San Francisco-based doom rockers ORCHID have released the first trailer for their upcoming album, "The Mouths Of Madness". Check out footage of singer Theo Mindell talking the album's artwork below.

"The Mouths Of Madness" will be released on April 26 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Comments Mindell: "I wanted the cover of the album to be really classic and strong, like one of the records from my childhood where when you'd see the colors and shapes on it from across the room, you'd immediately recognize it. A classic 'icon' ...so it's very simple, really. But then I did a really elaborate painting for the inside that is totally ornate. I wanted people to open this kind of sparse, plain thing and be drawn into another world that kind of visually told the story of some of the emotions of the record. Kind of like peeling a weird fruit open... the inner painting was really inspired by some of the Latino psychedelic murals that were done around San Francisco in the late '60s-early '70s... like the cover of 'Abraxas' by SANTANA, which is a record I grew up on and always loved. So, it's the 'ORCHID version' of those murals."

Guitarist Mark Thomas Baker stated about the extensive "The Mouths Of Madness" production process: "Most of the tracks on 'The Mouths Of Madness' were cut in early June 2012. We were pretty fresh off of our European tour and full of confidence. The basics done at that time were the best recording experience that we've had so far. Everybody got along great and did great work.

"We did this album with a completely different guitar sound than 'Capricorn'. I think it sounds much heavier in that regard. We take a lot of time to get things right. I hope people enjoy it and let it sink in. I think it's miles above our past efforts."

Mastering engineer Richard Whittaker, who also took care of the latest BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY rereleases/analogue transfers, comments: "I've been a huge fan of ORCHID since I first heard their debut EP back in 2009, and they've certainly come a long way since then. So, as you can imagine, to be asked to work with ORCHID on their records was an honour and a pleasure. They're a great bunch of guys and a stellar band to be involved with.

"'The Mouths Of Madness' is such a well-crafted and awe-inspiring album. Sonically, its 1974 meets 2013 which, for me, takes the SABBATH/PENTAGRAM vibe to whole new level."

As an appetizer for "The Mouths Of Madness", ORCHID recently released the exclusive 10-inch vinyl EP "Wizard Of War", containing a brand new track, a rare bonus track as well as one song off the band's stunning debut album, "Capricorn".

ORCHID was named "the best and most important doom band of the past five years" by Rock Hard Germany's editor-in-chief Götz Kühnemund. In addition, BEHEMOTH mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski stated: "BLACK SABBATH should do an album like 'The Mouths Of Madness'!"

Since its inception in 2006, ORCHID — which features in its ranks well-known tattoo artist Theo Mindell on vocals — has achieved massive global awareness with their stunning releases "Through The Devil's Doorway" (EP, 2009) and "Capricorn" (full-length, 2011).

ORCHID is:

Theo Mindell: Vocals
Carter Kennedy: Drums
Mark Thomas Baker: Guitar
Keith Nickel: Bass

"No Money, No Love", the new video from HEAVEN & EARTH, can be seen below. The clip features performance footage of the band, along with an old hotel packed with a motley crew of midgets, magicians, and scantily clad temptresses. The video was directed by acclaimed photographer Glen Wexler, who has worked with VAN HALEN, BLACK SABBATH and Michael Jackson.

"No Money, No Love" is featured on HEAVEN & EARTH's forthcoming studio album "Dig", which will be released on April 23 via Quarto Valley Records. The CD was produced by Dave Jenkins, who's worked with everyone from METALLICA to TOWER OF POWER, and features special guests Howard Leese (HEART, PAUL RODGERS), Richie Sambora (BON JOVI), and David Paich (TOTO).

HEAVEN & EARTH's founder and visionary Stuart Smith had this to say about "Dig": "I feel that with the crafting of the songs on this album, the incredible band we've put together, especially with powerhouse vocalist Joe Retta and the unwavering support of Quarto Valley Records' president, Bruce Quarto, we really have a shot at getting HEAVEN & EARTH the attention it deserves. This album is by far, the best thing I have ever done in my life. All the pieces are in place. We're ready to make this our year."

"Dig" track listing:

01. Victorious
02. No Money, No Love
03. I Don’t Know What Love Is
04. Man & Machine
05. House of Blues
06. Back In Anger
07. Waiting For The End Of The World
08. Sexual Insanity
09. Rock & Roll Does
10. A Day Like Today
11. Good Times
12. Live As One

After the release of "The Grandiose Nowhere" in 2010 and the subsequent tour, which covered 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, led by Oliver Niklas, took a break to concentrate on the songwriting process for its new new album.

The group's tenth studio CD will be released in May to coincide with LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE's 20th anniversary. In addition, Napalm Records and LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE have renewed their co-operation with a new record deal.

Commented Thomas Caser, head Of A&R at Napalm: "We are very glad to announce the renewal of the contract with LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE. In these modern and short-lived times, we appreciate this longtime relationship and are very proud, that the band will go their successful path with Napalm Records in the future! A fantastic album is about to be released!"

Added Niklas: "We are happy that with Napalm Records — who are now the home for our idols MOONSPELL, TIAMAT and MONSTER MAGNET, and for our most successful albums, 'Ave End' and 'Filthy Notes For Frozen Hearts' — we have found a partner and friend for our tenth album.

"The record will surprise with unusual parts and heavy riffs, but not without the typical LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE melodies and due to the collaboration with our idol Ricky Warwick and a guest appearance with our ex-singer Christopher, it will be our most varied and hardest album we made since 10 years. The record will be perfect for our anniversary and we cannot wait to share it with you. Goth 'n' roll!"

LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE is:

Rob Vitacca - Vocals
Oliver Nikolas Schmid - Guitars
Tony Berger - Guitars
Dominik Scholz - Drums

Chicago's EARTHEN GRAVE has signed to Ripple Music for the worldwide release of the band's self-titled debut album. The effort will be made available on CD and double vinyl on July 9.

Formed in 2008, EARTHEN GRAVE is a five-piece Chicago metal band that marries the sounds of metal past and future with a sweaty, pummeling live show. EARTHEN GRAVE boasts an undeniable collective metal and musical pedigree. Each member is an accomplished musician and a veteran of the metal scene, including Ron Holzner who was a member of the seminal and seismic doom pioneers TROUBLE — a band widely regarded as one of the most important unsung American metal bands of all time. In addition, EARTHEN GRAVE has that "extra something special" with occasional guest sixth member live and boasting a full collaboration on the new release with Rachel Barton Pine. Rachel, a world-renowned classical violinist, brings her frightening classical chops to a relatively new instrument, the Viper.

Originally released in 2012, EARTHEN GRAVE's self-titled debut features 10 tracks of blistering doom and metal that left the critics grasping for superlatives. Terrorizer magazine wrote: "EARTHEN GRAVE sounds old school without being retro, managing to go through every element on which lesser bands usually fail with exquisite grace and solemn subtlety..."

The new edition of the album, produced by Ron Holzner, has been completely remastered with four bonus tracks, including the new song "Death Is Another Word...." with new drummer Chris Wozniak (LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR) and the epic cover version "Stargazer" (RAINBOW) with string section Rachel Barton Pine.

And now the album will finally see a vinyl release! Double gatefold vinyl to be precise, featuring the 10-song remastered debut with "Death is Another Word...." plus three bonus live tracks. One of the live tracks, "Death March Intro - End Of My Daze", features TROUBLE guitarist Bruce Franklin. That's a whole new side of vinyl featuring "Stargazer", plus three more live, never-before-released tracks.

EARTHEN GRAVE is dedicated to exploring new possibilities for the genre. As guitarist Jason Muxlow says, "It's not about being the heaviest band or the slowest — it's about having good songs." "Second guitarist Tony Spillman and I played doom metal before it was even called that," Ron continues. "And for Jason, the music we pioneered was his influence. We're bringing the strands of the music together — and with the addition of Rachel using the violin as a core component of a metal band, and featuring multi-talented vocalist Mark Weiner, we're taking the genre on a new journey."

The "rehearsal lyric video" for the song "Master Of Confusion" from German power metallers GAMMA RAY can be seen below.

"Master Of Confusion" is the title track of GAMMA RAY's new EP, which will be released on March 15 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

In addition to the brand new title cut, "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 GAMMA RAY frontman Kai 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 "Skeletons & Majesties Live" but were not featured on the CD release (which included the show recorded in Pratteln).

"Master Of Confusion" track listing:

Side A

01. Empire Of The Undead (new studio track)
02. Master Of Confusion (new studio track)

Side B

03. Death Or Glory (HOLOCAUST studio cover version)
04. Lost Angels (SWEET studio cover version)

Side C *

05. The Spirit / 06. Wings Of Destiny / 07. Gamma Ray
08. Farewell / 09. Time To Break Free / 10. Insurrection

*Recorded live in Bochum

"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 GAMMA RAY at the highest positions in the charts worldwide.

"We have been away for quite some time," declared Hansen. "We have released what we consider a very beautiful live product, 'Skeletons & Majesties Live', 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, 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 Janaury 2014.

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 midprice mini-album.

On Record Store Day, April 20, reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN will release a limited-edition vinyl of the "King Animal" demos worldwide. This is the first time these recordings have been available together. The songs will be pressed on 10-inch pink vinyl and the 6-song package will also include a free digital download card.

The demos were recorded by Chris Cornell and SOUNDGARDEN at TNC Studios in Los Angeles, California and Deke River Studio in Seattle, Washington.

Record Store Day celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

SOUNDGARDEN released the music video on January 29 for "By Crooked Steps", the second single from the quartet's new album, "King Animal". Singer Chris Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio a little about the tune: "It's one of the earlier songs that we started working on, but I also felt like it, to me, is like definitely sort of a new chapter for us. If you wanted to take one example of SOUNDGARDEN progressing, that's a good one for me."

The "By Crooked Steps" clip was directed by FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl, who submitted a treatment for the video on his own initiative after hearing the song.

"King Animal" came out last November and was SOUNDGARDEN's first set of all-new material in 16 years.

Acording to the Michael Kiske Official Fanclub, the lineup for PLACE VENDÔME's third album will consist of Michael Kiske (UNISONIC, ex-HELLOWEEN) on vocals, Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, UNISONIC) on bass, Uwe Reitenauer (PINK CREAM 69, SUNSTORM) on guitar, Gunter Werno (VANDEN PLAS) on keyboards and Dirk Bruinenberg (ELEGY, ADAGIO) on drums. Ward is also producing the CD, which is tentatively due later this year via Frontiers Records.

Commented Reitenauer: "Lots of songwriters are involved; Dennis and I were too busy to write many songs since we have other bands like PINK CREAM 69 or UNISONIC... I was asked to do the guitar work again. But the songs are just demos — lots of riffs, solos and some parts are composed by Dennis and me."

PLACE VENDÔME's second album, "Streets Of Fire", was released in February 2009 through Frontiers. The CD was recorded at Ward's studio in Karlsdorf, Germany, with Ward's PINK CREAM 69 bandmate Kosta Zafiriou and Gunther Werno of VANDEN PLAS laying down drums and keyboards, respectively. A promotional video for the song "My Guardian Angel" — written by Magnus Karlsson (BOB CATLEY, PRIMAL FEAR) — was included as a special interactive bonus on the album and marked Kiske's visual return to the scene after years of a self-imposed exile.

Former EUROPE guitarist Kee Marcello will release his new album entitled "Judas Kiss" on April 5. The CD features a duet with Akane Liv of the Japanese symphonic metal act LIV MOON in the song "And Forever More".

"Judas Kiss" track listing:

01. Zombie
02. Dog Eat Dog
03. Starless Sky
04. I'm Stoned
05. Dead End Highway
06. Judas Kiss
07. And Forever More (duet with Akane Liv)
08. Coming Home
09. Get On Top
10. The Harder They Come
11. Dead Give Away
12. Love Will Tear Us Apart
13. Metal Box

The official video for the song "Dog Eat Dog" can be seen below.

As previously reported, Marcello has been cast in the Swedish version of the hit Broadway musical "Rock Of Ages", which is currently playing at Chinateatern in Stockholm until May 25.

On May 31, Kee will embark on a tour of Scandinavia, mainland Europe and South America.

Marcello released his controversial autobiography, "The Rock Star God Forgot", in Sweden in October 2011.

Marcello made headlines in the biggest Swedish newspaper with a painfully honest interview about the memoir, which is said to be "the first sex, drugs and rock and roll book ever written by a Swede."

Marcello in 2011 released an album, "Redux: Europe", featuring several new tracks alongside modern, heavier-sounding re-recordings of hits from Marcello's previous bands EUROPE and EASY ACTION. Also released on the same date were remastered and repackaged versions of Kee's two earlier albums, "Redux: Shine On" and "Redux: Melon Demon Divine".

Mike Gitter of AOL's Noisecreep recently conducted an interview with heavy metal vocalist John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Noisecreep: What are you up to these days?

Bush: My wife has a casting studio called Silverlane Studios, that she started twelve years ago and has since built as a business that is pretty strong and going really well. I pretty much entrenched myself in her world. I help her with the studio and I also help her as a casting director. We've cast a bunch of commercials and done some movies and videos. We have a facility here where we provide that for other people. We are a little mom-and-pop business that's really cool and really fun and pretty much consumes most of my time. I've done a bunch of voice over work myself. There were a few years where I was basically the voice of Burger King. I still try and do as much voice over work as possible. It's fun to do and it's me using my voice. It's cool to do some acting and not be an actor. I don't really want to be an actor. I spent enough years trying to convince people about being a great singer.

Noisecreep: Why are you OK with not doing music full time anymore after so many years with ANTHRAX and ARMORED SAINT?

Bush: I do love making music. I actually think I'm a better singer now than I've been at any point in my life. I totally know my voice and know what I can and can't do. It's still super-strong but I'm more in touch with the dynamics and soulfulness of it. I do love singing and writing lyrics. I just don't really have a desire to be a touring guy anymore. When I first left ANTHRAX the first time in '05, it was right around the time my daughter was born. At that time, it just didn't feel like it was time to go pursue another band. I didn't want to. I was happy to just be at home and raise my daughter. Now, leaving my kid and my business for a month at a time is something I don't want to do. I do love making music and playing live shows still. I just want to do it on my terms.

Noisecreep: What's going on in ARMORED SAINT right now?

Bush: We started writing some new songs, most of which are in a very embryonic state. Since way back when Dave [Prichard; original SAINT guitarist who succumbed to leukemia in 1990] died, Joey [Vera, bass] has taken over the role of being the pilot for the band. He's got a lot of music running through his bones and his DNA and I trust him and believe in his abilities. He's written a lot of stuff and I just keep telling him to push the envelope. When we write, I want to be as broad as possible and not to put any limitations on what we do. If something doesn't work, then it doesn't work. Joey says he's written a couple eight-minute songs. It'll be fun to put out another record. I don't when it would come out but it's probably not going to be too long from now.

Read the entire interview from Noisecreep.

"Terror Regime", the title track of the eighth studio album from Wisconsin death metallers JUNGLE ROT, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

"Terror Regime" will be released on March 19 via Victory Records. Recording took place at Bell City Recording in Racine, Wisconsin with longtime friend and engineer Chris Djuricic. The artwork was once again completed by Gyula Havancsák (DESTRUCTION, ANNIHILATOR, GRAVE DIGGER).

