All-Canadian cover band Toque, led by Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz - both of whom play in Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators - and rounded out by Cory Churko (Shania Twain) and Shane Gaalaas, have just shared their take on "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette.

"Ironic" was released in 1996 as the third single from Morissette's third studio album, Jagged Little Pill, which came out in 1995. The song was number one in Canada for six weeks, and reached the top five in The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. It cracked top ten in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Scotland. In 1997, "Ironic" won the Juno Award for Single of the Year, and received two Grammy Award nominations.

"Ironic" is expected to appear on Toque's forthcoming second album. The follow-up to the debut disc Give'r, released at the end of 2016, should appear later this year.

For further details, visit Toque on Facebook.

 

Original Human Music, the debut album by Ultraphonix, the new creation of Corey Glover (Living Colour) and George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), alongside the great rhythm section formed by drummer Chris Moore and Pancho Tomaselli on bass, is out now via earMUSIC. The album track "Ain't Too Late" is available for streaming below.

Original Human Music was co-produced by Bob Daspit (Sammy Hagar) and it displays the magic match between Corey Glover's iconic voice and George Lynch's unique style on the guitar.

The core and value of Ultraphonix lies in the songwriting and the quality of the songs. Original Human Music is an album where Glover's profound and thoughtful lyrics sound loud - together with the warm and heavy wall of sound created by George Lynch. It's all sustained by a rhythm section that can go anywhere musically.

To quote Lynch, "The album sounds like a fusion of early Chili Peppers meets King Crimson meets Judas Priest! It's a super fun band."

Drawing on (very heavy) rock, funk, and jazz influences, the band paints a picture of a band still believing that social consciousness could be celebrated through great rock songs.

Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Baptism"
"Another Day"
"Walk Run Crawl"
"Counter Culture"
"Heart Full Of Rain"
"Free"
"Wasteland"
"Take A Stand"
"Ain't Too Late"
"Soul Control"
"What You Say"
"Power Trip"

"Ain't Too Late":

"Take A Stand":

"Wasteland":

"Heart Full Of Rain":

"Counter Culture":

"Baptism":

"Another Day" video:

"Free" lyric video:

"Walk Run Crawl" video:

New York death metal legends Pyrexia have released a lyric video for "Angels Of Gomorrah", the opening track of their upcoming album Unholy Requiem. The album, which is arguably the group's most vicious and skull crushingly heavy offering in a 20 plus year career full of paradigm shiftingly brutal moments, will be released tomorrow, Friday, September 14th, via Unique Leader. Pre-order the album here, and watch the new lyric video below.

Founding guitarist Chris Basile commented on the song, “The second single off of Unholy Requiem, 'Angels Of Gomorrah' really encompasses the theme of the album portraying the violent side of biblical writings. The story follows the Angels that attempt to save Lot and his family in Sodom and Gomorrah. And their subsequent destruction of the city and its people by Gods command. Musically This song is completely different from the last single we released as is the entire album. But it cuts into some deep riffs off this record and fits perfectly with the artwork.“

Unholy Requiem was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Subsonic Audio by guitarist Chris Basile and shows the band returning to their filthy, pulverizing, classic sound.

Basile said of the album, “This album is definitely the band returning to its roots. It’s dirty. It’s raw. It’s punishing. It’s us. It’s a hungry Album and we fed it a strict diet of pain, sweat, and blast beats.”

Not to be dismissed as a simple throwback album however, Unholy Requiem shows that Pyrexia still absolutely dominate the brutal death metal sound that they helped give birth to. These eight slabs of blistering, pulverizing menace show a band that are still pushing themselves forward, determined to continue raising the bar for extreme music. This album with all of its pummeling groove and signature riff laden violence is nothing less than pure sonic vitriol. Pyrexia have proven once again that they deserve every accolade and have further cemented themselves at the top of the brutal death pantheon.

Tracklisting:

“Angels Of Gomorrah”
“Blood To Ash”
“Moment Of Violence”
“Path Of Disdain”
“The Annointed”
“The Fall Of Eden”
“Unholy Requiem”
“Wrath”

“Unholy Requiem” video:

Finnish rockers THE RASMUS have released the official video for their new single, "Holy Grail". The clip was filmed in Tokyo and was directed by Jani Klemola.

Frontman Lauri Ylönen stated about the track: "I wrote this song last spring while we were on a long tour of Russia. During the journey, I thought a lot about loneliness. Sometimes I focus special attention on the fans in the audience standing alone in the back, where lights can't reach, and in some way I see myself in them."

THE RASMUS vocalist called such fans "antiheroes," explaining: "They are not the loud, out-there fans jumping in the front rows but their role in the band's life doesn't go unnoticed.

"When we meet fans after the show, the mysterious figures at the back rows often turn out to be the most devoted fans — shy and quiet. It's very hard to find the words when you finally get the opportunity to say something. The song is dedicated to all these antiheroes."

b>"Holy Grail" marks the first new music from THE RASMUS since the release of the band's ninth studio album, "Dark Matters", which came out last October via Playground Music Scandinavia. The disc was produced by the Swedish team The Family (Iggy Azalea, FIFTH HARMONY).

In 2012, after releasing three more albums, and multiple world tours, THE RASMUS members Ylönen, Pauli Rantasalmi, Eero Heinonen and Aki Hakala, took a break from their busy band schedule. During this period, Ylönen moved to Los Angeles, a change that resonates in many of the songs he has written since.

The official visualizer video for the song "Dead Behind The Eyes" from SOULFLY can be seen below. The track features guest vocals from LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe, with lyrics inspired by Cenobites, the extra-dimensional beings who appear in the works of Clive Barker, including the novella "The Hellbound Heart" as well as its semi-sequel "The Scarlet Gospels" and the ten "Hellraiser" films.


In an interview with Sweden's RockSverige, Max Cavalera stated about Blythe's involvement with "Dead Behind The Eyes": "It was really cool. [Randy is] really tight with [producer] Josh [Wilbur] and Josh has done all the LAMB OF GOD stuff, and he was working on the BURN THE PRIEST record, so I just told Josh to give him the tracks and, 'Show them to him, and if there's anything he likes, if he wants to sing on it, it's all cool.' I didn't have a song for him, so he showed him everything and what Josh told me was that they were listening to it, and the minute that song came on, it was nicknamed 'Bruiser Brothers', and the minute he heard it, it was, like, 'That's it! This is the one! I don't wanna hear anything else.' I had already written the lyrics, so I sent him all my lyrics and it was just good to have the Randy voice on it. He's got a real distinctive voice, really unique and that's what I like about guys like him. It's very original and you know it's him.

"That song, the vocal pattern is really based on [SEPULTURA's 1987 album] 'Schizophrenia' and 'From The Past Comes The Storm'. It's totally influenced by that. When I worked on the song, I worked with my son Zyon and he was listening to 'Beneath The Remains' and asking me about songs like 'Stronger Than Hate' and all those parts and mesmerized by it, and I was, like, 'You know what? Let's challenge this! Let's make a song like that!' So I started working with him and added all those parts and it has one of my favorite guitar solos of Marc Rizzo. I gave him a whole section. It was crafted like 'Ride The Lightning' era. You've got this solid rhythm behind the leads, which not many people do. It can be kind of a headache to put it together and it might take a little time, but I think the final result is fucking awesome."

Max went on to say that he is hoping to make a video for "Dead Behind The Eyes", "especially if we can get Randy in it too, and we'd have all of us dress up as 'Hellraiser' characters from the movie. I think that would be fucking fantastic."

b>"Ritual" will be released on October 19 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The follow-up to 2015's "Archangel" was produced, recorded and mixed by Josh Wilbur (KILLER BE KILLED, LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA). Cover artwork was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, SODOM). Additional booklet art was handled by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER, HATEBREED, KREATOR), who also handled the package design. The album features multiple guests, including Blythe and Ross Dolan (IMMOLATION).

"Run For Your Life", the new video from IMPELLITTERI, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming studio album, "The Nature Of The Beast", which will be released on October 12 via Frontiers Music Srl.

