STITCHED UP HEART's debut full-length offering, "Never Alone", is set for a June 17 release via Another Century. The group's new video for the Active Rock single "Monster" can be seen below.

STITCHED UP HEART singer Mixi states: "The track 'Monster' was the very first song we wrote for the new record with Another Century.

"The night before we went in the studio, I was getting tattooed by my artist Mr. Monster and he asked me to write a song for him. That's where the idea started. The next day the producers, Merritt (our lead guitarist) and I met up to start the writing process. The studio was dark with spell books, herbs, spices and other various weird ritual stuff. There was an odd feeling that overcame me, almost like a beast was ready to be set free. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the environment, our determination to kill this record or the mass amounts of monster energy drinks I had that day, but something came over me and was unleashed into the recording."

She continued: "The same thing happened shooting this video. There was something that just needed to be let out. The director, Robert Graves, and producer, Marco DeMolina (BUCKCHERRY, BUTCHER BABIES), were very good at capturing the crazy energy in each take. It only seemed to take one or two times to get the shots he wanted. Everything ran very smoothly. The location had a lot of history as well. I remember in between takes at one point I really felt possessed or something. There was a scene shot in a chamber I was looking around the room with a feeling like I had been in there forever and would never get out. Maybe it's just something about the song lyrics about releasing this beast inside of me, or maybe I really am a monster."

STITCHED UP HEART is described in a press release as "a band built around the strength that comes from realizing we are the only ones that control our lives, and focused on the hope that reminds us there is always light at the end of the darkest tunnel. It's something heavy and powerful, jarring the album's epic closing track 'I Can't Breathe' from a piano-paced ballad that would do Lady Gaga proud, to a metallic onslaught of drop-tuned guitars that is sure to see the band sharing a stage with the hardest of their hard rock peers. And it is something undeniable, Mixi's voice taking flight amidst anthems of self-awareness that bridge the unrelenting confidence of IN THIS MOMENT's Maria Brink and the soulful transcendence of Adele."

Guitar legend Paul Gilbert will release his newest record, I Can Destroy, on May 27th via earMUSIC on CD Jewel and digital. A snippet of the new song “One Woman Too Many" is streaming below.

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.

Gilbert’s style stands out for its rare combination of accuracy, creativity, and power – all which are balanced with Paul’s sense of humour 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 25 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.

Tracklisting:

“Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal”
“I Can Destroy”
“Knocking On A Locked Door”
“One Woman Too Many”
“Woman Stop"
“Gonna Make You Love Me”
“I Am Not The One (Who Wants To Be With You)”
“Blues Just Saving My Life”
“Make It (If We Try)”
“Love We Had”
“I Will Be Remembered”
“Adventure And Trouble”
“Great White Buffalo” (Bonus Track)

Pre-roll video:

"Blues Just Saving My Life" snippet:

"I Will Be Remembered" snippet:

“Gonna Make You Love Me” snippet:

“Make It (If We Try)” snippet:

"Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal" video:

“I Can Destroy”:

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Axl Rose is apparently getting some pointers on how to dress onstage from the AC/DC camp while he's on tour with them. A GUNS N' ROSES fan named Lumikki who posts at the unofficial GUNS N' ROSES forum MyGNR wrote online that she recently met AC/DC guitarist Angus Young and his wife Ellen in Vienna, Austria, with the Youngs revealing that they'd given Axl some tips about what he's wearing onstage these days.

According to Lumikki, Ellen Young said that she told Axl's assistant — possibly referring to his manager Beta — to tell the singer to lose the hats and sunglasses he wore at the start of AC/DC's current European trek, explaining that audience members want to see the eyes and face of the person performing for them.

Ellen Young also remarked that Axl was "very sweet" and "nothing but a pleasure to work with so far," adding that he was "very funny" and "brought a lot of fun into the band again."

Ellen also revealed that Axl had come to the band well-prepared and sang the songs exactly how they were on the albums.

Rose took over on lead vocals for AC/DC after singer Brian Johnson was forced off the road by the possibility of total hearing loss. Rose is slated for now to play AC/DC's current run of European shows as well as ten postponed North American gigs.

The official video recap of AC/DC's May 22 concert in Prague, Czech Republic can be seen below.

AC/DC performed the song "Touch Too Much" live for the first time in more than 35 years in Prague. The show marked GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose's sixth appearance as the temporary frontman for AC/DC. For the Prague concert, as was the case in Vienna last Thursday, Rose was only partly confined to the chair he's been seated on ever since breaking his foot during a surprise GUNS club show in April 1 in Los Angeles.

Rose told photographers back in late April that he would be wearing the cast for "a couple of weeks" longer. Although that was a month ago, he is clearly becoming more mobile at each show.

Rose sustained the injury at the first GUNS N' ROSES show featuring the partially reunited original lineup, who will also head out on a summer stadium trek beginning June 23 in Detroit.

He took over the mic in AC/DC after singer Brian Johnson was warned by doctors that he would face a total loss of his hearing if he stayed on the road. Rose is slated for now to play AC/DC's current run of European shows as well as ten postponed North American gigs.

Rose told NME in a new interview that he didn't speak with Johnson before temporarily replacing the latter, saying it was only because he didn't have enough time. Rose explained: "I have not spoken with Brian. We haven't spoken much about Brian. There hasn't been any negative talk with the guys or anything — it's just the time schedule of having to get things together for the shows, while I also had GUNS N' ROSES commitments, and then breaking the foot."

