On July 27th, Redemption will release their seventh full-length album, Long Night's Journey Into Day - the first to be produced with Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Primal Fear, Amaranthe, Doro, etc.).

For a preview of Long Night's Journey Into Day, the band has launched video for the track "Someone Else's Problem, directed by Patric Ulleaus / Revolver Films. Watch below:

The new album can be pre-ordered in the following formats:

- ltd. first edition Digipak-CD with 2 exclusive bonus tracks
- jewel-case CD
- 180g black vinyl
- navy-blue/red marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- transparent light blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- marine blue/green marbled vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* exclusive bundles with a shirt, plus digital options are also available

The follow-up to 2016's The Art Of Loss, which van Dyk counts amongst Redemption's very best, Long Night's Journey Into Day is inarguably the sound of a band at the height of their powers. As followers of Redemption are also aware, it is the first full-length since the departure of vocalist Ray Alder, and features the debut of Evergrey vocalist Tom Englund.

"We were unable to tour 'The Art Of Loss' because Ray was not able to actively participate in Redemption any longer, so we decided it was time to part company shortly after its release. Ray is a dear friend, and I have nothing but respect and love for him and what we created together. But at some point, it just became untenable."

Of course, Alder's shoes were not exactly going to be easy to fill, and it was essential that his successor be someone who would immediately command respect, as well as somebody who could exceed expectations when it came to performance. Moreover, it was integral that they had someone who could fully invest in the lyrical themes concerning the human condition, which have always been central to Redemption. So, the fact that from the beginning of his career Englund has penned lyrics about feelings of doubt, fear and despair with an unshakable emotional authenticity made him the perfect choice.

"Because of the power of his voice and the emotion he brings, this isn't going to be a shocking transition for fans. Tom's also a very versatile vocalist, and being a songwriter, he has a tremendous melodic and compositional sensibility, and on top of that, we've known each other for many years, and there is a level of not just professional respect but personal friendship to it all."

Guitarists Chris Poland (Megadeth, OHM) and Simone Mularoni (DGM) return as guest musicians. When it came to backing up the music with visuals, the band once again turned to a longtime collaborator, Travis Smith, whose humbling resumé includes records by bands such as Art Of Defiance, Opeth and Iced Earth.

Long Night's Journey Into Day tracklisting:

"Eyes You Dare Not Meet In Dreams"
"Someone Else's Problem"
"The Echo Chamber"
"Impermanent"
"Indulge In Color"
"Little Men"
"And Yet"
"The Last Of Me"
"New Year's Day"
"Long Night's Journey Into Day"

"Little Men":

"Indulge In Color" playthrough video:

Redemption guitarist Nik van Dyk recently issued the following update: "For those of you in Los Angeles who have been curious about my band, I'm pleased to announce we are playing the world famous Whiskey on the Sunset Strip on September 19th. Make me proud and let's sell out!"

For ticket information go to this location.

As previously announced, Redemption will appear at ProgPower USA 2018 on September 8th in Atlanta, GA, with more US dates coming soon.

Redemption lineup:

Tom Englund - vocals
Nick van Dyk - guitars
Sean Andrews - bass
Chris Quirarte - drums
Vikram Shankar - keyboards

Currently celebrating their 35th anniversary, Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators Voivod have announced a release date of September 21st for their new studio album The Wake via Century Media Records worldwide.

The Wake, the successor to 2013’s Target Earth album as well as the 2016 mini-album Post Society, was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Recording Studio in Canada. The album‘s artwork was once again created by Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin and can be seen below.

Guitarist and songwriter Daniel “Chewy“ Mongrain" checked in with the following comment about the upcoming release: "It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we will soon share with you the fruit of 2 years of labour in the form of an intricate, intense and colourful journey with our new album The Wake, expanding the boundaries of Voivod's multiverse!"

Tracklisting :

"Obsolete Beings
"The End Of Dormancy
"Orb Confusion
"Iconspiracy
"Spherical Perspective
"Event Horizon
"Always Moving
"Sonic Mycelium

A first single outtake off The Wake is expected on July 20th. Stay tuned.

(Photo - Gaëlle Beri)

"Under The Wire", the new video from DREAM CHILD, a brand new band featuring former members of DIO, AC/DC and QUIET RIOT, can be seen below. The song is taken from DREAM CHILD's debut album, "Until Death Do We Meet Again", which will be released on September 14 via Frontiers Music Srl.

DREAM CHILD is:


* Craig Goldy (DIO, GIUFFRIA): Guitar

* Wayne Findlay (MSG): Guitar, Keyboards

* Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, OPERATION: MINDCRIME): Drums

* Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, DIO): Bass

* Diego Valdez (HELKER): Vocals

Goldy stated about DREAM CHILD's formation: "The band DREAM CHILD was conceived during a brainstorming session with Serafino (president of Frontiers) and I one day while discussing other matters.

"I had been listening to my favorite bands a lot recently, DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW's 'Rising' album, among others in that style, and had noticed that many people who also love those bands often have the very same comments as one another: 'They don't make music like that anymore!' Even though I said that in passing, Serafino asked me a question that would forever shape my future. He simply asked, "Well, can you?" and I said, 'Yes!!!'


"During the very first public memorial for our most beloved Ronnie James Dio, I had mentioned that whenever I do start writing original material again that I would utilize everything that I had learned from working side by side with the Master for so many years in such a way that I would hope to make him proud... and here it is! The name is inspired by one of his lyrics on the 'Dream Evil' album and the nickname he gave me at the time, Dream Child!


"We are so very fortunate to have bassist Rudy Sarzo as a featured guest, Simon Wright on drums, Wayne Findlay on guitars and keyboards, and a surprise vocal discovery from Argentina, Diego Valdez, whose voice will send shivers up your spine!


"This album will bring back memories of the days most people have thought were long gone and never to return, yet it is also new and fresh enough to be unique with some unexpected twists and turns!! No more 'same old, same old' here, no fillers. Every song is an oasis in the desert and a rare gem in the coalmines of life in this new world that thinks the past greatness of rock would remain in the past. We've brought it back to life once again!!


"I am very proud of this album and all who have made this become a reality. There are some big names who've lent a hand in the writing and I am amazed at the new and aggressive sound that producer Alessandro Del Vecchio has brought to these songs! I hope you all agree...."


