Swedish hard rockers, Seventh Crystal, are thrilled to announce the release of their third studio album, Entity, set for release on November 8 via Frontiers Music Srl.


To mark the occasion, the band shares the first single and accompanying video, “Path Of The Absurd”. Watch the video below, and pre-order Entity here.


Describing the new single, the band had to say the following: “Have you ever been to a concert, or maybe visited a beautiful natural monument and thought, “Am I the only one experiencing this right here and now?” Everyone's looking at the world through a camera- or a smartphone screen, trying to get online affirmation, likes and reactions. No one is really living in the moment. 'Path Of The Absurd' is about getting caught in that web, pun intended. Addictive, quick impulses that trigger the reward system and then you're stuck. You become an asset to the system, and not the other way around...”




Seventh Crystal also explain the concept of the album: “We live in an age of social media, AI, filter bubbles and sensational headlines by unknown writers. Disinformation controls the masses and creates multiple truths where the reality remains unknown. The development of technology is largely about solving problems and fulfilling human needs. But can it also lead to the opposite and become its own master with humans as its subjects? A kind of being, an "Entity". “Entity” is a depiction of past and present in which this particular development is at the centre. “For good or bad?”, “Under or out of control?” - the listener is the one who gets to decide."


Seventh Crystal, who stormed on the melodic rock scene in 2021 since their debut album Delirium, with this third full-length work, Entity, take everything up a major level (or two, really).


The album sees the band exploring and expanding different genres, bringing their melodic rock formula, to progressive rock fields, sometimes little heavier and back to their unique rock style.


Seventh Crystal is a melodic hard rock band from Gothenburg formed by Kristian Fyhr in 2019. What started as a solo project by Kristian, quickly grew into a larger endeavour when Johan Älvsång and Olof Gadd joined the project. Shortly after, Anton Roos and Emil Dornerus also joined the band, completing the initial lineup.


In 2020, the band signed a deal with Frontiers Records and released their debut album Delirium in 2021, making waves all around the world. Due to the guitar-heavy parts on the album, the band realized that they needed one more guitarist to be able to perform the songs live. Gustav Linde, an old friend of Anton Roos, took on the job, and the band began to work on their slightly more guitar-oriented follow-up album, Wonderland.


Wonderland was released in 2023, alongside the Infinity EP, establishing the band as an act to be reckoned with. During the fall, Johan Älvsång decided to step aside, and the band continued as a five-piece into the recordings of a third album.


Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, from soft rock to hard-hitting heavy metal, Seventh Crystal showcase a diverse range of musical expression. The band aims to be authentic and serve as an inspiration, outlet, and escape for their audience. Their sound is characterised by bombastic productions, catchy hooks, and dramatic and emotional melodies.





Entity tracklisting:


"Oathbreaker"
"Thirteen To One"
"404"
"Path Of The Absurd"
"Architects Of Light"
"Interlude"
"Blinded By The Light"
"Siren Song"
"Versus"
"Mayflower"
"Push Comes To Shove"
"A Place Called Home"
"Song Of The Brave"


"Path Of The Absurd" video:

Two pillars of their respective genres — alt pop royalty ALL TIME LOW and hard rock titans I PREVAIL — collide on the brand new single "Hate This Song" It's an absolutely epic collab track that combines the best of both bands' sounds and worlds.

On paper and in theory, ALL TIME LOW and I PREVAIL might seem like an odd pairing, but the execution is utterly flawless.

"Hate This Song" combines ALL TIME LOW's effervescent, three-chord charm and knack for melody with I PREVAIL's dueling vocals and riffy snarl. "Hate This Song" is a modern breakup track that highlights how music is the universal love language with which we communicate. With its triple vocal attack, catchier-than-a-cold chorus, and moshy breakdown, both fan bases are going to love this song.

"'Hate This Song' has been waiting patiently in the wings since the release of our last full-length 'Tell Me I'm Alive'," says ALL TIME LOW's Alex Gaskarth. "It was an opportunity to explore something kind of cheeky and different with a band we have a ton of respect for at the top of their game. The I PREVAIL guys brought their signature weight to the song and transformed it into something wonderfully unexpected and I see our bands coming together as the two sides of a coin dropping into the jukebox that's about to spin this song over and over again."

"A while back we were hit up by this little band called ALL TIME LOW," says I PREVAIL's Eric Vanlerberghe. "They sent us a track that they wrote and asked if we could spice it up a bit. We said absolutely and went to work. So happy to have this track out — finally — and to be the first ones to put a blast beat on an ATL song."

ALL TIME LOW's journey from high school friends in Baltimore to an internationally recognized act is a testament to their talent, dedication, and the strong connection they have built with their audience over the years. They have undeniably, albeit unassumingly, carved out their own corner of popular culture. ALL TIME LOW's catalog consists of five consecutive Top 10 albums on the Billboard Top 200 in addition to picking up multi-platinum, platinum, and gold certifications. Speaking to their impact, Rolling Stone included the band's "So Wrong, It's Right" LP in their "50 Greatest Pop-Punk Albums", coming in at No. 20, alongside albums from BAD RELIGION, GREEN DAY and THE DESCENDANTS. Their single "Monsters (ft. blackbear)" clinched No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart for an unprecedented 18 weeks, emerging as the longest-charting song ever at the Modern Rock format.

I PREVAIL have established themselves as the forerunners of the genre in the 21st century. Their latest release, "True Power", once again produced by Tyler Smyth, features the sort of stadium-sized riffs that will rattle your teeth loose from your gums and unforgettable, supremely catchy melodies that will camp out in your brain for weeks at a time. The band also alternately mixes screamed vocals that sound as though they crawled from the depths of hell with soaring, emotional vocals and heartfelt, intimate lyrics that go so deep, they hit marrow. The end result is an album that resonates with the listener in the most personal way. Rising to an arena level and receiving two Grammy nominations — "Best Rock Album" for "Trauma" and "Best Metal Performance" for crushing lead single "Bow Down" — I PREVAIL proved that they were built to last. To date, they've racked up more than 4.2 billion global streams, are approaching 755 million YouTube views, and saw both "Hurricane" and "Bad Things" singles top Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2020 and 2022, respectively. A number of their singles and album "Lifelines" have now been certified gold and platinum, and they have been praised by press far and wide, including Forbes, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Playboy and NPR.

During a recent appearance on "Drinks With Johnny", the Internet TV show hosted by AVENGED SEVENFOLD bassist Johnny Christ, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine spoke about his band's ongoing "Destroy All Enemies" U.S. tour with MUDVAYNE and ALL THAT REMAINS. Regarding how he is getting along with the other bands on the trek, Mustaine said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I knew Chad [Gray, MUDVAYNE singer] back in HELLYEAH, so I didn't know him in MUDVAYNE. But I did know him in HELLYEAH. And oddly enough, we haven't had a chance to get together. And I look for him every day. I either see a bunch of guys walking around that look just like him with the same haircut or I see him in his makeup, and there he is, and he's ready to work. So, I hope that I get a chance to spend some time with them and catch up because it's been really an interesting lineup and I think a lot of people are enjoying this."

