MEGADETH played a special USO (United Service Organizations) show earlier tonight (Wednesday, May 4) at Slade Cutter Athletic Park in Norfolk, Virginia. The band also made its first USO visit aboard the carrier George Washington. Check out video footage and photos below.

Drummer Chris Adler was unable to join MEGADETH at the event due to his commitments with LAMB OF GOD and was temporarily replaced by Tony Laureano (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, NILE, ANGELCORPSE), the veteran extreme-metal skinsman who has worked as MEGADETH's drum tech since 2011.

MEGADETH's current touring lineup is rounded out by Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals) and David Ellefson (bass) alongside Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

MEGADETH filmed a video for the song "Post American World" late last month. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Dystopia", which came out in January.

"Dystopia" shifted 49,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release. In terms of pure album sales, "Dystopia" opened with 48,000 copies, marking MEGADETH's highest-charting album since 1992's "Countdown To Extinction" debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the chart dated August 1 of that year. "Dystopia" also logged the group's best sales week since 2007, when "United Abominations" landed at No. 8 with first-week sales of 54,000.

Sweden's lauded melodic death/doom metallers and Agonia Records recent signess, In Mourning, will release their new album, Afterglow, on May 20th. A new song, "The Call To Orion", is streaming 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”

"The Call To Orion":

“Fire And Ocean”:

 

“Below Rise To The Above” lyric video:

Lineup:

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

Swedish bassist Magnus Rosén, currently a member of Brazilian metal band Shadowside, made an appearance SVT2, one of the most traditional TV channels in Sweden. He was invited by the program Edit: Parisa Amiri to perform an interpretation of the theme from the famous and enigmatic Game of Thrones TV series.

Magnus's performance was energetic, just like what it used to be like for him on stage during the time when he was a member of HammerFall.

Check out the video performance at the link below:

With Shadowside, Magnus is getting ready to begin recordings of the band's new album in June 2016, which will feature the collaboration of Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) on two songs for the album and the production of Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, Evergrey, Bring me the Horizon, Hammerfall), who produced the band's previous album, Inner Monster Out.. 

For more information visit MagnusRosen.com and Shadowside.ws.

Rosén recently toured Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In the new video below, shot by Abir Hossain, Rosén performs for 800 school students in Bangladesh.

Later this Magnus Rosén will release his new solo album, The World Changes. Rosén enlisted guests like George Keczan, Tony Martin from Black Sabbath, Anders Johansson from Hammerfall and few other famous musicians. Magnus describes the album as having a Nordic flavor.

More details to follow

The Hypothesis, a Finnish band playing modern melodic metal, has released their Origin album. Origin is now available in Spotify, iTunes and other download and streaming services. The Origin –album has already gathered excellent reviews globally and radios around the Europe and US have added The Hypothesis on their playlists. Origin is available on CD and digital.

Tracklisting:

“Shades To Escape”
“Leak”
“End Of Your Days”
“Scarface”
“Exit”
“Atonement”
“Eye For An Eye”
“Weak Story”
“Second Chance”

“Eye For An Eye” video:

(Photo by: Valtteri Hirvonen)

Fractal Cypher exists to captivate audiences with progressive instrumentals that cut through the mesmerizing vocals yet somehow evolving; each listen provides a new perspective. Straight out of the heart of Canada’s metal scene, these Montreal metallers constantly shift their compositions with seamless transitions and theatrical interludes to keep audiences on their toes. Since 2014, ex-Far From Reality members Simon Lavoie (vocals), Ludovick Daoust (keyboard), and Vincent Bruneau (guitar) have dedicated themselves to Fractal Cypher. 

The powerful quintet is just as versatile in their music as they are in their musical interests, darting between djent, death metal, and classic rock. Each song acts of their own volition almost taking control of the members and shaping a personality and energy not unlike a living entity. Ludovick is at the helm of songwriting, calculating and unlocking each melody and becoming the voice for each piece. Their debut album set for release later this year is produced by Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Neuraxis) will be comprised of nine songs, each handpicked and strategically chosen to best represent the living, breathing entity that is Fractal Cypher.

Fractal Cypher are giving fans a taste of what’s to come with the premier of their debut track “Prison Plante”, streaming below.

"'Prison Planet' is the first song we wrote when we started the band. Definitely the most straight forward song of the album, with catchy melodies and a conventional structure. I’d say ‘Prison Planet’ is a good blend of what people can expect from the rest of the album. Catchy choruses, heavy riffs, good solos and great melodies. We tried to reach both the progressive and mainstream audience with this song, which offer just enough of technicity and complexity. You just can’t help to bang your head on this one!" comments guitarist Vincent Bruneau.

Tracklisting:

“Lost”
“Endless Circle”
“Shining A While”
“Prison Planet”
“Imminent Extinction”
“Final Abode”
“Awakening”
“Idle Words”
“The Ghost Of Myself”

“Prison Planet” lyric video:

Carl Palmer, among the most renowned drummers in rock history and a founding member of both ELP and Asia, will be presenting a special official tribute show as a special performance during his 2016 Remembering Keith And The Music Of Emerson Lake & Palmer Tour. Originally designed to be a celebration of Palmer’s 50th year in music, the focus and name of the tour was changed in light of the tragic death of Keith Emerson on March 11th.

Legendary Genesis guitarist and solo artists Steve Hackett and Vanilla Fudge keyboardist and vocalist Mark Stein will both join Carl and his band for the tribute show in Miami. 

“I am honored and grateful that these two iconic musicians have agreed to appear at this special tribute to Keith,” says Palmer. “I have been working as an instrumental act since 2001, so this will be different and exciting to have Mark Stein on keyboards and vocals and Steve Hackett on guitar for some of songs.” Also added will be The IDA Program Children’s Choir (led by Liz Quin) who will contribute on the ELP hymn classic, “Jerusalem”.   Acclaimed producer and musician David Frangioni, will also be a special guest during the show.

To honor his late friend and former bandmate, Palmer, in association with Audio One, will present a special show: “Pictures At An Exhibition- A Tribute To Keith Emerson” which will feature music by Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy band with special guests, cinematic images, and performances by The Center For Contemporary Dance, who will interpret the music of Emerson Lake & Palmer in contemporary dance segments combined with backing from Palmer and his band. The tribute show will be staged one night only, Friday, June 24th, at Miami, Florida’s historic and intimate Olympia Theater.

Tickets are available at the Olympia Theater.

Adds Palmer: “I hope this is something all fans of ELP and Keith Emerson will all want to come along and see to help celebrate his music. I had wanted to marry the music of ELP with a contemporary dance interpretation for quite a while. Originally, this event had been scheduled to be a celebration of my 50th year in music and I had invited Keith to come and participate in this and other special events that had been planned in 2016. He told us he was interested, but sadly, fate intercepted these plans. I felt it was imperative that we turn this event into a tribute to him and the music we made together.”          

The Remembering Keith tour features his popular ELP Legacy band and will also highlight his collection of fine art, recently done in conjunction with California’s Scene Four Art Studios.

Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy returns after a successful run of shows this past June, November and December. Palmer will present bold, new arrangements of the best-loved instrumental music of ELP, and other composers. A multi-media experience combining music and video projection, the show promises to be among the most musically compelling tours of the year. Carl Palmer ELP Legacy is a red-hot power trio that features Palmer on drums and percussion; guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrick.

The tour will also include special art events designed to benefit regional charities which will exhibit and sell canvases from Palmer’s two acclaimed collections: The Rhythm of Light (2014) and A Twist Of The Wrist (2013). The images in these collections are the result of collaboration between Palmer and the acclaimed Los Angeles Art Team, Scene Four and feature a series of signed and numbered prints of stunning visual images constructed by capturing rhythm. The images combine motion, color, and lighting into some of the most compelling fine art visuals ever created. These very limited Palmer art collections are available at Carl Palmer Art.

Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy will play nearly two hours and drum enthusiasts can expect an evening of compelling percussive skills, from the man who brought the drum set to the forefront of rock ‘n’ roll music.

Tour dates:

June
2 – New York, NY – BB King Blues Club
3 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre 1894
5 – Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
6 – Wilmington, DE – World Café
7 – Arlington, MA – Regent Theatre
8 – Hamilton, ON – Studio 
9 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penns Peak
10 – Bay Shore, NY – YMCA Boulton Performing Arts Center
11 – Syracuse, NY – Benefit for Crouse Health Foundation – Palace Theater
12 – Ferndale, MN – The Magic Bag
15 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
16 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley Theater
17 – Lexington, MI – Lexington Village Theater
24 – Miami, FL – Olympia Theater (A tribute to Keith Emerson)

July
8 – Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Club
9 – Indio, CA – The Rock Yard Casion
12 – Dallas, TX – Poor David’s

Salt Lake City's Chelsea Grin are streaming "Clickbait," the full throttle first song from their upcoming album and Rise Records debut, Self Inflicted, which is out July 1st. Listen to the track below.

"Clickbait" will be available as an instant grat track for fans who pre-order Self Inflicted. Pre-orders are now live at Merch Now and iTunes.

Self Inflicted Tracklisting:

"Welcome Back"
"Four Horsemen"
"Love Song"
"Clickbait"
"Skin Deep"
"Scratching and Screaming"
"Strung Out"
"Broken Bonds"
"Life Sentence"
"Never, Forever"
"Say Goodbye"

"Clickbait”:

Chelsea Grin will spend their summer on the Van's Warped Tour. They will appear on the entire trek, which begins June 24th and runs through August 13th, laying waste to stages across the country.

Italian metallers Lacuna Coil performed in the Philippines for the very first on April 30th at Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City as part of Pulp Summer Slam 16 XVI 2016. The festival is Southeast Asia’s biggest and longest-running metal festival- Fan-filmed video is available below.

Lacuna Coil are streaming the title track of their new album Delirium, which is set for a May 27th release through Century Media Records. Listen below. Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati created the artwork for Delirium, which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

Delirium tracklisting:

“The House Of Shame”
“Broken Things”
“Delirium”
“Blood, Tears, Dust”
“Downfall”
“Take Me Home”
“You Love Me 'Cause I Hate You”
“Ghost In The Mist”
“My Demons”
“Claustrophobia”
“Ultima Ratio”

“Delirium”:

“The House Of Shame” lyric video:

Lacuna Coil will be making their much-anticipated return to North America as part of the Delirium Worldwide tour starting in San Francisco on May 7th. This will be their first US run in support of Delirium.

Following the first leg of the tour, which features Butcher Babies, 9ELECTRIC, and Painted Wives; the second leg (starting May 31st) will see Stitched Up Heart join the lineup as direct support while 9ELECTRIC and Painted Wives continue to round out the tour package.

