TRILLIUM, the metal project launched by American-born, Dutch-based singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville, has just released its sophomore album, "Tectonic", via Frontiers Music Srl.

The official lyric video for the disc's new single, "Full Speed Ahead", can be seen below.

Amanda's husband and musical collaborator Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, HDK) stated about "Tectonic": "Writing, producing and mixing this album together with Amanda Somerville was an intense (three kids were born in between) but very fulfilling experience. Having AFTER FOREVER's André Borgman back on drums was a huge bonus for me!"

Added Amanda: "Where [TRILLIUM debut album] 'Alloy' was rather dark and moody and restless, 'Tectonic' is on the whole more uplifting and full of strength and character, though it's just as full of emotion.

"My life was shaken up by figurative earthquakes through several elements shifting in recent years and that's what this album represents. It's a challenge to make an album that's musically heavy without being dragged down by melancholy, but that's what Sander and I set out to do from the beginning and it worked out beautifully!"

Amanda continued: "The core and essence of 'Tectonic' is very personal and comes, basically, from the hearts and minds of a singer and a guitar player and I think that's very apparent when you listen to the songs. Sander and I didn't want to overthink things and over-complicate the songs. There's definitely some bombast in there because we both have a love of keyboard arrangements, but they don't rule the roost here. Also, the only guest performances are by good friends from my hometown in Flint, Michigan who also played live with me solo and with TRILLIUM, and also some great mates and colleagues of Sander's, so it's really a 'family' kind of album. We tried to keep things simple, and yet I think it's anything but low key!"

Somerville is well known for her collaborations with various high-profile European metal bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA, KAMELOT and AFTER FOREVER, to name a few. And let's not forget her musical partnership with HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske under the KISKE/SOMERVILLE banner. With a vocal range from tenor to soprano and a stylistically diverse singing ability, Somerville's voice is well suited for multiple styles, but TRILLIUM is firmly in the metal genre.

"Tectonic" track listing:

01. Time To Shine

02. Stand Up

03. Full Speed Ahead

04. Hit Me

05. Fighting Fate

06. Nocturna

07. Fatal Mistake

08. Shards

09. Cliché Freak Show

10. Eternal Spring

Recording lineup:

All vocals by Amanda Somerville

All guitars and bass by Sander Gommans, except:

Track 3: bass by Mark Burnash, second guitar solo by Paul Owsinski

Track 11: Guitars by Paul Owsinski, keyboards by Erik van Ittersum, drums by André Borgman

TRILLIUM released its debut album, "Alloy", in November 2011 via Frontiers. The CD was described in a press release as "a collection of songs that's charged with emotion and exploration and a very personal statement from Amanda."

"The Man In The Ivory Tower", the new video from REFUGE, the band comprised of current and former RAGE members Peavy Wagner, Manni Schmidt and Christos Efthimiadis, can be seen below. The song is taken from REFUGE's debut album, "Solitary Men", which is being released today (Friday, June 8) via Frontiers Music Srl.

REFUGE marks the reunion of the original, and probably most successful, lineup of the German metal band RAGE. After 1994, when the three originally parted ways, they moved on to work in different bands and follow their own musical path. Peavy kept on with RAGE, Manni went to GRAVE DIGGER, and Christos off to TRI STATE CORNER. After a long period during which they did not have much contact, the three guys met up again in 2014 and decided to play a secret show in their hometown Herne (Germany), under the moniker TRES HOMBRES. The show was never promoted, apart from word of mouth and social media rumblings and as a result, this show became one where you had to be "in the know", but more than 1,200 fans found their way to the gig anyway. The band performed all the hits from their time together in RAGE and loved every second of that gig, getting hungry for more, thus the idea of REFUGE was born.

REFUGE played a couple of hugely successful festival shows all throughout Europe in the summer of 2015. The audiences' reactions to the RAGE songs of 1988-1993 were truly overwhelming and exceeded all expectations the band had. So, more shows were played in 2016, including three in Japan (Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka), exactly 20 years after they had played their last shows together, coincidentally also in Japan.

"The band sounds nearly the same like back then, maybe a bit more relaxed, mature, with more individual experience," says Wagner. "But the general vibe is still the same. We know each other blindly. In order to write the songs, we created the same set-up we had 30 years ago. We rented the same rehearsal room and jammed together in a live situation and the magic was back! I'm glad that we could use and finalize some of our ideas from back then, stuff that we couldn´t use in that days for several reasons. The song 'Waterfalls', for example, was always one of my unfinished favorites. I'm proud we were able to bring it to light now finally!"

What started out as a "fun thing" in 2014 has turned into a real band again. “We want to continue doing this together as long as possible," says Peavy. "It is a manifestation of our reborn old friendship and it is a 'coming from the heart' thing for us to do it."

"Solitary Men" track listing:

01. Summer's Winter

02. The Man In The Ivory Tower

03. Bleeding From Inside

04. From The Ashes

05. Living On The Edge Of Time

06. We Owe A Life To Death

07. Mind Over Matter

08. Let Me Go

09. Hell Freeze Over

10. Waterfalls

11. Another Kind Of Madness (bonus track)

"Rev Up", the new video from New York hardcore veterans MADBALL, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "For The Cause", which will be released on June 15 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Hardcore Lives" was co-produced by Tim Armstrong (RANCID), who is also featured on one song on the album. It was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Tue Madsen (MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL) at Antfarm Studios in Denmark. Former MADBALL guitarist Matt Henderson laid down the guitar tracks in the studio, but will not join the group on tour.

MADBALL recently revealed that legendary rapper, actor and frontman Ice-T (BODY COUNT) guests on one track on "For The Cause".

Commented Ice-T: "It's an honor to record with the legendary MADBALL. BODY COUNT draws its closest similarities to New York hardcore. This is a natural."

Added singer Freddy Cricien: "It's truly an honor to have Ice-T on our record! I grew up on his music from his early hip-hop stuff till now. He's an iconic figure but also a 'class act'; you don't always get both at once. Ice has a great respect for New York hardcore and MADBALL, means the world. This was meant to happen.... real recognizes real."

Last October, MADBALL parted ways with longtime guitarist Brian "Mitts" Daniels. The New York outfit called the split "a very hard and heartbreaking decision for all involved."

"For The Cause" track listing:

01. Smile Now Pay Later

02. Rev Up (feat. Sick Jacken)

03. Freight Train

04. Tempest

05. Old Fashioned

06. Evil Ways (feat. Ice-T)

07. Lone Wolf

08. Damaged Goods

09. The Fog (feat. Tim Timebomb & Steve Whale)

10. Es Tu Vida

11. For You

12. For The Cause

13. Confessions (bonus track; CD and LP only)

The original version of the "For The Cause" title track was released last September via the "Family Biz" split seven-inch single, which saw the Cricien-fronted outfit joining forces with Pennsylvania's blue-collar-core heroes WISDOM IN CHAINS.