Rose reached out to AC/DC himself after hearing about Johnson's misfortune. Guitarist Angus Young said: "A lot of people were putting people forward. You get a lot of people. The modern world being what it is, everyone's, 'Well, I can sing a song.'" AC/DC did audition at least two tribute band singers during their search.

Rose recently indicated that he's willing to continue with AC/DC past the 22 shows he's contracted for.

Former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright has weighed in on the strange situation regarding AC/DC and singer Brian Johnson. The legendary Australian rock band postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American tour after doctors told Johnson he faced "total hearing loss." AC/DC has since announced that it will use GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist" for all remaining shows this year, with Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

Asked how he feels about the fact that Brian appears to be out of AC/DC, Simon told Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon at this past Sunday's (May 22) "Ride For Ronnie" motorcycle rally and concert in Encino, California (see video below): "It was a little weird and strange how the news came out. For a moment, it seemed like [Brian had] been fired, and that seemed, to me, to be the strangest thing ever, if he'd been fired, but it wasn't true. So he's had a problem with his hearing."

He continued: "I'm just shocked. But it's like Brian said, we all get older, we get injuries and stuff and everything. Like he said, I'm just glad for him that he's not really, really badly injured and that he's doing okay and I wish him the best of luck. And Axl seems to be doing… I saw a couple of [clips online and] Axl seems to be doing okay. It seemed really weird at first, but when you watch it, he's giving it his all and he seems to have a big respect for the band and the fans and everything. So it seems to be going along…"

Wright added: "I don't know what they'll do after this run of dates — I don't really know — but I wish 'em all the luck in the world."

According to a Billboard.com source, Rose initially met with AC/DC members in Miami and Atlanta back in March. It was then that the decision was made to have Rose join AC/DC on tour. There was also talk of having other singers alternate with Rose, including ex-SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach and Nic Cester of the Australian band JET.

Rose made his live debut with AC/DC on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal, and by all accounts delivered a triumphant vocal performance as fill-in for Johnson even if he was still confined to a chair onstage due to the broken foot he suffered during a GUNS show last month.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and activist Serj Tankian has released "Aurora's Dream", a song he was commissioned to write for the recent "Aurora Prize" ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia. "Aurora's Dream" was featured as the main theme song for the inaugural "Aurora Prize" ceremony, which was organized by the 100 Lives initiative to honor individuals whose actions have had an exceptional impact on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, an Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored each year with a $100,000 grant as well as the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspired their work for a $1,000,000 award. Though the April event was the first official ceremony, it marked the second time an Aurora Prize has been awarded. "'Aurora's Dream' is the result of some of my best compositional efforts in years," said Tankian. "I'm glad it was for the 100 Lives organization and for the wonderful things they're doing with bringing attention to devastating tragedies and the real heroes that rise to the occasion, especially with their Aurora Prize events." An instrumental version of "Aurora's Dream" served as the backdrop to "Aurora", a film by Eric Nazarian that was featured during the ceremony. "Aurora's Dream" follows the recent release of "Artsakh", an acoustic song Tankian wrote in support of the people of Artsakh, a former region of Soviet-era Azerbaijan. "These people have lived on those lands for thousands of years," said Tankian. "They have great struggle but also great beauty written on their foreheads. The whimsical appropriation of land by an empire (Stalin) placed them under Azerbaijan. They have since gained their independence and have lived a prosperous existence for the last 20 or so years. I do not believe in wars and ultimately borders but I deeply believe in self-determination and life without oppression. Therefore it is time for the world to recognize them as the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)." Tankian recently composed the soundtrack for "The Last Inhabitant" and just released the soundtrack for "1915", a film created by writer-directors Garin Hovannisian and Alec Mouhibian about the Armenian genocide, an attempted extermination of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire. From 1915 through 1923, 1.5 million men, women and children were starved, shot, beaten and banished to die in the desert during one of history's greatest crimes. Though considered by many to be the first genocide of the 20th century, the Turkish government denies it ever happened. For Tankian, who's worked tirelessly over the years fighting for genocide recognition, it's a topic close to home. With his band SYSTEM OF A DOWN, Tankian last year commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a global arena tour that included the group's first-ever performance in Yerevan's Republic Square.

According to TMZ, investigators have ruled out drugs as a factor in the death of former MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza.

"Law enforcement sources" have told the site that autopsy results indicated that the 51-year-old drummer did not succumb to a "stereotypical drug-related death." They reached the conclusion that Menza had no recent history of drug use after conducting a search and interviewing people close to him.

Sources close to Nick told TMZ that the drummer had dabbled with drugs in the earlier part of his career but that he had been completely sober for eight years.

Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during the third song of OHM:'s set on May 21 at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California.

One person who was present at The Baked Potato Saturday night told BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "It appeared to be a seizure but [Nick] stopped breathing. Two patrons took over and began CPR until EMS arrived. EMS worked on him for 25-plus minutes, including adrenaline shots, three shocks and non-stop compressions."

Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1989 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next nine years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

In addition to Menza, OHM: featured another ex-MEGADETH member, guitarist Chris Poland.

Menza joined OHM: last year after the passing of the band's previous drummer, David Eagle, who suffered a heart attack and had open-heart surgery in May 2015.

Last week, it was announced that Nick would unveil an art collection crafted from the new medium of "rhythm-on-canvas" on June 16. That unveiling has now been postponed to an as-yet-undetermined date.

Menza had been working with art team and publisher SceneFour on the collection titled "Rhythm Hits The Wall".

