Delaware, Ohio-based technical deathcore act SHORES OF ELYSIUM will release a new full-length later this year. The record was produced and mastered by Mark Lewis of Audio Hammer Studios (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, BATTLECROSS).
The first release from this effort is 'Mind Sculpt', and the band has released a lyric video for the song.
Shores Of Elysium lineup:

Dylan Glendening - Vocals
Jason Harris - Guitar
Brent Daugherty - Guitar
Nate Ankrom - Drums
Jon Misich - Bass

More on Shores Of Elysium at this location.

On September 6th, Extro Records will issue RANGER's debut MLP, Knights Of Darkness, internationally.

After three cult demos, Knights Of Darkness is the Finnish quartet's first official release. For reference, think old SLAYER, RUNNING WILD, and TYRANT in a car crash on the way to Hell. The artwork and tracklisting are as follows:
'Ranger'
'Touch Of Death'
'Steel Dawn'
'Supreme Evil'
'Knights Of Darkness'

The black/thrash bastards in CRAVEN IDOL, who signed with Dark Descent Records earlier this year, are set to release their full-length debut, Towards Eschaton, on digital, CD and vinyl formats this fall on October 13th.
For their debut, Craven Idol have completed eight new offerings of ripping black metal, channeled with a vitriol akin to NIFELHEIM and ABSU, with further allegiances to the dark arts of INQUISITION and SAMAEL. Musically the release is an assault on those who neglect the potent legacy of the 1980s, while thematically it attacks all proponents of unfounded spiritual dogma.

Towards Eschaton tracklisting:

'To Summon Mayrion'
'Sworn Upon The Styx'
'Golgotha Wounds'
'Craven Atonement'
'Codex Of Seven Dooms'
'Aura Of Undeath'
'Left To Die'
'Orgies'

Towards Eschaton by Craven Idol

Craven Idol is:

Vrath - vocals, guitars
Scourger - guitar
Suspiral - bass
Volgard - drums

Germany's GLOOMBALL have released a lyric video for the track 'Overcome', featured on the band's debut album, The Distance (SPV/Steamhammer).
The Distance tracklisting:

'Overcome'
'Burning Gasoline'
'The Distance'
'Blown Away And Gone'
'More And More'
'No Easy Way Out' (ROBERT TEPPER cover from Rocky IV)
'Better Place'
'Long Time Gone'
'We Do Belong'
'Your Sorrow Inside'
'Hand In Blood'
'Living With My Tender Pain'

'Overcome' lyric video:
'The Distance' video:
Gloomball lineup:

Björn Daigger - guitar
Danny Joe - drums
Alen Ljubic - vocals
Basti Moser - bass
Jossi Lenk - guitar
More on Gloomball at this location.

Erie, Pennsylvania-based heavy metal band MIND ASSASSIN featuring SLEEPY HOLLOW vocalist Bob Mitchell have announced The Payoff as the title of their forthcoming debut album. The band have also officially announced that Joe Hasselvander (RAVEN, HOUNDS OF HASSELVANDER) will be its drummer for the album and future live dates. Label details, artwork and tracklisting will be forthcoming.
Mind Assassin recently released a promo clip for the song 'Mind Of Caeser' from their forthcoming debut release.
Mind Assassin's music can best be described as being in the tradition of American hard rock and heavy metal following in the steps of SAVATAGE, URIAH HEEP, DEEP PURPLE and ATOMIC ROOSTER.

Eclipse Records has announced the signing of Brisbane, Australia’s metalcore band, A BREACH OF SILENCE to an exclusive, multi-album deal. The band just wrapped up production of their brand new full length album entitled Dead Or Alive, which will be released October 1st by Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom and Henrik Udd (BRING ME THE HORIZON, OPETH, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY) and recorded at HK Studios in Brisbane, Australia.

“Dead Or Alive combines the best of old school power metal and metalcore giving this album something of a creative edge, like a breath of fresh air” states guitarist Mat Cosgrove. “Every time you listen to the album you pick up something new, which lends it to never getting old. I have no doubt that it will pleasantly surprise people.”

Dead Or Alive features 11 tracks with the tracklisting and cover art to be revealed soon. Check out the song ‘Circles’ below:



For more info visit Facebook.

