"I.O.U. Nothing", the new video from COAL CHAMBER, the reformed '90s alt-metal band fronted by current DEVILDRIVER singer Dez Fafara, can be seen below. The song is taken from COAL CHAMBER's comeback album, "Rivals, which will be released on May 19 North America via Napalm. The band's first CD in over thirteen years was recorded in part at Audiohammer studio in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, CANNIBAL CORPSE).

Asked who the "rivals" are that he is talking about in the title of COAL CHAMBER's new album, Dez said: "It's really more about the artwork and how [the word] 'rivals' is scratched out."

He continued: "Rivals can be your inner demons, your inner self; [or] exterior factors that are negative influences on your life. But either way, they've gotta go. And that's kind of what this whole thing is about. If you go inside the record and you listen to the lyrics, it's about expelling demons and getting rid of negative influences in and around your life."

Speaking to The Age Of Metal, Fafara stated about what fans can expect from "Rivals": "We put a lot of work into it, and it seems to be getting just a very positive [response]. But what you can expect is a record that, when it's done, you're gonna wanna push 'play' again. I mean, we really, really honed in on it, and I think that's pretty evident."

Regarding the writing process for "Rivals", Dez said: "We locked ourselves in a room and just waited until it was very tight. Then [the other guys in the band] would throw me songs and I would throw them back lyrics, and that's how it came together. It's a very democratic process when it comes to COAL CHAMBER and the writing. And I think they did a great job. It was extremely freeing to do this record, 'cause I could use anything I want — I could use high screams, low screams, clean vocals, whisper tracks… all sorts of stuff — which was very freeing as an artist to do. It was a great time to record. And I think you can feel that within the record. We didn't record with a click track, so [there are] ebbs and flows. Nothing was copied an pasted; everything was sung. I hit most of the stuff the first time I did the vocals, and the music itself is really raw and has a really great feel to it. I think it has a fresh feel to it. Don't expect a throwback record. It's not gonna sound like a throwback record. It's us moving forward."

Electronic/rock trio THE GLITCH MOB will perform at this year's X Games in Austin in early June alongside Nicki Minaj and recently announced headliners METALLICA. To prepare the masses for this titanic clash of music and action sports, THE GLITCH MOB has just released a fiery remix of METALLICA's "Lords Of Summer", which is being used as X Games' official anthem and is featured in the ad campaign for the event that launched this week. It will also be integrated into the ABC and ESPN telecasts and THE GLITCH MOB's Sunday performance at Circuit of The Americas. THE GLITCH MOB has remixed the song in headbanging electro style, creating a fitting homage that retains a definite metal/hard rock influence.

Stream the remix via SoundCloud and grab a free download below. "METALLICA is one of the greatest, heaviest, and most significant bands of all time. They defined heavy music as we know it today," said THE GLITCH MOB. "We listened to their catalog religiously. '…And Justice For All' is one of the greatest albums ever — it has an immersive narrative, deep emotion, and gnarly power. Our mission has always been to bring that same raw energy into our own electronic music. It was a true honor to remix METALLICA: to collaborate with our heroes."

METALLICA released a limited 12-inch vinyl single of the new song "Lords Of Summer" last November. The single featured the "first pass" studio version of the song as well as a live take recorded in Rome in July 2014. This collectable vinyl was only made available through independent record stores and Metallica.com.

A select group of fans were brought on stage during METALLICA's May 9 performance at the Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas, Nevada to add to the ambiance.

Video footage of the opening song of METALLICA's appearance at Rock In Rio USA from the fans' point on view on stage can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Fuel 02. Master Of Puppets 03. King Nothing 04. Disposable Heroes 05. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) 06. Lords Of Summer 07. The Unforgiven 08. Cyanide 09. Sad But True 10. Turn The Page (BOB SEGER cover)11. One 12. For Whom The Bell Tolls 13. Blackened14. Nothing Else Matters 15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Whiskey In The Jar (cover)17. Creeping Death 18. Seek & Destroy

It's been nearly seven years since METALLICA last released an album, and while the band is now writing material for its next studio effort, guitarist Kirk Hammett admitted to something that may have slowed down the process a bit. Hammett said on "The Jasta Show" podcast, "I put riffs on my iPhone, but something very unfortunate happened to me about six months ago. I lost my iPhone (containing) 250 musical ideas. And I was crushed. It didn't get backed up. And when it happened, I was bummed out for about two or three days."

Hammett added, "I lost (the phone). I just plain lost it. I can't find it. I'm still looking for it to this day. I just set it somewhere and…It still might turn up. I'm hoping it will. To try to remember those riffs? I can only remember, like, eight of 'em. So I just chalked it down to maybe it just wasn't meant to be and I'll just move forward with it."

Hammett, a horror movie fan and collector, told The Pulse Of Radio that making a new METALLICA record can sometimes seem like a monster itself. "Whenever we go into the studio, it becomes such a huge sort of thing in our lives that it takes on monstrous proportions, you know," he said. "It takes up a lot of space in our lives, you know. You can look at it as something monstrous, for sure."

Asked what the new songs sound like, Hammett replied, "Let's just say that the stuff that's coming up is super riffy, super heavy... it's a lot similar to [2008's] 'Death Magnetic' but different in certain parts."

Hammett added, "There's a couple of songs that remind me of something on [1988's] '…And Justice For All', but the album doesn't sound like '…And Justice For All'."

METALLICA has not revealed when it plans to begin recording or tentatively release the new album.

METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in 2014, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, being guests of honor at a film festival, and playing a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson".

As previously reported, METALLICA and Paul McCartney will headline this year's Lollapalooza, set to take place July 31 - August 2 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.

American progressive metal band, Between The Buried And Me, have released a video for "The Coma Machine”!, the second single off of the band's upcoming album, Coma Ecliptic.

About the music video, vocalist Tommy Rogers shared, "This video is special to me because it looks beyond the story that is on the record. It showcases the character preparing for his journey and is him basically saying bye to his old demons/life. This footage adds dialogue to the story and I think that is very unique. Wes and crew did a wonderful job creating a world that works well with the song and uniquely showcases the depth of this unstable character."

Between The Buried And Me recently released a clip from the Making Of Coma Ecliptic DVD. In the clip, Tommy Rogers discusses the concept of Coma Ecliptic.

The upcoming album is also now available for pre-order with special bundles and packages offered, including: CD, LP, two pre-order exclusive t-shirts, an exclusive hour long behind the scenes making-of DVD, and a Coma Ecliptic limited edition 27"x40" movie poster. Coma Ecliptic will be officially released worldwide on July 10th. Grandiose, dynamic, heavy, melodic, technically challenging and more, this album delivers.

 

 

Coma Ecliptic boasts a series of emotive peaks and valleys that drive the narrative along with the lyrics. Singer Tommy Rogers shares: "Coma Ecliptic is a new life for BTBAM. Throughout the process we worked harder than we ever have and really pushed the BTBAM sound to a new identity. In a world of repetition, I'm very proud to be a part of something that is extremely rewarding, as well as frightening. When you don't push yourself you will never know what the outcome is. The outcome is Coma Ecliptic."

 

 

Coma Ecliptic was recorded in January and February of 2015 with longtime Between the Buried and Me producer Jamie King at Basement Recordings in North Carolina. Drums and piano were recorded with King and Kris Hilbert at the Fidelitorium. Final mixing and mastering was placed in the capable hands of Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth, Devin Townsend) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

“Memory Palace”

On release day, the band will continue their headline run with the release of Coma Ecliptic and kick off a tour with support from Animals As Leaders and The Contortionist on July 7th in Athens, GA at Georgia Theatre.

VIP packages are on sale now that include an exclusive Q&A with both Between The Buried And Me and Animals As Leaders, photo ops with each band, an 18x24 poster signed by both bands, and a souvenir laminate with early entrance to the show! VIP packages can be purchased at this location. General tickets can be purchased here.

 

 

Tour dates:

June
11-14 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

July (with Animals As Leaders, The Contortionist)
7 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre
8 - Tallahassee, FL - Sidebar Theater
9 - Orlando, FL - Venue 578
10 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
11 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
13 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
14 - Little Rock, AR - Juanita’s
15 - Oklahoma, OK - Diamond Ballroom
17 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater and Club
18 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
19 - Tucson, AZ - Club X’s
21 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
22 - San Diego, CA - Observatory North Park
23 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
24 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades
25 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House
27 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
29 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
30 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
31 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall

August
1 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
2 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
4 - London, ON - London Music Hall
6 - Buffalo, NY - The Town Ballroom
7 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
8 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
9 - Wilmington, NC - Ziggys By The Sea
11 - Clifton, NY - Upstate Concert Hall
12 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
13 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
14 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggys
15 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works

 

 

BTBAM have confirmed a full European headline tour for the fall. The tour will kick off in Southampton in the UK on the 22nd of September and will bring the band to ten countries in total. Support comes from Haken.

Comments BTBAM singer Tommy Rogers: "We are pleased to announce that we are heading back to the UK and Europe later this year with Haken! We are very excited to play new material off of Coma Ecliptic for all you, and to surround ourselves in your culture that we love so much. See you soon and let the coma begin!"

 

 

Dates include:

September
16 - Southampton, UK - Talking Heads
17 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
18 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla
19 - Glasgow, UK - The Garage
20 - Leeds, UK - The Key Club
22 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
23 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt
25 - Paris, France - La Maroquinerie
26 - Brussels, Belgium - Magasin 4
27 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
28 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
29 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet
30 - München, Germany - Backstage Club

October
1 - Köln, Germany - Euroblast Festival
3 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega Small Hall *
4 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers *
5 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee *
6 - Stockholm, Sweden - Klubben/Fryshuset *
8 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia *

* BTBAM only

German quartet, My Sleeping Karma, are back with their fifth studio album, Moksha, out via Napalm Records on Digipack, and 2LP Gatefold Editions (Black & Limited Color Editions) on the following dates:

May
29 - Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Australia

June
1 - UK, Norway, France, Denmark, Italy
3 - Sweden, Spain
9 - North America

Check out the band’s new video, for the album’s title track, below:

The band considers this album their strongest record to date. The sound and tone of the album perfectly fits into the Instrumental progressive  and ambient post rock realms. From the start the listener is kidnapped by the spherical sound, between enormous atmospheric compositions with pure rock riffs and psychedelic melodies perfectly intertwined into this scenery. Immerse yourself, both with the risk of completely losing yourself in this brand new masterpiece, because you might not be able to emerge again. Perhaps you don’t want to…

 

 

Tracklisting:                                                                                                 

“Prithvi”
“Interlude 1”
“Vayu”
“Interlude 2”
“Akasha”
“Interlude 3”
“Moksha”
“Interlude 4”
“Jalam”
“Interlude 5”
“Agni”

“Prithvi” video:

Is it fair to state that as metalheads we spend a lot of our time checking out new records? Hunting out the next big thing that we can introduce our friends to, something new, and something that evokes the feelings we once got on an almost daily basis back in the day when first discovering metal.
 
However, on occasion we’re brought back to the classics, the old Metallica records, early Annihilator and so forth; the exact records we discovered on the voyage of metal discovery. Yet sometimes those old classics just don’t quite hit the spot... And that’s exactly what makes bands such as Prowler a breath of fresh fucking air. Everything we’ve heard before is there, it’s familiar, but it’s new and that’s the fundamental difference.
 
Formed in 2010, Prowler went on to release four EP’s and a box set before signing to Slaney Records to release their debut album After You in 2013, and The New Blood EP later that same year. The thrash titans hailing from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are now on the verge of unleashing yet another beast of a record, their second full length entitled From The Shadows. Overseen by Roger Lian, the same man that was responsible for Slayer's South Of Heaven and countless others including Overkill, Pantera and Damageplan; you can be assured a great production.

The world won’t go on fire, journalists won’t be scrambling over each other to make up new genre terms (thank god) but that is exactly the point! What you will find is a sterling record in the vein of old school thrash, heavy, destructive and as brazen as the first waves of the genre and unleashed by a troupe of young fiery musicians with the same raw energy captured back in the day on the likes of Ride The Lightning.

Artwork was completed by Spanish artist Noël Puente.

From The Shadows tracklisting:

“R.O.T.L.D”
“Out Of The Fog”
“I Am Wolf”
“The Thing Not Seen”
“Pet Sematary” (The Ramones Cover)
“Return To The Lot”
“Death On Wheels”
“Creature Of The Black”

From The Shadows is out July 20th via Slaney Records.

After years of rumours about their second coming, Osculum Infame make official the rebirth of the less popular French black metal act with the rerelease of all their demos on LP and CD under the name Manifesto From the Dark Age in 2010. The new lineup, restrained to guitarist originator Drack (aka Deviant) and drummer Malkira record at home in the pure black metal tradition two new tracks for the QUWM EP.

It’s beyond all doubt that Osculum Infame has nothing to do with mere human political ideas and draw its hate far away in Darkness. Joined by the guitarists I.Luciferia and Dispater the band recorded 15 titles in 2011 at their home studio AMSG to release the Consuming The Metatron MCD  and the new full album (the real second full album in the story of the band), The Axis Of Blood.

The new album will be released via Battlesk’rs Productions on May 22nd. Pre-order at this location.

The Axis Of Blood tracklisting:

“ApokalupVI”
“Cognitive Perdition Of The Insane”
“Kaoist Serpentis”
“My Angel”
“Absolve Me Not”
“Let There Be Darkness”
“Inner Falling Of The Glory Of God”
“White Void”
“Asphyxiated Light”
“I In The Ocean Of Worms”
“Solemn Faith”

“Kaoist Serpentis”:

Inner Wound Recordings will release melodic metal band Pyramaze’s new album, Disciples Of The Sun, on May 22nd in Europe and on May 26th in North America. Check out a new music video for the album track, “Disciples Of The Sun”, below. The video was directed by Thomas Tjäder for Acromacy Media and the editing and VFX was made by Craig Gowans for 12inchmedia.com.

Pyramaze are devoted to making music that mirrors their souls, combines all of their influences, and stimulates the mind and spirit of their listeners... Pyramaze continue to make music that is dark, thought provoking, all with a sense of fearlessness. The band will forever be committed to making the melodic art of a group that understands the importance of staying true and faithful to one's passion.

 

 

"Disciples of the Sun tracklisting:

“We Are The Ocean”
“The Battle Of Paridas”
“Disciples Of The Sun"
“Back For More”
“Genetic Process”
“Fearless”
“Perfectly Imperfect”
“Unveil”
“Hope Springs Eternal”
“Exposure”
“When Black Turns To White”
“Photograph”

“Fearless” lyric video:

Album teaser:

Disciples Of The Sun (CD, LP, t-shirt) can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Store at this location.

The vinyl edition of Disciples Of The Sun is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide and includes an insert with lyrics. 400 copies comes with a standard black disc, and 100 copies with a white disc.

Pyramaze lineup:

Terje Harøy - vocals
Jacob Hansen - guitars, bass
Jonah W. - keyboards
Toke Skjønnemand - guitars
Morten Gade Sørensen - drums

Polish stoner metal masters, Corruption, have unveiled their new official video, “Born to Be Zakk Wylde”, below. The clip was recorded during their shows in Wroclaw (Ciemna Strona Miasta) and in Katowice (Katofonia).

Anioł, the band’s bassist, comments: “This music video is our tribute to Zakk Wylde, an amazing and inspiring musician. We know this song has reached Zakk, and he has linked to it on his twitter. The video was shot by Paweł Kowalski from Bandphoto.pl and edited by Robert Zembrzycki. We wish to thank the Polish Chapter of Black Label Society for their support and great help in recording of this video.”

 
Corruption’s latest album titled Devil’s Share was released in June 2014. It was recorded at Sound Division Studio in Warsaw, Poland, with Filip Heinrich Hałuchy (Vesania, Decapitated, Rootwater) from Heinrich House Studio handling the mix and mastering. According to a press release, the album features 11 tracks full of catchy stoner rock guitars and good old stoner energy and is a must-have for fans of Monster Magnet, Kyuss, Mustasch, and Orange Goblin.
 
(Corruption live 2015 photo by Paweł Kowalski)

Famous Underground frontman Nick Walsh has checked in with the following studio update:

"More brand new songs being churned out of Toronto's F.U. headquarters. Until we reach 20 new completed tracks we will not be satisfied. We are trying to bring you the best of our brand of modern rock that we can!"

Famous Underground’s self-titled debut was produced by Nick Walsh and mixed by Darius Szczepaniak (The Black Crowes, Sacrifice) at Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto. The band next album will takes Walsh’s writing to a more defined state where the lyrics delve more into the complexities of the real world.

For more details visit FamousUnderground.tv.

Famous Underground guitarist Darren Boyd's Creeping Beauty have released a new song entitled "To Take A Life". A lyric video has been posted on YouTube and can be viewed below:

The band recently launched an official YouTube channel. It can be found at this location. They have also released two songs via CDBaby.com. Click here to check out and purchase "Blue-Eyed Suicide" and "P.M.S.".

Go to Creeping Beauty's official Facebook page here.

"Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych", the new video from British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Sam Scott-Hunter (DEVILMENT, SLIPKNOT, THE 69 EYES), who also took the band's promotional photos. As well as featuring Dani Filth and his troop of reprobates, model and Kinbaku enthusiast Gestalta also makes an appearance.

"Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych" is taken from CRADLE OF FILTH's eleventh studio album, "Hammer Of The Witches", which will be released in July via Nuclear Blast.

Commented CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth: "The video for 'Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych' was an immense thrill to film as it was undertaken in a jet-engine testing hangar at a former U.S. Military base close to my home town of Ipswich, followed by an equally surreal afternoon spent under the aerobatic flightpath of the Imperial War Museum. Directed by Sam Scott-Hunter, the video is a realised phantasmagoria of horror and hell-bound heartistry, fully encapsulating the beautality of the first single from 'Hammer Of The Witches', and if my flagrant play-on-words doesn't pique your interest, then the fact that it features a renowned rope bondage queen and the band in full swing just possibly might."

"Hammer Of The Witches" will be made available on jewel case CD, limited-edition digipak, mail-order edition and 2LP vinyl.

"Hammer Of The Witches" track listing: 01. Walpurgis Eve02. Yours Immortally…03. Enshrined In Crematoria04. Deflowering The Maidenhead, Displeasuring The Goddess05. Blackest Magick In Practice06. The Monstrous Sabbat (Summoning The Coven) 07. Hammer Of The Witches08. Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych09. The Vampyre At My Side10. Onward Christian Soldiers11. Blooding The Hounds Of Hell Limited-edition digipak cd and vinyl bonus tracks:

12. King Of The Woods13. Misericord

Dani Filth states: "The artwork for 'Hammer Of The Witches' was created by Latvian artist Arthur Berzinsh and is a lavish walk-through of the lyricism, drawing on rich renaissance themes and displaying them in beautiful-yet-unsettling scenarios. Half of the detailed pieces are totally original for the release, others are Berzinsh classics cunningly tailored to the themes of the album, which are themes rife with heady witchcraft, be it persecution, retribution or unfettered spiritual liberation. The female form is rampant throughout the artwork, unashamedly displayed in its classical rendition of beauty... and horror." Arthur Berzinsh is best known for his defiant neo-symbolism raster graphics and oil paintings, postmodern interpretations of classic myths and refined hooliganism in the playground of contemporary art. He has been proclaimed as a "sacred monster of Latvian postmodernism." And rightly so, his visually expressive and mannerly works tend to trigger emotions which can make thoughts fidget and wriggle, unable to find a comfortable position among the impressions gathered. His creative work is characterized by a varied range of voluptuous erotica, intensified imagery, dream-like scenes and decorativeness weighed down by visual metaphors and contrasts teetering on the edge of symbolism. Arthur Berzinsh explains his artwork and concepts: "In terms of mood, I was looking for the inspiration of this set in the spirit of Faustian romanticism, the ambivalent art of renaissance that reanimated motives of pagan mythology after the Middle Ages, and, of course, the darkly beautiful and charming spirit of Goetia traditions that is filled with the atmosphere of hermetical rituals.

"My personal conceptual leitmotif that inspires me is a conflict between the free-thinking and totalitarianism, where the raw power always gains the upper hand over individualism.

"The act of art is a theurgical act that creates existence in the Platonic reality — reality of ideas. So, at least in this Platonic dimension let’s give the suppressed ones a chance to get their revenge.

"For me, the Goat of Mendes on the cover symbolizes the scapegoat who's tired of his humiliating role and wants a payback. This character is an archetypical symbol of libido and other primordial forces and instinctive aspects of a human being. And these forces always have been a menace for those who want to reign over the others, like it's schematically represented in George Orwell's '1984'." "Hammer Of The Witches" will mark the first release with CRADLE OF FILTH's new lineup, which includes new guitarists Ashok (of Czech groups ROOT and INNER FEAR) and Richard Shaw (of English acts EMPEROR CHUNG and NG26).

Dani Filth recently told Australia's "Rabid Noise" podcast about the band's upcoming album: "It's sounding amazing. It's gone back to the twin-guitar harmonies — very fast and ornate and atmospherically sppoky, but [with] lots of melody. I think it's gonna surprise a lot of people."

CRADLE OF FILTH is:

Dani Filth - VocalsRichard Shaw - GuitarAshok - GuitarDaniel Firth - BassMartin Skaroupka - DrumsLindsay Schoolcraft - Keys, Female Vocals

Fan-filmed video footage of NIGHTWISH's May 8 concert in Orlando, Florida can be seen below.

NIGHTWISH has just released a new single, the title track of the band's latest album, "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", as a limited-edition MCD, 10-inch vinyl and as a download. The track listing is as follows: 01. Endless Forms Most Beautiful (album version)02. Sagan (instrumental; previously unreleased)03. Endless Forms Most Beautiful (alternate version)04. Endless Forms Most Beautiful (radio edit; previously unreleased)

As previously reported, the NIGHTWISH show in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 25 at The Orpheum was filmed for a future DVD release.

NIGHTWISH is currently on the road in North America with special guests SABATON, a Swedish heavy metal band that gives us a history lesson in their songs on war and historical battles, and Dutch female-fronted metallers DELAIN.

"Endless Forms Most Beautiful" was made available on March 27 in Europe and March 31 in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast.

The "Élan" four-track single, which arrived on February 13, features the album version of the title cut, a radio edit and an alternate version of "Élan", as well as the non-album bonus track "Sagan".

The cover artwork for "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" was created by the band's longtime collaborator Toxic Angel. Famed evolutionary biologist and atheist writer/leader Richard Dawkins appears as a guest on the effort.

Longtime NIGHTWISH drummer Jukka Nevalainen sat out the recording sessions for "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" due to health issues. He has since been replaced by Kai Hahto (WINTERSUN, SWALLOW THE SUN, TREES OF ETERNITY).

Here comes a new batch of confirmed bands headed by UK grindcore legends NAPALM DEATH! Hailing from Denmark, death metal/post-thrash BLOOD EAGLE are a brand new band, however they’re composed of experienced metal veterans of various genres. CARNIFEX one of leading deathcore bands will join us on their way from sunny California as well as India’s most brutal death metal band GUTSLIT. Good-natured viking metallers SKÁLMÖLD are comming from much colder city of Reykjavík on Iceland. From the capital of goregrind – Białystok in Poland we will have SQUASH BOWELS on the bill. This batch of bands is completed by deathcore stars SUICIDE SILENCE!

"Love Is Your Name", the first country single from AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler, can be streamed using the widget below. Tyler, who recently signed to Dot Records underneath the Big Machine Label Group umbrella (Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw), issued the single across multiple media properties and is promoting the track with exclusive interviews and a live televised performance.

Tyler has revealed to USA Today that he won't get a chance to complete his solo album until after AEROSMITH finishes a two-month North American tour that begins June 13 in Glendale, Arizona.

"I've got to find time to come back and record these songs after the AEROSMITH tour," Tyler said. "But I flit from flower to flower, country to country, looking for good times and singing about the last time. That's what I'm putting into the country songs."

Released today (Wednesday, May 13), "Love Is Your Name" was recorded at the famed Blackbird Studios in Nashville with producer Dann Huff.

In a statement Tyler said that, "The first day in the studio I recorded a song that became my first single, and if 'Love is Your Name' then Nashville's my new girlfriend. I guess you could call that Beginner's Luck."

Tyler is promoting the song today with interviews on "CBS This Morning" and "Entertainment Tonight", and he will perform the track tonight on the season finale of Fox's "American Idol".

AEROSMITH's summer tour includes a performance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Concert For Legends on August 7 in Canton, Ohio.

GRIP INC., the long-defunct metal outfit featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, PHILM) and guitarist Waldemar Sorychta (former member of DESPAIR and producer for such bands as LACUNA COIL and MOONSPELL), will issue the "Hostage To Heaven" digital EP on June 9 via KFM.

"Hostage To Heaven" contains three previously unreleased tracks and an alternate, never-before-released version of the song "Hostage To Heaven" (which originally appeared on GRIP INC.'s "The Power Of Inner Strength" album).

It's been eleven years since GRIP INC. released its last album, "Incorporated", and and seven years since the passing of the band's vocalist, Gus Chambers. "Hostage To Heaven" serves as a bookend and tribute to the talent and contributions of late great frontman, as well as a true testament to the legacy and deep impression he left us all with.

"Hostage To Heaven" track listing:

01. Hostage to Heaven02. Dragging Me Down03. Bittersweet04. Crawl

"Hostage To Heaven" is now available for pre-order via iTunes for a discounted price of $3.99, and will be released globally on June 9 for $5.99 on Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and more.

Said Lombardo: "GRIP INC. is an exceptional band that I am very honored to have co-created.

"Gus Chambers was easily one of the most effective and distinctive vocalists/frontmen in the business. To be able to release music that pays tribute to Gus and his talent, memorializing the unique sound that the four of us created is a gift... not just to us, but also to the fans that always hoped for more."

He continued: "Gus can't be replaced. GRIP INC. will never be GRIP INC. without him. We could try and replace him, but it would never be the same as the original four. This is the closest thing we have to working with Gus again. This release is without question a tribute to his talent and his legacy."

Added Sorychta: "I always like to experiment with songs that we have already released from our past albums, so needless to say, I have many versions of 'Hostage To Heaven' (a techno version, church organ, acoustic and the slow version). The slow version of 'Hostage To Heaven' is the only version with the original vocals from Gus, recorded while we were making the album 'Nemesis'. Actually, it gave me the main idea for the song 'Rusty Nail'. While we were playing the slow version of 'Hostage To Heaven', we changed some rhythms and worked out some other parts and 'Rusty Nail' was born. I really like how it all came together, especially the solo, that was more or less just improvised. Overall, it's a great version which shows that good songs still have a drive even when you change the way of playing them."

He continued: "We always improvised at rehearsals, sometimes even live. In rehearsal, we used to jam even more then rehearse our songs. Many ideas and songs got started like this. Even at every recording session we jammed between main recordings. We have never looked at recording a record as a kind of job that has to be done; well, we always had a professional way of recording but, we always made sure to also keep it fun and spontaneous. The main point was always love for music!

"In hindsight, I am glad we always recorded more than just the album tracks and always tried to experiment. It's just a shame that many of these songs don't have Gus's vocals. Don't misunderstand me, these songs aren't leftovers or anything like that! We had always planed to record them but some just didn't make that album or didn't have the time in the studio. Really, we had the chance while we were recording the albums, and we just wanted to take advantage of the studio environment.

"To release these tracks 20 years after 'Power Of Inner Strength' means a lot to me.

"After Gus's death, there has been an empty place in my heart that will never be filled. I miss our craziness, I miss our friendship, and, above all, our passion for music.

"We all came from different countries, with different backgrounds, but GRIP INC. united us all under the same goal. We were 'one'! Simply a great example of how powerful music really is. But music in itself doesn’t make a friendship; ours went very deep and will stay forever.

"Since the 13th of October 2008 I have found life is much harder to catch a day with a relaxed smile, always thinking of my friend.

"Life goes on, but the knowledge that a big part of you isn't there anymore is sad.

"Gus, I will always miss you!" Chambers died on October 13, 2008 at the age of 52. Initial reports indicated that he took his own life, but an inquisition report later stated that it was an accidental death caused by a mixture of medication and alcohol.

Tanzan Music and "Tony Iommi Fan-Tastic" team of Iommi supporters together with Facebook communities "Tony Iommi The Man The Master The Legend" and "Global Black Sabbath Convention" have released a compilation tribute in honor of BLACK SABBATH's true heart and soul, legendary riffmaster Tony Iommi. Available since May 4, the first-ever tribute to Iommi, titled "Great Lefty: Live Forever - Tribute To Tony Iommi, Godfather Of Metal", is an act of solidarity towards Tony from pals and fans. The tribute includes participations of well known artists, best BLACK SABBATH tribute bands from all around the world, and the bands and solo artists "children of Iommi" as having Iommi's music as their major influence. All the songs are kindly donated for the cause. The profits from compilation sales will be destinied to Macmillan Cancer Support.

In a new message in Facebook, Iommi stated about "Great Lefty: Live Forever - Tribute To Tony Iommi, Godfather Of Metal". He said: "A big thank you to everyone involved in the album, whether you're a player or not. I'm flattered and honoured to have this done by genuine fans, not a label.

"I'd heard something was going on, but wasn't expecting anything this big.

"There are so many of you, it's impossible to mention the complete list, but great to see old band mates Tony Martin and Vinny Appice getting involved and Mike Exeter producing.

"Although I understand she doesn't want to take credit, I don't think it would have happened without Rosie Piergiorgi, and I'm really pleased that she chose to help Macmillan Cancer Support.

"Go buy a copy. 20 tracks, great value and a good cause! And please let us know your favourites."

Some of the artists participating are:

* Dario Mollo (TONY MARTIN, VOODOO HILL)* Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO DISCIPLES, DOKKEN)* Mario Parga (GRAHAM BONNETT, FORCEFIELD, COZY POWELL'S HAMMER)* Victor Griffin (PENTAGRAM, DEATH ROW)* Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH)

Also appearing is a young talented artist Kyle Cousins, singer and songwriter, huge Iommi fan, who also happens to have autism. He began his journey with autism at two years old by losing all his language. Through years of intensive interventions, he has made continual progress; so much so that now he loves nothing better than to express himself onstage through his music.

Cousins champions the autism awareness movement, being a source of hope and inspiration for the autism community.

Kyle Cousins expresses his love and admiration to BLACK SABBATH's guitar legend with producers Damon Elliott and Michael Politz, performing a song with Vinny Appice (former BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL drummer), Barry Goudreau (guitarist for BOSTON), Hugh McDonald (David Bromberg, ALICE COOPER, BON JOVI, LITA FORD). Disc 1 01. DARIO MOLLO Featuring MARK BOALS - Never Say Die (3:54);02. MANIAC RISE - Time Is Mine (5:05);03. KYLE COUSINS - Heaven And Hell (6:16);04. MARIO PARGA - Scarlet Pimpernel (5:13); 05. CHILDREN OF THE GRAVY - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (5:40);06. IRONLUNG Featuring WIZARD OF OZZ - Electric Funeral (5:03);07. TANZAN MUSIC ACADEMY - Neon Knights (4:45); 08. NICK DIDKOVSKY - Orchid (1:38);09. DARKING - Law Maker (3:35);10. INTO THE VOID - Loner (4:40); Disc 2 01. REKUIEM - Paranoid (3:17);02. PLACE OF SKULLS Featuring VICTOR GRIFFIN - You Won't Change Me (6:43);03. BLACK SABBATH/DIO Tribute CZ - I (5:10);04. PHIL JAKES - Behind The Wall Of Sleep (2:47);05. GIUNTINI - Anno Mundi, featuring Tony Martin (6:14);06. TONY REED - Live Forever (4:44);07. KILL VAN KULL - No Stranger To Love (5:13);08. APLANADORA Featuring SANTIAGO CABAKIAN - Hole In The Sky (4:20). 09. BLOOD SABBATH - Snowblind (5:33);10. PHENOMENA - The Wizard (4:10)

Video footage of Kyle Cousins with Barry Goudreau (BOSTON), Vinny Appice and Hugh McDonald recording the BLACK SABBATH's classic "Heaven And Hell" can be seen below. Check out audio samples at this location.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS appears to have abandoned its plans to record an acoustic album, explaining that they have been too busy touring to find the time to work on the set.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS singer Taylor Momsen first talked about making an acoustic CD last year, telling a North Carolina radio station that the band had recorded "an acoustic version of a medley." She added: "It's how we originally wrote the songs, so it's kind of an inside take, or look, into how [THE PRETTY RECKLESS' latest album] 'Going To Hell' actually started. 'Cause everything started acoustically."

But in a new interview with Brandon Woolum from Huntington, West Virginia's WAMX, Momsen revealed that there has been "no update" on the proposed acoustic release. She explained (hear audio below): "I don't know if [the acoustic album is] actually gonna happen; it's been so chaotic. It's something I wanted to do, but we just haven't had the time to actually do it."

Momsen also spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to "Going To Hell". She said: "I'm always jotting down ideas, but I tend to not really write on the road, 'cause you're never by yourself and I require isolation. So the real meat of the material [comes together] when I get home, after [all the touring] is done. But [there is] no pressure; I think just 'self pressure,' but not… We make something that we like and hope other people like it too. It's kind of what we always do."

THE PRETTY RECKLESS released its debut album, "Light Me Up", in 2010 and followed it up with "Going To Hell".

"Going To Hell" has yielded three No. 1 rock radio hits with "Heaven Knows", "Messed Up World" and "Follow Me Down", making THE PRETTY RECKLESS the first female-fronted act to have its first three singles both hit the top spot.

Interview (audio):

BULLETBOYS are back and ready to tear the house down with first album of original material since 2009, "Elefanté", due on June 9 via Cleopatra/Deadline. According to a press release, "this long-awaited CD shows that the BULLETBOYS are unstoppable with their grinding hard rock. Singer Marq Torien's vocals hit every note with the power that is his trademark.

"Can't wait for our fans to hear this album," says Marq. "I put my heart and soul into this music. This album has sick peaks and valleys... it is NOT a linear album. A straight-out labor of love that I've dedicated to my amazing father, all of our families and our unfaltering BULLETBOYS fans and friends." BULLETBOYS' current lineup consists of founding member Marq Torien (vocals/lead guitar), Nick Rozz (guitar), Chad MacDonald (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums).

"Elefanté" was produced by Matt Thorne (TRAPT, DISTURBED) and Torien, and was engineered by Ryan Greene (ALICE COOPER, LITA FORD, CHEAP TRICK, USHER). It was mastered by Anthony Focx (MILEY CYRUS, AEROSMITH, SANTANA, BUCKCHERRY).

"Working with the BULLETBOYS was an amazing experience," says Greene.

"Most singers from back in the '80's were pretty good, but I will tell you, Marq knocked it out of the park on this record. His power and passion was second to none and he can sing in tune! No Auto-Tune needed; he's the real freakin' deal.

"If you think for a second this is going to be some rehashed '80s record, you are completely wrong!" "Elefanté" track listing: 01. Rollover02. Tsunami03. Symphony04. The Villain05. Kin Folk06. Saving You From Me07. As Dumb As08. Superhuman Girl09. Drop Your Weapon10. Bitch Is Back11. Elefanté BULLETBOYS will embark on a three-month headlining tour this summer.

"Feel like I'm gonna jump out my skin," says Marq. "Can't wait to take this on the road with the fellas!! All year!!! Hell yeah!!! Let's do this!"

BULLETBOYS was one of the prominent bands in the flourishing Hollywood metal scene during the late 1980s, with numerous smash hits such as "Smooth Up In Ya", "For The Love Of Money" and "Hang On St. Christopher" off the group's platinum-selling classic self-titled debut and follow-up, "Freakshow", dominating both MTV and radio airwaves.

Christian hard rockers P.O.D. (PAYABLE ON DEATH) have set an August 21 release date for their new album, "The Awakening". The CD's first single will arrive later this month.

"We're excited about the new record," P.O.D. singer Sonny Sandoval told MikeJamesRockShow.com this past Saturday (May 10) in Plymouth, United Kingdom (see video below). "It's a conceptual record, so it's something different for us. It has a storyline to it. I mean, the songs… we love 'em. We had a chance to play a few new ones live."

"The Awakening" was recorded at a Los Angeles-area studio with P.O.D.'s longtime producer Howard Benson.

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Sandoval stated about the material for P.O.D.'s forthcoming album: "I'm digging it. We have a little something different. I can't really say now, but we're trying a different approach."

He continued: "I think what we've done, it's such a collection of songs that not everybody gets. Some bands sound like one song the whole album through. We've been all over the place, because we are punk, hardcore, rock 'n' roll, metal, reggae, and I think sometimes it might be too much diversity and kids are lost. It's too big of a buffet for them to go for and they want three chords sometimes. We're never going to do that."

Sandoval added: "We're putting something together that tells a story. Maybe it's just for us, maybe it's not for your average listener, but it's something we're having a lot of fun doing. We're excited."

P.O.D.'s last release was "SoCal Sessions", a collection of acoustic versions of some of the band's most popular songs. The CD came out last November.

A digital re-release of a special deluxe edition of P.O.D.'s latest studio album, "Murdered Love", was made available in October 2013. Highlights included two previously unreleased studio tracks, "Burn It Down" and "Find A Way" (recorded with Benson) and an acoustic version of the band's Top 5 hit "Beautiful". Additional tracks include an acoustic version of "West Coast Rock Steady", an alternate version of "On Fire" and "Lost In Forever (Scream)", plus various music videos and behind-the-scenes footage from the "Murdered Love" album cycle.

KISS takes center stage in the latest Scooby-Doo full-length animated film, Scooby-Doo And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery, set for release by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on July 21st, 2015. The artwork for the Blu-Ray/DVD release can be viewed below:

KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer voice their own characters in the movie, which centers on a Halloween concert at the group's amusement park KISS World. Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang drop by to hear some tunes but wind up partnering with the musicians to take on the Crimson Witch, a spooky lady with a nefarious plan to summon the evil and powerful Destroyer from the alternate dimension of KISSteria.

The cartoon mystery features six classic KISS numbers plus a new song by the band just for the film, which features guest voice stars Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Darius Rucker, Garry Marshall, Penny Marshall, Jennifer Carpenter and Pauley Perrette.

This isn't the first time KISS and Scooby have shared screen time: The band also appeared on a 2003 Halloween episode of What's New, Scooby-Doo?

 

Towards the end of the 20th Century, heavy metal in The US seemed to be in a decline. Still there were countless bands across the country producing quality work. However due to the changing landscape by mainly the internet revolution; many of the bands of the 1990s would be lost despite all of their best DIY efforts. There was a new frontier being discovered and many did what they could to survive into the next millennium, but sadly they would disappear from what “underground” scene there was at the time. Now in recent years the metal community around the world is starting to look into this seemingly lost period in US metal history.

Little is known about this mysterious band that in the mid-'90s emerged on to the scene under the name Holy Moses and issued two self-released albums Latitude Zero ('95) and Rock N Roll Forever ('96) before changing their name to Killer Khan. They would go on to release the third album, Kill Devil Hills, in 1999 and re-release Rock N Roll Forever in 2001 under the new moniker.

BraveWords scribe Martin Popoff referred to Killer Khan as having, "a weird sound, a great sound, something like old Savatage crossed with Cathedral with a bunch of weirdo indie moves. It’s so cool that metal freaks like this exist and just crank the stuff."

After eight years of seeking out the band and the man known as Killer Khan (aka Killian Khan) Heaven And Hell Records have located him tucked away deep in the mountains of Western North Carolina. There he has been for more than a decade, quietly waiting for the right time to resurface onto the underground scene.

In June of this year a re-issue of the Killer Khan’s debut Kill Devil Hills is scheduled for release. The re-issue will include new artwork, bonus tracks, and will be re-mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios. This CD release will be limited to 500 copies. Check out the artwork and tracklisting:

"Computer Icon"
"Dr. Strangelove"
"Kill Devil Hills"
"Wicked Chimes Of The Southern Bells"
"Supersonic Masquerade"
"Evilution"
"The Alamo"
"Metal Death Star"
"Mt. Olympus"

Bonus Tracks
"Abomination"
"Aceman (Part II)"

Kill Devil Hills (re-issue) PRE-ORDER SPECIAL by KILLER KHAN