According to MusicTAP, RUSH's "Clockwork Angels Live" DVD will be released on May 21 via Concord.

RUSH captured the "Clockwork Angels" tour by filming in Phoenix and Dallas on November 25, 2012 and November 28, 2012, respectively. Reports at the time indicated that the Dallas show would be the primary source for the film, with the Phoenix footage used mainly as a backup.

The official Billboard Boxscore attendance and sales figures for the Phoenix and Dallas shows are as follows:

* Show Date: November 25
* Show Venue: US Airways Center
* City/State: Phoenix, AZ
* Attendance: 8,858
* Capacity: 10,121
* Gross Ticket Sales: $604,667

* Show Date: November 28
* Show Venue: American Airlines Center
* City/State: Dallas, TX
* Attendance: 10,509
* Capacity: 10,509
* Gross Ticket Sales: $764,483

The North American leg of the "Clockwork Angels" tour kicked off on September 7 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire and wrapped on December 2 in Houston, Texas.

In addition to adding a lot of rarely played songs to their opening set, RUSH brought a string ensemble out on tour with the band for the first time ever in its career. Orchestrations provided by well-known arranger David Campbell were used on several tracks from the band's new album, "Clockwork Angels", and RUSH recreated that sound during the tour.

"Clockwork Angels" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, selling 103,000 copies in its first week of release. The disc marked RUSH 's highest chart debut since 1993's "Counterparts", which also entered at No. 2.

Hamburg, Germany-based metal band A MILLION MILES has inked a deal with Abandon Records for the release of its debut album, "What's Left Behind". Due on April 5 via New Music distribution, the CD was recorded at Hammer Studios (GAMMY RAY) in Hamburg with producer Eike Freese of DARK AGE.

After four years of heavily touring the metal underground of Europe, A MILLION MILES signed a publishing deal with Enorm Music, the publishing arm of ICS, which organizes the Wacken Open Air festival, in early 2012.

"It's been a long hard road for us as a band and we're excited about this chapter of A MILLION MILES with our new album, which we've poured our hearts and souls into making," said lead vocalist Mona Miluski. "After having played these songs for the last few years on tour, we are looking forward to sharing them on record with all our friends and fans of our band who, like us, have been anxiously awaiting our release.

"Finding the right home and producer was important for us and it was worth the wait. We're pleased to have signed with Abandon and working with Eike Freese in the studio was an inspiring experience for all of us. He captured the natural beauty and understood our sound. It allowed us to be ourselves, and much like we are on stage, without overproduction."

A trailer for "What's Left Behind" can be seen below.

A MILLION MILES will hit the road again in 2013 to support "What's Left Behind".

Only a year after releasing their first album Alpha-Beta, Montréal’s experimental death metallers KROKMITËN officially announced today the title of their second upcoming album.

“Our next album will be titled Omicron-Omega," states singer Simlev. "It’s gonna be another concept album with only a single epic track. It’s not really Alpha-Beta Part II, but it loosely follows where Alpha-Beta left-off, kind of... We’re working heavily on it now, jamming parts of it, building the album structure and making demos. I’ve got a lot of lyrics already written and more to come. Up to now, we already have a solid 30 minutes demoed and it’s brutal! Once we’re satisfied with the demo’s structure, we’ll record everything properly and start mixing it, probably this winter.”
Adds guitarist Dubg: “We don’t know the final album’s length yet, but it’s gonna be at least 46 minutes long! It’s still difficult at this point to say exactly when we’ll release it, but we hope to release it during summer 2013. We’ve tested out some new gear and recording techniques on “BWV565 Redux”, that will ensure that the next album sounds massive and killer! Without any label up our asses, we have the luxury to say that it will be out when we feel it’s ready! We’ll keep you updated as we progress.”

Krokmitën is an experimental death metal band from Montréal founded in 1991. After two demos and years of local gigs, they took a lengthy hiatus in 1995 to concentrate on their respective careers. In 2005, they regrouped to work on this ambitious critically-acclaimed multimedia project Alpha-Beta; a 46-minute track accompanied by a full-length animated video synced to the music with lyrics on screen. Three months ago Krokmitën released BWV565 Redux; their take on JS BACH classical piece Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565. Everything can be downloaded for free on Krokmitën’s website
Krokmiten.com.

Following their hugely successful slot at last year's Download festival and European tour with SOIL and FOZZY, Gibraltar's premier metal band BREED 77 returns to the U.K. for its own headline tour to coincide with the release of its highly anticipated new album, "The Evil Inside", on March 1.