The official music video for EVANESCENCE's new single, "Hi-Lo", can be seen below. The clip, which was directed by P.R. Brown, includes a guest performance by famed violinist Lindsey Stirling.

"Hi-Lo" is one of two new songs that are included on EVANESCENCE's latest album, "Synthesis". The set is a reimagining of some of EVANESCENCE's best-loved tracks is the band's first full-length effort since its 2011 self-titled release.

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee told Donny Fandango of the St. Louis radio station 105.7 The Point about "Hi-Lo": "We've had in the bank for a long time. I wasn't quite finished [writing it before], but it's just a song that never fit anywhere that I've been holding on to and waiting to find its right home for 10 years. So it's this weird thing that I feel very close to already that I've had to listen to with my family and my friends to now finish it out and have the orchestra on it. That's what it needed — it needed that beautiful, luscious emotion that [longtime collaborator, orchestra arranger and composer] David Campbell put on there. But I wrote that song with our producer on this album, the guy that did all the programming, Will [Hunt, not to be confused with EVANESCENCE's drummer, also named Will Hunt]. It was our first collaboration together 10 years ago."

EVANESCENCE and Stirling will team up for co-headlining 2018 summer amphitheater tour across North America. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will kick off July 6 in Kansas City, Missouri at the Starlight Theatre and will make stops in 31 North American cities. The trek will wrap September 8 in Ridgefield, Washington at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater.

Both artists' shows will be accompanied by a full orchestra, highlighting both acts' musicality and incredible performance abilities. The orchestrated performances will also perfectly accent the astounding amphitheater venues across the U.S. and Canada that the two will be performing in, making for a magical summer evening.

Photo credit: P.R. Brown

Frontiers Music Srl will release TREAT's new album, "Tunguska", on September 14. The music video for the disc's first single, "Build The Love", can be seen below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Tunguska" track listing:

01. Progenitors

02. Always Have, Always Will

03. Best Of Enemies

04. Rose Of Jericho

05. Heartmath City

06. Creeps

07. Build The Love

08. Man Overboard

09. Riptide

10. Tomorrow Never Comes

11. All Bets Are Off

12. Undefeated

"Goldfinger", a track from Tarja's The Brightest Void album, can be heard below. The Brightest Void was released back in 2016 via earMusic. "Goldfinger" was originally performed by Shirley Bassey, and is the theme from the James Bond film of the same name, released in 1964.

Needless to say that one can await big things when the queen of heavy rock, the brightest star of the symphonic rock scene and certainly the most internationally well-known Finnish female voice in the world of music, Tarja Turunen and her band team up for a tour with one of the the most successful, enduring power metal bands in the world, who influenced a whole genre with heir distinguished mix of fast progressive metal and a melodic approach, symphonic metal originators Stratovarius.

Soprano, composer and songwriter, Tarja reached international fame co-founding and being for nine years the voice and image of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, collecting with them Gold and Platinum Record Awards in several countries. Leading into a not less successful solo career starting of in 2005 when Tarja started to walk alone. Since then she dedicates every December in bringing to Finland and abroad the magic of her Christmas shows. Plus Tarja’s flawless ability to blend rock and classic lead to several collaborations including Alice Cooper, Within Temptation, the German electronic artist Schiller, Doro Pesch and the British father of Tubular Bells Mike Oldfield.

But the unique synergy between Tarja’s classical and rock inspirations is fully expressed in her solo rock career. By now she released four multi-platinum and gold awarded albums My Winter Storm (2007), What Lies Beneath (2010) Colours In The Dark (2013) and the most recent ones The Brightest Void / The Shadow Self (2016). After the successful release of the unexpectedly dark album From Spirits And Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas) (2017) and the following Christmas shows, Tarja is ready to offer a closure for her recent heavy rock albums, with her second live video and CD. Following the same line of its predecessor, ACT II will be released in summer 2018.

Not less important, if not even more, than albums and collaborations, has been for Tarja to perform live on stage in front of her audience with more than 800 shows worldwide during her career so far.

It has been more than 30 years since Stratovarius got together - what started in 1985 under the name Black Water left a trail of 16 studio albums, ten Top 5 chart positions in their native country Finland and more than 40 top chart positions around the globe as well as over 30 years extensive touring world wide. With their distinguished mix of fast progressive metal and a melodic approach, symphonic metal originators Stratovarius became one of the most influential, successful and enduring power metal bands in the world.

After a few bumpy steps and stones in the band’s lineup, Stratovarius song writing found its peak in their recent studio works Elysium, Nemesis and Eternal. All milestones in sound, creativity and songwriting. It happens rarely nowadays, especially in metal, that a band creates one magic song after the other. Stratovarius are surely one of the few exceptions.

Recently Stratovarius presented their long awaited Best Of album, which included 29 hits and fan favorites (and there could have been more). As well as started a reissue campaign of all their 16 studio albums, with one of the band’s most successful and most loved albums Destiny (originally released in 1999) and the cult live album Visions Of Europe (originally released in 1998). The series will be continued in summer 2018 with the not less loved albums Episode (originally released in 1996) and Visions (originally released in 1997), again packed with rare and newly recorded bonus material.

Now these two major players from Finland have decided to go on A Nordic Symphony ‘18 Tour together. Dates and a video trailer can be found below.

A Nordic Symphony ‘18:

October
1 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
2 - Kiel, Germany - Max
3 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol
5 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
7 - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVredenburg
9 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
10 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik
11 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
13 - Solothurn, Switzerland - Kofmehl
14 - Grenoble, France - La Belle Electrique
16 - Rome, Italy - Orion
17 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
18 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
20 - Innsbruck, Austria - Music Hall
21 - Prague, Czech Republic - Forum Karlín
22 - Berlin, Germany - Festsaal Kreuzberg
24 - Gdansk, Poland - B90
25 - Krakow, Poland – Studio
26 - Dresden, Germany - Reithalle
28 - Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
29 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Universiada Sports Hall

Double Crush Syndrome frontman / ex-Sodom guitarist Andy Brings has checked in with the following update:

"Here's the first teaser of our lifeblood film Full Circle: Last Exit Rock N Roll, with Tom Angelripper, Doro Pesch, Liz German and Skid Row. We are very proud and keep busy, the pledge campaign will soon be completely rebuilt, and then all information about the premiere on 12.9. in Essen, Germany will be made available. We look forward to support of all kinds and hope that you remain curious. Just like us. What's your truth?"

Following is Brings' initial introduction to the Full Circle project:

"A movie? Yes, a movie! There are things in life, where words and music are not enough.

Dreams, hopes and longings are incredibly visual things, and that´s why there will be Full Circle – Last Exit Rock N´ Roll! By kind of telling my story, my team and I want to show what drives people who have a dream and are willing to sacrifice everything to make it come true. We want to find out how they cope when their dream turns into a nightmare, how they turn it back around, make everything come full circle, and lead their lives to their destiny and find the true meaning of their being. No matter what the individual small or big goal may be or how long it takes.

