Vocalist Amanda Somerville (TRILLIUM, AVANTASIA) and Sander Gommans (ex-AFTER FOREVER) have released the first song, 'Revelation', from the new HDK album, Serenades Of The Netherworld. It is available for digital download here.
Somerville has checked in with the following update:

"In light of the ever-changing music industry, we've decided to release Serenades Of The Netherworld in a new and unique way. All good things take time and this will be no exception with one door - in the form of a song - opening at a time.

Creating a new album of songs is always an exciting process with lots of fresh impulses and glimpses around corners we've maybe never turned before. We want this release to mimic that experience by inviting you to embark on a journey with us. Settle in. Become familiar with the story, the soundscapes, the messages and emotions conveyed. And look forward to the next chapter that will continue to weave the tapestry in the tale of the Serenades Of The Netherworld..."

Serenades Of The Netherworld is the follow-up to HDK's 2009 debut, System Overload. The tracklist is as follows:

'Revelation'
'Electric Soul'
'Mortal Zombie'
'Serenade Of The Netherworld'
'Return from Tomorrow'
'Let Life Be Done'
'Eternal Journey'
'Witness'
'Book Of Lies'
'Omega'

Audio samples and a studio report are available below:
HDK is:

Sander Gommans - guitars, bass
Amanda Somerville - vocals
Geert Kroes - vocals (DEAD MAN'S CURSE)
Koen Herfst - drums (DEW SCENTED, I CHAOS)
Uri Dijk - keyboards (TEXTURES)
Erik van Ittersum - keyboards

Guests:
Mark Burnash - bass (TRILLIUM)
Paul Owsinski - guitar (TRILLIUM)
Stephen Pursey - guest solo

For more information go to this location.

Chicago's LORD MANTIS will release their new album, Death Mask, on April 29th via Profound Lore Records. The album track 'Body Choke' is now streaming below.

A press release states: “The four depraved individuals who form the Lord Mantis cult - bassist/vocalist Charlie Fell, guitarist/vocalist Andrew Markuszewski, drummer Bill Bumgardner and newly inducted guitarist/vocalist Ken Sorceron - have culminated their contempt for humankind and some of the most horrific personal experiences over recent years into an exceptionally malevolent entity on Death Mask. Unleashing something far darker even than their already iniquitous prior LP's - 2009's Seventh Rule debut, Spawning The Nephilim, and 2012's Candlelight-released Pervertor - the visceral punishment one will endure on the seven works of Death Mask is not for the weak. Dredging forth their most disturbing works yet, born forth from some of the darkest recesses of the human psyche, Lord Mantis recorded the fifty-minute album with Sanford Parker (TWILIGHT, VOIVOD, EYEHATEGOD, YOB) at Chicago-based Electrical Audio and Soma Studios, who is also responsible for engineering both prior albums. INDIAN's guitarist/vocalist Dylan O'Toole also contributed additional vocals on two of the tracks on Death Mask, adding yet another dose of nihilism to the mix.”

The cover art for Death Mask, from the warped visualization of tattooist/musician Jef Whitehead (LEVIATHAN, Twilight), has been released along with the full tracklisting.

Following the springtime release of Death Mask, Lord Mantis will tour out to the East Coast this summer, as the henchmen have now been confirmed to raid the third annual New York City-based underground fest, Martyrdoom. Running from June 27th through July 1st at Brooklyn's Saint Vitus Bar, Lord Mantis is now locked to perform the final night of brutality alongside MOURNFUL CONGREGATION, LYCUS, VILKACIS and EVOKEN that evening alone. A full tour routing based around the Martyrdoom set will be announced in the coming weeks, amidst additional live events.

Death Mask tracklisting:

‘Body Choke’
‘Death Mask’
‘Possession Prayer’
‘You Will Gag For The Fix’
‘Negative Birth’
‘Coil’
‘Three Crosses’

'Body Choke':

'Highway To Heaven', the second video from Danish/German hard rockers MIRACLE MASTER, can be seen below. The clip was directed and produced by Germany’s MV Video Productions. The song, is taken from the band‘s debut album, Tattooed Woman, due on March 7th via GoldenCore Records/ZYX Music in Europe/North America and April 23rd via Bickee Music in Japan. The Japanese version of the album includes two bonus tracks.

Recordings for Tattooed Woman were done at Studio 22, Germany and Medley Studios Copenhagen, Denmark. Produced, mixed and mastered by Miracle Master and Axel Heckert (BRAINSTORM, SMYPHORCE). The cover artwork for the CD was created by Matthias Bäuerele of SeasonZero, and can be seen below:
Tattooed Woman tracklisting:

‘Come Alive’
‘Stay With Me’
‘Tattooed Woman’
‘We All Touch Evil’
‘Forgive Yourself’
‘Fly Away’
‘Miracle Master’
‘Highway To Heaven’
‘Will To Survive’
‘Why Religion’
‘Tear Down The Walls’
‘Miles Broken’*
‘She Ain’t Mine’ (acoustic) - Japanese bonus track

'Highway To Heaven' video:
'Tattooed Woman' video:
Tattooed Woman teaser:
Miracle Master have scheduled an exclusive CD release party and live show for Tattooed Woman, on Saturday, March 15th at Rock Cafe KISS in Hechingen, Germany. The band will play the new album in its entirety, during the more-than-two-hour event, including an after show party.
A video teaser for the event can be viewed below:
Miracle Master are:

Oliver Weers – Vocals (Oliver Weers Band)
Aki Reissmann – Guitars (ex-Pump, DOWNSPIRIT)
Selly Bernhardt – Guitars (ex-Pump, TALES OF SORROW)
Andy Minich – Drums (ex-Pump, UNFROYND)
Michael Vetter – Bass (ex-Pump, CHINCHILLA)

Today (February 28th) sees TROLLFEST release a digital single from their upcoming sixth full-length album Kaptein Kaos. The single, titled 'Ave Maria', recounts one of the adventures that befall the time-travelling hero of the album Kaptein Kaos, who ends up in Jerusalem during his travels and meets an attractive, and very willing, young maiden who he seduces with a song. Nine months later, and with the eponymous hero long gone, the maiden finds herself in somewhat of a tricky situation, especially as she lives in a puritan village, so she explains that her child was "sent from God". As with the album, artwork for "Ave Maria" is by the Swedish cartoonist Jonas Darnell and designer Terje Johnsen. 'Ave Maria' will be available on NoiseArt Records from all the usual digital distributors.
A snippet from the song can be heard below:

TROLLFEST - Ave Maria (Song preview) by NoiseArtRecords

Kaptein Kaos was released on April 8th in North America via Napalm Records / Noise Art. The album is out in Europe on March 28th.

Recorded at the dUb Studio in Oslo and at the Trollskogen Recording Facilities, the album has been mixed by Endre Kirkesola. Once again the striking artwork is by Swedish Cartoonist Jonas Darnell and design by Terje Johnsen, both long-time collaborators with the band.
Kaptein Kaos tracklisting:

'Trolltramp'
'Kaptein Kaos'
'Vulkan'
'Ave Maria'
'Filzlaus Verkündiger'
'Die Grosse Echsen'
'Seduction suit no.21'
'Solskinnsmedisin'
'Troll Gegen Mann'
'Sagn Om Stein'
'Renkespill'
'Kinesisk Alkymi'
'Døden banker på'

Bonus DVD:

- The making of Kaptein Kaos
- Heidenfest tour video
- Paganfest tour video

Like previous albums Kaptein Kaos is set in the fantasy world of Trolls created by Trollfest. It tells the story of the Kaptein Kaos, who, according to the band ”is an inventor who creates a time machine and goes on an expedition across time to see some sights, taste some stuff and have some fun in ways that are exclusively available to people with time machines”. Musically, though, it seems that this time Trollfest have slightly changed direction. “Blasts beats and screaming” says the band “have given way to juicy rock grooves and rich melody lines, and the world music influence, which has been our trademark both in our use of instruments as well as melodies, has expanded to include Tango rhythms, Asian and Scandinavian folk music as well, of course, as the East European influence for which we are known”.

KORPIKLAANI’S Jonne Järvelä, one of the first people to hear the album, had this to say about it: "Trollfest are even more catchy, more melodic and more twisted than ever with their new Kaptein Kaos album. I really like its (good way) sick arrangements and instrumentation. Vocals are extremely variable and I never heard anything like this before. My personal highlight on the album is a song called 'Solskinnsmedisin'. Unbelievable album!"

To mark the release of the album Trollfest will be embarking on a 16 date headlining tour of Europe in April, which the band have dubbed the Kaos Over Europe Tour, supported by FINSTERFORST and CRYPTIC FOREST.

More information about Trollfest and their upcoming tour schedule can be found on the band’s website.

On January 25th, DOUBLE CRUSH SYNDROME - featuring frontman Andy Brings (THE TRACEELORDS, POWERGOD, SODOM) - celebrated their 1st Anniversary with a show in Essen, Germany at Freak Show. Live footage of the band performing 'Die For Rock N' Roll' and an official video clip for 'Blood On My Shirt' featuring footage shot on the night have been posted online:
The tracklist for the band's debut album, The You Filter, is as follows:

'She's A Pistol'
'Yeah! Pain!'
'We Cannot Be Ruled'
'Blood On My Shirt'
'Refuse To Kiss Ass'
'I´m In Love With You'
'Fuck You IS My Answer'
'With Me'
'Die For Rock 'N' Roll'
'Tonight'

Sell music on itunes at ReverbNation.com

Double Crush Syndrome is:

Andy Brings - vocals, guitar
Aurora Steffens - bass
Markus Herzog - drums

Check out the band and watch for updates on their official Facebook page.

THROW THE FIGHT has premiered their new music video for ‘When The World Stops Spinning’. The video was filmed while on the recent Monster Energy Outbreak Tour/HardDrive Live Tour with BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, and STARS IN STEREO. The tour was a smashing success and this video shows what life is like on the road for Throw The Fight.
Throw The Fight released their latest album, the John Feldmann (ATREYU, THE USED) produced, What Doesn’t Kill Us via Bullet Tooth last year. The album's debut landed the band a spot on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and continues the tradition of former acts from Minneapolis by delivering an authentic display of metal-edged, hard rock.

South Carolina´s gothic heavy psych band BLOODY HAMMERS recently signed with Napalm Records / Spinning Goblin. Their first single entitled ‘The Town That Dreaded Sundown’ is available for streaming. Limited editions of the 7” single are available for purchase at the Napalm Records web shop. The A side features ‘The Town That Dreaded Sundown’ and the B side is a non-album track called ‘Glimpse’, which will only be available on this release. The single is available in both white and red vinyl.
More details on Bloody Hammers’ new album will be made available in the coming weeks.

Finnish doom metal band ORDOG will release their fourth album, Trail For The Broken, digitally via Violent Journey Records on March 21st.
Tracklisting:

'The Trail'
'Scythe'
'Swarm of Abhorrence'
'I Ceased To Dream'
'Enter The Void'
'Devoted To Loss'
'Abandoned'
'The Crows of Towerpath'

'Enter The Void' lyric video:
Says the band: "The album continues the story which was laid on our previous albums, It's about getting older, introspection and finding yourself through affliction and pessimism. Musicwise we have evolved our sound to a more dynamic expression."

Finnish band CALLISTO, perhaps best known for their genre-defining classic Noir (2006), have joined forces with local label Svart Records. A new album - the band's fourth - will be recorded in the summer, and released in November of this year.
A transmission from the Callisto headquarters reads:

"Callisto and Svart Recorfds have agreed on a deal that will put the band’s fourth, yet-unnamed album out in November 2014. A long, nearly 12-year journey with Fullsteam Records has thus come to its end. It is also time to take new directions booking-wise.

From now on, Callisto will be booked by Nem Agency, both domestically and internationally. The band has been working on their upcoming album sporadically for a good while now, taking a hiatus from touring.

Callisto's first scheduled show this year is Germany’s Freakstock Festival in August. The band is now taking booking requests for a Finnish tour in November/December 2014 and abroad from January 2015 onwards."

Texas-based EUMERIA have checked in with the following update:

"Eumeria are excited to announce that bassist, Derek Blakley (HAJI'S KITCHEN, THOUGHT CHAMBER), has joined the band permanently.
Derek recently cut his teeth live with Eumeria in Houston, Texas and MIKE PORTNOY's Progressive Nation at Sea Cruise 2014, helping the band to put on a great live show for the Eumeria fans.

Derek also performed on several songs from Eumeria's debut album, Rebel Mind, as well as having worked with Bobby in Thought Chamber, so there was an immediate chemistry that gave renewed focus to the band’s direction going forward.

With Derek in place we're really looking forward to getting our teeth into the writing of the second album! So please give Derek a warm Eumerian welcome!

We would like to wish our original bassist and good friend, Shawn Kascak, all the best with his future projects.

New band photos to come soon!"

For information on Eumeria go to this location.

Liverpool, England-based "caveman battle doom" act CONAN will release their sophomore album, Blood Eagle, as a limited digipack and vinyl gatefold version on the following dates:

February
28 - Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Finland/Benelux

March
3 - UK/ Rest of Europe
5 - Spain/Sweden/Norway
11 - North America

According to a press release "the album is a doom/drone/stoner metal monument filled with monolithic riffs, hypnotic melodies, brutal drumming and an archaic atmosphere. Epic hymns transport the listener directly onto blood-soaked battlefields. "Blood Eagle" has a unique and raw character that will enthrall fans of AHAB, EYEHATEGOD or SUNN O))) with the very first note."
Tracklisting:

'Crown Of Talons'
'Total Conquest'
'Foehammer'
'Gravity Chasm'
'Horns For Teeth'
'Altar Of Grief'
'Foehammer' video:
Teaser #1:
To celebrate the release of Blood Eagle, Napalm Records will re-release a strictly limited collectors edition of Horseback Battle Hammer on vinyl. Updates to follow.
More on Conan at Facebook.

In the great mythologies of northern Europe, the Earth came into being within the union of fire and ice. Amid this strange mixture of extremities, folk-inspired black metal has become an exemplary musical expression for these ancient, fantastical stories and tales.
Inspired by the true masters within the genre, longtime friends Fritz Petersen andTim Wicklund would form IFING in 2010. The band's name is taken from the great river in Norse mythology which separates the realms of the gods and giants. Based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the duo have forged their sound into an atmospheric, elegant form of folk black metal in the grandiose tradition of BATHORY, WINDIR, SUMMONING, ULVER, and MOONSORROW. The resulting debut recording Against the Weald is dense with organic layers of synth, acoustics, blasting drums, and spacious hymns.
Finnish specialty metal label Blood Music is set to release this debut from Ifing on May 6th on digipack CD (1,000 copies) and a limited run of 300 vinyl LPs with 200 on silver, 100 on ebony.

As the ancient Norse used their natural world and surroundings to create myths, Ifing use these same ideas to convey Viking anthems of creation, the end, life and death, the afterlife, and the dichotomy of opposing forces on our world and beyond.

Listen to 'The Stream' below:

Bellingham, WA progressive rock/metal trio WILD THRONE (formerly known as DOG SHREDDER) emerges with Blood Maker, the debut EP under their new moniker. A mind bending amalgamation of progressive rock, metal, jazzy syncopations and swirling melodies, Blood Maker was recorded this past spring with legendary producer Ross Robinson (AT THE DRIVE IN, GLASSJAW, MACHINE HEAD). The album is set for release via Brutal Panda Records on March 4th via limited edition LP and digital download. A full stream is available below.
The cover art was designed by Orion Landau (RED FANG, INTER ARMA) and LP preorders are being taken at this location.
Video ‘Shadow Deserts’:
Guitarist/vocalist Josh Holland had this to say about the new material:

"Working with Ross Robinson on this new release is a huge step for us growing as a band. We went into the studio hoarding a ton of new material we had written since our last release and laid it all out in the open. He really believed in the music and helped us hone it all in and focus our energies on the best stuff for this record. We are thrilled with how it turned out and very excited to release these new songs with Brutal Panda!"
The band are fresh off a west coast run with Red Fang and HELMS ALEE, with additional tour dates set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Australian thrash metallers HIDDEN INTENT have revealed the tracklist of their debut full-length album Walking Through Hell. The new effort will be released by Punishment 18 Records on the market within the next few months.
Walking Through Hell tracklisting:

‘Confession’
‘Walking Through Hell’
‘Through Your Eyes’
‘Betrayed’
‘Die Inside’
‘Good Friday Thrash’
‘Get What You Can Get’
‘Face Your Demon’
‘Creature Of Habit’
‘Bass Wankage’
‘Black Hole’

'Walking Through Hell' video
Hidden Intent lineup:

Chris McEwen - Lead Bass/Vocals
Phil Bennett - Lead and Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals
Jay Rahaley - Drums and Percussion/Random screams

Melodic metallers SIGNUM REGIS are streaming a lyric video for 'Exodus', the title track of their third album, out via Ulterium Records.
Exodus features guest vocals by Lance King (ex-PYRAMAZE, BALANCE OF POWER), Michael Vescera (OBSESSION, ANIMETAL USA, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Matt Smith (THEOCRACY), Daísa Munhoz (VANDROYA, SOULSPELL), Eli Prinsen (SACRED WARRIOR, THE SACRIFICED), Samuel Nyman (MANIMAL), Thomas L. Winkler (GLORYHAMMER, EMERALD) , Göran Edman (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, JOHN NORUM) and Mayo Petranin (CASTAWAY). The album was mastered by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, JORN, CIRCUS MAXIMUS) and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE).

Exodus is a historical concept album about the Israelites who were enslaved in ancient Egypt.
Exodus tracklisting:

'On The Nile'
'Enslaved'
'The Promised Land'
'Let Us Go!'
'Wrath Of Pharaoh'
'The Ten Plagues'
'Last Days In Egypt'
'Exodus'
'Song Of Deliverance'
'Sole Survivor'
'Mountain of God' (CD bonus track)

'Exodus' lyric video:
'The Ten Plagues':
'The Promised Land':
Album teaser:
For more details visit Signum-regis.com.

Guitarist JOE STUMP (HOLYHELL, RAVEN LORD) has checked in with the following update:

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Post by Joe Stump.

Stump issued the following update in October 2013:

"I’ve just completed my first shred/metal guitar instruction book entitled Joe Stump’s Metal Guitar Chop Shop for Berklee Press/Hal Leonard to be released in early 2014. It covers a variety of techniques (speed scale warm-up drills, double/tremolo picking, diatonic scale patterns, soloing ideas/motifs, alternate and economy picking, open string licks/soloing ideas, arpeggio play, and some neo-classical things as well). There are several metal/shred guitar etudes/pieces that include backing tracks and the book, of course, comes with a CD. There’s a ton of info in it for players of all levels. It looks like I’ll be doing an arpeggio/sweep picking book for Berklee Press/Hal Leonard in the future as well."

"I’m currently writing and recording tracks for a new vocal project that involves Raven Lord singer Csaba Zvekan and former RAINBOW/GARY MOORE bassist Craig Gruber. I’ve got some great stuff in the Rainbow/DEEP PURPLE vein so hopefully this should shake out to be a killer record. More on that as it develops. Some more solo shows in the works (to be posted soon) as well as a possible European tour with RavenLord.

My entire back catalogue is now available on both Amazon.com and Itunes through Magic Circle Music."

For more info visit JoeStump.com.

UK-based metallers MONSTERWORKS have posted the music video for ‘Voyager’ off their upcoming album, Universe. Footage for the video is taken from various documentaries about the Voyager space mission and the "grand tour" of our solar system undertaken by its two spacecraft. Voyager 1 is the furthest from Earth of the two probes and has now entered interstellar space.
13.7 billion years in the making, Eat Lead And Die Music has announcde the impending release of Monsterworks' Universe on March 11th. The album will be available as a download and special-edition, numbered digipak 5.1 surround mix on DVD signed by the band, with lyric booklet.

Vocalist/guitarist Jon had this to say about the themes surrounding the album: "This is our follow up to Monsterworks: Earth from last year. We wanted to top ourselves conceptually, so how to surpass an album about the life cycle of Earth from birth to death? It could only be an album about the life cycle of the Universe from birth to death. At least it started out that way with lyrics exploring big bang to heat death, but it gets a little philosophical along the way considering the path mankind might take in its evolution. It is a bloody long time until the last black hole evaporates. Universe is an ode to the great void and everything in it. We aim to produce metal which blurs the boundaries between preposterousness and the familiar while hopefully initiating a little independent thought along the way."
Tracklisting:

'Universe'
'Grandiose'
'Voyager'
'The Bridge'
'Extropy'
'Heat Death'
'Outside Time'

Quebec City occult metal outfit DOOM'S DAY has released a lyric video for the song 'Crush The Cross' off their newly released sophomore album, The Devil's Eyes, available via PRC Music.
Doom's Day is a trip back to the roots, when metal music was Satan himself and punk music had a true meaning of rebellion. See Doom's Day live in their hometown on May 1st when they open for PRIMAL FEAR at Le Cercle.
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San Francisco doom-tinged metallers CASTLE have released a 7" single on their European label Van Records. The limited edition single features the band covering ALICE COOPER's 'Second Coming', as well as a demo track, 'Labyrinth Of Death' from their upcoming full length.

Details for the follow-up to 2012's Blacklands will be released in the coming weeks. For now the band have unveiled a lyric video for 'Second Coming'
European tour dates:

April
11 - Cafe Cairo - Würzburg, Germany *
12 - Boröm Pöm Pöm - Oberentfelden, Switzerland
13 - Slow Club - Freiburg, Germany
14 - La Zone - Leige, Belgium
15 - Feierwerk - Munich, Germany
19 - DNA - Brussels, Belgium
20 - Doornroosje - Nijmegen, Netherlands
21 - Little Devil - Tilburg, Netherlands
24 - Kulturpalast - Wiesbaden, Germany ^
25 - Vera - Groningen, Netherlands ^
26 - Desertfest - Berlin, Germany
27 - Underground - Cologne, Germany ^

May
1 - Katy's Garage - Dresden, Germany

* with CONAN
^ with Conan, GRAVIATORS

Norwerian prog rockers D’ACCORD have premiered the track 'Mr. Moonlight', from the upcoming D'AccorD III, out via Karisma Records on March 10th.

The nine track album was recorded at the fully analog Cowshed Studio in London. The mastering, once again in analogue format, was done at Fluid Mastering (DEEP PURPLE, ELVIS and JETHRO TULL), also in London.
Tracklisting:

'These Last Todays'
'Here Lies Greed'
'Lady Faboulus'
'Mr. Moonlight'
'Ibliss In Bliss'
'Song For Jethro'
'Mon – Sat: Part I'
'Mon – Sat: Part II'
'The Doom That Came To Sarnath' (bonus track)

'Mr. Moonlight':
Whilst D'AccorD's 2011 sophomore album Helike was a massive conceptual piece, this time the band has gone for much shorter and more varied tracks. D'AccorD's signature 70's progressive influences and musical complexity are still present, but so too is a more rock 'n roll feel and a harder edge to the songs.

As Karisma Records explained: "The choice of analogue studios for both recording and mastering may seem unusual in this digital day and age, but the band wanted the album to have a more authentic '70's sound, so not only was analogue used, but each individual track was recorded on the first take. The band's decision has certainly paid off and with D'AccorD III they have produced a classic rock album filled with adventurous and progressive sounds."

Inspired by the great bands from the '70's such as GENESIS, KING CRIMSON, PINK FLOYD and JETHRO TULL, D'AccorD was formed in Stord, Norway in 2008. With their self-released debut album getting a nomination for best 2009 Debut Album by Prog Awards, D'AccorD have played extensively both at home and abroad, and have, over the years, honed their sound, taking the best of 70's prog rock and bringing to it a fresh approach.

Today's lineup is comprised of charismatic frontman Daniel Maage (Vocals, Flute & various instruments), Årstein "Yearstone" Tislevoll (Keyboards, Violin, Guitar, Mandolin), Fredrik Errol Horn (Keyboards & Saxophone), Martin Sjøen (Bass), Bjarte Rossehaug (Drums) and Stig Are S(o)und (Guitar).

A video teaser for D'AccorD III can be seen below

Sweden’s MORBUS CHRON release their second full-length album, Sweven, today (February 24th) in Europe and on March 4th in North America via Century Media Records. The album track 'The Perennial Link' is now streaming below:
After the release of their debut album, Sleepers In The Rift (2011), Morbus Chron conquered new grounds with their A Saunter Through The Shroud MLP in 2012. This 3-track release showed a development that only a few bands dare to achieve. While still being heavily influenced by AUTOPSY, MORBUS CHRON embedded progressive elements in their music, opening up their sound to other musical influences.

With Sweven, Morbus Chron continue to develop their sound, intertwining dark death metal with progressive song structures and melodies that are reminiscent of bands such as ATHEIST, VOIVOD, CORONER and late-DEATH. The end result is still, without a doubt, an extreme metal album, but it’s much more than that. The (often scarcely used) tormented voice of Morbus Chron’s mastermind Robert Andersson, the warm, yet gripping production of Fred Estby (ex-DISMEMBER, DAGGER), the psychedelic harmonies, and the overall complexity of Sweven will set the band apart from the rest. This is not your regular dose of death metal.
Sweven will be released in the following formats:

· Standard CD Jewelcase with 24-page booklet
· Deluxe LP with 180 g vinyl, matte-laminated cover and 12-page booklet in LP size
· Digital download

Century Media has announced a special showcase at Truckstop Alaska, Gothenburg, Sweden on April 5th. Featuring three of the most talked about Swedish death metal bands - Morbus Chron, VAMPIRE and MIASMAL - these performances will surely summon the forces of death-evoking darkness, just in time for the release of the bands’ new studio albums:
Vampire’s self-titled debut album will be released on March 3rd in Europe and on March 18th in North America. Miasmal’s Cursed Redeemer will be released on April 21st in Europe and on April 29th in North America.

As an exclusive purchase offer to every visitor of the show, a limited split 7" of Miasmal and Vampire will be released, offering two newly recorded tracks that will only be physically available on this 7". Remaining copies will be offered through selected mailorders during the month of April.

Australian thrash metallers HARLOTT are streaming their upcoming album, Origin, due out March 31st via Punishment 18 Records. Check it out here.
Origin tracklisting:

'Origin'
'Effortless Struggle'
'Ballistic'
'Heretic'
'Export Life'
'Hierophobia'
'Kill'
'Infernal Massacre'
'Regression'
'Virus'
'Ultra Violence'
'Not Long For This World'

The band recently commented about the deal: "This is a very exciting start to the next chapter of Harlott. Punishment 18 will provide us with European and North American distribution of Origin. It is an honour to be signed to this particular label, which almost exclusively signs thrash. They have seen and heard a lot of it, which further excites us that we have been picked up by them."
More on Harlott at Facebook.

Multi-faceted project DOCKER'S GUILD have announced that producer, songwriter, vocalist and keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio (also Frontiers Records right hand man), will be part of the new album. Alessandro will be mixing and mastering the album, as well as acting as A&R agent.
Docker's Guild recently launched a female guitarist competition with the following message:

"Would you like to perform on tow songs for the new Docker's Guild album and be featured along with some of today's greatest female artists in prog and metal such as Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Amanda Somerville (AVANTASIA), Roxy Petrucci (VIXEN), Anna Portalupi (TARJA TURUNEN) and many more? Docker's Guild is giving this opportunity to an upcoming and promising female guitarist.

Send your demos, photos and bios to: submissions@dockersguild.com

The winner will be selected from the 10 most promising guitarists by this jury:

- Douglas R. Docker (Docker's Guild creator)
- Alessandro Del Vecchio (Ivorytears Music Works)
- Laurie Monk (Shreddelicious.com)

Submission deadline: March 31st. Results announced on April 15th.
According to Douglas R. Docker, the second album is called The Heisenberg Diaries - Book A and will be a collection of 20th century sci-fi movies and TV series soundtracks reworked in the Docker's Guild style. It will not be a disconnected covers filler album. Instead it will be an introduction and a journey of discovery in the past of Dr. Jack Heisenberg, the main character of The Mystic Technocracy. The cast: so far we have Fiamma Cardani (SHOOTING STARS) and Roxy Petrucci (Vixen) on drums, Anna Portalupi (Tarja, HARDLINE) on bass, Mio Jäger (FRANTIC AMBER) and Roberta Raschellà (Shooting Stars) on guitars, Douglas R. Docker on keyboards and vocals, Amanda Somerville (Avantasia), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) on vocals. More guests to be announced soon.

German power metallers PARAGON have issued the following update:

"After just a few rehearsals we decided to make Sören Teckenburg a permanent Paragon member. This man just lives drumming. Besides having several other projects and bands like TIME HAS COME he also is a drum teacher. He is click tight, hits the drums heavy and he can play lightning fast. We are very proud that he has joined the Paracrew and we are sure he will increase our sound and performance superior. Be prepared for a few surprises in our future live sets as there will be no limitations now.
So say hello to Sören!!!"
Paragon's last album, Force Of Destruction, was released by Napalm Records in 2012.

LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE is about done with their 15th studio album and first band album since 2000, a concept album called The Vow.
The band is sharing a new demo, ‘Forever Starts Tonight’, featuring background vocals by GUNNAR NELSON. The band is JK Northrup (guitar), David Cagle (vocalist), Eric Ragno (keys), Michael Feighan (drums), and Justin Murr (bass).

Learn how to get your music noticed at ReverbNation.com

Unspeakable Axe Records has locked horns with Canadian vinyl specialists War On Music for the vinyl release of Austin, TX crossover/thrashers BIRTH A.D.’s I Blame You, released last year on CD and digital formats by Unspeakable Axe Records.

The Birth A.D. vinyl edition of I Blame You is limited to 300 copies, with 100 coming on green and black splatter vinyl.
I Blame You tracklisting:

‘Mission Statement’
‘Equal Opportunity’
‘Burn L.A.’
‘Failed State’
‘Bring Back The Draft’
‘This Scene Sucks’
‘Violent Retribution’
‘No, Man’
‘I Blame You’
‘Short Bus Society’
‘Wrong Again’
‘Fill In The Blank’
‘Kill Everybody’
‘No Jobs (Don’t Work)’
‘Cause Problems’
‘Parasites Die’
‘Popular War’
‘Blow Up The Embassy’ (FEARLESS IRANIANS FROM HELL cover)

I Blame You can be purchased at UnspeakableAxeRecords.com.

Long-running Floridian death metal outfit and recent Old School Metal Records signees, RESURRECTION have announced the departure of bassist/vocalist Damien Chavez. The announcement comes less than a month before the band's March Of Death European Tour. Resurrection has recruited Jeff Surmell of SOLACE OF REQUIEM to fill in for the tour. The band had the following to say regarding the split with Chavez:

"As of today (February 18th) Resurrection vocalist/bassist Damian Chavez is no longer with the band. Many reasons went into the decision to part ways, but all that needs to be said is that Damien is on a different level musically as well as personally, than the rest of the band. Our priorities just no longer aligned. Without going into excessive and unnecessary detail, and as hard as it is this close to the European tour, the band had to make the tough decision to cut our losses and move on.
Jeff Sumrell, frontman for the technical death metal band Solace Of Requiem will be handling the vocal and bass duties during the upcoming March Of Death European tour. Jeff toured with the band in 2010 during the Resurrected In Europe tour and kicked-ass every night of the tour. Jeff's vocal style and power dramatically add to the brutality of our live performance and we're excited about what the future might hold with Jeff and Resurrection. We would like to thank our fans for the continued support."

Resurrection has made their newest song, 'Rain of Ashes', available for streaming. The song comes off the band's upcoming Soul Descent - March of Death. Due out in March, the album will be released in conjunction with the March of Death European Tour. The tour kicks off on March 14 in Germany and will take the band through Germany, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic and Poland.
Check out 'Rain Of Ashes' here.

More details regarding Soul Descent - March of Death coming soon.

STONE SOUR's acoustic version of the song "Tired", recorded late last year exclusively for radio, can be streamed below. The track comes off "House of Gold & Bones - Part 1", the first part of STONE SOUR's two-album series, "House of Gold & Bones", which sold 31,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The "House Of Gold & Bones" albums were recorded at Sound Farm Studios just outside of the band's native Des Moines, Iowa with producer David Bottrill (TOOL, MUSE) at the helm.

STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root chose to sit out the band's recent North American tour so that he could concentrate on writing music for the next SLIPKNOT album. The Pulse Of Radio spoke with Root and asked him to explain his decision in a little more depth. "You know, unfortunately I'm only one person," he said. "I can't really be in two places at one time and the amount of focus that I need to put into SLIPKNOT makes it really difficult for me to be on tour with STONE SOUR. It's crushing and it's heartbreaking and I really don't like the idea of not being out there, but I don't really see any other way to really do it without — I mean, this is like the best way that we could come up with for a compromise." Root was replaced for the month-long tour, which began on January 14 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, by Christian Martucci. POP EVIL and STOLEN BABIES were also on the bill.