Cyclone Empire has announced the release of Effigies Of Desolation, a double CD from German death/doom outfit, OPHIS.
The release will include an exclusive reissue of their debut album, Streams Of Misery, and their longtime sold-out EP Nostrae Mortis Signaculum, plus some previously unreleased bonus material. The exclusive digipack reissue will be released on April 26th,accompanied with a performance at the famous Doom Shall Rise Festival.

Says Ophis: “When Cyclone Empire voiced interest in re-releasing our first two records, the Nostrae Mortis Signaculum EP (2004) and the debut album Stream Of Misery (2007), it was both a surprise and an honour. Both records were out of print and sold out (except for maybe some rest stocks in small distros), but since they were not THAT old (at least not the debut), it was sort of a compliment to see that there is still some professional interest in those records. To keep up our standards of offering a worthy product, we added some bonus tracks from our very own archives - demos and live recordings - which are somewhat raw and imperfect, but combined with the tracks from the official CDs they show a picture of Ophis' early years in all its facettes. In our eyes, this is not a simple re-release, it is a compilation of old Ophis stuff and a view behind the scenes as well - that's why we chose to give it a new name and an exclusive artwork. Enjoy the suffering!"
Effegies Of Desolation tracklisting:

CD1: Stream Of Misery

'Godforsaken'
'Beneath Sardonic Skies'
'Dead Inside'
'Pazuzu'
'Dolor Nil Finis'
'Black Wish'
'Thy Flesh Consumed'

CD2: Nostrae Mortis Signaculum

'Funeral'
'Kennel of Estrangement'
'Convert to Nihilism'
'Nostrae Mortis Signaculum'

+ 5 unreleased bonus tracks.
More on Ophis at this location.

On April 9th, Purple Pyramid (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release a special CD/DVD combo, CONSPIRACY Live, featuring the giants of prog rock, Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood (both currently or formerly with YES).

The CD has been remastered to fully enhance the unmistakable vocals of Chris Squire, and the exceptional, intricate musicianship spearheaded by Billy Sherwood. Sherwood said the recording was, “a very special and unique event. It has stood the test of time…”

From the modern classic title track to the more moody downtempo 'Red Light Ahead', Conspiracy Live showcases renditions of songs from both Conspiracy studio albums, as well as from Squire’s Fish Out Of Water, which as Sherwood says, “has hardly ever been played live.”

Bonus material on the DVD includes interviews with the band - Chris Squire (bass, guitar, vocals), Billy Sherwood (guitar, vocals), Jay Schellen (drums), Michael Sherwood (keyboards, vocoder, vocals) and Scott Walton (keyboards, synth bass) – as well as behind-scenes footage and a photo gallery.
Tracklistings:

CD:
'Conspiracy'
'Days Of Wonder'
'New World'
'Red Light Ahead'
'Confess'
'The More We Live'
'Hold Out Your Hand' / 'You By My Side'
'Universal Garden'

DVD:
'Conspiracy'
'Days Of Wonder'
'Universal Garden'
'New World'
'The More We Lice'
'Hold Out Your Hand'
'You By My Side'
'Confess'
'Red Light Ahead'

Chilean thrash band WARBREATH released their debut album, Gates Of Beyond, on March 17th via Digmetalworld Records. The album was recorded by Ignacio Figueroa at Ignacio Figueroa's Estudios in Viña del Mar, Chile.

The cover cover was designed by Christopher Peters (aka Trejoe) at Deviant Art. Check it out below:
Gates Of Beyond tracklisting:
'Evilution'
'Devastation'
'Hell Fire'
'Wander'
'Seed Of Fire'
'Bound To No Man's Land'
'Kill The Mind'
'On My Way To Acheron'

A new lyric video for the song 'Devastation' can be viewed below:
Warbreath is:

Carlos Escobar: Lead Vocals/ Rhythm Guitars
Lead Ronny: Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
Alex Cluster: Bass / Backing Vocals
Gustavo Lara: Drums / Backing Vocals

More on Warbreath at this location.

Israel/Greece-based progressive metal act REIGN OF THE ARCHITECT recently signed a deal with Pitch Black Records, who will be releasing the band's debut album, Rise, on April 16th (May 14th in the US).
The album features guest appearances from Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY), Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) and Joost Van Den Broek (AYREON, AFTER FOREVER). The fifteen tracks, spread over three “acts” on this album make up what is part one of a two part concept, telling a tale of love, destruction and survival in the aftermath of this power struggle.

Reign Of The Architect is the brainchild of Yuval Kramer (AMASEFFER guitarist), and was formed in 2008 in Israel. He comments on the new album, stating: "The story-line is an allegory of the powers that rage inside the human soul. Titles like "good" and "evil", "right" or "wrong" are subjective terms which we only use to legitimize our actions. We wanted to focus on the survival instinct, which, in times of need, forces us to victimize ourselves and bend the rules just to turn the scale. Then we have to destroy this self and re-build a new one who will eventually do exactly the same in the next similar situation. We wanted to point out this eternal battle between creation and destruction that wages inside the human psyche since the beginning of time, to grasp this feeling of being alone when it is most crowded."

