Portuguese progressive metalcore outfit, Borderlands has announced their debut full length, Voice Of The Voiceless set for release June 10th. Mixed and mastered by Nicolas Delestrade (Betraying The Martyrs, Novelists), he helped the quintet find the exact sound they were looking for following their 2012 EP, Awaken Dreamers.

"This album is definitely stepping up our game, we’ve put a lot of effort into this and hope that everyone enjoys it and loves it as much as we do," says vocalist Rui Martins.

With the album announcement, Borderlands released their brand new music video for the single, "Children Of The Sun", which can be seen below, Pre-order a digital copy of Voice Of The Voiceless here, or for physical copies and pre-order bundles visit this location.

Voice Of The Voiceless artwork and tracklisting:

"Continuum"
"Children Of The Storm"
"Release Yourself"
"Lineage"
"Limitless"
"Essencia"
"Voice Of The Voiceless"
"The Curse"
"Children Of The Sun"

 

 

 

Initializing Irreversible Process is the new album from Rome, Italy's Deceptionist. Set for release via Unique Leader Records on June 17th, Initializing Irreversible Process was captured with Giuseppe Orlando at Outersound Studios, and finds the devout death metal collective pushing their talents and ingenuity forward in both speed and technicality while simultaneously remaining loyal to root elements: groove, brutality and catchiness. Their use of sampling blends seamlessly with harsh guitar riffs, the lyrical content dealing with the relationship between humans and machines in a not-too-distant future world where men and women will live only to serve artificial masters.

In advance of next month's release of Initializing Irreversible Process, Deceptionist is currently streaming first single "Quest For Identity", via the YouTube clip below.

Initializing Irreversible Process features the talents of bassist Stefano Franceschini and guest vocalist Enrico H. Di Lorenzo on "Through The Veil", both members of labelmates Hideous Divinity as well as the striking covering renderings of Pär Olofsson (Abysmal Dawn, Cult Of Luna, Deeds Of Flesh, Exodus).

Tracklisting:

“It’s Just Begun”
“Through The Veil”
“Quest For Identity”
“When Humans Began To Be Machines”
“Final Innovation – Automatic Time”
“The Confession”
“Irreversible Process”
“Sunshine”
“Industrivolutionaction”
“Operator Nr 3”

Pre-orders can be placed at this location.

Album teaser:

June 10th marks the birth of X-Tinxion’s first full-length album, entitled From The Ashes Of Eden, showing the band's full potential.

The main story of the album revolves around the transcendence of humanity. It deals with the human tendency to destruct while searching to better itself, particularly the tracks “Amalgamation” and “In Progress”, the first and last track on the album. It shows the dark side of the human psyche, of its religions and science. It is about inner conflict and the fear of death. However, this pessimistic view on mankind is alleviated by a sense of humor that also shows the touching naivety of the human race. Like a deity looking over its flock, the lyrics try to show the listener what happens after the loss of innocence. And it gives us new hope to see the loss of innocence as an opportunity to learn and rise From The Ashes Of Eden.

Tracklisting:

“Amalgamation”
“Survivors Of Hell”
“Severed From Heaven”
“Genetic Sickness”
“Uniformity”
“Eden”
“Narrow Path”
“Civilised”
“Destruct & Reanimate”
“The Divine”
“In Progress”

“Severed From Heaven” video:

The release will be supported by an album release show on June 12th at the Bibelot in Dordrecht. X-Tinxion will also perform a number of shows this year, stay tuned for updates.

(Photo - X-Tinxion Facebook)

Set to unleash their debut full length album, The Fallen Sun, officially on June 10th, Toronto, Canada’s Sludgehammer have posted a new music video for their track “Carrion Eater”, which is one of eleven fist pounding tracks that features the dynamic vocal performances from lead vocalist Chris Szarota and bassist Dan Ayers, along with a showcase of mind bending guitar solos, heavy riffs and blistering drumming fury to follow-up their 2014 EP Organ Harvester.

"Sludgehammer is proud to present “Carrion Eater” as our first music video from The Fallen Sun. This is one of the first songs we wrote for the record and it has become one of our favourites. It was an ambitious track to create as we were trying to combine a lot of different musical elements into a cohesive song. We eventually got it to the point where it is now, an energetic, venom spittin' ,leg stompin', headcrusher! It was a lot of hard work creating this record, but also a lot of fun. We're hoping everyone can enjoy it like we do." comments guitarist Jeff Wilson.

The album was self-produced by the band and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams and mastered by world renowned producer and engineer Lasse Lammert (Gloryhammer, Alestorm, Teramaze) at LSD Studio in Germany.

Tracklisting:

“Demons From The Woodwork”
“Intestines Entwined”
“The Black Abyss”
“Ectogenesis”
“Carrion Eater”
“Consuming Afterbirth”
“Carnivorous Forest”
“Utopian”
“Revolting”
“Organ Harvester”
“Casualties”

“Carrion Eater” video:

(Photo - Hayden John Wolf)

Finnish modern metallers, Volymian, released their debut album, Maze Of Madness, worldwide on April 15th via Canadian label Maple Metal Records. A video for “Indifferent” is streaming below.

Volymian was founded in 2008, and the band went through various member changes before settling down with the sextet that recorded Maze Of Madness. Most recently, vocalist Markku Kuikka (Status Minor, The Ragged Saints, Kenziner) joined the band in 2015 for the new album. Previously the band had recorded three EPs with a different vocalist. Maze Of Madness was recorded at Artlab Studio, Helsinki, and produced by Volymian. The album was mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Primal Fear, Epica, Amaranthe) in Denmark.

Jacob Hansen shares his comments on the album: "Volymian is great! I’m very impressed with the performances and song writing. Excellent stuff they’ve got going."

The album cover artwork was designed by Satu Velasco.

