Superhero metallers Grailknights performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2015. You can now watch professionally-filmed video footage of the band's full set below.

Setlist:

Intro
"Morning Dew"
"Dead Or Alive"
"Nameless Grave"
"Moonlit Masquerade"
"Superheromedley"
"Grailquest Gladiators"

Exmortus have released a guitar instruction video for "Victory Or Death!", a track from their fifth studio album, The Sound Of Steel, out now. Watch below:

The Sound Of Steel was released on June 8th via Prosthetic Records. In Japan, the album is overseen by Marquee Inc. The album was produced once again by Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Fallujah, Suffocation) at Sharkbite Studio while the band also enlisted artist, Philip Lawvere (Kreator, Celtic Frost, Helloween), to create the cover art.

Exmortus founder, vocalist and guitarist, Jadren “Conan” Gonzalez comments, "This new record takes the best from both Slave… and Ride… albums and adds a killer twist especially accentuated by Chase Becker and Carlos Cruz of Warbringer. While still paying homage to our classic favorites like Priest, Yngwie, Slayer, etc. We also deliver tastefully the extremities of black/death metal and of course the neo-classical structure/harmony that we are known for. This is what we believe to be The Sound Of Steel!"

The album is available all digital outlets, compact disc and LP, with 1,000 records being pressed initially in the follow colors:

- 250 battle axe blood splatter (Prosthetic webshop and sold by the band on tour)
- 250 blue and black marble (Prosthetic webshop and sold by the band on tour)
- 400 clear with blue and orange Splatter (available in retail stores worldwide)
- 100 white vinyl (Cargo Germany only)

Order here.

The Sound Of Steel tracklisting:

"Make Haste"
"Feast Of Flesh"
"Into The Maw Of Hell"
"To The Ends Of The Earth"
"A Minor Instrumental"
"Strength And Honor"
"Turn The Tide"
"Tempest"
"Riders Of Doom"
"Victory Or Death!"

"Victory Or Death!":

The Sound of Steel by Exmortus (Official)

"Feast Of Flesh" video:

"Make Haste" lyric video:

Exmortus will hit the road this summer headlining The Summer of Steel Tour. Featuring support from The Absence and Hatchet alongside Immortal Guardian, Black Fast and label mates Micawber on select shows; Exmortus will embark on tour dates across North America beginning June 28th in San Diego.

"We are stoked to unleash The Sound of Steel upon North America this summer! This is our first headlining tour and we're honored to have within our ranks: The Absence and Hatchet, as well as special regional guests -- Novareign, Immortal Guardian, Black Fast and Micawber. So, come and have your minds melted by the new tunes as well as old favorites! See you soon!" adds Exmortus founder, vocalist & guitarist Conan.

Dates:

June
28 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
29 - Tucson, AZ - The Rock*
30 Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad*

July
1 - Tulsa, OK - The Shrine**
2 - Fort Worth, TX - Rail Club**
3 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live**
5 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar***
7 - Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero***
8 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
9 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz***
10 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus
12 - Quebec City, QC - Source de le Martinere
13 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck Bar
15 - Joliet, IL - The Forge****
17 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room****
18 Denver, CO - Roxy Theater
19 Salt Lake City, UT - Club X
20 Boise, ID - The Shredder
22 Seattle, WA - Club SUR
23 Portland, OR - Twilight Cafe & Bar
24 Oakland, CA - Metro Opera House

* Exmortus only
** with Immortal Guardian
*** with Black Fast
*** *with Micwber

Exmortus is:

Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez - Vocals/Guitar
Chase Becker - Guitar
Phillip Cody Nuñez - Bass
Carlos Cruz - Drums

Indian/American progressive metal band Skyharbor have released a music video for the new track "Dim", from their forthcoming album Sunshine Dust, out September 7th via Entertainment One / Good Fight Music.

Directed by Tom Flynn and Mike Watts, this is the first music video the band has released from their upcoming LP. “We’re stoked to present our music video for ‘Dim'," says guitarist Keshav Dhar. "It was an amazing experience filming a video together for the first time as a band, and we hope you all enjoy it as much as we did making it!”

"Dim" is available on all DSPs, and as an iTunes instant gratification track, meaning fans who pre-order Sunshine Dust on iTunes will receive the song as an immediate download.

About Sunshine Dust, Keshav Dhar says, "It’s taken almost four years and it’s been a real labor of love. but we’re thrilled to finally get this record out there to our fans. We’re incredibly stoked on these songs and have really dug in deep to explore and represent what we truly feel is the Skyharbor sound."

Vocalist Eric Emery adds, “Dim is one of my favorite songs on the record and I can’t wait to share the video with everyone. Thematically, the song alludes to the volatile current political climate in the US, as well as exploring what our potential future could look like should we continue down this road.“

Pre-order the album digitally, or physically.

Tracklisting:

"Signal"
"Dim"
"Out Of Time"
"Synthetic Hands"
"Blind Side"
"Disengage / Evacuate"
"Ethos"
"Ugly Heart"
"The Reckoning"
"Dissent"
"Menace"
"Temptress"
"Sunshine Dust"

(Photo - Argon Photography)

Progressive hard rock/metal band Hyvmine have released a video for “Cliffhanger”, the second clip from the band’s debut offering, Earthquake.

Al Joseph (lead vocals, lead guitars) states: "This song is about standing up for who the fuck you are and standing up against opposition. The phrase, 'I’ll just keep you hanging,' eludes to how I personally deal with those who seek to sabotage others. I deal with things head on and that’s just how this video was shot. Much like our first video, I worked with the director to capture those up close and tight shots of the band to bring out that gritty attitude we all bring to the table when playing this song live. We shot in an actual canyon, instead of a studio this time. It turned out exactly how I wanted it. Gritty and dirty, just how we like it. Enjoy!"

Watch below:

The band's first-ever nationwide tour will be this summer, starting June 22nd as direct support to the iconic guitar prodigy, Angel Vivaldi.

June
22 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Theater
23 - Amityville, NY - Amityville Music Hall
24 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
25 - Greensboro, NC - Blind Tiger
26 - Jacksonville, FL - 1904 Music Hall
27 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
28 - Orlando, FL - The Haven
29 - New Orleans, LA - Southport Music Hall
30 - Houston, TX - Secret Group

July
1 - Dallas, TX - The Rail Club
2 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge
5 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
6 - Sacramento, CA - Holy Diver
7 - Petaluma, CA - The Phoenix Theater
9 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
10 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
11 - Lincoln, NE - Burbon Theater
12 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam
13 - Milwaukee, WI - The Miramar Theater
14 - Berwyn, IL - Wire
15 - Lansing, MI - Mac’s Bar
16 - Lafayette, IN - North End Pub
17 - Cleveland, OH - The Foundry
18 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
19 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East
20 - Hartford, CT - Webster Underground
21 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz

A PERFECT CIRCLE has released a 2D clip of the song "The Contrarian", taken from the band's recently released recently released album, "Eat The Elephant". Footage in the video is taken from the Steven Sebring-directed ("Horses: Patti Smith And Her Band", "Dream Of Life") companion film for "Eat The Elephant". The clip is part of an album-length film viewable via a prism included in the "Eat The Elephant" deluxe box set.