"Until Death Do We Meet Again" track listing:

01. Under The Wire

02. You Can't Take Me Down

03. Game Of Shadows

04. It Is What It Is

05. Playin' With Fire

06. Light Of The Dark

07. Midnight Song

08. Until Death Do We Meet Again

09. Washed Upon The Shore

10. In A World So Cold

11. Weird World

12. One Step Beyond The Grave

THRICE has announced a September 14 release date for its new album, "Palms". The disc is the first Epitaph release for THRICE, which is widely regarded as one of the most innovative rock bands of its generation.

Co-produced by THRICE and Eric Palmquist and mixed by John Congleton, "Palms" encompasses everything from viscerally charged post-hardcore to piano-driven balladry. The most sonically expansive album so far in the band's 20-year-history, it follows the critically acclaimed "To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere" (released via Vagrant Records in 2016).

Also today, THRICE has shared the video for the band's previously released single "The Grey". The deeply evocative visual for the song, directed by Daniel Carberry, follows two young women as they attempt to break away from confinement.

"Palms" track listing:

01. Only Us

02. The Grey

03. The Dark

04. Just Breathe

05. Everything Belongs

06. My Soul

07. A Branch In The River

08. Hold Up A Light

09. Blood On Blood

10. Beyond The Pines

This fall, THRICE will embark on a headline tour with THE BRONX and labelmates TEENAGE WRIST.

Fan-filmed video footage of DEEP PURPLE's July 9 concert at Arena Di Verona in Verona, Italy can be seen below.

DEEP PURPLE and JUDAS PRIEST will embark on a co-headlining North American tour this summer. Produced by Live Nation, the outing will kick off August 21 in Cincinnati, Ohio and visit 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping September 30 in Wheatland, California.

DEEP PURPLE's latest studio album, "inFinite", was released in April 2017, via earMUSIC. Produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin (PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER, KISS), "inFinite" featured 10 new tracks recorded with no musical boundaries in the spirit of the '70s. The rock pioneers have released five studio albums since 1996, augmented by an abundance of solo work and special projects.

DEEP PURPLE's current lineup features singer Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Steve Morse. Airey joined in 2002, replacing Jon Lord on keyboards. Morse joined in 1994 as the replacement for Ritchie Blackmore.

Asked if he thinks this will be the final lineup of DEEP PURPLE, Glover told Metal Talk: "I think the last twenty-three years has been the most consistent period in the band's history. The only one change was [the addition of] Don, and that was a friendly change. Jon left. And so, yeah, I can't envisage… I mean, we don't envisage anything. We don't actually plan much for the future. The future will take care of itself — I kind of like that phrase. Steve said, 'I may not be the first guitarist in PURPLE, but I'd like to be the last.' Which is a lovely thing to say. And I feel the same way. I may not be the first bass player, but I'd like to be the last."

Cleveland, Ohio-based metal band Mushroomhead recently announced the release of their upcoming DVD, entitled Volume III, a follow up to the DVD's Volume 1 (2005) and Volume 2 (2008). The DVD is set to hit retailers on August 17th via Megaforce Records and will feature over 90 minutes of new material - including new music videos, backstage antics, and exclusive never-seen-before content. Pre-orders are available now via Amazon.

Mushroomhead has released a brand new, terrifying, cinema-quality music video for the alternate version of their track, "We Are The Truth", cut from their most recent and successful charting album, The Righteous & The Butterfly (the album debuted at #20 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on the Billboard Independent Chart, and #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart). The track and video feature Jackie Laponza of Unsaid Fate on guest vocals.

Impressively, the video is a complete DIY production, featuring sets the band built themselves and shot in their hometown of Cleveland. Watch it now:

"As you can imagine, the entire Mushroomhead camp is heavily into horror films," says producer / drummer / founder Steve "Skinny" Felton. "So, we decided to do an Evil Dead tribute. Dr. F, Stitch and myself were responsible for all set designs. I think the end result is very creepy and a lot of fun."

Get another taste of the high-quality video on Volume III via the official video trailer:

In celebration of the DVD release, Mushroomhead will headline The Summer Of Screams Tour this summer, presented by Scream Factory and Dread Central. Joining Mushroomhead on The Summer Of Screams Tour will be Powerman 5000 (on select dates), The Browning, Psychostick (on select dates), Kissing Candice, Unsaid Fate, Voodoo Terror Tribe (on select dates), and Earth Caller (on select dates).

The Summer Of Screams Tour will run for 25 dates across North America, beginning on August 17th and running until September 15th. Tickets are on sale now.

Tour dates:

August
17 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
19 - Toronto, ON - Rockpile West
21 - Manchester, NH - Bungalow
22 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
23 - Virginia Beach, VA - Shaka’s
24 - Spartanburg, SC - GroundZero
25 - Huntsville, AL - Sidetracks Music Hall
26 - New Orleans, LA - Southport Music Hall
28 - Houston, TX - Houston Underground
29 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
30 - Laredo, TX - Ethos Live
31 - Fort Worth, TX - The Rail Club

September
2 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
4 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
5 - Portland, OR - Dante's
6 - Seattle, WA - Club Sur
7 - Billings, MT - Pub Station
8 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
9 - Denver, CO - The Roxy Theater
11 - Merriam, KS - Aftershock
12 - Waterloo, IA - Spicoli's
13 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre
14 - Ringle, WI - Q & Z Expo Center
15 - Chicago, IL - Patio Theater

Powerman 5000 (Sept 2nd - Sept 15th)
Psychostick (Aug 17th - Aug 31st)
Voodoo Terror Tribe (Aug 17th - Aug 30th)
Earth Caller (Aug 31st - Sept 15th)

 

RATT's new lineup made its live debut last night (Saturday, July 7) in Mulvane, Kansas. Fan-filmed video footage and photos of the concert can be found below.

Singer Stephen Pearcy and bassist Juan Croucier are the sole remaining original members in RATT's current lineup, which also includes drummer Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE, RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER) and guitarists Jordan Ziff (RAZER) and Chris Sanders (BRITNY FOX, KNIGHT FURY).

When RATT announced its 2018 relaunch, Pearcy said in a statement that the band has "not had an all-original member lineup since 1991 and sadly with the passing of Robbin Crosby, that chapter is over. However, if you still want to see the original band, there are many videos on YouTube and other places to enjoy. That was a fucking great band, but I guarantee that the new breed of RATT that we put onstage every night will be in your face, energized and fully engaged. Simply put, the band our fans deserve."

As originally reported by Metal Sludge, RATT's new lineup is:

* Stephen Pearcy - Vocals

* Juan Croucier - Bass

* Jordan Ziff (RAZER) - Lead Guitar

* Chris Sanders (BRITNY FOX, KNIGHT FURY) - Rhythm Guitar

* Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE, RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER) - Drums

Back in March, it was reported by Metal Sludge that guitarist Warren DeMartini was fired by Pearcy and Croucier, with undisclosed sources telling the site that "serious issues" existed between the three members of RATT's classic lineup. Fellow RATT guitarist Carlos Cavazo apparently confirmed the report a few days later, telling the site that he couldn't see himself continuing with the band without DeMartini. "I can't picture anyone else being there other than Warren," Cavazo was quoted as saying.

RATT — featuring DeMartini, Pearcy, Croucier, DeGrasso and Cavazo — played a number of shows last year after reforming in 2016 in the midst of a highly publicized legal battle with drummer Bobby Blotzer over the rights to the RATT name.

Last month, guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, KXM) said that he received an offer to play with RATT, but it eventually fell through. "We just couldn't come to an agreement on it," he said.





I think we have a @theRATTpack problem!

RATT 'n Roll! pic.twitter.com/g0nAnOlNQP— Coach Koenig (@DWCoachK) July 8, 2018

A very ambitious band passionate about writing and playing extreme music, Ottawa ON's Ominous Eclipse draws their inspiration from a wide variety of genres to create a unique hybrid sound with death metal being the main aspect combined with elements of thrash, groove, black, melodic, etc.

Active since 2014, Ominous Eclipse has been making waves on the local scene opening for names such as Revocation, The Agonist, Kalmah, Archspire, Incantation, Vesperia, Beyond Creation, Rivers Of Nihil to name a few. In the same year of their conception, they unleashed a four song EP Beyond The Apocalypse with a full length End Of Days following not long after in 2015. Now in 2018, they return with their sophomore album Sinister, due out September 14th.

The band comments: "There's no concept or theme on this album so all the songs have different meaning. The title track itself divulges into the inevitable end to humanity and potentially the world with it. It discusses the issues around the globe and also addresses the ignorance and selfishness of those indirectly affected by the chaos. It has a strong "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" theme in regards to how people can turn their backs on those in need in order to save their own skin, which ironically will lead to our end as it causes people to turn on each other. Musically for this album, you will notice we have evolved from the first release and have moved away from thrashy overtones to become more diverse including more heavily stated melodic and technical with a solid groove and death foundation."

Tracklisting:

"Death By Dissection"
"Sinister"
"Spiral Into Insanity"
"Lost At Sea"
"No Redemption For The Damned"
"Breaking The Chains"
"The Horde"
"Eye Of The Raven"

"Sinister" video:

"Spiral Into Insanity" lyric video:

"The Horde":

(Photo - Max Southwood)

Barbarian metal kings Kull, featuring members of Bal-Sagoth and Dysgraphia have joined Black Lion Records, with a new album coming in 2019.

Kull was forged by four members of Bal-Sagoth (all except for Byron), together with Dyscaphia’s guitarist and composer Tarkan (vocals in Kull). The band's debut was recorded at Wayland’s Forge Studio. Everything is composed by Jonny and Chris Maudling, so fans of Bal-Sagoth will not be disappointed. Building on the musical tradition already established in Maudling's back-catalogue.

Their debut album Exile will be released on CD/LP/digital in 2019.

Lineup:

Tarkan Alp - Vocals
Chris Maudling - Guitars
Jonny Maudling - Keyboards/Synths
Alistair MacLatchy - Bass
Paul “Wak” Jackson - Drums

According to Billboard, GUNS N' ROSES' classic 1987 debut album, "Appetite For Destruction", has returned to the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart after more than 29 years. The LP re-entered the chart at No. 10, following its "Locked N' Loaded" box reissue on June 29.

For tracking and charting purposes, all versions of "Appetite For Destruction" are combined, and in the week ending July 5, the album sold 33,000 equivalent units.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units are comprised of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). As of this week, each unit equals one traditional album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from one album (a TEA unit), or 1,250 paid subscription on-demand audio song streams from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported on-demand audio song streams from an album (an SEA unit).

The "Appetite For Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" box is the one true GN'R Holy Grail. The box includes the Super Deluxe Edition with four CDs featuring the album newly remastered for the first time ever; "B-sides N' EPs" newly remastered; the previously unreleased 1986 Sound City Session N' More recordings; a Blu-ray Audio disc with the album, bonus tracks and music videos in brand new 5.1 surround sound along with the unearthed music video for "It's So Easy" originally shot in 1989 but never finished; and a 96-page hardcover book showcasing unseen photos from Axl Rose's personal archive and a wealth of memorabilia.

Among the rare and previously unreleased material are two songs GUNS N' ROSES recorded with producer Mike Clink, "Shadow Of Your Love" — laid down during a trial session that resulted in Clink getting the production job — and an acoustic version of "Move To The City", which was recorded during the "GN'R Lies" sessions. Additional highlights of the unreleased audio include the first two work-in-progress recording attempts of the 1991 epic masterpiece "November Rain" which was originally penned as the ballad for "Appetite", covers of songs like Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel", AEROSMITH's "Mama Kin", two distinctly different recordings of THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (one electric, one acoustic) and two never-finished tracks/jams, "The Plague" and "New Work Tune".

On the vinyl front, the original "Appetite For Destruction" album has been broadened to 2LPs for the first time, including expanded gatefold jacket art and a limited-edition foil printed plastic slipcase. The music itself is being presented on three sides only for maximum audio fidelity, with the fourth side featuring a vinyl Hologroove Hologram of the band's iconic logo. Seven seven-inch singles are also included: the five original singles from the album, plus one for "Patience" and a new song, the aforementioned "Shadow Of Your Love". All of the bonus tracks appearing on 12-inch vinyl will only be available in the "Locked N' Loaded" box, including a reissue of the band's first EP, "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide".