Mustaine added: "I think they're all gentlemen and they're showing me some respect. But I don't want them to not allow me the chance to get to know them, because they're being respectful and giving me my time. I don't want them to not come up and say, 'Hey, man. I got a question for you.' Or, 'Remember that time' or 'What would you do?' 'Cause, like you, I've been around the block many times and I have a lot of experience with dealing with problems and know how we dealt with those problems. It may not be the right solution for you or for them, but a lot of times the problems that befall us out here are human-nature problems and it goes back to communication and that goes back to fear. And it's all fear — fear of not getting something you want or fear of not keeping something you already have. Everything goes back to that."

MEGADETH kicked off the "Destroy All Enemies" summer 2024 U.S. tour on August 2 at Walmart AMP, Rogers, Arkansas. Produced by Live Nation, the trek is hitting 33 cities, including Las Vegas, Boston and St. Louis, before wrapping up on September 28 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Finnish guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari joined MEGADETH last September after the band's longtime axeman Kiko Loureiro, announced earlier that month that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland. It was later revealed that Mäntysaari would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.

The 37-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

MEGADETH played its first concert with Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.

Since its inception in 1983, MEGADETH has ascended from its raw thrash metal roots to become an unstoppable force in the heavy metal world. With founder Dave Mustaine at the helm, MEGADETH's journey has been marked by a penchant for pushing the boundaries of speed, technicality, and complexity in their music. Their groundbreaking album "Rust In Peace", released in 1990, is frequently cited as a seminal work in the thrash metal genre. Along with the critically acclaimed "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", it cemented MEGADETH's place in the annals of metal history.

Over four decades, the band's discography has earned numerous certifications, including platinum and multi-platinum awards, with albums like "Countdown To Extinction" and "Youthanasia" achieving widespread critical acclaim. 2016's "Dystopia" not only marked a high point with their first Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" after twelve nominations but also set the stage for their latest triumph, "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" in 2022. MEGADETH's status as part of the "Big Four" of thrash metal underscores their trailblazing role in the genre, laying the groundwork for countless bands and musicians who have followed in their wake.

Frontiers Music Srl is thrilled to announce the signing of Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG), marking the triumphant return of the internationally acclaimed project formed by guitar virtuoso, Tak Matsumoto.


The new album, TMG II, is available digitally today, with the physical CD release slated for December 6. A new single, “Eternal Flames" (feat. Babymetal), is also out now.


After a 20-year hiatus, TMG returns with original members Tak Matsumoto (guitarist and member of the Japanese rock superstars B’z), Jack Blades (Night Ranger), and Eric Martin (Mr. Big), reigniting the powerhouse trio’s signature rock sound. Originally launched in 2004, TMG wowed fans worldwide with their unique fusion of hard-hitting rock and oriental influences. Now after two decades, they’re set to do it all again.




Buy and listen to TMG II here.


Tak Matsumoto formed TMG in 2004, bringing together rock legends Eric Martin and Jack Blades. Their debut album, TMG I, was a smash hit, topping the Oricon National Chart and spawning the single “Oh Japan – Our Time Is Now”, which became a theme song for Japanese television.


The group embarked on a sold-out tour across Japan, culminating in a legendary finale at the Nippon Budokan. TMG’s blend of Eastern and Western rock influences resonated with fans and critics alike, making them a force to be reckoned with in the world of hard rock.


TMG II not only features Matsumoto's solid and delicate guitar playing, but also Eric Martin's emotionally melodic vocals, and Jack Blades' aggressive yet lively bass lines.


Listening to the album, fans will have the impression that the past 20 years, in which each member has continued to be active, was not a hiatus for the band, but a preparation period for the unique TMG rock sound to gain even more power: a full-fledged second album.


The recording lineup for this album includes Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver) on drums, and Yukihide “YT” Takiyama, who is well known for recording and live support for B'z, on guitar and arrangements.


The album opener “Crash Down Love” is impressively catchy and symbolizes the new TMG sound, while “Guitar Hero”, whose lyrics were written by Jack Blades with Tak in mind, may just be the best example of the band's evolved sound.


“I was a

Swedish heavy rockers Bombus share their latest single “Killer”, the first track from their upcoming album Your Blood, out November 1st on Black Lodge Records.


Known for their powerful blend of metal, punk, and classic rock, on "Killer", Bombus once again pushes sonic boundaries delivering a raw, high-energy anthem that perfectly captures their signature sound. Fire up your reptile brain and blast this "Killer" track straight into your earballs here.







With Your Blood, Bombus ventures down a somewhat different path than before, marking the dawn of a fresh musical chapter. Yet fans need not worry; the essence of the band remains intact. The new album is classic Bombus with a twist — a blend of heavy metal and classic rock, layered with modern elements that reveal a band expanding its sonic horizons. While introducing a more melodic side not previously featured, the band's core sound — heavy, raw, and unmistakably Bombus — persists.


"We decided early to record Your Blood ourselves, without external influences," the band explains. This self-reliance allowed for a meticulous and unhurried recording process, with each member deeply involved. The production, handled by Petter Lithvall at Stigbergstudion, achieves a dynamic sound — thick, beefy bottoms, crispy highs, and punchy mids — all while maintaining clarity and space.


Still resonating with the band's foundational influences like WASP, Motörhead, and Metallica, Your Blood introduces hints of Sisters Of Mercy and Queens Of The Stone Age, merging with a classic rock vibe. The result is a Bombus that feels familiar yet refreshingly new, embodying what could be described as "metal 'n' roll."


Your Blood artwork and tracklisting:





"Killer"
"The One"
"No Rules"
"Take You Down"
"Your Blood"
"The Beast"
"Leave And Let Die"
"Carmina"

Frontiers Label Group has announced a significant expansion with the launch of a new imprint, FLG, highlighted by the major signing of iconic British rock band SKUNK ANANSIE.

With a focus on rock and alternative acts, FLG represents a bold move for Frontiers Label Group, emphasizing the label's commitment to innovation and evolution in the music industry.

"We are incredibly excited to launch FLG and to welcome SKUNK ANANSIE to the family", said label CEO Serafino Perugino. "The signing of SKUNK ANANSIE is a meaningful moment in the history of Frontiers, an important landmark in our trajectory towards becoming the leading international rock and metal label".

The band commented: "SKUNK ANANSIE are delighted to sign with FLG. For us, this is also the beginning of a new phase of our career and we are deeply excited to be working with them. We are thankful that FLG has decided to join us in creating a fresh vision and new musical direction as well as celebrating our many musical achievements. We look forward to a bright future and some most exciting music".

Leo Nicholas, head of A&R for FLG, said: "The signing of SKUNK ANANSIE is not just a milestone as the first artist to join our new FLG imprint; it's a bold declaration of the label's vision. We are committed to collaborating with top-tier artists, fostering the creation of powerful art, and establishing ourselves as a trusted partner capable of elevating artists on a global stage".

SKUNK ANANSIE, formed in 1994 in London, is a seminal band, one of the first multi-racial British rock bands, who are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

Their debut album "Paranoid & Sunburnt" (1995) and its follow-up "Stoosh" (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the U.K. and with hits like "Weak" and "Hedonism", they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade off in style by releasing their third studio album, "Post Orgasmic Chill", and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.

The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums — 2010's "Wonderlustre", 2012's "Black Traffic" and 2015's "Anarchytecture". In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with "25LIVE@25", a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums, another milestone in the band's unrivaled career.

Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE has sold over five million records around the world. The band's international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent.

Skin was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to music and was awarded the "Inspirational Artist" award at the 2018 Music Week Women In Music Awards. She also rose to fame in Italy after being a judge on the ninth series of "X Factor" in 2015, and has since then collaborated with several Italian artists, appearing at the latest Sanremo Festival as well.

