On May 12th in Europe and on May 13th in North America, VALLENFYRE’s second full-length, Splinters, will be released via Century Media Records. Listen to the new track, 'Scabs', below:
The simple, yet striking cover artwork was created by Brian D’Agosta, who previously drew a logo for Vallenfyre bassist Scoot’s other band, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, as well as artwork for many other bands.
“Vallenfyre was something I felt utterly compelled to do. It was almost like I didn't have a choice. I was told by a bereavement counselor that I should write down and vocalize my feelings. I did just that and then everything just seemed to take a natural course,” is how Greg Mackintosh (vocals/lead guitars), best known as a founding member of long-running UK gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST, describes the initial spark helping him to transform the anger and sadness ensuing the loss of his father into the death/doom/crust opus A Fragile King (2011).

While being the main songwriter in Paradise Lost, Greg also stepped up to being the front-man for Vallenfyre - and sang for the first time, citing Karl Willetts (BOLT THROWER), Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH), Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA, TERRORIZER), Pete Steele (CARNIVORE, TYPE O NEGATIVE) as influences. A Fragile King turned out to be a heartfelt, cathartic and therapeutic release, which now finds it continuation on the even more abrasive and extreme second full-length, Splinters.
Inspired by the likes of HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, AUTOPSY, ANTISECT, DISCHARGE, NIHILIST, early NAPALM DEATH, early BATHORY, and CONFLICT, Vallenfyre digs deep into the roots of extreme music, yet due to Greg’s infallible song-writing skills, as well as the organic and absolutely crushing sound courtesy of Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, BLACK BREATH, BEASTMILK), Splinters is far away from mere nostalgia.

A video trailer featuring part of the album’s opening track, 'Scabs', can be viewed below:
Stay tuned for a updates.

Portland sludge slingers STONEBURNER will unleash their new full-length, Life Drawing, in North America via Neurot Recordings on April 15th (April 14th in the UK/EU). The album's lead track, 'An Apology To A Friend In Need', can be heard below.

The band previously revealed the first audiovisual insight into the sounds that propel Life Drawing. Who better to visualize their desolate, down-tuned blues than Kenneth Thomas, director of Blood, Sweat & Vinyl, the captivating documentary about independent music, as told through the eyes of some forward thinking labels, including Neurot Recordings, home of Stoneburner.

This video teaser opens with a quote from A.A Milne whilst the lurching bassline of 'Caged Bird' sets the scene. J.J. Shirey's dark artwork is featured prominently making sure our eye is cast over every moment, until we're confronted with raw live footage of the band performing album highlight, 'An Apology To A Friend In Need', replete with their patented magma-thick riffs and subterranean growls. Overall, a great indicator of what listeners can expect from the upcoming full-length as we edge closer to release date.
Recorded, mixed and produced by Fester at Haywire Studios, mastered by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering - both in Portland - and swathed in the visually abrasive cover art of J.J. Shirey, Life Drawing promises to hurl Stoneburner's habitually chest-caving sludge mantras to entirely new realms of earth-deteriorating heaviness.

Comments the band in a collective statement: "Lyrically we've always focused on personal matters, and one theme that particularly seems to keep coming up on this record is the struggle to be a decent person in a world that keeps doing its best to cause you not to be. J.J. Shirey, who paints our album covers, is part of the Stoneburner brotherhood and we have absolute faith in him. We have him sit in on rehearsals, read our lyrics, and then we send him off to come up with whatever he thinks best suits the material. We feel that this piece absolutely captures the mood of trying to grow and heal, but constantly finding yourself falling back into the darkness caused by emotional and physical addictions. The world isn't always a happy, beautiful place, and neither is our music. Thanks to J.J. you're going to sense that before you even hear the album."
Life Drawing tracklisting:

'Some Can'
'Caged Bird'
'Drift'
'An Apology To A Friend In Need'
'Pale New Eyes'
'Giver Of Birth'
'Done'
'You Are The Worst'
'The Phoenix'

'An Apology To A Friend In Need':
'Some Can':
Stoneburner features a persuasive musical ancestry that winds through BURIED AT SEA, BURIED BLOOD, HEATHEN SHRINE and others. Named after a subterranean weapon from the novel Dune, Stoneburner deliver a wholly organic orchestration of captivating, crustified doom metal, their torrid hymns bathed in internal agony, anguish and despair.
To define Stoneburner, one need only look to the list of bands with whom they've shared the stage: YOB, SLEEP, EYEHATEGOD, NEUROSIS, BUZZOV-EN, WEEDEATER, SAINT VITUS, WATAIN, TRAGEDY, NOOTHGRUSH, GRAVES AT SEA, LORD DYING, DROP DEAD, WHITEHORSE, WIND HAND, BASTARD NOISE.