"Starlight", a brand new song from GONE IS GONE, the new project featuring MASTODON's Troy Sanders, AT THE DRIVE-IN's Tony Hajjar, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen and guitarist-keyboardist Mike Zarin, can be streamed using the Apple Music widget below. The collaborative group plans to debut an EP later this summer through their own imprint label via Rise Records/BMG.

What was once thought a distant idea is now reality. It began when members Tony Hajjar and Mike Zarin were writing music for film trailers and they realized they had created a sound that needed a life outside of that medium. It needed a band. Fast forward through some phone calls and drinks: Troy Van Leeuwen was in. The trio met and wrote an EP within the first several sessions, but were still in need of the right vocalist. Upon first listen, Troy Sanders understood the vision and flew to Los Angeles to write and record vocals on the spot.

In the interview with RollingStone.com, Tony Hajjar said: "GONE IS GONE is a project that can live even when we are working with our other entities as well. The goal is to be able to compose remotely, if needed, on film, trailers, or on anything else that comes up... It feels good to know that all this music will see the light of day soon."

Added Sanders: "The vibe from Day One was, and has been, very therapeutic and refreshing for me. The chemistry was immediate."

GONE IS GONE made its live debut on April 27 at the Dragonfly in Los Angeles. A fan-filmed clip of that performance can be seen below.

For more information, visit www.GoneIsGoneOfficial.com.

Sintax was formed by members of Shwortsechaye and Birth in late 2010. Since then they have toured Israel and have an established fan base all over the country. The band is considered one of the best metal live act in Israel to date. The band also had a special feature on Israeli Headbangers Ball and they have released two music videos from the new album Sway For A Better Day; “Let’s Get Mental” and “Four More Years”.

Sintax released earlier a small limited CD-edition of the Sway For A Better Day album and it is now released digitally via Inverse Records on June 17th.

“Let’s Get Mental”:

“Four More Years”:

Italian thrashers Extrema are preparing for the release of The Old School EP, set for May 27th by Punishment 18 Records. The EP will be released as digital version, CD and vinyl (250 copies limited edition), and will feature two powerful guests: Ralph Salati (Destrage) and Bob Capka (ex-Vicious Rumours). A new song, "Child Abuse" is streaming below.

""Child Abuse" is another track from our past production that never ended on an album, there is a really old version on our demo tape Rehearsal 1989 that I found, the same as all of the tracks on this EP. We wanted to finally record all of them for our official discography. I've always been pissed that we never recorded them before because even today, these songs are timeless - they don't sound old. This song has a strong lyric, the title says everything," states guitarist Tommy Massara.

The Old School EP embodies the spirit, immediacy and brutality of the years in which its tracks were originally written, accented by fresh, pummelling production. Recorded last year at Fear Studios in Alfonsine (Ravenna, Italy) with The Seed Of Foolishness producer Gabry Ravaglia, these tracks do not just prompt the "old school" cliché - they are the real deal - recorded in classic brutal fashion with only minimal writing tweaks.

All five tracks were originally written in 1987, shortly after the release of Extrema’s We Fuckin ' Care EP. Only one of these songs saw the light on an album - "Life" was originally released in 1993 on the band's first full-length album Tension At The Seams. The track has been re-recorded for The Old School EP in addition to tracks the band is known for performing live-only or releasing as raw demos on rare tapes, including "Child Abuse", the instrumental "M.A.S.S.A.C.R.O", "Tribal Scream" and "Carcasses". The idea came to guitarist Tommy Massara while tidying Extrema’s audio archives. He began listening to a tape on which there were no notes or text records of any kind.

In addition to those tracks, The Old School EP will feature two bonus tracks, including live versions of "Life" and Motörhead's "Ace of Spades", both recorded in Rome, Italy.

Tracklisting:

“Life”
“Carcasses”
“Tribal Scream”
“Child Abuse”
“M.A.S.S.A.C.R.O.”
“Life” (Live in Rome)
“Ace Of Spades” (Live in Rome)

"Child Abuse":

"Carcasses" video:

Extrema will perform an EP showcase presentation on May 21st at Legend Club in Milan, Italy.

As announced earlier this year, Heaven And Hell Records are planning to reissue North Carolina thrashers Denial’s No Comment material with additional live bonus tracks. All material has been remastered by Jamie King. The new cover artwork was created by Steven Cobb. Look for this limited to 500 pressed release to be available next month.

Tracklisting:

“King Of Darkness”
“Insane Asylum”
“Antichrist President”
“Sentenced”
“Serpent’s Bite”
“Reality Of The Masses”
“Third World Nation”
“Mass Graves”
“The Awakening”

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

A song from the CD, "The Price Is Wrong", can be streamed below. "It's like handing somebody a grenade," PERIPHERY guitar player Jake Bowen says about the track, which serves as the album opener. "It's so in-your-face and brutal for us. It was a great way to start." "Every one of our albums has a nice long intro, and we were, like, 'Let's kick this off with a drum fill and a pissed-off riff,'" laughs PERIPHERY guitar player Misha Mansoor. "It's something we haven't done. It was fun." "Periphery III: Select Difficulty" track listing:

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

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

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

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

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

"Lost", the new video from San Fracisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "The Evil Divide", which will be released on May 27 via Nuclear Blast. The clip was directed and edited by Tommy Jones of Videohammer Studios.

Comments DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda: "The song 'Lost' is very personal to me and I believe it will resonate with many.