"It is very much a combined experience of the tactile and the visual," said singer Maynard James Keenan in a recent interview with Billboard magazine regarding the hologram film. "I come from an era where the physical pieces of music were something that you cherished… Something like this brings back that visual excitement for people."

"Eat The Elephant" debuted atop numerous Billboard charts, grabbing the No. 1 spot on the Rock, Independent and Alternative Albums charts, a No. 2 entry on the Top Current Albums chart (for pure album sales) and a No. 3 album debut on the Top 200. This is the band's fourth consecutive Top 5 debut on the Billboard 200.

A PERFECT CIRCLE has added several new shows to its month-long North American trek, including an appearance at this year's Voodoo Music + Arts Experience as well as headlining dates in Baltimore, Detroit and more. Tickets for the newly added headlining dates are on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

A PERFECT CIRCLE is in the middle of its first European tour since 2004. The band plays three consecutive, sold-out shows in the U.K. beginning tomorrow night in Manchester.

"The Scar Across My Heart", a brand new song from Lizzy Borden, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the theatrical rock frontman's first album in 11 years, "My Midnight Things", which will be released on June 15 via Metal Blade Records.

With the hard-and-heavy tracks of the album opening title cut "Obsessed With You" and "The Scar Across My Heart", the extended layoff between albums has not dulled his desire to rock and shock. "Although we have stayed busy touring all over the world, I missed being a recording artist. I look at the new album as a new beginning, I pushed the restart button on my career," Borden comments.

Having signed a new contract with Metal Blade on the strength of three demo tracks, Borden opted to produce "My Midnight Things" himself, with Joey Scott as co-producer. (Joey also handled all the drumming duties.) "I knew what I was going for and had doubts that I could find a producer who would understand that," Borden explains. "My approach is very different than what is happening in today's current sound."

"My Midnight Things" was mixed by Greg Fidelman (METALLICA, BLACK SABBATH, ADELE, U2) and mastered by Tom Baker (DAVID BOWIE, ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON, TOM PETTY).

Borden is planning on hitting the road shortly. "I've already started working on the 'My Midnight Things' show, and I really can't wait to play these songs live," he says. "There are so many talented players out there in the world, I know I will find the right musicians to be on stage with me in my touring band in the new show. And just based on what is being talked about so far, it will be the best show I've ever done. I really do feel a new excitement that I have not felt in years. The best is yet to come."

"My Midnight Things" track listing

01. My Midnight Things

02. Obsessed With You

03. Long May They Haunt Us

04. The Scar Across My Heart

05. A Stranger To Love

06. The Perfect Poison

07. Run Away With Me

08. Our Love Is God

09. My Midnight Things (Reprise)

10. We Belong To The Shadows

The album can be pre-ordered at metalblade.com/lizzyborden, where the record is available in the following formats:

* limited first-edition digipak-CD (includes bonus tracks)

* jewelcase CD

* 180-gram black vinyl

* clear pacific blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)

* clear burgundy marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* olive/black marbled vinyl (U.S. exclusive - limited to 300 copies)

* opaque cool gray marbled vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

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

Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD will release their new studio album, "The Wake", in late September via Century Media Records. "The Wake" is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2013's "Target Earth" album and the 2016 mini-album "Post Society".

Commented VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin: "We are thrilled to let you know that our new album, 'The Wake', is completed! The music is like a futuristic prog thrash metal trek with many twists and turns, and the story involves the usual Voivodian topics: disasters, chaos, conflicts, strange plots and alternate consciousness. We are excited with the result and can't wait to get the material out to you this fall! Also, try to catch us when we tour Europe in September and October. It will be a great opportunity for the band to test some songs from our upcoming album."

Langevin told the Impact metal channel that the band's next record would be "a concept album, very intricate. It's very progressive thrash. Lots of psychedelia as well. The songs are pretty long. There is only one short rocker; all the rest is progressive music. It's a continuation of [2016's] 'Post Society' [EP]."

The "Post Society" EP was issued in February 2016 via Century Media. It was the follow-up to 2013's "Target Earth", which marked VOIVOD's first album of new material written without original guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour's leftover riffs.

VOIVOD singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger told Metal Wani about the passing of Piggy and the eventual addition of Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain prior to the making of "Target Earth": "Of course, the loss of Piggy was a terrible thing. We couldn't do, really, anything for two or three years; we didn't know what would be the future of the band. And we finally found a guy [Chewy] that could play VOIVOD [music]. And it's sort of a mixture of circumstances that happened. It's, like, 'Okay, maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe if we pick up this guy who learned, actually…' The first thing [Chewy] learned [to play] was VOIVOD. The first show he saw was VOIVOD. And the [day after] he saw VOIVOD, he bought a guitar and started playing Piggy's riffs. So, for us, Chewy was the best option."

VOIVOD European tour dates:

Sep. 07 - Prague (Czech Republic) - Futurum *

Sep. 08 - Poznan (Poland) - U Bazyla *

Sep. 09 - Warsaw (Poland) - Hydrozagadka *

Sep. 10 - Krakow (Poland) - Kwadrat *

Sep. 11 - Bratislava (Slovakia) - Randal Club *

Sep. 13 - Cluj-Napoca (Romania) - Flying Circus Pub *

Sep. 14 - Belgrade (Serbia) - Elektropionir *

Sep. 15 - Budapest (Hungary) - Durer Kert *

Sep. 16 - Vienna (Austria) - Szene *

Sep. 18 - Bologna (Italy) - Locomotiv **

Sep. 19 - Rome (Italy) - Largo **

Sep. 20 - Milan (Italy) - Santeria **

Sep. 21 - Winterthur (Switzerland) - Gaswerk **

Sep. 22 - Seyssinet Pariset (France) - Ilyade **

Sep. 24 - Barcelona (Spain) - Boveda **

Sep. 25 - Madrid (Spain) - Nazca **

Sep. 26 - Porto (Portugal) - Hard Club **

Sep. 28 - Marseille (France) - Jas' Rod ***

Sep. 29 - Paris (France) - Petit Bain ***

Sep. 30 - Nantes (France) - Ferrailleur ***

Oct. 02 - Southampton (UK) - The Joiners ***

Oct. 03 - Cardiff (UK) - The Globe ***

Oct. 04 - Leeds (UK) - Temple Of Boom ***

Oct. 05 - Glasgow (UK) - Cathouse ***

Oct. 06 - Manchester (UK) - Rebellion ***

Oct. 07 - London (UK) - Underworld ***

Oct. 09 - Brussels (Belgium) - Magasin 4 ***

Oct. 10 - Amstelveen (The Netherlands) - P60 ***

Oct. 11 - Eindhoven (The Netherlands) - Dynamo ***

Oct. 12 - Cologne (Germany) - Luxor ***

Oct. 13 - Hamburg (Germany) - Logo ***

Oct. 14 - Copenhagen (Denmark) - Pumpehuset ***

Oct. 15 - Stockholm (Sweden) - Klubb Nalen ***

Oct. 17 - Helsinki (Finland) - Tavastia ***

Oct. 18 - Tampere (Finland) - Klubi ***

Oct. 20 - Oslo (Norway) - John Dee ***

Support bands:

* MAGGOT HEART (from September 7 until September 16)

** NIGHTRAGE (from September 18 until September 26)

*** BIO-CANCER (from September 28 until October 20)

Australian metal destroyers AVERSIONS CROWN have released a brand new digital single to kick off their tour with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE. Check out the visualizer for the song "The Breeding Process" below, and stream or purchase the single via all fine digital platforms.

Commented the band: "We spent some time recently in the studio to develop the blueprint for our fourth album. We wanted to figure out exactly what sound we were going for and what direction the album would take. The result of this was 'The Breeding Process'.


"The song paints the disturbing image of a human production farm — aliens abducting humans and using them for inter-species breeding projects.


"The song shows hints of a new direction whilst it also includes AVERSIONS CROWN's DNA from our earlier material. It was mixed and mastered by Will Putney (THY ART IS MURDER, THE ACACIA STRAIN, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY) and engineered by Matt Shorter. Enjoy!"

AVERSIONS CROWN's latest album, "Xenocide", was tracked by Adam Merker at Studio Anders Debeerz in Brisbane and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis (WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) from AudioHammer.

At this weekend's edition of the U.K.'s Download festival, NAPALM DEATH frontman Mark "Barney" Grenway spoke to Metal Wani about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for the follow-up to the band's 2015 album "Apex Predator - Easy Meat". "The music is recorded to a point, and I'm working on the vocals at the moment and the lyrics and stuff," he said (hear audio below). "Realistically, it'll be [released] next year, I think."

Greenway also confirmed that guitarist Mitch Harris, who has been taking a leave of absence from NAPALM DEATH since late 2014 to focus on his family life, will be involved with the group's next record. "Mitch has played guitar on the album so far," Barney said. "I don't know what Mitch is gonna do outside of recording, to be honest with you. But I can officially say he has played on the album."

Asked about SLAYER's decision to call it quits after completing one final world tour, Greenway said: "You know what, mate? I have no opinion on it, 'cause I think every band's gotta make their own decisions as [far as] that goes. If one day I was feeling, or any of the guys in the band were feeling that the enthusiasm wasn't there to make fresh albums, the enthusiasm wasn't there to play live, then I don't wanna do it anymore. I don't wanna do a 50-percent version of NAPALM DEATH; it has to be a hundred percent. So, whatever those SLAYER guys have decided will no doubt have been after a lot of consideration. So I wouldn't begin to pass judgment on what other bands are doing. So I feel neutral; I don't feel either way. I'm not like that — I don't try to second-guess… I don't really care. They are the ones that have got to come to a decision."

Barney went on to say that SLAYER has been an influence on NAPALM DEATH's music in the past. "Certainly the early albums, to a point," he said. "Not so much as maybe other bands, because we were equally influenced by fast hardcore and punk. Metal is only a certain part of NAPALM DEATH. We get tagged as a metal band very often; that's quite lazy. And I don't mean that in a derogatory way towards people who say that. It's just an easy thing to fall into. NAPALM's a lot more than that, to me."

Earlier in the year, NAPALM DEATH bassist Shane Embury told Christina Rowatt of Australia's The Void about the band's new material: "It's fast, but there's also a lot of some, I don't want to say 'experimental,' but hopefully once it's done it will go in a few different directions. I don't want to say noise, but there will be some stuff like that, a couple of mid-paced, kind of KILLING JOKE-influenced [songs]. Hopefully we'll veer off in a few directions and it will make the album… it will still be abrasive, but not constantly fast all the time. There is some extremely fast stuff, but we've all been kind of like ticking away at every album, trying a little bit of that and little bit of that, so each step, this one will be the most diverse yet, I hope."

NAPALM DEATH will support SLAYER on the second U.S. leg of the latter band's final world tour. The 20-date trek, which will kick off on July 26, will feature additional support from LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT.

NAPALM DEATH released a special 2CD, 2LP and digital-download compilation titled "Coded Smears And More Uncommon Slurs" in March via Century Media Records. This special collection includes a total of 31 songs with a playing time of over 90 minutes, compiling rarities and exclusive earworms spanning 2004-2016.

WHITESNAKE bassist Michael Devin has a new project of original material, dubbed FROM THE EARTH. The debut release is a six-song EP comprised of what Michael calls "heavy mellow rock music." The EP was recorded at FOO FIGHTERS' 606 Studios in Los Angeles and Water Music in New Jersey with Grammy Award-winning mixer/producer Warren Riker (THE FUGEES, LAURYN HILL, SANTANA, SUBLIME, DOWN). Guest musicians include Stephen Perkins (JANE'S ADDICTION), Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE) and Roy Mayorga (STONE SOUR).

To order and check out audio samples, go to this location.

A follow-up EP will be released late summer/early autumn of 2018.

A special, limited-edition color vinyl release will be available for the holidays and will combine both EPs into a full-length LP with added bonus tracks.

FROM THE EARTH live shows will take place in the late summer/early fall. Band lineup is to be determined.

Guitarist Glenn Tipton rejoined his JUDAS PRIEST bandmates on stage Saturday night (June 9) at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden to perform the concert's three-song encore: "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Tipton — who revealed in February that he has Parkinson's disease — previously played the same three songs with JUDAS PRIEST at several stops on the band's recent U.S. tour, including in Newark, New Jersey; Uncasville, Connecticut; Worcester, Massachusetts; Kent, Washington; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Los Angeles, California. It marked his first public performances since announcing his retirement from touring. He told BUILD Series about the experience of once again sharing the stage with his bandmates: "It's just amazing to get, first of all, support from the band. The texts and e-mails from all over world, and to hear the audience was very emotional. You don't like to see a grown man cry, but we did."

Asked if he is planning on making more live appearances with the group, Glenn told 105.7 WAPL: "I think so, yeah. As long as I'm capable of going on stage and doing my parts and doing it well. I love it — I love to be on stage with PRIEST, and I'll do it for as long as I can."

Tipton found out he had Parkinson's four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST LP since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the "Firepower" world tour on March 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

"Firepower" was released on March 9 via Epic.

The North American leg of the "Firepower" tour wrapped on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas.

GHOST's new album, "Prequelle", landed at position No. 3 on this week's Billboard 200 chart. The disc, which arrived on June 1, shifted 66,000 equivalent album units in the week ending June 7. Of that sum, between 61,000 were in traditional album sales.

GHOST's first week benefits from a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer in association with the band's spring U.S. theater tour, as well as a pair of arena dates later this year.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

GHOST's last studio release, the "Popestar" EP, debuted at No. 6 with 21,000 sold in its first week back in September 2016. "Popestar" started as GHOST's second No. 1 on the Hard Rock Albums chart, following "Infestissumam", which reigned for a week (May 4, 2013). Meanwhile, 2015's "Meliora" also debuted and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.

"Prequelle" was tracked last year at Artery studios in Stockholm with producer Tom Dalgety (OPETH, ROYAL BLOOD) and mixed in January at Westlake Studios in West Hollywood, California with Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, SLAYER).

GHOST played the first official show of the "Rats! On The Road" U.S. tour on May 5 at Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, California.

The band broke its show up into two sets, with the first featuring 12 songs and the second consisting of 11 numbers. The group spread out the new material across both sets, interspersed with fan favorites and hits like "Cirice", "From The Pinnacle To The Pit", "He Is", "If You Have Ghosts" and show closer "Square Hammer".

The band has expanded its onstage lineup to include at least eight musicians, not including a guest appearance from Papa Nihil, the aged "original" Papa Emeritus.

Fan-filmed video footage of HELLOWEEN's June 7 performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden can be seen below.

HELLOWEEN's current "Pumpkins United" tour features former vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside current singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf and drummer Dani Löble.

The "Pumpkins United" tour marks the first time Kiske has played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, has been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set features several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including "Kids Of The Century", "Rise And Fall" and "Livin' Ain't No Crime". Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sings a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including "Ride The Sky", "Judas", "Starlight" and "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)".

Asked by Spark TV whether HELLOWEEN will continue to compose new music with their reunited lineup, Hansen said: "Let's do this tour first, that's what we said. Of course, the ideas are there, for sure. But, now we want to focus on doing this. It will go until the end of next year on and off, but I think from the middle of next year we can be more definite about making an album. We'll see."

Added Weikath: "When we did this extra track for the tour, the 'Pumpkins United', it was out of schedule, because we were preparing for the tour. We were rehearsing. Usually we don't do track recordings during a rehearsal. You take your extra time for it. If we're ever going to record something together with everyone, it would certainly take more time than back when we were doing the 'Keeper [Of The Seven Keys]' records because there's more characters, more alpha animals involved. That's okay. It's going to work. It's going to take a lot longer. If we deliver something like that, we wouldn't want it to be half-baked in any way. There's not going to be a fucking filler track…"

Said Kai: "It better be good."

The North American leg of the "Pumpkins United" tour will kick off on September 7 in Las Vegas and conclude on September 15 in New York.

THE DARK ELEMENT, the new project featuring former NIGHTWISH vocalist Anette Olzon and Finnish guitarist and songwriter Jani Liimatainen, made its live debut this past Thursday, June 7 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. Fan-filmed video footage of their performance can be seen below.

THE DARK ELEMENT's self-titled debut album was released last November via Frontiers Music Srl.

Since word of this project got out, fans have been frothing at the mouth with anticipation for its arrival. And no wonder considering the talent involved. Anette is widely known for being the immaculate voice on the hit albums from NIGHTWISH, "Dark Passion Play" and "Imaginareum". Jani has been busy in CAIN'S OFFERING alongside STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto, but left a deep mark on the minds of all power metal fans thanks to his time in SONATA ARCTICA.

Jani told That Drummer Guy about how THE DARK ELEMENT came together: "It was actually kind of a coincidence. I was in northern Lapland doing an acoustic tour with [STRATOVARIUS/CAIN'S OFFERING vocalist] Mr. [Timo] Kotipelto and I got a message from Frontiers [Music Srl] and they asked me if I would contribute as a songwriter for one album and just write songs. I told them that I'm pretty busy at the moment, but in two weeks I could try. I just made the deadline and set them one song. I guess they liked it, because it went on the album. Then it took like one week, Serafino [Perugino] from Frontiers asked if I wanted to write and produce a whole album. I said 'Sure, why not?' Then they asked me if I wanted to work with Anette. I've been lucky to work with a lot of great male singers like Timo Kotipelto and Tony Kakko [SONATA ARCTICA] and all those guys. I said I wanted to work with a female singer for a change. They were like 'Okay, do you have someone in mind?' 'Actually, no.' They were like 'Okay, let's see about this.' It took a few days and they got back to me and asked, 'Anette Olzon. How do you feel about her?' I said 'Yeah, I remember her from NIGHTWISH. She has a really cool, pop sound. That would work perfectly. Let's do this.' It just happened. It was just one of those things that happened. I never would have thought of making an album with Anette. Now, it seems obvious, like 'Why not?' But back then, this thought would have never crossed my mind. When they got back to me with it, I was like 'Sure, it's a great idea. I love her voice.'"

Regarding how he approached songwriting for THE DARK ELEMENT, Jani said: "I had a rough idea, of course, that I wanted to make, how would you say, a not-too-complicated album. Make songs that go straight to the point that are catchy, but still heavy. Already at this point, I knew Anette would be singing on this, but then when I started communicating with her and sending demos and when I got the first demos back with her vocals, I was, like, 'Oh yeah! This is how it's going to sound. This sounds cool. Now I know what we're doing.'"

As for his thoughts on the band's self-titled debut album now that it's released, Jani said: "Of course, it's the same as with every album, when it's actually finished and you get the master, you listen to it once or twice and check that it's okay, then you kind of push it back a bit. For instance, this album, when I got the master, I had been working on it for almost one and a half years already, so I was pretty sick and tired of the songs. [Laughs] Then I gave myself some time and went to do something different, like I was away for a while and now that the promotion cycle is starting, I went back, I was at the gym and I listened to it for a while during my workout and said, 'Hell, this sounds pretty good. There is nothing to be ashamed about.'"

Liimatainen has already begun composing material for THE DARK ELEMENT's second album.



Thanks to Jimmie for shooting this great video of Last good day Sweden Rock Festival ?Posted by The Dark Element on Friday, June 8, 2018

Fan-filmed video footage of Lita Ford's June 7 performance at the Proof Rooftop Lounge in Houston, Texas can be seen below.

Ford's backing band continues to consist of drummer Bobby Rock, guitarist Patrick Kennison and bassist Marty O'Brien.

Lita revealed in a recent interview that she is planning to release a standalone song this summer. It's a duet and a cover, she said, but she declined to divulge any more. "We have a single that is a surprise for the fans, which is really cool," she said. "It will be out on 4th of July and it is bad to the bone, and I am really proud of it. It's a cover tune. It is going to hit home with a lot of people."

Lita has spent the last few months working on new music with guitarist/producer Gary Hoey, who previously collaborated with her on 2012's "Living Like A Runaway" disc.

Ford's last release was 2016's "Time Capsule", a collection of songs that were recorded by Ford in the past, but never before made available.

Two years ago, Lita released an autobiography, "Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir", via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The official unboxing video for BLACK SABBATH's just-released "Supersonic Years - The Seventies Singles Box Set" can be seen below.

Despite a run of legendary hit singles in the 1970s, BLACK SABBATH and the seven-inch single format didn't always sit well together. After the release of their debut single, "Evil Woman", in 1970, followed by their ultimate explosive chart success with "Paranoid", the band was not comfortable with the confines of the mainstream pop format and the audience it brought to the group, leading to their now-legendary self-imposed ban on releasing singles in the early '70s.

"We didn't intend to make a single in the first place," said Tony Iommi to the Disc And Music Echo in 1971. "But after we'd completed the album, the 'Paranoid' track was sufficiently short to be a 'trailer' for the LP. We really didn't expect it to do anything at all. We don't go into the studio to make singles. We make LPs only. But if there is anything suitable as a result of the recordings, it would be considered, of course."

BLACK SABBATH's music was vast, expansive and heavy; not the kind of vision that can be easily shackled to the three-minute pop format. Record Mirror ran a story in November of 1970 stating that "SABBATH have decided to place a 'ban' on singles in the future. Their hit, 'Paranoid', as far as they are concerned is their first and last single. They will also oppose any attempt to draw singles material from future albums."

BLACK SABBATH's 'ban' on singles in their own country lasted for more than two years, and good to their word, no singles were issued from 1971's "Master Of Reality", but in 1972, as a harbinger from fourth LP, "Vol 4", "Tomorrow's Dream" was issued as a 45 and from then on a steady run of singles followed that showed that, despite SABBATH's initial dislike, many of their songs did lend themselves well to the format.

"Supersonic Years - The Seventies Singles Box Set", released June 8 through BMG, documents the band's run of hit singles as never before and features an array of unique content.

* This limited-edition box set includes five rare single edits: Iron Man / Sabbath Bloody Sabbath / Am I Going Insane (Radio) / Hard Road / Symptom Of The Universe.

* 10 unique color picture sleeves from around the world, either ultra-rare or exclusive to this box set.

* Remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce.

* New liner notes booklet detailing the rarities contained within the box set, along with the story behind the birth and evolution of the most culturally important genre of all time.

The box set features the following singles:

Disc 1: Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me) / Wicked World - 1970

Disc 2: Paranoid / The Wizard - 1970

Disc 3: Iron Man (Single Edit) / Electric Funeral - 1970

Disc 4: Tomorrow's Dream / Laguna Sunrise - 1972

Disc 5: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Edited Version) / Changes - 1973

Disc 6: Am I Going Insane (Radio) (Single Edit) / Hole In The Sky - 1975

Disc 7: Gypsy / She's Gone - 1976

Disc 8: It's Alright / Rock 'N' Roll Doctor - 1976

Disc 9: Never Say Die / She's Gone - 1978

Disc 10: Hard Road (Single Edit) / Symptom Of The Universe (German Single Edit) - 1978

Order "Supersonic Years - The Seventies Singles Box Set" here.

Supersonic Years UnboxingSupersonic Years

The 70’s Singles Box

OUT NOW!

http://bit.ly/SabSinglesBox

U.S.: https://rhino.lnk.to/BOX10LPPosted by Black Sabbath on Friday, June 8, 2018

From the iconic rock b(r)and that brought you merchandise in the form of masks, coffins, and even air guitar strings, KISS is now offering a line of official toilet seats. Check out the short video clip courtesy of Gene Simmons below.

In a new interview with Sweden's Expressen, Simmons reveals that KISS will embark on a three-year tour, beginning in January 2019.

According to Simmons, the trek will be the band's "most spectacular tour ever", and will cover all continents. Details to follow.

KISS performs next on July 7th at Barcelona Rock Fest in Barcelona, Spain. Find the band's complete tour schedule here.

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST performed their new song "Rising From Ruins" live for the second time ever on June 7 at Rockfest in Hyvinkää, Finland. They also played the classic track "Night Comes Down" — which originally appeared on the "Defenders Of The Faith" album — for the second time since 1984. Check out fan-filmed video footage below.

The "Firepower" trek is PRIEST's first since guitarist Glenn Tipton announced that he was retiring from the road due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST album since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live.

Asked how JUDAS PRIEST came to choose Sneap to step in for Tipton on the band's tour in support of "Firepower", Hill told veteran Japanese rock journalist Masa Itoh: "It probably came from during the recording of the album. Andy is a very good guitarist, an excellent guitarist in his own right, and I think Glenn got to know Andy and got to trust Andy, which is very important. We wanted someone who we knew as well, if at all possible. The last thing you want is somebody coming in with their own baggage, if you know what I mean. And we can trust Andy to do a good job, and I think he'll do justice to the songs. And that was the main thing — I think it was the familiarity with Andy. We had great respect for him — before we met him, we had great respect for him. But with the work he did on the album — I mean, it sounds phenomenal; he did a tremendous job with that. We're doing songs off the new album, which he is totally familiar with, and he knows a lot of the parts anyway from that. And he's also a PRIEST fan — he's been listening to us for years — and he fits the slot perfectly. I think he'll fit in and I think he'll do a tremendous job."

"Firepower" was released on March 9 via Epic. The follow-up to 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" was recorded by Sneap, the band's longtime collaborator Tom Allom and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH). The cover artwork for "Firepower" was created by the Chilean/Italian artist Claudio Bergamin.

DEVILDRIVER will release its full-length album of outlaw country-gone-metal anthems, "Outlaws 'Til The End: Vol. 1", on July 6 via Napalm Records. Pre-orders are available now in multiple physical (click "official store") and digital/streaming formats via this location. Merch bundles are also available via the official store. Additional merchandise such as t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, flasks, keychains, and more are also available here.

After weeks of anticipation from fans, DEVILDRIVER has dropped a second track from the album — the band's metallicized, aggressive cover of the outlaw classic "Ghost Riders In The Sky". The track features the talents of album guests John Carter Cash (son of country music legend Johnny Cash), Ana Cristina Cash, and renowned LAMB OF GOD vocalist Randy Blythe.

A music video featuring exclusive in-studio footage below can be seen below.


DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara says: "It was both an honor and a privilege to work with these three great artists. Watching John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash track vocals at the Cash Cabin was a highlight of my career. Meeting such down-to-earth and incredibly talented people and having them come on board 'made' the project for me, personally. Tracking with Randy was another highlight. He's a brother and watching how he tracked, and vice versa, was a learning process for both of us that we both spoke highly about and enjoyed immensely. All of us on this song gave 110% to make sure it was done right! Enjoy!"


John Carter Cash adds: "All my life I have loved the power and eerie quality of the song 'Ghost Riders In The Sky'. Since I was nine years old, I have lived and breathed heavy metal music. I am grateful to have had the chance to work with Dez Fafara, Randy Blythe, DEVILDRIVER and others, in the upcoming release of what I believe is the consummate metal version of this musical masterpiece."


Ana Cristina Cash says: "I am so proud to have been a part of 'Outlaws 'Til The End: Vol. 1' and to have sung on the metal version of 'Ghost Riders In The Sky' with my husband John Carter Cash, Dez Fafara, Randy Blythe and DEVILDRIVER. This whole album pushes boundaries and merges the outlaw country and the metal genres in a masterful way."


Randy Blythe offers: "I am a huge fan of moody songs with narrative lyrics employed to tell a dark story — they really make the listener visualize what the song is about. I can't think of many tunes where this was done more effectively than Johnny Cash's version of 'Ghost Riders In The Sky'. Long before heavy metal had been invented, the original Man in Black wasn't afraid to explore the dark side with his music. Truly great songs never die — they just shape-shift through the years. Singing with Dez, John Carter and DEVILDRIVER is keeping those undead riders alive in a whole different genre. Crank this up and look to the sky at night..."

"Outlaws 'Til The End" was produced, mixed and recorded with Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, EVERY TIME I DIE, SEPULTURA, THE CURE), with DEVILDRIVER guitarist Mike Sprietzer also lending recording talents. The album was mastered by renowned engineer Alan Douches.

Completing this unprecedented project is a host of metal and country luminaries providing unforgettable cameos: horror metal icon Wednesday 13 lends his incensed rasp to George Jones's "If Drinking Don't Kill Me", 36 CRAZYFISTS frontman Brock Lindow brings fire and soul to Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road", and FEAR FACTORY's Burton C. Bell helps to turn Richard Thompson's anti-war classic "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" into a brooding gothic metal extravaganza. Meanwhile, LAMB OF GOD members Randy Blythe and Mark Morton contribute to an exhilarating decimation of Willie Nelson's "Whiskey River".

"Outlaws 'Til The End" track listing:

01. "Country Heroes"

Written by Hank Williams III

Performed by Hank3 & Dez Fafara

02. "Whiskey River"

Written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud; recorded by Willie Nelson

Performed by Randy Blythe, Mark Morton of LAMB OF GOD & Dez Fafara

03. "Outlaw Man"

Written by David Blue; recorded by the Eagles

Performed by Dez Fafara & Neal Tiemann of DEVILDRIVER

04. "Ghost Riders In The Sky"

Written by Stan Jones

Performed by John Carter Cash, Ana Cristina Cash, Randy Blythe & Dez Fafara

05. "I'm the Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised)"

Written by Bobby Bobby Borchers, Wayne Kemp, Mack Vickery; recorded by Johnny Paycheck

Performed by Dez Fafara & DEVILDRIVER

06. "If Drinking Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)"

Written by Harlan Sanders, Rick Beresford; recorded by George Jones

Performed by Wednesday 13 & Dez Fafara

07. "The Man Comes Around"

Written by Johnny Cash

Performed by Lee Ving of FEAR & Dez Fafara

08. "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere"

Written by Dwight Yoakam

Performed by Dez Fafara & Neal Tiemann of DEVILDRIVER

09. "Copperhead Road"

Written by Steve Earle

Performed by Brock Lindow of 36 CRAZYFISTS & Dez Fafara

10. "Dad's Gonna Kill Me"

Written by Richard Thompson

Performed by Burton C. Bell of FEAR FACTORY & Dez Fafara

11. "A Country Boy Can Survive"

Written by Hank Williams Jr.

Performed by Dez Fafara & DEVILDRIVER

12. "The Ride"

Written by J.B. Detterline Jr., Gary Gentry; recorded by David Allan Coe

Performed by Lee Ving of Fear & Dez Fafara

DEVILDRIVER is:

Dez Fafara - Vocals

Mike Spreitzer - Guitar

Neal Tiemann - Guitar

Diego Ibarra - Bass

Austin D'Amond - Drums

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the landmark concept album "Operation: Mindcrime", original QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate and his band, OPERATION: MINDCRIME, are performing the platinum-selling album (released May 3, 1988) from beginning to end in its entirety, along with a set full of greatest hits including "Silent Lucidity" and "Jet City Woman".

Fan-filmed video footage of the U.S. tour's kick-off, which took place last night (Thursday, June 7) at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can be seen below.

The "Mindcrime" set covers all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling", "Operation: Mindcrime", "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track, "Eyes Of A Stranger". As fans might remember, Geoff performed the album in its entirety on tour in 2013 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

"Operation: Mindcrime" — one of the most iconic concept albums of all-time — was the album that thrust Geoff Tate's unique social consciousness, style and expertly crafted lyrics into the international spotlight.

Proving the music has stood the test of time, in 2006, Geoff and his QUEENSRŸCHE bandmates brought the theatrical interpretation of the "Mindcrime" saga to audiences all over the world. In October of that year, an epic performance was filmed and recorded, resulting in "Mindcrime At The Moore", an album/DVD set released in July of 2007 that would debut at #1 on the Billboard Music DVD chart. It would mark the band's first #1 chart debut, quickly selling over 50,000 units, achieving gold status.

In all, Geoff Tate has sold more than 25 million albums at the helm of QUEENSRŸCHE, the band he fronted for 30 years from their inception through 2012, earning three Grammy nominations, five MTV Music Video Award nominations and one MTV Music Video Award along the way. One of those Grammy nominations was for "I Don't Believe In Love" (1990, in the new category of Best Metal Performance), a song that appears on the "Operation: Mindcrime" album.

As for Geoff's current musical endeavor, his band OPERATION: MINDCRIME has released three albums in three years as part of a trilogy: "The Key" (September 2015), "Resurrection" (September 2016) and "The New Reality" (December 2017).

The band currently on tour features Kieran Robertson from Scotland on guitar, Bruno Sa from Brazil on keyboards, Jack Ross from Scotland on bass, Scott Moughton from Canada on guitar, Josh Watts from England on drums and Geoff Tate's daughter Emily, who is singing the parts of Sister Mary. She's also in the band TIL DEATH DO US PART, who are special guests on this tour.

The U.S. tour comes hot on the heels of the band's European trek that began earlier this year, hitting venues in such countries as Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Formed in 1987 in Hamilton and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Sven Gali brought the '80s and '90s hard rock / metal wave home to Canada. They delivered their high-energy live show from St. Johns to Victoria, and across the US and Europe for the next nine years. Back in March the band announced they had reunited; the 2018 lineup includes all three remaining original members: Dave Wanless (vocals), Andy Frank (guitar), Shawn Maher (bass) and new drummer Dan Fila (Varga). Former Slik Toxik guitarist Kevin Gale was initially on board but has since stepped down. He has been replaced by Sean Williamson. 

Sven Gali have released an official lyric video for their brand new single, "Kill The Lies". Check it out below.

The band has announced a string of dates for the summer, including a return to the UK in September. The band's schedeule is as follow:

July 
20 - Norma Jean's - London, ON
21 - This Ain't Hollywood - Hamilton, ON
27 - The Music Hall Night Club  - Oshawa., ON

August
9 - The Asylum - Sudbury, ON
10 - The Brass Monkey - Ottawa, ON

September
14 - Hull Metal Heaven Festival - Kingston upon Hull, UK

Sven Gali built a name fast with their live shows; drawing growing crowds on the Canadian and US circuit while building their songwriting chops and a wild reputation. David Bendeth (Paramore, Breaking Benjamin) signed the band to BMG Music Canada in 1991 and produced the self-titled debut, released in 1992.

The album included singles and videos for "Under The Influence", "Tie Dyed Skies", "In My Garden", and the ballad, "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (#6 CanCon song of 1993). It included a cover of Teenage Head’s "Disgusteen" featuring guest vocals by Frankie Venom. The video for "Under The Influence" won the MuchMusic Best Metal Video award in 1993. The band was nominated for Hard Rock Album of the Year and Most Promising Band at the Junos. Sven Gali went gold in Canada.

Sven Gali toured extensively throughout Canada and the USA, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, headlining and on the bill with acts including: April Wine, Foreigner, Candlebox, Pearl Jam and Def Leppard.

Their follow up album, Inwire (1995), recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, was produced by Kelly Grey (Candlebox, Brother Kane, Dokken) and featured guest musicians Christopher Thorn of Blind Melon, and Candlebox's Kevin Martin and Scott Mercado.

The band toured for the next year before disbanding in 1996.

Look for Sven Gali in 2018. Booking inquiries can be directed to blackmoonent@rogers.com

Singer/guitarist Zach Slaughter (frontman for Skull Fist) has released the debut album for his new project, Freedumb. The musical style includes punk, acoustic, doom and traditional metal all combined with a cheeky sense of humour. The debut album Skate N Die was released on May 18th via Boonsdale Records. The album is available at this location.

Check out the acoustic track "Grand Canyon" below.

Freedumb’s debut release unleashes nine tracks of high energy punk/metal in the vein of Candlemass, Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, Skull Fist, trademarked with Zach’s unique vocal style along with metal elements and virtuoso guitar solos, plus the lyrical humour of NOFX / Frank Zappa. Skate N Die offers an alternate approach to mainstream music that can give attention to the counter culture of today’s social circles.

Tracklisting:

"Punch Patrol"
"S.O.S."
"Shark Attack"
"Grand Canyon"
"Jerkathon"
"Skate N Die"
"Anarchy Will Prevail"
"Street Surfing Man"
"Finding Emo"

"S.O.S."

"Punch Patrol"

Having originated as a cathartic music outlet for Corky Gainsford (formerly of the Century Media signed outfit Otherwise), Code Red Riot are ready to take audiences by storm with their full-length debut Mask, scheduled for release on June 29th via Red Music/Sony.

While known primarily to fans for his career as a drummer, Gainsford has been involved in various aspects of the industry over the past decade working behind-the-scenes as a producer, songwriter and engineer. After his departure from Otherwise - whose career included five Top 20 singles, two full-length albums and relentless touring including being featured on every major rock festival in the US - Gainsford used his motivation to succeed to focus on crafting a collection of hard rock songs that featured anthemic choruses, melodic riffs, and soul-searching lyrics balanced on top of a hard-hitting rhythmic groove, thus forming Code Red Riot.

Following in the footsteps of Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Sully Erna (Godsmack) and Blake Allison (Devour The Day), Gainsford knew it was time to make the necessary transition from drummer to frontman and played almost all the parts himself  on this debut album (vocals, drums, bass and rhythm guitar). He eventually recruited a fantastic unknown guitar slinger, named Tyler “Taz” Azure, to round out the album’s lead guitar work.

Code Red Riot are excited to reveal the music video for their debut single "Living Low", which can be seen below. Having posted an early demo of the single on Facebook in 2017, the song was quickly picked up by Sirius/XM Octane and several terrestrial radio stations across the US, without any record label, promo team, or industry machine pushing the product.

Gainsford reveals, "“Living Low" was the first song I wrote specifically for Code Red Riot. The chorus became a proclamation, a mantra, and a war cry to bury my emotional pain of the past, and embrace the struggle required to move forward and achieve my next goals in life. Ironically, it was also the song that captured the attention of Sony RED Music, and compelled them to sign the band."

He further notes, "In the 'Living Low' video, we wanted to create a dark underworld, or a virtual "monster under the bed”, that represented the emotional antagonists we all fight against on a daily basis: self-doubt, insecurity, and negativity. Once we started shooting the video, that underworld became referred to as “The Living Low,” which was a room lit only by blacklight and glowing paint. It was dark, hot, and perfectly uncomfortable. During the shoot, Taz got slammed in the eye with flying paint, and I vomited after choking on down feathers I’d been throwing wildly around the room. In the end, we ruined all our instruments, clothing, and props on the set, but we had decided that the material sacrifice was required to adequately purge all those metaphorical demons, and break free of The Living Low."
 
Mask is currently available for pre-order via Red Music/Sony. Receive an instant download of "Living Low" when you pre-order it through any digital service provider. Reserve your copy here.

Mask tracklisting:

"Panic And Pain"
"Killing The Kings"
"Living Low"
"Slide"
"Chaos Calls"
"Ghost"
"Fuel In The Fire"
"Bulletproof"
"Black Hole Hero"
"Handle This"
"7 More Days"
"My Falling Soul"

"Living Low" video:

Lineup:

Corky Gainsford - vocals
Tyler "Taz" Azure - lead guitar
Jon Wozniak - bass
Anthony Raya - drums

(Photo: Fred Morledge - PhotoFM.com)

Chino Moreno from Deftones has released the solo track entitled “Brief Exchange”, inspired by DC Entertainment’s new graphic novel Dark Nights: Metal: Deluxe Edition, available now in comic book shops, bookstores and digitally on Tuesday, June 12th. This also marks Moreno’s first collaboration with DC. Get the song at all digital partners here, and watch a visualizer below.

This deluxe hardcover collects issues #1-6 of the Dark Nights: Metal monthly series and is written and drawn by the best-selling creative team of writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo. Batman has uncovered an ancient and evil mystery… One that could destroy the very fabric of the DC Universe! A Dark Multiverse has been revealed, full of devastating threats and vile creatures that have been loosed upon the DCU, with only The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes rising to the challenge of defending it!

Produced by Grammy Award-winning icon Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Twenty-One Pilots, The Regrettes) and film composer and former Marilyn Manson guitarist Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2, Deadpool), “Brief Exchange” spotlights Moreno.

“Brief Exchange” features Bates on guitar, Elizondo on bass and Gil Sharone from Dillinger Escape Plan, Puscifer behind the drum kit. Its dark lyrics remain befitting of the graphic novel’s themes. “Brief Exchange” showcases yet another facet of one of rock music’s most prolific forces.

Bay Area Metal legends Vicious Rumors have announced a new DVD release and more Digital Dictator 30th Anniversary dates.

What started as a 4-week, 25-show tour has grown now to 45 dates booked in America and Canada with a European leg of dates for November in the works.

A special edition DVD, 666 Years Of Blood, Sweat & Cheers, from last year's crushing show at the Bang Your Head Festival in Germany will be available directly from the band starting August 31st at the first show of the tour in Santa Rosa, CA at the University Of Rock.

The DVD will be available only at the shows and online through the Vicious Rumors social media sites. This will be a limited edition filmed with 20 cameras, high def audio and video masterful edited by Bernhard Baran. This full force footage and audio of the bands intense live power has been captured and will now be released with the 30th Anniversary Of Digital Dictator Tour.

Vicious Rumors will perform one of the most iconic metal albums Digital Dictator live in it's entirety. Old photos and videos are great to go down the memory lane but don't miss your chance to see and feel the power of Vicious Rumors live on this historic tour.

Dates:

August
31 - Santa Rosa, CA - University of Rock

September
1 - Red Bluff, CA - Statix Motorsports
2 - Bend, OR - Domino Room
3 - Spokane, WA - The Pin
4 - Portland, OR - Dante's
5 - Everett, WA - Tony V's Garage
6 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
7 - Lewiston, ID - Third Wheel
8 - Columbia Falls, MT - Silver Bullet Bar
9 - Calgary, AB - Distortion
10 - Edmonton, AB - Rendezvous pub
11 - Regina, SK - Cloud 9 Live
12 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theater
13 - Moorhead, MN - The Garage Bar
14 - Sioux Falls, SD - Biggs Bar
15 - Minneapolis, MN - Lee's Liquor Lounge
16 - Madison, WI - The Anexx / Red Zone
18 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
19 - Des Moines, IA - Gas Lamp
20 - Dubuque, IA - The Lift
21 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
22 - Akron, OH - Empire Concert Club
23 - Wilmington, DE - Bar XIII
24 - Chesapeake, VA - The Riffhouse
25 - Charlotte, NC - The Milestone
26 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
28 - Tulsa, OK - The Vanguard
29 - Wichita, KS -  The Elbow Room
30 - Lakewood, CO - Silver Music Hall

October
1 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
2 - Idaho Falls, ID - The Gem
3 - Bosie, ID - The Shredder
5 - Sacramento, CA - Holy Diver
6 - Ventura, CA - Frost n Fire Festival
7 - Mesa, AZ - ed Club
8 - Tuscan, AZ - House of Barbs
9 - El Paso, TX - Rockhouse
10 - Odessa, TX - Gabby Doo's
11 - North Richland Hills, TX - The Hideout
12 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
13 - San Antonio, TX - Bonds Rock Bar
14 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
16 - Albuquerque, NM - Leo's Upstairs Bar
17 - Flagstaff, AZ - The Orpheum Theatre
19 - Los Angeles, CA - Wherehouse Huntington Park

Beyond The Black are ready to catapult, with full force, into the Heart Of The Hurricane. Their new album and title track prove to be promising masterpieces, courtesy of charismatic singer Jennifer Haben. 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.

The band on Heart Of The Hurricane: "Can you feel the thunder? After a turbulent phase in the short history of BtB we can say that we came out stronger than ever! Witness to that is our first single 'Heart Of The Hurricane', which takes you through a sonic thunderstorm to be reckoned with! We absolutely cannot wait to unleash this storm upon old and new fans alike, as we are sure that this new chapter will take us on a beautiful journey through dark and light!"

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)

"Heart Of The Hurricane" lyric video:

Tour dates:

June
16 - Cologne, Germany - Metaltörn
22 - Kiel, Germany - Kieler Woche

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)

Maximum violence has been Jungle Rot‘s battle-cry since their inception and it’s proven again on "Fearmonger", the lead track from their tenth and most vicious album to date, the self-titled Jungle Rot, set for release on July 20th. “Expect a beatdown if you aren’t prepared,” promises bassist James Genenz.

As the album hits shelves, Jungle Rot will hammer audiences as they return to the road with Havok and Extinction AD starting July 23rd in St. Paul, MN.

"Fearmonger" (available for streaming below), features Destruction vocalist/bassist Schmier lending his shrieking throat as Jungle Rot vocalist/guitarist Dave Matrise lays down a counter-guttural growl lower than Dante’s Gates of Hell.

Matrise explains the song's origin: “We covered the Destruction classic ‘Invincible Force’ some years ago and Schmier told me ours is his favorite Destruction cover he has ever heard from any band. Years later we toured together and right away Schmier approached me to start singing the song with him in concert. His trademark style and my vocals worked so well together that when I began writing this new record, the idea immediately came up to have him as a guest vocalist. He loved it and was honored to be a part of it. That’s how we created ‘Fearmonger'."

In January 2018 Jungle Rot entered Belle City Sound with engineer Chris Djuricic behind the board. Mixing and mastering was done by the legendary Dan Swanö (Dark Funeral, Marduk). Jaded death metal purists looking for fresh kills need to add Jungle Rot to their must-listen list. The album blasts off with "Send Forth Oblivion", an audible equivalent to stainless steel medical devices in your eardrum. Another track, "Glory For The Fallen", shows Genenz pounding away at his woofer as he explains the track was written for his close friend Jeff, who was murdered in 2017.

“I definitely needed to put something on the album for my fallen brother, and another track directed at the cowardly scumbag who took his young life, which is ‘Pumped Full Of Lead.’ I’ve had a lot of pain to write with, so that is my message - life is pain.” Jungle Rot closes with a crushing cover of Kreator’s 1987 classic ‘Terrible Certainty.’ “I love this song and it’s one I’ve always wanted to cover. I remember seeing them for the first time, saying to myself I want to start a band,” Matrise confesses.

As the hype surrounding Jungle Rot points that this is their most dynamic and diverse release to date, Matrise states the band has never measured their success by tailgating other acts. “We are Jungle Rot. This is Jungle Rot. Bands may want to call it a day, hang up their axes and go to bed, that is their call, but that is of no consequence to us or our plotted course. By the early 1990’s, the death metal revolution was ready to overthrow the stagnant metal scene and 20+ years later, our job has not changed.”

Delivering what could be the most ambitious drumming of the year is long-time Jungle Rot skin-thrasher Jesse Beahler. The cover art for Jungle Rot was again helmed by the masterful and brutal mind of artist Gyula Havancsak.

Jungle Rot pre-orders are available now and feature all new t-shirts, long sleeve, baseball tee, 46” x 46” flag, zip-up hoodie, limited-edition colored vinyl, CD and a gore-proof cassette tape limited to only 75 copies. All pre-orders include an instant download of “Fearmonger”.

Jungle Rot tracklisting:

"Send Forth Oblivion"
"Delusional Denial"
"A Burning Cinder"
"Triggered"
"Fearmonger" (featuring Schmier)
"Stay Dead"
"Glory For The Fallen"
"Pumped Full Of Lead"
"Twisted Mind"
"Terrible Certainty" (Kreator)

"Fearmonger" (featuring Schmier):

Tour dates:

June
16 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s Rock Club

July (with Havok, Extinction A.D.)
23 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Grill
24 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s Rock Club
25 - Lansing, MI - The Loft
26 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
27 - Providence, RI - Fete Music Hall
30 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
31 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus

August (with Havok, Extinction A.D.)
1 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater
3 - Iowa City, IA - Gabe’s Oasis
4 - Omaha, NE - Lookout Lounge
5 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater

Tulsa, Oklahoma-based metallers The Agony Scene have dropped another track from their new album Tormentor, out July 20th via Outerloop Records/Cooking Vinyl. The album is available for pre-order here.

A lyric video for "The Submissive" can be seen below.

"The song is about the abuse of power and trust," the band said. "More specifically - authority figures preying on naivety and using fear as a means to control and manipulate."

Tormentor is the band's first album since 2007's Get Damned (Century Media), which was preceded by 2005's The Darkest Red (Roadrunner) and 2003's self-titled release (Solid State).

The band will appear on the annual Summer Slaughter Tour with Between the Buried and Me, Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, and more.