Tuomas Holopainen — the keyboardist and main songwriter of NIGHTWISH — has composed a theme song for the Finnish Live Aid ULS2017 project. The aim is to collect 3 million euros for the construction of a new pediatric hospital in Helsinki. The project will culminate in a huge Live Aid ULS2017 concert in June 2015. The song, entitled "Lohtu", will be performed by a group of today's most popular Finnish artists.

More information (in Finnish) is available at this location.

Holopainen spent most of 2013 writing and producing his solo album based on a graphic novel called "The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck", written and illustrated by Don Rosa.

"Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen" is scheduled for release on April 11 via Nuclear Blast.

This 12-chapter book tells the life story of Scrooge, from his early years in the 19th century Scotland to his adventures all around the world until the 1950s. The story contains such immense depth, detail, wit and emotional power that the moment Tuomas read it nearly 20 years ago, it instantly became a story of profound personal interest and love for him. The initial spark of "coloring" this story with music, i.e. creating a kind of "soundtrack" for the book, came to him already in 1999, and has ever since haunted the back of his mind.

"Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen" contains 10 songs, with total duration of approximately 60 minutes. The music is said to be in the soundtrack / classical / folk genre in the vein of Vaughan Williams, Michael Nyman, James Newton Howard and Enya.

Last August, Austrian dark metallers PUNGENT STENCH reactivated under the name THE CHURCH OF PUNGENT STENCH. However the new moniker is short-lived! A band statement from frontman guitarist Martin Schirenc reads:
"The drama never ends…

Due to a temporary restraining order, I’m not allowed to use the name „The Church of Pungent Stench“, until further notice. Apparently, the current state of the ongoing soap opera of Pungent Stench has reached a new level of buffoonery.

However, this will not keep me from playing my music! All announced shows will take place as planned and only classic Pungent Stench material will be featured, but for now the band is going to perform under my name - SCHIRENC.

Mike (G. Mayhem; drums), Danny (Vacuum; vocals and bass) and I are looking forward to rock, because whining is for wankers!"

Schirenc's live itinerary can be viewed below:

Knoxville, Tennessee-based metallers WHITECHAPEL have announced more details regarding their upcoming fifth full-length. Our Endless War will be released April 29th in North America via Metal Blade Records.
"We are excited to announce our fifth full length studio album Our Endless War. In typical Whitechapel fashion, this CD takes the sound we have been developing over the past 8 years of our career and pushes it to new levels. We want each record we release to sound different, and this one is no exception. With dashes of every record we have done so far mixed with the intensity of a new sound, this record is sure to please fans of Whitechapel, old and new”, says guitarist Alex Wade.

When it came to tracking the album the band considered no one beyond Mark Lewis, who helmed Whitechapel. "Making the self-titled record went so well, we loved the way it came out, our label loved the way it came out, and our fans kept telling us that it was our best sounding record so it would have been stupid not to work with him again!" laughs guitarist Alex Wade. For the artwork, the band turned again to Aaron Marsh, who supplied Whitechapel with its stark, arresting imagery, but again they wanted to push things to the next level. "With the sound maturing we felt like the artwork needed to reflect that. We also introduced a new logo - our old logo is classic Whitechapel, and that's not something we plan on getting rid of, but as the band grows and changes we felt like we needed the logo to represent the maturity of this new Whitechapel."
Our Endless War tracklisting:
'Rise'
'Our Endless War'
'The Saw Is the Law'
'Mono'
'Let Me Burn'
'Worship the Digital Age'
'How Times Have Changed'
'Psychopathy'
'Blacked Out'
'Diggs Road'
'A Process so Familiar' (bonus track)
'Fall of the Hypocrites'(bonus track)

'The Saw Is The Law' lyric video:
Leading up to the release of Our Endless War, Whitechapel have confirmed a string of dates including an appearance at this year's New England Metal & Hardcore Festival. These dates will being April 16th in Columbus, OH and run through April 27th in Birmingham, AL. These shows feature support from CARNIFEX, WITHIN THE RUINS and CRUELHAND. More dates including a North American co-headlining North American tour are in the works and will be announced shortly.

For more info visit Whitechapelband.com.

Spanish extreme metallers NOCTEM have posted a full album preview for their upcoming release, Exilium, out on March 3rd in Spain/Worldwide, and on April 7th in Europe. The video below contains 30-seconds of each track on the album.

The Exilium album artwork was designed by Edmundo Saiz Photography and Victoria Francés.
Exilium tracklisting:

'Enuma Elish'
'Apsu Dethroned'
'Decrepit Human Kingdom'
'Namtar's Crown'
'The Rising Horns'
'Halo Of Repugnance'
'Egregor'
'The Splint Of Destinations'
'Eidolon'
'The Adamantine Doors'

Album preview:
'Eidolon' lyric video:
In words of producer Daniel Cardoso: "The extreme Spanish boys did it again. After weeks in the studio I can say that the new album Exilium is going to be another break through release on Noctem's career. Expect nothing but quality, high-speed, riffing extravaganza and dark ambiences."
The band recently remarked: "This new album will be darker, faster and will contain more atmosphere, something we specially worked in to combine the aesthetic of the band and the compositions in all its glory."

Lineup:

Beleth - Vocals
Exo - Guitars
Nekros - Guitars
Ul - Bass
Vhert - Drums
For more details visit Noctemofficial.com.

Germany's DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER have revealed the title of their forthcoming album, due out May 30th via Nuclear Blast.

Tief.Tiefer. (Deep.Deeper.) "is pure magic," says the band. "Unbelievable and almost unreal. Though we’ve been making music together for so long, we still manage to amaze and surprise ourselves. Our wealth is joy. If there ever has been a genre we have been part of, we have definitively overcome its boundaries. Standing still, stagnation and rules bore us. Everything is moving. The world. Life. Thoughts."

Die Apokalyptischen Reiter have been airing YouTube episodes presenting an exclusive inside look at the creation of their upcoming new double album.
Check out all five parts below:

In support of ABORTED's upcoming studio album, "The Necrotic Manifesto" — which will arrive in North America on April 29 — Century Media Records has announced the release of a special seven-inch EP, "Scriptures Of The Dead". Limited to only 500 copies and exclusively offered on ABORTED's upcoming North American tour, it will include the title track of the new album on Side A and a ferocious cover version of SEPULTURA's classic tune "Arise" on Side B. The latter track is not going to be offered on any other physical format. ABORTED's mastermind Sven de Caluwé comments: "Since we have our new album coming out right after our North American tour with KATAKLYSM, we thought we would offer the fans an exclusive opportunity to get some new music before the release of the album, therefore Century Media and yours truly came up with a devious plot to release a very limited 7" that will be on sale on tour containing one new track, 'Necrotic Manifesto', and an exclusive cover track from SEPULTURA's 'Arise'. Now if that's not the extra incentive you all need to come get your faces melt off on the East Coast Extirpation dates or the Kill The Elite tour, I don't know what is! (Besides maybe cheesecake). If you don't live anywhere near where we will be touring, worry not, there will be a very limited amount of this 7" available on our online store and CM Distro." "The Necrotic Manifesto" was recorded with Danish producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MERCENARY). The CD will be released on April 28 in Europe and on April 29 in North America via Century Media Records. Commented Sven De Caluwé: ""I can say, in all honesty, that 'The Necrotic Manifesto' is, without a doubt, the strongest record ABORTED has done thus far and could not be more proud of everyone involved in the project. It is the most brutal, extreme and technical record of the band without losing sight of groove and catchiness, which are all vital elements of this band.

"We cannot wait to get out there and start playing some new material in front of people and get some feedback on what we did in these intense months. Besides this, I am very thrilled to have some of my favorite vocalists on this record as guests. Both Phlegethon (WORMED) and Vincent Bennett (THE ACACIA STRAIN) brought their own brand of burp to the table and really complemented the songs they are on! The artwork has been done by Pär Olofsson (PATHOLOGY, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL)."

"The Necrotic Manifesto" track listing:

01. Six Feet Of Foreplay02. The Extirpation Agenda03. Necrotic Manifesto04. An Enumeration Of Cadavers05. Your Entitlement Means Nothing06. The Davidian Deceit07. Coffin Upon Coffin08. Chronicles Of Detruncation09. Sade & Libertine Lunacy10. Die Verzweiflung11. Excremental Veracity12. Purity Of Perversion13. Of Dead Skin & Decay14. Cenobites ABORTED is:

Sven De Caluwé: VocalsMendel Bij De Leij: GuitarDanny Tunker: GuitarJB van der Wal: BassKen Bedene: Drums

Prosthetic Records has revealed their latest signing -- the genre-defying Brooklyn quartet SO HIDEOUS, who will release their full-length debut Last Poem / First Light on CD, cassette and 180-gram black vinyl on April 29th. The band, which features brothers Brandon (guitars) and Chris Cruz (vocals/bass) alongside longtime friends Danny Moncada (drums) and Etienne Vazquez (guitars), forms an emotionally diverse mélange of post-hardcore, symphonic black metal and experimental/shoegaze fused with classical influences.

The band commented on the signing: "We couldn't be more excited to be working with the great team at Prosthetic to develop what this band started in 2008. 2013 was a great year for us, but we're confident that 2014 has even bigger things in store for our fans. We greatly appreciate our fans, family and friends for helping us get this far. We're also extremely thankful to the team at Prosthetic for their confidence in us. We look forward to delivering our best work to date in the future."

Last Poem / First Light was recorded at The Wild Arctic Studios in Portsmouth, NH with Dean Baltulonis (LUCERO, MODERN LIFE IS WAR) while being mastered by Scott Hull (BOB DYLAN, GARBAGE) at MasterDisk. The album, which the band has stated takes influence from 20th Century classical composers PHILLIP GLASS and ARVO PART, also features support from the New York-based choral and instrumental ensemble The First Light Orchestra. Preorders are being taken now in the Prosthetic webshop.
Last Poem/First Light tracklisting:

‘Rising’
‘Stabat Mater’
‘My Light’
‘Rhapsody’
‘Last Poem’
‘Glory’

‘My Light’:

Last Poem/First Light by So Hideous
For more info visit Facebook.

Italian metallers ELVENKING have announced that their new album, The Pagan Manifesto, will be released in May through AFM Records. They have checked in with the following update:
"We are very pleased to announce that Amanda Somerville (AVANTASIA, TRILLIUM) will lend her fantastic voice to the new Elvenking album The Pagan Manifesto, to be released on May, 9th. Amanda will sing a part on what will be the longest song ever recorded by Elvenking. A song we had always wanted to write - that celebrates a reign of renewal carved on our roots."

The first teaser for the new album is streaming below:
Upcoming Elvenking dates:

March
31 – Rome, Italy – Orion

April
1 – Trezzo sull’Adda, Italy – Live
3 – Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Metal Fest
7 – Lyon, France – Transbordeur
8 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7
9 – Paris, France – Le Trabendo
12 – Romagnano Sesia, Italy – Rock ‘n’ Roll Arena

May
2 – Pordenone, Italy – Naonian Concert Hall (The Pagan Manifesto release party)
For more info visit Facebook.

With a little over a week left before the release of their new album, Are You Kidding Me? No., Milan, Italy natives DESTRAGE are streaming the album's third single.

'Host, Rifles, And Coke':
Destrage recently released the second video, 'Purania', from Are You Kidding Me? No, which can be viewed below:
Destrage also released a behind the scenes video filmed during the making of the first video, for the song 'My Green Neighbour'. Claudia Bagordo who also was in charge of the scenography for the 'Purania' video provided the amazing makeup work for 'My Green Neighbour'. Check out the behind the scenes video below, then make sure to watch the video for 'My Green Neighbour' which can loosely be described as a lyric video, features a pair of zombies making their way through the Warrior Dash in Italy as lyrics splatter onto the screen. 'My Green Neighbour' was directed and edited by guitarist Matteo Di Gioia at The Jack Stupid.
Are You Kidding Me? No. will be released worldwide via Metal Blade Records on March 4th in North America and February 28th/March 3rd in Europe/UK.

Destrage recorded Are You Kidding Me? No. at RecLab Studios with Larsen Premoli and at Adrenaline Studio with Daniele Nelli. Mixing and mastering was done by Will Putney at The Machine Shop in New Jersey. The cover illustration was done by Marco Tafuri and the layout was completed by The Jack Stupid.
Tracklisting:

'Destroy Create Transform Sublimate
'Purania
'My Green Neighbour
'Hosts, Rifles & Coke
'G.O.D.
'Where the Things Have No Colour
'Waterpark Bachelorette
'Before, After and All Around
'(Obedience)'
'Are You Kidding Me? No.'

Trailer 1:
Trailer 2:
Destrage is:

Paolo Colavolpe - Vocal
Matteo Di Gioia - Guitar
Gabriel Pignata - Bass
Ralph Salati - Guitar
Federico Paulovich - Drums

San Diego, CA-based death metal outfit CARNIFEX have made their entire new album available for streaming (listen below). Die Without Hope will be released physically and digitally on March 4th (North America) and March 7th (Europe), via Nuclear Blast Records.

Die Without Hope, was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and produced by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER). Fans can now pre-order the CD and LP with or without an exclusive t-shirt design from this location.

Cover art for the album was created by renowned artist and longtime collaborator, Godmachine.
Tracklisting:

'Salvation Is Dead'
'Dark Days'
'Condemned To Decay'
'Die Without Hope'
'Hatred And Slaughter'
'Dragged Into The Grave'
'Rotten Souls'
'Last Words'
'Reflection Of The Forgotten'
'Where The Light Dies'

Album stream:
'Dark Days' lyric video:
'Condemned To Decay':
'Dragged Into The Grave' lyric video:
See three vlogs below:

Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Carnifex recently launched their headlining US tour in support of Die Without Hope.
Carnifex dates with BETRAYING THE MARTYRS, I DECLARE WAR, HERE COMES THE KRAKEN, and ASSASSINS:

February
26 - Kansas City, MO - Czar Bar
27 - Springfield, MO - Outland Ballroom
28 - Oklahoma City, OK - Chameleon Room

March
1 - Fort Worth, TX - Tomcats West
2 - Little Rock, AR - Vino’s
5 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
7 - Springfield, VA - Empire
9 - Amityville, NY - Revolution
11 - Buffalo, NY - The Waiting Room
12 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
15 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar
16 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre, Studio B
19 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theatre
21 - Reno, NV - Jub Jubs Showroom
22 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
23 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
24 - Spokane, WA - The Hop
26 - Sacramento, CA - Assembly
27 - West Hollywood, CA - The Whisky
28 - Lancaster, CA - Industry Theatre
29 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
Carnifex is:

Scott Lewis – vocals
Shawn Cameron – drums
Jordan Lockrey – guitar
Cory Arford – guitar
Fred Calderon – bass

New York-based metallers EMMURE have launched a pre-order for their upcoming new studio album, Eternal Enemies. Set for release on April 15th, Eternal Enemies pre-order packages fo are now available exclusively through VictoryMerch.com.
Various Eternal Enemies packages, starting at $22.00, include your choice of limited edition colored vinyl or CD, exclusive Enemy Lines DVD, t-shirts, crewneck, hoodie, beanie, bandana, 3’ x 5’ flag and more.

The Enemy Lines DVD features over 30-minutes of behind the scenes and in-studio footage of the band making Eternal Enemies along with Emmure’s entire music video catalog featuring eight official music videos from previous releases, one lyric video, and two brand new music videos for 'Like LaMotta' and 'Nemesis'. This DVD will be available only in the Eternal Enemies package deals on VictoryMerch.com

Emmure have released a teaser from the Enemy Lines DVD:
Tracklisting:

'Bring A Gun To School'
'Nemesis'
'N.I.A. (News In Arizona)'
'The Hang Up'
'A Gift A Curse'
'E'
'Like LaMotta'
'Free Publicity'
'Most Hated'
'Grave Markings'
'Hitomi’s Shinobi'
'Rat King'
'Girls Don’t Like Boys, Girls Like 40’s And Blunts'
'New Age Rambler'
'We Were Just Kids'

Check out tracks from Eternal Enemies and the rest of Emmure's discography as they headline this year’s Mosh Lives Tour.
Dates include:

March
7 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
8 - Louisville, KY - The Vernon Club
9 - Springfield, MO - Outland Ballroom
11 - San Antonio, TX - The White Rabbit
12 - Mission TX - Never Say Never Festival
16 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
17 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
19 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
20 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe’s
21 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theater
22 - Shawnee, KS - Aftershock
23 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
24 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
26 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro
27 - San Diego, CA - Soma
28 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
29 - Las Vegas, NV - Extreme Thing Festival
30 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe’s Grotto
31 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater

April
1 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
3 - Sauget, IL - Pop’s
4 - Columbus, OH - Alrosa Villa
5 - Springfield, VA - Empire
6 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
17 - Worcester, MA - New England Metal and Hardcore Fest
27 - Jacksonville, FL - Welcome To Rockville

Fan-filmed video footage of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's March 1 performance at Sala Totem in Villava, Spain can be seen below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM released "No Place For Disgrace - 2014", a re-recording of the band's second album, "No Place For Disgrace", on February 14 in Europe and digitally on February 18 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The physical CD will be available in North America on March 4.

Comments FLOTSAM AND JETSAM: "We have re-recorded 'No Place For Disgrace' because we have had a lot of requests to remix this record.

"The master tapes have been very difficult to obtain so we decided to re-record the album and use some of today's technologies to recreate it. The aim was not really to change but to enhance it with the opportunity with the use of new tools. We have the time available as well, and it just seemed like a no-brainer.

"A lot of the die-hards are really nervous about it, but we think after the final result, they will embrace it. The sound quality is 100% better and more refined!"

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will play a special concert at the Keep It True XVII festival, set to take place April 25-26, 2014 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. The band's set will consists of songs only from their first two classics — "Doomsday For The Deceiver" (1986) and "No Place For Disgrace" (1988).

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's lineup for Keep It True XVII will consist of four of five original members — Eric "A.K." Knutson (vocals), Kelly Smith (drums), Ed Carlson (guitar) and Michael Gilbert (guitar). Playing bass at the show will be Michael Spencer, who replaced Jason Newsted in 1987 and did the first European tours with the band.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM recently returned to Metal Blade Records to release their new album, "Ugly Noise".

"Ugly Noise" is FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow-up to their 2010 album "The Cold". The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith, who hadn't recorded with FLOTSAM AND JETSAM since "High" in 1997.

Funding for the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM album was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

Quebec City-based female-fronted symphonic metallers, MERKABAH have inked a worldwide deal with Maple Metal Records to release their third album Ubiquity. Their new album will be released in North America on March 17th, and worldwide on April 4th.

Ubiquity was produced by Merkabah, and mixed by Pierre Rémillard (ANVIL, KATAKLYSM, VOIVOD) at Wild Studio, north of Montreal. The album cover art is by Maxime Bigras.

The tracklisting for Ubiquity is as follows:
'Mythomania'
'Divine Sparks'
'Red Letter Days'
'Circles of Despair'
'Brothers From the Seed of Cain'
'Deadly Prophets of the Printed Page'
'Agartha'
'Ubiquity'

Their new single 'Red Letter Days' can be streamed below:
Their official CD release show will be on June 13th at the l'Agitée in Québec City. Merkabah will be performing select shows throughout Ontario and Quebec this summer in support of their new album; dates have yet to be announced.

Fan-filmed video footage of INSIDIOUS DISEASE — the old-school death metal project featuring Marc Grewe (vocals; also of MORGOTH) and Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz; guitar; also of DIMMU BORGIR) — performing a brand new song, "Divine Fire", on February 22 at Blastfest in Bergen, Norway can be seen below.

INSIDIOUS DISEASE's lineup for the concert was as follows:

* Marc Grewe (MORGOTH) - Vocals* Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz; DIMMU BORGIR) - Guitar* Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) - Guitar* Emil Wiksten (AEON) - Drums * Christian Hagen (a.k.a. Elvorn; SUSPERIA) – Bass

INSIDIOUS DISEASE's debut album, "Shadowcast", was released in July 2010 via Century Media Records.

The "Shadowcast" bloodsoaked cover artwork was created by Kjell Ivar Lund and was censored by the inclusion of a nice CD slipcase to avoid any trouble with the shops. Apart from an equally gory booklet, the limited-edition first-pressing CD included two bonus tracks ("Insomaniac" plus a blistering cover of DEATH's classic "Leprosy").

INSIDIOUS DISEASE faced serious problems during the manufacturing process as pressing plants refused to produce the original design of the booklet due to its violent content as well as print the equally controversial lyrics.

"Shadowcast" was recorded at a studio in Norway with producer Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus) of SUSPERIA and was mixed by Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR). NECROPHAGIA frontman Frank "Killjoy" Pucci co-wrote and contributed guest vocals to a cut called "Rituals Of Bloodshed".

The recording lineup for "Shadowcast" included Grewe and Kopperud alongside Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) on bass, Tony Laureano (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, NILE, ANGELCORPSE) on drums and Jon yvind Andersen (a.k.a. Jardar; OLD MAN'S CHILD) on guitar.

Asked what brought Grewe and Silenoz together to form and create INSIDIOUS DISEASE, the DIMMU BORGIR guitarist said: "The lust and need for the old-school vibe and making music together with like-minded people was what brought us together in the first place. You know, always talking about doing something for the fun of it. For the most part, that never happens; it usually starts and ends with alcohol-infused drunk talk. But I launched it finally together with Jardar and Tony back in '04. Then we brought Shane along shortly after that before I contacted Marc to see if he would consider doing the vocals. I've always been a huge fan of his style and I love others that is in the same vein, like Martin Van Drunen [PESTILENCE, ASPHYX], Jeff Becerra [POSSESSED], Chuck Schuldiner [DEATH], etc. those who have that 'insane' feel and honesty in the delivery. They stand out and we didn't want the typical gurgling, low-end stuff like most bands do, even if that's cool as well at times it doesn't do much when identifying a band, it has become such an important thing especially the last 10-15 years. Identity and authenticity are what's important in music. It doesn't always have to be 'groundbreaking,' 'new' or 'modern'-sounding. A good record is a good record regardless."

Hampshire metallers BURY TOMORROW have posted the video for 'Man On Fire' online, following its exclusive first play on last night's BBC Radio 1 Rock Show hosted by Daniel P Carter.
Speaking about the clip, singer Dani Winter-Bates says, "Each song on Runes draws its inspiration from each of the runic symbols they are linked to. 'Man On Fire' is about the struggle of human kind's sanity in an ever-changing world. The song itself is linked with the Rune for Man/Humankind and follows lyrically the ideas of a figure fighting their own thoughts and their fears getting the better of them. We worked closely with Sitcom Soldiers to visually bring the ideas with the song to life. We couldn't be happier with the way it came out!"

Watch 'Man On Fire' below:
'Man On Fire' is taken from the quintet's new album, Runes, set for release on Nuclear Blast on May 26th. The band will undertake a tour of initimate venues around the UK to celebrate the album's release, as well as their confirmed appearances at the Impericon, Slam Dunk and Download Festivals.

European metallers CRYSTAL TEARS will release their new album, Hellmade, on March 28th via Massacre Records. Texas actor Lew Temple of The Walking Dead fame presents the new Hellmade teaser trailer.
Lew Temple appeared in Rob Zombie's horror films The Devil's Rejects and Halloween, played in the action film Domino and in the prequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, just to name a few. He appeared in episodes of CSI: Miami, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, Hawaii Five-0 and he played next to the likes of Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, etc. Watch the new trailer below:
A previous teaser trailer was pesented by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal of GUNS N' ROSES.
Drummer Chrisafis Tantanozis stated: "So proud to publish such a trailer and co-operate with Ron Thal, certainly a highlight to our career! Bumblefoot is one of the most generous people and genuine rockers in the biz, an inspiration absolutely."
Crystal Tears recently shot a video for the song 'Out Of The Shadows', from the forthcoming Hellmade. The video was directed and edited by FrameBox Productions.

Chrisafis comments: "Play it loud muthas! New lineup, new album, new record label, new video... this is the new face of Crystal Tears!! En-freakin'-joy!!!"
The cover artwork of Hellmade was designed by Siege Ind, who already worked with bands such as SCAR SYMMETRY, SUICIDE SILENCE and BLEED FROM WITHIN.
Updates to follow.

Washington state-based hard rocker MOS GENERATOR will release their new LP, Electric Mountain Majesty, on April 15 via Listenable Records. Recorded at HeavyHead Recording Company by guitarist / vocalist and renowned engineer Tony Reed (who co-produced SAINT VITUS' return album Lillie: F-65), Electric Mountain Majesty is the follow-up to Mos Generator's 2012 release Nomads
A sprawling celebration of heavy amplification, fretboard psychotropics and kick ass heavy rock, Electric Mountain Majesty is unquestionably Mos Generator's finest hour of its decade-plus existence. From chest-beating metal salvos like the massively loud 'Nothing Left But Night' and 'Black Magic Mirror' to more nuanced, slow-burning fare like the spellbinding 'Enter The Fire' through to colossal closer 'Heavy Ritual', the album is an amalgam of nasty and effervescent, alternating between ugly doom tones and lofty emotiveness, resulting in an epic, colorful listen brimming with richly-nuanced, timeless music that drips with melody, muscle and cool.

"Electric Mountain Majesty is an attempt to fuse our live energy and our usual controlled studio sound into something that I think is a nice forward step in the Mos Generator sound," says Reed. "We didn't over think the writing and recording process and we let more of our unconventional influences creep into the songwriting. In both composition and recording technique, this is the most diverse Mos Generator album to date."

Tracklisting:

'Beyond The Whip'
'Nothing Left But Night'
'Enter The Fire'
'Spectres'
'Neon Nightmare'
'Breaker'
'Early Mourning'
'Electric Mountain Majesty'
'Black Magic Mirror'
'Heavy Ritual'

Studio video:
Mos Generator is:

Tony Reed (guitar, vocals)
Scooter Haslip (bass)
Shawn Johnson (drums)

France-based sludge/doom metallers ORUGA will release their debut album, Blackened Souls, on May 19th via Apathia Records.
The band has reached a new step with this album, by recording it “live at the studio”, in the purest way possible: a band playing music and releasing it. Beware, it's massive. More info to come soon.

Last year, Apathia Records reissued Oruga’s first self-titled EP, originally released in 2011.
Oruga tracklisting:

'Northern Promises'
'Kissing The Void'
'My 9/11'
'Like A Stone In The Water'
'Crimson Dawn'
'Blitzkrieg Lady' (bonus track)

'Northern Promises':
Oruga is:

Cedric M. - Vocals
Julien L. - Guitars
Fred P. - Guitars
Pietro G. - Bass
Bruno H. - Drums

A new video message from reunited thrash metal pioneers DARK ANGEL about their upcoming tour can be seen below.

Legendary artist Ed Repka has redesigned the classic DARK ANGEL logo with amazing results. Check it out below.

DARK ANGEL guitarist Jim Durkin comments on the band's new logo and 2014 return: "I can't tell you how happy I am about the return of DARK ANGEL in 2014. These are a great bunch of guys and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"We went back to our roots and got Ed Repka involved in the redesign of the classic logo.

"DARK fuckin ANGEL have been working very hard on the music, I cannot wait to bring this monster back to the fans."

As previously reported, DARK ANGEL will reform for a limited number of appearances in 2014 in the U.S. and select festivals in Europe.

The confirmed lineup for these rare and unique, select 2014 shows will be:

* Gene Hoglan (drums)* Eric Meyer (guitar)* Jim Durkin (guitar)* Ron Rinehart (vocals)* Michael Gonzalez (bass)

Comments Hoglan: "DARK fuckin ANGEL has been working real hard behind the scenes, and I can't tell you enough how happy we are to bring this beast back to the fans.

"I'll admit before the rehearsals I really didn't know what to expect, but let me tell you, you to will be as stoked as I am.

"We have returned!"

During an appearance on the September 8, 2013 edition of the "Heavy Metal Mayhem" radio show, Hoglan spoke about the DARK ANGEL reunion, saying: "The most important thing for, I think, any of us, and especially me, and I know a couple of the other guys that are involved that the legacy of the band is very important. And if the band has attained some of kind of underground legendary status over the years, then if we do wanna return, a lot of people have great expecations of us, we'd better exceed those expectations.

"Like Ron Rinehart said, the definition of 'good' is 'not bad.' [laughs] We don't wanna come out and even be great; we wanna be No. 1. And that's a very heartening attitude.

"If some of the people that might wanna get involved with this… You've gotta do it for the right reasons. This is for the fans. And we're gonna come out and disappoint the fans, don't do it. If we're gonna come out and make the fans go, 'Yes, I expected something great and I got godly.' Then there's a reason for doing it."

DARK ANGEL released two albums with Don Doty on vocals — 1984's "We Have Arrived" and 1986's "Darkness Descends" — before he exited the group and was replaced by Ron Rinehart (after a brief stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two more studio LPs — 1989's "Leave Scars" and 1991's "Time Does Not Heal" — before calling it quits in 1992. Rinehart, Hoglan and Meyer reassembled DARK ANGEL more than a decade ago but were forced to abandon their reunion plans after health issues reportedly put an end to Rinehart's singing career.

Photo credit: Alex Solca

Video message:

Mediaskare Records recently announced the addition of Montreal, Quebec rockers THE PRESTIGE to its roster of artists. The label will release the band’s Antoine Lussier produced album, Ecotone, on March 18th. Check out the new track 'World At My Feet' below:
The Prestige previously posted the track 'Dismantle' from the album:
“We chose to release 'Dismantle' first because we feel it perfectly represents everything contained on the album musically, its heavy and catchy,” stated guitarist Sebastien Marois. Adding, “Lyrically, Martin and JC wrote the song as an interpretation of the last lucid moments with your loved ones and facing the realization that your whole life is being dismantled brick by brick. Both have had the disease impact their lives in a big way. It’s a terrible thing to imagine, having all the people you love and have had by your side your entire life slowly become complete strangers.”
“An ecotone is a transition area between two biomes, It is where two communities meet and integrate. It may be narrow or wide, and it may be local (the zone between a field and forest) or regional (the transition between forest and grassland ecosystems),” explained the band. “Our bass player Blaise came with the idea about a year ago while we were writing the album and simply stuck with it. It really is a good metaphor about us. This album draws the line between our old sound and what we crafted over the years. The overall image is about separations, as in, before/after, right/wrong, and so on.”

The band teamed with producer Antoine Lussier (OBEY THE BRAVE) at .357 Productions to record Ecotone, whom the band has worked with in the past. “It was the third time we hit the studios with him and we had a blast. He truly is a genius and he helped us craft the sound we were always looking for. We are very proud of how it sounds and cannot wait to have everyone listen to it.”
Ecotone hits stores and digital retailers on March 18th through Mediaskare Records.

More on The Prestige at Facebook.

Canadian progressive metallers SCYTHIA will release their new album, …Of Conquest, on February 25th. The band have released a play-through video for the new track ‘Fanfare 1516’.
…Of Conquest was engineered and produced by Lasse Lammert (ALESTORM, HALCYON WAY) at LSD Studios in Lubeck, Germany, with co-production by Shaun Thingvold (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, LAMB OF GOD, FEAR FACTORY). The album was mixed by Nino Laurenne (ENSIFERUM, FIREWIND) at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Mastering credits go to Svante Forsback (RAMMSTEIN, APOCALYPTICA) at Chartmakers in Helsinki, Finland.
...Of Conquest tracklisting:

'Fanfare 1516'
'Merchant Of Sin'
'Bear Claw Tavern'
'Sailor's Accolade'
'Reflections'
'The Kraken'
'Into The Storm'
'Land Of Scythia'
'Wrath Of The Ancients'
'Army Of The Bear'
'Path Through The Labyrinth'
'Departure'

'Army Of The Bear':
'Into The Storm':
‘Bear Claw Tavern’ video:
"The band is finally finding its ideal sound," says Scythia. "This album feels very natural and forms the perfect marriage of progressive power metal and catchy epic anthems," says singer/guitarist Dave Khan. "That's why we are putting our strong cards together and getting it done right!"
Scythia is:
Dave Khan - guitars, main vocals
Terry Savage - bass, harsh vocals
Jeff Black - keyboards, back-up vocals
Celine Derval - drums, back-up vocals

Spanish black/death masters FROZEN DAWN have inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the imminent release of their sophomore album, Those Of The Cursed Light.
Hailing from Madrid, the band was formed back in 2006 and released a demo and an EP prior to their debut album The Old Prophecy of Winterland from 2011 and has been gaining a good reputation within the national black metal scene.

On this second album, Frozen Dawn explores territories between black and death before stepped by bands like NECROPHOBIC, WATAIN, DISSECTION, NAGLFAR, creating a truly astonishing album full of hits. Every song is equally great where tightness meets a perfect production, blending memorable melodies that swing with sheer aggression that any lover of the aforementioned bands will cry for.

Those Of The Cursed Light was recorded at Wintermoon Cult Studios by the own band being mixed and mastered by Raúl Casarrubios at the same studios, with artwork made by Gragoth (Luciferium War Graphics). There's also a special collaboration by ex-Necrophobic guitarist Martin Halfdan on the song 'Blackened March'.
Tracklisting:

'Banished, The Everlasting Confinement'
'Blackened March'
'Those Of The Cursed Light'
'Circles Of Frostbitten Ice'
'Nocturnal Sacrifice'
'Under Thy Throne'
'The Triumph Of God Frost'
'Eternal Frost'
'Kalte Seele'

'Banished, The Everlasting Confinement':
'Circles Of Frostbitten Ice' promo video:
Those Of The Cursed Light will be released on March 15th, after which the band will embark on a series of shows all around Spain and possibly some shows around Europe to present the new album.

Romanian dark metallers BLOODWAY have released their first video ‘Free Ends’.
‘Free Ends’ is part of their debut MCD Sunstone Voyager And The Clandestine Horizon, that will be released on February 27th by I, Voidhanger Records from Italy. The video was made by the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, Costin Chioreanu, also known for his work as a graphic artist under the name Twilight13media.

Bloodway was born in July 2013, from the ideas of three musicians: drummer Alex Ghita, bassist Mihai Andrei, and guitarist/singer Costin Chioreanu, one of the most renowned and acclaimed artists and graphic designers in today's metal field. The three merged their past musical experiences, challenging themselves to reach new borders of creativity, in order to shape a special band with an extremely coherent speech. The name Bloodway comes from the idea of experiences and paths that somebody can achieve and discover during a lifetime.
"We were totally focused on developing what we wanted to build together," Costin Chioreanu explains, "so we just locked ourselves in the cell and kept everything away from the world outside. Our main goal was first to find our own path and to record a debut material as concentrated as possible. We simply left outside the door any possible influence from the people around us."

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