Tracklisting:

“Breathe”
“Line Of Fire”
“Inside Out”
“Under A Million Stars”
“Maze Of Madness”
“Empty Room”
“Damnation Of Love”
“Ring”
“Indifferent”
“Wasted Years”

“Indifferent” video:

"Under A Million Stars" lyric video:

“Breathe”:

“Line Of Fire” video:

Teaser:

Volymian is:

Markku Kuikka - vocals
Timo Mikkonen - guitar
Juha Raisanen - guitar
Ville Velasco - drums
Petri Hampinen - bass
Robert Leksis - keyboards

Entheos have released a music video for “New Light”, a track from their new album, The Infinite Nothing, out now via Artery Recordings.

Like lightning, inspiration can strike at any time. The members of Entheos - Chaney Crabb [vocals], Malcolm Pugh [guitar], Evan Brewer [bass], and Navene Koperweis [drums] - collectively felt that surge. Longtime friends Navene, and Evan co-founded Animosity and remained in the group until its split in 2008. Evan enjoyed a stint in The Faceless, while Navene joined Animals As Leaders, and Malcolm played in A Loathing Requiem, Diskreet, and Inferi.

By late 2014, there must’ve been something magnetic in the air, because it drew these musicians back together. “All of us have gotten some great opportunities, but they didn’t necessarily pan out to be perfect,” admits Navene. “It was natural for me to call Evan. It just made sense. The amount of effort we collectively put into this makes it close to the perfect situation. This is the band none of us ever got to be in. All of us are on the same page, and we’re really tight personally. That inspires us to work all the time.”

Navene had produced Chaney’s previous band Systems, and her intense, infectious vocal style stuck with him. She rounded out the lineup, and the group hunkered down and cut its independent four-song debut EP, Primal, with Navene behind the board. They tapped into a staggering amalgam of polyrhythmic riffage, mind-numbing percussion, and eerily entrancing vocals.

The drummer describes it best. “It’s a mix of different styles,” he says. “It’s got a modern death metal element, but there’s a more progressive flare. With the time we had apart, everyone was able to develop in different ways, and we have a new sound. There are those aggressive aspects of death metal and the precision, but there’s a fusion melodically. I like to call it, ‘Death fusion’.” That style instantly captivated listeners.

Already garnishing a reputation for their intense live show, and aggressive stage presence, they garnered over 10,000 “likes” on Facebook (within a month), while Primal became #1 across Bandcamp in March 2015. Artery Recordings signed the group as they went on to tour with Veil Of Maya, Oceano and did festival dates with Between The Buried And Me and The Red Chord. Immediately after, they hit the studio to cut their first full-length album for the label.

The group’s ethos and story remains encapsulated within their very name. “The name is an old Greek word meaning full of inspiration,” Navene leaves off. “Now and during the start of the band, everyone has been really inspired. That’s what this project is centered around—working hard and not overthinking things. We’ve found this inspiration. Because of that, we’re doing what we have to do, which is make music.”

The Infinite Nothing tracklisting:
 
“Perpetual Miscalculations”
“New Light”
“The Infinite Nothing”
“Terminal Stages of Nostalgia”
“An Ever-Expanding Human”
“Bad Chemicals”
“Mind Alone”
“Neural Damage”

“New Light” video:

During an appearance earlier this month at the Live Nation National Concert Day event in New York City, SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor spoke to Rolling Stone about a possible musical direction for the masked metal group's forthcoming sixth album.

"We're trying to think of where we can go musically that still has the soul of what we're trying to say, what we're trying to do, how we're trying to help people evolve with their lives," he said (see video below). "So it's one of those things that we're kind of looking to our influences now. 'Cause we loved everything from old-school thrash to bands like NEUROSIS, NINE INCH NAILS, you know, and [we're] just trying to kind of take stock of wearing our influences a little more on our sleeve and seeing where that will take us."

Taylor told radio host Full Metal Jackie in a separate interview that the band's music will have to evolve. Asked about the group's musical progression, Taylor said he and other key members have been discussing their future, explaining: "I mean, this band has always tried to find the path less traveled. We've always tried to expand the range of the music that we're making and find new ways to speak our piece, find new ways to kind of push our agenda and our message. And it's getting to the point where, at some point, the music will have to evolve."

He continued, "We've done really great things to broaden our musical horizons. At the same time, though, at some point it's gonna have to twist and it's gonna have to change even more... Will it still feel like SLIPKNOT? Absolutely. We write a certain type of music, even though that music may be very, very eclectic and varied, we still write what I consider SLIPKNOT music. But at some point, that will have to evolve and become something new, because our message will have to change."

SLIPKNOT has hinted that its next studio effort could be a double concept album. The group's last set, ".5: The Gray Chapter", came out in late 2014.

Taylor has said in other interviews that SLIPKNOT will take a "couple of years off" after completing the tour cycle for ".5: The Gray Chapter". Taylor explained, "We're gonna finish touring and then we're gonna take a couple of years off again to let everything chill. I'm gonna go do my thing, [and] everybody else's gonna go do their thing... then, in a couple of years, we'll get back together and see what happens again."

SLIPKNOT will head out on a massive North American tour with MARILYN MANSON and OF MICE & MEN this summer, starting on June 9 in Salt Lake City.

DEATH's legendary 1987 debut, "Scream Bloody Gore", is more than just an untouchable album — upon its release, it was positively genre-creating. "Scream Bloody Gore" founded the quintessential death metal sound, with more tormented riffs, screams, and leads than the world had ever imagined, and established Chuck Schuldiner's inimitable phrasing and songwriting style as the most singular voice in the burgeoning genre. Today, the album is viewed unanimously as one of the all-time most important cornerstones of death metal.

As the final chapter in Relapse's comprehensive DEATH reissue series, "Scream Bloody Gore" will now receive the deluxe reissue treatment on a wide variety of formats, including 2CD, limited-edition 3CD, LP, deluxe 2xLP boxset, and cassette versions. Like the preceding DEATH reissues, the deluxe reissue of "Scream Bloody Gore" has been meticulously remastered from the original tapes by Alan Douches (DEATH, MASTODON, NILE) and contains a plethora of bonus content, including previously unreleased recordings and rehearsal demos, super-expanded packaging, and brand-new extensive liner notes from former DEATH drummer/AUTOPSY founder Chris Reifert, SEPULTURA's Max Cavalera, and original "Scream Bloody Gore" producer Randy Burns.

