Serbian all-female death metal band NEMESIS has released a music video for the song "Dead End".

NEMESIS is putting the finishing stages on its debut album. They previously released three singles and opened concerts for BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, THY ART IS MURDER and NERVOSA.

Formed in late 2013 in Belgrade, NEMESIS was heavily influenced by ARCH ENEMY. The band began by playing covers of its favorite acts but quickly went on to work on its own material.

Other groups that inspire NEMESIS include DEATH, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM, KREATOR, GOJIRA and PANTERA. Their lyrics deal with problems of the 21st century, such as capitalism and globalization, but also philosophical themes.

NEMESIS is:

Vocals: Sanja Drča

Lead guitar: Aleksandra Petrović

Rhythm guitar: Tijana Milivojević

Bass: Biljana Sovilj

Drums: Selena Simić

The official lyric video for "Mad World" from Dutch metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "Resist", which arrived on February 1. The disc is the band's first release through Spinefarm Records, the specialist hard rock label of Universal Music Group.

"Resist" features guest appearances by PAPA ROACH's Jacoby Shaddix, IN FLAMES' Anders Fridén and ARID's Jasper Steverlinck.

"Resist" marks a departure from the WITHIN TEMPTATION's past. The record is armed with 10 anthemic tracks, driven by grand melodies and dark hooks. It brings a futuristic take on metal to the table — both instrumentally and thematically.

"'Resist' is a true milestone for us. If it wasn't for 'Resist', WITHIN TEMPTATION wouldn't be here anymore," the band stated.


"With this record, we've taken inspiration from modern music and gave it a face — a very dark one," singer Sharon Den Adel said. "Sometimes, it feels that today's pop music lacks a rebellious edge. Our main goal was to collect pieces from sounds we did like and roughen it up as much as we could, resulting in a surprisingly new musical world that is heavier, dirtier and more futuristic than we've ever created before. 'Resist' is our take on metal in a new way: to give modern music its rebellious edge."

Regarding the nearly five-year gap between "Hydra" and "Resist", Sharon told Poland's Interia.tv: "It took me a long time because of several reasons. We had a heavy touring schedule with 'Hydra', and we toured a long time. We've been together as a band for such ages, and so when I came back, I didn't have any inspiration. There was a lot of things happening in my personal life, so all that came together and I just couldn't write music. I was very much blocked. I needed for myself to discover if I still wanted to do the touring and also writing music for WITHIN TEMPTATION, if I still wanted to be in the band, because it didn't bring me any joy at the time. I was just not in a very good place at that time. Now, I'm feeling a bit — a lot better, actually, and the strange thing is that I couldn't write because I didn't feel the music. I didn't know where to go. Not just me, but also the guys that I work with find it very difficult to write for WITHIN TEMPTATION, because we didn't have any inspiration. It was not just me, but I had a lot of other issues besides not being able to write. That's why it took a long time, and when I did start writing again, I wrote [a] different kind of music — I wrote singer-songwriter kind of songs, and that's not really WITHIN TEMPTATION material. I needed to get that out of my way, so I made a solo album, and when it did start again — when I did feel the songs coming back again to us, and the inspiration and everything — we wrote this album and recorded it in one year."

METALLICA's Kirk Hammett has told Australia's Mixdown magazine in a new interview that the band's "WorldWired" tour is scheduled to last until November 2019, after which it could be time to hop back into the studio.

Fans had to wait five years for 2008's "Death Magnetic" and eight years for 2016's "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", but the guitarist says the next disc might not take as long to complete.

"When I was 13-14 years old, bands put out albums every year," Hammett said. "Seriously, KISS put out an album every eight months. None of this eight years between albums.

"None of us are very comfortable with the fact it's been so long, because that is a long time," he continued. "We're hoping to avoid that this time around.

"We're in our third year since 'Hardwired'. Maybe we can get a bit more focus and go into the studio a bit sooner. I have a ton of material. I've over-compensated, so I'm ready to go anytime."

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo also recently said the band's next studio album would arrive "a lot sooner than the previous two did." He added: "This time around, I think we'll be able to jump on it a lot quicker and jump in the studio and start working. We've all vowed to get this one going sooner than later. Now, how soon? I don't know. We've been touring non-stop. It's been over two years now. At some point, sure, we'll need to take a little bit of a break. It's sort of the right thing for us to do because we've been going so hard."

Hammett wasn't involved in the songwriting process for "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" because his "riffs weren't there," frontman James Hetfield told France's Metal XS in a 2016 interview. "I know he talks about him losing his phone and things like that with the riffs, but… No, he wasn't involved in the process," James said. "And Robert was there. The intro to 'ManUNkind' is Robert; that is him, and it's beautiful. But it is Lars [Ulrich, drums] and I doing what we always do — put the songs together."

Three years ago, Hammett recalled the "devastating" time in 2014 he lost his phone containing hundreds of song ideas for the tenth studio album, which meant he "had to start at zero" again. "By the time I got a few ideas flowing and formed, most of the songs were already written," he said, calling the experience a "very bitter pill to swallow."

He forced himself to look on the bright side. He said: "I had to think, 'Okay, I have stuff — but it looks like it's going to make it on to the next album."

Hammett added: "For me, being in this band, I always want to contribute. I always have a lot of musical concepts and ideas to bring to the table. Obviously, that was not meant to be this time, and I had to accept that fact. So I focused on my solos, just making sure that my playing on the album was at its best — at its full potential. Hopefully I can bring my ideas to the next METALLICA album."

According to Billboard, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" was METALLICA's 12th album to sell at least a million copies since Nielsen Music began tracking sales in 1991.

In total, the group has sold 58 million albums in the U.S. in the Nielsen Music era, and owns the overall top-selling album of that span of time: its self-titled 1991 release, with nearly 17 million sold.

In a brand new interview with Midlands Metalheads Radio, legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen spoke about how he first developed his playing style. He said (hear audio below): "My first guitar was given to me on my fifth birthday — I was five years old — but I didn't start playing it until I was seven, after seeing [Jimi] Hendrix smash up a guitar on TV. But that wasn't a musical influence — it was just that seeing that happen, I thought it was cool. So I started playing guitar that same day I saw that program… And then I heard DEEP PURPLE 'Fireball' and started learning those things. You've gotta remember — I was very, very young; I was just a little kid. I was seven years old. So I learned how to play this stuff inside out, pretty much. And then, of course, I heard an album called 'Selling England By The Pound' by GENESIS, and that was a lot of chord progressions and inflections that I'd never heard before, because they weren't directly rock and roll [or] blues style. So I listened to a lot of Bach records and Vivaldi and Beethoven. My Marshall stacks and my electric guitar never changed, but my choice of notes changed. So the guitar players from all those years, they never influenced me into what I'm doing today. My influences that shaped my style today are all classical violinists [and composers like] Bach, Vivaldi, Paganini, Tchaikovsky. That's very important to remember."

Yngwie released a new album, "Blue Lightning", on March 29 via Mascot Label Group. On the disc, Yngwie pays homage to those from the blues world who have fueled his artistic spirit for so long. "Blue Lightning" also includes four original tunes that bring to the fore Malmsteen's love for the blues. "I have always featured songs with a blues groove on albums," he said in a press release. "So, having my own material in this vein was very natural for me."

Among the songs Malmsteen tackles on "Blue Lightning" are classics by THE BEATLES ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps"), Jimi Hendrix ("Foxey Lady", "Purple Haze"), THE ROLLING STONES ("Paint It Black"), ZZ TOP ("Blue Jean Blues"), DEEP PURPLE ("Demon's Eye", "Smoke On The Water") and Eric Clapton ("Forever Man").