Tour dates:

May
7 - San Francisco, CA - Social Hall *
8 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
9 - Phoenix, AZ - The Marquee
10 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
12 - Dallas, TX - Trees
14 - Cherokee, NC - Cherokee Event Center #
15 - Richmond, VA - The National #
17 - Davenport, IA - Adler Theater #
18 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre *
20 - Traverse City, MI  - Ground Zero *
21 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
25 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus ^^
26 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Wolf Den ^^
31 - Chicago IL - Bottom Lounge

June
1 - Minneapolis MN - Mill City Nights
3 - Lawrence KS - Granada
4 - Denver CO - Cervantes
6 - Columbia MO - Blue Note
7 - Nashville TN - Exit / In
9 - New York NY - Gramercy
10 - Norfolk VA - The NorVa
11 - Raleigh NC - Lincoln Theatre
12 - Atlanta GA - Masquerade

# direct Support to Halestorm - LC Only
* no Butcher Babies
^^ no support

Festival dates:

June
24 - Parabiago (MI), Italy - Rugby Sound Festival

July
1 - Piazzola Sul Brenta (PD), Italy - Postpay Sound
9 - Les Remparts De Longwy, France - Rock’n’Roll Train Festival
22 - Vinci (FI), Italy - Festa Dell’Unicorno

August
13 - Graz, Austria - Metal On The Hill Festival

(Photo - Allessandro Olgiati)

Transcending Obscurity Classics will reissue the Deceased album Fearless Undead Machine on June 10th. The album was originally released in 1997 by Relapse Records.

Fearless Undead Machines is one of the landmark albums in the thrash/death metal style. While the first two Deceased albums were great, this one just took the band to another level altogether. The surreal zombie concept was phenomenally well done and executed; each of the songs reek of that dread and pensive heart-throbbing atmosphere. The solos continue to be incredibly memorable and inspiring, the vocals shudder with that rare horror-themed conviction, the drumming remains brisk and vibrant throughout, while the guitarists paint a thrilling image of the post-apocalyptic zombie-infested world with some of the most sublime riffs any metalhead will ever hear. Few albums have come close to the ambitious storytelling skills and majesty of this one. Even fewer sound as fresh and exciting a couple of decades later. This is a veritable classic. 

The original artwork and sound have been retained on this official reissue authorized by King Fowley, and contains special liner notes and pictures that weren't present in the first pressing. Experience an unforgettable classic in its original glory all over again. 

This is the second release on the new sub-label, Transcending Obscurity Classics, after Greek death/crust metal band Abyssus' release Once Entombed released earlier this year. Preorders can be found on Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“The Silent Creature”
“Contamination”
“Fearless Undead Machines”
“From The Ground They Came”
“Night Of The Deceased”
“Graphic Repulsion”
“Mysterious Research”
“Beyond Science”
“Unhuman Drama”
“The Psychic”
“Destiny”

Specially commissioned artwork made by none other than Mark Riddick for this release:

Swiss heavy metal band, Headless Crown, have released a video for the track “Here Comes The Night”, featured on their debut album Time For Revolution, out now via Massacre Records.

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

Tracklisting:

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

“Edge Of Sanity” video:

Bassist Rob Hakemo of Swedish extreme metallers THE RESISTANCE was interviewed on the April 29 edition of "The Rock Show With Gully And Joe" (click here for more info). You can now listen to the podcast using the widget below.

Speaking about the circumstances that led up to THE RESISTANCE's split with guitarist Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES) shortly after the release of the band's sophomore full-length album, "Coup De Grâce", Rob said: "Actually, in 2013, [Jesper] was good. He was clean and he was sober, and he was getting in shape and all that. And then in 2014, everything went back again. So he's an alcoholic or drug addict. I think he doesn't want to go sober. He thinks that two weeks [sober] is good, and then he can drink some. And then he's gone for a month, and then he's back and he's not drinking [for a short while]. It's a sad thing, and we really tried to help him and wanted the best [for him]. So when he told us that 'I'm leaving the band,' we were relieved. We were really relieved."

Rob went on to say that Jesper's continuing battle with alcoholism is "tragic." But, he added, "at the same time, he saved the band [by leaving]. It's a weird thing, but that's how it is."

Hakemo also talked about his current relationship with Strömblad, less than two months after Jesper took issue with his former bandmates' revelation that "depression" played a part in his decision to exit THE RESISTANCE. He said: "[Jesper] got upset with [our statement regarding his split with the band]. I don't know why. But he's an addict, and he can scream and yell, and then the next day he's calm and the best guy in the world. It's always been like that with Jesper — as long as I've known him. He's really the sweetest guy ever when you talk to him when he's sober and stuff, when he's got his act together. Otherwise it's a nightmare."

Despite this, Rob said that he wanted nothing but the best for Strömblad. "I hope, really, he's getting [another project] together," he said. "I think he's kind of frustrated right now, because THE RESISTANCE also failed, like IN FLAMES. They didn't 'fail,' but they got rid of him. I think there's some real nasty frustration in him right now. And I hope he gets well and gets a [new] band soon."

According to Rob, THE RESISTANCE's issues with Jesper had a negative effect on the recording process for "Coup De Grâce". He said: "It was a fucking mess. It was me and [drummer] Chris [Barkensjö, ex-KAAMOS, GRAVE] holding the band together, actually, and we wrote the stuff [for the album]. [Guitarist] Glenn [Ljungström, ex-IN FLAMES] came up with two songs, kind of, and I wrote the rest of it, lyric-wise and music-wise. Chris is doing the lyrics, like forty or fifty percent, I think, so he helped out a lot. It was kind of a messy experience, and I was kind of worried that I was ruining the sound [laughs] [by taking over the songwriting process], but the other guys were, like, 'No, it's great stuff, and we're gonna do this.' And when we sent the album to the label, they thought it was the best album yet. So I was kind of surprised."

