Since 2015, the name ENDSEEKER has stood for the finest Swedish-styled death metal from Hamburg, Germany. It's hard as a fist and uncompromising — like binge drinking on St. Pauli — but with a big chunk of heart and soul to it.

Metal Blade and ENDSEEKER are both excited to announce the signing of a multiple album deal. Comments the band: "Becoming part of the mighty Metal Blade family is literally a dream coming true that we didn't even dare to wish for when we started the band a couple of years ago. To see ourselves in line with all these legendary artists makes each of us push us even harder and we're totally on fire to work with the great people of Metal Blade on our upcoming album. Bring the booze and let's raise some hell!"

2015's EP, "Corrosive Revelation", released on F.D.A. Records, set the benchmark for things to come. Produced by Eike Freese (DARK AGE) and Alexander Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN), there was hardly any review not praising the band's debut. From then on, ENDSEEKER served their sound to numerous metal fans all over Germany.

In October 2017, ENDSEEKER released its full-length, "Flesh Hammer Prophecy" — once again recorded and produced by Eike Freese at the famous Chameleon Studios in the heart of Hamburg. On this record, the band also got some assistance from death metal icon Marc Grewe (INSIDIOUS DISEASE, ex-MORGOTH), who laid down guest vocals on the song "Black Star Rising", plus took part in the music video. Bending the knee to the Swedish heroes from the early '90s, but still keeping a distinctive level of originality, the resulting "Flesh Hammer Prophecy" album left fans, old and new, just as excited as the press.

After sharing the stage with bands like CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATEBREED, MANTAR, KVELERTAK, WARPATH, LIFELESS and DEMONBREED, plus appearing at several festivals like Summer Breeze, In Flammen, Grind The Nazi Scum, Weltturbojugendtage, Holsteiner Death Fest, Swamp Fest, Ear Terror Festival, Headache Inside and many more, ENDSEEKER will headline the tent stage on Thursday at Party.San Open Air 2018, with more tour activities to follow, before entering the studio in 2019.

ENDSEEKER is:

Lenny - Vocals

Jury - Guitars

Ben - Guitars

Eggert - Bass

Kummer - Drums

Photo by Toni B. Gunner (mondkringel-photography.de)

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According to the Associated Press, the story that was originally reported by the Deutsche Welle about two elderly German men who supposedly escaped from their nursing home on Friday (August 3) to attend the Wacken Open Air festival has turned out to be less than entirely true.

Itzehoe police spokesman Peter Berndt clarified on Tuesday (August 7) that the two men, who were actually 58 and 59, left a home for people with mental health issues to party in the town of Wacken, near the world's biggest heavy metal festival. The men were found "disoriented and dazed" by festival goers at a main street stop waiting for a bus home at 3 a.m. after the buses had stopped running.

After first being brought to a first-aid station, the two men were put in a taxi and transported back to the care home about 20 miles away.

This year's Wacken Open Air was sold out, with more than 75,000 metal fans in attendance. Headliners included JUDAS PRIEST, DANZIG, HATEBREED, IN FLAMES, RUNNING WILD and ARCH ENEMY.

IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson celebrated his 60th birthday last night (Tuesday, August 7) during the band's concert at Genting Arena in Birmingham, England. A one-minute video capturing the moment can be seen below.

Dickinson joined IRON MAIDEN in 1981, replacing Paul Di'Anno, and made his recording debut with the band on the 1982 album "The Number Of The Beast". He quit the band in 1993, pursuing several solo projects, and rejoined in 1999.

Dickinson has several other interests beyond music. He is a licensed commercial pilot and owns an aviation company. He has written other books, done some acting and brewed beer.

In 2015, he completed a round of chemotherapy for a tumor on the back of his tongue and was given a clean bill of health.

The concept for MAIDEN's current "Legacy Of The Beast" tour was inspired by the band's mobile game and comic book of the same name and the stage set design features a number of different but interlocking "worlds" with a setlist covering a large selection of 1980s material with a handful of surprises from later albums to add diversity.

California heavy rockers HIGH ON FIRE have released the official lyric video for the title track of their upcoming album, "Electric Messiah". The disc will be issued on October 5 via Entertainment One (eOne).

"I had a dream about Lemmy," says HIGH ON FIRE frontman Matt Pike, explaining the inspiration behind the title of the band's new album. "When Lemmy was still alive, I always got compared to Lemmy, so I had this dream where he got pissed at me. He gave me a bunch of shit, basically, and was hazing me. Not that he didn't approve of me, but like I was being hazed. The song is me telling the world that I could never fill Lemmy's shoes because Lemmy's Lemmy. I wanted to pay homage to him in a great way. And it turned out to be such a good title that the guys said we should call the album 'Electric Messiah'."

"Electric Messiah" reunites the band with producer Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, TORCHE, KVELERTAK) for the third time. "Kurt just has a knack for us, man," Pike says. "We all work really well with him. Even if we have differences about how we want to record something, he works with us and understands what we do. We've been sticking with him because we haven't made a bad record with him yet."

It feels absurd to think that this late into their career HIGH ON FIRE has hit a new career peak, but that's what happens when you have a trio that works this well together. For all of Ballou's sonic wizardry, "Electric Messiah" is all about the evolution of Pike, Des Kensel and Jeff Matz.

"This band keeps evolving," Pike enthuses. "This is by far the best record I've ever made with the HIGH ON FIRE stamp. It just keeps getting better and better. We just try to outdo ourselves. I'm not saying the old work is progressively worse, it's just that we get better every time instead of burning out, which is a common finality for a lot of bands. This album is fucking excellent. I just love everything on it; I'm not bummed about anything. It's great when you think that about your record."

"Electric Messiah" track listing:

01. Spewn From The Earth

02. Steps Of The Ziggurat/House Of Enlil

03. Electric Messiah

04. Sanctioned Annihilation

05. The Pallid Mask

06. God Of The Godless

07. Freebooter

08. The Witch And The Christ

09. Drowning Dog

Photo credit: Jen Rosenstein

Frontiers Music Srl will release TREAT's new album, "Tunguska", on September 14. The official lyric video for the disc's second single, "Rose Of Jericho", can be seen below.

Building on the success of their last two albums, "Coup De Grace" (2010) and "Ghost Of Graceland" (2016), which were both released after the band's reunion in 2006, TREAT's return has been more than welcome by fans and critics alike. With the two latest albums having received praise as true masterpieces, TREAT is releasing its new album, packed with riveting rockers and seductive, soul-searching melodic rock songs, on a wave of newfound creativity and high anticipation from their fanbase.

But what is "Tunguska"? "The album title is a reference to a mysterious large explosion that took place in Siberia in 1908, but metaphorically and artistically, 'Tunguska' represents the last piece of the puzzle to be put in place since the band's reunion," says guitarist, producer and founding member Anders Wikstrom. "It highlights the unique musicianship we have developed together over the years in the creative songwriting process, but also illustrates how we want our albums to sound and feel in the 21st century. We managed to dig deeper into the lyrical content, and musically, the dynamics in the songs and production are more distinct as we let heavy, raunchy stuff co-exist with the softer side of the band."

"Tunguska" was once again produced by respected writer/producer, and longtime TREAT fan, Peter Mansson, together with Anders Wikström, showcasing a band who, despite a thirty plus year career, are hungrier and more energetic than ever!

TREAT's current lineup includes Robert Ernlund (vocals), Anders Wikström (guitars, backing vocals), Patrick Appelgren (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Jamie Borger (drums), and Pontus Egberg (bass).

"My goal has always been to capture the band in the studio when we can reflect what we are like at a live performance peak," says Anders. "That's why we did not continue touring for another extended period on the back of the last album ('Ghost Of Graceland') and went into the new album writing and recording process instead. When our fans hear 'Tunguska', this decision will speak for itself. When I listen to it, I get the same feeling I had when we finished 'Organized Crime' back in ´89, when everybody had stepped up to the plate and played as if their lives depended on it. I truly believe this is TREAT's finest hour! And that goes for every single member of the band! Damn proud!"