Stream the entire "Scream Bloody Gore" (Deluxe Edition) below.

Physical pre-orders are available now via Relapse.com at this location. Digital pre-orders can be found via DEATH's Bandcamp page here.

"Scream Bloody Gore" (Deluxe Edition) track listing:

Disc 1

01. Infernal Death02. Zombie Ritual03. Denial Of Life04. Sacrificial05. Mutilation06. Regurgitated Guts07. Baptized In Blood08. Torn To Pieces09. Evil Dead10. Scream Bloody Gore11. Beyond The Unholy Grave12. Land Of No Return

Disc 2

13. Torn To Pieces (Original Florida Session)14. Legion Of Doom (Original Florida Session)15. Scream Bloody Gore (Original Florida Session)16. Sacrificial (Original Florida Session)17. Mutilation (Original Florida Session)18. Land Of No Return (Original Florida Session)19. Baptized In Blood (Original Florida Session)20. Regurgitated Guts (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)21. Sacrificial (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)22. Sacrificial - Take 2 (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)23. Torn To Pieces (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)24. Do You Love Me? V1 (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)25. Infernal Death (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)26. Zombie Ritual (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)27. Beyond The Unholy Grave (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)28. Do You Love Me? V2 (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)29. Denial Of Life (Rehearsals 08-20-1986)

Disc 3

30. (Part Of) Scream Bloody Gore (Rehearsals 5/28/86)31. Legion Of Doom (Rehearsals 5/28/86)32. Beyond The Unholy Grave (Rehearsals 5/28/86)33. Scream Bloody Gore (Rehearsals 5/28/86)34. Torn To Pieces (Rehearsals 5/28/86)35. Mutilation (Rehearsals 5/26/86)36. Torn To Pieces (Rehearsals 5/26/86)37. Zombie Ritual (Rehearsals 5/26/86)38. Land Of No Return (Rehearsals 5/26/86)39. (Part of) Evil Dead (Rehearsals 5/26/86)40. Baptized In Blood (Rehearsals 5/26/86)41. Infernal Death (Rehearsals 5/26/86)42. Denial of Life (Rehearsals 5/26/86)43. Death Metal (Rehearsals 5/26/86)

British rock n’ rollers, The Temperance Movement, have released a revolutionary new music video for the title track of their new album, White Bear. The band teamed up with famed photographer, filmmaker and multimedia artist Steven Sebring, who created the spectacular White Bear album cover and has worked with the likes of Patti Smith, Neil Young, Joey Ramone, Alec Baldwin, Philip Glass, JFK Jr. and Bill Gates. He has also won a 2008 Sundance Award for Excellence in Cinematography and earned a 2010 Primetime Emmy nomination.

To create the mesmerizing visual masterpiece, the video was filmed with Steven Sebring's innovative Revolution system - a one-of-a-kind process that captures form and movement from every angle, resulting in stunning 3D imagery with unparalleled depth.

Steven Sebring comments: "The Revolution system allows us to manipulate time and light to capture the true essence of the body and spirit of the subject. The Temperance Movement embraced and embodied my vision and this is the result."

The Temperance Movement bassist Nick Fyffe adds: "I had met Steven a few years ago. He was making a video for a mutual friend whose band I was in at the time. We remained in touch and when passing through New York last year, Steven graciously agreed to take some photographs of the band. We visited his studio where we were introduced to his Revolution system and invited to enter the 'fourth dimension'. Steven came to the show later that evening and when hanging out afterwards, we started to chat about the White Bear album and how we could involved him. He shot the cover artwork a few weeks later and delivered an image that exceeded our expectations. The idea of doing the White Bear video using the Revolution system was an exciting prospect and the results are stunning. Our connection with Steven has given us the opportunity to make a visually beautiful piece of work using techniques that haven't been seen before."

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of EDGE OF FOREVER to a multi-album deal. Originally formed in 2002, EDGE OF FOREVER released its first album, "Feeding The Fire", in 2004 which was produced by the late Marcel Jacob (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN). Just a few months later, the band was already working on a new album with producer Bobby Barth (AXE, BLACKFOOT) in New Orleans. The collaboration led to "Let The Demon Rock 'N' Roll", which came out about one year after the debut album. In 2005, the band saw a change of personnel, leaving only Alessandro Del Vecchio and Francesco Jovino from the original lineup. Alessandro then took on the lead vocal spot and guitarist Walter Caliaro and bassist Nik Mazzucconi (Ian Paice, Carmine Appice) joined the band. In 2010, with the new lineup operating like a well-oiled machine, EDGE OF FOREVER released its third record titled "Another Paradise". The album was once again very well received and Alessandro Del Vecchio's reputation as producer started to grow steadily. While Francesco was stepping into the metal world with U.D.O. and a short tenure with ACCEPT (now he plays drums with PRIMAL FEAR), Alessandro Del Vecchio started to tour with artists like Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes, Bernie Marsden, and Carmine Appice and also continuing to work in the studio. In 2011, Alessandro signed on with Frontiers Music Srl to produce and be part of the comeback of the legendary hard rock act HARDLINE. Again with his pal Francesco Jovino on drums, HARDLINE released "Danger Zone" in 2012 while the video for the single from the album, "Fever Dreams", reached almost one million views on YouTube.

Alessandro's collaboration with Frontiers over the course of about five years has given birth to amazing records like REVOLUTION SAINTS (Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades, Doug Aldrich), SUNSTORM (with Joe Lynn Turner), Fergie Frederiksen's last album "Any Given Moment", RESURRECTION KINGS (Craig Goldy, Vinny Appice, Sean McNabb, Chas West) and many more, plus writing and playing for artists like PLACE VENDOME, FIND ME (featuring Robbie Lablanc of BLANC FACES), FIRST SIGNAL (featuring Harry Hess of HAREM SCAREM), LEVEL 10 (featuring Russell Allen and Mat Sinner), and Toby Hitchcock among others. Now it's time for Alessandro and his guys to step out on their own and show the world what they're capable of! "I'm very honored to have my own band EDGE OF FOREVER signed to the big Frontiers family," says Alessandro Del Vecchio. "It's been a few years now that I've worked with Serafino and for some time we have been talking about a record with me on vocals, which couldn't be with anyone but with my guys. Francesco, Nik and Walter have been with me already on a few albums I released through Frontiers, but this time is gonna be different. It's our baby and our primal need of creation.