Ljungström also left THE RESISTANCE after "Coup De Grâce" was recorded due to "personal stuff." He has since been replaced by Daniel Antonsson, who has previously played with SOILWORK and DARK TRANQUILLITY.

Hakemo wanted to reassure THE RESISTANCE's fans that the band will forge ahead despite the recent lineup changes. "I don't think there's anything to be worried about, 'cause I think the band is stronger than ever," he said. "And right now it's four members sober and knowing what they're doing."

Although there has been no official announcement, Rob believes that a replacement for Strömblad has already been found. "I think we've got [a new guitarist]. 'Cause Daniel Antonsson, he knows a guy and they've been friends for a while, and he thinks this guy will be good for us. So we'll see what happens," he said.

Rounding out THE RESISTANCE's current lineup is vocalist Marco Aro (THE HAUNTED).

In a statement confirming his exit from THE RESISTANCE, Jesper revealed that he "was to hell and back last year," and admitted: "I am alcoholic and the band suffered a lot for that, but stuff happened during that time that changed my mind about a lot and the direction I personally wanted to go."

"Coup De Grâce" came out on January 22 via earMUSIC.

Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Great White frontman Terry Ilous (ex-XYZ) has checked in with the following update:

"Some of you may know me as the lead singer for Great White and one of the founding members of XYZ, but I am thrilled to announce that I am currently working on a new semi-acoustic solo project along with very special guests; that will be a fusion of rock, blues and flamenco!

I’ve teamed up with PledgeMusic so that you can pre-order the project now, pledge towards exclusive merchandise and packages allowing us to create, market, and promote the project; making you a part of the music making process. Pre-order it along with limited and exclusive items only available through PledgeMusic. Some of the items include signed out of print CDs, photos, limited edition packages, hand-written lyric sheets, tour gear, and more! Every order will come with a digital download of my new release, and an exclusive Access Pass unlocking bonus content that you can’t get anywhere else. The AccessPass will take you behind-the-scenes, to the studio, the road, and more ! Stay tuned here for additional content, package updates and product releases.

Thank you for being a part of my musical journey. This project means a lot to me, and I love you guys."

Check out Ilous' PledgeMusic campaign here.

Photo taken from the official Terry Ilous Facebook page

Drummer Mike Terrana (Tarja, Rage, Axel Rudi Pell) has joined Italian progressive metal band, Vision Divine. The band has uploaded the video below, with the caption, “Ladies and gentleman... our new drummer! Our deepest gratitude to Andrea Falaschi for the help with making this video.”

Says Terrana: “Hello everyone. I would like to thank the guys in Vision Divine for inviting me to join their band! Here is a video of our first practice session together!”

A few words from Mike in the video below:

More from Vision Divine: “We'd like to underline that he's an amazing drummer for sure, but in these days he proved to be an even more amazing and humble person. Please everybody give him a warm welcome!”

The Los Angeles screening for the second "Inside Metal" title "LA Metal Scene Explodes" will take place Thursday, June 2 in Hollywood, California at the Attic (formerly Cinespace) and Monday, June 6 at The Regency Theaters Valley Plaza 6 in North Hollywood, California. This is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut "Inside Metal" film "Pioneers of LA Hard Rock And Metal". This title focuses on the monumental era of the L.A. metal scene, from 1981 to 1986, when local hard rock and metal bands took Los Angeles by storm, featuring in-depth exclusive interviews with over 60 metal icons and pivotal players including musicians, managers, journalists and label execs highlighted by rare archival concert footage, photographs and music from the influential artists of that groundbreaking era.

"Inside Metal: LA Metal Scene Explodes" is a two-volume DVD set featuring narration by John Bush of ARMORED SAINT. DVD 1 will be released worldwide on June 10, with DVD 2 to be released in early August.

"Inside Metal: LA Metal Scene Explodes" features:

* Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)* Stephen Pearcy (RATT)* Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT, RATT)* Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE)* Don Dokken (DOKKEN)* Dave Meniketti (Y&T)* David Ellefson (MEGADETH)* Chris Holmes and Randy Piper (W.A.S.P.)* John Bush and Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT)* Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS)* Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DETHKLOK)* Ron Keel (STEELER, KEEL)* LEATHERWOLF* Bruce Bouilett (RACER X)* Betsy Weiss (BITCH)* Jaime St. James (BLACK 'N BLUE)* LIZZY BORDEN* Marty Friedman* Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS)* Joe Floyd (WARRIOR)* Ann Boleyn (HELLION)* Steve Plunkett (AUTOGRAPH)* Nadir D'Priest (LONDON)

Two screening dates are set for Los Angeles. Several of the featured artists will be on hand at both screenings as will the directors and producers of the film. Both volumes of the movie (80 minutes each) will be screened, with a 20-minute intermission, so please prepare for a three-hour screening.

A new song from Demonic Obedience‘s forthcoming second album Nocturnal Hymns To The Fallen has been released with the track “Portal Of The Sacred Kan”.

Set for release on May 18th via Satanath Records and Sevared Records, Nocturnal Hymns To The Fallen was recorded at Deception Studio in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was mixed and mastered by Achilleas at Achillman Studios in Greece and follows-up the band’s debut album Morbid Supremacy Of Evil released in 2014. Preorders are available on 
Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Create The Shapeless”
“Portal Of The Sacred Kan”
“Forced Obscenity”
“Impermissible Irreverence Pt. 1”
“Nocturnal Imagery”
“Godmade Beast”
“Impermissible Irreverence Pt. 2”
“Gehenna” 

“Portal Of The Sacred Kan”:

“Nocturnal Imagery”:

Suns Of Thyme have released a video for “Intuition Unbound”, a track from their upcoming sophomore album, Cascades, out on May 27th via Napalm Records. Watch the new video below.