My life was and still is like that. Love, passion, struggle, setbacks, lifeblood, success, defeat, laughter and tears, but my rock n´ roll dream came true. From being a fanboy to touring with my heroes, without whom there'd be no me. Thirty-plus years never losing sight of the target, I am the living proof that everything is possible!

My story is your story. What are your dreams? Are you searching for your own truth? Are you willing to give it your all? This film shall be inspiration and confirmation. Whatever it is that you need. Don´t let them discourage you. Go your own way, no matter what they say. You will see that you are not alone!

The movie premiere will take place on September 12th, 2018 at the Lichturg in Essen, Germany´s most beautiful movie theatre, with a full-on red carpet event, where I will hopefully meet all of you.

I´m very grateful for your support, without you nothing lives.

Thank you!

Go to this location to check out Andy Brings' pledge campaign.

LINKIN PARK vocalist Mike Shinoda has released a music video for the song "Ghosts", taken from his upcoming solo album "Post Traumatic". Shinoda himself directed the clip, which stars Boris and Miss Oatmeal.

Shinoda spoke with ET Canada about the songwriting process for "Post Traumatic", which is due on June 15. He explained: "It started in a really dark place. In the beginning, I wasn't leaving my house. It felt very claustrophobic, having lost one of my closest friends and collaborators. We associate who we are, to some degree, with what we do, so I felt very lost."

He continued: "The experience of this last year has been crazy, and I wanted to put it into music, not only to just put a stamp on it and say, 'This happened,' but also to allow the fans and the people who have been along for the ride, to guide them on that journey in terms of keeping up with my narrative or understanding where I'm at."

Asked how difficult it was to write the songs for the album, many of which dealt with the death of LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington, Shinoda added: "Life was difficult; music was easy. The music made things easier."

Shinoda also spoke about dealing with his own grief over Bennington's suicide last summer, saying: "I had terrible days, and now I have less bad days. And eventually, I will find a new 'normal,' like a new stasis."

Shinoda played his first solo shows since the death of Bennington on May 12 at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Los Angeles and May 13 at the Identity LA festival, also in L.A. Shinoda mashed up some LINKIN PARK songs along with his solo material, singing some of Chester Bennington's parts from songs like "Bleed It Out". He played "In The End" on piano and let the fans sing most of Chester's vocal parts, though at times he came in and sang his parts.

SMASHING PUMPKINS have released a new song called "Solara". It marks the band's first recording to feature frontman Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin together in 18 years. The track, which was produced by Rick Rubin, also features longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

SMASHING PUMPKINS will perform "Solara" on Monday on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon".

Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin last played together on 2000's "Untitled". "Untitled" was Iha's last PUMPKINS recording prior to "Solara", while Chamberlin's was 2009's "FOL".

Original SMASHING PUMPKINS bassist D'Arcy Wretzky is is not taking part at all in the band's reunion after recently claiming that Corgan offered to have her come out and do sporadic appearances on the upcoming reunion tour.

Corgan did not mince words about Wretzky in a New York Times interview, saying he has not seen her in 19 years and was horrified she shared their private correspondence about the PUMPKINS reunion tour online. Corgan explained: "I think what she did demonstrates why she couldn't be involved. I was vulnerable and shared things and trusted that there was a reason to give it a chance, despite plenty of empirical evidence that that was not a wise decision."

Corgan added that the bridge between him and Wretzky — with whom he started rebuilding his friendship two years ago — is now burned "forever."

But the Times also spoke with Wretzky herself, who said that Corgan misled her about the reunion. She revealed: "He was stringing me along and using me to be able to say that it was, in fact, a reunion of all the members. Billy can be incredibly charming and funny and fun, but when it comes to money and giving credit where credit is due and any kind of work situation, it's not pretty."

Wretzky said there were disagreements about how the members would be paid, with Corgan making twice as much as the others. She added: "I really wanted to do this tour for the right reasons. If everybody was doing it for free, I would have done it for free."

The "Shiny And Oh So Bright" tour, which will reportedly focus on the band's first five albums, kicks off on July 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

"Lovers In The Rain", the new video from the Swedish classic/progressive rock supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — featuring members of SOILWORK and ARCH ENEMY — can be seen below. The song is taken from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's fourth studio album, "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough", which will be released on June 29 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was again produced by the bandmembers themselves and was recorded at Handsome Hard Music / Larsson Music Studio as well as Nordic Sound Lab in Skara, Sweden. Mixing duties were taken on by the band's guitarist/percussionist Sebastian Forslund and mastering was done by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at The Panic Room.

The real-life/animation mash-up video for "Lovers In The Rain" was created by renowned artist Elia Cristofoli of Solingo, who also made the video for last year's "Gemini".

Commented THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA: "'Lovers In The Rain' is the soundtrack of the way it felt when you held the hand of your first true love for the first time. Happiness so intense, your heart beating so fast that it almost feels like a panic attack. And in the back of your head, you're already mourning the fact that one day it will all be over. But during those first trembling moments, you know that nothing will ever be the same again. From now on, you will always compare every life experience to these first magic moments.

"'Lovers in the Rain' is an homage to the anthems of our youth, the songs that made us believe that in every life; no matter how insignificant you might feel sometimes, you will someday have that experience with someone. Hopefully with THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA playing in the background. And believe us, we've all been there.

"This song, like the whole new album, is about those moments when you transcend reality and might for one fleeting moment catch a glimpse of the otherworldly. It's for each and every one of you, with love from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, remembering everyone we've ever loved and lost."

Just like 2017's "Amber Galactic", the LP will feature two different covers (see below) — one for the regular and the other for the limited edition.

The limited first-edition digipack CD, as well as the vinyl, will include an exclusive bonus track. The Japanese version will also feature an additional cut.

"Sometimes The World Ain't Enough" track listing:

01. This Time

02. Turn To Miami

03. Paralyzed

04. Sometimes The World Ain't Enough

05. Moments Of Thunder

06. Speedwagon

07. Lovers In The Rain

08. Can't Be That Bad

09. Pretty Thing Closing In

10. Barcelona

11. Winged And Serpentine

12. The Last Of The Independent Romantics

13. Marjorie (limited-edition digipack CD and vinyl bonus track)

14. Pacific Priestess (Japanese bonus track)

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA said in a statement: "THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA returns with another chapter in their steaming space opera that began with 'Amber Galactic'.

"This time, the female space commanders want even more revenge than they already had, space is even more infinite, and the amount of champagne it takes to keep this navy afloat and adrift in the cosmos is probably illegal on most planets!

"Never looking back, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA boldly goes where no man or woman has ever gone before, and with this album, they've taken another step in their quest to elevate classic rock from being a music genre to becoming an immersive whole-body transcendental experience!

"It's time to prepare yourself, because the riffs will be riffier, the vocals will be throatier, the synthesizers will envelop you, the AOR will be AOR-ier, the long songs will be longer, the short songs will be shorter, the bass will seduce you, the drums will destroy you, the groove will hypnotize and paralyze you. Can you handle it?"

