Audio Fidelity will release an SACD (Super Audio CD) version of SCORPIONS's classic 1982 album "Blackout" later in the year.

"Blackout" is SCORPIONS' eighth studio album, released in 1982 on EMI and Mercury.

After losing his voice during the writing of the album, SCORPIONS lead vocalist Klaus Meine had to undergo surgery on his vocal cords and it was uncertain whether he would be able to record it. Demos of the material were recorded with Don Dokken as vocalist; however none of those recordings are featured on the album.

Rudolf Schenker could not choose between his guitar solos on "China White", so the U.S. and European releases differed in this small detail.

A self-portrait of artist Gottfried Helnwein is featured on the cover of the album. Rudolf Schenker portrays this character in the "No One Like You" music video. Shirts with this album artwork on them are amongst the most popular SCORPIONS t-shirts.

The RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) certified "Blackout" gold on June 24, 1982 and platinum on March 8, 1984.

Reformed Swedish hard rockers SKINTRADE will release their comeback album, "Refueled", on February 28 via AOR Heaven. The CD was recorded at SKINTRADE's studio and mixed by Oscar Ammer, frontman and songwriter of STEREOLITH, at Echobox Studio in Stockholm.

According to SKINTRADE, the band's new album represents "everything they stood for in the past, and exactly where they are musically at the present."

"Our focus always was and always will be on the songwriting and the ferocious riffs and grooves to match," says the group.

Added singer Matti Alfonzetti: "We have been working very hard writing songs and recording for over a year and half.

"We're really proud of the new album and we definitely feel that this is our best effort so far.

"We can't wait to get out on the road again and meet our old friends and to make new ones."

"Refueled" track listing:

01. Monster02. Liar03. Pay In Blood04. Hardcore MF Heartattack05. Close My Eyes06. Getting Away With Murder07. Mountain08. Been To The Bottom09. Worse Than Wasted10. Dying In Your Arms11. Wild One12. Look Me In The Eye

"Monster" audio sample:

Brazilian heavy/folk metal bards LOTHLÖRYEN will release their new album, Some Ways Back Some More, worldwide as digital download on February 28th, through the Power Prog's new initialized Digital Series.
Some Ways Back Some More is a reissue of the 2008 album Some Ways Back No More (only released in Brazil), partially rerecorded and supplemented by the voice of the current singer Daniel Felipe, with a new mixing in Casanegra Studios and the mastering in Norcal Studios by Brendan Duffey plus the totally new created artwork by Robson Piccin.

Some Ways Back Some More tracklist:
'My Mind In Mordor'
'We Will Never Be The Same'
'One Ring'
'Hobbits' Song'
'White Lies'
'Some Ways Back No More'
'Secret Time'
'My Grimoire'
'Unfinished Fairytale'

Check out the 'Hobbits' Song' video below:
Lothlöryen are:
Daniel Felipe - vocals
Leko Soares - guitars
Tim Alan Wagner - guitars
Marshall Godde - bass
Marcelo Benelli - drums
Leo Godde - keyboards

Hollywood-based female-fronted metal band EDGE OF PARADISE will kick off the New Year recording with Michael Wagener, during his first production workshop of 2014. The workshop will run from January 18th through the 22nd at his WireWorld Studios in Nashville, TN. Michael Wagener is legendary for his work with multi-platinum artists such as: OZZY OSBOURNE, METALLICA, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, and POISON, to name but a few.
"I have worked with The Edge Of Paradise mixing the material for their upcoming release: Perfect Shade Of Black. I am always blown away by their creative songwriting and Margarita's powerful voice. I am very much looking forward to working with them again in 2014." - MW

Michael will produce, record, mix and master Edge Of Paradise’s song 'Rise For The Fallen' that will be featured on their upcoming 2014 release of Perfect Shade Of Black. The band is excited to be a part of this workshop and looking forward to receiving Michael’s considerable expertise. There is limited space available to take part in this workshop; those wishing to do so may sign up here.

International grindcore "supergroup" LOCK UP — featuring Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR), Anton Reisenegger (PENTAGRAM, CRIMINAL), Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, BRUJERIA, VENOMOUS CONCEPT) and Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) — is "looking forward to another writing session for the new album in a couple of weeks down in the beautiful Basque region of Spain," according to posting on the band's Facebook page. The group adds: "New material is sounding off the hook and studio album #4 is gonna DESTROY!!!... Can't wait to share it with all of you."

