocals
Shaun Sykes - Lead Guitar
John Richardson - Bass
Steve Merry - Piano / Keyboard
Elliott Sansom – Drums

Sky Of Forever is a Helsinki-based melodic hard rock group featuring musicians from Stratovarius and Tracedawn. Their music is influenced by 1980’s hard rock and the masters of film music. The group is led by singer and songwriter Lauri Hannola.

In SOF’s music one may hear echoes from bands like Bon Jovi, Europe and HIM, but also from composers such as James Horner and Klaus Badelt. One may also hear some modern pop elements in the production made by Tuomas Yli-Jaskari, who lately has been working also with the newest album of The Rasmus.

Sky Of Forever’s music consists of beautiful melodies, great choruses and magical atmosphere with pop frosting on top. Sometimes, just when you think you’ve heard it all, SOF may take you to great heights with high notes by Lauri Hannola, guitar solos by Roni Seppänen and orchestrations made by conductor Risto Kupiainen. Still, the foundation lies in the great songs.

All of the songs are composed by singer Lauri Hannola, who is also responsible for the song arrangements along with guitarist Roni Seppänen. The album Sky Of Forever will be released worldwide on October 14th.

Check out the new video for "Summer Rain" below:

Sky Of Forever lineup:

Lauri Hannola - vocals
Roni Seppänen - guitars
Rolf Pilve - drums
Tuomas Yli-Jaskari - bass & production
Risto Kupiainen - piano & orchestration

“Divine”:

(Photo: Lassi Karhulahti)

GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its "Not In This Lifetime" tour Thursday night (June 23) at Detroit, Michigan's Ford Field. 41,000 fans packed the stadium to watch the band play a two-hour-and-35-minute show that started just before 9:45 p.m.

Singer Axl Rose reportedly sported six different T-shirts, a leather jacket, five hats and a couple of bandanas during the night, which saw him leaning on guitarist Slash's shoulder during Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

For the Detroit gig, Rose was no longer confined to the chair he had been seated on ever since breaking his foot during a surprise GUNS club show in April 1 in Los Angeles.

The tour features three members of the classic GN'R lineup — Rose, bassist Duff McKagan and Slash — backed by drummer Frank Ferrer, guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and new second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. It's So Easy02. Mr. Brownstone03. Chinese Democracy04. Welcome To The Jungle05. Double Talkin' Jive06. Estranged07. Live And Let Die08. Rocket Queen09. You Could Be Mine10. Raw Power (Iggy and THE STOOGES cover)11. This I Love12. Civil War13. Coma14. Speak Softly Love (love theme from "The Godfather")15. Sweet Child O' Mine16. Better17. Out Ta Get Me18. Wish You Were Here19. November Rain20. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (BOB DYLAN cover)21. Nightrain

Encore:

22. Don't Cry23. The Seeker (THE WHO cover)24. Paradise City

Check out fan-filmed video footage and photos below.

Footage was released on June 18 of former GUNS drummer Steven Adler practicing "Paradise City", leading to speculation that he would at least make a guest appearance on the band's reunion tour.

According to some reports, Adler was actually going to perform with GUNS N' ROSES on April 1, but was unable to play due to a back injury.

GUNS N' ROSES played its first show since reuniting at Hollywood's Troubadour nightclub, where the band began its career more than 30 years ago. The group also played two shows at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas before doing two stints at Coachella and two Mexico City gigs.

Rose just finished a stint as lead vocalist for AC/DC on that band's European festival run, and is slated to play at least ten North American shows with that group right after GUNS complete their stadium run.

"Mark Of The Blade", the sixth full-length album from Knoxville, Tennessee death metallers WHITECHAPEL, is being released today (Friday, June 24) via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release, the new record "remains true to the band's roots while venturing into previously unexplored territory, both sonically and lyrically."

The official video for the song "Elitist Ones" can be seen below. The clip was directed and produced by Jim Foster, who states: "As fans of WHITECHAPEL, my entire team and I were stoked when Mike Faley (Metal Blade Records) asked me to write a treatment and direct for the band. As a director, my job is always easier when the band is rippin'...and holy shit are these guys RIPPIN'!"

Reunited with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CANNIBAL CORPSE), WHITECHAPEL has redefined who they are and what they are capable of with "Mark Of The Blade". Kicking off with "The Void" — which has a SLAYER-esque ferocity that is perfectly suited to the band's three-guitar attack — the songs that follow all leave a distinct impression, and by the time the rich, dark melodies on "Decennium" bring the record to a close, it's impossible to deny the emotional weight brought to bear. "It's the most dynamic record we've done, in the sense that one song can be very aggressive while the next one will be softer and sentimental," Wade asserts. "At this point in our career and as we grow older, we are taking a more open-minded approach to creating our music, allowing what we think sounds good to evolve naturally, rather than to just write what is expected of us."

"Mark Of The Blade" track listing:

01. The Void02. Mark of the Blade03. Elitist Ones04. Bring Me Home05. Tremors06. A Killing Industry07. Tormented08. Brotherhood09. Dwell in the Shadows10. Venomous11. Decennium

WHITECHAPEL will join ATREYU, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, EVERY TIME I DIE, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, and many more on this year's Vans Warped Tour.

Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of MOTIONLESS IN WHITE. The Scranton, Pennsylvania-based band has just released its label debut single, "570", via all DSPs. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE commented: "We are very honored to finally announce that we have signed with Roadrunner Records.

"Over the past few months, we've had the privilege of getting to know the hard-working team that makes up Roadrunner and felt a connection with their company immediately. It has been a dream of MOTIONLESS IN WHITE for years to someday sign with their label, and we are elated to find that it is a perfect home for the band to continue building our career.

"We are very excited to start this new chapter and to keep working hard every day with Roadrunner by our side.