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA is:

Björn Strid - Vocals

Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass

David Andersson - Guitars

Richard Larsson - Keyboards

Jonas Källsbäck - Drums

Sebastian Forslund - Guitars, Percussion, Special FX

Anna-Mia Bonde - Backing Vocals

Anna Brygård - Backing Vocals

Photo credit: Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg



Main cover:



Limited-edition cover:

The official video for "My Own Grave", a brand new song from California metallers AS I LAY DYING, can be seen below. The track, which features the return of the band's classic lineup — Tim Lambesis on lead vocals, Jordan Mancino on drums, Phil Sgrosso on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Nick Hipa on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Josh Gilbert on bass and clean vocals — is expected to be released via all streaming music services on Friday, June 8.

AS I LAY DYING will play its first comeback show on June 16 at Soma Sidestage in San Diego, California.

Prior to the arrival of the new song, AS I LAY DYING hadn't released any new music since it issued its sixth album, "Awakened", back in September 2012.

In May 2014, Lambesis was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to paying a San Diego police officer posing as a hit man $1,000 to kill his wife. Approximately two and a half years later — on December 17, 2016 — he was discharged from a California detention facility and was transferred to the Division of Adult Parole Operations.

Last December, Lambesis released a statement in which he apologized to his former wife and children for his "appalling actions." He also accepted responsibility for being "the sole offender and the only one to blame for everything that happened."

Tim didn't offer any details about his plans for the future, but credited music with getting him "through the darkest parts of [his] journey."

Lambesis was arrested in May 2013 after handing a "hitman" — really an undercover police officer — $1,000 in cash, along with his wife's address and gate security codes.

Prior to the murder plot, his wife had asked a San Diego Superior Court to dissolve their marriage.

The singer in 2015 filed a lawsuit against a California medical team alleging that he was not given a prescribed medication for nearly two months prior to his incarceration, resulting in him developing gynecomastia (enlarged breasts). Public records show that his lawsuit was dismissed in October 2016 with prejudice, possibly because the parties had reached a settlement agreement.

Andy Hall of Des Moines radio station Lazer 103.3 recently conducted an interview with Alice Cooper. You can listen to the entire chat via the SoundCloud widget below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether the album title "Paranormal" is fitting of his career:

Alice: "When you talk about the word 'paranormal,' I actually looked it up — it doesn't really mean anything ghostly. It means 'other than normal.' Paranormal. So, when I started thinking about my career and started thinking about every single thing that has happened to make Alice Cooper what it is, it is extremely paranormal. [Laughs] It wasn't like CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL. It wasn't like any of the other bands. Our road was a lot more bizarre. It was one of those things anytime you're introducing something new, it upsets everybody because they want to stand back and wait and see if it's going to be accepted. If it is accepted, then all of the sudden you're a genius. If it's not accepted, then you're an idiot. [Laughs] It was [a big risk], but at the same time, we had nothing to lose. We were one of those bands, we were just like any other band, except the fact that we were extremely theatrical and I said, 'Why don't we take what we do best and wrap great songs around it? And I'll play the villain and we'll wrap a show around that?' We thought about it and went, 'Well, nobody does that, so let's just do it.' It felt very natural to us to do it like that."

On the caliber of musicians in his band:

Alice: "I've always looked for the very best players. I had Orianthi [guitar] in the band before this and she had been playing with Michael Jackson [before his] tragic death and I always said, 'I've never had a girl in the band, so let's put Ori in there.' Not just because she was a girl, but because she was a great guitar player and that really was a plus. When Ori went off with [former BON JOVI guitarist] Richie Sambora, which I thought was a nice connection there, I found 'Hurricane' Nita Strauss, who was another great player, except she was a different kind of guitar player — she was a shredder. She was a girl who could play like Eddie Van Halen. So, I said 'That gives us another dimension.'"

On the longevity of his career and celebrating the anniversaries of some of his classic releases:

Alice: "I am more of 'what's happening next' then 'what's happening then.' But, I appreciate the history. I do appreciate the fact that was historic stuff and 'School's Out' broke a lot of barriers and 'Billion Dollar Babies' was a very theatrical album to be a number one album. It did things on that album that other albums had never done. I think what it speaks to also, is the fact guitar rock, no matter where rock goes, it will go to punk, it will go to grunge, it will go to disco, it will go to this, that and this, but the one music that never dies is that sort of modern Chuck Berry hard rock that THE [ROLLING] STONES do, that GUNS N' ROSES do, that AEROSMITH does, that Alice Cooper does. That's the kind of music that will just not die. There are bands right now — look at GRETA VAN FLEET. There's a band who said, 'It's been a long time since LED ZEPPELIN was around; let's be LED ZEPPELIN.' People are ready for a new LED ZEPPELIN, so guitar rock, once again, is going to take the forefront."

On when he realized there is no stopping point to his career:

Alice: "I think it's the fact, everybody can look at Mick Jagger or Paul McCartney or any one of these guys who are still touring after 60 years or so, 50 years at least, and they're as good as they've ever been. I think it's a matter of, 'Are you physically well enough to do it? Are you mentally well enough?' My idea was this: If I didn't think my next album was going to be my best album, then I would stop. If I didn't think my next show was going to be my best show, or at least equal to my best show, then I would definitely stop. But, I'm looking at the new [HOLLYWOOD] VAMPIRES album and I'm looking at that show and I'm looking at the new stage show that we're doing and I'm going, 'Geez, this is better than the last one. Let's keep going.' There's nothing physically wrong with me, so I can't imagine why I wouldn't keep going."

Cooper released "Paranormal", his first album in six years and twenty-seventh overall, last July via earMUSIC. The record, produced by Bob Ezrin, features special guests like U2's Larry Mullen Jr., who plays on nine of the twelve new songs; Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP; DEEP PURPLE's Roger Glover, as well as a mini-reunion of the original ALICE COOPER bandmembers.

He has one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in hard rock history, heard on such classics as "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", "Rock Me" and "Save Your Love". He is Jack Russell, the inimitable vocalist and founding member of '80s metal legends GREAT WHITE, and he has recently reissued his 1996 debut solo album, "Shelter Me". The LP, released after a decade's worth of blockbuster albums for Capitol Records, finds the hard-living singer in fine form, belting out both ballads and rockers with gusto to spare. Highlights include the ballsy cover of THE BEATLES' "Hey Bulldog", an emotional version of the GREAT WHITE classic "Save Your Love", as well as the poignant title track, "Shelter Me", which expresses empathy for the growing homeless population. Musically, the album is right in line with GREAT WHITE's brand of LED ZEPPELIN-inspired blues rock with stellar guitar work from Matthew Johnson and Michael Lardie as well as a rhythm section that includes iconic bassist Tim Bogert (JEFF BECK, VANILLA FUDGE) and drummer Myron Grombacher. This special reissue revises the front cover album art, placing Russell front and center, and features an extensive booklet with complete lyrics.

