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.

Italian melodic death metallers DISEASE ILLUSION are back with a definitive lineup.
Says the band: "We gladly welcome Alessio Chierici who joins the band as drummer. It's been months of intense rehearsals and songwriting, see you soon on stage!

Band lineup:

Fabio Ferrari - Voice
Federico Venturi - Guitar
Alessandro Turco - Guitar
Valentino Colona - Bass
Alessio Chierici - Drums

Updates to follow.

Finnish specialty label Blood Music will introduce the global audience to NONEUCLID, one of extreme metal's most fascinating entities. The band features the considerable talents of members of TRIPTYKON, OBSCURA, THULCANDRA, and DARK FORTRESS, and yet manages to become even more than the sum of its parts. Blood Music will release Noneuclid's second studio album, Metatheosis, on May 6th on digipack CD with 12-page booklet (limited to 1,000 copies) and gatefold 2xLP limited to 250 copies with 100 on ebony and 150 on half-ebony/half-crystal vinyl.

Pre-orders will launch on March 5th at this location.
Metatheosis takes their unique musical amalgam several steps further in all respects. Entirely self-produced, the album offers a wide spectrum of colors, ranging from brutal death thrash to sludgy doom, symphonic prog-death with an edge, hallucinatory rock, and epic polymetric insanity.

Noneuclid have been described as "otherworldly" and "very modern and full of intricate details" by the international press, causing Legacy to marvel at the band's last album: "Reaching as lonely into the starry night sky as Cynic's 'Focus' did back in its day." Metal Review added, "“An unsettling amount of varying metal influences. Sixes on high.”

Founded in 2004 in Landshut / Germany, Noneuclid combine the instrumental virtuosity and relentless energy of extreme metal with chamber musical polyphony, high compositional ambition, and the explicit will to innovation. The name refers to dimensions outside conventional reality as defined by Euclid, andNoneuclid’s music strives to open doors to unknown psychic spaces.

Since their debut The Crawling Chaos (Merciless Records), the band has vigorously pursued their evolution; influences from different metal styles (progressive, death, thrash, black, doom) merge seamlessly with elements from classical, experimental and world music. Nevertheless, the focus lies always on musicality and cohesiveness, never on experiment or complexity for its own sake. Every song is its own world, obeying its own laws; the band seeks to think outside the box while being firmly rooted in extreme metal at all times.

This pioneering spirit led to an appearance in the renowned contemporary music festivals Dag in de Branding (Den Haag) and Dutch Music Days (Amsterdam), where the band premiered the 25-minute death metal symphony “Black Vortex Cathedral” as soloists along with the world famous Dutch Metropole Orchestra, in front of a stunned classical audience in the fall of 2008.

In 2010, the band realized Transition Metal, another ambitious orchestral project in Bavaria, together with the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra, in which the music of Noneuclid and Richard Wagner met and merged in an unprecedented encounter of genres. The orchestral version of Into The Light from this collaboration toured Germany and Holland in 2013 in 8 spectacular shows in the hull of a transformed freight ship traveling along the Rhine.

Noneuclid is:

Linus (Obscura, Fallacy) - bass
V Santura (Triptykon, Dark Fortress) - guitar
Morean (Dark Fortress, The Hungry Gods) - guitar, vocals
Seraph (Dark Fortress, ReVamp, Thulcandra) - drums

DEATH DEALER, the group consisting of guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman (MANOWAR), vocalist Sean Peck (CAGE), guitarist Stu Marshall (EMPIRES OF EDEN), and bassist Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN) and ex-Manower drummer Rhino, have signed a vinyl contract for their current album, War Master, with Pure Steel Records.

The limited vinyl edition consists of 500 pieces (100 colored and 400 black). The release date is April 25th.
A previous update from the band states: “We have been hard at work on the next record and await confirmation of a tour in March April in Europe. The band has put together about 11 songs so far some will be bonus tracks and at least one maybe two will be given out to the preorder pak legions only. They will be exclusive tracks that will never appear for sale on iTunes or on a disc and will only be given to the people that preorder another crazy huge package of metal goodness that we are once again throwing together."

More news coming soon.

Kaotoxin Records have announced the March 11th release of Enlightening The Unknown from the recently disbanded INSAIN.
The more massive and heavy a star, the faster its death, the darker its ending. No rest for the dead: Insain are no more, but their legacy will live forever with this new and last release, which also marked a step forward for a band that was already head and shoulders above the pack with only a debut full-length, Spiritual Rebirth, under its belt.

Subsequent to finishing the debut, drummer Jonathan "Sangli" Juré fought for more than a year in the hospital to recover from a violent car crash that cost him his life and the recruiting of new bassist Benoit "Bono" Jean (SENTENCE), Kaotoxin Records would like to thank David Schonbackler, Nicolas Becuwe, Louis Lafitte, Jonathan "Sangli" Juré and Benoit "Bono" Jean for believing in the label since the very start (Insain was second band signed to the label) and still being great individuals and friends, as well as gifted musicians. We wish them all the best for their future projects.

Spiritual Rebirth, was such an over-the-top release in all aspects - production, artwork, brutality, catchiness, musicianship - and should have been a sign that such intensity couldn't last for long before turning into its counterpart from the dark side: the supermassive black hole that is Enlightening the Unknown. Produced at the 16th Cellar studio (HOUR OF PENANCE, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE), the EP adds to the band's brutal basis a denser dose of black matter transforming the laws of gravity into a distorting mass of space and time; attracting everything around it and bringing all that is darkness to a stellar chaos with the addition of fascinating new solos and captivating dark melodies, and a new bass player, Bono. The EP brings the lower end of the sound spectrum to a whole new level of brutality and musicianship. It even features an intro and special guest vocals by none other than Daniel Neagoe of EYE OF SOLITUTDE and UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION.

Artwork comes courtesy of Headsplit Design (ARCH ENEMY, SIX FEET UNDER, MUMAKIL). Available as a limited edition (1,000 copies only, no repress) deluxe DigiSleeve CD.
'Abyssum Invocatis'
'Absorbing'
'The Faceless One'
'Beyond Stellar Remnants'
'The Scourge'
'Enlightening The Unknown'
'Apex'

Trailer:

Singer Mark Tornillo's pre-ACCEPT band TT QUICK will reunite once again for a performance at the "Rock N' Roll Heaven Presents" event on May 3 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. Also appearing on the bill will be KING'S X, THE ATOMIC BITCHWAX and the BLACK SABBATH cover band BLACK REIGN.

This time around, TT QUICK will play a full set after their "teaser" appearance at Rock N' Roll Heaven and the Old Bridge Metal Militia's reunion concert and fundraiser in May 2013 to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Fan-filmed video footage of TT QUICK's performance at last year's event can be seen below.

TT QUICK was a popular club band during the 1980s in the New York and New Jersey area and was known for the guitar work of David Dipietro and the powerful vocals of Mark Tornillo. Dipietro's skills were especially singled out as he had given lessons to both Zakk Wylde of the OZZY OSBOURNE band and SKID ROW's Dave Sabo.

TT QUICK disbanded and later reunited sporadically and released a few more albums, including a live CD from one of their reunion gigs ("Thrown Together Live") and a studio effort, "Ink", which came out in 2000.

Danish progressive metallers ANUBIS GATE will release their sixth album, "Horizons", on April 15 via Nightmare Records.

ANUBIS GATE hit the studio in the summer of 2013 to record "Horizons", which sees the band's unmistakable sound going again to new places... places perhaps one would call daring. From the liquid grooves to uneven time signatures, trademark soundscapes and heavy, sometimes even thrash metal, riffing you will know this is both in the tradition of the band yet breaks new ground.

"Horizons" track listing:

01. Destined To Remember 02. Never Like This (A Dream) 03. Hear My Call 04. Airways05. Revolution Come Undone 06. Breach Of Faith 07. Mindlessness 08. Horizons09. A Dream Within A Dream 10. Erasure

The CD version will contain a hidden fan treasure not found on the digital sites. A CD-ROM EP recorded live in 2005, the EP includes four tracks and dedicated artwork. The tracks are live versions of songs from ANUBIS GATE's first two albums, "Purification" and "A Perfect Forever".

ANUBIS GATE blends '80s melodic heavy rock, epic ambience and a contemporary dark layered progressive metal. New guitarist Michael Bodin's heavy riffing works exceptionally well in a duel with longtime axeman Kim Olesen. The forward-driving drums, courtesy of new drummer Morten Gade Sørensen, are a treat in themselves. Henrik Fevre's melodic vocals are even more amazing and heartfelt than ever before.

Kentucky-based rockers HYDROGYN have checked in with the following update:

"Along with our new release Break The Chains, we would also like to announce the addition of new drummer John Cardilino. John comes to the band from Cleveland, Ohio and was first introduced to Jeff and Julie by Jerry 'Jroc' Franklin from BLACKSTONE while working in Ridgeline Studios in Ashland which is owned by the Westlakes. John's first appearance with the band came on the cover of 'Barracuda' for the Particles box set. Please welcome John family as we start into new territory."
Vocalist Julie Westlake recently announced that 2014 is a comeback year of sorts for the band:

"The past couple of years have been full of health issues, losing two children and just re-grouping on a personal level. We have not been doing anything because of that and now it is time to fire back up; which we are doing. We have the new EP coming out end of this month and then we have a DVD in production right now as well."

The band is planning on some shows in 2014 as well. For now they are shooting a new video which will be released in late February and also just released a video performing AC/DC classic 'Back In Black' during their 2006 Strip'em Blind Tour.

“Thank you to everyone who has stayed with us and look for something cool in almost every month of this year to come your way”, states Westlake.
About the upcoming new release, Julie recently said: “As always this goes in a bit of a different direction once again,” says Julie. “I love to keep it all fresh and not the same thing with different song titles. I think everyone will dig it.”
'Rock Me' was recorded at Wireworld Studio in Nashville, TN with producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, POISON, DOKKEN) and features special guest Angel from ANGELS REVENGE.

Florida death/doom Metal band, DOOMSILLA are streaming another track off their soon to be released demo album, Corpse Of The Blackened Sun.
Doomsilla features members of GENERICHRIST, SEROCS, VILE, MONSTROSITY, SKINTOMB,HUMAN REJECTION, CYSTIC DYSENTERY and BANDWHORE.

Listen to the new track 'Pyromaniac' below, as well as another previously released track:

Doomsilla's full length album titled, Join The Cult, will be released later this year and will feature nine tracks mixed with death, doom and black metal.

Doomsilla is:
Tony Anderson - vocals
Jim Ross - guitars
Mike Poggione - bass
Daniel Sandvoss – drums

For more information on Doomsilla visit Facebook.

Brazilian thrashers SLASHER have released a lyric video for 'Hostile', a track featured on their second album, Katharsis, which is released digitally today, February 13th, and as a digipack on March 14th.
Katharsis was produced, mixed and mastered at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark by Tue Madsen, who has previously worked with HALFORD, DARK TRANQUILLITY, VADER, BEHEMOTH and KATAKLYSM, among others.

The Katharsis digipack cover artwork can be seen below. It was signed by the french designer Stan W Decker, who has previously worked with TIMMO TOLKKI.

Katharsis tracklisting:
'Katharsis'
'Disposable God'
'Final Day'
'All Covered In Blood'
'Overcome'
'Hostile'
'Face The Facts'
'Inflicted'
'Jamais Me Entregar'
'Suffocated' (MOSH cover)

Trailer:

The single 'Overcome' is available for streaming below and download on SoundCloud here.

ZAUM has announced they will be releasing their debut album Oracles this May on Swedish based record label I Hate. The band has released a teaser from their upcoming, four song, 50 minute debut album.
"Throughout the years I’ve written for and toured in several bands, but now finally have one creative outlet exclusive to my artistic endeavors." commented Kyle McDonald, "With our debut album Oracles, we’ve crafted a piece a work which is intended to be listened to as a whole; with a deeper spirit present in the medium beyond the borders defined by the music itself." He also added "Both Chris Lewis and I have been lifelong fans of incredibly heavy and slow music in particular. This reality coupled with my obsession of authentic old world music – specifically Asian based – we certainly wear our influences openly on our sleeves."
The band has also revealed their upcoming tour dates:

March
20 – Frederiction, NB – Gallery Connexion
21 – Quebec City, QC – Salle Unison
22 – Montreal, QC – Turbo Haus
23 – Ottawa, ON – TBA
26 – Windsor, ON – The Dominion House
27 – Barrie, ON – Clarkson Pub
28 – Sudbury, ON – Millard’s
29 – Toronto, ON – Bovine Sex Club
30 – London, ON – Hideaway Records & Bar

April
11 – St. John’s, NF – Distortions
12 – St. John’s, NF – Distortions
24 – Charlottetown, PEI – TBA
25 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
26 – Moncton, NB – The Caveau

For more info visit Zaum.ca.