SKUNK ANANSIE is celebrated for addressing political and social issues through its music, and breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.

Photo credit: India Fleming

In a new interview with the X5 Podcast, Paul Stanley's son Evan Stanley reflected on the experience of opening for his father's band KISS as the frontman of his own rock group called AMBER WILD. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "For us to get to play and then watch them every night, it really makes you up your game and study what you do. 'Cause you never wanna be another band — you can't out-KISS KISS — but you can be the best version of you and take away a ton of just ridiculous insight from watching that show. And not only is the show amazing, but it's the most consistent show I've seen. It's every single night. The difference between a bad night and a great night, it's like, no, they're only great nights. It's, like, they're different shades of great. And it's wild to see a band that far into their career where every night they go out and just throw it all down. It's awesome."

He continued: "I think it's weird 'cause I grew up, obviously, so close to it. So I didn't grow up really listening to a ton of KISS. It was more dad's band and dad's work. And when I was maybe, like, 17, I was, like, 'I've gotta try my best to… Let me just try and listen the way a fan would or someone.' So I got KISS 'Alive', 'cause that seemed to be kind of — everyone talked about that. And I'll never be able to listen like a pure fan, but I did my best to kind of disconnect, and I'm, like, 'Whoa, this is actually so sick.' And then I kind of started listening to some of the earlier records and made my way through the discography."

Evan added: "All the theatrics aside, which are awesome, they're just great songs. If you close your eyes and go to a KISS show, they're killer, killer players playing great songs. And I think a lot of times people will try and go, 'Oh, it's all spectacle. It's not a real band.' It's, like, get up there and try and do that. Good luck. I'm, like, no. They have incredible songs, timeless songs, great, great players, and it's so cool-looking. And they blow up a million pounds of shit every show. How do you top that? It's, like, you've got everything."

This past January, Evan was asked by Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com if there had ever been any discussions about him leading a new version of KISS following the legendary rock act's final concert in December. He responded: "No. It's the funniest thing. People keep asking that constantly, and it's, like, dude, you can look at like a thousand interviews where my dad says it, Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] says it, I say it, Nick [Simmons, Gene's son] says it. It's, like, no. That's my dad's thing. I'm busy with my thing."

He continued: "I appreciate it. I'm grateful for it. I love it. I'm a fan of the music. I'm a fan of the show. I've gotten to have a really unique and very wonderful life as a direct result of it. Do I wanna put the makeup on and be 'Baby Paul'? Fuck no. I've got my own thing going. And that's not a knock — I think there's someone out there who probably would wanna do that and would probably do an amazing job. But it's not me. I've not spent my life trying to be that. So, no — I've got too much other stuff going on."

AMBER WILD started in January 2023 with one simple goal: make the kind of music they wanted to hear. After spending the year developing their sound on the Los Angeles club circuit, AMBER WILD made its festival debut at the 2023 edition of Aftershock in Sacramento.

Last October, AMBER WILD released a double-A side debut single "Breakout // Silver". The arrival of these tracks coincided with the first date of AMBER WILD's run directly supporting KISS on their "End Of The Road" tour in the United States.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Evan Stanley has always lived straddling the lines between multiple worlds: growing up, he split his time between school, touring the world with his father's band KISS and working as a delivery boy for his local deli. After school and a stint in New York, Stanley moved back to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.

Evan's mother is actress Pamela Bowen, who appeared in 35 episodes of the soap opera "Days Of Our Lives" and in a number of TV series, including "Loving", "McGuyer", "Cheers", "Matlock", "Beverly Hills 20210", "Land's End" and "Broken At Love". She also appeared in the KISS movie "Detroit Rock City".

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Hungarian avant-garde metal band Thy Catafalque will release their new album XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek on November 15 via Season Of Mist Records. A new music video described as “morbid” for "Mindenevő" (directed by G13 Film, screenplay by Viktória Varga).


Preorder XII here.


Tamás Kátai has a vision that extends far beyond his native Hungary, but Thy Catafalque’s twelfth album is tied to the past in more ways than one.




Whereas his previous album returned to the heavier days of Thy Catafalque, XII takes Kátai on a more figurative journey. The album unfolds like a dark night of the soul, whisked away by the dreamy-yet-haunting opener “Piros kocsi, fekete éj”.


“Run with me, life / Whisper the tales”, Attila Bakos sings in Hungarian. His cleans soar over the airwaves, reappearing with ease 15 years after he first joined Thy Catafalque for the project’s underground breakout Róka Hasa Rádió.


More old friends join Kátai on this journey. A gyönyöru álmok ezután jönnek features 20+ guest musicians, including familiar faces from inside and outside of the Hungarian metal scene. Violins, cello and clarinet bring the comforts of home. Still, the road can be quite harsh. 


“Mindenevo” is consumed with humanity’s self-destructive appetite, fueled by mechanized blast beats and distorted downpicking that recalls the fiery black metal from which Thy Catafalque was originally forged in 1998.


Hungarian history looms behind the album’s most crushing moments. The coal blackened chugger “Vasgyár” is named after the rusted-out ironworks that once fueled the country’s economy. In the video for the album’s title track and lead single, Kátai runs through not only his hometown but surreal scenes from past and present issues that lie beneath the surface of the countryside. But his flair for the avant-garde still shines like the dawn. The synth's minor key melody glows with the faint but familiar reassurance that the beautiful dreams are yet to come.





Tracklisting:


“Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj”
“Mindenevö”
“Vasgyár”
“Világnak Világa” 
“Nyárfa, Nyírfa” 
“Lydiához” 
“Vakond” 
“Ködkiraly 
“Aláhullás” 
“A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek

"Gone To Hell" is the latest single from Swedish death metal legends, The Crown. The thundering new track comes off the band's twelfth studio album, Crown Of Thorns, set for release on October 11 through Metal Blade Records.


Elaborates guitarist Marko Tervonen, "'Gone To Hell' is a very special song in many ways. As you may have seen on our older albums, there are quite a few songs where the music is by 'Olsfelt/Tervonen' [referring to former bassist Magnus Olsfelt]. But that doesn't actually mean that we wrote the song together. It was more about Magnus 'stealing' some riffs from me from songs that never made it to the albums. So he nicked the best stuff and included them into his songs. But 'Gone To Hell' was the first time we wrote something together. Magnus showed me the basic riffs to the song, on bass. We recorded it to a metronome and then I sort of 'took over.' I added the melodies, arranged it, wrote the drums and vocals etc. So, it was actually the only song we ever worked on together before he left the band. The song is more mid-tempo oriented; it almost has some post-punk elements to it. I personally love it and I'm super proud of it. I expect to read a lot of 'what is this soft song shit' from people, otherwise I will be very disappointed!"


Watch the "Gone To Hell" video, created by Anton Hallenberg and Robin Schulz, below:







Crown Of Thorns serves as the band's dynamic follow-up to 2021's Royal Destroyer and the record's musical dynamics are on a new level due in no small part to the 2022 addition of drummer Mikael Norén and bassist Mattias Rasmussen as well as the return of lead guitarist Marcus Sunesson, rejoining longtime members Tervonen and vocalist Johan Lindstrand.


