"What Am I?", a new song from AUDIOTOPSY, the American heavy rock quartet featuring the deft musical talents of guitarist Greg Tribbett and drummer Matt McDonough — both of Grammy-nominated metal band MUDVAYNE — as well as SKRAPE vocalist Billy Keeton and bassist Perry Stern, can be streamed below. The track is taken from AUDIOTOPSY's second full-length album, "The Real Now", which will be released on November 2 via Megaforce Records. Produced by the band with vocal production and mixing by Dave Fortman (EVANESCENCE, SLIPKNOT, MUDVAYNE), "The Real Now" is available for pre-order now.

Tribbett says: "'What Am I?' touches upon finding yourself and the true meaning of life. Life is ever-changing and you never know what is around the corner. Musically, I really wanted to concentrate on single note riffs in the verses. Something easy but mesmerizing. Then to a wide-open chorus. The bridge is single-noted as well with underlying picking patterns leaving room for vocal melodies."

According to the band, "The Real Now" explores the journey of life. Tribbett states: "This album deals with life — from addiction to depression to death. Life is a journey of unforeseen experiences."


AUDIOTOPSY began writing together in 2014 with the goal of setting themselves apart with their songwriting and dynamic presentation. Upon quickly recognizing the chemistry, they began the journey of recording their debut album, "Natural Causes".

Featuring both fast-paced headbangers and melodic, grooving anthems, "The Real Now" conjures nostalgic turn-of-the-century alt-metal influences while never sacrificing crystal clean, modern metallic drive and swagger. Heart-clenching vocals and unforgettable guitar riffs grip the listener from track one. Tracks like "Panic On The Airwaves" and "What Am I?" summon deep, numbing grooves while driving anthems like "Hologram" feature non-stop power rhythms and energy. No AUDIOTOPSY release would be complete without a melodic climax, which comes in the form of the chill-inspiring track "Hurt Down".


"The Real Now" track listing:

01. War

02. Hologram

03. Panic On The Airwaves

04. Fade Away

05. Hurt Down

06. What Am I?

07. If Only

08. A Death Benefit

The official music video for the song "Take Away My Soul" from British classic rock icons URIAH HEEP can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's 25th studio album, "Living The Dream", which will be released on September 14 via Frontiers Music Srl.

In conjunction with this release through Frontiers Music Srl, the band is offering some once-in-a-lifetime experience packages as well as signed copies of the album and many other wonderful things. Check it out today at PledgeMusic.


For this album, the band teamed up with famed Canadian engineer Jay Ruston.


"Working with Jay was amazing!" says Mick Box. "He totally understood what we were going for on this album and he delivered big time. We wanted a HEEP album that the band and the fans would be proud of, and with Jay at the helm, we have delivered that."


When asked what people can expect from the new album, Box says "There are rock songs, rock ballads, and a couple of prog songs encompassing everything HEEP."


Shaw adds that fans should also be ready for "a full-blown rockin' URIAH HEEP record. All the traits that made HEEP famous in the past are here on this new album. Passion, power, harmony and substance. HEEP trademarks from the first riff."


The band is beyond excited with the material written for the new album, which will include some epic additions to the band's huge catalog of rock staples and looks forward to sharing it with its fans around the world.


The band has announced a full world tour which will last until the whole first quarter of 2019.

"The mighty HEEP are proudly able to tour in over 61 countries and we look forward to a packed touring schedule in 2018 and 2019. Touring is in our blood and what we have a passion to do, and so 2018 is no exception," concludes Box.

Track listing:

01. Grazed By Heaven

02. Living The Dream

03. Take Away My Soul

04. Knocking At My Door

05. Rocks In The Road

06. Waters Flowin'

07. It's All Been Said

08. Goodbye To Innocence

09. Falling Under Your Spell

10. Dreams Of Yesteryear

11. Take Away My Soul (alternate version) (bonus track; CD/DVD deluxe edition)


Bonus DVD track listing:

* "Grazed By Heaven" music video

* "Take Away My Soul" music video

* "Making The Dream" documentary

The lyrics for "Grazed By Heaven" were written by SONS OF APOLLO frontman Jeff Scott Soto and the music was written by bassist Dave Rimmer.


Says Jeff Scott Soto: "The song is clearly about sexual tension and desire, very much in the form of 'Fifty Shades Of Grey', putting oneself at ease with the person who is taking control of the situation and trusting you will be in absolute bliss. Fantasy and lust is the calling card here; it's quite black and white, really. The song is very sexy so naturally called for a sexy lyric."


Rimmer adds: "'Grazed' was born out of my desire to write a blazing HEEP rock track. I put together the music and arrangement but needed a very strong melody line/lyric to match the music and the riff... I have been a fan of Jeff Scott Soto's voice and writing for many years so asked Jeff about a collaboration. He loved the song and came up with the perfect and powerful lyric/melody… a very natural seamless collaboration between Jeff and I. A true 'Living The Dream' moment for me."

URIAH HEEP is:

Mick Box - Lead Guitar/Vocals

Phil Lanzon - Keyboards/Vocals

Bernie Shaw - Lead Vocals

Dave Rimmer - Bass Guitar/Vocals

Russell Gilbrook - Drums, Percussion

Swedish progressive metal veterans OPETH will release "Garden Of The Titans: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre" on November 2 via Moderbolaget Records/Nuclear Blast Entertainment. This historic event was captured for the DVD, Blu-ray and vinyl formats during the band's May 11, 2017 performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado. Both the DVD and Blu-ray formats include CDs containing the audio as well.

A performance clip of the song "Demon Of The Fall", taken from "Garden Of The Titans: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre", can be seen below.

Video footage for "Garden Of The Titans" was overseen by The Deka Brothers (CARPENTER BRUT, THE PRODIGY) and audio was mixed by David Castillo (KATATONIA, BLOODBATH). All versions feature the masterful artwork of revered artist Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, KATATONIA, TESTAMENT).

"Garden Of The Titans: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre" track listing:

01. Sorceress (live)

02. Ghost Of Perdition (live)

03. Demon Of The Fall (live)

04. The Wilde Flowers (live)

05. In My Time Of Need (live)

06. The Devil's Orchard (live)

07. Cusp Of Eternity (live)

08. Heir Apparent (live)

09. Era (live)

10. Deliverance (live)

OPETH will release the limited 10inch vinyl "Ghost Of Perdition (Live)" on October 19 in the following formats:

* 10" pink sparkle in sleeve (limited to 700)

* 10" violet sparkle in sleeve (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 300)

* 10" toffee in sleeve (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 250)

* 10" summer bronze in sleeve (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 250)

Side A contains the haunting live version of the band's classic "Ghost Of Perdition" (live), while the previously released "Sorceress" (live) can be found on Side B.

OPETH guitarist Fredrik Åkesson recently told FaceCulture that the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2016's "Sorceress" album. "We're very much into the demoing," he said. "I've recorded a lot of solos so far. And Mikael [Åkerfeldt, guitar/vocals] has almost already written 12 songs for the new album, so we have more material than enough for an album. But I think we will at least try to finish 15 songs. So hopefully we'll work on song ideas very soon."

