Fan-filmed video footage of the December 18 conceft of this year's Christmas Metal Symphony European tour at RuhrCongress in Bochum, Germany can be seen below.

Magnum Opum Rockestra (under conductor Marcel Heijnen), a 32-strong orchestra accompanied by the METALFORCE 1 rock band and led by singers/vocalists which influenced the metal scene in recent years and decades, are taking part in the Christmas Metal Symphony European tour. Musical director of the production is Joost van den Broek. Singers taking part in the trek include Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-ACCEPT), Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN, UNISONIC), Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL) and Floor Jansen (REVAMP, NIGHTWISH, AFTER FOREVER).

It is a well-known fact in the world of international metal fans that Tilburg in The Netherlands was host of this impressive metal show for two years. As a direct result of the succes of these shows, the requests for bringing it to the rest of Europe kept growing. Nowthe time is right to fulfill these wishes and bring this monster on the road. Christmas Metal Symphony comes with six fantastic international metal vocalists, a six-piece metal band with musicians from bands like EPICA, AFTER FOREVER and STREAM OF PASSION and an impressive 32-piece symphonic orchestra. The heavy backbone of the show is METALFORCE 1. These musicians were handpicked by Joost van den Broek and these Santa's Little Helpers contain some of the finest metal artists:

* Marcel Coenen (SUN CAGED) - Guitar* Johan Van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) - Bass* Abel Carnizales (LABIRINTHO) - Guitar* Jeffrey Revet (STREAM OF PASSION) - Keyboards* Koen Herfst (EPICA) - Drums* Joost Van Den Broek (AFTER FOREVER) - Keyboards Over the last 35 years of metalmusic, bands have written many concept albums and concept shows; great stories and fantastic songs. The team of Christmas Metal Symphony therefore decided that with the impressive heritage of all these great metal songs ever written, it would be a shame not to use them. So for this reason you can expect performances of your all time favorite metal songs, by some of the best international artists who are part of that great metal history themselves. All of this in a great Christmas and metal setting and brought to you as a full metal show; loud and extremely powerful… just like the doctor ordered!

Just in time for the holiday season, HATE ETERNAL bass maverick J.J. Hrubovcak vomits forth "Death Metal Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics", a twistedly unholy rendition of some of the season's darkest hymns. Composed and produced by J.J. with vocals and artwork, by brother and MONSTROSITY throat Mike Hrubovcak, "Death Metal Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics" was engineered by HATE ETERNAL mastermind Erik Rutan and J.J., mixed and mastered by Brian Elliott all at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and boasts five deformed Christmas classics. Far from a campy holiday metal record, "Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics" comes replete with updated arrangements, blast beats, double bass drum battery, hellbound guitar solos and new lyrics with a purpose. A death metal record first and Christmas album second, the themes of the hymns were used as a foundation for the music and can mostly be heard in the right channel. Everything else was built around the theme — solo sections, intros, outros, harmonies, etc. It was important from the start that this album not be a joke, but a serious record that could survive outside of the Christmas season and thus the resulting symphony of sickness. Since many hymns written ages ago are dark in nature, they were obvious concept choices. The lyrics have been altered to portray a possible future outcome to mankind's current path and focus on Azrael, the angel of death in some Islam, Sikhism and Hebrew lore. The story follows a child (Azrael) born to a wealthy family heavily involved in politics throughout the generations. The child is not named Azrael but is infused with its spirit and is predestined by Abaddon (the Destroyer) to cleanse the earth of man though he does not know it yet. Azrael is never in the public eye nor is he ever elected to any position but is heavily involved in the family business of politics. He develops concepts for solutions to many of the world's problems and seduces world leaders into designating him the de facto authority on most major issues. The world leaders implement his "solutions" over the years as he slowly awakens to his own lust for power. He is so adept at manipulating men that they crown him king either in the public eye or behind the scenes. Once this king has total authority, he betrays the world leaders who realize that they've been misled for years. After systematically eliminating opposition, he turns on the entire human race. At this point, Azrael is fully self-actualized and carries out acts of suffering and death throughout the world in a way never before witnessed by mankind. "Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics" track listing:

01. Unrest For Melancholy Men (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)02. Earthen Kings (We Three Kings)03. Nutracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy04. Greensleeves05. O Come, O Come, Azrael (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)

The official lyric video for "O Come, O Come, Azrael (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)" can be seen below. Hrubovcak comments: "At this point, Azrael is fully self-actualized but the lyrics to this one don't address the story as much as the other songs. Instead, this song serves as more of an invocation. The guitars in the beginning and middle are designed as a swallowing force to sink the mind into the meditative subconscious and create complete focus for the invocation. This song is basically an anthem for misanthropes everywhere! So turn out the lights, break out the candles and sing — rejoice!"

J.J. Hrubovcak is current bass player for HATE ETERNAL and can be heard on "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes", released on Metal Blade Records.

Hrubovcak has performed in numerous capacities over the years on lead and rhythm guitars, bass and drums. Prior to joining HATE ETERNAL in 2008, Hrubovcak played lead and rhythm guitars in DIVINE RAPTURE and VILE, drums in MOURNING, wrote the Metal Rules Radio theme song, played in black metal band ICE (IMPERIAL CRYSTALLINE ENTOMBMENT), and has performed with a host of other notable bands over the last two decades Mike Hrubovcak is current vocalist for MONSTROSITY and VILE and founder of avant-garde death metal act AZURE EMOTE. He's performed vocals and written lyrics in ABRAXAS and DIVINE RAPTURE and other acts over the years and is a renowned artist designing CD layouts, T-shirts, ads, etc for bands throughout the metal community including PATHOLOGY, RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER and GRAVE. His work has been featured in galleries, published in hard cover art books and used in feature film "Dream House".

Progressive-rock powerhouse BIGELF will release its fourth studio album, "Into The Maelstrom", on March 4, 2014 in North America via InsideOut Music.

Comments BIGELF frontman and mastermind Damon Fox: "I think 'Into The Maelstrom' is the best BIGELF record yet and I believe it is a real game changer for the band. It's gonna put us over the top! Psychedelic cinematic landscapes and melodic prog-doom set the stage for the new album. I cannot wait for fans (old and new) to experience all of its apocalyptic color."

"Into The Maelstrom" marks the BIGELF recording debut of drummer Mike Portnoy (TRANSATLANTIC, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER), whose Progressive Nation At Sea cruise the band will perform on between February 18 and February 22, 2014, playing alongside such bands as TRANSATLANTIC, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, RIVERSIDE and ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO.

Damon Fox previously stated about what has been happening in the BIGELF camp in the last couple of years: "After the juggernaut of 'Cheat The Gallows' came to a halt, the business and personal infrastructure of BIGELF imploded and an unexpected hiatus occurred leaving the band in complete disarray. A myriad of personal, financial and domestic matters had enveloped myself as well as certain members of the group. There also comes a time when deep down inside it just doesn't feel right anymore, and one has to face the music that the end is near. Transparency no longer exists and with that, clarity and perspective are lost. I'm speaking for myself now but clearly this was a mutual feeling and I believe it was obvious amongst the band. Subsequently, Ace Mark decided to move on and left BIGELF in the summer of 2011, and a request by the remaining members for a dissolution of business followed. To put it simply, we went our separate ways without malice. "I had been keeping in close touch with Mike Portnoy after his very public and difficult departure from DREAM THEATER. At this time, my musical future seemed quite bleak and I was very vocal to Mike about not being able to sustain the band any longer on my own. He implored me to carry on and to not let BIGELF slip away. His encouragement and enthusiasm meant the world to me. Recognizing that I needed some new allies, I asked him if he would help fight the good fight and lend his extraordinary drum majesty to the new BIGELF record and he readily agreed. Also... sharing a passion for all things rock and roll, my good friend Duffy Snowhill climbed aboard the Viking ship for another round of thundering bass guitar and for that too I am grateful."

Eisenwald has set January 28th, 2014 as the North American release date FLUISTERAARS’ Dromers. A Dutch black metal trio, Fluisteraars makes their official debut statement with Dromers after two demos.

A press release states about the release: “Set for release on both LP and cassette through Eisenwald (in conjunction with Cold Void Emanations), Dromers comprises three epic-length tracks that take the listener on a winding, windswept journey through the catacombs of ancient black metal mysticism. Like the fading rays of the sun during the change of seasons, as autumnal splendor gives way to wintry majesty, Fluisteraars' Dromers conjures visions both familiar and foreign, both immediate and distant. Their vision of black metal is a highly personal and deeply emotive one, at times recalling early PRIMORDIAL and AGALLOCH as well as Autumn Aurora-era DRUDKH, yet evincing an engaging personality all their own - and one, it must be said, quite special to their Netherlands homeland.”

The first track premiere off Dromers to be announced shortly, but in the meantime, cover and tracklisting are as follows:
‘De Doornen’
‘Kuddedier’
‘Wortels Van Angs’
For more info visit Facebook.

DEATH DEALER guitarist Stu Marshall (EMPIRES OF EDEN) is featured in a clip below providing the the solo for the upcoming all star song project and album from Lebanese heavy metal band ZIX. The track also features Tony Martin (e-BLACK SABBATH), Paul Di'Anno (ex-IRON MAIDEN), Blaze Bayley (WOLFSBANE, ex-Iron Maiden) and many more.
Death Dealer, also featuring guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman (MANOWAR), vocalist Sean Peck (CAGE), bassist Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN) and ex-INTO ETERNITY drummer Steve Bolognese will their debut album, War Master issued on vinyl by Pure Steel Records.

The release will be a double gatefold with all the Marc Sasso artwork. A release date has not been announced yet.

For more info visit Facebook.

The new single from A RED NIGHTMARE, ‘Enemy’, is available for free download. The band, from the north of Brazil, practices a mix of death, thrash and modern metal.
The single also includes the track ‘Hedonist’ as a bonus. The work was recorded at the studios Na Figueredo and The Coven Home Studio (A Red Nightmare’s own studio), produced by the band in partnership with Adair Daufembach and mixed and mastered by Adair Daufembach at the studio Daufembach in São Paulo. The cover art was under the responsibility of the artist Eduardo Lobo.

To download the single for free visit this location.

Los Angeles-based female-fronted metallers HELLION have released a video blog featuring video and audio snips of the band’s new music.

The first set of HELLION's new tracks was produced by legendary British studio icon Ken Scott, who has helmed iconic albums, including DAVID BOWIE's "Hunky Dory", "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars", "Aladdin Sane" and "Pinups".

A top producer at Abbey Road Studios, Scott is also acknowledged as one of the five principal engineers for THE BEATLES. He has engineered countless classic works, including GEORGE HARRISON's "All Things Must Pass", ELTON JOHN's "Madman Across The Water", "Honky Chateau" and "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player". Other credits include gold and platinum albums by SUPERTRAMP, DAVID BOWIE, MISSING PERSONS and KANSAS.

In 2012, Scott released his autobiography, entitled "Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust", co-written with Bobby Owsinski. Promotion for the book included a high-profile event at the Los Angeles Grammy Museum.

The musicians enlisted by powerhouse vocalist Ann Boleyn for the new HELLION include drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, QUEENSRŸCHE, DIO, DIO DISCIPLES), Swedish import bassist Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO DISCIPLES), and up-and-coming lead guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle. Keyboard player Scott Warren (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, DIO DISCIPLES) has also been enlisted.

Scott recently said of the comparison between working with David Bowie and Ann Boleyn: "Working with Bowie or working with Ann of HELLION, you've got sheer talent."

Acknowledging Boleyn as the driving force propelling the band, Scott noted: "HELLION was a group of musicians, and over the years, the musicians have changed. The one musician that has always been the same is Ann. So once again, it's new musicians. The one constant thing about HELLION is Ann, and her incredible voice."

Said Wright of working with Boleyn and HELLION: "She's tried to stay true to that heaviness and a certain darkness. She's sticking to the same formula, just different musicians though."

HELLION's new tracks are being recorded and mixed at Total Access studios in Redondo Beach, California. Engineer Wyn Davis (HEAVEN & HELL, FOREIGNER, DIO) is mixing.

HELLION is set to release a two-disc anthology entitled "To Hellion And Back" in March 2014. Earlier this year the band held a contest to name the album. In addition to music that HELLION has put out throughout their 30-year history, the anthology will also include one new song with the band's current lineup. A mini-LP of new HELLION music is also to be released in the spring.

HELLION will tour in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom in 2014 and is expected to appear at a number of major festivals.

"Paradigm Tsunami", the new video from MARAGOLD, the band featuring guitarist Greg Howe alongside Meghan Krauss (vocals), Kevin Vecchione (bass) and Gianluca Palmieri (drums), can be seen below. Written by Howe and Vecchione and produced by Howe, the song is the second single off MARAGOLD's self-titled debut album, which can be purchased at iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

"It's an exciting, inspiring thing," Howe told GuitarWorld.com about MARAGOLD last year. "This project is like a 360 back to where I came from. It was great going through the whole instrumental/fusion process. It allowed me to learn a lot and really build my musical vocabulary. But at the same time, this project gives me the opportunity to reach as many people as possible. Plus it's a lot of fun to play rhythm guitar again and be able to smile at the audience."

For more information, visit www.maragoldband.com.

As an active musician for nearly thirty years, Howe, 50, has released eight studio albums in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of artists.

In 2011, Howe toured Italy and Israel with drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Stu Hamm. In November of that year, Michael Jackson's second posthumous album, "Immortal", featured Howe's playing on "Dancing Machine" and "Beat It".

Mascot Label Group recently announced the signing of VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS. The Dutch rock group will join, amongst others, Joe Bonamassa, VOLBEAT, GOV'T MULE, Beth Hart, Zakk Wylde/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the Rotterdam, Holland-based record company's roster.

VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS' self-titled debut album will be released on February 24, 2014. An extensive European tour will follow.

"Vandenberg's Moonkings" track listing:

01. Lust And Lies02. Close To You03. Good Thing04. Breathing05. Steal Away06. Line Of Fire07. Out Of Reach08. Feel It09. Leave This Town10. One Step Behind11. Leeches12. Nothing Touches13. Sailing Ships The eagerly awaited record is a sensational mix of blistering rock songs and powerful ballads from the Dutch guitar hero, and includes a newly recorded version of VANDENBERG's ex-band WHITESNAKE's classic "Sailing Ships". Special guest David Coverdale adds his unique vocals to the equation, to complement Vandenberg's powerful riffs for a welcome moment of nostalgia. Multi-talented Vandenberg — who has designed all of his album sleeves since his very first record with Teaser at the age of 22 — took care of the artwork for this much-awaited record. A video teaser for the forthcoming CD is available below. "We are proud to have joined the Mascot family," says Adrian. "It's a great company with fantastic people that love the music they work with. The band is raring to go and prove itself to the world, so we're anxious to finish the album and get it out there and I'm very happy that Ed van Zijl is giving us the opportunity to do so."

Mascot Label Group CEO Ed van Zijl is over the moon with signing Adrian Vandenberg's brand new band.

"Adrian is one of the most outstanding rock guitarists in the world," Ed said. "I have always followed his career and needless to say we are thrilled to finally be working with him. VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS are a fresh and hard rocking new band that will surely make an impact on the scene." Adrian Vandenberg rose to worldwide prominence with VANDENBERG, the melodic rock band that hit internationally with the powerful ballad "Burning Heart". Adrian solidified his status as one of the most talented rock guitarists around when he joined David Coverdale in the hard rock supergroup WHITESNAKE, co-writing many of its Billboard Hot 100-hits, like "The Deeper The Love" and "Now You're Gone", and supplying the legendary guitar solo to "Here I Go Again". After leaving WHITESNAKE, Adrian concentrated on his successful career as an artist, exhibiting his paintings in prestigious galleries all over Europe. Music however was always prevalent on his mind, so as soon as he had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented young musicians, he started creating new music.

VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS is:

Adrian Vandenberg (guitar)Jan Hoving (vocals)Sem Christoffel (bass)Mart Nijen Es (drums)

Video footage of the Detroit hardcore band WALLS OF JERICHO performing a brand new song, "Relentless", on December 17 at Plan B in Moscow, Russia can be seen below.

WALLS OF JERICHO will enter the studio in early 2014 to begin recording its fifth full-length album. The CD will follow up 2008's "The American Dream", (Trustkill Records), which sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The effort debuted at No. 11 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 American Dream" was recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Ben Schigel and Tony Gammalo.

WALLS OF JERICHO and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) collaborated on an EP entitled "Redemption". The CD, which was produced by Taylor, featured primarily melodic vocals and acoustic instruments.

Harold "Howie D" Herula of National Rock Review recently conducted an interview with WALLS OF JERICHO singer Candace Kucsulain and drummer Dustin Schoenhofer. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

"Relentless" performance footage:

Rooster of 94.5 FMX's "The Wrecking Yard" in Lubbock, Texas recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. You can now listen to the chat at KFMX.com.

Speaking about MEGADETH's plans for a new studio album, Mustaine said: "We right now have a bunch of dates that's gonna take us up until August of next year. That's when we start recording the next record. We've already started working on writing stuff…

"Sometimes we've been forced to really kind of write on the spot. Right now we've got an amazing luxury to be able to take some time.

"Besides doing a lot of interesting things, the other guys in the band, I've got a performance coming up in April with the San Diego Symphony. And just interesting stuff like that.

"We're trying to go a little bit out of our comfort zone while we're near the end of this cycle, because we wanna make sure that we really experience as much as we can."

He continued: "Life is what you make it, man. And we really, really enjoy what we're doing right now. I mean, we're not in it for anything other than just the love of playing music and looking at the smiles on your faces. That's, to me, the biggest reward. Because if you've got a roof over your head and your kids are healthy, then you're very wealthy. And if you've got enough friends to count on one hand, then you're a really blessed person. I've had a great life and I love playing for our fans."

MEGADETH's tour with FEAR FACTORY and NONPOINT kicked off on November 23 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

MEGADETH's latest album, "Super Collider", has sold more than 70,000 copies in the United States since its June 4 release. The CD arrived in stores via Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have launched their own wine via 666 Metal Wines.

Comments GRAVE DIGGER guitarist Axel Ritt: "The local reference of the product is very important to the band.

"All members within and around the band are epicures, which means we're all very much into the products we eat, drink and where it has been produced.

"Organic is a good thing, but where is the ecological attempt, when the product has to be flown in from the other end of the globe?

"When we got the topic wine for the first time on the list, we realized that German wines got a very good reputation, even worldwide. So the idea to manufacture the wine in foreign countries has been off the table very quickly."

GRAVE DIGGER took a look around Germany and got in contact with winegrower Michael Schott. Together with his family, he's leading a small winery, which has a history of more than 50 years and is based pretty close to the band's headquarters.

Schott's passion is not only about wines, but also in metal — not just as a fan, but also as the singer of the band PROMINCE. In 2012, he combined both of his passions in the new winery, which goes by the name 666 Metal Wines.

"A great album takes time, a great wine as well," says Schott. "We're not into quick shots and we're happy that the guys got the patience to wait.

"The 2011 Grave Digger edition is a great wine with a deep, dark color, awesome fragrance and an intensive flavor. The only drop of bitterness is the limited quantity of the first edition."

For more information, visit Metal-Wines.com.

Sierra Mountains blackened death conjurors VALDUR are casting spells and taking names with latest hymn ‘Incantre’, currently streaming for your infernal listening pleasures.

The tune comes courtesy of the band's impending new long player, At War With, scheduled to implode via BloodyMountain Records tomorrow (December 17th) Recorded at Earhammer Studio with Greg Wilkinson and mastered by Michael Z. (SECRETS OF THE MOON, ASCENSION) at Source Studios, At War With douses its listeners with ten punishing hymns of audio abhorrence. A grotesque outpouring of war march blasts, harrowing riff torrents, possessed vocal tirades and an all-consuming atmosphere of chaos, apprehension and maniacal discontent, At War With is easily among extreme metal's best kept secrets.
At War With tracklisting:

‘Enter’
‘Conjuring The Fire Plagues’
‘Death Winds Will Cleanse’
‘Incantre’
‘Vast’
‘At War With The Old World’
‘The Calm Before War’
‘Hellish Dischord’
‘Hammer Pit’
‘Outro (Cremation Pt. II)’

Valdur personnel:
Matthew: drums
William: bass
Samuel: guitar/vocals

For more info visit Facebook.

West Virginia-based metallers DOFKA have released their new single, 'Pain And Sorrow' b/w 'Johnny's Back' (RIOT tribute, remastered). A free download is available at this location.
The first new Dofka track in three years, 'Pain And Sorrow' features the vocal talents of Matt Bizilia (ICARUS WITCH, HABITUAL SIN). The classic riff based song structure and soaring vocals are meant to pay homage to the great melodic metal of the early 80's, like ACCEPT and LOUDNESS.

The B-side is 'Johnny's Bac'", a tribute to another 80's metal band, Riot. Former Dofka singer Chet Miller contributed his talents to this raging thrash track, and Icarus Witch guitarist Quinn Lucas joined in on the fun, adding his ripping guitar sound to the track! The track was originally released as a tribute to Riot guitarist Mark Reale, who passed away in January of 2012.

Listen below:

Pain and Sorrow by Dofka

MY RUIN / CHEVY METAL guitarist Mick Murphy has issued a new EP for his instrumental guitar rock solo project, NEANDERTHAL, entitled Hangtime. Check out the tracks below and click the link to purchase.

Hangtime by NEANDERTHAL

The tracklist is as follows:

'Booster'
'Hilljack'
'Moderate To Severe'
'Sidewinder'
'Flat Black'
'Space Cake' (live)

For more on Neanderthal go to this location. Check out the video for 'Booster' below:

US power, stoner, rock band VALLEY OF THE SUN has announced that they have signed with TRUCKFIGHTERS’ label Fuzzorama Records, who will be releasing the band’s upcoming album, Electric Talons Of The Thunderhawk, on March 28th in Europe and March 31st for the UK.

To celebrate the release of their new album live, Valley Of The Sun will be also finally hitting the road next year for some long-awaited European shows alongside with Truckfighters and WHITE MILES.
Dates:

February
14 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Strand
15 – Oslo, Norway – Blaa
16 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Beta
18 – Hamburg, Germany – Uebel & Gefaehrlich
19 – Berlin, Germany – Lido
20 – Dresden, Germany – Groove Station
21 – Munich, Germany – Backstage
22 – Vienna, Austria – Chelsea
24 – Zurich, Switzerland, Hafenkneipe
25 – Bologna, Italy – Freakout
27 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg
28 – Paris, France – Divan du Monde

March
6 – Cologne, Germany – Luxor
7 – Brussels, Belgium – AB
8 – London, UK – Underworld

For more info visit Facebook.

Horror Pain Gore Death Production has signed New Jersey’s underground death/thrash assassins SACRIFICIAL BLOOD and will release their new album, Souls For Sale, on January 14th on CD and digital formats.

Souls For Sale will hold eight tracks, plus a mystery bonus track. This album is for fans of AUTOPSY, CIANIDE, DEATH, DEATHSTRIKE, DECEASED, FRIGID BICH, MASSACRE, MASTER, POSSESSED, NME, POST MORTEM, early SLAYER and SCEPTER.
Souls For Sale tracklisting:

‘The Nightmare Has Returned’
‘Hellfire’
‘We Will Remain’
‘D.T.S’
‘Tyrant Of Pain’
‘The Pack’
‘SoulS For Sale’
‘We Rule The Night’
‘Mystery Bonus Track’

‘The Nightmare Has Returned’ below:
For preordering info visit HorrorPainGoreDeath.com.

Atlanta, GA-based metal act TRIPHON have released a cover of the popular Christmas song 'Carol Of The Bells'. The band is in the process of recording their sophomore album, scheduled to be released in early 2014 via Rockingham Records.

Frontman Kyle Morrison comments, “Recording this new album has been extremely time consuming and often times stressful. We just decided to have a little bit of fun in between sessions and make a cover. This whole thing started because I was testing out some new plugins. Before you know it, everyone else started recording parts and it started to sound pretty good.”
The new album is expected to drop in early 2014 with international tour support throughout the year.

Triphon lineup:

Kyle Morrison - Lead Singer & Screamer, Keyboards
Justin Rogers - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Stephen Gladney - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Brian Dawley - 4, 5 & 6 String Bass
Morten Løwe Sørensen - Drums
More on Triphon at this location.

Australian black metal enigmas THRALL have premiered the video for 'Aokigahara Jukai', the title track of their new album for Moribund Records. The clip is a surreal evocation of virulence and fecund decay directed, filmed and edited by Ziltch.
The band's third album to date, Aokigahara Jukai is a conceptual exploration of themes relating to the suicide forest. Thrall blends traditional black metal elements with doom, death metal, and crust influences. The trajectory of the album takes the listener on an unrelenting, furious, void-ward journey from the opening track to the final deathlike strains of emptiness.
Aokigahara Jukai tracklisting:

'Longing For Death'
'Aokigahara Jukai'
'Of Hate'
'Its Toothless Maw'
'Ubasute'
'The Pact'
'Ghost Chrysalides'
'Slaves'

'Aokigahara Jukai' video:

Aokigahara Jukai is available now on CD from Moribund, and will soon be available on LP from Eisenwald.

More on Thrall at Facebook.