New Jersey metal titans, Fit For An Autopsy, have released a brand new music video for their track "Hollow Shell”, taken from their latest LP Absolute Hope Absolute Hell.

Directed by first time collaborator Bobby Bates, the video is the second one the band has released since the visually stunning video for the title track "Absolute Hope Absolute Hell" was released last year.

The band set out on The Fury Tour supporting label mates Unearth and will play select dates through early April. Fit For An Autopsy will then set out on The Coffin Dragger Tour supporting Thy Art Is Murder for the majority of the spring, click here for all tour dates.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

From The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive founder Randy Bachman comes the power blues rock trio, Bachman. The group’s song “Learn To Fly”, from the Heavy Blues album, can be found below.

The force behind “Takin’ Care of Business”, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” and “American Woman”, Heavy Blues draws from Randy Bachman’s love of classic 60s blues rock and he emerges with a blistering collection of Bachman originals. Guest soloists include Neil Young, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, Peter Frampton and the late Jeff Healey.

With internationally-acclaimed producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Rush, Led Zeppelin) at the helm, Heavy Blues marks the rare occasion that Randy Bachman has relinquished the producer reins.

“'I’ve known Kevin for many years and watched his producer credits grow to include many rock legends,” explains Randy Bachman. “I knew that he could push me past my limit, pull me onto new paths and direct me down new roads.”

A legendary figure in rock n’ roll, Randy Bachman has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards around the world for performing and producing. As the co-founder and principal songwriter for The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman’s monstrous hits have garnered him the coveted #1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and he has amassed over 40 million records sold.

 

 

Heavy Blues tracklisting:

"The Edge"
"Ton Of Bricks" (Featuring Scott Holiday)
"Bad Child" (Featuring Joe Bonamassa)
"Little Girl Lost" (Featuring Neil Young)
"Learn To Fly"
"Oh My Lord" (Featuring Robert Randolph)
"Confessin’ To The Devil" (Featuring Jeff Healey)
"Heavy Blues" (Featuring Peter Frampton)
"Wild Texas Ride"
"Please Come To Paris" (Featuring Luke Doucet)
"We Need To Talk"

"Learn To Fly”:

“Oh My Lord” video:

“The Edge” video:

"Bad Child" featuring Joe Bonamassa:

EPK:

 

 



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Italian thrashers, Braindamage, will release their new album, The Downfall, via My Kingdom Music on April 18th. Listen to the new song, “Last Of The Kings, First Of The Slaves”, streaming below.

Seven years after their last work, Braindamage return with their most futuristic, abrasive and visionary output of their 28-year career. The Downfall is a concept album based on the novel Kahlenberg, The Queen In Red And Other Tales, written by Andrea, bass player, vocalist and leader of the band. The story deals about power agents who fight for the conquest of the world during one thousand years since 1066 in different places of the Earth. The last one of these agents permits to the mysterious Red Empress (or Queen in Red) to start the conquest of the planet, starting from Turin, through a thermonuclear war.

The cover artwork was created by Stefania Didonato.

Tracklisting:

“Substituting Forgiveness With Mass Destruction”
“God Granted Your Prayers Through Nuclear Warheads”
“She Can Smell The Blood Of A Surrendering Race”
“I Owe You A Billion Years Of Terror”
“Subhuman's Towns Merciless Obliteration”
“Queen Acadienne's Floating Mirrors And Tarots”
“Last Of The Kings, First Of The Slaves”
“The Shadow That I Cast Is Yours, Not Mine”
“You Nailed My Soul I Burned Your Flesh”
“The Downfall Is Here To Stay, I Shall Fight Until The End”

“Last Of The Kings, First Of The Slaves”:

Pre-order the album at this location.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

New England's Caricature has previewed another new track, due for release by the end of the month. “Stampede” promises to be epic, and that's not an exaggeration. Twenty-seven plus minutes in length, it is a progressive metal masterpiece. It is also about a very special cat. You can watch the teaser below.

“Stampede” will be the second new track to appear in advance of Caricature's next full-length album,The Fiction We've Become. Fiction.. is due for release later in 2016.

Last month saw the release of the dizzying “Eat Shit And Die”. The inventive video for that track can be seen below. In addition to releasing new tracks on Bandcamp, for a limited time fans can buy all of Caricature's releases in a special package for 20% off the typical price. This includes 2015's acclaimed “Shadows” (maxi single) release, The Sound Of One Man's World Collapsing  and The Birth By Sleep EP. Purchase here.

Caricature's current line-up

Joseph Spiller - Guitar and Vocals
Evan Sammons - Drums and Programming
Gerrard Vachon - Guitar

Stay tuned for more news from Caricature, including another single release coming soon.
 
(Band photo - Nuraj Shrestha)



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Iconic Norwegian black metallers, Ragnarok, will release their eighth studio album, Psychopathology, on March 25th. The 11-track album is set for release via Agonia Records and is now available for pre-order via the label's webshop. A full album stream can be found below.

Psychopathology was recorded at the Endarker Studio in Sweden with Marduk bassist Devo at the helm. Following last year's surprise announcement that Ragnarok founder and drummer Jontho would be stepping out from behind the drum kit to take on the role of frontman and Dauden’s Malignant would take his place on drums, the lineup on the album comprises Jontho on vocals, Bolverk on guitars, Malignant on drums, and, making his swansong appearance with the band, DezeptiCunt on bass.

Psychopathology tracklisting:

“Dominance And Submission”
“I Hate”
“Psychopathology”
“My Creator”
“Infernal Majesty”
“Heretic”
“Into The Abyss”
“The Eighth Of The Seven Plagues”
“Lies”
“Blood”
“Where Dreams Come To Die”

Album stream:

With artwork by the Brazilian graphic artist Marcelo Vasco (Slayer, Machine Head, Dimmu Borgir), Psychopathology will be available in Jewel Case CD and Limited Edition black vinyl formats, as well as in transparent brown vinyl with red, yellow, white and blue splatter, strictly limited to 133 hand-numbered copies. Additionally, Agonia will release a CD Box which will be limited to 666 copies and which will include Psychopathology in CD format, a logo pin, poster, booklet with rare photos and old interviews, and the bonus compilation CD Chaos And Insanity Between 1994-2004 (details of which can be found below ).

As mentioned above, in addition to Psychopathology, Ragnarok will also release a special compilation album titled Chaos And Insanity Between 1994-2004, which features a rare collection of the band's early demos and EPs. The compilation will be released on Agonia Records at the same time as Psychopathology and will also be available in Limited Edition black vinyl, as well as in a red vinyl version which will be limited to 133 hand-numbered copies.