According to Åkesson, OPETH is hoping to release its 13th studio album in the first quarter of 2019. "I'm not sure if it's gonna happen, but we're working towards that, and the songwriting goes very well," he said. "Mikael has been very productive these last… since January, basically. We did the last touring for 'Sorceress' in November."

Regarding the musical direction of the new OPETH material, Fredrik said: "Compared to the last three albums, I would say, if I can reveal anything, this album is more complex, more energetic, and I think it's gonna be something."

Åkesson went on to say that OPETH always tries to explore new ground with every album and it isn't overly concerned with how its music will be received by its fans. "The first filter is the guys in the band, I would say," he said. "If we enjoy it, we can only hope that people that enjoy listening to OPETH will enjoy it; that would be nice. But if we're happy with it, we will release it; it's quite simple. I think this is kind of a Mikael question in a way, since he's the creative director for the band, so I know, speaking for him a little bit here, that he always tries to push everything into something new. And I think people will enjoy this new album."

"Sorceress" was released in September 2016. For the band's first effort for Nuclear Blast via OPETH's imprint label Moderbolaget Records, the group returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales, also home to pivotal releases from QUEEN, RUSH and JUDAS PRIEST, where the Swedes had tracked "Pale Communion" in 2014 with Tom Dalgety.

PRIMAL FEAR and Nuclear Blast have teamed up once again! The relationship between the German metal commandos and the label from southern Germany goes back over 20 years, since PRIMAL FEAR released its self-titled debut in February 1998 via Nuclear Blast. The record hit the Top 50 in the German Media Control chart, where it stayed for a sensational three weeks. They later released classics such as "Jaws Of Death" (1999), "Nuclear Fire" (2001), "Black Sun" (2002), "Devil's Ground" (2004) and "Seven Seals" (2005) before parting ways with Nuclear Blast for a while and releasing another six very successful albums, including their recent Top 10 record "Apocalypse".


Founding member of the band Mat Sinner commented: "We are coming home to the No. 1 metal label and we‘re really looking forward to working with Markus Staiger and his team. All the incredibly positive reactions to the most recent PRIMAL FEAR album 'Apocalypse' from fans and the press have been a great motivation for us to get started with songwriting for another amazing new album, in collaboration with Nuclear Blast."


Markus Staiger, owner of Nuclear Blast, is just as pleased and stated: "We had a perfect start back then; all the metal fans were hungry for some traditional heavy metal. Together we realised six excellent albums and had a really exciting time. Even during the time after 'Seven Seals', the contact and amity between us and the band never ended. In the end, it was the last few PRIMAL FEAR albums that really convinced me, so we started discussing a new contract and I‘m happy that we reached an agreement quite fast and without complications. I think that PRIMAL FEAR are one of the most powerful and innovative metal bands in Europe and I love their unique, massive and heavy sound. Also, it's really impressive how PRIMAL FEAR have never lost any of their quality and have never stopped being an awesome live act over the last 20 years."

To fittingly celebrate the signing, PRIMAL FEAR will release a seven-inch vinyl single — limited to just 1,000 copies — on September 28, featuring a new, previously unreleased track titled "Crucify Me" plus a live version of the classic "Nuclear Fire".

Vocalist Ralf Scheepers proudly comments: "It's time to release the beast once more with the combined strength of a record company which is motivated to the max and us musicians of PRIMAL FEAR, who stand like a wall of unity and loyalty. Back to the roots with Nuclear Blast and a heavy tune — 'Crucify Me'!"


Later this month, PRIMAL FEAR wil launch the "Apocalypse Over Europe" tour, with labelmates RIOT V as very special guests. The trek, which will include stops in 12 European countries, will kick off on September 28 in Mannheim and end on January 27 in Geiselwind.

Standing in photo below (from left to right): Marcus Hammer (label manager, Nuclear Blast), Tom Naumann (PRIMAL FEAR), Markus Wosgien (A&R, head of promotion, Nuclear Blast), Yorck Eysel (label manager, Nuclear Blast), Michael Langbein (head of production, Nuclear Blast)

Sitting in photo below (from left to right): Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR), Markus Staiger (owner, Nuclear Blast), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR)

Actor Bradley Cooper has revealed that the look of his new film "A Star Is Born", which he co-wrote and directed, was inspired by a METALLICA concert.

"I'm a huge fan of METALLICA," he said. "About six years ago I was at METALLICA concert [standing behind the drum kit] and I saw the scope of it… and thought, wow, this composition is incredible and that's what it feels to be on stage, to be a rock star… So in the movie you're always on the stage."

A remake of the 1937 film of the same name, "A Star Is Born" stars Cooper as an alcoholic musician who discovers, and falls in love with, a struggling young singer played by pop superstar Lady Gaga, who co-wrote the film's original music with Cooper and a team of songwriters that includes Mark Ronson.

Back in 2013, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said that he had become "good friends" with Cooper. "[He is a] huge METALLICA fan," Ulrich told HuffPost Live. "[He] actually flies and comes and sees us play if he's got a day off. Like, 'Where are you playing a gig?' And he'll jump on a plane and bring his lady [Suki Waterhouse] and hang out."

Cooper was reportedly spotted at METALLICA's very exclusive concert during the 2013 Comic-Con at the Spreckels Theatre in San Diego, California.

Last year's METALLICA/Lady Gaga collaboration at the Grammy Awards was borne out of a chance meeting between the pop superstar and Ulrich at Cooper's house.

Horror-obsessed, underground cult Ilsa share the official video for “Old Maid” off the recently, released album Corpse Fortress. The song features guest vocals by Amy KC Oden. Watch the Jeffrey Sisson (Exhumed, Gruesome) music video below.

Additionally, Ilsa have announced fall North American tour dates with Fister. The tour begins November 16th in San Diego, CA and ends November 22nd in Vancouver, BC. Ilsa will also perform select shows in the coming weeks with Monolord, labelmates Usnea and All Pigs Must Die.

Corpse Fortress physical packages are available at Relapse.com and digital downloads via all retail outlets here.

Dates:

November
16 – San Diego, CA – Space
17 – Los Angeles, CA – Midnite Communion V
18 – Oakland, CA – Elbow Room
19 – Sacramento, CA – Blue Lamp
20 – Portland, OR – High Water Mark
21 – Seattle, WA – High Line
22 – Vancouver, BC – Astoria 

Norwegian metallers VREID will release their new album, "Lifehunger", on September 28 via Season Of Mist. The disc's new single, "One Hundred Years", can be streamed below.

VREID comments: "Sometimes everything is so dark that you only see life.

"This album is all about the primordial hunger that keeps us marching forward. It's a celebration of the creative spirit, and a big fuck off to every obstacle on the way."

"Lifehunger" track listing:

01. Flowers & Blood (1:50)

02. One Hundred Years (5:39)

03. Lifehunger (5:36)

04. The Dead White (4:59)

05. Hello Darkness (4:39)

06. Black Rites In The Black Nights (6:26)

07. Sokrates Must Die (3:29)

08. Heimatt (6:01)

VREID has announced a string of Norwegian tour dates with ENSLAVED and GAAHLS WYRD.


VREID was formed in 2004. The Norwegian metal brigade rose from the ashes of WINDIR after the tragic perishing of the "Sognametal" legends with the declared mission of exploring new musical paths.


The Norsemen proved true to their words and have so far delivered seven albums and one DVD, each of which received high praise from critics and fans alike. VREID chose a course of constant evolution that is marked by thematically denoted phases regarding their often historically inspired lyrics.


This became particularly clear with albums "I Krig" (2007) and "Milorg" (2009), which both revolved around concepts dealing with resistance and liberation of Norway during World War II. With their following three records, VREID returned to their Norse roots, especially on latest full-length, "Sólverv", which received high critical acclaim in 2015.


VREID has hammered out its success partly by being a heavily touring band. The four-piece performed more than 500 shows in 25 countries so far. Their everlasting march to conquer new territories has led the Norwegians to headline tours in Europe, North America, Japan, and India.


VREID's style is often referred to as black 'n roll and Metal Hammer described their music as "a unique time travel in metal" as elements of '70s rock, '80s classic metal and Norwegian black metal are all clearly audible.

Swedish metallers SOILWORK have completed work on their 11th studio album for an early 2019 release via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2015's "The Ride Majestic" was recorded at Nordic Sound Lab studios in Skara, Sweden with producer Thomas "Plec" Johansson.

"The Ride Majestic" was SOILWORK's last album to feature longtime drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who left the band in July 2016 to join MEGADETH. He was replaced in SOILWORK by Bastian Thusgaard of THE ARCANE ORDER.

The first studio webisode in which the members of SOILWORK talk about the recording and production process of the album can be seen below.

SOILWORK singer Björn "Speed" Strid told United Rock Nations about the disc. "I'm really, really pleased with it — it's really, really cool. [It's] possibly the most epic and darkest album we've done. And it's also very melancholic, but it's also very sort of uplifting. It's huge. I'm really happy with it."

Asked if the musical direction of the new SOILWORK material is similar to that on the last album, Strid said: "I would say a mixture between 'The Ride Majestic' and [2013's] 'The Living Infinite'."

SOILWORK will embark on an extensive European co-headlining run with labelmates AMORPHIS in early 2019. Support on the trek will come from NAILED TO OBSCURITY and JINJER.

SOILWORK is now a quintet, following the departure of bassist Markus Wibom in late 2016 due to "other commitments." He has since been replaced by touring bassist Taylor Nordberg (THE ABSENCE).

In 2016, SOILWORK released a special collection of rarities titled "Death Resonance" via Nuclear Blast.

SOILWORK is:

Björn "Speed" Strid - Vocals

Sven Karlsson - Keyboards

David Andersson - Guitars

Sylvain Coudret - Guitars

Bastian Thusgaard - Drums

Strid's THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA side project released its fourth studio album, "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough", on June 29 via Nuclear Blast.

Photo credit: Stephansdotter Photography

LEADER OF DOWN, the brainchild of Grammy-nominated former MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston and bass player Tim Atkinson, will release its debut album, "Cascade Into Chaos", on September 28 via Cleopatra Records.

LEADER OF DOWN was formed in 2008 by Würzel and Atkinson, who busied themselves in a London rehearsal studio writing dozens of tracks in preparation for recording an album. They then recruited drummer Steve Clarke (ex-FASTWAY) to join the ranks and continue preparing for the studio sessions.

The name LEADER OF DOWN came from Würzel mishearing the lyrics to the STATUS QUO track "Down, Down". Würzel found this extremely funny as he had been singing the wrong words "Down Down, Leader Of Down" for over 30 years.

"Cascade Into Chaos" is named after a phrase that Würzel and Tim liked during the initial songwriting sessions. It seemed a very obvious choice and was the only title that the two of them ever really discussed.

The band started recording the initial tracks for the album which included a reworking of Würzel's solo release from the '80s, "People Say I'm Crazy". These initial sessions also included a track that was always intended for Lemmy to sing on, as Würzel said, "We think it would suit him". This track eventually became "Paradise Turned Into Dust", with Lemmy finishing his recording at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles in 2015 shortly before his own passing, at a very emotional session with Tim Atkinson and Steve Clarke. It is unmistakably Lemmy Kilmister with his unique voice on "Laugh At The Devil".

Although there are several guest vocalists on the album such as Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE), the lineup of LEADER OF DOWN is completed by vocalist Matt Baker and guitarist Alex Ward.

After Würzel's tragic death in 2011, LEADER OF DOWN continued to finish the album and enlisted the help of some friends to honor the great man, including Lemmy, Phil Campbell (who joined MOTÖRHEAD on the same day as Würzel in 1984), "Fast" Eddie Clarke (who has also sadly passed away beginning of 2018), Crane, Lee Richards (ex-GODSMACK), Bruce Foxton from THE JAM, and Cliff Evans from TANK.

Says Tim Atkinson: "It is a very bittersweet feeling now that the album is being released.

"It feels very strange without Würzel being here, and I know he would be thrilled with the final result.

"It was a real pleasure writing with Würzel, as we instinctively knew what both of us were thinking when we put our ideas forward.

"We always wanted Lemmy to sing on 'Paradise Turned Into Dust', and it was a very emotional session in Los Angeles when Lemmy completed the track and I just wish that Würz had been there to see it.

"It was amazing that so many friends helped us to finish the album with guest appearances and I can only thank them from the bottom of my heart.

"To hear Phil playing with Würzel again was absolutely fantastic."

"Cascade Into Chaos" features 10 blockbusting tracks, all mixed by MOTÖRHEAD's Grammy-winning producer Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California.

The album is, of course, a tribute to Würzel and the other fallen MOTÖRHEAD heroes but it is also just the beginning for LEADER OF DOWN, who, after a successful appearance at Hard Rock Hell, will embark on a tour with PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS in November 2018, and will be very busy next year, with live shows already planned.

"Cascade Into Chaos" track listing:

01. Paradise Turned Into Dust (Lemmy on vocals, Tim Atkinson on additional bass)

02. Cascade Into Chaos

03. People Say I'm Crazy

04. Serial Killjoy (Bruce Foxton on additional bass with Tim Atkinson)

05. Children Of Disease (Whitfield Crane on vocals, Lee Richards and Whitfield Crane on backing vocals, Phil Campbell on second guitar solo)

06. Snakebite ("Fast" Eddie Clarke on all guitars and vocals)

07. Punch And Geordie

08. Feel Good (Cliff Evans on first guitar solo)

09. The Killing Rain (the last song Würzel ever recorded)

10. Laugh At The Devil (Lemmy on vocals and all guitars by "Fast" Eddie Clarke)

The Cranberries front woman Dolores O'Riordan died by drowning due to alcohol intoxication, an inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court has heard.

