Former MISTER KITE frontman Alf Wemmenlind recently contacted BW&BK to introduce his new band FIFTY GRAND SUICIDE, a partnership featuring former SOILWORK guitarist Ola Frenning. The band now has four new songs available on Spotify here. The songs on offer include 'Dead Soul Vacant', 'The Core', 'Steadfast' and 'No Star Is Lost'.
Fifty Grand Suicide, based in Helsingborg, Sweden features the following line-up:

Alf Wemmenlind - vocals
Nicklas Malmquist - vocals
Daniel Wilhelmsson - bass
Jesper Sunnhagen - drums
Ola Frenning - guitar
Henke Blomqvist - guitar
Frenning left Soilwork in 2008 and issued the following statement upon his departure:

"After 10 years, seven albums and several world wide tours, we've realized that we have developed in different directions and have a different set of values, profession wise. The disagreements have reached their peak and it has become an untenable situation. The band's solution is that I part ways with them so that I won't be in the way for the future plans of Soilwork. However, since I'm not gonna be on the road (at least for a while), I will now be able to continue with my songwriting and producing at another level.

Cheers to ya all... And thanks for making these 10 years with the band memorable."

More information on Fifty Grand Suicide can be found here.

Dutch vocalist ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN (ex-THE GATHERING) has been supporting PAIN OF SALVATION on their European acoustic tour this month. Check some video footage recorded backstage at Orion Live Club in Rome, Italy on April 11 below. Anneke is accompanied by ÁRSTÍÐIR-members Karl James Pestka (violin) and Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson (cello).
Van Giersbergen will be doing solo acoustic sets for the duration of the tour. The schedule can be viewed below:
April
13 - Yverdon, Switzerland - Amalgame
14 - Toulouse, France - Chez Paulette
15 - London, UK - The Garage
17 - Paris, France - Le Trabendo
18 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
19 - Weert, The Netherlands - De Bosuil
20 - Zoetermeer, The Netherlands - Boerderij
21 - Essen, Germany - Turock

Technical power/thrash band DARK DESIGN from Raleigh, North Carolina has recently joined up with Heaven And Hell Records for the release of their debut album Prey For The Future. Since early 2010 the band Dark Design comprised of members Ray Lewis (guitar), Mike Joyner (guitar), Andrew Bertrand (vocals), and rhythm section Matt (bass) and Robbie Mercer (drums) have built a strong fan base in their local metal scene. Their technical prowess and progressive song structuring have often been compared to that of DEATH, TOXIK and ANACRUSIS.
As buzz of the band began to grow they were requested to play the 2012 Warriors Of Metal Festival in Ohio. Meanwhile the band was working on their debut album. The band is currently finishing up the recording with John E Wooten (WIDOW U.S) and is now in final mix down. Mastering is set to be done by Jamie King at The Basement Studios. Release is set for late summer/early fall.

Visit Dark Design on Facebook.

Ohio-based heavy metal band AXEMASTER just received permission from That's Metal magazine to post Axemaster's track 'Bed Of Nails'. which will appear on their compilation CD Metallic Commandments - Volume 1. Fans can now check the song out via ReverbNation and Facebook.
The band comments: "Although many of you may have previously heard the version of the track that was used briefly for promotion, it has since been partially re-recorded, totally re-mixed, and professionally mastered. The sound is now FAR superior to what it was. It's also the first (and currently only) Axemaster song available that features Geoff McGraw on vocals, so we hope you will give it a listen!"

Axemaster recently announced that Geoff McGraw has replaced Tony Webster as their lead vocalist.

A band statement reads: "Due to personal issues Tony was unable to do any work with the project for a significant length of time and had informed the band that he was unsure as to whether he would ever be able to continue. After allowing some time to see if the problems could be resolved, it became clear that a change was needed in order to be able to move forward with the band in general and the new album in particular. We all wish Tony the very best for the future and hope that he finds success in whatever path he chooses. Enter new vocalist Geoff McGraw! Geoff has been performing and singing since he was practically old enough to walk and at a young age developed a huge appetite for all things heavy metal. He has been a member of various local original bands across the state of Ohio for many years and is very much looking forward to working with Axemaster."

McGraw remarks: "I am honored and excited to be offered the opportunity to join Axemaster, and can't wait to help bring the new music to the world".

Guitarist Joe Sims adds: "From the very beginning I have been impressed with everything about Geoff. He's a talented singer who's voice fits PERFECTLY with what we do musically. Plus he's an excellent songwriter, has a great attitude, and is really easy to work with. It's the kind of unique combination you always hope to find in a singer, or any band member for that matter". His style has already been praised by a prominent European contact who heard Geoff's audition demo recording and said: "What I really think is important is: his voice matches perfectly with the band's dark riffs. Also I think his vocals sound quite unique which is also a great advantage. I think this will be well-received over here".