"We are entering the studio this summer and I promise we will deliver our best songs and I will top my productions with a bombastic and epic sound. In addition to the new album, we decided to allow Frontiers to re-release our previous albums — which I'm gonna remaster with bonus tracks — for all digital platforms. I guess it's time for people to listen to the outtakes of our previous albums with our friends Jeff Scott Soto and Bobby Barth. This made the deal even more attractive for us.

"Now it's our turn to say something and give Frontiers our best album so far! I feel and we feel more confident than ever in what we can do. Years of working in the Champions League of rock 'n' roll forged us as better musicians. I honestly can't wait.

"After five years of amazing music with Frontiers, I'm excited to do something again with the band that started it all for me. Who's luckier than me?" Frontiers plans to release EDGE OF FOREVER's new album in early 2017. EDGE OF FOREVER is: Alessandro Del Vecchio: vocals, keyboardsWalter Caliaro: guitarNik Mazzucconi: bassFrancesco Jovino: drums

Back in the late 80’s, a Swedish underground death metal band named Nihilist turned into the breeding ground from which two big players of the genre emerged: Entombed and Unleashed. Together with Grave and Dismember (R.I.P.), these bands are crucial for turning the punkish Scandinavian death metal sound into a global phenomenon, defining and refining its stylistics, and making it a successful genre to the very day. Parallel to records by Asphyx, Tiamat, Grave, and Morgoth, Unleashed’s debut album, Where No Life Dwells, was one of many all-time-classics of death metal released in 1991 via Century Media Records, and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016.

This is a perfect opportunity to bring back this timeless and gloomy masterpiece as stunning vinyl edition offering new fans the chance to discover a true classic. Featuring a re-creation of the original sleeve design, top notch vinyl mastering by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony (Possessed, Iced Earth, Paradise Lost and many more) as well as attractive bonuses such as a poster and CD version with seven additional tracks recorded in 1990 (taken from the 2001 CD re-issue), Where No Life Dwells remains a landmark album by the long-running Swedes. Enjoy an utterly dark milestone of death metal.

Where No Life Dwells is available in the following limitations:

- black LP+CD & Poster – not limited, available worldwide
- silver LP+CD & Poster – limited to 100 copies, exclusive to CMDistro Europe
- dark green LP+CD & Poster – limited to 200 copies, exclusive to Nuclear Blast Europe
- golden LP+CD & Poster – limited to 600, available via CMDistro Europe & US
- light blue LP+CD & Poster – limited to 400, distributed via RED and CMDistro in the US
 
Pre-order your copy via CMDistro, here.

All maniacal collectors please take note that due to the fact the original silver sleeve was harder to re-create than expected, there are 150-200 units across all colours circulating which lack this silver effect. Call yourselves lucky if you have one as these are the rarest vinyls out there.

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess joined the “titan of talent” Uri Nieto for a cover of Anathema’s “The Beginning And The End”. Nieto on guitar and vocals, Rudess on GeoShred. Watch below:

Jordan Rudess recently announced the ultimate keyboard camp experience at the Full Moon Resort in upstate New York. It will be held between July 18th - 22nd. He has posted a new video trailer for the event, which can be viewed below.

KeyFest enrollment is open to keyboardists of all levels. Participants will enjoy a fully immersive learning experience organized by Jordan Rudess. KeyFest will include master classes, learning sessions, a technology room to try the latest technology, live performances and jams, and all-inclusive meal options and lodging accommodations.

Says Rudess: “I’m excited for the opportunity to hang out with fellow keyboardists in a relaxed environment and have the chance to share some of the skills and knowledge that I’ve gathered through the years. Our keyboard world is constantly evolving as technology keeps throwing us new possibilities. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time in a beautiful location, eating good food, playing some music, teaching and jamming with all of you!”

Rudess will be joined by special guest keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter and producer, Tom Brislin. Tom performs as a solo artist and is also known for his work with Yes, Camel and Renaissance.

For all information and registration go to this location.

A video preview of Nylon Maiden's cover of Iron Maiden’s "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" can be seen below. “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” is the final track of the new Nylon Maiden double CD, Preserved In Time. Nylon Maiden is headed up by Dutch classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen - known for his acoustic renditions of some of metal’s greatest songs and arrangements of Iron Maiden tracks.

Nylon Maiden’s Preserved In Time is due for release in June. Thomas has gained almost 10 million views on YouTube with his arrangements of Iron Maiden songs for classical guitar, making this his most anticipated album to date.

Preserved In Time promises to be Zwijsen’s ultimate Iron Maiden tribute album. It makes the classical guitar world a bit more metal by adding 16 Iron Maiden songs (and two Bruce Dickinson songs) to its repertoire.

Zwijsen’s long-time collaborator Blaze Bayley is one of the returning guest musicians on this album, performing two tracks from his Iron Maiden days, as well as a unique version of “Blood Brothers” off the Brave New World album! This is the first time Blaze performs an Iron Maiden song from the post-Blaze era. It gives Iron Maiden fans an idea of what it would have sounded like if Blaze had stayed with the band.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“If Eternity Should Fail”
“Stranger In A Strange Land”
“Judgement Of Heaven” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Ghost Of The Navigator”
“Powerslave” (Thomas & band)
“Burning Ambition”
“Tears Of The Dragon” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“Blood Brothers” (with Blaze Bayley)
“When The Wild Wind Blows” (Thomas & band)

Disc 2
“Afraid To Shoot Strangers”
“Como Estais Amigos” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Wrathchild”
“Tears Of A Clown”
“Jerusalem” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“For The Greater Good Of God”
“Reach Out”
“Fear Of The Dark”
“Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” (Thomas & band)

Zwijsen comments; “in our attempt to choose the best track listing for the most fulfilling, surprising and complete Iron Maiden tribute album, we simply couldn't fit all the songs on a single CD, so we decided to make it a double CD this time. Many of the songs were requests from people on YouTube. If this were to be the setlist at an Iron Maiden concert, I’d be very happy!”