The singer, who died suddenly on 15 January aged 46, was found submerged in the bath in her room at a London's Park Lane Hilton hotel.

O'Riordan died as a result of a "tragic accident", the coroner said.

She had no injuries or evidence of self harm, and had drunk an excessive amount of alcohol, expert witnesses said.

She had been in the Park Lane Hilton hotel as part of a recording trip ahead of a 2018 tour.

PC Natalie Smart, who attended the scene, told the inquest: "I saw Mrs O'Riordan submerged in the bath with her nose and mouth fully under the water."

The inquest heard that there were empty bottles in the room - five miniature bottles and a bottle of champagne - as well as containers of prescription drugs with a quantity of tablets in each container.

Toxicology tests showed only "therapeutic" amounts of medication in O'Riordan's blood, but showed up 330mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - meaning she was more than four times over the 80mg legal limit for driving.

The inquest was attended by O'Riordan's mother, brother and sister-in-law. She split from her husband of 20 years, Don Burton in 2014.

She and Burton, who is the former tour manager of Duran Duran, have three children together.

The inquest heard that the singer checked into the hotel on 14 January. was in touch with room service at around midnight and phoned her mother at around 03:00 GMT.

She was later found unresponsive in the bathroom and confirmed dead at 09:16.

The inquest heard that O'Riordan had bipolar disorder but responded well to treatment.

The hearing was also told that she went through periods of abstention and periods of excessive drinking.

She had spoken to psychiatrist Dr Seamus O Ceallaigh on 9 January and was in "good spirits".

The inquest coincided with the day that would have been O'Riordan's 47th birthday.

In a statement issued after the hearing, The Cranberries said : "Dolores will live on eternally in her music."

"Wolves Ov Siberia", the new video from Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "I Loved You At Your Darkest", which will be released on October 5 via Nuclear Blast. While it certainly seems an unlikely title for a black metal band, its origin might surprise fans even more than the words themselves. "It's a verse from the Bible," frontman Nergal reveals. "It's actually a quote from Jesus Christ himself. For BEHEMOTH to use it as the basis of our record, it's sacrilege to the extreme."

Of course, BEHEMOTH is no stranger to blasphemy. Over the course of the last 27 years, they've pushed the boundaries of black metal and heresy alike. While anti-Christian sentiment might seem like stale bread where most metal bands are concerned, for BEHEMOTH such ideas represent a very real threat to their physical freedom. Time and again, the government of their native Poland has charged them with various "crimes" such as tearing up a bible onstage in 2007 and using the Polish coat of arms on a BEHEMOTH t-shirt in 2017. "Obviously, stuff like that can piss you off. But I think it's good to be pissed off," Nergal says with a laugh. "Anger can be a massive driving force, especially when you make extreme music. But politically and socially, Poland is a very disparate country. You can never feel totally safe here. That makes it easier for me to get inspiration. If I lived in Holland or Australia, I don't think I'd be doing what I do now. You can do or be anything you want there. I'm a huge fan of that kind of freedom, but I don't really have it here. Struggling with that on a daily basis makes me who I am, and fuels my passion for this music."

Nergal and his bandmates — Orion (bass) and Inferno (drums) — have channeled that passion into "I Loved You At Your Darkest". A crushing salvo of black metal majesty replete with hellish riffs, thundering drum cannonades and soaring liturgical choirs reminiscent of classic horror cinema, the album is also bejeweled with nimble-fingered rock guitar solos on songs like "God = Dog", "Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica" and "Sabbath Mater".

"I really wanted to redefine ourselves with this record," Nergal explains. "'I Loved You At Your Darkest' is a more dynamic record. It's extreme and radical on one hand, but it's also more rock-oriented than any other BEHEMOTH record."

Nergal doesn't view the heightened rock influence as a conscious creative decision so much as a renewed interest in the historical origins of the music he makes. "We don't give consideration to musical direction, we simply create what naturally comes to us," he says. "But 15 years ago, if you had asked me who I thought was the best band on the planet, I probably would have said MAYHEM or MORBID ANGEL. Today if you asked me, I'd say AC/DC. That should give you a clear indication of why this album is more rock-based. It all comes down to the songwriting."

Lyrically, "I Loved You At Your Darkest" revels in the kind of religious provocation that BEHEMOTH do best. "It's very religion-driven, maybe more than anything we've done before," Nergal offers. "But it's not just cheap goading. I believe this is some deeper metal language. It's art."

Unlike "The Satanist", which was primarily recorded in one studio, "I Loved You At Your Darkest" saw its production spread across Poland and the United States. It was produced by the bandmembers themselves, with drum co-production by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES), mixing by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and mastering by Tom Baker (NINE INCH NAILS, MARILYN MANSON). Which is to say nothing of the 17-piece Polish orchestra arranged by Jan Stoklosa and engineered by Tomasz Budkiewicz. Or as Nergal sums it up: "Pretty much every instrument was recorded in a different studio, and a lot of amazing people were involved."

"I Loved You At Your Darkest" track listing:

01. Solve

02. Wolves Ov Siberia

03. God = Dog

04. Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica

05. Bartzabel

06. If Crucifixion Was Not Enough...

07. Angelvs XIII

08. Sabbath Mater

09. Havohej Pantocrator

10. Rom 5:8

11. We Are The Next 1000 Years

12. Coagvla

Photo credit: Grzegorz Gołębiowski

Norwegian black metallers DARKTHRONE are working on the follow-up to their 2016 album, "Arctic Thunder". Vocalist Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell revealed in a Facebook post that "three songs are in the making so far," featuring a musical direction that is a continuation of the band's "brand of old primitive metal."

"Arctic Thunder" marked DARKTHRONE's first new studio material since 2013's triumphant "The Underground Resistance", its most successful release in recent years.

"Arctic Thunder" was recorded and produced by the bandmembers themselves, with the sessions conducted at DARKTHRONE's old rehearsal unit, The Bomb Shelter, which was originally used during 1988-1990. Mastering was once again handled by Jack Control at Enormous Door.

Asked in a 2016 interview with Music & Riots Magazine how DARKTHRONE manages to stay so prolific, Fenriz said: "It helps that I listen to so much metal and it helps the way we record. For ['Arctic Thunder'], we put the amp in front of the drum kit and we play real loud and hard on the drums. Doesn't matter that the guitar leaks into the drums and vice versa, the sound is hard and we don't have the means to do much with it afterwards. There is only mixing of levels and then the mastering. And that's it. This means it won't sound very controlled at all, it's not 'professional,' but at least it's fresh. People seem to like it. We must be one of the biggest underground bands or something. It's a strange position to be in."

DARKTHRONE forthcoming album: It seems we continue with our brand of OLD PRIMITIVE METAL and 3 songs are in the making...Posted by Darkthrone on Tuesday, September 4, 2018

ABORTED's new album, "TerrorVision", will be released on September 21 via Century Media Records. The artwork was created by Pär Olofsson (EXODUS, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL).

The official video for the disc's latest single, "Vespertine Decay", can be seen below.

Comments ABORTED frontman Sven De Caluwé: "The album talks about a lot of things that have been happening in the last couple of years where the public opinion is clearly being molded and manipulated. There have been studies in communication showing that 55% of communication is non-verbal impact, 38% is verbal communication and the actual message is only important for about 7% of it. I know retarded figures that don't mean much by themselves, if not telling us that people don't give a fuck about what you're selling, as long as you package it right and the media/politicians know this all too well. The rise of ISIS has a lot to thank to the media as well, bigotry, racism all tools used by media to remove the eye on the actual problems for the human race as a whole and our planet.

"It’s not so death metal in itself, but it's all packaged in our depraved little ABORTED sauce of dark humor and gross thesaurus bullshit language while containing a pretty strong message!"

With "The Necrotic Manifesto" and ABORTED's last album, "Retrogore", already showcasing what the band is capable of, "TerrorVision" lifts death metal to a higher level of intensity, atmosphere and brutality. Produced by Kristian "Kohle" Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studios, "TerrorVision" is not just a new chunk of high-class brutal death metal, it's a piece of art pushing the boundaries of the entire genre by combining over-the-top musicianship with skilled songwriting, a clear yet organic production and inexorable brutality that has no equals.

"TerrorVision" will be available in the following formats:

* Standard CD jewelcase

* Gatefold LP+CD

* Limited box set (with digipak CD, bonus CD with the tracks of the "Bathos" EP, black belt with metal belt buckle, sticker set and button set)

* Digital

"TerrorVision" track listing:

01. Lasciate Ogne Speranza (0:57)

02. TerrorVision (4:33)

03. Farewell To The Flesh (4:41)

04. Vespertine Decay (6:00)

05. Squalor Opera (4:01)

06. Visceral Despondency (3:32)

07. Deep Red (3:20)

08. Exquisite Covinous Drama (5:01)

09. Altro Inferno (4:49)

10. A Whore D'oeuvre Macabre (3:01)

11. The Final Absolution (5:07)

Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD will release their new studio album, "The Wake", on September 21 via Century Media Records. The official music video — directed by Eric Massicotte and Pierre Duplessis — for the disc's second single, "Always Moving", can be seen below.

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin commented: "After a very cool summer playing festivals in North America, we are now refreshing the setlist with new material and old classics for the upcoming Euro tour. Aside from the first single 'Obsolete Beings', we added our new seven-inch 'Always Moving' to the show and we are pleased to present the video for it. See you soon on the road!"

The disc was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Recording Studio in Canada. The album's artwork was once again created by 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."

VOIVOD's first European touring run in support of "The Wake" will feature the following rotating support acts: MAGGOT HEART (September 7-16), NIGHTRAGE (September 18-26) and BIO-CANCER (September 28 - October 20).

According to TMZ, Kyle Pavone, vocalist for the Michigan metalcore act WE CAME AS ROMANS, was found lying on the floor unconscious in his bathroom just feet away from a used syringe before dying of an accidental overdose.

Kyle's girlfriend told cops he had gone into the bathroom at his home for a long time, and when she went to check on him, she found him unconscious. The police report, which we obtained, says the syringe was found on the counter of the bathroom sink. Police say the girlfriend also revealed Kyle had struggled in the past with heroin use.

TMZ also obtained audio of the girlfriend's 911 call in which she describes finding him unresponsive. She then gets instructions on performing CPR.

According to the police report, EMTs gave Kyle a shot of Narcan after finding a pulse. He was rushed to the hospital where he went into cardiac arrest, and was eventually pronounced dead.

A toxicology report is still pending.

TMZ originally reported that Kyle was transported to a Michigan hospital on August 19 and pronounced dead six days later, on August 25.

WE CAME AS ROMANS' fifth album, "Cold Like War", was released last October through SharpTone Records.

A week before his death, Pavone tweeted, "Will i be remembered or will i be lost in loving eyes," a lyric from the song "Promise Me" from "Cold Like War".

Pavone joined WE CAME AS ROMANS in 2008 as vocalist and keyboardist and appeared on all five of the band's albums. Their 2013 LP, "Tracing Back Roots", peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart.

WE CAME AS ROMANS was scheduled to embark on a U.S. tour in September as the support act for BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE.

Richard Bateman, bassist for Florida metal legends NASTY SAVAGE, died from a heart attack on Wednesday, September 5.

NASTY SAVAGE guitarist David Austin said that he was "absolutely devastated" by the passing of his longtime friend and bandmate. He added in a Facebook post: "[The] extraordinary bass playing that he did with NASTY SAVAGE, especially 'Penetration Point' [1989], I can't even put it into words.

"I hope the metal community will surround his family with open arms and give them the comfort that they need at this moment and time.

"I'm completely shocked.

"Love you, Richard.

"May he rest in peace, genuine loving person and extraordinary bass player, to say the least."

NASTY SAVAGE rose to popularity in the mid-1980s primarily due to lead vocalist "Nasty" Ronnie Galetti's over-the-top stage performances (in early shows Ronnie would smash television sets over his head). After landing a deal with Metal Blade Records, the band released three full-length albums and an EP between 1985 and 1989. NASTY SAVAGE split up a short time later and played some reunion shows in the late 1990s before officially reforming in late 2002.

NASTY SAVAGE's "comeback" album, "Psycho Psycho", was released in Europe in March 2004 through Metal Blade Records. The CD contained 12 songs in total, including a new version of the demo classic "Savage Desire".

It is with deep sadness to announce Richard Bateman has passed away today . We are all devastated. God Bless his family God Bless Richard Bateman. RIP BrotherPosted by Nasty Savage on Wednesday, September 5, 2018

My longtime friend Richard Bateman has passed away from a heart attack, absolutely devastated, extraordinary bass...Posted by David Austin on Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Ernie Ball's latest "String Theory" episode features MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars. In the clip below, Mars dives into his early inspirations, his creative process, and how he gets his signature tone with Ernie Ball strings. He also talks about his upcoming solo release, saying: "When I come out with my solo project, my first record will give me a key to that door I need to open. I'm definitely gonna lose some fans, because it doesn't sound like my old band. If it does well, then I know I can go another further, another further, another further, and keep reinventing. I wanna keep evolving, keep moving, keep that motivation going. When you stop learning, [you] might as well just put your guitar down."

Back in 2016, Mars released snippets of two solo songs, apparently called "Gimme Blood" and "Shake The Cage". The tracks, which were recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, also featured former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer John Corabi, who appeared on the band's 1994 self-titled album.

During a March 2014 appearance on Eddie Trunk's show "Trunk Nation" on SiriusXM's Hair Nation, Mars stated about his solo plans: "I can honestly say that I am going to release at least an EP. As far as a whole album right now, I won't release a whole album till I think every single one of my songs is an 'A' song. And I've got a shitload of songs, and they're all 'B' songs, 'C' songs… I'll give them to, like, baby bands coming up, TV commercials, movies, soundtracks, whatever the heck, but I will not put them on my record until I believe in my heart that they're 'A' songs, that when you hear them, you have to have all of them. You know what I mean? No fillers. If I hear a filler in there or anything I think is a filler? No. But then, who am I to judge? Then you release singles."

"String Theory" features a selection of Ernie Ball's most innovative and influential brand ambassadors as they talk about the sonic origins of their tone and playing styles. Other episodes have featured notable guitar players Butch Walker, Joe Bonamassa and Mike Herrera. Created and produced by Ernie Ball, the series is filmed in the home studios where artists can pick up their guitars and demonstrate skills and tricks they'e learned on their lifelong exploration of the guitar.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH frontman Ivan Moody says that he has been sober for a little over half a year.

Moody opened up about his struggles with alcohol addiction during a brand new interview with the WEBN radio station.

Saying that it's been "seven months" since he stopped drinking, Moody admitted that he was "back and forth for a while; I'd do three months, then relapse." He added: "Recovery, you have to be commited; it's an honest program, and I wasn't being honest with myself at the time. I'm very, very proud of the progress I've made."

Moody went on to credit several of his friends and musical peers with helping him get through some of his darker moments. "Rob Halford [JUDAS PRIEST] is the person that I called a lot of the time when I was in recovery," he revealed. "I think he's been sober now for going on 40 years — maybe, I think, a little longer than that; I could be wrong. But Jamey Jasta [HATEBREED] — another one. Jamey's been sober now for 18 years; Jonathan Davis [KORN]; so on and so forth. So these were all people that I looked to when I was struggling, and I was very, very lucky and blessed to have them on my team."

Ivan said that there has been a significant improvement in his physical and mental health since he gave up the bottle. "I feel I took a nap for about four years and I woke up one day and I saw somebody else wearing my skin," he explained. "It was like Rip Van Winkle; it was really odd. I feel better than I felt in years, which is really… it's a plus."

Back in May, Moody told the Green Bay radio station Razor 94.7 that he nearly died due to an alcohol-related seizure and woke up surrounded by EMTs and his daughter holding him while crying. He also admitted that he went to rehab five times before the last time finally stuck.

Moody revealed that he was sober but massively hung over during his onstage meltdown in Europe last year, with the band sending him home after that and later welcoming him back on a "probationary" basis after both Phil Labonte from ALL THAT REMAINS and Tommy Vext from BAD WOLVES filled in on a couple of tours.

According to Ivan, his latest battles with alcohol abuse heavily inspired the lyrics on FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's most recent album, "And Justice For None". The follow-up to 2015's "Got Your Six" was originally delivered to Prospect Park in December 2016, but a legal battle with the record company delayed the LP's arrival.

Germany's Lord Of The Lost have released a video for "Black Halo", a track from their sixth studio album, Thornstar, out now via Napalm Records. Order Thornstar here, and watch the new video below.

Tracklisting:

CD1
"On This Rock I Will Build My Church"
"Loreley"
"Black Halo"
"In Our Hands"
"Morgana"
"Haythor"
"Naxxar"
"Cut Me Out"
"The Mortarian"
"Under The Sun"
"In Darkness, In Light"
"Forevermore"
"Ruins"

CD2
"Abracadabra" (feat. Dero Goi)
"Voodoo Doll"
"The Art Of Love"
"Lily Of The Vale"
"Penta"
"Free Radicals"
"Live Pray Die Repeat"

"Black Halo" video:

"Haythor" lyric video:

"Morgana" video:

"On This Rock I Will Build My Church" video:

Lord Of The Lost tour dates are listed below. Buy tickets here.

October
4 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
5 - Hannover, Germany - Musikzentrum
6 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Theater
11 - Nuremberg, Germany - Hirsch
12 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik
13 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
18 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
19 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
20 - Stuttgart, Germany - Im Wizemann
26 - Leipzig, Germany - Werk 2
27 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
31 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1

November
1 - Toulouse, France - Rex
2 - Nantes, France - Ferrailleur
3 - Paris, France - Boule Noire
21 - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK - The Cluny
22 - Glasgow, UK - Ivory Blacks
23 - Manchester, UK - The Ruby Lounge
24 - London, UK - Electrowerkz
25 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece Bristol

This November 2nd the Robert Rodrigo Band will release its new album, Living For Louder, featuring ten songs filled with energy and passion, and including instrumental tracks showing of the incredible musicianship this band has always brought to the stage.

Robert Rodrigo Band is: Robert Rodrigo on the guitar, side by side with his longtime companions Miguel Manjon on bass, Pako Martinez on drums, and joined by exceptional guests such as Gotxi Ibarra (Hammond) and the great Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axell Rudi Pell) on vocals.

Tracklisting:

“Living For Louder”
“Southern Skies”
“Lifeline”
“Anita’s Boogie”
“Break It Out”
“Worn Out”
“Blue”
“Sweet Time”
“The Land Of The Seven Colours”
“High Dose Rate”

Prolific in output and undeniably fierce in execution, Eastern Sierra black/death metal quartet Valdur will release their new album Goat Of Iniquity on October 19th via Bloody Mountain Records. Check out the video for "Divine Halls Of Obscurity, Pt. 1" below.

The band released this statement concerning the forthcoming album: "Valdur - Goat Of Iniquity: another chain of songs containing deep extremities and primitive, suffocating atmospheres. This is not a continuation of our previous release; this album moves backwards in a far more violent structure and sound; like a death metal cassette from 1988. Goat Of Iniquity was recorded by us and us alone in the Bloody Mountain Bunker, with no triggers or other redundant studio shortcuts. Vicious underground metal recorded in a live setting. Not for trendy ears! For Valdur, Goat Of Iniquity is another step deeper into the obscure halls of integrity."

Goat Of Iniquity will be available in digipack format as well as digital download, along with a new t-shirt design exclusive to this release.

Tracklisting:

"Divine Halls Of Obscurity Pt. I"
"Goat Of Iniquity" / "Devouring The Whore Of Darkness"
"Divine Halls Of Obscurity Pt. II"
"Spiritual Exhaust (The Beyond)"
"Inhale The Floodgates Open"
"(Iniquitous)"

"Divine Halls Of Obscurity: Pt. 1" video:

Promo video:

Recorded at the Bloody Mountain bunker by Valdur, winter 2018
Mixed by Matthew at Canyon Lodge studio
Cover art by FarronLoathing
Mastered by Dan Klein at Iron Hand Audio in Chicago, IL

AFM Records has announced the signing of Brothers Of Metal, one of Scandinavia’s most promising new bands. Brothers Of Metal will release their debut album Prophecy Of Ragnarök in November. A lyric video for the album's title track is available below.

The 8-piece, hailing from Falun, Sweden consists of three vocalists (two male, one female), three guitar players, a bass player and a drummer. Their sound: A thunderous, catchy mixture of power metal, irresistible melodies, heavy riffs and some folkish elements; or as they used to call it - “True Heavy Metal”.

The band comments: “Wimps and posers beware, for true metal is here. Brothers and sisters you fear - for true warriors are everywhere. Be you tiny and frail or large as the giants, be you faint of heart or brave in soul. Be your spirits light and swift, or dark as the night, fear not, for together we will conquer all… together we fight - together we rise - we ride into battle and into the night!”

Lineup:

Ylva Eriksson - Voice of the Valkyries
Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson - Battle Cries
Dawid Grahn - Guitar
Pähr Nilsson - Guitar
Mikael Fehrm - Guitar
Emil Wärmedal - Bass
Mats Nilsson - Tongue of the Gods
Johan Johansson - Anvil and War Drums

(Photos - George Grigoriadis)

This summer, female-fronted melodic metal band Vintersea had the opportunity to embark on our first tour with The Anima Effect and The Devils of Loudun. Covering three states and over 2,000 miles, Vintersea traversed some of the United States' most beautiful locations during the Summer Prognosis 2018 tour. A new video for “The Gravity Of Fall” is streaming below.

Following the release of "The Gravity Of Fall", Vintersea will be providing direct live support to Australian melodic metal titans Ne Obliviscaris during the Portland, OR date of their upcoming U.S. Tour.

For information on Vintersea go to this location.

Swiss rockers Stoneman will release their new album Geil und Elektrisch on September 7th via Massacre Records. The band has released an official lyric video for the album track "Fremd", which can be found below. Order the album here.

The upcoming album might rub some upholders of moral standards the wrong way - just like before. The tour, that accompanies the album and includes dates in Germany only, kicks off on September 6th.

Geil und Elektrisch tracklisting:

"Dein General"
"Niemandsland"
"Fremd"
"Tiefschwarz"
"Tanzmusik"
"Geil und Elektrisch"
"Fass mich nicht an"
"Alles Gute"
"Für immer"
"Worte"
"Dein General" (Elektro Edit)
"Geil und Elektrisch" (Elektro Edit)

"Fremd" lyric video:

"Geil und Elektrisch" video:

"Dein General" video:

Unboxing / pre-listening video:

(Photo - Matteo Fabiani)

=

The new band featuring three members of the classic DOKKEN lineup along with former LYNCH MOB and current WARRANT singer Robert Mason will tentatively release its debut album in April 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The group, which is provisionally dubbed THE END (and was known in its formative stage as SUPER STROKE), recorded the disc with bassist Jeff Pilson at the production helm and Alessandro Del Vecchio, the in-house producer for Frontiers Music Srl, mixing.

Pilson, who has been a member of FOREIGNER since 2004, told That Just Happened about THE END's upcoming effort (see video below): "The record is actually done. It hasn't been mixed yet. That's gonna start soon. We actually have a wonderful guy by the name of Alessandro Del Vecchio that's gonna be mixing it, and he's really great. And he's over in Italy. But the record is done. I'm really excited about the music, and so is the label.

"We're gonna do our best to try and figure out a way to do some shows somehow somewhere, hopefully close to the release date," he continued. "That's a goal. It's never easy, because FOREIGNER tours so much. But that is a big goal. And we're very, very excited about it. The record just came out amazing. I mean, the singing and playing on it… wow!"

Joining Pilson in THE END are his onetime DOKKEN bandmates George Lynch (guitar) and Mick Brown (drums).

Lynch told Idaho's 94.9 & 104.5 The Rock radio station about THE END: "I do a lot of records where they're just sort of seat-of-the-pants, which is nothing wrong with that, like KXM and ULTRAPHONIX, [which are] written real quick — we just get in a room and bang it out and just go with our first instincts, and we don't really labor over it. THE END record is really the opposite of that.

"Jeff and I spent a lot of time crafting the songs, as we did in the DOKKEN days," he continued. "I think there's quite a bit of '70s art rock going on in some of these songs, which is pretty cool. It's got the usual groove, heavy rock thing, melodic rock thing, it's got all that — but it's also got that '70s, ELO, ELTON JOHN [vibe] — just really interesting, intelligent, classic changes. It's a very satisfying record to listen to — it's pretty deep, and I think people will really dig it. It doesn't sound like DOKKEN; it doesn't sound like LP [LYNCH/PILSON]; it doesn't sound like LYNCH MOB. It has elements of all that, obviously. I think it's a natural evolution of the LP record that closely it resembles in my mind. It's me and Jeff sitting at his studio working it out, so what you're going to get is really that, with Robert Mason on top of it.

"God, that guy — what a monster," George added, referring to Mason. "Robert's been doing LYNCH MOB shows this year with us — not all of them, but I'd forgotten how powerful he is. Unbelievable singer."

Earlier this year, Mason told the "Talking Metal" podcast that working with Lynch, Pilson and Brown has "given all of us a renewed sense of what it was like to be creating together and maybe even playing together. Jeff and I get along great," he said. "Jeff produced 'Louder Harder Faster', the new WARRANT record. He and I have always been kind of friendly but didn't really know each other until that project, and we got on so well in the studio and elsewhere that it was a real easy tie-in for those three guys to call me up and say, 'Hey, man, we wanna do this record. We don't know what we're gonna call it, but it'll have the DNA of our bands, and it'll be us, but we want it to sound a little different. What do you think?' I was all over it."

Asked if the new project is musically similar to DOKKEN, Robert said: "I don't think it sounds like DOKKEN with me stapled on to it. I honestly didn't want… And it's no disrespect to anything, because I love what they did, and I was a fan — I still am. That wasn't something that I wanted to do. And thankfully, when Jeff and George started playing me demos and their early ideas, it doesn't sound like that. And Mick Brown [told me the other day], 'I'm so stoked about this. The cool thing is it sounds like us, but it doesn't sound like us.' It's Mick's way of saying that, I think, the DNA is there and you hear the influences and you hear who it is and what it is, maybe. We're just making music and having fun, but we are having fun being creative with each other again. And I pray that that translates into the final product and that people will just embrace that."

Industrial metal visionary AUTHOR & PUNISHER will deliver his sixth full-length recording and Relapse debut, "Beastland", on October 5. The album's second single, "Night Terror", can now be streamed below.

AUTHOR & PUNISHER creator/sole artist Tristan Shone commented: "I built new machines for this album to make more aggressive and dynamic music. These devices are compact and powerful, made from robotic components, intended for high-energy repetition.

"I, as do many others, feel rage against the Beasts of our era: those who horde, who poison, or who discriminate. We need aggressive music to make an aggressive statement. 'Beastland' is an introspection of who we are as a human race.

"At a time when we have the tools, the intellect, and the history to remind us how to treat each other and the earth, we go far out of our way to feast on the less fortunate and vulnerable, disregarding the atrocities and lessons of the past."


Drawing inspiration from his career as a mechanical engineer, Shone forged a relationship with design, sound, and fabrication that ultimately yielded his hand-built "Drone Machines" which mapped the journey away from traditional instrumentation towards custom-made "precision machinery." A robotic experimentation in industrial metal, noise, doom and drone, AUTHOR & PUNISHER recalls NINE INCH NAILS channeling GODFLESH, traversing through dark, uncompromising, and often disturbing soundscapes with occasional detours into rich melodies and splinters of light. Armed with newly built "Drone Machines" and a new label, "Beastland" is AUTHOR & PUNISHER's career-defining statement and a powerful listening experience that further blurs the line between man and machine.


"Beastland" was recorded at K Street in San Diego, California and engineered by Tristan Shone and John Cota (DEATH EYES). Additional recording was done in Las Cruces, New Mexico with Jason Begin (VYTEAR). The album was co-produced with Braden Diotte (FAUST, EXO//ENDO, NEUROSIS), mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.


AUTHOR & PUNISHER will return to Europe in October after the release of "Beastland", including for select concerts with GODFLESH, CONAN and more. Also, he recently announced the first leg of fall U.S. tour dates. Finally, AUTHOR & PUNISHER will perform at Cold Waves festival throughout September in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.


"Beastland" track listing:

01. Pharmacide

02. Nihil Strength

03. Ode to Bedlam

04. The Speaker is Systematically Blown

05. Nazarene

06. Apparition

07. Night Terror

08. Beastland

Photo credit: Auge Arredondo

According to TMZ, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash is officially single after reaching a divorce settlement with his wife of 17 years, Perla Ferrar.

As per the settlement — obtained by TMZ — Slash will pay Perla $6.6 million as well as $100,000 per month in spousal support and $39,000 per month in child support.

Slash will keep all his guitars and any musical compositions he owns, with future proceeds belonging to the rocker. He will also get a 2011 Ford F-150 and the Beverly Hills house. Perla will get the house in Los Angeles, a 2014 Range Rover, a 2015 Mercedes AMG and a 2015 Mercedes GL 450.

Perla will get primary physical custody of sons London and Cash, and each child will get .09% of Slash's income for the next 20 years.

According to the gossip site, the GUNS N' ROSES guitarist, born Saul Hudson, and Ferrar showed up in a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday to hammer out the details of the divorce, which was initially filed in 2014.

The couple reportedly did not sign a prenuptial agreement when they married in 2001, meaning that Ferrar would be entitled to half of Slash's income from 2001 to 2014.

She would not, however, be entitled to any of Slash's share of the reported half a billion dollars and counting that the current GUNS N' ROSES reunion tour has raked in.

Back in 2016, Slash claimed that he and Perla were never properly married because Perla's one-month marriage to Carlos Marty in 1993 didn't actually end as divorce documents weren't properly filed. The mistake was uncovered when Slash and Perla applied for dual citizenship for their son Cash.

Perla claimed the couple then hired a real lawyer in 2009 and a judge finalized her divorce from Carlos, making it retroactive to 1994.

GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" trek, which reunited Slash, Axl Rose and Duff McKagan, launched in 2016, and recently made its way through Europe.

METALLICA offered a musical nod to Prince while stopping in Minneapolis, Minnesota last night (Tuesday, September 4) during its current North American tour.

As they've done in every city of the trek, bassist Robert Trujillo and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett played a stripped-down tribute to a local music act, and for yesterday's concert, they chose "When Doves Cry", which appeared on Prince's 1984 album "Purple Rain".

Hammett and Trujillo have a solo spot every night during METALLICA's current live show in which they get to play whatever they want. They previously played snippets of songs from OASIS, BLACK SABBATH, CELTIC FROST and UFO.

METALLICA's performance at the 19,000-capacity Target Center basketball arena marked the band's first appearance in Minneapolis since playing to thrice as many fans two years ago for one of the opening-weekend concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Touring in support of its latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", that arrived in November 2016, METALLICA launched the world tour in Latin America a month before the disc's release. In early 2017, prior to the North American stadium tour, the band made festival appearances and headlined concerts at venues in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Although METALLICA played U.S. stadiums last summer, the band was mostly indoors for the first leg of its European tour last fall.

Metal icons Soulfly are set to release their devastating new album Ritual on October 19th via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Today, the band has released the third of several album trailers. Watch guitarist/vocalist Max Cavalera discuss the album title, below.

Pre-order Soulfly's eleventh studio album in various physical and digital formats here.

Comments Max Cavalera: “I am really stoked to be working again with two of my favourite artists, Eliran Kantor and Marcelo Vasco! The Ritual artwork is very mystic and captures the vibe of the album perfectly. For this one, we really tried to retain the groove of early Soulfly as well as my love for the heavy, fast stuff I’m into: like death and black metal and some hardcore. Working with Josh Wilbur for Soulfly this time around has been amazing. He’s a huge fan and added a lot to the record. I would fight for the fast songs and he would always push me to add more groove. I think in the end we created a really cool mix of songs that covers a lot of ground in my career. Let the Ritual begin!”

Producer Josh Wilbur adds: Before I had ever recorded a record, in my formidable years, Max released the holy trinity that was (at least to me) Chaos A.D., Roots, and Soulfly 1. I wanted to make a record that captured what I loved about those when I was growing up! Those records inspired me and introduced me to heavy metal. Fast forward to now and I was given the opportunity to make the record I wanted as an fan! So I set up some mics, recorded some riffs, we banged on some galvanized metal, roto toms, djembes, and anything else we could get, then I told Max to 'BRING DA SHIT'!"

Ritual was produced, recorded and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira). Cover artwork was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (Testament, Iced Earth). Additional booklet art was handled by Marcelo Vasco Arts (Slayer, Kreator), who also handled the package design. The album features multiple guests including Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God) and Ross Dolan (Immolation).

Ritual tracklisting:

"Ritual"
"Dead Behind The Eyes" (feat. Randy Blythe)
"The Summoning"
"Evil Empowered"
"Under Rapture" (feat. Ross Dolan)
"Demonized"
"Blood On The Street"
"Bite The Bullet"
"Feedback!"
"Soulfly XI"

"Ritual" 360° video:

"Evil Empowered":

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

(Photo - Charlene Tupper)

In honour of the 20th anniversary re-release of Into The Electric Castle, Ayreon present this lyric video for the newly mixed version of "Across the Rainbow Bridge".

Says Arjen Lucassen: "It’s created once again by the amazing Wayne Joyner, I think it really captures the right mood. Hope you enjoy it too, despite that weird Hippie-dude." :-)

The 20th anniversary re-release of Into The Electric Castle is available for pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1:

"Welcome To The New Dimension"
"Isis And Osiris"
"Amazing Flight"
"Time Beyond Time"
"The Decision Tree (We're Alive)"
"Tunnel Of Light"
"Across The Rainbow Bridge"

Disc 2:

"The Garden Of Emotions"
"Valley Of The Queens"
"The Castle Hall"
"Tower Of Hope"
"Cosmic Fusion"
"The Mirror Maze"
"Evil Devolution"
"The Two Gates"
"Forever Of The Stars"
"Another Time, Another Space"