Nuclear Blast has announced the signing of Germany's finest progressive death metal band OBSCURA. Founded in 2002, the group established its reputation by releasing five studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by playing support tours as well as their own headline shows all around the globe.

Band founder Steffen Kummerer states: "Partnering with the world's biggest independent metal label feels like the start of a new chapter for OBSCURA and we are very much looking forward to a great collaboration and to releasing our forthcoming sixth studio album with a great team at our side."

Nuclear Blast's Jaap Wagemaker adds: "As fans ourselves at Nuclear Blast, we have long admired the artistry of German progressive death metal masters OBSCURA. We were blown away by their musical four-album cycle that started with 'Cosmogenesis' and ended with 'Diluvium', complete with all the band's signature elements plus groundbreaking polyrhythms, dramatic songwriting, and jaw-dropping virtuosity! We knew that OBSCURA has the potential to become one of the leading forces in progressive death metal worldwide, so when the opportunity came to work with them, there was no room for second thoughts. We at Nuclear Blast are very curious to see where OBSCURA's musicial journey beyond 'Diluvium' will bring them. If you are a fan of progressive metal, you should definitely check out this band!"

In other news, OBSCURA will once again be touring in support of its current studio album, "Diluvium", in February/March 2020. Support on this run, which will see them performing in 21 cities in 19 countries across the continent, will come from various special guests: Dutch death metallers GOD DETHRONED, Kummerer's blackened melodic death metal band THULCANDRA as well as French progressive death metal outfit FRACTAL UNIVERSE.

Tour dates:

Feb. 15 - CH Zug - Galvanik

Feb. 16 - I Bologna - Locomotiv Club

Feb. 17 - SLO Ljubljana - Orto Bar

Feb. 18 - A Graz - Explosiv

Feb. 19 - BIH Tuzla - Club Palma

Feb. 20 - BG Sofia - Mixtape 5

Feb. 21 - RO Bucharest - Quantic Club

Feb. 22 - SRB Belgrade - Božidarac

Feb. 23 - H Budapest - Dürer Kert

Feb. 24 - SK Bratislava - Randal Club

Feb. 25 - CZ Prague - Futurum Music Bar

Feb. 26 - PL Krakow - Klub Kwadrat

Feb. 27 - PL Warsaw - Proxima

Feb. 28 - LV Riga - Melnā Piektdiena

Feb. 29 - EST Tallinn - Rockclub Tapper

Mar. 01 - FIN Helsinki - Tavastia

Mar. 03 - S Stockholm - Fyshuset Klubben

Mar. 04 - N Oslo - John DEE

Mar. 05 - DK Aarhus - VoxHall

Mar. 06 - D Essen - Turock

Mar. 07 - D Landshut - Rocket Club

Mar. 21 - D Heidelberg - Deathfest

OBSCURA is:

Steffen Kummerer - vocals, guitars

Rafael Trujillo - guitars

Linus Klausenitzer - bass

Sebastian Lanser - drums

Photo credit: Christian Martin Weiss

Alice Cooper, HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale and BLACK STONE CHERRY frontman Chris Robertson are among the musicians who will appear on the Planet Rock All Stars charity single. They will be featured on a "rocked up" cover of John Farnham's 1986 hit "You're The Voice", which will be released digitally on December 6. A limited-edition CD version costing £5 will be available to buy throughout the 2000-mile Road 2 Rockstock 2 cycle trek.

All proceeds from the single, which is being produced by WAYWARD SONS' Toby Jepson and also features members of DEF LEPPARD, THE CADILLAC THREE, THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT and THE DARKNESS, will go directly to mental health charity Mind.

Other contributors include Tyler Bryant, Dan Reed, Doug Aldrich (DIO, WHITESNAKE, THE DEAD DAISIES) and Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE).

Road 2 Rockstock 2 will see Planet Rock's Wyatt covering 2,000 miles in two weeks, visiting landmarks and famous music venues on the way, while averaging 135 miles a day for 15 consecutive days. He hopes to raise more than £75,000 for Mind.

Last year, Lzzy spoke to Ireland's Overdrive about her decision to launch a mental health awareness campaign in the wake of the tragic death of HUNTRESS frontwoman Jill Janus. Shortly after Jill's passing, Lzzy posted a picture on social media of herself raising the horns, and encouraged others who had suffered from mental illness to do the same and tag their posts with #RaiseYourHorns. In the days that followed, thousands of rock fans from across the world shared the hashtag and their stories.

"I feel that I inadvertently opened a door, if you like," Lzzy said. "This came right on the heels after the passing of Jill, and I just wanted to do something for our community — music, bands, management, crew, etc. — that I know who talk to me about their own struggles. A lot of people started talking to me about it and I found it so inspiring and now I'm able to talk about my own mental stability, which is a very good feeling and it helps a lot."

She continued: "Mental illness runs in our family, and, in fact, Arejay [Hale, HALESTORM drummer and Lzzy's brother] and I have talked a lot about this, and he started going to therapy just for the peace of mind of being able to talk to someone outside of this business, outside of our circle, someone totally independent that he can open up to. He's, like, 'Sis, you know I'm going to talk to someone and I don't even have the volume of people crying on my shoulder like what you have.' I've always been a kind of mediator with people and tend to carry a lot of emotional connections with other people. It's just so important to talk about your feelings and not hide them away."

In her original social media post, Hale encouraged her fans to "keep searching for your lifeline" and added: "Asking for help doesn't mean you're broken. And if you don't know how to ask for help, that's okay too. Those of us who have a shoulder will let you lean on it! We are all in this life together. For those of you with the ability to lend a hand or and ear, DO IT! We have a responsibility to help each other, 'cuz everything we say, do and touch affects the whole race. We are all connected."

In the summer of 2006, Paul Di'Anno was asked if he would like to perform with his German band PHANTOMS OF THE OPERA at a city festival in the small Westphalian town of Waltrop on a bill that also included FURY IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE and SYDNEY YOUNGBLOOD. After initial skepticism about how to get the expected pop and disco fans, they decided to play the gig, especially since it marked a hometown performance for the two RE-VISION musicians, bassist Gonzo and drummer Dom, who formed the rhythm foundation of the PHANTOMS. And that scepticism vanished and suddenly turned into pure magic at the moment the band entered the stage. The city festival crowd mutated into an enthusiastic metal crowd, celebrating Paul and his boys through their brilliant gig. The show was also completely recorded by producer and FOH man Thomas Mergler. At home, however, he found that the recordings were unusable due to an error by the monitor crew.

After more than 12 years, Thomas found the tapes again by chance. And he managed to save the old recordings with the help of more modern technical possibilities. The result is "100% kick-ass rock without tricks and overdubs," according to a press release. The band presents itself in top form and serves the audience various classics from the IRON MAIDEN early phase and from the solo career of Paul Di'Anno.

Track listing:

01. Prowler

02. Murders In The Rue Morgue

03. Impaler

04. Remember Tomorrow

05. Children Of Madness

06. Marshall Lokjaw

07. The Living Dead

08. The Beast Arises

09. The Faith Healer

10. The Phantom Of The Opera

11. Transylvania

12. Running Free

13. Blitzkrieg Bop

14. Sanctuary

Recorded on August 27, 2006 at Parkfest in Waltrop

Recording lineup:

Paul - vocals

Andy - guitar

D.D. - guitar

Gonzo - bass

Dom - drums

Di'Anno has battled a number of health issues in recent years. He reportedly underwent an operation in 2016 to remove a "rugby ball-sized abscess" on his lungs and required a knee-replacement operation on both knees after getting involved in several motorcycle accidents over the years. As a result, Di'Anno was forced to sit down while performing at his most recent shows.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

In March 2011, Di'Anno was sentenced to nine months in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

"The ABCs Of Metallica", an alphabetical history of one of rock's heaviest bands, METALLICA, will be released on November 26 via Permuted Press.