An introduction video from Reign Of The Architect can be seen below:
More on Reign Of The Architect at this location.

Polish doom metallers EVANGELIST will release their sophomore effort, entitled Doominicanes, on May 17th via Doomentia Records as a standard jewel case CD, digipack CD and LP.
Doominicanes will include the following tracks:

‘Blood Curse’
‘Pain And Rapture’
‘Martyr’s Commandment’
‘To Praise To Bless To Preach’
‘Militis Fidelis Deus’
'Pain and Rapture' can be heard below:
More on Evangelist at this location.

Beginning/Relieve, the first release on Karisma Records from the label’s latest signing SEVEN IMPALE, is set to appear world-wide on April 5th. The five-track EP will be released digitally, and serves as an appetizer for the debut full-length album, which the band will shortly begin recording at the Duper Studios in Bergen. Iver Sandøy, who produced KRAKOW’s Diin and co-produced ENSLAVED’s Riitiir, will be at the helm. The title track from 'Beginning/Relieve' recently debuted on Karisma Record’s SoundCloud page and can be heard below:
Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, Seven Impale’s relatively young lineup consists of Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards. What sets the band apart from many of the new arrivals on the scene is the diversity of musical disciplines that the members bring with them. From classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz and rock to electronic, Seven Impale have fused all their experience and influences and created a sound that is uniquely theirs. From the hard-hitting 'Blind To All' to the progressive and jazzy 'What Am I Sane For?' and the softer 'Measure 15', 'Beginning/Relieve' shows some of the many sides of the band and is the perfect introduction for the great things fans can expect from them.
Tracklisting for Beginning/Relieve as follows:
'Mind Riot'
'Blind to All'
'Beginning/Relieve'
'Measure 15'
'What am I Sane For?'

More information about Seven Impale can be found on the band’s Facebook page.

Denver, CO metal group ARCANIUM will release their sophomore album Ontogenesis on May 7th.

Vocalist J Sinn comments: “Ontogenesis is not only our sophomore album; it’s our rebirth into the worldwide music scene. The new sound of Arcanium since the addition of our second guitarist Adam Stewart has changed incredibly. Our fans across the world will dig the new intense sound.”
As Arcanium eagerly awaits arrival of the release date, they will prepare for their album release party, which will take place in Fort Collins, CO. Following the record release, the band plans extensive national and worldwide touring through mid and late 2013.

Check out the first single from the album ‘Blindsided’ below:

For more info visit Arcanium.info.

Toronto, Ontario metallers RECKON WITH ONE check in with the following update from guitarist Mark Anthony K:

"It’s that time again for another RWO update and I’m pleased to say that it starts with some great news! We have found our new bass player... that didn’t take very long!
Once again it shows how small the world is. His name is Rene Klinkenburg (pictured above), a native of the Netherlands who now lives in
British Columbia. Ironically Rene came into the picture when Michael (vocals) remembered another bass player who he gave vocal lessons to years before, and who also was in a RUSH tribute band called TEST 4 ECHO. After a few phone calls and hearing some recorded work, it was an easy decision. He also loves much of the same music we do like Rush, MEGADETH, IRON MAIDEN, etc.

Also, thanks to his quick learning skills, he will appear on the new RWO CD, Tornadic, on the title track and the Rush cover.

Well that’s all for now. But there might be an additional update this month as a few other things are waiting on being confirmed before I
report them so... check back soon for more news!!"

More on Reckon With One at this location.

Italian cinematic metallers RHAPSODY have announced that guitarist Dominique Leurquin is recovering quickly after the last year’s terrible injury to his left hand. Dominique injured himself with a circular saw while working at home. One wrong movement and the saw reached the center of his hand.
“We just received a video from our beloved Dodo where he was performing a couple of Rhapsody licks”, says Luca Turilli. “Just some months ago it would have looked like an impossible thing, but now we really hope to have him back on stage with us as soon as possible, maybe this year and hopefully for the important date of September 5th, when our band will headline the Progpower festival of Atlanta. Well done Dominique!”
On their way to sound more cinematic than ever before, Rhapsody recently announced a special long-term collaboration with the amazing Czech conductor Petr Pololanik and his Capellen Orchestra & Choir. Nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award in 2011, Petr and his orchestra worked for acclaimed music composers (Thomas Bergersen, Trevor Morris, Jo Blankenburg, Henry Lai), leading trailer music companies (Two Steps From Hell, Position Music, Audiomachine) and revolutionary sample libraries (Garritan, Sonokinetic, 8Dio). His recordings were featured in award winning movies and videogames (Sim City 4, Transformers and many others).
“I had the chance to know my friend Petr some years ago, while I and my old band mates were recording some orchestral parts for the Rhapsody album Symphony Of Enchanted Lands – Part 2,”, says Luca Turilli. And adds: “In the meantime he and his orchestra became a ‘must’ for many Hollywood composers and in the last couple of years, also thanks to his new recording studio featuring cutting-edge technology, he established himself as one of the ‘main men’ of the whole soundtrack-related music scene. Therefore it is a true honor for me, Alessandro, Patrice, Alex and Dominique, to have joined our forces with such an inspiring and wonderful person.”