The 11-date headlining run comes hot on the heels of the band's recent single release, "Drown" (taken from the new album), which can be streamed below. The song can be downloaded free as part of a special bundle via BREED 77's web site and Facebook, with the download featuring a special cover of ALICE COOPER's hit single "Poison".

"The Evil Inside" promises to be a dark, brooding affair that showcases the ever evolving animal BREED 77 and is their most introspective work to date. BREED 77 has pushed the envelope again with a rockier, more melodic offering this time round. Expect heavy-rock, anthemic, stadium-filling songs, sublime ballads and much more — all wrapped up in the band's own unique vision.

With an already distinguished career spanning five albums, U.K. Top 40 hits and over 50,000 album sales, "Drown" and "The Evil Inside" will continue BREED 77's success and see them playing to more people than ever. With the release of their previous album, "Insects", the band once again proved themselves as one of rock/metal's elite as they toured the world all over from Mexico to Japan.

BREED 77 is:

Paul Isola - Vocals
Danny Felice - Guitar
Pedro Caparros - Guitar
Stuart Cavilla - Bass
Andre Joyzi - Drums

"Wreckage Ghost", the new video from Israeli extreme metallers WINTERHORDE, can be viewed below. The clip was directed, filmed and edited by Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13media, with Gina Sandulescu as technical assistant. The video was shot during December 2012 in various locations in northern Israel and also features model Maria Chernomordik.

"Wreckage Ghost" comes off WINTERHORDE's latest album, "Underwatermoon", which was released in August 2010 via Twilight-Vertrieb. A conceptual effort based on a story written by WINTERHORDE's bass player and co-founder Celestial, the follow-up to 2008's "Nebula" was produced , mixed and mastered by V.Santura (TRYPTIKON, DARK FORTRESS, OBSCURA). The artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes of Abstrata Studio (ARCH ENEMY, OLD MAN'S CHILD, KRISIUN).

Commented Celestial: "'Underwatermoon' represents more-than-an-hour epic extreme metal art, blended with prog rock nostalgia and death-cold touch of North Atlantic Ocean. A must have for every open-minded metalhead who needs hunting journey through emotions in his metal."

"Underwatermoon" track listing:

01. The Shell
02. Wreckage Ghost
03. Underwatermoon
04. Hunting the Human
05. Execution
06. And Flames Wept to Heaven
07. The Curse of Gypsy
08. Delirium
09. Tenth Wave
10. Smoke Figures
11. The Martyr and Deliverance
12. Farewell

The debut WINTERHORDE album, "Nebula", was released in 2006 via Greece's Burning Star Records.

Finnish thrashers LOST SOCIETY will release their debut album, "Fast Loud Death", on March 15 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios (FINNTROLL, SONATA ARCTICA, OMNIUM GATHERUM) in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, ENSIFERUM, LORDI) and it features cover artwork by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, SANCTUARY, VENOM).

Commented LOST SOCIETY vocalist/guitarist Samy Elbanna: "When we heard that the one and only Ed Repka would be responsible for the album art, we were thrilled, as he created some of the most killer album covers of all times! The result looks absolutely amazing and truly captures the album's theme — a bus full of crazy people who blew it up big time!"

Added Repka: "This was a lot of work but a fun project, since both the band and the label were great to work with and very receptive to my input. LOST SOCIETY's comical concept of their tour bus leaving a town destroyed was cool, but to make it even more crazy, I added the pop-culture 'monster in car' aspect, giving the whole image a distinct, aggressive presence. Another tongue-in-cheek metal masterpiece is born!"

"Fast Loud Death" will be available as a limited digipak, deluxe digital download via iTunes and black vinyl in gatefold, all of them including two bonus tracks. Moreover, a limited digipak plus a t-shirt bundle as well as a limited blue-transparent 2LP in gatefold will be exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order. Pre-order your copy now at this location.

"Fast Loud Death" track listing:

01. N.W.L.
02. Trash All Over You
03. E.A.G.
04. KILL (Those Who Oppose Me)
05. Bitch, Out' My Way
06. Fast Loud Death
07. Lead Through The Head
08. Diary Of A Thrashman
09. Toxic Avenger
10. This Is Me
11. Braindead Metalhead
12. Piss Out My Ass
13. Fatal Anoxia

Bonus tracks:

14. Escape From Delirium
15. I Stole Your Love (KISS cover song)

Founded in early 2010 by thrash/speed metal enthusiast Samy Elbanna in the Finnish town of Jyväskylä, LOST SOCIETY played a number of gigs around Finland before taking part in the world-renowned GBOB (Global Battle Of the Bands). After winning the preliminary round in their hometown, they were invited to the finals held in Helsinki, where they prevailed over 13 other contestants. The grand finals of GBOB 2012 took place at The Scala in London on December 9, 2012 and featured 18 bands from all over the world, including LOST SOCIETY.