Featuring hard-rocking rhymes and bold illustrations, "The ABCs Of Metallica" looks back at the remarkable history of one of rock 'n' roll's most celebrated groups. Each letter of the alphabet highlights a significant moment along the band's journey, from their humble garage days, to their numerous classic albums such as "…And Justice For All" and "Master Of Puppets", to biographical information on the bandmembers themselves.

A preview of "The ABCs Of Metallica" in the form of a 45-second video, "'K' Is For Kirk", is available below.

The book is co-authored by Howie Abrams ("The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists", "Hip-Hop Alphabet"), with illustrations by Michael "Kaves" McLeer, who participated in METALLICA's "Obey Your Master" exhibit in 2012.

Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, METALLICA has become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and generating more than 2.5 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on literally all seven continents. The band's several multi-platinum albums include "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", released in November 2016 and charting at No. 1 in 32 countries.

A portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit METALLICA's All Within My Hands Foundation, which is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.

Abrams is a former music business executive-turned-author. He co-authored "Finding Joseph I: An Oral History Of H.R. From Bad Brains", "The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists", "Misfit Summer Camp: 20 Years On The Road With The Vans Warped Tour", "Hip-Hop Alphabet" and "Hip-Hop Alphabet 2". He co-hosts a weekly radio show called "Merciless" with rapper Ill Bill.

McLeer is a legendary graffiti artist, the author of "Skin Graf: Masters Of Graffiti Tattoo" and illustrator for "Hip-Hop Alphabet" and "Hip-Hop Alphabet 2". He has created logos and graphics for world renowned artists such as the BEASTIE BOYS and brands the likes of Jaguar and Gretsch Guitars. He is an MC in the hip-hop/rock group LORDZ OF BROOKLYN.

To pre-order the book, visit Metallica.com.

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT is hard at work on new material for a studio album that will be released next year. According to frontman Eric Bloom, "the band is in the middle of creating new songs and recording them in between tour dates and, as they evolve in rehearsals and soundchecks, we hope to be able to drop a song or two into our live shows soon. Everyone is involved in the writing and arrangement of the new material and we're all excited about the prospect of a new BÖC album to be released in 2020."

In other news, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has confirmed a January 24, 2020 release date for "Hard Rock Live Cleveland 2014" and a reissued, remastered version of its 12th studio album, "Cult Classic".

Recorded on October 17, 2014 at the Hard Rock Casino in Northfield, Ohio, "Hard Rock Live Cleveland 2014" offers a comprehensive and exciting look at the BLUE ÖYSTER CULT repertoire. With nearly two hours of music, the band is on fire, performing some of the finest and most beloved songs from its history, while not forgetting some deeper cuts which will make longtime fans of the band quite happy. The release will be available 2CD+DVD, Blu-ray, and 3xLP (180g, gatefold) formats.

Says Bloom: "I'm most excited about the formats, i.e. a triple vinyl, DVD, CD, Blu-ray of the 2014 concert from the Hard Rock Cleveland 2014. A collector's delight." This is the first in a series of live releases which are going to be released during 2020.

Originally released in 1994, "Cult Classic" includes updated recordings of the band's biggest hits, including such classics as "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", "Burning For You", "Astronomy" and "Godzilla", among others. This reissue is remastered and comes with updated artwork. It will be available on CD and 2xLP (180g, gatefold) formats. "'Cult Classic' hasn't been available for many years and now here it is again in all these new ways," adds Bloom.

With a history spanning almost five decades, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has a long history of success. They've sold more than 24 million records worldwide, including seven million in the United States alone. Songs like "Burnin' For You", "Godzilla", "Astronomy" and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" are true classics and staples of the classic rock genre. Often cited as a major influence by some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal (including IRON MAIDEN and METALLICA), BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's sound has evolved through the decades, touching hard rock, heavy metal, progressive, and psychedelic rock. BLUE ÖYSTER CULT is sometimes referred to as "the thinking man's heavy metal band," due to its often cryptic lyrics, literate songwriting, and links to famous authors.

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have released an official animated video for the title track of their latest album, "Hexed".

The RMIT University in Australia worked on the clip for the last 15 weeks, with producers Aaron McLoughlin and Simon Norton spending around 3000 hours with their team to create the video.

Aaron states: "As always, we like to come up with something that suits what the band is all about, so we drew inspiration from the song lyrics as well as the monochromatic imagery found in CHILDREN OF BODOM's videos and album art. We decided a black-and-white horror film would be cool — set on a lake, of course! And we had to include a Roy cameo appearance, obviously!

"Although 'Hexed' is a fast track, it's also particularly measured in the way it plays out over the five-minute duration, so part of the fun was crafting a cinematic narrative that flows with the amazing technical precision of the music.

"The animation students at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia are some of the most talented rising stars in the world, and I think they've done a terrific job on this project.

"Animating metal videos is such a fun thing to do at university, and the team felt very honored creating this film for CHILDREN OF BODOM."

CHILDREN OF BODOM bassist Henkka Seppälä adds: "It's such a cool thing to have a video of one my favorite tracks of the album. And the fact it's made by Aaron and his 25 students in Australia is even cooler. The black-and-white calm mood suits perfectly to this not-so-calm song. The lake and its reflection makes a perfect ending for it."

"Hexed" came out in March via Nulcear Blast Records. The disc saw CHILDREN OF BODOM return to Finland's Danger Johnny Studios where the band was reunited with Mikko Karmila ("I Worship Chaos", "Halo Of Blood", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll") who recorded everything except keyboards and also produced the album with the group. Janne Wirman recorded keyboards at Beyond Abilities Studios. The album was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

Explorer1 Music (E1) has announce a new collaboration in the U.S. with the release of IRON MAIDEN bassist and founder Steve Harris's second album with BRITISH LION, the "up close and personal" side project he devotes his time to, outside of his MAIDEN activities, which will be followed by an 18-date U.S. tour (details below).

"The Burning" features 11 new songs and will be released worldwide on January 17, 2020 in digipack CD, double gatefold vinyl and digital download formats.

BRITISH LION comprises vocalist Richard Taylor, guitarists David Hawkins and Grahame Leslie, Steve Harris on bass and keyboards and drummer Simon Dawson.

Recorded, engineered and mixed at Barnyard Studios by Tony Newton and produced by Steve Harris, "The Burning" is crammed with powerful hard rock melodies, with two songs "Lightning" and "Spit Fire" being made available for immediate download from tomorrow with all album pre-orders.

"Lightning" is also available to listen to now ahead of the digital release tomorrow.

Richard Taylor says: "We've been working on 'The Burning' for the past couple of years and everyone is really pleased with the results. We started playing some of the songs live on recent tours and got a fantastic reaction from our fans so we are really excited to be sharing this album with the world. We're also looking forward to heading out on the road again and seeing everyone at the shows."

Paul Woolnough, CEO and co-founder of Explorer1 Music, says: "Explorer1 offers a completely new turn-key solution for touring and recording artists such as BRITISH LION in today's fast-changing industry. After watching the band evolve over the last couple of years and recently launching E1, it seemed the perfect time to partner and collaborate on the U.S. release of 'The Burning' and BRITISH LION's touring activities. I am proud to welcome Steve and the rest of BRITISH LION into the E1 family and look forward to working together for many years to come."

BRITISH LION has been tirelessly honing its live show performances with club tours every year and festival dates whenever time allows, building and establishing a firm and dedicated fan-base, reaching 24 countries across the globe so far.

Steve says: "It's great for us to finally come to America to play some shows around the release of the new album there through Explorer1 Music. The E1 team have been extremely pro-active and we're delighted to be working with them on both the record and the tour."