LOCK UP's latest album, "Necropolis Transparent", was released in North America in July 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in November-December 2010 at HVR Studios in Ipswich, United Kingdom and was mixed in January 2011.

"Necropolis Transparent" features guest appearances by HYPOCRISY/PAIN mainman (and one-time LOCK UP vocalist) Peter Tägtgren along with Jeff Walker (CARCASS, BRUJERIA).

Originally formed by Embury, Barker and Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER) to blast out the most caustic, skin-flaying brand of deathgrind, LOCK UP was joined by the raw throat of Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) for its debut album, 1999's fearsome "Pleasure Pave Sewers", and Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR) for 2002's "Hate Breeds Suffering", touring Japan and then falling into inactivity. Now joined by guitarist Anton Reisenegger (Chile's PENTAGRAM, CRIMINAL) in place of the late Jesse Pintado, LOCK UP is back in the most uncompromising style possible.

Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA will release their eighth studio album, "Pariah's Child", on March 28 via Nuclear Blast. The cover artwork for the CD can be seen below.

Comments SONATA ARCTICA vocalist Tony Kakko: "As always, it's pretty hard coming up with a name for the new baby. I tried to approach it from many angles; how this is our eighth album and how easy it would be to abuse that fact. All the symbolism of figure eight, eternity and so on. But that just did not feel right, as it's been done so many times. Then I started to think how we'd in ways abandoned our 'totem animal,' the wolf and all what comes with the territory.

"As the music on the album is bowing more towards the 'old' SONATA, meaning more power metal-style elements and wolves in many of the songs in one form or another, it was clear we need a wolf on the cover. An abandoned wolf. A pariah. Or pariah's child, actually. The new generation to bring the old logo back."

SONATA ARCTICA last August parted ways with bassist Marko Paasikoski and replaced him with Pasi Kauppinen (SILENT VOICES, ex-REQUIEM, WINTERBORN).

The band will launch a European headlining tour in support of "Pariah's Child" on April 10 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Says SONATA ARCTICA keyboardist Henrik "Henkka" Klingenberg: "It's been a while since we last toured Europe, so I'm very happy that we can announce our first tour with our new album.

"Since the album will be out in March 2014, we don’t want to waste any time but will head out for a full European tour.

"The whole band is really looking forward to play some new songs for you and introduce our new bass player, Pasi, for all our fans. He's a monster live, you'll see."

SONATA ARTICA's latest album, "Stones Grow Her Name", was released in Europe on May 18, 2012 and in North America on May 22, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in several studios all over Finland, mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Mikko Karmila and mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck.

"Stones Grow Her Name" sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 9 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The DEATH song "Crystal Mountain" will be featured in the new arcade game Gargula Bloodrush from Paranormal Games, a small south Australian indie game developer in Adelaide.

Gargula Bloodrush is described as the 2D infinite runner that throws you into a nightmarish retro-style world of horror and gore. It combines fast action play, upgradeable abilities, an ominous art style influenced by comics, horror and 16-bit games of the '80s/'90s.

"Crystal Mountain" is taken from DEATH's classic 1995 album "Symbolic", which was reissued in 2008 via Roadrunner Records. the remastered LP included the original album tracks plus several previously unreleased, ultra-rare, mostly instrumental demo recordings that were completed in early 1994 with the lineup of Chuck Schuldiner (guitar), Gene Hoglan (drums) and Steve DiGiorgio (bass). The package also came with brand new liner notes written by longtime metal journalist Don Kaye.

DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.

Resurrected 1990s Florida-based death metallers MASSACRE will release their long-awaited comeback album, "Back From Beyond", in March via Century Media Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. As We Wait To Die02. Ascension Of The Deceased03. Hunter's Blood04. Darkness Fell05. False Revelation06. Succumb To Rapture07. Remnants Of Hatred08. Shield Of The Son09. The Evil Within10. Sands Of Time11. Beast Of Vengeance12. Back From Beyond13. Honor The Fallen

Video footage of MASSACRE's entire March 29, 2013 performance at the Florida Metal Bash at The Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida can be seen below.

MASSACRE released a seven-inch single, "Condemned To The Shadows", on July 30, 2012. The single, which is available as a regular black-wax version, a transparent wax limited edition and a yellow-wax limited edition, contains two brand new songs — "Succumb To Rapture" and "Back From Beyond" — that were recorded in February 2012 at CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida with Tim Vazquez at the helm.

The band's current lineup consists of bassist Terry Butler and guitarist Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo alongside MASSACRE's latest additions, Mike Mazzonetto (drums; M INC., PAIN PRINCIPLE) and Ed Webb (vocals; DIABOLIC, GENERICHRIST, DESTINED TO RUIN).

German melodic death metal band BURIAL VAULT have released a video for ‘Awareness’. The track comes off the band’s second full-length album Incendium (Apostasy Records).
With Incendium, the quintet released more than an ordinary album. Inspired by Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 the band developed a concept that embodies a metamorphosis of a human in an inconvenient future both on musical as on textual level. This dynamic and diverse album reaches from acoustic passages to eruptions of black metal blast-beats and slow death metal attacks. Inendium was recorded at Soundlodge Studios by Jorg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, DEFEATED SANITY) and features artwork from Ben Borucki (AGATHODAIMON, SUICIDE SILENCE).

Incendium tracklisting:

Chapter I:
'The Stench Of Burning Thoughts'
'A Blind Follower And A Watchful Hound'
Chapter II:
'Soil & Green'
'Peculiar'
'The Nightly Horror'
'Prelude To Peripety'
'Fatal Accident'
Chapter III:
'Struggling Doubt'
'Moment Of Truth'
'Awareness'
Chapter IV:
'Surveillance Web'
'Catharsis'
'Black Into White'

'Awareness' video:
'Catharsis' lyric video:

The fourth PERSUADER album, "The Fiction Maze", will be released in Europe on January 17 and in North America on January 21 through Inner Wound Recordings. Avalon/Marquee released the album in Japan on December 25.

"The Fiction Maze" is another step forward for PERSUADER as they constantly continue to develop their sound, songwriting skills and performance. PERSUADER describes the CD: "A lot of hard work was put into creating the perfect mix of everything we've done so far. We've expanded on the PERSUADER sound while keeping true to the core that is the band; heavy riffing, strong melodies, pounding rhythms and soaring vocals."

The mixing and mastering was handled by Ronnie Björnström (AEON, APOSTASY, BONE GNAWER) and the production fits the album really well, giving lots of space to the more aggressive side of the PERSUADER sound, but without losing the melodic parts in the process.

"The Fiction Maze" track listing:

01. One Lifetime02. War03. The Fiction Maze04. Deep In The Dark05. InSect06. Son Of Sodom07. Sent To The Grave08. Heathen09. Dagon Rising10. Worlds Collide11. Falling Faster

The song "Son Of Sodom" can be streamed below.

"The Fiction Maze" can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Recordings store (CD, vinyl, t-shirt bundle available) at innerwound.bigcartel.com.

A limited 12-inch double gatefold edition of "The Fiction Maze" will be released on February 7.

PERSUADER is:

Jens Carlsson - VocalsFredrik Hedström - BassEmil Norberg - GuitarDaniel Sundbom - GuitarEfraim Juntunen - Drums

"I Smell A Massacre", the new video from the BUTCHER BABIES, can be seen below. The clio was filmed last year while the band was on the road as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.

"I Smell A Massacre" is taken from BUTCHER BABIES' debut album, "Goliath", which sold around 3,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 107 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD came out on July 9, 2013 via Century Media Records. The Los Angeles-based band — frontwomen Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd, guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Jason Klein and drummer Chris Warner — wrapped its tour with MARILYN MANSON in late February 2013 and went straight into the studio with producer Josh Wilbur (GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED).

In an interview with CrypticRock.com, Shepherd stated about "Goliath": "The album, as a whole, is very diverse. There is basically something for everybody. We all have different influences and everything is portrayed on this album. Jason [Klein, bass] loves death metal; Henry [Flury, guitar], in general, metal; I love nu-metal; and Carla loves classic metal. We all love every [kind of] metal but those are our favorite and those are where we came from. All our influences shine bright on this album. It's definitely a coloration of everybody's influences and everybody's love. We're all very proud of it in one way or another. There is something for everybody in it."

PROJECT TERROR, the band featuring ex-VICIOUS RUMORS frontman Ronnie Stixx, have revealed their new band lineup, now featuring ex-REVEND drummer Dave Galbert, bassist Michael Canals (ex-DIVINE RUINS), guitarist Ian Rendawn (Divine Ruins, BLOOD RED SKIES), and guitarist Joseph Benjamin.
Ronnie comments: "It's kinda like a reunion with Ian and Michael... they both have been in the same band together with me at one point or another. Dave is the new guy to the fold, Joesph and i have jammed with Dave before in our RONNIE JAMES DIO tribute band EVIL EYES... we do from time to time. The new lineup feels really good - great energy and sounds killer... we are looking forward to upcoming shows."

Project Terror recently unveiled the artwork for their upcoming release, Conquistador.
Conquistador tracklisting:

‘Breaking The Spell’
‘Day Of The Jackal’
‘Destiny’s Eyes’
‘Blood Red Skies’
‘Conquistador’
‘Take To The Sky’
‘Killing Machine’
‘Untied’
‘I’

Conquistador album trailer:
Details to follow.

Swedish metallers SABATON will release their new album, "Heroes", on May 16 via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Péter Sallai and can be seen below.

"We had the title in mind since before we even recorded 'Carolus Rex' and we already had ideas for artwork years ago," says SABATON bassist Pär Sundström. "We had a few different ones to choose from, but when we saw this one, we knew it was the right one for this album."

"Heroes" is being recorded at The Abyss, the recording studio in Pärlby outside Ludvika, Sweden owned and operated by record producer and musician Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN).

"[Peter] still has some aces in his sleeves that we are sure will lift the new album," says Sundström.

A video clip of the drum-recording sessions can be seen below.

SABATON played its first show with new drummer Hannes Van Dahl on November 16, 2013 at the Metal Hammer Paradise festival in Germany.

Regarding their decision to enlist Hannes Van Dahl, SABATON said in a statement: "For some time, there has been rumors about Robban [Bäck] coming back soon, or that Snowy [Shaw] would fill in for a while longer, or even take Robban's place permanently behind the drums.

"To put an end to these rumors we now present our new full-time member in SABATON: Hannes Van Dahl.

"Hannes has previously played in EVERGREY, which we have toured with in the past, and he has also worked side by side with us as drum technician for Snowy during his time in SABATON."

SABATON will return to the U.S. and Canada in April as direct support to American metallers ICED EARTH on their "Worldwide Plagues" North American tour. Opening each show on the six-week trek will be Dutch metallers REVAMP (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen).

SABATON's last album, "Carolus Rex", was released on May 22, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which was made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

SABATON in 2012 parted ways with guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.

Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED will release a new three-song single, "Eye Of The Storm", on January 20 in Europe and January 21 in North America via Century Media Records. The single’s cover artwork can be seen below.

"Eye Of The Storm" will be made available as limited-edition seven-inch EP (1,000 copies split as follows: 500 on black vinyl, 300 on red vinyl and 200 on white vinyl) and as digital single, featuring the new songs "Eye Of The Storm", "Infiltrator" and "My Enemy".

You can pre-order the seven-inch single (in black or red vinyl versions) as well as the band's back catalogue for special reduced prices from CM Distro in Europe.

The single marks the recording debut of THE HAUNTED's new lineup, which was announced last summer, featuring founding members Patrik Jensen (guitar) and Jonas Björler (bass), returning members Marco Aro (vocals) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums), as well as new guitarist Ola Englund.

Commented THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen: "There aren't superlatives enough to describe how much the band has longed for these three songs to be released.

"We are sure fans have been anxious to know what the band sounds like today after all the turmoil and old members leaving and new members joining.

"We feel that these three songs represent the band perfectly.

"We are currently working on the new album, an album that will be filled to the brim with what we know to be THE HAUNTED.

"We'll start doing gigs this spring and we'll do festivals all over the place this summer.

"Get in touch with the festivals you visit (and behave like an animal at) and tell them to get us on the bill!

"THE HAUNTED is back.

"Play it loud. No. Louder."

The new lineup of THE HAUNTED will make its live debut during the 2014 edition of "The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise" — 70000 Tons Of Metal — which will sail January 27 to January 31 from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico and back.