30 years into their musical career, IMPELLITTERI have created a mind-blowing, highly energetic and thrilling new musical adventure with "The Nature Of The Beast". The band is on fire with their musical acrobatics, addictive riffs, shredding guitar solos, speed metal drumming, and screaming power metal vocals that are all ingredients in these killer songs!

Like many of their talented peers, IMPELLITTERI continue to carry the torch for guitar driven heavy metal. On "The Nature Of The Beast", the band shines throughout, especially on songs like the power metal driven "Run For Your Life", the highly energetic remake of BLACK SABBATH's "Symptom Of The Universe", the lunacy of "Gates Of Hell", the addictive riff of "Hypocrisy", and the speed metal cover of "Phantom Of The Opera".

"The new music was written with passion and a sincere love for heavy metal," tells Chris Impellitteri. "I think as a band we grow stronger with each new album. Our artistic abilities seem to get better with age, but at the same time we seem to sound even more energetic, crazy, and youthful with this release. You could say the music on this newest musical child is an extension of our previous record, 'Venom'. I love the 'Venom' record, but I am currently obsessed by 'The Nature Of The Beast'. We are thrilled to share this new music with our FANS and friends around the world and I really hope they like it!"

b>IMPELLITTERI recorded "The Nature Of The Beast" in Los Angeles, California with legendary engineer/producer Mike Plotnikoff (VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH, IN FLAMES), mix engineer Greg Reely (OVERKILL, FEAR FACTORY), and engineers Jun Murakawa and Sean Shannon.

Like their childhood musical heroes, including Vivaldi, IRON MAIDEN, QUEEN, BLACK SABBATH, Al DiMeola, Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin and Pavarotti, IMPELLITTERI strive for greatness — creating, performing and recording this new music with all four band members, Chris Impellitteri (guitars), Rob Rock (vocals), James Pulli (bass), and Jon Dette (drums) contributing stellar performances. The album was recorded in a grand fashion using large tracking rooms and vintage analog equipment to capture the bands live musical energy and performance.

"As a guitarist, I challenge myself to conquer my human limitations," continues Chris. "I practice for hours each day to improve my technique. I also spend a lot of time customizing my guitars, amps, and pedals to achieve this crazy guitar sound. On this new record my guitar sound is really me trying to create a tone that sounds a bit like a chainsaw blended with a beautiful Stradivarius violin. It is Beauty and the Beast with lots of pick attack! The guitar solos have lots of technical shredding elements, but at the same time they are very melodic and I think fun for everyone to listen too. The riffs are also exciting for me to play as there is a lot of obvious influences that I brought to this new record."

The band will head out in support of the album, with dates to be announced in the coming months.

"The Nature Of The Beast" track listing:

01. Hypocrisy

02. Masquerade

03. Run For Your Life

04. Phantom Of The Opera

05. Gates Of Hell

06. Wonder World

07. Man Of War

08. Symptom Of The Universe

09. Do You Think I'm Mad

10. Fire It Up

11. Kill The Beast

12. Shine On

IMPELLITTERI is:

Chris Impellitteri - Guitar

Rob Rock - Vocals

James Pulli - Bass

Patrick Johansson - Drums

Jon Dette - Drums*

* Appears on studio album

Dutch metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION have released the official lyric video for "The Reckoning", the first single from their forthcoming studio album, "Resist". The track features a guest appearance by PAPA ROACH frontman Jacoby Shaddix.

"He's so much fun!" WITHIN TEMPTATION vocalist Sharon Den Adel told Metal Hammer about Shaddix. "He's just fun to be around. After he recorded his part, he was, like, 'You guys are so great — you've been going 20 years, and with this song, you'll be going another 20."

"Resist" will be released on December 14. It is the band's first release through Spinefarm Records, the specialist hard rock label of Universal Music Group.

"Resist" will also feature IN FLAMES' Anders Fridén and ARID's Jasper Steverlinck on guest vocals.

b>"Resist" track listing:

01. The Reckoning (feat. Jacoby Shaddix)

02. Endless War

03. Raise Your Banner (feat. Anders Fridén)

04. Supernova

05. Holy Ground

06. In Vain

07. Firelight (feat. Jasper Steverlinck)

08. Mad World

09. Mercy Mirror

10. Trophy Hunter

Sharon told Metal Hammer that "Resist" sees WITHIN TEMPTATION taking inspiration from modern music, but giving it a "dark" face.

"Sometimes it feels that today's pop music lacks a rebellious edge," she said. "Our main goal was to collect pieces from sounds we did like then roughen the whole thing up as much as we could, allowing us to shape a new musical world that is heavier, dirtier and more futuristic than we've ever created before. 'Resist' is our new take on metal; our way of giving a fresh lease of life to the rebellious edge of modern music."

Earlier this year, Sharon told Cryptic Rock that the four years since the release of WITHIN TEMPTATION's last album, "Hydra", have been "like a roller coaster. It has always been like a roller coaster with WITHIN TEMPTATION, since the day we started the band," she explained. "The train started moving and it just has kept on going. Also, with 'Hydra', it was a very successful album, we toured everywhere in America and Europe. It was an intense tour again, although we did try to plan it a little bit better from previous years.

"When I returned home, I was pretty exhausted," she continued. "Normally, when I come back from a tour I have a lot of ideas and I want to start writing again immediately. This time, I didn't have any energy for anything, I was really exhausted. I thought, 'Okay, I am going to start anyway,' but nothing came out, and it was pretty frustrating. Also, that has always been my way to deal with life — I love writing music, it's the best thing for me, even more than being on stage because that's where everything starts creatively. There was an essential part of me that didn't work anymore. I didn't panic in the beginning, but later, I panicked a little bit more because I felt, 'Okay, if I don't have this anymore, did I lose the magic somewhere? What is happening to me and why?' Figuring that out, I came to the conclusion that I didn't have the kind of vibes I needed to write songs for WITHIN TEMPTATION. WITHIN TEMPTATION is big, storytelling, but epic and always very powerful as well as uplifting in a way. I didn't feel that way at all and it's very difficult to write that kind of music if you don't feel that.

"I felt like I needed to take a step back to see why that was happening and why I was feeling this way," she added. "It was taking more time for myself to do a little bit of soul searching. [Laughs] There was some time I took off for that, it's still a process that goes on and on, and it went deeper than I thought. I have been touring WITHIN TEMPTATION for so many years and there is always a pressure to perform. Also, I never really had the time to re-evaluate what I was doing, to think, do I still like what I am was doing? I liked what I was doing, but I never had the time to process the highs and lows of our career as well as personal life. That was in front of me and I needed to deal with it. Out of that came music again."

Den Adel's pop solo project, called MY INDIGO, released its self-titled debut album in April. When she first announced the project's existence, she said that that composing the songs for the disc was a therapeutic experience that helped he deal with a family "crisis." She later said that her "dad got very sick" during this period, which made her "think about how I want to spend the next 20 years in music, and what do I want to do with my life."

FLAT EARTH, the new band featuring former HIM members Mikko "Linde" Lindström (guitar) and Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen (drums) alongside ex-AMORPHIS bassist Niclas Etelävuori and POLANSKI singer Anttoni "Anthony" Pikkarainen, will release its debut album, "None For One", on November 9 via Drakkar Entertainment in Europe excluding Finland (where the effort will be made available through the band's own label Suur Etikett). The disc was recorded at Finnvox in Helsinki with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who has previously worked with HIM, AMORPHIS, THE 69 EYES and APOCALYPTICA, among others.

According to a press release, "None For One" contains eleven tracks that "deliver a magnetically melodic sound and are thoroughly permeated by vocalist Anthony's passionately melancholic overtones. FLAT EARTH delivers in the same parcel both the beauty and the beast."

The cover artwork for "None For One" was created by Minna Niskanen and can be seen below.

Track listing:

1. Subhuman

02. Blame

03. Given Time

04. Cyanide

05. None For One

06. The Glow

07. Noble Swine

08. Limelight

09. Freedoom

10. Blunt

11. Kill My God

FLAT EARTH's "Blame" video was mainly shot during the recordings of the disc in February and March by Tommi Mattila, who followed the band to capture some documentary material.