Oklahoma natives and saviors of southern-infused hard rock ANTI-MORTEM have released another acoustic performance video, shot in one take at the band’s rehearsal space. 'Truck Stop Special' is featured on their debut album, New Southern:
Check out the acoustic performance video for the song 'Hate Automatic', another track featured on New Southern:
New Southern, which was produced, recorded and mixed by famed producer Bob Marlette (BLACK STONE CHERRY, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, SHINEDOWN, ROB ZOMBIE) will be released on both physical and digital formats on April 28th (UK), April 29th (North America) and April 25th (Rest of Europe) via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

The album artwork was created by Brent Elliott White (DEATH ANGEL, JOB FOR A COWBOY, TRIVIUM), and can be seen below:
New Southern tracklisting:

'Words Of Wisdom'
'New Southern'
'100% Pure American Rage'
'Hate Automatic'
'Black Heartbeat'
'I Get Along With The Devil'
'Path To Pain'
'Wake Up'
'Ride Of Your Life'
'Stagnant Water'
'Truckstop Special'
'Jonesboro'
'A Little Too Lose' (bonus track, MR. BIG cover)

'100% Pure American Rage' video:
'Words Of Wisdom' lyric video:
'Stagnant Water' video:
Anti-Mortem are:

Larado Romo – lead vocals
Nevada Romo – guitar
Zain Smith – guitar
Corey Henderson – bass
Levi Dickerson - drums
(Band photo - Clark Deal)

European metallers CRYSTAL TEARS have released a video for the track 'Beds Are Burning', featured on their new album, Hellmade, available via Massacre Records.
The cover artwork for Hellmade was designed by Siege Ind, who previously worked with bands such as SCAR SYMMETRY, SUICIDE SILENCE and BLEED FROM WITHIN.
Tracklisting:

'Destination Zero'
'The Skies Are Bleeding'
'Out Of The Shadows'
'The Devil Inside'
'Resurrection Suicide'
'Psycho Pollution'
'Under Your Skin'
'Violent New Me'
'Ever Alone'
'Rock N Growl'
'Beds Are Burning'

'Beds Are Burning' video:
'Out Of The Shadows' video:
Trailer:
Trailer:

LACUNA COIL’s new album, Broken Crown Halo, is out now in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Australia and New Zealand. The album will be released elsewhere on the following dates:

UK/Benelux/France/Greece/Denmark/Portugal/Norway/Rest Of Europe - March 31st
North America/Italy/Spain/Poland - April 1st
Sweden - April 2nd

Check out a trailer for DVD that comes with the Ltd. Edition 2CD+DVD Artbook and Ltd. Edition CD+DVD:
Lacuna Coil have announced a special Broken Crown Halo CD release party / headline show in Los Angeles, CA at The Roxy on April 1st. There are no advance tickets for the show, fans must buy a copy of the new CD at The Roxy on April 1 to gain admission to see Lacuna Coil perform live.
Broken Crown Halo tracklisting:

'Nothing Stands In Our Way'
'Zombies'
'Hostage To The Light'
'Victims'
'Die & Rise'
'I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name)'
'Cybersleep'
'Infection'
'I Burn In You'
'In The End I Feel Alive'
'One Cold Day'

Trailer:
'Die & Rise' lyric video:
Lacuna Coil live dates include

March
28 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
29 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
30 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre

April
2 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
11 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
14 - Exit/In - Nashville,TN
16 - The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
17 - Austin's - Libertyville, IL
18 - POV's - Spring Lake Park, MN

Todd Owens of Capital Chaos TV chats with Gunnar H. Thomsen and Terji Skibenæs of TÝR at The Fillmore – San Francisco, California from February 28th. Also on the bill were CHILDREN OF BODOM and DEATH ANGEL.
Live footage from the show:
Týr are currently on tour with CHILDREN OF BODOM for their Halo Of Blood over North America tour. The tour embarked on February 14th in Quebec City and wraps up on March 28th and 29th with back-to-back shows at Irving Plaza in New York, NY.
Dates:

March
27 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
28 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
29 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza

Würzburg, Germany's WILD ZOMBIE BLAST GUIDE, featuring THE NEW BLACK guitarist Fabian Schwarz, have released an official video for the song 'Under Toxic Skies', taken from their new album Salute The Commander:
Salute The Commander was released worldwide via all digital outlets on January 30th. It is now available via Amazon.com; use the widget at the bottom of the page.

The tracklist for the new album is as follows:

'Salute The Commander
'This Is Hell'
'Under Toxic Skies'
'Thrash It Or Trash It'
'Mission Complete'
'Damnation'
'Birds Of Prey'
'End Of Your Rope'
'You've Died Before'
'UTZA'
Watch this page for updates, go to this location for more information.