Also a longtime and avid guitar player, Geoff intends to attempt to double his duties within Axemaster and take on the second guitar position as well. Once he finishes recording all the vocal tracks for the new album the band will seriously look into this possibility.

More information about Axemaster can be found on Facebook.

In the summer of 2011 IMAGES AT TWILIGHTS founder Andre Aaslie (GROMTH, ABYSSIC DREAMS) began to compose music for a project he simply called Black. In the following autumn he began to think about recruiting members. The first one to join was drummer Jontho of RAGNAROK fame. Then Martin Blystad (GAURVORN) from HINSIDIG and PLUTO AND THE PLANETS joined on bass, together with guitarist Tom Arild Johansen (IHIZAGH), known from such acts as PERISHED, BLOODTHORN and MAYHEM (live). A couple of months into 2012 Balfori (Lunaris) joined on vocal and Jontho’s Ragnarok-mate Bolverk picked up the guitar - and the puzzle was complete.

The first rehearsal took place in April 2012, and in December Images At Twilight was ready for their first ever live-performance (Hard & Heavy Tour, Gran Canaria). On the way to this event Balfori and Jontho decided to quit the band due to personal circumstances, and were replaced by drummer Anders Faret Haave (ex-BLOOD RED THRONE, IN VAIN) and vocalist Narrenschiff, well-known from such acts as ILLNATH and ÅSMEGIN.

In early February, the Norwegian orchestral black metal band went into MARDUK's Endarker Studio in Norrkøping with producer Magnus "Devo" Andersson to start the work on the debut album. Expect the new album to be released late summer/autumn 2013.

Check out a video for the track ‘Lograttin Part I’, filmed at Gran Canaria:



For more info visit Facebook.

Lake Forest, CA black metallers XANTHOCHROID has released a cover of OPETH’s ‘Harvest’ through Erthe And Axen Records.

The band comments: "Today we give Opeth's classic acoustic masterpiece the black metal treatment. In honor of one of the bands (that) has influenced us most profoundly, we bring you a glimpse into Opeth's dreary world of desolate hopes and lost dreams. Featuring our former drummer Sean Culver as the protagonist; and directed by our own guitarist Brent Vallefuoco. We hope you enjoy watching this as much as we enjoyed making it."

Check out the video for the cover below:

To download the track visit this location.

HEAVEN SHALL BURN will release their new album, Veto, on the following dates:

Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Norway: April 19th
Rest of Europe: April 22nd
Australia / New Zealand / Finland: April 26th
US/Canada: April 30th
Some additional information on the several formats that are available in Europe and Australia/NZ can be found below:

CD and LP formats:

- Standard CD Jewelcase
- Ltd. Edition 2CD: The luxurious Mediabook comes with a bonus track ('European Super State' originally by KILLING JOKE) and a bonus-CD entitled 500.Live containing an additional 15 live songs that the band recorded during one of the three anniversary shows that celebrated both the 15 year anniversary of the band as well as show #500 on December 21st, 2012. The Mediabook has a matte/glossy print and an extended 40 page booklet with backstage and live photos from the aforementioned show.
- Ltd. Edition 3CD Box Set (strictly limited, only available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland): The Box Set comes with the Ltd. Edition 2CD plus a CD in a Jewelcase with the alternative Blizzard Over England Mix by Colin Richardson. Additionally you are getting a HSB belt, hand signed poster A3, lanyard, HSB Veto army meet & greet competition pass, Veto whistle.
- LP + CD: While the vinyl comes in an alternative mix by Colin Richardson (Blizzard Over England Mix) the CD features the Tue Madsen mix.

Digital Downloads:
- Standard album
- Digital Deluxe: standard album + 500.Live (15 live songs)
- iTunes Exclusive: standard album + 'European Super State' (originally by Killing Joke) + 'River Runs Red' (originally by LIFE OF AGONY) + 'Whatever It May Take 2013'
- iTunes Exclusive Digital Deluxe: standard album + 'European Super State' (originally by Killing Joke) + 'River Runs Red' (originally by Life Of Agony) + 'Whatever It May Take 2013' + 500.Live (15 live songs)

The cover of Veto shows the John Collier painting of Lady Godiva, (c.1898). Maik Weichert comments as to why this piece of art works perfectly with the underlying concept of the album: “It as an icon regarding the fight for social justice. The image also represents a contemporary issue: i.e. today’s leading class being isolated from the people and the conflicts arising from that. It is also a great way to show our fans how current problems and topics can be reflected and derived from historical artworks."
The tracklisting is as follows:
'Godiva'
'Land Of The Upright Ones'
'Die Stürme Rufen Dich'
'Fallen'
'Hunters Will Be Hunted'
'You Will Be Godless'
'Valhalla'
'Antagonized'
'Like Gods Among Mortals'
'53 Nations'
'Beyond Redemption'

Listen to 'Die Stürme Rufen Dich' below:
To download the track 'Land Of The Uprising Ones', head to Landoftheuprightones.com, but this time you will need to do a bit of work in order to get a hold of your download: Century Media has chopped up the song in eight pieces and will leave it up to you to work out the right sequence. Once you solved the puzzle you can download the song for free.

Maik Weichert (guitars) about the song: “The song is dedicated to Thomas Sankara, a relatively unknown revolutionary whose fate is closely linked to Burkina Faso which can be translated to "Land of upright/honest people" or "Land of honest people". It’s a very heavy track.”

To celebrate the release of Veto, Heaven Shall Burn will play three exclusive release shows in Europe:

April
20 - Leipzig, Germany - Impericon Festival III, Agra
26 - Wien, Austria - Impericon Festival, Gasometer
27 - Zürich, Switzerland - Loudfest, Komplex

For more details visit Heavenshallburn.com.

Fan-filmed video footage of MORGOTH's performance at this year's edition of the Brutal Assault festival, which was held August 9-11 in Josefov, Czech Republic, can be seen below.

MORGOTH released its first-ever live album and DVD, "Cursed To Live", on June 25 via Century Media Records. The audio tracks were mixed at Unisound Studio in Sweden with Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION).

"Cursed To Live" is the documentation of MORGOTH's ongoing 20th-anniversary celebration of the band's all-time classic album "Cursed" (released by Century Media Records in 1991). It was released on CD, a limited DVD+2CD as well as a limited deluxe 2LP. The live show featured on the album was recorded at the band's triumphant show headlining Way Of Darkness festival 2011, at which MORGOTH performed an extensive set of 15 songs, with the main focus on the songs off "Cursed". The cover artwork — with an intentional nod to the original "Cursed" art — was designed by the renowned artist Dirk Rudolph (RAMMSTEIN, IN EXTREMO, APOCALYPTICA), who had also created the original artwork for "Cursed" 21 years ago.

MORGOTH is:

Marc Grewe - Vocals
Harry Busse - Guitar
Sebastian Swart - Guitar
Sotirios "Soti" Kelekides - Bass
Marc Reign - Drums

“The show must go on,” as the old saying goes. And it will continue to go on for Tampa, FL based metal band FORESHADOW.
The band has announced that there won’t be any cancelled shows on their upcoming US Spring Tour. CREEPSHOW MOFO drummer Kobra Kelly will be replacing recently departed original drummer, Richard Hudson. Hudson cited “physical pain” as the reason that he could no longer fulfill his role as the band’s drummer.
Upcoming tour dates:

April
12 - Pueblo, Colorado - Phil’s Radiator
13 - Colorado Springs, Colorado - Triple Nickel
16 - Scottsdale, AZ - Rouge Bar
19 - Denver, Colorado - Juggz Saloon
20 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Dawg Pound
22 - Hermiston, Oregon - The Grim Den
25 - Pueblo, Co - Phil’s Radiator

May
3 - Denver, CO - Juggz
12 - Ogden, UT - Kamikazes/w Mushroom Head

More on Foreshadow at this location.

Danish metal quintet PSY:CODE will release their second album, entitled Cause And Neglect, on June 10th via Mighty Music.
Cause And Neglect has been three years underway since their debut album, Delusion, in 2010. Since the debut album, Psy:code has been sharpening their tools to deliver 12 new tracks. The album was pre-recorded in Psy:code’s headquarters - an old wartime bunker a little outside of Copenhagen. Drum tracking was done in Hansen studios and as on Delusion, the process of mixing and mastering was put in the trusted hands of Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, etc.).

Musically, Cause And Neglect blends technical riffing, atmospheric passages, progressive structures and hardcore metal. Lyrically the album gives the listener an inside look at the deranged thoughts of five individuals.
Cause And Neglect tracklisting:

'No:100'
'My Sick Redemption'
'Creator/Destroyer'
'Open For The Taking'
'First In Line'
'Trapped In Time: Stretched'
'The Sky Is The Limit'
'Hellish Tensions'
'Speak Up'
'Above'
'Senseless Patterns'
'The Source Of Light'
More on Psy:code at this location.

Italy's DISMAL FAITH will release their debut album, Morph, on May 13th via Nadir Music. The album was recorded at Nadir Music Studios by SADIST mastermind Tommy Talamanca.
The upcoming full-lengh has been crafted to fully reproduce the "sonic wall of aggression" that the band unleash on the crowd during their live shows, making them in a short span of time, one of the most interesting acts of the whole underground scene. Dismail Faith have succeeded in melting the most disparate influences like death, black, thrash, hardcore, groove and metalcore.

The work features nine killer songs: prepare your ears to sharp guitars, war-sounding drums and merciless vocals. To be noticed is the apperance of Cafa (from KIJU) on two songs, the result of a long time artistic partnership between the two bands consolidated during the Steel & Marble tour.
Stay tuned, more details to follow. More on Dismal Faith at this location.

FDA Rekotz has announced the signing of American classic death metal clan DEROGATORY. Their debut, Above All Else, will be released by the label later this year. Be prepared for some blastin' death metal in the vein, and with soul of, the good old late '80s/early '90s American death metal elite.
Derogatory is:

Chris Ordonez - vocals, guitar
Joe Viwatkurkul - lead guitar
Daniel Alonzo - bass
Coyoton - drums

Montreal based, melodic death metal band YOUR LAST WISH have inked a worldwide deal with Canadian label Maple Metal Records to release their second full-length album Desolation. North American release date is scheduled for May 1st, and the worldwide release date is set for June 4th.

Your Last Wish was formed in 2003 by guitarist JF Gagné, and the band has gone through a number line-up changes over the years. Desolation was recorded in 2012 with new vocalist, front-woman Roxana Bouchard, guitarists JF and Dave Gagné (no relation), bassist Louis Goulet and drummer Gabriel Fortin.
The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Badass Studio, Montreal, QC by Jef Fortin (BLACKGUARD, NORDHEIM, KÄLTER, UNEXPECT) and produced by Your Last Wish. Your Last Wish released their self-titled debut album in 2007, with only JF appearing on that album.

Your Last Wish have been a solid performer on the Quebec Metal Circuit since their inception, supporting such bands as KALMAH, UNEXPECT, VALFREYA, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, AUGURY and many more, as well as appearing at CMF3 (2012) in Montreal, QC with 30 other bands.

Desolation tracklisting:

'Intro'
'Crisis To Creation'
'Autistic Mind'
'Hastening Death'
'Le Pacte'
'Collision Course'
'Standstill'
'Creep'
'Experiments'
'Mutation'
'Desolation'

The official video for ‘Hastening Death’ can be viewed below:
Your Last Wish line-up:
Roxana Bouchard – vocals
JFGagné – guitars
Dave Gagné - lead guitar
Louis Goulet - bass
Steven Vaccarella – drums

For more details about Your Last Wish visit Facebook.

Greek atmospheric melodic death metal band DAYLIGHT MISERY have checked in with the following update:

"After almost three years of silence it's time to present you the new face of Daylight Misery. Our new album will be titled The Great Absence and all the details concerning the release date, record label, etc. will be announced soon. For now, here is the first official video for the song called 'Erynnis Funeralis'. Enjoy/like/hate it and send us your feedback, and don't forget to share it! Cheerz and stay tuned for more."
For information and updates on Daylight Misery go to their official Facebook page here or go to DaylightMisery.com

GOREGAST has issued an update from their headquarters in Berlin. They recently commissioned Dedy Badic from Badic Art to design a new logo (pictured below) that reflected the band's return to their classic death metal roots. Badic is known for his illustrations for SKELETAL REMAINS and GRUESOME STUFF RELISH.
In early May, Goregast will play three dates with Swe-death monsters PAGANIZER. The dates are posted below. After returning home from the three-day assault Goregast will enter Soundforge Studio in Berlin to record tracks for an upcoming 7-inch EP set for release in September on FDA Rekotz.

Goregast live:

May
8 - Leipzig - Bandhaus
9 - Weimar - SC Schützengasse
10 - Wolfsburg - D-Place

Austrian thrash/death metallers DARKFALL will release their new album, Road To Redemption, on May 24th via Noisehead Records.

Road To Redemption was mixed by Peter Fritz (Tonstudio SixtySix, Austria) and mastered by Andy Classen (Stage One Studio, Germany). The album artwork, designed by Michael Freitag, can be seen below:
Road To Redemption tracklisting:

'Road To Redemption (Intro)'
'Misery Of Peace'
'War Has Come'
'Fading Away'
'Phoenix Rising'
'The Gods Await'
'Never Ending Hate'
'Rise To Dominate'
'Echoes From The Past'
'Peacemaker'
'Kill The Need MMXIII'
Darkfall lineup:

Sascha Ulm - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Stephan Stockreiter - Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Thomas Spiwak - Lead Vocals
Markus Seethaler - Bass Guitar
Thomas Kern - Drums
More on Darkfall at this location.

Sensory Records has confirmed the full details for the pending second album from Pleasanton, California-based progressive metal outfit CYNTHESIS, as the final parts to this new opus have fallen into place.
Cynthesis reunites three of the original members of top-tier extreme progressive band ZERO HOUR - brothers Jasun and Troy Tipton (guitars and bass, respectively, both also of ABNORMAL THOUGHT PATTERNS) and vocalist Erik Rosvold, along with ENCHANT drummer Sean Flanagan. While maintaining much of the tech/metal influence of Zero Hour, with Cynthesis the members’ ambitious technical prowess blends seamlessly and organically into the grand atmospheres and melodic passages enveloping their approach, demonstrates the more melodic side of Jasun Tipton’s songwriting.