German black metal act THRÄNENKIND have revealed the first track 'Monument' off their upcoming Lifeforce Records debut The Elk.
The Elk is set to be released on August 23rd in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and digitally world wide, on August 26th in the rest of Europe and on September 3rd in North America.
Thränenkind came to be in 2007 near Munich in the South of Germany. The band name could be translated as "child of tears" and was chosen as contrast to the "grim" and "cliché" names in black metal. The Germans are fascinated by the name's ambiguity, which can be discovered within their multilayered sound. Most of the members of Thränenkind are vegan and/or straight edge and share interests in the ideas of green anarchism, civilization critic and left-wing politics. The lyrics of their songs broach the issues of the relationship between humanity and nature, interpersonal relations, human society, green anarchism and the endless longing for freedom.

According to a press release, The Elk is offering also five formidable instrumental post rock songs with a melancholic yet beautiful atmosphere, too. Some of the songs are slow and profound. Others are fast and unfold the ruthless power of black metal.

For more details visit Thränenkind on Facebook.

In a brand new interview with John J. Moser of The Morning Call, legendary guitarist Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) spoke about the current lineup of his solo band, dubbed SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, which features Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass) and Frank Sidoris (guitar).

Slash: "I only called [Myles to sing on my self-titled 2010 solo debut album] because I'd heard a lot about him… I was really curious to see what he sang like. And since I was doing this record with all these different singers, I asked him to come in. And he was just phenomenal, and … I really liked him as a person. You know, his whole personality and his attitude and everything really jelled with mine.

"The longer we knew each other, the more I really just liked working with him. I thought we had a really great chemistry and we started writing on the road."

"I put together what I thought was, you know, a quick pickup band [to tour in support of the first record]. But it turned out to be, like, the perfect bunch of guys. And I just thought that, after we'd been on the road for awhile, we should just go in the studio and make a record with these guys."

On why he built MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS around him instead of just billing himself as a solo artist:

Slash: "I've always put bands together; I'm either in one or putting one together. … In working with these guys, I'm really a band guy. So the only difference about me being in a band and what I'm doing now is that I actually lead this band. It's a sort of conscious knowledge between everybody. But I still treat it as a group. It's just more directed by me than a lot of the bands that I've been in before, where it was more of a joint effort. But this bunch of guys is very happy just to have me sort of steer the ship, and they just kind of go along with it because we all want to sort of do the same thing, you know?"

On whether he would ever consider working again with a reunited classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES:

Slash: "I hate answering that question. I think they probably told you I don't want to answer that question. The GUNS thing is obvious, so I don't know what you want me to say."

Sweden's NIGHTINGALE, featuring Dan Swanö and his brother Dag Swanö, have begun recordings for their upcoming studio album, their first in seven years.

A quick update from drummer Tom Björn states: "Drum sessions for the upcoming Nightingale album, five tracks done so far."
Stay tune for updates.

Nightingale lineup:

Dan Swanö - vocals, guitar (WITHERSCAPE, EDGE OF SANITY)
Dag Swanö - guitar, vocals, keyboards (DAG SWANÖ'S ÄVENTYR)
Erik Oskarsson - bass, backing vocals (Dag Swanö's Äventyr
Tom Björn - drums (MEMORY GARDEN)
More on Nightingale at this location.

Boasting an original, inventively dread-inspiring style of audio torture, Auckland, New Zealand-based death metal trio ULCERATE has completed the final stages of preparation for the pending release of their fourth horrific masterpiece, and first for Relapse Records.
Since their 2009 debut on Neurotic and two subsequent LPs through Willowtip, Ulcerate has strived to continually hone and contort their death metal attack, their sound ever-evolving into harsh new realms of turmoil, melding mechanical and organic elements into their haunting, blast-strewn explosiveness. A forward-thinking death metal style citing HATE ETERNAL, GORGUTS and IMMOLATION collides head-on into more dissonant and blackened infiltrations of DEATHSPELL OMEGA or PORTAL forming a monolithic antiharmonic atrocity.

After signing Ulcerate last year, new label Relapse unveils the info on the band’s newest works as the album nears release late this summer. After a year of writing and planning, the creation of the record came to fruition in March of this year when the band entered hometown MCA Studios. The nine passages harnessed during these sessions culminates into a nearly fifty-five minute document of the outfit’s most tumultuous craftsmanship yet, entitled Vermis. Relapse will unleash the album on CD, double LP and digitally, now confirmed for release September 17th in North America, preceded by September 13th in Germany and Benelux, and September 16th in the UK and rest of the world. Pre-orders have been made available here.
Vermis tracklisting:

'Odium'
'Vermis'
'Clutching Revulsion'
'Weight Of Emptiness'
'Confronting Entropy'
'Fall To Opprobrium'
'The Imperious Weak'
'Cessation'
'Await Rescission'

Album trailer:
More on Ulcerate at this location.

Allston, MA-based groove heavy prog metallers CARICATURE have launched pre-orders for their forthcoming debut album, The Sound of One Man's World Collapsing, via their official Bandcamp page at this location.
The album is set for release on July 30th, and will be available as a stand alone CD in both standard and deluxe editions, and several merch bundles are available as well.

The Sound of One Man's World Collapsing was recorded at Universal Noise Storage in Newburyport, MA with Greg Macklin (ORDINANCE, JEFF LOOMIS) and Brett Boland handling mixing duties. The album also features a guest solo from Greg.

Teaser trailer:
The band will be hitting the road starting next week for a string of east coast dates supporting WINGS DENIED. Caricature will be supporting on the following dates:

July
14 - Keene, NH - The Italian Club
16 - Boston, MA - O'Brien's
17 - Revere, MA - Sammy's Patio
18 - Pittsfield, MA - Chameleons
19 - Queens, NY - The Place
21 - Holbrook, NY - Rose Theater
23 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Smiling Moose
24 - Akron, OH - Old Haunts Tavern
25 - Dayton, OH - Blind Bob's
More on Caricature at this location.

Norwegian thrashers CRITICAL SOLUTION have released the second lyric video/single from their debut album, Evil Never Dies, for the opening track 'God Of Anarchy'.
The album also features guest appearances from KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy LaRocque, who also produced and mixed the album, as well as UGLY KID JOE frontman Whitfield Crane singing the MOTÖRHEAD classic 'Killed By Death'.

For a limited time only, Critical Solution is offering a free download of the song 'God Of Anarchy' as well as two of the bonus tracks from the album, via Reverb Nation.

Evil Never Dies, released in May, is a concept album telling the story of Wallace Green: Wallace and his company are sailing to Sad Hill, where he assassinates the king, with his own life to follow. After Wallace's death, he makes a deal with the devil to live again and becomes the Soulmaker. He does his evil agenda and spreads terror across the world.

New Hampshire's VATTNET VISKAR will unleash their debut full-length album, Sky Swallower, on September 3rd in North America, and September 9th in Europe, via Century Media Records. Sky Swallower was recorded at Universal Noise Storage with producer Brett Boland at the helm and features eight tracks of crushingly ambient, blackened doom metal.
Tracklisting:

'New Alchemy'
'Fog Of Apathy'
'Monarch'
'Breath Of The Almighty'
'Ascend'
'Mythos'
'As I Stared Into The Sky'
'Apex'
Vattnet Viskar are on tour now, performing Sky Swallower in its entirety at every show.

Tour dates (with I AM HERESY, ASTRONOID) include:

July
17 - Providence, RI - Dusk
19 - Brooklyn, NY - Acheron
20 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
21 - Florence, MA - JJ's Tavern (with HOWL, LORD DYING)
Vattnet Viskar lineup:

Chris Alfieri - guitars
Seamus Menihane - drums
Nick Thornbury - guitar and vocals
More on Vattnet Viskar at this location.

Originally released a decade ago, the debut album from French cosmic doom masters MONOLITHE is being reissued by Debemur Morti Productions. This new edition of Monolithe I, recorded, mixed and mastered in March 2003 at RR Studio by Marc Canlers and Sylvain Bégot, will be released as a noble digipack CD and will include additional liner notes as well as complete new artwork courtesy of Norwegian artist Robert Høyem from At The Ends. The front cover can be seen here.
Band lineup on Monolithe I:

Richard Loudin: Vocals
Sylvain Bégot: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards, Devices
Benoît Blin: Rhythm Guitars
Nicolas Chevrollier: Lead Guitars
Marc Canlers: Bass

This enhanced and remastered version will be available by the end of August.

Monolithe have been busy recording their fourth full-length album at Red Reed Studio. The band's composer, Sylvain Begot, comments about Monolithe IV :

"Once again we tried to create something that would instantly evoke Monolithe's style of music and mythology without being a repetition of what we've already achieved in the past. Monolithe IV is an album of contrasts: it contains both the bleakest and most beautiful music we ever wrote. Some very eerie stuff too... This album mixes the purity of our early sort of Funeral Doom with our later thirst for progression and innovation. I like to call it "Post Funeral Doom", if that makes any sense."
If all goes according to plan, this new piece of massive sound will be released in fall 2013 via Debemur Morti Productions.