Tobias Feltes (vocals) comments: “This song can roughly be divided in two parts, with the first part being an internal lament and the second being a message from the future self. A dialog between you and an older, wiser you.”

Synopsis director Easton West comments: “The storyline is about a wise forest stewart who leads his apprentice through the land teaching her ancient ways until one morning he finds a supernatural blue seed in the wetlands. The discovery initiates a mystical ritual that transfers his ancient knowledge to his apprentice, inaugurating her as the new keeper of the land.“

The video stars Swiss actor David Bennent (The Tin Drum, A Dangerous Fortune) and actress Sarah Johnson, and was directed by Easton West of Klein and West, a Berlin based production company and ensemble of film creatives whose work crosses over between narrative, documentary and commercial realms.

It’s hard to imagine that something called krautgaze could grow up in any other place than Berlin. In its glittering darkness, the city is a perfect breeding ground for a band like Suns Of Thyme. The five-piece crashes together space rock, shoegaze, psych and Velvet Underground on its sophomore album Cascades.

Cascades was mastered by Brian Lucey, Magic Garden Mastering in Los Angeles (The Black Keys, Marilyn Manson, Arctic Monkeys, Ray LaMontagne, Ghost).

Cascades tracklisting:

“Do Or Die”
“Intuition Unbound”
“Ich Traeum‘ von Dir”
“To Vanish”
“Rush”
“Schweben”
“Deep Purple Rain”
“Val Verde”
“The Field”
“Aphelion”
“Prelude”
“In Dreams Awake”
“Kirwani”
“Kirwani II”

“Do Or Die” lyric video:

Pre-orders for Cascades are available here for European customers, and here for US customers.

Suns of Thyme is:

Tammo Dehn - Synths, Percussions, Sampler
Tobias Feltes - Vocals, Guitars, Sitar
Tim Hoppe - Guitars
Jascha Kreft - Drums, Vocals
Jens Rosenkranz - Bass  

North American syndicated rock radio show and website InTheStudio With Redbeard: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 45th anniversary of Jethro Tull’s international breakout album Aqualung with singer/songwriter and flautist Ian Anderson.

Definitely not your typical rock star, wild-eyed Englishman, Ian Anderson literally leaped onto the London music scene in 1968 at the front of Jethro Tull. His Elizabethan madman look, standing on one leg complete with striped tights and sashes, made him a standout, not to mention his musical weapon of choice being a flute instead of a guitar.  

After three critically and moderately successful Jethro Tull albums, in 1971 Ian wrote the songs for Aqualung  which include timeless fan favorites “Cross-Eyed Mary”, “Locomotive Breath”, “Mother Goose”, “Hymn #43”, the title song “Aqualung” and “My God”. Pitting the familiar struggle of spiritual faith with sometimes hypocritical worldly religion (a topic popularized then in other mediums like the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar & Godspell), Aqualung may very well have been the headiest record of its day. Ian Anderson elaborates to InTheStudio host Redbeard.

Ian Anderson: “The crazy thing about writing an album like Aqualung is that a lot of these things I wrote about  were actually what I felt about when I was fifteen or sixteen. I don’t feel that different now. Not a lot has changed... It’s an important piece of music to me and once in a while there’s a kid in the audience, seventeen years old or whatever, for whom it becomes important.”  

The interview with Anderson is available for streaming at this location.

Massachusetts metal veterans Within The Ruins have entered the studio to begin recording an all new LP to be released later this year. The band will record the new effort from their own studio with producer and guitar player Joe Cocchi at the helm. Vocal production will take place at Zing studios in Westfield, MA with Jim Fogarty (Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada). "The writing process was a bit different for this album," says Cocchi. "We took a step back and kind of reviewed some of our older material. Typically we'd rush and blast out a group of songs and then hit the studio. At the time it felt right. And It had a more organic feel. Now because of a combination of maturity and honestly just feeling sick of the same old formula, we really focused on creating something different sounding."

The yet to be named album will be the band’s follow-up to the Phenomena LP released in 2014. Cocchi concludes, "We went back to a more organic style of writing and production. I personally was finally able to abandon a lot of my writing habits or 'rules,' if you will. No more 'oh, that part doesn't really sound like us, have to change that,' type of bullshit. Doing that created a fresher sound. This is the most raw and extreme sounding material we've ever written. Keep an eye out for studio blogs and more updates."

British folk-metal pioneers SKYCLAD are hard at work on their as-yet-untitled thirteenth studio album.

Following the return of guitarist Dave Pugh to the band's lineup as a permanent member in 2014, SKYCLAD played several major festival shows, including France's Hellfest and England's Bloodstock Open Air, before being forced to take a year-long break in 2015.

This February, SKYCLAD got back together to work on the follow-up to 2009's "In The... All Together".

The band comments: "We're really excited about having Dave back in the band. He's a fantastic guy, a great musician and songwriter!

"The whole band is really inspired, and we're making good progress on the album. Most of the bits and pieces are there already.

"Even though we played a couple of 'old school shows' recently, the new LP definitely won't be a thrash album; but it will be no typical folk metal album either. We'll use all the options we now have — with three guitarists, additional vocals, fiddle, keyboards, bass and drums — to create an album that will be the same but different. 100% SKYCLAD!"

SKYCLAD hopes to release the new album within the next twelve months .

The band's next live appearance will be at Germany's Dong Open Air in July.

In other news, SKYCLAD's "A Bellyful Of Emptiness - The Very Best Of The Noise Years 1991-1995" will be released on May 27 as part of BMG's re-launch of the legendary German metal label Noise Records.

SKYCLAD is:

Kevin Ridley - VocalsGeorgina Biddle - ViolinSteve Ramsey - GuitarDave Pugh - GuitarGraeme English - BassArron Walton - Drums

Norwegian rock band Pristine, featuring lead singer and primus motor Heidi Solheim, have inked a worldwide record deal with Nuclear Blast. With three albums out, the last release Reboot (January 2016) was the first release outside of Norway and got much attention abroad.

Heidi Solheim comments: "This is such a big step for Pristine! Nuclear Blast is not only a large company with great muscle power in the music business, but it is run by passionate and warm hearted people who choose their signings wisely. I feel this is a great compliment and really believe that together we will release a lot of great music in the years to come!"

Heidi Solheim is already well on the way of writing new music for the next album for a tentative spring 2017 release. In July Pristine will visit Germany again and in November the band will be back for another comprehensive tour in Europe. Dates to be announced soon.

Berlin, Germany-based Earth Ship have released a lyric video for “Valley Of Thorns”, a track from their upcoming album, Hollowed, set to be released on June 24th via Napalm Records.

Says the band: ““Valley Of Thorns” is one of our faster, a bit more progressive and cheerful tracks of the album but quite the opposite are the lyrics, mainly dealing with emptiness and despair. A sad and lonesome trip into oblivion but in a very colorful and metaphorical way. It shows you up somehow that we’re all running our private race against time before it’s all over and gone. Life is short, let’s get some shots!”

Behold the power of the riff in all shapes and sizes: It would be a serious understatement, even borderline ignorance to simply lump Earth Ship in with the rest of the sludge rock genre – a horribly abused and undefined tag.

Earth Ship was born in 2010 and present an intriguing mix of heavy metal, fuzzy stoner rock and some of the finest sludge to date. The band has already released three full-length albums and toured all across Europe and the UK. Now it’s time to take the next step together with their new home at Napalm Records.

Hollowed tracklisting:

“Reduced To Ashes”
“Hollowed”
“Valley Of Thorns”
“Conjured”
“Monolith”
“In Fire's Light”
“In The Arms Of Medusa”
“Castle Of Sorrow”
“Safeguard Of Death”
“Red Leaves”
“The Edge Of Time”
“Blood Candy” (Bonus Track)
“The Edge Of Time” - Acoustic (Bonus Track)

On Hollowed, the band once more gracefully tackle the soft yet stronger dynamic of bands like Kylesa and Crowbar, celebrating and crowning the whole thing with morbid melodies Alice In Chains would be proud of. Saturated with monolithic doom and hauntingly good!

Earth Ship states: "Musically and lyrically, hollowed is a dark and baleful journey through oceans of sludge and vast whisky-flooded valleys to the edge of time."

Pre-order the new album here.

A year and a half after the release of their latest album, Silence, horror metallers Cadaveria have entered the recording studio to work on the production of a new EP.

This work will represent something totally new in the history of the band, that this year celebrate 15 years of activity. In fact legendary thrashers Necrodeath, that share two band members with Cadaveria (Flegias aka Marçelo Santos, singer in Necrodeath and drummer in Cadaveria, and GL aka Peter Dayton, bassist in both bands), will take part in this EP.

Cadaveria herself has defined this collaboration, "a blood pact between two diabolic entities that will give life to a new irreligious and obscure soul".

The two bands have signed an agreement with the label Black Tears for the release of their EP in the European territory. Updates to follow.

Cadaveria recently released a music video for “Carnival Of Doom”, a track from their latest album Silence. Cadaveria released Silence on November 18th, 2014 via Scarlet Records. The new video can be seen below.

Swedish hair metal outfit Crazy Lixx will release their first live album, Sound Of The LIVE Minority, on July 8th. Pre-order the album via the Amazon link below.

Coming out of the Swedish hard rock scene - with influences from bands like Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, KISS, Whitesnake/David Coverdale, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe - Sound Of The LIVE Minority is the band’s first live album, coming after four increasingly successful studio albums.

”It’s a milestone for every rock band,” says lead singer Danny Rexon. And a milestone it is, in more than one way. On the one hand, it is the perfect record to sum up four studio albums and more than a decade as a touring band in an hour plus documentation of energetic, live rock n’ roll with the very best songs from their catalogue and most requested fan favourites. On the other hand, it also marks the end of the band’s most successful lineup, with guitarist Andreas Z Eriksson (now with british Hard Rockers Inglorious) as the lead guitar slinger. This live performance was his last show with the band.

“We wanted to release this live album both to mark an end to the old Crazy Lixx, as well as a statement of a new beginning for the current lineup. On this show, Jens Lundgren had already taken over the guitar duties from our former guitarist Edd Liam so in a sense this gig represents both the old and the new,” says Danny.

The album was recorded at Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, Germany in July 2015 and has been mixed by Chris Laney who has previously been entrusted to mix live albums for Europe, Talisman and CrashDïet, among others.

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Rock And A Hard Place”
“Lock Up Your Daughter”
“Blame It On Love”
“Sound Of The Loud Minority”
“Riot Avenue”
“Call To Action”
“Road To Babylon”
“My Medicine (R.O.C.K)”
“Hell Raising Women”
“Girls Of The 80's” (+ intro for “Heroes are Forever”)
“Heroes Are Forever”
“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”
“21' Til I Die”

Lineup:

Danny Rexon (vocals)
Andreas Z Eriksson (guitar)
Jens Lundgren (guitar)
Joél Cirera (drums)
Jens Sjöholm (bass)

 

 

Following the news that Margie Gerlitz has been confirmed as new permanent female singer in the band, Deadlock has announced the first details of their brand new studio album, including title, cover artwork, tracklisting and release date.

For all who missed it – Sabine Scherer has decided to leave Deadlock to have more time for her family and her two children. Sabine has released a special farewell video for her fans and supporters, including the first audio sample with Margie! Check it out below:

Deadlock have risen from the ashes, scarred, but with their heads held high, fully fueled with new strength and their well-known passion for releasing their upcoming album, entitled Hybris.

Hybris is set to be released on July 8th via Napalm Records and turns out to be a multi-faceted monster in terms of both shape and content. At the same time it painfully digs through the latest events in the Deadlock camp. Despite the tragic death of founder and drummer Tobias Graf (immortalized with a moment of silence on the album) and the departure of singer Sabine Scherer (now replaced by Margie Gerlitz), the megalomaniac creative urge could not be suppressed.

Sebastian Reichl on Hybris: “Hybris is both powerlessness and hope, melancholia and confidence united, accounting for the past in the truest sense. The effort to meet your demons, to forgive and to find salvation with your own history. The release of dammed aggressions and wash away all fears. Put all wrath and anger in music and lyrics to fill with new passion. This is all what Hybris symbolizes and you can feel it every second on the album. It was our longest trip. Giving up was never an option.”

Hybris tracklisting:

“Epitaph”
“Carbonman”
“Berserk”
“Blood Ghost”
“Hybris”
“Wrath / Salvation”
“Backstory Wound”
“Ein Deutsches Requiem”
“Vergebung”
“Welcome Deathrow”
“Uncivil Hands” (Bonus Track)
“Fight Song” (Bonus Track)

Hybris finds its inseparable counterpart in a 90 min. DVD documentary, The Longest Road, that translates the album concept to visuals. The DVD tracklisting reads as follows:

Intro
Winter - Restart
Spring - Songwriting
Summer - Demo
Fall - Pre-Production
Winter - Recordings
Spring - Hybris
Credits

Deadlock have always been about extremes – and always will be! Fans love these Germans for every emotional force run through the raging depths of death metal, technical prowess, borderline pop-laden melodies, nods to classic metal, and casual flirtation with trance and beats. A gripping and blunt rollercoaster ride that sees light in the blackest night – and that is something only Deadlock can achieve!

See Deadlock live at these upcoming summer festivals:

July
3 - Basinfirefest - Spálené Porící, Czech Republic
7 - Rockharz - Ballenstedt, Germany
8 - Out & Loud - Geiselwind, Germany

August
19 - Summerbreeze - Dinkelsbühl, Germany
20 - Rockin' Rümmerschen - Wenden, Germany
26 - Metalacker Festival - Tennenbronn, Germany

Deadlock lineup:

Margie Gerlitz - Vocals
John Gahlert - Vocals
Werner Riedl - Drums
Ferdinand Rewicki - Guitar
Sebastian Reichel - Guitar
Christian Simmerl - Bass

Each episode of Digital Tour Bus's "Tour Pranks" features an artist telling one or more of their favorite prank stories from being on tour. In the latest episode, which was filmed on October 11, 2015 in Joliet, Illinois, SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera reveals some of the the pranks he and his bandmates have pulled on the road.

Drummer Zyon Cavalera did not play with SOULFLY on the band's recent South American tour, which concluded on April 16 in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital city. Filling in for him was Kanky Lora, who plays drums for SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo's solo band.

SOULFLY last month embarked on a four-week U.S. headlining tour. Joining them on the trek are brutal death metal legends SUFFOCATION, Metal Blade recording artists BATTLECROSS, as well as ABORMALITY and LODY KONG.

SOULFLY's tenth studio album, "Archangel", was released on August 14, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced and mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, BEHEMOTH, CHILDREN OF BODOM), and features cover artwork by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED, ICED EARTH, SODOM).

Plying bass for SOULFLY is Mike Leon, who was previously a member of HAVOK. Leon said: "I've been a fan of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and his music since I was a little kid, and to be playing with him and the guys now is truly unbelievable!"

SWEET CREATURE is a new hard rock band fronted by Martin Sweet, best known as lead guitarist for Swedish sleaze rockers CRASHDÏET. Together with brother Michael of TOXICROSE on drums, Tin Star of GEMINI FIVE on bass, and longtime songwriting partner Linus Nirbrant from THIS ENDING on rhythm guitar, the group has recorded a full-length studio album due later this year. First out is the single "Not Like Others", the official video for which can be seen below. The clip was directed by Jimmy Johansson of Super Lino Puro Productions.

Martin, who is handling the lead vocals, describes the sound as classic hard rock with gloomy melodies and lyrics.

"I have all these songs that don't necessary fit in to the CRASHDÏET formula, so I figured it was time to work with other musicians," he says. "I've always sung on my own demos so taking on the lead vocals is nothing new to me."

SWEET CREATURE's as-yet-untitled album is currently being mixed at Linus's own Audiogrind Studio. The band has not yet decided on a suitable record label to release the effort.

SWEET CREATURE is:

Martin Sweet - lead vocals, lead guitarMichael Txc - drumsLinus Nirbrant - vocals, rhythm guitarTin Star - bass

Martin Sweet has been a member of CRASHDÏET for over a decade, with four albums and extensive global touring under his belt. Linus, a studio technician and death metal guitarist, has a long history of writing and recording with Martin. They started working on the project as an experiment in 2014 with a goal of recording a simple four-song EP. The project however, was so satisfying that the decision to make an album was inevitable.

The name SWEET CREATURE is taken from Martin Sweet, but it also comes from the devilish character on the single cover art created by A.Fyra. "He's called Vester and lives inside us all,"says Martin.

As for the status of CRASHDÏET, Martin states: "CRASHDÏET is not over. It's just sleeping and recovering from the past ten years of mayhem. Meanwhile, I'm truly excited about SWEET CREATURE."

Global Brews has teamed up with Icon Beverages company and the rock band MOTÖRHEAD to launch a new apple cider.

Snaggletooth — named after one of the band's songs — is the result of 12 months' worth of development. A 5.5% ABV bottled cider, it is described as a "unique sweetened dry British apple cider, crafted with a juice blend of the finest Dabinet, Michelin and dessert apple varieties to give a perfectly balanced, refreshing taste.

"Created in tribute to and in celebration of the loudest rock music on the planet, Snaggletooth Motörhead Cider packs a real punch."

MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell said: "As a longtime cider aficionado, I am well qualified and proud to recommend this golden liquid."

MOTÖRHEAD's branded Snaggletooth cider follows the earlier release of a lager, vodka, shiraz and whisky as part of MOTÖRHEAD's beverage portfolio.

Global Brews was formed in 2011 to support MOTÖRHEAD and other rock bands in the development of quality beverage products and has an expanding portfolio of "rocking beverages."

MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy died last December at the age of 70. He told The Guardian earlier in the year that he had changed his lifestyle by swapping from Jack and Coke to vodka and orange, apparently to help with his diabetes. "I like orange juice better," he said. "So, Coca-Cola can fuck off."

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor will play a Shark World hotel security guard in the fourth installment in Syfy's cult "Sharknado" franchise, which will air Sunday, July 31 at 8 p.m. on the cable network.

In "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens", Ian Ziering will reprise his role as shark-fighting hero Fin Shepard, while Tara Reid is set to return as April Wexler. The fourth addition to the hit global franchise also sees the return of David Hasselhoff as Gil Shepard and Ryan Newman as Claudia Shepard.

"Sharknado: The 4th Awakens" will take place five years after the East Coast was ravaged in "Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!" Fin, his family and the cosmos have been blissfully sharknado-free in the intervening years, but now sharks — and 'nados! - are being whipped up in places (and ways) least expected...

"Sharknado: The 4th Awakens" will also star:

* Cynthia Bailey ("The Real Housewives Of Atlanta"), Robert Herjavec ("Shark Tank"), Kym Johnson ("Dancing With The Stars"), TV host Carrie Keagan, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah ("That's So Raven"), Gena Lee Nolin ("Sheena") and Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch") will play various Astro-X rocket scientists and astrophysicists.* Benjy Bronk ("The Howard Stern Show") will play a morning show host.* Duane Chapman ("Dog The Bounty Hunter") will play a chainsaw dealer.* Stacey Dash ("Clueless", Fox News correspondent) will play the Mayor of Chicago.* Jay DeMarcus of RASCAL FLATTS will play the manager of the Shark World hotel.* David Faustino ("Married With Children") will play a Las Vegas gambler.* Lori Greiner ("Shark Tank") will play a home-shopping guru.* MMA fighter Frank Mir will play the head of security for the Shark World hotel.* Dr. Drew Pinsky ("Loveline") will play a pastor.* Patti Stanger ("Millionaire Matchmaker") will play a reporter.* Lastly, the following individuals will appear as themselves: Vince Neil of MÖTLEY CRÜE and Wayne Newton, along with Todd, Savannah and Grayson Chrisley ("Chrisley Knows Best").

Atmospheric metal band The Vision Bleak will release its new album, The Unknown, on June 3rd via Prophecy Productions. The German group's sixth full-length release, The Unknown, sees The Vision Bleak shed songwriting patterns of its past; gone are the tried-and-trusted nods to horror classics and fictional terror, to legend and lore, replaced with intimate tales of personal demons and the horror that lives within themselves.

Fantastical artwork by legendary metal artist Dan Seagrave (Entombed, Gorguts, Morbid Angel) lavishly brings the album's title to life. For a close-up look at the art, visit DanSeagrave.com.

A lyric video for the record's roll-out track, "The Kindred Of The Sunset”, can be found below.

The Unknown is advanced as The Vision Bleak's "second birth". While the band has taken a wholly different approach to lyrical inspiration on the new album, longtime fans will also find plenty of familiar elements on The Unknown. Ulf Theodor Schwadorf's (also of Empyrium) unique guitar melodies, Allen B. Konstanz' unmistakable vocals and the overall gripping atmospheres combine to create a total work of art in image and sound.

The album will be released in a variety of high-quality formats, including CD digisleeve, gatefold LP (180 gram vinyl, black) with poster and PVC protection sleeve (500 copies available) and as a 2xCD box set which includes CD digisleeve, a bonus CD with two bonus tracks and wall flag of the Seagravve cover painting (limited to 1,000 copies).

Tracklisting:

“Spirits Of The Dead”
“From Wolf To Peacock”
“The Kindred Of The Sunset”
“Into The Unknown”
“Ancient Heart”
“The Whine Of The Cemetery Hound”
“How Deep Lies Tartaros?”
“Who May Oppose Me?”
“The Fragrancy Of Soil Unearthed”

“The Kindred Of The Sunset” lyric video:

Pre-order The Unknown at this location.