Chaos and Insanity Between 1994-2004 tracklisting:

I.Pagan Land demo 1994
“Intro”
“Pagan Land”
“From The Darkest Deep”
“Et Vinterland I Nord”
“Hammerens Slag”
“Ragnarok”

II.Various Unreleased tracks:
“Et Vinterland I Nord” (Ørevox version)
“Under The Wings Of Satan” (pre-production)
“Fainted Eyes” (Celtic Frost cover)
“Live 2004”

Jontho recently had this to say about fans can expect from Psychopathology: "I can say with absolute certainty that this album will be the best in Ragnarok's career to date. It is the result of dedication, hard work, and the musical skills of our lineup, and is the next stage in the band's development, both musically and lyrically. Psychopathology is about to unleash total chaos upon you as it invites you to dive deeper into the dark recesses of the human mind.”

 



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Italian horror metallers, Cadaveria, have released their new 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 found below.

 

 

Tracklisting:

"Velo (The Other Side Of Hate)"
"Carnival Of Doom"
"Free Spirit"
"The Soul That Doesn't Sleep"
"Existence"
"Out Loud"
"Death, Again"
"Exercise1"
"Almost Ghostly"
"Loneliness"
"Strangled Idols"

"Carnival Of Doom" video:

"Strangled Idols" video:

Trailer:

Cadaveria frontlady Cadaveria Herself will be one of the main characters of HipstApocalypse game. An epic adventure filled with tons of heavy metal references, set in the magical city of Turin, populated by hideous zombies. A must-play for all the metalheads, PC & Mac gamers, PS4 & Xbox addicted.

HipstApocalypse press release states:

“Man, this hangover is killing me. Feels like Pantera and Slayer are merrily smashing my neurons. I’ve fallen straight in an apocalyptic scenario and zombies seem to be all over the place. Um, way too weird zombies, actually, as they are…Hipster Zombies! Naked ankles, cuffed pants and dirty beards! The cemetery I’ve just woken up in is as chilling as the cover in Master of Puppets. As deft as a concrete mixer I run away to find a shelter, survive, grab myself a beer and to kill ‘em all! Seek and Destroy!

“Set in an apocalyptic Turin, in which people have been turned into hideous Hipster Zombies, HipstApocalypse is a really peculiar epic adventure. This game is a tribute to metal icons: its main character has been clearly inspired by Lemmy Kilmister, while the sets are a mashup of essential records that will make every head banger’s eyes twinkle with delight. The ironic storytelling and the dialogues recall some LucasArts projects, such as Monkey Island, Grim Fandango and more.

“Cadaveria will be the second main character of the game. The Lady of Shadows will interact with the esoteric and mysterious part of the city, massively contributing to the plot.

“Arm yourself with mosh, head banging and studs to solve the mystery behind HipstApocalypse!”

HipstApocalypse is a pilot project by Gallab LTD, an indie game development company based in London. The concept art by Mirko Fascella gives the character design a personal, signature style. The soundtrack is made of original songs played by Italian underground bands.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

METALLICA will reissue its first two albums, 1983's "Kill 'Em All" and 1984's "Ride The Lightning", on April 15. Both albums have been remastered for the most advanced sound quality and will be available in three formats — CD, vinyl, and deluxe box set. Both deluxe box sets include original source material from the band's personal collection with many never-before- heard-or-seen recordings, along with a book including rare photos and essays from those who were there.

A remastered version of the song "The Four Horsemen" from the "Kill 'Em All" reissue, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

The deluxe numbered box set of "Kill 'Em All" includes four vinyl records, five CDs, one DVD, a deluxe book including rare photos and a patch while the deluxe numbered box set of "Ride The Lightning" includes four vinyl records, six CDs, one DVD, a deluxe book including more of those unseen photos, a mini-book of lyrics handwritten by James Hetfield and a set of three posters. The deluxe box sets are limited-edition collectors' items.

Fans can pre-order both deluxe box sets at the Met Store now and all six new items will, of course, also be available at your local record store on Friday, April 15, just in time for Record Store Day.

Originally issued on July 25, 1983 through the independent label Megaforce Records, "Kill 'Em All" was recorded in two weeks on a miniscule budget in upstate New York. Although only 1,500 copies were initially pressed, the album was reissued by Elektra Records after the band signed to that label in 1984 and has since been certified triple platinum for sales of more than three million copies.

The varied sounds of "Ride The Lightning", which included the first METALLICA ballad in "Fade To Black", drew mixed responses from some fans. The band's drummer, Lars Ulrich, told Rolling Stone magazine: "It did surprise us a little bit, I guess. People started calling us sellouts and all that type of stuff. Some people were a little bit bewildered by the fact that there was a song that had acoustic guitars."

Noting that at least four songs from the album are still part of METALLICA's live set today, Ulrich said that "Ride The Lightning" "holds up very well," adding, "There's kind of a youthful energy that runs through the record."

Influential and iconic heavy metal band DIAMOND HEAD will release its first album of new material in eight years on April 22. Titled "Diamond Head", the disc features an exciting new talent in singer Rasmus Bom Andersen.

A three-minute trailer for "Diamond Head" is available below.

In 2014, DIAMOND HEAD invited London-based, Danish-born Ras to join the band. Together they completed a European tour, which included appearances at Hard Rock Hell and Headbangers Open Air in Germany. The spark of creativity led the band to start working on the new album in January 2015.

Brian Tatler, founder of DIAMOND HEAD, said: "When we began talking with Ras about making a new record, he said we should write the songs as a band just like DIAMOND HEAD did at the beginning of our career. There’s no substitute for writing together in the same room. We spark each other off and create something far bigger than we could have done individually."

Brian continued: "Ras has certainly renewed the energy within the band. I had no interest in doing another record, but after working with Ras on the European tour, that all suddenly changed. I wanted to make a record with him. He's a confident singer and he's not trying to fill anyone's shoes."

Speaking about the new DIAMOND HEAD album's musical direction, Brian said: "This new album has an echo of the early albums, but I always try to push our music forward somewhere new if possible."

Ras added: "All in all, this album was made with the band’s first fans foremost in mind, from start to finish. We wanted to write songs that would have ties to the best parts of the all the previous albums. We feel we have achieved what we set out to do and we hope everyone will hear and feel the DIAMOND HEAD spirit through this new eponymous record."

In general, the album lyrics focus on political and environmental themes, specifically warning that our world is in many ways leaning towards self-destruction. The opening and closing songs encapsulate these themes, while the body of the album explores subtopics in more depth, along with songs dealing with lighter subjects that aren't so heavy on the heart.

"Diamond Head" track listing:

01. Bones02. Shout At The Devil03. Set My Soul On Fire04. See You Rise05. All The Reasons You Live06. Wizards Sleeve07. Our Time Is Now08. Speed09. Blood On My Hands10. Diamonds11. Silence

Tatler joined members of METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX at the U.K.'s Sonisphere festival in 2011, performing DIAMOND HEAD's classic song "Am I Evil?" METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich addressed the crowd, saying: "If it wasn't for Brian Tatler, there's a pretty good fucking chance none of us would be here tonight. Would you give it up for Brian Tatler one more time?"

Speaking about this event, Brian said: "It was great. A nod towards DIAMOND HEAD to say, 'Respect. You're an important band. You might not have sold millions of records, but you're an influential band.' And it's nice to be influential." Brian continued: "But equally, if it wasn't for METALLICA, then DIAMOND HEAD would not have had this second wind."

"Flamethrower", the new video from reunited New York death metallers SKINLESS, can be seen below. The video, which was created by Chris Delano, features war-torn clips from authentic battle footage and from movies such as "Aliens" and "Stalingrad" mixed with live footage of the band performing at Hellfest 2015.

"Flamethrower" comes off SKINLESS's first new studio offering in nearly a decade, titled "Only The Ruthless Remain", which was unleashed last June on CD, LP and digitally via Relapse.

Featuring the band's classic late '90s lineup, SKINLESS's new CD is described in a press release as "a prime slab of truly brutal death metal." Recorded by Tom Case at Edie Road Studio and Doomsday Bunker Studio, both in upstate New York, with vocals tracked by Dave Otero (CEPHALIC CARNAGE, PRIMITIVE MAN) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado, and mastered by Brad Boatright (OBITUARY, NAILS, INTEGRITY) at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon, the effort boasts seven tracks of SKINLESS's signature fusion of punishing, concussively heavy grooves and surgically precise, blasting severity.

"Only The Ruthless Remain" includes artwork by Ken Sarafin.

Formed in 1992 in Albany, New York, SKINLESS released several full-length albums and numerous EPs throughout its 20-plus-year career. After disbanding in 2011, the group is now back together with the classic "Progression Towards Evil" lineup (Sherwood Webber on vocals, Noah Carpenter on guitar, Joe Keyser on bass, Bob Beaulac on drums) plus the recent addition of Dave Matthews on second guitar.

"Suden Tunti" (The Hour Of The Wolf), the new video from Finnish pagan metallers MOONSORROW, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's seventh studio album, "Jumalten Aika" — "The Age Of Gods" in English — which will be released on April 1 via Century Media.

"This is the shortest song we've done in more than ten years!" comments MOONSORROW's Ville Sorvali. "It has all the elements that make it a MOONSORROW track, but it's still something we hadn't done before. This is the dark side of folk metal — the epic battle of Fenris and Odin from a new perspective."

"This is the day we never thought would come. We never thought we would release an official MOONSORROW music video," adds MOONSORROW's Mitja Harvilahti. "Writing music without compromises is hard enough. Making a video that catches the same spirit without compromises and awkward moments that takes away the credibility is even harder! We had a thought for some time that only an animated video with enough artistic flavor would work. Since 'Suden Tunti' is somewhat based on actual myths, it was possible to create the world where the script takes place!"

"Jumalten Aika" will be released in the following formats:

* Limited 2CD Mediabook & Patch (European edition)* Limited 2CD Digipak & Patch (U.S. edition)* Gatefold black 2LP+CD* Gatefold white 2LP+CD - CMDistro.de (EU webshop exclusive), limited to 100 copies* Gatefold transparent green 2LP+CD - NuclearBlast.de exclusive, limited to 200 copies* Gatefold clear 2LP+CD - distributed via RED in the US, limited to 400 copies* Gatefold silver 2LP+CD - CMDistro.com (US webshop exclusive), limited to 200 copies* CD / Digital The limited edition 2CD formats come with a strictly limited patch as well as a bonus disc including cover versions of GRAVE's "Soulless" and ROTTING CHRIST's "Non Serviam". These were intentionally added as a second disc to be separated from the main album's intricate musical and lyrical concept. All physical formats will also include English translations of the lyrics to allow you to delve deeper into the darkened folklore of MOONSORROW. "Jumalten Aika" track listing:

01. Jumalten Aika (12:43)02. Ruttolehto incl. Päivättömän Päivän Kansa (15:21)03. Suden Tunti (7:06)04. Mimisbrunn (15:55)05. Ihmisen Aika (Kumarrus Pimeyteen) (16:00) Bonus disc:

01. Soulless (GRAVE cover) (3:18)02. Non Serviam (ROTTING CHRIST cover) (5:10) "There are a lot more folk music influences present in 'Jumalten Aika' than earlier", comments MOONSORROW's Henri Sorvali (guitar, keyboards and vocals). "This time around, they are more deeply integrated to the overall sound.

"'Jumalten Aika' is like a circling wolf biting the hardest when you would never expect it. The music is unchained aggression, deep mysteries of the North and thundering witchcraft combined together in a molten forge of the Gods and reminds us all of something that never left our blood and soil."

To present "Jumalten Aika" live, MOONSORROW will embark on a co-headlining tour in April with fellow countrymen KORPIKLAANI. Both bands will perform extended long sets. Prior to that, there will also be an official MOONSORROW album release show at Virgin Oil in Helsinki on April 1.

To celebrate this year's Record Store Day — which is set for April 16 — METALLICA will release "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica! - Live At Le Bataclan. Paris, France - June 11th, 2003", a CD featuring a live recording from the club, with the band, Record Store Day and independent record stores donating proceeds to benefit Fondation de France's Give For France charity. The live recording setlist includes "The Four Horsemen", "Leper Messiah", "No Remorse", "Fade To Black", "Frantic", "Ride The Lightning", "Blackened" and encores "Seek & Destroy" and "Damage, Inc."

Named the 2016 Record Store Day ambassador, METALLICA is no stranger to this special day in support of independent record stores and record store culture worldwide, now in its ninth year. "Independent record stores are part of METALLICA's DNA," said METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich. "They have been pivotal in shaping each one of us into the music fanatics we've all become. We could not be any prouder to be Record Store Day Ambassadors for 2016 and are looking forward to screaming from every rooftop the next few months about everything independent record store and beyond." Throughout Record Store Day's near-decade lifespan, METALLICA's support has been more than noteworthy with in-store appearances, (remember Mountain View, California Rasputin Records in 2008, when the band met their fans for hours to kick off the very first Record Store Day) and a healthy handful of special releases. In fact, members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo made big news just last year when the band's cassette-issued demos collection, "No Life Til Leather", ended up as Record Store Day 2015's highest seller. As well, Trujillo's lauded biopic, "Jaco", about legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, was RSD 2014's Official Film and a special Record Store Day exclusive version was released on DVD for Black Friday 2015, including a bonus CD featuring tracks from Trujillo himself. This year the band's official release will fit into a wider theme of Record Store Day 2016, highlighting the relationship between U.S. record stores and their French counterparts, between Record Store Day and "Disquaire Day," between music-loving humans in the U.S. and France, following the tragic events in Paris in November 2015.


>

Belgian metal veterans AFTER ALL will release their ninth full-length album, "Waves Of Annihilation", on June 10 via NoiseArt Records. The CD was once again produced by Dan Swanö and features "intriguing sci-fi artwork" by Ed Repka.

Says the band: "When it comes to thrash metal artwork, the undisputed number one is Mr. Edward J. Repka. So why settle for anything less?

"This is the third consecutive AFTER ALL release for which Ed provided the cover artwork. And yes, he definitely seems to have outdone himself once more. Classic yet timeless art, in all its fine detail and glory. We are excited to say the least.

"The artwork completes the story that started on the cover of the 'Rejection Overruled' EP. On the new album, we witness the last survivors of mankind taking off in a spacecraft, leaving the earth to savage hordes of mutant zombies. We can't wait to see this printed on a gatefold LP sleeve!"

According to a press release, "Waves Of Annihilation" "skillfully fires on all cylinders and shows all the trademarks that have made AFTER ALL a genuine thrash icon. Passionate energy meets creative songwriting. Guitarists Dries Van Damme and Christophe Depree deliver monster riff after monster riff — thrash fans will have tears of joy in their eyes! Vocalist Sammy Peleman shines once more with his unique and profoundly diverse voice, providing goosebumps especially in the clean sung choruses."

Comments AFTER ALL: "We are both proud and stoked to announce that AFTER ALL have signed a three-album deal with NoiseArt Records. The new album, 'Waves Of Annihilation', is mixed, mastered and ready to be unleashed. In our humble opinion, the album contains some of the heaviest, fastest and most versatile stuff we have ever recorded. Prepare to be surprised… and floored!"

AFTER ALL has toured with such bands as ANTHRAX, KING DIAMOND, SACRED REICH and FEAR FACTORY and has played a show as the support act for JUDAS PRIEST.

The official video for "We Don't Have To Dance", the first single from BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack's solo project, ANDY BLACK, can be seen below. The song is taken from ANDY BLACK's debut album, "The Shadow Side", which will be released on May 6 via Lava/Republic.

"The Shadow Side" was produced by John Feldmann and is expected to include collaborations with FALL OUT BOY's Patrick Stump, Gerard Way, 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER's Ashton Irwin and ALL TIME LOW's Rian Dawson.

"The Shadow Side" track listing:

01. Homecoming King02. We Don't Have To Dance03. Ribcage04. Stay Alive (feat. Matt Skiba)05. Love Was Made To Break06. Beautiful Pain07. Put The Gun Down08. Drown Me Out09. Paint It Black10. Break Your Halo11. Louder Than Your Love12. Broken Pieces13. The Void

Biersack states: "['We Don't Have To Dance'] is hands down one of my favorite tracks from the record and it was fun to write about loathing social events, hatred of small talk and refusal to dance at clubs haha!"

Regarding the making of ANDY BLACK's debut CD, Biersack told U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine: "It's completely different, very unlike my entire career, which has been spent in a collaborative effort with four other individuals. There's also a precedent when it comes to making a BLACK VEIL BRIDES record. At this point now, this is our fifth record that we're making — and that's not to say that we go in with a cookie-cutter approach, but we certainly know stylistically what we like. The odd thing about the solo record was there was no precedent."

Asked what ANDY BLACK sounds like, Biersack said: "I think my intention for this was to go as far in the other direction as possible. Sonically, the goal was to really play with music and a lot of different stuff, to have a lot of odd instrumentation and to have a lot of programmed stuff, keyboards and more classic, almost pop-rock guitar. It's more U2 than MEGADETH. There are no guitar solos on the record. There's a lot of drumming styles; there's some weird sleigh bells. It was about playing with music and seeing what happened. We came up with something in the vein of stuff I love — U2, Adam Ant… It's somewere between Springsteen, new romantic and modern goth-pop music."

Biersack previously described ANDY BLACK as a "fun and artistic way for me to try something that musically I wouldn't want to force into BLACK VEIL BRIDES."

Asked why he couldn't incorporate his songs into BLACK VEIL BRIDES, Biersack replied, "There are so many bands I loved growing up whose singer would have a new idea for a sound and then completely ruin the band by taking a shit on the whole audience. That wasn't my interest."

Biersack continued, "It would be different if the reason I was doing this was that I wanted to get away from BLACK VEIL BRIDES… This is more that I didn't want to cross the two things."

The singer said that when he informed his bandmates about the project, "I made it very clear… it was a passion project on the side, and everybody in the band gets it."

"Catatonic", the new video from German thrash metallers EXUMER, can be seen below. The clip was directed by David Thelen during EXUMER's European tour in January/February and captures the dark lyrical themes of the song, portraying the psychological manifestations of physical torture and abuse.

Comments EXUMER vocalist Mem V. Stein: "We were compelled to use this track as our first clip from the new album because the song sums up the overall concept behind the record very well. 'Catatonic' is also different as it is a mid-tempo cut, but yet just as hard-hitting as any of our fast songs — or even harder in a sense. We were able to create a visually daring piece with the help of our director and his crew, while exploring new techniques for us, working with an actor on the set for the first time."

"Catatonic" is taken from EXUMER's fourth full-length album, "The Raging Tides", which came out on January 29 via Metal Blade Records.

Recorded with producer/engineer Waldemar Soychta at Waldstreet Sound in Dortmund, Germany, "The Raging Tides" is a deliberate and violent thrash attack that stays true to the band's 30-year legacy. Conceptually and lyrically, vocalist Mem V. Stein has based the bulk of the record around human suffering — specifically "caused by torture or other means for political, religious, or personal gain for the individuals/organizations who inflict the pain," Stein asserts. Inspired by a wide range of books and articles, the title of the album itself, according to Stein, "represents the ebb and flow of human misery and despair around the globe."

"The Raging Tides" track listing:

01. The Raging Tides02. Brand Of Evil03. Catatonic04. Sacred Defense05. Welcome To Hellfire06. Sinister Souls07. Shadow Walker08. There Will Always Be Blood09. Dark Reflections10. Death Factory11. Forever My Queen (PENTAGRAM cover; bonus track) 12. Hostage To Heaven (GRIP INC. cover; bonus track feat. Rob Dukes, Waldemar Sorychta, Markus Freiwald)

Formed in 1985 by Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh, EXUMER went on to release two albums (1986's "Possessed By Fire" and 1987's "Rising From The Sea") that are regarded as some of the most cult thrash metal releases ever to come out of Germany. EXUMER was also one of the first thrash metal acts to capture exotic, foreign markets like Poland and Brazil, where their albums were domestically released in the 1980s. The subsequent tours that followed those releases secured the band live shows in front of thousands of fans and an unusually large following outside of Germany.

Plagued by lineup changes and internal turmoil, EXUMER broke up in 1990, and did not perform live, with the exception of 2001 appearance at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival, until 2009.

San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL will release their new album, "The Evil Divide", on May 27. 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. The cover artwork was created by tattoo artist Bob Tyrrell and can be seen below.

A new trailer for "The Evil Divide", featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the CD, can be seen below.

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany said: "Both Mark [Osegueda, vocals] and I had been tattooed by Bob, and when the subject of album artwork came up, 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 eighth studio album, 'The Evil Divide'."

Osegueda told SFWeekly.com about working with Suecof again: "It's the third time we've used him, and we couldn't really be happier."

He continued: "This time, all the music was written and lyrics were written with the exception of one song, which I purposely saved to write on the spot.

"Sometimes you can get a great vibe from a studio and draw inspiration from that. That song came out great."

Mark added: "It's got the aggressiveness of the last two records, but our songwriting has improved dramatically. Really, it sounds like DEATH ANGEL should."

Regarding DEATH ANGEL's mindset going into the songwriting process for the upcoming CD, Osegueda told Rock Hard magazine: "When we started working with Jason Suecof for the last two records, 'Relentless Retribution' and 'The Dream Calls For Blood', we thought we were gonna do two records intense like that and kind of go back [to the more] melodic [direction of 1990's] 'Act III', but the last two records, we've been loving so much writing that style, and the crowds have been enjoying them so much.

"In our minds, even if we think we're being more brutal than we've ever been, it's inevitable that we are obsessed with melody, so there's always gonna be melody that separates us from, say, different thrash bands or extreme bands, because we always veer to a melody and catchy hooks. No matter how brutal we think we're being, we like to throw in hooks, so we're just gonna carry on how we're doing now and try to pick as many of the young punters there and keep our stronghold on the old punters."

"The Evil Divide" track listing:

01. The Moth02. Cause For Alarm03. Lost04. Father Of Lies05. Hell To Pay06. It Can’t Be This07. Hatred United, United Hate08. Breakaway09. The Electric Cell10. Let The Pieces Fall

Bonus:

11. Wasteland

+ "Making Of" DVD

DEATH ANGEL released "A Thrashumentary" in July 2015 via Nuclear Blast. The DVD was directed, shot and edited by Tommy Jones (KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, LAMB OF GOD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT) of Videohammer Studios. The release also includes a full live album titled "The Bay Calls For Blood".

The official lyric video for the song "For A Voice Like Thunder" from Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Rituals", which was released on February 12 via Season Of Mist.

"Rituals" track listing:

01. In Nomine Dei Nostri02. Ze Nigmar03. Elthe Kyrie04. Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)05. Apage Satana06. Tou Thanatou07. For A Voice Like Thunder08. Konx Om Pax09. Devadevam10. The Four Horsemen11. Lok'tar Ogar (bonus track)

For almost 30 years, ROTTING CHRIST have blazed a trail for the black metal genre to follow. From their primitive early material through to 2012's epic "Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy", their pioneering spirit has been a flame of inspiration in an increasingly reductive genre. Now the renowned band return with new album "Rituals", a diverse collection of new songs influenced by rites and myths from all around the globe. "Rituals" highlights their unique power and magic, and is the darkest and most personal-sounding ROTTING CHRIST album to date. As "Rituals" illustrates, there is a reason that ROTTING CHRIST are an international heavy metal institution.

Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. Carefully chosen guests are being added for better effect, including the spoken words of Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) on "A Voice Like Thunder" and SAMAEL's Vorph mesmerizingly quoting from Charles Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs Du Mal" throughout the song "Les Litanies De Satan". Goosebumps moments such as these are liberally sprinkled throughout the record, which manages the feat to sound rock solid and made out of one heavy piece as well as diverse and far ranging at the same time. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren's equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND).

ROTTING CHRIST is:

Sakis: vocals, guitarsThemis: drumsVan Ace: bassGeorge: guitars

Guest musicians (in order of appearance):

* Magus (NECROMANTIA) - "In Nomine Dei Nostri"* Danai Katsameni (NATIONAL HELLENIC THEATER) - "Elthe Kyrie"* Vorph (SAMAEL) - "Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)"* Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) - "For A Voice Like Thunder"* Kathir (RUDRA) - "Devadevam"

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of Italian progressive metallers DGM to a multi-album deal. The band's new CD will be released in late summer.

DGM started in 1994 as an instrumental band and evolved over the years into a formidable and tight unit, offering super heavy riffs, tight drum patterns, beautiful melodies, classy arrangements, and top-notch musicianship.

With eight full-length studio albums, one EP and a live CD/DVD under their belts, DGM is a band that has reached full stylistic maturity and is truly at the top of their game. The band also spent a good amount of their time touring worldwide, taking part in some of the most important metal festivals, including ProgPower USA, ProgPower Europe, PPM and Gods Of Metal. They also supported SYMPHONY X on their "Iconoclast" European tour in 2010 and headlined an Asian tour in 2014, with shows in Japan and China.

DGM guitarist and producer Simone Mularoni says: "We are really excited to start this new journey with Frontiers Music Srl! We feel blessed and honored to see our name close to the bigger acts of the rock scene we all love and to be part of a label we follow since the beginning of its career. In particular, we think this new album perfectly suits the path that Frontiers pursued over the years, since it's extremely melodic, epic but in the same time with all the usual DGM's trademarks! We cannot wait for all of you to listen to the new songs and to meet everyone on the road!"

DGM is:

Mark Basile - VocalsSimone Mularoni - GuitarAndrea Arcangeli - BassFabio Costantino - DrumsEmanuele Casali - Keyboards

Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH's March 19 performance at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hangar 1802. The Threat Is Real03. Wake Up Dead04. In My Darkest Hour05. Post American World06. Dawn Patrol07. Poison Was The Cure08. She-Wolf09. Dystopia10. Sweating Bullets11. Fatal Illusion12. Trust13. Tornado Of Souls14. Poisonous Shadows15. Symphony Of Destruction16. Peace Sells

Encore:

17. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

On April 8, Universal Music / Tradecraft / T-Boy Records will issue MEGADETH's latest album, "Dystopia", as a limited-edition vinyl picture disc featuring the album's vivid dark and chilling artwork which takes the bands long-time mascot Vic Rattlehead to a whole new level and drops him into a bleak, futuristic dystopian universe. The "Dystopia" picture disc can be ordered individually at all participating retail and online outlets or at UMv as part of a specially priced pack with other picture disc titles including "Peace Sells…But Who's Buying?", "So Far, So Good…So What!", "Rust In Peace", "Countdown To Extinction" and "Youthanasia". Featuring eleven tracks, "Dystopia" was released on January 22 on CD, LP, and digitally, as well as a special Deluxe Virtual Reality CD package. "Dystopia" debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart, No. 1 album on the Hard Music and Top Rock charts. and No. 2 on the Top Album Sales chart. Globally, "Dystopia" also achieved Top 10 debuts in Canada (No. 2), Japan (No. 2 international chart), Finland (No. 3), Mexico (No. 4), Czech Republic (No. 5), Australia (No. 6), New Zealand (No. 6), Switzerland (No. 7), Poland (No. 8) and Germany (No. 10), which along with Belgium, Ireland and Spain contributed to achieve MEGADETH's highest ever chart positions in their thirty-year history in a total of ten countries around the world. Other countries with significant sales or chart debuts included U.K., Norway, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, and France.

"Dystopia" shifted 49,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending January 28.

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. "Dystopia" weaves together Dave Mustaine's intricate and unique songwriting style, trademark leads and lightning riffs with harmonious precision, paying homage to MEGADETH's influential roots while continuing to break new and heavy ground. In addition to Mustaine, MEGADETH's current lineup includes longtime bassist David Ellefson, LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

As Ohio-based blackened metal quintet Skeletonwitch begin their month long trek on the Decibel Magazine tour alongside Abbath, High On Fire and Tribulation, the quintet have announced they will be selling a limited amount of copies of the hand-screened, hand-numbered 7" vinyl version of their newest single "Well Of Despair" exclusively on all upcoming dates. Check out a listing of dates at the bottom of this page to find out when the band will be coming near your town.

"Well Of Despair" - the first new music from the quintet since their 2013 release Serpents Unleashed and debut of vocalist Adam Clemans - can be heard featured in the below music video. Fans can also grab a digital download of "Well of Despair" via Bandcamp, iTunes or Amazon MP3.

"Well Of Despair" will be featured on the band’s upcoming EP, titled The Apothic Gloom. Recorded earlier this year at Baltimore's Developing Nations with Kevin Bernsten (Noisem, Mutilation Rites), the band will be performing another chilling new track, "Black Waters", live for audiences on the remaining dates of the Decibel Magazine Tour. Expected out later this summer, check out the EP tracklisting below and stay tuned for further details on The Apothic Gloom in the coming week.

Tracklisting:

“The Apothic Gloom”
“Well of Despair”
“Black Waters”
“Red Death, White Light”

Skeletonwitch dates with Abbath, High On Fire and Tribulation are as listed:

March
18 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
19 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
20 - Ybor City, FL - The Ritz Ybor
22 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
23 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
25 - Scottsdale, AZ - Live Wire #
26 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park
27 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
28 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater DTLA
29 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
30 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre

April
1 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
2 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
5 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
6 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
7 - Minneapolis, MN - Mill City Nights
8 - Chicago, IL - Metro
9 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
10 - Toronto, ON - The Opera Hosue
12 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
14 - Boston, MA - Royale
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's new album, "Incarnate", debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 35,000 equivalent album units in the week ending March 17.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

In terms of pure album sales, "Incarnate" opened with 33,000 copies.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's fifth studio album, "Disarm The Descent", sold around 48,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's self-titled LP opened with 58,000 units back in July 2009 to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart.

2006's "As Daylight Dies" premiered with just under 60,000 copies to land at No. 32.

"Incarnate" track listing:

01. Alone I Stand02. Hate By Design03. Cut Me Loose04. Strength Of The Mind05. Just Let Go06. Embrace The Journey… Upraised07. Quiet Distress08. Until The Day09. It Falls On Me10. The Great Distress11. We Carry On12. Ascension

Bonus tracks:

13. Reignite14. Triumph Through Tragedy15. Loyalty

In a recent interview with Metal Obsession, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Joel Stroetzel stated about how the writing process for "Incarnate": "It was definitely more spread out [than in the past]. We probably started writing the record a year and a half ago. We just took our time with it. As we came up with arrangements that we were satisfied with, we sent it off to Jesse [Leach, vocals] and he would start doing his thing. We tried to keep it comfortable, perhaps too comfortable; it took a little while! I hope in the end that people will enjoy it."

Joel also talked about the fact that Leach really struggled with the lyrics for "Incarnate", which marks the singer's second album with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE since his return to the band. Stroetzel said: "When [Jesse] came back and did 'Disarm The Descent', that happened really fast and we had a lot of the music written already. He came in and just wrote the lyrics really fast and we got it out there. With this one, I think he wanted to step it up. I think in the end even though it took him a long time, I think one of the biggest highlights is the work that Jesse did. He sounds great on it and the lyrics are great. I know he's proud of it and we're all proud of him."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE recently embarked on a North American headline tour. They are being joined by MEMPHIS MAY FIRE and 36 CRAZYFISTS for the trek. The tour runs until April 24 near Charleston, South Carolina.

French heavy metallers Lonewolf have a new guitarist. The band recently announced that Alex Hilbert decided to leave the band due to personal reasons.

Vocalist Jens comments: “Alex fascinated me with his amazing/unique sense and feeling for music and his incredible talent. I learned so much playing at his side/composing with him. You'll hear on The Heathen Dawn leads and solos that I dare to say are some of the best he ever made! A great conclusion to his "Lonewolf years", this album is the greatest gift he could deliver us for his last recording!”

Michael Hellström (pictured above), band leader of Elvenstorm, is stepping into Alex's shoes and has joined Lonewolf as their new guitarist!

Jens about Michael joining Lonewolf: “Replacing Alex is not an easy thing, but I do know one thing: Michael is the right man for the job, and the brother-in-arms that we needed. Technically, of course, but especially humanely. A brother is gone, another arrives. In the darkness there is always a light: Believe me, one thing is for sure... We are far from being buried and there are a lot of beautiful things to come!”

In the past few months Lonewolf have been busy writing and recording their upcoming album, The Heathen Dawn. They finished the recordings with Xavier Sindt at Microclimat Studio, and the album is being mixed and mastered by Charles Greywolf at Studio Greywolf.

Péter Sallai of Mortpaintgraphics created the album's cover artwork:

The Heathen Dawn is set to be released on May 20th via Massacre Records. More details to follow.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Behexen, the Finnish sovereign of pure devilish black metal, are back 4 years after Nightside Emanations and have revealed the title, tracklist and artwork of their forthcoming demonic new album, The Poisonous Path.

Mixed and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, The Poisonous Path, the aptly named, is a raging beast brutally animated by a strong and massive production. The riffing is abrasive, the atmosphere is mephitic and the melodies are bewitching. Behexen has never been so impressive and this new opus is, undoubtedly; their best effort to date.

The sinister artwork was crafted by Kristiina Lehto (Baptism, Horna, Sargeist):

Tracklisting:

“The Poisonous Path”
“The Wand Of Shadows”
“Cave Of The Dark Dreams”
“A Sword Of Protean Fire”
“Umbra Lucifieri”
“Tyrant Of Luminous Darkness”
“Chalice Of The Abyssal Water”
“Pentagram Of The Black Earth”
“Gallows Of Inversion”
“Rakkaudesta Saatanaan”

The Poisonous Path has been scheduled for release on May 27th through Debemur Morti Productions and will be available on CD, vinyl and digital.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Denver, CO technical death metal quintet Vale Of Pnath have completed their second full-length sonic offering entitled II. 

Tracked at Flatline audio by engineer Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage, Allegaeon), II is a perfect amalgamation of complex riff writing, calculated chaos, and Lovecraftian worship. This is Vale Of Pnath fully leveled up, and pushing themselves to new boundaries of tech death precision. 

"We're extremely excited to release our 2nd album II. Its been 4 years since the release of The Prodigal Empire, and we have progressed exponentially with this band’s sound. We believe it is only the beginning to something great. This is our most dynamic, technical and mature material to date, that's certain to turn heads,” comments guitar player Vance Valenzuela.

“II” is set to surface June 10th via Willowtip records. The track “Klendathu” is streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“Blacker Than”
“A Nightmare Phantasm”
“Klendathu”
“The Horror In Clay”
“Reaver”
“Heart Of Darkness”
“The Serpent’s Lair”
“Unburied”

“Klendathu”:



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

This spring, Alarion - the solo project of Dutch guitarist Bas Willemsen formerly known as Alerion - will release their debut album Waves Of Destruction through Freia Music. The album contains an hour of melodic, symphonic and intense music featuring appearances by many great musicians, whose identities will gradually be revealed in time. 

Irene Jansen will be a guest on Waves Of Destruction, marking her first studio recordings in 10 years. One of the most powerful female vocalists in the genre, Irene is well known for her work with Ayreon, The Theater Equation and Star One, and of course as younger sister of Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen with whom she performed many times.

Irene will also be lead vocalist of the Alarion live formation at the special album release show June 3rd in Boerderij Cultuurpodium, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.

Check out the video with Irene's comments and lead vocals:

Musicians also confirmed to appear on Waves Of Destruction include.

Bas Willemsen - guitars, keyboards, orchestration, bass
Tom Gorissen (Hymir) - keyboards
Nico Lammers - acoustic guitars
Ronald van Schaik - bass
Jeroen Nagel (Blind Justice) – drums
Irene Jansen – vocals

Check out the cover art for Waves Of Destruction below.

For more information go to the official Alarion website.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Brazilian thrash metal band Vetor has released a video for “Endangered Species”. The song is taken off their new album Chaos Before The End. The video was directed by Rodiney and produced by Just Multimedia Design Studio. 

Chaos Before The End was recorded in Brazil, produced by Anibal Pontes and mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (Dream Evil).



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Slayer guitarist Kerry King talks about the band’s new album, touring, the loss of Jeff Hanneman and more in a new interview with Las Vegas Magazine. Read an excerpt below:

LVM: I can’t think of a band besides AC/DC where it was so clear that fans did not want you to break up (after the death of a key band member). Other bands have gone down from much less crucial members being lost.

Kerry King: “We’re compared to AC/DC all the time. Not necessarily that, but the fans and the records you make… AC/DC’s made the same record for 40 years. That’s why we like ’em. We’ve made the same record for basically 30-35 years now. That’s why our fans like us. I speak as a fan as well. I was a fan of AC/DC. Still am. Judas Priest, Sabbath. Maiden - all that stuff. When I was growing up, when publications were still important, we’d wait just to see live pictures because you didn’t have the Internet and five million pictures of your favourite band. It was important to read about ‘em, and be anxious about he magazines coming out so I could get some information. This day and age, it’s not like that. It’s instant information.”

Read the complete interview at Las Vegas Magazine.

In Slayer's song "You Against You”, vocalist Tom Araya screams "Your perfect world is ending this day, So what? I wouldn't have it any other way."  And so, from the very first frame of the band's "You Against You" music video, the gore, the violence, the projectile-blood-spewing and the carnage begins and just never ends.  

"You Against You" is the prequel to "Repentless”, Slayer's brutal 2015 video filmed at an L.A. prison that has logged nearly 7.5 million YouTube views.  Like "Repentless”, "You Against You" was directed by BJ McDonnell, stars Jason Trost (Hatchet III) as Wyatt, the eyepatched rebel inmate, and tells the story of the circumstances that led to Wyatt's erroneous arrest and imprisonment.

Slayer's performance of "You Against You" was shot deep in the heart of California's Mojave desert earlier this year in a graveyard of jets, airliners, and helicopters.  

"After the “Repentless” video," said Slayer's Tom Araya, "BJ delivers with “You Against You”. Fu**ing awesome!!!!!"

Repentless, Slayer's 12th studio album, was released on September 11th, 2015, making its career-highest debut on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, coming in at #4 and scanning 50,000 units. The album also debuted in the Top 5 in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Czech, Greece and Sweden, and was the #2 best-selling album in the world on the United World Chart.

Slayer is currently in the final weeks of its winter 2016 North American tour with Testament and Carcass supporting. Remaining dates are below:

March
19 - The Paramount - Seattle, WA
20 - Roseland Ballroom - Portland, OR
22 - Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA
23 - Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA
25 - Rabobank Theatre - Bakersfield, CA
26 - The Joint - Las Vegas, NV



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Metal legends Metallica have checked in with the following announcement:

"Next month on Record Store Day we'll be releasting a special exclusive CD titled Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, Metallica! The show was nine-song set was recorded live at Le Bataclan in Paris, France on June 11th, 2003 and we're donating all profits to victims of the attacks in Paris in 2015. Preview 'Fade To Black' live from Le Bataclan below."

The complete tracklist is as follows:

"The Four Horsemen”
"Leper Messiah”
"No Remorse”
"Fade To Black”
"Frantic”
"Ride The Lightning”
“Blackened"
"Seek & Destroy"
"Damage, Inc.”

The CD will be available on April 16th. Stay tuned for updates.

Metallica is no stranger to Record Store Day, this year set for Saturday, April 16th, a special day in support of independent record stores and record store culture worldwide, now in its ninth year.

"Independent record stores are part of Metallica's DNA," said drummer Lars Ulrich. "They have been pivotal in shaping each one of us into the music fanatics we've all become. We could not be any prouder to be Record Store Day Ambassadors for 2016 and are looking forward to screaming from every rooftop the next few months about everything independent record store and beyond."

Throughout Record Store Day's near-decade lifespan, Metallica's support has been more than noteworthy with in-store appearances, (remember Mountain View, CA Rasputin Records in 2008, when the band met their fans for hours to kick off the very first Record Store Day) and a healthy handful of special releases. In fact, members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo made big news just last year when the band's cassette-issued demos collection, No Life Til Leather, ended up as Record Store Day 2015's highest seller. As well, Trujillo's lauded biopic, Jaco, about legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, was RSD 2014's Official Film and a special Record Store Day exclusive version was released on DVD for Black Friday 2015, including a bonus CD featuring tracks from Trujillo himself.

For the full Ambassador statement and video (also below) check out the newly relaunched Record Store Day website here.



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

Bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker of British extreme metal pioneers CARCASS broke the the proximal fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot prior to the band's March 19 concert in Seattle, Washington as the support act for SLAYER and TESTAMENT.

Walker has received medical treatment for his injury and is expected to complete the tour, which will wrap on March 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The metatarsal bones are the long bones in the middle of the foot. Each metatarsal bone has a base, a shaft, a neck and a head. The fifth metatarsal is the last bone at the outside of the foot, and most breaks of the fifth metatarsal occur at the base.

CARCASS is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "Surgical Steel", which sold around 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart.

A special edition of "Surgical Steel" was released last October on CD and digitally and on vinyl in November via Nuclear Blast. The "Complete Edition" includes the whole album "Surgical Steel", along with the entire "Surgical Remission / Surplus Steel" EP. All the songs were recorded during the "Surgical Steel" sessions, which were helmed by producer Colin Richardson (NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER, GOREFEST, CANNIBAL CORPSE, SINISTER, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, TESTAMENT).

From platinum album sales and number one chart success as a founding member of MR. BIG, to frightening the guitar community with new levels of ferocious picking technique with shred-pioneers RACER X, to exploring punk, pop, classical, blues, jazz, and progressive instrumental styles in his solo career, Paul Gilbert has recorded a massive amount of stunning guitar music, all while circling the globe to play sold-out arenas from Japan to Jakarta.

His newest record, "I Can Destroy", will be released on May 27 via earMUSIC.

Gilbert's style stands out for its rare combination of accuracy, creativity, and power — all which are balanced with Paul's sense of humor and pure love of music.

Although Paul is best known for his work with MR. BIG and RACER X, he has also toured with Joe Satriani's G3, played in a host of tribute concerts with legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, and been integral in the design of his signature Ibanez PGM and Fireman guitars.

Paul's legacy as a guitar instructor began when he was eighteen, when he was hired to teach at Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology. His groundbreaking "Intense Rock" videos and DVDs have inspired legions of guitarists to improve their accuracy, speed, and phrasing. Years as a columnist for Guitar Player magazine, and most recently Premier Guitar magazine, along with giving countless clinics, private lessons, and serving for five years as the dean of MI Japan, have given Paul Gilbert deep experience in the art of communicating music to all levels of guitarists.

Over twenty-five years in the music business have only increased Paul's passion to explore the possibilities of music and the art of playing the guitar. Whether he's playing to 10,000 fans or jamming one-on-one with a student, Paul Gilbert is living his childhood dream of taking the sounds in his head and bringing them into reality — on the electric guitar.

"I Can Destroy" is Paul's next solo masterpiece and will be his 18th solo album. The album features 13 very diverse rock-tunes. With Kevin Shirley producing, and an amazing band of Freddie Nelson and Tony Spinner on guitars and vocals, Kevin Chown on bass, and Thomas Lang on drums, Paul rocks with more power and emotion than ever before. "I Can Destroy" track listing:

01. Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal02. I Can Destroy03. Knocking On a Locked Door 04. One Woman Too Many05. Woman Stop06. Gonna Make You Love Me07. I Am Not the One (Who Wants To Be With You)08. Blues Just Saving My Life09. Make It (If We Try)10. Love We Had11. I Will Be Remembered12. Adventure and Trouble13. Great White Buffalo (bonus track)

The latest collection of 45-vintage Mötley Crüe items is available now from rock memorabilia auctioneers EliteWorks here.

The new auctions end this Sunday, March 20th.

This large Crüe collection features over 200 lots, including Mötley toys, '80's merch and apparel, several 1980s FACTORY SEALED posters including all five "gangster" posters, one-of-a-kind scrapbooks from the Theatre Of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls tours, the 1986 Official Bio book, other rare books, all-Motley magazine special issues, promotional only CD singles and tons more.

Video of an April 1981 cover of The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” from Motley Crue’s second concert ever, can be seen below:

 



window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});