"Shelter Me" track listing:

01. Shelter Me

02. Take My Pain

03. Leave Me Lonely

04. Long Way To Go

05. Hey Bulldog

06. You'll Lose A Good Thing

07. Twenty-Four/Seven

08. The Fault's All Mine

09. Roll With The Tide

10. Faith In You

11. Save Your Love

12. Shine On

13. When I Look Into Your Eyes

A 2013 federal court decision allows Russell to tour as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while GREAT WHITE continues with his replacement, Terry Ilous. Both last year released albums — GREAT WHITE's "Full Circle" and "He Saw It Coming" by JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE features Russell alongside former GREAT WHITE bassist-turned-guitarist Tony Montana (as a guitar player and keyboardist), Dan McNay (MONTROSE) on bass, Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar and Dicki Fliszar (BRUCE DICKINSON) on drums.

Finnish melodic death metal band Foredoomed, signed to Inverse Records, began as a garage band in 2009. With various lineups between 2009 and 2015, the band released three demo EPs. Atte Kymäläinen (vocals, guitars) and Asmo Jurvanen (guitars) have been consistent forces of the band throughout the years.
 
At the end of 2015 the band started working on their first full-length album, Ordeal. After a lot of composing and preproduction, recording started in early 2017. The album was released August 18th, 2017. During the album production, Eetu Kovapohja (bass) and Joel Henrik Kaplas (drums) joined the band. 

The band has released a new video for the track "Dualism". Check it out below.

Foredoomed tracklist:

"Origin"
"Ghost Recurrence"
"Undawning"
"Search for Tomorrow"
"Dualism"
"Departure"
"My Epigraph in Woe"
"Shade of the Darker Sun"
"Ordeal"

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have signed Texas' dark technical grindcore beasts Daggra and are set to release their new album entitled Setsuna July 13th on CD and Digital formats.

Daggra, the emissaries of dark technical grindcore, bring their poisoned sound to Horror Pain Gore Death Productions with their second full-length album Setsuna. Comprised of musicians spread across Texas, Daggra have spent the last several years crafting a form of grindcore that is equal parts furious, acerbic, and technical, taking cues from a variety of influences such as Gridlink, Antigama, Pig Destroyer, 324, Agents Of Abhorrence as well as the human condition as a whole. Setsuna translates to “a moment/instant”, and it is an exploration of the transient moments have the most significant impacts on life and existence. This album also serves as the swansong for the band's longtime original vocalist, who delivers a final performance akin to raging aural wildfire. With maniacal drumming and razor-sharp riffs to complete the calculated chaos, the introspective vitriol of Setsuna burns fiercely, leaving only a smoldering heap in its wake. Find preorders at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Blood Mosaic”
“Sculpting Discord”
“Wrong End Of Gravity”
“Setsuna”
“Non Compos Mentis”
“Tarnished”
“Imposter”
“Cold Calculation”
“Scars Over Scars”
“Medusa’s Truth”
“Shatterpoint”
“Object”
“Panoramic Ruin”
“Wards Of Greater Failures”
“Empty As Your Words”

“Blood Mosaic”:

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford has told the Phoenix New Times that fans can see more collaborations in the future, following his recent involvements with IN THIS MOMENT, BABYMETAL and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH.

"Nergal [from BEHEMOTH] and I are possibly doing a collaboration," Halford said. "I was in the dressing room with Tobias [Forge] from GHOST, and we talked about collaborative opportunities too. It's fun for musicians to step into each other's world. It's like different football teams — it's the same game but a different play. I'm just very curious to see where my voice can fit in."

Halford has long spoken about wanting to work on a black metal album, reveling more than a decade ago that he had discussions with EMPEROR's Ihsahn about doing something together.

Earlier this year, he told Noisey that he still hopes something will happen in the future.

"The black metal project!" he said. "It keeps being about to lift the launchpad, but it never quite gets anywhere. I met Nergal from BEHEMOTH recently, and I said, 'You know I love your kind of music. I would love to kind of put my toe into the water and see what would happen.'

"So now I've got these two very nebulous, but I hope at some point very real opportunities, to do something with Nergal and still something to with Ihsahn.

"'Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk' — that's my big EMPEROR album. Both of them are incredible; they just have this real mastery of their world."

Nergal responded to Halford's comments on Instagram, writing: "Now fuckin' deal with it! With such vibes within the metal community, the future has no fuckin' limits."

Back in 2015, Halford said that he still wanted to collaborate with one of his current favorite artists, pop superstar Lady Gaga. He said: "Let me tell you: that lady is a heavy metal maniac. She loves PRIEST, she loves [IRON] MAIDEN, she loves MOTÖRHEAD — all of these kinds of heavy metal bands that have been roaring on throughout the decades; she's a big fan of all [of them]."

He continued: "When I met her, I think it was in San Diego, where I'm hanging out these days, we immediately bonded. She's just this wonderfully talented lady with a spectacular voice.

"You know, you have to cut through a lot of the visual stuff with Gaga and then get to what her voice is about. For me, as a singer, as a fellow singer, she's absolutely sensational and I would love at some point to do something with her. I don't know if ever that's gonna happen, but it's on my bucket list. I think we've all got a bucket list, and that's on mine."

The newly formed ADLER'S APPETITE FEATURING CONSTANTINE MAROULIS band, featuring ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, performed earlier tonight (Thursday, May 24) at the Powerstation in Auckland, New Zealand. Video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Joining Adler in the new group are Constantine Maroulis (vocals), Carl Restivo (rhythm guitar), Michael Thomas (lead guitar) and Sean McNabb (bass).

ADLER'S APPETITE FEATURING CONSTANTINE MAROULIS is celebrating the 30th anniversary of GNR's classic debut album by performing "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety on a tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Each stop on the tour features a question-and-answer session with Steven and his mother, Deanna Adler, steadfast supporter and author of "Sweet Child Of Mine: How I Lost My Son To Guns N' Roses". During the last quarter century, Deanna Adler kept her diaries, journals, and personal letters, as well as a dozen scrapbooks and hundreds of photographs, putting them aside for safekeeping.

"Of course, GUNS N' ROSES was the soundtrack to my youth," Maroulis told Billboard. "To play with Steven has been the highlight of my career. He's a lovely guy, and his playing on 'Appetite [For Destruction]' was second to none, and that sound he made on it defined that whole generation's sound."

Adler stated about the singer: "Let me just fucking tell you something... this guy Constantine, who I call 'Casanova'... he came up to New York and I'm, like, 'Oh my God, I got this great rock and roll singer!' I'm finally working with a real superstar again. I call him 'Casanova' because he's so goddamn sexy. Because he dresses so nice. I wish I was his size so I could double my wardrobe! ... He flew up to New York and within five minutes, I wanted to kick his fuckin' ass! And within 10 minutes, I fell in love with him!"

Adler added: "GUNS N' ROSES are the biggest rock band in the fuckin' world now, and since the guys don't want me to play with them and I love these songs and I'm so proud of them ... now I finally have a singer who can compete with the young Axl Rose. Axl is Axl and Casanova is fuckin' Casanova.... That's all I want. Also, his name isn't 'asshole' it's Axl. It sounds like you're saying 'asshole,' but it's Axl."

Fan-filmed video footage of DRAGONFORCE's June 2 performance at the FortaRock festival at Goffertpark in Nijmegen, the Netherlands can be seen below.

DRAGONFORCE is making a number of European festival appearances this summer, including at this coming weekend's Download festival in the U.K.

The band's fifth album, "The Power Within", which was originally released in early 2012, has been completely remastered and remixed and reissued under the title "Re-Powered Within" in Europe via earMUSIC and in Japan through JVC Victor.

DRAGONFORCE's latest album, "Reaching Into Infinity", was released in May 2017 via earMUSIC on CD, LP and a special-edition CD and DVD. The follow-up to 2014's "Maximum Overload" marked DRAGONFORCE's third full-length studio release with singer Marc Hudson, who joined the group in 2011 following the departure of original frontman ZP Theart (now in SKID ROW).

IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain celebrated his 66th birthday on Tuesday (June 5) while on tour with his bandmates in Copenhagen, Denmark. Video footage of the musicians marking the occasion can be seen below.

McBrain was born in Hackney, East London, on June 5, 1952. His first experience of music came via his father's love of traditional jazz. Young Nicko's hero was Joe Morello, the late, great drummer with the legendary THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET. Nicko would often take to the kitchen, using forks and knives to beat on anything he could find at home. Fed up with him bashing up the kitchen utensils, his parents finally bought him his first drum kit when he was 12.

By the time he left school at 15, he was already a veteran of several part-time pub groups. Musically, however, his tastes had broadened to include more contemporary sixties sounds from THE SHADOWS, THE ANIMALS, THE BEATLES and THE ROLLING STONES. On the recommendation of another drummer he knew, he began to take on session work, playing on countless different recordings.

In 1975, Nicko joined STREETWALKERS, the band formed by ex-FAMILY members, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist Charlie Whitney. From the late seventies until 1982 when he joined IRON MAIDEN, Nicko had spent his time in session work, most memorably with the PAT TRAVERS BAND on their 1976 "Makin' Magic" album, and also appeared in the band MCKITTY in the early 1980's. It was during a MCKITTY gig in Belgium that he first met IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.

He officially joined IRON MAIDEN in December 1982 for the 1983 "Piece Of Mind" album and tour, replacing Clive Burr, after McBrain's previous band TRUST had supported IRON MAIDEN during the U.K. leg of the "Killers" tour in 1981.

With 13 studio and seven live albums currently under his belt with MAIDEN, Nicko's role as the driving force behind the band's sound has served as a major influence to many of today's top drummers and solidified his place in music history.

Juno award-winning metallic noise rock band KEN mode will release their seventh studio album Loved on August 31st through New Damage Records in Canada. The band has premiered the music video for lead track “Doesn’t Feel Pain Like He Should”. The album is now available for preorder here. Fans who preorder the album digitally will receive the lead single as an instant grat track.
 
Says guitarist/vocalist Jesse Matthewson on their latest offering, “This song is a not so subtle opening for our thoughts on 2018. To what degree the world will interpret parody, satire, and bleeding-heart honesty, is ultimately beyond our control. We've made a work, with a harsh degree of urgency that made us feel something while dancing effortlessly within these blurred lines."
 
Loved, which follows KEN mode’s critically acclaimed and Juno nominated 2015 release Success, represents yet another pivot point in the group’s sound. Moving away from the indie/noise, punk focused tracks on Success, Loved sees the band delving deeper and darker than ever before, resulting in what may be the group’s quintessential statement of violence and despair made sonic.
 
Drawing from not only the desperate noise and industrial sonics of the 80’s and 90’s, on Loved, KEN mode has mixed in the decidedly more extreme tone and presence of death and black metal, expertly captured by producer Andrew Schneider’s (Unsane, Cave In, Daughters) sick vision of noise and girth. “We entered writing for this album with one goal in mind – to please the smile”, states Matthewson, referring to the album cover piece by the band’s long-time collaborator Randy Ortiz – see below.
 
Jesse continues, “We wanted to make an album that represented a thinking person’s reaction to the political/technological climate we are existing in today. We wanted to make the perfect album to put on repeat while pushing your physical limits to their maximum, if only to silence the noise that is constantly whirring around inside of your own head, even for a brief moment. We wanted tones that bash and cut, and for you to feel that desperate part of yourself clawing for a way out. And then, just when things are at their most bleak, you start to focus on what’s actually being said, and you’ll see the humour in absolutely everything that is transpiring before you. THAT is Loved.”

Tracklisting:

“Doesn’t Feel Pain Like He Should”
“The Illusion Of Dignity”
“Feathers & Lips”
“Learning To Be Too Cold”
“Not Soulmates”
“Very Small Men”
“This Is A Love Test”
“Fractures In Adults”
“No Gentle Art”

“Doesn’t Feel Pain Like He Should” video:

(Photo by: Brenna Faris)

Sunn O))) has unleashed the earliest recording of the band's monolithic tones, revamped for a limited edition pressing via Southern Lord Recordings, as the label celebrates its 20th anniversary, as a split label release together with Stephen O'Malley's Ideologic Organ imprint.
 
The Downtown LA Rehearsal/Rifftape March 1998 dates back to the earliest rehearsals during the genesis of the Sunn O))) project. The source is a C60 cassette tape recorded on a boombox, and the result is essentially an extremely raw noise/drone record. It was taped in the band's early practice space at Downtown Rehearsal (RIP), Los Angeles, in a practice room which the band shared with The Melvins and Goatsnake at the time. The LP sees Sunn O))) founders Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley on guitars and stacks of amps, the original cassette was mastered by Brad Boatright February 2018.
 
Longtime/old school diehard listeners of Sunn O)))'s massive sound and those who have watched the collective's transformation over the past two decades can find the brutal practice tape revamped as Downtown LA Rehearsal/Rifftape March 1998, available only through Southern Lord and directly from the band in a limited run on 180-gram vinyl LP - 900 black, 500 silver, 100 white, with machine numbering on the front cover - and digitally. Order the release on here.

The celebration of twenty years of Sunn O))) and Southern Lord this year will continue with reissues of the band's lauded White1 and White2 albums in the coming weeks.
 
Sunn O))) will perform live at the Psycho Las Vegas festival on August 19th alongside Godflesh, Goblin, Enslaved, All Pigs Must Die, Wolves In The Throne Room, and scores more.

Tracklisting:

Side A
“Room 206 Pt. 1”
“Room 206 Pt. 2”
“B-Witch”

Side B
“Room 206 Pt. 3”
“The Grimm Robe / Black Wedding”
“Mustaine / Thorns”
“M & D I.L.F.
“The DJs”

Out of print for a while, it's time to re-issue two classic Primordial albums on vinyl on July 13th, Spirit The Earth Aflame'and Storm Before Calm. These are without a doubt the best vinyl versions you will get from these titles.

Both albums will be available on vinyl for the first time in a while and have been remastered by Patrick W. Engel for the best sound quality possible and include posters.

Comments Primordial: "Finally after a long, long time we are able to announce the vinyl re-issues of both our third album Spirit The Earth Aflame and fourth Storm Before Calm treated with the respect they deserve after all these years, and those are many years indeed! Remastered for vinyl with restored and complete artwork and finally an aesthetic vision that compliments, defines and emboldens the music instead of the cheap, instant and nasty version that appeared all those years ago, and a special mention to Storm… which now has the proper artwork it was always meant to have! We are proud to stand behind these versions and to realize an ambition long held by the band to give people the definitive vinyl versions of these albums!"

Spirit The Earth Aflame LP reissue:
- 180g black vinyl
- Dark brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
- Olive/black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
- Wine-red/black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 200)
- Yellow ochre marbled vinyl (US exclusive - ltd. 100)

Storm Before Calm LP reissue:
- 180g black vinyl
- Dark brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
- Olive/black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
- Wine-red/black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 200)
- Yellow ochre marbled vinyl (US exclusive - ltd. 100)

Preorder copies now at EMP.

Ukraine’s The Koz Times spoke to Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse ahead of their show in Kiev at the Sports Palace.

Morse spoke about this tour really being a farewell and said, “For me personally, it’s a farewell tour. As for the other guys, then I think they will still be playing. Perhaps, in other groups, special projects or as invited guests. I also plan to stay in music but not so actively as now. But you do realize that when the music for so many years is the most important place in your life, impossible in one day to abandon it. In General, I know that the guys are not going to retire. They would rather die on stage than in bed (laughs).”

Legends will collide late this summer when Deep Purple and Judas Priest embark on a co-headlining North American tour. Produced by Live Nation, the outing will kick off August 21st in Cincinnati, OH and visit 25 cities across the US and Canada before wrapping September 30th in Wheatland, California. Tickets are on sale at LiveNation.com.

Deep Purple’s latest studio album, inFinite, was released April 7th, 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 metal pioneers have released five studio albums since 1996, augmented by an abundance of solo work and special projects from members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse and Don Airey. Fans will be thrilled as they cover decades of favorites for this run.

Judas Priest’s latest studio album, Firepower, was released March 9th, 2018, via Epic Records. Co-produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap, the 14-track album has become one of the most successful of the band’s entire career - landing in the "top-5" of 17 countries (including their highest chart placement ever in the US), and scoring their highest charting commercial rock radio single in decades with “Lightning Strike”. Few heavy metal bands have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest have during their near 50-year career, and with a lineup featuring Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill, and Scott Travis, Judas Priest will be scorching across North America with some heavy metal Firepower again this summer and fall on tour with Deep Purple.

Tour dates:

August
21 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
22 - Chicago, IL - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
24 - Detroit, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
25 - Mt. Pleasant, MI - Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort
27 - Hamilton, ON - FirstOntario Centre
29 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
30 - Quebec City, QC - Centre Videotron

September
1 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
2 - Bethel Woods, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
5 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Amphitheater
6 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
8 - Virginia Beach, VA - Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
9 - Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
11 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
12 - Jacksonville, FL - Daily's Place
14 - Atlanta, GA - Verizon Amphitheatre
16 - Biloxi, MS - Mississippi Coast Coliseum
18 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
20 - Welch, MN - Treasure Island Casino
21 - Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah's Council Bluffs
23 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
26 - San Diego, CA - Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
27 - Irvine, CA - FivePoint Amphitheatre
29 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
30 - Wheatland, CA - Toyota Amphitheatre

American death/black metallers CAST THE STONE have premiered the first single, "As The Dead Lie", taken from their recently announced six-track EP, "Empyrean Atrophy", which is due for release on Agonia Records on August 31. The track comes with a lyric video designed by Scott Rudd Film (OPETH, RINGS OF SATURN).

CAST THE STONE is Mark Kloeppel (MISERY INDEX, SCOUR), Derek Engemann (CATTLE DECAPITATION, SCOUR), Jesse Schobel (LEGEND, SCOUR) and vocalist Andrew Huskey. First formations of the band began in 2002, long before its protagonists departed for their better-known metal-scene mainstays. While such ties leave a clear mark, CAST THE STONE emerge not as some metal supergroup, but as a project of the original and purest intent of its membership.

Each of CAST THE STONE members is involved in writing music, and each has varying tastes. But they all seem to have one acquired taste in common: an appetite for American and Swedish death metal. On "Empyrean Atrophy", one can distinctly hear sounds similar to DISMEMBER, GRAVE, AT THE GATES, and other proponents of the genre. There are also artisan elements one could liken to more dark and progressive Swedish acts such as OPETH, EDGE OF SANITY and DISSECTION. Perhaps this reason alone, Dan Swanö was a clear choice for production (having produced or had been a member of some of the aforementioned bands).

Hybridizing the dark ferocity of Swedish death metal through a lens of American brutality, CAST THE STONE hits a creative stride with "Empyrean Atrophy". Guitarist Mark Kloeppel commented: "The band's sound is a testament to an enduring spirit that's driven us to return to our most organic influences, merge them together, incorporate disparate elements, and forge our own sound. Each person has a distinct sound unto themselves, so it's really cool how smooth and cohesive this stuff comes across. You can immediately hear how different this is from the other things we've been involved in, yet it's still very true to our individual styles. Our bassist Derek progressively weaves my guitars and Jesse's uber-creative drumming style together in a way that only he can. This is all crowned off by Andy Huskey's crazy death metal vocals which are... well, just listen."

"Empyrean Atrophy" was produced by Dan Swanö (KATATONIA, MERCILESS, EDGE OF SANITY) and features cover artwork by Gary Ronaldson of Bite Radius Designs (PRIMORDIAL, KREATOR, NAPALM DEATH). It includes five new, original compositions and a cover of INFESTDEAD's "Jesusatan".

Track listing:

01. As The Dead Lie

02. The Burning Horizon

03. Standing In The Shadows

04. A Plague Of Light

05. Empyrean Atrophy

06. Jesusatan

On June 6th, Guns N' Roses performed at Dyrskuepladsen in Odense, Denmark, where they uleashed "Shadow Of Your Love" on stage for the first time in over 30 years. Fan-filmed video is available below.

The setlist on the night was as follows:

"It's So Easy"
"Mr. Brownstone"
"Chinese Democracy"
"Welcome to the Jungle"
"Double Talkin' Jive"
"Better"
"Estranged"
"Live and Let Die" (Wings cover)
"Slither" (Velvet Revolver cover)
"Rocket Queen"
"You Could Be Mine"
"New Rose" (The Damned cover) 
"This I Love"
"Shadow Of Your Love" (first time live since June 22, 1987)
"Civil War"
- Slash guitar solo - 
"Speak Softly Love" (Love Theme From The Godfather)
"Sweet Child O' Mine"
"Coma"
"Wichita Lineman" (Jimmy Webb cover)
"Wish You Were Here" (Pink Floyd cover) 
"November Rain"
"Black Hole Sun" (Soundgarden cover)
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan cover) 
"Nightrain"

Encore:
"Don't Cry"
"The Seeker" (The Who cover)
"Paradise City"

During GN'R's June 3rd concert in Berlin, Germany, the band performed a cover of the Velvet Revolver track "Slither". Fan-filmed video can be seen below. The track was featured on the Velvet Revolver debut album Contraband, released in 2004. Velvet Revolver's lineup included Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, as well as frontman Scott Weiland and guitarist Dave Kushner.

Today, June 6th, is the International Day Of Slayer, the annual heavy-metal holiday that celebrates the uncompromising, loud and defiant music of the iconic band.

From Tom Araya, Kerry King, Paul Bostaph and Gary Holt:

"Thanks to the fans for celebrating this day with us for the past 12 years... keep it going!"

"And, Slayer would also like to thank Jeff Tandy who, 12 years ago, on 6/6/06, launched the National Day Of Slayer site. It grew so big, it became the International Day Of Slayer. Jeff built the site and maintains it to this day. Thanks, Jeff!"

To find out exactly how to celebrate the International Day Of Slayer, head here.

Back in January, Slayer announced that it would do one last concert tour around the globe to thank their fans for all of their support over the years, for making the last three-and-a-half decades so packed with good times and unforgettable experiences, and then move on.

Dates for Slayer's final world tour are listed below.

Leg One:

June
6 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH
7 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland, OH
9 - KeyBank Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
10 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
12 - Veteran's United Home Loans Amphitheater - Virginia Beach, VA
14 - PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC
15 - Orlando Amphitheater - Orlando, FL
17 - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land -  Houston, TX (Sold Out)
19 - The Bomb Factory - Dallas, TX (Sold Out)
20 - Austin360 Amphitheater - Austin, TX (Sold Out)

Leg Two:

July
26 - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion - Gilford, NH
27 - Impact Music Festival, Darling's Waterfront Pavilion - Bangor, ME
29 - Northwell Health at Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY
31 - The Pavilion at Montage Mountain - Scranton, PA

August
1 - Times Union Center - Albany, NY
3 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center - Darien Lake, NY
4 - Lakeview Amphitheater - Syracuse, NY
6 - Budweiser Gardens - London, ON
7 - Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
9 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO
10 - Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood - Atlanta, GA
12 - Municipal Auditorium - Nashville, TN
13 - Walmart AMP - Rogers, AR
15 - Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
16 - The Zoo Amphitheatre - Oklahoma City, OK
18 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre - Denver, CO
19 - USANA Amphitheatre - Salt Lake City, UT
21 - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater - Boise, ID
23 - Sunlight Supply Amphitheater - Portland, OR
26 - SAP Center - San Jose, CA

European dates:

November
1 - Dublin, Ireland - 3Arena
3 - London, England - Wembley Arena
5 - Cardiff, Wales - Motorpoint Arena
7 - Birmingham, England - BCA
9 - Manchester, England - Arena
10 - Newcastle, England - Metro Radio Arena
12 - Glasgow, Scotland - The Hydro SSE
14 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
15 - Zwolle, Netherlands - IJsselhallen
17 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre
18 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
20 - Milan, Italy - Mediolanum Forum
21 - Zurich, Switzerland - Halle 622
23 - Vienna, Austria - Stadthalle
24 - Freiburg, Germany - SICK-ARENA
26 - Hamburg, Germany - Barclaycard Arena
27 - Lodz, Poland - Atlas Arena
29 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
30 - Erfurt, Germany - Messehalle

December
2 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes-Benz Arena
3 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Royal Arena
5 - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet
6 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
8 - Helsinki, Finland - Helsingin Jäähalli

Progressive tech death monsters Arkaik have released a bass play through video for their song "Occultivation", off of their critically acclaimed 2017 release Nemethia. The video showcases new bassist Riley Christensen's jaw dropping musicianship as he tears through the punishing song and proves why he is an outstanding addition to the highly respected group. 

Christiansen commented, "I'm immensely stoked to be part of the Arkaik lineup! I have a really good feeling that my musical influences will work well for Arkaik and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for the future of this band!"

Arkaik are currently on the road as part of the Devastation on the Nation Tour alongside Aborted, Psycroptic, Ingested, Venom Prison, Vale of Pnath, and Signs Of The Swarm.

For some, busy is a four letter word. For the Philadelphia-based band Corners Of Sanctuary (COS), busy is what it’s all about and busy is business as usual. The traditional heavy metal troop’s new album, The Galloping Hordes, was officially released digitally on May 18th and is now available on iTunes and Amazon, in addition to many other online platforms.

“We are excited to finally be able share the album with our fans,” said COS drummer Mad T.

The hard copy CD version of the album is set to be released this summer via the Germany based Killer Metal Records label to coincide with the band’s debut mini trip to Europe.

In addition, to celebrate the Hordes digital release, the band is also making available a newly re-mastered collection of COS classics titled, Finding Sanctuary.

“This collection of songs has gotten a serious makeover,” said COS bassist James Pera. “We wanted to bring things up to speed, so a lot of sections were re-recorded and even re-written. A total remix was done and Bill Metoyer gave the tracks his magical mastering touch,” he continued.

Finding Sanctuary will be released this month on CD format as well as on a limited run of cassette tapes only available at the band’s live performances.

“It really is amazing what these songs have become with just some additional polishing. There are some real gems on this album,” Pera added.

Moving forward, the band is already at work on several other studio projects for future release with their new label Killer Metal Records.

“We’ve done a lot of writing over the last couple of years and we want to ensure everything gets recorded,” said COS guitarist Mick Michaels. “Nothing wrong with a little surplus. Besides, you never know what tomorrow will bring,” he added with a smile.

With their upcoming Europe tour this August and the West Coast shows in November, a support page to assist the band’s endeavors will go live via their official website, starting June 7th, 2018. Special COS NATION merchandise packages and personal equipment used by the band on recent tours will be available for purchase.

“Rather than just ask people to donate money, we prefer to give something in return,” Pera stated. “We have some cool packages put together for those fans who want to support the cause. Every bit helps,” he added.

Live dates:

June
16 - Nickfest, New York

July
13 - David’s Outlook – Hanover, PA
20 - The Nail - Ardmore, PA (Bon Voyage COS)
28 - Irish Wolf Pub - Scranton, PA

August
12 - The Cave - Amsterdam, Netherlands
15 - Rocker Stagelive - Hanover, Germany
17 - MTS Record Store - Oldenburg, Germany
18 - Lingen Volume Bul Bar - Lingen, Germany

September
6 - TBD - New York
7 - TBD - Montreal, Canada
8 - TBD - Toronto, Canada

October 
14 - The Depot - Baltimore, MD

November 
4 - C4OC Compound - Santa Ana, CA
5 - TBD, CA
7 - Skinny’s - North Hollywood, Ca
9 - The Rainbow Bar & Grill - West Hollywood, CA