BRITISH LION U.S. tour dates:

Jan. 18 - Orlando, FL - Ace Café

Jan. 19 - Tampa, FL - Brass Mug

Jan. 20 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall

Jan. 22 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar

Jan. 24 - San Antonio, TX - The Rock Box

Jan. 25 - Dallas, TX - Trees

Jan. 26 - Memphis, TN - Growlers

Jan. 28 - Nashville, TN - The Cowan

Jan. 29 - Joilet, IL - The Forge

Jan. 31 - Cleveland, OH - The Odeon

Feb. 01 - Lexington, KY - Manchester Music Hall

Feb. 04 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade

Feb. 05 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits

Feb. 08-13 - Monsters Of Rock Cruise

Feb. 15 - Fort Lauderdale - Revolution Live

Feb. 17 - Savannah, GA - Victory North

Feb. 18 - Greensboro, NC - The Cone Denim

Feb. 19 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club

Feb. 20 - New York NY - Gramercy Theatre

Tickets are available from BritishLionUK.com. Every ticket to the BRITISH LION U.S. tour includes a digital download of "The Burning", out January 17, 2020.

Asked how the musical direction of BRITISH LION's follow-up effort will be different from "British Lion", Harris told The Metal Voice: "The band has evolved over the last five or six years live — we've played quite a lot of shows in Europe and stuff — so it's become more of a tighter band. I think we've found our direction is naturally evolving, and if anything, I think it's getting heavier than it was, really. It's very melodic. The songs are… I don't know… There's still kind of a UFO, THIN LIZZY type of influence, I think, in a lot of them, [and] there are influences too, but in general, I think we are getting just a little bit harder-edged, really. These days, I suppose there are some bands that make even MAIDEN sound like THE MOODY BLUES — there's some real, real heavy bands out there — so what I think is heavy and what other people think is 'getting heavier' is two [completely different things]. But we feel we're a bit harder-edged than we were. So it is a bit of a slight directional change, possibly. But it's been a natural thing; it's not something we consciously thought, 'Oh, we've gotta go this way.' It's just been the way we're playing our live shows — it's very powerful, much more powerful live than on record, I think. And I think with the second record, we've tried to capture that essence of what we are live more."

BRITISH LION's debut album sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"British Lion" was released in the U.S. in September 2012 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The disc was mixed by Kevin Shirley, whose credits include IRON MAIDEN as well as LED ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY and RUSH.

Photo credit: John McMurtrie

The 69 Eyes recently unleashed their 30-year anniversary album, West End. With plenty of tour dates in Europe and the US on the horizon, the band is getting ready for Halloween and so should you. To celebrate Halloween and beginning of their tour, the band have released a new video for the song "The Last House On The Left" (feat. Wednesday 13, Calico Cooper & Dani Filth), directed by Vicente Cordero.

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE 69 EYES! Here's our treat for you: the ultimate new horror-punk anthem 'The Last House On The Left' with the ultimate monster mash team-up: Wednesday 13, Calico Cooper & Dani Filth with The 69 Eyes! Wes Craven forever & Halloween 24-7-365, punks!," commented Jyrki 69.

Get your copy of the digipak (including the album + Blu-Ray with a special band documentary directed by Ville Lipiäinen) or digital download, here. Special bundles with vinyl / CD-digipack / t-shirt / hoodie, are available for Europe and North America.

West End tracklisting:

"Two Horns Up" (Feat. Dani Filth)
"27 & Done"
"Black Orchid"
"Change"
"Burn Witch Burn"
"Cheyenna"
"The Last House On The Left" (Feat. Wednesday 13, Calico Cooper & Dani Filth)
"Death & Desire"
"Outsiders"
"Be Here Now"
"Hell Has No Mercy"

"Burn Witch Burn" lyric video:

"Two Horns Up" (Feat. Dani Filth) video:

"Black Orchid" lyric video:

"Cheyenna" video:

"27 & Done" video:

In November, The 69 Eyes will hit the road to play a European tour and have announced the German gothic rock institution Lacrimas Profundere as support for their West End Tour 2019. You will find all tour dates here.

The 69 Eyes's Hell Has No Mercy 2020 US Tour kicks off on January 15 at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, the 24-date trek will make stops in Chicago, West Hollywood and Richmond before concluding at Reverb in Reading, PA on February 22. Direct support will be none other than label-mates The Duke of Spook and his devilish ghouls known collectively as Wednesday 13. Joining them on the tour are The Nocturnal Affair and The Crowned.

Tickets here.

Dates:

January
24 - Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY
25 -  Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
26 - Westcott Theater - Syracuse, NY
28 - The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
29 -  Reggie’s Rock Club - Chicago, IL
30 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
31 - The Royal Grove - Lincoln, NE

February
1 - Oriental Theater - Denver, CO
3 - El Corazon - Seattle. WA
4 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
6 - Bottom Of The Hill - San Francisco, CA
7 - The Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA
8 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
9 - Club Red - Mesa, AZ
11 - GMBG - Dallas, TX
12 - Southport Music Hall - New Orleans, LA
14 - Soundbar - Orlando, FL
15 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
16 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
17 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
19 - Canal Club - Richmond, VA
20 - Craft House - Pittsburgh, PA
21 - The Odeon - Cleveland, OH
22 - Reverb - Reading, PA

(Photo - Vilhelm Sjöström)




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Dream Theater are back on the road in North America on the next leg of the acclaimed The Distance Over Time Tour – Celebrating 20 Years of Scenes From A Memory (remaining dates listed below).

The band have released this recap video from their October 22 show at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas:

Information on tickets for all upcoming shows as well as VIP packages can be found here.

Dates:

November
1 - Reno, NV - Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
4 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theater – Omaha
5 - Madison, WI - Capitol Theater – Madison
6 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
9 - Syracuse, NY - Crouse Hinds Theater
11 - Kitchener, ON - Centre In The Square




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After more than 30 years, Toronto-based Chyld - who were part of the scene that gave us Slik Toxik, Sven Gali, Winter Rose and Slash Puppet - have released a new single, "Burning Alive".

Drums, bass and vocals for the track were recorded in 2012. It features bassist Pete Dove, drummer Neal Busby and Rob Villemaire on vocals, who passed away in 2017. Original guitarist Glen Cunningham decided to opt out of the project, so Busby hired Todd Lefever to record the guitar parts. Audio and video were completed in September 2019.

According to Dove, "Myself and Neal are going to continue this project with a goal to release a full-length album hopefully next year."

The single is available via Spotify here.




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Symphonic / cello metal band Leecher have released a brand new song and lyric video called “Get Over It”, heralding their upcoming second studio album Deviant, expected to be released early 2020 via Nail Records. The new album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Gábor Vári (Dystopia) in Miracle Sound Studios. Just like the cover of the new album New Dawn Awaits by Tales of Evening, the cover art and the layout design was created by Alex Mihályfi-Tóth (Redart Illustrations).

“This song teases our new album, Deviant, which is going to be released early next year. We’re looking forward to this release very much and we’re very proud of the new material, producer Gábor Vári really did a marvelous job! We truly feel we’ve given our best this time, there are no fillers on this record. In the same time, we’ve become more honest, we’re not afraid to express our freaky thoughts, hence the title of the album” - the band commented.

Despite its popularity, bands with music akin to Finland’s Apocalyptica’s metal played on cellos instead of guitars never crowded the scene, and Leecher started moving bows on their strings in 2008, when this unique genre was already flourishing, mixing female vocals, cellos and melodic metal. As soon as they’ve unleased their debut album Sightless back in 2016, things started escalating quickly as Leecher found themselves performing all over their home country of Hungary with increasing international interest that resulted in an European tour in 2018 with Blodiga Skald. Now with Deviant soon to be added to their catalogue, these determined and charming musicians are absolutely ready take their presence in the international scene to the next level, as they combine all the best aspects and sounds this genre has to offer - certainly recommended to fans of Therion, Nightwish and Apocalyptica.




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In spring 2020, Canadian legends Helix will be issuing Eat Sleep Rock on their label Helix Records. The album will be limited to 300 units on vinyl.

Singer Brian Vollmer elaborates on the release:

“It'll contain one brand new song, some that have been released on CD before, some that have been released only on vinyl. Here's the song list:
‘EAT SLEEP ROCK’ (brand new song written by Sean Kelly & myself)
‘Wrecking Ball’ & ‘Shock City Psycho Rock’ (both from the Half-alive album/1996)
‘I'm a Live Frankenstein’ (from my solo CD When Pigs Fly/1999)
‘Even Jesus’ (from the Bastard Of The Blues CD/2014)
‘Cyberspace Girl’ (from The Power Of Rock And Roll/2006)
‘When the Bitter's Got the Better of You’ (from Vagabond Bones/2008)
‘The Tequila Song’ (only released on a two song special vinyl single a couple of years ago w/The Devil is having a Party Tonight)
‘Gene Simmons Says (Rock Is Dead)’ Released previously as a bonus track on E.M.I.'s ICON album & on the CD Rock It Science
‘The Devil Is Having A Party Tonight’ (only released on a vinyl single)

“There will only be 300 units of this album released on vinyl, so it will become a collector's item once again. I'm presently contemplating what I'm going to do for the artwork and we'll probably stage a photo session much like we did when we did the photography for ‘The Devil Is Having A Party Tonight’ vinyl single. As for the vinyl itself, I'm going to do something special, but I don't quite know what yet.”




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Italian experimental metal outfit Nero Di Marte will release Immoto on January 24, 2020. The band have revealed the album art and tracklist, which can be viewed below. In addition to the album announcement, the band have shared "Sisyphos," the first brand new track from the upcoming effort.

Nero Di Marte comment: "We are stoked to present to you, 'Sisyphos!' The opening track to Immoto is out exactly 5 years from the release of our previous album Derivae. We have come a long way since then, with many transformations both behind and ahead of us. Inspired by the myth of Sisyphus and the work of Camus, this seems like the best place to start: a reflection on past, present and future in music and lyrics."

Preorder Immoto here.

Artwork by Alex Eckman-Lawn:

Tracklisting:

“Sisyphos”
“L’Arca”
“Immoto”
“Semicerchi”
“La Casa Del Diavolo”
“Irradia”
“La Fuga”

“Sisyphos”:




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A year after their eponymous debut album Of Void & Solitude, UK black metal outfit Crimson Throne is set to unleash a new offering in form of a two-track 7” entitled “The Resilience Of Life & Death”. The 7” is penned for November 8 via Apocalyptic Witchcraft (EU) & Red River Family (US).

“The Resilience Of Life & Death” was recorded & mixed by Misha Hering at Holy Mountain Studios and mastered by Magnus Lindberg / Cult Of Luna (Tribulation, Refused, Russian Circles, Bossk, Inhuman Nature).

Crimson Throne has just launched a video for the track “The Resilience Of Life & Death” which is taken from the forthcoming release.

The band comments:

“Humanity’s civil landscape shifts throughout history in what can often seem like utterly despotic circumstances, this record is a reflection on the past via the referencing of stark examples. Antiquity is littered with a vast and varying amount of recorded instances of this. Kings, Queens, Nobles and Rulers have lost themselves fully (Many to a tale of great tragedy) be it physical or mental illness which, although harmful to the individual within the context of position of great and often unregulated power, is an unbalance which has cost the lives and great upheaval to those who are not of the ruling class.”

The 7” will be released as a limited run of 300 on black vinyl which includes a free patch for the first 30 pre-orders (via Apocalyptic Witchcraft only!).




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In the clip below, Texas-based Immortal Guardian - or in this case, founder Gabriel Guardian and new drummer JP - throw down a killer cover of the iconic theme music for the 1978 classic movie, Halloween

Immortal Guardian, who supported guitar icon Marty Friedman on a national tour earlier this year, have confirmed their first tour of 2020 - a six-week North American trek alongside the video game-inspired group PowerGlove. A complete list of dates can be found below.

The PowerGlove tour will mark the beginning of a new album cycle for Immortal Guardian. Notably, the spring tour will see Immortal Guardian founder Gabriel Guardian doing double duty with both his band and PowerGlove, a group with which he has toured previously. Then again, Gabriel is used to multitasking, as his uncanny ability to play guitar and keyboard simultaneously has been prominently showcased on MTV and websites like Gear Gods.

“I’m so happy to be filling in on guitar/keys with my boys in PowerGlove again. The music is so fun, the fans are wonderful and the shows have a very special energy I don’t get on other metal tours,” states Gabriel Guardian. “And to do all this with my band, Immortal Guardian as direct support, I don’t think it could get any better! Looking forward to a fun tour and back-to-back sets of insane guitar/keyboard shredding every night! You definitely don’t wanna miss this tour...”

Hailing from the same state as guitar greats Dimebag Darrell and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Immortal Guardian proudly fly the flag of musical innovation and virtuosity for the Lone Star State. The group's sound is a full-frontal assault of anthemic melodies, technical rhythms, furious shred and high-flying vocals by Brazilian vocalist Carlos Zema (ex-Outworld).

Tour dates:

March
31 - Waterford, NY - Chrome

April
1 - Philadelphia, PA - Foundry
2 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
3 - Brooklyn, NY - Kingsland
4 - Elmhurst, NY - Blackthorn 51
5 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
6 - Quebec City, QC - L'Anti
7 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
8 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
9 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse
10 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place
11 - Cincinnati, OH - Top Cats
12 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
13 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
14 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam
15 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre
17 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
18 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
20 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
21 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
22 - Sacramento, CA - Holy Diver
23 - Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go
24 - Santa Ana, CA - Malone's
25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
26 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
27 - Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar and Billiards
28 - Salt Lake City, UT - Liquid Joe's
29 - Denver, CO - Herman's Hideaway
30 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room

May
1 - Dallas, TX - Trees
2 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
3 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
5 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
6 - Ybor City, FL - Crowbar
7 - Margate, FL - O'Malley's
8 - Orlando, FL - Soundbar




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Metallica has returned with another live video, this time of “Harvester Of Sorrow” a classic from 1988’s …And Justice For All album at Trondheim, Norway on July 13.

"Check out our latest collaboration, this time with sock-icons Stance," states a message from Metallica. "This collection features eight different styles, including a mix of performance and casual options, plus something for the kids, too!"

View the collection and place your order at Metallica.com, UK/EU Shop, Stance.com.

"We are psyched to be hooking up with Billabong LAB to introduce five collections inspired by our music," states a recent message from Metallica. "The first collection, featuring designs drawn from The Black Album, has dropped today!"

Check out a trailer below, and order at Metallica.com and Billabong.com.

Danny Wimmer Presents recently announced that Metallica will exclusively headline all five of the premier independent producer’s hard rock festivals in 2020 in a unique collaboration unprecedented for any American festival promoter or band. Metallica's 2020 US festival press conference is now available for streaming below.

Says Metallica: "You know we love a challenge, so when Danny Wimmer Presents invited us to headline all five of their Spring/Fall US rock festivals, that sounded like great fun. But play two separate sets on two nights in the same weekend? Definitely count us in! In another Metallica first, we’ll be playing at all five of the Wimmer rock festivals in 2020 with two separate sets, one on Friday night, one on Sunday night."

Recently named the world’s biggest all-time touring act by Pollstar, Metallica will - for the first time ever - perform two separate headlining sets at all of the following events in 2020:

- Epicenter (May 1-3) at its new location at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC

- Welcome To Rockville (May 8-10) at its new location at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL

- Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival (May 15-17) at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, OH

- Louder Than Life (September 18-20) at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, KY

- Aftershock (October 9-11) at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA

These events will be the only chance to see Metallica at a US festival in 2020. In addition to two appearances at each festival, Metallica will also deliver a unique set list for each performance, resulting in 10 different shows over the course of the year.

“Metallica isn’t just another headliner. When Metallica takes the stage, it’s an event. It’s an experience. That’s the same standard we’ve set for every DWP festival – from the first band to the last band, and everything that happens in between. I can’t wait to bring the biggest band in the world to the biggest rock festivals in America,” says Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, the largest independent festival producer in the U.S. “Metallica paved this road that we travel. How many artists on the bill at these five festivals first picked up an instrument, or first started a band, because of Metallica?”

Buy tickets at MetallicaXX.com or the Epicenter, Welcome To Rockville, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, Louder Than Life and Aftershock websites.

Watch the official DWP 2020 festival announcement trailer below:

For each ticket sold through November 19, Danny Wimmer Presents will donate 25 cents to Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation. AWMH is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. Please visit AllWithinMyHands.org for more information.

To further celebrate this historic collaboration, Danny Wimmer Presents invites fans to enter the Golden Ticket contest. One lucky person will win an all-expenses paid trip to any DWP festival of their choice to see Metallica play 2 different nights and 2 different sets over 1 incredible weekend. The prize package includes rock star accommodations, exclusive festival access, opportunities to watch the show from the legendary Metallica Snake Pit, meet and greets, amazing memorabilia and more.

Fans are automatically entered to win by purchasing a Weekend GA or Weekend VIP pass to any of the five Danny Wimmer Presents US 2020 rock festivals featuring Metallica, by signing up for the Fifth Member Fan Club or by subscribing to any of the five Danny Wimmer Presents US 2020 rock festival newsletters. Offer only valid on purchases or signups between October 10, 2019 and November 19, 2019. Winner must be at least 18 years old by May 1, 2020. For more information visit MetallicaXX.com.




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North Carolina progressive deathcore group Krosis have premiered a music video for their new song "To Persist Or Adhere". The track is from the group's expansive and musically adventurous new album A Memoir of Free Will which will see a February 7 release date via Unique Leader. 

Memoir Of Free Will is the follow up to Krosis' jaw dropping debut Solem Vatem. The stunning 10 track album sees the group truly coming into their own with the band's ambitious sound culminating into something truly unique.  

Drummer Dan Cece commented about the album, "A Memoir Of Free Will, simply put, is a massive culmination of many things that we were finally able to put together. 

It is the apex of our evolution over the past year in a musical sense, but also in a personal sense. We wanted a huge conceptual vision coupled with an equally huge sound that was refined and honed, yet still undeniably Krosis. We couldn't be prouder to say that this album is all that and more. We wanted something big, really big; something that a listener couldn't digest in just one or two listens. We've never been more excited to present a creation to you all and hope you enjoy it as much as we do."

The band said of the single, "‘To Persist Or Adhere’ is a symbolic milestone for all of us in Krosis. It is the debut of our matured and redefined stylistic sound, while also representing our progression as a band over this past year. It is a journey of perseverance that can be related to everyday life, as well as our willingness to progress through all obstacles that we may face. It is the most meaningful piece of art that I have ever worked on and I truly hope it can impact other people as it has impacted us."

Tracklisting:

“Gone, But Not Forgotten”
“Insanity: A Moniker Of Me”
“To Persist Or Adhere”
“An Elegy For A Man Alive”
“Psychoticlysm”
“Melancholy And Madness”
“Questions Of A Holistic Divine”
“With Virtue, I Am Free”
“Battles Are Won Within”
“A Memoir Of Free Will”

“To Persist Or Adhere” video:




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Epic progressive metal band, Wilderun, have released the third single, "O Resolution!", from their upcoming album Veil Of Imagination, out this Friday, November 1. Listen below.

Says vocalist/guitarist/pianist Evan Berry, "'O Resolution!' really showcases the bombastic, symphonic side of the album. We wanted this song to fuse together the band and orchestra in an even more seamless way than past songs, giving it more of a 'wall-of-sound' feel, rather than having the different sonic textures clearly separate. This track displays a lot of the different elements found on Veil of Imagination in a fairly concise presentation."

With elements of progressive metal, folk and orchestral music providing a dynamic backdrop, Veil of Imagination takes listeners through vivid, emotional landscapes, while the lyrics weave tales that are simultaneously fantastical and personal.

Berry says, "Lyrically, this album is a bit of an uncomfortable look into my own neuroses. Not so much its manifestations in real life but more of a third-person perspective on the mechanics of a brain trying to interpret the world through reason and understanding...and usually coming up short."

Formed in 2012, Wilderun has previously released two albums, 2012's Olden Tales & Deathly Trails and 2015's Sleep at the Edge of the Earth. With this slightly different approach to creating music, Veil of Imagination transforms and expands upon Wilderun's already indefinable style, resulting in an album that is at once beautiful and fierce. Clean vocals transform into deathly growls as the band alternates between exquisitely-composed orchestrations and savage metal, all executed with technical prowess.

Veil Of Imagination is a stunningly epic, emotional and whimsical odyssey through landscapes of earth and mind.

Veil Of Imagination was recorded at More Sound Studios in Syracuse, NY, during February and March of 2018. The album was produced by Wilderun, Justin Spaulding and Andrew Greacen. Veil of Imagination was mixed by the legendary Dan Swanö and mastered by Jens Bogran.

Pre-order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

“The Unimaginable Zero Summer”
“O Resolution!”
“Sleeping Ambassadors Of The Sun”
“Scentless Core (Budding)”
“Far From Where Dreams Unfurl”
“Scentless Core (Fading)”
“The Tyranny Of Imagination”
“When The Fire And The Rose Were One”

"The Tyranny Of Imagination" lyric video:

"Far From Where Dreams Unfurl":

Wilderun has scheduled select live dates around the release of Veil Of Imagination:

November
1 - Rochester, NY - The Montage Music Hall
2 - Baltimore, MD - The Depot
3 - Philadelphia, PA - Connie’s Ric Rac
7 - Hamden, CT - The Cellar on Treadwell
8 - Florence, MA - 13th Floor Music Lounge
9 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East Upstairs

(Photo - Karen Jerzyk)




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Hot on the heels of their recent record release, rising Maltese metal band, Align The Tide, has dropped a brand new video for their latest single, “Blacklist”. The song is found on the band’s sophomore album, Dead Religion, that’s available now via Cleopatra Records.

Commenting on the new song, vocalist/guitarist Kyle Farrugia says, “”Blacklist” - Every individual's personal black book of everybody that is hated by him or her. Taking form in the eyes of a psychopathic killer and hired gun, This song is anger-filled and bound to fuel you up with hateful-energy all throughout the track. Heavy grooves and rhythm in this track will keep you bobbing your head and it's instrumental simplicity makes it a song that can be easily memorized.”

Align The Tide was formed in Mellieħa, Malta during 2015. After experimentation with different styles and lineups, founding members Danny Dalli (drums / vocals) and Kyle Farrugia (vocals / lead guitar) enlisted Nikki Buttigieg (rhythm guitar) and Gabriel Camilleri (bass) to help round out the band and define the band’s unique amalgam of thrash, groove and melodic metal sound they’ve become known for.

On their record Dead Religion, Align The Tide takes listeners on an introspective journey with dark heavy lyrical themes that will shock and inspire, complemented with monster riffs and thundering drums.

Farrugia adds about the record, “Dead Religion is catchy; it's heavy; it's toe-tapping and enjoyable. Each track has its single thing that distinguishes itself from the other tracks. Other than that, they are very simple and easy to memorize and enjoy, which will play a very important role in live performances. Some songs are based on real life experiences, whilst some are concepts and stories which run through our mind every single day. Few topics may turn out to be morbid, but we'd like to think of them as wake up calls in order to open your mind and actually think about the situation at hand.”

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Comedown”
“Sicko Mode” (Travis Scott cover)
“Blacklist”
“Dead Religion”
“Dark Passenger”
“Retribution”
“Stillborn”
“Lucid Life”
“Welcome To Hell”
“The Golden Throne”

“Sicko Mode” video:




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On her new single "Fire Fire" (available here.), guitarist Laura Cox sings, "Fire, fire / Ain't gonna burn the hell out of my fire, fire." The track is that which inspired the name of her second album Burning Bright, which arrives November 8 via earMUSIC.

The singer/songwriter/guitarist herself identified "Fire Fire" as one of the powerful songs on the album. "When I wrote it, I immediately thought about William Blake's poem 'The Tyger,' which goes, 'Tyger Tyger, burning bright,'" she explains. "I drew a parallel between Blake's words and our song 'Fire Fire.'"

Cox has also recorded a special guitar cover of the solo. Watch below:

Cox previously shared the new song  "Bad Luck Blues" (video below). She is being featured in Guitar Player and Vintage Guitar.

Her music is best described as high voltage rock 'n' roll in the vein of AC/DC-meets-Danko Jones and Joan Jett, mixed with Southern and Blues influences. Recorded at the legendary ICP studios, backed by an impeccable band, and mastered by the great Howie Weinberg (Aerosmith, Oasis, The White Stripes), Burning Bright offers 10 explosive rock songs that showcase an incredibly talented young artist.

Burn Bright tracklisting:

"Fire Fire"
"Bad Luck Blues"
"Last Breakdown"
"Looking Upside Down"
"Just Another Game"
"Here's To War"
"Freaking Out Loud"
"As I Am"
"River"
"Letters To The Other Side"

"Bad Luck Blues" video:




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Alcest recently released their sixth studio album, Spiritual Instinct, via Nuclear Blast. The latest album trailer, "Guitars & Pedals", can be seen below:

The album is available in the following formats:

- digipak in O-card
- 36 pages earbook including 2 CD + 180g LP (stone effect) (limited to 2000 copies)
- 180g LP in sleeve available in the colours:
black (retail)
ocean green (NB mailorder + wholesale, limited to 500 copies)
burgundy (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 300 copies)
polar white (Rough Trade exclusive, limited to 300 copies)
royal blue (band shop exclusive, limited to 300 copies)
- Boxset collector's edition including 2 CDs + 180g LP (stone effect), earbook, bonus mini LP (violet sparkle, etched) in sleeve, art prints and patch (limited to 500 copies)
- Digital

USA exclusive vinyl colors:
mint green (retail, limited to 1.700 copies)
clear+blue/bone splatter (indie exclusive, limited to 300 copies)
blood red (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 500 copies)

Order at this location.




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Metal Blade Records welcome Dvne to its worldwide roster. Founded in 2013, Dvne is a 5-piece progressive rock/metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland. With highly dynamic compositions venturing from delicate and intricate melodies to crushing and brutal soundscapes, Dvne's music takes its listeners through a deeply emotional journey filled with dystopian thematics, grand narrative, and other-worldly landscapes. Fans can expect their upcoming 2nd full-length album - and Metal Blade debut - in 2020.

Dvne comments: "We are over the moon to announce that we have joined forces with Metal Blade Records. Working with such a legendary label and being among so many bands that have inspired us throughout the years is a huge honor. Having just finished recording our next album, we are beyond thrilled on how far we've pushed our music and ourselves, and can't wait to unveil it to you all with the support of one of the most iconic record labels in heavy music."

To date, Dvne has released one studio album and two EPs. They emerged within the UK scene with their first EP Progenitor (2013 - Wasted State Records), shortly followed by a second EP, Aurora Majesty (2014 - Sea of Corruption Records).

Dvne quickly began to make a name for themselves in the UK and around Europe, with various shows throughout these territories alongside the likes of Eyehategod, Crowbar, Dragged Into Sunlight, among others. The band's sound at the time was already crossing over different music styles, including post-metal, progressive rock and sludge metal, but it is with their first full-length album, Asheran (Wasted State Records), that the band further established their unique blend of heavy music. Released in August 2017, Asheran was overwhelmingly praised by the press and was listed on many "best album of the year" lists.

Since Asheran's release, Dvne has toured all over the UK, Europe and North America, appearing at prestigious festivals such as Psycho Las Vegas, Desertfest London and Inferno Festival Norway. Not content to repeat their previous releases and always looking to push their sound forward, Dvne recently finished recording their 2nd album at Chamber Studio with producer Graeme Young. This new 10 track journey will be released worldwide via Metal Blade Records in 2020. Stay tuned for more news coming soon.

Dvne lineup:

Victor Vicart - guitar, vocals, keys
Dudley Tait - drums
Daniel Barter - guitar, vocals
Jack Kavanagh - bass
Richard Matheson - keys

(Photo - Alan Swan)




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Consummate classic rock four-piece, Space Elevator, who were formed by guitarist David Young and flamboyant lead singer The Duchess, have released an album teaser for their current release, Space Elevator II. Watch below:

Space Elevator II  was released in May last year through SPV/Steamhammer as a CD digipak version, 2LP vinyl version and digital. Get it here.

The band have been announced as special guests on Russ Ballard's It’s Good To Be Here European Tour, which takes place in March 2020 in support of his new album of the same name. The band will also release “Queen For A Day” from their current album as their next single shortly before the tour. The album entered the UK rock chart top 30 and the Indie chart top 20 last year. Having had several hit albums as a solo artist, Russ Ballard has also written a string of hits for other artists such as "Since You Been Gone" and "I Surrender" by Rainbow, "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" by KISS, "New York Groove" by KISS guitarist Ace Frehley and "Winning" for Santana. Originally coming to prominence as a singer and guitarist in Argent, where he wrote the aforementioned "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" as well as "Hold Your Head Up", Russ Ballard also wrote the solo hit "Voices", which was featured in the TV series Miami Vice.

Tour dates:

March
13 - Rüsselsheim, Germany - Das Rind
14 - Verviers, Belgium - Spirit Of 66
16 - Bremen, Germany - Meisenfrei
18 - Göttingen, Germany - Exil
19 - Wuppertal, Germany - Live Club Barmen
21 - Obernburg am Main, Germany - Kulturhalle
22 - Munich, Germany - Ampere
24 - Vienna, Austria - Reigen
25 - Nürnberg, Germany - Hirsch
26 - Augsburg, Germany - Spectrum
28 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Q-Factory
29 - Hamburg, Germany - Bahnhof Pauli
31 - Hannover, Germany - Musikzentrum




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Iron Maiden have wrapped up the second leg of their Legacy Of The Beast Tour '19, and have issued a video, thanking their fans and crew. Watch below:

BMG will continue their reissues series of the Iron Maiden catalog with the fourth and final set of digipak CD titles in The Studio Collection - Remastered, to be released on November 8.

The albums are Dance Of Death, A Matter Of Life And Death (standard/collectors), The Final Frontier, and 2015’s double-album The Book Of Souls.

The Studio Collection - Remastered follows on from 2014/2017’s black vinyl releases and 2015’s Mastered for iTunes project and features recordings taken from the same remasters as the 2015 hi-res digital releases. The most recent studio album, The Book Of Souls, was released that year in the same quality audio, but is appearing in digipak for the first time.

The albums supersede the previously available studio catalog and all titles will also be made available on streaming platforms.

As a bonus for collectors, one CD from each batch of releases is optionally available in a specially artwork designed box featuring a 1:24 scale figurine and exclusive patch. In the final batch, this will be A Matter Of Life And Death.

All four albums in this set are available for pre-order here.




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Cruz Del Sur Music announces the signing of New York City’s Tower. The label will release the band’s sophomore full-length in mid-2020.

Formed in 2015, Tower plays a brand of classic, traditional metal inspired by legends such as Judas Priest and Scorpions, further propelled by the imitable, almost Pat Benatar-esque vocals of Sarabeth Linden. To date, Tower has one studio album to their credit, 2016’s self-titled, as well as this year’s Tomorrow & Yesterday EP.

Shortly after the release of the video for “Run For My Life”, multiple record companies came calling for Tower, including Cruz Del Sur. What sealed the deal for Tower and Cruz Del Sur, though, was the good word put in by some of the label’s existing bands.

“We’re close friends with Nate Honor and Jim Hunter, whose bands Sanhedrin and Twisted Tower Dire are/were on Cruz Del Sur,” says guitarist James Danzo. “We heard so many good things about Cruz that it was pretty clear from the beginning which route we should take. In the few years we’ve been a band, we’ve learned not to rush into things and to be very deliberate, but we know we made the right choice!”

Danzo describes the first four years of Tower’s existence as a “real wild ride,” with the band (who is rounded out by second guitarist Zak Penley, bassist Jeff Filmer and drummer Claire Vastola) going from formation to the demo stage, to playing shows, then scoring their first record deal for the release of their self-titled album. “In this crazy world of ours not everything is ice cream sundaes and cherries on top — we’ve been through some changes with lineups and labels when it became clear we had different goals in mind. We look back with pride on our debut album and especially the new EP. It’s been a huge boost in morale and poured gasoline on the fire inside us!”

The origins of Tower date back to when Linden and Danzo were playing in The Psycho Hippies, a group that primarily played ’50s, ’60s and ’70s pop covers, along with some Ramones songs to boot. Because of her experience playing such music, Linden brings a unique brand of soul and style to metal, with Danzo noting she even sang at the legendary Apollo Theater as a teenager. Fret not true metal believers: Linden’s vocal idol happens to be Ronnie James Dio, further rounding out a band who is equal in music and image.

“Metal bands love to say, ‘we hate image!’” notes Danzo, “but truth be told, we have a vision and are very protective of it. It’s important to us to come across as real, first and foremost. Everyone in the band has a unique style and persona and we aren’t about to mess with it. We try to avoid clichés when it comes to album covers, too - so far photographs have worked, they’re just classic and real. We’re just here to kick some ass and I think that comes across clear as day.”

Tower will fill up the rest of 2019 with occasional live duty, but the priority remains to get ready for their forthcoming second studio album. Danzo says “lack of material has never been a problem” for Tower: The band has three songs leftover from the Tomorrow & Yesterday session, as well as another cut that has already been aired live.

“Unlike the last two releases which took forever in spaced-out sessions from weekend to weekend, we plan on blocking out 7-10 days of studio time and doing it as a concise and complete project like a band would do in the old days. Onward and upward!”




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On February 21, 2020, legendary SAXON frontman Biff Byford will step into the spotlight with his first-ever solo album, "School Of Hard Knocks".

The English North is everything you saw in "Game Of Thrones" and more. It is the true heart of England, the region where its soul resides, and Biff Byford has earned the right to be considered its true heavy metal bard.

Biff takes on not just tales and stories from his heart and soul, but also investigates the Middle Ages and Medieval history amongst other subjects.

"I'm singing about my past of course and about things I like, but mostly I wanted it to reflect me, my personality and my life," says Biff. "Song-wise, it's more diverse and not just focused on heavy metal. I wanted it to be a slice of the music I like, from metal, to rock 'n' roll. I'm a guy who's just as happy listening to METALLICA or Judy Garland, because as long as it's great and entertains me, then what more do I need?"

An aural Byford storybook highlighting his life and passionate interests, "School Of Hard Knocks" is in all senses a classic, masterfully constructed old-school British hard rock album.

From the spoken-word introduction of "Inquisitor" with its stoic, poetic take on the Spanish Inquisition to the autobiographical, old-school "Wheels Of Steel"-era thrust of "Welcome To The Show" (hear audio below) and "School Of Hard Knocks", you'll get to know Byford supremely well over the 11 tracks which comprise the album.

"One of my favorites is 'The Pit And The Pendulum', which is quite 'prog metal' and I love that," says Biff. "I'm a big prog rock fan and was a huge fan of YES back in the day and being a musician-bass-player myself, the musicianship in bands like that really caught me. There's a version of 'Throw Down The Sword' by WISHBONE ASH, and the reason I did that was because it was the first song I ever heard that was anything to do with history in the sense of battles and war, and was really the thing which started me on the road to writing historically driven songs."

There is also a wonderful version of the SIMON & GARFUNKEL classic "Scarborough Fair", with Byford and Fredrik Åkesson (from OPETH) creating a new arrangement which gives the legend new life.

"It's a traditional medieval song, and the story goes that Paul Simon happened to hear somebody playing it in Whitby, which is just down the road from Scarborough," laughs Biff. "But I wanted something which represented Yorkshire and it is a Yorkshire folk song, so we tried a new arrangement which made it a little heavier, and it works really well."

"School Of Hard Knocks" was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (U.K.) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin. The album features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD, PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS), Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), Nick Barker (VOICES), Dave Kemp (WAYWARD SONS) and Nibbs Carter (SAXON).

On "School Of Hard Knocks", Byford worked with a new band comprising Fredrik Åkesson (OPETH) on guitars, Christian Lundqvist on drums and Gus Macricostas on bass (Biff himself played a spot of four-string thunder too!).

Biff is also planning some live shows next year, events which will continue the theme of breaking new ground: "I'm going to do a 'words-and-music' tour in small venues," he states proudly. "The first part will be me in conversation with the audience about anything really, from heart attacks to sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, old times, new times, friends, enemies and whatever anyone wants to chat about… Then bringing out a band and playing some new songs, covers and maybe end with a SAXON song or two. I'm still working out the details, but it's a show I've wanted to do for a long time and one which I don't think has been done in hard rock before. It'll be something different and a lot of fun."

"School Of Hard Knocks" not only achieves the goal of providing full bore entertainment, it fulfils a long-standing Biff Byford's wish to explore rock 'n' roll a little more.

"It's been great to break new ground, explore new territories and work with some old friends," concludes Biff, "and having waited so long to make this album, I have to say, I am delighted with it! It has a whole range of styles, from the ridiculously heavy to ballads, and it is certainly my album."

During a brand interview with the "BREWtally Speaking" podcast, ALICE IN CHAINS singer William DuVall was asked if there are any plans for more recording and touring activity from GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA, his collaboration with members of MASTODON and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN. He responded (hear audio below): "Well, there's no plans right now, but I would never discount that. I would never say never. One thing is I'm so occupied right now with [my solo album] 'One Alone' that that's gonna really take up — that has got to be the central focus of my time for the next year or so. And the other guys, I know they stay busy as well, even if it's not necessarily public stuff. There's a lot that we all do behind the scenes and so forth.

"The 'Broken Lines' album by GTO, I think it's a high water mark of all of our careers, of everyone that was involved in that band," he continued. "I'm extremely proud of it. I'd like to do more, if the stars line up — I think it'd be great. I also, if nothing else, wouldn't mind perhaps playing some shows around the 'Broken Lines' album, because one thing that I found really unfortunate is that album was terribly underserved by our lack of performances. It's just how it worked out. We had a U.S. tour booked and then we had to cancel it. Brent [Hinds] broke his leg on his motorcycle. So the only shows that we played were our debut at [U.K.'s] Reading and Leeds [festivals] in 2016, and then we did South By Southwest in Austin, Texas in 2017. And that's it — people got three shows of GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA. And that is just not right — that's just not right, in my opinion. So, we'll see how it goes."

DuVall added: "I'm happy that people continue to discover that music, and I hope more and more people keep on discovering that music, 'cause it's really, really cool. That was when we do — if we ever did come out and were able to play some more shows, more people would be into it and be able to come out. Those shows we played were really fun, and I can imagine a whole tour of shows with that kind of energy being a really, really great time."

"Broken Lines" was released in September 2016 via Party Smasher Inc./ Cooking Vinyl.

GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA's lineup also includes Ben Weinman of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, DETHKLOK bassist Pete Griffin and former THE MARS VOLTA drummer Thomas Prigden.

"One Alone" arrived on October 4 via DVL Recordings.

Prior to joining ALICE IN CHAINS in 2006, DuVall was a member of punk rock bands AWARENESS VOID OF CHAOS, NEON CHRIST, BL'AST! and FINAL OFFERING. DuVall's long musical history also includes COMES WITH THE FALL and ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell's solo work.

DuVall appears on the last three ALICE IN CHAINS albums: 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", 2013's "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" and 2018's "Rainier Fog".

Metal Master Kingdom conducted an interview with ARCH ENEMY guitarist Jeff Loomis prior to the band's October 9 concert at Rebel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You can watch the entire chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether ARCH ENEMY has plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the "Wages Of Sin" album in 2021:

Jeff: "There's been talks of it. That was a really important album in ARCH ENEMY's time, of course. It was Angela's [Gossow, vocals] first album. I would imagine there's going to be something cool done. I don't know any details or logistics of that right now, but I would imagine something special will probably be done. That's the talk at least. We'll see. It may happen and it may not. I think it would be cool. Obviously, I come from the band NEVERMORE, but I'm a huge ARCH ENEMY fan and it's an honor to be in this band. It would be really cool to see something like that."

On whether there are any plans to resurrect NEVERMORE without deceased vocalist Warrel Dane:

Jeff: "It's one of those things where I think NEVERMORE had such a special sound and it was simply because of all the musicians that were in that at the time. Van [Williams, drums], me, Warrel, Jim [Sheppard, bass]. We had numerous different guitarists in the band throughout the years. We had Chris Broderick, we had Tim Calvert, who sadly passed away. A lot of good players. Steve Smyth, Curran Murphy. All these guys were a part of NEVERMORE in the past. Honestly, in my vision, it's important that you move on in your life. I really would like to remember the spirit and the attitude that we had as a band with the music and just move on from there. Because without Warrel, it's just not feasible, in my mind. [He is] sadly missed. He was one of my best friends. Things like that happen and it's a very sad situation. It really was. But we have the music to remember it all by."

On his brief stint in SANCTUARY:

Jeff: "I was in SANCTUARY for a very short time. I initially got the audition to come out to Seattle in '91, in April of '91. At that time, the Seattle sound was just exploding, like ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN, and the grunge movement. Lenny [Rutledge, guitar], the other main songwriter in SANCTUARY really wanted to go for more of that style, I think, and kind of move away from the metal sound that SANCTUARY had with 'Refuge Denied' and 'Into The Mirror Black'. I came in and we were almost about to do a third album. We ended up doing one show. I did one show with SANCTUARY back in '91, then the band broke up. There was a little argument about what direction the music was going to go in. Lenny and Dave [Budbill, drums] went one way, and me, Warrel and Jim went the other way. We decided to stay with our roots, with the metal thing. Two or three years later, we got signed to Century Media with our self-titled release, 'Nevermore'. The rest is history. I think that we really found our sound in 2000 with 'Dead Heart In A Dead World', which was our turning point where we ended up touring almost three years on that album. After that, 'Enemies Of Reality' and 'This Godless Endeavor' were some of my favorites as well. Lots of good times, lots of good memories, but like I said earlier, you have to move on in your life and do other stuff. Now I'm focusing on ARCH ENEMY and my solo career as an instrumental artist and here we are now."

This past January, ARCH ENEMY released a compilation, "Covered In Blood", of all cover songs the band has recorded throughout its career.

Warrel Dane died in December 2017 while recording his posthumously released solo studio album, "Shadow Work".

Photo courtesy of Jackson

TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy has confirmed to DJ Valentino of the WSOU radio station that the band has completed work on the follow-up to 2016's "Brotherhood Of The Snake" album. Asked if the plan is still to release the new LP in January, Billy said (hear audio below): "That's the window. We're still talking with [TESTAMENT's record label] Nuclear Blast [about] the exact date. But I think now they're leaning towards end of February, beginning of March. So it's probably looking like that. But it's all done. We just finished the mastering this week and [we're] finishing up all the artwork in the next couple of weeks. The label should have all the parts. And it's a matter of just kind of waiting then."

As for the musical direction of the new TESTAMENT album, Billy said: "This one definitely has some different elements. I think Eric [Peterson, guitar] definitely stepped back into little of his — I don't know — maybe, MERCYFUL FATE shoes. There's a lot of MERCYFUL FATE kind of stuff. Eric does some black metal stuff. There's some blast beats, which he's kind of mixed in there, which that's not the norm for us. So it's a little different again. I think all the songs definitely have their own identity and stand on their own."

According to Chuck, the writing process for TESTAMENT's new album was challenging but it resulted in moments that some of the band's fans may find musically surprising.

"It definitely was a process of creating it, especially when you're trying to — at this point, you're writing song 120," he laughed. "You're trying to come up with something and keeping it fresh and trying new things. I guess the good thing on this one is also Eric actually chose some chords and notes that aren't typical TESTAMENT, I guess, that we've used, so they're actually different and more challenging for me. And when I first actually heard them, I was kind of, like, 'I don't if I feel that.' And I kind of shied away from it. Then, as the process developed and I really kind of focused on the song, it ended up being those songs that ended up being some of the better songs and stronger songs. And it's just so weird — the ones that were easier and came together quicker [laughs] now aren't my favorites. So it's just kind of weird, the whole process of writing a record. And this one, again, was no different than the last one. [It's got] a different vibe."

Asked if it's more difficult than ever to trying to come up with something fresh when writing a new TESTAMENT album, Chuck said: "I vibe off of Eric, what he gives me, and I basically set the tempo, if it's gonna feel like a melodic vocal song or a death metal vocal song or just straight death — I kind of see where it's gonna lead me, I guess, as we approach each song as they come. And a lot of this one had a lot more moving chords on it to where it made me feel a little more, I guess, melodic on this one; I'm using definitely my melodic tone of a voice and less of a death metal voice. It's just kind of where the songs took it. There's a song on here that was kind of one of the last ones that came around — it's one of the slower-tempo songs. And I kind of was shying away from it 'cause the pace of the rest of the record was pretty quick, so I wasn't sure it was the right fit. But in the end, once we wrote it and finished it, it turned out to be a great song. But I'm doing some stuff on there — I've never sang a three-part harmony on a TESTAMENT song ever. And on this one, there's a situation where I tried it and did it, and it sounds really cool for the song. So it was just something different — challenging again that was different notes to use and different challenges, and I kind of dug it. And it actually was cool, and it actually made the experience on those songs, of creation, just kind of fun."

Billy went on to discuss two of the tracks that will appear on TESTAMENT's new disc, saying: "On this record, there's a song called 'Children Of The Next Level', and that's one that really came together, musically, and came together lyrically. There's another one on the record that, actually, the first time I heard the song, I kind of mimicked the vocal pattern and actually we wrote it the next day. So that was a song that was, like, 'Wow!' I got inspired and laid down the first gut feeling of what it felt like. And it ended up being a keeper, and we ended up molding it right into a killer song. And lyrically, the timing, the melody, the lyrics — everything just really kind of fell into place."

TESTAMENT's new album was once again recorded with Juan Urteaga and mixed by veteran British producer — and current JUDAS PRIEST touring guitarist — Andy Sneap.

TESTAMENT will team up with EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL for "The Bay Strikes Back 2020" European tour. The trek will kick off on February 6 in Copenhagen, Denmark and will hit 25 cities before concluding on March 11 in Hannover, Germany.

STRYPER's Michael Sweet says that he is "a guitarist first" and "a vocalist second."

Sweet made the distinction in a Facebook post in which he addressed the fact that people still come up to him at every show and tell him that they didn't know he played the instrument.

Michael wrote: "I'm a guitarist first, a vocalist second. I started playing guitar when I was 5 (badly of course) and I've always considered myself a guitarist who sings, not a singer who plays.

"I'm not a 'shredder.' I don't try to impress with my solos. I simply try to write for the song and from the heart. I want every note to speak and touch the listener.

"To this very day, I still have people at every show come up to me and say 'I didn't know you played.' I'm never really sure how to respond to that comment but I usually smile and say 'Yeah, I play a little.'

"To all the folks out there who do know that I play (and who appreciate what I play), thank you! My guitar is a part of me. When I set it down live for a song I feel as though I've been stripped down and am completely naked. It's such a part of me that without it I feel uncomfortable and somewhat out of place.

"As much as I love singing, I love playing even more. If that day ever comes when my voice is gone and I can't sing anymore I can always just play.

"Maybe someday I'll do an instrumental album just for fun."

STRYPER recently completed the 2019 "History Tour - Greatest Hits & Covers That Influenced Our Generation".

STRYPER's albums include "To Hell With The Devil", "Second Coming", "No More Hell To Pay", "Fallen" and the band's latest effort, "God Damn Evil".

Sweet's tenth solo album, "Ten", was released on October 11 via Rat Pak Records in North America and Frontiers Music Srl in Europe.


I’m a guitarist first, a vocalist second. I started playing guitar when I was 5 (badly of course) and I’ve always...

Posted by Michael Sweet on Thursday, October 17, 2019