Swedish melodic death metallers PLANET RAIN will release "The Fundamental Principles", part two of their philosophical album trilogy, on May 2 via Mighty Music. The CD was helmed by Swedish producers Teddy Möller (of Swedish prog metallers LOCH VOSTOK) and Ronny Hemlin (of both TAD MOROSE and INMORIA), was mixed by Teddy Möller and was mastered by DARKANE vocalist Lawrence Mackrory.

"The Fundamental Principles" track listing:

01. On Darkling Plains02. Fluxus03. The Dereliction Part II: The Bonds Of Oblivion04. Kryptographik05. Solstorm06. The Worlds We Devour07. Shock Wave The video for the song "Kryptographik" can be seen below.

Since its inception in 2006, PLANET RAIN has sought to redefine the genre and add to its fundamental characteristics a new dimension of speed, heaviness and melodiousness.

PLANET RAIN launched in 2012 an album trilogy with the debut album, "Antichthon". In part two of their album trilogy, "The Fundametal Principles", PLANET RAIN delves even deeper into the philosophical matter of how the balance between life and death, earth and universe, and sanity and madness, is sometimes upset inspired by classical writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and others.

PLANET RAIN has appeared at major festivals such as Metalcamp in Slovenia, Rockstad Falun and the Getaway Rock in Sweden. The band, which takes its name from Devin Townsend's "Physicist" album, has now teamed up with Danish metal specialists Mighty Music in order to release the next chapter of their philosophical journey into the world of melodic death metal. PLANET RAIN is:

Pär Sving: Guitar, VocalsEmil Westin: Guitar, VocalsMarcus Karlsson: Bass, VocalsTommy Holmer: Drums

SHADOW SOCIETY, the Tampa Bay, Florida-based symphonic extreme metal act featuring members of DEICIDE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE and ORDER OF ENNEAD, has inked a deal with Loud Rage Music. The band released a debut EP, "Into The Unknown", in 2013, and is now putting the finishing touches on its debut album.

Said SHADOW SOCIETY vocalist Rob Thoth: "We are very excited to be working with Adrian and Loud Rage Music.

"When he approached the band and asked what we were looking for, I responded with, 'A label that appreciates our music and enjoys it, as well as wants to help take us to the next level.' We found those qualities in Loud Rage Music and are looking forward towards the next chapter for all of us! Plus, the label is based in Transylvania. Can you get any more dark and metal than that?"

Added Loud Rage Music owner Adrian: "We are very pleased to work with and for such a promising band as SHADOW SOCIETY.

"Tampa Bay, Florida gave the world some of the most influential names in death metal. It's time for a new name to emerge from those gifted lands, and SHADOW SOCIETY is that name.

"Judging by their impressive debut EP, 'Into The Unknown', I have no doubts the band will deliver an earth-shattering full-length album, so keep your eyes on Loud Rage Music and SHADOW SOCIETY for this album's developing story!"

SHADOW SOCIETY was formed in 2011 by Asgrim (IMMANIFEST, ROYAL ANGUISH, ex-COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN) and Rob Thoth (IMMANIFEST) with a very simple idea: no drama, no filler riffs and no compromise. In essence, SHADOW SOCIETY was forged to make music that they wanted to hear. Dark, foreboding, atmospheric, melodic and unforgettable are words used to describe the band's music. These ideals, together with the strength of the music, drew in other like-minded heavyweights in extreme music who wanted to shape these shared ideals and music into something uniquely their own.

SHADOW SOCIETY is:

Asgrim - Guitar/Clean VocalsRob Thoth - Lead VocalsKadath - KeyboardsKevin Quirion - Guitar/VocalsAdam Sagan - Drums/Clean VocalsDave Belmonte - Bass

Swedish heavy metal act PORTRAIT will release its new album, "Crossroads", on April 25 in Europe and April 29 in North America via Metal Blade Records.

The first single from the record, "In Time", can be streamed below.

PORTRAIT comments: "'Crossroads' is a sevenfold blessing and curse upon a dying music scene, an album imbued with something untouchable and yet undeniable.

"This first single, 'In Time', was the first song written for 'Crossroads' and is one of the more straight-forward ones of the album."

The relentless, Swedish heavy metal monster known as PORTRAIT was born in the year 2006 with the intention to exterminate the entire world. After the release of a demo, two singles and their self-titled full-length debut, PORTRAIT released its Metal Blade debut, "Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae", in 2011. After numerous tours and festival appearances, the band began to focus on its third album, entitled "Crossroads". The writing and recording process took about a year, and Tore Stjerna of Necromorbus Studio handled the production together with the band.

"This is our most important album up to date in so many ways, and we couldn't be more satisfied with the final outcome," said PORTRAIT guitarist Christian Lindell.

"To me personally, PORTRAIT has finally become what I have always wanted the band to be, and we are hungrier than ever.

"The new album will speak for itself, and the year 2014 will be a year of Truth and of Conquest. Beware!"

"Crossroads" track listing:

01. Liberation02. At the Ghost Gate03. We Were Not Alone04. In Time05. Black Easter06. Ageless Rites07. Our Roads Must Never Cross08. Lily

PORTRAIT is:

Per Lengstedt - VocalsChristian Lindell - GuitarDavid Olofsson - GuitarMikael Castervall - BassAnders Persson - Drums

Italian death metallers HOUR OF PENANCE have set "Regicide" (a word defined as the act of the killing of a monarch) as the title of their new album, due on May 13 (one day earlier internationally) via Prosthetic Records.