FLAT EARTH was formed after Etelavuori fell out with the manager of AMORPHIS and exited the latter band. Suddenly, Niclas was left stranded. He decided to show the world that he still had a lot to give, so he started looking for possible bandmates.

Niclas explains: "After over two decades playing with bands, I was at a point thinking that maybe I start doing something else. But then I knew I had these songs on my hard drive still, and nothing was done with them. And I just wanted to get rid of them and see what happens. But then it kind of took over and I started to focus more on that."

Linde first sprang to mind, even though he still had his hands full with HIM at that time. Nevertheless, the two of them kept meeting regularly, and started working on ideas for new songs. Getting Anthony on board provided additional inspiration. And when their old bandmate Karppinen finally joined on drums, the group's lineup was completed.

While Linde was busy playing the States and Europe on HIM's farewell tour, the remaining trio spent their time recording drums to seven pilot demos that had previously been taped in Niclas's basement studio. Gas brought along two of his own songs, and Anthony composed a new track for the band. Linde found an old song of his he had first fleshed out when he was only 13. The rest of the tracks were Niclas's ideas mainly, treated to the band's arrangements, with Anthony providing both the vocal melodies, as well as the lyrics. The basic structure for the first album was ready.

Linde remembers: "Our common friend, who's been helping us get this band off the ground, recommended a guy named Anttoni 'Anthony' Pikkarainen, who had been singing in a band named POLANSKI. The band had made a record, and after we'd listened to it, we had to set up a meeting immediately.

"I have a great feeling about our new band. Anthony had recorded with Hiili Hiilesmaa before, and the rest of us have known each other for years. It feels as if all the stars have finally aligned."

FLAT EARTH is:

Mikko "Linde" Lindström (HIM) - Guitar

Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen (HIM) - Drums

‪Niclas Etelävuori (AMORPHIS) - Bass

‪Anttoni "Anthony" Pikkarainen (POLANSKI) - Vocals

Vancouver, BC-based thrashers Unleash The Archers have released a lyric video for "Ten Thousand Against One", a track from their new album Apex, out now via Napalm Records. Watch the clip below.

Ken Sarafin created the picturesque album artwork for Apex. This album takes nerves of steel; from its opener “Awakening” to the title track that closes the album, the listener will partake in a furious adventure, weaving through elements of the strongest metal genres of our time. You’ll be guided by the shimmering heat of sweeping lead guitars, face-melting solos, deafening growls, pummeling bass lines and of course the thrilling hooks of Brittney Slayes' queen-size voice.

Tracklisting:

“Awakening”
“Shadow Guide”
“The Matriarch”
“Cleanse The Bloodlines”
“The Coward's Way”
“False Walls”
“Ten Thousand Against One”
“Earth And Ashes”
“Call Me Immortal”
“Apex”

“Ten Thousand Against One” lyric video:

"Awakening" playthrough video:

“Apex”:

“The Matriarch” lyric video:

"Cleanse The Bloodlines" video:

Upcoming tour dates are listed below.

Dates:

September
13 - Costa Mesa, CA - The Tiki Bar
14 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
16 - Dallas, TX - Trees
18 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar
19 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
24 - Greeneville, SC - Radio Room
26 - Baltimore, MD - Sparta Inn
27 - Brooklyn, NY - Kingsland
28 - Rochester, NY - Montage Hall
29 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks*
30 - Quebec City, QC - La Source*

October
1 - Toronto, ON - Velvet Underground
5 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
7 - Denver, CO - Larimer
9 - Sioux Falls, SD - Bigs Bar
10 - Winnipeg, MB - Windsor Hotel*
12 - Calgary, AB - Dickens*
13 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite*
14 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw*

* no Helion Prime

Lineup:

Brittney Slayes - Vocals
Scott Buchanan - Drums
Grant Truesdell - Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley - Guitar, Vocals
Nikko Whitworth - Bass

The official lyric video for the song "Get What You Give" from NORTHWARD, the hard rock project featuring current NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen and PAGAN'S MIND guitarist Jørn Viggo Lofstad, can be seen below. The song is taken from the NORTHWARD's upcoming self-titled debut album, which will be released on October 19 via Nuclear Blast. The cover artwork for the album was created by Hannes Van Dahl and Chris Rörland.

NORTHWARD's recently released music video for the "While Love Died" single was produced by Ville Lipiäinen (NIGHTWISH, PAIN).

"Northward" track listing:

01. While Love Died

02. Get What You Give

03. Storm In A Glass

04. Drifting Islands

05. Paragon

06. Let Me Out

07. Big Boy

08. Timebomb

09. Bridle Passion

10. I Need

11. Northward

t was during the "all-star jam" at ProgPower USA festival in 2007 when Jansen and Lofstad spontaneously joined forces on stage for some cover songs and noticed a certain creative magic between them. Although the two musicians had never met before, they soon discovered their mutual love for stripped-down hard rock and decided to write some songs together. In 2008, still barely knowing each other, they composed an entire album's worth of material in next to no time — but due to their tight schedules with their main bands, their new project named NORTHWARD never found its way to the spotlight, until today!

In 2017, the year of NIGHTWISH's break, Floor took the opportunity to contact her old friend Jørn Viggo again to see if he was still interested in resurrecting NORTHWARD — and of course he was!

"Jørn Viggo was positive about the project and we started to make the overall plans, meeting again in March of 2017 in Sweden to go through all the material together to see if we still felt happy with what we had created", recalls Floor.

Stepping free from boundaries, NORTHWARD's sound is strong, euphoric and straight in the tradition of SKUNK ANANSIE, FOO FIGHTERS and ALTER BRIDGE but also bands such as DEEP PURPLE and LED ZEPPELIN.

With the help of producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT), the two forged a raw diamond composed of heavy riffs and Floor's incomparable voice, free from influence of the musicians' main bands. And although the songs had originally been written in 2008, they just felt as fresh and alive upon a second hearing as they had on the very first day of their creation.

"The music is melodic, but also in-your-face and kick-ass rock," says Floor. "Cool riffs, good melodies and tasteful arrangements. We would simply like to call it 'good music.' We wanted to explore a basic rock sound, with drums, bass, guitar and vocals. Not the heavy layers of keyboards, choirs etc.".

Alongside Jansen and Lofstad, Morty Black (TNT) handled bass duties, while drums were recorded by Django Nilsen and Stian Kristoffersen (PAGAN'S MIND). You will also hear a guest appearance by Floor's sister Irene Jansen, singing a duet on the song "Drifting Islands". And finally, Ronny Tegner from PAGAN'S MIND played the piano on one song.

This year NORTHWARD is ready to break free. Jansen states: "We are happy and excited to be able to release this rock album under Nuclear Blast's name. They accepted the challenge of bringing this non-metal album into the world by believing in us as musicians, and also for the pure love for music that sounds good to them. We have both put our heart and soul into this album. We are very proud of it and we can't wait to show it to you all!"

The official lyric video for the song "Flasche Zu Flasche" from ONKEL TOM — the solo project of Thomas "Angelripper" Such, bassist/vocalist of veteran German thrashers SODOM — can be seen below. The track is taken from ONKEL TOM's forthcoming album, "Bier Ernst", which will be released on September 28 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will consist of 21 tracks on two CDs, titled — in accordance with their lyrical content — "Bier" and "Ernst," respectively.

The band says: "Check out another appetizer from the upcoming ONKEL TOM release 'Bier Ernst'. This track is taken from the 'Bier' CD. The song 'Flasche Zu Flasche' draws influences from Russian folklore and offers a catchy chorus to sing along to. Special thanks go to Ferdy Doernberg for playing mandolin and accordion. The lyrics dignify the significance of a bottle throughout every human's life. Cheers 'n' beers and lots of fun listening to the 'ode to the bottle'!"

"Bier Ernst" will be available on digipak double CD, double vinyl LP (gatefold) and for digital download. As hinted on "Zwischen Emscher & Lippe", ONKEL TOM presents itself on "Bier Ernst" more diverse and autonomous than ever before. Along with rock versions of the popular drinking and party ditties that ONKEL TOM and his band are renowned for, Tom and his four comrades-in-arms — drummer Cornelius Rambadt, guitarists Marcel Mönnig and Klaus Nicodem, and bassist Marc Beste — have recorded a dozen original numbers.

Tom reveals what his fans can look forward to: "The title track of our recent EP and eight additional numbers on the 'Ernst' CD present the band from a slightly different perspective. They're songs full of passion for music, but, of course, also full of anger about people's indifference that's bound to destroy the world. But don't worry: the twelve songs on the 'Bier' CD celebrate life, having a good time and sophisticated drinking. Our fans can rest assured that we're as thirsty as ever and that we will quench that thirst with them at our shows."

rack listing:

CD1 - "Bier"

01. Ich Steh' An Der Bar Und Ich Habe Kein Geld (2:12)

02. Flasche Zu Flasche (4:26)

03. Wir Trinken Wenig (3:05)

04. Bier, Bier, Bier Ist Die Seele Vom Klavier (2:09)

05. Durst Ist Schlimmer Als Heimweh (3:53)

06. Hätten Wir Lieber Das Geld Vergraben... (3:11)

07. Was Sind Wir Männer Doch Für'n Lustiger Verein (3:03)

08. Jacky Cola (3:54)

09. Durst Wird Duch Bier Erst Schön (1:58)

10. Trunkenbold (2:48)

11. Bier, Bier, Bier (3:02)

12. Prost (1:11)

CD2 - "Ernst"

01. Ich Finde Nur Metal Geil (5:19)

02. Todgeweiht (3:45)

03. Ich Muss Hier Raus (3:44)

04. Egal (4:16)

05. Von Arschlöchern Für Arschlöcher (5:05)

06. Zwischen Emscher & Lippe (05:45)

07. Auf Dünnem Eis (3:24)

08. Das Blaue Buch Des Lebens (3:44)

09. Polizisten (04:28)

Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD have released the official music video for "Iconspiracy", the third single from their forthcoming studio album, "The Wake". The clip was created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and can be seen below.

VOIVOD singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger commented: "What I really like about VOIVOD fans is that they are all able to make their own interpretation of the lyrics or the story of our songs. This video is such a good portrait of 'Iconspiracy' and the artist pinpoints awesome visuals in regards to the meaning and representation of the story itself. Thanks to Costin, an amazing artist who did really great work for us in the past and still blows my mind every time again. Question everything! Iconspiracy!"

Chioreanu added: "The most difficult task of an illustrator is to work for his all-time favourite bands. Then he becomes extremely exigent with what he creates and wants to get beyond any known limit. Obviously, this type of experiences are priceless by all means at the same time, because everything goes utterly intense and he feels like a starship exploring the universe at full warp speed and experiencing several amazing unseen worlds per second.

"'The Wake' is the album of the year 2018 for me and the video I literally built from scratch for 'Iconspiracy' follows the song lyrics and the spaces between them. At the same time, both the story and video fight to remain alive while trying to keep up with the infernal dynamics of the song, which represent another musical proof of the VOIVOD's genius. Other than that, this video speaks by itself, just like the music, therefore who is prepared to be awaken, will be!"

b>"The Wake" will be released on September 21 via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Recording Studio in Canada. The album's artwork was once again created by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and can be seen below.

"The Wake" track listing:


01. Obsolete Beings

02. The End Of Dormancy

03. Orb Confusion

04. Iconspiracy

05. Spherical Perspective

06. Event Horizon

07. Always Moving

08. Sonic Mycelium

In addition to a standard jewelcase CD edition and a digital album release, "The Wake" will also be available as limited 2CD mediabook edition with a bonus disc of 11 tracks featuring the 5 songs off 2016's "Post Society" EP as well six live tracks from 2018's 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, alternate artwork, an expanded booklet of 32 pages and a set of three stickers.


Bonus disc track listing:

"Post Society" EP:

01. Post Society

02. Forever Mountain

03. Fall

04. We Are Connected

05. Silver Machine

Live at 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise 2018:

06. Inner Combustion (Live 2018)

07. Order Of The Blackguards (Live 2018)

08. Psychic Vacuum (Live 2018)

09. Lost Machine (Live 2018)

10. Fall (Live 2018)

11. Voivod (Live 2018)


The 2LP release of "The Wake" will come on 180-gram vinyl with an etching design on Side D, packaged in a gatefold sleeve and with a double-sided poster. In addition to standard black vinyl, the album will also be available in the following limited colored editions:


Black 2LP: Unlimited

Pink 2LP: 100x copies / CM Webshop Europe (sold out!)

White 2LP: 200x copies / CM Webshop Europe

Red 2LP: 300x copies / CM Distro Europe

Silver 2LP: 200x copies / Nuclear Blast

Golden 2LP: 200x copies / Season Of Mist

Transp. sun yellow 2LP: 100x copies / CM Webshop USA

Away told Sonic Perspectives about "The Wake": "This is one of the most intricate albums we've done, for sure. The songs are pretty long and complicated and lots of prog rock moments, a bit of psychedelia, of course, our punk/thrash metal signature is still there. So, it's vintage VOIVOD with a new twist with Rocky [Dominique Laroche, bass] and Chewy [Daniel Mongrain, guitar], there's sort of a futuristic touch to the band nowadays."

Asked whether "The Wake" is a collaborative VOIVOD album, Away said: "With VOIVOD, Chewy is the main writer. We do bring a lot of ideas, but it was basically the same when Piggy was in the band. He was the main writer. Sometimes, material will be pulled from improvisations we do at the rehearsal room where we record everything. So, Chewy had to rearrange the best parts into songs, but quite often, he'll come with riffs and songs mostly written and once in a while, I come up with a beat. Rocky brought a lot of riffs as well. It's collaborative at first, but Chewy is the guy to arrange everything."

LA-based indie label Cleopatra Records has teamed up with one of the East Coast’s most notorious metal acts, the legendary Dope. The first fruits of this partnership are two reissues, one a stellar live album recorded in St. Petersburg & Moscow during the band's 2015 tour, and the other a deluxe package of early recordings and demos. Live From Russia features all of Dope’s most vicious tunes including “Die MF Die,” “Debonaire” and “I’m Back” PLUS the group’s best-loved cover versions of Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record),” Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” NWA’s “F**k Tha Police” and more! The CD comes in a sleek digi-pak with a foldout booklet. 

Also available is The Early Years New York City 1997/1998, which collects the original recordings of songs later re-recorded for the band’s major label debut Felons And Revolutionaries such as “Debonair,” “Everything Sucks” and “Sick.” These are the songs that made Dope the kings of NY's late '90s metal scene and kick started their magnificent career. This rarities compilation comes packaged in a DVD amaray box with a very special 32-page booklet of rare photos and written commentary by lead vocalist Edsel Dope. Live From Russia will be available everywhere September 14yj and The Early Years will be hitting stores a week later (September 21st).

Order the albums from  Cleopatra Records.

Live From Russia tracklisting:

“Flat Line”
“Pig Society”
“Debonair”
“Everything Sucks”
“You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”
“Take Your Best Shot”
“Now Or Never / What About”
“Stop”
“Bitch”
“Bring It On”
“Motivation”
“Survive”
“No Way Out”
“Addiction”
“Violence”
“Rebel Yell”
“Die MF Die”
“I’m Back”
“Sick”
“Burn”
“Fuck Tha Police”

The Early Years: New York City 1997 / 1998 tracklisting:

“Shit Life”
“Spine For You”
“Same Old Story”
“Voodoo Crush”
“Little Fish”
“Wish”
“Wake Up”
“Pig Society”
“Pseudo Trash”
“Debonair”
“I Am Nothing”
“America The Pitiful”
“Kimberly’s Ghost”
“One Fix”
“Sick”
“Everything Sucks”
“City Tonight”
“Dead Men Walking”
“Fuck Tha Police”

Southern Florida's Livekill recently announced the release of their upcoming EP, entitled Turned To Grey, out September 28thvia SWOL Records. Livekill performs an intense, high-energy blend of alternative metal and hardcore styles with deep lyrical messages about the fragility of life itself. Turned to Grey is available for pre-order now via Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. The EP will also be available to stream via Apple Music and Spotify upon release.

Today, following up on the release of their first single and title track, "Turned To Grey" (which in under a month has garnered over 120,000 streams/views via Facebook alone), and their Alex Morgan-directed (Whitechapel, Gojira, Bad Wolves) music video for the track "In This Moment", Livekill revealed a brand new lyric video for the aggressive track "Demons".

Vocalist Carlos Guerreros says, "When I wrote the lyrics for 'Demons', I wanted to write about the demons I fight within myself. The tragedies I have been through becomes a demon in my mind and when I sing this song, it helps me confront those feelings."

Featuring top-tier production and a world-class pummeling from seasoned drummer Kevin Talley (Daath, Chimaira, Suffocation) on the EP itself, Livekill also features Carlos Guerreros on vocals, Sean Young on lead guitar, John Snell on rhythm guitar, Anthony Laurella on live drums (and in the "In This Moment" video), and Gil Giberga on bass.

For Turned to Grey,the band brought on Alastair Sims of MOTTO Sound (Rush, Three Days Grace) to mix and master the EP, which took place at Villa Studios in Canada. Further building upon the intensity, passion and professionalism of Turned to Grey, Livekill sought the creative talents of artist Eliran Kantor, recognized for his work on album covers for Testament, Soulfly, and Sodom. Livekill and Eliran worked over a period of five months to complete the vision of guitarist John Snell to capture the concept of how fleeting life is. The art was inspired by the imagery, stories and grief of people who lost their lives in a flash of light - so quickly that they were "Turned To Grey" while leaving their last moment's impression.

The main inspiration behind the art and EP concept is the lives lost in Hiroshima and more specifically, the story of Shinichi Tetsutani, a three year old boy who lost his life in the atomic bomb strike there. His father buried Shinichi and his tricycle in the backyard, and 40 years later in 1985, dug up his son along with the tricycle, had him properly buried, and donated the tricycle to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Basing some concepts of the EP on this story was not intended to highlight war itself, but rather that any one of us, in a moment so quick, can be nothing more than an imprint left behind.

Tracklisting:

“Turned To Grey”
“In This Moment”
“Demons”
“Shadows”

“Demons”:

(Photo by: Alex Morgan)

Legendary California-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Kyuss, Brant Bjork, will release his new album, Mankind Woman, on September 14th via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. The LP, Bjork's thirteenth solo effort, was engineered by Yosef Sanborn and tracked at Twentynine Palms, CA's Zainaland, a creative Villa owned by Brant's wife, Zaina. With Mankind Woman, Brant Bjork once again delivers a record that reminds the listener that it is often the ingredients of jazz, blues, and funk that makes rock music feel so good. 

Although this is indeed a Brant Bjork record it is the first record Brant so closely collaborate with a producer and co-writer; his Low Desert Punk Band guitarist and friend, Bubba Dupree. Brant and Bubba wrote and performed the music along with guest appearances by bass player Armand Secco Sabal, Nick Oliveri and vocalist Sean Wheeler who has been a touring member of the Low Desert Punk Band. The recording took place in March of 2018 at Zainaland, a creative villa owned by Brant Bjork's wife, Zaina Alwan, in the California desert town of 29 Palms. The record was recorded and engineered by Yosef Sanborn who also owns and operates Massive FX pedals in Los Angeles. Multiple pedals designed by Yosef were used by Brant and Bubba for this record. Additional tracks were recorded by Bubba Dupree at Brant Bjork's home studio in Venice beach California.

Brant and Bubba describe the sound of Mankind Woman as modern classic. It is evidently clear that both Bjork and Dupree specialize in the craft of the sound and feel of the music spawned in the 60's and 70's. This record is inspired by this great era, however the intention was not to try to recapture or mimic in retro terms these influences but to strive for a contemporary quality. Brant Bjork might have gone deeper in the lyrics than on any record before. Focusing on personal sensitivities, elite hypocrisies, racism, sexism and the daily struggle to find peace, love and understanding in today's American society. Once again, Brant Bjork created a record that reminds the listener that it is the ingredients of the jazz, blues and funk, that makes rock music taste so good. A must-have for all collectors, genre-fans and beyond!

Coming out September 14th via Heavy Psych Sounds, Mankind Woman will be available in the following formats:

- 50 Test Pressing Vinyl (Only on Heavy Psych Sounds webshop)
- Limited edition "Colour in Colour" Brown in Orange Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "3 colours A/B side" Burst Yellow / Red / Brown Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "3 Colour Segment" Orange / Purple / Yellow Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "Splatter Version" Transp. Background / Yellow, Purple, Orange, Red, Brown
- Black Vinyl
- CD Digipak
- Digital Download

Pre-order here.

Mankind Woman tracklisting:
 
"Chocolatize"
"Lazy Wizards"
"Charlie Gin"
"Mankind Woman"
"Pisces"
"Swagger & Sway"
"Somebody"
"Pretty Hairy"
"Brand New Old Times"
"1968"
"Nation Of Indica"

"Chocolatize":

In support of his new album, Brant Bjork will be heavily hitting the road again this year! Says the Desert Rock legend: "Looking forward to returning to Europe in November and bringing all the European fans some of our fresh jams along with the classics. Mankind Woman is our new record and we can't wait to turn Europe on! See you all soon!"

Make sure to catch Brant Bjork live on the following dates this fall, with very special guest Sean Wheeler.

November
2. - Drammen, Norway - Union Scene
3 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Strand
4 - Göteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
5 - Malmö, Sweden - Kulturbolaget
6 - Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik
7 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
8 - Leuven, Belgium - Het Depot
9 - London, England - Garage
10 - Paris, France - Petit Bain
11 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
12 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
13 - Zürich, Switzerland - Rote Fabrik
14 - Martigny, Switzerland - Caves Du Manoir
15 - Turin, Italy - Spazio 211
16 - Innsbruck, Austria - Hafen (Heavy Psych Sounds Festival)
17 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
18 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
19 - Dresden, Germany - Beatpol
20 - Berlin, Germany - Festsaal Kreuzberg

(Photo - Karl Hahn)

Thrash masters Perpetual Warfare from Bogotá- Colombia have joined forces with Extreme Management Group to thrash the proverbial faces off the Earth and beyond.  Perpetual Warfare was born in 2006 in Bogotá- Colombia as a four-piece metal band influenced by the idea that War is our favorite self-destruction pattern as humanity. Influenced by thrash metal sounds such as Testament, Exodus, Kreator, Slayer, and more, the two very young metal heads, Camilo (Vocals, Guitar) and Wilson (Bass) Muñoz felt the need to embody this primal aggression through their music; thus, creating Perpetual Warfare.  Soon after its inception, Steven Layton (Lead Guitar) and Esteban Díaz (Drums) would join to give the band some speed, groove, melody and more aggressive, attitude, creativity and power.  Upon signing with Extreme Management group, the band said, "There are no words to describe how glad we feel joining this fantastic family, and we’ll keep on spreading the Warfare with them all around the globe!"

Perpetual Warfare is one of the most relevant bands in the Thrash metal scene in the southern hemisphere. In addition to completing a sold out 35 dates tour throughout the whole Spanish-speaking continent, the band has also shared stage with acts such as Slayer, Sepultura, Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Testament, Venom, Cannibal Corpse, Possessed, Unleashed, Goatwhore, Annihilator, Razor, Coroner, Havok and many more.  Mark Kloeppel of Extreme Management Group said, "These crazy thrashers have taken themselves a long way on their own merit.  It's time to take it even further!"

There are three official full-length releases in the recorded history of Perpetual Warfare: Justicia, Libertad y Decadencia (2009), The Age Of War (2013), and Earthliens (2018), plus other singles, splits compilations, EPs and other works distributed worldwide. The last album of the band was mixed at Rain City Recorders by Jesse Gander in Vancouver, BC and Mastered by Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust, Power Trip).

Pennsylvania, death metal newcomers Outer Heaven have unleashed the animated video for "Putrid Dwelling" off their long-awaited debut album Realms Of Eternal Decay. Watch the full video, a Novelconcept.TV Production and directed by Marcos Morales (Primitive Man), below.

Outer Heaven's debut album Realms Of Eternal Decay is due out October 12th on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages are available via Relapse.com here and Digital Downloads / Streaming Services here.

Additionally, Outer Heaven will tour with labelmates Full Of Hell in October throughout the East Coast. The band will also perform at select upcoming concerts with Mortician, Eternal Champion & Metal Punk Death Fest 3. A full list of confirmed tour dates can be found below.

Across 10 tracks and 30+ minutes of grotesque, groove-laden old-school death metal, Outer Heaven immediately raise the bar for the new generation of extreme bands. Realms Of Eternal Decay was produced by Kevin Bernsten (Skeletonwitch, Full Of Hell, Integrity) at Developing Nations Studios mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Cavalera Conspiracy, Inquisition, Pissgrave). Features sickening cover artwork by Matthew Stikker (Power Trip).

Realms Of Eternal Decay tracklisting:

"Vortex Of Thought"
"What Lies Beneath"
"Pulsating Swarm"
"Multicellular Savagery"
"Echoes From Beyond"
"Tortured Winds"
"Bloodspire"
"Sacrificial Evolution"
"Putrid Dwelling"
"Decaying Realms"

"Putrid Dwelling" video:

"Bloodspire":

Outer Heaven tour dates:

September
28 - Brooklyn, NY - Metal Punk Death Fest 111 @ Saint Vitus
 
October (with Full Of Hell)
10 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
11 - Montclair, NJ - Meatlocker
12 - Washington, DC - Atlas Brew Works
13 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
14 - West Columbia, SC - Radio Room
15 - Jacksonville, FL - Nighthawks
16 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar
17 - Miami, FL - Gramp's
18 - Orlando, FL - Will's Pub
19 - Atlanta, GA - 529
20 - Charlotte, NC - Skylark Social Club
21 - Chesapeake, VA - Riffhouse Pub

Outer Heaven is:
Austin Haines - Vocals
Jon Kunz - Guitar
Zak Carter - Guitar
Raymond Figueroa - Bass
Paul Chrismer - Drums

(Photo - Dante Torrieri)

Metal queen Doro released her first ever double album, Forever Warriors, Forever United, on August 17th through Nuclear Blast Records. Now, thanks to the immense support from her loyal fans, Doro can proudly announce that these two records have achieved many chart entries all over the globe. The German chart position #4, is the highest ever entry in her home country. See the full list below.

Finland: #3 (Physical)
Germany: #4
Sweden: #7 (Physical) / #3 (Vinyl) / #18 (Hard Rock)
UK: #2 (Rock) / #15 (Indie)
Switzerland: #13
Austria: #23
Belgium: #57 (Vl) / #92 (Wa)
France: #73

US:

Forever Warriors
#13 Heatseekers/New Artist
#14 Hard Music
#49 Rock

Forever United
#42 Hard Music
#58 Heatseekers/New Artist
Forever Warriors // Forever United
#50 Hard Music
#76 Heatseekers/New Artist

Order Forever Warriors, Forever United here, and listen to the album track "Caruso" below:

(Photo - Tim Tronckoe)

Burning Witches will release their new album, Hexenhammer, on November 9th via Nuclear Blast Records. A first video trailer for the upcoming release can be found below. Pre-order Hexenhammer digitally and receive the single "Executed" instantly.

The cover artwork for their second studio album was created by acclaimed artist Gyula from Hungary, who has also created artwork for Destruction, Annihilator, and many more.

The forthcoming record was produced in the Little Creek Studio by the same team as its predecessor: V.O. Pulver (Pro-Pain, Destruction) and Destruction legend Schmier, who helped and advised as a close friend of the band. The result is a truly brilliant heavy metal album, which will take away the breath of headbangers worldwide, and of course make people bang their heads!

Hexenhammer tracklisting:

"The Witch Circle"
"Executed"
"Lords Of War"
"Open Your Mind"
"Don‘t Cry My Tears"
"Maiden Of Steel"
"Dungeon Of Infamy"
"Dead Ender"
"Hexenhammer"
"Possession"
"Maneater"
"Holy Diver"

Bonus:
"Self Sacrifice"
"Don‘t Cry My Tears" (acoustic)

Trailer #1:

"Executed" lyric video:

Lineup:

Seraina - Vocals
Romana - Guitars
Sonia - Guitars
Jay - Bass
Lala - Drums

Grammy Award-winning, acclaimed alternative rock luminaries THE SMASHING PUMPKINS today announced their new LP "Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.". Recorded at Shangri La Studios with legendary producer Rick Rubin, the LP is the band's first in over 18 years to feature founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, with longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

"Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun." will be released will on November 16 on Billy Corgan's own Martha's Music under exclusive license to Napalm Records via a strategic worldwide partnership.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS today also released the LP's second single, "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)". The track is available to stream and download starting today. Watch a lyric video for the track, featuring Corgan's handwritten lyrics, below. The band also just finished shooting a music video for "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)" with Billy Corgan as the director.

"Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun." track listing:

1. Knights of Malta

02. Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)

03. Travels

04. Solara

05. Alienation

06. Marchin' On

07. With Sympathy

08. Seek And You Shall Destroy


THE SMASHING PUMPKINS recently sat down with Zane Lowe for an exclusive interview on Beats 1 on Apple Music to discuss reuniting, their new LP, touring together for the first time in 18 years, and more. Tune in to hear the conversation in full on Monday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. PST.

Earlier this summer, the newly reformed lineup shared the first glimpse of their new music with the LP's lead single "Solara". "Solara" is available now to stream and download now via all digital services. The track's dreamlike music video was directed by Nick Koenig and expands on the theatrics of the band's catalog of iconic music videos.

Last week, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS wrapped their monumental "Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour", which sold over 300,000 tickets across North America and sold-out arenas, including The Forum, United Center, and Madison Square Garden. Produced by Live Nation, the tour was the band's first in nearly two decades to feature Corgan, Chamberlin and Iha, alongside Schroeder, bassist Jack Bates and keyboardist Katie Cole.

This fall, the band will perform in London, United Kingdom, and Bologna, Italy, before returning to Chicago, Illinois for a special 30th-anniversary series performance for WKQX's "The Nights We Stole Christmas".

Formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS released their heralded debut album, "Gish", in 1991 and found mainstream success with 1993's four-times-multi-platinum "Siamese Dream" and 1995's 10-times-platinum "Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness".

Photo credit: Linda Strawberry

"The Saw", the new video from Finnish metallers WOLFHEART, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's long-awaited fourth full-length studio album, "Constellation Of The Black Light", which will be released on September 28 via Napalm Records.

"The Saw" is the second part of the story about the "Constellation Of The Black Light" and it is a very dark and brutal one.

WOLFHEART leader Tuomas Saukkonen states about the video: "Wanting to beat somebody up with brass knuckles attached to a sword covered with your own teeth you just pulled without a blink of an eye just to make it hurt more... that is the definition of Finnish SISU (will power strong as the iron mined from the bedrock of north)."

WOLFHEART's music embraces the sheer force and beauty of Finnish nature with fiery passion. After the success of their first three albums that all hit the Top 10 in the Finnish album charts, among them their last album, "Tyhjyys", which charted in Switzerland as well, the time has come to unleash the next masterpiece of raw winter metal! "Constellation Of The Black Light" comes with seven tracks that dive headfirst into black metal, nordic death metal, soaring melodies and complex arrangements.

Commented Saukkonen on the new album: "Determination and perseverance were the key points in the making this album while conquering obstacle after obstacle during the process of recordings while coldness and beauty of winter were the themes where the music was born.

"This is definitely a triumph in WOLFHEART career and one of the biggest battles won in my personal career. I could not be more satisfied with the result, and with new label and management behind us, we are headstrong to stay in the bath of victories."

"Constellation Of The Black Light" track listing:

01. Everlasting Fall

02. Breakwater

03. The Saw

04. Forge With Fire

05. Defender

06. Warfare

07. Valkyrie

WOLFHEART will support CARACH ANGREN on a North American tour beginning in late September.

WOLFHEART is:

Tuomas Saukkonen: Guitar, Vocals

Mika Lammassaari: Lead guitar

Joonas Kauppinen: Drums

Lauri Silvonen: Bass, backing vocals

Photo by Mike Sirèn

December 7th is the confirmed release date for the sophomore album from Swedish melodic rock quintet State Of Salazar. Pre-order Superhero here, and watch a video for the single "If You Wait For Me" below.

Sporting a melodic rock/AOR sound strongly inspired by musical giants such as Queen, Survivor, Toto, Journey, Europe, and the Rocky Soundtracks, State Of Salazar opened quite a few eyes with the release of their debut full length, All The Way, four years ago. And while it has been a bit of a wait between albums, work on what would eventually become Superhero actually began soon after the release of the debut album.

"After the release of All The Way, I started right away on writing new songs for a second album,” says singer Marcus Nygren. "We worked together as a band arranging the songs and recording really detailed pre-production demos. On the new album, we've given the instrumental parts a lot of space to capture the feel of the instrumental music that was often found in movies from the '80s. [Bear in mind that the “Training Montage” from Rocky IV is a major influence on the band’s sound.] At the same time, we wanted to show our love for smooth and groovy Westcoast AOR as well. All in all, Superhero consists of great guitar and keyboard riffs, some epic arrangements, and strong melodies, all performed with a heavier sound than last time."

Not too far after the release of All The Way, keyboard player Stefan Mårtenson chose to leave the band. Long-time friend Kevin Hosford took his place as the band's new keyboard player. Kevin wound up contributing not only as keyboard player, but also as lead vocalist and songwriter.

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the boys, with over the top arrangements, melodic songwriting and killer vocals. The only thing that worries me is that I might have to grow an extra pair of arms when we go out on tour with Superhero,” says Kevin.

"Superhero is more of a pure rock album, lots of guitars and keyboards riffin' it out, which, of course I enjoy,” concludes guitarist Johan Thuresson. "I think that all listeners will enjoy the path we've taken with our new songs, especially since we've been lucky enough to have Alessandro Del Vecchio helping out with the final touches regarding the sound.”

Superhero tracklisting:

"If You Wait For Me"
"My Heart Is At War"
"Hold On Tonight"
"Masquerade"
"She's A Loaded Gun"
"Lie To Me"
"Joanne"
"Someone I Know"
"To The Wire"
"Love Will Find A Way"
"Superhero"

"If You Wait For Me" video:

Lineup:
 
Marcus Nygren - Lead vocals & backing vocals
Kevin Hosford - Keyboards & lead vocals
Johan Thuresson - Guitars
Johannes Hansson - Bass
Kristian Brun - Drums

Guest appearances:

Kristina Talajic - Lead Vocals on "Lie To Me"
Rasmus Nyvall - Saxophone on "Love Will Find A Way”

(Photo - Nicklas Raab)

Influential hardcore veterans TERROR will release their seventh full-length album, "Total Retaliation", on September 28 via Pure Noise Records. The disc's second single, "Spirit Of Sacrifice", can be streamed below.


Stated vocalist Scott Vogel: "This is TERROR 2018. This is who we are and how we live. This is our definition of hardcore and the way we see this world for better and for worse."


TERROR will unleash "Total Retaliation" on fans across North America on its forthcoming tour, which will feature support from HARM'S WAY, BACKTRACK, YEAR OF THE KNIFE and CANDY.


Known for their unrelenting, furious style of metal infused hardcore, Los Angeles's homegrown TERROR holds nothing back on "Total Retaliation", which features FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY's Will Putney (THY ART IS MURDER, BODY COUNT, KNOCKED LOOSE) in the producer's chair and is the band's first new material since last year's "The Walls Will Fall" EP. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, "Total Retaliation" is a succinct yet intense message of resistance within a world that can inspire little else. It's a helping hand for the disillusioned and a firm middle finger to the authorities that are tearing apart society as we know it. As the band's seventh full-length studio album it serves as yet another example of why TERROR have not only endured, but remained at the top of their game for over 15 years.


"I really proud of this record," said Vogel. "I'm happy that after 16 years, we still have the urgency and aggression , and our youthful spirit is still kicking. Everything — from the lyrics to the riffs to the overall energy — on this album feels right.

"People that have heard the record keep telling me it's the terror record they have been wanting for, and it's our best in a while, so I'm super exited for this thing to come out in late September and we have a great team releasing this. Pure Noise in the States, Nuclear Blast in Europe and Triple B working on the vinyl."

DEVIL'S HAND is an exciting new project featuring the amazing talents of two outstanding musicians: famed producer/guitarist/songwriter Mike Slamer and singer Andrew Freeman of LAST IN LINE. The project's self-titled debut album will be released on December 7 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Mike Slamer has been behind some of the most amazing melodic hard rock releases of the past two decades. The list includes, but is not limited to, STEELHOUSE LANE, SEVENTH KEY, SLAMER and Terry Brock. And let's not forget his past work in the '80s with STREETS (featuring KANSAS singer Steve Walsh) and in the '70s with CITY BOY. The quality of his songwriting and production work is unsurpassed as the records he has produced and been involved in have more than stood the test of time.

Mike says: "This new record has some great stuff. I don't want to make direct comparisons because STEELHOUSE LANE, SEVENTH KEY, my solo album, and the new one all have great singers, but different styles, qualities, and levels of collaboration."

Freeman is simply one of the most gifted singers of the current hard rock scene. With his performance on LAST IN LINE's debut album (and their forthcoming 2019 release), he made heads turn with the power of his vocals. His unbelievable set of pipes adds an undeniable fire to the DEVIL'S HAND album.

Andrew adds that his "approach on singing the songs was the same as all the recordings I've done. I try to bring the same amount of passion and conviction in everything I write and perform.

"This group of songs that Mike and I wrote are a bit more commercial, but they have the same amount of intensity and anthemic spirit as the LAST IN LINE record. Lots of big sing-along choruses and screaming guitars!

"I think the title track, 'Devil's Hand', encompasses the entire vibe of the record. It has elements of all the greatest rock 'n' roll songs I've ever heard. 'Heartbeat Away' will give you the feels. It's pensive, dramatic, and optimistic. All of the emotion that encompasses life. It's just a really well-rounded record."

"Devil's Hand" track listing:

01. We Come Alive

02. Falling In

03. One More Time

04. Another Way To Fly

05. Drive Away

06. Justified

07. Rise Above It All

08. Devil's Hand

09. Unified

10. Heartbeat Away

11. Push Comes To Shove

The official lyric video for the project's first single, "Falling In", can be seen below.

DEVIL'S HAND bandmembers:

Andrew Freeman - Lead Vocals

Mike Slamer - Guitars, bass, keyboards

Chet Wynd - Drums

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has released some more archive material, issuing the following update:

"Extremely rough, first draft writing demos... but if you dig getting a peek behind the curtain... peep away! These are from '90 - '94-ish times."

Demos From The Fringe by Jason Bieler

The tracklist is as follows:

"My Heart Screams"
"Feel The Same Way"
"Homeland"
"My Only Friend"
"Love Is On The Way (original first demo)
"God Of 42nd Street"
"When You Were Mine"
"All I Want"
"You And I"

Some of these tracks appeared on the Saigon Kick demo compilation, Moments From The Fringe, released in 1998.

Bieler recently re-recorded the band's hit "Love Is On The Way" with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo, Soto). Check it out via the player below.

The track originally appeared on Saigon Kick's critically acclaimed 1992 album, The Lizard.

Love Is On The Way (still) by Jason Bieler

Bieler's solo tour schedule is currently as follows:

September
28 - The Funky Biscuit - Boca Raton, FL
30 - 80's In The Park - Cocoa Beach, FL

October
13 - The Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA

November 
2 - The Attic - Ybor City, FL

The official lyric video for the song "The Power Of Metal" from veteran German metallers GRAVE DIGGER can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "The Living Dead", which is being released on September 14 via Napalm Records.

GRAVE DIGGER frontman Chris Boltendahl told Metal Obsession about "The Living Dead": "I'm really happy about this album, because when we finished 'Healed By Metal' [2017], I thought [to] myself, 'Okay, I'm now three albums in a row, which is more or less classical GRAVE DIGGER stuff. But now, I want to look over the plate, and look a little bit left or right. When I talked to Axel Ritt [guitar] before we were creating the new album, I said to him, 'Hey, Axel, I need some visions.' He said, 'What? You need visions?' 'Yes. I need visions from you, so, send me all of your stuff you have in your mind, and then, we sort out what is interesting, whatnot, and meanwhile, I'll create some cool choruses, and everything.'"

Speaking about his songwriting partnership with Ritt: "I'm writing the lyrics, and normally, I'm writing all the melodies for the choruses, for the verses, and then, I tell [Ritt] the ideas. Then we start creating all the guitar around it. But, then, most of, I think, 90 percent of the guitar work is definitely from Axel, but he's following most of my advice. That is a good combination; that is something like metal twins can do."

"The Living Dead" track listing:

1. Fear Of The Living Dead

02. Blade Of The Immortal

03. When Death Passes By

04. Shadow Of The Warrior

05. The Power Of Metal

06. Hymn Of The Damned

07. What War Left Behind

08. Fist In Your Face

09. Insane Pain

10. Zombie Dance

11. Glory Or Grave (bonus track)

The cover artwork can be seen below.

A headlining tour, dubbed "Tour Of The Living Dead", will launch in Hannover, Germany on January 11, 2019 and finish in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 9, 2019. Support on the trek will come from BURNING WITCHES.

GRAVE DIGGER is:

Chris Boltendahl - Vocals

Axel Ritt - Guitar

Jens Becker - Bass

Stefan Arnold - Drums

Marcus Kniep - Keyboards

Guitar god Yngwie Malmsteen performed yesterday, September 12th, at Reading 2 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The setlist, as well as fan-filmed video from the show, can be found below.

Setlist:

"Rising Force" (Partial)
"Spellbound"
"Into Valhalla"
"Soldier"
"Like An Angel (For April)" (Partial)
"Badinerie" (Johann Sebastian Bach cover)
"Violin Concerto No. 4 In D Minor" (Niccolò Paganini cover)
"Adagio In G Minor" (Remo Giazotto cover)
"Far Beyond The Sun"
"Seventh Sign"
"Overture"
"World On Fire"
"Devil In Disguise"
"Evil Eye"
"Cadenza #2"
"Trilogy Suite Op: 5" (1st movement only)
"Blue"
"Fugue"
"Cadenza #3"
"You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget"

Encore:
"Paraphrase" (With partial "Icarus' Dream Suite Op: 4)
"Black Star"
"I'll See The Light Tonight" (Last verse omitted)

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has released the music video for the song "When The Seasons Change". Written by guitarist Zoltan Bathory, the clip is dedicated to those police officers and first responders around the world who selflessly put their lives on the line every day, among them a hometown hero of the band, fallen army veteran and Las Vegas police officer Charleston Hartfield, who lost his life in the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting using his own body to shield and save others from the hail of bullets.

Bathory said: "Instead of giving you a typical quote about the music video, let me give you some data to ponder… Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the USA right behind heart disease and cancer. Some research says an average of 250,000 people die every year because of medical errors. In contrast, police officers make an average of 50 fatal errors annually, that's 245,950 less — and most of them are due to split-second decisions in high-risk situations. Of course, loss of life is always tragic, but we don't put all medical professionals on blast or call them names, disrespect them and demonize them. Of course not. They're doing their best and it would be just as ridiculous as the current, grossly unfair rhetoric against police as a whole."

A rare voice of support in the entertainment world, the members of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have been longtime supporters of veteran and law enforcement entities. Just this week, the group again made good on this promise and donated a portion of the ticket sales from its massive summer North American outdoor amphitheater tour equaling $95,000 to C.O.P.S - Concerns Of Police Survivors, whose mission is rebuilding shattered lives of survivors and co-workers affected by line of duty deaths, through partnerships with law enforcement and the community.

Due to fan-demand, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and BREAKING BENJAMIN announced an expansion of this summer's most-successful co-headlining North American outdoor amphitheater tour, with additional dates that take both bands through fall 2018 in arenas. Co-produced by Live Nation and Frank Productions, the tour featured special guests NOTHING MORE and BAD WOLVES on the summer leg. On the fall leg, BAD WOLVES will once again join the trek on select dates and Swedish heavyweights IN FLAMES on other select shows. FROM ASHES TO NEW will be support on all fall dates.

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Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a band in 2018, NAZARETH is marking the occasion with a hard-rocking new album, "Tattooed On My Brain". Scheduled for release on October 12 via Frontiers Music Srl, the effort will be available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

"Tattooed On My Brain" is NAZARETH's 24th full-length album and the first to feature new vocalist Carl Sentance (ex-PERSIAN RISK).


A track from the album, "State Of Emergency", can be streamed below.


NAZARETH bassist and founding member Pete Agnew says about the new album: "What I know and expect is that this record, because of our new lineup, will come under the highest scrutiny of any record in NAZARETH's history and after that, hopefully be judged as one of the best of NAZARETH's career.

While there is always going to be hints of the classic NAZARETH sound on our albums, when you consider that all the musicians have been playing classic NAZARETH songs for most of their lives, what is fresh and inspired the new songs and new approach is the fact that we have a new singer: Carl Sentance.

"You can change band members and still keep pretty much on the same road, but there is nothing that changes a band's approach so definitively as the sound, style and performance of a new frontman. It also influences the way the other guys write songs, because mostly when you write a song for the band, you have in mind whether it will suit your singer's style and how he'll sound singing it. And, of course, with Carl, we have not only a new singer but a great new songwriter as well, so the whole project was always going to be fresher than a new laid egg, given all these ingredients we had to work with. Tastes fantastic, by the way."


While it is difficult to sum up in few words the history and the influence on the history of rock that an act like NAZARETH has had, there is no doubt that they have left an indelible mark. The band originally formed in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1968, releasing their eponymous debut album in 1971. The band broke through to a larger audience when, after supporting DEEP PURPLE on tour, they released the Roger Glover-produced "Razamanaz" album in early 1973. A string of hit records, including "Loud 'N' Proud", "Rampant" and their biggest success, "Hair Of The Dog" (featuring the smash hits "Hair Of The Dog" and "Love Hurts") followed, cementing the band's legacy in the history of hard rock. NAZARETH continued on throughout the '80s and '90s, making new studio albums and touring the world.


In 2014, original singer Dan McCafferty had to leave the band for health reasons and with his blessing, Carl Sentance is now fronting the legendary band. Rejuvenated and as energetic as ever, NAZARETH is back with an album that firmly shows their roots, but also sees the band progressing forward and seeing the future.


"Tattooed On My Brain" track listing:

01. Never Dance With The Devil

02. Tattooed On My Brain

03. State Of Emergency

04. Rubik's Romance

05. Pole To Pole

06. Push

07. The Secret Is Out

08. Don't Throw Your Love Away

08. Crazy Molly

09. Silent Symphony

10. What Goes Around

11. Change

12. You Call Me

NAZARETH is:

Pete Agnew - Bass

Carl Sentance - Vocals

Jimmy Murrison - Guitar

Lee Agnew - Drums

German folk metal band Suidakra have checked in with the following update:

"We are happy to present you the brand new album artwork from Cimbric Yarns. We think Kris Verwimp created an amazing piece of art again!"

Suidakra frontman Arkadius Antonik checked in via Instagram back in February:

 
 
 
Realms Of Odoric, the artwork/soundtrack project from Arkadius Antonik and illustrator Kris Verwimp, released a video for the song "Return To Ankrath", which is animated with the impressive illustrations by Kris Verwimp, giving an insight into the story of the second era.

The album includes 18 tracks with a running time of 44 minutes and tell the story of the second age of Odoric. Due to the study and completion of Arkadius at the Audiocaution Academy, the compositions are much more mature than ever before. For the first time in the history of the project, the recordings were realized with the participation of many guest musicians from all over the world.

“Towering Solitude” (studio video featuring Eva Brönner, Cello):

"Odoric Overture“, played by the Brandenburg State Orchestra: