Horror metallers Terror Universal have split with vocalist Chad "Rott" Armstrong and announce his replacement with the following update:

“First and foremost, we are very excited to welcome our new singer Plague (pictured above) to the Terror Universal family and introduce him to you all. He was actually on our short list of original candidates, to try out for Terror Universal back in October 2014. But at the time, other obligations prevented him from auditioning for the position.

After only 2 rehearsals, we are extremely impressed with Plague's work ethic, and performance at the Texas Independence Fest, this past weekend in Austin, TX. We are pleased to announce, that we will immediately continue writing new Terror Universal music, and move forward with finishing a full length, to be released in the next few months.

We truly appreciate all your support TU Maniacs!”

Terror Universal lineup:

Plague - vocals
Massacre - drums
Diabolic - lead guitar
Thrax - guitars

Frontiers Music Srl will release the second CAIN'S OFFERING album, "titled "Stormcrow", on May 15 in Europe and May 19 in North America.

CAIN'S OFFERING is the brainchild of Finnish guitarist/songwriter Jani Liimatainen, a founding member of SONATA ARCTICA.

Drawing its musical influence from the classic hard rock scene, the fast-paced European power metal and a very modern heavy metal sound, CAIN'S OFFERING is, just as expected, another perfect example of today's living and breathing Finnish music scene.

Joining Jani on the band's sophomore release, coming after 2009's acclaimed debut "Gather The Faithful", are STRATOVARIUS members vocalist Timo Kotipelto and keyboardist Jens Johansson, plus Jonas Kuhlberg on bass and Jani "Hurtsi" Hurula (PAUL DI'ANNO) on drums.

"I was approached about doing this second CAIN'S OFFERING album already a few years ago," explains Jani, "but back then I was way too busy with other projects to even consider taking the time to write an album worth of material. Last year, when I was approached about it again, I thought that the time might be right and felt like I could really focus all my energy on the album."

He continues: "I think musically the new album is a bit more focused and coherent. 'Gather The Faithful' was the first album where I wrote all the music and lyrics by myself, and in retrospect maybe I was a bit too ambitious, trying to prove that I can actually write really good, complex songs. It's been six years since the first one and I think that I have matured as a writer, not trying to prove anything anymore, just trying to write the best possible material. It's still very much vocal- and melody-orientated writing, since, to me, the melody is always the king, but I did try to keep things a bit more simple this time. Although I think Timo would still say some of the vocal melodies are quite complex!"

"Stormcrow" track listing:

01. Stormcrow02. The Best Of Times03. A Night To Forget04. I Will Build You A Rome05. Too Tired To Run06. Constellation Of Tears07. Antemortem08. My Heart Beats For No One09. I Am Legion10. Rising Sun11. On The Shore

The official lyric video for the song "I Will Build You A Rome" can be seen below.

Musicians:

Timo Kotipelto: Lead VocalsJani Liimatainen: GuitarsJonas Kuhlberg: BassJani Hurula: DrumsJens Johansson: Keyboards

According to TMJ4, the NBC-affiliated TV station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin has been arrested on disorderly conduct charges stemming from an incident at the city's Mitchell International Airport.

PUDDLE OF MUDD's manager has informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Wes was released from police custody "the same day." In addition, PUDDLE OF MUDD's booking agency, Artists Worldwide, tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Scantlin "will be performing all shows, including this weekend and all upcoming shows."

The sheriff's office has not released any further details regarding the incident.

A TMJ4 video report on the arrest can be seen below.

PUDDLE OF MUDD is scheduled to perform tomorrow (Thursday, April 16) at Ziggy's By The Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Scantlin was last arrested in January after taking what was described as a "joyride" on an airport baggage carousel at Denver International Airport. Scantlin ended up in the airport's restricted area before being taken into custody by local police.

According to The Pulse Of radio, 2014 was a relatively quiet year for Scantlin after several years in which the singer and guitarist seemed to be on an unstoppable downward spiral.

He did make news in April 2014 when he melted down onstage, threw a beer and microphone into the audience, and threatened several attendees with violence.

Scantlin was previously arrested on July 24, 2013 for allegedly vandalizing a neighbor's property with a buzz saw and a sledgehammer. Scantlin's house was foreclosed on by the bank last month after he fell behind in payments.

In May of that year, he was arrested twice within the space of a week — first on warrants stemming from his 2012 cocaine possession case, then on charges of domestic violence when he became physically abusive with his ex-wife Jessica outside a West Hollywood business.

Scantlin also had problems with back tax payments and an altercation on an airplane in addition to 2012's ugly divorce battle with Jessica.

PUDDLE OF MUDD did continue to tour in 2014 with Scantlin leading an all-new lineup. A single was released last September called "Piece Of The Action".

Wednesday 13 is "sad to announce the departure of Jason 'Shakes' West from the lineup. Shakes will be pursing things with his other project, Murder FM. We all remain good friends and wish him the best of luck.

Luckily, we didn't have to look far for a replacement, as we already have an amazing drummer within our group in Kyle Castronovo. Kyle came in as a keyboardist/samples for the 2015 tours, but now he will be handling all the drum duties.

New USA and European dates coming soon!"