The band is truly at the top of their game and songs like the outstanding lead single "Build The Love" or rockers like the fabulous album opener "Progenitors", "Always Have, Always Will" and "Rose Of Jericho" stand out as future live staples in the band's repertoire.

"Every time we meet up with fans anywhere in the world, they are always full of praise for our current releases, which is really heartwarming as we do feel we don't have to rely on our 35-year back catalogue to attract audiences," says Anders. "We feel we are a better band nowadays, both as songwriters and live performers, matured just like a great red wine! After living with the album for some time, I find myself jumping in and out randomly on my choice for favorite songs and for some reason that has never been the case before. To me, that's what a real album is about and what makes it worth working day and night to compete."

"Tunguska" track listing:

01. Progenitors

02. Always Have, Always Will

03. Best Of Enemies

04. Rose Of Jericho

05. Heartmath City

06. Creeps

07. Build The Love

08. Man Overboard

09. Riptide

10. Tomorrow Never Comes

11. All Bets Are Off

12. Undefeated

Swiss all-girl heavy metal outfit BURNING WITCHES will release its second album, "Hexenhammer", on November 9 via Nuclear Blast Records. The disc was produced at the Little Creek Studio in Switzerland by the same team as its predecessor: V.O. Pulver (PRO-PAIN, DESTRUCTION, NERVOSA, PÄNZER) and DESTRUCTION frontman Schmier, who helped and advised as a close friend of the band.

The first trailer from the studio, which includes a teaser for the album's lead single, "Executed", is available below.

"Executed" will be released on August 31.

Schmier previously stated about BURNING WITCHES: "Those ladies sound original, fresh and heavy! I love the classical heavy metal influence and the [Rob] Halford-inspired vocals!

He continued: "The BURNING WITCHES will sure get their fans. Their sound, in between classical [JUDAS] PRIEST and U.S. power metal like ICED EARTH, caught my attention right away."

BURNING WITCHES was founded during spring 2015 in Brugg, Switzerland, by guitar player Romana Kalkuhl. It has always been her big dream to perform with a women's heavy metal band on stage. During the music university studies, she already started her first group together with Kevin Schaffer, with whom she has recorded two albums and played several concerts.

In 2015, Romana started to look for talented ladies for the new combo. Jeanine Grob (bass), a longtime friend, became the first official member. At a party at a festival, Romana met Seraina Telli (singer) for the first time. It clicked right away between the two girls, on a musical and on a personal level. Seraina brought in many ideas and a lot of experience because of her studies at the Music Academy and her band SURRILIUM. The guitarist and the singer became a great songwriting team right away.

Romana wrote Schmier from DESTRUCTION about her new project, and the ladies brought him onboard as a producer/consultant.

After an intensive search and different auditions, BURNING WITCHES found Lala Frischknecht the perfect drummer for the all-girl metal band.

BURNING WITCHES' latest addition is guitarist Sonia Nusselder, who joined the band in January 2018.

BURNING WITCHES is:

Seraina Telli (Vocals)

Romana Kalkuhl (Guitars)

Sonia Nusselder (Guitars)

Jeanine Grob (Bass)

Lala Frischknecht (Drums)

A few days after a Canadian journalist claimed that Stevie Young and Phil Rudd were spotted in downtown Vancouver, we now have the first photographic proof that something is brewing in the AC/DC camp.

According to Steve Newton of Straight.com, Vancouver resident — and hardcore AC/DC fan — Crystal Lambert has an apartment located near Warehouse Studios, where the band's last three albums were recorded, and she and longtime friend Glenn Slavens have been keeping an eye on the studio's outside deck, where various bandmembers seemingly retreat to get some air and get a drink.

As you can see from the photo below, taken by Glenn two days ago, Rudd appears to be sharing a laugh with none other than singer Brian Johnson.

The assumption is that AC/DC is in the midst of making — or at least planning — another album, with Rudd and Johnson both back in the lineup.

Ever since AC/DC completed the tour cycle for its 2014 album "Rock Or Bust" nearly two years ago — a turbulent trek that weathered the forced retirement and eventual death of co-founder Malcolm Young, plus the departures of Johnson, Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams — fans have wondered whether sole remaining founding member Angus Young would keep the band going or decide it was time for AC/DC to pack it in.

Johnson was forced to leave AC/DC mid-tour due to a dangerous level of hearing loss, and was eventually replaced on the road by GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose, while Williams decided to retire at the end of the cycle.

Rudd's spot behind the kit for AC/DC's "Rock Or Bust" world tour was taken by Chris Slade in 2015 after Rudd was arrested for drug possession and threatening to kill an employee.

Angus has not said publicly what he has planned for the future of AC/DC.

Rudd told Kaaos TV in a 2017 interview that he "would like to be involved with Angus again, maybe on the next [AC/DC] album or something. But I still have some traveling restrictions, and I'm not sure if I can go to America or not," he said. "I've got some lawyers doing some work so I can go back to America, but I'm not too sure. So I have some limitations on what I can do, and I'm just making the best of my situation at the moment."

Asked if was is in contact with his former bandmates in AC/DC, Phil said: "I am. Yes, I am. I talk to Brian, and we just talk about cars, and I talk to Cliff, and we just talk [about] anything. It's just old friends talk. But I'm sure Angus has got a few ideas. He did a great job on the 'Rock Or Bust' album. I think it's a great album — one of the best ones we've done, for sure. [It was] very well produced by Brendan O'Brien, who understands guitarists. And he did a really good job. And I was pleased with my work on that as well."

Johnson joined AC/DC in 1980 following the death of vocalist Bon Scott. He made his debut with the band on that year's "Back In Black" album, one of the most successful LPs of all time.

The rock legend spoke to The Sunday Times about the hearing problems that almost ended his 36-year career with AC/DC. "On stage, it was getting harder and harder to hear the guitars, even hear the keys, and I was basically going on muscle memory," he said. "And I'm not the kind of guy who likes to cheat. The way I look at it, I had a great run."

Two years ago, Johnson said in an open letter to fans that he intended to solve his hearing problem and continue recording and touring, although he pointedly did not say whether he would be rejoining AC/DC.

The vocalist wrote: "My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."

The Warehouse has been AC/DC's studio of choice for the band's last three albums: 2000's "Stiff Upper Lip", 2008's "Black Ice" and the aforementioned "Rock Or Bust".

AC/DC rumour update: photo shows Phil Rudd and Brian Johnson in Vancouver https://t.co/h0OESDjQm6 #ACDC #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/oCSxngwmBz— The Georgia Straight (@georgiastraight) August 8, 2018

Metallica have uploaded pro-shot footage of their classic “Creeping Death” filmed at Petco Park in San Diego, CA on August 6, 2017.

"As you’ve probably seen from photos and videos throughout the European WorldWired Tour, we’ve been featuring fan art on the video cubes during one of the songs in the show," says Metallica.

"We love when the Metallica Family gets creative and we’re dying to see more! This is our last call for art for the foreseeable near future, so if you want to see your work on the big screen, now is your chance!"

Send Metallica your art at fan.art@metclub.com.

Metallica are currently taking a break from the road. The band launch a North American arena tour on September 2nd at Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Find their live itinerary here.

Florida death metallers MONSTROSITY will release their first studio album in 11 years, "The Passage Of Existence", on September 7 via Metal Blade Records.

The disc's second single, "Kingdom Of Fire", can be streamed below.

Drummer Lee Harrison recorded his drum tracks at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with veteran metal producer Jason Suecof. A week was spent creating rock solid drum tracks. Guitar and bass tracks were handled at Ascension Sound in Tampa with the vocal tracks being recorded at OBITUARY's Redneck Studios in Gibsonton, Florida. The mix was handled by producer Mark Lewis (MEGADETH) and the resulting album was born.

Comments Harrison: "First off, I present to you the masterpiece of masterpieces in the MONSTROSITY universe.