"With Mikael, we managed to bring back a bit more of that crazy 'Janne Saarenpää' feel to the drumming, so that was a really cool energy boost. Mattias comes more from a punk/crust background, and he wrote 'I Hunt With The Devil' and 'Mind Collapse,' which turned out great. This is definitely a step up in many ways, changing the way we worked on the CSV and RD albums."


It's very few bands who have a revered and established career - The Crown celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2020 (their first eight years spent as Crown Of Thorns) - yet up the ante continually. With 2018's Cobra Speed Venom the band reached the same lofty heights as their 2002 landmark release, Crowned In Terror. And with the barbaric Royal Destroyer, and now, 2024's powerful and unique Crown Of Thorns, the metal vets rage with a rekindled fire and ferocity while honoring their roots. As Tervonen concludes, noting of Crown Of Thorns, "I guess every band needs to do a self-titled album at some point. So now we did it, our way."





Crown Of Thorns was recorded by Marko Tervonen (Studio-MT), mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Black Lounge Studios), and will be released on jewel case CD (US), limited digipak CD with three additional studio songs (EU), and digital formats, as well vinyl in the following color variants:


- Black + White Split (US)
- 180g Black (EU)
- White Black Marbled (EU)
- White Black Dust (EU - Ltd. 300)
- Iron-Grey Marble (EU - LP + bonus 7", slip mat, patch - Ltd. 500)


Pre-order here.





Crown Of Thorns tracklisting:


"I Hunt With The Devil"
"Churchburner"
"Martyrian"
"Gone To Hell"
"Howling At The Warfield"
"The Night Is Now"
"God-King"
"The Agitator"
"Where Nightmares Belong"
"The Storm That Comes"
"Eternally Infernal" (Bonus Track)
"No Fuel For Godv (Bonus Track)
"Mind Collapse" (Bonus Track)


"Churchburner" video:

In a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach was asked if his recent social media post in which he said was "endorsing Taylor Swift" could be taken as his own endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, since the pop superstar herself publicly endorsed Harris following the September presidential debate. Bach responded: "You know, I don't tell people what to do, but I will say that if we don't have democracy, we don't have anything. So there, I just said it. [Laughs]"

He continued: "People say, 'You're alienating your audience.' When I say things like that, I gain, like, 40,000 fucking followers! So this whole 'Don't alienate people' — there's only side that is fucking alienating people! There's only one! The other one is actually uniting people. So spare me, 'Oh, he's losing 50% of his audience.' I don't want that 50%, so fuck off! That 50% is not cool enough to listen to Sebastian Bach, so go fuck yourself."

Elaborating on why he feels a need to speak up, Sebastian said: "I just have a problem when I hear people say, 'I don't want musicians to say what they believe in. Just shut up and sing.' Well, I've got two words for you: BLACK SABBATH. When I listen to a song like 'War Pigs', I couldn't think of a more political lyric of any music there is in life than that fucking song. 'Generals gathered in their masses / Just like witches at black masses.' I mean, to me, that's saying, 'Fuck these assholes!'

"I feel that at times like these, there's too much at stake to be silent," he added. "To be silent is to be complicit. For every fucking Ted Nugent out there, there is a Sebastian Bach, and I'm fine with that. I'm good with that. You go say what you want to say, and I'm gonna say what I want to say."

Bach frequently criticized Donald Trump's policies in interviews and on Twitter during the former U.S. president's time in office. In July 2020, he told Esquire that he missed "smarts" in the White House. "I can't watch footage of JFK from 1962," he said. "I can't even watch that shit because I'll cry. Because motherfucker is so cool and so smart and hates racism. And then we have this fucking jackass. And it's just not fair to the country. I put Barack Obama in the same category. When I watch him speak, it rips my heart out because he makes you feel safe."

In August 2019, Sebastian lambasted America's 45th president, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, then-Vice President Mike Pence and other Republican leaders for their inaction on gun regulation. A month earlier, Bach made headlines when he said that he "would do a better job" running the county than Trump.

Deep Purple brought their =1 More Time tour to Espaço Unimed in São Paulo, Brazil on Seotember 13. Fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below 


Setlist:


"Highway Star"
"A Bit On The Side"
"Hard Lovin' Man"
"Into The Fire"
- guitar solo -
"Uncommon Man"
"Lazy Sod"
- keyboard solo -
"Lazy"
"When A Blind Man Cries
"Portable Door"
"Anya"
- keyboard solo -
"Bleeding Obvious"
"Space Truckin'"
"Smoke On The Water"




Encore:


"Green Onions" (Booker T. & the MG's)
"Hush" (Joe South)

Sweden's Smash Atoms will release their self-titled record on October 11th on CD, limited-edition (300) colored vinyl, and digital formats. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location. 


Previewed via a couple of immediate and catchy advance singles “Down” and “Into the Light”, fans who enjoy the quartet’s warm, infectious and familiar sound want more and #GrungeIsBack has been the rallying cry. This flame has been fanned as over two dozen US commercial/rock radio stations are playing the songs and people want more.


“Smash Atoms are super excited to finally start taking pre-orders on our long-awaited self-titled debut album,” says guitarist Martin Söderqvist before explaining the album’s unique cover.




 “The cover photo was taken over 100 years ago and depicts a man and his dog watching Halley’s Comet passing Earth. At first glance we didn’t even see the comet, it was just a very cool photo of a man and a big rock that Glen found at an exhibition in a museum in Göteborg.


When we got the high-res photo and saw the comet we were just stunned,” states Martin. “We all thought it fit super well with the Smash Atoms name and overall vibe. It was such a weird coincidence how it all came together.”


In addition, next week on September 25th, Smash Atom will release their third digital single “Bring The River”, so pre-save now, and anticipate another music video from the guys.





Tracklisting:


"Bring The River"
"Black Cloud"
"Buried Under The Open Sky"
"Dead Season"
"Down"
"End Of The Road"
"Into The Light"
"Living A Lie"
"Pretend"
"Sunshine"
"The Mountain"








Highly influenced by the ‘90s, Smash Atoms intend to bring it all back in a new form. The band’s enjoyment and intention when creating their first album was to highlight a familiar yet captivating sound. While the influences are obvious, there is something charming, nostalgic and infectiously endearing about the group’s material culminating in what will surface as a very strong album mixed/mastered at Crehate Studios (In Flames, Scorpions, Avatar) in Gothenburg, Sweden.


Smash Atoms’ story actually originates back to 2012 when they formed, releasing one smashing demo and playing a handful of magical shows before U.S.-born singer Glen Gilbert stepped out and the remaining trio changed their name to The Torch with Martin then also handling vocals. The Torch recorded two albums, gaining national Swedish radio play and touring all over places like Scandinavia, Germany and Italy. But two years ago, Glen (The Story Behind, Hide The Knives) and the guys reconnected and decided to revert back to their former incarnation and give Smash Atoms another chance, and here we are.


For further d

On August 15th, Bay Area metal legends, Forbidden, performed a one-off club show in the middle of their European summer festival tour at Rebellion in Manchester, England following their Bloodstock appearance. Fan-filmed video of their entire show can be viewed below.


Setlist:


"Follow Me"
"Off The Edge"
"Twisted Into Form"
"March Into Fire"
"Feel No Pain"
"As Good As Dead"
"Step By Step"
"Parting Of The Ways"
"Infinite"
"Out Of Body (Out Of Mind)"
"Through Eyes Of Glass"
"Chalice Of Blood"  







Forbidden recently announced that they have parted ways with guitarist Steve Smyth.


Says Steve:  “Hey everybody, I’ve said this before in my career, but all things do reach their end at some point. As hard as this is to write this, I’ve decided it’s time to part ways with Forbidden, and return to my band One Machine as priority, along with other projects on the horizon, and of course session work, and teaching music as always.


"Forbidden was always a place I considered home, from the very first gig I played with the guys, the Thrash Of The Titans festival, back in 2001, touring across 2009/2010 with Russ and Mark, writing and releasing the Omega Wave album, the touring that followed 2010-2012, and the last year. It’s a home I’ll miss, but the memories will remain.


"One Machine is my own home that I’ve built myself, from before, and after my first stint with Forbidden, from 2009-2012. We are preparing to release a new EP, with touring starting up in September across Europe.


"Prior to rejoining Forbidden, I declared my intention to move between Forbidden and One Machine, in between schedules. It now appears those schedules are conflicting.


"I’d like to thank YOU the fans for all of your support over the years! I couldn’t do ANY of this without you! Craig and Matt especially for welcoming me back to Forbidden! To new additions Chris and Norman, Tim Healy, the crew, every promoter and agent, thank you for making the last year of music and travelling the world happen!


"I wish Forbidden all the best for the future, and all it may bring!”


Says Forbidden: "We understand and accept Steve’s decision to walk away for his own personal reasons and to finish what he started with One Machine. Steve had been by our side creating and playing music from the end of 2008-2012 and for the rebirth in 2023. He contributed much greatness along the way. We understand his situation better than most people possibly could. We all wish Steve the very best and success with One Machine. His Baby.


"Much love, respect and gratitude for the years Steve spent with Forbidden will always endure.


"Thank you, Steve. Craig, Matt, Norman, Chris & Tim."


With Steve Smyth stepping away, Forbidden intends on not missing a beat.


The band adds: "Daniel Mongrain from Voivod will be stepping in for our next batch of European dates upcoming in August. Daniel is an astonishing & accomplished guitarist. His work in Martyr & Voivod is otherworldly! We are very happy to have him aboard for these dates. Daniel will be a great addition for the gigs and we must thank the guys in Voivod for letting us borrow him.
See you in Europe soon!"


Lastly a few words from Dan Mongrain: “It’s a great honor for me to join Forbidden

German thrashers Eradicator have issued their new single "Drown In Chaos". The song is the fourth to be revealed from The Paradox, the band's upcoming new studio album to be released on September 20th via Metalville Records. The official video for "Drown In Chaos" can be seen below.


"Drown In Chaos" is a pure thrash metal grenade. Eradicator plough through this new single from their album, The Paradox, at a speed of 230 bpm. With a running time of 3:30, the song is also the most compact track on the new collection. 







Lyrically, "Drown In Chaos" deals with the theme that we are all born innocent. Why do some people develop the insurmountable urge to see the world in flames? Is it the environment? Is it the genes? Or are some really inherently evil individuals? The fascination with fire and destruction was probably experienced by many as a child. The character sung about gives in completely to this urge and conjures up the metaphorical demons of chaos.


The cover artwork depicts this character. With a burning glass, a demonically grinning child ignites a model of the globe, symbolizing what true evil is capable of. Diana Ampilohova created this image to visualize the lyrics of the song. The single, as well as the entire album, was mixed/mastered by Sebastian ‘Seeb’ Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm) and produced together with Seba Stöber. 





The Paradox is undoubtedly the most versatile album by thrashers Eradicator. It will be released in the year of the band's 20th anniversary. The ten new songs deal lyrically with the contradictory nature of being human and present many musical facets, not only of thrash metal. 


The Paradox bears the signature of Eradicator and shows their unbroken joy of playing. The band has now also made a name for itself live. However, the four guys from the Sauerland region in Western Germany are not afraid to refine and develop their new compositions stylistically. On The Paradox, Eradicator begin atmospherically with "Beyond The Shadow's Void": The track develops into a pounding headbanger, only to finally erupt into a thrash thunderstorm. In addition to death metal growls, including in the title track, "The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)" is the first half-ballad in the band's repertoire. However, Eradicator have by no means forgotten how to swing the thrash club, as they tirelessly prove with "Drown In Chaos", "Hell Smiles Back" and "Fake Dealer," among others. 


The lyrical themes on The Paradox reflect the dichotomy and ambivalence of human action and thought. "Perpetual Sacrifice" is about denigrating the weaker in order to make oneself feel greater and about the reversal between victim and perpetrator. "When The Shooting Begins" is about the paradox of wanting to create peace through war - whereby the truth is usually one of the first victims after the outcry of the weapons. The concluding "Debris Of Demise" is a fictional tale of mankind having to evacuate the planet due to environmental destruction, but the saving ark being unable to leave orbit due to the large amount of space debris. Singer / guitarist Seba Stöber comments: "We don't want to make a name for ourselves as moralizers, but rather reflect the issues and problems of our time. As artists, our task is also to stimulate a discourse!"


Like its predecessor, the album was mixed and mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm), who once again managed to give Eradicator an authentic sound. After 20 years, the four musicians know what they want to sound like, and that's exactly what The Paradox sounds like. 





Tracklist:


"Beyond The Shadow's Void"
"Drown In Chaos"
"When The Shooting Begins"
"Kill Cloud"
"The Paradox"
"Hell Smiles Back"
"The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)"
"Perpetual Sacrifice"
"Fake Dealer"
"Debris Of Demise"

HALESTORM has teamed up with American country music duo BROOKS & DUNN to record a reimagined version of the latter band's song "Boot Scootin' Boogie", to be included on BROOKS & DUNN's upcoming "Reboot II" album, due on November 15 via Sony Music Nashville.

Regarding how HALESTORM got involved with the project, the band's frontwoman Lzzy Hale wrote on Instagram: "Months ago we received an email we were never expecting to receive. @brooksanddunn asking us to create a reimagined version of their legendary song 'Boot Scootin' Boogie'. This, a request too wild to even consider passing on, more than wet our appetite for adventure. We asked if there were any rules for this particular project…and when they replied with a resounding 'NO RULES APPLY', the boys and I knew this was gonna get weird.

"It's such an honor to have earned the trust of these legends, thank you so much to Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Dan Huff, Juice and the entire B&D team for putting your faith in us and letting us throw a wild party in the beautiful house you built."

"Reboot II" is the follow-up to BROOKS & DUNN's 2019 album "Reboot", which provided the Country Hall Of Fame act with its first No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in a decade.

In addition to HALESTORM, "Reboot II" features Megan Moroney, Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Ernest and Warren Zeiders, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, HARDY and Corey Kent, as well as bluesmen Marcus King and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

"What was even more impressive was to sit down with this bunch and turn them loose to do the songs in whatever way fit their artistic vision," BROOKS & DUNN's Ronnie Dunn told Billboard. "The fun part was we weren't chasing the original recordings or arrangements or our versions. We turned them loose to do whatever they wanted to do and, I'm biased, but it was really refreshing."

BROOKS & DUNN's Kix Brooks told Billboard about HALESTORM's version of "Boot Scootin' Boogie": "[HALESTORM] did not disappoint. At this point in our career, we can't really be nervous about that, especially on a record like this, and especially inviting some of the artists we did, like Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram and HALESTORM. HALESTORM is a really badass, really tight rock band and whatever song they come in with heads are going to bang."

"It was fun to see Ronnie go toe-to-toe with Lzzy," Brooks added. "I was, like, 'Good luck, pal' — but he did."

BROOKS & DUNN is one of country's most successful duos with 20 No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart.

They continue to break records, tallying the longest-running country music residency in Las Vegas and criss-crossing North America year after year on their sold-out tours.

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Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend has once again reiterated that he has no interest in reforming STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, the seminal industrial metal outfit he fronted until 2007. Since the band's dissolution, Townsend has been asked repeatedly whether he would reform STRAPPING, only to cite the mental and physical toll the band took on him, in addition to his desire for new musical pursuits.

Asked in a new interview with Poland's Teraz Rock if STRAPPING YOUNG LAD will be the "next big band" to reunite, following the recent comeback announcements from both OASIS and LINKIN PARK, Devin replied (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't think so, no. [Laughs] I don't think so. I don't talk to anybody in the band anymore. And the person that I am 25 years past that is just I'm a different person. And I don't want to. I think that's my answer. And it's a hard one because that's tinged with guilt because I know other people want it. But if there's anything I've learned over the past couple of years is that I have to pay attention to my own needs, and I just don't want to [resurrect STRAPPING] at all."

When the interviewer noted that "you can't please everybody," Devin clarified: "Well, no, no. I can't please anybody, but I can work on myself. And my hope is that anybody who listens to the music will see — maybe one or two people — would see that as inspiring.

"I think there's a lot of other people who want to please everybody, and for many years my whole personality was based on people pleasing," Devin explained. "Like, I just wanna make everybody happy — I wanna make the audience happy, I wanna make my family happy, I wanna make kids happy, I wanna make management happy, I wanna make the label happy — and so you're always kind of dancing for people. But then, after a certain amount of time when you hit a wall and you get burnt out and you fucking crash, like I did, I was, like, who the fuck are you doing this for? Why are you so insecure that your needs are to make everybody like you? It's not the way forward artistically and it's not the way forward as a person. And so I do what is right for me now. And it'll appeal to less people in some way, but it's what I choose, man, because it's, like, life is short, and that's what I want."

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's final studio album, "The New Black", was released in 2006 via Century Media.

Townsend previously talked about the possibility of a STRAPPING YOUNG LAD reunion in a December 2022 interview with Australia's AndrewHaug.com. Asked how he feels when people want that "old, angry Townsend back", he responded: "That's confusing. I can explain it until I'm blue in the face, and people are, like, 'Yeah, cool. Anyway, can you do it?' I think it's good for me having to try and work on my patience, because there's a part of that's, like, 'Really? You think that it's that easy?' I know why they want it. I love it too — I love it — but I can't do it.

"I said the other day in an interview, and this was an analogy I thought was really cool… So you go to a smorgasbord, you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet, and you go to that place because they have this type of shrimp, or whatever, that's, like, the shit — it's deep fried, it's got a spicy sauce," he continued. "And you know that that's the place, and you go there and you get a big plate of it and eat it. And you're, like, 'That is my favorite thing in the world.' And you go back and it's out; the restaurant's out. And you say, 'When are you bringing more shrimp out?' And they're, like, 'We ran out of shrimp. The ingredients that we had that created that dish, we don't have those anymore.' And as opposed to going, like, 'Oh, I understand. It's a bummer. Okay. Cool. See ya,' it's, like, they're yelling at the bowl of shrimp or they're yelling at the restaurant. They're, like, 'Ah, I want shrimp. More. I want more shrimp.' And [the restaurant says], 'But, dude, I don't have any more shrimp.' It's, like, 'But shrimp…'

"The well runs dry. There's no more water in the well. It seems absurd to me to yell at the well. It's, like, 'Dude, there's no more water in there. I know you like it.' But the thing that made it authentic, the process that made it important solved what it was that made that so vital. So to say, 'Oh, you can do it again…'

"I don't blame people for wanting it, and I also don't blame people for not understanding it," Devin added. "What I have to do is it's up to me to make peace with that. Because otherwise I'm yelling at the well; I'm yelling at the shrimp board. I'm saying, 'Why don't you understand? Why?' And they're going, 'Why isn't there more shrimp?' And then it becomes this weird argument about something that's completely irrational. 'Dude, there's no more shrimp, and I know that you want shrimp. Are we good? Bye.' That's all there is to it. And I think that for me, making peace with the fact that people aren't gonna understand is a big part of my process, man. That's up to me. That's on me, man.

When host Andrew Haug noted that Townsend is making no apologies for not being able to make new STRAPPING YOUNG LAD music, Devin said: "You can't. What am I gonna apologize for? It's, like, 'Dude, I ran out of shrimp. Sorry.'"

Townsend also discussed his inability to reform STRAPPING YOUNG LAD earlier in December 2022 in an interview with The Metal Meltdown. Asked if there was a chance of him ever making another STRAPPING YOUNG LAD album, he responded: "The answer to that is… I've said it a thousand times, so I'm sure if there are people who really don't know, they don't care enough to pay attention.

"I do understand the question, and I do understand why it's asked — I really do," he continued. "But I've gotta be careful with the answer because you don't wanna… I think it's easy to get so irritated by the question that you end up being flippant about it, and you end up being insulting to people when the question is coming from a place of people really, really like it and they really want it.

"So I'll say this: the same thing that made STRAPPING work so well when I was 25, whether or not you think 'Lightwork' is worth a shit or 'The Puzzle' is worth a shit, it's the same process. So the same thing that yielded that is the same thing that yielded this. And the only reason STRAPPING existed back then is because I was being true to myself. It's the only reason, because back then that was my truth.

"The process of making this music is rooted in trying to unfuck myself as I get older, because when I was younger I had a lot of issues," Devin explained. "So if people really love something that happened at any point in my career, whether or not it's 'Empath' or STRAPPING or 'Ziltoid' or 'Epicloud' or anything, then my hope is that they would understand that the thing that they probably appreciated about it is it's coming from a place of honesty. And if I can't be honest about something, the thing that people will like about it will not be there. Absolutely. And I would prefer to be disliked for what I am than to be loved for what I'm no longer.

"STRAPPING is a huge part of my life — was a huge part of my life — and I love all those guys and I still talk to them," Devin clarified. "However, the nature of what I did made it such that the lessons that I needed to learn from that period of my life were reflected in the content. And now it's not a part of my life in a way that I can relate to, and more so it's not a part of my life in a way that I have any desire to go back to.

"There's gonna be a certain amount of people that would hear that and they'd be, like, 'Yeah, he's said that before. I get it. I love the band, but I get it. I can respect that.' There's gonna be a certain amount of people that are just, like, 'Fuck that guy. What he needs to do is do that 'cause it's the only thing he's ever done that's worth a shit and everything else sucks. ' and there's gonna be another part that just says, 'STRAPPING who?' But for me, brother, I'm just, like… As hard as this is to say, because it's been such a weird couple of years, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at as a dude, and that's not worth sacrificing to go back to a time when I wasn't happy."

Joey Belladonna has returned to Los Angeles to resume recording his vocal tracks for ANTHRAX's long-awaited new studio album. Overseeing the follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings" once again is producer Jay Ruston, who previously worked with ANTHRAX on "For All Kings" and 2011's "Worship Music".

Earlier today, the ANTHRAX singer took to his Instagram to share a video message in which he said: "Yeah, I just got into L.A. today. Tomorrow I'm gonna start singing, start slamming away at the record again, and hopefully finish. And looking forward to it. And I hope you guys are getting ready for that. Thank you. Peace, baby."

Belladonna, who spent much of the last few months playing shows with his JOURNEY and Ronnie James Dio tribute bands, captioned his post: "Hey everyone! Currently out in LA recording tracks for the new album. The video quality isn't the best, but I just wanted to check in and say a quick hello before diving into the studio. Can't wait for you all to hear what we're working on! #Anthrax #HeavyMetal #Metal #ThrashMetal #MetalHead #RocknRoll #NewMusic #StudioVibes #LARecording #AlbumInTheWorks".

In a recent interview with Jon Wiederhorn of Guitar World magazine, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian said that he and his bandmates hope to finally release the long-awaited follow-up to "For All Kings" in early 2025.

"We're taking our time and not rushing anything because we want it to be exactly how we want it," Ian said.

"We're not in a place in our lives anymore where we could have dropped everything and said, 'All right, we've got two months of studio time. Let's finish writing and then get in there and record it all and do the vocals. Mix, master and we're done — like in the old days.' We have families and commitments now, so it can't work that way anymore and hasn't in a long time."

Regarding the musical direction of the new ANTHRAX material, Ian said: "There are crushing riffs and great, hooky choruses. Even some of the thrashiest songs have great choruses. We're always looking for the hook, and I think we've accomplished that."

He added: "With the songs we've written, we'd be able to put together a nine- or 10-song record that would be thrashier than anything we've done in a long time. But there would also be a way to make it a very different kind of album depending on which songs we choose. And I can tell you, I know which way I'm leaning. And I think we're all on the same page. We want this record to punch people in the face. And then we can use the bonus tracks for other things, but in the context of the record, I really want it to hit hard."

As for his expectations for the new ANTHRAX album, Scott said: "I'd like to think this record will be a slew of songs that people are going to be very excited about hearing live for the next few years. I generally feel the riffs, the grooves and the breakdowns – we used to call them mosh parts in the old days — I think they're gonna connect with our fans. And a lot of these songs are tailor-made for our live show, so I hope we'll be playing them for a long time."

Last month, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante told Metal Hammer magazine about the band's upcoming LP: "There's a song which has the same kind of epic feel as 'In The End' [from 2011's 'Worship Music'] and 'Blood Eagle Wings' [from 'For All Kings']. It revolves around the journey we've been on in the band. And there are three songs that don't sound like anything we've done before. One called 'The Edge Of Perfection' I had way before COVID, and it has just stayed with me — the melody and the chords, but also the aggression."

ANTHRAX celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021 with a number of special activities and events. Formed by Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four".

"For All Kings" was called by some critics ANTHRAX's strongest album to date. Its arrival followed a five-year period during which the group experienced a rebirth of sorts, beginning with ANTHRAX's inclusion on the "Big Four" tour, and continuing with the release of comeback LP "Worship Music".

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Cinematic horror metal band ICE NINE KILLS has joined forces with "Terrifier 3" for the film's official song and music video.

The collaboration was announced yesterday by Spencer Charnas, ICE NINE KILLS frontman and creative force, at the band's third annual fan convention, Silver Scream Con, alongside franchise star David Howard Thornton (Art The Clown).

The upcoming single, "A Work Of Art", pays homage to the beloved slasher franchise and will be featured in "Terrifier 3" when it opens in theaters nationwide on October 11.

"The 'Terrifier' franchise gave us Art The Clown, the greatest new horror icon in decades," says Charnas. "We are beyond honored by the invitation to play within the viciously delightful universe Damien Leone and his incredible team have created. The Art and INK fanbases are one and the same, and we heard the screams for this collaboration loud and clear."

The official music video, starring David Howard Thornton as Art The Clown, will premiere at Fantastic Fest on Thursday, September 19, following the world premiere of "Terrifier 3", and will also play in select AMC Theaters nationwide for early showings on Thursday, October 10.

The official music video for "A Work Of Art" was directed by longtime INK collaborator Jensen Noen and stars Catherine Corcoran ("Terrifier"),Leah Voysey ("Terrifier 2"),Sirius XM's Jose Mangin and Vincent Rockwell, Richard Christy (drummer for DEATH, CONTROL DENIED and CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED) and SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Shavo Odadjian. The seven-minute-long video features special FX by "Terrifier 3"'s Emmy Award-winning effects artist Christopher Nelson ("American Horror Story", "Suicide Squad", "Halloween Ends").

The video is written by Spencer Charnas and Andrew Justin Smith, with music by ICE NINE KILLS, WZRD BLD, Paul Wiley and Francesco Ferrini. Lyrics by Spencer Charnas and Steve Sopchak, based on characters created by Damien Leone. Art The Clown make-up effects provided by Heather Albert. Executive produced by Spencer Charnas, Mike Mowery, Chris Nillson, Eric German, Phoenix Vaughn, Damien Leone, Phil Falcone and Ruth Deveraux. Casting provided by Cast A Spell Casting.

"Terrifier 3", written and directed by Damien Leone ("Terrifier", "Terrifier 2") and produced by Phil Falcone, stars David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Krsy Fox, Jason Patric, Chris Jericho and Daniel Roebuck as Santa Claus.

Photo credit: F Scott Schafer

st An Oversaturated Mess"">
Guitarist Toby Knapp recently announced he'd played his final show, but Knapp has taken that a step further by ceasing all musical operations. 


Knapp states: "It is with a not so heavy heart that I announce the disbanding of Onward, Waxen and my self titled solo project. I have noticed more and more in recent years that these things feel more like a task than a joyous pursuit." 


The guitarist continues: "The music business model has changed and decades ago, at my peak, fans bought magazines, read articles and went to record shops. For a band to get on the map - they worked hard and earned a recording contract, we had gate keepers. Nowadays, everybody is everything with the putrid narcissism of social media and the many new avenues of self promotion. I just can't get on

Southern California metalcore giants BLEEDING THROUGH have debuted a brand new single, "Dead But So Alive", available now from SharpTone Records.

Commenting on the song, vocalist Brandan Schieppati says: "'Dead But So Alive' is a more personal song for me. I battle with being bipolar and it something that I am very up front about in my life. This song is about the daily life and sometimes ugliness of mental illness. It takes a strong support system around me to walk this life and I have my family and amazing band around me to make me feel so alive when I sometimes feel so dead."

BLEEDING THROUGH's new single follows "Our Brand Is Chaos", released earlier this year and arrives just ahead of the band's anticipated return to the stage at Furnace Fest 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama on October 4. The blistering track is another taste of what's to come from the band's impending, yet to be announced next record.

Destined for great achievement ever since their formation in 1999, BLEEDING THROUGH's career has been a lengthy and star-studded one, dedicated to delivering a devastating, yet melodic and entrancing, infusion of metal and hardcore to fans worldwide. But, above all else, the band has stayed true to themselves. A testament to their momentous impact on the genre, the quintet has influenced several generations of artists since their inception and will no doubt continue to inspire fans and artists for many years to come.

Having already triumphantly reclaimed the spotlight after their biggest collective hurdle — the 2014 hiatus which many anticipated would be the end of the band's career as a cohesive unit — the Orange County quintet, consisting of Brandan Schieppati (vocals),Derek Youngsma (drums),Marta Peterson (keyboards),Brian Leppke (guitar) and Ryan Wombacher (bass),clearly knows what it takes for a successful resurgence.

With five Top 50 U.S. charting records, 100 million catalog streams, over 400,000 physical album sales, and tours with SLIPKNOT, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, LAMB OF GOD and UNEARTH under their belts, there's no arguing with the BLEEDING THROUGH's methods and widespread appeal.

Metallica have released more official video footage for their show at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on September 1. "Whiplash" joins the previously posted clip for "Moth Into Flame". Watch both below:










Watch Metallica perform "Master Of Puppets" and "Leper Messiah" during their August 30 concert in Seattle:








Metallica have launched the pre-order for the recordings from their August 23 & 25 concerts in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) Expected release date is October 25.


Says Metallica: "From full concert audio and select live video clips to dozens of photos and both setlists, we’ve got everything you need to relive our stop in Edmonton."


Enjoy both gigs from Edmonton mixed by The Metallica Audio Team, now available to stream through nugs.net, download at LiveMetallica.com, or go old-school and pick up the CDs at Metallica.com.


Get the live CDs here. Stream the shows here. Download the shows here.








Metallica adds: "Relive a few moments from Commonwealth Stadium right along with the crowd, and make sure you’re subscribed to our YouTube channel to enjoy more videos from the road!"














Check out dozens of photos from both Edmonton performances, shot by Brett Murray and Jeff Yeager: Night 1, Night 2.


In case you missed the setlists from Edmonton, check out both setlists, totaling 30 different songs across two nights, plus some show notes: Night 1, Night 2.


More from Metallica: "Our foundation, All Within My Hands, is continuing its commitment to giving back to communities that have long supported Metallica. A portion of ticket sales from our shows in Edmonton was donated to non-profits fulfilling vital needs. Local organizations Edmo

Italy’s parody metal masters, Nanowar Of Steel, are set to release their live album, XX Years Of Steel, on December 6 via Napalm Records. Captured during their sold-out, 3,000 attendee show at Alcatraz, Milano in October 2023, this monumental live release celebrates two decades of blending humor and metal and elevates with special guest appearances. The metal party not only presents strong live versions of 28 original tracks, but even includes a nine-track bonus CD including two brand-new studio tracks that showcase Nanowar Of Steel’s continuous evolution and unique style.


Prepare to laugh and headbang on stormy power metal anthem “Stormwarrior Of The Storm”. Have you ever wondered how weather forecasting works? The brand new single highlights this rare scientific craft with raging, fierce riffs and catchy powerful vocals, and will forever change how you view meteorology.


Place your pre-order now and listen to “Stormwarrior Of The Storm” below for another taste of what’s to come. Plus, North American fans should make sure to join the band as they tour the USA and Canada with cover kings Tragedy this fall.




Nanowar Of Steel on the new single “Stormwarrior Of The Storm“: "‘Stormwarrior Of The Storm’ is the first weather metal song. It is dedicated to the real Nostradamuses of the modern age - the scientists/wizards working on the weather forecast.
To our knowledge it is also the first metal song mentioning the Navier-Stokes equations, bringing to the metal public the importance of numerically solving non completely integrable equations."


Check out the official music video for “Stormwarrior Of The Storm“ below.


With millions of cross-platform streams and views on their hilariously entertaining music videos, Nanowar Of Steel have captivated audiences worldwide with their multilingual talent, distinctive blend of humor and cultural insight. XX Years Of Steel kicks off with a tongue-in-cheek Italian introduction that humorously reinterprets the Book of Genesis, setting the stage for a night full of metal mayhem and laughter. Fans can expect live renditions of the band’s most iconic tracks, such as “Norwegian Reggaeton”, which sees Charly Glamour (Gigatron) adding his explosive energy to the reggaeton-infused metal anthem. The crowd’s electric enthusiasm reaches its peak during “Valhalleluja”, where Odin himself (Thomas Winkler of Angus McSix) leads the charge, and during “Uranus” with fans’ chants echoing through the venue.


Adding to the excitement, XX Years Of Steel introduces two brand-new tracks, including “Stormwarrior Of The Storm” and the innovative “HelloWorld.java”, inspired by the history of coding - offering a playful yet complex narrative that showcases the band’s versatility. The new offering also blends special cover versions such as popular German party hit “Das Rote Pferd”, the hilarious Iron Maiden parody “Afraid to Shoot into the Eyes of a Stranger in a Strange Land” and the sudatory “Armpits Of Immortals”, enhanced from the likes of Ross The Boss (Manowar).


Nanowar Of Steel on their new album: "XX Years Of Steel is our first triple CD release, and we are moderately proud of that. This live album was recorded for our 20 years anniversary show at the Alcatraz in Milan last year, in a sold out show with more than 3200 participants. We could have released it as a double album only, but then we thought we could make more money by simply adding a CD with lower-quality songs and cheap covers. So that's what we did."





XX Years Of Steel will be available in the following formats:


- Wooden Boxset (3-CD Digisleeve, Numbered Ikea Furniture in plastic case, Certificate, Poster, 15x15cm 16p Booklet, - - - - - Digital Stream Access Code for the Live Video) - (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
- 2-LP Gatefold Silver Vinly (1CD Slipcase) -(Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
- 2-LP Gatefold Black Vinly
- Bundle 3CD Digisleeve + Shirt
- 3-CD Digisleeve
- Digital


Pre-order here.





XX Years Of Steel tracklisting:


CD1 (Live Versions):
"Intro"
"Sober"
"Nanowar"
"Gabonzo Robot"
"Tricycles Of Steel"
"Il Cacciatore della Notte"
"La Maledizione di Capitan Findus" (feat. Maurizio Merluzzo)
"Odino & Valhalla"
"Disco Metal"
"V per Viennetta" (feat. Alessandro del Vecchio)
"The Power Of Imodium" (feat. Alessandro del Vecchio)
"Power Of The Power Of The Power Of The Power (Of The Great Sword)" (feat. Alessandro del Vecchio)
"Declination" (feat. Alessandro del Vecchio)
"Barbie, MILF Princess Of The Twilight" (feat. Alessandro del Vecchio)


CD2 (Live Versions):
"Ironmonger (The Copier Of The Seven Keys)"
"RAP-Sody"
"Il Signore degli Anelli (dello Stadio)"
"Interlude"
"Pasadena 1994"
"Norwegian Reggaeton" (feat. Charly Glamour (Gigatron))
"Metal"
"Sottosegretari alla Presidenza della Repubblica del True Metal" (feat. Il Profeta (Gli Atroci))
"Feudalesimo e Libertà"
"Bum Voyage"
"Uranus"
"Valhalleluja" (feat Thomas Winkler)
"La Polenta Taragnarock"
"Giorgio Mastrota (The Keeper Of Inox Steel)"


CD3 (Studio Versions):
"Stormwarrior of the Storm"
"HelloWorld.java"
"Afraid To Shoot Into The Eyes Of A Stranger In A Strange Land"
"Armpits Of Immortals" (feat. Ross the Boss)
"Das rote Pferd" (Markus Becker Cover)
"El Baile del Perrito" (Wilfrido Vargas Cover)
"Brave Margot" (Georges Brassens Cover, feat. Nils Courbaron, feat. The Rumpled)
"We're Going To Tortuga" (Venga Boys Cover, feat. The Rumpled)
"Gabonzo Robot (ガボンゾ-ロボット)" (Japanese Version)


"Stormwar