(Wednesday 13 photo by Aaron Small)

 

 

 

FOUR BY FATE, the band featuring vocalist/guitarist Tod Howarth (FREHLEY'S COMET, CHEAP TRICK) and bassist John Regan (FREHLEY'S COMET, PETER FRAMPTON), has announced the addition of former SKID ROW drummer Rob Affuso to the group's ranks.

Says FOUR BY FATE in a statement: "Rob will finish out the rest of the FOUR BY FATE recordings and we will discuss the possibilities of touring together once we wrap up the new release."

FOUR BY FATE in March parted ways with drummer Stet Howland (W.A.S.P., LITA FORD) and guitarist Sean Kelly (CRASH KELLY, HELIX) and replaced them with A.J. Pero (TWISTED SISTER, ADRENALINE MOB) and Patrick James (POUND, FLYWHEEL), respectively.

Pero died on March 20 while on tour with ADRENALINE MOB. He was 55 years old.

In a November 2014 interview with Metal Rules, Affuso spoke about the breakup of SKID ROW's classic lineup. He said: "It was a very awkward time. I was not getting along with Sebastian [Bach, vocals], [and neither were] any of the others. He was very difficult at that time, and so it was forced [upon] the [other] guys to make that decision to change singers, and I didn't really want to be without Sebastian. I felt Sebastian was an integral part of SKID ROW, as [were] Rachel [Bolan, bass] and Snake [Dave Sabo, guitar], because they wrote a lot of the music."

He continued: "[When we decided to carry on as OZONE MONDAY with a new vocalist], I wasn't convinced of the music and the music we were playing, I wasn't convinced that the lead singer [Shawn McCabe] was right choice. Not that he was bad; I wasn't convinced that he was the right singer. He was a good singer, I just don't think he was right, and, to be honest, I lost my passion and my heart for the music, what we were doing. It began to show and that's when the band and I separated — because I was no longer very interested in what we were doing at that point."

Regarding the possibility of a reunion of SKID ROW's classic lineup, Affuso said: "I think the sum of all the parts are greater than the individual parts for all of us. I don't think anyone in SKID ROW was a real virtuoso at their instrument. I think we all were very good, and we were amazing and great as a unit, and I still believe that to this day. Sebastian keeps pushing on and I think I would love the opportunity to do it one more time with Sebastian and I, and the three original members of SKID ROW. I think it would be a phenomenal moment, at least for me. I miss it. I miss that a lot."

Asked what he thinks it would take for SKID ROW's classic lineup to reunite, Affuso said: " I think it needs to be about more than just money. For me, being in SKID ROW was a very, very important part of my life as a person and as a musician. At the time, I was in SKID ROW for 10 years at 32. That was more than a third of my life; I was part of SKID ROW. So, it is still a very, very important part of who I was and who I am, although I continue to change. I think for me a reunion would be very, very special and it would be about friendship and it would be about old friends. Because that's what it was to me."

Pure Legend Records will release the debut In The Fullness Of Time by the British-based band Nightmare World. Their first EP No Regrets was released in 2009. The recording of the first full album took some time, but now it is here, and it was worth the wait.

In The Fullness Of Time will be released on CD and as digital download on May 15. The preorder phase for the CD starts on April 30. The release date for the vinyl edition of the album has still to be announced.

 A press release states: “On In The Fullness Of Time, overwhelming power meets unforgettable hook lines. This is combined with great progressive elements, which creates a mixture you have to love, and with Pete Morten (Threshold, My Soliloquy) Nightmare World's got an extraordinary singer, whose voice gives the listener goosebumps. Produced by Karl Groom (Threshold, Edenbridge, Dragonforce), and mastered by Peter Van’t Riet (Symphony X, Transatlantic, Epica), Nightmare World's debut full length album is melodic heavy metal bliss from start to finish.”

In The Fullness Of Time tracklisting:

“The Mara”
“In Memoria Di Me”
“The New Crusade”
“No Regrets”
“Defiance”
“Burden Of Proof”
“The Ever Becoming”
“Damage Report”
“Euphoria”

“In Memoria Di Me”:

Lineup:

Sam Shuttelwood – guitar
Pete Morten – vocals
Joey Cleary – guitar
Billy Jeffs – drums
Nick Clarke – keys
David Moorcroft – bass

Acclaimed rockers STONE SOUR will release "Meanwhile In Burbank…", a five-song "Record Store Day" exclusive EP featuring covers of legendary artists BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA, KISS, JUDAS PRIEST and ALICE IN CHAINS, this month. Recorded live at Room 237 in Burbank, California, "Meanwhile In Burbank…" will be available on vinyl exclusively at select record stores on April 18.

"Meanwhile In Burbank…" track listing: 01. We Die Young (ALICE IN CHAINS cover)02. Heading Out To The Highway (JUDAS PRIEST cover)03. Love Gun (KISS cover)04. Creeping Death (METALLICA cover)05. Children Of The Grave (BLACK SABBATH cover)

STONE SOUR's cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Children Of The Grave" can be previewed below.

In a 2013 interview with ARTISTdirect, STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor spoke about the first time he heard BLACK SABBATH. He said: "The first time I heard them I was at a friend's house in Waterloo, Iowa. His uncle was living in the basement. He had this massive, crazy seventies stereo. You know, the ones that are made of sweet, rich mahogany and giant speakers that were always crappy. [Laughs] He was playing 'Sabotage'. I can remember 'Paranoid' coming on, and my friend's uncle was playing along to it on guitar. Not only was it the first time I heard SABBATH, but it was the first time I heard someone playing guitar in a live sense like that. I remember going, 'This is heavy as hell! What is this?' It was really cool. For one of my birthdays, I had my grandma get me BLACK SABBATH's 'Greatest Hits'… It actually had this cover that was an old painting. I want to say it was a Dark Ages painting or something like that. It looked like 'The Black Death'. It was famine and death, and I was fascinated. I remember looking at these images and going, 'Wow!" Listening to the music was incredible. I didn't even realize Ozzy Osbourne was the singer. I knew who he was through 'Diary Of A Madman' and 'Bark At The Moon'. I didn't put two and two together that he was the singer. [Laughs]"

STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand commented on the EP: "Back in February of 2014 while STONE SOUR was touring, Corey [Taylor, vocals] approached me about STONE SOUR doing a cover of the METAL CHURCH song 'The Dark' for the movie 'Fear Clinic'. I thought it would be cool not only to record 'The Dark', but the five cover songs that we had played on that tour." Rand added: "The idea was not to shy away from a song because it was popular or pick a band that most people might not have heard, but to pick ones that truly meant something to one of us at some point in our life." In Febraury, STONE SOUR released a new digital single "The Dark", which was recorded for the film "Fear Clinic", the latest excursion into unrelenting terror by Anchor Bay Entertainment starring horror icon Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund alongside STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor in his acting debut. Originally performed by METAL CHURCH, "The Dark" is currently available via iTunes with a companion video piece streaming on "Fear Clinic"'s official YouTube channel. "Fear Clinic" is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

Corey Taylor said on "The Jasta Show" podcast about the record, "This is something that we've been talking about since the first album came out, with STONE SOUR. We've always wanted to do this. Even as people have come, people have gone, this is still something we've always come back to, and we just never had the opportunity to do it. And we just kind of said, 'Well, screw it.'"

Taylor added, "You're going back to these songs that you just love to listen to, not only just sing. And that's why it's called 'Meanwhile In Burbank', because, without giving too much away, that's where Roy lives — he lives in the Valley — so that's why we call it that. Because it's, like, that's what we're doing right now."

On its last North American tour, STONE SOUR played a different cover every night, including METALLICA's "Creeping Death", KISS' "Love Gun", JUDAS PRIEST's "Heading Out To The Highway" and PETER GABRIEL's "In Your Eyes".

Guitarist Christian Martucci joined STONE SOUR in late 2013 as the replacement for Jim Root, who was fired from the group after deciding he wanted to sit out the band's last tour in order to start work on the next album from SLIPKNOT, of which he is also a member.

California technical death metal tacticians and recent Unique Leader signees, Wrvth, (formerly Wrath Of Vesuvius), will release their third full-length this June. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren (Suffocation, Fallujah, All Shall Perish) at SharkBite/Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California, the self-titled opus features a guest appearance from Daniel Casares of Bay Area jazz group, Atta Kid, on saxophone and boasts eleven tracks of jolting, transcendental death metal that tread a fine line between peaceful and punishing. The first official Wrvth teaser comes today in the form of opening psalm, "Harrowing Winds":

Following their recent journey breaking stages alongside label mates, Inanimate Existence, Wrvth, will return to the road next month for another round of live debauchery, this time supporting Ænimus as part of the Dawn Of The Shred tour. Assembled by Sojourner Booking and presented by Digital Tour Bus and Mt. Baker Vapor, Dawn Of The Shred kicks off May 6th in Van Nuys, California and will stomp through eighteen cities, the final show to take place on May 26th in Fresno, California. Additional support will be provided by Shapist and Memories In Broken Glass on select dates.

Tour dates:

May
6 – Van Nuys, CA – White Oak Music
7 – Las Vegas, NV – OMD
8 – Denver, CO – Roxy Theater
9 – Omaha, NE – The Down Under
10 – Crest Hill, IL – Bada Brew
12 – Cudahy, WI – The Metal Grill
13 – Warren, MI – The Rittz
14 – Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome
15 – Springfield, IL – Black Sheep
16 – St. Louis, MO – Fubar
17 – Oklahoma, OK – The Conservatory
20 – Dallas, TX – Boiler Room
21 – Austin, TX – Dirty Dog Bar
22 – Abilene, TX – Yayas
23 – Las Cruces, NM – Dream Center
24 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pubrock
25 – Anaheim, CA – Doll Hut
26 – Fresno, CA – The CYC

Wrvth will be released on June 16. Preorder packages to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-based thrash/death metal band Siriun released their new album, In Chaos We Trust, late last year. In Chaos We Trust, which is heavily influenced with thrash and death metal while mixing with progressive and traditional Brazilian elements, is available for streaming now via the band’s YouTube page, here.

 

 

Today, the band introduce fans to their visually artistic side with their brand new animated music video for the track “Transmutation”, which was painstakingly illustrated and animated by Niklas Sundin (otherwise known as guitarist for Swedish melodic death metal group Dark Tranquillity) at his design studio, Cabin Fever Media.
 
“The video is about the alchemical concept of turning lead into gold. That concept can also be an analogy for a search for internal perfection and spiritual enlightenment,” states guitarist/vocalist Alexandre Castellan.

In Chaos We Trust was mixed and mastered by Siriun mastermind and guitarist/vocalist Alexandre Castellan. Castellan actually founded Siriun only last year as a way to give life to his musical ideas. To reach the best possible result, he recruited one of the world’s most renowned drummers, Kevin Talley (Six Feet Under, Daath, Suffocation), and his long-time friend Hugo Machado to play the bass guitar.

Currently, Siriun is looking to book tour dates in the United States. Interested parties should contact Siriunband@gmail.com.

 

 

Siriun is:

Alexandre Castellan – Guitar / Vocals
Kevin Talley – Drums
Hugo Machado – Bass

"Another You", the new video from the California-based rock quintet OF MICE & MEN, can be seen below. The clip was filmed during the band's "The Hunting Party" tour as the support act for LINKIN PARK.

OF MICE & MEN's "Restoring Force: Full Circle" deluxe double-disc, foil-stamped digipack that includes three brand-new songs and an acoustic version of the band's hit single "Feels Like Forever" was released in February.

The new songs — "Broken Generation", "Something To Hide", "Never Giving Up" and the acoustic version of "Feels Like Forever" — were recorded last fall with producer David Bendeth (PARAMORE, BRING ME THE HORIZON) in Southern California.

The two-CD set is a special reissue of the album "Restoring Force", which hit No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Independent and Top Rock Albums charts.

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett says that the material the band has been writing for its forthcoming album "is a little bit more progressive" than the song "Lords Of Summer", which was performed for the first time more than a year ago at the opening show of METALLICA's South American tour.

During an appearance yesterday (Tuesday, April 14) on SiriusXM's Liquid Metal, Hammett spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to METALLICA's 2008 album, "Death Magnetic". He said: "I would say some of the stuff [we have written] is similar to 'Lords Of Summer'. 'Lords Of Summer' is pretty accessible, because I think it's one of the more accessible-sounding riffs and there's a really cool melody. A lot of the other material is a little bit more progressive — kind of along the lines of what 'Death Magnetic' turned out to be."

He continued: "I would say that there's some really, really hooky stuff coming through — really, really catchy stuff — and I'm really, really psyched on the direction of how things are sounding. If I could compare it to anything, maybe it might be remotely similar to the approach we took on [1988's] '…And Justice For All' [album], but it doesn't sound like '…And Justice For All' sonically — it doesn't have that sound that '…And Justice For All' had, which I thought was very unique at the time."

Hammett added: "I listen to a lot of metal bands today, and there are bands that really like that '…And Justice For All' sound and strive for that. And cool, man. I mean, they're actually doing it better than we did, 'cause you can hear the bass."

Kirk also talked about how he goes about finding the inspiration and motivation to record a new METALLICA album these days. He said: "It's what always do. I always go back to the stuff that influenced me when I was younger and first starting out, 'cause that stuff is still inspiring. And then I look around and see what's going on present day, and what bands are sounding like these days, 'cause I'm always curious."

He continued: "What I do is I like to see what's going on and I like to see how our sound fits in with what's going on. It's really just a day-to-day thing. I'll throw on the radio and start hitting the stations. And if I hear a piece of music that I think is particularly interesting, I'll listen to it and maybe I'll listen and catch something and think, 'Wow! That's a pretty good melody. Maybe I should apply that to this solo section.' And it could be any type of music — it could be rock, it could be heavy metal, reggae… anything. And I'll use that as maybe a little starting point for me to maybe create something different."

Hammett told Billboard.com in a recent interview that the band is "at the 25 percent point, maybe 30 percent point" in the making of its tenth studio album. Although Hammett said that the band has over a dozen songs ready, there is still a lot of writing to go. "We have a lot of good songs," he said. "The songs are ever-changing. Nothing is etched in stone. We still have a lot of material we have to sift through still, so it's hard to say at what point we actually are in the project. I don't think we hit the middle point yet. But I mean, we are working on it and there are songs and, you know, we're making plans to write more songs and record."

Hammett admitted that getting a new METALLICA album into production these days is a huge undertaking, explaining, "It does take on monstrous proportions. It takes up a lot of space in our lives."

The band members have steadfastly refused to say when fans might get to hear the follow-up to "Death Magnetic", although a 2015 release date is starting to look less likely at this point.

Drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone recently that the band was "pretty close" to entering the recording studio, adding that the band doesn't want to record in a way that feels "labored over and overthought."

METALLICA was recently announced as one of the headliners of this year's edition of Lollapalooza, along with Paul McCartney. The festival will take place at Grant Park in Chicago, on July 31, August 1 and August 2.

The band will play another dozen or so dates between early May and mid-September, including the inaugural Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas on May 9.

German power metallers Iron Savior will release their first ever DVD/Live CD Live At The Final Frontier on May 29.

It includes the recordings of the band's show in their hometown Hamburg (from January 2015) and comes as exclusive DVD/2CD digipak.