"Thank you to Roadrunner Records for opening your home to us, and thank you to all of the fans that have supported our band tirelessly over the years. Your support and contributions have helped lead to all of these amazing developments taking place for our band. We're looking forward to many more years of this with all of you.” MOTIONLESS IN WHITE is hard at work on its long awaited fourth studio album and full-length Roadrunner debut, slated for 2017. "570" marks the band's first new release since 2014's "Reincarnate", which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart as well as at #9 on The Billboard 200. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE's third studio album was highlighted by the blockbuster title track, a top 20 Active Rock radio favorite accompanied by a striking companion video now boasting close to 10 million individual views. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will celebrate "570" with nearly non-stop touring, kicking off with this year's Vans Warped Tour. The dates — which see the band topping the new Monster Energy Party Zone — begin June 24th at Dallas, Texas's Gexa Energy Pavilion and then continue through mid-August. From there, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will join forces with KORN and BREAKING BENJAMIN on the eagerly awaited "Nocturnal Underground Tour". The trek — also featuring SILVER SNAKES — gets underway September 27 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa's US Cellular Center and then runs through mid-October. As if that weren't enough, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will be among the stars performing at a number of upcoming heavy music festivals, including Chester, Pennsylvania's Rock Allegiance (September 17), Louisville, Kentucky's Louder Than Life (October 1), and Sacramento, California's Aftershock (October 22). Founded in 2005, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE have won over audiences worldwide with their aggressive music and arresting imagery. The band – currently comprising lead singer Chris Motionless, guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky Horror, keyboardist Josh Balz, bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola, and drummer Vinny Mauro – have proven a ferocious and inventive live act, earning an increasingly fervent fan following via countless headline shows, festival sets, and tours alongside such iconic acts as SLIPKNOT, LAMB OF GOD and A DAY TO REMEMBER, among others.

Swedish metallers SOILWORK will release a special collection of rarities titled "Death Resonance" on August 19 via Nuclear Blast. The cover art was created by MNEMIC guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (VOLBEAT, CARCASS, SCAR SYMMETRY, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and can be seen below.

SOILWORK has released one of the two brand new songs that are featured on "Death Resonance". The lyric video for "Helsinki", created by well-known videographer Tommy Antonini, can be seen below.

Commented SOILWORK guitarist David Andersson: "Death. It's a word that might be used too often, but it can still be interpreted in a myriad different ways. It's not just the soma being deprived of its life-force; it's also the end of infinity, the birth of new possibilities and the acceptance of inevitable change. This song was written soon after the recording of our live album in Finland, making new friends and making sure that the old ones stay with us forever, despite the fact that everything is finite."

SOILWORK singer Björn 'Speed' Strid said: "The cover for 'Death Resonance' is made by Mircea Eftemie and in many ways he has managed to capture what we went through while recording 'The Ride Majestic': the sorrow, the close encounter with death, the aftermath and also the existential cogitation that came with it. It links those albums together, even though 'Death Resonance' contains unreleased material from 2005 onwards. The cover almost seems like a link between life and death and not only captures where the band is right now, but also where we've been and what lies ahead."

"Death Resonance" track listing:

01. Helsinki (new song)02. Death Resonance (new song)03. The End Begins Below The Surface ("The Ride Majestic" Japan bonus track)04. My Nerves, Your Everyday Tool ("Beyond The Inifite" Japan-only EP)05. These Absent Eyes ("Beyond The Inifite" Japan-only EP)06. Resisting The Current ("Beyond The Inifite" Japan-only EP)07. When Sound Collides ("Beyond The Inifite" Japan-only EP)08. Forever Lost In Vain ("Beyond The Inifite" Japan-only EP)09. Sweet Demise ("The Panic Broadcast" Japan bonus track)10. Sadistic Lullabye (re-recorded, "The Panic Broadcast" Japan bonus track)11. Overclocked (2016 mix, "Sworn A Great Divide" Japan bonus track)12. Martyr (2016 mix, "Sworn A Great Divide" Japan bonus track)13. Sovereign (2016 mix, "Sworn A Great Divide" Japan bonus track)14. Wherever Thorns May Grow (2016 mix, "Stabbing The Drama" Japan bonus track)15. Killed By Ignition (2016 mix, "Stabbing The Drama" Japan bonus track)

SOILWORK's tenth studio album, "The Ride Majestic", was released worldwide on August 28, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

The band's drummer, Dirk Verbeuren, is currently touring with MEGADETH while Chris Adler is busy on the road with LAMB OF GOD.

While Verbeuren is playing with MEGADETH, his seat in SOILWORK is being occupied by Bastian Thusgaard of THE ARCANE ORDER.

Joining SOILWORK on tour in support of "The Ride Majestic" is new bassist Markus Wibom, formerly of Helsingborg hardcore group HEARTS ALIVE. Wibom replaced longtime bandmember Ola Flink, who amicably left the group to focus on other endeavors. Wibom had been a personal friend of the band for many years and previously toured with SOILWORK as a guitar tech and lighting designer.

Eclipse Records has announced the signing of Naberus to an exclusive, worldwide deal. Hailing from Melbourne Australia, Naberus are a four piece metal band heavily influenced by melodic death, and thrash metal.
 
Check out the lyric video for "Drones", taken from the upcoming album The Lost Reveries.

In early 2015, the band pressed a very limited quantity of their self-released album Reveries, sent them to dozens of record labels all over the world, and got the attention of Chris Poland at Eclipse Records. Upon hearing the band, Naberus was quickly signed to the label. Shortly thereafter, the band began writing new material, and re-entered the studio with producer Ermin Hamidovic (Periphery, Elm Street, Orpheus) to record new material.
 
Bassist Jordy Mitchell said of the signing, “I'm very excited to be signed by Eclipse Records, as I am a massive Mushroomhead fan, so to be given the opportunity to start where they did is pretty amazing.” Vocalist James Ash added, “I am stoked to be signing with Eclipse, and I look forward to the opportunity of introducing Naberus to a larger audience.”
 
Naberus recently finished mixing and mastering a new full-length album entitled The Lost Reveries. The album consists of five brand new songs, in addition to re-mastered versions of the nine songs from their previous independent release. The Lost Reveries is currently slated for a Fall 2016 release.
 
For more information on Naberus, visit the band on Facebook. 
 

Former JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens was forced to cancel his scheduled appearance at Scotland's only rock and metal festival after being denied entry to the United Kingdom earlier today (Thursday, June 23).

Owens's June 24 appearance at Wildfire was being billed as "an exclusive one-off U.K." gig where he was supposed "perform tracks from the JUDAS PRIEST 'Live In London' album" as well as select cuts from both "Demolition" and "Jugulator", the two studio albums he recorded with the band.

The festival organizers said in a statement: "It is with massive regret that we have to announce that Tim Owens will no longer be able to play tomorrow night's show.

"We arrived at Glasgow Airport this morning as Tim took time out from his tour of the Ukraine to play for us at Wildfire. Unfortunately, U.K. border patrol will not let him into the U.K. at this point in time and although we are trying everything we are able, we have little say in changing the minds of such a powerful U.K. agency.

"Both Tim and Wildfire would like to offer our sincere apologies at this time."

Asked in a recent interview about being accused by some JUDAS PRIEST fans of changing the band's sound to a more brutal, modern direction on "Jugulator", Owens said: "Listen, if it's my fault that JUDAS PRIEST changed, then whose fault is it….? Every record JUDAS PRIEST puts out is different. I mean, 'Nostradamus' sounds nothing like JUDAS PRIEST ever wrote, ever. 'Turbo' sounded nothing like JUDAS PRIEST. You know, JUDAS PRIEST changes. They wrote 'Painkiller', and 'Jugulator' was a transition; it was kind of following what was going on."

He continued: "You've gotta remember, JUDAS PRIEST always went with the times a little bit. Glenn [Tipton, guitar] started playing arpeggios. PANTERA was really big [at the time]. [On the] 'Painkiller' [tour], they toured with PANTERA; PANTERA opened for JUDAS PRIEST. 'Painkiller' was a heavy record, and this was a natural progression. The difference is I probably had a few more different layers to my voice that they could tap into — some deeper, death metal kind of undertones to do backups and some different types of voices that they might be able to try. But it was JUDAS PRIEST."

Owens added: "You've gotta remember: I'm a big fan of JUDAS PRIEST — still am and always was — so me listening to 'Jugulator' and 'Demolition', as a fan, I would be, 'This is great. This is great JUDAS PRIEST stuff.' And as JUDAS PRIEST continued without me, as a fan, I would really look back on the 'Jugulator' record and [go], 'Man, that was some great stuff.' It was JUDAS PRIEST, you know. I mean, not everybody liked 'Turbo'. Some fans did; some didn't. I love JUDAS PRIEST, because they change."

Swedish singer / songwriter Spice (Spiritual Beggars, Kayser) returns with a new band named My Regime, and a new album titled Dogmas - scheduled for an August 26th release on Scarlet Records.

Dogmas is Spice’s most aggressive album to date, a furious thrash metal attack that brings to the table some of the fastest and sharpest riffs ever conceived, with an old school feel and plenty of attitude. Here is how Spice himself commented: “This band is my ventilation to get rid of some unhealthy anger. Both in a musical way, but also in a mental way. I feel I need it to keep me sane in a politically correct and insane society. Especially living in a country that is selling out all the progress what past generation has achieved. I feel the need to ventilate the madness of  certain ideologies that are taking us in the wrong direction. I can’t think of a better way than to express it through some good old thrash songs. I’m talking about thrash the way it was in the beginning. Fast, angry and raw.”

Christian "Spice" Sjöstrand was a member of Spiritual Beggars, alongside guitarist Michael Amott (Carcass, Arch Enemy) from 1993 – 2001. Spice sang and played bass on the first four Spiritual Beggars albums: Spiritual Beggars (1994), Another Way To Shine (1996), Mantra III (1998), and Ad Astra (2000).

Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed film, TV and stage actor Meat Loaf is readying the release of his new album Braver Than We Are for 429 Records. Working closely again with longtime collaborator Jim Steinman—a key to the magic of multi-platinum selling albums Bat Out Of Hell and Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell—Meat has recorded ten songs in tandem with Steinman, producer Paul Crook and The Neverland Express, which includes John Miceli (drums), Paul Crook (guitars, loops, synths), Randy Flowers (guitars, vocals), David Luther (sax, B3 organ, strings, horn arrangements), Justin Avery (piano, synths, strings, backing vocal arrangements), Danny Miranda (bass), Stacy Michelle (vocals) and Cian Coey (vocals). Guest musician Ricky Medlocke provided the slide guitar solo on “Train Of Love”.

The tracks on Braver Than We Are were written by Steinman, featuring the first song he ever wrote in a storied career to the most recent. While Crook produced the album, Steinman acted as creative consultant throughout the recording process working alongside Paul and Meat from beginning to end, sending suggestions, adding verses and contributing opinions on every aspect. The first single to radio, “Going All The Way,” showcases a reunion with vocalists Ellen Foley and Karla DeVito decades after their first performances on the smash hit “Paradise By The Dashboard Light”. 429 Records will release Braver Than We Are digitally, on CD and vinyl in Europe on September 9th and the US and rest of the world on September 16th.

Braver Than We Are tracklisting:

"Who Needs The Young"
"Going All The Way"
"Speaking In Tongues"
"Loving You Is A Dirty Job"
"Souvenirs"
"Only When I Feel"
"More"
"Godz"
"Skull Of Your Country"
"Train Of Love"

In a career spanning over four decades, Braver Than We Are is Meat Loaf’s fourth album featuring songs exclusively written by Jim Steinman. With a painting featuring Meat and Jim together for the first time gracing the cover, the album hearkens back to the hugely successful Meat-Steinman collaborations Bat Out Of Hell (1977) and Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell (1993), which together sold over 67 million units. Braver Than We Are is a testament to Meat’s artistic rapport with Steinman. The songwriter’s strikingly vivid style matched with Meat’s incomparable talents not to mention his wit and grandiosity, results in the two successfully connecting with audiences on an epic scale.

“It’s a tribute to Jim Steinman really,” said Meat Loaf. “It’s a tribute to both of us and our work together.”

South Florida heavy metal outfit, Forty Winters, has announced a July 22nd release date for its sophomore album, Rotting Empire, on Dead Truth Recordings. Today, the band started streaming the first single and opening track, "Summoning Spirits," in the form of a lyric video created by animator / music video director Scott Rudd (Fear Factory, Thy Art Is Murder, Job For A Cowboy).

Forty Winters vocalist Xavier Vicuna comments: "Welcome to the year of Rot! With each release we got more comfortable in our own skin and more willing to take chances, which leads us to Rotting Empire. You can expect the signature FW sound with more of a modern approach, better song structure, as well as more grit and tenacity. It's pissed, and it's real. Some unexpected and unplanned touring pushed the release back quite a bit, but we were able to play new songs and hype the impending album so it was well worth it. We always had a vision for our sophomore album, this is it."

With regards to the first track, he adds: "'Summoning Spirits' is a great representation of what people can expect from Rotting Empire. It's the first single and the opening track of the album. We recorded the album in the order of the track list, it all just felt right."

Pre-order Rotting Empire at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Summoning Spirits"
"Choke"
"Profit Hostage"
"Empty Tombs"
"Human Sacrifice"
"Looming Serpent"
"Snuff Out The Light"
"Disease Of Time"

Rotting Empire was recorded by Jesse Kirkbride (Black Tongue, Aversions Crown, Enterprise Earth) at Kirkbride Recordings in Cape Coral, Florida., and features special guest appearances by Chad Ruhlig (For The Fallen Dreams) and Adam Warren (Oceano). 

Artwork comes courtesy of renowned artist Bill Hauser (Ozzy Osbourne, Gorilla Biscuits, Sick Of It All, Toxic Holocaust, Cruel Hand).

Forty Winters is:

Jeff Stevenson - guitar
Xavier Vicuna - vocals
Scott Dotson - drums

 

Atmospheric death metal outfit, Lord Of War, will release their new full-length, fittingly titled Suffer, next month via Unique Leader Records. Set for release July 8th, Lord Of War's Suffer drags its listeners into a dark sonic realm where elements of science fiction, horror, and sheer unbridled brutality collide. Priding themselves on keeping an expansive repertoire and a "something for everyone" ethos, Suffer delivers over forty-five minutes of unearthly aggression, seamlessly intertwining engaging technicality, relentless viciousness, and deadly precision.

Just launched is the official play-through video for "Embryo", featuring the instrumental sorcery of guitarists Alexx Walshaw and Daniel Richardson.

You can also sample "Nexus Of Hate," featuring Nick Arthur of Molotov Solution:

Suffer was engineered and mixed by Daniel Castleman and Kelly Cairns (Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Carnifex, Winds Of Plague, Molotov Solution) and mastered by Miah Lajeunesse (Whitechapel, Aegaeon). Pre-order bundles for Suffer are available here.

Tracklisting:

“Age Of Heresy”
“Nexus Of Hate” (featuring Nick Arthur)
“Embryo”
“Suffer”
“Behold The Harvest”
“Manufactured Existence”
“Skin”
“Carbon Based Genocide”
“Hamunaptra”
“Drowning”
“Killing Must Feel Good To God”

Lord Of War is:

Alex Walshaw - guitar
Daniel Richardson - guitar
Andrew Rodriguez - vocals
Wesley Van Hook - bass
Josh Null - drums

"Innocence", the new video from former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Buenos Aires, Argentina with movie director Mariano Cattaneo. The song is taken from Tarja's forthcoming heavy rock album, "The Shadow Self", which will be issued on August 5 via earMUSIC.

"The Shadow Self" is now available for pre-order in various formats, including standard CD and special edition CD+DVD.

"The Shadow Self" track listing:

01. Innocence02. Demons In You (feat. ARCH ENEMY's Alissa White-Gluz)03. No Bitter End04. Love To Hate05. Supremacy06. The Living End07. Diva08. Eagle Eye09. Undertaker10. Calling From The Wild11. Too Many

While waiting for the release of "The Shadow Self", Tarja has yet another surprise for her fans: Turunen and earMUSIC have announced the release of the new album's prequel, "The Brightest Void". With over 50 minutes of new music, the extra album will sweeten the wait until August.

"The Brightest Void" was released on June 3 via earMUSIC as a CD digipak, LP+download code and as a digital download.

"The Brightest Void" features not one but three incredible guest artists: fellow Finnish star Michael Monroe, icon of the glam rock scene and former frontman of inspiring band HANOI ROCKS; Chad Smith (who doesn't need any further introduction) and a new mix of WITHIN TEMPTATION's collaboration "Paradise (What About Us)", carried out with Tarja and world-renowned sound engineer and producer Tim Palmer. The prequel presents Tarja's new single, "No Bitter End", as the album opener and furthermore shakes you with an incredible cover of Sir Paul McCartney's overlooked gem "House Of Wax" and adds a new twist to Dame Shirley Bassey's James Bond theme "Goldfinger". Tarja will perform songs from her upcoming album for the first time on festival dates this summer.

Vocalist Mike Muir of Venice, California crossover thrash/hardcore punk legends SUICIDAL TENDENCIES spoke to Jump Metal about the band's recent addition of former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. He said: "It's been incredible. It's something that I've always, always… Going back… One of my friends reminded me that twenty-something years ago, I was talking, and I said, 'Oh, man. I would love to hear Dave playing on SUICIDAL songs.' And he's just been one of my favorite drummers, and I've always known him and been friends, but never eally were close or that type of thing. And recently I was talking to a friend about him and said, 'Oh, man. I've always really loved Dave's drumming,' like most people. And he said, 'Give him a call.' And I'm, like, 'Well, there's two problems. One, I don't have his number, and two, I don't wanna put him on the spot.' But I ended up calling him up and we started talking. So we did the [North American] tour with MEGADETH [earlier in the year], and we just got back from Europe, and we are finishing up the new SUICIDAL record. And everything has been amazing. He's an incredible drummer and a really, really good person. So it's been just a heck of a lot of fun."

Asked about Lombardo's musical contribution to the upcoming SUICIDAL TENDENCIES album, Muirmsaid: "It's interesting, because a lot of people, obviously, associate [Dave] with the SLAYER sound. On some of the SUICIDAL songs, it's different musically, and you can see how really a tremendously diverse drummer that he is. I think some of the songs, obviously, people that love his drumming, they're gonna hear it and they're gonna really, really, I think, enjoy it. He's really excited about it. He's getting to play some different kind of things, and it just brings a whole different intensity and rhythmic feel to the band. And he's definitely got the Cuban thing going on, that Latin flavor, where he gets to do a little bit more in SUICIDAL than he did in SLAYER. I think you hear it and you definitely know it's Dave, but it definitely takes us to another level."

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has set a September 30 release date for its as-yet-untitled new album. The follow-up to 2013's "13" disc will be the band's first to feature Lombardo and guitarist Jeff Pogan, who replaced Nico Santora last month.

Lombardo recently told Metal Wani about ST's forthcoming CD: "I think it's very typical and very traditional SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. It's that style. It's [SUICIDAL TENDENCIES frontman] Mike Muir and he was a very special style in which he writes his music and his lyrics and his structures. And I love it; I love it. It takes me back to how it all started, which was that punk attitude. I'm very happy to be a part of his organization. I feel very welcomed. I feel very much appreciated, and there's a lot of respect amongst the musicians, and camaraderie. We have a really good time together. We hang out as a band, which is important; I feel it's very important."

earMUSIC has announced the signing of KMFDM, the renowned industrial rock pioneers from Germany, for the release of "Rocks - Milestones Reloaded" on September 9. The album, a personal "best-of" compilation by KMFDM protagonists and masterminds Sascha Konietzko and Lucia Cifarelli, who claim the re-imagined, re-mixed pieces would be an "ideal playlist for a live set," commemorates the band's 32nd anniversary.

Ranging from remixes by Bradley Bills of CHANT to producer/musician extraordinary Marco Trentacoste and Sascha Konietzko himself, the re-worked versions extract the essence of KMFDM's music and, at the same time, place new emphases. In true KMFDM tradition, "Rocks" bears all the band's trademarks: the (mostly) five letters commonly used in the title, as well as the iconic graphics of Aidan Hughes a.k.a. BRUTE!, which are reminiscent in the style of early Soviet Constructivism propaganda.

Add to this KMFDM's signature industrial sound, a crossover between techno/dance and heavy metal, and densely distilled political lyrics, which never fail to challenge ignoramuses of every breed, and it is clear why KMFDM is regarded as the epitome and synonym for the musical style of the harder variety. "Rocks - Milestones Reloaded" will be released as CD+DVD media book, including the DVD "We Are KMFDM", CD Standard, 2LP and Digital on September 9 on earMUSIC and is to be followed by a new studio album and an extensive tour in 2017.

"Rocks - Milestones Reloaded" track listing:

01. Kunst02. Animal Out03. Light (Remix by Andy Selway / KMFDM)04. Son Of A Gun (Remix by Bradley Bills / CHANT)05. Amnesia06. A Drug Against War07. Professional Killer (Remix by Sascha Konietzko / KMFDM)08. (Still) Sucks (Remix by Sascha Konietzko / KMFDM)09. Free Your Hate10. Tohuvabohu11. WWIII (Remix by Sascha Konietzko / KMFDM)12. Krank (Remix by Victor Love)13. Amnesia (Remix by Marco Trentacoste)14. A Drug Against War (Remix by Marco Trentacoste)

ALICE IN CHAINS singer/guitarist William DuVall says that it's "too early" to talk about the band's new music, despite the fact that it's been more than three years since the release of their last studio album.

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" came out in 2013 was the band's second disc with DuVall, who joined in 2006 following the 2002 death of original vocalist Layne Staley.

Asked if ALICE IN CHAINS has been recording any new material, DuVall told Meltdown of the WRIF radio station in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday (June 22), the day before AIC's show with GUNS N' ROSES in the city: "I don't know. I know we'll be probably talking about that kind of thing over the next few months. It's still early yet. We've gotta get through this tour first."

William also talked about ALICE IN CHAINS' songwriting process and how it has evolved over the years. He said: "We make a habit of kind of starting pretty much with a clean slate every time we've gone in. And that challenges you, so we'll have to see how it manifests this time. But we're not there yet."

ALICE IN CHAINS recently announced the second leg of their North American headlining tour, adding Austin, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Antonio and more to a run that begins with five arena shows with GUNS N' ROSES on June 23. The tour includes a second New York City date on July 26 following the immediate sell-out of their July 25 show at the Beacon Theatre.

Speaking about the GUNS N' ROSES-ALICE IN CHAINS pairing, DuVall said: "They call the tour 'Not In This Lifetime' for a reason, right? 'Cause they never thought it would happen. So we were very excited just even hearing that it was gonna happen, let alone getting to join 'em for part of it."

Regarding how ALICE IN CHAINS came to do the GUNS N ROSES shows, William said: "There's a friendship there and a lot of mutual respect over a number of years. We love Duff [McKagan] and Slash, and we were just glad for them that this happened. And, of course, Axl [Rose] is sounding better than ever. So it's just great, man. We're honored to do it. We did the first two gigs back at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas a couple of months ago, so it was a natural fit that we would join them on the stadium leg as well."

Asked if he got a chance to check out the GUNS N' ROSES gigs in Las Vegas when ALICE IN CHAINS played with the Axl Rose-fronted outfit back in April, DuVall said: "It was really cool getting to do our gig and then getting to kind of fanboy out a little bit. That was a privilege. To still get to be a fan at this stage of the game is one of the most fun things about this whole gig, man. You can watch guys who are kind of your friends, but you also still really admire them as well, and you get to see them do their thing. So, yeah, man, we were standing right there, stage front, and watching them get down, and it was awesome."

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" came out in 2013 and sold 62,000 copies in its first week of release.

Interview (audio):

"Young Wicked", a brand new song from CHEVELLE, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's forthcoming album, "The North Corridor", which will be released on July 8 via Sony Music.

"The North Corridor" was helmed by Joe Barresi, the American record engineer and producer who has previously worked with bands such as KYUSS, MELVINS, TOOL and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE.

Drummer Sam Loeffler stated about the songwriting process for the new CD: "We just wanna write a bunch of songs that we like and we wanna play every day on stage. Pete's [Loeffler, guitar/vocals] our writer. He works tirelessly at it. We work on everything together, but Pete writes the songs and he brings them to us and then we compose them as a band, as most bands do. And it's been a really good process. We're super excited to play these songs. 'Cause you play songs for so long, you just wanna play new stuff."

Asked if they are involved in picking singles from the albums or if they just leave it to the label to make that decision, Pete said: "We actually battle everyone all the time. We have a good feeling when we get close — ten [or] fifteen songs that we're gonna do. But, ultimately, it comes down to just hashing it out and picking one, which is tough. It's not easy."

"The North Corridor" track listing:

01. Door To Door Cannibals02. Enemies03. Joyride (Omen)04. Rivers05. Last Days06. Young Wicked07. Warhol’s Showbiz08. Punchline09. Got Burned10. Shot From A Cannon

CHEVELLE has sold more than four million copies of its seven studio albums in the U.S. and scored 13 Top 10 hits at rock radio, including the chart-toppers "Send The Pain Below", "Vitamin R", "Face To The Floor" and "Take Out The Gunman".]

EX DEO, the reactivated Ancient Roman-themed arsenal fronted by KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono, has completed the writing process for its third album, "The Immortal Wars". The CD's main concept will deal with Punic Wars, a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 B.C. to 146 B.C. The epic legendary wars will come to life and bring the showdown between two of the greatest generals that ever walked the earth, Hannibal and Scipio Africanus, both of whom rewrote the rules of war and strategies. The album will also feature other unexplored subjects on Ancient Rome surely to raise the epic level to the maximum.

EX DEO will enter JFD Studios in Texas and Pirate Studio in Montreal, Canada with KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais to record this new opus, in what Iacono describes as "an ultimate historic lesson dipped in violence and blended with and incredibly brutal score that will transport you back in time and get your blood boiling, no details have been spared." Mixing duties will be handled in Sweden by acclaimed producer Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH, ARCH ENEMY, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE) this September. An early February 2017 release via Napalm is expected.

Orchestral score composer Clemens Wijers (CARACH ANGREN, LINDEMANN, PAIN) comments: "I had the privilege to compose and produce the orchestral score for the new phenomenal album 'The Immortal Wars' by EX DEO. For me, as a composer, this was a huge challenge as it pushed me to reinvent myself, surrounded by the great Roman atmosphere that EX DEO breathes throughout their music. The songs were asking for fierce aggressive orchestrations combined with emotional passages underscoring the narrative throughout. Coming from a background in writing epic and horror-oriented orchestral music I was able to leave my signature on this remarkable work. I'm beyond proud of the end result and can't wait until the album is finally out!"

EX DEO's sophomore album, "Caligvla", was released in August 2012 via Napalm.

Boston, Massachusetts-based technical metal act REVOCATION will release its new album, "Great Is Our Sin", on July 22 via Metal Blade.

The official lyric video for the song "Crumbling Imperium" can be seen below.

Having delivered five killer albums boasting some of the most potent, technical and abrasive metal unleashed over the last decade, it would be easy for REVOCATION to sit back and rest upon their laurels. However, with their constant drive to push their sound ever forward and refusal to compromise their integrity, this could never be the case — and "Great Is Our Sin" is their most dynamic, boundary-pushing and weighty release to date. When it came time for the follow up to 2014's "Deathless", the quartet had their work cut out for them, and their response to the challenge is a record that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Never forcing anything, the songs that would comprise "Great Is Our Sin" came together organically, and while the members being spread all around North America would have been an impediment to some, REVOCATION drew strength from it. Reuniting with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL), who also helmed "Deathless" and 2012's "Teratogenesis" EP, the record packs the requisite punch, yet retains the organic feel with which it was conceived. Known for their technical prowess, the band remained dedicated to upping the ante without ever losing sight of the importance of good songwriting. While the songs come together to make for a cohesive record that is engaging from front to back, they are further united by the lyrical concept penned by Davidson. The title itself appropriated from Charles Darwin's quote: "If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin", Davidson went about building a theme that was not only fittingly expansive, but also had real resonance with regard to contemporary society. "The concept revolves around the folly of man throughout the ages," he said. "Some themes come from historical references that are hundreds of years old, yet sadly these themes are still very relevant today due to mankind's refusal to learn from the lessons history has taught us, time and time again." Regardless of the state of the world, nothing is going to slow REVOCATION down any time soon. Whilst the lineup has changed over the ten years the band has been in existence, Davidson's passion has never waned, and they are arguably sounding better than ever as they look toward the future. "We can't wait to bring these songs out on the road and perform them for different audiences all over the world," he said. "'Great Is Our Sin' is a new chapter for the band, and collectively we feel that it is our defining record to date." In support of "Great Is Our Sin", REVOCATION will hitt the road this summer as part of "The Summer Slaughter Tour" alongside CANNIBAL CORPSE, NILE, AFTER THE BURIAL, SUFFOCATION, CARNIFEX, KRISIUN, SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL and INGESTED. The tour kicks July 23 in Orlando, Florida and runs through August 21 in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Great Is Our Sin" track listing:

01. Arbiters Of The Apocalypse02. Theatre Of Horror03. Monolithic Ignorance04. Crumbling Imperium05. Communion06. The Exaltation07. Profanum Vulgus08. Copernican Heresy09. Only The Spineless Survive10. Cleaving Giants Of Ice REVOCATION is:

David Davidson - Guitar / VocalsDan Gargiulo - Guitar / VocalsBrett Bamberger - Bass / VocalsAsh Pearson - Drums

The official lyric video for the song "Live In The Dark" from Jeff Beck can be seen below. The track is taken from the legendary guitarist's forthcoming studio album, "Loud Hailer", his first in six years, which will be available on Atco Records, an imprint of Rhino Entertainment, on July 15 on CD ($18.98), LP ($21.98), and digitally.

On "Loud Hailer", Beck combines fluid fretwork with topical lyrics to make a powerful statement about everything from the love of power, to the power of love. "Loud Hailer", which is another name for a megaphone, is a suitable moniker for an album that isn't shy about speaking its mind. The two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer explains: "I really wanted to make a statement about some of the nasty things I see going on in the world today, and I loved the idea of being at a rally and using this loud device to shout my point of view." The album's first single, the riotous rocker "Live In The Dark", will be unleashed soon. To help him write the 11 tracks on "Loud Hailer", Beck enlisted two fierce young females from London: singer Rosie Bones and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg. It was a chance meeting with Vandenberg last year at a birthday party for QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor that eventually led to the trio's collaboration. "She invited me to one of their shows, and I was blown away," the guitarist recalls. "When we got together in January, I explained the subject matter I had in mind, we sat down by the fire with a crate of Prosecco and got right to it. The songs came together very quickly; five in three days." Beck produced "Loud Hailer" with Filippo Cimatti, who also works with Rosie and Carmen. In addition to the core trio, the album also features drummer Davide Sollazzi and bassist Giovanni Pallotti, who were both recruited by Cimatti. Bones lends her powerful voice to nine of the 11 songs on "Loud Hailer", including the intense album opener "The Revolution Will Be Televised", the reflective ballad "Scared For The Children", the funk-infused "O.I.L." and the tranquil album closer "Shrine". The album is rounded out by two signature Beck instrumentals in "Pull It" and "Edna". A few days after the album's release, Beck will launch a summer tour of the U.S. with blues legend Buddy Guy. And on August 10, Beck, with special guests to be announced shortly, will make his Hollywood Bowl debut for a very special, career-spanning concert that celebrate 50 years of "dynamic music making." "It will be head teacher Beck in a gown and mortar board in front of the class giving everyone a history lesson," he jokes. The show will also include an orchestra. Over the course of Beck's illustrious 50-year career, the trailblazing guitarist has earned many accolades. He has twice been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame — first as a member of THE YARDBIRDS in 1992 and then again, as a solo artist, in 2009. Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and he has earned a total of eight Grammy Awards during his long career. In addition, Beck has been a guest performer at scores of sessions with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Buddy Guy to Tina Turner and Mick Jagger. Throughout his career, Beck routinely makes the fantastically difficult sound effortless. In addition to recording "Loud Hailer", Beck has been hard at work on his first official book, "BECK01" (Genesis Publications). Available on July 12, this signed, limited edition book explores Beck's passions for hot rodding and rock 'n' roll. Inspired by the sleek curves, luxurious finish and iconic imagery of the hot rods he builds, "BECK01" is hand-bound in leather and aluminum with every book numbered and personally signed by the author, Jeff Beck. The guitarist's handpicked selection of more than 400 rare and unseen photographs and items of memorabilia is narrated with an original manuscript of nearly 20,000 words, making "BECK01" the definitive visual and historical record of the dynamic musician. Included is an eloquent foreword by John McLaughlin that begins, "Jeff Beck is my all-time favourite guitarist, what do I say after that?" Indeed. "Loud Hailer" track listing: 01. The Revolution Will Be Televised02. Live In The Dark03. Pull It04. Thugs Club05. Scared For The Children06. Right Now07. Shame08. Edna09. The Ballad Of The Jersey Wives10. O.I.L.11. Shrine

A federal court jury decided Thursday (June 23) in LED ZEPPELIN's favor in the copyright-infringement lawsuit over the band's 1971 classic "Stairway To Heaven".

The jury came to their decision on a second day of deliberations at a Los Angeles courtroom after Judge Gary Klausner had heard heated closing arguments from lawyers representing both parties.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were sued by Michael Skidmore, the trustee of the Randy Craig Wolfe Trust, on behalf of the late SPIRIT guitarist. The lawsuit argued that the opening notes of "Stairway To Heaven" were too similar to a few notes from a 2-minute, 37-second instrumental titled "Taurus" from SPIRIT's 1968 album. The trust was hoping to not only win a monetary judgment, but also secure a writing credit for California on "Stairway To Heaven".

Plant and Page issued a joint statement, saying "We are grateful for the jury's conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favor, putting to rest questions about the origins of 'Stairway To Heaven' and confirming what we have known for 45 years. We appreciate our fans' support, and look forward to putting this legal matter behind us."

Warner Music also issued a statement celebrating the outcome, saying: "At Warner Music Group, supporting our artists and protecting their creative freedom is paramount. We are pleased that the jury found in favor of LED ZEPPELIN, re-affirming the true origins of 'Stairway To Heaven'. LED ZEPPELIN is one of the greatest bands in history, and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant are peerless songwriters who created many of rock's most influential and enduring songs."

Page gave a declaration in court in which he said: "Prior to hearing a recording of 'Taurus' in 2014 in connection with this matter, I have never heard 'Taurus' or even heard of it. I am very good at remembering music and am absolutely certain that I never heard 'Taurus' until 2014."

The guitarist went on to admit that ZEPPELIN shared the stage several times with SPIRIT. However, in the declaration, Jimmy stressed: "I do not recall ever seeing SPIRIT perform live. Again, though, I am absolutely certain I never heard them, or anyone else, perform 'Taurus'."

In his declaration, Page claimed that the beginning of "Stairway To Heaven" "includes a descending chromatic line chord progression and arpeggios, over which played an ascending line. I consider descending chromatic lines and arpeggiated chords basic skills learned by any student of the guitar. Certainly, as a guitarist, I was aware of descending chromatic lines and arpeggios long before 1968."

Page went on to say that he composed the music for "Stairway To Heaven" with "the intention to create a long work, with multiple different parts, that would unfold with increasing complexity and speed culminating in a guitar solo that was preceded by a distinct fanfare, followed by the last verse concluding a climax to the song."

Page also admitted to discovering a copy of SPIRIT's first album in his record collection but claimed he did "not know how or when it got there," suggesting it "may well have been left by a guest. I doubt it was there for long, since I never noticed it before. But, again, I know I did not hear 'Taurus' until 2014."

In 1997, California told Listener magazine that he thought the song "was a ripoff" of his composition. California died later that year.

Skidmore's attorney said that Page and Plant have both admitted that they copied other artists, claiming that LED ZEPPELIN changed the credit on its songs on seven occasions because of court actions or legal threats. Plant appeared to admit that the band had copied blues musician Willie Dixon in a 1985 NPR interview. "I think when Willie Dixon turned on the radio in Chicago 20 years after he wrote his blues, he thought, 'That's my song ['Whole Lotta Love']," the singer reportedly said. "When we ripped it off, I said to Jimmy, 'Hey, that's not our song.' And he said, 'Shut up and keep walking.'"

In another interview with the Guitar World, Page said Plant had failed to change lyrics from their original source and that's what "brought on the most grief."

"I always made sure to come up with some variation. In fact, I think in most cases, you would never know what the original source could be. Maybe not in every case — but in most cases," Page reportedly said. "So most of the comparisons rest on the lyrics. And Robert was supposed to change the lyrics, and he didn't always do that — which is what brought on most of the grief. They couldn't get us on the guitar parts of the music, but they nailed us on the lyrics."

"Stairway To Heaven" is said to be one of the most covered rock songs and its worth is estimated to be more than $560 million.

17 protracted years after their last fantastic full lenght, Strange In Stereo, Norwegian legends In The Woods... rise from its own ashes to deliver a stunningly focused new record soberly entitled Pure.

Pure combines elements that made early In The Woods... such majestic compositions, with a new-found immediacy and energy. Taking inspiration from the legendary metal and rock bands from the 70's to the 90's, the avant garde masters created a collection of 10 huge-sounding, all-enveloping cosmic tales.

The artwork was crafted by Max Winter from Teratogen and the front cover is viewable below. The CD version will come with a slightly different cover.

Tracklisting:

“Pure”
“Blue Oceans Rise (Like A War)”
“Devil's At The Door”
“The Recalcitrant Protagonist”
“The Cave Of Dreams”
“Cult Of Shining Stars”
“Towards The Black Surreal”
“Transmission KRS”
“This Dark Dream”
“Mystery Of The Constellations”

About this eagerly awaited new offering, the band comments: "This is without a doubt the most accessible release by In The Woods… yet. Lyrically, existential and philosophical themes are at the fore ; Elements of psychedelia, alienation and loss interweave, leaving the listener in no doubt that In The Woods… seek to advance their own understanding of the esoteric and transcendental, if were it not already obvious to the listener through the music."

Pure is scheduled for release worldwide on September 16th via Debemur Morti Productions on CD/Vinyl/Digital.

Carcer City, the progressive metalcore band from Liverpool, England, have created their own brand of 21st century metal that falls somewhere between Linkin Park, Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, Killswitch Engage, and The Amity Affliction.

Their new album Infinite/Unknown is out on September 16th via Stay Sick Recordings and is the band's first global release. The tracklisting, cover art, and more will be revealed shortly.

The new album trailer below features  three minutes of majestic but moshy sonic tidbits from the album and which fully displays the band's astonishing sense of dynamics.

While the band has been building a formidable reputation for itself, thriving and blossoming in the underground of its home country with the self-released The Life We Have Chosen and The Road Journals, Carcer City are just getting their US legs under them.

Check out the song and video for "Infinite/Unknown”, below:

 

This Friday, June 24th, Swedish Viking metallers Grimner release "Mokrets Hem”, the third single from their Frost Mot Eld album, out now on Despotz Records.

The video for "Mokrets Hem" ("The Home Of Darkness" in English), which can be viewed below, was directed by Magnus Ewald and features members of the band drinking around a bonfire in the mountains in Uppsala, sharing folklore stories while a viking (actor Markus Christensen) wanders through caves and a wooded area before being chased down and killed by the "folklore monster" (played by Zakk Elfwing).

Grimner kicks off their Frost Mot Eld 2016 European Tour on June 26th in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, ending on July 1st in Brande-Hornerkirchen, Germany.

Beartooth released their new album, Aggressive, on June 3rd via Red Bull Records. The album has made an impact across global charts this week. The release debuted at #1 on the Billboard Alternative Chart, their first #1 on any Billboard chart. It opened strongly across other Billboard Charts, as well: coming in at #2 on the Indie Label Chart, the #3 Rock Album, the #13 Digital Album and #25 on the Top 200 Chart.

Aggressive has charted internationally as well, grabbing the #2 spot on the Rock & Metal Chart and the #5 spot on the Indie Album Chart in the UK, hitting #2 on the Hard Music Chart and #13 on the Top Albums Chart in Canada and #18 on the Overall Album Chart in Australia.

In the two short years since their debut album was cooked up in front man Caleb Shomo’s basement, Beartooth has catapulted into heavy music’s stratosphere. They have collected over 10 million views on YouTube, trekked around the globe sharing the stage with Slipknot, Pierce The Veil, Bring Me The Horizon and Sleeping With Sirens and playing festivals like Reading & Leeds, Download and the Vans Warped Tour.

For Aggressive, Shomo again retreated to his home studio to write, perform and produce the album’s 12 tracks, re-teaming with John Feldmann (The Used, Blink-182) for a bit of songwriting contribution and enlisting David Bendeth (Killswitch Engage, Paramore) to mix the release. The resulting songs have as much in common with stomping metalcore as old-school punk, vintage screamo and harder-edged pop punk, combining circle pit-inducing bangers with soaring choruses and bridging raw authentic intensity with accessibility.

Tracklisting:

“Aggressive”
“Hated”
“Loser”
“Fair Weather Friend”
“Burnout”
“Sick Of Me”
“Censored”
“Always Dead”
“However You Want It Said”
“Find A Way”
“Rock Is Dead”
“King Of Anything”

“Loser”:

“Hated”:

“Always Dead”:

“Aggressive” video:

Visit the band website for more information.

West Virginian groove metal outfit, Byzantine, will play select US shows this summer, before the group enters the studio to record their Metal Blade Records debut and follow-up to 2015's To Release Is to Resolve. The run of performances begins tomorrow (June 24th) in Johnson City, TN; see below for all dates.

Tour dates:

June
24 - Capone's - Johnson City, TN

July
8 - 5th Quarter Lounge - Indianapolis, IN
9 - Rockstar Pro Arena - Dayton, OH
22 - Spirit - Pittsburgh, PA
23 - The Vclub - Huntington, WV

Byzantine has also launched a new video today for the track "Justinian Code", taken from 2015's To Release Is to Resolve. Watch the clip below:

Byzantine was formed in 2000 by vocalist/guitarist Chris Ojeda and former guitarist Tony Rohrbough. After releasing three albums via Prosthetic Records, touring with Lamb Of God, playing the main stage of New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and receiving much praise from fans and media alike, the band abruptly called it quits in early 2008 - but it wasn't long before the metal community demanded their return. In 2012, a reinvigorated Byzantine reunited with their seminal line-up, and consequently delivered two highly praised albums, which were crowd-funded through Kickstarter and Pledge Music and self-released. Now, after having been an independent artist since 2013, Ojeda and his crew are back with a new record deal, poised to dominate the scene once again.

Stay tuned for more Byzantine news coming soon.