Italian progressive death metallers Brvmak have unleashed an official lyric video for the single "Omnipotence", featuring a mind-blowing special guest vocal performance by legendary Paul Masvidal (Cynic). The song is taken from their new album, In Nomine Patris, released by Sleaszy Rider Records. Check out the clip below.

"Omnipotence" is focused on the Tower of Babel's mythological story; a sky-high tower built by men in the attempt to challange God and reach the spiritual elevation, just like the son elevates himself towards the father. God disapproval of men's endeavor brings chaos upon earth resulting in languages to mix so that masses wouldn't benefit of a common language.

Cynic's legendary co-founder and frontman Paul Masvidal has performed some incredible special guest vocals on "Omnipotence". Brvmak vocalist Serj commented: "Having the honour to work with such an extraordinary artist is just amazing. We all have been listening to Paul's music for ages, and being able to have him as very special guest on our upcoming album is a true privilege. We couldn't be happier with the vocal performance he delivered." 

Paul Masvidal also commented : "When Serj from Brvmak sent me their song, 'Omnipotence', I was impressed with the brutal sense of urgency in the tune and across their work in general. I thought my vocals might add an interesting, unique element, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sing over my first blast beat! These guys are about as heavy as it gets. Check them out!"

Brvmak's full-length, In Nomine Patris, is a concept album focused on the biblical mythology and each song describes men as human beings, through the metaphoric essence of the events included in the bible. 

In Nomine Patris was recorded, mixed and mastered at Time Collapse Recording Studio in Rome by Alessio Cattaneo and Riccardo Studer (Novembre, Ade, Scuorn).

Stay tuned for more details.

Sheet Happens Publishing has released The Complete Guitar Transcription for Cynic's 1993 album, Focus.

Includes:

* 136 Pages
* 14pt front and back covers with high gloss 5mm lamination
* Black plastic coil binding (won't warp or break during shipment)
* 70 lbs offset pages printed on 98 bright white superior stock

* Note: Plastic coil binding lays flat while reading and won't warp or break during shipment.

This book comes with a copy of the 'print-ready' PDF e-book AND the complete Guitar Pro files for the entire album (guitars only).

Says Cynic guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal: "I am beyond ecstatic to announce the release of the official Cynic Focus guitar transcriptions book. Thank you, Luke Hoskin, the Sheet Happens crew, and a special shout out to Evan Bradley, for his meticulous and precise transcription work on this enigmatic record.

"Historically, no one was able to achieve proper guitar transcriptions of Focus because of how the dual guitars were intentionally panned. Evan worked off the solo tracks, and was able to note every fine detail. Although these guitar parts will now be technically 'demystified', the real magic will always remain in the performances.

"BTW - there's an extremely limited deluxe bundle available with a cool pic tin (pics included), poster and the book. Grab it while you can!"

Get the Printed Guitar Book and/or Digital Guitar Book here, and click here for the deluxe bundle.




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CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth spoke to APTV about the band's infamous T-shirt featuring a masturbating nun and a back print proudly proclaiming the slogan "Jesus Is A C**t".

CRADLE's most iconic piece of merchandise was first released in 1993 and spent most of the ensuing decade as a lightning rod for arguments about freedom of speech, and was the cause of several arrests for public indecency.

Speaking about how the idea for the shirt came about, Dani said: "It started off as, rather than a Satanic thing, it was more anarchic. It was, I guess, in response to growing up with a predominantly Christian background. It was never too bad for me, but I know for a lot of people, it was very stifling — people forced to go to communion and church. Obviously, it was worse for a lot of people in America, especially the Bible Belt. Yeah, it was an anarchic statement more than Satanic. And when we came up with it, we were laughing our asses off — we thought it was hilarious, and I think it still is hilarious… That shirt is 30 years old, and I think it's just grown in popularity."

Attempting to explain the T-shirt's appeal, Dani said: "I think people like being scared. But for people who don't understand the band, I don't want them thinking that we're just a shock-rock band, 'cause that's far from the truth. I think, obviously, the 'Jesus' shirt has overshadowed everything merchandise-wise, just because by nature of people's reaction to it and the sensitivity to the wording. But for one of those shirts, there's a dozen other shirts that are very classically minded in art form."

The "Jesus Is A C**t" shirt has been a source of controversy for more than two decades, with the CRADLE OF FILTH members previously warning fans about wearing the shirt in public.

"It's a dangerous T-shirt to wear, full-stop," Filth told Rolling Stone in 2015. "I did walk around in it back in the day, but people don't understand that there's a time and a place for this sort of thing."

In 1996, a CRADLE fan was arrested in London for wearing the T-shirt; he was found guilty of committing "Profane Representation under the 1839 Act" and was fined £150. A year later, the group's drummer was arrested for creating a public disorder and resisting arrest in Dover as he and his bandmates attempted to leave the country for a gig in the Netherlands. In 2008, the shirt was officially banned in New Zealand by the country's office of the chief censor, which stated that, "The injury to the public good that is likely to be caused by the availability of this T-shirt originates from the manner in which it associates an aggressive and misogynistic meaning of the 'harsh, brutal and generally unacceptable' word c**t with Jesus Christ, and depicts an image of a chaste woman engaging in sexual activity."

Los Angeles-based heavy/power metal legends, Steel Prophet, are back with their new massive sounding album, The God Machine, out on April 26th via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. A music video for the title track can be found below.

Five years after the release of Omniscient, the band recruited the all-star heavy metal singer/producer R.D. Liapakis of Mystic Prophecy/Devil's Train and his uniquely ranged vocal skills to perfectly match the songs on The God Machine. R.D. Liapakis is not just the man behind the microphone though since he, alongside Steve Kachinsky is responsible for the songwriting and production process of the album.

You can pre-order the album in Ltd. Digipack CD (incl. logo patch) and Ltd. Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (500 copies worldwide) here, or here.

The voice of R.D. Liapakis sounds tough, bluesy and strong, with wide range, power and style. The high notes come effortlessly, and the lead vocals make you want to stand up and wail along with his singing. The drums sound huge and perfectly combine that old-school punch feeling you get in classic heavy metal albums while sounding fresh and up to date at the same time. The guitar work on the album sounds like all the hallowed marks of heavy metal classics with speedy licks and fast, furious and melodic riffs and solos complimented by fat bass lines that anchor all instruments into a magnificent combo highlighting the amazing vocal lines.

Each song is a delight by itself and elements of thrash, doom, and even some Scorpions-tinged melodicism can be found in the band's US power metal. If you live and breathe the spirit of heavy metal you will be astonished by The God Machine in its entirety.

Produced by Steve Kachinsky and R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Devil’s Train, Suicidal Angels, Firewind, Eldritch, Silius, FireForce and many more). Mixed and mastered by “Best Producer 2017-Heavy Music Award” winner Henrik Udd at Henrik Udd Recording Studios (Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Hammerfall, Powerwolf etc), who gave The God Machine a smooth and polished, yet brutally heavy sound.

The album starts with the absolute banger album title song, “The God Machine”, featuring furious rhythms, fast riffing and catchy arena choruses preparing the ground for “Crucify” which along with “Dark Mask / Between Love And Hate” will catapult the listener back to the best NWOBHM years while “Thrashed Relentlessly” is the definition of US power metal riffing! Songs like “Damnation Calling” and “Lucifer / The Devil Inside” will bring in mind the mighty “Headless Cross” Black Sabbath, Tony Martin era. The album’s multidimensional yet classic heavy metal mark is ultimately revealed to the listener as soon as the power ballad “Buried And Broken” kicks in! The God Machine is a high quality metal album that will become an instant classic among Steel Prophet’s catalogue.