THE HAUNTED's 2014 lineup:

* Patrik Jensen - Guitar * Ola Englund (SIX FEET UNDER, FEARED) - Guitar * Marco Aro (THE RESISTANCE, FACE DOWN) - Vocals * Jonas Björler - Bass * Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums

THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen stated about the band's new lineup: "THE HAUNTED went through some difficult times last year. Losing three band members is a pretty huge blow to any band. Jonas and I agreed immediately that we wanted to continue with the band, but we wanted to take our time and not rush into anything.

"Some of you might recognize a few faces, some of you might not. Adrian Erlandsson is back on drums and Marco Aro is back on vocals. Adrian you might know from playing on our first album and Marco sang on 'The Haunted Made Me Do It', 'Live Rounds In Tokyo' and 'One Kill Wonder'. On guitar we also have Ola Englund bringing some pretty heavy chops to the band.

"We're all VERY excited about having THE HAUNTED back in working shape again and we can't wait to get back out on the road to play for our very patient and faithful fans again. A new album is also already in the works and if you are familiar with the individual band members of this new lineup, you can be assured that the new material will grab you by the throat from the get-go!"

Vocalist Marco Aro (ex-FACE DOWN, also in THE RESISTANCE) was previously involved with THE HAUNTED for three acclaimed releases between 1999 and 2003 as well as for several worldwide touring campaigns. Drummer Adrian Erlandsson (also in AT THE GATES and PARADISE LOST) belonged to the original lineup of THE HAUNTED together the Björler twins after the demise of their previous legendary group, AT THE GATES. Together with Jensen, they launched THE HAUNTED's self-titled debut in 1998, an album which has been widely considered as the kick-start for a new era in the thrash metal movement and which, despite its initial underground status, climbed to be a massively inspirational record for a whole new generation of musicians and bands in the following decade. Guitarist Ola Englund is a highly talented young player from Sweden, who has recently been active as touring and recording member of U.S. death metal institution SIX FEET UNDER.

According to Soundsblog.it, LACUNA COIL guitarist Marco "Maus" Biazzi joined Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD on stage last night (Tuesday, January 7) in Milan, Italy to perform the song "Redneck". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Photos of the show are available on Soundsblog.it.

LAMB OF GOD's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Desolation02. Ghost Walking03. Walk With Me In Hell04. Hourglass05. Set To Fail06. Now You've Got Something to Die For07. The Undertow08. Omerta09. Ruin10. In Your Words11. Vigil12. Laid To Rest-----------13. Redneck14. Black Label

LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton is sitting out the band's current European headlining tour due to a "family emergency." Filling in for him is Paul Waggoner of BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

LACUNA COIL recently canceled its appearance on ShipRocked, the rock music cruise vacation onboard the Norwegian Pearl, due to "some very serious personal family matters at this time which demand [the band's] full attention."

LACUNA COIL has completed recording its new album with producer Jay Baumgardner (P.O.D., SEVENDUST, EVANESCENCE, PAPA ROACH) for an early 2014 release via Century Media Records.

A teaser for "Arcanum Gloriae", the debut album from Italian power metallers ASTRAL DOMINE, is available below. The CD will be released on January 21, 2014 via Bakerteam Records.

Produced by the bandmembers themselves, with mixing and mastering duties held by Andrea De Paoli (LABYRINTH, VISION DIVINE) at Multimedia Sound Studio, "Arcanum Gloriae" features special guest appearances by renowned singers Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, VISION DIVINE, HOLLOW HAZE) on the song "Where Heroes Die" and Giuseppe "Ciape" Cialone (ROSAE CRUCIS) on the song "Falsi Dei".

Inspired by fantasy themes and landscapes, ASTRAL DOMINE's music is perfectly depicted by the evocative album artwork, which recalls the epic scenery of the "Game Of Thrones" series.

ASTRAL DOMINE was founded in 2011 by music composer an lyricist Luca Gagnoni with the intent of creating epic, powerful music with a peaceful message.

Swedish hard rock act SISTER will release its new album, "Disguised Vultures", on January 21 in North America and January 27 in Europe via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded with Martin Sweet and Linus Birbrant and features the previously released single "Sick".

European fans were able to get their hands on a limited colored seven-inch single of "Sick" while the band was on tour with WEDNESDAY 13 throughout Europe.