Alessandro Conti, the singer, continues: “This magic collaboration will lead to many artistic surprises and special live and studio events that will be revealed in the months to come. Moreover our fans will have the possibility to enjoy the majestic sound of the full orchestra and choir, featuring all in all more than 100 people, on our next full length release! Yes, I am speaking about the new Rhapsody album, planned to be released by Nuclear Blast in the late spring of 2014. Be ready and stay cinematic!”

On April 26th, Germany's ATROCITY will release their new album, Okkult, via Napalm Records. A sample of the new song 'Death By Metal' is currently available via the band's official Facebook page here.
The Okkult tracklist is as follows:

'Pandaemonium'
'Death By Metal'
'March Of The Undying'
'Haunted By Demons'
'Murder Blood Assassination'
'Necromancy Divine'
'Satans Braut'
'Todesstimmen'
'Masaya (Boca Del Infierno)'
'When Empires Fall To Dust'
'Beyond Perpetual Ice'
'La Voisine'

Okkult was produced By Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio; the artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann.

Check out the song 'Pandaemonium' here.

Okkult is the kickstart to an album trilogy... musically Atrocity show an enormous tension width, and deliver a very powerful, homogeneous and atmospheric album: On the one hand with much bombast and big choirs a la 'March Of The Undying'; on the other hand Atrocity deliver equally purist, brutal metal songs, which get under your skin just as intensely, closely and authentically.

The overall sound is perfectly harmonized. The earthy, brilliant production sounds intoxicating and gives the musical pieces the necessary energy, atmosphere and roughness to dive immediately into the lyrical concept. This is anything but one-dimensional:

The lyrics relate to occult magic, mysterious places, conspiracy theories and mysteries that are still unsolved. Thus Atrocity turn John Milton’s vision of 'Pandemonium' into reality in an imposing way. With 'Death By Metal', a mystical tale from long ago, Atrocity have composed a tribute to their own musical roots, as well as it is their own band anthem. The band takes us with 'Haunted By Demons' on a Scottish Haunted Castle, and brings in 'Necromancy Divine' the ancient necromancer Erictho back to life. Moreover, the Okkult cover motif is dedicated to her. With overwhelming power the gates of hell are opened in 'Masaya (Boca Del Inferno)'. The epic 'When Empires Fall To Dust' set the mystical prophecies of a mysterious, French Freemason from the First World War to music. Never before has the Ides of March been staged musically as gripping as in 'Murder Blood Assassination'. Also the myths surrounding the Antarctic have never before been turned into such a hymnic piece of music ('Beyond Perpetual Ice'). As a culmination the poisoner and witch 'La Voisine' does her mischief in the Paris of the 17th Century.

To celebrate the release of Okkult, Atrocity will be playing a special release show at Rock It in Aalen, Germany on April 27th. It will be the first time the band will play material from the first part of the Okkult trilogy; expect a very raw and brutal set with highlights of the extreme musical side of Atrocity and songs that haven't been played live for a long time. The first 100 people attending will receive a special custom Okkult guitar pick.

Italian blackened metallers AZRATH-11 have released thier second full-length, entitled Ov Tentacles And Spirals, via Punishment 18 Records.
The artist who realized the album artwork was Marco Hasmann (BLASPHEMER, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, VILE, etc.). Mastering was done at Hertz Studios (BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED, VADER, etc.).
Tracklisting:

'Awaiting The Inexorable' (intro)
'Emblem Ov Primordial Tides'
'Enraging The Water Spirit'
'Maelstrom Descent'
'Domination Ov The Streams'
'Surge'
'Sunset Ov The Abysmal Embrace'
'Beholding The Oceans'
'Let The Realms Rise'
'He Who Dwells The Depths'
'God Ov Emptiness' (MORBID ANGEL Cover)

More on Azrath-11 at this location.

Australia's MY DYNAMITE have released a video for their track, 'Fork In Your Tongue', featured on the band's self-titled debut album, available via Listenable Records. Check out the new clip below:
My Dynamite will spread their groovy hard rock to the European masses, having announced the following shows:

April
5 - Barcelona Spain Rocksound
6 - Castellon Spain Pub d'Leyend
7 - Estepona Spain Louie Louie
8 - Cadiz Spain Supersonic
10 - Madrid Spain Wurlitzer Ballroom
11 - Plasencia Spain Sala Impacto
12 - Cangas Spain Salason
13 - Gijon Spain Acapulco
14 - Monzon Spain Serjo's Zona Rock
15 - Zaragoza Spain
16 - Lierganes Spain Los Picos
19 - Arras France Blue Devils
20 - Lichtervelde Belgium Delirium
21 - Oostende Belgium Manuscript
24 - Bremen Germany Meisenfrei
26 - Nürnberg Germany Pegnitzbühne
27 - Weiden Germany Salute
30 - Tüttlingen Germany Schützenhaus

May
1 - Bartenheim France Caf Conc
2 - Krefeld Germany Kulturrampe
3 - Isernhagen Germany Bluesgarage
4 - Uster Switzerland Rock City
More on My Dynamite at this location.

The trailer for the new album from progressive rock instrumental band BORDONI is now available to view below:
Songs of Future Past features performances by Joel Hoekstra (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, NIGHT RANGER, Rock Of Ages), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (AYREON), Joe Stump (HOLY HELL, REIGN OF TERROR) Lars Eric Mattsson (MATTSSON, BOOK OF REFLECTIONS), Dave Reffett (SHREDDING THE ENVELOPE), Scott Tipping (MAGIC BOX) and Bill Fornari (CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY) with the core of the band consisting of Andrew Bordoni on guitar, Scott Stevenson on keys, Shawn Sommer on bass and Tom Hipskind on drums.
Due to some recent developments the proceeds from the first 400 copies of the album will now go towards supporting Cal’s Angels, helping grant wishes for children with cancer and offering financial aid to their families. For more information on Cal’s Angels visit this location.

Songs Of Future Past will be released on April 28th and is available for pre-order at this location.

Bordoni will be performing live at the EvenFlow in Geneva, IL the day of the release. The concert is free admission for all ages. More info on the event flyer below:

Chilean thrash metal band WARCHEST has released ‘Fear Of The Machine’, its third music video promoting its debut album Aftershock. The music video was directed by Axel Marinkovic with the assistance of Raimundo Correa (Warchest's bass player) at Oxido bar in Santiago, Chile.

Check out the video below:
Guitarist and vocalist Chris Pelaez comments: "This video release has the mission of give the last breed to our first album (this is the track n.10 of it), before we start full committed to the new one. And also to showcase our two newer members to the fans that already knows our work. We picked this track to show our thrash metal side on a live environment.”
Aftershock tracklisting:
‘Aftershock’
‘The Entrance’
‘Contradiction’
‘Warchest’
‘Prelude’
‘Let Me Down’
‘Alone’
‘Mental Mess’
‘Army Of Revolution’
‘Fear Of The Machine’

Stream the full album at this location.

Lausanne, Switzerland's KRUGER are releasing a new limited edition 10" vinyl EP, entitled 333, featuring two brand new songs - 'Wild Bunch' and 'Herbivores', via Pelagic Records on April 4th. The record will be available from the band , Pelagic records(Ger) and Listenable's store.
The band posted a teaser for their new video, for the song 'The Wild Bunch'. Check it out below:
In other news, the band have announced the following tour dates with GOJIRA:

April
4 - Centre Culturel Yves Furet La Souterraine, France
5 - Le Mediator - Perpignan, France
6 - Passager Du Zinc - Besancon, France
7 - Le Transbordeur - Villeurbanne, France
8 - Le Bikini Ramonville - Saint Agne, France
9 - Le Bataclan - Paris, France
10 - Le Bataclan - Paris, France
11 - Magasin 4 - Bruxelles, Belgium
12 - La Cartonnerie - Reims, France
More on Kruger at this location.

Finnish metal patrol ID: EXORCIST has released the first music video from their upcoming album Paths To Exile. ‘Double Cross’ tells a story of money, greed and backstabbing. Like Finland, Double Cross is loaded with dark humor and coldness. The video was created by the bands singer Jaakko Mäntymaa.

Check out the clip below:
Paths To Exile will be released on April 19th via Inverse Records. The album was recorded in several locations in the guidance of guitarist Sami Hauru and mixed by Dan Swanö across the Gulf of Finland.

A press release says “The band has introduced more melody amidst its heavy riffing. Keyboards are one of the key elements of the album and though briefly, the band also gives a glimpse of their softer side. If ID: Exorcist formerly was known for its SEPULTURA like churning, now it is mixed together with the type of melancholy from which bands like SENTENCED and KATATONIA are known. Paths To Exile paints a picture of people stuck in their lives, unable to pursue their dreams.”
Paths To Exile tracklisting:
‘Mercy Is Sick’
‘Double Cross’
‘The Quillotine’
‘Part II (Home)’
‘Dynamics Of Pretending’
‘Kill For A Cure’
‘The Ungrateful Dead’
‘Wear Your Blisters Proud’
‘Worm Food’

For more info visit Facebook.

Chilean death metallers THORNAFIRE have released a new video, for the track 'Sumisión', featured on the band's latest album, Eclipse Nox Coagula. Produced by vocalist/bassist Christian Argandoña, with support from Andrés Mansilla and Maria Graciela Severino, the clip can be seen below:
Eclipse Nox Coagula tracklisting:

'Carnaval Caos'
'Malefactor Manifesto'
'Ruptura'
'Vulgar Medium Ectoplasma'
'Inmortal Agonía'
'Desintegración'
'Disarmónica Tensión'
'Sumisión'
'Final'
'Soluto'
Thornafire is:

Victor Mac-Namara - Lead Guitar
Christian Argandoña - Bass /Vocal
More on Thornafire at this location.