"As one who has been fortunate enough to be raised In the San Francisco Bay Area (an extremely diverse region), I have made friends with people from every religion, race, sexual orientation, and genre of music fan!

"One thing that no one can escape, no matter what one's beliefs are, or how well you were raised, or educated, is that one point in your life that you felt apart, or alone. It is an awful and disparaging feeling. Some are fortunate enough to have only experienced a fleeting moment of that empty feeling. More often than not though, it's much longer than a fleeting moment, and time moves no slower than when stuck in that feeling. I myself am not immune to that human experience.

"I find the best release for me, and what makes me feel as though I belong / am doing something right / have a quality of life that is not measured by a monetary system, is creating music!

"This song is for and about all who have ever been trapped in that dark hole of your own mind. This is 'Lost'! You are not alone!"

Adds Jones: "When I first spoke to Mark about the lyrical context of the song, I realized that he was coming from three different mindsets, or three different narratives that would lead someone to feeling 'lost.' So there was a challenge to represent these three scenarios into the video for the song. They were pretty heavy, current social topics in the form of religious extremism, a bad relationship riddled with drug and physical abuse, and cyber and school bullying. Each of these situations could make a person feel 'lost' as to what's right or what's wrong, or a sense of being trapped in a situation that in your mind you know is wrong, but being stuck in it, makes you feel 'lost'. I also wanted the band to seem 'lost' as if they were nowhere. So the setting of the video is that they are in complete never-ending blackness. The rain was a necessity. With the power that Mark is belting out the lyrics 'rain down on me', it was a no-brainier, I saw it in my head and needed to have him singing that last chorus in the rain. So we made it rain, yo!"

"The Evil Divide" 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 Tyrrell and can be seen below.

"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 will take part in a live performance and signing session on Thursday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m. at the Amoeba record store in San Francisco, California.

In the new video below, Banger TV take Johan Hegg and Johan Söderberg from Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth to BATL - Toronto's axe throwing league - for a viking axe battle. Host Sam Dunn gets a round in too. Who will emerge victorious?

Amon Amarth recently announced the first dates for their massive European Jomsviking tour with shows in Germany this fall. The biggest tour of Amon Amarth’s career comes on the heels of the victorious worldwide release of the band’s 10th studio album, Jomsviking (Columbia Records/Sony Music/Metal Blade Records). Jomsviking smashed sales charts around the world including charting a triumphant #1 in Germany, #1 in Austria and #3 in Switzerland.

Comments Amon Amarth, “Germany, after three years away we are returning to your lands and are bringing with us our biggest headline show ever. Sharpen your weapons, fortify your embankments & hide your loved ones. We are bringing our berserker party to a town near you and we hope you will come to the shows and “Raise Your Horns” together with us to glory!”

Tour dates:

October
28 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
29 - Hamburg, Germany - Alsterdorfer Sporthalle

November
17 - Offenbach, Germany - Stadthalle
18 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - MHP Arena
19 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
26 - Geiselwind, Germany - Eventhall

Tickets for all shows can be purchased here. Additional dates and guests to be announced at a later date.

Amon Amarth lineup:

Johan Hegg - Vocals
Ted Lundström - Bass
Johan Söderberg - Guitar
Olavi Mikkonen – Guitar
Jocke Wallgren - Drums

Swedish black metal legends Nifelheim has released their first music video “Devil’s Wrath”. The track is taken from the just released limited edition compilation LP Critical Mass Volume 3. 

Although originally written by former drummer Demon back in 1994, the song wasn't recorded until spring 2016, with the purpose to be featured exclusively to this compilation.
The track features guest guitars by Set Teitan (ex-Dissection, Unanimated) and shows a little thrashier style. 

The compilation also features rare and exclusive recordings from these Swedish bands: Entrench, Bombs Of Hades, Usurpress, Aggrenation, Scumbag Millionaire, Headons, Armory, Xenofanes, Strul, Suffer The Pain, Martyrdöd, and Rob Coffinshaker’s Underground Fire.

The LP can be purchased from the Critical Mass shop or listened to on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play etc.

Greek black metal legends Rotting Christ released their new album, Rituals, on February 12th via Season Of Mist. The album track “Tou Thanatou” is now streaming below.

Rituals tracklisting:

“In Nomine Dei Nostri”
“Ze Nigmar”
“Elthe Kyrie”
“Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)”
“Apage Satana”
“Tou Thanatou”
“For A Voice Like Thunder”
“Konx Om Pax”
“Devadevam”
“The Four Horsemen”
“Lok'tar Ogar” (bonus track)

“Tou Thanatou”:

“The Four Horsemen” lyric video:

“Les Litanies de Satan” lyric video:

“For A Voice Like Thunder” lyric video:

Legendary Swedish black metal band, Marduk, have unveiled dates for the North American leg of their Frontschwein 2016 tour, which includes special guests Rotting Christ, Carach Angren and Necronomicon.

September
2 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
3 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
4 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
5 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
6 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
7 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
8 - Montreal, QC - L'Astral
9 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
10 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
11 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
12 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
13 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
14 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
16 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
17 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
18 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
19 - Oakland, CA - Metro Opera House
20 - Las Vegas, NV - LVCS
21 - Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater
22 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto
23 - El Paso, TX - Mesa Music Hall
24 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
25 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar

Swiss avant-garde extreme metal titans, Schammasch have revealed plans for a late fall jaunt across Europe supporting Rotting Christ alongside black metallists Inquisition and Mystifier.