Says HOUR OF PENANCE guitarist Paolo Pieri: "'Regicide' revolves around the themes of destruction and rebirth and the killing of the king — be he your own fears, prejudices or dogmas that you build inside yourself to cope with reality. Only by letting go of those illusions and tearing down the walls of ignorance and fear that society, religion and every form of dysfunctional authority you interjected during your life, can you start to rebuild your own path as a free man that has no need for a king."

HOUR OF PENANCE describes "Regicide" as "a bone-crushing feast for old and new fans...more varied and brutal than everything we've done so far."

Since releasing 2012's acclaimed "Sedition", which Decibel lauded as a "hyper-blasting, inhuman, machine-like attack," HOUR OF PENANCE has annihilated fans worldwide with its fiery exuberance, playing well over 200 gigs alongside such acts as BEHEMOTH, SKELETONWITCH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, PSYCROPTIC, MISERY INDEX, DEICIDE, BELPHEGOR and NILE.

HOUR OF PENANCE played its first show of 2014 at this past weekend's Trondheim Metal Fest in Norway. The band will also be seen at several European festivals throughout the spring, including Neurotic Deathfest.

New Orleans, Louisiana's sons of American no-frills-black-metal-meets-death-'n'-roll GOATWHORE have completed work on their sixth full-length album, due later in the year via Metal Blade Records. The CD was once again recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL) and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

Says Rutan: "I could not be more proud of all our efforts.

"This is my fourth album with GOATWHORE and their loyalty and commitment is something I respect tremendously.

"To record mostly to analog was incredible and the results exemplify that. Amazing tones and performances. This is the real deal!"

He adds: "It takes a lot of guts to record an album to tape in a day and age of metal where conformity and sterility are more commonplace then originality and vibe.

"It has been nine years since I have recorded anything to two-inch tape, since HATE ETERNAL's 'I Monarch' and SOILENT GREEN's 'Confrontation', but I guarantee it won't be my last!

"I cannot wait for everyone to hear this album and I give GOATWHORE my complete and utter respect.

"It has been an honor to work with GOATWHORE once again and I thank them for bringing out the best of me! Performance over perfection."

GOATWHORE's last album, "Blood For The Master", sold around 3,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 4 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The band's previous albm, 2009's "Carving Out The Eyes Of God", opened with around 2,700 units to land at No. 16 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Blood For The Master" was released in North America on February 14, 2012 via Metal Blade Records.

Swedish industrial rock band DEATHSTARS will release its long-anticipated fourth studio album, "The Perfect Cult", on June 13 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2009's "Night Electric Night" was captured in several studios: drums, guitars and bass were recorded at Bohus Sound Recording in Kungälv, Sweden; vocals at Gig Studios in Stockholm, Sweden; and keyboards, orchestration and editing was done at Black Syndicate in Stockholm. The mix, as usual, was handled by Stefan Glaumann (RAMMSTEIN, WITHIN TEMPTATION), while DEATHSTARS guitarist/keyboardist Emil "Nightmare Industries" Nödtveidt took care of the production. For the drum, guitar and bass production, Nightmare worked with Roberto Laghi (ENTOMBED, IN FLAMES) at Bohus Sound Recording. The mastering was handled by Svante Forsbäck (VOLBEAT, RAMMSTEIN) at Chartmakers in Helsinki, Finland. As far as the lyrics are concerned, vocalist Andreas "Whiplasher Bernadotte" Bergh states that "all the tracks are about our lives. Each song is a reflection on a situation or a topic that deals with our experiences, usually from a jet black perspective."

With visions inspired by amoral excessive lives, human fears and decay, the songs will be nothing less than a dark playground set between straight forward tracks, atmospheric anthems and the unwashed loins of lawless rock. "The Perfect Cult" track listing: 01. Explode02. Fire Galore03. All The Devil's Toys04. Ghost Reviver05. The Perfect Cult06. Asphalt Wings07. Bodies08. Temple Of The Insects09. Track, Crush & Prevail10. Noise Cuts "Night Electric Night" landed at position No. 51 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD, which was mixed at Toytown studios in Stockholm, Sweden with Stefan Glaumann, was made available in Europe in a deluxe package called "Gold Edition" featuring bonus tracks as well as a bonus DVD featuring six video clips, "making-of" footage and more. The "Gold Edition" was released as a digibook with new cover artwork.

Cruz Del Sur Music has announced the signing of Finnish newcomers MAUSOLEUM GATE. The band's self-titled debut album will be released in mid-October on compact disc, vinyl and digital formats. A glorious and pure offering of retro hard rock/heavy metal, deeply rooted in a late- '70s/early-'80s atmosphere, "Mausoleum Gate" was forged in the blood of SAXON, in the power and rudeness of the NWOBHM movement, in the spritual, epic nature of CIRITH UNGOL as well as the elegance of URIAH HEEP.

MAUSOLEUM GATE's sold-out cassette EP, "Gateways For the Wicked", will soon be re-pressed by the band itself on compact disc, so watch out for it at the next Keep It True festival.

Belgium's leading black metal force ENTHRONED returns with a new studio album entitled "Sovereigns". The follow-up to 2012's critically acclaimed "Obsidium" is scheduled for an April 15 release via Agonia Records. "Sovereigns" drifts from sonic blast beats to oppressive slower parts, melds together aggressive shredding with forceful riffs, and blends satanic whispers with Nornagest's trademark vocals. On the whole, band's 10th album feels coherent and offers first-rate black metal. The album introduces a new drummer, Menthor, in the place of Garghuf and a new rhythm guitarist ZarZax.

"Sovereigns" was recorded and mixed in ENTHRONED's own studio, Blackout Multimedia. The album will be available in: digipack CD, black vinyl, bone-white vinyl with green splatter limited to 100 hand-numbered copies and exclusive box CD limited to 333 hand-numbered copies (including the new album released in exclusive jewel-case edition, embroidered patch (8 cm x 10 cm), flag (42 cm x 59.4 cm) and a lighter with band's logo).

"Sovereigns" track listing:

01. Anteloquium02. Sine Qua Non03. Of Feathers And Flames04. Lamp Of Invisible Lights05. Of Shrines And Sovereigns06. The Edge Of Agony07. Divine Coagulation08. Baal al-Maut09. Nerxiarxin Mahathallah

The song "Of Shrines And Sovereigns" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

ENTHRONED is:

Nornagest - lead vocals & lead guitars Phorgath - bass Neraath - lead guitars Menthor - drums ZarZax - rhythm guitar

Legendary New Orleans gods of sludge, excess and mayhem EYEHATEGOD will release their new, self-titled album on the following dates:

* May 27 in North America on Housecore Records* May 26 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on Century Media Records* May 21 in Japan on Daymare Records

A song from the CD, "Agitation! Propaganda!", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Mixed by Sanford Parker, "Eyehategod" will feature the final recordings of EYEHATEGOD drummer Joey LaCaze, who passed away last August of respiratory failure. He also suffered from severe long-term asthma. He has since been replaced by Aaron Hill, who comes by way of New Orleans' local acts MISSING MONUMENTS and MOUNTAIN OF WIZARD.

In a recent interview with NPR, EYEHATEGOD frontman Mike "IX" Williams stated about the band's forthcoming CD: "We started out the recording with Billy Anderson. He recorded the drums, bass and some guitar, but that was a mess. There was a documentary crew in there filming, and it was distracting away from our time recording. Jimmy [Bower, guitar] was having a couple problems at the time too, waiting for his kid to be born, so it was a weird time to be in the studio. We ended up using just Joey's drum tracks from Billy. He's awesome — I love him and there's no hard feelings, but we just wanted to finish it somewhere else. We got Steve Berrigan to come out to where I live two hours outside of NOLA, and redid the bass and the guitars. Phil Anselmo [PANTERA, DOWN] gave me some ideas for the vocals, like how we did the ARSON ANTHEM record; me and him work well together."

Asked if EYEHATEGOD ever considered giving up following Joey's passing, Mike said: "It was never an option as far as I'm concerned. I don't think it was for anybody else either.

"This all happened at the end of September, when we'd just gotten back from a six-week tour of Europe. He's had pretty bad asthma ever since I've known him, and in Europe he was having these weird sleep apnea things when he was sleeping. It was a breathing issue, a respiratory thing, but I don't know; I'm not a doctor. So when we got back, that's when he passed away, so there was a little bit of time in there when we had to think — 'We've got shows booked. What do we do?' We did have to cancel probably 50% of them, but we still just said, 'Let's keep going, that's what he would want us to do.' We'd even had conversations before, when Joey and I would talk, and he'd ask me, 'Who would you get to replace me?' Things like that, and just be honest with each other. He knew the band would keep going, and he wanted it to.

"To me, it's just part of life; it's just the way things happen, what cards you're dealt, how life treats you.

"We don't know how to give up. That's been the story of our entire career, our lives, even without the band. We just don't know when to quit. It's just a matter of moving forward."

Swedish metallers AVATAR will release their new album, "Hail The Apocalypse", on May 16 via Gain Music in Europe and May 13 through eOne in USA. The CD was recorded in Karma Sound Studios, Bang Saray, Thailand, mixed by Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER) and mastered by Paul Logus (VOLBEAT, CLUTCH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE).

AVATAR is described by many as a perfect mix between RAMMSTEIN, ALICE COOPER and SYSTEM OF A DOWN — something the band has now developed further with the upcoming video for the title track, "Hail The Apocalypse".

AVATAR gained much attention when it comes to its creativity in videos, which are always produced by the bandmembers themselves.

"Hail The Apocalypse" track listing:

01. Hail The Apocalypse02. What I Don't Know03. Death Of Sound04. Vultures Fly05. Bloody Angel06. Murderer07. Tsar Bomba08. Puppet Show09. Get In Line10. Something In the Way11. Tower

Since the release of the band's last CD, "Black Waltz", AVATAR has had massive success all over the world. The singles "Smells Like A Freakshow" and "Let It Burn" peaked on No. 26 on U.S. commercial rock radio charts, where they also stayed for several weeks well ahead of more established bands in the scene. This was followed by extensive and successful U.S. tours. The biggest break through came when AVENGED SEVENFOLD personally picked AVATAR as support band on their sold-out arena tour in Europe late 2013. AVATAR got a reception far beyond expected by the crowds, which resulted in bookings on high profiled festivals such as Download festival and Rock On The Range in 2014, among own headline dates of which most are soon sold out. More high-profile tours and festivals are soon to be confirmed.

AVATAR is: Johannes Michael Gustaf Eckerström - VocalsJohn Alfredsson - DrumsKungen - GuitarTim Öhrstrom - GuitarHenrik Sandelin - Bass

Photo by Rober Villandiego

A two-minute video clip featuring highlights of MANOWAR's recent short U.S. tour can be seen below.

Released on Febraury 28, "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" is a completely new recording with many surprises, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of "Kings Of Metal" and MANOWAR's following world tour.

Already a significant force with international success since their debut album "Battle Hymns", the "Kings Of Metal" release in 1988 and the following world tour in 1989 catapulted MANOWAR into a new sphere. Songs like "Heart Of Steel", "Kings Of Metal", "Hail And Kill" and "Blood Of The Kings" became instant classics, celebrated since by metal fans all over the world. For "Kings Of Metal MMXIV", MANOWAR have recorded these timeless metal anthems with new arrangements and their signature "larger-than-life" sound that sealed their place in heavy metal history.

"Our fans have made us the 'Kings Of Metal', and with this tribute to one of their favorite albums, we honor them and thank them for their unparalleled support and loyalty!" said MANOWAR vocalist Eric Adams.

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" features nine main tracks packed with face-melting metal, plus nine bonus tracks with over 40 minutes of additional music.

"We have pushed man and machine to the maximum level to honor the original recordings that we all love, and to add new aspects and surprises that give this new album its own character," said MANOWAR bassist and producer Joey DeMaio. "The sound is again as massive and majestic as it has always been," he continued.

"Recording this album has been an amazing experience! After playing the songs so many times on tour, Donnie and I now had the opportunity to contribute our own sound and elements that the fans have come to love from our live performances," explained guitarist Karl Logan.

For the new narration on the spoken word track "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", MANOWAR joined forces with celebrated British actor Brian Blessed. Blessed is a renowned Shakespeare and character actor who has starred, among others, in Kenneth Brannagh's "Henry V", Oliver Stone's "Alexander", in "King Lear", and as Prince Vultan in the cult movie "Flash Gordon".

For special effects of the highest level on "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", sound effects specialist Hamilton Sterling was recruited; a Hollywood veteran who has contributed to action blockbusters, including "Batman - The Dark Knight", "Men In Black 3", "War Of The Worlds" and "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World", two of which won Oscars for "Best Sound Editing".

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" was released as a 2-disc CD with two 24-page booklets and additional new art by legendary fantasy artist and longtime collaborator Ken Kelly, and as a digital double album.

"Personal Jesus", the new video from Sammy Hagar, can be seen at this location. The song is taken from his first-ever rock collaborations album, "Sammy Hagar And Friends", which sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on September 24, 2013 via Frontiers

Hagar enlisted three legendary musicians — Toby Keith, Mickey Hart and Taj Mahal — to round out the final three tracks on "Sammy Hagar And Friends". The effort was preceded by the CD's first single and video for the high-voltage track "Knockdown Dragout" featuring Kid Rock, Joe Satriani and Denny Carmassi.

In addition to the 10-track standard edition album, fans also have an opportunity to purchase a deluxe edition of "Sammy Hagar And Friends", packaged in a high-gloss digipak. The deluxe CD/DVD package includes an exclusive bonus audio track, "Space Station #5", recorded live at the Ronnie Montrose Tribute Concert held on April 29, 2012 in San Francisco, as well as the "making-of" album documentary which includes bonus video of the first single "Knockdown Dragout", and more.

"Sammy Hagar And Friends" track listing:

01. Winding Down (with Taj Mahal)02. Not Going Down (with Bill Church & Denny Carmassi)03. Personal Jesus (with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony & Chad Smith)04. Father Sun (with Denny Carmassi & Aaron Hagar)05. Knockdown Dragout (with Kid Rock, Joe Satriani, Denny Carmassi)06. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (with David Lauser, Mona Gnader & Vic Johnson) 07. Bad On Fords and Chevrolets (with Ronnie Dunn, David Lauser, Mona Gnader & Vic Johnson)08. Margaritaville (with Toby Keith)09. All We Need Is An Island (with Nancy Wilson & Mickey Hart)10. Going Down (with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony & Chad Smith) 11. Space Station #5 (with Denny Carmassi, Bill Church, Joe Satriani) (Live from Ronnie Montrose Tribute * Exclusively available on Deluxe Edition CD)

From new originals like "Knockdown Dragout" with Kid Rock, "Bad On Fords And Chevrolets" with Ronnie Dunn, "All We Need Is An Island" with Nancy Wilson, "Going Down" with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, and "Father Sun", a duet with his son Aaron Hagar — to reimagined covers of classics like BOB SEGER's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" and DEPECHE MODE's "Personal Jesus" — Hagar has masterfully assembled an album that delves into rock, country, blues and pop. "Sammy Hagar And Friends" is Hagar's first solo album since 2008.

Fan-filmed video footage of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's entire February 27 performance at The HiFi in Melbourne, Australia can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Prancer02. Farewell, Mona Lisa 03. Milk Lizard 04. Panasonic Youth 05. Room Full Of Eyes 06. Gold Teeth On A Bum 07. Hero Of The Soviet Union 08. Nothing's Funny 09. One Of Us Is The Killer 10. Crossburner 11. Good Neighbor 12. When I Lost My Bet

Encore:

13. Come To Daddy (APHEX TWIN cover)14. 43% Burnt

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's fifth full-length album, "One Of Us Is The Killer", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 25 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on May 14 through the band's own Party Smasher Inc., in partnership with Sumerian Records in North America. Party Smasher's partnership with BMG covers the rest of the world, including licensing deals with Grind House for Japan and Remote Control in Australia.

"One Of Us Is The Killer" was recorded in Southern California with longtime producer Steve Evetts (GLASSJAW, THE CURE, SUICIDE SILENCE), with additional production at guitarist/co-founder Ben Weinman's studio. Mastering was handled by Tom Baker (DEFTONES, NINE INCH NAILS, BEASTIE BOYS).

In an interview with Killer Tours, Weinman stated about "One Of Us Is The Killer": "A lot of the inspiration for this record has to do with codependency. This band has a huge impact on everyone in our lives. The conflicts that occur from both being around the same people constantly and also being away from some people constantly makes you evaluate things in a way most people never could. A lot of our lyrical and musical content is a vessel for dealing with that."

"Tell The World", the new Matt Hanrahan-directed video from ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE, the project from longtime friends Frank Bello of ANTHRAX and David Ellefson of MEGADETH, can be seen below. The song is taken from ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE's self-titled EP, which was released on January 14.

"Altitudes & Attitude" track listing:

01. Booze & Cigarettes02. Tell The World03. Here Again

The song "Booze & Cigarettes" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below (courtesy of RollingStone.com).

The two bassists began writing music together while traveling the world during clinics now known as "Metal Masters".

"What started out as simple bass ideas quickly developed into some really great songs together," says Ellefson. "Our fans would probably never suspect that a couple of metal bass players would have songs like these inside of us. It's exciting to write melody with diversity while still pushing the limits of lead-bass playing. Frank's singing, and both of us playing guitars and other instruments, gave us a whole new dimension for creative opportunities."

"We thought it would be cool to let fans hear something they wouldn't expect from us — which is what ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE is," adds Bello.

"Altitudes & Attitude" EP recording credits:

Frank Bello - lead vocals, electric guitar, 8-string bass guitar David Ellefson - 4-, 5- and 8-string bass guitars, rhythm guitars Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE) - drums and percussion

Special guest: Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE) - lead guitar on "Here Again"

Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer and legendary drummer of GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER and THE CULT, Matt Sorum released his new album, "Stratosphere", under the moniker MATT SORUM'S FIERCE JOY on March 11 on Rok Dok Recordings via Kobalt Label Services.

"Stratosphere" is major departure from the hard-hitting rock Sorum is best known for. His intense passion for animal and human rights, and need to give back heavily influenced the narrative and acoustic orchestration of the album.

"Over the years, I've been influenced by my surroundings and sometimes that hasn't always been for the better," says Sorum. "But after years of soul searching, I organically fell into a different state of mind.

"With many lessons learned along the way, it seemed like the perfect time to do a record in my own voice, if you will. It's as real and exposed as anything I've ever offered my in my career, and I hope you enjoy it."

Besides stepping behind the mic for lead vocals, Sorum wrote the entire album, and plays acoustic guitar and piano.

"I've always played acoustic, so I wanted to use that as the feel of the record," Matt says.

"I chose the musicians I wanted by records they had played on, and diverse instruments such as mellotron, slide guitar and ethnic percussion.

"I always wanted orchestration, so this album was the canvas for that as well."

The official "Stratosphere" trailer can be seen below.

MATT SORUM'S FIERCE JOY - "Stratosphere" track listing:

01. Intro - Stratosphere Part 102. The Sea03. What Ziggy Says04. For the Wild Ones05. Goodbye To You06. Gone07. Lady of the Stone08. Ode to Nick Drake09. Blue10. Josephine11. Land of the Pure12. Killers N Lovers13. The Lonely Teardrop14. Outro - Stratosphere Part 2

Speaking to The Street, Sorum stated about his inspiration for the "Stratosphere" CD: "I'm known as a rock guy, but I've always loved so many diverse artists. I was a huge Joni Mitchell fan; I remember listening to a lot of her records back to back. Neil Young, Tom Petty, THE BEATLES, of course, and I was a huge Bowie fan. I was also into progressive stuff, like early GENESIS, Peter Gabriel era. You can hear that influence on the new album; there are a couple of songs that have some interesting time changes.

"I've always dabbled on the acoustic guitar, and I wrote a couple songs for VELVET REVOLVER. In GUNS N' ROSES, Axl [Rose] and Slash looked to me for arrangements. I wasn't the predominant songwriter, but I've always been involved in the process.

"When I put 'Stratosphere' together, I actually had a lot of it on cassette. I'd been writing the songs over the years, and I wanted to do an album that was just coming from me, regardless of anyone's expectations."

Asked if MATT SORUM'S FIERCE JOY will go out on tour, Sorum said: "We're going to tour, but it isn't going to be a typical rock show. If I'm going to front a band, I can't see myself, at my age, jumping up and playing rock and roll the way Dave Grohl does. Dave pulls it off, running around the stage with an electric guitar. But would that feel right for me? How can I make this feel natural, a natural progression, growing into the man that I finally feel that I am, and saying what I want to say now?"

"Stratosphere" trailer:

"Sleepwalkers", the new video from San Francisco Bay Area power-thrashers SKINNER, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Mike Sloat (TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD) and depicts a struggle between two consciences. The first is a dream world where the individual sleepwalks through life doing as they are told completely unaware of the reality around them. The second is the horrible reality that not everything is as it seems and life can be hard and scary. The individual eventually is able to break free of the mold and think for himself.

"Sleepwalkers" is the title track of SKINNER's upcoming full-length effort, which will be released on May 6 via Dead Inside Records. The CD was engineered by Steve Pelletier at Hellfire Studios in San Jose, California and mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Recording NC. The cover artwork was created by Jobert Mello of Sledgehammer Graphix (PRIMAL FEAR, SABATON, SHADOWSIDE).

"Sleepwalkers" track listing:

01. Firebird's Lament02. Sleepwalkers03. Orphans Of Liberty 04. Hell In My Hands 05. Blind Led Blind 06. Guilt-Ridden 07. Breathe The Lie 08. Bound 09. Miss Agony 10. The Breathing Room 11. The Enemy Within

SKINNER was formed out of the ashes of the now-defunct power/thrash band IMAGIKA.

IMAGIKA released seven albums and toured extensively before calling it a day in 2010.

Taking its name from its lead vocalist; SKINNER combines both the European power metal sound with the high-energy thrash attack of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Video footage of Pennsylvania-based singer/songwriter Sarah Kane (Facebook page) performing a piano-based cover version of MESHUGGAH's song "Bleed" can be seen below. The clip was directed by Brad Podray (web site) and was filmed on March 4 at mSOUNd Recording Studios in Philadelphia.

Kane made headlines last May when a clip was released of her performing a piano-based cover version of CANNIBAL CORPSE's death metal song "Carnivorous Swarm" (see below).

Sarah is a full-time musician in the city of Philadelphia where she sings for EBE entertainment agency and is a regular entertainer and piano player at Jolly's piano bar in center city Philadelphia. She is also a professional makeup artist and fine artist, specializing in portraiture. Sarah's greatest musical influences spring from the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Billy Joel, STEELY DAN, Sheryl Crow, James Brown, Carol King and Bonnie Raitt.

Kane's first album, "Evoke", was recorded with producer Tony Moore of TMmuzix.

MESHUGGAH's "Bleed":

An audio sample of "Electronic Cocaine", the new single from Belgian/American metallers CHANNEL ZERO, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Kill All Kings", to be released later in the year.

"Kill All Kings" is the the first CHANNEL ZERO LP to be recorded without drummer Phil Baheux, who passed away last August at age 45. Filling in for him during the new album recording sessions was former SOULFLY and current STONE SOUR drummer Roy Mayorga.

Baheux founded CHANNEL ZERO in 1990, along with singer Franky De Smet-Van Damme and bassist Tino De Martino. In 2010, they reformed the band with the addition of American guitarist Mikey Doling [SNOT, SOULFLY].

CHANNEL ZERO's last album, "Feed 'Em With A Brick", received a wider European release in June 2012 via Graviton Music Services.

KXM, the new project featuring drummer Ray Luzier (KORN), bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick (KING'S X) and guitarist George Lynch (LYNCH MOB, DOKKEN), released its self-titled debut album on March 11 via Rat Pak Records. The CD was produced by KXM and Chris Collier, who is known for his work with LYNCH MOB, Lita Ford and Tommy Bolin, to name a few.

The song "Faith Is A Room" can be streamed uding the SoundCloud widget below.

KXM takes its name from the combination of the members' other projects: K from KORN, X from KING'S X and M from LYNCH MOB.

According to a press release, "the self-titled debut of KXM is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and transcend beyond the boundaries of the imagination.

"In today's overpopulated music arena, true gems become harder and harder to find, but KXM's unified vision rises above the normal and creates its own space.

"From the opening drum riff of 'Stars' to final chord on 'Human Friction', 'KXM' is an album that is sure to resonate with fans from the band's original projects while garnering new ones as well. Songs like 'Gun Fight', 'Faith Is A Room' and the first single, 'Rescue Me', are sure to be instant favorites among fans. The band shows their softer side on the ballad 'Never Stop', along with their dark side on the tale of domestic violence, 'Sleep'."

"KXM" track listing: 01. Stars02. Rescue Me03. Gun Fight04. Never Stop05. Faith Is A Room06. I'll Be OK07. Sleep08. Love09. Burn10. Do It Now11. Human Friction12. Tranquilize (bonus track)13. Rescue Me (radio edit) (bonus track)

In a recent interview with the "Talking Metal" podcast,Lynch stated about how KXM came together: "When you are in the music scene here, especially in Southern California, you run into everyone, everybody loves everybody, it's a mutual admiration society. You're hanging out, you are playing gigs and you run into your buds and your friends, and invariably, with all of us, it's, like, 'Let's form a project, let's do something together,' because, ya know, we all want to play together and usually it never goes anywhere, but this time it actually did. It's really amazing. Things lined up.

"Doug has been... The first time I heard KING'S X with 'Out Of The Silent Planet' and 'Gretchen Goes to Nebraska', oh, to me, he was the benchmark. This is the guy that I was born to play with, ya know? He has got it all. He comes from gospel roots, he's got the blues thing, he just does it all. I just knew would be a natural fit. Doug is so good he's a natural fit with anybody. He is a self-contained machine. He's got that very unique bass attack and sound and obviously his vocal styling. He is a poet. He is a great lyricist. A great frontman, the whole nine yards. And Ray and I have been in other little projects and have done things together. We would always touch base but never really got serious.

"I don't remember exactly how this all fell together.

"We all have limited time being that were all in other projects but we said, 'Let's really, really do this and quit talking about it.'"

WAMI, the brand new project featuring vocalist Doogie White (RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), drummer Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, DIO) and bassist Marco Mendoza (THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE) alongside 16-year-old Polish guitarist Iggy Gwadera, will release its debut album, "Kill The King", in May via Metal Mind Productions.

"Kill The King" track listing:

01. The Rider02. Young Blood03. One More For Rock'n'roll04. Guardian Of Your Heart05. Transition06. The Resistance07. Exodus (The Red Sea Crossing)08. Heart Of Steel09. Wild Woman (You Oughta Know)10. Get Out Of My Way11. I Don't Wanna Lose You

The first international single, "Wild Woman (You Oughta Know)", can be streamed below. The front cover illustration of the album was created by Polish graphic designer Jaroslaw Wieczorek and can be seen below.

The idea to record an album together was born after THIN LIZZY's concert in Poland. Mendoza — impressed with Iggy, who supported THIN LIZZY with his band ANTI TANK NUN — suggested that they record some music together. This first idea, which was maturing for the next dozen-odd months, eventually evolved into the above-mentioned project.

In a recent issue of Polish edition of Metal Hammer magazine, Vinny stated about WAMI: "The music is quite heavy. but not as dark as, for example, BLACK SABBATH or KILL DEVIL HILL. It's melodic music, and very well performed. I would label it high-quality heavy rock." He added: "When I first heard that music, I really liked it. Later on, I was informed that the guitarist is only 16 years old. I thought, 'Wow, what an incredible instrumentalist.' And then I learnt that Marco Mendoza will be involved in this project and that made me even more interested in this idea. The demo versions of the tracks sounded very promising so I can't wait for the final results."

KILLER BE KILLED, the new band comprised of Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA), Greg Puciato (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), Troy Sanders (MASTODON) and Dave Elitch (ex-THE MARS VOLTA), will release its self-titled debut album on May 13 (one day earlier internationally) via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur, whose credits include work with GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ESCAPE THE FATE, P!NK and STEVE EARLE. Cover art and packaging was executed by Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature Design, the Grammy-nominated design firm whose clients include ALICE IN CHAINS, FOO FIGHTERS, CHRIS CORNELL, DEVILDRIVER, MONSTER MAGNET, WOLFMOTHER and DEMON HUNTER.

"He's a Polish worker in the back of a dark truck, but he looked like a criminal to me," explains Clark about his choice for the cover's image. "Multiplying his face seemed to give him a sort of split personality/schizophrenic vibe, which feels like a good mesh. Not just for the band name but the idea of a (for the lack of a better term) supergroup." "Killer Be Killed" track listing:

01. Wings of Feather And Wax02. Face Down03. Melting Of My Marrow04. Snakes of Jehova05. Curb Crusher06. Save The Robots07. Fire To Your Flag08. I.E.D.09. Dust Into Darkness10. Twelve Labors11. Forbidden Fire12. Ghosts Of Chernobyl (vinyl-only bonus track)

MetalSucks placed Puciato at #1 on their list of the Top 25 Modern Metal Frontmen, but he also expresses himself through the dark electro-pop of THE BLACK QUEEN, together with NINE INCH NAILS touring guitarist Josh Eustis of TELEFON TEL AVIV and Maynard James Keenan's PUSCIFER. Puciato made a guest appearance in 2012 with MIXHELL, the DJ project of Max's brother, SEPULTURA co-founder Igor Cavalera. Cavalera is no stranger to collaborations, of course, having invited multiple guests onto SEPULTURA's genre-defining "Roots" and SOULFLY's gold-selling debut album in 1998. One such SOULFLY guest, Chino Moreno, has often joined Puciato onstage with both THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and DEFTONES. Max was one-half of the incendiary NAILBOMB, together with English record producer and FUDGE TUNNEL mastermind Alex Newport. The pair released one studio album in 1993 and performed a blistering set at the Dynamo festival in 1995. "We did the song on SOULFLY's 'Omen' and then we started talking about doing an entire album together, the way he had with Alex Newport," Puciato explains. "We eventually got together with some riffs we both had and wrote a bunch more material in a 72-hour blast out in the desert. We left with about 15 demos we made using the same drum machine and four track Max used working on 'Chaos A.D.'" Cognizant of the reputation both of them have cultivated after working with some of the world's best drummers, Puciato called upon David Elitch, who had toured internationally with the mind-bendingly psychedelic group THE MARS VOLTA. His expertise in everything from jazz to metal has led to live and studio collaborations with a diverse range of major artists including Justin Timberlake, French electronic wizards M83 and Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør. KILLER BE KILLED has come together even as their main projects hit a collective stride: Max just released his ninth studio album with SOULFLY, "Savages", to many of the strongest reviews of his legendary career. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's "One Of Us Is The Killer" debuted at #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Album chart earlier this year. MASTODON's most recent album, "The Hunter", was Album Of The Year in Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Classic Rock, Terrorizer and Total Guitar in 2011. MASTODON and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN have toured together many times. During one such tour in the U.S., in late 2011, Puciato was telling Sanders about the new project. Before too long, Sanders and Cavalera were meeting at a festival in South America for the first time: "Hey, I'm Troy. And I think we're in a band together." The electric chemistry was apparent the first time they all assembled. "Having met, created and recorded an album together, this experience has easily exceeded my initial expectations," says Sanders. "The collective energy and mutual respect for one another eased the entire process and has been very therapeutic for me." KILLER BE KILLED is: Greg Puciato - vocals, guitarMax Cavalera - vocals, guitarTroy Sanders - vocals, bassDave Elitch - drums

Photo credit: Glen La Ferman

Red Bank, New Jersey's RIOTGOD — which features in its ranks MONSTER MAGNET drummer Bob Pantella — will release its third album, "Driven Rise", on March 18 in North America via Metalville Records.

The video for the CD's title track can be seen below. "Driven Rise" track listing:

01. Driven Rise02. They Don't Know03. Grenade And Pin04. Sidewinder05. Prime Moment06. Positronic07. Davos08. Melisandre09. You're My Waste Of Time10. Beg For Power

In 2007, Pantella and bassist Jim Baglino of MONSTER MAGNET decided they wanted to form a band with musical ideas a bit different than their main gig. Guitarist Garrett Sweeny and vocalist/lyricist Sunshine were added and RIOTGOD was born.

In 2012, RIOTGOD welcomed Erik Boe to take over the bass spot from Baglino.

Says the band: "If you like unique, passionate, original, well done hard rock, you might want to keep track of us." RIOTGOD is:

Bob Pantella - DrumsGarrett Sweeny - GuitarErik Boe - BassSunshine - Vocals

AMARANTHE — the modern metal sextet from Gothenburg, Sweden — has confirmed an autumn 2014 release date for its new studio album via Spinefarm Records. The as-yet-untitled outing will be the follow-up to "Amaranthe" (2011, now gold in Sweden) and "The Nexus" (2013).

AMARANTHE's first two releases, which defined the band's approach through their signature blend of musical styles and voices, caused an international stir right from the start; not only did "The Nexus" top the rock chart in Sweden, but it went straight to No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Metal chart, while the videos (from both albums) have continued to clock up millions of views ("Hunger", from "Amaranthe", is now at the 6-million-plus mark).

The success of these records saw AMARANTHE playing to audiences all over the world, and now — following shows across Europe, including an appearance at the Bandit Rock Awards in Stockholm where one of the band's three singers, Elize Ryd, received the "Rock 'N' Role Model" award — the six-piece will head back into the studio.

Says AMARANTHE guitarist Olof Mörck: "2014 will indeed see the release of the next AMARANTHE record. We don't want to reveal any details yet, apart from this album representing a big step forward for AMARANTHE musically — where 'Amaranthe' and 'The Nexus' were closely connected, this new album is bolder and more different... but, of course, with the trademark AMARANTHE sound throughout." AMARANTHE will be on tour in Europe from March 14 until April 12.

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

The first in a series of short segments regarding the production side of making MACHINE HEAD's new CD can be seen below.

Tentative songtitles set to appear on the new MACHINE HEAD album include "Killers & Kings", "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".

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

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!"

New York hardcore legends MADBALL have entered the studio to begin work on their eighth full-length release, their first since 2010's "Empire". The band is recording basic tracks with Ken Susi (UNEARTH) at System Recordings in Grafton, Massachusetts. Additional recording will take place at Pinecrust Studios in Miami, Florida with Jonathan Nuñez at the helm. The CD will be mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with MADBALL on "Legacy" (2005) and "Infiltrate The System" (2007). The as-yet-untitled effort is slated for a mid-summer release.

MADBALL's latest EP, "Rebellion", was released digitally in 2012 via The BNB Label, a brand extension of vocalist Freddy Cricien's Black N Blue Productions group. The six-song effort contained four new tracks and newly recorded versions of two cuts from the band's legendary 1989 seven-inch single, "Ball Of Destruction". The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersberg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL).

"Rebellion" marked the first MADBALL recording with former UNEARTH and THE RED CHORD member Mike Justian, who had served as MADBALL's touring drummer for a couple of years.

"Empire" sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

In 2008, US-based power metallers AVIAN released their second full length album, Ashes And Madness. The album featured legendary vocalist Lance King, Yan Leviathan on guitars, Bill Hudson of CELLADOR and CIRCLE II CIRCLE fame on guitar solos, and Jerry B on drums.
The band followed up their 2006 debut, From The Depths Of Time, which featured MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, with an electrifying collection of majestic songs full of soaring vocals, heart pounding guitar riffs and guitar solos that would make even the most skeptical fan unlock his or her folded arms and cheer!

According to guitarist and main songwriter Yan Leviathan, “Unfortunately, we were a bit low on funds and short on time during the recording sessions for Ashes And Madness and the final result was not quite as good as we had hoped. I have worked on a number of recording sessions in the years since its release and decided to go through all of the files and do a full remix and remaster of the album.”

“What I found as I was going through all of the material, was that Lance did some really outstanding layers and sub-layers of vocals on the songs but they were getting totally lost. I managed to bring them back to life and I could not be happier with the end result. The same goes for the solos that Bill Hudson did; some of his intricate parts were getting lost a bit but now they cut through the mix and greatly add to the dynamics of the album.”

“Another thing that I noticed was that we had quite a few songs that ended on a fade; it kind of bothered me and I went through and redid a few of the outros so that they now end as they would during a live performance.”

Ashes And Madness – Special Edition is now available as a digital release at iTunes, Amazon and many other sites. The band also recorded an orchestral version of 'Beyond The Hallowed Gates' which is included on the Special Edition.

'Esoteric Lies':
'Thundersoul':
'Fall From Grace / Beyond The Hallowed Gates':
'Time And Space Part II: Unlock The Mystery':