Canada's ARCHSPIRE will release their album, The Lucid Collective, on April 25th in Europe, and April 29th in North America via Season Of Mist. BraveWords is exclusively streaming the new song 'Scream Feeding' below:
According to the label: Guitars shred with fury, and vicious vocals swarm over whirlwind drum work in the band's potent display of 21st century extremity. More than just a collection of chops and blast beasts, the album’s eight tracks showcase a fast-rising band with supreme mastery of dynamics going hand in hand with their aggression. The Lucid Collective is a definitive statement of intent by one of death metal's most exciting new bands.
The Lucid Collective tracklisting:
'Lucid Collective Somnambulation'
'Scream Feeding'
'The Plague of AM'
'Fathom Infinite Depth'
'Join Us Beyond'
'Seven Crowns and the Oblivion Chain'
'Kairos Chamber'
'Spontaneous Generation'

‘Lucid Collective Somnambulation’:
Pre-order various packages at this location.

BLEEDING GODS, the Dutch metal band featuring former and current members of ALTAR, HOUWITSER, and SUPREMEME PAIN, have parted way with bassist Bart Van Wallenberg (SINISTER).

Says the band: 'Unfortunately Bart has left Bleeding Gods. The decision was made together and there are absolutely no hard feelings to each other. Bart has more time now for his children, family and of course his own band NEOCEASER. We wish him all the luck and the best and of course we want to thank him for all his time, fun, beers and enthusiasm!

In the meantime we want to say hello and a big welcome to Gea Mulder! Gea is known for her basswork in DEADCELL, GRINDMINDED and MIRDYN. She soon will be joining Bleeding Gods live on stage!"
A little word from Gea: "I'm proud to announce that I'll be joining the awesome and promising Bleeding Gods on bass. I love playing their groovy death metal and look forward to playing live and do the recordings for the upcoming album in September!"

Updates to follow.

Trondheim, Norway-based thrashers MANIFEST offer the following update:
“Time for an update, it`s been a while! After the tour we did with MASTER in November 2012, we have been focusing on writing songs for a new album. Right now we have 13-14 tracks that we are working on, most of them are more or less finished while others still has some work left on them.

We hooked up with Håkon Gebhardt (ex-MOTORPSYCHO drummer) and he will be producing the album. Gebhardt has done tons of good stuff, both as a musician and as a producer, and working with him will most definetely add something unique to the album. We had a listening session together a while ago, going over demo versions of most of the tracks, and the chemistry was just great.

So that's what's happening, we are preparing our fourth album! Recording will happen at Das Boot Studio later this year.”

Manifest's latest album, Written In Blood, was released in Norway in 2010 and the rest of Europe in 2011, via the band's own label Violent Media. The album was followed by touring clubs through Europe and playing festivals with bands like ENTOMBED, NAPALM DEATH, MESHUGGAH, MALEVOLENT CREATION and THE HAUNTED.

Sweden's FATAL SMILE will be releasing their new single, 'White Trash Heroes', digitally on April 4th. The song is the title track from their forthcoming album, which will be released on April 25th via FS Records/GMR Music Group.
The album's first single, 'Like A Rockstar', was released in November 2013 and the video for the track can be seen below:
The band also welcomes their good friend Snake behind the drums and thank Philty for the "Fatal years" and wish him all the best.
“We really think this is our best album so far...”, the band commented. “Expect the hardest, in your face, Fatal Smile album yet recorded - it's NOT for the faint-hearted since it's louder, harder and faster than any of our previous albums... and it will KICK YOUR ASS!!!"

New shows have been also been added to the band's White Trash Over Europe Tour, which kicks off on April 10th.

Fatal Smile tour dates and more info can be found at Fatalsmile.com.

Italy's KRAMPUS have just announced the departure of long time guitarist Leonardo Rizzi. After much thought and deliberation, Rizzi has decided to step down and enter the next chapter in his life.
Rizzi comments:

"I'm out of Krampus cause I got too much swag to play in a band anymore. It's now time for me to take a break and to steer clear of the stages for a while. I'd like to say a big "thank you" to every friend and fan met on the road during the last three years: it has been truly amazing playing with and for you. Special thanks also go to M. Casale Bauer, Jackson Italia, Black Mirror Studios and of course to my bandmates: I wish you every success and happiness in the future! Hasta la vista."

Detroit-based prog-rockers TILES have announced JETHRO TULL frontman Ian Anderson will make a special guest appearance on their upcoming album, Other Arrangements.
Guitarist Chris Herin reports:

"Ian has been a Tiles fan since way back in 1999 when we released Presents Of Mind. Over the years we floated the idea of him making a guest appearance and eventually the timing was right. He was just finishing up mixing his new solo album Homo Erraticus and had a window of opportunity before he dove into tour rehearsals and promotional stuff. We sent Ian a moody atmospheric tune and he wove some cool melodies in between vocal phrases; then cuts loose with his trademark flute improvising during the song’s long rideout solo. I think I listened to it twenty times to make sure it really happened – what a thrill for us and what a generous gesture from an icon of progressive rock!"

Other Arrangements is being produced by Terry Brown (RUSH, FATES WARNING) and is scheduled for an early-2015 release. Visit Tiles-Music.com for more information.
In other news, Tiles is set to release a live CD, Off the Floor 02, in April. It will include a bonus disc of select tunes from the band's 2005 appearance at the Rites Of Spring Festival. Off the Floor 01 was released in 2012.

Updates to follow.

Maria "Tristessa" Kolokouri, leader of Athens-based all-female black metal band ASTARTE has been fighting leukemia. The following note from her husband Nicolas Maiis has just been posted:
"We are out of the hospital and we making weekly tests about Maria's health and we are waiting information about the next step of treatment for the fight of our life. Maria is feeling much better and she is ready for the next step. She knows that we all are by her side and this giving her courage and power to continue strong. The goal is for Maria to live with the people that love her and simply to continue our life and live like everyone."

Sweden's VANHELGA will release their sophomore full-length album, Längtan, in Europe on April 28th in CD format on the Art Of Propaganda label, and in vinyl format on Carnal Records on a date as yet to be confirmed.
Taking longing and death as its theme, Längtan explores the idea that death is not an ending, but the beginning of a life free from all the strictures imposed on us by society, and that death should be something to be longed for, rather than feared. Artwork for Längtan is by the Spanish artist Juanjo Castellano.

Tracklisting:

'Svartsint ömhet'
'Där evigheten inväntar mig'
'Evig förändring'
'Med mina andetag'
'Joyless'
'Låt snön falla'
'Kärleksförklaring'
'Vansinnesvardag'
'Narkotisk uppgivenhet'
'Eternal night'
'Förbarma'
'Exploderande känslostorm'

'Där Evigheten Inväntar Mig':

Där evigheten inväntar mig by Vanhelga

Vanhelga was formed in Linköping, Sweden in 2001 by J. Ottosson, aka 145188 (ex-LIFELOVER (live session musician), ex-SKOGSTRON), who, unable to create the kind of music he really wanted to, found a group of like-minded musicians and together they set about bringing their vision to life. Aside from Ottosson on Bass, Guitars and Vocals, Vanhelga's lineup consists of J. Gabrielson (ESKAPI, ex-Lifelover) on Vocals, J. Ejnarsson (TAKETH) and Wadström (ex-Skogstron) on guitars and D. Franzén on drums.

Whilst it would be easy to classify Vanhelga as a black metal band, in reality that would be too restrictive a definition. It's true that lyrically the band explores the darker side of humanity, a subject much loved by the genre, indeed, the band's name itself means "Profane", but within Vanhelga's cold and sinister music can be found distinctive melodies and melancholic moments that lull you into a false sense of security and drag you into a dark reality.



Tracks from all of Vanhelga's releases can be heard below:

VANHELGA by VANHELGA (Official)

SABBATH ASSEMBLY returns with their third album, Quaternity, set for international release on March 28th via Svart Records. It will be available on LP, CD, and digital download. See the new video for the album track, 'I, Satan', below.
Quaternity tracklisting:

'Let Us Who Mystically Represent...'
'The Burning Cross Of Christ'
'Jehovah On Death'
'I, Satan'
'Lucifer'
'The Four Horsemen'

'I, Satan' video:
What is missing from the Christian concept of “trinity”? Carl Jung suggests that the fourth element is what many reject - the evil in our nature; or by another view, the feminine, which throughout Church history has been equated with evil and duly suppressed. To restore this element to the trinity creates Quaternity, which in William Blake’s Proverbs of Hell represents “the fourfold nature of man and his relationship to the divine.”

Side A of Quaternity the album begins with a look at the four deities worshipped in the theology of the Process Church of the Final Judgment - Christ, Jehovah, Lucifer, and Satan - each tune providing the deity with its own voice, unmediated by Christian prejudice. Lucifer is again the light bearer, Satan the source of primal strength, Jehovah the vengeful destroyer, and Christ the master of death.

Side B explores another four: the horsemen of the apocalypse of Revelations. This intricate, sidelong piece was conceived in anticipation of 12/21/12. For those who got the 7” last year, this is the full 20-minute version.