"Appetite For Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" track listing:

Disc One - Appetite For Destruction

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. It's So Easy

03. Nightrain

04. Out Ta Get Me

05. Mr. Brownstone

06. Paradise City

07. My Michelle

08. Think About You

09. Sweet Child O' Mine

10. You're Crazy

11. Anything Goes

12. Rocket Queen

Disc Two - B-sides N' EPs

01. Reckless Life

02. Nice Boys

03. Move To The City (Live)

04. Mama Kin

05. Shadow Of Your Love (Live)

06. You're Crazy (Acoustic Version)

07. Patience

08. Used To Love Her

09. You're Crazy

10. It's So Easy (Live)

11. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Live)

12. Whole Lotta Rosie (Live)

Disc Three - 1986 Sound City Session

01. Welcome To The Jungle (1986 Sound City Session)

02. Nightrain (1986 Sound City Session)

03. Out Ta Get Me (1986 Sound City Session)

04. Paradise City (1986 Sound City Session)

05. My Michelle (1986 Sound City Session)

06. Think About You (1986 Sound City Session)

07. You're Crazy (1986 Sound City Session)

08. Anything Goes (1986 Sound City Session)

09. Rocket Queen (1986 Sound City Session)

10. Shadow Of Your Love (1986 Sound City Session)

11. Heartbreak Hotel (1986 Sound City Session)

12. Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986 Sound City Session)

Disc Four - 1986 Sound City Session N' More

01. Shadow Of Your Love

02. Move To The City (1986 Sound City Session)

03. Ain't Goin' Down No More (Instrumental Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

04. The Plague (1986 Sound City Session)

05. Nice Boys (1986 Sound City Session)

06. Back Off Bitch (1986 Sound City Session)

07. Reckless Life (1986 Sound City Session)

08. Mama Kin (1986 Sound City Session)

09. New Work Tune (1986 Sound City Session)

10. November Rain (Piano Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

11. Move To The City (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

12. You're Crazy (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

13. November Rain (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

14. Jumpin' Jack Flash (Acoustic Version- 1986 Sound City Session)

15. Move To The City (1988 Acoustic Version)

Blu-Ray Audio

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. It's So Easy

03. Nightrain

04. Out Ta Get Me

05. Mr. Brownstone

06. Paradise City

07. My Michelle

08. Think About You

09. Sweet Child O' Mine

10. You're Crazy

11. Anything Goes

12. Rocket Queen

Bonus Tracks

01. Shadow Of Your Love

02. Patience

03. Used To Love Her

04. You're Crazy

05. Move To The City (1988 Acoustic Version)

Music Videos

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. Sweet Child O' Mine

03. Paradise City

04. Patience

05. It's So Easy (Brand New Video From 1989)

I AM MORBID — the band featuring former MORBID ANGEL members David Vincent (vocals, bass) and Tim Yeung (drums) alongside guitarists Bill Hudson (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) and Ira Black (METAL CHURCH, LIZZY BORDEN) — played at the Kilkim Žaibu festival in Lithuania on June 30. Professionally filmed video footage of the "Rapture" performance from the concert can be seen below.

Formed in 2016, I AM MORBID plays material from MORBID ANGEL's "Altars Of Madness" (1989), "Blessed Are The Sick" (1991), "Covenant" (1993) and "Domination" (1995) albums.

Vincent told Ghost Cult about I AM MORBID's formation: "It's been discussed off and on for a few years now, but, as they say, actions speak louder than words. While it was exciting to discuss, it was held off for a few years until I decided to go through some personal changes in my life, and really absorb the possibility of it happening. I went ahead and focused on my roots music, but this kept lingering, and now it's time for I AM MORBID to finally happen."

Regarding the I AM MORBID setlist, Vincent said: "Like everything I do, I want to make this special. This is very different from MORBID ANGEL. If you want to see a MORBID ANGEL show, you know where to go, but this isn't it. I'm only going to be performing songs that I wrote on this tour. If I didn't write it, we aren't playing it. We are going to throw in things, here or there, to make things more unique, but it's going to be one brutal show. I can promise you that."

MORBID ANGEL's controversial 2011 album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", marked the group's first CD to feature Vincent since "Domination".

Last December, the band released a new studio album, "Kingdoms Disdained", with a lineup that includes Steve Tucker on bass/vocals, Scott Fuller (ANNIHILATED, ERRORGEIST) on drums, and Dan Vadim Von (guitarist/frontman of the American death metal group VADIMVON) on second guitar.

Finnish rockers THE 69 EYES are preparing to enter the studio to begin recording their new album. The follow-up to 2016's "Universal Monsters" is expected to arrive in early 2019.

Speaking to TotalRock Radio at last month's Sweden Rock Festival, THE 69 EYES singer Jyrki 69 stated about the band's plans for the coming months (see video below): "THE 69 EYES is playing, during this summer, a handful of shows, but it's kind of a quiet summer, because we are writing new material for the next 69 EYES album. We start to record in July. And we're probably finished most of the songs by now. Actually, I'm happy to say that because I've been writing the lyrics all these couple of months. And then we start to record the album. It should come out early spring — February, March. We play a handful of shows, and then I have my solo band; I'm doing some shows in the States in the fall as well with that. So I'm keeping myself busy and getting ready to celebrate the 30th anniversary of THE 69 EYES in 2019."

Asked where he gets the inspiration for his lyrics, Jyrki said: "I trust in the first impression. When I hear the demo song, I should have the idea of some words or some picture in my mind immediately; I trust in that and use that first impression. If I have to toss and turn the song, I sort of give it back to our guitarist, who writes most of the songs, like, 'Oh, this wasn't good enough.' It's kind of a cruel way to do it, but it has ended up to work by this far. And then, I can't explain where the idea, or where the main lyrics sometimes come from. They're definitely not kind of, like, I plan to do something; they come from the music and they come [from] what happens around me and around the world. For instance, this time is very chaotic, negative, kind of doomsday kind of life right now, so it's very inspirational as well — unfortunately, but fortunately."

THE 69 EYES' 11th album, "Universal Monsters", was released in April 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded with producer Johnny Lee Michaels at his Helsinki-based Bat Cave Studios.

San Francisco Bay Area metallers VICIOUS RUMORS have announced the addition of vocalist Nick Courtney to the group's ranks. Courtney joins the veteran band for the upcoming 46-date "Digital Dictator 30th-Anniversary Tour" of North America and Canada, which will take place from August 31 to October 20.

Due to the massive size of the U.S. tour, the band will bring the "Digital Dictator" trek to Europe in April 2019, where one show is confirmed already: April 13 in Mannheim, Germany at the Delta Metal Meeting.

Nick adds power, style and dedication back to the band. Guitarist Geoff Thorpe says: "Nick has a real kick-ass aproach! We're ready to tear it up on tour with his powerful and melodic voice."

At 30 years old, Nick comes from Vancouver, Washington, bringing a new fire and energy to the VICIOUS RUMORS camp. He was am "American Idol" contestant who stood his ground singing JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN at his audition... one of the very few metal singers to ever make the second round on the show!

Former singer Brian Allen recomended Nick to the band as schedule and direction conflicts led to his departure.

VICIOUS RUMORS' previously announced special-edition DVD is now titled "40th Anniversary - Live in Germany" and has a also new cover. The DVD of last year's crushing show at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Germany will be available directly from the band starting August 31 at the first show of the tour in Santa Rosa, California at the University of Rock. The DVD will be available only at the shows and online through the VICIOUS RUMORS social media sites.

In other news, VICIOUS RUMORS has just re-signed with SPV/Steamhammer for two more studio albums. Thorpe says: "We're so excited to continue with the incredible team at SPV/Steamhammer. We're honored to move forward and be part of the great family and history!"

Olly Hahn, head of SPV/Steamhammer, adds: "Geoff and the band are real fighters and legends when it comes to U.S. metal. Looking forward to a new crushing metal album... the ball is rolling again!"

VICIOUS RUMORS is already in pre-production on new material and is planning to release the next album in the summer of 2019.

Black Fast has released a guitar playthrough video for "Silhouette Usurper", a track from the upcoming Spectre Of Ruin album, out on Friday, July 13th via Entertainment One. Watch below:

Like its predecessor, Black Fast’s Spectre Of Ruin was summoned into sharp focus at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Erik Rutan, the Hate Eternal frontman and ex-Morbid Angel guitarist who has produced albums by genre titans like Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, and Six Feet Under. It’s all killer, no filler, demonstrating the destructive force of focused neo-thrash and progressive death-infused heavy metal at its finest.

Black Fast follow the roadmap laid down by the great bands with “Angel” and “Death” in their names, swearing off the trappings of the mainstream with a steadfast dedication to their chosen craft. As vocalist/guitarist, Aaron Akin once summarized, “We’ve pushed our chips all-in since the beginning. We threw caution to the wind. We’re playing metal. We don’t really give a shit about ‘making it.’”  

This music is a vibrant soundtrack to society’s collapse and a celebration of defiant resolution. The Black Fast mission is ruthlessly simple: champion musical aggression, bark at the moon, raise a fist and headbang like there’s no tomorrow.

Pre-order digital copies of the album here, or physical copies here.

Tracklisting:

"Cloak Of Lies"
"Silhouette Usurper"
"Scarecrow And Spectre"
"Phantom I Am"
"Mist Of Ruin"
"Temple Of Leviathan"
"Famine Angel"
"Crescent Aberration"
"Husk"

"Husk":

"Silhouette Usurper":

"Cloak Of Lies" video:

Black Fast will hit the road this summer in various stops across the eastern half of the United States. The band kicks it off with a performance at the 17th Annual ShowcaseSTL presented by The Riverfront Times followed by a batch of support dates with Exmortus on the Summer Of Steel tour. Black Fast will then head out with Ringworm until they reach Cincinnati, OH where they'll participate in the first Annual Transplant Fest with Ringworm and Incantation on July 21st.

METALLICA has uploaded a 360-degree video of the band performing the song "Sad But True" on May 7 at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Check it out below.

METALLICA recently landed on Pollstar's Global Concert Pulse chart with concert grosses of more than $2 million per market appearance on the band's European tour.

The San Francisco-based metal giants averaged 20,451 tickets per market, at an average ticket price of $104.

The 19 market reports included a two-night stand at Stuttgart, Germany's Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle, which grossed $3.3 million. Both shows were sold out, with an attendance of 14,695 per concert.

METALLICA is currently home on a three-month break before launching a North American arena tour on September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin.

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.

METALLICA's European tour included the first drone swarm for a major touring act. It consisted of 120 autonomous micro drones that emerge from the main-stage prop lifts during the song "Moth Into Flames" and swarm into several formations over the band's heads, according to Pollstar.

The 2017 dates on the "WorldWired" tour, which included stadium shows across the U.S., grossed $110.3 million in North America and $152.8 million worldwide.

NASHVILLE PUSSY will release its new album, "Pleased To Eat You", on September 7 via earMUSIC.

Lemmy personally blessed NASHVILLE PUSSY calling them "America's last great rock 'n' roll band" — and Lemmy should know.

Formed in 1997, NASHVILLE PUSSY preached its sleazy gospel over the past couple of decades alongside MOTÖRHEAD in every rock outpost from Asia to Europe and back again.


Raised on a diet of Marshall stacks, Gibson guitars, Jack Daniels, and weed, NASHVILLE PUSSY are the bastard offspring of foul-mouthed, demented hillbilly ice-cream man Blaine Cartwright and tractor-driving, nude art school model, and guitar prodigy Ruyter Suys. NASHVILLE PUSSY quickly gained a reputation for being like "AC/DC with a female Angus" in Ruyter's blues-meets-punk frenzied guitar solos and Blaine's hilarious "jailhouse nursery rhyme" lyrics.


The band's bass player — Bonnie "Bon" Buitrago — began as a teenage fan of the band sneaking into shows, determined to make the leap from audience member to member of the band by mastering her craft on bass. Atlanta native and ex-landscaper Ben Thomas on drums has quickly become known for his showmanship, precision, and all-around sensuality behind the kit.


"We are rock 'n' rolls' dirty little secret — blissfully outliving musical trends we never knew existed," says Suys. "More than ever, everyone needs to escape to a place where they can pretend they don't give a shit, let their hair down and get loud, sweaty and dirty. NASHVILLE PUSSY provides that unpretentious refuge. Everyone is welcome — just don't dress up 'cause it's gonna get messy."


The Gods of Rock smiled upon on NASHVILLE PUSSY in creating the band's brand new studio album, "Pleased To Eat You". Combining the talents of producer Daniel Rey (RAMONES, WHITE ZOMBIE, Ronnie Spector and RAGING SLAB) and studio engineer David Barrick (BLACK STONE CHERRY, THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS, MARSHALL TUCKER BAND), the band was fresh off an international tour and hungry for new songs to sink their teeth.


"Pleased To Eat You" is their seventh studio album and certainly another milestone recording by the band you'll need to share with your mom: Bourbon, BBQ, horse farms, good people, and a great fucking record. Seriously, you'll hardly find a band that manages to act so easy, so fast and yet so impulsive as NASHVILLE PUSSY — a band that is not shy about expressing opinions loud and clear.

The official lyric video for "Infra-Red", the new single from THREE DAYS GRACE, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's sixth studio effort, "Outsider", which was released in March

THREE DAYS GRACE made chart history in March, earning the band's 13th No. 1 single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart with "The Mountain". That tied the record held for the past two decades by rock legends VAN HALEN.

THREE DAYS GRACE already held the record for most No. 1 singles at Active Rock radio, also with 13. The quartet's previous chart-toppers on the airwaves were "I Am Machine" and "Painkiller" from the 2015 album "Human".

Drummer Neil Sanderson said a while back why he thinks the band continues to connect with listeners. "One thing that hasn't changed with us is that we write about real things in our lives and the lives of people around us, and observations of just sort of life itself, you know," he explained. "And I think THREE DAYS GRACE fans have attached themselves to that and I think that sometimes, you know, that's a powerful thing if you can put into words what other people are thinking."

THREE DAYS GRACE's other No. 1 singles include "Misery Loves My Company", "Chalk Outline", "World So Cold", "Never Too Late", "Just Like You", "Animal", "Pain" and "Home".

The Canadian act also consistently averages 3.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, remaining one of the most listened-to rock bands in the world.

THREE DAYS GRACE will tour North America this summer with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and PROPHETS OF RAGE, kicking off on July 22 in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

The official lyric video for the song "Lift Me Up" from German metal queen Doro Pesch can be seen below. The track is taken from her new album, "Forever Warriors, Forever United", which will be released on August 17 via Nuclear Blast.

Says Doro: "'Lift Me Up' is one of my absolute favorites. This song has a lot of good energy; it builds you up right. I also love the very catchy melody and the lyrics."

The first single from the epic collection of tracks, "All For Metal", features an assortment of metal heroes, who can also be seen in the official music video: Mille Petrozza (KREATOR), Johan Hegg (AMON AMARTH), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), Warrel Dane (NEVERMORE, SANCTUARY), Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR), SABATON, Ross The Boss (MANOWAR), Rock 'N' Rolf (RUNNING WILD), DETRAKTOR, Tommy Bolan (ex-WARLOCK), Andy Brings and The Ultimate Doro Clan.

Doro explains: "I think the song 'All For Metal' is an anthem like 'All We Are' with some great guests singing, who are all friends of mine. It's an awesome live song and I hope you enjoy it because it's one of my favorite songs!"

"Forever United" takes a more sentimental turn, with lyrical topics covering friendship, love and companionship. Highlights include Doro's tribute to the late and great Lemmy.

"We've been touring a lot during the last years. We collected a lot of impressions and got to meet many amazing people. That inspired me enormously," explains Doro. "The songs and ideas simply bubble out of me. That process didn't even end while being in the studio. We had 50 song ideas in the beginning which turned into 14 concrete album tracks. Suddenly we had 20 songs, and, in the end, it was even 24. I also wanted to record 'Caruso' in the last recording week."

With "Forever Warriors, Forever United", Doro presents two new records, featuring 19 regular tracks and six bonus songs.

This unique songwriting marathon was based on "Living Life To The Fullest" back in January 2016. Says Doro: "I was flying to Lemmy's funeral when the track's melody and lyrics suddenly came to mind. Lemmy was always very important to me. Everything went quickly from this point. As soon as a song was constructed, I headed to the studio — between all those shows and tours — to capture the freshness and live energy of the new tracks."

The album cover artwork was once again created by Doro's favorite artist, Geoffrey Gillespie. It portrays Doro in the middle of a swarm of wild metal heads exuding attitude, power and positive vibes.

"The cover and the title form a perfect unit," Doro explains, "Just as it should be. It all fits perfectly in line with the songs, which also deal with some political themes."

The long-awaited follow-up to 2012's "Raise Your Fist" will be the German singer's first release since 2016's "Love's Gone To Hell" single.

Last year, Pesch celebrated the 30th anniversary of WARLOCK's "Triumph And Agony" album by performing the LP in its entirety at select shows around the globe.

Doro was joined on the "Triumph And Agony" 30th-anniversary tour by Bolan alongside bassist Nick Douglas, drummer Johnny Dee, guitarist Bas Maas and guitarist/keyboardist Luca Princiotta.

KISS played its first concert of 2018 Saturday night (July 7) at the Rock Fest in Barcelona, Spain. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Deuce

02. Shout It Out Loud

03. I Was Made For Lovin' You

04. I Love It Loud

05. Firehouse

06. Shock Me

07. Guitar Solo (Tommy Thayer)

08. Love Gun

09. Lick It Up

10. Bass Solo

11. God Of Thunder

12. Flaming Youth

13. Say Yeah

14. War Machine

15. Psycho Circus

16. Rock And Roll All Nite

Encore:

17. Cold Gin

18. Detroit Rock City

19. Black Diamond

Gene Simmons recently told Sweden's Expressen newspaper that KISS will launch a three-year world tour in January 2019. Calling it the band's "most spectacular tour ever," the bassist/vocalist added that the trek will make stops on "all continents."

Simmons's latest comments echo those made by his bandmate, Paul Stanley, who told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that KISS will embark on its "biggest tour" next year.

Rumors of KISS's final run of live shows gained strength several months ago following the news that the band was attempting to trademark the phrase "The End Of The Road." An application from KISS was filed in February to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which — should it be accepted — means that the band could use it in connection with "live performances by a musical band." As it stands now, no official farewell tour has been announced.

As most fans remember, back in 2000 and 2001, KISS already performed a "Farewell Tour". The trek, which was the last to feature drummer Peter Criss, played 142 shows over five legs, covering North America, Japan, and Australia.

In a recent interview with Australia's News Corp, Simmons confirmed that he "had nothing to do" with KISS's attempt to trademark "The End Of The Road."

"The god's honest truth is that I've heard this before but I literally had never heard of it until somebody mentioned it and I had nothing to do with it," he said. "So I might learn something, but I know nothing of it. I wouldn't pull your leg, by the way.

"Kiss Catalog [the company that filed 'The End Of The Road' application] is one of our companies, that's true — but we trademark all sorts of things. I own [the phrase] 'Motion Pictures' — I actually do.

"There's always been talk, every tour, that this is the last time.

"Let me put it bluntly: One day we are going to stop and do the last show. I don't know when that is… I still look stunning in real life," he laughed.

"The band's in great shape — Tommy [Thayer, guitar] and Eric [Singer, drums] are fantastic. Everybody finally seems happy with their lot in life."

MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil performed with his solo band on July 3 at Rivers Casino And Resort in Schenectady, New York. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE called it quits in December 2015 following an eighteen-month tour that saw the group performing to packed houses all over the world.

A tour film about CRÜE's final shows, "The End", came out last fall, and a film adaptation of the band's 2001 autobiography "The Dirt" is in the works.

Speaking to "Trunk Nation", Eddie Trunk's show on SiriusXM channel Volume (106), Vince acknowledged that he is currently the only member of MÖTLEY CRÜE who is waving the flag for the band's music by performing CRÜE songs as a solo artist.

"It's a cool thing, because I love MÖTLEY CRÜE, I love MÖTLEY CRÜE's music, and I love singing, and I love the fans' reactions when they hear the songs," he said. "Whether we're playing in front of a thousand people or twenty thousand people, I can only see the front row anyway. So I'm happy for me and for the fans to be able to still hear that music after MÖTLEY CRÜE is finished."

Neil reiterated the fact that he doesn't mind performing in much smaller places with his solo band than he was accustomed to playing with MÖTLEY CRÜE. "I always look at it like the best of both worlds," he explained. "You know, we had the big, giant MÖTLEY stuff and everything, and then you've got… I like going out and playing… We do fifteen-hundred, two-thousand, three-thousand seaters and some festival stuff, and it's fun to go out there and just let the music do the talking, as the song goes. And I don't miss it. I like just going out there and just raw."

Even though Neil's solo set consists exclusively of MÖTLEY CRÜE material, he says that he tries to keep things fresh by occasionally throwing in "deeper" album cuts that many fans wouldn't expect to hear in a live situation.

"Like [the] songs 'Red Hot' and 'Piece Of Your Action', we didn't have [them] in the set for a long time, and then I was, like, 'Yeah, let's just go ahead and let's do this,'" he said. "Then we added 'Red Hot' and we stopped doing it for a while, and then we just added it again."

He continued: "The old songs are… MÖTLEY didn't play all these old songs, and I enjoy singing these old songs, so it's fun for me and it's fun for the band and it's fun for the crowd."

Neil's solo band includes Dana Strum and Jeff Blando from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney.

An official karaoke-style lyric video for the Queen song "Headlong" can be seen below. The track was featured on the band's 1991 album Innuendo.

The official teaser trailer for the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is now available for streaming below. The film will be released on November 2nd.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

The clip below features on set and behind the scenes stills taken from the Bohemian Rhapsody movie.

Greg Brooks, Queens’ Official Archivist was part of this process and he worked with the band and the movie production team on a daily basis for months to re-create every tiny detail of each scene and to make it as authentic as possible.

"My role was to give the Fox ‘Props’ team access to authentic Queen tapes, notes, handwriting, memorabilia, costumes and photographs - anything and everything remotely useful - which they could then create replicas of, to dress various sets."

"Working on this project with such a brilliant gathering of dedicated talented people, was a rare privilege. Fox have created a Queen universe that is scarily convincing. It is real in every way that it could reasonably be."

On Sunday night (July 8th), Ozzy Osbourne performed at Live Park in Rishon Lezion, Israel. A comprehensive review of the concert can be found at The Jerusalem Post.

Ozzy's setlist, as well as fan-filmed video from the show can be found below.

Setlist:
"Bark At The Moon"
"Mr. Crowley"
"I Don't Know"
"Fairies Wear Boots" (Black Sabbath)
"Suicide Solution"
"No More Tears"
"Road To Nowhere"
"War Pigs" (Black Sabbath) (with extended Zakk Wylde guitar solo)
"Miracle Man" / "Crazy Babies" / "Desire" / "Perry Mason"
Drum Solo
"I Don't Want To Change The World"
"Shot In The Dark"
"Crazy Train"

Encore:
"Mama, I'm Coming Home"
"Paranoid" (Black Sabbath)

Hard rock legend Dee Snider had released an official music video for the new track "Become The Storm" off his upcoming album For The Love Of Metal.  Filmed by Douglas Quill, the video can be see below.

Dee Snider about "Become The Storm": "It can be a dark world out there for people being bullied, and I know it. With 'Become The Storm' I'm hoping to lift them up and help them find the power within to defeat their adversaries. Sound serious? It is."

For The Love Of Metal will be released on July 27th via Napalm Records. The album was produced by Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta and features contributions from Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Mark Morton (Lamb Of God), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (Toxic Holocaust) and Charlie Bellmore (Kingdom Of Sorrow). Pre-order For The Love Of Metal here.

Dee Snider on the release: "I am beyond excited to be working with one of the world's leading labels for heavy music, it's a perfect home for this album! I believe there's something for every hard rock and metal fan on this record and I cannot wait to unleash it on the world July 27th!"

Jamey Jasta comments: "I'm so happy and proud to have been a part of this project, Dee Snider is an American original, there is no other voice like his on earth, his power and passion really shine through on this album. Metal brings us all together and with Dee still at the forefront, it's a great time to be a fan of heavy music!"

Howard Jones states: "To be given the chance to write for AND sing with Dee Snider, one of the men responsible for shaping heavy music as it is today, is an absolute honor. The voice, the mind, the swagger... the man is one of a kind."

Alissa White-Gluz comments: "I am honored and humbled to sing alongside such a truly unique and talented soul. I love that Dee Snider has continued to shock people for decades just by being himself. I can't wait for everyone to hear our duet! It was no easy task matching up to Dee's level of vocal prowess but I was happy to accept the challenge and I'm in love with the results!"

Tracklisting:

"Lies Are A Business"
"Tomorrow's No Concern"
"I Am The Hurricane"
"American Made"
"Roll Over You"
"I'm Ready"
"Running Mazes"
"Mask"
"Become The Storm"
"The Hardest Way"
"Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy)"
"For The Love Of Metal"

“Tomorrow’s No Concern” lyric video:

Live dates:

July
12 - Cadott, WI - Rock Fest Grounds
13. - Antioch, CA - Contra Costa County Fair Grounds

August
4 - Barbaroo, WI - Ho-Chunk Gaming-WI-Dells
25 - Huber Heights, OH - The Rose Music Center
26 - Warrendale, PA - Jergels

December
7 - Oulu, Finland - Areena Oulu
8 - Lahti, Finland - Jahti Halli

(Photo - Stephanie Cabral)

Beyond The Black recently released their first single and title track of their upcoming album Heart Of The Hurricane. Today the band unleashes the second single from the album entitled "My God Is Dead“.

The band comments on "My God Is Dead“: "'My God Is Dead' is powerballad and massive battering ram at the same time. The song has an incredible energy which combines the best out of both BtB-worlds and shows the wide range of Heart Of The Hurricane!”

Get the single here, and listen via the Bandcamp widget below.

Heart Of The Hurricane will be released on August 31st via Napalm Records (GSA via Airforce1). A lyric video for the title track can be found below.

Available formats:

- 1 CD Digipack
- 2 LP Gatefold Black
- 2 LP Gatefold Gold
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Hysteria"
"Heart Of The Hurricane"
"Through The Mirror"
"Million Lightyears"
"Song For The Godless"
"Escape From The Earth"
"Beneath A Blackened Sky"
"Fairytale Of Doom"
"My God Is Dead"
"Dear Death"
"Scream For Me"
"Freedom"
"Breeze"
"Echo From The Past" (Bonus)
"Parade" (Bonus)

"My God Is Dead":

Heart Of The Hurricane by Beyond The Black

"Heart Of The Hurricane" lyric video:

Tour dates:

July
7 - Novokuznetsk, Russia - Heroes Of World Rock

August
30 - Hartenholm, Germany - Werner Rennen

September
20 - München, Germany - Backstage Werk
21 - Hamburg, Germany - Metal Dayz
22 - Köln, Germany - Live Music Hall
23 - Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus

October
14 - Mallorca, Spain - Full Metal Holiday

(Photo - Heilemania)

Pure Steel Records will reissue Artizan’s debut album Curse Of The Artizan on August 17th.

In 2011 the first complete album Curse Of The Artizan was released, which consistently continued the class of the progressive, pathos-dripping and extremely melodic US metal sound. It caused some euphoric reactions from the press and fans, because the band has a completely independent sound up to this day. With "Ancestral Energy" and "The Furthest Reaches" two more masterpieces have been released in the meantime and in this year’s August the guys around drummer Ty Tammeus are going to unleash their next strike Demon Rider.
 
Since the debut is completely out of print, it's time for a reissue, for the first time also officially in the US.

Tracklisting:

“Trade The World”
“Rise”
“The Man In Black”
“Fire”
“Fading Story”
“Game Within A Game”
“Torment”
“Curse Of The Artizan”

Danish death metallers Baest, whose moniker translates to ‘beast’ or ‘brute’ in the band’s native language, have released "Vortex", the second single from their forthcoming debut album Danse Macabre. Set for release on August 17th via Century Media Records, Danse Macabre offers an intense Messe Macabre uniting influences from the likes of Bloodbath, Dismember, Bolt Thrower, Entombed and 90’s Morbid Angel with uttermost savagery.

Baest comments: “Gathered from the whirlwinds of decadence, this is the most aggressive track coming out of the den of Baest so far. The epicentre of the Danse, the embodiment of the seven sins combined, we give you 'Vortex'!”

Directed, filmed and edited by Søren Kahr, the "Vortex" video takes you literally into the den of Baest, as it was actually shot at the group’s rehearsal place perfectly illustrating the song’s savage intensity - enjoy the carnage!

Danse Macabre will be released as 180 gram vinyl plus CD, as jewelcase CD, and on all digital platforms. Apart from regular black vinyl, the following limited colours are available:

- 200x transparent green - BAEST exclusive-
- 100x gold - CMDistro.de exclusive-
- 200x silver - also available through CMDistro.de-
- 100x transparent red - Headbangr Edition, available alongside an exclusive t-shirt bundle via Headbangr.dk  

All pre-sales can be viewed here.

Danse Macabre, recorded with Andreas Linnemann at Output Lydstudio and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory at Obey Mastering (Firespawn, Decapitated, LIK), offers extremely focused (de)compositions perfectly blending Boss HM-2 pedal abusing buzz saw guitars, vicious blasts, deep growls and infectious hooks.

Danse Macabre tracklisting:

"Crosswhore"
"Hecatomb"
"Danse Macabre"
"Atra Mors"
"Messe Macabre"
"Ritual"
"Vortex"
"Ego Te Absolvo"

"Crosswhore" video:

Formed in 2015, Baest played over 40 shows within the quintet’s first year of existence, quickly turning heads due to their windmill headbanging skills and ferocious frontman Simon Olsen. Previously, Baest performed at Copenhell, Roskilde, Royal Metal Fest, Eurosonic and supported bands like Hatebreed, Dying Fetus, Entombed A.D. and Illdisposed, in 2018 they will play at Summer Breeze, do a Denmark headlining tour and selected shows supporting Abbath in Germany.

Tour dates:

July
12 - Devilstone - Anyksciai, Lithuania

August
3 - Grimfest - Aarhus, Denmark
10 - Dirty Days Of Summer - Copenhagen, Denmark
11 - Smukfest - Skanderborg, Denmark
16 - Summer Breeze - Dinkelsbühl, Germany

September (with Abbath)
5 - Leiden, Netherlands - Gebr. De Nobel
6 - Essen, Germany - Turock
7 - Mannheim, Germany - MS Connexion Complex

September (with I’ll Be Damned)
27 - Sønderborg, Denmark - Sonderborg Hus
28 - Randers , Denmark - Turbinen
29 - Aalborg, Denmark - Studenterhuset

October (with I’ll Be Damned)
5 - Vejle, Denmark - Bygningen
18 - Fredericia, Denmark - Tojhuset
19 - Kolding, Denmark - Godset
20 - Odense, Denmark - Kansas City
25 - Roskilde, Denmark - Gimle
26 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Lille Vega
27 - Aarhus, Denmark - Voxhall

Baest is:

Mattias Melchiorsen - bass
Svend Karlsson - guitar
Sebastian Abildsten - drums
Simon Olsen - vocals
Lasse Revsbech - guitar

(Photo - Nikolaj Bransholm / Bransholm Photography)

Swedish metallers, Denied, released their new album, Freedom Of Speech, on February 13th via Sliptrick Records. A lyric video for the track “False Truth” is available below.

Freedom Of Speech was co-produced, mixed and mastered by Fredrik Folkare at Chrome Studio Stockholm, Sweden. Lead vocals on all tracks by Johan Fahlberg (Jaded Heart) except "Don't You Know Me", "The Ferryman" and "Freedom Of Speech". Keyboards and effects by Fredrik Folkare. Very special guests on the album include Chris Laney (Pretty Maids), Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn), Andreas Larsson, and Madde Svärd.

The cover artwork for the disc was created by Alexander Lifbom.