Dutch death metallers ANTROPOMORPHIA have reacted to a letter their label Metal Blade Records received from the German BPJM (Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons) that included an indexing request for the band's latest album Evangelivm Nekromantia. The letter claims the cover artwork of the album as well as the song 'Fleisch' illustrate and address killings and violence in an autotelic way. Furthermore they don't seem to be too happy about the album title.
Comments the band: "We've made certain people nervous and uncomfortable with our music and lyrical content. In order to 'protect' the children, it's quite possible Evangelivm Nekromantia will be banned and removed from German stores. Through their ridiculous and hypocrite way of thinking they are not letting people use their own intelligence or freedom of choice, this in an era where you turn on the news and see the world's vile and repulsive excrements in full HD. These people are nothing more than a bunch of pitiful sheep! They might think this ban will be castigation but it will only strengthen us in our opposition towards these sad shallow people that crowd the world with their insignificant lives. To us, it's the perfect representation of people without perception other than a retarded opinion about an artistic expression."

In other news, Antropomorphia have just finished another video shooting, this time around for the song 'Debauchery In Putrefaction'.

Watch the video for 'Psuchagogia' below:

FLYING COLORS — the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/metal rock band formed by drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) and guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE) — is working a concert Blu-ray and DVD from its 2012 tour. There is no release date or other information at this time.

FLYING COLORS's first-ever European tour kicked off on September 9, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

Fan-filmed video footage of the September 13, 2012 show at Alcatraz in Milan, Italy can be seen below. Photos are available from Musica Metal.

The band's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Blue Ocean
02. Shoulda Coulda Woulda
03. Love Is What I'm Waiting For
04. Can't Find a Way (ENDOCHINE cover)
05. The Storm
06. Odyssey (DIXIE DREGS cover)
07. Forever In A Daze
08. Better Than Walking Away
09. Kayla
10. Fool In My Heart (lead vocals by Mike Portnoy)
11. Repentance (DREAM THEATER cover; lead vocals by Mike Portnoy)
12. June (SPOCK'S BEARD cover)
13. All Falls Down
14. Everything Changes
-----------
15. Infinite Fire

The self-titled debut album from FLYING COLORS sold 6,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 81 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In addition to Portnoy and Steve Morse, FLYING COLORS features Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar).

"I think if most people looked at this band on piece of paper, they would think that it would be very progressive and instrumentally based music, but I think once we started playing together, we got taken into all new directions," Portnoy told Audio Ink Radio. "I think a lot of that had to do with Casey, because Casey comes from a more modern rock and alternative rock background, so I think that really helped take the entire band in new directions."

He added, "The diversity element is pretty crazy. It ranges from poppy classic rock sounds like THE BEATLES and QUEEN all the way to modern rock and alternative bands like RADIOHEAD, MUSE and COLDPLAY, and everything in-between. There’s some prog stuff like YES thrown in, as well, and then there are moments that are like the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS or FOO FIGHTERS. So, it really runs the gamut from track to track."

The formation of FLYING COLORS began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old-fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music.

In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world-renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea and the prospect of working together, the four musicians signed on to form a band and record a first album.

Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed magical music chemistry over the years that began early in their careers as partners in DIXIE DREGS. In 1995, Morse subsequently became a member of DEEP PURPLE, while LaRue's ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy.

Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, whose notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, SPOCK'S BEARD in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group TRANSATLANTIC.

Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum magazine's "Drummer Of The Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut DREAM THEATER, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's #1 album "Nightmare" and their subsequent tour.

It was Portnoy who recommended ALPHA REV's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join FLYING COLORS. McPherson, whose 2010 Hollywood/Disney album "New Morning" debuted in the Top 5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the Top 10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on VH1's Top 20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."

FLYING COLORS convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session.

GAMMA RAY frontman / UNISONIC guitarist Kai Hansen is one of several music business veterans featured in the March issue of Germany's Rock Hard Magazine discussing the future of music. An excerpt from his interview is available below:
On compensating losses of CD sales with concerts: "No, that's wrong. This would maybe work for IRON MAIDEN... band of a middle category would have to go on tour for two years to get enough money for everyone..."

On whether musicians like being on tour for long periods of time: "There are only 10-20% of the musicians who really like being on tour for such a long time. Most of the people I know, which are around 80-90% prefer being at home and enjoy sitting in their personal room and writing new songs. Most of the tour life is completely useless. You are sitting in busses, concert halls or hotels and drink a lot or do other stupid things. You don't have a stable basis and almost no one is interested in cultural things like visiting churches or similar stuff. You are degenerating somehow."

Gamma Ray's new EP, Master Of Confusion, is due for release on March 15th via earMUSIC. About the EP, Kai states: "We got two brand new songs that we actually wrote for the upcoming album, but since we saw that it would be kind of impossible to make it for a full length album towards the tour, we said 'Well, we don't want to go on tour naked. We want people to listen to some new stuff, at least something,' so we said, 'Let's take two songs which are in some way representative for the album and record them, and add up two cover versions plus some live stuff.'"