Tracklisting:

DVD
“Ascendence (Intro)”
“Last Hero”
“Starlight”
“The Savior”
“Revenge Of The Bride”
“Break The Curse”
“Burning Heart”
“Mind Over Matter”
“Hall Of The Heroes”
“R U Ready”
“Condition Red”
“I’ve Been To Hell”
“Heavy Metal Never Dies”
“Coming Home”
“Iron Watcher (Medley)”
“Atlantis Falling”
“Breaking The Law” (Judas Priest cover)

*Also additional backstage/concert footage

CD1
“Ascendence (Intro)”
“Last Hero”
“Starlight”
“The Savior”
“Revenge Of The Bride”
“Break The Curse”
“Burning Heart”
“Mind Over Matter”

CD2
“Hall Of The Heroes”
“R U Ready”
“Condition Red”
“I’ve Been To Hell”
“Heavy Metal Never Dies”
“Coming Home”
“Iron Watcher (Medley)”
“Atlantis Falling”
“Breaking The Law” (Judas Priest cover)

Melodic progressive metal group, Ghost Ship Octavius - featuring lead guitarist Matt Wicklund (God Forbid, HIMSA, Warrel Dane), drummer Van Williams (Nevermore, Ashes of Ares, Pure Sweet Hell) and vocalist Adōn Fanion - funded their brand new self-titled album through a successful Kickstarter fan campaign launched last year. Now, the band is pleased to announce the release of the album via digital retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play, Spotify, or simply via ghostshipoctavius.com.

Guitarist Matt Wicklund is beyond grateful for their fans who donated to their album campaign. “Ghost Ship Octavius is musically and artistically everything that I have always wanted to do. We put everything we had into this album and couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! The fans have been outstanding and made it possible for us to successfully fund this album independently through Kickstarter. It’s really exciting to see this all come to life! See you all on tour!”

Drummer Van Williams adds, “I’m super stoked on this album and if I weren’t in the band I know I still would be a huge fan. It’s an exciting time for us as we are collectively brand new and forging our own path. The fans that backed this record not knowing what they would get, and our family and friends that have showed and provided support during this process are truly awesome and the ones who really brought this album to everyone else. For that I’m truly grateful and look forward to getting this beast out on the road to meet the fans that have been so positive and patient.”

The new self-titled album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Aaron Smith at Envisage Audio in Seattle, WA. Ghost Ship Octavius’ sound features technical and groove metal elements, highlighted by Adōn’s powerful clean vocals, Van’s tasteful rhythms and Matt’s melodic and intricate guitar solos. Their diverse yet complimentary music styles combine to create a powerful and dynamic sound highlighted by soaring vocals, virtuosic guitars and hooky but progressive arrangements.

Take a listen to the band’s new track “Mills Of The Gods” below:

Gear-heads can also rejoice; watch guitarist Matthew Wicklund’s Ghost Ship Octavius solo-writing demo video featuring a Caparison Guitars C2 Series axe below:

 

 

Swiss metal band, Voice Of Ruin, have released a video for “I Am The Danger”. The track is taken from the band’s new EP, Consumed, out on April 24th via Tenacity Music. Tthe video was directed by Brice Hincker for C.H.S Productions.

 

The Consumed EP contains two new tracks as well as three remixes from their latest album, Morning Wood.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“I Am The Danger”
“Our Need To Consume”
“Morning Wood” (rewritten by Desireless & Operation of the Sun)
“Day Of Rage” (remix by Bak XIII)
“The Rise Of Nothing” (remix by Simpig)
“The Rise Of Nothing” (rewritten by Feel A Boom F.A.B)

"Our Need To Consume”:

 

 

In the video below, Tony MacAlpine performs "Square Circles" from his album Concrete Gardens, featuring EMG artist and Arch Enemy guitarist Jeff Loomis as a guest soloist. The two generations of shredders dual it out on the EMGtv stage with Nili Brosh, Pete Griffin on bass, and Aquiles Priester on drums. Tony and Nili are playing the EMG 57-7H and EMG 66-7H humbucker pickups for seven string guitar. Jeff is also using his EMG 57-7H in the bridge position.

 

Tony MacAlpine's new album Concrete Gardens will be released April 21st, and is now available for pre-order via Tony's spinshop or the Amazon widget below. The tracklisting is as follows:

"Exhibitionist Blvd."
"The King's Rhapsody"
"Man In A Metal Cage"
"Poison Cookies"
"Epic"
"Napoleon's Puppet"
"Sierra Morena"
"Square Circles"
"Red Giant"
"Confessions Of A Medieval Monument"
"Concrete Gardens"
"Maiden's Wish"

Album Personnel:
Tony MacAlpine - guitar, keyboards, bass
Aquiles Priester - drums
Pete Griffin - bass
Jeff Loomis - guitar solo on "Square Circles"
Lucky Islam - bass on "Red Giant"
Sean Delson - bass on "Concrete Gardens"

The Special Edition of Concrete Gardens is limited to 2000 copies and includes a bonus DVD of Tony and band performing the album live at EMGtv. Check out "Poison Cookies" and "Sierra Morena" below.

Tony MacAlpine will be hitting the road and touring the USA in May and June; confirmed dates are available at this location.

Check out the title track of Tony's new album via the following YouTube clip:

 

 

 

 

The debut double live CD from multinational melodic metal band Eden's Curse titled Live With The Curse is out now in North America via AFM Records.
 
To celebrate the release AFM Records have uploaded a third live promo video from the show recording at The Classic Grand in Glasgow, Scotland, which took place in November 2014. The track, as voted for by the Eden's Curse fanbase, is the highly popular “Unbreakable” from the group’s current studio album Symphony Of Sin, which has turned into something of an anthem for the multinational outfit.

Live With The Curse is out now in Europe and North American on AFM Records and will be released in Japan on April 22nd via Marquee Avalon.

Initially formed as a studio project, Eden's Curse has blossomed into a fully fledged first class live act with high ambitions. A UK tour with Stratovarius was the catalyst, while dates with Dream Theater gave them a taste of the big time. However the past two years has seen Eden's Curse truly making their mark on the live scene from appearing at several festivals and even taking the brave steps of going out on their own seven date UK headlining tour.

With four fantastic and widely celebrated studio albums already under their belts, the thought of releasing a live album was never far from the mind, but the main source of inspiration came from their ardent fan base. The culmination was no more evident than after the last night of the Symphony Of Sin UK Tour in London. They band came off stage on such a high and the feedback and comments coupled with fan pressure to re-record the older material with Nikola singing made them certain that the time was right.

 

 

So planning began for the recording of the first ever Eden's Curse live album and anyone who knows the band will be aware of their high standards that they set for everything that they do - Live With The Curse is no exception. Recording took place on November 28th, 2014 at an Eden's Curse headlining show at The Classic Grand in Glasgow. Fans from all over Europe, and as far away as Japan, traveled to Scotland to witness and be part of this truly special event.

The setlist of course contains fan favourites and classics from all four Eden's Curse albums: Eden's Curse (2007), The Second Coming (2008), Trinity (2011) and 2013’s Symphony Of Sin.

Mix and mastering of the live recordings were handled by the band’s long-time engineer Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Unisonic), who managed to capture the concert’s energy and vibe perfectly. The cover artwork was once again created by artist Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy, Avantasia), who has also worked with Eden's Curse since the times of their 2007 debut album.

 

 

Tracklisting:

CD One:
"Symphony Of Sin"
"Break The Silence"
"Masquerade Ball"
"Black Widow"
"Trinity"
"Fly Away"
"Just Like Judas"
"Fallen From Grace"
"Jerusalem Sleeps"
Guitar Solo
"Time To Breathe"

CD Two:
"Rock Bottom"
"Devil In Disguise"
"Wings To Fly"
"No Holy Man"
"Unbreakable"
"Judgement Day"
Band Introductions
"Evil & Divine"
"Angels & Demons"

“Rock Bottom” promo video:

 

International punk/metal supergroup, Tau Cross, are streaming the new track “Fire In The Sky”, from their upcoming debut album. The track can be heard below.

Tau Cross has been the subject of intense interest since Relapse Records announced their partnership. Vocalist Rob "The Baron" Miller of Amebix acclaim just posted a behind-the-scenes video explaining the band's fascinating origins and the story behind the name itself.

Tau Cross is streaming the new track, “Lazarus”, from their upcoming Relapse Records debut. The track can be heard below, along with a video trailer featuring a selection of song samples that usher in a genre-bending tour-de-force that seamlessly melds shades of Killing Joke, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and vicious crust punk, as well as taking influence from its members' iconic other projects Amebix and Voivod.

Comprised of a pedigreed quartet of musicians including Amebix vocalist/bassist Rob "The Baron" Miller, Voivod drummer Michel "Away" Langevin, Misery guitarist Jon Misery and War//Plague guitarist Andy Lefton, Tau Cross formed in 2013 and recorded their debut album over several months in 2014 throughout three different countries.

The record is slated for a May 19th release via Relapse Records, and will be available on digital, CD, and vinyl formats.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Lazarus”
“Fire In The Sky”
“Stonecracker”
“Midsummer”
“Hangmans Hyll”
“We Control The Fear”
“You People”
“Prison”
“Sons Of The Soil”
“The Lie”
“Our Day”
“The Devil Knows His Own”

“Fire In The Sky”:

“Lazarus”:

Trailer:

Pre-order a physical bundle with limited coloured vinyl, CD, or an exclusive T-shirt design from Relapse here. Digital pre-orders are now available here.

Tau Cross Is:

Rob ‘The Baron’ Miller- Bass and Vocals (Amebix)
Michel ‘Away’ Langevin - Drums (Voivod)
Andy Lefton -Guitar (War/Plague)
Jon Misery- Guitar (Misery)

The cinematic metal project Dark Sarah has released a new music video and digital single for the track "Light In You". "Light In You" is a duet with Heidi Parviainen (ex-Amberian Dawn) and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) and the video was shot in a beautiful winter landscape in the deep forests of Finland.

"Light In You" comes off the upcoming Dark Sarah debut album Behind The Black Veil that will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Inner Wound Recordings.

Dark Sarah is the new project from Heidi Parviainen (ex-Amberian Dawn). The debut album called Behind The Black Veil leads you through the psychological adventure of Sarah, who is hovering between her two personalities. Dark Sarah's music combines metal, film music and theatrical elements. Sarah's thoughts are at best depicted in the dialogues (duets) with the guests - "The Fate": Manuela Kraller (ex-Xandria), "The Queen Of No Good": Inga Scharf (Van Canto) and "The Moon": Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica).

Production, orchestrations and mixing was handled by Mikko P. Mustonen, Pathos Music (Delain, Sonata Arctica, Ensiferum) and the album was mastered by Henkka Niemisto, Chartmakers (Volbeat, Sonata Arctica, Korpiklaani). The artwork was created by Jan Yrlund, Darkgrove Design (Apocalyptica, Ensiferum, Sirenia).

Behind The Black Veil tracklisting:

“Save Me”
“Poison Apple”
“Hide And Seek”
“Memories Fall” (featuring Manuela Kraller)
“Evil Roots” (featuring Inga Scharf)
“Violent Roses”
“Hunting The Dreamer”
“Fortress”
“Silver Tree”
“Sun, Moon, And Stars”
“Light In You” (featuring Tony Kakko)
“Sarah’s Theme”
“Memories Fall” (orchestral version)
“A Grim Christmas Story”

“Memories Fall”:

“Save Me”:

“Hunting The Dreamer”:

Preorder the album at this location.

Belgian atmospheric doom metallers Thurisaz have released a video for “One Final Step”, the track from their fourth full-length album, The Pulse Of Mourning, out now via Sleaszy Rider Records. The clip was directed and filmed by Jeroen Mylle.

Thurisaz's follow-up to 2011's The Cimmerian Years was produced by the band's guitarist Peter Theuwen together with Nik Mettez and Kris Belaen at the CCR studios (Axamenta, In-Quest, Suhrim) in Zulte and mastered at the Tailor Made Studio. The cover artwork was created by band member Mattias Theuwen in cooperation with Jeroen Mylle (Amenra) and can be seen below.

 

 

The band has the following to say about The Pulse Of Mourning: "The Pulse Of Mourning is a logical next step for Thurisaz after 2011's The Cimmerian Years, but also a return to the rawness of 2007's Circadian Rhythm. Once again we tried to create a very diverse album in which the many aspects of disillusion and bitterness are passing by."

 

 

The Pulse Of Morning tracklisting:

“Longing…”
“…For A Change”
“Patterns Of Life”
“Tangram”
“Rays Of Light”
“One Final Step”
“Enslaved Dreams”
“In All Remembrance”
“Stargaze”

“Patterns Of Life”:

Earlier this year Thurisaz released Thurisaz: Live & Acoustic. The CD/DVD was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience and with a string-ensemble on March 1st, 2014 at a sold-out show at the GC Forum in Wervik, the band's hometown. Thurisaz: Live & Acoustic was released on January 30th through Sleaszy Rider Records.

 

Century Media Records will finally re-issue legendary Swedish act Tiamat’s second album, The Astral Sleep, on vinyl on May 11th.

Originally released in 1991, The Astral Sleep is a true masterpiece of forward-thinking death metal exploring doomier and sinister, atmospheric territories hinting at the diverse and daring gothic metal they were about to release to massive global success in the years to come. It was also the first album recorded with long-term producer Waldemar Sorychta.

The 2015 reissue is based on the original LP visually yet adds the 1991 CD-bonus track “A Winter Shadow” and was specially mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony (Grave, Dissection, Massacra). It comes on 180g vinyl with printed inner sleeve and full-colour labels. A beautiful edition of a morbidly beautiful album.

The following editions will be available and are now ready for pre-ordering:

- White vinyl - limited to 200 copies (exclusive to CMDistro.com / European online shop only!)
- Gold vinyl – limited to 200 copies (exclusive to CMDistro.com / US online shop only!)
- Black vinyl – available via CMDistro.com

Pre-order your copy at this location.

 

 

The Astral Sleep (reissue 2015) tracklisting:

Side A:

“Neo Aeon“
“Lady Temptress“
“Mountain Of Doom“
“Dead Boys' Choir“
“Sumerian Cry (Part III)“
“On Golden Wings“

Side B:

“Ancient Entity“
“The Southernmost Voyage“
“Angels Far Beyond“
“I Am The King (... Of Dreams)“
“A Winter Shadow“
“The Seal“

“Mountain Of Doom”:

 

Ramming Speed have teamed up with Charlottesville, VA's Champion Brewing Company to launch their very own brew, Black Leather IPA. The brew-tal beer will debut on April 18th during a free concert featuring the band, Iron Reagan and others at the Champion Tap Room.

In addition to a new beer, the band has also finished tracking their new album. The follow-up to their Prosthetic debut, Doomed To Destroy, Destined To Die, was once again recorded at Godcity Studios in Salem, Mass. with none other than Kurt Ballou (Skeletonwitch, Trap Them, Converge). A fall 2015 release is expected.

Drummer Jonah Livingston commented, "On April 18th, the Ramming Speed Black Leather IPA will debut at the brewery with a free outdoor show featuring our band alongside Iron Reagan, The Glorious Gone and Occultist. Working on this brew has been every beer-drinker's dream come true and we’re stoked to finally try it at the show! The beer’s initial release will be highly limited, available at the showcase and at a number of Richmond bars, including the newly opened GWAR Bar."

Livingston also commented on the process behind the collaboration, "We’ve spent many long drives in the van talking about what we would do if we ever had a chance to make a Speed beer. Would it be a super-shitty malt liquor? Would it be a refreshing summer brew? In mid-2014 Hunter from Champion Brewing started brainstorming with us and the most obvious answer was to go with a huge-tasting, toasty, hopped out, and brutally dark black IPA. We’ve known this dude forever and his brewery’s track record of working with bands and pushing the boundaries of craft brewing created a killer opportunity for us to work together."

Added Champion Brewery owner Hunter Smith, "We have been really excited to work together on a collaboration with Ramming Speed. How cool to hook up with some old Boston buds who play music that I love? We haven't made a true Black IPA as a brewery before so when they mentioned the style, I knew it would be awesome. I am already envisioning getting my ears blasted and slamming a cold, hoppy black ale like the one we've created."

Watch below as Ramming Speed lend assistance in the making of their collaborative Black Leather IPA at the Champion Brewing factory:

 

As Neurosis voyager and solo artist, Steve Von Till, prepares to release his new A Life Unto Itself LP through Neurosis' Neurot Recordings in North America on May 12th, he now presents the gripping album opener, "In Your Wings”.

Steve Von Till's most immense, celestial solo journey yet, A Life Unto Itself was captured at Avast! Recording Co. in Seattle with producer Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn O))), Wolves In The Throne Room, Marissa Nadler and Rose Windows), presenting over forty-five minutes of harrowing textures which drill their way immediately to the core of your bones, gnaw your heart's defence mechanisms to their foundations, and invoke a wellspring of emotions. In bringing these newest visions to fruition, Steve Von Till was joined by viola master Eyvind Kang, pedal steel wizard J. Kardong and percussionist Pat Schowe, and enshrouded by cover art by Aaron Turner (Sumac, Isis, Old Man Gloom, Hydra Head), A Life Unto Itself conjures the man's most diverse but wholly composed solo creations yet, recalling Harvestman and prior unaccompanied albums under his own name. A possible new bearing on navigating life seems to lie at the heart of A Life Unto Itself, but that decision is ultimately up to the listener.

 

 
Tracklisting:

 

“In Your Wings”
“A Life Unto Itself”
“A Language Of Blood”
“Night Of The Moon”
“Birch Bark Box”
“Chasing Ghosts”
“Known But Not Named”

"In Your Wings”:

"A Life Unto Itself”:

 

Norwegian horror thrashers, Critical Solution, have revealed guests for their upcoming second album, which will be out in spring/summer 2015.

Vocalist/guitarist Christer Slettebø comments: We have Mika Lagren from Grave doing an insane solo only Swedes can do, and also have the privilege of getting both riffmasters from Mercyful Fate (Michael Denner and Hank Sherman) sharing solos on a fast old school thrash tune! It is beyond amazing!”

 

 

The band have released the first single, entitled “Welcome To Your Nightmare” which can be streamed below:

The band once again recorded in SonicTrain Studios In Varberg, Sweden with producer Andy LaRocque.

Critical Solution is:

Christer Slettebø - Vocals/Guitars
Egil Mydland - Drums
Eimund Grøsfjell - Bass
Bjørnar Grøsfjell - Guitars

On May 29th, German label TrollZorn will release the deluxe reissue of Mare Nostrum, the groundbreaking and highly acclaimed fourth album from Italian extreme metallers, Stormlord.

Originally released in 2008, the Mare Nostrum album has become a ‘must-have’ for all the epic/pagan metal fans out there thanks to an exceptional blend of epic vibes, extreme vocals, killer drums and bombastic keyboards.

Forget about all the other bands: the sound of this album is truly unique and can’t be compared to nothing else around. Blessed by an outstanding production and iconic artwork, Mare Nostrum will be reissued in a deluxe digipack edition expanded with five unreleased gems that will drive fans crazy.

The bonus tracks will feature early versions of the songs “Neon Karma”, “Mare Nostrum”, “Legacy Of The Snake” and “Dimension: Hate”, recorded back in 2007 for labels only and previously unreleased until now.

But that’s not all. To complete this opus, over 74-minutes long, the reissue will also feature a live performance of the song “Mare Nostrum”, recorded with the current lineup in early 2014 at Radio Rock studios - one of the most popular FM rock radios in Italy – so that each listener can experience the energy of a Stormlord live show.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Mare Nostrum”
“Neon Karma”
“Legacy Of The Snake”
“Emet”
“The Castaway”
“Scorn”
“And The Wind Shall Scream My Name”
“Dimension: Hate”
“Stormlord”

Bonus tracks (previously unreleased):

“Neon Karma” (Demo 2007)
“Mare Nostrum” (Demo 2007)
“Legacy Of The Snake” (Demo 2007)
“Dimension: Hate” (Demo 2007)
“Mare Nostrum” (Live on Radio 2014)

 

 

 

Italian metallers Kaledon have announced that Michele Guaitoli - vocalist for the heavy/power metal band Overtures, Shure endorser and vocal coach at The Groove Factory Music Academy in Udine and at the GoMusic school in Gorizia - is the band’s new singer.

Check out a presentation video below:

Kaledon lineup:

Alex Mele - Guitars
Michele Guaitoli - Vocals
Tommy Nemesio - Guitars
Paolo Campitelli - Keyboards
Paolo Lezziroli - Bass
Massimiliano Santori - Drums

 

 

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 lyric video for the album track, “Fearless”, streaming below.

 

 

"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