Quaternity is primarily acoustic in format, with an array of classical percussion and strings creating an entirely new sound for the band. Unlike its predecessors, Restored to One and Ye Are Gods, Sabbath Assembly's Quaternity offers a majority of original material with inspiration from the Process found primarily in the lyrics. One exception is the completely unpublished 'Lucifer', shared with the band over the telephone via former Processian Anthony D’Andrea, who had contacted the band complaining that they were not “getting the hymns right.” Thanks to Mr. D’Andrea, whose rendition can be heard in part at the top of the track.

Quaternity once again features Jamie Myers on vocals and Dave “Xtian” Nuss on percussion. Special guests on the album include Daron Beck of PINKISH BLACK accompanying Jamie on vocals, Kevin Hufnagel of GORGUTS on guitar, Mat McNerney and Marja Kontinnen of HEXVESSEL reciting sacred texts, liturgical chanting by Jessika Kinney of SUNN 0))), bass from Colin Marston of BEHOLD… THE ARCTOPUS, and organ from “Nameless Void” of NEGATIVE PLANE.

The "Metal All Stars" played their first-ever show at Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria on March 23. Check out fan-filmed video footage of the entire concert in two parts below.

The lineup of musicians performing at the event included:

* Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)* Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA)* Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX)* Ross "The Boss" Friedman (ex-MANOWAR)* Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-ACCEPT)* Brian Fair (SHADOWS FALL)* Brittany Paige (KOBRA AND THE LOTUS)* Kenny Earl "Rhino" Edwards (ex-MANOWAR)* Jasin Todd (SHINEDOWN)* Jon Donais (ANTHRAX, SHADOWS FALL) * Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY)

Philip Anselmo (PANTERA) and Nick Menza (ex-MEGADETH), who were originally scheduled to take part in the tour, have pulled out of the trek. Menza has since released a statement claiming that "the agreement made between the 'Metal All Stars' and myself wasn't kept." He added: "For my best interest, my manager Robert Bolger pulled me off the tour." Also absent from the current "Metal All Stars" dates is Conrad "Cronos" Lant (VENOM), who is "very ill and under doctor's orders not to travel or perform," according to a statement released by his management. "Cronos is hoping to join the 'Metal All Stars' shows as soon as possible."

Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE) will reportedly join the "Metal All Stars" tour at later dates.

The "Metal All Stars" musicians performed metal classics from their own catalogs as well as classics by BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN and more.

"Metal All Stars" was formed by Gabe Reed Productions, the same concert promoter which in 2012 organized the ROCK N ROLL ALL STARS tour of South America, featuring Gene Simmons (KISS), Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD), Duff McKagan (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) and others.

"Metal All Stars" plans to tour South America later in 2014.

Fan-filmed video footage of PRONG's March 27 performance at Patronaat in Haarlem, The Netherlands can be seen below.

PRONG's new album, "Ruining Lives", will be released through Steamhammer/SPV in Scandinavia on April 23, in Germany on April 25, in the rest of Europe on April 28 and in the U.S./Canada on May 13. It will be made available as a limited digipak version including one bonus track and poster, as a double gatefold colored vinyl version including one bonus track and the CD in cardboard sleeve, as a standard version and download.

"Ruining Lives" is the follow-up to the acclaimed 2012 release "Carved Into Stone" and continues to show the band on an upward trajectory, proving that despite having a long, illustrious career PRONG can still make records that matter and re-invent themselves without negating their roots.

With Tommy Victor in the producer's chair and Steve Evetts (HATEBREED, SICK OF IT ALL, SEPULTURA) once again coming in to put his trademark shine on the record, "Ruining Lives" has turned out to be a monster of an album. From the first riff assault of the opener "Turnover", the album takes you on an angst-filled roller coaster ride that marries some very old-school "Beg To Differ" elements with post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash, all the while retaining a modern and current feel. Fans of the bands legendary, genre-defining "Cleansing" era and new fans alike will be thrilled.

Says Tommy Victor: "This is the fastest-written and -recorded PRONG album ever and it has more great songs than any previous PRONG record. I am particularly proud of the vocal performance and I think we captured some outstanding sounds on this album.

"There's a little bit of a throwback element here.

"'Ruining Lives' is almost a 'Force Fed' type of song.

"The album is a hybrid between New York hardcore and some very modern, song-oriented work.

"You will find some 'Rude Awakening' but also some solid, crushing riffs.

"I feel we have captured the best elements of PRONG on this album.

"'Come To Realize' is something new — we have never approached this kind of time signature. It really is math metal meets pure hardcore with a crazy-ass riff.

"What's exciting about the whole album is you have your hooks, your riffs and something innovative that makes the album very current.

"This qualifies as the hybrid nature of PRONG: marrying post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash and modern elements — all of that with hooks and not just a bunch of screaming."

"Ruining Lives" digipak track listing:

01. Turnover02. The Barriers03. Windows Shut04. Remove, Separate Self05. Ruining Lives06. Absence Of Light07. The Book Of Change08. Self Will Run Riot09. Come To Realize10. Chamber Of Thought11. Limitations And Validations12. Retreat (bonus track)

Jewel-case track listing:

01. Turnover02. The Barriers03. Windows Shut04. Remove, Separate Self05. Ruining Lives06. Absence Of Light07. The Book Of Change08. Self Will Run Riot09. Come To Realize10. Chamber Of Thought11. Limitations And Validations

Vinyl version track listing:

LP1 Side 1

01. Turnover02. The Barriers03. Windows Shut

LP1 Side 2

01. Remove, Separate Self02. Ruining Lives03. Absence Of Light

LP2 Side 1

01. The Book Of Change02. Self Will Run Riot03. Come To Realize

LP2 Side 2

01. Chamber Of Thought02. Limitations And Validations03. Retreat (bonus track)

On April 19, PRONG will release an exclusive single for "Record Store Day" celebration with the new track "Turnover" on side A and a pig remix version of "Revenge Best Served Cold" by Raymond Watts on Side B. The single is limited to 3,000 copies and comes in a green/white marbled vinyl version. The worldwide digital release of this single is April 21.

A two-camera fan-filmed mix of KREATOR's March 15 performance at this year's Hammerfest, which was held at Hafan y Mor Holiday Park, Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire, Wales, can be seen below.

Ubooks recently released the English edition of Hilmar Bender's book "Violent Evolution: The Story Of Kreator".

Originally published in German in March 2011 through UBooks Verlag, the 221-page book is described as follows: "'Violent Evolution' tells the story of KREATOR — the titans of Teutonic thrash — from the coal-mining town of Essen, Germany. It is the story of a group of bored teenagers who brought the brutality of everyday life into the rehearsal room. They let their hair grow, formed a band and landed a record deal before they had even reached twenty.

"Drawing on exclusive interviews with the band's members (both past and present), family, producers, filmmakers and crew, 'Violent Evolution' explores the band's remarkable rise from formative years to spectacular success, headlining the greatest open-air stages on the planet.

"This is their story, from the start to today; from kindergarten (literally) to rulers of the thrash kingdom. An exciting chronicle of one of the most important thrash metal bands in the world."

KREATOR's new concert DVD/Blu-ray, "Dying Alive", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 9.

"Dying Alive" was released on August 30, 2013 via Nuclear Blast. The set features the band's sold-out homecoming show in Oberhausen, Germany on December 22, 2012 after an extensive 45-day European tour in support of KREATOR's "Phantom Antichrist" album. The packed and sweat-driven show was filmed by 24 cameras, as well as guitar and even mosh-pit cams.

The DVD/Blu-ray contains footage of the Oberhausen concert, a behind-the-scenes documentary as well as video clips. Approximate total running time: 115 minutes.

Queens, New York hardcore veterans SWORN ENEMY will release their new album, "Living On Borrowed Time", on May 13 via Rock Ridge Music/ADA. The artwork for the CD can be seen below.

"Living On Borrowed Time" track listing:

01. Do Or Die02. Hard Way03. Broken Hope04. Slipping Away05. No Apologies06. One Eye Open07. No Mercy08. Never Forget09. Stand And Deliver10. Nothing Changes11. Rise Above

The CD's first single, "Hard Way", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

SWORN ENEMY established itself in 2000 with the release of "Negative Outlook" on HATEBREED frotnman Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Records. The record was a mix of old-school hardcore punk and new school breakdowns, and quickly gained the band attention in the underground scene. Since its inception, the band has gone on to release six highly successful and critically acclaimed albums. Now following a short hiatus, SWORN ENEMY has reformed and once again, it continues its legacy with the addition of new guitarist Matt Garzilli and bassist Mike Puccciarelli. SWORN ENEMY is:

Salvatore Michael LoCoco - VocalsJeffrey Cummings - GuitarMatthew Garzilli - GuitarMichael Anthony Pucciarelli - BassDaniel E Lamagna - Drums

London, England-based act MESSENGER will release their debut album, Illusory Blues, on March 31st via Svart Records. A full album stream can be found below.
Tracklisting:

'The Return'
'Piscean Tide'
'Dear Departure'
'The Perpetual Glow Of A Setting Sun'
'Midnight'
'Somniloquist'
'Let The Light'

Album stream:
'Somniloquist' video:
Messenger were formed in the spring of 2012 by Khaled Lowe and Barnaby Maddick. They booked a session with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios that gave birth to their debut album, Illusory Blues: a cosmic ode to the forces of nature and the inevitable cycle of life.
To cite musical influences would be futile. The musicians had made their names with bands in scenes as far apart as hardcore punk, black metal, and ambient music. Tonally, one might recall finding oneself in the same "space" occupied by other architects of sound such as ULVER, THE BEATLES, SWANS, or PINK FLOYD. But the stream of sound that emanates from the source of Illusory Blues is a heaving mass of organic richness, brimmed with intricate sounds that acknowledge the original fathers of experimentation but look forward in creating something new and unique. They dwell equally in the earthly realm of folk music and in the celestial void of progressive psychedelia, but have chanced upon a sound and an experience that sounds like no other.

Rounded off by Daniel Knight and James Leach, the lineup of Messenger is now complete, but the journey has just begun.

Greece's SEPTICFLESH recently finished recording their new full-length album, entitled Titan, scheduled for a June 24th release via Season Of Mist.
The new album will consist of ten songs that were recorded once again at Devasoundz Studios in Athens, Greece and in the Czech Republic with the collaboration of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. From there, the album was mixed and mastered in Los Angeles by acclaimed producer Logan Mader (GOJIRA, FEAR FACTORY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY).

The band filmed the whole recording process of the album and are now presenting the second episode featuring drummer Fotis Benardo's tracking session below:
Check out the Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra and Choir sessions below:
Says the band, “We are really exhausted from the work on this record, but also very proud of the results. We worked hard with Logan to bring you the ultimate death metal soundtrack for your darkest dreams. The compositions are progressive with a lot of emotional peaks, while at the same time the songs sound very aggressive and powerful. We also had the chance to work for the first time with a full children's choir besides the regular adult choir, and that helped us dive deeper into darker cinematic atmospheres. We have achieved a new level of extreme emotions.”

Italy’s FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and Septicflesh will be embarking on an Australian tour in May.



Dates include:

May
14 - Brisbane, Australia - The HiFi
15 - Adelaide, Australia - Fowlers Live
16 - Melbourne, Australia - The HiFi
17 - Sydney, Australia - Manning Bar
18 - Perth, Australia - Amplifier

Tickets can be purchased here.

VOICIANO, the new acoustic project of EDENBRIDGE members Sabine Edelsbacher (vocals) and Lanvall (grand piano, acoustic guitars and other string instruments, percussion), have launched the second of many webisodes.
The second sees Lanvall talking about the orchestra recordings with the Junge Philharmonie Freistadt and is introducing the second guest star Arjen Lucassen, the AYREON mastermind.
The first webisode features Sabine and Lanvall introducing the project and announcing the first guest star, Jim Peterik (ex-SURVIVOR, PRIDE OF LIONS, THE IDES OF MARCH), who wrote the Rocky hymn 'Eye Of The Tiger'.
According to a press release, Voiciano is based on acoustic instruments exclusively, mainly the grand piano. However many other instruments like acoustic guitars, hammered dulcimer, kacapi, bouzouki, mandolin, saz and diverse percussion instruments are appearing. Furthermore a real string orchestra can be heard, the orchestra JUNGE PHILHARMONIE FREISTADT. The music was recorded nearly exclusively without any click tracks, that means without any predetermined tempo, which accentuates the liveliness and soul of the songs. The piano parts as a main basis were recorded live continuously at all."

Lanvall states: "The idea was born after our Edenbridge promotion acoustic show in Vietnam. In 2010 Sabine and I flew to Vietnam for a 10 minutes show case, to perform 3 songs on the 1000 Years Hanoi Festival. The simplicity of the whole process concerning the rehearsals and the show were pure fun for us. You just request for a microphone and a grand piano, enter the stage and perform. When we came back, I went through my files and piles of sketches of numerous ideas, which remained unused to this point. I was astonished how many great songs I found in layouts in this acoustic form. This inspired me immediately to write completely new songs additionally.":

Sabine adds: "I always had the idea for a solo project with more balladesque songs. Voiciano is exactly, what I had in mind. In Voiciano my voice gets more room in all its nuances, this is what I enjoy of course. Furthermore I will bring myself in into the lyrics. The mystic atmosphere of our songs will remain of course - I think we cannot do it differently - it´s a part of us."

Sabine and Lanvall were also able to win some great guests for the album. Most of them are longtime friends and fellow companions with prominent names.

Lanvall: "After the huge production of the last Edenbridge album The Bonding, it was extremely important to gain distance musically and be involved in something, which is different. The reduction in the music and the process to record much of the music live, gave me tremendous joy. I believe that everybody who loves Edenbridge, will love Voiciano too, although it shows us from a completely different side. When I began to arrange the songs I was immensely touched by the feeling and the souls of the songs. This inspired me to learn new instruments like the hammered dulcimer, which can be heard in a couple of songs and creates an own mystic atmosphere."

Will Sabine and Lanvall concentrate on Voiciano now exclusively?

Lanvall: "No, of course not. Voiciano is a project among our main band Edenbridge, to live out this faible for acoustic music. All songs would also work with just vocals and piano in the live situation. I think that after this album I will also be really inspired for a next big Edenbridge album!"

Sabine: "I am convinced that we will attract a bigger audience apart from the metal scene with Voiciano. Even better when they learn about Edenbridge then. This will be a total win/win situation."

Voiciano will also go new ways in marketing with their album Everflow. The album will be released over their own label in spring 2014 and will only be available over the Edenbridge webstore.

Lanvall: "With all the wonderful experiences we made with the crowdfunding action related to our last album The Bonding, where we were able to outfinance the whole orchestra costs. We wanna continue this way with our new project Voiciano, and here even more than in the past. In recent times the relationship fan to musician/band is more important than ever. It was extremely enriching to see in the process of The Bonding, how many people wish to support "real" music. Therefore we wanna bring in our fans to join in as part of a record label and advance suppliers, and came up with some special and interesting packages. With your pre-orders and sponsoring donations you guarantee the best possible production of the Voiciano album Everflow."

Milan, Italy-based symphonic power metallers DERDIAN have revealed the artwork and tracklisting for their new album, Human Reset. Release dates will be announced soon.

The Human Reset artwork was created by Mauricio Javier González Guzmán. Check it out below:
The Human Reset tracklisting:

'Eclipse'
'Human Reset'
'In Everything'
'Mafia'
'These Rails Will Bleed'
'Absolute Power'
'Write Your Epitaph'
'Music is Life'
'Gods Don’t Give A Damn'
'After The Storm'
'Alone'
'Delirium'
'My Life Back'

More details to follow.

Mumbai-based progressive metal band MIDHAVEN, who recently signed to Universal Music India, have released a lyric video for the track 'Seeking The Divine', featured on their upcoming debut album, Spellbound, to be released next week.

The artwork for Spellbound was created by Aakash Dwivedi, who has previously worked with bands such as SOLAR DEITY, ALBATROSS, DEMONIC RESURRECTION and SCEPTRE.

Frontman Karan Kaul commented: "The artwork represents the main story line of the album, mainly the song 'Fall of Olympus' to show the death of the Sun-God Apollo. Our ideas were inspired by video games such as God Of War and Skyrim. Aakash carried them out brilliantly."
Spellbound tracklisting:

'Lunar Blessing'
'Seeking The Divine'
'Spellbound'
'Tales From The Tide'
'Ascension'
'Fall of Olympus'
'Third Eye'
'White Wash'
'Death Row'

'Seeking The Divine' lyric video:
Teaser:

Swedish doom/stoner metal band THE GRAVIATORS will release their third album, Motherload, as a limited edition digipack and 2LP gatefold vinyl on March 28th (Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Finland/Benelux), March 31st (Europe), April 2nd (Sweden/Norway), and April 8th (North America) via Napalm Records. The album can be streamed in full below.
Tracklisting:

'Leifs Last Breath / Dance Of The Valkyrie'
'Narrow Minded Bastards'
'Bed Of Bitches'
'Tigress Of Siberia'
'Lost Lord'
'Corpauthority'
'Drowned In Leaves'
'Eagles Rising'
'Druid's Ritual'

Album stream:
'Narrow Minded Bastards' video:

Chilean thrash/groove metal band LEFUTRAY has released the single track 'Silent Inferno'. This material will be included on their upcoming new album and it was produced by Cristian Olivares at AudioCustom studios in Santiago, Chile.
Lefutray's guitarist Cristian Olivares commented: “We decided to share what we are doing right now, we went in the studio and we were experimenting with new sounds, so we get what we want to start recording our third studio album.”

Currently, the band is working on the music video for this single track with images that were captured and edited by Rodrigo Velazco at the Merken Rock Festival 2014 in Chile, with the collaboration of Itamar Chanvez. The video will be premiered in April.
Lefutray's frontman Juan Vejar commented on the video: “We wanted to take the opportunity to do a new video for the band; we definitively want to get all the people in those regions involved with us. We have gotten very good experiences going out of Santiago, Lately, we have done the Sickbangers Mosh DVD in Arica and we also participated on that big festival in San Juan, Argentina, I'll say, that you are going to be able to appreciate a little more on our next music video.”

For more info visit Lefutray.cl.