On February 15th, AMON AMARTH performed at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA. Fan-filmed video of the complete show is available below:
The setlist on the night was as follows:

'Father Of The Wolf'
'Deceiver Of The Gods'
'Death In Fire'
'Live For The Kill'
'As Loke Falls'
'Coming Of The Tide'
'Runes To My Memory'
'Varyags Of Miklagaard'
'The Last Stand Of Frej'
'Guardians Of Asgaard'
'Shape Shifter'
'Warriors Of The North'
'Destroyer Of The Universe'
'Cry Of The Black Birds'
'War Of The Gods'
'Twilight Of The Thunder God'
'The Pursuit Of Vikings'

Amon Amarth recently released a brand new lyric video, for 'As Loke Falls', from their latest album Deceiver Of The Gods.
Deceiver Of The Gods was recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE). The cover art was, once again, completed by Tom Thiel and depicts a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki & Thor.
Deceiver Of The Gods tracklisting:

'Deceiver Of The Gods'
'As Loke Falls'
'Father Of The Wolf'
'Shape Shifter'
'Under Siege'
'Blood Eagle'
'We Shall Destroy'
'Hel'
'Coming Of The Tide'
More information about Amon Amarth can be found on Amonamarth.com.

Texas-based metalcore act KUBLAI KHAN have inked a deal wth Artery Recordings. The band will unleash their label debut, Balancing Survival & Happiness, on April 29th.
In addition to making a loud, deadly racket with their music, Kublai Khan view their music as a platform for expression of the issues and problems that plague their plugged-in generation. In this day and age when millennials have their noses buried in their iPhones while the real world passes them by, Kublai Khan bring back that visceral, grab-you-by-the-nape-of-the-neck snarl that forces listeners to pay attention in the here and now. The band's message is one of hope, even though it is encased in a brutal, fangs-bared package.

For a taste of the band's metallic maelstrom, check out this teaser clip:

This March the band heads out on the road as part of The Best in Brutality Tour, featuring OCEANO, BROKEN HOPE, FALLUJAH and RIVERS OF NIHIL. Headbangers looking for a real thrashing will want to arrive early in order to catch Kublai Khan's set.

Spanish thrash metal combo EXODIA have released their new album, Hellbringer, via Art Gates Records/Gateways Productions. The cover artwork was designed by the artist Juanjo Castellano, who previously worked with Exodia on their Slow Death release.
Tracklisting:

'Wicked Seed'
'Infected Hate'
'Shout The Nations'
'150% Attitude'
'Anesthetics'
'Go!'
'Future Generations'
'The Train Of Death'
'The Town Of No Return'
'The Art Of Drinking'

Fan-filmed video footage of BEHEMOTH's February 18 performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands can be seen below.

BEHEMOTH's new album, "The Satanist", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BEHEMOTH's ninth full-length studio CD, 2009's "Evangelion", opened with around 8,500 units to land at No. 56.

"The Satanist" was released on February 3 in the U.K., February 4 in North America and Poland, February 5 in Japan, and February 7 in the rest of the world. "The Satanist" deluxe box, which is available in North America as an European import, includes: CD/DVD digibook in silver mirror slipcase with a high-quality 44-page booklet (with gold foil, UV gloss lamination), supersize poster flag (approx. 3.5' x 5'), wooden black inverted rosary cross, metal pin, black envelope with black communion wafers. The DVD, "Live Barbarossa", includes a professionally filmed show in Ekaterinburg, Russia, as well as 30-minute documentary about the creative process behind "The Satanist".

"The Satanist" was produced by BEHEMOTH, Wojtek and Slawek Wieslawscy and Daniel Bergstrand at Hertz Studio. The CD was mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER) and mastered by Ted Jensen (METALLICA, AC/DC) at Sterling Sound in New York City. The cover art for "The Satanist" was painted by renowned Russian painter and occultist Denis Forkas. The paint used included some of Nergal's own blood. Additional art and design was completed by Metastazis (PARADISE LOST) and Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, GHOST).

BEHEMOTH's video for the new single "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" was produced by Grupa 13 and is one of the band's most unsettling and unique works to date.

New York rock act REV THEORY has returned after a two-year absence with a new single that will impact radio immediately. The composition, "Red Light Queen", is one of six the band has completed, with another half dozen tracks in motion.

Singer Rich Luzzi reveals, "'Red Light Queen' is three minutes of raw, in-your-face energy about the dark secrets of a society that glamorizes excess to the fullest."

You can stream "Red Light Queen" using the SoundCloud widget below (courtesy of Loudwire).

REV THEORY will hit the road in May on the Road To The Range tour. An itinerary will follow imminently, with plans to travel in to Columbus for a triumphant return to perform on the main stage of Rock On The Range. PUDDLE OF MUDD guitarist Paul Phillips will join the band on tour.

Guitarist Julien Jorgensen shares: "We are F'ing stoked to welcome Paul Phillips to the REV family. A friend of the band for some time, he's a true class act and a 100% badass. We all look forward to rocking the stage with him."

Phillips adds: "I've been friends with the band forever and we used to tour together. This is the best music they've ever made, and I'm just looking forward to working with them, and being a part of taking the music even farther to the next level."

Over the past two years, the members of REV THEORY took some much needed time off from touring, followed their inner compasses to travel and explore the world each fulfilling personal dreams and inner desires. The band is now back, rejuvenated, better than ever, excited to get back at melting people's faces with their no-B.S. brand of hard rock.

Rich followed a strong calling and traveled to Mangledesh in Southeast Asia to learn the art of tantric sex. It is here where he mastered unifying the energy fields of Shiva and Shakti. It is also where he ran into Paul Phillips, where the guitarist had become a mythic figure in the art of levitation.

Drummer Dave Agoglia backpacked across North America and wrote his first and second books titled "I'll Just Have Water" and "I'll Just Have Water With Lemon". Both books became best sellers, with first editions selling for twenty times the list price in online auctions.

Bassist Matty McCloskey moved to Belgium, and learned to brew beer from Jan Adriaensen at Westmalle Trappist Brewery.

Lastly, guitarist Julien Jorgensen travelled to Northern Norway where he came across a spiritual Viking ship, and was welcomed aboard. It is here where he learned to fish, hunt, and feed himself from the gifts of the earth.

No question, they each took advantage to the time off from the road making the most of every day out of the spotlight.

Delaware/New Jersey sextet I AM HERESY will release its second full-length album, "Thy Will", on March 4 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD was engineered and produced by John Ferrara at Portrait Studios, who also helmed I AM HERESY's "O Day Star, Son Of Dawn" EP. The new effort was mastered by Kevin Mattesky at Phantom Center Media.

Two songs from "Thy Will" — "Rahabh" and "March Of Black Earth" — are available for free download this location.

The official video for the song "March Of The Black Earth" can be seen below.

I AM HERESY singer Nathan Gray had this to say about "March Of The Black Earth": "'March Of Black Earth', through symbolism and archetype, stands in defiance of the standard views of 'good' and 'evil.' It speaks of human exploration into a life without fear or reverence for imaginary deities, who are bent on suppressing our most natural desires. If those deities deem a lust for knowledge, freedom of our carnal self, and disobedience to be sinful, then let us become the best sinners we can be!"

He continued: "Each suffering character in the video represents self-sacrifice, killing what is left of our self-expression. The ominous beast in the plague mask represents each character's individual oppression. Their freedom is personified by the archetype Belial, or Baal ('without a master') who represents an infernal innocence, freedom, and mockery of self-imposed slavery. Hear the call... Free yourself from the bondage of self-denial, and accept the gift of sin!" I AM HERESY's sound is an eruption channeling the passionate hardcore/punk fury of early BOYSETSFIRE streaking ferociously down the middle of the metallic-tinged prowess and influences of fellow hardcore giants INTEGRITY and CONVERGE. Imposing. Frenetic. Unrelenting. And certainly unrepentant. After Nathan Gray (also of BOYSETSFIRE) ended THE CASTING OUT, the start of a new era was heralded when he teamed up with his son Simon Gray and a wild bunch of likeminded musicians to form I AM HERESY. They released a self-titled debut album that was followed by the "O Day Star, Son Of Dawn" EP shortly after in March of 2013. At about the same time, they did their first European tour as well as shows on the East Coast of the USA, including some with their new label mates of VATTNET VISKAR. Says Gray about "Thy Will": "A new ethos is born...Come ye daughters and sons of chaos and mystery! We intend to rebuild and create the archetypes of rebellion and revolution against self induced repression. Reveling in anthemic battle songs of lust, pride and indulgence in order to create a ritual purification from the stagnant impotence of servitude and self denial." I AM HERESY is:

Nathan Gray - VocalsJay Sin - GuitarSimon Gray - GuitarGregg Kautz - GuitarMatt Balog - BassCrumbs - Drums

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA will release their sixth studio album, "The Quantum Enigma", on May 2 in Europe and May 13 in North America through Nuclear Blast.

Where the 2013 "Retrospect" performance reflected on a decade as one of the leading bands in the symphonic metal scene, "The Quantum Enigma" marks the beginning of a new EPICA: modern, heavy, and without compromises.

Says the band: "More than any of our previous albums, this album is a group effort. The only goal we had in mind: creating the album that could lift EPICA up to the next level."

"The Quantum Enigma" was produced by Joost van den Broek at the Sandlane recording facility in the Netherlands. The album was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, HATESPHERE).

"The Quantum Enigma" will be released in five different configurations:

01 - Regular jewel case02 - 2CD digipack03 - 3CD earbook04 - double vinyl05 - Digital download "The Quantum Enigma" track listing:

01. Originem02. The Second Stone03. The Essence of Silence04. Victims of Contingency05. Sense Without Sanity (The Impervious Code)06. Unchain Utopia07. The Fifth Guardian (Interlude)08. Chemical Insomnia09. Reverence (Living in the Heart)10. Omen [The Ghoulish Malady]11. Canvas of Life12. Natural Corruption13. The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom Of Heaven Part II) Digipack additional track: "In All Conscience"Earbook additional track: "Dreamscape"Vinyl additional track: "Memento"iTunes additional track: "Banish Your Illusion" Disc 2 (digipack and earbook only):

01. Canvas Of Life [acoustic version]02. In All Conscience [acoustic version]03. Dreamscape [acoustic version]04. Natural Corruption [acoustic version] Disc 3 (earbook Only):

01. Originem [instrumental]02. The Second Stone [instrumental]03. The Essence of Silence [instrumental]04. Victims Of Contingency [instrumental]05. Sense Without Sanity [instrumental]06. Unchain Utopia [instrumental]07. The Fifth Guardian [instrumental]08. Chemical Insomnia [instrumental]09. Reverence [instrumental]10. Omen [instrumental]11. Canvas Of Life [instrumental]12. Natural Corruption [instrumental]13. The Quantum Enigma [instrumental] Longtime EPICA collaborator Stephan Heilemann once again created the stunning artwork to accompany the ideas behind the lyrics. Once you lay your hands on the album artwork, you will see that the cover is part of a bigger picture.

EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs.

EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version.

"Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.

HDK (formerly HATE DEATH KILL), the project launched by Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, TRILLIUM, KISKE/SOMERVILLE), will release its second album, "Serenades Of The Netherworld", later in the year via Revolutionary Records. The follow-up to 2009's "System Overload" was partially recorded and produced by Gommans at the Rock Station, mixed by Joost Van Den Broek and mastered by Jos Driessen. The songs were written by Gommans, Amanda Somerville and Geert Kroes.

States Gommans: "The first HDK album was very heavy and far away from the style I've developed with AFTER FOREVER. This new album combines those styles."

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Serenades Of The Netherworld" was created by Jan Mueller and can be seen below.

"Serenades Of The Netherworld" recording lineup:

* Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, TRILLIUM, KISKE/SOMERVILLE) - Guitar/Bass* Amanda Somerville (TRILLIUM, AVANATASIA, KISKE/SOMERVILLE) - Vocals* Geert Kroes (DEAD MAN'S CURSE, BLINDSIGHT) - Vocals* Koen Herfst (DEW-SCENTED, I CHAOS, ARMIN VAN BUUREN) - Drums* Uri Dijk (TEXTURES) - Keyboards* Erik Van Ittersum - Keyboards

Guests:

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

"Serenades Of The Netherworld" track listing:

01. Revelation02. Electric Soul03. Mortal Zombie04. Serenade Of The Netherworld05. Return From Tomorrow06. Let Life Be Done07. Eternal Journey08. Witness09. Book Of Lies10. Omega

Norwegian melodic metal outfit NERGARD has announced Elize Ryd of AMARANTHE as the next singer in the lineup for the second album, and final part of the Memorial For A Wish saga.

Nergard discovered Elize when she was touring as backup singer for KAMELOT. She will hit the studio soon to record a duet with Andi Kravljaca of AEON ZEN.
The new Nergard album, which ends the tragic story about the unfortunate man Peter O'Donnell, is scheduled for release in late 2014 and will feature a string of well-known names. So far Nils K. (PAGAN'S MIND) and Tony Mills (ex-TNT, ex-SHY) have been confirmed, as well as the up and coming Ben Rodgers (TELLUS REQUIEM) and Thomas Løseth (TEMPO).

The official video for the song "The Evolution" from the Japanese quintet CROSSFAITH — featuring Kenta Koie (vocals), Terufumi Tamano (programming), Kazuki Takemura (guitar), Hiroki Ikegawa (bass) and Tatsuya Amano (drums) — can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "Apocalyze", which sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD, which was released in the United States and Canada through The End Records on September 3, 2013, was produced by Machine (LAMB OF GOD, EVERY TIME I DIE, FOUR YEAR STRONG), who also helmed the group’s "Zion" EP.

CROSSFAITH combines metal, hardcore, samples and electronica to create groundbreaking music that transcends genres. Their 2009 debut album, "The Artificial Theory For The Dramatic Beauty" (Zestone Records), served as the catalyst in Japan; distinguishing the group as a true force and propelling them to the top of their game.

CROSSFAITH is currently on the Kerrang! Tour in the U.K. with LIMP BIZKIT, NEKROGOBLIKON and BABY GODZILLA.

CROSSFAITH is Kenta Koie (vocals), Terufumi Tamano (programming), Kazuki Takemura (guitar), Hiroki Ikegawa (bass) and Tatsuya Amano (drums.)

Danish death metallers DEATH COMES PALE have officially signed to Deepsend Records for the release of their upcoming debut album, World Grave.
World Grave is Danish death metal, plain and simple. Expect a heavy, crushing assault as only Denmark can unleash. Thrashing riffs with melodic daggers that are sure to find their home deep within your flesh. Percussion that pounds like a beating heart ripped from the body and vocals that set an ominous tone towards a World Grave.
Tracklisting:

'World Grave'
'Transgression'
'Spawn Of The Scorned'
'From The Lips Of The Dead'
'With A Foot In The Grave'
'The Putrification Process'
'Modern Enslavement'
'Fury Of Vengeance'
'Pulse Of Existence'
'Silent Genocide'
'Where The Broken Resides'

More details to follow.

Norwegian Black Metallers DEN SAAKALDTE entered the studio on the February 17th to begin recording their new album. Titled Kapittel II: Faen i Helvete, it will be the band's sophomore full-length album and a follow up to their 2009 debut, All Hail Pessimism.
Commenting on what the fans can expect from the new album, the band said that the material was "diverse, sick, (c)old and grim". Kapittel II: Faen i Helvete will be released on Agonia Records later this year.

Also, in February a double LP gatefold edition of All Hail Pessimism is set to appear on Agonia Records in a limited edition of 250 copies. The first 50 copies will be pressed in deep purple vinyl, with the remaining 200 copies in black.
The band also recently went "old school" with two of Den Saakaldte's previous releases appearing on pro-tapes. The 2008 demo, Øl, Mørke og Depresjon, was released in a limited edition of 333 copies on the Italian label Bylec-Tum Productions, and the All Hail Pessimism album was released on the Inferna Profundus label in a limited quantity of 150.
Formed originally as a one man project in 2006 by guitarist Sykelig, Den Saakaldte recently announce the addition of frontman Einar "Eldur" Thorberg (FORTID, MIDNATTSVREDE, CURSE, ex-THULE) to the lineup. Aside from Sykelig on guitars and Eldur on vocals, the lineup also includes Andre Kvebek (PANTHEON I, ex 1349) on guitars, Seidemann (1349, ex-Pantheon I) on bass, and Tybald (Fortid, ETHEREAL FOREST, HEATHEN DEITY) on drums.

Den Saakaldte's next appearance will be at Revolver in Oslo, Norway, on May 31st, when they will be presenting the new album.

Iconic thrash metal band TANKARD recently entered Studio 23 in Frankfurt, Germany to start recording their new album, entitled R.I.B., with producer Michael Mainx (BÖHSE ONKELZ, DER W, D.A.D, DISBELIEF), who also produced their last album. R.I.B. is set to be released on June 20th via Nuclear Blast.
Tankard have posted their first studio report detailing the making of R.I.B. Manager Buffo and drummer Olaf explain the recording progress and reveal some new album details below:
Michael Mainx recently commented: "Three time’s the charm – I‘m totally looking forward to have my hands on the controllers for Tankard for the third time in year 2 after the band anniversary! This is gonna be interesting..."
Band leader Gerre added: “We can hardly wait to be nailing down 10 new songs with Micha and are looking forward to a hopefully productive collaboration!”

Stay tuned for updates.

Greek extreme metal outfit BURIAL HORDES released the third full-length effort, Incendium, on February 10th via Hellthrasher Productions. The entire album is now available for streaming below.

The follow-up to 2008's Devotion To Unholy Creed contains 41 minutes of dark blackened death metal layered with an eerie, oppressive atmosphere and it's arguably their most complex work to date, blending the band's previous influences with modern, dissonant songwriting approach.

Cthonos, the group's vocalist, comments: "Incendium album is one more nail upon the cross of mankind. It consists of 8 tracks and combines the black death bestiality with haunted guitar themes. We used for the first time 7 string guitars and 5 string bass for a composite harmonic sound and that helped us to spawn the most dark, extreme and claustrophobic Burial Hordes album so far. Incendium was mixed and mastered at Endarker studio in Sweden and Devo helped us to achieve a very powerful sound with high dynamics. Totally satisfied with his work."

Incendium is the band's first record to feature drummer Nuctemeron (EMBRACE OF THORNS, NECROVOROUS, RESURGENCY). The album's artwork was made by Mark Riddick.
Tracklisting:

'Unleash Havoc'
'Horns Of Consecration'
'Nailed Curse'
'Path Of Bloodshed'
'Abomination'
'Scorned (Aokigahara)'
'Black Shrouds Of Depravity'
'Incendium'

Incendium by BURIAL HORDES

Brazilian metallers SHADOWS LEGACY recently released their debut album, You're Going Straight To Hell. BLAZE BAYLEY (ex-IRON MAIDEN) makes a guest appearance on the album track 'Hate Within'.
Check out a new video for 'Hate Within', featuring Bayley, below:
Shadows Legacy lineup:

Bruno Cardoso - Vocals
Leandro Motta - Guitar
Max Batista - Guitar
Luciano Rivero - Bass
Augusto Morais - Drums
'Sky Is Falling Down' video:

Extreme Metal Television has posted a video recap of the 2014 edition of "The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise" — 70000 Tons Of Metal — which sailed January 27 to January 31 from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico and back. The 11-minute clip, which can be seen below, features interviews with Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazares from FEAR FACTORY; OBITUARY's Donald Tardy; and Steve DiGiorgio of DEATH TO ALL. In addition, metal legends RAVEN stop by to recount a "terrible tale from the road."

40 heavy metal bands and 2,000 fans from all over the world traveled once again to the Caribbean for a five-day and four-night trip of a lifetime. The trip included unrestricted festival access to all live shows on board, metal karaoke until sunrise, the all-star jam, clinics, workshops, our infamous Belly Flop Contest, bars that never close, two full days at sea and the opportunity to mingle side by side with the artists.

The 2015 edition of 70000 Tons Of Metal will be held from Monday, January 22 to Friday, January 26.

WICKED STARRR have revealed the artwork for their new album, Piece Of Cake, out on February 28th via Spider Rock Promotion. The album contains ten songs of 80's US hard rock and hair metal under the influence of SPINAL TAP and STEEL PANTHER. Lyrics are sometimes half-serious, sometimes totally demented and provocative.
Piece Of Cake tracklisting:

‘Fucker’
‘One Night Stand’
‘And The Devil Misses You’
‘Letters Of Love’
‘Roundabout Is For Losers’
‘Neighborhood Rockstar’
‘Gang Of Wolves’
‘You’re Not The Same’
‘Red Light Paradise’
‘The Show’

Special guests:

Andrea Ciccomartino of GRAAL (vocals on ‘Roundabout Is For Losers’)
Luigi D'Attoli of Scream From Hell (lead guitar on ‘Red Light Paradise’)
Video ‘Neighborhood Rockstar’:

Norwegian black metallers MIDNATTSVREDE are very much back in action with live appearances scheduled, a full-length album in progress and a new six-track digital mini album, "Ripe Fruit on the Gallows Tree", released on the 10th of February via BandCamp. Ripe Fruit On The Gallows Tree includes a guest appearance by Vicotnik (DHG, VED BUENS ENDE, CODE), who performs vocals on Midnattsvrede's cover of the VED BUENS ENDE track 'Carrier Of Wounds', which Vicotnik himself wrote and which appears on VBE's 'Those Who Caress the Pale' and 'Written In Waters. The title track of the mini album is co-written with André Kvebek (DEN SAAKALDTE, PANTHEON I, ex-1349).

Tracklist for Ripe Fruit On The Gallows Tree:

'Moulder Of Them All'
'Ripe Fruit on the Gallows Tree'
'Beneath Dead Kings'
'I Nökkens Dyp'
'Det Voldelige Rav'
'Carrier of Wounds'

Formed in 1994 by Jormundgand (DEN SAAKALDTE, LOVEPLANET, ex-DHG), Midnattsvrede remained active until 1997, when they released a self-titled demo. The band remained in hiatus whilst Jormundgand concentrated on his other projects, but was brought back to life with the release of 2003's Demo. Aside from Jomundgand on drums, today's lineup includes Kaahrl on vocals, Einar Thorberg (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE, CURSE, POTENTIAM, ex THULE) on guitars and Ian Slemming (KRAANIUM) on bass. According to the band, work is already well under way on what will be Midnattsvrede's first full-length album, and Ripe Fruit On The Gallows Tree will serve as a hint for what fans can expect.

Midnattsvrede are confirmed to appear at the Hammerslag Vinterblot festival in Tonsberg on February 15th, and at the Inferno Festival in Oslo on April 19th.

The video teaser for Ripe Fruit On The Gallows Tree can be seen below: