On May 24, Jay Nanda of San Antonio Metal Music Examiner and AXS.com conducted an interview with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante at the River City Rockfest in San Antonio, Texas. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked about the progress of the recording sessions for the follow-up to ANTHRAX's 2011's album, "Worship Music", Benante said: "It's a good thing to say that we have so many songs that that's why it's taking a little bit longer than usual. Like, if we just went it and had eleven [or] twelve songs, we'd probably be done by now. But we have over twenty songs, so… You know, we just wanna make sure each one of 'em is great, even though we're not gonna put twenty songs out right away. We just wanna make sure it's good, because we feel so strongly about the last one, and we don't just wanna rush something. We wanna make it great, so that when people hear it, they'll be, like, 'This is killer. A great follow-up.' So [there's] a little bit of pressure. But I think we have some really good tunes."

ANTHRAX's new album, which is once again being produced by Jay Ruston (STEEL PANTHER, STONE SOUR), will mark the recording debut for guitarist and newest bandmember Jon Donais.

ANTHRAX last month embarked on a six-week-plus North American tour with VOLBEAT, as well as appearances at five major outdoor festivals — Northern Invasion (outside of Minneapolis), Rock On The Range (Columbus, Ohio), Rocklahoma (Pryor, Oklahoma), and the San Antonio and Kansas City Rockfests. The band's setlist features the new song "Soror Irrumator (Lords Of The Rock)", ANTHRAX's contribution to the the second installment of "Catch The Throne: The Mixtape", for HBO's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series "Game Of Thrones".

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King says that the band's split with longtime label American Recordings came after the group was offered an "insulting" deal for its eleventh album.

SLAYER's long-awaited new CD, "Repentless", which is scheduled for release on September 11 via Nuclear Blast, marks the band's first effort without the backing of Rick Rubin's record company since 1985's "Hell Awaits".

Speaking to "The Metal Hammer Magazine Show"'s Alexander Milas, King stated about SLAYER's departure from American: "Solidarity is far stronger than jumping ship and going somewhere else. I thought we'd still be on American — but when we got the offer from American, I was insulted. That, to me, just said, 'Good luck, you're not gonna have good luck here anymore.' So we found our new friends at Nuclear Blast."

SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya added that the band didn't choose to end the 28-year relationship with Rubin. "It was more like he broke the news to us," Araya said. "When we started this record, it was on the pretext that we'd be working with Rick — but things didn't pan out. We've sort of moved on." SLAYER originally started work on some of the songs for the album with producer Greg Fidelman, who helmed 2009's "World Painted Blood", but ended up hooking up with Date after Fidelman pulled out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. King told "The Metal Hammer Magazine Show": "I think this is gonna be a nice little progression going forward. However many records we do in the future, I hope Terry's free."

Araya also spoke about some of the negative fan reactions to SLAYER's decision to record a new studio album without the band's late guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who died in May 2013.

"The fans are pretty ruthless, man, and with social media, it's bad," he said.

"People have opinions. Some are positive, and a lot of them are pretty fucking negative. It's hard to believe — especially considering these people are fans of the band."

But, he added, "Nothing that I or Kerry say will change what some of these people think or feel."

"Repentless" marks SLAYER's first CD since drummer Paul Bostaph's return to the band in 2013 and guitarist Gary Holt's addition to the SLAYER touring lineup in 2011.

SLAYER will tour extensively to support the new album, headlining this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival as well as playing other major outdoor festivals and several "An Evening With..." SLAYER-only concerts.

Dutch vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gentle Storm, ex-The Gathering) has checekd in with the following update:

"I'm excited to announce a brand new release and tour! Árstíðir and I will release a collaborative album of classical music in early 2016. The release will feature a broad selection of momentous classical and modern works, reconceived and reimagined within the Árstíðir/Anneke sound-universe. A comprehensive month-long release tour is planned across theaters in the Netherlands, March 2016 (see below).

We’ve spent the past several days at my studio arranging, learning French, Dutch, and Icelandic, programming synths, and transcribing inverted half-diminished seventh chords, fueled by a healthy stash of coffee, dark chocolate, and Mario Kart. We are incredibly excited about this unique project, and look forward to the release and to taking it all on the road in 2016. 

Tour dates for the Netherlands are as follows:

March
1 - Den Bosch - Verkadefabriek (try-out)
2 - Almelo - Hof 88 (try-out)
3 - Naaldwijk - Westland Theater
4 - Oosterhout - Theater de Bussel
6 - Zwolle - Schouwburg Odeon (matinee)
8 - Wageningen - Theater Junushoff
11 - Tilburg - Theaters Tilburg
12 - Uden - Markant Uden
13 - Groningen - De Oosterpoort
16 - Hoofddorp - De Meerse
17 - Zoetermeer - Stadstheater Zoetermeer
20 - Leeuwarden - Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie
21 - Rotterdam - Oude Luxor Theater
22 - Waalwijk - Theater De Leest
23 - Delft - Theater de Veste
25 - Haarlem - Philharmonie Haarlem
27 - Sneek - Theater Sneek Noorderkerkzaal (matinee)
29 - Amsterdam - De Kleine Komedie

For information on Árstíðir go to this location.

Anneke recently checked in with following announcement:

"Hey everybody! A beautiful 4CD box set collecting the four Agua De Annique albums will be released June 15th. This release also features additional photos and artwork as well as extensive liner notes collected by Carl Begai (BraveWords). When I started my solo career in 2007 I felt the sky was the limit. The four albums under the Agua de Annique tag (2007-2010) mark a very important part of my career and my life in general. The freedom to explore various musical styles and forms was super exciting. It also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with many artist friends. I am very proud of this wonderful box set and I have been actively involved in this creation. Mark Uyl is responsible for the cover picture and he also created this atmospheric short introduction video:"

The four Agua De Annique albums featured in the box set are as follows:

Air (including one bonus track)
Pure Air
In Your Room
Live In Europe

Following is an excerpt from the liner notes:

Anneke's solo sound is often referred to as pop-rock oriented but the first Agua de Annique record, Air, exhibited dark undertones similar to The Gathering's latter years with her behind the microphone. A song such as 'Witnesses', could have easily found a home on How To Measure A Planet?, or 'Sunken Soldiers Ball’ might have appeared on Nighttime Birds, but Anneke effectively turned the tables on any "copycat" thinking with stripped down tracks like 'My Girl', 'Asleep' and 'Yalin' or the dark rock contrasts of 'You Are Nice!'. Air offered an easily travelled bridge between Anneke's past and her new musical vision, making the single 'Day After Yesterday' a welcome first step out on her own.

"I was very, very excited," Anneke says. "To leave The Gathering was a huge step but I wasn't scared of the future because I had no idea what was going to happen. My thinking was 'Why should I be scared of that?' I had no idea what people were expecting. Some people thought I'd go in a completely different direction from The Gathering, other people thought I was just going to do the exact same kind of music. I didn't listen to anyone when I was writing the songs; I was focused on doing my own thing."

More details will be revealed soon.

Fan-filmed video footage of the new SKID ROW lineup — featuring former TNT singer Tony Harnell — performing on May 27 at Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona can be seen below.

As previously reported, SKID ROW has re-recorded its classic song "18 And Life" with Harnell. The new version of the track can now be streamed and downloaded for free using the ReverbNation widget below.

In a recent interview with Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast, SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan stated about the band's split with singer Johnny Solinger after fifteen years: "It was evident [that it was time for us to go our separate ways]. There were certain things going on out on the road that kind of set us thinking… Things had been going on for a little bit."

He continued: "At certain times, you just get the feeling someone isn't putting a hundred percent into things. And SKID ROW is very important to the rest of us. And we wanted to carry on with quality performances and quality songs, so we decided to make a change."

Regarding how Tony Harnell came to be SKID ROW's new singer, Rachel said: "We've known Tony for years — literally, probably since the beginning of our career. And although I wasn't a big TNT fan, I was a Tony Harnell fan, as [were SKID ROW guitarists] Snake [Dave Sabo] and Scott [Scotti Hill]."

He continued: "When we made the decision to ourselves that we were gonna start looking, Tony's name came up. And I was, like, man, it's so funny, 'cause a couple of years ago, I was up in New Jersey for Christmas and I met with Tony in New York and I had dinner with him and another friend. And we just started talking. And he's, like… He goes… We'd known each for a long time, but at that point we hadn't spoken for a while. He's, like, 'I hear you guys are doing good things. How's it going?' I said, 'It's going pretty cool.' He goes, 'Man, you guys should have called me when you got a new singer [back in 1999].' And I guess that kind of popped up in the back of my head when we knew we were gonna make a change. And we immediately got in touch with Tony."

Asked if SKID ROW is working with Harnell on a "trial" basis or if Tony is "the guy" for the long haul, Rachel said: "He's the guy. I mean, that's where we're at in our heads. It's not a temporary thing. But, you know… [laughs] if get gets sick of us and leaves, then that'll be a different situation. But things are going really well now. And we're very excited. We're very excited about our future, very excited about getting on the road."








Free Electronic Press Kits template from ReverbNation.com

Before Bruce Kulick became a member of the legendary rock band KISS, touring and recording many hits during the 12-year non-makeup era of the band, Kulick started out in New York city, fantasizing about being on stage, recording and having the world hear his passion for music. Little did he realize that every musical experience he encountered, especially in his teenage years, would actually prepare him for accomplishing his dream of being a world-renowned lead guitarist.

Kulick was a huge fan of the British rock invasion of America in the '60s, with bands like THE BEATLES, CREAM, LED ZEPPELIN and THE WHO leading the charge. These bands inspired him to play guitar, and to seek out other players in the Jackson Heights area of Queens, New York, hoping to make some original music that could satisfy his creative appetite. Enter neighbor Mike Katz, who lived on the same street as Kulick. Katz, who was also heavily influenced by the bands of that era, was a consummate bassist, who sang and wrote music in a style that was easily interpreted for Kulick's lead playing. A local drummer named Guy Bois rounded out the trio in proper fashion with his powerful drumming, and his parents' basement was the breeding ground for all the rehearsal and creation of music to follow.

Although the band had no name, Kulick, Katz and Bois created a unique blend of power trio rock, with progressive stylings and melodic hooks. After many rehearsals, the three young players booked a New York studio to properly record their musical concoction. The end result, in September 1974, was music that felt urgent, intense and compelling. Sadly, with no clear direction for the group to follow this recorded music, the band never played together live and the trio all went their separate ways.

The reel-to-reel tape of those sessions sat gathering dust in Kulick's home, until a garage sale discovery of a Teac tape recorder gave new life to the hidden musical treasure. Friends with whom Kulick shared the recording all agreed: "You must release this music for people to hear." The tape was transferred and, after some cleaning up of the tracks, Kulick released "KKB 1974" in 2008. The limited-run CD sold out quickly.

An unexpected new chapter for KKB happened in 2013, when Katz found the original tapes from Sudden Rush Studios. By using the actual tracks recorded, Kulick had the opportunity to remix, remaster and get creative with this music once again. But the discovery sparked something substantially more interesting than simply polishing up "old" music — the desire for Katz and Kulick to create a new song for KKB, 40 years after its genesis.

"Got To Get Back", the result of KKB's rekindled fire, is a total throwback to the '70s. Each band member recorded their parts in a local studio — Bois in Paris, Katz in New York City, and Kulick in Los Angeles — completing their tracks for the brand new tune. The result was sublime. Further adding to KKB's renaissance, a string quartet scored by Jeremy Rubolino, Kulick's longtime collaborator, was added to the ballad "Someday", giving the song a shine that couldn't have been imagined in 1974.

"This music represents a time in my career that I feel helped define the potential of my guitar playing," Kulick says. "It gives me chills to hear it. The interplay with Mike on bass and Guy on drums was expertly executed, filled with passion that defined our age. To think that so long ago I was involved in something this powerful that sat in my closet unheard for nearly 35 years made me furious. My intense desire to share this music that is relevant now, more than ever, is a huge accomplishment. Play it loud and imagine three young men pouring their hearts out making music, never concerned about anything but the music. That was the intention. It was pure, it was real. And now it's available for all to enjoy."

For more information, visit Kulick.net.

The new lineup of progressive metallers, Sarcofagus, started as a collaboration project working on modern updates of songs featured on the original 1980 album Envoy Of Death: “Envoy Of Death”, “Die To Win” and “Deadly Game”. These songs were not included in their setlist during the 2010 tour and these revamped versions serve as a perfect introduction to the “new” band.

The collaboration worked so well that the band are currently in the studio working on a new album and plan to tour when the album is released.  

The new lineup is:

Kimmo Kuusniemi - Guitars and Keyboards
Pete Ahonen (Stargazer, Burning Point) - vocals
Jukka Jokikokko (Burning Point, Zenith Reunion) - bass
Ville Hanhisuanto (Zenith Reunion) - drums

Check out the new music video “Envoy Of Death 2015” featuring new lineup:

 

A Vivid Memory - the Prosthetic debut by Floridian instrumental outfit Set And Setting - was released last fall. Featuring eight sprawling tracks, the album was recorded with Ryan Haft (Torche) and takes the listener through the last moments of life from an insider’s and outsider’s perspective.

Today, the band unveil the new music video for the album's vigorous track "Coping”. Directed by Todd White (Toxic Holocaust) at UP Productions with CGI effects provided courtesy of beeple-crap.com, the video can now be seen below:

Set And Setting have also announced plans for a headlining jaunt across the East Coast this August featuring direct support from labelmates North before they are scheduled to appear at Gainesville's Fest 14 this October.

 

 

Tour dates:

August
22 - St. Petersburg, FL - The Nine 10 #
23 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl #
24 - Raleigh, NC - Slim's Downtown #
25 - Richmond, VA - Gallery 5 #
26 - Harrisonburg, VA - The Golden Pony #
27 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's  #
28 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus #

October
30-November 1 - Gainesville, FL - Fest 14

# - with North

Unleashing their new Extinction Necromance EP last week to follow 2012's full length Malignance, Vernon, BC blackened death metal band XUL is destroying the pit with their new music video for their track “Orbit of Nemesis”, which can be viewed below.

”We've always loved playing live and our live experience has become one of the bands best traits. With our first video, we've tried our best to capture that experience to show people who haven't yet or can't get to a show what we're all about." comments guitarist Bill Ferguson.

Extinction Necromance is now streaming below and available for download here, with CD and shirt combos available here.

Extinction Necromance tracklisting:

“Frozen, We Drown”
“Orbit Of Nemesis”
“Chaos Requiem”
“Summon The Swarm”

Extinction Necromance by XUL

Founding member of Genesis, Tony Banks, is to release A Chord Too Far as a four-disc boxset, that brings together selected songs from his celebrated solo career. Released on Esoteric Recordings, a Cherry Red Records label, on July 31st.

With a tracklist personally selected by Tony, this special edition set consists of 49 songs  and pieces, many of which have been remixed exclusively for this collection, and are from his seven solo and two orchestral albums -  A Curious Feeling (1979), The Fugitive (1983), The Wicked Lady (1983) (film score), Soundtracks (1986) (a combination of original scores Tony wrote for films Starship and Quicksilver), Bankstatement (1989), Still (1991), Strictly Inc (1995), and his orchestral albums Seven: A Suite for Orchestra (2004) and SIX Pieces for Orchestra (2012) - culminating in this unique collection of his eclectic and diverse music. Also included are four unreleased pieces, three of which are keyboard demos of from his orchestral suites. The other is a piece originally written for the ‘Still’ album.
 
Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis, Tony is one of the most respected songwriters and keyboardists in the world. His career spans almost 50 years and has seen him sell in excess of 130 million albums. His body of work is as innovative as it is eclectic. Genesis’ avant-garde style made them one of progressive rock’s founding fathers in the 1970s, creating an experimental style of rock music never before seen. They went on to produce music with a greater pop sensibility in the 1980s that saw them become one of the biggest selling bands of the decade, and play stadiums throughout the world.

His solo work has continued in the same vein. As well as his rock albums which has included collaborations with some of the world’s most respected musicians including singers Toyah Wilcox, Fish and Nick Kershaw, bassist Pino Pallodino, and drummers Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta,  as well as long time Genesis collaborators Daryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson. He has done original scores for four films - The Shout (1978), The Wicked Lady (1983), Starship (1985) and Quicksilver (1986) and most recently his orchestral albums, Seven: A Suite for Orchestra and SIX Pieces for Orchestra, that were performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra respectively.

A Chord Too Far is a celebration of Tony’s work outside of Genesis, and the beginning of re-releases of remixed versions of his entire solo and orchestral catalog... A Curious Feeling and The Fugitive are set to be released at the end of October, with The Wicked Lady and Soundtracks at the end of January 2016. Further detail will be announced soon on his other albums.

A Chord Too Far, is released on July 31st, 2015 on Esoteric Recordings, a Cherry Red Records label.

A Chord Too Far tracklisting:

CD One
“Rebirth” - Taken From Soundtracks
“At The Edge Of Night” - Taken From The Fugitive
“Walls Of Sound” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“Lion Of Symmetry” - Taken From Soundtracks
“The More I Hide It” - Taken From Bankstatement
“Shortcut To Somewhere” - Taken From Soundtracks
“The Waters Of Lethe” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“I Wanna Change The Score” - Taken From Still
“Water Out Of Wine” - Taken From Still
“Something To Live For” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“By You” - Taken From The Fugitive
“Never Let Me Know” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“Thirty Three’s” - Taken From The Fugitive

CD Two
“Charity Balls” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“An Island In The Darkness” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“The Border” - Taken From Bankstatement
“Lucky Me” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“Another Murder Of A Day” - Taken From Still
“Moving Under” - Taken From The Fugitive
“Still It Takes Me By Surprise” - Taken From Still
“Red Day On Blue Street” - Taken From Still
“After The Lie” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“Redwing” - Taken From Soundtracks

CD Three
“Queen Of Darkness” - Taken From Bankstatement
“A Piece Of You” - Taken From Strictly Inc.
“Big Man” - Taken From Bankstatement
“Angel Face” - Taken From Still
“This Is Love” - Taken From The Fugitive
“I’ll Be Waiting” - Taken From Bankstatement
“Back To Back” - Taken From Still
“For A While” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“Throwback” - Taken From Bankstatement
“You Call This Victory” - Taken From Soundtracks
“And The Wheels Keep Turning” - Taken From The Fugitive
“You” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“The Final Curtain” - Taken From Still

CD Four
“Blade” - Taken From Six Pieces For Orchestra
“Black Down” - Taken From Seven
“Siren” - Taken From Six Pieces For Orchestra
“Earthlight” - Taken From Seven
“From The Undertow” - Taken From A Curious Feeling
“Spring Tide” **
“Neap Tide” **
“City Of Gold” **
“The Chase” - Taken From The Wicked Lady
“Kit Taken From The Wicked Lady
“Poppet”
“The Wicked Lady” - Taken From The Wicked Lady

** - Demo

German nautical doomsters Ahab cast their net across the oceans and capture their fans with their impressive soundscape. The German quartet has now unveiled the first details of their upcoming album, The Boats Of Flen Carrig.

The artist Sebastian Jerke, who was also responsible for the latest album artwork from the likes of Zodiac, The Answer and My Sleeping Karma, created the cover artwork.

The Boats Of Flen Carrig tracklisting:

“The Isle”
“The Thing That Made Search”
“Like Read Foam (The Storm)”
“The Weedmen”
“To Mourn Job”
“The Light in the Weed (Mary Madison)” (Bonus Track)

The Boats Of Flen Carrig will be released on August 28th via Napalm Records and will be available as limited edition 6-page Digipak with bonus track, 2LP Gatefold edition, strictly limited Wooden Box Edition and Ultra Deluxe Canvas Edition. Pre-orders will start on June 18th.

Philadelphia's Ecstatic Vision are streaming the track “Astral Plane”, from the upcoming Sonic Praise album, to be released on June 30th via Relapse Records.

Recorded at various studios throughout Philadelphia, the group's debut is an acid-tinged mix of trance inducing, primitive African tribal and heavy psych a la Hawkwind, Goat and Amon Düül II.  The band formed in early 2014 and has already played numerous high profile shows like Pallbearer, Georgia's Meltasia Festival alongside Black Lips, Nik Turner's Hawkwind and toured North America with YOB and Enslaved.  

 

 

Sonic Praise tracklisting:

“Journey”
“Astral Plane”
“Don’t Kill The Vibe”
“Sonic Praise”
“Cross The Divide”

“Astral Plane”:

“Don’t Kill The Vibe”:

Physical pre-order is available at Relapse.com and digital preorder at Bandcamp.

(Photo: Orion Landau)

It's the final R.I.P. for Widow. They are now Darke Complex. Their EP, dubbed Widow, titled almost like an epitaph for their former name, is out now via Spinefarm. The coordinates of the follow-up full-length are carefully being plotted as we speak. But for now, we are invaded by "Intrusive Thoughts”, the video of which is being premiered today. Watch it below.
 

 
Says the band: ”“Intrusive Thoughts” is the last song on our debut EP, Widow. It's our way of saying goodbye, both literally and figuratively. It's the end of the record, the end of this story, and the end of this era in our existence."

Tampa, Florida-based metal act, Dark Sermon, will release an all new album, The Oracle, on August 21st via eOne Music / Good Fight Music.

"All I can say is that it is certainly a step in a new and interesting direction," says frontman Johnny Crowder. "As a whole, it is slower, faster, heavier, more engaging, and more mature than In Tongues. I think we finally found our true sound."

The all-new effort will be the follow-up to the band's label debut In Tongues, released in 2013. Check out a behind-the-scenes studio video below:

Crowder concludes, "We're touring extensively in support of this new record, so keep an eye out for dates."

The band is currently wrapping up a US/Canadian tour with Aborted and labelmates Fit For An Autopsy next week. Click here for all tour dates.

 

New Hampshire-based metallers, Vattnet Viskar, are streaming the new track “Glory”, from their upcoming sophomore album, Settler. Check it out via the video below:

The album artwork was created by multimedia artist, Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden), who also created the video for "Breath Of The Almighty", from the band's Sky Swallower album.

Settler tracklisting:

“Dawnlands”
“Colony”
“Yearn”
“Impact”
“Glory”
“Heirs”
“Settler”
“Coldwar”

“Impact”:

“Yearn”:

“Colony”:

“Settler”:

 
Settler will be out June 16th in North America (June 29th in Europe) via Century Media Records. The album was recorded at Earth Analog Studios in Champaign, IL with producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Voivod).

 
Vattnet Viskar is:  

Nick Thornbury - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Alfieri - Guitar
Seamus Menihane - Drums
Casey Aylward - Bass

 

UK brutalists Meta-Stasis have revealed details for the follow-up to their debut, When The Mind Departs The Flesh. The new offering, entitled The Paradox Of Metanoia, will be released on July 31st via Depraved Records.
 
Originally started as a studio project, Meta-Stasis have swiftly developed into one of the most groundbreaking extreme metal bands in the UK, combining psycho-extreme-tech-death metal with an industrial/jungle flavour.
 
With incredible reviews from the metal media, as well as personal endorsements from luminaries such as Slayer’s Kerry King and Steve Asheim from Deicide rating Meta-Stasisas the next “best extreme band to come out of the UK”, these loud lunatics are setting the tone for a new era in extreme metal.
 
Check out the video for “Disintegrate” below, and stay tuned for further details.

Inner Wound Recordings has announced the reissue of Carnival Of Lies, the reunion album from the classic US heavy metal band Obsession. Carnival Of Lies will be released on July 17th in Europe and on July 24th in North America. The album was originally released in 2006 and have been out of print and hard to get ahold of for many years.

The album is remixed and remastered by Michael Vescera and features brand new artwork by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody Of Fire, Xandria, Rage). The reissue also includes two bonus tracks. Check out an album teaser below.

Carnival Of Lies tracklisting:

“Smoking Gun”
“Carnival Of Lies”
“In For The Kill”
“Playing Dead”
“Imagining”
“The Offering”
“Pure Evil”
“I Don't Belong”
“Written In Blood”
“Guilty As Charged”
“Marshall Law”
“Panic In The Streets”
“Judas”

Teaser video:

Carnival Of Lies lineup:

Michael Vescera (Animetal USA, ex-Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen) - Vocals
Jay Mezias - Drums
Scott Boland (MVP) - Guitars
John Bruno (X Factor X) - Guitars
Chris Mccarvill (House Of Lords, ex-Dokken, Jeff Scott Soto) – Bass

Living Madness, available everywhere June 16th, is Vangough's crowd-funded live CD that was recorded while on tour with Pain Of Salvation last fall. Topping just over 40 minutes with seven tracks; Living Madness is a testament to Vangough's unhinged and dominating live performances, which touched down in such cities as New York City, Toronto, Seattle and San Diego among others. A live video for the song "Infestation”, taken from the recordings used to put together Living Madness can be viewed below.

Taking a cue from their 2013 album Between The Madness, Vangough have upped the ante in terms of ferocity as is displayed here on their live release. Featuring tracks from across the band's career, including a medley from 2009's debut Manikin Parade, fans will be very pleased to hear their favourite tracks in a new way. "Seeing as this was our very first tour, we wanted to capture all the raw energy and emotion you'd expect from a first-time touring act."

Recorded by guest guitarist Cameron Conyer, Living Madness was then mixed back in Dallas by long-time collaborator and producer Sterling Winfield. "I love working with Sterling and always trust him to produce a killer mix."

The band also connected with famed album artist Travis Smith for the cover. "We felt like it was time to further shift the artwork into a more brooding and disturbing direction as is befitting of where we're headed. Travis' vision fit perfectly with ours."

"Most importantly, this album was made possible by our amazing fans who backed us via our Kickstarter campaign. We are truly humbled by their show of support and hope that this album is a reflection of how hard we work to bring you the very best that Vangough has to offer."

Tracklisting:

“Depths of Blighttown”
“Afterfall”
“Separation”
“Infestation”
“Manikin Medley”
“Choke Faint Drown”
“Alone”

“Infestation” video:

Get the album at Bandcamp, CDBaby, and iTunes.

 

Swedish dirty hard rockers, Rebel Collective, have just released their brand new video, for the song "Rock ’N’ Roll Rebel”, featured on their new album Middle Age Famous, which was released on May 8th.

Rebel Collective was founded in the early spring of 2009 and from day one on, the band made sure the fans were in for one hell of a good time. Middle Age Famous is a guarantee for a great party!

 
Middle Age Famous tracklisting:

“Midlife”
“Rock ’N’ Roll Rebel”
“Baby Blue”
“California”
“Relations And Wealth”
“Bulletproof”
“Hometown”
“Anti Sober”
“Jack Barrels Boys”

“Rock ’N’ Roll Rebel” video:

“Midlife” lyric video:

ALMANAC, the new band led by former RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski, has inked a deal with Nuclear Blast. He says: "After ten years of cooperation with Nuclear Blast, a friendship evolved. Nuclear Blast trusted in me a lot for my work as composer and producer of the NUCLEAR BLAST ALLSTARS 'Into The Light', RAGE and LMO records. Because of that, I will continue with my new band ALMANAC together with the established team of Nuclear Blast."

He adds: "I hope that our previous successes will continue with ALMANAC."

ALMANAC sees Victor pursuing his passion for neo-classical and orchestral metal, and continues on the path that the guitarist embarked on with the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA debut, "LMO".

The recording sessions for ALMANAC's debut album will begin later this year. Victor says: "Everyone who liked my LMO songs and the RAGE songs I wrote in my 15-year membership, like 'Soundchaser', 'Down', 'Suite Lingua Mortis', 'Forever Dead', 'Straight To Hell', 'Empty Hollow' and many more, can look forward for the new ALMANAC songs. I'm totally motivated to present you our new album with such an amazing lineup in 2016!" ALMANAC made its live debut during this year's Musikmesse trade show, which was held April 15-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. Video footage shot at the event can be seen below.

The current line up of ALMANAC:

* Victor Smolski - guitar, keys* Andy B. Franck - vocals* David Readman - vocals* Jeannette Marchewka - vocals* Dana Harnge - soprano* Michael Kolar - drums* Armin Alic - bass* Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia & Enric Garcia - keyboards

"Human Race", the new video from THREE DAYS GRACE, can be seen below. The Mark Pellington-directed clip may be a little NSFW due to the images of an incapacitated naked woman lying on her side on a table attached to a breathing tube. But the video's focus more about the ideas of human connection with very distinctive looking actors whose faces seem to tell a story. It's a thought-provoking clip from a director who has a history with such subject matter, whether it be PEARL JAM's "Jeremy", ALICE IN CHAINS' "Rooster" or FOO FIGHTERS' "Best Of You" that populate his video resume.

"Human Race" is taken from THREE DAYS GRACE's latest album, "Human", which came out on March 31 and was the group's first record with singer Matt Walst, who joined THREE DAYS GRACE in 2013 following the departure of original frontman Adam Gontier.

A limited-edition two-CD deluxe version of "Human" was made available to fans on THREE DAYS GRACE's site. The limited-edition package consists of the standard album "Human" plus a second disc including live versions of "Painkiller", "Let Me Down", "Every Other Weekend" and an alternate recording of the album track "Human Race". In addition to the music, the deluxe package includes a custom woven beanie, 12" x 12" window cling sticker featuring album art, and a five-card set featuring picture and note from each band member.

On "Human", the band re-teamed with producer Gavin Brown, who did the same honors for THREE DAYS GRACE's platinum-selling 2003 self-titled debut album. "We went back to our roots a bit and recaptured that collaborative feeling of being in a band and bringing out the best ideas in each other," said drummer Neil Sanderson. "Gavin was a huge part of that in the beginning and we feel like we're back in those days where we're high-fiving each other with guitars in our hands." Music heavyweights Nick Raskulinecz and Chris Lorde Alge signed on to mix "Human".

"Human" track listing

01. Human Race02. Painkiller03. Fallen Angel04. Landmine05. Tell Me Why06. I Am Machine07. So What08. Car Crash09. Nothing's Fair In Love And War10. One Too Many11. The End Is Not The Answer12. The Real You

Deluxe edition disc 2:

01. Every Other Weekend02. Painkiller (live)03. Let Me Down (live)04. Human Race (Atmosphere Version)

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, will release his second solo album, "Brand New Revolution", in Europe on July 24 via Century Media. The CD will be made available through Century Media in Australia and South America, Dismanic/eOne in North America and King Records in Japan. The cover artwork was once again created by Gustavo Sazes, who previously worked with Gus on the guitarist's debut album, "I Am The Fire", and also took care of artwork duties by such bands as ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT and FIREWIND.

"Brand New Revolution" features guest vocal appearances by Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY, TALISMAN), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Jacob Bunton (ADLER, LYNAM) and Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TREAT).

"Brand New Revolution" track listing:

01. The Quest02. Brand New Revolution (feat. Jacob Bunton)03. Burn (feat. Jacob Bunton)04. We Are One (feat. Jacob Bunton)05. What Lies Below (feat. Elize Ryd)06. Behind Those Eyes (feat. Jacob Bunton)07. Gone To Stay (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)08. One More Try (feat. Jacob Bunton)09. Come Hell Or High Water (feat. Mats Levén)10. If It Ends Today (feat. Mats Levén)11. Generation G (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)12. The Demon Inside (feat. Mats Levén)

Says Gus: "As I'm putting the final touches on 'Brand New Revolution', I wanted to give out a bit about the new music.

"'The Quest' is the only instrumental of the album and it's a heavy, high-energy, technical track. The rest of the album once again features collaborations with some awesome singers/songwriters such as the legendary Jeff Scott Soto, Mats Levén, Jacob Bunton and the awesome Elize Ryd of AMARANTHE.

"I feel the album as a whole has many influences, from classic hard rock/metal to more modern and current sounds."

"Brand New Revolution" was recorded with Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER) and mixed by Mike Fraser (METALLICA, AC/DC, VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH). Just as on "I Am The Fire", the core of Gus's recording group consisted of Jo Nunez (FIREWIND) on drums and Marty O'Brien (LITA FORD) on bass.

Gus has been confirmed to support U.S. rockers HELLYEAH on some dates in Germany as well as The Netherlands in June, and will also appear at some European festivals this summer.

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno, who has fought a long battle with drug abuse before finally getting sober, tells The Times Of India that he is still in recovery and credits his family for helping him stay clean.

"As much as what harm drugs cause you, what they do to your family is worse," he says. "I have seen a lot of people lose everything they had money, a home and even their family because of drugs and feel it's not worth it. The reality is that you can never be completely cured of them. Even today, I am in recovery. There are moments I slip too, but then feel twice as guilty later. It is my children who have pushed me to stay off drugs and I will do it for them."

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which required surgery, Di'Anno announced in July 2012 that he would stop touring in 2013. He has since scrapped his farewell tour, explaining to "The Metal Voice": "I was gonna retire because of a bad knee. And it was really pissing me off. What it is, I've got a knee replacement, 'cause it's all damaged; I've had a couple of motorcycle accidents. I thought about quitting — not because I wanted to, but I thought, 'This could get worse. I'm doing more damage to it.' But then I thought, it doesn't make a difference; it's about the voice. And I spoke to the wife and she said, 'Oh, my God. If you stay home for two months, I'll probably murder you.' So I decided in the end, 'Fuck it.'"

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

Montreal thrashers Alcoholator are streaming their new album, Escape From Reality for a limited time on Bandcamp.

Escape From Reality was released on May 15 via High Roller Records.

Escape From Reality tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Punch Drunk”
“Escape From Reality”
“Dictator”
“The Bleeder”
“Out Of Control”
“Molotov Cocktail”
“Human”
“Plastic Surgery”
“Fuck Your Skull”
“Cursed By My Thirst”

Lyric video "Dicator":

“Cursed By My Thirst”:

Alcoholator is:

Matt Butcher - lead vocals, lead guitars
Oli Whiskey - lead guitars, backing vocals
Phil Macht - drums
Gord - bass

Melbourne, Australia's melodic death metallers Orpheus Omega have released the first single, entitled “Beacons”, from their upcoming third full-length album, Partum Vita Mortem.

Orpheus Omega recently unveiled the cover artwork of Partum Vita Mortem. The album’s artwork was processed by Niklas Sundin / Cabin Fever Media (Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, At The Gates).

Since the release of 2013's ResIllusion, Orpheus Omega has cemented themselves as one of melodic death metal's most promising newcomers. After a slew of national support slots with Dark Tranquillity, Children Of Bodom, Korpiklaani, Eluveitie and more, followed by a 2 week headlining tour of Asia, the band are now ready to unleash their third album, Partum Vita Mortem, a concept album exploring the human condition through Birth, Life and Death across an hour of unrelenting musicianship.

The concept behind Partum Vita Mortem:

Existence is cyclical. Partum Vita Mortem explores all the aspects that make us who we are, from our earliest beginnings to the very end of our journeys. Partum (Birth), Vita (Life) and Mortem (Death). These three distinct but interweaved aspects of existence are portrayed both musically and lyrically across 13 tracks that bring this concept to life. In an era where we often forget to experience and reflect on every moment we have, this album brings to the fore the struggles we all must face on our own journey.

Partrum Vita Mortem tracklisting:

“Conception”

Partum
“I, Architect”
“Karma Favours The Weak”
“Practice Makes Pathetic”
“Our Reminder”

Vita
“Unraveling Today”
“Breath’s Burden”
“Tomorrow’s Fiends & Yesterday’s Ghosts”
“Beacons”

Mortem
“Echoes Through Infinity”
“Revel In Oblivion”
“Kharon”
“Silence, The I”

"Beacons":

The album will be released on July 24 via Kolony Records.

Lineup:

Chris Themelco - vocals, lead guitars
Joao Goncalves - guitars, backing vocals
Keswick Gallagher - keyboards
Nathan Mesiti - bass
Matt Themelco - drums