"This album requires a certain justice though, and I ask you, as the listener, to properly step up to the task. Don't play this recording on a cheap portable radio or your tiny ear buds. This album was built to be played loud on a killer system. Do yourself that favor, at least for the first few times you play it.

"I know it's so horribly cliché to say 'Play it Loud,' but I can honestly say this album is made for that. Listen to it multiple times. These songs are going to 'pop' live, too. Can't wait to bring these songs to the stage. I'm curious to see the opinions. The response by the fans to the teaser clip we posted was super positive, so I'll be so glad when the single is released and the years of hard work finally come to fruition. Hope to see you guys on the road soon and blast it!"

"The Passage Of Existence" track listing:

01. Cosmic Pandemia

02. Kingdom Of Fire

03. Radiated

04. Solar Vacuum

05. The Proselygeist

06. Maelstrom

07. Eyes Upon The Abyss

08. Dark Matter Invocation (limited digi-CD bonus)

09. The Hive

10. Eternal Void (limited digi-CD bonus)

11. Century

12. Slaves To The Evermore

MONSTROSITY is:

Mike Hrubovcak – vocals

Lee Harrison – drums

Mike Poggione – bass

Mark English – guitars

Matt Barnes - guitars

Long-standing New York death metallers PYREXIA have released the music video for the title track of their upcoming album, "Unholy Requiem". The LP, which is arguably the group's most vicious and skull-crushingly heavy offering in a 20-plus-year career full of brutal moments, will see a September 14 release on Unique Leader.

Founding guitarist Chris Basile commented: "The band is super excited to finally release the video for the title track of our new album, 'Unholy Requiem'. The production value is definitely next level for us. Something you might see on the History Channel. The storyline follows a man who loses his wife and then performs a sort of blood ritual out of desperation to get her back. What happens next is nothing short of an abomination."

"Unholy Requiem" was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Subsonic Audio by 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 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.

"Unholy Requiem" track listing:

01. Angels Of Gomorrah

02. Blood To Ash

03. Moment Of Violence

04. Path Of Disdain

05. The Annointed

06. The Fall Of Eden

07. Unholy Reqiuem

08. Wrath

This November, PYREXIA will take part in the "Grand Slam" European tour alongside PATHOLOGY, EPICARDIECTOMY, KRAANIUM and SINAYA as well as performing on this year's "Bloodletting North America" tour.

Canadian metallic noise rock band KEN MODE will release its seventh studio album, "Loved", on August 31 through Season Of Mist. A song from the disc, titled "Not Soulmates", can be streamed below.

KEN MODE vocalist/guitarist Jesse Matthewson comments on the track: "The main 'chorus' line, I suppose you could call it, 'You're going to continue enjoying this mistake with me,' was conceived by Scott's wife.

"This song is about the many complexities of love and the humor that surrounds its entirety — whether people choose to process it or not. It's got riffs you can throw round-house kicks to and is an ode to the MELVINS and ZENI GEVA."

"Loved", which follows KEN MODE's critically acclaimed and Juno-nominated 2015 release "Success", represents yet another pivot point in the group's sound. Moving away from the indie/noise-, punk-focused tracks on "Success", "Loved" sees the band delving deeper and darker than ever before, resulting in what may be the group's quintessential statement of violence and despair made sonic.

Drawing from not only the desperate noise and industrial sonics of the '80s and '90s, on "Loved", KEN MODE has mixed in the decidedly more extreme tone and presence of death and black metal, expertly captured by producer Andrew Schneider's (UNSANE, CAVE IN, DAUGHTERS) sick vision of noise and girth.

"We entered writing for this album with one goal in mind — to please the smile," states Matthewson, referring to the album cover piece by the band's longtime collaborator Randy Ortiz.

California rock and party legends STEEL PANTHER continue to add new milestones to their decades old career. Today, the band announced they are getting in to the gear world with the release of their first-ever distortion pedal for guitarists. From the genius mind of guitar icon Satchel in conjunction with It's Electric, the band has unveiled the "Pussy Melter". The pedal, which is made in the USA, has four knobs and a toggle switch so guitarists of all genders can customize the "Dirty", "Sizzle", "Booty", and "Load" parameters of the tone to their individual liking.

The "Pussy Melter" effects pedal will be a limited run with pre-orders currently underway and the units will begin to ship to consumers on October 1. Each pedal will come with a certificate of authenticity.

An official statement from the band discussing the pedal has been released via the band's socials:

"We respect and love the freedom of speech afforded to all citizens in the U.S. We support the right for all people to express themselves no matter where they are in the world. We welcome all races, genders and sexual orientations at our shows — shows that celebrate everyone's individuality through partying, and of course a love of heavy metal.

"As clearly stated by Satchel when it was originally developed, the sound being created by the 'Pussy Melter' tone pack was intended to bring pleasure to females who heard it. STEEL PANTHER is happy to announce that we are now offering pleasurable eargasms to everyone. The 'Pussy Melter' is now available for pre-order in our official store. This limited-edition pedal will only be available until October 1, at which point orders will begin shipping."

Last month, TC Electronic stopped advertising the "Pussy Melter" after a number of musicians criticized the Danish audio company for using sexist language to title the TonePrint.

BRAIDS' Raphaelle Standell-Preston and JAPANESE BREAKFAST's Michelle Zauner are among the female musicians who objected to the name and description of the effect, and a petition to remove the product was started by musician Jessica Fennelly.

Asked if he has any concerns that the #MeToo movement might make it more difficult for STEEL PANTHER to continue performing songs that ooze with misogyny and sexism, and inviting girls up on stage to flash their breasts, singer Michael Starr told Ornella Carlone of Comebackstage: "People who buy tickets to our shows know what to expect. And people that maybe come for the first time, if they don't like it, they just leave. And that's just the way it is. If you go see a comic, or even a magician, sometimes they have girls on stage. And comics make fun of having sex with girls and fucking them and all that kind of thing. There's a fine line between getting a massage and making a girl suck your dick than just saying hi to them. We're asking: 'Hey, will you please show your boobs? You don't have to.' Here's an example: [addressing the interviewer directly] Hey, will you show your boobs?" After the interviewer said "nope," Starr continued: "Boom! See how easy that was? Everybody's happy."

STEEL PANTHER just wrapped a couple of European festivals and is now gearing up for a tour of the U.S. and Mexico. The upcoming trek will make stops in Orlando, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; and New York City, to name a few cities, before it wraps up in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 28.

SKID ROW drummer Rob Hammersmith, former ETHER SEEDS guitarist Stephen Seals and JAMES HALL & THE STEADY WICKED guitarist Bruce Butkovich have come together to form THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC. The Atlanta-based hard rock band will release its debut EP, "The Best Of Intentions", on September 14. Listen to the song "Karma To Burn" below.

"This band coming together was a natural fit," says Seals, who has taken on both vocal and guitar duties in THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC. "Bruce and I have been kicking around some of these songs for years. When our schedules freed up enough to actually put this band together, we knew right away that Rob was the drummer we wanted." All three of THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC's members have been thoroughly steeped in the Atlanta rock scene, with Butkovich and Hammersmith having previously collaborated in THE HALLS OF JUPITER and THE FUTURA BOLD.

Seals, who formerly played guitar for ETHER SEEDS alongside vocalist Dustin Lowery (the younger brother of SEVENDUST's Clint Lowery and SAINT ASONIA's Corey Lowery), started THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC in 2015. ETHER SEEDS briefly made a splash on the modern rock and active rock charts in 2003 with its first single, "Save Your Own Life". The band's unreleased first record was shelved by its label after the company encountered a number of financial difficulties attributed to slumping sales across the music industry. ETHER SEEDS disbanded shortly thereafter. After playing in a series of other projects following the breakup of ETHER SEEDS, Seals began writing music in 2015 that would ultimately form the cornerstone of THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC. "I had all of these songs in in my head," says Seals, "I just had to find the right guys to help get them out."

Bruce Butkovich, who currently plays guitar in JAMES HALL & THE STEADY WICKED, changed roles to playing bass for THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC. "I'm a bass player at heart, though I play a number of other instruments," Butkovich relates. "Getting back to playing aggressive bass is reinvigorating." James Hall has remained an iconic Atlanta-based artist by way of multiple bands, including MARY MY HOPE and THE PLEASURE CLUB. Butkovich and James Hall teamed up in 2005 to collaborate on multiple projects, including the THE FUTURA BOLD, and most recently JAMES HALL & THE STEADY WICKED. In addition to playing bass, Butkovich brings a wealth of studio expertise to the band — recording and mixing THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC, as well as producing numerous other acts.

Rob Hammersmith, who continues to play drums with SKID ROW, joined THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC after hearing a demo that Seals emailed him. "I almost missed the boat," Hammersmith recounts. "Steve e-mailed me this demo and asked me if I would like to play in the band. Somehow it got buried in my inbox and I didn't actually run across it until a month later. Fortunately, they still needed a drummer and it all worked out."

Hammersmith joined SKID ROW in 2010. After famously parting ways with Sebastian Bach in 1996, SKID ROW has most recently recruited former DRAGONFORCE vocalist ZP Theart to front the band. With a steady diet of live dates and a new record that will see the band reuniting with producer Michael Wagener (ALICE COOPER, DOKKEN, GREAT WHITE), Hammersmith retains a strong commitment to SKID ROW while fitting in THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC as scheduling permits.

"The THUNDERBOLT HYDRAULIC record is probably different than what many people will be expecting," relates Hammersmith. "It's definitely still in the heavy rock vein, but there's a lot of depth to this material. It has been a challenge in the best possible sense."

Recorded and mixed by bassist Bruce Butkovich at East Atlanta Recording, "The Best Of Intentions" will be available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and most major digital music platforms beginning September 14.

While the group's members still maintain strong commitments to other projects, they are nonetheless seizing upon every opportunity to rehearse for upcoming live dates in support of their debut release.

"The Best Of Intentions" track listing:

01. Karma To Burn

02. Like A Ghost

03. Beneath The Black

04. Until The Embers Die

05. Scars

06. A Time For War

TOTO has recorded its personal interpretation of WEEZER's "Hash Pipe". The smoking rendition of the song is a direct response to the runaway success being witnessed globally for WEEZER's covers of the hits "Africa" and "Rosanna".


TOTO guitarist Steve Lukather shares: "We were blown away at the response WEEZER got doing our old songs. They did a good job too, but we never saw hit records coming from it.

"It was all started by a sweet 15-year-old girl named Mary. Then the ball started rolling. They did two of ours and 'Africa' took off.

"It seemed only right that we, TOTO, did a version of one of their songs so we started digging around, listening to a bunch of their music, which I have grown to like a lot.

"My 30-something kids were flipped over WEEZER recording two of our songs as they are fans and we picked 'Hash Pipe'. The irony that we were smoking hash before these guys were alive was not lost on us, and the other is it has a killer melody and a great groove. We wanted to do something that rocked.

"We give you our version — with a little of our thing on it like they did their 'thing' to ours. It is an unlikely collaboration, but some of the best ones are unexpected.

"Thanks to WEEZER, their manager Jonathan, and their fans as they have been really nice to us… and they didn't have to be. Now I guess we have to do some crazy mash-up live someday. In the meantime, continued success. Thanks to all and hope to meet someday. Gratitude to the fans for embracing this fun little accident. Ours drops August 10th, and I hear KROQ is getting thousands of requests from the teaser we recorded the other day — who knew? Kudos to Steve Porcaro for running with this as the producer."


Keyboardist Steve Porcaro offers: "Covering 'Hash Pipe' was an absolute blast.

"When I asked my neighbor, a huge WEEZER fan, which record we should cover, he rattled off about five of their biggest hits, but then he smiled and said, 'But there's nothing like driving down the freeway at 80 miles an hour with 'Hash Pipe' cranked'. That stuck with me when it came time to decide."


Singer Joseph Williams cannot be reached at this time as he is too high on hashish, but previously when asked about "Hash Pipe" shared simply, "Yeah."


From the moment of release, WEEZER's version of "Africa" was embraced overwhelmingly by the public and music industry. At iTunes, the recording peaked at No. 1 in sales and continues to show strong movement. At Spotify, the cover hit No. 1 on the viral chart. At radio, total plays have reached 6269 in the U.S., and is a hit at Alternative currently sitting at #1. The track is hitting Hot AC and Pop now making strong moves up the chart.


Los Angeles alternative juggernaut KROQ placed TOTO's recording of "Hash Pipe" on air to break the story of the new track's existence. On Friday, August 10, TOTO's rendition will be up on all music services, and delivered to radio for airplay globally.


TOTO has partnered with Universal Music Germany on the release of "Hash Pipe". The company will be spearheading the global release of the recording.

TOTO is currently touring North America in support of the band's recent release "40 Trips Around The Sun".

Champions in blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and '80s hair metal, Canadian shredders STRIKER will release their sixth studio album, "Play To Win", on October 26 via their independent label Record Breaking Records. The LP features 10 fist-pounding shredtacular anthems produced by the band, with mixing and mastering by Hendrik Udd (FIREWIND, POWERWOLF, HAMMERFALL, DELAIN).

"Play To Win" follows STRIKER's 2017 self-titled full-length that the band supported with tours across Europe and North America with SONATA ARCTICA, DARK TRANQUILLITY and WARBRINGER, along with festival appearances at 70000 Tons Of Metal, Bang Your Head!!! (Germany) and more to add to the almost thousand shows performed in the group's decade-plus career. That fifth studio album also garnered them a nomination from Canada's Juno awards, the country's highest music prize, along with wins at the Edmonton Music Awards and Western Canadian Awards.

In support of the release of "Play To Win", STRIKER will launc a crowdfunding campaign via their official web site Striker-Metal.com beginning August 9.

Guitarist Tim Brown comments: "Play to win: if you want to win, you have to play the game. Find the rules and break them.

"This is our sixth album and third independent release.

"If we followed the rules and listened to the industry people, we'd have gone absolutely nowhere.

"'Play To Win' is about listening to yourself, following your own path, and playing that fifth ace hidden in your sleeve.

"This album is designed to light a fire under your ass and get you moving, and we made sure to get the most modern, ear-melting sounds possible. It's all about where metal is going, not where it has been, and this is our soundtrack to success."

"Play To Win" track listing:

01. Heart Of Lies (4:04)

02. Position Of Power (3:40)

03. Head Of Power (4:02)

04. On The Run (3:51)

05. The Front (4:02)

06. Play To Win (3:48)

07. Standing Alone (4:56)

08. Summoner (4:04)

09. Heavy Is The Heart (4:54)

10. Hands Of Time (3:46)

The lyric video for the first single, "Heart Of Lies", can be seen below.

The official lyric video for "Need You Now", a new song from GIOELI - CASTRONOVO, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's debut album, "Set The World On Fire", which was released on July 13 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Johnny Gioeli and Deen Castronovo first played together on the debut HARDLINE album, "Double Eclipse", which was released in 1992. 25 years later, the two were reunited in Italy to commence work on "Set The World On Fire".

"It was so great to work with Johnny again," says Castronovo. "I've always loved his voice and it was a pleasure to be a part of this collaboration. It was like we'd never left each other."

"It was like the first day he tried to hold my hand and kiss me in 1992," says Gioeli. "Ha Ha!!! KIDDING! Seriously, I never left Deen. Deen never left me, so reuniting was easy. Counting our blessings were plentiful. Singing together was magical."

Both men have continued on their musical paths since they last saw one another, with Gioeli continuing to lead HARDLINE, while Castronovo spent time with Ozzy Osbourne and had an extended tour of duty with the legendary JOURNEY. Castronovo is currently active with THE DEAD DAISIES and REVOLUTION SAINTS in addition to GIOELI-CASTRONOVO.

Gioeli's vocal talents combined with Deen's superb drumming abilities (and whom is also a fine vocalist in his own right) has made for a stunning album that is driving a driving hard rock record, while also chock full of uplifting melodies and poignant lyrical messages.

"Set The World On Fire" track listing:

01. Set The World On Fire

02. Through

03. Who I Am

04. Fall Like An Angel

05. It's All About You

06. Need You Now

07. Ride Of Your Life

08. Mother

09. Walk With Me

10. Run For Your Life

11. Remember Me

12. Let Me Out

Produced by: Alessandro Del Vecchio

Studio: Ivorytears Music Works Studios, Somma Lombardo, VA, Italy

Recorded by: Alessandro Del Vecchio

Mixed by: Alessandro Del Vecchio

Mastered by: Alessandro Del Vecchio

Recording lineup:

Johnny Gioeli: vocals

Deen Castronovo: vocals, drums

Alessandro Del Vecchio: keyboards, backing vocals

Mario Percudani: guitar

Nik Mazzucconi: bass

OVERKILL bassist and main songwriter D.D. Verni will release his first solo album, "Barricade", on October 12 via Mighty Music. The record, which was mixed and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, QUEENSRŸCHE, HATEBREED), is said to be a mix of all of Verni's influences. "There's some metal, punk, and classic rock... it's all in there, from QUEEN to GREEN DAY to METALLICA, I think we covered all the basses!" declares D.D.

"Barricade" track listing:

01. Fire Up

02. Miracle Drug

03. Off My Leash

04. (We are) The Broken Ones

05. Lost In The Underground

06. The Party Of No

07. Night of the Swamp King

08. We Were Young

09. Slow My Ride

10. Heaven Calling

The lyric video for the song "Fire Up" can be seen below.

Verni's first effort features a host of guitar players doing guest spots, including Jeff Loomis (ARCH ENEMY), Angus Clark (TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR), Bruce Franklin (TROUBLE), Mike Romeo (SYMPHONY X), Mike Orlando (ADRENALINE MOB), Steve Leonard (ALMOST QUEEN), and Andre "Virus" Karkos (DOPE), who also contributed the rhythm guitar tracks. Rounding out the recording lineup is former OVERKILL drummer Ron Lipnicki.

In addition to OVERKILL's 18 full-length albums, Verni has four releases with his side band THE BRONX CASKET CO.. Verni states: "So, why do a solo record... well I never really stop writing material, and after some time, it starts to pile up and take shape and I wonder what it will be. In the past, anything that was not OVERKILL material I would put aside for my other band THE BRONX CASKET CO., but when I starting pulling these songs together, it was clearly not that, and I thought, 'Okay, I guess it's a solo record.' The material was kinda metal and kinda rock and kinda punk, so those really are my basic influences. In OVERKILL, I take all that background and funnel it into our thrash sound. But these songs were not thrash but a combination of the other stuff.

"I would never really have an interest in doing a record that was thrash-sounding outside of OVERKILL; I just don't think it could be any better. The fun is trying new shit and seeing where it goes for me.

"I could always do all the instruments myself, as I have in the past on projects, but thought this could be a good opportunity to try working with some new people. My wife was hearing me thinking out loud and basically said, 'Why don't you just call some guys whose work you like and see if they would be interested?' And so that's what I did."


For more information, visit www.ddverni.com.

CHTHONIC, the Taiwanese metal band recognized for its unique signature performance, will release its eighth album, "Battlefields Of Asura" — the follow-up to 2013's "Butik" — on October 10.

Formed in 1995, CHTHONIC has toured in over 40 countries, played hundreds of concerts and festivals, and become the most visible Taiwanese metal band with international publicity. In the past five years, all five members of CHTHONIC have turned a new page in their lives respectively. Frontman Freddy Lim formed a new political party and got elected into the Taiwanese Parliament in January this year, while the other members established their families. Nevertheless, they have not forgotten their promise to release new material to the fans.

This year, CHTHONIC has Randy Blythe, frontman of Grammy-nominated metal band LAMB OF GOD, and Denise Ho, iconic freedom fighter and singer from Hong Kong joining the creation of "Battlefields Of Asura".

In the lead-up to the new album announcement, secretive promotion in Taiwan raised speculation of the possibility of new CHTHONIC music, with lead track "Millennia's Faith Undone" having been remixed by Denise Ho, along with five new bands and artists with their own distinctive styles — ELEPHANT GYM, HOM SHENHAO, UNFAMILIAR FRIENDS PARTY, BISON COUNTRY and ANGRY YOUTH. The speculation even hinted the possibility of renaissance of lyrics in Taiwanese. Days ago, Denise Ho published her version of "Millennia's Faith Undone", as her first Taiwanese song mixed with the voice of Freddy Lim throughout the song, which has become a hit in Taiwan and Hong Kong. As conversations about the relation between the song and CHTHONIC continues, the answer is finally revealed today that the 60-second preview of the original "Millennia's Faith Undone" will be published by CHTHONIC, with the full version released on September 4.

View the 60-second teaser of "Millennia's Faith Undone" below.

"Battlefields Of Asura" track listing:

01. Drawing Omnipotence Nigh

02. The Silent One's Torch

03. Flames Upon The Weeping Winds

04. A Crimson Sky's Command

05. Souls Of The Revolution

06. Taste The Black Tears

07. One Thousand Eyes

08. Masked Faith

09. Carved In Bloodstone

10. Millennia's Faith Undone

11. Autopoiesis

According to CHTHONIC, "Battlefields Of Asura" depicts the adventure of deities in Taiwan through eleven songs carrying messages about resistance, freedom and fraternity. The journey is full of hostility, adversary, impregnable fortresses and desires but also inspires infinite courage to search for eternal wisdom. Anyone deeply touched by this album will eventually realise that it is the origin of all thrilling epic stories portrayed in the past albums. This album sounds like gods versus devils and fights among evil spirits on the surface; however, everyone can feel the empathy of fury, grief and even strength of resurgence from the lyrics.

When asked why the band named the new album "Battlefields Of Asura", Doris Yeh, the spokesperson of CHTHONIC, stated that "this album is the prologue of the albums released in the past and was inspired by and dedicated to the activists of Taiwan's first modern political reform movement back in 1920s."

On December 13, 2017, the worldwide metal community mourned the passing of a truly unique voice, an extremely gifted songwriter, and above all a wonderful human being, that will be dearly missed: Warrel Dane, who died of a heart attack during the recordings of his second solo album in São Paulo, Brazil.

Renowned for his work in SANCTUARY and NEVERMORE as well as a solo artist, in 2014 Warrel had teamed up with Brazilian musicians Johnny Moraes (guitar), Thiago Oliveira (guitar), Fabio Carito (bass) and Marcus Dotta (drums) as his touring band and ultimately this successful collaboration led to plans for a new studio album. Recordings for "Shadow Work", the follow-up to 2008's "Praises To The War Machine", started in fall 2017 at Orra Meu Studio, São Paulo, and Travis Smith commenced to create the artwork following a concept and ideas previously discussed with Warrel.

Then he passed away, left his fellow musicians, fans, friends and family as well as his label in shock putting the status of "Shadow Work" in limbo for a while.

After reviewing the material that could actually be completed using vocals from various studio and pre-production sessions with Warrel, the decision was made to release his final recordings as "Shadow Work" on October 26.

Jens Prüter, head of A&R, and Stefan Franke, product manager of Century Media Records, say: "We are looking forward to release these 40 minutes of music in October. We and many other workmates at Century Media Records have known Warrel for years, have been through thick and thin, and are fans of his art just like the many, many people supporting him since the '80s. The dedication his band, Travis Smith and our team invested in completing 'Shadow Work' was astonishing and the entire record carries an eerie atmosphere of Warrel already feeling that this might be his last work. It is heartbreaking that he was right in the end. Rest in peace, friend."

"Shadow Work" will be released as special edition CD mediabook offering a 44-page booklet, as gatefold LP plus CD and 12-page LP booklet and on all digital platforms. Each song is illustrated by Travis Smith's art, created as his personal tribute to Warrel and further explained in his personal liner notes. Furthermore, photos, lyrics and moving statements from the musicians are included as well.

Smith said: "[Warrel] told me he wanted the cover for this one to be a personification of one of its songs, affectionately titled 'Sweet Madame Satan, And Why.' I dug up the skeleton of an old idea we'd talked about once before, and with a few details and alterations of his own, it was exactly what he had envisioned. He 'loved it,' approved it, and then gave me an outline for what he wanted to do for the back cover to complement it as a sort of prologue.

"I finished the additional artwork taking inspiration from old conversations, titles, absorbing passages from his notebooks, and some lyrics that he'd passed along earlier...

"Thank you for everything these past 20 years... It was an honor. It will be missed. You are missed. I know we did you proud."

Added Thiago, Johnny, Fabio and Marcus: "To give birth to a work like this, is for us a tribute to someone that was like family and honor his memory by sharing some of the savage poetry that he created and was ultimately so proud of.

"Warrel came into our lives like a storm, took us into a very intense ride, we roamed endless roads into the unknown, into places that we never dreamed of both inside and outside our minds, and left. He was someone who lived with us, dreamed with us and enjoyed our hospitality, and in return gave us so much back. Some of us acted like his mother, some of us saw him as a father figure, some of us took care of him in some of his darkest moments. Yet he was a friend, and somehow, will be always there.

"To record such an album, and to work alongside an artist as gifted as Warrel, is somehow like being enthralled by his brightest light, and, at the same time being engulfed by his darkest shadow. There is so much to say, and yet nothing to say. In the meantime, we are proud to share this portrait of the storm we went through in form of art. Light, peace and love."

A first song and pre-sales will be available from August 31.

"Shadow Work" track listing:

01. Ethereal Blessing

02. Madame Satan

03. Disconnection System

04. As Fast As The Others

05. Shadow Work

06. The Hanging Garden (THE CURE cover)

07. Rain

08. Mother Is The Word For God

Conjured in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, death metal newcomers Outer Heaven spew forth their long-awaited debut album Realms Of Eternal Decay. Listen to the album's first audio offering "Bloodspire" 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"

"Bloodspire":

Outer Heaven tour dates:

August
21 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle (with Eternal Champion)

September
2 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge (with Mortician)
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)

Dallas, Texas-based neo-metal band Phoenix Rising has released an official music video for their single "Do You Know". The track is featured on the band's debut EP, Ignite (out now).

"Ignite is a compilation of songs that delivers our initial message, summing up who we are as a group and what we want to say to the world." - Phoenix Rising

Tracklisting:

"Do You Know"
"Open You Up"
"If I Say No"
"Lights Out"

"Do You Know" video:

Powerwolf released their new album The Sacrament Of Sin worldwide on July 20th via Napalm Records. The Sacrament Of Sin definitely holds some surprises for you. The special edition comes as 3CD earbook edition with studio album, a covers album and an orchestral album. Communio Lupatuml features the biggest Powerwolf hits covered by international stars of the metal scene. Amaranthe's take on "Army Of The Night" is available below.

Communio Lupatum tracklisting:

"Sacred & Wild" - Epica
"We Drink Your Blood" - Saltatio Mortis
"Kiss Of The Cobra King" - Caliban
"Resurrection By Erection" - Battle Beast
"Night Of The Werewolves" - Heaven Shall Burn
"The Evil Made Me Do It" - Kadavar
"Let There Be Night" - Kissin' Dynamite
"Amen & Attack" - Mille Petrozza (Kreator) & Marc Görtz (Caliban)
"Army Of The Night" - Amaranthe
"Nata vimpi cvrmi da / Ira Sancti (When the Saints Are Going Wild)" - Eluveitie

"We Drink Your Blood" - Saltatio Mortis video:

The Sacrament Of Sin is available as:

Regular Editions:
- 2 x 1 CD Mediabook (36 pages+ 24 pages)
- 1 CD Jewelcase
- 1 LP Gatefold black

Special Editions:
- 1 LP Gatefold green
- 1 LP Gatefold gold
- "Priest-Edition": 3-CD Earbook (Regular-, Cover-, & Orchester Album) + Metal Cross (14 x 10 cm, Antique Copper Look) + Manipel (Preacher Scarf - 150 x 16 cm, Cotton with Embroidered Logo)

Deluxe Hardcover Box (Only Non-Europe):
- 3-CD Earbook (28 x 28 cm, 80 Seiten) incl. Bonus Track (Earbook Exclusive) + Cover Album (Cover Songs – 10 POWERWOLF Hits performed by Various Artists) + Bonus Album (Orchestral Songs – Earbook Exclusive)
- 1-LP in Gatefold (Gold)
- Bonus 1-LP in Silver (Cover Songs – Deluxe Box Exclusive)
- Cover Flag (150 x 100 cm)
- 5 Signed Photo Cards
- Cotton Bag
- Sticker

Pre-order here.

The Sacrament Of Sin tracklisting:

"Fire & Forgive"
"Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend"
"Killers With The Cross"
"Incense And Iron"
"Where The Wild Wolves Have Gone"
"Stossgebet"
"Nightside Of Siberia"
"The Sacrament Of Sin"
"Venom Of Venus"
"Nighttime Rebel"
"Fist By Fist (Sacralize Or Strike)"
"Midnight Madonna" (Bonus track, only available at EMP and Napalm Records mailorder)

"Incense And Iron" lyric video:

"Fire & Forgive" video:

"Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend" video:

Tour dates:

August
3 - Rasnov, Romania - Rockstad Extreme Fest
10 - Villena, Spain - ESP Leyendas Del Rock
16 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze Open Air
17 - Graz, Austria - Metal On The Hill
18 - Falun, Sweden - Sabaton Open Air

October (with Amaranthe, Kissin Dynamite)
26 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
27 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
29 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit 36
31 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys

November (with Amaranthe, Kissin Dynamite)
1 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
2 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
6 - Vienna, Austria - Aren
7 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
9 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle
10 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - MHP Arena
11 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
12 - London, England - Koko
14 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks
15 - Zurich, Switzerland - Komplex 457
16 - Geiselwind, Germany - Music Hall
17 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Saarlandhalle

Los Angeles craft beer connoisseurs Trappist brew forth their debut full-length Ancient Brewing Tactics, due out August 17th via Relapse Records. The track "Hymn To Ninkasi" featuring Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste, Iron Reagan) is available for streaming below.

Trappist comments on the debut album: "Starting a beer-centric band came naturally, considering the many parallels between the hardcore and independent beer scenes. Both foster collaboration, community, and support of grass-roots efforts. It made sense to team up with our old pals at Relapse for this release since they've always supported our previous bands. But enough about us... your pint is getting warm!"

Physical packages are available via Relapse.com here, and digital downloads / streaming services here.

Formed in 2014 and consisting of scene legends Chris Dodge (Spazz, ex-Infest, ex-Despise You, etc.), Phil Vera (Crom, Despise You, ex-(16)-) and Ryan Harkins (co-owner of popular heavy metal-themed burger joint Grill Em’ All), Trappist have one clear mission, to annihilate the listener with a storm of d-beat, crust punk, powerviolence, and hardcore all in the name of BEER. Picture Discharge style punk and Xeroxed WWII photos with bombs replaced by casks, cans, and kegs.

Ancient Brewing Tactics is 21 tracks and 33 minutes of booze-induced chaos, bound to knock you on your ass faster than shotgunning a 15% Russian Imperial Stout. Trappist round out their alcohol-fueled blasts with special guest appearances by Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste, Iron Reagan), Steve Brooks (Torche), and Blake Harrison (Pig Destroyer). NO CORPORATE BEER.

For the ultimate sensory experience, Trappist have recommended a specific beer pairing for listeners to drink along to each song on the album! “Wolves in the Taproom” is paired with Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout and “No Corporate Beer” with Eagle Rock Brewery Amwolf Pilsner. The full tracklisting and beer pairing are available below. True aficionados only!

Ancient Brewing Tactics tracklisting and beer pairings:

"No Soldier Left Behind" (3 Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale)
"This Means Wort" (FiftyFifty Brewing Eclipse Imperial Stout)
"Tesguino" (Cerveza Fauna Penelope Coffee Porter)
"The Patron Saints" (Orval Belgian Pale Ale)
"Hymn To Ninkasi" (Beachwood Brewing Citraholic IPA)
"Waiting In Line - First Stanza" (Jackie O’s BBA Oil Of Aphrodite with Coffee Imperial Stout)
"Giving The Boot To Reinheitsgebot" (Schneider Weisse Aventinus Weizen Bock)
"Swignorant" (The Bruery Mash Barleywine)
"Nihamanchnihamnchii" (Insurgente La Lupolsa IPA)
"Frank The Tank" (Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout)
"No Corporate Beer" (Eagle Rock Brewery Amwolf Pilsner)
"Victims Of A Bomber Raid" (Surly Brewing Darkness Russian Imperial Stout)
"99 Problems" (But A Beer Ain’t One) (TRVE Possession Saison)
"Proost-Op" (De Struise Black Albert Russian Imperial Stout)
"Waiting In Line - Second Stanza" (The Veil Brewing Daddy’s Home Triple IPA)
"To The Pint" (Thrash Zone Chris Dodge’s Ham Slappin’ Aru-Chu Ale Barley Wine)
"You’re The Reason" (Sante Adairius Saison Bernice Farmhouse Ale)
"Garbage Human" (Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Imperial Oatmeal Stout with Vietnamese Coffee)
"Waiting In Life - Third Stanza" (Lawson’s Finest Liquids Double IPA)
"Wolves In The Taproom" (Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout)
"Trappist-1: Final Gravity" (Zundert Trappist Abbey Tripel)

"Victims Of A Bomber Raid" video:

"Wolves In The Taproom":

"No Corporate Beer":

Trappist is:

Brother Dodge - Bass, Vocals, Brewing
Brother Vera - Guitars, Vocals, Fermentation
Brother Harkins - Drums, Vocals, Bottling

(Photo - Paul Lee)

Swedish prog/extreme metal architects Letters From The Colony recently released their debut album Vignette (Nuclear Blast Records). In the video below, the band performs the track "The Final Warning" live at Gefle Metal Festival 2018:

The Vignette album, which was mastered by Jens Bogren (Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Paradise Lost), reaches a length of over 55 minutes. Vignette can be ordered here.

Tracklisting:

"Galax"
"Erasing Contrast"
"The Final Warning"
"This Creature Will Haunt Us Forever"
"Cataclysm"
"Terminus"
"Glass Palaces"
"Sunwise"
"Vignette"

"Galax" video:

"Terminus" lyric video:

"Erasing Contrast" video:

Letters From The Colony are:

Alexander Backlund - Vocals
Sebastian Svalland - Guitar
Johan Jönsegård - Guitar
Emil Östberg - Bass
Jonas Sköld - Drums

Canadian bashers Kobra And The Lotus have posted a live acoustic performance of the song "You Don't Know", taken from their Prevail I album:

"We wrote most of the double album Prevail off the studio floor, and we didn't know what would come. We had a large project board with about 23 spots for all the tracks we wanted, and as they came we entered the idea or wrote into it. 'You Dont Know' came out that way. You never know what will come when you commit the time and face the challenge head on."

Kobra And The Lotus will embark on a co-headline tour with the Butcher Babies, dubbed the Female Metal Voices Tour 2018. Other bands on the bill include Skarlett Riot, Ignea and Martyrium.

Courtesy of KISSfaq, the clip below features original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley performing "Sister" - taken from his Anomaly album - on July 5th in Petaluma, CA.

The Indianapolis KISS Fan Expo celebrated it's 20th anniversary in a big way on May 12th and 13th. Special guests included Eric Singer, Ace Frehley, Bruce Kulick, Bob Kulick, Michael James Jackson, John Harte, Lydia Criss and Anton Fig and featured live performances both nights. The full Q&A session at the Expo with Frehley can be viewed below.

Check out Frehley's performance with Singer and Bruce Kulick on stage at the Expo below.

Frehley has released a brand new single, titled “Bronx Boy”. The single is the first track from an all-new, untitled full-length solo LP to be released this summer.

“Bronx Boy” is available on all digital music services starting today. Listen to the track below, and stay tuned for updates from Ace.

Just over one week ago, OTEP, the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya, unleashed its most uncompromising, candid, all-inclusive and controversial assessment of the current residing political regime that it has ever released — the new album "Kult 45". Today, it has released a shocking new music video — pointing a finger at the NRA and their allowance of continued gun violence — for the single "Shelter In Place". The clip, directed by Otep and filmed by PR Brown, can be viewed below.

Shamaya says: "The video for 'Shelter In Place' challenges the NRA's irrational claim that 'only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun.' It aims the blame of mass murders of our children in school shootings directly on the NRA, not necessarily its members, but the administration who continue to fight for people on terrorist watch lists to own a gun. Why? It's my belief the more murders that occur, the more money they make from weapons manufacturers and increases in membership which strengthens their ability to be a political power that continues to frighten the Republican-owned Congress.

"The number of mass murders of children in schools by gun violence is our national shame yet the Republican-owned Congress (and shills for the NRA) have done nothing, not a single thing, to protect our kids. In contrast, when one man attempted to detonate a shoe bomb on board a plane in flight, legislation was enacted to protect people from this single attempt of failed terrorism. Now all of us have to remove our shoes before boarding a flight. All of us have to be searched and x-rayed.

"Enough is enough. Our children deserve better. And their safety and the safety of their teachers are worth fighting for."

Throughout the span of her career, Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver magazine have lauded Shamaya for "following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Zach de la Rocha, dubbing her "one of music's catalysts for social change". So, with the political climate as it is today, it's prime time for OTEP to make their voices heard in their primary medium — song.


"You can expect a complete and total mutiny of the senses on 'Kult 45'," says Shamaya. "That said, it's important for fans to know that this record is not just an indictment of Trump. The idea is rather to empower people to stand up and remind them this is our country and we have the power. It's primarily a rallying cry for people with common sense and good-natured patriots to rise up and know that we own this nation.


"Although the album is produced well technically, lyrically, it's very raw," she continues. "Musically, we explore different genres — we're trying to reach everyone. I don't want to be limited to one genre or to be anchored to a particular space where I can only reach certain political minds. It's important to me that I'm sending a clear and concise message to the Resistance — the people out there bending the barricades and fighting for justice is this country."


"Kult 45" was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP's first album, "Sevas Tra" (down to Shamaya's vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. "Kult 45" was self-produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.


Shamaya explains that "Kult 45" is the most authentic album OTEP has ever released, at least since their first record, and self-producing it helped achieve this result. "We had the freedom to be able to write, record and exist within the songs on 'Kult 45'," she says. "Things needed to be said and songs needed to be written that reflect the times. We weren't under anyone else's agenda, there was no pressure to create a 'single' or a song for radio, and the band was really able to shine."


"Kult 45" track listing:

01. Hail To The Thief

02. Halt Right

03. Molotov

04. Said The Snake

05. Undefeated

06. Trigger Warning

07. Cross Contamination

08. Shelter In Place

09. Boss

10. To The Gallows

11. Sirens Calling

12. Invisible People

13. Be Brave

14. Wake Up (cover of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)

15. Feral Oracle (bonus track)

16. The Tribe Speaks (bonus track)


OTEP does not hold back on "Kult 45", pointing out all sorts of political duplicities and leaving them in their wake. The band explodes on aggressive, adamant anthems like "Halt Right" and "Molotov", which act as timely outcries against the recent resurgence of hate groups. Tracks like the in-your-face "Cross Contamination" explore the hypocrisy of the evangelical right giving Trump a pass on his infidelities, and cherry-picking scriptures to fit their ideologies. "Invisible People" approaches immigration issues while pointing a strong finger at Trump, the electronically charged "Boss" aims to break, fight, and redefine gender roles, and "Trigger Warning" targets rape culture — specifically Stanford rapist Brock Turner — with a vengeance.

The album pre-closes with a cover of "Wake Up" — an homage to political music icons, major "Kult 45" writing inspiration, and original track recording artists RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE — as well as a unique finisher, "The Tribe Speaks", featuring recorded voicemails from fans expressing how OTEP's music has changed their lives. "In the voicemails people say they feel empowered, that the music saved them," explains Shamaya. "They told us that they discovered their identities with our music. There was a girl who said that she considered committing suicide and that our music pulled her out of that. These were all based on last album, and I think that this album will have a similar impact on people. These are so moving — it's what keeps me fighting. Really."


"We want to empower people," ends Shamaya. "This album wasn't written to only wake people up, it's meant to carbonate people with the hope and confidence that they can make a difference."

Photo from "Shelter In Place" shoot by PR Brown

Is AC/DC recording a new studio album in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada?

Canadian journalist Steve Newton claimed in an August 1 blog entry on The Georgia Straight web site that one of his "rock 'n' roll sources on the street" told him that he had a quick chat with a couple of members of AC/DC in downtown Vancouver earlier that day. One of the rockers that he allegedly talked to was Stevie Young, Angus Young's nephew, who took over the rhythm guitar spot in AC/DC from Angus's brother Malcolm in 2014 when Malcolm retired due to dementia. And the other AC/DC member Newton's source supposedly talked to was none other than Phil Rudd, the longtime AC/DC drummer who was replaced behind the kit by Chris Slade in 2015 for the band's "Rock Or Bust" world tour after Rudd was arrested for drug possession and threatening to kill an employee.

Newton doubled down on his claim in an August 2 post on his Ear Of Newt web site, insisting that he had "complete faith" in his source who said he saw — and actually chatted with — the two rockers.

The assumption is that, since AC/DC recorded its last three albums at Vancouver's Warehouse Studio, it might be in the midst of making — or at least planning — another one, with Rudd back in the lineup on drums.

One person who says Newton's sources were "right" is Kyle Harcött, vocalist of the British Columbia metal band HEXRIPPER, who tweeted on August 3 that he "just saw Phil Rudd with my own eyes." He added: "Rudd & manager walked by me on way into studio. Rudd wouldn't acknowledge me, & the manager gave me a FUCK OFF look and waved a stern NO DICE in my face. Mission accomplished."

Ever since AC/DC completed the tour cycle for its 2014 album "Rock Or Bust" nearly two years ago — a turbulent trek that weathered the forced retirement and eventual death of co-founder Malcolm Young, plus the departures of longtime singer Brian Johnson, Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams — fans have wondered whether sole remaining founding member Angus Young would keep the band going or decide it was time for AC/DC to pack it in.

Singer Angry Anderson of the veteran Australian act ROSE TATTOO said in an interview with The Rockpit that Angus told him he is at work on new AC/DC music and intends to have GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose — who took Johnson's place on the road in 2016 — sing on the LP.

Johnson was forced to leave AC/DC mid-tour due to a dangerous level of hearing loss, while Williams decided to retire at the end of the cycle.

Angus has not said publicly what he has planned for the future of AC/DC. Axl is still touring with GUNS N' ROSES but has indicated a willingness to work with AC/DC again.

I JUST SAW PHIL RUDD WITH MY OWN EYES— ANTI↯VENIN (@kyleantivenin) August 3, 2018



Your sources were right @earofnewt— ANTI↯VENIN (@kyleantivenin) August 3, 2018



I don't even care that he fucked me off. #thegoddrudd is back in black, and I saw him in person. Good enough for me.— ANTI↯VENIN (@kyleantivenin) August 3, 2018



Rudd & manager walked by me on way into studio. Rudd wouldn't acknowledge me, & the manager gave me a FUCK OFF look and waved a stern NO DICE in my face. Mission accomplished. ?— ANTI↯VENIN (@kyleantivenin) August 3, 2018



My shit has been blowing up with rabid #acdc fans since I reported I saw #philrudd and his drum tech Dick Jones with my own eyes, outside of Warehouse Studios in #vancouver yesterday. People are rightfully going nuts about this news.— ANTI↯VENIN (@kyleantivenin) August 5, 2018

"Henkselipoika", the new video from Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Kulkija" ("Wanderer"), which will be released on September 7 via Nuclear Blast.

The "Henkselipoika" clip was directed by Markku Kirves, who previously worked with KORPIKLAANI on the "Rauta", "Vodka" and "Tequila" videos.

Founding member Jonne Järvelä commented: "'Henkselipoika' pretty much wrote itself. The first thing to come to my head was the verse riff, on top of which the melody wrote itself. The song was a very easy piece to write and it was finished in one day. As far as I can remember, this was the first finished song for the new album 'Kulkija'.

"I wrote this one to a finished text that I got from Tuomas Keskimäki back when I was making the latest JONNE album 'Kallohonka'. That album had the song 'Hulivili', and this text is about the same young rascal who is still very much into partying and having fun but is at the same time already longing for a woman by his side.

"It is quite interesting that these songs got connected this way, even though they are on different albums and are even by different bands," added Keskimäki.

Jonne continued: "The video was shot in Kuhmoinen around the Huhtala torp, which is also portrayed on the cover of the album 'Kulkija'. It is is a bit exceptional with a slight home-made feeling to it. Many of the actors are actually family members of other contributors. These include Cane's father with his wife, my daughter Tinja and her friend Sanni, the director's both sons Konsta and Otto and so on. "The video also shows Finnish nature and the idyllic countryside at its best. This might also seem rather exotic for KORPIKLAANI fans from outside of the Nordic countries."

With 14 tracks and a total running time of over 71 minutes, "Kulkija" is the group's longest album to date. Working with producer Janne Saksa for the first time, the album was recorded at Petrax Studio (Hollola, Finland) and mixed at Sound Supreme Studios (Hämeenlinna, Finland). Mastering duties were handled by renowned engineer Svante Forsbäck (RAMMSTEIN). The cover was designed by Jan Yrlund (BATTLE BEAST, MANOWAR), who has already created several artworks for previous albums and singles for the band.

Jonne commented: "We've never been as satisfied with a final result as we are with 'Kulkija'. We tried to keep it very natural. Like the wanderer, this album is a journey, one that makes you feel good."

Accordionist Sami Perttula added: "'Kulkija' isn't just a collection of songs, it's a 'real' album with a unique atmosphere guiding the listeners through a long journey. All songs were well prepared in advance and nothing needed to be arranged in the studio. Tuomas [fiddle] and I had lots of space to develop and play the folk arrangements."

KORPIKLAANI will return to the U.S. for a 25-date tour dubbed "The Wayfarer" in October and November. Russian pagan/folk metallers ARKONA will be joining them as direct support act.

Photo credit: Peero Lakanen

SiriusXM announced that SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS will perform for SiriusXM on Tuesday, September 11 at the famed Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles. The announcement was made on SiriusXM's Volume channel show "Trunk Nation LA Invasion: Live From The Rainbow Bar & Grill". Slash joined Eddie Trunk as the special surprise guest for the show's premiere on Friday, August 3.

The intimate set for SiriusXM listeners will showcase SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS performing songs from their upcoming album, "Living The Dream", and their previous works "World On Fire" and "Apocalyptic Love".

The performance will air September 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET on SiriusXM's Octane, via satellite on channel 37 through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at SiriusXM.com. The show will also air simultaneously on Howard Stern's Howard 101 channel; Slash is a longtime friend of "The Howard Stern Show" and performed at the Howard Stern birthday bash.

Subscribers will have the opportunity to win tickets to this private SiriusXM performance through an invitation sent by e-mail to qualified subscribers who have consented to e-mail marketing from SiriusXM and who have registered their music interests s at siriusxm.com/perks. Plus subscribers since July 20, 2018 will be able to enter for the chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles, California, including airfare, hotel stay and a pair of tickets, to the show at Whisky A Go Go.


SiriusXM subscribers are able to listen to Octane (channel 37) on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Amazon Alexa devices, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more.