People who pre-order the album get some cool extras:

- Their names printed in the booklet of the album, preserved in time!
- The album signed by Thomas
- A free specially designed stainless steel Nylon Maiden dog tag.

“If Eternity Should Fail”:

"Afraid To Shoot Strangers”:

“Tears Of The Dragon”:

“Ghost Of The Navigator”:

“Powerslave” bass solo preview:

Atmospheric blackened metal outfit, Wayfarer, are streaming the new track “Deathless Tundra”, from their forthcoming sophomore effort, Old Souls. Listen to the song below.

Wayfarer will release their sophomore album on June 17th via Prosthetic Records. Recorded at Flatline Audio with Shane Howard (Martriden, Khemmis) while being mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Cobalt), the album features seven tracks clocking in at almost 50 minutes long. The album's cover artwork was created by Colorado artist and knifesmith Adam Gersh.

Wayfarer’s debut album, Children Of An Iron Age was met with worldwide critical acclaim. Asked how Old Souls differs, guitarist and vocalist Shane McCarthy commented: "This record is a darker and much more focused effort from us. Writing the album was a very cohesive and involved process as a whole band this time around. It has moved further and further away from any particular genre trappings and stepped closer into what we feel our sound is; which is always shifting, always evolving. Life is too short to write music that already exists. We can't wait to get this out there."

Following the release of Old Souls, the band will head out on the road with Maine’s Falls of Rauros, joining them in Canada is Numenorean.

Tracklisting:

“Ever Climbing”
“Frontiers”
“Old Souls’ New Dawn”
“Catcher”
“Deathless Tundra”
“The Dust Lakes”
“All Lost In Aimless Chaos”

“Deathless Tundra”:

"All Lost In Aimless Chaos":

(Photo - Alvino Salcedo)

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have signed Beldam and are set to release their debut album, entitled Still The Wretched Linger, on June 17th on CD and digital formats. Below is the official description.

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome doom/sludge titans Beldam to the roster with their pummelling debut album, Still The Wretched Linger. Beldam hail from central Virgina and play skull crushing, soul wrenching, depression-ridden misanthropic sludge with blackened touches.

Influenced by the likes of Sleep, EyeHateGod, Graves At Sea, The Melvins and Black Sabbath, Beldam combine primordial buzzsaw guitar, massive low end bass, earth shattering drums and intense vocals featuring lyrics which invoke death and despair.

Still The Wretched Linger is a relentless record, bulldozing through 40+ minutes of pure desolation.

Tracklisting:

“Needles”
“Blackened Violet”
“The Foundling”
“From Grave To Cradle”
“Salamander”
“Her Unbearing Abyss”
“Beauty's Martyr”

“Needles”:

Pre-order the CD for only $10 with free shipping here, pre-order the Digital Download for only $6.66 here.

Former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison has launched a new band called VIMIC. He is joined in the group by singer Kalen Chase Musmecci, who has toured with KORN as a backing vocalist and percussionist, and Joey's former SCAR THE MARTYR bandmates Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass) and Matthew Tarach (keyboards).

VIMIC recently completed work on its debut album, "Open Your Omen", with producer Kato Khandwala, who has previously worked with THE PRETTY RECKLESS and WE ARE THE HARLOT. The CD will be released later this year via Roadrunner Records.

The official video for the VIMIC song called "She Sees Everything" can be seen below.

VIMIC, Jordison explained, was born from the blueprint of his previous band SCAR THE MARTYR, which he worked on during his off time from SLIPKNOT. After his exit from SLIPKNOT, he took some time to think about what he wanted to do with his music career going forward.

"Basically, [after] my departure from SLIPKNOT, [I was] readjusting what I wanted to do musically with the rest of my career, and just kind of reforming my thoughts on what I wanted to do, I decided that I really wanted to start fresh, man," he told SiriusXM's Jose Mangin. "I did not want to keep rehashing some old ideas and stuff like that. I'm, like, if I'm gonna keep going, I really wanna just break loose and I just wanna wipe the slate clean and start fresh. So I renamed the band and I got a new singer and I got a new keyboard player. There's three other members that still exist from the SCAR THE MARTYR lineup."

He continued: "We just went into the studio. Like, no stress — we went down to the basement and we just started demoing material, and everything really started clicking. And demoed probably about forty songs. So as soon as we got done with probably about a good twenty of 'em, of course, we shopped it to the label and all that stuff, and kind of got on page with them with what they liked, what we thought we could improve on, and kind of went back to the drawing board, as most bands do, and kind of kept going at it. So we went into the studio with Kato Khandwala and we just started hashing it out, man. [It was] kind of old school; we didn't have too much pressure from the label. We just went in, like, 'Let's just go back to just getting in the studio, jamming as a band, getting together with our instruments, and not having anything too formulated and just creating from the ground up."

Joey added: "One of the coolest things about creating this record was it was really old-school style, and that's one of the biggest results out of the final product, and we're totally proud of it, man. We're excited about it."

There is no set release date yet for VIMIC's debut album, according to Jordison, who is the only member of the band based in Des Moines, Iowa. "Right now we're juggling a couple of different release dates," he said. "We just wanna make sure, in this day and age, that everything lines up with other releases and also… We just got done with all the videos and everything, and all the production is pretty much finished. So we just wanna make sure that everything is lined up correctly, so the timeline absolutely strikes at the perfect time and everything lines up correctly. So it's a little bit of a strategy and it's a little bit of a puzzle, but it always works out, and I think we're just about there."

Asked if there are plans for VIMIC to hit the road in support of "Open Your Omen", Joey said: "Absolutely. You can rush stuff and just get out there to get out there, but I'd rather take the time and make sure everything is just perfectly lined up. We just wanna make sure that we're doing the right thing at the right time. And everything looks to be going good. So we're gonna be on tour here pretty soon. Everything is looking positive, man."