"Disguised Vultures" emphasizes what the band is all about: heavy, raw sound and attitude. Fans will find plenty more of what Revolver magazine described as "a genre-bending amalgam of street punk attitude and glam-inspired melodies" on this new album.

"Disguised Vultures" track listing:

01. My Enemy02. Sick03. Disguised Vultures04. Arise05. We Salute 'Em06. Slay Yourself07. Naked08. DMN 09. (Stop The) Revolution 10. Please Kill Me

The song "Naked" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Austrian avantgarde black metal act ECHELON will release their debut album, Vivito! Creato! Moritor!, on January 24th via Gravity Entertainment. Pre-orders are now available for the CD or Limited Box Edition.
Vivito! Creato! Moritor! tracklisting:

'Les Grandes Misères de la Guerre'
'Der Baum der Gehängten'
'Tod und Teufel'
'Strappado'
'Desastres de la Guerre'
'Der Krieg in mir'
'Des Teufels Bluthund'
'Die Grauen des Krieges'
'Effet de neige à petit Montrouge'
'Vor mir türmen sich die Scherben'
'Ewigkeit
'Totengeigen'
'Triptychon: Der Krieg'

'Die Grauen des Krieges (An Incomplete List)' video:
Echelon represents itself as a visionary avantgarde black metal formation to the musical cosmos. A band which looks unusually far beyond the much cited artistic edge of the plate. Profound for all intents and purposes. Lyrically the philosophical squad from Austria judges the world very critically. In terms of music, lyrics and graphics, Echelon offers the broad-minded listeners a highly coherent experience of sound, content and illustration.

European metalers CRYSTAL TEARS will release their new album, Hellmade, on March 28th via Massacre Records. The band have released the new album's teaser trailer, pesented by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal of GUNS N' ROSES.
Drummer Chrisafis Tantanozis states: "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.

The first of four videos on the making of "The Satanist", the long-awaited new album from Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH, can be seen below.

"The Satanist" will be 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. Pre-order bundles, include: CD, LP, t-shirt, as well as the deluxe box set, and are available at metalblade.com/behemoth in North America, nuclearblast.de/behemoth in Europe, and on behemoth-store.com (digibook and box). BEHEMOTH's video for the new single "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" can be seen below. This visual masterpiece was produced by Grupa 13 and is one of BEHEMOTH's most unsettling and unique works to date.

BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski states about the video: "Yes, we took all the time in the world to complete this project. And we did everything that was humanely possible to accurately express our vision. We crossed the Rubicon.

"'Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel' is an ecstatic manifest of our unrestrained artistic will, where we dare to reach out beyond the limitations of the heavy metal genre. And it's only the beginning."

"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).

"I wanted to incorporate some of my DNA into the art," Nergal told Australia's Heavy magazine about having his blood included in "The Satanist" artwork.

"This album seems to be so defining of who we are now as people and as individuals, and considering all the instances in recent years, [we wanted] to make it more 'ours' than it is usually."

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Darski described BEHEMOTH's new songs as "very atmospheric" and "very emotional." "Think BURZUM meets NEW ORDER meets KILLING JOKE," he added. But at the same time, fans shouldn't expect the album to sound too far removed from BEHEMOTH's past efforts. "Take SLAYER, for example," Darski said. "Whatever genre they deal with, they still end up sounding like SLAYER. Even when they were flirting with nu-metal, it was a SLAYER record. Same with BEHEMOTH."

According to Darski, at least some of the inspiration for the new BEHEMOTH album came from his five-month bout of leukemia he overcame in January 2011, after receiving a bone-marrow transplant. "When I was in the hospital, I was collecting experiences and emotions," he said. "I'm pretty sure that it's coming out now. There are moments I catch myself thinking about how my state was back then. It was me versus life, me versus death. It definitely changed my thoughts a lot. It's 100 percent being reflected in the record and songs I'm writing nowadays. I'm way more radical than I used to be."

"The Satanist" track listing:

01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel02. Furor Divinus03. Messe Noire04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer05. Amen06. The Satanist07. Ben Sahar08. In the Absence ov Light09. O Father O Satan O Sun!

Audio samples of the songs that will appear on the forthcoming fourth album from Finnish metallers PROFANE OMEN can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD will be released on March 14 via Spinefarm Records. According to the band, the follow-up to 2011's "Destroy!" "is the fastest, angriest and tightest PROFANE OMEN recording by far so far."

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

"Destroy!" was released on September 28, 2011 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Ville Sorvali (MOONSORROW) and Mikko Herranen (RUST) and was recorded in part at Petrax studios in Hollola, Finland. The effort was mastered at Chartmakers in Helsinki.

PROFANE OMEN is:

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

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will release their new album, "Divide And Conquer", on January 14, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via NoiseArt Records. The effort will be made available as a limited digipak, vinyl LP in different colors and as a digital download.

Comments SUICIDAL ANGELS guitarist/vocalist Nick Melissourgos: "We recorded again in the Prophecy & Music Factory Studios and the mix and master this time was done by Fredrik Nordström (HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY) at Fredman Studios. We didn't know what to expect for the final result, but what we got is killer. He managed to combine the old-school feeling of our music with an up-to-date production of 2013. [It sounds] absolutely massive!"

The cover artwork for "Divide And Conquer" was created by another well-known name in the metal biz — legendary cover artist Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, DEATH and MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Adds Melissourgos: "If you notice, in the pit, it's not people fighting, it's zombies. Also the crowd isn't human, they are zombies. They are the souls of people who have no human feelings anymore. They represent the ugliness and the inhumanity of the humans. Thus turned into something else, they are easier to be conquered and manipulated."

The "Divide And Conquer" artwork is said to be the "perfect mirror" for the album's lyrics, because once again, SUICIDAL ANGELS isn't really interested in booze, boobs and slimy aliens, but instead likes to reflect on the everyday horror of our lives.

"The main subject is the contemporary situation that we all are living in," explains Melissourgos. "There is so much power in the hands of few who have the ability to do everything, but their only fear is everyday and common people. So the only, most direct and easiest solution is to mentally disease the population, in order to fight each other, in order to misjudge reality and not being able to tell what is important and what not. So, like this, without unity, it is easier to become a slave."

SUICIDAL ANGELS will embark on a European headlining tour in January and February 2014. Support on the trek will come from FUELED BY FIRE, LOST SOCIETY and EXARSIS.

"Divide And Conquer" track listing:

01. Marching Over Blood02. Seed Of Evil03. Divide And Conquer04. Control The Twisted Mind05. In The Grave06. Terror Is My Scream07. Pit Of Snakes08. Kneel To The Gun09. Lost Dignity10. White Wizard

The official video for the song "In The Grave" can be seen below.

"Scars And Bars", a brand new song from the Sweden-based "southern metal" band METHANE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track is taken from the group's upcoming EP, which will be released on January 31.

METHANE is a four-piece band formed by Tim Scott, former bassist for REVENANT and HATEPLOW. The group's current lineup is completed by Jimi Masterbo (HELL PATROL) and Dylan Campbell on guitar, and Andreas Strom on drums. METHANE formed in the fall of 2012 when Dylan moved to Sweden. Tim contacted Jimi with the idea of moving away from death metal towards a more progressive style of metal music. The three members started sharing ideas and influences, writing metal songs with country overtones on a heavy PANTERA-esque groove. Andreas was brought in to help the writing and quickly became a permanent cog in the METHANE machine. METHANE is: Tim Scott - Bass and VocalsJimi Masterbo - Lead GuitarDylan Campbell - Rhythm Guitar Andreas Strom - Drums

Classic rock legends WISHBONE ASH have unveiled the official artwork to their upcoming album, Blue Horizons, due out in late February via Solid Rockhouse Records.
As previously reported, founding member Andy Powell, Muddy Manninen, Bob Skeat and Joe Crabtree will perform the entire Live Dates double album as part of their set in Holland on these dates:
January
16 - Patronaat - Haarlem
17 - Boerderij -Zoetermeer
18 - DePul - Uden
19 - Burgerweeshuis - Deventer

Says the band: "Don't miss these exclusive performances. Meet the band after the show and experience an unforgettable evening with Wishbone Ash. Celebrate 40 years of Live Dates. The music remains as popular as ever. See you on the road that never ends."