LOST SOCIETY is:

Samy Elbanna - Vocals, Guitar
Arttu Lesonen - Guitar
Mirko Lehtinen - Bass
Ossi Paananen - Drums

"Gimme Love", the new video from HELL OR HIGHWATER (formerly known as THE BLACK CLOUD COLLECTIVE), the new band led by ATREYU drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller, can be seen below. The high-octane clip is "a full-frontal sonic assault that showcases HELL OR HIGHWATER's incredibly catchy songwriting and choruses," according to a press release.

"Gimme Love" comes off HELL OR HIGHWATER debut album, "Begin Again", which was originally released independently in August 2011 and will be reissued with "bonus content" on February 5 via Pavement Entertainment.

HELL OR HIGHWATER kicked off a U.S. tour with THE DARKNESS in Ft. Lauderdale and will be on the road until early February.

For more than 15 years, Saller put his blood, sweat, and tears into the Southern California metalcore outfit ATREYU. The seasoned drummer/vocalist hammered out five studio LPs with four of his best friends, while traveling the globe and performing for legions of exuberant fans. Saller lived the dream of every musician: to bring the rock 'n' roll to the hungry, fervent masses. And with HELL OR HIGHWATER, Saller emerges from behind the drum kit, with the same unbridled passion, to ignite the next rock 'n' roll firestorm.

HELL OR HIGHWATER had been brewing for nearly three years, as Saller's songwriting drew inspiration from classic rock, doo-wop, punk and pop. Once armed with a solid collection of tunes, he unleashed his newfound vigor in a slew of gigs, and it felt totally natural. When ATREYU announced their hiatus in January 2011, Saller felt the timing was spot on to bring HELL OR HIGHWATER to the forefront.

"THE BLACK CLOUD COLLECTIVE was just a name. We felt that it didn't speak to, or represent the five of us. HELL OR HIGHWATER spoke to who we are as a band. HELL OR HIGHWATER is who we are," says Saller.

HELL OR HIGHWATER lineup came together through word of mouth and via good old-fashioned tryouts. Each member had crossed paths throughout their respective careers, but once guitarist Matt Pauling (THE CONFESSION), guitarist Neal Tiemann (MWK, DAVID COOK), bassist Joey Bradford (THIEVES AND LIARS), and drummer Captain Carl synced up with Saller, things just clicked.

"I was lucky enough to find, in my opinion, some of the greatest musicians I could have ever found," Saller said. "The music has energized all of us to the point where we're foaming at the mouth. This music makes me want to body slam someone and run a mile, while waving an American flag!"

Christian hard rockers STRYPER will release a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classic songs on March 22 via Frontiers Records. Entitled "Second Coming", the CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from "The Yellow And Black Attack", six from "Soldiers Under Command", six from "To Hell With The Devil", as well as two new tracks, "Bleeding From Inside Out" and "Blackened".

Commented STRYPER frontman Michel Sweet: "[The re-recorded songs are] sounding awesome! Better than the originals in many ways!! One word to describe the record? Heavier."

"Second Coming" track listing:

* Soldiers Under Command
* Makes Me Wanna Sing
* Reach Out
* Loving You
* Loud 'N' Clear
* The Rock That Makes Me Roll
* Calling On You
* First Love
* Surrender
* To Hell With The Devil
* Free
* Sing Along Song
* More Than A Man
* The Way
* Bleeding From Inside Out (new)
* Blackened (new)

"Bleeding From Inside Out" audio clip:

Domestic Genocide Records has announced the label's official union with doom derelicts BLACK AWAKENING.

Formed in 2012 in the swamps of south Louisiana, BLACK AWAKENING reeks of burning embers and acrimony, delivering a slow-motion hailstorm of crusted riffs and bowel-rupturing, blackened bitterness.

"Our fire burns bright as we dance around the black flames singing the hymns of Lucifer," proclaims the duo. "Our cult shall rise! The BLACK AWAKENING has begun!"

BLACK AWAKENING recently relocated to the northern U.S. to further spread their sonic decay. Their forthcoming debut, "Cult Of The Dying God", is currently in production and slated for a summer 2013 release. In the meantime, check out two demo tracks, "Pillars Of Creation" and "Revolutionary Suicide" in the SoundCloud player below.

Power metallers ECLIPSE PROPHECY have signed a worldwide deal with Canada’s Maple Metal Records.

The band’s debut album ‘Days Of Judgement’ will be released worldwide in February; The exact release date for North America and worldwide have yet to be determined.

Days Of Judgement was recorded, mixed and mastered by David Mc Gregor, last Fall, at Powerflame Studio, Montreal, QC. AUGURY’s Patrick Loisel performs guest vocals on the tracks, ‘The Shattered Mirror’.

The album cover artwork was created by Pascal Laquerre (KATAKLYSM, AETERNAM). Check it out below:
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Animus Ara’
‘Under Shadow's Veil’
‘Through The Storm’
‘Circle Of Torments’
‘A Dying World’
‘Labyrinth Of Sanity’
‘Days Of Judgement’
‘Legions Of The Cross’
‘Inferno’
‘The Shattered Mirror’

The tracks ‘Days Of Judgement’ and ‘Through The Storm’ can both be heard below:
Eclipse Prophecy is:
David Mc Gregor – vocals, guitars
Martin Machado - lead guitars
Karlos Machado - bass guitars
Landryx – drums

Hells Headbangers has set a March 19 release date for SATANIC THREAT's "In To Hell", on both CD and LP formats.

Featuring current members of NUNSLAUGHTER and an ex-member of MIDNIGHT, SATANIC THREAT is everything its name implies: fast, blasphemous, hardcore-hell-punk straight outta the wastelands of Ohio!

Originally released in 2008, SATANIC THREAT's lone "In To Hell" seven-inch single sold through its original pressing of 1,000 copies in no time and quickly became something of a mini-classic. The band's cult grew despite no further releases, and SATANIC THREAT played only one live show to date, in September 2008 in their hometown of Cleveland. Now, Hells Headbangers collects SATANIC THREAT's entire ouvre, both the eight-song "In To Hell" seven-inch single and the band's eight-song live set onto one long-playing format.

"In To Hell" CD/LP track listing:

01. Guilty Of Hating Christ
02. He's On The Cross
03. Small God, Big Cross
04. Satanic Threat
05. I Ain't Gotta Worship
06. Being Black
07. Cursing At The Cross
08. Don't Follow Him
09. He's On The Cross (live)
10. Small God, Big Cross (live)
11. Satanic Threat (live)
12. I Ain't Gotta Worship (live)
13. Being Black (live)
14. Cursing At The Cross (live)
15. Don't Follow Him (live)
16. Steppin' Stone (live)

A new video message from former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist, and current NEWSTED frontman, Jason Newsted can be seen below.

"Soldierhead", the first video from NEWSTED, will make its online debut next week. The clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.

In a recent interview with Sonic Excess, Newsted stated about the video shoot: "It's just a simple thing, and I just wanted to capture the band. There is no heavy concept, no literal thing about bullets chasing your head or any of those things. It's old-school metal and most likely will be black and white. It was shot in an old factory. It was a gnarly, dusty, old factory and it had energy. That is what I will describe it as. I haven't got to play to the camera like that for a long time, and I was really going for it. The soldier version is something everyone will have. An HD version will be available on iTunes, but I want everyone to have it for free across the world. I want it to be the tip of the spear for everybody to see and hear what exactly it's all about."

"Soldierhead" was premiered on the December 17, 2012 edition of the "Eddie Trunk Live" show on SiriusXM satellite radio. The song comes off NEWSTED's four-song EP, entitled "Metal", which was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP will be made available as a physical CD on January 15.

"Metal" contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

By purchasing all four songs, you will receive a copy of Jason's handwritten lyrics.

NEWSTED is:

Jason Newsted - Bass, Lead Vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. (THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS) - Drums
Jessie Farnsworth - Guitar, Backing Voice

Newsted and his bandmates will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Monday, January 14 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Jason by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on the "Rockline" web site for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.

For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.

Melodic blackened death metallers DECEMBER FLOWER have announced the departure of guitarist Michael Tybussek from the group. The band has released the following statement:

“Michael has unfortunately decided to leave the band. Because of that we are also forced to cancel our performance at the release party of our friends from Fragments Of Unbecoming. We're very sorry for all those who have been looking forward to that, but nevertheless it will surely become a night to remember. We are therefore looking for a dedicated guitarist who circumferentially brings himself into song writing and is anything but a beginner. What else you need to bring more? You should more than just identify with our style to be able to put the necessary passion into the band. Preferably you should come from the Ruhr Area/Germany. Furthermore you should be flexible and motivated to play live gigs. Are you interested? Send an email to decemberflower@online.de contact us here on Facebook.”

SONS OF AEON, the new Jyväskylä, Finland-based metal band featuring members of GHOST BRIGADE, SWALLOW THE SUN, CODE FOR SILENCE and ENDSTAND, will release its self-titled debut album via Lifeforce Records on the following dates:

January 18, 201: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland + Digital worldwide
January 21, 2013: Rest of Europe
January 22, 2013: North America
March 11, 2013: Limited vinyl version

The CD is now available for streaming in its entirety using the SoundCloud player below (courtesy of Inferno).

Commented SONS OF AEON guitarist Wille Naukkarinen: "I always thought the standard band biographies were a waste of time and space, so when the time came to write one for SONS OF AEON, I decided to skip it for now and tell you about our band from a little bit different, more personal and hopefully more interesting perspective.

"I grew up on Nineties death metal. It was interesting to me because that was the era when death metal really started evolving and bands started showing different colors instead of all just being part of the same grey mass. Seemed like the un-death metal-ish elements fascinated me more than the other, 'normal' side.

"EDGE OF SANITY would write straight up goth hits like 'Sacrificed' or 'Black Tears' where as bands like ENTOMBED and XYSMA discovered a more vintage rock sound and incorporated that into their music. CARCASS released the more commercial, yet soulful 'Heartwork', AT THE GATES delivered the goosebump-choruses with 'Terminal Spirit Disease'. NAPALM DEATH caused some confusion with the brilliant 'Diatribes' and CATHEDRAL… well, they just did what the hell they wanted and released several great albums, 'Ethereal Mirror' leading the way.

"BOLT THROWER were always true to themselves and their punk-attitude left its mark to this young teenager forever. And even a small detail like the dude from GOREFEST wearing a 'Fuck Racism' T-shirt in 'False'-era photos made a huge impact on me and my friends. Death metal became more than just brutal music. It literally changed something in us.

"Then there was this local band called PARAXISM. They were this strange mix of challenging, yet melodic quality death metal spiced with electric violins and a moog. It was something I had never heard before. Their '93 demo is still the most important extreme metal release for me and played a huge part in my youth.

"Come to think of it, it's actually pretty odd that I never had a band like this before. I played in a stoner rock band for ten years and then we formed GHOST BRIGADE seven years ago. But I guess it was always in the back of my head to do something like this one day.

"And that 'one day' didn't happen overnight; to be able to write and perform this kind of music took us three years. It was almost like learning to play guitar all over again. There were countless moments when I just wanted to give up. Luckily, I didn't.

"With a few exceptions, I'm not personally interested in today's extreme metal. I like my metal with nuances and soul. Math-based, vacuum-packed bursts of anger just don't do the trick for me. I like when the drums are played by a musician and not a computer and albums that sound like they are a result of team work, instead of just being solo efforts of five different musicians. Technical abilities or robot-like preciseness are not a synonyms for quality in my books. And, off the record, having famous guest musicians in your album just for the sake of selling a few more copies is just lame.

"Why I am writing this is because on some strange spiritual level, I find similarities between some of the Nineties groups and SONS OF AEON. Just like with these bands, there is something 'adventurous' and child-like innocence in us.

"It's hard to explain the heart and soul of SONS OF AEON in few sentences, because I feel that the core idea lies more in constant sense of change and exploring, rather than just being a part of a certain genre and settling in. I think that once you hear the album, my words start to make sense. There is everything from old-school death metal to chilled out melancholia and from dark hardcore to mid-tempo metal and they're all equally important parts of what this band is about.

"I feel fortunate to be a part of this."

SONS OF AEON is:

Tony Kaikkonen (CODE FOR SILENCE) - Vocals
Tapio Vartiainen - Guitar
Wille Naukkarinen (GHOST BRIGADE) - Guitar
Tommi Kiviniemi (GHOST BRIGADE) - Bass
Pasi Pasanen (PLUTONIUM ORANGE, ex-SWALLOW THE SUN) - Drums

"Downfall", a brand new song from English progressive metallers AEON ZEN, can be streamed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The track comes off the band's latest album, "Enigma", which will be released January 22 via Nightmare Records. The CD is described in a press release as "an ambitiously creative and powerful concept album featuring nine continuous tracks showing the strengths of the band, as well as two bonus tracks."

Four years after their formation and having released two albums, AEON ZEN is continuing from strength to strength, bringing its own brand of creative, complex, melodic progressive metal to fans all over the world, along with their highly energized live shows.

"Enigma" was produced by Hinks and is set to push AEON ZEN's sound to new limits, from early influences of the likes of DREAM THEATER, METALLICA and OPETH to creating their own unique sound and identity.

AEON ZEN is:

Rich Hinks - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Andi Kravljaca - Vocals
Matt Shepherd - Guitar
Shaz - Keyboards
Steve Burton - Drums

"Enigma" track listing:

01. Enter the Enigma
02. Artificial Soul
03. Divinity
04. Seven Hills
05. Warning
06. Turned to Ash
07. Still Human
08. Eternal Snow
09. Downfall
10. Survival (bonus track)
11. Time Divine 2.0 (bonus track)

The "Divinity" video can be seen below. AEON ZEN founder Rich Hinks stated about the song: "'Divinity' shows a whole new side to AEON ZEN. There's still all the elements that make it an AEON ZEN song, but there's a ton more energy and heaviness, and even more technicality than we've ever put on a record before. Our goal for this track was to make a song that grabs you by the balls and doesn't let up until the final blow."

"Enigma" features guest vocals by:

* Nate Loosemore (LOST IN THOUGHT)
* Atle Pettersen (ABOVE SYMMETRY)
* Jonny Tatum (EUMERIA)

"Downfall" audio stream (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep):

"Almighty Alcanum", the second album from the Australian black/death metal band DENOUNCEMENT PYRE, is available for streaming in its entirety as a single track using the Mixcloud player below (courtesy of Decibel magazine). Due on January 22 via Hells Headbangers on both CD and LP formats, the follow-up to 2010's "World Cremation" is described in a press release as "a veritable abyss of fiery, blackened death metal, but now sharper and more focused than ever." The effort was mastered at Endarker Studio in Östergötland, Sweden.

"Almighty Alcanum" track listing:

01. Intro: Breath Of Tehom
02. An Extension Of The Void
03. Almighty Arcanum
04. He Who Conquers All
05. The Deceiver
06. Drakon: All Is One
07. Circle Of Serpents
08. Darkness Manifest
09. The Redeemer

Hells Headbangers recently released a DENOUNCEMENT PYRE seven-inch EP titled "Darkness Manifest". The effort featured one track from the forthcoming album plus an additional song that is exclusive to this release. Both cuts were recorded during different sessions to those for the album, so they are unique to this release.

Guitarist Mike Reynolds of the Christian metalcore band FOR TODAY says that "homosexuality is a sin" and is urging fellow Christians to "separate" themselves from any "civil religion that advocates sin."

In a series of tweets earlier today, Reynolds commented on the news of Pastor Louie Giglio's withdrawal from President Barack Obama's second-term inauguration ceremony after reports emerged of an anti-gay sermon the Atlanta pastor delivered in the 1990s.

Reacting to the report that LGBT advocates responded to Giglio's selection by launching a petition calling for Obama to replace him with a pastor who has a history of supporting LGBT equality, Reynolds wrote: "There IS a state church being formed, there is going to be an exclusive acceptance of preachers who advocate the LGBT.

"Don't be deceived, homosexuality is a sin. This sin with all other sins is what Jesus died for. He conquered so that we would be free."

He continued: "[There is] no such thing as a gay Christian, the same as there is no such thing as a Christian who loves his sin.

"Don't be fooled by the formation of a state church as though the government is being converted, they only use the name of Jesus for their progressive liberal agenda.

"If you are a Christian, then separate yourself from this civil religion that advocates sin. Be true to God."

After the guitarist's comments drew ire from some of his followers, the band issued the following collective statement via its Facebook page: "FOR TODAY has always and will always be a band that is about loving people. We have no hatred towards any people, regardless of what they believe or how they live. We may not agree on everything, but Jesus loves you and died for you. And so would we."

FOR TODAY's latest studio album, "Immortal", sold nearly 15,000 copies in its first week of release in the United Sattes to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued to major critical acclaim, with Revolver magazine declaring it to be "rife with crafty guitar hooks and scream-along choruses." Alternative Press commented: "FOR TODAY have dialed back the bombast just enough to make their pounding combination of furious punk and vicious metal sound more immediate and live sounding."

"Immortal" was produced by Will Putney (LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE) and features special guest appearances from Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., Jake Luhrs of AUGUST BURNS RED and Tommy Green of SLEEPING GIANT.

BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band formed by THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) on drums, entered a Los Angeles studio this past Monday (January 7) with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) to begin recording its debut album for a May release via Nuclear Blast.

The first set of photos from the studio can be found at this location.

In October 2012, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the THIN LIZZY monicker. The last incarnation of the band — Gorham, Brian Downey, Wharton, Warwick, Johnson and Mendoza — would be looking to form a new project.

According to a press release, Brian Downey decided to not become involved with BLACK STAR RIDERS because he didn't want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on DARE and other music and film projects.

"Brian and Darren just don't want to be on the road 150 days a year. anti that's completely understandable," Warwick tells Classic Rock magazine. "But we do. We work very well together, and there's no better man than Jimmy to gel it together. This is a kick-ass band."

The BLACK STAR RIDERS album will feature material the band wrote while touring as THIN LIZZY and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The BLACK STAR RIDERS record is the next step in the evolution of the THIN LIZZY story.

"There's no way it could sound like THIN LIZZY with [late THIN LIZZY frontman] Phil [Lynott]," Gorham tells Classic Rock. But Johnson disagreees. "I think Scott is too dose to it," he says. "Ricky or I would bring in a song idea, and as soon as Scott starts playing on it, it sounds like THIN LIZZY, whether Scott realizes it or not. Everybody who's heard the new music says it has that dassic THIN LIZZY vibe. No, it can't sound like the original band. But that classic LIZZY vibe is absolutely there."

"I'm not gonna pull any punches here," says Warwick. "It sounds like classic THIN LIZZY brought up to date. l've been singing Phil's songs every night for two years, and although it sounds a bit crass because the man's not here, I feel like I've had these lessons from getting so deep into his work. Phil's songwriting, his lyrics, his phrasing, his pitching, his delivery — it's genius. And that's really helped me as a writer."

It was Warwick who named the new band BLACK STAR RIDERS, after an outlaw gang in the 1993 western movie "Tombstone". As Johnson tells Classic Rock: "Scott said from the very beginning that we did not want a name that was specifically related to THIN LIZZY, because this band has to stand on its own."

The official lyric video for 'The Afterlife', the track featured on the debut album, Perpetual Immaturity, from Korean melodic death metallers REMNANTS OF THE FALLEN, can be seen below:
To be released on January 28 via Dope Records, the album was Mastered at Unisound Studios with Engineer Dan Swano and features artwork by Gustavo Sazes.
Perpetual Immaturity tracklisting:

'Dormancy'
'The Afterlife'
'Path of Shame'
'God Idolatry'
'Answers Beyond'
'Sea Beast'
'This World Fades'

Remnants Of The Fallen has been playing in various local venues since their formation in 2009, sharing stages with esteemed acts such as DARK TRANQUILLITY, HATE ETERNAL and NAPALM DEATH.
Remnants Of The Fallen lineup:

Bin - Vocals
Jin - Bass
Chan-Guitars
JaeWon - Guitars
JongYeon - Percussions

More on Remnants Of The Fallen at this location.

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer AL ATKINS (ATKINS MAY PROJECT) spoke to Greece's Rock Overdose recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

What are your feelings on the new Atkins May Project album, Valley Of Shadows?

Atkins: "It has to be one of the very best recordings I have ever been involved with. Our first offering 'Serpents Kiss' took us by surprise how well it was received and they were just a bunch of really good random songs that Paul had written but this time Paul wrote all the material with me and my vocal style in mind so I was more comfortable singing 'Valley of Shadows'. From the heavy opener 'Welcome to the Nightmare' the album weaves its way through classic British metal, heavy blues rock and even progressive metal songs so there's something for everyone on this album."
Rockoverdose.gr: What was your reaction when KK Downing left Judas Priest?

Atkins: "I was shocked like everyone else but he is 60 years old and if he feels it's time for him to retire that's up to him. I thought he may return to record another album and play the odd festival in a six-piece line up like Iron Maiden did but that's not to be, so I have been told."

Rockoverdose.gr: Do you find the appropriate credit was given to you, having written songs on the first two albums, but also having offered that legendary band-name nowadays?

Atkins: "Yes and no would be my answer... I think credit was given to me but I wished that they would have put my name as a past member on their official website.. It wouldn't have done them any harm but I bear no grudge against them after all it could be their management who stops a lot of things happening. I'm still in touch with some of the band and went to Ian's (Hill; Priest bassist) house for a New Year Party last week."

Read more at Rock Overdose.

The official lyric video for the song "Fifty Ton War Machine" from Dallas, Texas-based death metallers DEVOURMENT can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fourth album, "Conceived In Sewage", which will be released on February 19 in North America, February 22 in Benelux, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Finland, and February 25 in the U.K. and rest of the world via Relapse Records.

Captured at Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL), "Conceived In Sewage" proves to be DEVOURMENT's most eviscerating release yet, gushing with over thirty-three minutes of the band's hate-fueled, monstrous brutality.

"Conceived In Sewage" track listing:

01. Legalize Homicide
02. Fifty Ton War Machine
03. Conceived In Sewage
04. Fucked With Rats
05. March to Megiddo
06. Today We Die, Tomorrow We Kill
07. Heaving Acid
08. Carved Into Ecstasy
09. Parasitic Eruption

Commented DEVOURMENT frontman Mike Majewski: "This will be the deepest album we have done, for sure. Definitely expect the intensity, but also more thought-out song structures. I would say a bit of a throwback to old-school brutal bands, but with the signature DEVOURMENT elements."

DEVOURMENT's calling card is absolute brutality, and the band's three previous albums and international touring and festival appearance have made them one of the more-talked-about acts in the worldwide death metal underground.

Veteran Japanese metallers ANTHEM have postponed their previously announced tour after their bassist, Naoto Shibata, was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The band's next live appearance is now scheduled to take place at the first-ever Ozzfest Japan, which will debut Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 at the Makuhari Messe Arena, just outside of Tokyo.

Says ANTHEM in a statement: "Please keep up your support and send your message to @anthem_official on Twitter!"

ANTHEM latest single, "Evil One", was released last September via Universal. The three-song effort included the title cut alongside live studio re-recordings of "Empty Eyes" (from 1987's "Bound To Break") and "Shadow Walk" (from 1990's "No Smoke Without Fire").

ANTHEM's fifteenth studio album, "Burning Oath", came out last October.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Evil One
02. Unbroken Sign
03. Overture
04. On And On
05. Get Away
06. Struggle Action
07. Ghost In The Flame
08. Double Helix
09. Face The Core
10. Life And Crime
11. Dance Alone

Nice, France-based atmospheric metallers XCIII have revealed the album art and trac listing for their upcoming album, Like A Fiend In A Cloud. The album will be released February 25th via Naturmacht Productions.
Tracklisting:

'Reverie Nocturne'
'Bal Macabre'
'Hibernal Sadness'
'Feathers'
'Autums Call'
'Perpetual Place'
'Bal Macabre - Epilogue'
'Like A Fiend In A Cloud'

The band is also streaming a new song from the album. 'Bal Macabre I' can be heard below:
XCIII lineup:

Guillaume - Vocals/Bass
Jonathan - Guitars
Mathieu - Piano

More on XCIII at this location.

Dutch thrashers LEGION OF THE DAMNED have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records.

Commented the band: "We are absolutely thrilled to announce LEGION OF THE DAMNED has signed a deal with Napalm Records, a very important and exciting moment for LEGION OF THE DAMNED.

"It was certainly not an easy decision to leave our friends of Massacre Records who supported us since our first album. We always got along very well, and therefore we want to thank the crew of Massacre Records enormously for their big support! It's time for LEGION OF THE DAMNED to move on and seek other challenges.

"We are very happy with the excitement Napalm Records has shown in our band and we can't wait to release our new album under their wings!"

LEGION OF THE DAMNED recently announced the addition of session guitarist Hein Willekens to the group's ranks.

The band's latest album, "Descent Into Chaos", was released in January 2011 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Abyss Studios in Pärlby, Sweden with producer and PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, who also makes a guest appearance on the limited-edition bonus track "Legion Of The Damned".

LEGION OF THE DAMNED is:

Maurice Swinkels - Vocals
Twan van Geel - Guitar
Harold Gielen - Bass
Erik Fleuren - Drums
Hein Willekens - Guitar

Swiss power rockers SHAKRA will release their new album, Powerplay, on January 11th via AFM Records.

A trailer has now been released and can be seen below:
According to a press release: “Powerplay is the most varied Shakra album to date. In addition to major ballads and earthy rock songs, it also includes more opulent tracks. 'Wonderful Life' is a hint of what fans can expect.”
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Life Is Now’
‘The Mask’
‘Higher’
‘Wonderful Life’
‘Dear Enemy’
‘Save You From Yourself’
‘Don t Keep Me Hanging’
‘Dream Of Mankind’
‘Stevie’
‘Because Of You’
‘Secret Hideaway’
‘Too Good To Be True’

The track ‘Wonderful Life’ can be heard below: