Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT have recorded an album that seamlessly brings together all of the band's influences and reshapes them into something gleaming and new. Planned for release in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on April 5, in the rest of Europe on April 8, and in North America on April 9 via Vertigo/Republic Records/Universal Music, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" is a record that's rich with stories and characters woven throughout its lyrics. Some are real — like the noble lady outlaw Pearl Hart, who held up a stagecoach to buy medicine for her dying mother, or Lola Montez, the erotic dancer with her infamous "Spider Dance," or "Black Bart," the gentleman highwayman who wrote poems for the people he robbed. Others are entirely fictional. "The Nameless One" is a cautionary tale of dabbling in the dark arts, featuring the mysterious and sinister character of the title. Elsewhere, "Room 24", featuring King Diamond, was inspired by a terrifying experience in a hotel room somewhere in the heart of America.

"Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" finds the core trio of Michael Poulsen (vocals/guitar), Anders Kjølholm (bass) and Jon Larsen (drums) joined by former ANTHRAX/THE DAMNED THINGS guitarist Rob Caggiano, who produced the album with longtime VOLBEAT co-producer Jacob Hansen.

"It's a new vibe for VOLBEAT," says Poulsen. "You've got everything — the rockabilly stuff, the melodies, the ultra-heavy stuff, the Western motifs and the big rock songs. It's everything that VOLBEAT are all about, but taken even further." The album title is a phrase that evokes another time, an era when elegant lawbreakers were the rock stars of the day. It tips its fedora to everything from the bad men (and women) of the old west to the old school metal bands who influenced the young Michael Poulsen to form his first band, DOMINUS, back in the early 90s.

As with so many classic albums, the seeds of "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" were sown on the road in Europe and the U.S. That's where Poulsen began playing around with ideas and riffs, recording them on his mobile phone and directly to an amp. "Melody, lyrics, everything — it's just working non-stop in my head," he shares. When the band eventually returned to Denmark, it was time to go to work. The band leader recalls, "We came back from the U.S. after touring a lot over there, and isolated ourselves in our own homes for six months to finish off the album. That peace was something I needed. Even though it's very inspiring to write on the road, it's more comfortable to write at home."

It was there that the album truly began to take shape. Poulsen would close the curtains, turn off the light and draw inspiration from the old Western movies he'd watched as a child with his father. Watching the old spaghetti westerns he's watched with his father provided a catalyst for inspiration. He offers, "Sometimes it's just about the right feeling — the scenery, the lines, the dusty look. I have my own soundtrack when I see those kind of pictures."

You can hear the influence of the Old West right from the start in "Let's Shake Some Dust", an evocative intro track that features harmonica from acclaimed blues harp player Paul Lamb. You can hear it again in the rampaging "Black Bart", which Poulsen describes as "our country-MOTÖRHEAD song," and in the banjos that pepper the chorus of the hard-as-steel "Doc Holliday", a tribute to the legendary lawman and associate of the Wyatt Earp gang. But "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" is no country and western record. If it was a car, it would be a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk with monster truck wheels — vintage and modern, stylish and muscular.

You can hear echoes of classic '50s rock 'n' roll in the soaring; "Pearl Hart", and the live classic-in-waiting "Lola Montez". The band's metal roots come to the fore via the heavy riffage of "Dead But Rising" and "The Nameless One", while the ghostly "The Lonesome Rider" – which finds Michael duetting with Sarah Blackwood of Canadian band WALK OFF THE EARTH like a modern-day Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash — beats with a rockabilly heart. Elsewhere, they bring some greased-back energy to "My Body", a cover of the hit song by U.S. pop-punk outfit YOUNG THE GIANT, while the brooding album closer "Our Loved Ones" is the nearest thing they've ever written to a ballad. Poulsen offers, "When I was growing up, my dad and mother played a lot of old records — Elvis, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. I love that stuff — it's a drug somehow. My own record collection growing up was metal. But I listen to a lot of different styles of music. If something moves you, I don't care what it is."

The track "Room 24" features a massive coup for VOLBEAT with the guest appearance from King Diamond, the legendary front man of Danish metal pioneers MERCYFUL FATE, and one of Poulsen's musical idols. Michael reveals, "I'm a huge fan of MERCYFUL FATE and KING DIAMOND. Having King on the record is a huge privilege. Normally, it's not something he does. He wrote his own lines, and it is half my lyrics and half his. It's a weird, scary story, and he's the perfect person for it." Additional guests include Anders Pedersen on slide guitar, Rod Sinclair on banjo and Jakob Øelund on double bass.

The album itself was recorded in the legendary PUK Studios in Randers, Denmark, with Jacob Hansen and Rob Caggiano sharing production duties, which brought a new dynamic to proceedings. Poulsen reflects, "I love Jacob Hansen's work. He's part of VOLBEAT, and we worked together on all the albums so far. I started flirting with the idea of bringing Rob in as a producer too because he produced ANTHRAX and THE DAMNED THINGS, and I like the sound of what he did there. I thought, 'That could be a really cool combination,' as both are quality guys with really high standards."

In closing, Poulsen sums it up in sharing, "I chose this way of living because I love playing music and I love touring. We wanted to write, we wanted to be inspired by our idols, we just wanted to rock out. That, for me, is what music is all about."

Canadian rockers HEADSTONES are done! The record that is.

A brand new update reads: "The new record is officially finished. We tracked, we mixed, we mastered… artwork for the record and for our Pledge merch items are being created… Exclusives are being designed, manufactured, written, and signed.

At this exact moment, we’re holding the final version of our songs. The exact record that you will be listening to in 19 days. And with that, we want to let you in on a secret. The title of our record is… Love + Fury.

We’ll release the track names for you in a few days."

Headstones will release Love + Fury on March 26th.

"Black Flag", the new video from Hungarian extreme metallers EKTOMORF, can be seen below. The band's frontman, Zoltán "Zoli" Farkas, states: "The shoot [went] awesome. The video is fucking agressive!"

"Black Flag" is the title track of EKTOMORF's new album, which was released on August 31, 2012 via AFM Records. The cover was once again created by German illustrator and designer Tim Eckhorst, who previously did illustrations for the Wacken Open Air festival and various other bands.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. War Is My Way
02. Unscarred
03. The Cross
04. Cut It Out
05. Black Flag
06. Private Hell
07. 12 Angels
08. Enemy
09. Fuck Your God
10. Never Surrender
11. Sick Love
12. Feel Like This
13. Kill It

EKTOMORF's very special "acoustic" album, "The Acoustic", was released on February 17, 2012 via AFM Records. The CD contained cover versions (LYNYRD SKYNYRD's "Simple Man" and "Folsom Prison Blues" by JOHNNY CASH), re-recorded EKTOMORF classics ("I Know Them", "Redemption", "Who Can I Trust", "Stigmatized" and "I'm In Hate"), plus five brand new tracks, written specially for this release.

Commented EKTOMORF frontman Zoltán "Zoli" Farkas: "To make 'The Acoustic' album was a great experience for EKTOMORF. I’m still very happy with what we created and I want to thank all the fans for supporting us. But now with the new album we go back to the heavy stuff. The tons-of-bricks sound that is typical EKTOMORF, but with a few surprises here and there."

THE AMENTA, Australia's grime and grit fuelled iconoclasts, have released a video teaser for their new album, "Flesh Is Heir". Check it out below.

"Flesh Is Heir" will be released in Australia on March 23 through EVP Recordings and the rest of the world on March 25 via France's Listenable Records.

Having already received excellent preliminary reviews in the European and Australian press, "Flesh Is Heir" is already being hailed as THE album of 2013 .

THE AMENTA will be main support to British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH on their April Australian tour. In addition, THE AMENTA will headline Australia's leading metal webzine Metal Obsession's fifth-birthday celebration in late March as well as playing Indonesia's Hammersonic festival in Jarkarta just after a headlining show at Perth's Amplifier Bar.The band will then co-headline The New Dead Fest in Adelaide with PSYCROPTIC.

San Antonio, Texas-based funeral doom act THE HOWLING VOID has just released the brand new EP Runa, featuring a brand new take on the band's musical vision. According to a press release, "the usual funeral doom has now been blended seamlessly with folk melodies and chanted vocals. For fans of AHAB, AGALLOCH, DRUDKH, and NEGURA BUNGET. The EP focuses on the mythic paradigm of Initiation in the Left Hand Path as represented by Woden/Wotan/Odin's journey into darkness in search of wisdom."
Stream the EP now and/or purchase a digital copy at Bandcamp

Physical release coming early summer 2013 on Solitude Productions.

California blues rockers RIVAL SONS appeared as the musical guests on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" last Thursday night, March 7.

The band appeared alongside the late-night talk show host, as well as Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant and British actor Dominic Monaghan to perform its tracks "Keep On Swinging" and "You Want To" for the studio audience.

Commented RIVAL SONS drummer Michael Miley: "Holy cow, ya, being on 'Jimmy Kimmel' is monumental for us. He's the number one late night show with a massive audience. I mean, what up-and-coming band would not live to do that! I feel honored. Thanks to Jimmy and his peeps for working with us. Thanks to all the fans who came out. And hello and welcome to all the fresh virgin fans. See you on tour!"

RIVAL SONS recently wrapped up a string of U.S. and Canadian dates, and is due to return to Europe for a headlining tour on March 22.

RIVAL SONS' latest album, "Head Down", will arrive in stores in the U.S. on March 19 via the band's new affiliation with Century Media Records.

"Head Down" was released in Europe on September 17, 2012 via Earache Records. The CD was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Cobb (JAMIE JOHNSON, SHOOTER JENNINGS) and Grammy-winning engineer Vance Powell (JACK WHITE, THE WHITE STRIPES, KINGS OF LEON). The artwork was created by Jason Holley (JOSH RITTER, RAY LAMONTAGNE).

Metal Mark of SkullsNBones.com recently conducted an interview with former PANTERA and DOWN and current KILL DEVIL HILL bassist Rex Brown about Rex's memoir, "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

SkullsNBones.com: For starters, you were always considered the "quiet" member of PANTERA, and you really hold nothing back in the new book. Was it challenging or weird for you to let people in more than you ever have before?

Rex: It was more cathartic for me than anything else. It was a lot harder than I expected, but I think it turned out great. Writing a book ain't easy, man. [laughs] Trying to get all those words in, all the stories in, and everything else in 320 pages was really difficult. It could have been over 900 pages, but we made sure it wasn't, ya know. As for it being weird, I would never say it was weird, because I had a story to tell, and it's finally coming out for everyone next week.

SkullsNBones.com: For me as a PANTERA fan, reading about where you were the moment you heard about [the death of PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott] and the days after, it was tough to get through. How hard was it for you to go back to those memories and sort of relive them for this book?

Rex: Bro, the word cathartic just keeps coming up for me. Having to rewrite this thing so many times, it was good, but at times it was really sad. I really wanted to put my experience out there, because I've heard so many others, so now people know my experience with hearing the news as well. It's still devastating to think about, but I think we all feel that way. It was definitely tough, though, man; I won't lie.

SkullsNBones.com: As you mention Dime, the parts in the book about all of you growing up together is really an awesome read. From the classrooms to the jam sessions, it's really cool to learn. Of course, no one could have imagined how huge PANTERA would become, but it seemed right from the beginning that you knew that this was going to be something good.

Rex: Yes and no. We were four completely different individuals, even in the beginning, but we had that drive to be the best we possibly could. We just went through a crazy ride that took us to the top and it was unreal at times. It wasn't always good and fun, but in the end, you mention PANTERA and the amount of respect that name brings is something I'm sure we are all super proud of still to this day.

SkullsNBones.com: As you know, with every musician's book, there will be those people who say it's only your side of things and it may not be completely accurate. How do you respond to those who say that?

Rex: It's all true, man. I didn't fabricate anything. I threw in entertaining stories, to keep the reader involved, but it's all true. Everyone that has read it can clearly feel the honesty, and that was important to me. The bottom line was if I was happy with it, and I am, so people can respond how they choose. I'm very proud of this book. This is just my story, man. I didn't write it for money or to piss people off; it's just me telling the story from my eyes, because I lived it. There were only four of us who knew what went on, and this is my story. I can't stress that enough.

SkullsNBones.com: Throughout all the bad things that may have happened during those years, it does not take away that you four guys lived a dream that only a few people can say they have. Do you have any regrets looking back on those years?

Rex: I totally agree, man. We were very fucking lucky, we were very fucking determined, and I have absolutely no regrets. The only regret is what happened to Dime, but I had no control over that. It's a shame that some fucking deranged idiot decided to do that to someone so special in this world. It's a bigger shame that we will never know what might have happened. As I said in the book, if Dime was alive, I believe we would still be jamming together. To put it plain and simple, I have no fucking regrets. You can always look back and say we could have done things differently, but that's life in general. You live and you learn, ya know.

Read the entire interview from SkullsNBones.com.

Spanish melodic death metallers JOTNAR have issued the following update:

"It's been a little while since our last update... We had plans to enter in studio at the beginning of the year but sadly we had to postpone it due to a shoulder surgery of our guitarist, Ben Melero. He is recovering from this "bitch" as fast as he can but as he cannot play at this moment, we don't have a date for the studio "assault" yet.

In the meantime, we are getting all the songs polished and ready to enter in studio to record what will be a massive album! We've got a huge amount of songs where we are making a selection to only offer you the best!! NO FILLERS... just Jotnar!!!

But it's not all bad news... At the end of this week we will announce the first international festival for this year. Stay tuned 'cause it will be MASSIVE!"
Updates to follow. Two videos from the band's performance at Metalcamp 2012 can be found below. The first video is a two-minute clip of the band preparing to take the stage and walking on, while the second is a live version of the song ‘In Process’, from the album Giant (Coroner Records/Murdered Music):

More on Jotnar at this location.

Daniel Pavlica from The Rocktologist recently spoke with legendary singer JOE LYNN TURNER (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE) about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat below:

The Rocktologist: You keep yourself busy with various projects (AVANTASIA being the latest of them). How do you pick out which project to work on?

Turner: “Usually it’s quality. There are some instances where I pick up projects that are of personal nature, but usually I look for quality. Avantasia, by the way, slots neatly among those quality projects. Tobias (Sammet) is an amazing guy and my only regret is that I’m leaving for Japan (Voices of Rainbow tour from March 12-14th), Korea and Las Vegas and therefore I won’t be able join the Avantasia tour. I’m just so busy with my own work. But we’re staying in touch and hopefully at some point I will jump in. Maybe in July.”
The Rocktologist: Let’s talk about Street Of Dreams the documentary. What’s the idea behind that?

Turner: “You know, I really don’t know, because I had not seen the documentary in full yet. First of all I didn’t even know Jan (Erling) was going to call the documentary “Street of Dreams”. And second, I didn’t have anything to do with the film other than appear in it. I did my script, which was just talking, and the next thing I heard was that Jan was doing a documentary out of it, and from what I hear it is doing pretty well.”

The Rocktologist: Looking back, do you consider the Slaves And Masters-era a wasted opportunity for Deep Purple?

Turner: “I believe it was one of the better albums that Deep Purple did. And in that perspective it certainly was a waster opportunity. We should have stuck with it and made at least two albums, thus proving to the fans and ourselves that it was a step in the right direction. What happened after that was made history. When Blackmore quit they got Steve Morse in and the band is now doing nicely on its own. However, I don’t think the band sounds like Deep Purple anymore, except maybe once in a while here and there. But I do think that Slaves and Masters sounds like a Deep Purple record for one big reason and that’s Ritchie Blackmore. He was the heart and soul of that band and as much as everyone would like to think that they were the pillars of the Deep Purple I believe it was always Ritchie who was running the show. Blackmore is the biggest missing ingredient of what is necessary for Deep Purple to work properly.”

Read the entire interview at The Rocktologist.

Bethlehem are legend. With their album "Dark Metal," this band (founded in 1991) established the musical subgenre of the same name, and with their records "Dictius Te Necare" and "S.U.i.Z.i.D.," they are the founding fathers of Suicidal/Depressive Black Metal. More than ten years ago, they already cooperated with Prophecy to release their EP "Profane Fetmilch lenzt elf krank" (1999) as well as the album "Schatten aus der Alexander Welt" (2001). The group around Jürgen Bartsch now returns with a new contract into the fold of the label – an act of faith the Prophecy team is extraordinarily thrilled about.

The first mutual project of this newly forged alliance will be the release of Bethlehem's seventh studio album. The as yet untitled work will be recorded in August/September of 2013 in Klangschmiede Studio E under the aegis of Markus Stock: the first of four albums covered by the contract.

Jürgen Bartsch has this to say about the renewed contract formation: "Our choice of label is based on knowing the person mainly responsible for it for many years – a foundation of trust not to be undervalued these days. As a plus, you are experiencing an artistic freedom with Prophecy Productions that has no rival – they are backing you 100%, and they are serious about it. We are absolutely convinced that this cooperation on an equal footing is going to produce many strange blossoms, as Prophecy vs. Bethlehem are just like chalk and cheese together."

San Francisco, CA death metal band FALLUJAH will release their new EP Nomadic on April 2nd exclusively on iTunes.

The band states: “Nomadic is a segue to the new direction of Fallujah. We wanted something ethereal, aggressive and emotional that would not only quench the thirst of our established fan base, but entice a broader audience with something fresh and forward-thinking.”
Fallujah have uploaded the opening song of the EP, ‘The Dead Sea’ and can be heard below:
Nomadic tracklisting:
‘The Dead Sea’
‘Silent’
‘Venom Upon The Blade’

For more info visit Facebook.

Norwegian metallers TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK are currently working on their forthcoming concept album which is scheduled for a January 2014 release on the Australian label, Battlegod Productions.

Scott Oliva (WIND WRAITH, LIVE AFTER DEATH) has checked in from the studio while rehearsing vocals for track four on the album called 'A Voice Unheard':
Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, ex-GAMMA RAY) recently recorded vocals for 'Within The World Of Dreams' which is the opening track off the album. This song serves as a rough summary of the concept for the album; it’s a starting point for the story which is told throughout the album. Each song will be an individual part of the story and they will be presented in chronological order as the events unfold.
Trond Nicolaisen explains the concept behind the album:

"The protagonist has a dream where he enters the deepest, most horrible part of Hell. Here he encounters the Devil, who gives him a vision with a detailed description of the catastrophic end that awaits mankind. Evil will spread across our planet; it will cover Earth like a blanket and lead to massive warfare, which in turn will lead to destructive natural disasters and finally, the end of the world as we know it. Weeks and months pass by; the protagonist is conflicted. Should he let the rest of the world know what he knows will happen? He realises how difficult it will be for people to understand and believe him, but he decides to throw himself on the proverbial grenade and try to save the world. He points at the things that are wrong and warns about what will await us unless we stand together and fight the greed and evil which is closing its iron grasp around the entire world.

Unfortunately, very few people believe him. Most just label him an eccentric, or just insane. They don’t want to deal with him any longer, and the more he struggles and the more powerful means he employs, the more he distances himself from the rest of society. Then things start to go seriously wrong. War after war breaks out and in the blink of an eye, most of the continent is engulfed in a destructive war. No-one is safe from the death and destruction that follows in the wake of warfare. The people find their scapegoat by remembering our protagonist and his dark premonitions. With the mentality of fighting fire with fire, the scared population form a lynch mob and start the manhunt. After a long and intense hunt, he gives up and allows himself to be caught. They exact their revenge by burning him at the stake. He can do nothing more than smile as the flames lick his flesh, for he has long since given up on humanity; they deserve the fate that has come for them. Not one of them knows that this is the trigger; this is the final event that unleashes the full force of Evil, and completes the prophecy.

The end of the world as we know it. In the days after the nuclear bombs fell, there’s a lull before the storm. What’s left of the military forces have surrendered. There’s a common understanding on all sides that the war is over, and it’s time for peace. Yet, there’s something in the air, something indescribable. The anticipation and the silence are unbearable; the horrible feeling before the real terror sets in is much worse than all the wars and devastation that has come before. It’s so bad that when the ultimate end comes, it feels almost like a blessing. The nuclear war has irrevocably altered our planet and our atmosphere, and the forces of nature decide to annihilate every last speck of life on our damned planet.

Thus, history is washed away. It is time for another beginning…"

For more details visit Tomorrowsoutlook.com.

Monmouth, NJ-based old school thrashers CONDITION CRITICAL have revealed the tracklisting for the band's debut album, Operational Hazard, due in April.

It is as follows:
'Random Acts of Killing'
'Parasitic Torment'
'Morning Sickness'
'Sector 16'
'Shock Therapy'
'Gravitational Dismemberment'
'Surgical Malpractice'
'Dr. Criti-Kill'

The video for the new track, 'Random Acts Of Killing' can be viewed below:
Operational Hazard was recorded at Mana Recording Studios, owned by Eric Rutan, and were recorded and mixed by Brian Elliot at Mana.
Condition Critical lineup:

Alonso Maguiño - Guitar/Vox
Ryan Donato - Drums
Sam Agnew - Guitar/Gang Vox
Mike Dreher - Bass/Gang Vox

More on Condition Critical at this location.

Philadelphia, PA ambient black metal trio NIHILISTINEN BARBAARISUUS is set to release its debut full-length album Synkka Tuuli March 26th on CD via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
A press release describes the band as “cold, grim and strangely uplifting, a must have for fans of artists such as GRIS, PAYSAGE D’HIVER, BURZUM, VELVET CACOON, TRIST, and NEIGE ET NOIRCEUR.”

Check out the track ‘Yllittaen Jaatyneen Pohjoisen (II)’ below:
Synkka Tuuli tracklisting:
‘Ylittaen Jaatyneen Pohjoisen (I)’
‘Ylittaen Jaatyneen Pohjoisen (II)’
‘Itameri Anomalia’
‘Anhedonia’
‘Arktinen Valisoitto’
‘Synkka Tuuli’
‘Ketamiini’

For more info visit Facebook.

Norwegian Viking folk music constellation WARDRUNA - which features multi-instrumentalist Einar "Kvitrafn" Selvik, Gaahl (ex-GORGOROTH, GOD SEED), and vocalist Lindy Fay Hella - performed at the medieval/fantasy festival Castlefest in the Netherlands last August.

The band have released another live video from the performance, for the song ‘Helvegen’ (also featured on the group's new album, Yggdrasil). The new clip, as well as a previously released video for the track 'Bjarkan', can be seen below:
Wardruna's second album, Yggdrasil, will be released in Norway on March 15th, throughout Europe on March 25th, and in North America on April 2nd, 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.

The album artwork can be seen below:
Yggdrasil tracklisting:

'Rotlaust Tre Fell'
'Fehu'
'NaudiR'
'EhwaR'
'AnsuR'
'IwaR'
'IngwaR'
'Gibu'
'Solringen'
'Sowelu'
'Helvegen'

Two album trailers can be seen below:
Wardruna's music is featured in History Channel's new TV series, Vikings.
Wardruna and Indie Recordings have licensed songs both from the previous and upcoming album and Wardruna will be featured in several episodes of the series. The US premiere of Vikings was March 3rd on History Channel, and in Nordic countries on March 4th on HBO.

Vikings is a historical fiction television series filmed in Ireland, created by Michael Hirst and produced for the American cable television channel History. The series is loosely based upon the reign of Viking King Ragnar Lodbrok.

More info and the first two episodes of Vikings is online at this location.

An inside look at Episode 1 can be seen below:
More on Wardruna at this location.

Chilean thrash band WARBREATH will release 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'
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.

Ljubljana, Slovenia-based hard 'n' heavy newcomers TOMCAT have released their debut album, Bits N' Pieces, via On Parole Productions.
Tracklisting:

'Hangover'
'Goodbye'
'Dirty Old Mind'
'Follow You'
'Girl In Leather'
'Edge Of The Blade'
'Purgatory'
'Wipe My Tears'
'Riders'
'Stevie, Annie And Me'

Listen to the album in full below:

Bits N' Pieces by TomCat

TomCat was formed by ex-members of GLENN MOORE, STROCK and CYCLONE in fall, 2010.The beginning of their story was quite typical - playing some local shows and suffering many lineup changes. Through all this turmoil, TomCat still managed to write material for their debut album.

When it came to recording of Bits N' Pieces, TomCat chose to work with people of their age. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in Safe & Sound Studio by Beny Kic and Matej Sušnik (both members of METALSTEEL, SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH (EU)).

TomCat walk the thin line between classic hard rock and 70's heavy metal and at the same they are not hiding that they are influenced by big names of 80s hard rock and heavy metal. Apart from that, TomCat showcases sophisticated musical expression, fueled by youthful energy, sincerity, creativity and unbridled life will.

This quartet really don't need hairspray, fancy clothes or glamourous stage names - just jeans and leather and here they go as a soundtrack to your party or motorcycle ride. On Bits N' Pieces, they won't bother you with philosophy or teach you how to live, just tell you ten stories about life around them. Actually, about life all around us. Relax, it's only rock 'n' roll and they believe you will like it!
TomCat lineup:

Denis Jambrosic - vocals
Rok Barle - guitar, back vocals
Gregor Sujica - bass, back vocals
Ziga Ravselj - drums

More on the band at this location.

Finnish death metal band MAGENTA HARVEST are set to enter the studio to record their debut album, due for release in summer/fall 2013.
Magenta Harvest started as a two-man project in 2005, when former ...AND OCEANS members Timo K (HAVOC UNIT, O) and Janne (MYGRAIN) wanted to continue making early ...and Oceans type of music. Years later the project was transformed into a full 5-piece band, when bassist Jonas (CHTHONIAN, THE INIQUITY DESCENT), guitarist Timo H, and latest addition singer Mathias (FINNTROLL, Chthonian, The Iniquity Descent) joined in the lineup.
After two well-received EPs - A Familiar Room (2011) and Apparition Of Ending (2012), the band is ready to enter SoundSpiral Audio in May to record the as-yet-untitled full-length album with Juho Räihä. The release date is planned for the summer/fall 2013 via Finnish label Inverse Records.

Updates to follow. More on Magenta Harvest at this location.

Spanish thrashers VIVID REMORSE have released a new lyric video, for the Down To The Wire track, 'Theory Of Fear'.

In words of the band: "It's one of our favorite tracks in the album, not the fastest but very dynamic, with varied riffs and some vocal melodies that interpret perfectly the meaning and content of the theme of the song, which is about the Columbine massacre. Indeed, the validity and relevance of this argument, following the recent slaughter of Newton and the debate on gun ownership in the United States, has been one of the key factors in the choice of 'Theory Of fear' as the second single from the album."

Watch the lyric video below:



Vivid Remorse's video for the song 'Imaginary Actress', also featured on Down To The Wire, can be seen below:
More on Vivid Remorse at this location.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx was recently interviewed by Bryget Chrisfield of TheMusic.com.au; an excerpt from their chat follows:

“I wanna finish our movie [adaptation of Mötley Crüe’s collaborative autobiography The Dirt: Confessions Of The World’s Most Notorious Rock Band] and put out a new album,” he revealed before adding they will also release a soundtrack to the movie and then embark on “a farewell tour.”

Sixx accentuated that this split would see the band done for good, he has no interest in resurrecting its corpse down the track.

“It’s important that when you do a farewell tour that people understand that when you put a bullet in the back of the horse’s head, and it goes down, it’s not a plastic bullet it’s a fucking shotgun blast. You know, blow its fucking brains out, it’s never coming back. It has to [be that way],” he stressed. “It’s the only way I can look at myself in the mirror and do a farewell tour. That’s it. So when we take our final bow, it’s IT. I will cry. I cry thinking about it.”

"So it’s very emotional and I just think it’s important that we finish what we started and then, you know, it will be whatever it will be. It could be beautiful. It could be a beautiful ending! When you go and see a great movie – I’ll leave you with this: when you go and see a great fucking movie and it ends and you go, ‘Fuck!’ like, you walk out and you go, ‘That was amazing! That blew my mind!’ It’s not like, ‘That blew my mind and, um, maybe there’ll be a sequel to it’.”

Further details can be found at this location.

Mötley Crüe's current tour schedule runs through July, with dates in Australia, Canada, and The United States; a complete list of confirmed shows can be found at Motley.com.

Germany's A MILLION MILES recently signed with Abandon Records for their long awaited debut album What's Left Behind, scheduled to hit stores on April 5th via New Music Distribution. The band has checked in with the following update:
Photo by Andreas Torneberg

"To support our upcoming album What's Left Behind live, we´re getting ready to tour Germany in April! Tour rehearsals are going well and are drenched in rock. But before we'll hit the road, with a heavy heart we have to announce that our long time friend Philipp will no longer join the band on the drums for several personal reasons. After an amazing 2012 with many great shows, the recordings of our debut album and many memorable moments for all of us, we wish Philipp only the best on all his musical and personal ways. But from now on we have a new face in our band; he's ace, already an established member of our band and a killer on the drums. Please welcome Timo, who will from now on kick some asses on the drumset of A Million Miles! 2013, we are ready to ROCK!"

Confirmed tour dates are as follows:

April
5 - Bar 227 - Hamburg, Germany
6 - Tunis - Friedeburg, Germany
7 - Blackland Metalbar - Berlin, Germany
8 - B58 / Raum 8 - Braunschweig, Germany
9 - Chemiefabrik - Dresden, Germany
10 - Habana Live Music Club & Bar - Bamberg, Germany
11 - Backstage München - Munich, Germany
12 - Klubhaus - Saalfeld, Germany
13 - Köln Underground - Köln, Germany

Check out a trailer for What's Left Behind below. For information on A Million Miles go to this location.

Skol Records has set an April 19 release date for "Strong As Steel - A Tribute To Anvil", the first-ever ANVIL tribute compilation. The effort will be limited to only 666 CD units, and will include ANVIL cover versions performed by such bands as MAVERICK (Japan), SINISTER REALM (USA), STORMZONE (Ireland), SATANICA (Japan), IRON KOBRA (Germany), DEXTER WARD (Greece), CONVIXION (Greece), SAVAGE BLADE (Canada), SKELATOR (USA), CAYM (Canadian band featuring ANVIL drummer Robb Reiner's son Tyler on drums), CRYSTAL VIPER (Poland) and others. The album is being produced by Bart Gabriel (pictured below with ANVIL frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow), who — in addition to helming albums by such bands as JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR, CRYSTAL VIPER, LONEWOLF and SACRED STEEL — has produced the "A Tribute To Cirith Ungol", "A Tribute To Metalucifer" And "A Tribute To Sabbat" compilations, as well as several other cover songs which later landed on tribute albums to such acts as W.A.S.P., ANGEL WITCH, MANILLA ROAD, WARLOCK and RUNNING WILD.

The "Strong As Steel - A Tribute To Anvil" cover artwork can be seen below.

Commented Gabriel: "This will be a real tribute, a really high-quality release, because ANVIL deserve to have one. I realize it won't be a bestseller, but all those who have seen 'Anvil! The Story Of Anvil' movie will understand what's the driving force behind this project."

He added, "I'm one of those guys who got inspired by ANVIL to continue, to follow my dreams, to never give up. And I know there are many, many bands around who feel like the movie is about them as well. It's all about positive energy, and I'm truly honored that the project was approved and blessed by ANVIL members, [which is what] makes it even more special!"

"Anvil! The Story of Anvil" was named one of 2009's best documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent, including critics in Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Las Vegas, as well as the International Documentary Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the National Society of Film Critics. It also made the year-end Top 10 lists in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Village Voice.

SCYTHE, the new band formed out of the ashes of Chicago underground metal band USURPER, will enter Arcane Audio in Chicago on March 30 with producer Dan Klein to record its sophomore album, "Subterranean Steel". The follow-up to "Beware The Scythe" will be recorded and mixed over a six-week period for an October 8 release via R.I.P. Records (USA), Primitive Reaction Records (Europe), as well as through iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon MP3 and other online distributors

Commented SCYTHE guitarist/vocalist Rick Scythe: "'Subterranean Steel' will contain nine songs of complete headbanging, fist-banging, speed-metal anthems! These songs are 100% traditional underground metal for people who are obsessed with the true spirit of underground heavy metal! This album will be a pure leather-and-spikes assault, armed with intelligence and power. Prepare to relentlessly headbang!"

Songtitles set to appear on "Subterranean Steel":

* Leather Aggressor
* Monarch
* Subterranean Steel
* October Dies
* The Grunting Dead
* The Bray Beast
* Beyond the Northwoods
* Nights of Terror
* Thunder Hammer

Legendary BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi (pictured below) spoke to the Birmingham Mail about the death of legendary British guitarist and singer Alvin Lee, founder of the band TEN YEARS AFTER, who passed away early Wednesday (March 6) after complications following a routine surgical procedure.

"I was extremely saddened to hear of Alvin's death," Iommi said. "It was a great shock. I had not known that he was ill.

"Alvin was a really great guitar player but, more importantly, has been a good friend of BLACK SABBATH over the years.

"In the early days, when we were still going by the name of EARTH, it was Alvin who helped us get some gigs. He'd been out there a bit before us, and knew the ropes. We'd sit and talk the night away at a flat in London.

"I remember telling him that we were thinking of changing our name to BLACK SABBATH.

"He was horrified! He told me we'd never do any good with a name like that."

He added: "Alvin broke new ground with the way he played. After he played 'Goin' Home' at Woodstock, he became known as the fastest guitar player in the world.

"But it wasn't just about speed. He could rock, he could play the blues, and he was a fine jazz guitarist, too.

"He will be greatly missed by everyone in the rock and roll community."

Dark Harvest Records has announced the signing of Philadelphia's I AM THE TRIREME.

Few bands can match the ferocity and sheer brutal combination of melodic death and vile symphonic black metal that I AM THE TRIREME (pronounced "i am the tri' reem") has conjured. The group brings forth a relentless, fast-paced, crushing wall of blackened brutality and haunting melodies. Listeners can expect to hear a searingly dark, aggressive blend of brutality and purely sinister blackened metal that is sure to leave them foaming at the mouth.

Conceived in 2008, I AM THE TRIREME quickly began to heave their mass out of the dark abyss and shape themselves into a great leviathan in the world of extreme metal alongside acts such as ROTTING CHRIST, GOATWHORE, SUFFOCATION, EXHUMED, and literally countless other heavy hitters in the extreme metal community; proving I AM THE TRIREME themselves as equals in the genre.

While never claiming to be strictly black metal, I AM THE TRIREME holds strong to belief of black metal in its purest form — unencumbered and in direct opposition of ALL religious ties and affiliations.

In a time where ideals and strong beliefs have shifted into trends and thoughtless practices, leaving the scene littered with hollow shells in the image of our forefathers, I AM THE TRIREME sets a course true to their convictions and shines an unapologetic ghostly light through the fog into the beyond.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, JOURNEY's recording days might be a thing of the past. Due to shifting audiences and the general nature of the music business, keyboardist Jonathan Cain thinks that maybe the band is done releasing new music. JOURNEY's last studio album, "Eclipse", was released in May 2011. The Walmart exclusive debuted on The Billboard 200 album chart at No. 13 — eight spots lower than the band's previous album, 2008's "Revelation" — which also went on to hit No. 1 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart.

Jonathan Cain told The Pulse Of Radio that the pressing need for new JOURNEY music has seemed to fade. "Y'know, we're not convinced the market will bear another CD from us, y'know?" he said. "And it's so much work to make one. Y'know, maybe we get a soundtrack shot with a movie. And the last album we made was a departure. It was Neil [Schon's] 'I wanna do one this way once' — and so we did. Y'know, we did a heavy, rock n' roll record. And it kinda wasn't received very well here in the States and they kinda liked it in Europe and that's kinda what I thought was gonna happen and it barely sold 100,000 [copies]."

Cain went on to explain that after "Eclipse" failed to score with both old fans and new converts, the entire band has had to pause and take stock of where they're at creatively.

"After all that time and money, y'know, what are we doing here, y'know?" he said. "So, we have a great catalogue here, right now to play. We got a lot of songs that we're not even playing. So, we're like, 'What's the point of makin' a new CD right now?' Y'know, if anything, we'll make an EP."

JOURNEY will next appear on Thursday (March 7) with DEEP PURPLE in Perth, Australia.

Coming to theatres on Friday (March 8) in select cities — and available starting Saturday (March 9) on most On Demand services — is "Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey".

The film chronicles the rags-to-riches story JOURNEY's current Steve Perry-sound-alike lead singer, Arnel Pineda, from his poverty stricken days in the Philippines to fronting the band today.

Italian hard rockers VOODOO HIGHWAY have revealed the cover artwork and tracklist of their recently announced second studio album Showdown, the worldwide release is scheduled for April 26 via Dust On The Tracks Records through Sony (Europe), MVD (USA), RSK (UK), Universal (Canada).

Produced/mixed by Dysfunction Productions (ANTHONY PHILLIPS, JOHN WETTON, LOGAN MADER) and mastered by US senior mastering engineer Ue Nastasi (AC/DC, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) from Sterling Sound Studios, New York. The album artwork for the effort feature the hand of UK graphic designer Mr. Storm Thorgerson, who has previously worked with PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, DREAM THEATER, ANTHRAX among many others.
Showdown tracklisting:
'This Is Rock’N'Roll Wankers!'
'Fly To The Rising Sun'
'Midnight Hour'
'Could You Love Me'
'Wastin’ Miles'
'Church Of Clay'
'Mountain High'
'Cold White Love'
'A Spark From The Sacred Fire'
'Prince Of Moonlight'

Bonus Tracks:
'Till It Bleeds'
'Broken Uncles Inn'

Check out a Showdown preview below:
Voodoo Highway will stage a release party to celebrate the release of their new album, Showdown, on April 6 at Sala Estense in Ferrara, Italy.
Voodoo Highway is a powerful new quintet featuring Federico Di Marco (vocals), Filippo Cavallini (bass), Matteo Bizzarri (guitars), Alessandro Duò (keyboards) and Vincenzo Zairo (drums).

For more details visit Facebook.

Jacksonville, Florida's EVERGREEN TERRACE has inked a deal with Rise Records. The band will enter the studio this spring to record its new album for a fall release.

Guitarist Joshua "Josh" James left EVERGREEN TERRACE last August in order to continue playing full time with STICK TO YOUR GUNS.

EVERGREEN TERRACE's latest album, "Almost Home" (2009), sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 17 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

EVERGREEN TERRACE is:

Andrew Carey: Vocals
Craig Chaney: Guitar/Vocals
Jason Southwell: Bass
Brad Moxey: Drums
Alex "Xander" Varian: Guitar

Capital Chaos has uploaded video footage of extreme metallers BRUJERIA performing live on February 28 at Metro in Oakland, California. Check it out below.

BRUJERIA recently resumed recording its fourth album, tentatively due before the end of the year.

BRUJERIA's current touring lineup includes CARCASS frontman Jeff Walker (a.k.a. El Cynico) on bass, ex-CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Adrian Erlandsson (a.k.a. El Podrido), and NAPALM DEATH bassist Shane Embury (a.k.a. Hongo) on guitar.

BRUJERIA is:

* Juan Brujo (John Lepe) - Vocals
* Pinche Peach - Vocals, Samples
* Fantasma (Pat Hoed) - Vocals, Bass
* El Cynico (Jeffrey Walker) - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
* Hongo (Shane Embury) - Guitar, Drum Programming
* Podrido (Adrian Erlandsson) - Drums
* Pititis (Gaby Dominguez) - Female Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar
* Hongo Jr. - Drums Auxiliary
* Cuernito - guitar auxiliary

London, UK psychedelic rockers PURSON have released a new video for ‘Leaning On A Bear’ which is taken from their upcoming full-length debut album The Circle And The Blue Door. The video was directed by Chris Martin and edited by William Cunningham.

Check out the video below:
Singer and guitarist Rosalie Cunningham comments on the video: “We found this great place in Brixton, South London called Café Cairo that looks as though it has been transplanted there from the souk in Marrakesh. It was perfect for a Purson video, so we invited some friends along, hung out, and played. Chris Martin shot and edited the video and my brother, William, treated the footage and added the trippy effects.”
A press release describes the band as taking influences from the late '60s and early '70s rock with the lyrics reflecting a young woman’s vision of the world. The Circle And The Blue Door will be released in North America on April 30th through Metal Blade Records with pre-orders and more information available on March 11th. The album will be released in Europe via Rise Above Records.

More info on Purson on Facebook.