"'Terror Regime' has lots of speed, groove and hate coming your way", warns frontman Dave Matrise.

"Terror Regime" track listing:

01. Voice Your Disgust
02. Terror Regime
03. Utter Chaos
04. I Am Hatred
05. Blind Devotion
06. Scorn
07. Rage Through The Wasteland
08. Ruthless Omnipotence
09. I Don't Need Society
10. Carpet Bombing
11. Pronounced Dead

In a recent interview with Target Audience Magazine, Matrise stated about JUNGLE ROT's new CD: "It's a lot thrashier; we've been doing a lot of touring. We've toured a lot more than we ever did on the 'Kill On Command' record. We played some songs every night we could see which ones go over with the fans. I think just by touring it just gave us a little hint to do on the next one."

Asked if there was any pressure to outdo "Kill On Command", Matrise said: "No, there was no pressure. It was a great record, but like all of them, we try to top every one of them. I think a lot of it had to do with our new drummer, Jesse. We've finally found a drummer that can play anything. This kid is unbelievable; whatever we throw at him, he can do it."

Viking folk music constellation WARDRUNA — which features multi-instrumentalist Einar "Kvitrafn" Selvik, Kristian "Gaahl" Espedal (ex-GORGOROTH, GOD SEED), and vocalist Lindy Fay Hella — will release its second album, "Yggdrasil", on March 15 in Norway, on March 25 in the rest of Europe and on April 2 in North America via Indie Recordings.

"Yggdrasil" is the follow-up to 2009's "Gap Var Ginnunga" and is the second album in the group's planned "Runaljod" trilogy based on the interpretation of the runes of the elder futhark.

"Yggdrasil" track listing:

01. Rotlaust Tre Fell
02. Fehu
03. NaudiR
04. EhwaR
05. AnsuR
06. IwaR
07. IngwaR
08. Gibu
09. Solringen
10. Sowelu
11. Helvegen

Total running time: 66:14

The third trailer for "Yggdrasil" can be seen below.

"Yggdrasil" will be available as regular jewel case CD and as digibook CD with an exclusive 32-page booklet. Vinyl version will be available through Back On Black. The digibook version will also be sold together with a limited-edition necklace as a package.

About the new album, Kvitrafn commented, "It has taken me quite a while to find the necessary calmness and time needed in order to create the way I do. Last year in November, I began recording 'Yggdrasil', the second part of the 'Runaljod' trilogy. The creative process has been time-consuming and demanding, but I am very happy...

"Like our previous album, it is partly recorded outdoors and in places or situations relevant to the given song. Although the instruments are more or less the same as on 'Gap Var Ginnunga', the nature of the set of runes featured on 'Yggdrasil' have naturally made it a very different album. It is also worth noting that this time I've been working more closely with Lindy and Gaahl during the creative process. We are all very satisfied with the result so far, and we are looking forward to presenting this new piece of old-rooted culture!"

WARDRUNA recently performed at the medieval/fantasy festival Castlefest in the Netherlands, about which Selvik commented: "A lot has happened since the release of our debut album in 2009. We have been lucky enough to be able to perform at some really special places and interesting festivals. A concert with WARDRUNA is in my view two-way communication, and meeting our audience has been both overwhelming and very inspiring for us."

Additonally, the band has been confirmed to perform at this year's Inferno metal festival, set to take place March 14-16 in Switzerland, alongside acts such as ANAAL NATHRAKH, PRIMORDIAL, DARK FUNERAL, MY DYING BRIDE and AURA NOIR.

In September, WARDRUNA will make its American live debut at the Stella Natura Festival, an ambient/folk/black/doom-centered event to be held at Shinnyboo Creek Resort in California's Tahoe National Forest.

Columbus, Ohio metal/hardcore act LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES will enter the studio this week to begin work on its next LP. Recording is expected to run from March 14 to April 8. On the new album, LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES reunites with "When We Don't Exist" producer Will Putney (UPON A BURNING BODY's "Red, White, Green"; MISS MAY I's "At Heart"; THE AMITY AFFLICTION's "Chasing Ghosts"). A July release via Rise Records is expected.

LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES bassist Aaron Evans says: "We are headed to the Machine Shop to do our second full-length record to follow up 'When We Don't Exist'. We can't wait for you guys to hear what we've been working on. It has been quite some time coming and it has a bit more substance to it and is a little more grown up. We hope all of our fans who loved the first record will enjoy it just as much."

Vocalist Chris Roetter adds: "We've had a lot of time to figure out the direction that we'd like to take the band musically and couldn't be happier to work with Will Putney again. We don't have a direct intent to drastically change the style of our music but we have progressed as a band and that will be evident with this next album. Expect a more mature, aggressive LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES."

LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES will headline the 2013 edition of the Rise Records Tour, which features support from CROWN THE EMPIRE, THE COLOR MORALE, PALISADES and MY TICKET HOME. The trek begins April 19 and runs through May 4. The band is also confirmed for the entire Vans Warped Tour this summer from June 15 to August 4.

Prosthetic Records will release "Gates To The Pantheon", the new album by German black/death quintet NEGATOR, in North America this spring. The CD will be made available physically on May 14 and digitally on April 23 to coincide with its European release through Viva Hate Records. The band — whose blistering "panzer metal" has solidified their reputation as one of Germany's top extreme metal acts — is currently offering a free download of the single "Atonement In Blood" using the SoundCloud widget below.

"Gates To The Pantheon", NEGATOR's first new music in over three years, is the follow-up to their highly acclaimed third album "Panzer Metal". That release caught the attention of Swedish legends DARK FUNERAL, who subsequently enlisted NEGATOR vocalist Nachtgarm to front their band throughout 2011 and 2012. The new album — recorded at Hammer Studios in Hamburg with producer Eike Freese (GAMMA RAY, CALLEJON, DARK AGE) — features nine bloodthirsty tracks of pounding blackened death, hailed by JOB FOR A COWBOY guitarist Alan Glassman as "one of the angriest-sounding releases I've ever heard — a black metal masterpiece."

"Gates To The Pantheon" track listing

01. Epiclesis
02. Bringer Of War
03. The Last Sermon
04. Serpents Court
05. Nergal, The Raging King
06. Carnal Malefactor
07. The Urge For Battle
08. Atonement In Blood
09. Revelation 9:11

"Alchemy Of Blood", the new video from Polish extreme metallers HATE, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Solarflesh", which was released in North America on February 5 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Erebos" was recorded at Sound Division Studio in Warsaw with Filip "Heinrich" Halucha (VESANIA, DECAPITATED) and Arek "Malta" Malczewski (BEHEMOTH's sound guy). The effort was mixed at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski (DECAPITATED, VADER).

Check out photos from the "Alchemy Of Blood" video shoot at this location.

"Solarflesh" track listing:

01. Watchful Eye Of Doom
02. Eternal Might
03. Alchemy Of Blood
04. Timeless Kingdom
05. Festival Of Slaves
06. Sadness Will Last Forever
07. Solarflesh
08. Endless Purity
09. Mesmerized
10. Hatehammer (limited-edition bonus track)
11. Venom (limited-edition bonus track)
12. Fall Of All Icons (limited-edition bonus track)

Commented HATE guitarist/vocalist Adam "ATF Sinner" Buszko: "I believe 'Solarflesh' is the most insane and haunting record we've done thus far. It's nothing but pure darkness… We're extremely satisfied with this 61-minute monster (12 songs) that we've put to life. Now we're working on a documentary about creation of 'Solarflesh', its ideological sides, the band's history, touring etc. It's going to be much more than just a studio report. We want it to be an in-depth interview revealing some unknown facts, hidden meanings etc. I'm sure people will find it interesting."

Buszko previously stated about "Solarflesh": "On this album we definitely explore new territories and push the boundaries of this beautiful and sick genre to its absolute limits! The material contains 12 collages. Most of them are insanely fast (270 bpm). Others are groovy, trance-like mantras that seem to haunt you forever. They all have rich background of samples and other elements that make them sound multidimensional. We also have several dark, ambient compositions that seem like complete avantgarde. I've been working on them with Michal Staczkun, the guy who did excellent job on our previous album, 'Erebos'. We are also working on a few songs with Androniki Skoula, a singer from Greece, known for her involvement in the band CHAOSTAR, as well as collaboration with SEPTICFLESH and ROTTING CHRIST. She's adding some 'Hellenic' flair to the songs that makes them even more elaborate."

German thrashers ACCU§ER will release their new album, "Diabolic", on April 12 via Red Shift Music/H'ART. The CD was recorded in October/November 2012 at Gernhart studio with producer Martin Buchwalter (DESTRUCTION, PERZONAL WAR, SUIDAKRA).

"Diabolic" track listing:

01. Apocalyptic Decay
02. Diabolic
03. Cannibal Insanity
04. Deification
05. Dethroned
06. Beyond The Blackness
07. Save Your Legend
08. Immortal Aggression
09. Remains Of Chaos
10. World Wide Violence

A trailer for the album can be seen below.

ACCU§ER's last CD, "Dependent Domination", came out in July 2011 via Red Shift.

Formed in 1986, ACCU§ER received international acclaim with such albums as "Who Dominates Who" (1989) and "Repent" (1992) and songs rife with both technical and compositional pyrotechnics. Right from the beginning, the band established itself as an original among its American brethren from the San Francisco Bay Area as well as fellow countrymen KREATOR and DESTRUCTION, a fact cemented through its collaborations with TESTAMENT/ANTHRAX producer Alex Perialis and industrial pioneers DIE KRUPPS.

ACCU§ER split up in 1996 but reformed in 2008.

Portland, OR metal group AGALLOCH will release its full-length debut album (from 199) Pale Folklore as special edition 2LP limited to 300 copies on white 180g double LP. It will be released on May 14 via The End Records.
A press release says Pale Folklore “features eight tracks at a total running time of over sixty-two minutes. Very elaborate and diverse, and surrounded by the majesty of nature and the burden of human existence, the album bursts with melodies with a basis of dark yet very emotional concepts. Creating auras of dark, symphonic melancholia, Pale Folklore turns out to be one of the most tragic, mournful yet expressive listening experiences ever!”

Pale Folklore tracklisting:
‘She Painted Fire Across the Skyline, Part 1’
‘She Painted Fire Across the Skyline, Part 2’
‘She Painted Fire Across the Skyline, Part 3’
‘The Misshapen Steed’
‘Hallways of Enchanted Ebony’
‘Dead Winter Days’
‘As Embers Dress the Sky’
‘The Melancholy Spirit’

Pre-order the album here.

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper recently spoke to RollingStone.com about his upcoming covers album, which he plans to start recording in December for a 2014 release.

"We do a thing in our show, which is a tribute to Hollywood Vampires, my drinking club," Cooper explained. "And it was Keith Moon, John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Micky Dolenz — a very eclectic bunch of drunks. Half of them are dead, so we do four songs in the show in tribute to them. We do 'Break On Through', 'Revolution', 'My Generation' and Jimi Hendrix's 'Foxey Lady'. I just kind of said, 'We've never done a covers album, let's think about that.' So [producer Bob] Ezrin and I are kind of bouncing it around right now."

Asked what some of the wish-list songs are, Cooper said: "I would keep it right to about '73, '74. I don't want to just go anywhere. I want to keep it right in that sort of drunk era, so it's specific. I would say 'Break On Through', that's a really good rock track there. The other ones, think of it — Harry Nilsson, there's a lot of good stuff there that could be rocked out. I think of songs as being clay. Take a song like 'Jump Into the Fire' and take that to a harder level, and that'll work."

Maltese doom/death act VICTIMS OF CREATION have almost completed their debut album Symmetry Of Our Plagued Existence. The album will include five songs that will see the light of day on April 26th. The band provides a short update from the studio:

Comments vocalist Rex on the recording process: “Drums were recorded in November but could only resume recording in mid-December to January due to studio availability and various illnesses. In addition, as every band member surely experienced, it is when you need mostly your equipment that it fails! So, apart from some typical setbacks, we resumed recording guitar and bass tracks in December and by early January and finished all vocal tracks during late January. Expect a very heavy down-tuned sound...: Slow tempo riffs with melodies and dissonance! We experimented with different microphones and pre-amps so as to obtain clear recordings while still retaining an 'old school' and 'raw' character. Vocals have a mixture of death metal style growls, heavy, deeper guttural growls and some screams contrasting with some intermittent clean vocals.”

The artwork was handled by Maltese artist James Scibberas (BEHEADED) and can be viewed below:
The album will be released at the renowned Doom Shall Rise Festival in Göppingen/Germany. In celebration of the release, the band will play their first gig outside their home country on Friday, April 26th.

States the band: “For us it is of course a great pleasure and we feel privileged to play in the now highly acclaimed Chapel of Doom!”

Heaven and Hell Records plan to reissue North Carolina thrashers DENIAL's No Comment EP later in 2013.

Recorded at locally famed Reflection Studios and originally released in 1990 with the line-up of John Lawther (bass), Kelly Rodgers (drums), Joe Walsh (guitar), and Jeff Triece (vocals/guitar). The self-released six songs EP quickly caught on in the thrash metal underground and soon after its release it landed the band a deal with Colossal Records who released the band's only full length offering Antichrist President. The band seemed to disappear not long after leaving behind their small mark in the world of thrash metal. Years later with the resurgence of all that is thrash and collector demand Denial's name would begin to surface once more but with a new generation of headbangers.

Heaven and Hell Records plan to reissue the classic No Comment... EP later this year, remastered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios, with new artwork by TJ Barber. The release will also include a live soundboard recording that included tracks that were never released.

EUGENIC DEATH drummer Ian Pasquini has quit the band due to outside personal obligations.

Says Jonathan McCanless: "There were no tensions in the band and no hard feelings, Ian simply had obligations that require his fullest attention."

Coincidentally Pasquini's departure comes about as Eugenic Death guitarist McCanless joins Indiana's STEEL AGGRESOR as their new drummer. The remaining three members of Eugenic Death; Jonathan McCanless, Keith Davis, and Shane Lucas are currently working on the follow up to the 2012 debut Crimes Against Humanity entitled Under the Knife due for release sometime in 2013.

Swedish death metal PAGANIZER just finished the recordings to their ninth studio album. The album is entitled World Lobotomy and will include 12 tunes of pure old school death metal. Due out May 5th, check out the tracklist and artwork created by Juanjo Castellano (REVEL IN FLESH, BLASPHERIAN, RIBSPREADER, SATHANAS) below:

World Lobotomy tracklisting:
'Prelude To The Lobotomy'
'World Lobotomy'
'The Sky On Fire'
'Mass Of Parasites'
'As Blood Grows Cold'
'Ödeläggaren'
'You Call It Deviance'
'As The Maggots Gather'
'Trail Of Human Decay'
'The Drowners'
'The Last Chapter'
'Hunt Eat Repeat'

For more details on Paganizer visit Facebook .

Heaven and Hell Records will be releasing all FALSE PROPHET material on CD early in 2013 as one of their next releases in the Lost Relics collection.

Formed in the late 1980s, False Prophet would quickly become one of North Carolina's leading metal bands and one of the US East coast's most fierce thrash/death metal acts of the early 1990s. Their first self-titled demo released in 1989 gained them promising attention in the underground. But it wasn't until the release of their full-length Second Death in 1991 that the band began to gain mass critical praise from critics and peers. Many of whom saw False Prophet as the next MORBID ANGEL.
The band toured the region playing with such acts as DANZIG, CONFESSOR, FORBIDDEN, DEMOLITION HAMMER, DARK ANGEL and eventually landed a deal with Belgium label Mausoleum Records. Unfortunately an album would never be release. By 1993 the band changed their name to Infernal Hierarchy and released one two song 7". Soon after the band that was once known as False Prophet would come to an end.

Finally this awesome thrash/death metal will see a proper release all re-mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios in Winston Salem.

To be included:

Sign Of The Cross 1989 four song demo:
'Red Dawn'
'Sign of the Cross'
'Devil's Meat'
'False Prophecy'

Second Death 1991 full-length:
'Diabolic Rites (Intro)
'Second Death
'Holy Deception
'In Satan's Name
'Forgotten Souls
'Bring Back a Memory

Infernal Hierarchy 1993 7":
'First Born'
'False Prophecy'

Irish cult entity SLIDHR is about to offer the world its first full-length album. According to a press release, "Deluge features ten songs of innovative supreme black metal which evoke celestial turmoil and welcome the next great catastrophe upon a species hypnotised and poisoned into submission." The album will be released in a noble six-panel Digipack CD on May 24th (May 28th in North America) via Debemur Morti Productions. The front cover was conceived by band mastermind J. Deegan and the layout assembled by Kontamination Design.
Tracklisting is as follows :
'Wielding Daggers'
'Hex'
'Earth's Mouth Opens'
'Symbols Obscuring'
'Rejoin The Dirt'
'Their Blood'
'Death Of The Second Sun'
'Unseen'
'As The Dead'
'Rays like Blades'

You can already listen to the song 'Death Of The Second Sun' at this location.

Irish blackened folk metal act CELTACHOR, and the band's new album expected in late 2013.
Formed in 2007, Celtachor became a full working band in 2010, melding the influences of black/doom/folk metal together in one combined force. The band sees themselves as the narrators of Irish mythology. The band’s main goal is to showcase their own vision of those stories, playing the music with passion and from the heart.
Celtachor latest album, Nine Waves From The Shore, was self-released by the band on November 25th, 2012. Nine Waves From The Shore was recorded between 2011-2012 in the bands own studio in Dublin, Ireland.

According to a press release: “The concept for the album deals with the Landing of the Gael and the main heroes and characters as part of that saga.”

The artwork was painted by the band's drummer Anais Chareyre. It depicts the Battle of Tailtin, the armies of the Men Of Dea against the Men Of The Gael being over watched by the goddess Danu rising from the hills and mountains of Eire. Check it out below:
Tracklisting for Nine Waves From The Shore is as follows:

‘The Landing: Amergin's Conquest’
‘The Battle Of Tailtin’
‘The Kingship Of Bodb Dearg’
‘Sorrow Of The Dagda’
‘Tar éis an Sidhe’
‘Conn Of The Hundred Battles’
‘Anann : Ermne's Daughter’

More on Celtachor at this location.

ERICK AVILA - guitarist, music producer and leader of the Chilean metal band SIX MAGICS - has just released his first solo album.
After several years, during which the composer was mainly concentrated on his main band’s commintments, finally the instrumental album, entitled Oblivion, is available in digital format via iTunes. The album contains eight tracks and includes the participation of Six Magics’ musicians Pablo Stagnaro and Mauricio Nader, drums and bass respectively.
This album was produced and recorded by Erick who was inspired by different places that marked his life and developed an album of eight instrumental songs. In Chile, the album can also be purchased through a 8GB Pendrive containing five videos from Oblivion, tabs and eight unreleased videos from Six Magics.

More information at this location. Check out an album teaser video below:

Spanish black death metal demons NOCTEM have announce a change in the band's lineup.

Says Noctem: "Helion (rhythm guitar) decided to part ways with the band for personal reasons. His abandonment of Noctem was produced in the most friendly way possible. We understand and support him. Now we proudly present Nekros as the new guitarist of the band.

In other news, Noctem have landed an endorsement deal with ESP and LTD guitars and basses. Exo, Nekros and Ul proudly use ESP and LTD instruments and have been fanatics of this well known brand for years and years.
In words of the band: "This is a further step for Noctem's career, as ESP and LTD instruments style fits perfectly the aggressive and sharp sound of Noctem. We hope this is the beginning of a very long relationship between the band and this worldwide killer brand."

More on Noctem at this location.

Swedish melodic rock outfit OSUKARU will return with not only one, but two releases by the end of May this year; the new album Triumphant, and a special EP called Covered Up.
Triumphant is the band's second full album, but the fourth release in total, and it features the brand new lineup including Oz Osukaru (guitars, keyboards), Fredrik Werner (lead vocals, guitars), Cecilia Camuii (lead vocals), Jens Björk (saxophone), Adrian Lopez (piano, keyboards), Axel Ryberg (drums) and co-founder Ryan Coyle (drums, percussion).

"To me, this version of Osukaru is more like a new band, a reboot so to speak, and in a way Triumphant is like a debut album", Oz says. "However, that doesn't mean that I'm not proud of our previous releases, because I really am. But to make Osukaru grow I felt that it was time for a change."
Triumphant will include a total of 14 tracks with titles like 'Walk In Balance', 'Triumphant', 'Prisoner Of The Night', 'Believe', 'Never Play With Fire' and a song called 'Mafia Rules', featuring Erik Heikne (MISS BEHAVIOUR) on lead guitars.

As if this wasn't enough, a special EP, titled Covered Up, will be released the very same day, featuring five cover songs getting the full Osukaru treatment. This EP is strictly limited to 500 numbered copies and you can only get it as a bonus if you order Triumphant directly from the band or their label City of Lights Records.
Covered Up will be included with the album as a free gift to their fans and the songs featured on the disc are 'Who Cries Now' (UNRULY CHILD), 'Tough Times Don't Last' (BAD ENGLISH), 'Midnight Blue' (LOU GRAMM), 'Waiting For Love' (ALIAS) and a rock version of 'Hair' (LADY GAGA) featuring the pop singer Jessica Frost on lead vocals. Jessica Frost is also the cover model for both Triumphant and Covered Up, and the artwork is, as always, created by Oz Osukaru himself.

More on Osukaru at this location.

Mansfield, CT-based black metallers AUTOLATRY have revealed details on their upcoming full-length, Native, set to be independently released on June 18th. The band’s latest effort is a concept album, telling a tale of Native American assimilation at the time of the colonial settling in New England.

Vocalist Karl Chamberlain comments, “This album represents a powerful look into New England’s history as well as our history as a band. For the first time, the whole band was in one room when we wrote the album and the collaboration forced us to step up our game. Autolatry has always had an underlying concept, but “Native” was created to flow conceptually, lyrically, and musically together. I see this as not just the next step, but an entire new beginning for us.”

The album was engineered and mixed by guitarist/songwriter Dave Kaminsky at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, FL and at the band’s home base in Mansfield. Album artwork created by Casey Stone-Pirrie can be seen below:
Tracklisting:

'Colony
'Waning Moon'
'Unrest With The Tide'
'Pale Dishonor'
'Setting Of The Sun'
'Native'
Autolatry lineup:

Dave Kaminsky - Guitar
Joe Makuch - Guitar
Matt Kaminsky - Drums
Karl Chamberlain - Vocals
Sean Hart - Bass

More on Autolatry at this location.

Sydney, Australia-based "triumphant war metal" band BANE OF ISILDUR are set to release a new studio recording containing two new tracks on April 5th. The EP will be released on limited 7” vinyl and digital download through mediums such as iTunes, Amazon mp3, Spotify etc. and features a brand new, unheard original called '…And The Earth Becomes Aflame' as well as a cover of 'Resurrection Of The Wild' composed by Viking metal gods WINDIR.
The release coincides with the 2013 tour with ENSIFERUM and will be officially launched at a local Sydney show on May 4th.

The 7” vinyl will be strictly limited to 300 copies between Australia and Japan, pre-orders for will be available through the band on the March tour and via email at info@baneofisildur.com.

...And The Earth Becomes Aflame was recorded and mixed at Sydney’s Adversary Studios in 2013 by Aaron Worboys and was mastered by Aphotic Mote in Brisbane.

Guitarist JOE STUMP (RAVEN LORD, HOLYHELL) has posted some live footage online along with the following update:

"'The Ritual Begins' and 'Man Your Battlestations' from one of the NC shows last week. Unfortunately, my drummer had a family emergency so I had to do the backing track thing . But plenty of gratuitous shred footage nonetheless."
Stump's live schedule is now as follows:

March
23 - Dewey's Pub - Seymour, CT
30 - Vail Leavitt Music Hall - Riverhead, NY

April
6 - Fiddler`s Green - Stamford, CT

May
17 - 89 North Music Venue - Patchogue, NY (with SHADOW EDEN)
24 - Intermission Lounge - Pittsburgh, PA (with Pete Rossi)
25 - Token Lounge - Detroit, MI

Stump's new album, Revenge Of The Shredlord, is out now via Lion Music.

"Revenge Of The Shredlord is quite heavy and classically influenced," Stump remarked recently. "This one’s all metal from start to finish, very dark and focused with gratuitous amounts of shredding throughout. Also, thanks to the great work of engineer Ducky Carlise and mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum, it’s my best sounding record to date as well."
Revenge Of The Shredlord contains the following 12 songs:

'The Ritual Begins'
'Man Your Battlestations'
'Pistoleros'
'Shredlord's Sonata'
'Master's Prelude'
'In The Master's House'
'The Black Knight's Castle'
'Enter The Coven'
'Evil Beasts Below'
'Strat Outa Hell'
'White Knuckle Mayhem'
'The End Approaches'

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