Formed in 2010, Cynthesis released their debut album DeEvolution through Sensory in April of 2011, causing celebration within the prog community with these members aligning, and in some cases realigning, their talents. Following another massive undertaking and countless hours of constructing and executing this new album, now two years later, the middle part of the dystopian trilogy is about to see the light of day as ReEvolution. A shaman, the central character of the series, is sent out to gather more slaves. He comes across a tribe and senses a light within them that triggers a distant memory of his past, making him realize that this is the original tribe he was taken from. He brings them back to the city and encounters what was done to the population and sets them free.

Mixed and co-produced by Forrester Savell and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side, with nearly forty-five minutes of some of the most creative and imaginative progressive metal likely to be released this year, ReEvolution will see release via Sensory on June 4th.

The cover artwork by Mario Sánchez Nevado can be seen below:

ReEvolution tracklisting:

'Divine Night'
'Convergence'
'The Grand Façade'
'A Most Trivial Pursuit'
'Persistence Of Visions'
'The Noble Lie'
'Release The Deity'

More on Cynthesis at this location.

METAL CHURCH have announced that they will officially start recording their new album after their appearance at the Live 'N' Louder Rock Fest being held on April 14th in São Paulo, Brazil.

"Last day of rehearsals and then the band is off to Brazil," the band says. "When the band gets back they will enter the studio to start drum tracks for the new record."
Metal Church had formally announced in 2009 that they were calling it quits, but reunited for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise where the band performed their legendary debut in its entirety.

"We're just not going to do things the way that we did before," frontman Ronny Munroe revealed recently. "We're not 25 anymore, not saying that we're old, but we need to do things the right way. And we all still get along."

"Everybody understands that this is a complicated business," drummer Jeff Plate added. "A lot of things had to fall into place. We gotta get a good record put together and done first, to be honest that's the first thing. There's a distance between some of the band members, but that's really not so much of an issue. It’s really getting the music to the ears of the fans, in their hands and then getting with someone who can put us in the right environment, at the right show, working with the right band."

Metal Church's last studio album was 2008's This Present Wasteland.
Metal Church 2013 is:

Kurdt Vanderhoof - guitar
Ronny Munroe - vocals
Rick Van Zandt - guirar
Jeff Plate - drums
Steve Unger - bass

Cyclone Empire has announced the signing of Swedish Viking trio EREB ALTOR.
Says the label: "Hailing from Gefle (Gävle), the eldest town in Norrland, Ereb Altor are the newest members of the Cyclone Empire hordes. As Ereb Altor are a already a well known force in the metallic underground scene, most metalheads should already be aware of their breathtaking hymns full of power and might somewhere between viking, doom and black metal always in praise of Swedish godfather Thomas Börje Forsberg (better known as Quorthon) and his musical heritage. After already three fantastic albums the three warriors Mats, Ragnar and Tord are now laying final hands on their fourth masterpiece, Fire Meets Ice. Be pepared for a release in the coming months."
A band statement reads: "We are proud to announce that we have signed a record deal with Cyclone Empire. We were searching for a label with lots of dedication and a great heart and we think may have found that in Cyclone Empire. Ereb Altor will not follow any fucking trends, we will create only pure music directly from the heart and Cyclone will help us to release quality products. The norse Gods have guided us to our new family within the Empire and we sure have a good feeling about it.”

More on Ereb Altor at this location.

MY RUIN vocalist Tairrie B. Murphy has checked in with the following update:

"We're excited to announce that My Ruin guitarist Mick Murphy has been moonlighting on the side with the awesome '70s classic rock cover band CHEVY METAL featuring Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS and Wiley Hodgen. After his first show with the guys in Los Angeles on March 27th, where they played an all-star Rock Against MS benefit at the legendary Whisky A Go Go, they hit the road for three shows in Chile which included a surprise secret show at Lollapalooza in Santiago where they were joined by JANE'S ADDICTION frontman and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell for a killer rendition of 'Mountain Song' and a cover of VAN HALEN's 'Everybody Wants Some'.

Chevy Metal also played a show in Pichilemu for Patagonia Clothing & Gear in honor of Chilean surf legend Ramon Navarro, where they covered the the first four minutes of 2112 by RUSH and 'Let There Be Rock' by AC/DC."

Check out some video clips below:

Chevy Metal with Perry from C3 Presents on Vimeo.
My Ruin recently unveiled the cover art for their upcoming studio album The Sacred Mood which the band have set to release worldwide on June 11, 2013 via TuneCore, Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon.

As a follow up to their 2011 critically acclaimed last album A Southern Revelation, My Ruin returned to Soundtrack Black Studio in the hills of East Tennessee to once again work with friend and studio owner Joel Stooksbury, who mixed, engineered and co produced the new album along with My Ruin guitarist Mick Murphy.
My Ruin vocalist Tairrie B had the following to say about the new album and cover art:

"The Sacred Mood is a subtle reinvention for My Ruin. In an industry that is ever changing, we’re not a band who pays attention to the current trends. We’ve found our sound and we simply do what we do while staying true to our roots. I think our fans appreciate our integrity and we appreciate our fans. We offered the last album as a free download where people could donate to the band if they wanted and it was a great success but we are taking a different approach with our new album which we are self releasing once again. Unfortunately, we have learned over time that most record labels are not for us and we seem to do better on our own as a DIY independent band which is what we always have been, today more than ever with our eighth album The Sacred Mood as a testament to our staying power.

The atmosphere of the new album is heavily drenched in the heat of the South where it was recorded and fueled by insomnia filled nights in Los Angeles where it was written. The cover was designed with this in mind by a talented Manchester, UK based artist and illustrator named Kayleigh Brookes who also happens to be a longtime fan of the band. The art that goes with the album is very different than anything we’ve previously done before. We decided to use real elements of nature mixed with iconic illustrations to create something unique to My Ruin that would go with the otherworldly language of the lyrics. We wanted an ethereal image for the cover and chose the moon for the background because we felt it evoked the mood of the album as a whole. The image was actually inspired by a photograph which was taken by Tor Burrows who has worked with me creating music videos for My Ruin’s last two albums and is currently working on a teaser commercial for the new album which we plan on debuting in April. I really enjoy working with Tor on our videos and being that I have always worked alone when designing the artwork for many of our previous recordings, I thought it would be an interesting change to collaborate with someone on this side of things.

We are releasing The Sacred Mood digitally and designing a unique hardcover print and e-book to accompany it. Included in the book will be photographic images and illustrations of the band, lyrics, musings, a few short stories and original art pieces. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and our new album has given me the perfect opportunity to make it happen. We're looking forward to sharing it with the fans of our band who have continued to follow us over the years and those who are just discovering our music for the first time."

For information and updates on My Ruin go to MyRuin.net or check out their official Facebook page here.

Dutch death/thrash band LEGION OF THE DAMNED is currently working on their new album, Ravenous Plague, which was originally due for release in the summer, but has now been pushed back to late 2013, early 2014 because singer Maurice Swinkels had to abort his vocal sessions for “private reasons.”

The band posted: “Maurice settled a new date with producer Andy Classen to finish his recordings. Because Stage One is booked for the next couple of months and also due to Andy's vacation coming up, Maurice will be able to finish his vocals after summer, this means the album release will be late 2013, early 2014, instead of July as stated before, an exact date will follow. Of course it’s a bit disappointing for all of us, but I am sure it’s worth the long wait, the new album is Legion's fresh new start with new guitarist Twan van Geel, also the band recently signed to NAPALM Records which will release the new album in a really nice limited packaging. However, to add more salt into your painful wounds here with disappointing news we also have a nice surprise coming up with one of the songs that are already recorded and finished, more news about that by the end of April 2013. For now, hang on tight and Legion of the damned will see you guys at the upcoming summer festivals: ExtremeFest, Wacken Open Air, Queens of metal, PartySan and Metaldays where they will perform for the very first time with their new 2nd live session guitarist Hein Willekens, and I am sure they will play 1 or 2 new tracks, so BE THERE!”

As previously reported, Ravenous Plague is being recorded with none other than master producer Andy Classen (TANKARD, KRISIUN, HOLY MOSES) at the Stage One Studio in Germany. Classen produced their albums Feel The Blade, Malevolent Rapture, Sons Of The Jackal and Cult Of The Dead. The band's latest album, Descent Into Chaos was produced by Peter Tägtgren in Sweden at the Abyss studio.

For more info visit Facebook.

Salerno, Italy-based heavy rockers CIRCLE OF WITCHES will be releasing their second full-length studio album later this year.
Gabriel Management report: Do you like your music to be dirty, loud, straight and powerful? Then better remember this name: Circle Of Witches! The band was formed in Salerno, Italy, in 2004, and except releasing several demos and debut album in 2007, managed to play hundreds of club and festival shows. Imagine the following mixture: lyrics about magic, urban legends, sex and rock 'n' roll, influence of acts such as MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, KYUSS and FU MANCHU, and an ultimate raw energy and die hard attitude - so you will know what to expect. Stage is these three guys' natural environment, so if you show up at their live show, you can be sure their sweat will make the floor slippery, and the amplifiers will reach its peak.
Now, shortly after mini tour during which Circle Of Witches played in Italy, Austria and England, the band closed down doors to their rehearsal room, where they work on new, full lenght studio album, which will be recorded this summer - together with producer Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, CRYSTAL VIPER, BURNING STARR). So, are you happy with the new GRAND MAGUS album? Can't wait for the new Black Sabbath record and tour? Good. If you like these two, remember that there is new band for you on the horizon. Circle Of Witches, bringers of Hell 'n' Roll!
Circle Of Witches lineup:

Mario HellBove - voice and guitars
Joe Evil - 4, 5 and 8 string bass, backing vocals
Fabio Thunderbird - drums, percussions, backing vocals

More on Circle Of Witches at this location.

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have taken to Twitter in response to the news that Chi Cheng, the bassist for the DEFTONES, died yesterday at the age of 42. Chi had been in a semi-comatose state for more than four years after being seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008. In addition to not recovering full consciousness, Cheng had been in and out of hospitals for various infections as his family has struggled with the mounting costs of care since he lost his health insurance a few months after the accident.

Cheng was taken to the emergency room, where he died at 3 a.m. on Saturday. "His heart just suddenly stopped," Cheng's mother, Jeanne Marie Cheng, wrote on the OneLoveForChi.com web site. "He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear. He fought the good fight. You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone."

Cheng required surgery after the car accident to remove part of his brain, but his recovery was strong enough that he was taken off life support seven months later.

Over the course of the past couple of years, Cheng emerged from his coma for brief intervals. He was able to open his eyes and apparently could see and hear things going on around him, but could not respond verbally.

DEFTONES have held several benefit concerts and continued to donate money from the band's tours. Singer Chino Moreno said that the group's fans have continued to help as well. "Whatever people can do, it's all appreciated, and it's all just in the hopes that there will be one day where he can talk back and have a conversation and see his kids and, you know, continue on living, you know," he said. "That's what we pray and hope for, you know what I mean, that's all we can do."

Sergio Vega continues to play bass for the band. Vega stepped in for touring purposes after Cheng's accident, and stayed on to record 2010's "Diamond Eyes" and last year's "Koi No Yokan" with the group.

After the release of The Grandiose Nowhere in 2010 and the following tour in 16 countries around the globe, including destinations like South America, China and Spain, where the band experienced unforgettable memories and groundbreaking events, Germany's LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, revolving around mastermind Oliver Niklas, took a break to concentrate on the arrangements for songs on their new album, Antiadore

According to a press release, "the band stayed true to their sombre roots on this album, but has elevated the characteristic sound to new heights, thus even exceeding their previous masterworks such as The Grandiose Nowhere or Songs For The Last View. Antiadore is heavy, melancholic, and touches upon the hidden feelings in the darkest corners of the soul."
Antiadore release dates:

May
24 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
29 - Spain, Sweden, Norway
31 - Finland, Benelux

June
3 - Rest of Europe
11 - North America
Antiadore tracklist:

'My Release in Pain'
'Antiadore'
'What I´m Not'
'All For Nothing'
'Dead To Me'
'Abandon'
'Still In Need'
'Deny For Now'
'Head Held High'
'My Chest'
'Remembrance Song'
'A Sigh'
'Words' (Bonus Track)
'Doomed and Unarmed' (Bonus Track)

More on Lacrimas Profundere at this location.

VENGEANCE founder Jan Bijilsma's band SERIOUS is recording their new album, due for release late in 2013. In preparation for the release, the band has put a four song EP to precede the album on iTunes and Spotify. Towards the end of April, the EP will be available in record stores through Rough Trade.

EP tracklisting:

‘As I Am’
‘People Are People’ (originally written by DEPECHE MODE)
‘Leave It All Behind’
‘Code Blue’

Check out the video for ‘As I Am’ below:

All keyboards were arranged and performed by Joost Van Den Broek (AFTER FOREVER, AYREON, REVAMP)



For more info visit SeriousOfficial.com.

Seattle, Washington's LESBIAN will release its third full-length album, "Forestelevison", on June 25 via Translation Loss. The CD is a single song, 44-plus-minute all-encompassing force of nature! Never has an album sifted through the deepest trenches of prog-influenced epic-doom and blackened metal to produce such an awe-inspiring aural assault to the senses.

Recorded at Avast! Studios with longtime producing collaborator Randall Dunn (WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, EARTH, BORIS) and featuring gorgeous artwork by Arik Roper, "Forestelevisonwill" will be made available on CD (digipack), digital and 2xLP. The 2xLP version will come housed in deluxe gatefold packaging and include an exclusive vinyl-only extended outro bonus track.

Consisting of guitarists Arran McInnis and Daniel La Rochelle, bassist/vocalist Dorando Hodous and drummer Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy, LESBIAN has grown accustomed to composing lengthy eclectic journeys that take the listener through myriad genres ranging anywhere from doom to prog to psyche to '70s rock to black metal to grunge and beyond. "Forestelevison" continues LESBIAN's music genre-defying journey from their prior full-length on Holy Mountain Records called "Power Hor", a split 10-inch with OCEAN on Roadburn Records, a self-released two song tour EP, and a second full-length on Important Records called "Stratospheria Cubensis".

Former VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT bassist Michael Anthony was a guest on yesterday's (Monday, April 8) edition of Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM satellite radio show, "Eddie Trunk Live". The two discussed the passing of Andy Johns, working with the legendary engineer and producer, hot sauce, David Lee Roth and all sorts of things in between. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below (courtesy of Michael Anthony's official web site).

Asked about VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine in which he said he wanted Anthony back in the band, the bassist said: "It was flattering to hear Dave talk like that. He never used to talk like that when we were all playing together. [laughs] But hey… I really don't know what to say to that. It was flattering that he said that. And, obviously, I'm the kind of guy that… water under the bridge. I don't hold any kind of grudges for anything, and you never know what will happen at anytime…. At this point in your life and career and whatever, the career aside, it's more about the friendship and just people. And if the music side of it, if that happens, if that comes about, all the better, but that's not what it's really about at this point."

During the Rolling Stone interview, Roth touched upon the touchy subject of Anthony replacing current bassist — and Eddie Van Halen's son — Wolfgang Van Halen, from here on out. "But Ed has his own vision, I'm assuming," Roth said. "We haven't really been able to speak about it and it's a disappointment, just as not having a chance for a reunion of the original band. Clearly, vocals are every bit as much a component of success as a rhythm section or a guitar solo. . . what we have at our fingertips is arguably one of the greatest high tenor voices ever — that was in Michael Anthony. In our tiny little corner of the universe, that voice is as identifiable as the high voice in EARTH, WIND & FIRE, as identifiable as the high voice in the BEACH BOYS. VAN HALEN is an indelicate house blend of both — that's intentionally."

Interview (audio):

British thrashers EVILE will release their fourth full length release and follow-up to 2011's Five Serpent's Teeth called Skull on May 27th in Europe on Earache Records and in North America via Century Media/Earache Records. The artwork for the album was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED).
Skull features the following tracklisting:
'Underworld'
'Skull'
'The Naked Sun'
'Head of the Demon'
'Tomb'
'Words Of The Dead'
'Outsider'
'What You Become'
'New Truths Old Lies'

Check out an album teaser below:
Skull was once again recorded with producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England.

Evile lead guitarist Ol Drake comments: "Skull is not what you think. Skull is not where you think. Skull is a mythical void in the deep fathoms of space."
Evile will be celebrating this year's Record Store Day by releasing a split 7" picture disc vinyl with Swedish death metal legends ENTOMBED. The limited edition release will feature Entombed's classic 1990 track, 'Drowned', along with Evile's 2012 cover version, available on vinyl for the first time. The 7" will be available in independent record stores on Saturday, April 20th in strictly limited quantities.

Evile will also be performing a special show for fans at Crash Records in Leeds, UK on April 20th at 4 PM. Space is limited, but fans who buy the 7" vinyl from Crash Records on the day will get free entry to the show (space permitting).

For more information about Record Store Day and to see the list of participating UK stores, go to this location.

"Sorrow Descending", a brand new song from CHAOSTAR, the band led by SEPTICFLESH guitarist Christos Antoniou, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track comes off CHAOSTAR's fourth album, "Anomima", which will be released on May 10 in Europe and May 14 in North America via Season Of Mist. The limited-edition version of the CD will come with a bonus DVD entitled "Anomimata".

"Anomima" will feature guest appearances by David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) and Fernando Ribeiro (MOONSPELL).

The cover artwork was designed by Metastazis and can be seen below.

Commented Christos: "David narrates the prologue of the most vicious song on the album, shading his dark and imposing shadow over the band's music. I consider that cooperation as one of the most representative of CHAOSTAR's new work. A tragic heroine taken from the ancient Greek tragedies meets the devilish power of the unsurpassable voice of Mr. Vincent."

With regards to Ribeiro's involvement with the CD, Antoniou said, "His deep gothic voice will give a completely powerful atmosphere to a duet."

CHAOSTAR's current lineup is as follows:

Christos Antoniou: Composer/Synths
Androniki Skoula: Vocals
Fotis Benardo: Percussion
George Diamandopoulos: Traditional Instruments
Charalampos Paritsis: Electric Violin
John Thermos: Synths

After the independent release of their first record, "The Underworld" (2000), CHAOSTAR signed a deal with the French label Holy Records, which issued the "Chaostar" (2000), "Threnody" (2001) and "The Scarlet Queen" (2004) albums, as well as the compilation "Underworld" (2007).

When SEPTTICFLESH returned from a self-imposed creative break with their highly successful album "Communion" (2008) on Season Of Mist, Christos also revived CHAOSTAR and placed his trust in the same label.