Fan-filmed video footage of REVAMP — the Dutch band led by former AFTER FOREVER frontwoman and current NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen — performing on April 17 at the Trocadero in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

REVAMP is currently touring North America as the support act for ICED EARTH and SABATON.

REVAMP's second album, "Wild Card", was released in Europe on August 23, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at SandLane Studio in Rijen, The Netherlands with Joost van den Broek (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and features guest choir parts by Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) and Daniël de Jongh (TEXTURES).

"Wild Card" track listing:

01. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown: On The Sideline02. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown: The Limbic System03. Wild Card04. Precibus05. Nothing06. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown: Neurasthenia07. Distorted Lullabies08. Amendatory09. I Can Become10. Misery's No Crime11. Wolf and Dog12. Sins (bonus track)

The CD features additional guest appearances by Mark Jansen (EPICA), Johan van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) and Devin Townsend.

Jansen told About.com Heavy Metal about the songwriting process for "Wild Card": "When AFTER FOREVER stopped, I didn't want to first find a band, then see if I could write with them, figure that whole thing out, then record an album. Instead I worked with people I knew would be good songwriters out of an idea how I thought it would sound like. So I worked with a German guitar player (Waldemar Sorychta) and Joost van den Broek from AFTER FOREVER. We wrote the album and played on it and hired a drummer. That's basically how it was done. Then I formed a band with the current lineup. The ambition was to continue as a band and start writing. The cool thing is that it worked. Mainly the guitarist Jord (Otto), keyboardist Ruben (Wijga) and myself came up with all the ideas. Joost became the supervisor of the whole songwriting process and producer of the album."

REVAMP last year announced the addition of bassist Henk Vonk to the group's ranks. He replaced Jaap Melman, who left REVAMP before the band entered the studio to begin recording its second album. The CD was eventually completed with the help of STREAM OF PASSION bassist Johan van Stratum, who filled in on short notice and "did an amazing job to record and edit the bass parts," according to a press release.

REVAMP's self-titled debut album was released in Europe on May 28, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Netherlands-based rockers PETER PAN SPEEDROCK have signed a deal with Steamhammer / SPV. The brand new studio album, Buckle Up And Shove It!, will be released by Suburban Records in the Benelux (May 23rd) and by Steamhammer / SPV in the rest of Europe (May 30th). The band will play several festival and headliner shows within Europe this year. More details on album and tour to follow soon. Stay tuned...
Singer/guitarist Peter van Elderen: "We're excited to work with Steamhammer/SPV. They will release Buckle Up And Shove It! outside the Benelux for the rest of Europe. That means we're now officially labelmates of the SUPERSUCKERS and NASHVILLE PUSSY. So we're in good bad company! Steamhammer is a renowned record label with a loyal and dedicated crew and fan base who really cares about good music."
Georg Schröder A+R Steamhammer/SPV adds: "We are very proud to welcome this high energy Rock n Roll three-piece in the Steamhammmer family! Peter Pan Speedrock are, without no doubt, one of the bands that stay true to themselves over the past 18 years and they constantly deliver true and honest rock n' roll. They make a great addition to the current Steamhammer roster."

For those who can't wait to hear some new material from the upcoming album, feel free to check out the brand new video for the song 'Get You High':

German metallers UNBREAKABLE has signed with Dark Star Records. The band has recorded their first album called Knockout with producer and legendary SCORPIONS drummer Herman Rarebell (also MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP'S TEMPLE OF ROCK). The album was recorded at the Principal Studios in Muenster Germany and the Kidroom Studio with Micghael Voss who is the producer for Michael Schenker. The artwork for Knockout was designed by Dirk Illing who worked with the Scorpions on Sting In The Tail and Comeblack. Look for the full length album to be released worldwide later this year via Dark Star Records.

The new single 'Bad Blood' can be streamed below:
Unbreakable is:
Al Crespo (vocals)
Martin Ries (guitar)
Pascal Alles (guitar)
Alex Ries (drums)
Lukas Mittler (bass)

Dallas-based hard rock outfit BRAND NEW MACHINE have announced they've inked a new deal with KEG Management. A post through the band's social media confirms the union.

"We are extremely excited to announce the band has signed with KEG Management. Keith Neddo and the family at KEG are a perfect fit for where we are taking Brand New Machine moving forward. It's definitely an honor to be a part of an organization representing members of Soulfly, Black Label Society, Allele and a number of other groups we hold in high regard. Plans are already in motion and we'll be announcing new tour dates for summer 2014...can't wait to get out there and bring the f'n ROCK to ya!"

Brand New Machine's new album, The Devil Made Me Do It, was recorded at Validus Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA under the watchful eye of producer/mixer Ryan Greene (ALICE COOPER, CHEAP TRICK). The album takes the band's hard-living lifestyle and mixes it with arena ready rock anthems to create a soundtrack for debauchery.

The Devil Made Me Do It tracklisting:

'Here I Am'
'Girls Like You'
'Devil Made me Do It'
'Dust The Sky'
'Here And Gone Today'
'Living for Another Day'
'Always On The Run'
'Blackout Overdose'
'Lettin It Roll'
'What Do I Gotta Do'
'Let Me Go'

‘Girls Like You’ video:

One And All, Together, For Home is a sprawling, ambitious compilation assembled by DRUDKH main-man Roman Sayenko, and brings together a group of renowned European metal bands to pay homage their distinct, unique heritages. Each band employs their own means to find and present their respective cultural roots to the world via song. The eight artists - including highly-regarded bands such as PRIMORDIAL, DRUDKH, WINTERFYLLETH, AVA INFERI and more - contribute a total of 17 exclusive tracks in the form of traditional song interpretations, cover versions of folk artists, or the use of themes and melodies from their musical heritages in original compositions.
BraveWords is streaming the new 'Ao Teu Lado' song below:
Some background on the song: 'Ao Teu Lado' is inspired by traditional Portuguese music known as “Fado”, which means “fate”. Both the melody and lyrics of 'Ao Teu Lado' are rooted within the Fado style. The title translates as 'By Your Side' and true to this intimate genre it is a kind of love song with a dramatic ending. With the addition of a traditional Portuguese guitar as a musical representation of Fado, Ava Inferi highlight the contrast with their own distinct style of Gothic Doom Metal resulting in a unique blend of traditional and modern day musical expressions.

The deep melancholy inherent in "Ao Teu Lado" makes it perfectly suited to be released as Ava Inferi’s swansong at the end of their eight years of existence:

The One And All, Together, For Home compilation can be pre-ordered here.

Italian death metal quartet HOUR OF PENANCE have released a play-through video for 'Desecrated Souls', the new track featured on the band's new album, Regicide, out on May 13th in North America, May 12th in the UK/EU and May 16th in Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Australia via Prosthetic Records.
Regicide features cover artwork completed by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER) which, like the album, revolves around the themes of destruction, rebirth and the killing of the king. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Rome's 16th Cellar Studios (FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE), the album is described by the band as "a bone-crushing feast for old and new fans...more varied and brutal than everything we've done so far."

The album's first CD pressing will be a limited-edition digipak that will contain three bonus tracks. Those bonus tracks will also be available via download card to anyone who orders the album on vinyl or cassette, as well as anyone who orders the deluxe edition of the album on Bandcamp or other digital providers.

Exclusive pre-order packages featuring Regicide on CD, cassette and LP paired with either a t-shirt or zip-up hoodie are currently available at this location. All physical and digital Bandcamp pre-orders will also receive an immediate download of 'Resurgence of The Empire'.
Regicide tracklisting:

'Through The Triumphal Arch'
'Reforging The Crowns'
'Desecrated Souls'
'Resurgence Of The Empire'
'Spears Of Sacred Doom'
'Sealed Into Ecstasy'
'Redeemer Of Atrocity'
'Regicide'
'The Sun Worship'
'The Seas Of Light'
'Theogony'

Bonus tracks:

'The Uncorrupted Ones'
'Frail As The Flesh Of Christ'
'Monarch Of Heresy'

'Desecrated Souls' play-through video:
'Resurgence Of The Empire' lyric video:

Finnish heavy rock duo MYSTONS have released their new single and video, for the track 'Coal Soul Woman', from their fourth album, Black Matter, out via the V.R. label.

Black Matter was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (H.I.M, APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, THE 69 EYES, MOONSPELL), and mastered by Svante Forcbäck (VOLBEAT, RAMMSTEIM).
In their new music video the band has taken an untraditional approach to music videos. 'Coal Soul Woman' video was entirely done by Colombian video artist Larry Muñoz Bogotá.
Mystons vocalist-guitarist M Myston explains: "I met Larry in Finland in the summer of 2013 and was very impressed with his video artworks. Larry also got introduced to Mystons music. Later on we both had thought this idea that he could do a music video for Mystons. So we gave him free hands with the video and an unusual, chaotic city portrait from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia came out."
'Let The Darkness Rest In Peace':

Quebec City-based female-fronted symphonic metallers MERKABAH are streaming the new single 'Divine Sparks', featured on the band's third album, Ubiquity, out now worldwide via Maple Metal Records

Ubiquity was produced by Merkabah, and mixed by Pierre Rémillard (ANVIL, KATAKLYSM, VOIVOD) at Wild Studio, north of Montreal. The album cover art is by Maxime Bigras.

Ubiquity tracklisting:

'Mythomania'
'Divine Sparks'
'Red Letter Days'
'Circles of Despair'
'Brothers From the Seed of Cain'
'Deadly Prophets of the Printed Page'
'Agartha'
'Ubiquity'

'Divine Sparks':
'Mythomania':
'Red Letter Days':
Their official CD release show will be on June 13th at the l'Agitée in Québec City. Merkabah will be performing select shows throughout Ontario and Quebec this summer in support of their new album; dates have yet to be announced.

Superball Music made UK band AMPLIFIER "an offer they couldn't refuse" for the release of their forthcoming fifth album Mystoria later this year. The band have just entered Rockfield Studios in Wales to begin the recording process, and vocalist and guitarist Sel Balamir had this to say:

"We are delighted to be teaming up with Superball. There is a manifest difference between Superball and all the other labels we have worked with - music and art is about creative thought and is like a kind of game to us. The guys at Superball share this vibe - something that the music industry often forgets.

We really can't wait to get stuck into the new Amplifier record and see where we travel with our new friends. Hopefully it will be a long journey and we'll have lots of adventures along the way."

Superball Music label-head Thomas Waber adds: "We have been talking to Amplifier for a long time about working together and were always of the opinion, that one day the time would come. After listening to the new demos, I knew immediately that the time had definitely arrived! Suffice to say, that everyone at Superball is extremely excited right now and we made the guys in the band an offer they could not refuse!"

The band have already been announced to take part in the CULT OF LUNA-curated Beyond The Redshift festival in London on May 10th.

With a career that spans almost 1000 gigs of every conceivable size over 14 years and eight releases, including the behemoth double album The Octopus, Amplifier have by this point progressed past being simply a band and have become a zen-like state of being.

When Tom Sutton left the doom band CHURCH OF MISERY, it was to make his long-established grand vision of an epic doom band come true. To accomplish this, he moved to Sweden and hooked his strings together with Patrik Andersson Winberg (ex-DOOMDOGS), Hans Lilja of LOTUS (which for a period had Brian Robertson, ex-THIN LIZZY as guitarist) and Staffan Bjorck from the band WILDEBEEST.
Together with his and the band's doom and heavy metal influences, folk music, twin guitars and feel of old horror movies to create dark divine music, they became The Order Of Israfel. The band has now signed a record deal with Spinning Goblin / Napalm Records, and commented the signing as follows:

"The Order Of Israfel are thrilled to announce that we have signed to Napalm Records, and will be releasing our first album, Wisdom, in the autumn, 2014. We're extremely proud of the record, and know that Napalm will be the perfect home for it. We are also very excited to be sharing a label with the extremely legendary Candlemass, who have been one of the biggest influences on the sound of the band from the beginning. Cheers!"
Stay tuned for more info.

Following a two-year release stretch since their bold self-titled debut LP was issued, Relapse Records this week unveils the release details on the second LP from New York City-based morbid sludge metal executioners, SERPENTINE PATH.

Born from within the smoldering remains of UNEARTHLY TRANCE in 2011, UT members, bassist Jay Newman, drummer Darren Verni and vocalist Ryan Lipynsky (THE HOWLING WIND) recruited guitarist Tim Bagshaw (ex-RAMESSES, ex-ELECTRIC WIZARD) to complete the Serpentine Path lineup.

Now officially augmented by new second guitarist Stephen Flam, the mastermind behind NYC doom/death legends, WINTER, Serpentine Path brings forth their most demoralizing and anguish-filled slow-motion chaos yet, with the newly-completed Emanations. As with their first album, Emanations was recorded by the Newman, after which it was honed to devastating perfection at Audiosiege, the album capturing forty-five minutes of true sludge punishment with seven brand new songs from this true underground all-star team.

Emanations will see parole via Relapse May 27th on CD, LP and digital formats. A new trailer featuring a sample of the audio, as well as the cover art by in-house Relapse artist Orion Landau and more has been released. Pre-orders are being taken at Relapse.com.
Emanations tracklisting:

‘House Of Worship’
‘Treacherous Waters’
‘Claws’
‘Disfigured Colossus’
‘Systematic Extinction’
‘Torment’
‘Essence Of Heresy’

Iron Bonehead Productions has set May 19th as the release date for VERBERIS’ debut tape, Vastitas.
The current state of New Zealand's Verberis is as obscure and uncertain as both its origins and future. With the only certainty being the current moment, Verberis exists to traverse the devastating terrain of ravenous death metal from the spaces in between. Vastitas exhibits a vitriolic dose of this, narrated with chants of ascending and descending through creation and desolation. Imbued with a hideous energy brimming with the essence of DEATH, the psychic landscape of Vastitas is vast and unknown, and requires an unyielding, unwavering hand to traverse its peaks and valleys. Verberis are that very hand, clenched into an iron fist.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
‘The Primordial Rift’
‘Sepulchral Slumber’
‘Fangs Of Pazuzu’
‘Kaliginous Ascent’

Red Cat Records has announced the brand new partnership with HANGARVAIN and the incoming release of their first full length Best Ride Horse in May.

In 2006 lead singer Sergio Toledo Mosca and guitarist Alessandro Liccardo founded a band called SHAMAT. Now, after almost ten years, these two friends are still rocking together with a new project named Hangarvain. In the early 2013 when Liccardo came back to Italy after a year spent living and performing in London, the band started recording its debut album at the South Rock Studio in Ercolano with Alessandro Stellano (APRIL FOOLS, independent) on bass and Andrea Stipa (MIND KEY, April Fools) on drums.
The album was mixed at Cluster Sound Studio in Cuma while Steve Corrao mastered the all ten tracks at Sage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. When the first song entitled ‘Free Bird’ was released in June 2013 it reached the third position of the Reverb Nation Italian Rock Chart and more than 5000 users saw its related video on YouTube during the first weeks. In November the band released its second single called ‘Through The Space And Time’ and flew to England to play a gig at remarkable live club Nambucca in London. The New Year started with the great show of the band opening the international prog metal superstar DGM at Music Against Festival in Naples. Hangarvain released their debut album entitled Best Ride Horse anticipated by the new single ‘Get On’. The album is physically available in Italy (all around Europe in autumn) thanks to the Italian rock label Red Cat (Audioglobe Distribution) and in all the digital stores in May.

For more info visit Facebook.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of the Swedish heavy metal rock band THE DAGGER.

The Dagger consists of Fred Estby (drums), Tobias Cristiansson (bass), David Blomqvist (guitars) and Jani Kataja (vocals), who have been active in bands such as DISMEMEBER, GRAVE and SIDEBURN. The Dagger were formed in 2009 (originally as DAGGER, but upgraded the name ever since) with the aim to create real classic hard rock / heavy metal rooted in blues rock and to perform it simply the way they like to hear it themselves.

Jens Prüter, head of A&R at Century Media Records Europe, comments: “Everybody likes classic hard rock. Even Swedish death metal guys or German punks like me. I’ve already been a fan of The Dagger’s first 7” and was completely stoked when I heard a rough mix of 'Ballad Of An Old Man' in Stockholm last year. There is a lot of bands hailing classic hard rock and heavy metal but just a few are able to write classic songs and just a very few have such gifted vocalist like Jani. I’m glad to welcome The Dagger to the label and hope you will like it as much as we do.”

Fred Estby of The Dagger comments on the signing and album release: “We are proud to release our debut album on a label that has been into our music from the start and we are looking forward to a co-operation by the blade! The Dagger is ready to stab the world!”

After the release of the group’s debut 7” single (via High Roller Records) the band started recording their debut album at Gutterview Recorders (A studio owned by Fred Estby and Nicke Andersson) in Stockholm, where bands like IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC, ’77, BULLET and MORBUS CHRON already put their material on tape. The Dagger’s debut album is planned to be released in late June 2014.

While legendary acts such as early IRON MAIDEN, DEEP PURPLE, JUDAS PRIEST or RAINBOW obviously left their mark on The Dagger, the band does not rely on just resurrecting the 70s/80s era of hard rock but focus on quality throughout the entire album offering heavy to-the-point riffing, strong vocal melodies and twin guitar harmonies in spades. The Dagger stands for eagerly rehearsing, jamming, recording live and writing songs as a unit resulting in an authentic and captivating approach.

For a foretaste of what’s to come, check out the 7" version of the album track 'Dark Cloud' below:



The Dagger lineup:

Jani Kataja - vocals
David Blomqvist - guitars
Tobias Cristiansson - bass
Fred Estby - drums

(Photo - Nikko Knösch)

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, LA (Los Angeles) was ground zero for all kinds of emerging hard-rock hair bands that were kicking down the doors of the sunset strip. However, 2000+ miles to the east was another LA (Louisiana) that was grooming a five man powerhouse band by the name of NOBODYS CHILDREN. They had everything that the west coast LA bands had and a live show that had Shreveport, LA fans coming out in hoards to see what they hype was all about. The fans also religiously called local radio stations to play their favorite Nobodys Children Songs.

From 1988 to 1992, Nobodys Children were a force to be reckoned with playing countless shows across the country 5-plus nights a week. The live show involved enough lighting and stage equipment crammed into a 24 foot truck that would have shamed even the greatest of bands on the Sunset Strip back in the day. Nobodys Children established themselves as one of the most requested live acts on the circuit, with their first single ‘Why Don’t You Cry’ becoming the most requested song on 98 Rocks KTAL FM (which remained unchallenged for quite some time). Simply put, Nobodys Children loved their fans and their fans loved them back.
The band’s collective synergy was the result of the unique and varied background of each individual band member: Front man and vocalist Brad Robinson charged the band right at its audience with such an appealing sound and incredible vocal range evident at any of the band’s performances. The dynamic guitarist pairing of Nathan H and Craig Bradford was unparalleled in driving rhythm, killer riffs, and lightning solo precision like no other. Bringing it on the bass was Kevin Henderson with his energetic stage presence and unique style that drove the band’s rhythm. And then there was Geoffrey Ward on drums….a true spectacle of fun loving rock god drumming that powered the band’s heavy and melodic sound.

1993 ushered in a new sound and musical style, but not before Nobodys Children left their mark via countless cross-country performances, stellar studio recordings, and thousands of die-hard loyal fans.

FnA Records is releasing the album by Nobodys Children entitled Long Road which has been fully re-mastered and also includes never before released live tracks. This long over-due album is sure to catch the mystique and magic of Nobodys Children. Long Road is an iconic effort filled with melodic tracks including hit singles ‘Why Don’t You Cry’ and ‘Standing On My Heart’ and hard driving tracks like ‘Power Chain’ and ‘Live It’. The title track ‘Long Road’ is a powerful ballad showcasing Brad’s vocals and the band’s instrumental artistry. All in all, an incredible album from point of entry to the last note of the album’s journey.

With their Western Canadian tour dates with KATAKLYSM and ABORTED during the Kill The Elite Tour inching near, Edmonton, AB's DEATH TOLL RISING has posted a new guitar playthrough for their track 'Slaughter To Survive' from their latest album Infection Legacy to follow last week's playthrough for 'Crack Open A Cold One'.

"This is the second of the two guitar videos we have put together. A song largely from the proggy mind of Tylor, it has some of more complex guitar work off of our album. The breakdown at 3:00 is crushing, too!" comments guitarist Drew Copland.
‘Crack Open A Cold One’ playthrough:
Dates with Kataklysm and Aborted:

April
10 – Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop
11 – Calgary, AB – The Rebublik
13 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw

Unique Leader Records has announced the addition of New York-based death metal legion, INTERNAL BLEEDING, to their expanding roster.

For over twenty years, Internal Bleeding has been at the forefront of the underground death metal scene, boasting a relentless DIY work ethic, consistently intense live performances and a commitment to composing some of the heaviest music possible, their breakdown-laden approach directly responsible for the establishment of an entire subgenre of death metal, aptly titled "slam" (a term they began using as early as 1992). Founded in 1991 by guitarist Chris Pervelis following the demise of original band, AUTUMN REIGN, it all began with a case of 300 blank tapes reportedly "found" at a local university. The tapes provided the inspiration to set up a four-track to capture The One Dollar Demo. The following year, Internal Bleeding recorded their Invocation Of Evil demo, which went on to sell an impressive 5500+ copies through now-defunct Wild Rags Records. The band returned to the studio to track another demo in early 1994. The resulting Perpetual Degradation remains a certified classic in the annals of death metal.
Maniacal self-promotion combined with a tireless dedication to their craft, the band eventually made their way to 1994's Milwaukee Metal fest, where their captivating live show possessed the eyes and ears of Pavement Music, who released their Voracious Contempt debut in 1995. Following a slew of tours both stateside and abroad, label and lineup shifts and four more works of sonic brutality with 1997's The Extinction Of Benevolence, 1999's Driven To Conquer, 2000's Alien Breed compilation and 2002's Onward To Mecca, it seemed the band had virtually disappeared without warning.

In early 2011 however, Pervelis decided to pick up the proverbial pieces and contacted original members Bill Tolley and Brian Hobbie. The three agreed to reunite and began re-learning Internal Bleeding's classic back catalog. With the addition of Jason Liff on bass and legendary frontman Keith DeVito (ex-SUFFOCATION, CATASTROPHIC, PYREXIA) handling vocals, the band is again poised to level all in its path. Last month, the band officially signed a two-record deal with Unique Leader Records. Their fifth studio album, Imperium, will be out in the fall of 2014.
Imperium album teaser:
For more info visit Facebook.

As part of this year's Record Store Day on April 19, San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD released a 10-inch vinyl single, with the A-side containing the "demo" version of a new song, "Killers & Kings". The B-side is a cover version of the track "Our Darkest Days" from one of MACHINE HEAD's favorite bands, IGNITE.

Says MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn: "I remember growing up in the thrash scene and always wanting to hear the demo version of songs. You searched them out. Thankfully, my buddy Jim was a big 'tape trader,' and through trading, we had both METALLICA demos, EXODUS demos, bootlegs of songs sometimes 'years' before they came out.

"I knew how to play every note of 'Pleasure Of The Flesh' by EXODUS easily two years before the record was out. I had SLAYER's 'Reign In Blood' three months before it came out. I remember it still had the hi-hat counts starting the songs!!

"My friends and I would debate the merits of each (the demo was always better, LOL!).

"It's so much cooler to hear it BEFORE the album is out!

"So [we decided to] do that for you.

"I can't wait for you guys to hear this stuff. Then you can debate it, haha!"

This limited-edition 10-inch single features four alternate covers with two specific colors, each limited to 1,000 copies each.

"Killers & Kings" 10-inch single track listing:

Side One: Killers & Kings (demo version)Side Two: Our Darkest Days / Bleeding (IGNITE cover)

The entire "Killers & Kings" song can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

MACHINE HEAD entered GREEN DAY's Oakland, California's JingleTown Recording compound on February 9 to begin recording its new album for a late 2014 release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Other songtitles set to appear on the new MACHINE HEAD album include "Beneath The Silt", "Eyes Of The Dead" (formerly "Ojos De La Muerte"), "Sail Into The Black", "How We Die" and "Night Of The Long Knives".

Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn stated about the band's new material: "It sounds like MACHINE HEAD! It's definitely moving forward, which I feel like we're probably always gonna do.

"We're not a band that ever looks back. We do our thing and try to take the life experiences that we have and the musicianship that we've evolved and try to use it. Obviously, we have our sound and we have the MACHINE HEAD patented harmonics, the downtuned riffs and I sing the way I sing.

"I think Bob Dylan said it best: 'You just find new ways to say the same thing.'"

Speaking about some of the specific tracks and the lyrical themes covered on the new album, Flynn said: "I've got some pretty cool lyrics ready. There's a song called 'Night Of The Long Knives', and it's pretty fucked! It's about the Manson murders, and the lyrics are really dark and vicious.

"We've found some new twists to give to the MACHINE HEAD sound and some new fire and excitement."

Asked what the band's main aims were when they started composing music for the new CD, Flynn said: "Well, it's nice to try and have a plan, but music has a way of unravelling over time! [Laughs] You've just got to roll with it.

"With [2007's] 'The Blackening', I'd love to say I had this grand vision of nine- and 10-minute songs, but the first four songs we wrote were the four shorter songs on the record. For months, there was no indication whatsoever that we'd have 10-minute songs. That stuff came later.

"Human nature wants to control and dictate where things will go, but you can't. It won't let you! The more you try, the more it goes, 'Fuck you.' It's going some other way!"

Following their U.K. tour in support of the "Shoot" EP, Minneapolis industrial metallers AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE have announced their long-awaited fourth full-length studio album, set for release in 2014. In connection with the new record, the band has announced an Indiegogo campaign to give fans the chance to contribute to the first AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE studio album in nine years, and the group is offering some incredible incentives. They include signed CDs, guitar lessons, a night out on the town in Las Vegas with the band, bandmembers coming to your house to cook you dinner and even the chance to have the band play a show just for you!

Comments AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE vocalist Cameron Heacock: "We are more than excited to get into the studio and work with producer Dave Fortman (GODSMACK, SLIPKNOT, EVANESCENCE) on our upcoming crowd-funded record.

"The music industry is such a different place these days, and we'd much rather have our fans in charge of the record as opposed to a bunch of suits whose only interest is the bottom line. Indiegogo, and crowd-funding options, have made this a possibility, and we're taking full advantage of it."

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE announced in August 2009 that it was disbanding due to Heacock's "inability to continue on a musical career path."

The band's sophomore album, "The Feeding", came out in February 2005.

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE released a DVD/CD entitled "Can't Stop the Machine" in April 2007 on Nitrus Records via Fontana/Universal. The 90-minute DVD chronicled HEAD CHARGE's career with a poignant tribute to deceased guitarist Bryan Ottoson, insightful interviews and no holds barred live footage. The companion CD featured unreleased tracks and a remix of the HEAD CHARGE classic "Just So You Know" by Wired All Wrong.

GODSMACK has completed tracking its sixth album for a late 2014 release. The band's frontman, Sully Erna, took to his personal Facebook page earlier today (Sunday, April 20) to say: "We are officially DONE recording! And this record is BADASS! Haven't been this excited in awhile! Hope you all love it! First single out soon!"

Last week, Erna revealed that the band had laid down 15 songs and was in the process of "picking the best 10" for the actual album. He said: "New record is gonna crush!!"

GODSMACK's follow-up to 2010's "The Oracle" is once again being helmed by Dave Fortman, how previously worked with SLIPKNOT and EVANESCENCE, among others.

GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin recently said about the band's forthcoming CD: "So many cool new tunes that I can tell ya it's gonna be hard to narrow these down to the best ones! I know it's been awhile since you've heard from us, but we will make it worth your wait!" With 20 Top 10 hits on the rock radio charts in 16 years, Erna told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he's proud of GODSMACK's track record. "You know, it is nice to know that we're creating stuff that's just kind of living on and that does really well in the active rock stations and the hard rock world and that kind of stuff," he said. "So we're in that middle ground. We're not quite as poppy as like AEROSMITH, but yet we're not as dark and metal as, you know, the SLIPKNOTs or the METALLICAs or whatever. So we're kind of like that in-between band."

Erna spent the last few years pursuing projects outside the band, including the release of his first solo album, "Avalon", as well as a starring role in a new horror film called "Army Of The Damned", now out on DVD.

Finnish bashers STRATOVARIUS have checked in with the following update:
"Timo (Kotipelto) will be coaching Finnish super star singers into the world of heavy metal on a TV-show next Sunday (April 13th). The show started out a few weeks ago with 8 singers. And now we are down to 5. They have been singing rap, '80s pop, opera and now it's time for heavy rock. It has been quite interesting for Timo to work with professional singers from different music styles. Not sure if you can see the link or the show abroad but you can try this link."

Stratovarius' label earMUSIC recently announced the release of Nemesis Days, which contains a brand-new 80 minutes documentary DVD following Stratovarius around the world. It reveals the story of Nemesis and the evolution of the band.

The fans who have remained loyal to the band for so many years are also an important part of this documentary DVD. Nemesis Days will also contain the full album Nemesis.
Tracklisting:

CD
'Abandon'
'Unbreakable'
'Stand My Ground'
'Halcyon Days'
'Fantasy'
'Out Of The Fog'
'Castles In The Air'
'Dragons'
'One Must Fall'
'Fireborn' (Bonus Track)
'Hunter' (Bonus Track)
'If The Story Is Over'
'Nemesis'

DVD
Documentary Nemesis Days (80min)
Intro
Nemesis Days - The Starship Travelling
The World
Part I - The Album
Part II - The Tour
Part III - The Band
'Unbreakable' Live @ Havirov
Part IV - Life
Part V - Friends Around The World
Epilogue
Credits

Videos
'Halcyon Days'
'Unbreakable'
'If The Story Is Over'
'Deep Unknown' (from Polaris)
'Under Flaming Skies' (from Elysium)

Watch the first trailer:
The double program (studio album/documentary DVD) will be released on May 2nd.

Turkish melodic death/thrash combo FURTHERIAL has signed a deal with Wormholedeath for the worldwide release of their debut album, Destroying Atropolis.
Furtherial was founded in 2007 by Baser Çelebi, under the name of EXTINCTION in Istanbul / Turkey. After having recorded a self-produced demo in 2008, the band was forged into the Turkish metal scene. The name "Furtherial" was generated by band's leader Baser Çelebi, inspired by the word "further". That word expresses the "after life" and the "other side". So Furtherial has a meaning like "something that belongs to the further, coming from the other side."

Destroying Atropolis was recorded last autumn and will be released on May 13th.
Destroying Atropolis tracklisting:

‘Shadow’s Riot’
‘Death Com Closer’
‘Storyteller’
‘Sworn For Revenge’
‘When Angels Kill’
‘The Newborn’
‘One With The Flames’
‘Longing Spirit’
‘Embrace’
‘Defeat’

Album teaser:
Destroying Atropolis lyrical concept video:
For more info visit Furtherial.com.

Female-fronted high energy rockers from Chicago, ROMANTIC REBEL is releasing their self-titled debut album via Pavement Entertainment on April 29th.

The group, consisting of siblings KT Paige (vocals) and Alex Vincent (guitar), along with Danny D (bass) and Marcus Lee (drums) entered the studio in late 2013 with producer Ulrich Wild (DEFTONES, STATIC-X) to record their debut album in Los Angeles, CA.
Romantic Rebel tracklisting:

'Alive'
'Bad For Me'
'Believe'
'Disappear'
'Lie' (featuring Brendon Small)
'Madness'
'Moment'
'New Way To Sin'
'Nothing Left To Say'
'Over Again'
'Sorry'
Catch Romantic Rebel live:

April
18 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
26 - The Back Bar - Janesville, WI

July
17 - RockFest - Cadott, WI

PRAY FOR LOCUST will put out their third release and second full-length album, In The Shadow Of Colossus on April 28th.

With the base of a metal/hardcore mixture intact, the band brings you something new with a greater variety in the sound that creates a bigger depth. The album is written by everyone in the band, allowing new ideas and influences to leave a mark.

The drums were recorded at Play Yaard Studios (Stockholm). The guitars and bass were recorded separately on another location. And the vocals were recorded at Garageland Studios (Umea) by Ronnie Björnström (Enhanced Audio Productions, AEON, LIVE ELEPHANT, HATE AMMO) who also mixed and mastered the album.

Official album teaser:
For more info visit Facebook.

Greece’s DANGER ANGEL has announced the departure of singer M.T. The band checked-in with the following:

“It has been 4,5 beautiful years... We had fun times, we had rough times, we did a wonderful album together and we have been a real family. With its ups and downs like any normal family. But it is now time to take our separate ways.
From this day, M.T. is no longer the singer for Danger Angel. Both M.T. and the band decided that this is the best way to go in order to reach our mutual goals. Needless to say, M.T. is still and always be family and the band wishes him the best and we will surely meet again out there...”

For more info visit Facebook.

UK-based gothic metal band EDENFALL are set to release their second album, Under Sultry Moons And Velvet Skies, on May 12th via Ravenheart Music.
The track listing for the album is as below,

'The Rhinemaiden's Song'
'Thistle's Cairn'
'Obsidian'
'Dark Wings, Dark Words'
'Wolves'
'Made Of Mist'
'The Wyvern Child'
'Escaping'
'Wandering Moon'
'She Brings The Winter'

'She Brings The Winter':
Edenfall are a gothic metal band from the heart of England’s past, who emerged from the ashes in the autumn of 2009. Influenced by a range of weeping poets and tortured artists, Edenfall emit a truly melancholic sound that embodies all of the horror and beauty within ourselves, and the world around us.
Since 2013 Edenfall have been playing numerous venues throughout the UK with current dates planned in April, May and many more to come in support of Under Sultry Moons And Velvet Skies, bringing more doom, misery and tales of witchcraft to the UK.

More on the band at this location.

Pitch Black Records has announced that symphonic black metal band RETRIBUTION from Valencia, Spain has joined it's artist roster.

Formed in 2005, Retribution released their debut album in 2007 followed by an EP in 2013. The band now returns with a much more refined and matured sound creating superb, explosive symphonic black metal which is also complemented by choir arrangements.

Featuring two vocalists, one handling the hellish growls and the other a soprano, Retribution are a fine example of the perfect marriage (in hell!) between symphonic and extreme music.

Corpus Antichristi Y3K is scheduled for release worldwide on May 13th on CD and digital.
Tracklisting:

'Arcarius Mallefico'
'Opus Serpentis'
'Corpus Antichristi Y3K'
'The One'
'The Promised Land'
'Uinseann’s Lullaby'
'Gobekli Tepe'
'The Ark Of Annihilation'
'Like A Lamb Among Wolves'
'Trinity, A new Start'
'Retribution'

'Opus Serpentis':
Retribution are:

L. Shihan: Lead Vocals
Itea Benedicto: Soprano
Zakk Threat: Rhythm Guitars
Noos: Lead Guitars
Rhad: Orchesta
Tagotis: Bass
Bobine Wizard: Drums

The 2014 edition of ROCK MEETS CLASSIC - featuring ALICE COOPER, members of URIAH HEEP, JOE LYNN TURNER, KIM WILDE and MIDGE URE (ULTRAVOX) - wrapped up on April 5th in Dresden, Germany. PRIMAL FEAR drummer Randy Black, who was on the tour as part of THE MAT SINNER BAND, has checked in with the following update:

"Very, very nice to be home sweet home! Sad that it had to end. This was an absolute pleasure of a tour to be a part of. It seriously couldn't get much better. Last night was the final show in Dresden, Germany and for many of us it was a very powerful and emotional performance that had us fighting back the tears. There are so many great memories that will be etched in my mind. I'm very thankful and honored to have shared the stage with these legends. Here's a little teaser of what it was like. More video and pics to come!"
The Mat Sinner Band includes Primal Fear members Mat Sinner (bass/master of ceremonies), Alex Beyrodt (guitars), Randy Black (drums), Ralf Scheepers (backing vocals), and also features TRILLIUM / AVANTASIA's Amanda Somerville (backing vocals), Avantasia's Oliver Hartmann (guitars), VOODOO CIRCLE's Jimmy Kresic (keyboards), Tiffany Kirkland (backing vocals), Kolinda Brozovic (backing vocals), and Sascha Krebs (backing vocals).

On March 14th, the Rock Meets Classic European tour landed in Würzburg, Germany. Fan-filmed footage of Cooper's entire set is available below. The setlist was as follows:

'House of Fire'
'No More Mr. Nice Guy'
'Only Women Bleed'
'Welcome To My Nightmare'
'Poison'

Rockshots Music Management has announced that Italian folk/pagan metal band MATERDEA will release their new album, A Rose For Egeria, via Midsummer's Eve on May 1st.
The band's third album is marked out by a new musical expression and a more powerful sound rich of technical refinements although maintaining the flourished melodies for which MaterDea’s audience is used to. The album has been mixed by Marco Strega at Domus de Janas Studio and mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussila.
Tracklisting:

'Beyond The Painting'
'Tàlagor Of The Storms'
'Whispers Of The Great Mother'
'Merlin And The Unicorn '
'A Rose For Egeria'
'An Unexpected Guest'
'Land Of Wonder'
'Altars Of Secrets'
'Prelude To The Rush'
'Running All Night With The Wind'
'Haerelneth's Journey'

Teaser:
MaterDea lineup:

Simon Papa - Voice
Marco Strega - Guitars & Vocals
Elena Crolle - Piano, Keyboards, Vocals
Elisabetta Bosio - Fiddle, Viola and Double Bass
Morgan De Virgilis - Bass
Cosimo De Nola - Drums