Progressive metallers MIDHAVEN, based out of Mumbai, India. have signed to Universal Music (India) to release their debut full-length album. The release is slated for the end of March.
Commented Midhaven frontman Karan Kaul: "We're honoured that a major record label is appreciating the metal scene that has gradually grown over the years in our country. Signing with a label like Universal Music is an amazing feat for us, for a couple of years back, we were just a bunch of college kids with a dream."

"Midhaven is a brilliant young metal band we are thrilled to represent; their music is a powerful combination of skilful musicianship, mystic and emotive lyrics and unbridled enthusiasm. Their album is an intense start for a band who are committed to produce and perform the best that you can hear in this genre", said Sridhar TVN the A&R of Universal Music (India)

Midhaven was formed in 2011 and very quickly built a commendable following in the underground scene. In 2013 the band released their debut EP titled Tales From The Tide to much acclaim from fans. The EP though was more rock and the band changed their sound to a much heavier one for the new album.
The EP can be streamed at this location.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, THE PRETTY RECKLESS singer Taylor Momsen has a message for anyone who wants to judge her by her appearance, her personal life or her current job: it's none of your business. Momsen, still best known for her role as good-girl-gone-bad Jenny Humphrey on the show "Gossip Girl", told Kerrang! magazine, "I don't live my personal life publicly. What I do personally is, frankly, none of your business. If someone takes a picture of me smoking, they call me a bad role model… I'm just an artist. The role model is the music, not me as a person. I'm not here to be your entertainment — the music is." Momsen began acting at the age of three with a part in a Shake 'N' Bake commercial, landing her first big role as Cindy Lou Who in 2000's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".

She told The Pulse Of Radio that even now as a rock artist, she's not embarrassed by her early work as a child actor. "I mean, it's a part of your past so you roll with it, but I don't, I barely remember it," she said. "I mean, I was three in the commercial and five in 'The Grinch', so (laughs) it's a very distant memory. But when it's on, I'll leave it on for about two minutes and then I change the channel [laughs] — it's a little too trippy."

Some parents have slammed the title and lyrics of THE PRETTY RECKLESS' latest album, "Going To Hell", but Momsen told Kerrang! that they miss the meaning, explaining, "They're thinking of a shallow level of hell. It means that they aren't getting the point of the record. Touring the world changed my perspective. There are so many problems and it doesn't seem like anyone''s talking or writing about it."

The latest single from "Going To Hell", "Heaven Knows", is No. 2 this week on the rock radio chart.

The band is currently on tour in Europe with FALL OUT BOY but will return home to perform at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards on April 23 in Los Angeles.

"My Soul To Take", the new video from Danish hard rock veterans PRETTY MAIDS, can be seen below. The song comes off "Louder Than Ever" — a collection of new songs and re-recorded tracks from PRETTY MAIDS' past albums — which will be released on March 21 in Europe and March 25 in North America.

After celebrating thier 30th anniversary as a band and the release of their latest monumental album, "Motherland", the Danish melodic hard rockers are serving the fans with an album which includes eight re-recorded classic songs from the 1995-2006 era, plus four brand new songs specially written for this record and a special bonus DVD including archive footage from the '80s, brand new interviews and plenty of cool material for the fans!

"There were two main reasons for us to do this album," explains singer Ronnie Atkins. "First of all, we wanted to keep the ball in spin and release some kind of an 'in between' album before the next 'real' studio album. Then we were curious to hear how some of the older songs would sound like with the band lineup we have today and in the hands of our current producer, Jacob Hansen. The original idea was actually to do a mix of both re-recorded, re-mixed, covers and new songs, but in the end decided to cut it down to what it is. We deliberately chose not to re-record some of the Eighties and early Nineties material, since it's some kind of 'sacred,' both to ourselves as well as the fans."

The release of "Louder Than Ever" will be followed up by a three-to-four-week tour in Europe in May 2014. In addition, the band will appear at several festivals during the summer.

"Louder Than Ever" track listing:

CD:

01. Deranged (new song)02. Playing God03. Psycho Time Bomb Planet Earth04. My Soul To Take (new song)05. He Who Never Lived06. Virtual Brutality07. Tortured Spirit08. With These Eyes09. Nuclear Boomerang (new song)10. Snakes In Eden11. Wake Up To The Real World12. A Heart Without A Home (new song)

DVD:

* A Retrospective of the "Motherland" 2013 world tour* Includes archive footage from early stages of the band's career, interviews, backstage, studio footage and the usual freakiness.