Australian symphonic metal singer DARKYRA BLACK, will release her debut album, Dragon Tears, on February 20th.
Dragon Tears is a concept album based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy. Love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge. The music is a fine blend of symphonic metal, gothic metal, epic metal and progressive rock with elements of traditional pentatonic music and an overall cinematic feel. The album is being co-produced by Garry King, Darkyra Black and George Boussounis, through Online Recording Masters Athens and La Foret Groupe France.

Darkyra Black has recently released their brand new single and video ‘Tears By Candlelight‘:
According to a press release, Darkyra Black’s unique vocal is far from predictable as she has a way of blending together all the different colors of her voice taking you on an emotional roller coaster unlike any other female artist."
Darkyra Black are:
Darkyra Black – vocals
Garry King – drums
Betovani Deneli – guitar
Colin Haynes – bass
Paul Jupe – guitar
Fab Jablonski – keyboards

Additional musicians:
George Boussounis – keyboard/samples/arrangements
Michael Porfyris – cello
Ilias Sdoukos – viola
Laertis Kokolanis – violin

For more details visit Darkyra.com.

KLOGR, the Italian five-piece featuring frontman Rusty – will release their second full-length album, Black Snow, next March. The new album will be followed by a European Black Snow Tour of 23 dates with PRONG. Check out an album teaser below:
Says Rusty, about the title of the album: “Man has contaminated everything and his contamination was not always a positive thing. What was meant to be evolution is revealing itself to be an environmental and intellectual pollution heading to self-destruction."
And adds: "I am very proud of this album and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

CD artwork of Black Snow was designed by Flush Design.

For more info visit Klogr.net.

TatuI/Sao Paulo-based metallers SYMPTOMEN will release their second album in March. Titled Into The Future, the album was recorded at the band's own studio, Studio 8, and follows the line of pure traditional heavy metal. The band will release four virtual singles until the release of the full physical CD.
Into The Future tracklist:
'Into the Future'
'2 Lives 2 Live'
'About to Blow'
'Payback Time'
'The Eye of the Universe'
'Heavy Metal in Blood'
'The Game'
'Glory Night'
'Freedom War'
'Goodbye'

The title track can be heard streaming below:

Danish power metallers IRON FIRE have issued the following update:

"Happy new year Iron Heads, good news our break is over and we start to record the follow up to Voyage Of The Damned in about two weeks. We have chosen to stick to our guns and do what we feel is the right way for Iron Fire to go. The new album will be called Inferno and it will be a theme album based on the classic book The Divine Comedy aka Dantes Inferno.

It's gonna be our most dark and heavy album to date, and we are gonna showcase a lot of new elements to our sound. We are still and will always be power metal but that will not keep us from evolving our music. Iron Fire music comes from the heart and not what any record label or trend dictates.
Two years in the rehearsal room has taken its toll on the band resulting in the departure of Martin Lund. We thank him for eight great years and wish him the best of luck for the future. The bass will from now on be handled by Martin Steene: "I've been playing bass for many years and being the sole song writer of Iron Fire I see this as the best solution, now I actually get to play and scream my own songs at the same time."

We will continue as a three-piece and work our asses of in 2014 to create the ultimate power metal assault for all of you. Its a new year, a new chapter and there is a new beast on the way."

Poland's ANIMATIONS have released their new video, for the track 'Dawn The Day Before', featured on the band's third studio album, Private Ghetto.
Says the band: “We chose this song for the next video, because it as a bit different from other Private Ghetto stuff - when it comes to both sound and atmosphere. However we honour this one very much - still it’s quite a challenging song when played live. We took the shots for this video quite a long time before, in December 2012, in Theater Of Arts in Jaworzno - one of the most amazing places we ever played."

In spring 2013, Animations had finished working on their third album, Private Ghetto. The album is available both in regular CD format and digitally through every major digital distributor. Private Ghetto is the result of over a year's work in the studio. The band's first album with Frantz Woloch - the new vocalist, and the first one marking such a dramatic genre shift.

The album contains fourteen tracks, three of which are short instrumental interludes. The tracklisting is as follows:

'Mellah'
'Morality Failed'
'Silence'
'My Private Ghetto'
'Dawn The Day Before'
'We Are...'
'Generation Zero'
'Internal Chaos'
'Crystal Lies'
'Thieves of Dreams'
'Epiphany'
'Mea Culpa?'
'Wrath'
'halleM'

Album trailer:
More on Animations at Facebook.