Furthermore, Debemur Morti Productions will reissue the entire Monolithe back catalogue: Monolithe I, Monolithe II and Monolithe Zero (which will feature Interlude Premier and Interlude Second as well as bonus material). These reissues will come as classy digipack CDs, will include additional liner notes and complete new artwork courtesy of Norwegian artist Robert Høyem from At The Ends. Robert is already known for crafting the cover of Monolithe's third opus, Monolithe III.

Monolithe III is streaming in its entirety on the label's Bandcamp page here and is currently available worldwide in digipack CD through your best local purveyor or through the label's webshop.

Eski?ehir, Turkey-based black metallers EPISODE 13 have released a digital single as a foretaste of the direction the band will be taking with their fourth full-length album, which they will begin recording this fall. The single, titled 'Corpus Vile', is available from the band directly through their Bandcamp page for $1 - or more if the fans are feeling generous, at this location.
Formed in 2001, Episode 13 is one of only a very small handful of Turkish bands of any genre, let alone black metal, that has not only gained acceptance, but also found a large audience, outside of its own country, making regular appearances at festivals such as Norway’s Inferno Festival and London’s Infernal Damnation Fest, as well as tours in Russia, Finland and Denmark.
Episode 13’s third full-length album, Death Reclaims The Earth, with its artwork by the US artists Seraph + Splendor, who used blood to create the eerie image, was released in 2010 on Misantrof AntiRecords, the Norwegian label founded and headed by CARPATHIAN FOREST bassist Daniel Vrangsinn. Death Reclaims The Earth has become one of Misantrof’s most downloaded albums, and, like all of Misantrof’s releases, is available for free download, in various formats at this location.
Five tracks from Episode 13 can be heard below:

Episode 13 by Episode13

More on Episode 13 at this location.

On July 30th, Rhino Records is releasing BLACK SABBATH's final two studio albums and only compilation of the '70s Ozzy Osbourne era. We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll, Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die! are described as follows:
We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll, released in February of 1976, draws on all of the band's six studio (and Ozzy Osbourne-era) albums to date, but pays special attention to their first two albums.
Technical Ecstasy, Black Sabbath's seventh studio record, was released in September of 1976. Technical Ecstasy continued the band's separation from its signature doom and darkness that had been such a trademark of the band's early career. While the album's lyrics dealt with topics such as drug dealers, prostitution, and transvestites, the music itself was seldom dark, and tracks like 'Rock 'n' Roll Doctor' and 'It's Alright' (the latter sung by drummer Bill Ward a decision supported by Ozzy Osbourne), were very different from Black Sabbath's earlier recordings.
Black Sabbath released their eighth studio album, Never Say Die!, in September of 1978. This would be the last studio album featuring Ozzy Osbourne prior to his leaving the band the following year.

Ohio Viking metallers are currently conducting a search for a new singer following the departure of Tom Sturniolo. The band has released requirements for trying out for the band:

- Must be local to the Northwest Ohio / Southeast Michigan area or willing to travel/relocate.
- Must be 21+ years old
- Preferably have some previous gig, song-writing, and studio experience.
- Ability to sing clean is a plus, but not required.
- Commitment to the band! Music is our passion! Hopefully it's yours as well.

The band adds: “Singers, screamers, don’t be shy, send us whatever you have. We are encouraging all interested applicants to submit a vocal demo to vocals@hammerhorde.com, as well as any videos, links and personal bio.”

For more details visit Facebook.

The official lyric video for the song 'Answer Beyond' from Korean melodic death/metalcore act REMNANTS OF THE FALLEN can be seen below, which was made and directed by the Nick Hipa (AS I LAY DYING)



The track comes off the band's Debut album, Perpetual Immaturity, which was released on January 26 via Dope Records Korea. This track mastered by Dan Swanö (Unisound Studios).
Remnants Of The Fallen has been playing in various local venues since their formation in 2009, sharing stages with esteemed acts such as DARK TRANQUILLITY, HATE ETERNAL and NAPALM DEATH.
Remnants Of The Fallen lineup:

Bin - Vocals
Jin - Bass
Chan-Guitars
JaeWon - Guitars
JongYeon - Percussions

More on Remnants Of The Fallen at this location.

New York metallers TO THE PAIN have unleashed their self-titled, self-released debut full-length upon the world. A tribute to the days when metal was delivered via well-executed songs full of hooks and aggression, To The Pain has come to re-blaze the trail cut by the genre's torchbearers of the late 80s and early 90s. Factor in a fistful of modern attitude and technical prowess and you've got one goddamned powerful, dynamic and straight-up metal record in To The Pain.