PRETTY MAIDS is:

Ronnie Atkins: VocalsKen Hammer: GuitarRene Shades: BassAllan Tchicaja: DrumsMorten Sandager: Keyboards

"Dreamin' Of You", the new Shan Dan-directed video from Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sixth studio album, 2013's "Confessions", which sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BUCKCHERRY frontman Josh Todd tells Loudwire about the clip: "I grew up in Orange County, California, and before I got into music, when I was super young, I would surf every day and I wanted to be a pro surfer. So I spent a lot of time at the ocean, sitting on the beach thinking and I had a lot of things in my head that came from just sitting and looking out at the ocean."

He adds: "It's always been something very peaceful for me and that's what I wanted to capture in the song. I just felt like it fit the song. So to go down there and have a nice time and sit by the campfire and sing a song, that's what 'Dreamin'' kind of feels like to me. So that's why we did it. It was something really simple and cool."

As previously reported, BUCKCHERRY has completed work on a new EP that will follow up last year's "Confessions" album. Todd revealed the news in an interview with PopCultureMadness.com, saying, "We just made an EP that we're gonna be releasing in the spring that we're really excited about. I don't wanna give it away yet, but there's definitely a theme to this EP, and if you're a BUCKCHERRY fan, it's a must-have. So it's really cool, and probably one the funnest times I've had writing songs." Todd admitted that the band continues to make records despite the fact that CD sales across the board continue to decline. He explained, "The record will go away at some point, because it's a single-driven market now. Everybody's going on iTunes and they just buy the songs that they like — that's it. They don't buy records. I mean, you see it all the time now, even in pop music — (there'll be) a big pop single, and they'll sell millions of singles, and then the record drops and they sell, like, 15,000 units."

BUCKCHERRY guitarist Keith Nelson told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he wasn't discouraged by CD sales. "I believe in the album as an artform," he said. "I don't think that putting two songs that are gonna be played on the radio and then a bunch of filler stuff — that's not why we do this. But I have lost faith in the number of records sold as an indicator of success, because our audience is growing, our business is growing. Nothing has receded, except the actual number of physical records that are sold. So I don't think that's a true indication of our success."

Todd said in his interview that BUCKCHERRY has to tour more than ever to make up for the lack of CD sales, revealing, "You've gotta be on the road if you wanna make a living at this. There's no longer these days where you drop a single and sell millions of records and go out and tour for six months and then you can just chill and enjoy your life."

BUCKCHERRY will be on the road this month, starting on March 12 in Anaheim, California.

Fan-filmed video footage of from guitar virtuoso Gus G. — well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND — performing this past Saturday, March 8 at Block 33 in Thessaloniki, Greece can be seen below. Gus was joined at the gig by acclaimed Swedish hard rock vocalist Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION).

Gus G.'s debut solo album, "I Am The Fire", will be released on March 18 in North America via Century Media Records.

"I Am The Fire" track listing:

01. My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)02. Blame It On Me (featuring Mats Levén)03. I Am The Fire (featuring Devour The Day)04. Vengeance (featuring David Ellefson)05. Long Way Down (featuring Alexia Rodriguez)06. Just Can't Let Go (featuring Jacob Bunton)07. Terrified (featuring Billy Sheehan)08. Eyes Wide Open (featuring Mats Levén)09. Redemption (featuring Michael Starr)10. Summer Days (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)11. Dreamkeeper (featuring Tom S. Englund)12. End Of The Line (featuring Mats Levén)

The cover artwork, pictured below, was designed by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT, DREAM EVIL).

The video for the album's opening track, "My Will Be Done" (featuring Mats Levén), was produced by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on "I Am The Fire", and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN, LITA FORD), and vocalists Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, ex-JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). "I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include "Eyes Wide Open", "Redemption", "End Of The Line" and "Blame It On Me". The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing.

Gus G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL (Sweden), MYSTIC PROPHECY (Germany) and NIGHTRAGE (Greece), but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band that have helped him emerge as one of the world's top metal and rock guitarists. His work on Ozzy's "Scream" album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player magazine's "Best Metal Guitarist," the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder" award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece "Best Guitarist" on four separate occasions.

Finnish metal/rock act SHEAR will release its second album, "Katharsis", on March 24 in Europe and on April 1 in North America via Lifeforce Records. The artwork for the CD was created by TEXTURES bassist Remko Tielemans.

Another song, "Hollow, Black & Cold", from "Katharsis" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

"Katharsis" was recorded between April and October 2013 at Sound Supreme Studio and and 5by5 Studio, where the effort was also mixed. The mastering was handled by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The CD features a guest appearance by STRATOVARIOUS keyboardist Jens Johansson.

According to a press release, SHEAR "impresses with a mature and beneficial designed sound that is catchy and heavy at the same time. Just as important: SHEAR are playing authentic and honest music that is based on deep-seated emotions and a latent slope to great hymns. This is their 'Katharsis'. The chosen style is of subordinate importance for the effect of the perfectly balanced songs. Metal and rock come to fruition to create a Scandinavian heavy sound with a fresh approach and a convincing self-conception.

"Listening to 'Katharsis', you will fall in love with the charismatic voice of Alexa Leroux. But keep in mind: SHEAR is more than a female-fronted fairytale. Somewhere in between melodic metal, symphonic power and classical rock the Finns are heading for well-written and — simply — beautiful music with a unique charm."

SHEAR in 2012 parted ways with bassist Eerik Purdon and replaced him with Silver Ots (DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, THE NIBIRUAN, AMORAL).

SHEAR released its full-length debut, "Breaking The Stillness", in March 2012 via Lifeforce Records.

SHEAR guitarists Mikael Gronroos and Lauri Koskenniemi, and keyboardist Lari Sorvo have played together since 2001.

SHEAR is:

* Alexa Leroux - Vocals * Mikael Grönroos (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Guitar * Lauri Koskenniemi (THE NIBIRUAN, ELENIUM, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-IMPERANON) - Guitar * Silver Ots (DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, THE NIBIRUAN, AMORAL) - Bass * Lari Sorvo (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Keyboards * Juhana Karlsson (AMORAL, CRYSTAL BLAZE) – Drums

"Trails", the new video from Finnish metallers PROFANE OMEN, can be seen bwlow. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Reset", which will be released on March 14 via Spinefarm. According to the band, the follow-up to 2011's "Destroy!" "is the fastest, angriest and tightest PROFANE OMEN recording by far so far."

The group added: "We've never been afraid to try out new things and this one will not make an exception. It'll be a fast piece of metal with all our strengths in use."

"Reset" track listing:

01. The Instigator02. Mind The Trap03. Trails04. Intruder05. Percules06. Incognito07. The Ego08. The Garden09. Sonic Wings

"Destroy!" was released on September 28, 2011 via Spinefarm.

PROFANE OMEN is:

Jules Näveri (THE NIBIRUAN, ENEMY OF THE SUN) - VocalsWilliami Kurki - GuitarAntti Kokkonen - Guitar, Backing VocalsAntti Seroff - BassSamuli Mikkonen - Drums

Audio samples of all the songs that will appear on "The Human Contradiction", the new album from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, April 4Rest of Europe: April 7USA, Canada: April 8

"The Human Contradiction" track listing:

01. Here Come The Vultures02. Your Body Is A Battleground03. Stardust04. My Masquerade05. Tell Me, Mechanist06. Sing To Me07. Army Of Dolls08. Lullaby09. The Tragedy Of The Commons

The CD once again features a guest appearance by Marco Hietala of NIGHTWISH and TAROT; George Oosthoek (ex-ORPHANAGE); and THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.

Comments DELAIN: "We are very excited about the much-anticipated return of vocal force Marco Hietala on our upcoming record.

"After our collaboration with Marco on our first two albums, we can't help but hearing his voice in some of the songs we write! We love his contributions on 'The Human Contradiction': Marco adds greatly to the power of 'Your Body Is A Battleground' as well as to the melancholia of 'Sing To Me'."

Says Marco: "I've done quite a few visitations on select albums during my career. DELAIN and their albums are among the most frequent. If you listen to their stuff, you'll know why. Martijn and his group seem to have plenty to say, both musically and lyrically. Keep it up, mates!"

DELAIN last year released a special album, "Interlude", via Napalm Records. The effort was described in in a press release as "a fantastic blend of brand-new songs, special versions and mixes of popular DELAIN tracks, covers, and the beautiful single 'Are You Done With Me'. Thanks to the new mix, the well-known anthem shines with a new-found splendor. The album includes a special DVD featuring exclusive live footage and clips from the band's career.

Universal Music has announced the deluxe release of DEEP PURPLE's seminal live album "Made In Japan" in multiple formats on May 19.

An extended trailer promoting the upcoming release can be seen below.

Together with LED ZEPPELIN and BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE has been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal" in the early to mid-Seventies. One of the most influential and important guitar bands in history, they have sold over 100 million albums worldwide.

"Made In Japan" was recorded live over three nights during August 15–17, 1972 at Festival Hall, Osaka and Budokan, Tokyo. Four of the tracks come from the band's 1972 "Machine Head" album. It featured what many consider the classic DEEP PURPLE lineup — Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Roger Glover (bass), Jon Lord (organ) and Ian Paice (drums). Originally recorded only for the Japanese market, the album has since become seen as one of DEEP PURPLE's seminal albums, and one of the greatest live albums of all time (A Rolling Stone magazine readers poll in 2012 voted "Made In Japan" as the sixth greatest live album of all time).

May 19, 2014 will see the album newly remastered and released in a number of special formats. The format options include previously unseen footage on DVD, bonus material and mixes, memorabilia and a hardback book.

The "Made In Japan" formats:

* Limited Edition Super Deluxe 4 CD+DVD+7" Boxed Set and Limited-Edition Super Deluxe 9LP Boxed Set* Deluxe Edition 2CD* 180g 2LP* Blu-ray Pure Audio* HD Download* MFiT* Standard Digital format

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich last year told writer Peter Makowski that he is working on getting his all-time favorite band, DEEP PURPLE, a long-overdue spot in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Asked why the creators of "Smoke On The Water" were not in there yet, Ulrich said, "What you've got to understand is that a lot of the people that have run the selection process are critics, and DEEP PURPLE, as you know, were never a critic's band — especially in America, because their influence was probably felt more in Europe." But Ulrich added, "It's only a matter of time. Rather sooner than later. We've already lost one member. The fact that LED ZEPPELIN and BLACK SABBATH are in and PURPLE is not is one of the crimes of that whole institution. We'll get them in soon enough. I'm working on it."

Founding PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord passed away in July 2012. Ulrich, who wrote a tribute to Lord on METALLICA's web site, told Makowski, "I'm not sure that the people in today's hard rock world really truly understand how innovative this guy was . . . he really did something nobody had done before with the sound of the keyboards and I think that's probably the biggest thing to remember him for."

At their own induction in 2009, METALLICA's James Hetfield included PURPLE on a list of acts they wanted to see in the Hall. "We're somewhat of a heavy band and we have a small list that we'd like to also put some nods out and maybe plant a little seed, it's a band called DEEP PURPLE, THIN LIZZY, RUSH, KISS, TED NUGENT, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD... who we would love to invite through the door now."

DEEP PURPLE was denied entry to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013 — losing out to such artists as American pop singer-songwriter Randy Newman and R&B singer Donna Summer.

The members of PURPLE, who released a new album titled "Now What?!" on April 30, 2013 in North America via earMUSIC, say it is no big loss.

"I fought against, all my life, becoming institutionalized. So it really does not affect me," singer Ian Gillan told Noisecreep. "But on the other hand, my family and friends and everyone that has stuck with us all these years, it means something to them. They love that recognition.

"To analyze it, and I'll try not to sound cocky or anything, I will say it as respectfully as I can, it's sort of like the Oscars and Grammys and the other awards like that — in the States, just like it is in England, and other places — these awards and honors are usually not decided by the fans, but by a cartel of influential people. These are the same people that decided THE MONKEES were America's answer to THE BEATLES. [laughs]

"So I'm not too concerned about it. Maybe it will happen one day, bit if not, my diary is full and I'm very happy. It hasn't affected our career but it does concern the fans — that's who I feel for."

Pulverised Records welcomes diabolical Swedish black metal overlords NIDSANG to the label roster. Forged in hellfire during 2004, Nidsang very quickly rose to become one of the most wrathful extreme bands around; absolute relentless and cold-blooded black metal that sounds like no other even until today.
Now after a decade since the band’s inception, Nidsang have returned triumphantly in its serpent form and back with their most powerful album to date, entitled Into The Womb Of Dissolving Flames. The cover artwork was designed and depicted by Petter Leijon and can be seen below:
Tracklisting:

'Black Void Revelations'
'The Gathering Shadows'
'The Burning Beyond'
'Layil'
'Veneration Of The Fiery Blood'
'Eschatonic Catharsis'
'Abysmal Origins'

'The Gathering Shadows':
In an official statement by the band: "Restless it lie in the filth of creation. Years of silence have not been in vain. At last, the restless hunger spawned seven songs of madness - Into The Womb Of Dissolving Flames. It is our greatest achievement up to this point, uncompromising and sincere. The signing with Pulverised is a step in the right direction.”
Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin Chiang also commented: “Without any doubt, the new Nidsang record is one of the most crushing black metal album we have heard recently, but by putting them into the black metal category does sounds somewhat pigeonholed. Into The Womb Of Dissolving Flames contains all the essence of transcendent songwriting and with just the right dosage of dissonant brutality, the new album is probably Nidsang's most accomplished and diverse album to date and never for a moment compromising on what truly is Nidsang's undeniable trademark sound.”

Further details to follow.

UK blackened thrashers CULTFINDER have released their new mini-CD, Hell's Teeth, via Eldritch Lunar Miasma.
Comprised of three re-recorded tracks from their 2011 demo tape plus two brand new, punked-up anthems, this MCD sees the trio continue to hone their catchy-as-syphilis, NIFELHEIM-via-ABIGAIL-influenced chaos, barely reining in the clattering, blasting mayhem for the occasional doom-laden interlude. A short, sharp hammer-smash to the senses, Hell's Teeth will light the Satanic fires of anyone who likes their black metal nasty, fast and wholly unpretentious.
Tracklisting:

'Heathen Visions'
'All Conquering Death'
'The Devil's Whore'
'Morbid Breed'
'Drink To The Devil'
'Unholy Orders'
'The Scourging Angel'

Hell's Teeth by CULTFINDER

Italian metallers ANDROMEDA will soon release their debut album, Shock, via Southern Brigade Records.
The band explores with great dexterity and creativity the pretty unusual territory of metal music in the Italian language and, if this doesn't sound original enough, they also bring a substantial dose of personality in songwriting for a final well-recognizable sound and, at the same time, with a very direct and strong impact.

These qualities have led this Italian band to the attention of the label Southern Brigade Records with which they signed a contract for the production of their debut album, Shock, which will be promoted and distributed by Scarlet Records. The album consists of nine tracks and was recorded at the renowned Golem Dungeon Studios in Bari.

The band's sound is easier to hear than to describe it. You could give an inkling saying it is a skilful mixture of powerful guitar riffs and melodies with various stylistic nuances that takes something good from every kind of good rock music. Apart from all the specialty shops of the world, you will also be able purchase a digital version of Shock on all major download platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and CDBaby.

TOOL has released a statement to RollingStone.com explaining how a misunderstanding between the band's guitarist and a fan led to speculation that the group had completed its new studio album.

"Last night, Adam Jones, in a private conversation with fans attending the Portland TOOL concert, joked that the band's new album was not only finished but coming out the next day," the statement reads. "Unfortunately, his off-the-cuff joke was taken out of context. Work on the forthcoming album is ongoing and as soon as it is done, trust me, we will be the first to let everyone know."

Jones posted a message on his Twitter profile stating, "FYI, 'The record's done and it's coming out tomorrow' is what I said yesterday, followed by 'just kidding. . . '"

TOOL kicked off its spring tour at Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington on Tuesday (March 4) with a two-hour collection of fan favorites but not a single new tune in sight. According to RollingStone.com, the Los Angeles band opened its set with "Hooker With A Penis" and blasted through hits like "Vicarious", "Schism" and "Jambi" before ending with the triple knockout of "Forty-Six & 2", "Ænema" and "Stinkfist".

The instrumental members of TOOL have acknowledged working on new music for a large portion of the past year, but have yet to give any sign that they are ready to hit "record."

TOOL's last album, "10,000 Days", came out in 2006. The band has toured a few times since then.

Keenan has kept himself busy with his Arizona wine-making business and his band PUSCIFER, along with doing some live work and a little new music with A PERFECT CIRCLE.

Helsinki, Finland-based stoner rockers ALBINÖ RHINO will release their self-titled debut album on April 30 via Inverse Records. According to a press release, the CD "takes a slightly more straightforward approach than its predecessor, the 2013 EP 'Return Of The Goddess', but maintains the idea of letting songs flow freely and allow them length without limiting them unnecessarily with traditional pop song structures. The aim was to deliver an album which could be presented live as it is layed down on tape, on single takes, without 'Pro Tooling.'"

ALBINÖ RHINO is inspired by the entire spectrum of doom metal from the '70s to this day, including such bands as BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, SLEEP and REVEREND BIZARRE.

With ALBINÖ RHINO's new album, the listener can lose himself for a 40-minute trip that ranges from looping riffs to classical doom through heavy rock to something that then suddenly takes you on a rolling psychedelic journey for 15 minutes as a finale where one can rebuild himself back together again.

"Albinö Rhino" track listing:

01. The Forest Prevails (9:13)02. Sanctification (7:30)03. Blue Mist (7:49)04. Uphold The Light (Part I) (14:22)

ALBINÖ RHINO is:

Kimmo Tyni - Guitar, VocalsVille Harju - Bass, VocalsViljami Väre - Drums

French melodic death metal act OBDURATED will release their new album, I Feel Nothing, digitally and on CD on April 7th via Mighty Music. Following the footsteps of pioneering countrymen, Obdurated attempts to pass on the proud French, melodic metal heritage that forerunners such as GOJIRA, YRKOON and DAGOBA have paved before them.

Discerning the great Scandinavian melo-death tradition, NWOBHM and the modern US thrash scene, Obdurated has sought inspiration in some of the grand masters of these genres such as IN FLAMES, IRON MAIDEN and MACHINE HEAD on the bands third release, the first one with Mighty Music, I Feel Nothing - an album wound up with melody, technique and speed, and permeated with soaring guitar melancholia, fast pounding drums and aggressive, opinionated vocals that leave a heavy impression on its listeners.

Obdurated are no newcomers to the French metal scene. Since 2001 has the band released two albums and a cover-EP to great media appraisal, and played all over France at numerous occasions supporting heavy weights of the international metal scene such as NAPALM DEATH, SYBREED and BENIGHTED in front of massive crowds at festivals such as Coolnesstival, Chaulness Metal Fest, etc. Now its time for the rest of the world.

Under the wings of the Danish metal experts Mighty Music, Obdurated now for the first time reaches out for a global metal audience with the release of their first international album I Feel Nothing.
Tracklisting:

'Nomophobia'
'Strive'
'Hoax'
'Wisest'
'Unreason'
'Haeven'
'Dereliction'
'Unhealthy'
'Dishearten'
'Forefathers'

Album teaser:

Berlin black metallers SHRIKE are going to release their new album on April 11th. The band has now revealed some details about the successor to their previous atmospheric album Hinab In Die Vertraute Fremdheit. The new record will be titled Sieben and contains five songs.
Sieben tracklisting:

‘Kreise’
‘Kadaver’
‘Shrike’
‘Die Farben Der Sehnsucht’
‘Grimassen’

For more info visit ShrikeBerlin.com.

The international black/doom metal collaboration THE COMMITTEE has published a new promo video for the title track from their new album Power Through Unity. The album will be released tomorrow (February 28th) via Folter Records.
Power Through Unity tracklisting:

‘Not Our Revolution’
‘The Man Of Steel’
‘By My Bare Hands’
‘The Last Goodbye’
‘Katherine’s Chant’
‘Power Through Unity’

For more info visit this location.

Serbian death/thrash maniacs INFEST have just finished the recordings for their fourth album Cold Blood War which is ready to be released on April 1st through Xtreem Music.
Cold Blood War tracklisting:

‘Intro’
‘Destroyer Of Their Throne’
‘Of Everlasting Hate’
‘Kill Their Weakness’
‘Among The Fallen Ones’
‘Demonic Wrath’
‘Nuclear Warlust’
‘Cold Blood War’
‘Terror Lord’
‘Neka Vatre Gore’ (bonus)

A video-clip of the song ‘Of Everlasting Hate’ is being filmed shortly and the band is finishing the booking of their upcoming European tour during the second half of May, presenting their brand new album of what's going to be a total death/thrash onslaught full of blood and violence.

'Destroyer Of Their Throne':
For more info visit Facebook.

AndrewHaug.com has uploaded video footage of GOJIRA's February 23 performance at the Sydney stop of this year's Soundwave festival in Australia. Check it out below.

This spring, GOJIRA will release "Les Enfants Sauvages", a limited edition 5" x 7", 60-page hardcover photo book chronicling the band's journey around the world over the last two years, since the release of their critically acclaimed Roadrunner debut, "L'Enfant Sauvage". The images were taken around the globe, spanning over 150 shows on three continents, and were hand-selected by GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier and his brother, drummer Mario Duplantier. The package also includes a live CD and DVD capturing last year's performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England. In addition to the CD/DVD/book, a bundle that includes an exclusive T-shirt is available.

"Les Enfants Sauvages" track listing:

01. Intro02. Explosia03. Flying Whales04. Backbone05. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe06. L'Enfant Sauvage07. Toxic Garbage Island08. Wisdom Comes09. Jam10. Oroborus11. Drum Solo12. The Axe13. The Gift Of Guilt

GOJIRA has also premiered a live performance of "Flying Whales" along with a gallery of images from "Les Enfants Sauvages" over at Noisey.

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Way Of All Flesh", opened with 4,200 units back in 2008 to land at No. 138.

"L'Enfant Sauvage" entered the official chart in France at position No. 7 (No. 17 on the digital chart).

"L'Enfant Sauvage" (which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

Reunited U.K. thrashers XENTRIX played a new song, "World Of Mouth", last night (Saturday, March 8) at the Up The Hammers Festival in Athens, Greece. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

XENTRIX played its first show in almost seven years on April 14, 2013 at the Moses Gate in Bolton, England.

XENTRIX has had numerous offers to reform over the years but original singer Chris Astley always declined and as guitarist Kristian Harvard stated, "without him, it wasn't really XENTRIX." Astley has since had a change of heart and the promise of recording new material has prompted him to return to the fold and bring back one of the U.K.'s best-loved thrash bands. Originally thrust into the public eye in the late '80s after their demo received a five-K review in Kerrang!, which in turn caught the attention Roadrunner Records, XENTRIX soon found themselves in the studio making "Shattered Existence". Of course, their now-infamous cover of "Ghostbusters" remains a firm favorite with fans old and new as does the band's phenomenal second album, "For Whose Advantage?", which is regarded as a bonafide thrash classic. The band went onto enjoy a short-but-successful career that saw them share stages with SLAYER, TESTAMENT, SEPULTURA, ANNIHILATOR, SABBAT, TANKARD and SKYCLAD before calling it a day in 1996, having become disillusioned with the U.K. metal scene.

XENTRIX previously reunited with their original lineup in 2006 for a two gigs in their home country.

XENTRIX released four albums on Roadrunner Records: "Shattered Existence" (1989), "For Whose Advantage" (1990), "Dilute to Taste" (1991) and "Kin" (1992). They also issued "Scourge" (1996) on Heavy Metal Records with Simon Gordon on vocals and Andy Rudd on guitar.

Video footage of SKINLESS performing on January 17 at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, New York can be seen below. Also available is an interview with the band, courtesy of Shed My Skin TV.

SKINLESS is currently writing material for the long-awaited follow-up to 2006's "Trample The Weak, Hurdle The Dead" for an early 2015 release.

Says guitarist Noah Carpenter: "SKINLESS is far overdue for a new album so that will be our priority for the [this] year. Basically, we're going to put the 'Progression', 'Foreshadowing' and 'Trample' albums into a blender, add some guitar solos and serve up the heaviest SKINLESS release yet."

Formed in 1992 in Albany, New York, SKINLESS has released four full-length albums and numerous EPs throughout its 20-plus-year career. After disbanding in 2011, the group is now back together with the classic "Progression Towards Evil" lineup (Sherwood Webber on vocals, Noah Carpenter on guitar, Joe Keyser on bass, Bob Beaulac on drums) plus the recent addition of Dave Matthews on second guitar. SKINLESS 2014 is:

Sherwood Webber - VocalsNoah Carpenter - GuitarDave Matthews - GuitarJoe Keyser - BassBob Beaulac -Drums

Perfomance:

Finland-based death metallers DESECRESY will release their third album, Chasmic Transcendence, on April 15th on CD via Xtreem Music. A vinyl release will be available at a later date.

Chasmic Transcendence offer 14 songs, shorter in length compared to the band's previous albums, but following the same style or perhaps even heavier and mid paced.
Tracklisting:

'The Ethereal Bane'
'Shattered Monuments'
'The Denied Legacy'
'The Eye Of Death'
'Cyclonic Mass Consumptor'
'Sons Of The Burning God II'
'Celestial Intoxication'
'Climber Of The Sky'
'Hibernant Orbs'
'Travellers Of Forbidden Planes'
'Voracious Mass'
'Waters Of Neptune'
'Infinite Halls'
'Autumn Of Souls'

'Voracious Mass':

Cleveland, Ohio's BLACKSTONE - who were recently joined by Eric Elkins, drummer for Tim "Ripper" Owens' BEYOND FEAR - have released their debut album, Cast The First Stone, available digitally everywhere. The album was produced and engineered by HYDROGYN's Jeff Westlake.
Tracklisting:

'Underground'
'You'
'Rejection'
'Web Of Lies'
'Wings'
'Clock On The Wall'
'Misery'
'No One Else'
'Any Wonder'
'Prisoner'

Check out Blackstone at Facebook.

Tony Mills, singer for British hard rock outfit SHY, checks in with the following news:

"Somewhere around late summer/early autumn, we plan to schedule the release of the DVD, for the Shy concert that was performed as a tribute to our late, great Steve Harris, who we all miss very much.

It is hoped that we can tie it in with the Firefest concert in October, to benefit the Brain Tumour Foundation/Trust that the concert originally supported and it's network.

Here is a song that was originally released in 1987 on the Excess All Areas album. It's here as a sample clip from the concert; we hope we enjoy it as much as we did performing it again and many of the other songs that are planned for the show at Firefest in October this year."
In the footage below, Shy perform 'Telephone' at at The Asylum, Birmingham in 2013 at the Tribute To Steve Harris concert:
Check out Tony Mills' Facebook page for more info.

Danish based atmospheric black metallers SUNKEN have announced their signing to the Portuguese label Nordavind Records. Following their EP The Crackling Of Embers, the band is working on their debut full-length, to be released later this year or early 2015 on Nordavind Records.

Martin Thomasen, lead singer of Sunken, commented on the signing:

“We're thrilled to announce our signing with Nordavind Records. It seems like a great label for the release of our debut full-length album, and we're looking forward to work with them for the fore-seeable future.”
Nordavind Records co-owner Joel C. added the following: “We are very proud to begin this collaboration with Sunken. We will do everything we can to get the band to the top and I’m sure they will get many fans all over the world with their upcoming release.”

Sunken were formed in 2012 with the purpose of producing long, atmospheric pieces inspired by the ocean, the surrounding nature and melancholic thoughts.

For more info visit Facebook.

Switzerland’s SULTAN is having their 1990 debut, and only album Check & Mate reissued by Divebomb Records as a deluxe edition.

An overview of the album:

“During the 80's you could count the number of prominent Swiss metal bands on one hand, but that didn't mean there weren't a plethora of bands trying to fight for their shot at international stardom like CELTIC FROST and CORONER had already achieved. Sultan were one those hardworking bands whose origins date back to 1986. Instead of simply recording a demo, Sultan tried to differentiate themselves from the pack by self-releasing a vinyl single entitled ‘Rebel Fire’.

Despite the single's initial success, four years would pass as Sultan were plagued by frequent line-up changes but were finally able to release their magnificent debut, Check & Mate, in 1990. Sultan successfully fused both the past and present on Check & Mate by channeling NWOBHM influences, while harnessing the escalating momentum of the newly established European power metal scene. Sadly, after one final tour in 1991 the band would call it quits leaving Check & Mate as
their one and only album, but what an amazing album it was!”
Deluxe Edition notes:
-Two bonus tracks from first 45rpm single (1986)
-Archival band photos (Eight page booklet)
-Brand new interview with drummer/founding member – Fabian Ranzoni
-Out of print nearly 20 years
-Limited Edition
-New mastering by Jamie King
-Layout/restoration by Adam Peterson (WATCHTOWER, EPIDEMIC, SOLSTICE)

Check & Mate tracklisting:

‘Falcon’
‘Pictures Of Heidi’
‘For The Light’
‘Whizzing’
‘Mary’
‘Darkness’
‘Night Knights’
‘Hard Nights, Heavy Pleasure’
‘Jingle’
‘Shout In The Fight’

Bonus tracks:

‘Rebel Clever’
‘Power Of Fire’

Check & Mate can be ordered at this location and can be streamed on Bandcamp.

Divebomb Records has reissued the 1989 album Dead End from German act GRINDER.

An overview of the album:

“During the height of the worldwide thrash movement there were several epicenters of activity. While New York and the Bay Area were perhaps the most prominent, Germany’s big three; SODOM, KREATOR and DESTRUCTION were leading the charge on the European front. However, what some thrash fans may not be aware of is that there was a secondary stratum to that scene which had some phenomenal, albeit lesser known, acts recording some ambitious material. Grinder were one of those bands who released three albums worth of ‘in your face’ thrash/speed metal during their brief existence. Divebomb Records is excited to present a deluxe edition of what we believe to be their most impressive album, Dead End, which features not only nine bonus tracks but new interview and archival photos provided by the band members themselves.”
Deluxe Edition notes:
-Nine bonus tracks
-Band supplied archival photos/show flyers (16 page booklet)
-Brand new band interview
-Restored original art by Andreas Marschall (BLIND GUARDIAN, SODOM, KREATOR)
-Produced by Kalle Trapp (Blind Guardian, Destruction, Kreator, DRIFTER, PARADOX)
-First time on CD in North America
-Out of print nearly 20 years
-Limited edition
-New mastering by Jamie King
-Layout/restoration by Adam Peterson (WATCHTOWER, EPIDEMIC, SOLSTICE)

Dead End tracklisting:

‘Agent Orange’
‘Dead End’
‘The Blade Is Back’
‘Inside’
‘Just Another Scar’
‘Total Control’
‘Why’
‘Train Raid’
‘Unlock The Morgue’

Bonus tracks:

‘Reeling On The Edge’
‘Incarnation’
‘Truth In The Hands Of Judas’
‘Hymn For The Isolated’
‘The Spirit Of Violence’
‘Nothing Is Sacred’
‘None Of The Brighter Days’
‘Dear Mr. Sinister’
‘NME’

Order Dead End at this location and stream the album on Bandcamp.