Tracklisting:

"The God Machine"
"Crucify"
"Thrashed Relentlessly"
"Dark Mask / Between Love And Hate"
"Damnation Calling"
"Soulhunter"
"Buried And Broken"
"Lucifer / The Devil Inside"
"Fight, Kill"
"Life = Love = God Machine"

"The God Machine" video:

Steel Prophet is:

R.D. Liapakis - Lead & Background Vocals (Mystic Prophecy, Devil’s Train)
Steve Kachinsky - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards
Jon Paget - Lead Guitar
Vince Dennis - Bass (Body Count, ex-World in Pain, ex-Dia de los Muertos, ex-Tourniquet, ex-Prong (live), ex-Obscene Gesture)
John ‘JT’ Tarascio - Drums




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Streaming below is a video for a Nylon Maiden/Flametal version of Iron Maiden's "Aces High", arranged for two Classical Fingerstyle / Spanish Flamenco guitars by Thomas Zwijsen & Ben Woods.

This song is on the Master Guitar Tour album available with worldwide shipping at ThomasZwijsen.com and on all the digital channels.




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The uncrowned champions of melodic black metal Belzebubs have unveiled a new infernal anthem from their long-awaited studio album Pantheon of the Nightside Gods with “Nam Gloria Lucifer”.

Bassist/vocalist Hubbath comments: “I love it. ‘Nam Gloria Lucifer’ is an unholy alliance of crushing riffs and mesmerizing melodies with a trve tear-jerker ending. It’s beautiful. We needed to settle for a rough lyric video this time around, though, as we’re still recovering from the previous music video shoot—both physically and financially.”

“Nam Gloria Lucifer” is now available on all streaming and download platforms as a digital single. Pantheon Of The Nightside Gods will be released April 26th, and will be available in the following formats:

- Ltd. CD Mediabook coming with a lush 24 page illustrated booklet
- Ltd. Gatefold LP+CD & LP-Booklet
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Band lineup:

Samaël: Drums
Sløth: Vocals & guitar
Obesyx: Lead guitar
Hubbath: Vocals & bass




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Always wondered what “Helveteslarm” stands for? It’s the sounds of pure hellish noise, which is visualized now via the new single/video by Swedish metal crust punks Martyrdöd. 

Soon to release their seventh studio album “Hexhammaren” on May 10th, 2019 via Century Media Records, Martyrdöd are now bringing us “Helveteslarm” in a clip produced by Jimmy Johansson / Super Lino Puro:

Martyrdöd checked in with the following comment: “Helveteslarm: It's the sound of hell on earth. The sound of evil forces ravaging the world for power. War dogs, warmongers using liberation as a pretext for profiteering. The video was planned and shot over a couple of days only a few weeks before release. The Idea was to portray some of the real driving forces behind armed conflict in the world and their ruthlessness.”

The recording is again done by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman (Wolfpack, At The Gates, In Flames) in Gothenburg, Sweden. This album marks the band’s first release on Century Media Records and is planned for May, 2019.

Overview of all format options for Hexhammaren:

-Ltd. CD Edition in O-Card            
-black LP 
-transp. magenta LP (Ltd. 100x copies via CM EU webshop)
-transp. orange LP (Ltd. 200x copies via CM EU Distro)
-transp. petrol green LP (Ltd. 100x copies via Green Hell)
-lilac LP (Ltd. 100x copies via Martyrdöd directly)
-Digital album (Bonus Track Version)

Live dates:

April
13 - Kharkiv, Ukraine - LF Club
14 - Kiev, Ukraine - Volume Club
21 - Rennes, France - Neuronoise Festival II

October
11-12 - Stockholm, Sweden - Scandinavia Deathfest 2019

Liineup:

Jens Bäckelin - Drums
Mikael Kjellman - Guitars and vocals
Tim Rosenqvist - Guitars
Daniel Ekeroth - Bass

(Photo - Jens Bäckelin)




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Instrumental rockers Monkey3 have buckled up for their next interstellar journey. After the success of the 2016 album Astra Symmetry, the Swiss four piece continues its cosmic journey of space rock, psychedelic, stoner and progressive on their sixth full length studio album, Sphere, out today via Napalm Records. Check out a video for "Spirals":

Monkey3 describes the new album: “Spiralling out of a majestic landscape & its untamed environment, Sphere stands for an abstract interpretation of nature's phenomenons, their geometric patterns, and colourful elements.The backbone of Monkey3's new album is a solid axis around which revolves a multitude of distinct atmospheres - like a wild journey along a winding road - sometimes brutal, sometimes sublime. Here the instrumental roots of the band refract in a prismatic soundscape where each musical beam finds its own space; and yet at the same time they all come together to weave a massive wall of sound. Moreover a feminine & graceful touch enhances the overall artwork, allowing the audience to travel through a wide panel - from the depths of Death Valley to the magnitude of Mount Ida - like a cosmic trip through a meditative canal. And whatever this opus might be, Sphere could be reminiscent of an ellipsis in which one omits part of what is being said in order for the listener to fill in the blanks with one's own imagination, and make it its own.”

Sphere is available in the following formats:

- 4 Page Digipack
- 2LP Gatefold
- LP Deluxe Box, including Double-LP Gatefold + 1 LP Bonus LP Gatefold + Slipmat
- Digital Album

Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Spirals"
"Axis"
"Prism"
"Mass" (feat. Bumblefoot)
"Ida"
"Ellipsis"

"Prism" art video:

Track-by-track videos:

"Prism":

"Mass", featuring Bumblefoot:

Find the band's live itinerary here.

Monkey3 are:

Walter - drums
Kevin - bass
Boris - guitar
dB - keys

(Photo - Mehdi Benkler)




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Finland's Krypts return to unfurl an aeonic slab of death metal upon your ears. Cadaver Circulation explores immeasurable depths with six intense offerings of misanthropic and doom-laden death metal. Listen to new track “The Reek Of Loss” below.

Cadaver Circulation is as unrepentant as the grave in it’s tormented and suffocating aura. From funereal dirges to steamroller bombasts of putrid death and decay, Cadaver Circulation leaves no tomb intact. Reverb drenched atmosphere collides with eerie chords and abysmal vocals to craft one of the most harrowing death metal experiences of the year.

Dark Descent Records will unleash Cadaver Circulation May 31st on digital, CD, vinyl and cassette tape.

Tracklisting:

“Sinking Transient Waters”
“The Reek Of Loss”
“Echoes Emanate Forms”
“Mycelium”
“Vanishing”
“Circling The Between”

“The Reek Of Loss”:

Cadaver Circulation by Krypts




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German extreme metallers Ketzer have released their fourth full-length, Cloud Collider, today via Metal Blade Records.

Check out the newest single "Keine Angst" with a video clip created by Paul Schlesier / Pallid Eyes Films:

Ketzer have checked in with the following comment about the clip as follows: "Recorded during two cold days and nights in Leipzig by the magnificent director Paul Schlesier of Pallid Eyes Films we hereby present to you the first video clip in the band's history to our new single entitled 'Keine Angst'. Press play and experience a nightmare put to film!"

Album formats – orders available at MetalBlade.com:

-ltd. digipak-CD 
-180g black vinyl (EU exclusive) 
-Red-brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies) 
-Black/white split colour vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies) 
-Blue w/white / red /black splattered vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies) 
-Smber marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies)

Tracklisting:

“The Machine”
“Keine Angst”
“Walls”
“Cloud Collider”
“Forever Death”
“The Wind Brings Them Horses”
“No Stories Left”
“This Knife Won’t Stay Clean Today”
“(The Taste Of) Rust And Bone”
“Light Dies Last”

"The Wind Brings Them Horses":

“No Stories Left” lyric video:




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Gloryhammer have released the first single and official music video from their third studio album, Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex.
On their third epic quest through the universe, the five heroes around Angus McFife XIII created the galactic hymn “Gloryhammer”, which tells about their own journey through time and space, the greatest battles of all times and neverending glory.

Christopher Bowes on “Gloryhammer”: "Mighty warriors of the galaxy! Are you ready to raise up your laser powered goblin smasher to defeat the forces of Zargothrax? Then it's time to watch the video for our new single...simply called 'Gloryhammer'! In this song, Angus McFife has arrived into a terrible alternate universe ruled by the evil wizard Zargothrax... and to make matters worse, his legendary Hammer of Glory is powerless! His only hope is to fly into space and recharge the hammer with the power of astral fire... if his quest fails, then the forces of evil led by the deathknight Ser Proletius will rain down nuclear fire upon the brave resistance fighters of the Kingdom of Fife. The tragic fate of the Kingdom of Fife hangs in the balance once more..."

The galaxy waits in fear for the return of Angus McFife XIII, who fought the greatest battle the galaxy has ever heard of, against the evil sorcerer Zargothrax. All hope of the Kingdom of Fife lies in the strong arms and the infinite wisdom of their young crown prince.

On May 31st, Gloryhammer’s new album will tell us the whole story of the most gigantic battle of all time. Until then, we expect to receive more parts of what will end as the best power metal album the galaxy has ever seen. Keep your eyes and ears open!

Zargothrax on the new album: “Oh wow! I know a lot of people have been waiting on this album for what seems like centuries. For the last three years we've been working non-stop on it in absolute secrecy, and now it is finally complete! We can't wait for y'all to hear it...this is the greatest power metal album of all time. HOOTS!"

Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex will be available in the following formats:

* Ltd. Wooden Deluxe Box Set
- Ltd. Digipack
- 7" Single (incl. Box-Exclusive Bonus Track)
- Medal of Glory
- Cover Flag (150x100cm)
- Art Print Card
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 2-LP Gatefold Gold
- Symphonic Version Bonus album
- Strictly limited to 200

* 2-LP Gatefold Red
- Symphonic Version Bonus album
- Strictly limited to 300

* 2-LP Gatefold Black
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 2-CD Digipac
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 1-CD Jewelcase

* Cassette
- Strictly limited to 200

Pre-Order Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex here.

Album artwork by Dan Goldsworthy.

Tracklisting:

"Into The Terrorvortex Of Kor-Virliath"
"The Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)"
"Masters Of The Galaxy"
"The Land Of Unicorns"
"Power of the Laser Dragon Fire"
"Legendary Enchanted Jetpack"
"Gloryhammer"
"Hootsforce"
"Battle For Eternity"
"The Fires Of Ancient Cosmic Destiny"
I: Dundaxian Overture
II: The Battle Of Cowdenbeath
III: Return Of The Astral Demigod Of Unst
IV: The Knife Of Evil
V: Transmission

Bonus album:

"Into The Terrorvortex Of Kor-Virliath" (Symphonic Version)
"The Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)" (Symphonic Version)
"Masters Of The Galaxy" (Symphonic Version)
"The Land Of Unicorns" (Symphonic Version)
"Power of the Laser Dragon Fire" (Symphonic Version)
"Legendary Enchanted Jetpack" (Symphonic Version)
"Gloryhammer" (Symphonic Version)
"Hootsforce" (Symphonic Version)
"Battle For Eternity" (Symphonic Version)
"The Fires Of Ancient Cosmic Destiny" (Symphonic Version)
I: Dundaxian Overture
II: The Battle of Cowdenbeath
III: Return Of The Astral Demigod Of Unst
IV: The Knife of Evil
V: Transmission

Trailer:

(Photo - Robert Zembrzycki)




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Alice Cooper guitarist Ryan Roxie has released a single for "Look Me In The Eye", a track from his solo album, Imagine Your Reality, out now via Lenata/Bellyache/Cargo Records. 

Imagine Your Reality continues Roxie’s legacy of creating infectiously melodic songs and straight ahead no nonsense rock riffs, and this time with more guitar than ever before! Ten tracks, all underlined by ten gleaming guitar solos. From the punk rock undertones of "Never Mind Me" to the un-sugarcoated tale of life in La La Land ('To Live And Die In LA') to the superb Beatle-y/Oasis nod, "Look Me In The Eye" - it’s a uplifting big rock sound. Robin Zander transforms "California Man" into the ultimate vintage-vibed, top down, drive in the sunshine, rock n' roll anthem.

"Me Generation" lyric video:

"To Live And Die In LA" lyric video:

"Over And Done" lyric video:

"California Man" lyric video:

The album was produced by Kristoffer 'Folle' Folin, Tommy Henriksen and Jon Bordon. Recorded and mixed at Purple Skull Studios, Stockholm Sweden.

Lineup:

Ryan Roxie - Guitars, Vocals
Tommy Henriksen Bass on tracks 1, 6, 9
Kristoffer 'Folle' Folin - Bass on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Jon Bordon - Badd on track 8
Kristoffer 'Folle' Folin - Drums on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Glen Sobel - Drums on tracks 1, 6, 9
Anton Korberg - Drums on track 8
Seven Anapolis - Drums on track 3
Teddy 'Zig-Zag' Andriatis - Keyboards/Piano on track 3
John Bordon - Keyboards/Piano on track 8

Backing Vocals - Johan Becker, Kristoffer 'Folle' Folin, Tommy Henriksen
Special guest vocals on track 3 - Robin Zander

Ryan Roxie is touring with Alice Cooper. Tour dates and info here.




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Swedish rock band, Royal Republic, have released a video for "Boomerang", featured on their upcoming album, Club Majesty, out on May 31st via Nuclear Blast/Arising Empire. Watch the clip below, and pre-order the album here.

Royal Republic don't believe in "guilty pleasures" - only pleasures, free of compromise. Since meeting at the Malmö Academy Of Music in 2007, they've become Sweden's most addictive rock 'n' roll export; mixing riffy guitars, king-sized tunes and jet-packed beats with their own eclectic tastes and inimitable joie de vivre. Plus the kind of snazzy suits most of their contemporaries wish they had the balls to pull off. They encapsulate the raw spirit of punk with the hips of James Brown and swaggering braggadocio of James Bond. No wonder they struggle to label themselves! They’ll rock the shit out of you and make you dance like you've just won the lottery.

Tracklisting:

"Fireman & Dancer"
"Can't Fight The Disco"
"Boomerang"
"Under Cover"
"Like A Lover"
"Blunt Force Trauma"
"Fortune Favors"
"Flower Power Madness"
"Stop Movin'"
"Anna-Leigh"
"Bulldog"

"Boomerang" video:

Lineup:

Adam Grahn - vocals
Hannes Irengård - guitars
Jonas Almén - bass
Per Andreasson - drums

(Photo - Ashley White)




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Richmond’s Inter Arma, reigning masters of the slow build, have released their new album, Sulphur English. Get it at Relapse.com. Digital Downloads / Streaming Services are available here. A full album stream can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Bumgardner”
“A Waxen Sea”
“Citadel”
“Howling Lands”
“Stillness”
“Observances Of The Path”
“The Atavist’s Meridian”
“Blood On The Lupines”
“Sulphur English”

Album stream:

"Howling Lands" video:

Inter Arma have announced US headline tour dates throughout May and June with Thantifaxath, and will see additional support by Ken Mode and Wayfarer on select dates. Inter Arma is slated to perform two exclusive shows in April. These include Decibel’s Metal & Beer Fest Pre-Fest and Saint Vitus Bar’s 8th Anniversary concert. A full list of confirmed tour dates are available below.

Tour dates:

April
12 - Philadelphia, PA - Decibel Metal & Beer Fest
13 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus - 8th Anniversary

May (with Thantifaxath)
14 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight
15 - Nashville, TN - Drkmttr
16 - Memphis, TN  - Hi Tone
17 - Little Rock, AR - Vino's
18 - St Louis, MO - Fubar
21 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
22 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive
23 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar
24 - Flagstaff, AZ - Green Room
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Yucca Tap Room
26 - San Diego, CA - Space Bar
28 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro #
29 - Eugene, OR - Old Nick's #
30 - Portland, OR - High Water Mark #
31 - Seattle, WA - Northwest Terror Fest

June (with Thantifaxath)
1 - Boise, ID - Bump HQ * + #
2 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court * + #
4 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
5 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
6 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
7 - Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlie's

* with Ken Mode
# with Wayfarer

(Photo - Joey Wharton)




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Berlin, Germany-based streetcore legends, Toxpack, will release their ninth full-length album, Kämpfer, on May 31 via Napalm Records. Pre-order the new album here, and watch a video for the first single, "Setz Die Segel", below.

Toxpack on the new album: “On May 31st 2019 our ninth studio album Kämpfer will be released via Napalm Records! With 16 songs + Bonus Track at about 54 minutes play time it is the longest album in our 18 year history. We are proud that Kämpfer is produced by Florian Nowak and Marc Wüstenhagen (Dailyhero Recordings) again, who also recorded our last full length Schall & Rausch. Our main focus is once again on catchy harmonies and melodies, which will stick in your head. The songs are about freedom, courage, daily fights, hope, love, anger, sorrow, desire and our strong friendship. We are sure that you will regain yourself in our lyrics! Kämpfer is an album for everyone that is living in daily fights. For everyone that stays strong and never bends down, never surrenders and always keeps on fighting for their dreams and to reach their goals in life!”

Tracklisting:

"Proelium"
"An der Zeit"
"Setz die Segel"
"Kämpfer"
"Arschloch"
"Liebe ist tödlich"
"Trinkteufel (Herzlich Willkommen)"
"Oben"
"Unten"
"Die letzte Bastion"
"Wir sagen Danke"
"All deine Sorgen"
"Auf unser Wohl"
"Hauptsache es geht uns gut"
"Jeder kann ein König sein" (Bonus track)
"Staub und Dreck" (Bonus track)

When Toxpack releases a new album, it has to be celebrated with their fans. Which venue could fit better for this occasion than the legendary SO36 in their hometown Berlin?

Do you want to be part of this legendary party? Get one of the limited 250 hard tickets directly through the Toxpack shop, here. Buy a regular ticket at your local dealer Koka36, here.

Toxpack are:

Schulle - Vocals
Tommi - Lead Guitar
Erik - Guitar
Stephan - Bass Guitar
Zoppel - Drums

(Photo - Stefan Milde)




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Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD), David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE, DIO) and Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES) are among the musicians who have reacted on social media to the passing of Paul Raymond. The UFO guitarist and keyboard player died early Saturday morning (April 13) after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 73 years old.

Paul's professional career began in January 1964. He started out as a jazz musician but went on to become best known as a member of legendary British rock band UFO's classic lineup alongside Phil Mogg, Michael Schenker, Andy Parker and Pete Way. Raymond is also featured on classic records by CHICKEN SHACK and SAVOY BROWN as well as solo albums, plus those credited to PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT.

Raymond was recruited by UFO in 1976 to replace the band's first keyboardist, Danny Peyronel. When Michael Schenker left UFO, Raymond joined Schenker's MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and later hooked up with Pete Way in WAYSTED.

Raymond appeared on more than a dozen of UFO's albums, including "Lights Out" and the live classic "Strangers In The Night".

UFO is scheduled to make a series of European festival appearances this coming June and July, with a U.S. tour slated for October.

The band's current lineup includes original members Mogg and Parker, as well as Vinnie Moore (lead guitar), who joined in 2003, and Rob De Luca (bass), a member since 2012.

UFO is considered one of the classic hard rock acts, and was ranked No. 84 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock."

UFO guitarist/keyboard player Paul Raymond has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 73 years old.

The news of Raymond's passing was broken by his "life partner," Sandra, who wrote on Facebook: "With a desperate and broken heart, fully in tears and pains that feel like they will kill me, I have to tell you that my most beautiful and beloved darling Paul Raymond has passed away today. The doctors we're trying to reanimate him and with success at first but then his system shot down again and there was nothing more they could do for him, he died of a heart attack.

"He absolutely enjoyed the last couple of weeks touring with UFO in the UK & Ireland and he was looking forward to the rest of this year's tour.

"This photo was taken last Wednesday when we checked out of our last hotel before coming back to Germany!

"I will always love him and I hope he will rest in piece until I'll see him again on the other side!!!

"I love you so much Paul"

Paul's professional career began in January 1964. He started out as a jazz musician but went on to become best known as a member of legendary British rock band UFO's classic lineup alongside Phil Mogg, Michael Schenker, Andy Parker and Pete Way. Raymond is also featured on classic records by CHICKEN SHACK and SAVOY BROWN as well as solo albums, plus those credited to PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT.

Raymond was recruited by UFO in 1976 to replace the band's first keyboardist, Danny Peyronel. When Michael Schenker left UFO, Raymond joined Schenker's MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and later hooked up with Pete Way in WAYSTED.

Raymond appeared on more than a dozen of UFO's albums, including "Lights Out" and the live classic "Strangers In The Night".

Way posted on Facebook: "I've just heard the sad news of Paul Raymond's passing. I won't pretend that we were always the best of friends but I am completely shattered to hear this.

"My sincere condolences go out to his family, particularly Sandra.

"I'm gonna miss you mate! Sleep tight."

Schenker wrote: "It is unbelievable. Paul Raymond was a great musician and loved rock and roll. My condolences to his loved ones. Rest in peace, my friend."

British heavy metal legends SAXON tweeted: "We are shocked & saddened to hear the news of our friend and touring mate Paul Raymond of UFO's sudden passing today. RIP Paul."


Hi to all the fans and people who knew Paul! This is Sandra, Paul's life partner speaking: With a desperate and broken...Posted by Paul Raymond on Saturday, April 13, 2019


Today we are too shell-shocked to write anything other than to share Sandra's post at the link...Posted by UFO on Saturday, April 13, 2019

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers VIO-LENCE played their first comeback show last night (Saturday, April 13) at the Oakland Metro in Oakland, California. Video footage of the concert, as well as the pre-gig soundcheck, can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV and Walter Morgan).

The VIO-LENCE lineup that appeared at the Metro consisted of guitarist Phil Demmel, vocalist Sean Killian, bassist Deen Dell, drummer Perry Strickland and guitarist Ray Vegas.

VIO-LENCE has several more shows scheduled for the coming months, including a second Oakland date today (Sunday, April 14); a European appearance at the Alcatraz Hard Rock & Metal Festival in Kortrijk, Belgium; shows with SACRED REICH in Los Angeles and Phoenix; and two concerts in Brooklyn, New York.

Although current MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn was part of VIO-LENCE's classic incarnation and played on the band's debut album, "Eternal Nightmare", he wasn't contacted about doing the comeback shows because "he's always really worked pretty hard to not talk about VIO-LENCE or include VIO-LENCE in the past," Demmel told Decibel magazine. "This is something we're doing without him.

"When we closed VIO-LENCE back in 2003 when I joined MACHINE HEAD, I was actually gonna write a VIO-LENCE record and shortly after I joined MACHINE HEAD, I was told that I couldn't do that," Phil added. "So Robb, he played in that last show and even his involvement in that last VIO-LENCE show back in 2003 was kinda… there are some memories from all of us about him being involved and playing the benefit with Sean that was something special and he got to sing. We will do like we have done before, move on, without him."

Flynn — who was in attendance at last night's concert (see photos below) — last played with VIO-LENCE in January 2018 at a benefit concert for Killian at The Midway in San Francisco, California. The event concluded with a performance of the VIO-LENCE classic "World In A World" featuring four-fifths of the band's classic lineup — Flynn, Demmel, Strickland and Dell, with Flynn handling lead vocals. (Killian could not perform with the other members due to his health condition).

Demmel landed in MACHINE HEAD in 2003, about a decade after original the breakup of VIO-LENCE. He left MACHINE HEAD at the end of the band's fall 2018 North American tour, explaining in a statement that it was "simply time" for him "to step away and do something else musically."

Asked about the possibility of more VIO-LENCE shows and new music after the currently scheduled performances, Demmel told Decibel: "There's no tour involved. There's guys in the band that work and have families and need to be at home, so we'll assess all of that and see who can do what. I think we just need to get through these first shows and prove to ourselves that we can do it and also prove to everybody else, see if we have a product and if the quality is there and if we're able to pull it off. Not closing the door on anything."

He continued: "I really never thought that this would happen, you know? I've had some peers say, 'Hey, you should do some VIO-LENCE shows. We'll get some other dudes to sing.' And first of all, I never thought anybody really cared outside the Bay Area outside the band anyways. It's pretty awesome. The outpouring of support and everything, we'll see. People, if they wanna see it, then we'll see."

Demmel also had kind words for Killian, who underwent a successful liver transplant surgery in March 2018. The year before, Killian was diagnosed with stage four liver cirrhosis, which was caused in part by a genetic condition called hemochromatosis.

"We couldn't do VIO-LENCE without Sean," Demmel said. "There's no VIO-LENCE without Sean Killian. He's the one ingredient that needs to be there.

"I am very, very happy that my friend is healthy, first and foremost, and getting to jam with him again, that's just a plus," he added. "I am hoping that everybody will enjoy this gift of — he had a liver transplant, the dude was on death's door and here he is, wanting to play. It's not just, like, wanting to get up and sing 'Green Manalishi' with your high school buddies. This fucking VIO-LENCE set, man, is not easy to fucking get through, especially to sing it. I'm proud of him and I'm proud to be his friend and I'm proud to be in this band again."

Concert:











Soundcheck:





Holy Fuck video coming incredible Vio-lence Oakland @Hell4DeathMetal @Katy_Ann_Snake @kimbohellyeah @M6NSTER @MoMetalTrax @SICKBASTARD3 @ChrisGoMetal @Randy73481620 @666Harps666 @TheComicHunter @Darksun_always pic.twitter.com/PsT3PzdZ6c— VEGAS METALDAD (@jfield1869) April 14, 2019



Well ya gotta see Robb Flynn at a Vio-lence show in Oakland ... right ??? @vegasvixn @Metallibanger @Katy_Ann_Snake @Hell4DeathMetal @5150kpr @kimbohellyeah @666Harps666 @Randy73481620 @robertm5 @ChrisGoMetal @bigtim134 pic.twitter.com/KTPp1eXZ9G— VEGAS METALDAD (@jfield1869) April 14, 2019



Well how about Sean Killian ... Vio-lence vox let's roll OAKTOWN @Hell4DeathMetal @666Harps666 @Katy_Ann_Snake @Metallibanger @ChrisGoMetal @NeCrowSadistik @Randy73481620 @Darksun_always @SLAYERSWINE @the_kristinar @MoMetalTrax @M6NSTER pic.twitter.com/J5Cdg8RqmR— VEGAS METALDAD (@jfield1869) April 14, 2019

Fan-filmed video footage of KISS's April 11 concert at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida can be seen below.

The first North American leg of KISS's farewell tour, "End Of The Road", launched January 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at Rogers Arena and is hitting an additional 43 cities.

KISS frontman Paul Stanley recently said about the "End Of The Road" tour and stage production: "People say is this bittersweet? No. If the tour is anything like this stage, it's totally sweet. We always try to raise the bar — that's just for us — but when other bands would see us, they would feel they had to up their game. Let me tell you something: everybody better start working out, because we're upping the game that much more. This is absolutely mind-bogglingly good. It's totally KISS. And I'll be looking for you on the 'End Of The Road' tour."

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer told Australia's Hysteria Magazine that the group's farewell tour would be "the biggest" one the band has ever done "in terms of production." It will be "a whole new thing for KISS," the guitarist said. "It's just gonna be the bombastic show KISS has always been famed for."

In September, KISS announced its "End Of The Road" farewell tour on NBC's "America's Got Talent", and a month later, the band revealed the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. International markets were announced simultaneously.

"One thing for sure is that this is the last tour," Stanley told Billboard. "What goes beyond that is really hard to say. The tour may go three years, but once we play your city, it is done. That is our big thank you."

The lineup features the current version of the band — Stanley, Thayer, Gene Simmons and Eric Singer.

"This is really a time of joy, and for us to be up there and celebrate what we've done together," Stanley told The Morning Call. "It's much better than finishing a tour, let's say, and then a year later deciding you don't want to go out and two years later you decide you don't want to go out. In that sense, you've called it quits, but this is so much better for us and better for the fans to go out there with the highest of spirits and the greatest of shows."

WHITESNAKE kicked off its "Flesh & Blood" world tour Friday night (April 12) at 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows:

01. Bad Boys

02. Slide It In

03. Gonna Be Alright (live debut)

04. Love Ain't No Stranger

05. Hey You (You Make Me Rock) (live debut)

06. Slow An' Easy

07. Trouble Is Your Middle Name (live debut)

08. Guitar Duel

09. Shut Up & Kiss Me (live debut)

10. Get Up (live debut)

11. Is This Love

12. Give Me All Your Love

13. Here I Go Again

Encore:

14. Still Of The Night

WHITESNAKE is touring in support of its upcoming album, "Flesh & Blood", which will be released on May 10 via Frontiers Music Srl. The disc follows the 2011 critically acclaimed studio album "Forevermore" and 2015's "The Purple Album", a reimagining of DEEP PURPLE classics from WHITESNAKE mastermind's David Coverdale's time in that band.

Joining Coverdale on "Flesh & Blood" is the powerhouse band comprised of Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Michael Devin on bass, Tommy Aldridge on drums, and Michele Luppi on keyboards.


Since joining the band four years ago, and just in time for 2015's "The Purple Album", Chicago native Joel Hoekstra has really come into his own, not only as a highly impressive axe-slinger, but also as a very accomplished songwriter too, co-writing six of the songs for "Flesh & Blood" with Coverdale.


Guitarist Reb Beach, who originally joined WHITESNAKE in 2002, has stepped up to become the group's bandleader and guides the band to implement Coverdale's musical vision. As well as bringing his impressive musical chops to the band, Reb has co-written five songs on the new album, the fourth studio album he has appeared on, commencing with 2008's highly acclaimed "Good To Be Bad".


It was the "Good To Be Bad" follow-up, "Forevermore" (2011), that saw the debut of bassist Michael Devin. The New Englander's four-string-depth-charge-bass-bombs definitively underpin and drive the sound of WHITESNAKE in the 21st century.


Rounding out the rhythm section is David's longest serving 'Snake, the renowned drummer and unstoppable percussionist Tommy Aldridge, who has been with WHITESNAKE in some capacity for 30 years. Tommy made his debut with WHITESNAKE way back in 1987 in the "Still Of The Night" video, becoming a mainstay behind the kit for successive albums and tours.


Last, but certainly not least, the band is completed by the inventive keyboards and vocals of Italian maestro Michele Luppi, who made his live debut in 2015, as documented on "The Purple Tour" live CD/DVD (2018).

The current incarnation of the band carries on the long and unwavering tradition of mainman David Coverdale being surrounded by cream of the crop players who go all in to bring fans the best hard rock humanly possible.

WHITESNAKE's "Flesh & Blood" world tour features songs from the new studio record alongside the band's biggest hits and songs from one of the greatest back catalogues in rock 'n' roll history, spanning over 40 years.

The official visualizer for "A Hall Clad In Gold", a new song from Swedish metallers GRAND MAGUS, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Wolf God", which will be released on April 19 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2016's "Sword Songs" was recorded at Sweetspot Studio in Sweden with producer Staffan Karlsson (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS).

Comments frontman Janne "J.B." Christoffersson: "Dear headbangers! We have reached the third track from our new album. This is 'A Hall Clad In Gold'. Who knows what happens when death claims you? The only thing you can do is to be true to yourself and strive toward being the best you can be. Perhaps fate will decide the rest."

According to a press release, "Wolf God" "rises over the heavy metal scene majestically and lets the guitar riffs speak for themselves.

"The groove and heaviness that were featured on the successful predecessor can also be found on the new, ninth studio album which once again holds a number of future classics.

"As the majority of the songs were recorded on the first take, they have an honest, diverse and yet down-to-earth sound that envelops the trio's true power."

This cover artwork was created by acclaimed artist Anthony Roberts.

The band comments: "For the third time, the magic skill and imagination of Anthony Roberts has given birth to the cover artwork for a GRAND MAGUS album. This time the forest, the moon and obviously the wolf take center stage. Not just any wolf though… beware his fury. This is the 'Wolf God'!"

Los Angeles hard rockers STITCHED UP HEART have released a new single called "Lost". The track, which features a guest appearance by GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna, will be included on STITCHED UP HEART's forthcoming sophomore album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The 13-song follow-up to 2016's "Never Alone" was produced by produced by Matt Good of FROM FIRST TO LAST and D.R.U.G.S.

Singer Alecia "Mixi" Demner told Billboard that she became friends with Erna some years ago, and he actually did some songwriting with her for the album. "We didn't end up using those songs, but he agreed to be on ['Lost'] when we wrote it at the end of the record," she said. "I just think he put a really cool spin on this song. His take on the bridge portion is just great; He's that evil entity in your head that tells you that you can't do this or you're not good enough, that you're not worth anything, all the horrible things you can spin out of control without realizing it's just your thought processing."

STITCHED UP HEART will hit the road later this month, playing five dates with GODSMACK and VOLBEAT starting April 16 in Nashville.

"We can't thank Sully enough for going to bat with us on that and for what he's doing," Demner said. "He really wants to help us out and pay it forward and give us a break. This is the biggest thing we've ever done. I'm having every emotion I can have. I can tell my grandchildren one day that, 'Back in the day, when I was your age, I was rockin' and rollin' with GODSMACK on this arena tour.' It's just a mind-blowing opportunity."

Demner performed as a vocalist in various bands before starting STITCHED UP HEART in 2010. She previously told Spokesman.com that her influences are appropriately and wildly eclectic: PANTERA, GLASSJAW, DEFTONES, Louis Armstrong.

"I really like mixing those elements," Demner said, "the heavy, drop-tuned guitars with something that catches your attention and that you can remember."

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

BEASTÖ BLANCÖ, the band comprised of Chuck Garric (longtime ALICE COOPER bassist) on guitars and vocals, Calico Cooper (Alice's daughter) on vocals, Brother Latham on guitar, Jan LeGrow on bass and Sean Sellers on drums, will release its third studio album, "We Are", on May 24 via Rat Pak Records. The follow-up to 2016's self-titled sophomore release was produced by Ryan Greene and is available for pre-order in various bundle configurations, including vinyl, cassette and hand-autographed CDs.

The official music video for the album's opening track, "The Seeker", can be seen below. The clip, which marks the directorial debut by Calico Cooper, also features Jerrell Lee and Aleksandar Popavic, formerly of the Starz series "Power", and Wednesday 13.

Influenced by bands such as WHITE ZOMBIE and MOTÖRHEAD, BEASTÖ BLANCÖ's music is a potent mix of heavy riffs, driving bass and melodic choruses. From the album opener "The Seeker" to the closer "I See You In It", it is clear that BEASTÖ BLANCÖ wear its influences on their sleeve. Tracks like "Solitary Rave", "Perception Of Me" and "We Got This" showcase that vocal interplay between Garric and Cooper, something that separates BEASTÖ BLANCÖ from these influences. A bonus version CD and digital downloads will feature a bonus track "Halcyon". A video for the first single "The Seeker" will be released later this month.

Regarding the new album, Garric comments: "We spent a lot of time channeling, dissecting and arranging the songs from our new album. The idea was, 'Let's make 'our' record' — not necessarily what's popular now or what we think other people will like. We said, 'Let's make a record for us and our fans.' Our fans are loyal and our sound is our sound."

Latham adds: "'We Are' is a novel record for us. It shows maturity in the band, without surrendering our reckless abandon and love of rock 'n’ roll!"

Cooper adds: "This record has teeth. It's got a bite to it that I love. Its message is from the people we see around us every day, its heartbeat is so loud. It says, 'We are strong. We are indestructible. We are here. We are!'"

"We Are" track listing:

01. The Seeker

02. Solitary Rave

03. Ready To Go

04. Down

05. Perception Of Me

06. Let's Rip

07. Half Life

08. We Got This

09. Follow The Bleed

10. I See You In It

11. Halcyon (bonust track; CD and download versions)


BEASTÖ BLANCÖ will tour the U.S and Canada in support of "We Are", opening for HALESTORM and PALAYE ROYALE. The tour begins April 18 at the Verizon Center in Mankato, Minnesota and takes the band through spring, with additional headlining shows, as well as an appearance at this year's Rocklahoma.

BEASTÖ BLANCÖ is (left to right in photo): Jan LeGrow (bass), Chuck Garric (guitar, vocals), Calico Cooper (vocals/backup vocals), Brother Latham (guitar), Sean Sellers (drums)

All 90,000 tickets to the IRON MAIDEN-headlined "metal night" of this year's Rock In Rio festival sold out within two hours after they went on sale Thursday night (April 11).

After a metal-free festival at City of Rock in 2017, the Rock In Rio organizers announced a whole day dedicated to this musical genre. It will be a revival of the first edition in 1985, when the nights with these heavy metal bands brought over 300 thousand people to the event. Thirty-four years later, with the headliner Brits IRON MAIDEN, the Germans from SCORPIONS, the Americans from MEGADETH and the Brazilians from SEPULTURA, Rock In Rio promises another memorable night on October 4.

Rock In Rio 2019 will take place on September 27, 28 and 29 and October 3, 4, 5 and 6 of 2019, in the City of Rock, at Barra da Tijuca.

For Roberto Medina, president of Rock In Rio, announcing the metal night was a way to honor this metal community that, in 2017, wasn't represented.

"For the 2019 edition, we started our booking focusing on these wonderful fans, because they're part of Rock In Rio's soul when they invade the City of Rock all in black. Announcing all the attractions like this is like giving them a gift," stated Medina, noting that "the reunion of these music icons in one single night will be another historical moment that Rock In Rio will provide to whoever visits us. It's like watching a movie and remembering a story that started with them 33 years ago."

IRON MAIDEN was one of the first attractions ever announced for Rock In Rio, playing on the opening night of the legendary 1985 edition. Other unforgettable performances followed when they headlined the City of Rock in the 2001 and 2013 editions. That last one also sold out 90,000 tickets within hours. In October 2019, the Brits will play at the festival for the fourth time topping the bill with their latest "Legacy Of The Beast" tour, which is being hailed by fans and media alike as the most extravagant and visually stunningly live show of the band’s career to date with a setlist of decades-spanning hits and fan favorites, including some songs not played live for many years.

Peaceville will release MY DYING BRIDE's "A Harvest Of Dread" on May 24. It is described as "a deluxe 12-inch 92-page hardback book five-disc set celebrating the rise of the U.K. doom metal legends."


The book features interviews with band members past and present plus others associated with the scene from the early 1990s to present day, giving a great insight into the nature of the sublime beast that is MY DYING BRIDE.


The set contains five discs of rarities, early works, previously unheard pre-production demos, band favorites, and live audio.


Among the essential historical treasures are pre-production tracks from "The Angel And The Dark River" and "Like Gods Of The Sun", plus vastly different development versions of tracks eventually featured on (or intended for) the "34.788%...Complete" album, exhibiting a darker, and leaner sound.


Also featured on the set are a collection of the early works of the band, including the "Towards The Sinister" demo, plus tracks from MY DYING BRIDE's rare early seven-inch releases and EPs, and a previously unheard live concert recorded in 1997 during their tour with CATHEDRAL and THE BLOOD DIVINE.


Joining these rarities are a special selection of catalog tracks chosen by core members Aaron Stainthorpe and Andrew Craighan. The book includes their reflections on why each track holds a particular interest to them, and on the legacy of MY DYING BRIDE.


"A Harvest Of Dread" also notably features a foreword by the legendary Tom G. Warrior of TRIPTYKON, CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER fame.

CD 1


01. Vast Choirs

02. The Thrash Of Naked Limbs

03. The Snow In My Hands

04. Black Voyage

05. Apocalypse Woman

06. The Light At The End Of The World

07. Feel The Misery


CD 2


01. Like A Perpetual Funeral

02. Two Winters Only

03. My Hope, The Destroyer

04. I Cannot Be Loved

05. A Doomed Lover

06. You Are Not The One Who Loves Me

07. And Then You Go


CD 3 - Early releases and pre-production tracks


01. Symphonaire Infernus Et Spera Empyrium (demo)

02. Vast Choirs (demo)

03. The Grief Of Age (demo)

04. Catching Feathers (demo)

05. God Is Alone

06. De Sade Soliloquy

07. The Bitterness And The Bereavement

08. The Sexuality Of Bereavement

09. A Sea To Suffer In

10. From Darkest Skies

11. Your Shameful Heaven

12. The Cry Of Mankind (studio instrumental)


CD 4 - Pre-productions and rarities


01. All Swept Away

02. Like Gods Of The Sun

03. The Whore, The Cook, The Mother

04. An Unforgettable Journey

05. I Believe

06. On Monolith

07. Glorious Midnight

08. The Fool

09. The Child Of Eternity

10. Scarborough Fair

11. Failure

12. Hollow Cathedra


CD 5 - Live in Voorst, The Netherlands 1997


01. From Darkest Skies

02. The Cry Of Mankind

03. The Dark Caress

04. For You

05. A Kiss To Remember

06. Like Gods Of The Sun

07. All Swept Away

08. Your Shameful Heaven

PELICAN, the instrumental quartet whose singular vision of heavy music eschews classification, will release its first full-length in six years, "Nighttime Stories", on June 7 via Southern Lord Recordings. The album's lead single, "Midnight And Mescaline", is out now digitally and hitting stores as a seven-inch with B-side track "Darkness On The Stairs" as a Record Store Day exclusive this weekend.


The eight-song "Nighttime Stories" marks PELICAN's first release written front to back with guitarist Dallas Thomas, who took over guitar duties upon founding member Laurent Schroeder-Lebec's departure in 2012. In the process of writing the album, the quartet endured a slew of realizations, tragedies, and glimmers of optimism that guided the creative process to the most potent work of its 19-year career. Though the new material veers towards the darker tone characteristic of PELICAN's early songwriting, it's hard to imagine a previous incarnation of the band writing songs as meticulously crafted and detail-oriented as those within "Nighttime Stories", where the compositions recall everything from the triumphant call-to-arms of classic DISCHORD, to the vicious troglodyte battery of the MELVINS, to the dynamic interwoven melodies of bottom-heavy indie cult heroes CHAVEZ. Nowhere is this evinced as clearly as on initial album single "Midnight And Mescaline", the album's lead single.


"Nighttime Stories" was an album title initially proposed for TUSK, the hallucinatory art-grind band that included PELICAN members Trevor Shelley de Brauw, Larry Herweg, and Schroeder-Lebec, in addition to vocalist Jody Minnoch. The writing of "Nighttime Stories" was instigated shortly after Minnoch's unexpected death in 2014, and some of the dissonant viscera and dark psychedelic structures that were characteristic of TUSK's sound began to unconsciously inform the album's direction. In homage to its departed colleague, PELICAN applied the previously discarded title and pulled many of the song titles from notes Minnoch had sent to inspire the direction of the unrealized album. As the writing of "Nighttime Stories" progressed, Thomas also experienced a heavy loss with the passing of his father, to whom the album pays tribute on opening track "W.S.T." (on which Dallas performed his guitar parts on his father's Yamaha acoustic).


PELICAN has always excelled at vacillating between the savage sounds of various niches of metal underground and the more delicate and nuanced sounds of Midwest's cerebral indie community, proving that they can make either end of the spectrum more vibrant and compelling through the art of contrast. With "Nighttime Stories", the pendulum has swung back to the angst and ire of their younger years while delivering it with the nuance and wisdom that's come with nearly two decades of writing and performing.

"Nighttime Stories" track listing:

01. WST

02. Midnight And Mescaline

03. Abyssal Plain

04. Cold Hope

05. It Stared At Me

06. Nighttime Stories

07. Arteries Of Blacktop

08. Full Moon, Black Water


PELICAN heads out on a 10-city U.S. tour in June with more dates in the works for later in the year.

Photo by Marfa Capodanno

Geddy Lee made a surprise appearance during THE CLAYPOOL LENNON DELIRIUM's concert last night (Wednesday, April 10) at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The RUSH legend joined the collaboration between PRIMUS bassist Les Claypool and Sean Lennon on stage to perform a cover version of THE BEATLES' "Tomorrow Never Knows".

Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.

Lee's friendship with Claypool goes back to a period in the 1990s when PRIMUS opened for RUSH.

Geddy interviewed Les for his recently released book, "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass", which showcases Lee's collection of bass guitars and the stories behind them.

The Toronto concert marked THE CLAYPOOL LENNON DELIRIUM's first show of a spring tour. The band is promoting its recently released album "South Of Reality".

Lennon — son of John — and Claypool began working together in 2015, after Lennon's band, THE GHOST OF A SABER TOOTH TIGER, toured as an opening act for PRIMUS. They released their debut in 2016 and followed it up with "South Of Reality", which came out in February via ATO Records.