VIMIC is:

Joey Jordison - drums, percussionJed Simon - guitar, backing vocalsKyle Konkiel - bass, backing vocalsMatthew Tarach - keyboardsKalen Chase Musmecci - lead vocals

SLIPKNOT announced in December 2013 that it had parted ways with Jordison, one of the band's founding members and key songwriters. SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor told Metal Hammer that firing Jordison after 18 years was "one of the hardest decisions" the group ever made, adding that Jordison is "in a place in his life" which is "not where we are." Taylor said he could not get into specifics for legal reasons, but admitted, "It's when a relationship hits that T-section and one person's going one way and you're going the other. And try as you might to either get them to go your way or try and go their way, at some point you've got to go in the direction that works for you. This is me speaking in the broadest terms, with respect to Joey. I guess to sum it up, it was one of the hardest decisions we ever made."

Taylor said that the band is "happy right now and we hope that he is . . . he's just in a place in his life, right now, that's not where we are."

The singer would not answer whether drug use played a role in Jordison's dismissal, and confessed that he had not been in touch with his former bandmate. Taylor said, "I haven't talked to Joey in a while, to be honest. That's how different we are. It's not because I don't love him and I don't miss him. And it is painful; we talk about him all the time, but at the same time, do we miss him or do we miss the old him? That's what it really comes down to."

SLIPKNOT's new drummer is Jay Weinberg, son of longtime Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg.

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has uploaded video footage of Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER) apparently laying down drum tracks for the band's forthcoming abum, due in September. The one-minute clip, which can be seen below, was accompanied by the following caption on Instagram: "Beating out today's sermon in the Church of Suicidal, the Godfather of double kick, @davelombardo ! September 2016! You've been warned!!! #suicidaltendencies #suicidal #cyco #newrecord #september2016 #straightoutofvenice"

Lombardo sat behind the kit for SUICIDAL TENDENCIES during the band's recent North American tour as the support act for MEGADETH. He will also play with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES for their upcoming European festival appearances as well as select headlining shows.

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES frontman Mike Muir told The Bulletin about Lombardo's addition to the band: "Dave's a legend, you know. It's a little bit different than other things — people call him the godfather of the double-kick and bass and stuff. He just has an amazing intensity, but besides intensity, he just has a musical mindset that — he totally understands what we're doing and where we came from when we started, different, but at the same time and stuff. We've always kind of done shows together, this and that, been kind of close. He knows where he's coming from is the right place."

Lombardo made his live debut with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES on February 26 at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Muir recently hinted at not one, but two follow-ups to the group's 2013 album "13" — an EP and a full-length — inspired by the current political climate and upcoming election. He did not reveal any information about these new releases, but implied that these may be the band's final recordings. However, he pointed out: "I thought the first one would probably be the last we would do, too."

"13" sold around 3,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 187 on The Billboard 200 chart. The first studio album in 13 years from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES was produced by vocalist Mike Muir and Grammy-nominated engineer/mixer Paul Northfield (DREAM THEATER, HOLE, RUSH).

Bullet For My Valentine have posted this live video for the track “Your Betrayal”, featured on the band’s 2010 album, Fever.

Bullet For My Valentine - the hard rock/metal heavyweights whose spectacular global success, live and on record, has seen them fly the British flag from dizzying and wondrous heights - have signed a worldwide deal with Search And Destroy/Spinefarm Records (UMG).

With five studio albums under their belt - The Poison (2005), Scream Aim Fire (2008), Fever' (2010), Temper Temper (2013) and Venom (2015) - and more than 5 million record sales worldwide to their name, this award-winning quartet (formed in Wales in 1998) have been proudly riffin' their way around the globe since their teenage years. Inspired by heavy metal music's great and glorious (Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden), BFMV are universally revered as a colossal force to be reckoned with - stadium fillers, festival headliners... a new wave of rock royalty.

Led into action by Matt Tuck (vocalist / rhythm guitar), the lineup is completed by Michael Paget (lead guitar), Michael 'Moose' Thomas (drums) and latest recruit, Jamie Mathias (bass).

Most recent full-length studio offering, Venom, saw the band reuniting with producer Colin Richardson to create what is widely acknowledged - with fans and critics alike - as the most potent Bullet For My Valentine statement of intent thus far...

Since the release of The Poison (now certified gold), Bullet For My Valentine have notched up an impressive array of international facts 'n' stats: along with chart-topping success, these include Top 10 chart entries, #1 Rock Chart positions, arena tours, key spots at the biggest festivals around the world plus a plethora of awards.

Now, with Venom taking things to new heights plus a year of high-profile international touring ahead, Bullet For My Valentine have joined forces with Search and Destroy/Spinefarm Records in a new global deal.

Bullet for My Valentine frontman, Matt Tuck, commented: “We're very proud and excited to announce our signing to Search And Destroy / Spinefarm Records. It feels great to be part of a family that truly believes in the band and is ready to take us to the next level. It's been an incredible journey so far - but with the Search And Destroy / Spinefarm team behind us, it feels like we've just begun. Here's to the future."

Bullet For My Valentine recently returned to North America for a second invasion in support of their recently released album, Venom. Special guests include Asking Alexandria and Cane Hill on select dates. The tour will wrap up in San Antonio on May 29th at River City Rockfest.

Bullet For My Valentine North American tour dates:

May
17 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
18 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection**
20 - Columbus, OH - Rock On The Range 2016*
21 - Fort Wayne, IN - Piere’s
23 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
24 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium
27 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma Festival 2016*
29 - San Antonio, TX - River City Rockfest*

* - Festival
** - Asking Alexandria not performing on this date

The band’s complete live itinerary can be found at this location.

Sweden's lauded melodic death/doom metallers and Agonia Records recent signees, In Mourning, will release their new album, Afterglow, on May 20th. A full album stream can be found below.

The new album’s cover artwork has been prepared by Kristian Wåhlin (Bathory, Tiamat, Amorphis, Dark Tranquillity).

In Mourning commented: "The new album is called Afterglow and its story takes off from where The Weight Of Oceans ends. It’s a bit more complex than our previous albums and it has got a bit of a different sound than the older ones, a bit more alive like a band and maybe not always as studio corrected as our earlier material. However, the foundation of the music is still what we’ve always done and the key elements are pretty much the same but with some new additions and a few new twists and turns of course.”

This will be the first album featuring new drummer, Daniel Liljekvist (ex-Katatonia).

Hailed by many as the heir to Opeth's melodeath throne, In Mourning was formed in the Swedish woods in the year 2000. Since then the band has evolved over the years striving to refine its sound to what it is today. April 2012 marked the release of the bands third and latest album The Weight Of Oceans, a mythology inspired conceptual story that journeys to the sea. Musically, the group blends a broad spectrum of influences into a foundation of melodic death metal. Thrusting from doomy metal-riffs, blasting drumbeats and deep growling vocals to calm breezes of clean flowing melodies and harmonies.

Afterglow was recorded between November 2015 and March 2016 in Nordin Music Studios (drums) and Libra Studios (guitar, bass and vocals). Mixing and mastering duties have been handled by Jonas Martinsson in Necrosavant Studio.

Afterglow will be available in the following formats:
-Digipack CD (with 12 page booklet)
-Jewelcase CD (with 12 page booklet)
-Regular Double Black LP
-Double Orange Crush Transparent LP (hand-numbered to 135 copies)
-Black t-shirt in two different versions
-Digital formats

Find pre-orders at Agonia Records.

Tracklisting:

“Fire And Ocean”
“The Grinning Mist”
“Ashen Crown”
“Below Rise To The Above”
“The Lighthouse Keeper”
“The Call To Orion”
“Afterglow”

Album stream:

“Below Rise To The Above” lyric video:

Studio video:

 

Lineup:

Tobias Netzell - guitars and vocals
Pierre Stam - bass
Björn Pettersson - guitars
Tim Nedergård - guitars
Daniel Liljekvist - drums

Stockholm rockers Jaded Heart released their new album, Guilty By Design, on April 22nd via Massacre Records. A full album stream can be found below. The album artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard and the record was mixed and mastered by Erik Martensson of Eclipse (Sweden).

Tracklisting:

“No Reason”
“Godforsaken”
“Seven Gates Of Hell”
“Remembering”
“Rescue Me”
“Salvation”
“No Waiting For Tomorrow”
“Watching You Die”
“So Help Me God”
“Bullying Me”
“This Is The End”
“Torn And Scarred”
“My Farewell” (Bonus)
“My Own Way Down” (Bonus)

Album stream:

“Rescue Me” video:

Lineup:

Johan Fahlberg – vocals
Peter Östros – guitar
Masa Eto – guitar
Michael Müller – bass
Bodo Stricker - drums

Rival Sons will release their fifth album, Hollow Bones, on June 10th via Earache Records. A snippet of the new song “Tied Up” can be heard below:

The first single from the new album, "Hollow Bones Pt. 1", is streaming below. The track is also included as an instant download for everyone who pre-orders Hollow Bones on iTunes. Order now and get your instant download of "Hollow Bones Pt. 1" at this location.

The new album features nine brand new tracks of electrifying rock 'n' soul, including a breathtaking cover of "Black Coffee". With a huge range of Hollow Bones products available, including limited edition gold, silver and transparent vinyl, plus ultra-limited signed CD and vinyl editions, there's something for everyone from the casual fan to the die-hard collector.

Pre-order Hollow Bones now on CD and vinyl at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Hollow Bones, Pt. 1”
“Tied Up”
“Thundering Voices”
“Baby Boy”
“Pretty Face”
“Fade Out”
“Black Coffee”
“Hollow Bones, Pt. 2”
“All That I Want”

“Fade Out” snippet:

“Baby Boy” snippet:

“Thundering Voices” snippet:

“Hollow Bones Pt. 1”:

Bay Area thrash legends Death Angel will release their new album, The Evil Divide, on May 27th via Nuclear Blast Records. A fifth promo video for the upcoming release is now available. Check out all five parts below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Death Angel recently released a music video for the track "Hatred United / United Hate". The clip was directed and edited by Tommy Jones for Videohammer Studios during the band's recording sessions for The Evil Divide and features renowned tattoo artist Bob Tyrrell. The song also includes a special guest guitar solo from Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA).

Receive the tracks “Hatred United / United Hate”, “Cause For Alarm" and "The Moth" instantly when you pre-order The Evil Divide digitally via iTunes, Amazon and Google. Pre-order various packages for The Evil Divide at this location.

The CD was once again recorded at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (Trivium, Deicide), who previously worked on 2010's Relentless Retribution and 2013's The Dream Calls For Blood. Mastering duties were handled by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City.

Three decades into their celebrated career, Death Angel remain as hungry as ever. As a result, uncompromising urgency and unpredictability define the Bay Area thrash quintet’s eighth full-length album, The Evil Divide. The group - Mark Osegueda [vocals], Rob Cavestany [lead guitar], Ted Aguilar [guitar], Will Carroll [drums], and Damien Sisson [bass] - satiate the appetite for buzzsaw speed riffs, double bass mayhem, and scorching vocals over the course of ten new anthems.

The album artwork was created by tattoo artist Bob Tyrrell.

"Both Mark and I had been tattooed by Bob, and when the subject of album artwork came up," comments guitarist Rob Cavestaney. "We approached him to create the design. We wanted an image that would represent the idea of The Evil Divide; something beautiful, yet simultaneously wicked, hence the death moth. Bob realized our vision with mere pencil and paper, and now we proudly present to you the cover art for our 8th studio album, The Evil Divide."

Tracklisting:

“The Moth”
“Cause For Alarm”
“Lost”
“Father Of Lies”
“Hell To Pay”
“It Can’t Be This”
“Hatred United / United Hate”
“Breakaway”
“The Electric Cell”
“Let The Pieces Fall”

Bonus:
“Wasteland”

+ “Making Of” DVD

"Cause For Alarm”:

“The Moth”:

Trailers:

Slayer, with special guests Anthrax and Death Angel, will join forces this fall for a seven week North American beat down. The dates start in Cleveland on September 9th and will hit both major and secondary markets across the continent. Confirmed dates, as well as a tour trailer video, are below. For all ticket purchasing and VIP packages details, head here.

Said Slayer's Kerry King, "It's always super fun for us to tour with Anthrax. Frank is one of my best friends in the biz!! Put that together with Death Angel, and fans will probably see the best package this year. See you there!"

Fans will hear their favourite Slayer songs from the band's 30-year plus discography, as well as a few of the newer songs from Repentless. Slayer and Anthrax stormed through Europe together last fall, amassing a string of sensational live reviews, so North American fans, this will be a night of metal music that should not be missed.

"We are very excited to tour again with our fellow Kings Slayer on a thrash/metal extravaganza," said Anthrax's Charlie Benante. "Two of the Big Four - now that's a night of metal for all the Kings and Queens!"

Added Mark Osegueda from Death Angel, "We are thrilled and honored to be part of this amazing North American touring package. Slayer/Anthrax/Death Angel - it just looks, sounds and feels right. This will be Death Angel's first-ever tour with Slayer, something we've hungered for our entire career. And we will bring that hunger to the stage every night, so get there early because this will be a show not to be missed; from the first note of the night until the very last! Metal is alive, hungry, thriving, and coming for you!"

With more dates to be announced, here is the confirmed itinerary:

September
9 - Jacob's Pavilion - Cleveland, OH
10 - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre - Detroit, MI
12 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
13 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
15 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA
17/18 - Rock Allegiance - Chester, PA*
20 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN
22 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO
27 - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
28 - Fillmore - Miami, FL
30 - Horseshoe Casino Tunica - Tunica, MS

October
3 - Norva - Norfolk, VA
5 - Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
7 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
8 - ACL at the Moody Theatre - Austin, TX
10 - Fillmore - Denver, CO
11 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
13 - The Wilma Theatre - Missoula, MT
17 - ENMAX Center - Lethbridge, AB
19 - South Okanagan Events Centre - Penticton, BC
20 - Abbotsford Centre - Abbotsford, BC
23 - Reno Events Center - Reno, NV
27 - El Paso County Coliseum - El Paso, TX

* Slayer, Anthrax and Death Angel are all on this bill

Video footage of AC/DZ, the San Francisco Bay Area-based AC/DC tribute band featuring thrash EXODUS singer Steve "Zetro" Souza and DEATH ANGEL drummer Will Carroll performing on May 14 at Spancky's Bar in Cotati, California can be seen below.

"I've always had a very close relationship with AC/DC growing up; they influenced me heavily and this means a great deal to me," Souza previously told BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

"I love performing, and this is another just another side of me, paying tribute to one of the bands that helped define me as a singer."

In a recent interview with Myglobalmind, Souza stated about AC/DC's singer change following the death of Bon Scott: "You know, it took a while for everybody to get used to Brian Johnson after Bon. I was sixteen when Bon Scott died, and I remember, I was, like, 'Oh, my god, what are they going to do?! That voice is that music.' He fitted that guitar, what they were doing; it was like a glove. How do you replace that? And then in time, Brian has become that, and out of everybody, I would have to say him and Bruce Dickinson [IRON MAIDEN] taking over from Paul Di'Anno did an amazing job in the transition."

In addition to Souza and Carroll, AC/DZ's current lineup includes Elena Luciano Repetto (BOMB SCARY, MOTHER EARTH, IMAGIKA) on bass, Dan Kopp on rhythm guitar, and Dave Chapman (RIFF/RAFF) on lead guitar.

Italy’s Terrorway will release their new album, The Second, on May 20th via Bakerteam Records. The new song, “T.F.B.T.M. (The Face Behind The Mask)”, as well as a new album teaser video, can be found below.

The Second was recorded at V-Studio in Cagliari and once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Olsen. Terrorway comments, "We think that this record sounds very different from the predecessor Blackwaters. We changed a lot of things for what concerns our musical style and experimented a lot more than in the past... to cut it short… it will come as a real surprise for our fans!"

Tracklisting:

“Under The Light of A Broken Down”
“Eye Of The Sun”
“Torment”
“On The Edge”
“T.F.B.T.M. (The Face Behind The Mask)”
“Enter The Columns”
“Columns”
“Trails Of Ashes”
“The Wanderer”
“Lights Turn Black” (bonus track)
“Threshold Of Pain” (bonus track)

“T.F.B.T.M. (The Face Behind The Mask)”:

Teaser:

At this point, music fans are aware that rock icon Bruce Springsteen cancelled his April 10th show in Greensboro, North Carolina in a stand against the state's recently passed HB2 "bathroom" law, which singles out the LGBT community. Following is Springsteen's official statement:

"As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the 'bathroom' law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."

Since this turn of events, Rollins Band / Black Flag frontman and writer, journalist, motivational speaker Henry Rollins has contributed an article to LA Weekly in support of Springsteen's move. An excerpt is available below: 

"Springsteen’s is a well-written statement that you have probably seen by now. In it, he concludes, 'Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them.'

House Bill 2 is much more than just the 'bathroom bill' that it’s being characterized as. It actually prevents avenues of state government from including LGBT people in previous protections. For private-sector bigots, it is now open season. It seems like a long way to go to please a handful of hicks, but obviously the governor was losing sleep over all those poor homophobes shaking in their boots as to who is in the stall next to them, and he took action.

Bruce Springsteen’s reputation, as far as I can see, is unimpeachable. His statement coming from a less well-known artist would be all well and good but would carry only a fraction of the weight.

It is almost impossible to describe how beautiful North Carolina is. For a few summers, I was shipped off there to live in a tent at a summer camp. Each day, we were given chores. Milking cows, feeding chickens, getting beetles off the vegetables. Since the late 1960s, I have always had an affection for N.C.

Years later, I was happy to find out it was a great state in which to be a broke band on the road. Not only were there plenty of college-town venues to play in, but the people were incredibly friendly and would let you sleep on their floors.

Judging from the people of the state I have met over almost 50 years, I can’t believe they are pleased with House Bill 2. They probably are wondering how they got to where they are now."

Go to this location for the complete article.