The band has teamed up with BraveWords.com for the world premier of album track 'Silent Horror.' Launch the audio player on the main page to hear the track.

To The Pain is available through the band or at CDBaby.

To The Pain tracklisting:

'For The People, Buy The People'
'Silent Horror'
'City Of Flames'
'The Smell Of Sulfur, Rise Of The Demons'
'Burn With Me'
'Fuel Injected Nightmare'
'A Good Revolution'

In the summer of 2010, singer John Intagliata, and guitarist Steve Shaver sat down in Steve's studio, The Locker, to see if they could record some songs they wrote when they were teenagers in 1989. After recording one of their old tunes, they got the itch to write some new music. What followed was nine months of writing, and recording at The Locker. Steve and John wrote 6 new songs, and re-recorded an old song; 'Silent Horror.' After listening to playbacks of the songs, they looked at each other and said "we need to put together a kick-ass band, and bring these songs to the masses". Thus the concept of To The Pain was born.

Their original concept back in 1988 was a cross between RACER X, MEGADETH, METALLICA, KING DIAMOND, and QUEENSRYCHE. The newer version retained the Racer X crazy guitar solos, and the political angst of Megadeth, while adding a bit of the new school flavor of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SHADOWS FALL, and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, to form a new and refreshing old school flavor of metal.
Joining John Intagliata (Vocals) and Steve Shaver (Lead Guitar) in To The Pain are Jeremy Lustig (Bass), Mark Trojanoski (Rhythm Guitar), and Jimmy Klimatas (Drums).

To The Pain's self-titled debut is a lyrically diverse excursion. Taking on anything from politics, to the evil that men do, To The Pain is not one to ever hold its tongue on any subject. Stylistically, the band's music goes from full on thrashers like 'For The People, Buy The People', to slow Sabbathy brutality on 'The Smell Of Sulfur'.

In 2012/2013 To The Pain started with a slew of shows, bringing their energetic live show to such venues as EvenFlow Bar, JD's Place, Village Pub,Katies of Smithtown and Mr Beery's. With the scheduled summer 2013 release of their debut, To The Pain hopes to bring the metal to the masses and continue to build on their following.

More on To The Pain at this location.

High-quality, professionally filmed video footage of ALICE IN CHAINS' June 15 performance at this year's edition of the Download festival at Donington Park, Castle Donington, England can be seen below. The 10-minute clip also includes a post-show interview with ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell and bassist Mike Inez.

ALICE IN CHAINS' fifth studio album, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here", sold 62,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. The disc follows up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which was the group's first all-new collection of material in 14 years. That CD opened with 126,000 units back in October 2009 to debut at No. 5.

ALICE IN CHAINS was last in the Top Two with its self-titled 1995 set, which debuted at No. 1 on that year's November 25 chart, according to Billboard.com. It would be their final studio release with singer Layne Staley, who died in 2002.

Although "Black Gives Way To Blue" was a huge comeback success for the band, guitarist/singer Jerry Cantrell told The Pulse Of Radio that they wiped the slate clean when it was time to make something new. "You should start from a zero every time, and we started from a zero with this record just like we've done with every record we've made," he said. "You've got a blank canvas, and you and your band are in the room and there's the canvas and there's no other pictures of the old albums hanging up. You know, those are put away in a closet somewhere, so you're not thinking about them or drawing from them or trying to repeat them or whatever. It's impossible to do that. That is what it was, now what do we do?"

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" is ALICE IN CHAINS' second album with William DuVall on vocals.

DuVall began touring with the group in 2006, four years after the death of Layne Staley from a drug overdose.

ALICE IN CHAINS began working on the new disc in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" features the singles "Stone" and the chart-topping "Hollow".

ALICE IN CHAINS will co-headline the fourth annual Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival with JANE'S ADDICTION, kicking off on August 9 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

"Shoot", the new EP from the Minneapolis, Minnesota hard rock/industrial metal outfit AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE, is available for streaming in its entirety at SoundCloud.com. Due on July 23, the disc was recorded by Don Debiase at Studio D Productions in Cleveland, Ohio and was mixed by Dave Fortman at Balance Productions in New Orleans, Louisiana. The artwork was created by Sam "Mister-Sam" Shearon.

"We're extremely proud of this little gem," states AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE bassist and co-founder Chad Hanks. "For an EP, it was a long, arduous process that spanned five states and six studios, but we persevered and succeeded. This is our first major step back into the game, and the next step in serving up a full-length AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE record."

He adds: "The 'heavy music scene' is even worse off than we left it 6 years ago. We're looking to rectify that."

"Shoot" track listing:

01. Writhe
02. Set Yourself On Fire
03. Sugars Of Someday
04. Sand
05. Rock N Roll N*gger (PATTI SMITH cover)

"Shoot" can be pre-ordered from the AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE web site and fans can bundle the CD with an exclusive poster and t-shirt. All pre-orders will receive a code to digitally download the EP a week prior to its release.

The first leg of the "Shoot Tour" will kick off on August 2 in Madison, Wisconsin The Regent State Theater.

Joining AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE on the "Shoot Tour", on select dates, are fellow Minneapolis heavy rockers BLUE FELIX and "humorcore" kings PSYCHOSTICK.

"We're all very excited to go out and tour the U.S. in support of our new EP," continues Hanks. "It's been a year since we've been on the road, and we're more than ready to deliver the goods. Prepare yourselves, America."

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE will formally celebrate the release of the EP on September 6, the final date of the tour, with a blowout event at the famed Minneapolis concert venue First Avenue.

Christian hard rockers STRYPER played a brand new song, "Marching Into Battle", during their July 12 concert at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

STRYPER will film two new videos and an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) in August in support of their forthcoming studio album, "No More Hell To Pay", which is due this fall via Frontiers Records. The band's last three videos were shot and released in 1990 and 1991 when the band was promoting its "Against The Law" LP.

"No More Hell To Pay" will include STRYPER's cover version of "Jesus Is Just Alright", a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds. STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet said, "It rivals our cover of EARTH, WIND & FIRE's 'Shining Star' — riffs!"

"Jesus Is Just Alright" was first recorded by Reynolds' own group, THE ART REYNOLDS SINGERS, on their 1966 album, "Tellin' It Like It Is". It was later covered by THE BYRDS and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS.

"No More Hell To Pay" track listing:

01. Revelation
02. No More Hell To Pay
03. Saved By Love
04. Jesus Is Just Alright
05. The One
06. Legacy
07. Marching Into Battle
08. Te Amo
09. Sticks & Stones
10. Water Into Wine
11. Sympathy
12. Renewed

Regarding the musical direction of STRYPER's new material, Michael Sweet told Screamer Magazine: "The song 'God', which is on 'The Covering'; if you took that song along with 'Bleeding From Inside Out' and 'Blackened' [from 'Second Coming'], and you put it on the same album, that's a pretty good indication of where we are going and where we are at right now. But at the same time this album is all its own."

He added: "Every song has a hooky guitar riff. Everything is in minor keys, so it's a little darker sounding and a little tougher. It's definitely our heaviest record and I think people will be pleasantly surprised.

"The people who do like the poppier side of STRYPER, like 'Calling On You' and 'Holding On', this record isn't going to really give them that. There are a lot of vocal hooks and melodies going on, but it's a little darker, and a little edgier. To reference, there is less songs like 'Calling On You' and more songs like 'To Hell With The Devil'. It's more in that vein than the poppier vein."

Michael Sweet previously stated that the new STRYPER CD would contain "the best [songs] of our career [with] no pop or fluff musically or lyrically." He added: "I'm counting the days for its arrival and when it does arrive, it will be like a train speeding down the tracks — fast, heavy, unstoppable and loud! I get excited for every record, but I've never quite been this excited before. This record will be one for the books, and in my humble opinion, our best yet bar none. No pride here, just confidence that it's going to be great — really, really great."

Official MetOnTour video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Harvester Of Sorrow" at the band's sophomore Orion Music + More festival, which took place June 8-9 in Detroit, Michigan, can be seen below.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo said on the ground at the festival that he was eager to bring the show back to Detroit in 2014. "We've got to come back here, you know," he said. "This is a great place. This city needs it. The weekend has been a blast and I can't wait 'til next year. I've already got ideas for next year, so we're looking forward to it."

As previously reported, METALLICA played a surprise set on June 8 under the name DEHAAN, playing their entire 1983 debut disc "Kill 'Em All" from front to back.

The band's headlining set the following night, which closed out the festival, featured rarities like "Carpe Diem, Baby", "I Disappear" and "Disposable Heroes" alongside the band's more traditional hits and live favorites.

The members of METALLICA were also spotted hanging out at their personal lifestyle exhibits, with James Hetfield seen at his custom car display, Trujillo overseeing the skateboarding at the Vans Vert Ramp, and drummer Lars Ulrich premiering a clip from the upcoming movie "Metallica Through The Never" alongside director Nimród Antal.

The Metallica Museum displayed the bass that Cliff Burton played at his final concert before his 1986 death in a Swedish bus crash, as well as other instruments, stage props and vintage concert flyers.

Robert Trujillo played two other sets during the course of the weekend, first with a reunion of funk-rockers INFECTIOUS GROOVES and then with his own TRUJILLO TRIO.

Spokesperson Charlie Walker of promoter C3 Presents said that around 20,000 attended the first day, with possibly more showing up on Sunday. As for whether Orion will return to Detroit next year, he replied, "We'll go through this one, wrap it up, see what the feedback is . . . Then we'll sit down and try to get a grip on what to do next."

A total of 37 groups, including the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, RISE AGAINST and BASSNECTAR, performed on Orion's five stages.

THE JOY FORMIDABLE was unable to perform their show after arriving late in Detroit due to travel issues.

James Hetfield personally introduced the SILVERSUN PICKUPS and watched their set from the side of the stage.

Cliff Burton's father Ray was in attendance for METALLICA's surprise "Kill 'Em All" performance on Saturday.

Detroit native Bob Seger was rumored to be showing up to sing his classic "Turn The Page" with METALLICA. Although the band played the song, Seger was a no-show.

German folk metallers SALTATIO MORTIS have launched an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for their forthcoming new album, Das schwarze Einmaleins, due for release on August 16th via Napalm Records.
Das schwarze Einmaleins tracklisting:

'Früher war alles besser'
'Wachstum über alles'
'Krieg kennt keine Sieger'
'Der Kuss'
'My Bonnie Mary'
'Sandmann'
'Satans Fall'
'Idol'
'IX'
'Galgenballade'
'Abrakadabra'
'Nur ein Traum'
'Randnotiz'

EPK:
'Wachstum über alles' video:

Metal4 magazine conducted an interview with ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman and singer Stu Block at this year's Rockharz open-air festival, which is taking place July 11-13 at Airport Ballenstedt in Harz, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

ICED EARTH has set "Plagues Of Babylon" as the title of its new album, tentatively due in January 2014 via Century Media Records.

Speaking to Metal4, Schaffer said about the upcoming CD: "It's a bit of a different thing for us, because it's half of a concept and the other half is [standalone] tracks. Musically, I think it's just another step in the right direction. It's really heavy, it's very melodic. It has a really epic feeling. Even though there isn't, like, a monster, long epic track, the overall feel of the songs is very epic. I mean, there's no 'Dante's Inferno' or 'Gettysburg' or the 'Something Wicked' trilogy or something like that on here, but I'm really happy with it and I'm really excited to get in and start recording. That's like my main…. I really wanna start. Monday, finally [we go in to begin laying down tracks]."

Songtitles set to appear on "Plagues Of Babylon" (among others):

* Plagues of Babylon
* Democide
* Among The Living Dead
* The Resistance
* If I Could See You
* Peacemaker
* Cthulhu
* Parasite

ICED EARTH recently parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." He has since been replaced by Raphael Saini (CHAOSWAVE).

ICED EARTH has been hitting it relentlessly, with the recent studio album, "Dystopia", being the most toured album in the band's illustrious history.

One of the many highlights of the "World Dystopia Tour", a headline show at the historic Kourion Amphitheatre in Cyprus, was recently released on Blu-ray, DVD and in many other formats under the title "Live In Ancient Kourion".

"Dystopia" was released in October 2011 via Century Media Records. The CD marked the band's recording debut with singer Stu Block (INTO ETERNITY), who joined ICED EARTH in March 2011 following the departure of Matt Barlow.

A three-minute teaser for "Horizons", the sixth album from Danish melodic progressive power metallers ANUBIS GATE, in the form the three short studio videos the group shot during the recording sessions for the CD can be seen below. The clip includes rough-mix versions of the songs "Destined To Remember", "Breach Of Faith" and "Hear My Call".

"Horizons" will be mixed beginning mid-August for a late 2013 release via Nightmare Records.

Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2011's self-titled CD, ANUBIS GATE states: "We can say that it every bit as progressive as 'The Detached' albeit not in the same manner. Some of the songs will take longer for you to 'get into.' A good deal of very complex compositions, though very melodic, and as usual free of the usual long 'synth/guitar unison progmetal standard stuff.'"

ANUBIS GATE earlier in the year parted ways with drummer Morten Sørensen and replaced him with Morten Gade Sørensen (PYRAMAZE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS).

Morten Gade Sørensen is known for his excellent drumming in such bands as PYRAMAZE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS and LANCE KING.

ANUBIS GATE is Henrik Fevre (vocals, bass), Michael Bodin (guitar), Kim Olesen (guitar, synths), Morten Gade Sørensen (drums).

MEGADETH was joined by a number of musicians, including Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER), Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Jason Newsted (NEWSTED, METALLICA, VOIVOD), David Draiman (DISTURBED, DEVICE) and Vinnie Paul Abbott (HELLYEAH, PANTERA) on stage at last night's (Friday, July 12) 97.1 The Eagle Presents BFD 2013 concert at Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, Texas to perform a cover version of the THIN LIZZY classic "Cold Sweat". A couple of short video clips of the performance can be seen below. Also available are a couple of photos of the jam.

The 97.1 The Eagle Presents BFD 2013 concert included all the bands that are taking part in this year's edition of Gigantour, the critically acclaimed package festival founded in 2005 by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: headliners MEGADETH, along with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DEVICE, the new band fronted by DISTURBED singer David Draiman; HELLYEAH, featuring Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN), Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (MUDVAYNE), Tom Maxwell (NOTHINGFACE) and Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN); NEWSTED, the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted; and DEATH DIVISION, the heavy, technically aggressive and melodic band founded by bassist Jerry Montano (HELLYEAH, DANZIG, NOTHINGFACE), drummer Tim Yeung (MORBID ANGEL, DIVINE HERESY, HATE ETERNAL, NILE), vocalist/guitarist Sean De La Tour and lead guitarist Rick Di Marco.

Gigantour billing:

MEGADETH
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
DEVICE
HELLYEAH
NEWSTED
DEATH DIVISION

A new demo track from Queens, New York hardoore veterans SWORN ENEMY entitled "Broken Hope" is available for streaming at the band's Facebook page.

SWORN ENEMY recently decided to forego standard band label arrangement and go directly to the fans to support their current recording endeavor.

Explains vocalist Sal LoCoco: "Many of you may know SWORN ENEMY has been on the scene for a long time. We have been creating some killer new music and we are ready to get it to the fans who want it. However, we are in need of fan support.

"This campaign will not only get you some very cool limited time only merchandise and deals, but most of all it will help us fund the making of our new album.

"This band has always thrived on the help of the underground and our passionate fans. This time around it will count more than ever, as it will help to get the new music out to the masses!!!! With your contributions, no matter how big or small, we will be able to record, mix, master, and release a hard and brutal album.

"This is as real as it gets people... Let's make it happen."

SWORN ENEMY plans on releasing its new album this fall as well as touring in support of the CD. They are scheduled to play the 2013 East Coast Tsunami Festival on September 29. Prior to the event, they will head out on an East Coast headlining tour of the U.S. and Canada. Tour dates will be announced soon.

SWORN ENEMY is:

Sal Lococo - Vocals
Danny Lamagna - Drums
Jeff Cummings - Guitar
Matt Garzilli - Guitar
Mike Pucciarelli - Bass

"Buried In My Bunker", the Leandro Miranda-directed video from THE UNABOMBER FILES, the Brazilian extreme metal project featuring SEPULTURA bassist Paul Xisto Pinto Jr. alongside current/former members of EMINENCE and THE MIST, can be seen below. The song comes off THE UNABOMBER FILES's new six-song EP, which contains the following tracks:

01. Borderline
02. Dressed In Black
03. God Is A Bipolar Motherfucker
04. Buried In My Bunker
05. The Clown
06. Adjust The Timer

You can stream the entire EP below.

Formed in April 2009, THE UNABOMBER FILES' goal is "to play simple and heavy raw music with sarcastic lyrics," according to a press release. Lyrical excerpts include "When I look at you all, I just can see you all in pieces" ("Borderline"); "The skill of making a curve or a perfect circle with your brand new wheelchair" ("Buried In My Bunker"); and "My sarcastic scream disrespects your silence. My fake painted smile…It's time to count up all those opened graves" ("The Clown").

THE UNABOMBER FILES is:

Allan Wallace (EMINENCE) - Guitar
Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. (SEPULTURA) - Bass
Vladimir Korg (THE MIST) - Vocals
André Márcio (EMINENCE) - Drums

For more information, go to this location.