October
19 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
20 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Beta
21 - Berlin, Germany - TBA
22 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
23 - Katowice, Poland - Mega Club
24 - Prague, Czech Republic - Storm
25 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
26 - Ljubljiana, Slovenia - Gala Hala
27 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
28 - Munchen, Germany - Backstage
29 - Brescia, Italy - Circolo Colony
30 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks
31 - Lyon, France - CCO

November
1 - Luynes, France - Le Korigan
2 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
3 - Barcelona, Spain - Apolo 2
4 - Toulouse, France - Metronum
5 - Rennes, France - Ubu
6 - Paris, France - Petit Bain
7 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall
8 - Dublin, UK - Voodoo Lounge
9 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control
10 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
11 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
12 - Nijmegenm, Netherlands - Doornroosje
13 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
14 - Weinheim, Germany - Kafe Zentraal

Rotting Christ lineup:

Sakis - vocals, guitars
Themis - drums
Van Ace - bass
George - guitars

MERCYFUL FATE guitar lengends Michael Denner and Hank Shermann will release their new DENNER / SHERMANN full-length album, "Masters Of Evil", on June 24 via Metal Blade Records.

A new 90-second preview of the CD is available below.

The album cover was painted by Swedish artist Thomas Holm, who also created the "Satan's Tomb" artwork, and who is very well known amongst fans for his standout pieces over the past three decades! The mixing was once again handled by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mastering was done once again by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, California. The vintage sound on the new record harkens one back to the days of two-inch tape machines, long nights in dark studios, and huge consoles glowing under dim incandescent light.

"Masters Of Evil" contains eight new Denner / Shermann tracks that continue right where the EP left off. Building upon the musical foundation of the "Satan's Tomb" EP, these songs cover the entire gamut of heavy metal nuances and take the listener down a mysterious path where tales of dark, supernatural fantasies are told, transporting you to places that can only be found in the most vivid, blood curdling nightmares.

"Masters Of Evil" is fully loaded to satisfy the old fans with just what they would expect — and also injected with menacing, sinister, new surprises that could only come from the sonic DNA of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann.

"After 'Satan's Tomb', we continued aggressively writing and recording ideas, except for the short break we took to do all the press for the release of the debut. We are very excited with the outcome, and the full-length album is ready to be unleashed this summer," says Shermann.

Vocalist Sean Peck comments: "This record really has it all, I think. Working with Hank and Michael and the guys creating this record was the ultimate metal thrill ride for me! I can't wait to hear the fan reaction to this sinister sonic salvo of savagery!"

Denner adds: "This new record really shows how the five of us have grown as a band and bonded as songwriters. It contains the kind of compositions I believe our fans would expect from us. I think this release will serve as kind of a tribute to our incredible fans worldwide, as we recognize and acknowledge their die-hard loyalty over the years."

The first single, "Angel's Blood", comes right at you with a sonic sledgehammer! Once the guitars hit your ears, the unmistakable trademark guitar sound of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann is instantly recognized.

With the upcoming DENNER / SHERMANN release comes live touring. Ever since the first announcement that this guitar duo was reforming, many show requests have been received from all over the world. Now with a full complement of original songs to draw from, look for the group to bring those to a city near you very soon.

"Masters Of Evil" track listing:

01. Angel's Blood02. Son of Satan03. The Wolf Feeds At Night04. Pentagram And The Cross05. Masters Of Evil06. Servants Of Dagon07. Escape From Hell08. The Baroness

DENNER / SHERMANN is:

Michael Denner - GuitarHank Shermann - GuitarSean Peck - Vocals Snowy Shaw - Drums Marc Grabowski - Bass

A teaser for "The Shooting Star", a brand new song from French progressive metallers GOJIRA, is avaialble below. The track is taken from the band's new studio album, "Magma", which will be released on June 17 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2012's "L'Enfant Sauvage" was recorded at GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier's Silver Cord Studio in Queens, New York.

"Magma" track listing:

01. The Shooting Star02. Silvera03. The Cell04. Stranded05. Yellow Stone06. Magma07. Pray08. Only Pain09. Low Lands10. Liberation

The cover artwork for "Magma" can be seen below

The Drew Cox-directed video for the song "Silvera" can be seen below.

Joseph told RollingStone.com that GOJIRA worked on twelve songs for the album before ultimately deciding on ten. "We want a short album," he said. "Something less epic than what we usually do. People's attentions are shorter now. So a lot of the songs are four minutes."

Joseph and his brother, GOJIRA drummer Mario Duplantier, who make up the band's songwriting core, were forced to put the sessions for the new album on hold when their mother got sick and eventually died last summer.

"I felt physically, mentally exhausted," Joseph told RollingStone.com. "At the same time, though, the way it happened was beautiful. We were all around her. We had to cancel a few shows when she died, but it was very enriching at the same time. We learned a lot about death."

"When you read Joe's lyrics, for me, I cry right away," Mario said. "They're very deep and to the point. No bullshit. We recycle our sadness and depression in the music."

"Mario was recording drums, and I was playing guitar with him, just trying to help him know where he's at in the song, and both of us would start crying at the same time," Joseph added.

"The songs were half-written while she was sick," he said. "After she died, I still had to finish them. So one song was like, 'You're going to make it,' but the second verse is 'You didn't make it.'"

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In March 2015, GOJIRA released "Les Enfants Sauvages", a limited edition 5" x 7", 60-page hardcover photo book chronicling the band's journey around the world over the first two years since the release of "L'Enfant Sauvage". The images were taken around the globe, spanning over 150 shows on three continents, and were hand-selected by Joseph and Mario. The package also included a live CD and DVD capturing the band's performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England.

The first in a series of trailers for "Beast", the new album from the Montreal-based deathcore act DESPISED ICON, is available below.

"Beast" will be released on July 22. The album was produced and engineered by former guitarist Yannick St-Amand (BENEATH THE MASSACRE, NEURAXIS) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE). Artwork was created by Alexandre Goulet.

"Beast" track listing:

01. The Aftermath02. Inner Demons03. Drapeau Noir04. Bad Vibes05. Dedicated To Extinction06. Grind Forever07. Time Bomb08. One Last Martini09. Doomed10. Beast

The video for the song "Beast" can be seen below. The clip was directed by Jessy Fuchs of Slam Disques.

For many extreme music fans, it may be hard to remember a time before DESPISED ICON, given the massive influence they've subsequently had on the genre. But when the group formed back in 2002 and released "Consumed By Your Poison" the same year, there was little intersection between the sounds of classic death metal and the brute force of hardcore. But DESPISED ICON were among the first to fully embrace the signatures of the traditional death metal formula combined with a relentless embrace of breakdowns, part of an emerging new sound.

Now DESPISED ICON have returned with their upcoming album titled "Beast". The genre-defining band is fully reawakened, poised to recapture the crown with the monstrous and merciless might of their potent expression. Featuring the men responsible for most of the band's now-classic death metal catalog, "Beast" is a vicious commentary on the state of the world and the state of music itself.

"Here I Am", the new video from ASKING ALEXANDRIA, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "The Black", which debuted at No. 9 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 30,000 equivalent album units in the week ending March 31.

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, "The Black" opened with 28,000 copies.

"The Black" was released on March 25 via Sumerian Records.

Life is all about how quickly you get back up. In January 2015, everything changed for ASKING ALEXANDRIA. The chart- topping, gold-selling U.K. hard rock outfit parted ways with singer and founding member Danny Worsnop. On the outside, the future might've seemed uncertain — even grim — to some, but Ben Bruce (lead guitar, vocals), James Cassells (drums), Cameron Liddell (rhythm guitar) and Sam Bettley (bass) dusted themselves off, lifted their chins, and got right back up. "We hadn't reached our destination yet, and Danny had," admits Bruce. "I think it was necessary. When it happened, I was devastated. I lost my best friend. We even started referring to this part of our career as 'the black period.' It was the darkest time, but we weren't going to give up. If he hadn't left, I don't think we would've been as inspired as we were. I also don’t think ASKING ALEXANDRIA would still be around. Instead, we're more excited than ever about this band." In order to properly do that, the band actually turned to a fan. Ukrainian singer Denis Shaforostov gained notoriety posting ASKING ALEXANDRIA covers on YouTube and consequentially inked a deal with Sumerian in his band DOWN AND DIRTY. Bruce shot him an e-mail one night. The next day, a new ASKING ALEXANDRIA song had vocals and a new era in the band's history took form.

"The Black" track listing:

01. Let It Sleep02. The Black03. I Won't Give In04. Sometimes It Ends05. The Lost Souls06. Just A Slave To Rock N Roll07. Send Me Home08. We'll Be Okay09. Here I Am10. Gone11. Undivided12. Circled By The Wolves

Rise Records has announced the signing of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH to a North American recording deal. The first album with Rise Records, the BMG-owned rock label, will be released following the completion of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's obligation to its current label, Prospect Park.

The hard rock juggernauts, comprised of vocalist Ivan Moody, guitarists Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook, drummer Jeremy Spencer and bassist Chris Kael, formed in 2005 and have released six highly successful albums, five of which have been certified gold, with one reaching platinum status and another soon to follow.

The Portland, Oregon-based label is excited to work with the band, welcoming them to a roster that includes OF MICE & MEN, PVRIS, CROWN THE EMPIRE and more. Craig Ericson, CEO of Rise Records, says: "I'm honored to be working with one of the biggest arena rock bands in the world. I'm very confident in the future of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and Rise Records and can't wait to hear the music they make with our company."

Bathory commented: "We are looking forward to the next phase of our recording career. We have had great success with our current label, Prospect Park, and will continue to enjoy further success with our next and final album (subject to surmounting the label's court action to prevent us from recording it), after which we will commence a new and exciting label partnership with the people at Rise and BMG."

It was revealed last month that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's label, Prospect Park, filed a lawsuit against the band, accusing it of allegedly trying to violate its recording contract by rushing to make a new album despite the addiction problems of Ivan Moody.

The group fired back, calling the suit "the latest in a long line of exploitative and abusive bullying tactics used by our former manager and current label CEO Jeff Kwatinetz to extract money from and wield power against the band."

Amidst all this, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH announced a new co-headlining arena tour with SHINEDOWN that will kick off on October 18 in Little Rock, Arkansas and run into December. SIXX A.M. and AS LIONS will be along as support. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will also play a handful of festival dates this summer in North America and Europe.

Michigan-based rockers POP EVIL have recruited U.K.-based drummer Hayley Cramer (formerly of MCQUEEN) to replace Josh "Chachi" Marunde, who exited the group last month.

Speaking to RadioContraband, POP EVIL singer Leigh Kakaty stated about the band's latest addition (see video below): "She's amazing. She's from Brighton. We love her. And we didn't think this was gonna work, cause we were, like, 'A girl on the bus? I don't know if this is the right idea.' But we already knew she could play the drums. And if you haven't seen her play the drums, she slays it. But you know what? She's even become a better sister, so I love her."

Regarding how POP EVIL ended up hooking up with Cramer, Kakaty said: "[We got word out] through the grapevine [via] some friends that we were looking for a female drummer, and we didn't know if she existed out there. And word got back around through some talented people that knew her and had seen her play. And [we thought], 'Wow, this could be the girl.' We saw the video. 'Let's see how she plays POP EVIL songs.' And she crushed it on the demo; [she] sent us a great demo. And I'm, like, ' Well, okay, let's see if she can live with us.' So she's been living with us — it's almost two months now — and she's still here; we haven't scared her away. And she's just amazing."

Asked what the best thing is about being in POP EVIL, Cramer told RadioContraband: "I don't even know where to start with that; there are so many good things about being in POP EVIL. First of all, I found some brothers. That's a really… Like, seriously, living with thes guys is great."

Marunde is said to be taking a new opportunity that will allow him to spend more time with family. He told "The MARR Army Rock Show": "Definitely music will always be a part of my life and I'll always play. I might honestly… I'll probably jam a lot more. A lot of people don't think about that, but we tour so often and we're on the road and playing, we don't really have a lot of time to just go play drums; like, I don't get to just go goof around. I definitely am gonna continue to play, write… I really enjoy working with writing and producing. I don't think I'll become a producer, but I don't wanna say I won't… But that's not my plan.'

He continued: "There may be a time where, down the road especially, once I'm settled and everything is relaxed and the dust has settled, where I make myself available to be a hired gun on very short terms — whether it be for an album or whether that be for three to five days on a tour. That's something I've already talked to POP EVIL about. A year from now, who's to say I won't wanna come out and play three songs on a show, or play a show with the guys — you know, who knows? — whether they are in Michigan or I'm on the road. I'm never gonna stop playing drums."

POP EVIL's latest album, "Up", was released last August via eOne Music.

Australian melodic/progressive death metal act, Be’lakor, are streaming the new song “Roots To Sever”, from their upcoming fourth full length album, Vessels. The song is streaming below.

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

Vessels tracklisting:

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

“Roots To Sever”:

“An Ember’s Arc”:

Teaser:

Vessels will be available as:

- Regular Jewel Case
- Webstore Exclusive CD & Band Logo arm patch
- CD & Shirt Bundle (Webstore)
- 2LP Gatefold ( black & different colors)
- Strictly limited 2LP Gatefold Edition of the predecessor album Of Breath And Bone (black LTD limited to 300)

The eight pillar songs Vessels is built upon definitely satiate your hunger for progressive structures and technical prowess, but at the same time these new compositions live for intense, passionate and deeply disquieting melodic death metal.

Vessels will be released on June 24th via Napalm Records. Pre-orders will be available soon.

Be’lakor is:

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

Philadelphia’s Nothing have released an official music video for “A.C.D. (Abcessive Compulsive Disorder)”, a track from their sophomore LP, Tired Of Tomorrow, out now via Relapse Records.

Tired Of Tomorrow is available on CD / LP / Deluxe 2xLP (with two bonus tracks) / Cassette / Digital. Physical orders and bundles are available via Relapse.com here, and digital downloads can be ordered via Bandcamp at this location.

Tired Of Tomorrow tracklisting:

“Fever Queen”
“The Dead Are Dumb”
“Vertigo Flowers”
“A.C.D. (Abcessive Compulsive Disorder)”
“Nineteen Ninety Heaven”
“Curse Of The Sun”
“Eaten By Worms”
“Everyone Is Happy”
“Our Plague”
“Tired Of Tomorrow”

“Eaten By Worms” video:

“Vertigo Flowers” video:

Tired Of Tomorrow documentary videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

Brick was forged to the tunes of Swedish hardcore legends The Haunted and At The Gates, later on other raw models like Pantera, Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God brought their heavy machinery to further mold these fellows. All these hard hitting influences were mixed with singing techniques derived from earlier heavy metal acts such as Iron Maiden and Dio. A flirt with college rock up-tempo pop like Blink 182, Good Charlotte and Sum41 has also been included in the mix for good measure.

Brick’s music is determined to keep a steady beat and build a solid foundation for rhythmic drops and soaring refrains. The lyrics are sprung from everyday life and dealing with thoughts ranging from Middle East crisis to the perks of drug-dealing, to serving the  end of mankind. All in the midst of daily routines where love, affection and general alcohol abuse is addressed humorously but sincerely.

Faceless Strangers was recorded in the midst of the dark Swedish Småland forests. The drums were laid at Dennis Studio (Shimmer Records) in Ljungby and the rest was recorded at Studio Milou in Värnamo. All engineered, mixed and mastered by Andreas at Ylitalo Productions, stirring the kettle to bring all the juiciest bubbles to the top.  

Faceless Strangers will see the light of the day on August 5th via Scarlet Records. More details to follow.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of The Album Leaf! The band, led by Jimmy LaValle, has been a major influential force across many disparate genres of music over the last twenty years, and joins a long line of experimental musicians that have helped shape and define Relapse history.

The Album Leaf's LaValle comments on the signing: “I’m very excited to release a new record and to be a part of the Relapse family. This record represents a new musical chapter for me and after making records as the The Album Leaf for nearly two decades, I welcome a fresh start with such an influential, veteran label.”

Relapse is also incredibly excited to announce the release of The Album Leaf's first full-length album in six years and to share new music from the release. Now twenty years into a career that has seen LaValle exercising his creativity across the realms of film scoring, sound collage, and rock music, via instrumental and vocal-driven compositions alike, LaValle and The Album Leaf’s newly solidified lineup are poised to deliver yet another sonic triumph with 2016’s Between Waves.

The album was born out of a thorough reinvention of LaValle's creative process and approach: Between Waves is The Album Leaf's first full-length record to be recorded with the band's current lineup, and was written with greater emphasis on the group dynamic (the album was also entirely recorded and produced by LaValle and the band). The album's eight tracks were winnowed down from thirty, and it shows: each song is memorable and unique, all speaking in The Album Leaf's singular voice while expressing themselves through a wide variety of different sounds and emotions.

The band's thorough, unified approach is evident on nearly every aspect of Between Waves: the album displays multifaceted, meticulous sound design, a keen ear for balancing disparate influences, and the strongest senses of dynamics, rhythm, and composition The Album Leaf has displayed to date. From the moody evolution of "Glimmering Lights" to the wistful hip-hop stylings of "A New Soul" and beyond, Between Waves is The Album Leaf at its most inventive, most confident, and most impressive.

Between Waves tracklisting:

“False Dawn”
“Glimmering Lights”
“New Soul”
“Back To The Start”
“Wandering Still”
“Never Far”
“Lost In The Fog”
“Between Waves”

“Back To The Start”:

“New Soul” video:

Between Waves is set for release on August 26th via Relapse Records on CD/LP/DLX 2xLP/Digital. Physical pre-orders can be found at this location, and digital pre-orders are available via The Album Leaf's Bandcamp page here. “New Soul” is also available on white 7" vinyl via The Album Leaf's store at this location.

On the 30th anniversary of recording Guns N’ Roses’ iconic debut album Appetite For Destruction, legendary producer, Steve Thompson (Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones), went into the studio to produce American hard rock band, Crash Midnight. The first result is the adrenaline-filled “Roxy”, whose controversial and edgy music video drops today. Check it out below.

Directed by Ron Sperling and produced by Ron Sperling and Bo Toof, "Roxy" chronicles the raucous, gritty experience of a young stripper in the infamous 1960's "Combat Zone" of Boston. With the song’s theme in mind, Sperling created this intense video that couples the explosiveness of the band’s live performance along with jaw-dropping raw visuals that have already created quite a stir leading up to its release.

“Roxy” anticipates the release of Lost In The City, Crash Midnight’s new album, dropping in September via Musicarchy Media in Europe and Asia. The release will be remixed, remastered, and repackaged with “Roxy” for North America later this fall.

The band is also launching the exclusive Crash Midnight App today, created in cooperation with Cayenne and available now on the App Store and Google Play.  The App will offer exclusive music videos, merchandise, contests, free song downloads, and provide unprecedented access to the band through its unique Backstage portal.

In their five years of existence, universal space rock act, The Black Explosion, has become an institution of Scandinavian rock. Featuring Chris Winter (guitar and vocals), Addman Lindqvist (drums), and Simon Haraldsson (bass), The Black Explosion’s third release, entitled Atomic Zod War, is scheduled for release in North America via Metalville Records on June 24th.

Atomic Zod War is a freakin’ free spaced out to the top album with a twist of dark infinity. The music of this piece was arranged and recorded while the band was stranded on planet earth for a short time during a universal tour. Instead of wasting time waiting for their ship to get repaired they decided to enter SGV studios. The result is an album full of very retro space rock soundscapes. Atomic Zod War is the best matured recording of the band’s career and also again an outstanding tribute to heroes like Hawkwind and MC5.

Since its foundation by ex-Dollhouse mastermind Chris Winter in 2011, The Black Explosion has remained true to their dark space rock ideals. It’s all there: sci-fi, space, doom, stoner, acid and psychedelic, and together with their high energetic live performances it all gets complete.

Atomic Zod War tracklisting:

“Paralyzed”
“Ain’t Coming Home”
“World Is Dead”
“Location 9”
“Going Down”
“Get My Mind Together”
“Devil Inside”

(Photo - The Black Explosion Facebook)

Toby Jepson has been a busy man since the hugely successful Little Angels disbanded in 1994. His production wizardry has been in high demand, with acts such as The Virginmarys and The Answer calling on him to produce their albums. He has been instrumental in the rise of James Toseland's band, co-writing and producing two albums with the act who are a growing force on the live circuit and making serious waves in Europe and the US. Add to that several co-writing credits with Katie Melua and you have a great idea of the depth and quality of his songwriting. He has even managed to squeeze in a few solo EPs along the way to keep his faithful fanbase engaged and entertained.

Now Toby Jepson is back doing what he is best known and loved for, and his new band, Wayward Sons has signed to Frontiers, and will commence work on a new album imminently.

Says the label: “It is all about songs for Toby. He is not someone to do anything by halves, his heart and soul will be put into producing a record that will make him proud and that we are certain will be greeted with enthusiasm from his loyal fans and the wider rock audience across the world.”

Toby sums it up himself: “I feel I have unfinished business, stories still left to tell, points to make, noise to create, all of the above... besides, it wasn't a choice, more of a need. My intention is very simple. I want to write about what makes me tick; about what I believe in. Hopefully you will believe in it too. It will be warts and all.”

Expect the album in the first half of 2017. In the meantime, check out the band on Facebook.