Listen to the full interview, streaming at this location.

A teaser for the new EP, Master Of Confusion, can be found below:
The two new tracks on the EP, ‘Master Of Confusion’ and ‘Empire Of The Undead’, are the first two new studio songs by Gamma Ray to be released after the successful studio album To The Metal!, which brought the band to the highest positions in the charts worldwide.
“We have been away for quite some time,” declared guitarist and founding member Kai Hansen. “We have released what we consider a very beautiful live product, Live – Skeletons and Majesties, but we felt it was time to release some new music by the Rayz… Yes, we planned to have an album ready by now but deadlines are not our best friends. No, seriously, although we have already started working on the new album (Empire Of The Undead; expected in late 2013/early 2014), we did not want to wait any longer and thought we should let the fans listen to these two new songs before the world tour with HELLOWEEN. We have also recorded cover versions of two songs we have always loved and… before anybody could say that a CD can feature more minutes of music… we are also releasing the live material recorded for the Skeletons Blu-ray that could not be included on the live CD. OK, it’s not a new album. But it’s 60 minutes of music… call it the longest single in metal, if you like!”
With its 60 minutes of pure and raw Gamma Ray, Master Of Confusion is a great way to wait for the new album, scheduled for the end of 2013. Gamma Ray always takes its music and the relationship with their fans very seriously, and the band wanted this release to be priced as a mid price mini-album.

In addition to the brand new studio song, 'Master Of Confusion' features a second new studio track: ‘Empire Of The Undead’, showing the heavier side of the band, with an explosion of energy and pure Gamma Ray sound at its best. The release is not free from tasty rarities: a brand new studio cover versions of British glam rock band SWEET (‘Lost Angels’ - “the reason I have joined a band many years ago”, stated Hansen) and a hidden treasure of NWOBHM (‘Death Or Glory’ by HOLOCAUST).

Master Of Confusion is rounded off with six live versions (‘The Spirit,’ ‘Wings Of Destiny,’ ‘Farewell,’ ‘Gamma Ray,’ ‘Time To Break Free’ and ‘Insurrection’ recorded in Bochum) that were already included on the Blu-ray Live – Skeletons and Majesties but were not featured on the CD release (which included the show recorded in Pratteln).

Tracklist:

A Side
'Empire Of The Undead' (new studio track)
'Master Of Confusion' (new studio track)

B Side
'Death Or Glory' (Holocaust studio cover version)
'Lost Angels' (Sweet studio cover version)

C Side*
'The Spirit'
'Wings Of Destiny'
'Gamma Ray '
'Farewell'
'Time To Break Free'
'Insurrection'
*Recorded live in Bochum.

Master Of Confusion will be released as a digital bundle only in the US on March 19th.

For more details visit Gammaray.org.

Germany's dark metal band SCHWARZER ENGEL has inked a deal with Massacre Records.

The band was formed in 2007 by the vocalist and guitarist Dave Jason. The live lineup includes Jens Lindmaier (guitar), Stefan Grießhammer (guitar), Bert Oeler (bass) and Marcel Woitowicz (drums).

In 2010 they signed with Trisol Music Group and released their debut album, "Apokalypse".

In late 2010, SCHWARZER ENGEL toured with AHAB and THE VISION BLEAK through Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The tour coincided with the release of the band's EP, "Geister Und Dämonen".

The second album, "Träume Einer Nacht", followed in April 2011.

SCHWARZER ENGEL played at several festivals in 2011 and 2012, such as the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Hexentanz, Castle Storm and Dark Storm.

SCHWARZER ENGEL's music can be described as modern dark metal with heavy guitar riffs, double-bass attacks, catchy melodies and furious, deep vocals — all topped with orchestral arrangements.

The band's poetic German lyrics are about human failures, impressions of nature, myths and the cruel reality of today's world.

Band leader Dave Jason comments on the signing with Massacre Records: "I'm happy to announce that SCHWARZER ENGEL has teamed up with Massacre Records! The label has proven that it's doing a great job in supporting their artists.

"Massacre Records is the perfect partner for the release of SCHWARZER ENGEL's upcoming album as well as the 'Schwarze Sonne' EP, which will be the album's harbringer."

"Schwarze Sonne" will be released in late May, to be followed by the worldwide release of the band's third album, "In Brennenden Himmeln", in late July.

My Kingdom Music has announced the signing of the Norwegian apocalyptic black metal force REVELATION'S HAMMER. The band's self-titled debut album is scheduled for release on June 3. The CD was mixed by Børge Finstad at Toproom Studio (MAYHEM, BORKNAGAR) and mastered by Peter In de Betou (WATAIN, DIMMU BORGIR, DARK FUNERAL). Exilis from TROLL appears as a guest musician on some of the tracks. The artwork was created by Portugal's Ricardo Fernandes and is said to be "a truly amazing collage built upon a carefully chosen collection of (anti)religious paintings that reflects the band's conception."

REVELATION'S HAMMER's throat and strings are managed by the band's mastermind Accuser while their heavy battery is performed by Myrvoll from Norwegian NIDINGR.

According to a press release, REVELATION'S HAMMER's sound is charazterized by "epic song structures, devastating and hateful vocals, ultrafast tremolo riffing, hellish drums of another dimension and a apocalyptic atmosphere that really brings forward a true sense of doom."

The song "Obsessed Onslaught" from the upcoming album can be streamed below.

Video footage of KISS performing an acoustic version of the band's classic song "Cold Gin" last night during the fan meet-and-greet prior to the group's concert in Mackay, Australia can be seen below.

KISS is currently taking part in an Australian tour with very special guests MÖTLEY CRÜE.

Presented by McManus Entertainment, the summer's biggest, baddest rock tour is hitting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Mackay and Adelaide, with guests Irish rockers THIN LIZZY along for the ride (except Adelaide).

"Monster", the 20th studio album from KISS, sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

KISS' previous CD, "Sonic Boom", opened with 108,000 units back in October 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This marked the band's highest-charting LP ever.

KISS has notched nine Top 10 albums, according to Billboard.com. Its previous highest-charting set was 1998's "Psycho Circus", which debuted and peaked at No. 3 with 110,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group's other high-charting sets include 1975's "Alive!" (No. 9), 1977's "Love Gun" (No. 4) and 1992's "Revenge" (No. 6).

ZIERLER PROJECTS, the new project led by BEYOND TWILIGHT mastermind Finn Zierler, has tapped Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) to mix its forthcoming album, "Matrix I", due later in the year.

ZIERLER PROJECTS is a progressive metal supergroup consisting of:

* Finn Zierler (BEYOND TWILIGHT) - Keyboards
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, ARCH/MATHEOS, SEBASTIAN BACH, ICED EARTH) - Drums
* Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMMETRY, KAIPA) – Guitar, Bass
* Kelly Sundown Carpenter (BEYOND TWILIGHT, DARKOLOGY, EPYSODE, OUTWORLD) - Vocals
* Truls Haugen (INSENSE, CIRCUS MAXIMUS) - Vocals, Bass

ZIERLER PROJECTS was a closely guarded secret until the first matrix's formation was announced in November.

Zierler said: "I'm very excited to announce that we are entering the last stages of finishing the album. Currently working in five different studios. Acclaimed producer and a dear friend of mine, Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, DESTRUCTION, HEAVEN SHALL BURN) is working on pre-drum work, his assistant in Russia on mappings, acclaimed producer Daniel Bergstrand is preparing the mix sessions and has started on the drums, his assistant Rickard Sporrong is working on audio details and I'm gathering thousand and thousand of tracks doing the final setups, working on audio and doing the last minor adjustments. I'll later be flying to Sweden to work with Daniel Bergstrand, who will be mixing the album. I'm absolutely thrilled about this — Daniel has been one of my personal fave producers for years.

"This album is by far the most time-consuming, complex and detail-oriented album I've ever worked on. I've tried to create the best working conditions for everyone involved, taking the time it needs to record this beast out of repect for the musicians, the compositions and the music itself. While recording it, I've put a lot of weight on not taking the easy way out, not to use technology to do edits to save time or whatever. The musicians involved are all so talented — no cheats, no copy/paste is done on this album. Everything on the album is played by us humans and recorded as organic as possible. I'm putting a lot of effort into not losing this when entering these last stages. Personally, I'm sick of listening to 'plastic' albums that sounds more like machines than humans. Sadly, a lot of metal has fallen into this hole in recent years. Metal is one of the few genres where the musicians can actually play — personally, I think it is something we should be proud of and something we should nourish in metal."

Finn is also once again working with acclaimed London-based graphic artist Rob Sindermann, whose stunning visuals will be gracing the CD packaging and include merchandise articles as well.

David Farrier of New Zealand's 3 News conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya during this year's Soundwave festival in Australia. You can watch the report at this location.

Speaking about how the band's live performances have changed since SLAYER's inception more than 30 years ago, Araya said: "The only difference with me now is I can't headbang anymore as I have a plate. I can't do that which is a bum-out. That’s something I enjoy doing, and now I can't. It's an internal struggle, you know what I mean? [But] I can still go out there and scream my ass off, and play a mean bass and smile a lot."

Asked how SLAYER became so happy, Araya said: "Because everyone is having a good time and smiling, and I start smiling. I can't help but laugh. I mean, it's SLAYER, you want, 'Arrrgh.' I don't see that — I see smiles as they are getting hit in the head."

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo sat out the band's Australian tour due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group, while guitarist Jeff Hanneman is still recovering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease which he is believed to have gotten from a spider bite. Filling in for them were Jon Dette (TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) and Gary Holt (EXODUS), respectively.

Michigan-based progsters TILES have issued the following update:

"We have been rehearsing diligently, putting the final touches on each song's basic rhythm track arrangement in preparation for entering the studio later this month. Terry Brown (RUSH) will again produce and engineer for us, splitting his time between Detroit and his new studio in bucolic Muskoka (several hours north of Toronto). It's no secret our pending sixth album is entitled Other Arrangements - an ambitious 60-minute song cycle relating the story of a man disillusioned by betrayal, his descent into darkness, and the struggles he faces coping with the unpleasant realities that have redefined his life. What's not disclosed is if the story has a happy ending (?).
With pre-release hyperbole a new art form that would make even PT Barnum cringe - all we're willing to say is that musically Other Arrangements will be a progressive hard rock album full of Mark's drumming, Jeff's bass playing, Paul's singing, some guitars & keyboards, and maybe some special guests who will play things we can't (or who are at least fun to work with!)."

More on Tiles at Tiles-music.com.

As was previously hinted at, Niklas Kvarforth’s SHINING is to be the subject of a documentary which is being produced for release in cinemas.
The documentary, which is the idea of Martin Strandberg of Sweden’s Black Shadows Film Productions, will chart the often turbulent history of the band, and includes candid interviews with the people who have been most closely involved with Shining in one way or another over the years, including family, friends and former band members.

A video teaser for the documentary was released recently, and English subtitles have now been added. The teaser can be seen below:
Commenting on the project Kvarforth said: ”We keep being asked about the documentary, but we are as much in the dark about it as everyone else. It’s Martin’s project, and we have no input into it at all other than as interviewees. We shall see what we shall see.”

Stay tuned for updates.

Amidst the plethora of extreme punk, hardcore and metal acts to come from within the underbelly of Philadelphia’s thriving music scene comes a bold new name to the progressive metal genre, in the form of SURGEON.
A shockingly unknown band outside of the local scene until now, Surgeon propels an organic, flowing style of progressive metal with bold rock buildups, which also merges into the realms of epic, classic doom. Comprised of vocalist/bassist Sean Bolton, lead guitarist Lydia Giordano and drummer Ruston Grosse (ex-RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER, ex-WOE, MASTER tour drummer), the band recorded their debut album, Angry Guest, at Electrical Audio in Chicago by Steve Albini, self-releasing it onto the masses in 2008. Their energy and attitude carries through both in the studio as well as on-stage, a feature that has helped the three seasoned musicians become known across the Philadelphia region, with Surgeon having shared the stage with STINKING LIZAVETA, HOWL, BLACK COBRA and others.

Crafting each song as an individual piece of art, blending their infectious hooks with intricate melodies Surgeon’s alloy of metals shines more than ever on the band’s ambitious second opus, Chemical Reign. Boasting nearly fifty minutes of material recorded with Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in Rockaway, New Jersey (MIKE PORTNOY, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE NUMBER 12 LOOKS LIKE YOU, Russell Allen of SYMPHONY X), Antreassian was able to capture the band’s live dynamics, the band unlocking new potentials only grazed upon before during previous recording sessions. Surgeon will be self-releasing Chemical Reign on May 19th, 2013 digitally and on CD, the massive album undoubtedly something fans of PHARAOH, ATLANTEAN KODEX, SLOUGH FEG and early IRON MAIDEN should be proud to broadcast.

Hear the album’s second track, 'Watching You', as well as studio and live footage below:

Chemical Reign tracklisting:

'The Creeple'
'Watching You'
'Deadly Are The Words'
'Greed'
'Chemical Reign'
'Animals'
'Hamburger Factory'
'The Only Constant'
'Tomorrow'
'Waves'
Surgeon are:

Scan Boltron - Lead Vocals/Bass
Lydia Giordano - Lead Guitar
Chris Wilson - Rhythm Guitar
Ruston Grosse - Drums
More on Surgeon at this location.

Season Of Mist has announced the signing of the American experimental black metal band MURMUR to its Underground Activists division. The Chicago-based quartet started off in 2007 and immediately received underground recognition. With the release of their fierce and utterly disturbing debut album in 2010, more accolades followed before the band embarked on an even stranger but no less frightening musical journey on a split EP with NACHTMYSTIUM the next year, which earned them international acclaim.

"We are extremely excited to be working with Season Of Mist, and to have the opportunity to reach a wider audience," MURMUR guitarist Matthias Vogels comments.

"MURMUR started as a depressive black metal project with the debut, 'Mainlining The Lugubrious', but after a pretty significant lineup change, as well as a strong desire to satisfy my eclectic musical tastes, MURMUR has mutated into a fusion of black metal with progressive rock, zeuhl, and 1970s-style jazz fusion. We continue to grow and mutate our sound with every new piece. For a long time I thought we were trying to find our niche with all the experimentation, but it seems to me that our niche is not having one at all.

"MURMUR's future goals are to continue writing and release another full-length within the next 1-2 years. Another major goal is to embark on U.S. and European tours."

MURMUR is:

Matthias Vogels - Guitar, Moogs, Voice
Alex Perkolup - Bass, Voice
Shane Prendiville - Guitar, Moogs, Voice
Charlie Werber - Percussion