RAGE OF LIGHT has signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records.

RAGE OF LIGHT is a Swiss trance metal/melodic death metal band, created by vocalist/keyboardist Jonathan Pellet, known for his past works with TROPHALLAXY and DYSRIDER.

Jonathan came up with the idea to create a hybrid of trance and melodic death metal elements in 2007, but due to being busy with other projects, it took almost a decade for the idea to fully bear fruit. Finally, in 2015, he recruited EVENMORE vocalist Melissa Bonny and guitarist Noé Schüpbach to complete the band.

They released their first EP in 2016, titled "Chasing A Reflection", as well as two singles in 2017.

Says the band about the signing: "We are thrilled to join the Napalm family! Currently working on our first full-length album, we are very much looking forward to this collaboration. Rage will be unleashed!"

Napalm Records A&R Sebastian Muench comments: "The charismatic singer Melissa Bonny is no stranger to the metal world since she is also the singer of Swiss power metal band EVENMORE, whose 2016 album received very positive feedback. The band's talents, particularly Melissa's vocal range, are simply amazing and can be heard in the video 'I Can, I Will' but also in the released cover songs for 'Judas' (Lady Gaga) and 'Twilight Of The Thunder God' (AMON AMARTH). RAGE OF LIGHT, welcome to the Napalm family!"

RAGE OF LIGHT is:

Melissa Bonny - Main Vocals

Jonathan Pellet - Vocals, Keyboards, Synth, Drum Programming

Noé Schüpbach - Guitars, Bass

Internationally acclaimed guitar hero Michael Romeo has announced the release of his solo album, "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1", on July 27 via Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group.

The wildly ambitious 10-song disc sees the founder, chief songwriter and prime mover of the progressive titans SYMPHONY X furthering his reputation as one of the world's preeminent axe slingers and composers of adventurous, multi-faceted orchestral metal.

"It's me putting all the things I love about music in a blender," says Romeo. "Somebody might listen to it and say, ‘What is this guy thinking?' But it's all about being creative and having a good time with it."

No doubt there will rapturous responses from Romeo's longtime fans. While "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" brims with the kind of thrill-seeking guitar chops that have placed the Garden State shredder in numerous "all-time greats" lists, it also offers some unconventional twists: Along with classic metal textures, Romeo pays homage to film score giants Bernard Hermann and John Williams, and there's even some surprising EDM/dubstep elements guaranteed to turn heads — all of which makes for an enthralling and immersive journey.

Recalling the forbidding tone of the notorious H.G. Wells novel that inspired its name, Romeo casts the lead track, "Introduction", as a precursor for what is to follow. The dark, symphonic instrumental (equal parts Bernard Herman and Gustav Holst) gives way to the pummeling metal double-header of "Fear The Unknown" and "Black", on which Romeo's rifftastic twists and turns are ably assisted by Rick Castellano's soaring vocals.

A startling change-up occurs with "F*cking Robots", a striking mash-up of digital blurps, bleeps, DJ-like scratches and ace guitar madness. "My fans might think I've lost my mind on this one," the axeman jokes. But just as quickly, he floors the six-string goodness on "Djinn", an epic, theatrical rock roller coaster on which the rhythm section of John "JD" DeServio (bass) and John Macaluso (drums) provide a muscular backdrop for the guitarist's elastic soloing and Castellano's full-throated vocal chops.

The lush balladry of "Believe" is a big-hearted respite from the shards of molten metal, but Romeo whips out the doomsday riffage on "Differences" and "Oblivion", both chock full of widescreen hooks and synapse-altering solos.

Closing out the set is the cinematic musical odyssey "Constellations", which sees guitars and keyboards majestically taking flight into a kind of heretofore unseen otherworld. "That one probably took the longest to create of all the songs on the record," Romeo recalls. "It wasn't just the recording — it was the writing and scoring. I had to break out the pencil and paper on that one. But I couldn't be happier with the results. It really ends the album on a powerful note."

Romeo recorded the bulk of "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" over a year-and-a-half period in the comfort of his home studio (nicknamed "the Dungeon" by his wife) in Hazlet, New Jersey. The project gave him the perfect opportunity to work with the rising Long Island star Castellano, a singer he's had his eye on for some time, as well as fellow Jerseyans Macaluso and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY member DeServio. "JD and I went to high school together," Romeo notes. "We always wanted to do something together, so this was the perfect opportunity. The planets finally aligned, and we were able to work together. It was great to have him play on it."

SYMPHONY X fans have been waiting two decades for an honest to goodness Michael Romeo solo album (not counting his 1994 demo recording, "The Dark Chapter", which was released in several countries), and the arrival of "War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1" will be no doubt be cause for celebration. And the guitarist promises a sequel. "Most of Part II is already finished," he says, "It just needs a few vocals, a couple solos, a few tweaks here and there. I want people to absorb the first one for a while, and then we'll put out the second record. They'll complement each other, but they'll also be a bit different."


Track listing:

01. Introduction

02. Fear Of The Unknown

03. Black

04. F*cking Robotos

05. Djinn

06. Believe

07. Difference

08. War Machine

09. Oblivion

10. Constellations

Horror-punk stalwart Wednesday 13 spent Memorial Day weekend hanging out with his onetime MURDERDOLLS bandmate, former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison. The meeting marked the first time the two musicians were in the same room together since 2011.

The encounter between Wednesday 13 and Jordison was revealed by the singer in a post on his social media pages. He wrote: "Had a great Memorial Day weekend and ran into an old friend @thejoeyjordison. It's been 7 years since we've seen each other and we had a blast catching up on lost time. Hard to believe that it's been 16 years since we met and recorded our 1st album “Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls.” #murderdolls #joeyjordison #wednesday13"

MURDERDOLLS has been inactive since completing the touring cycle in support of its sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", which came out in August 2010 via Roadrunner Records.

Earlier in the month, Wednesday 13 told Metal Wani that he hadn't spoken with Joey "at all this year. We had gotten in touch about a year ago and just established contact again and mentioned the idea of doing something in the future — not [putting] a time on it or anything; just the idea of, 'Would you be into it?' And we both said, 'Yes.' And then I got busy doing my stuff, he was touring and putting a record out, and that's the last I really kind of heard of it," he said. "So that's kind of where it is. So I can't say that it will happen, or it won't, but there's definitely not any plans or anything that's changed since the last thing I must have said [in an interview]."

Jordison told CrypticRock.com last year that he "would love to do another record" with MURDERDOLLS. He explained: "I have this punk rock and pop side of me that I don't really get to get out in other areas in my life. When we did that band, it was just pretty much to express fun, have a great time, and kind of throw a monkeywrench into what was going on in rock and metal at the time, and it worked."

Jordison — who played guitar for MURDERDOLLS — went on to say that the the tours he did with the MURDERDOLLS were "really awe-inspiring when you look in hindsight of what we accomplished in a short amount of time and the two records we did. I could not be more proud and happy of what we accomplished in that time," he said. "Everyone that was in that band, the couple of different personnels we employed, the MURDERDOLLS were killer."

Had a great Memorial Day weekend and ran into an old friend. It’s been 7 years since we’ve all seen each other and we...Posted by Wednesday 13 on Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Original Venom guitarist Mantas (Jeff Dunn), now with Venom Inc., has revealed via Facebook that he recently underwent heart surgery. Following is his shocking update:

April 30th 2018

"A day like any other, sun is shining and myself and Anita leave the house to drive to our next village. Anita needs a new inhaler so we call into the pharmacy to collect one... that is when everything changes.

I start to experience what I can only describe as indigestion, but then the pain gets worse. I decide to go back to the car and wait but by this time the pain is unbearable. The staff of the pharmacy help me out of the car and take me back inside. An ambulance is called. On its arrival I am taken into the ambulance to be monitored and assessed. The pain is not subsiding in any way and so the the paramedics call for a doctor.
 
When the doctor arrives with a nurse I am immediately hooked up to an ECG and given the news that it appears that 2 valves in my heart are blocked. What happened next ranks easily as the most terrifying experience of my life.

I can remember calling Anita's name and then hearing my own voice saying 'Fucking fight! Dont you dare give up! FIGHT IT!'... and then, nothing.

I have been told that the paramedics and doctor fought for just over 5 minutes to bring me back... essentially I had died in the ambulance. When I was stabalised enough to be moved I was transfered to Leiria Coronary Care Unit where they attempted to introduce a stent to un block the arteries however this was unsuccessful and so the next step was to be a double bypass.

After a couple of days under observation and all kinds of medication to keep everything on an even keel I was moved to Abrantes Cardio Thorasic Unit to await transfer to Lisbon for a double heart bypass.

I am now home resting and recuperating, taking walks and slowly building my strength up. From this day on, going through airport security will be interesting as my breast bone is clamped together with surgical steel.

There have been things which have happened during these last few weeks which I have found very hard to come to terms with, but its getting better.
I simply do not know where or how to begin to thank every single doctor, nurse or health care worker who has played some part, no matter how small, in helping me recover from this . . there is still a way to go but I remain positive.

My thanks and enduring love goes to Anita who has been with me every step of the way. My brother Tony Dolan who upon hearing the news took the first available flight to be by my side. My neighbours and friends in our wonderful village who, despite language barriers, have shown so much concern and compassion.

I will hopefully see you on a stage somewhere in the world soon my friends."

Maximum respect,
Jeff

Stay tuned with regards to Venom Inc.'s 2018 tour plans, which will most likely have to be altered to some degree in the interest of Mantas' health.

Intergalactic death metal band The Beast Of Nod has released their debut album, Vampira: Disciple Of Chaos with an accompanying comic book for fans of sci-fi and vicious metal. To showcase the Boston based group's unique style and musical vision, they've also released a lyric video for the single "Behold! ... But Beware The Celestial Cetaceans!"

Tracklisting:

“A Prison Of Ice”
“The Vanishing Commutator”
“PotRoast The Rhinoman”
“Ripped Off Face II: The Cape Of Faces”
“Behold!...But Beware The Celestical Cetaceans!”
“T.C.T.W.A.D.M.L.C. (The Cybernetic Tiger With A Dorsal-Mounted Laser Cannon)”
“Vampira Infernalis”
“The Phoenix Nebula”

"Behold!...But Beware The Celestical Cetaceans!” lyric video:

The brutalizing Lair Of The Minotaur trio rears its gnarled head once again in 2018; the band has just recorded a new EP and announced live plans for late summer.

Following an extensive hiatus sharpening their axes, the gods have called Lair Of The Minotaur back to battle. The classic "road dog" lineup of Steven Rathbone (guitar/vocals), Donald James Barraca (bass) and Chris Wozniak (drums) gathered to record a new EP on Memorial Day weekend.

The as-yet-unnamed EP will be released in conjunction Lair Of The Minotaur's performance at Scorched Tundra Fest 2018 in Chicago on Friday, August 31st. The Scorched Tundra Fest performance will be an exclusive date for 2018 and will also mark the band's first show in five years.

Watch for details on Lair Of The Minotaur's soon-to-be recorded carnage to flow forth in the coming weeks.

Adding to the excitement around the upcoming second album from Australia’s favorite throwback metallers Witchskull, boutique New York label STB Records is making a keen and welcome move:  they’re re-issuing The Vast Electric Dark, the band’s thunderous old-school metal meets new-school doom debut. 

The new edition features the same beautiful cover art as the original, pressed on reddish-black cloudy-haze vinyl and limited to just 250 copies worldwide.  STB will have the new edition available just in time for all those finding new metal purpose in the band’s sophomore effort, Coven’s Will.

Widespread praise led to quick sales of Witchskull’s joint STB Records / Ripple Music debut, propelling the band’s recognition and culminating in their signing with legendary UK doom institution Rise Above Records.

With Rise Above releasing the much-anticipated new album on June 1st, STB Records is providing the ammunition to combat any inevitable fandom being written off as a ride on the bandwagon. The NWOBHM howls and headbanging riffs of The Vast Electric Dark will ensure no one ever forgets where this band began.

The "STB Saturday" preorder sale for the limited reissue of Witchskull's The Vast Electric Dark begins at noon EST on Saturday, June 2nd at this location.

Portuguese old school death metal outfit Okkultist - inspired by the likes of Master, Abomination, early Morbid Angel, Death and Dismember - will release their debut album, Reinventing Evil, through Moonspell frontman Fernando Ribeiro's label, Alma Mater Records

Okkultist was formed in late 2015. They started playing live and spreading their raw notion of evil death metal on October 15th, 2016. In 2017, the band’s Eye Of The Beholder debut EP was unleashed independently, but caught up and spread around Europe and overseas – selling out every single printed copy. Even at this early stage, Okkultist already had the honor to curse stages such as at Mosher Fest or Female Growler United Front in Portugal and as an opening act for legendary names such as Entombed AD.
 
They now became the very first band to sign with Alma Mater Records, committed to showcase all around the world with the promo partnership of All-Noir and Rastilho. More details will be revealed soon.

For more information go to the band's official Facebook page here.

Germany power metallers Wolfen will release their new album, Rise Of The Lycans, on June 22nd via Pure Steel Records. The single "Rebirth Of The Regulators" is available for streaming below.

This is the sixth album in the band's career and contains all the typical Wolfen trademarks and much more. It is way more powerful than it's predecessors, making it an actual melodic power metal album with thrash influences. Furthermore, a utopian concept story stretching over four songs was composed. All songs are full of the characteristic vocals, a very powerful rhythm section and some extraordinary guitar-work, which has always played a huge role in the band's sound.

After the quintet gained new uplift through their comeback album Chapter IV and its successor Evilution, also thanks to the terrific feedback from the online press, continuation seemed to be the only right and logical step. The outcome can be seen as the peak of the band's current creative period and encapsulates all of their facets.

Everything's rounded up with a killer production by Martin Buchwalter from the Gernhart Studios.

"Rebirth Of The Regulators":

Lineup:

Andreas von Lipinksi - vocals
Frank J. Noras - guitars
Nicolas Filter - bass
Andreas Doetsch - guitars
Sigfried Grütz – drums

Strapping Young Lad founder Devin Townsend recently decided to "take a break" from the Devin Townsend Project. Following his announcement that he had put the Devin Townsend Project on indefinite hiatus, two members of DTP teamed up with a couple of members of Townsend's former group, Strapping Young Lad, to form a new band, Imonolith.

Joining drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen and guitarist Brian "Beav" Waddell (who played bass in DTP) are bassist Byron Stroud, second guitarist Jed Simon and vocalist Jon Howard.

The band has checked in with the following update:

"Huge thanks to everyone for all of the incredible comments and responses so far! Now that you've heard one of the heavier sides to the Imonolith sound, it's time to give you a sample of Imonolith's more melodic side. This next song is a moodier yet uplifting tune called 'Breathe'. Hope you dig it!

More news and music to come soon... Thanks for your support!"

Band lineup:

Jon Howard (Threat Signal) - Vocals
Jed Simon (Vimic, Strapping Young Lad, Scar The Martyr) - Guitar
Brian "Beav" Waddell (Devin Townsend Project) - Guitar
Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad) - Bass
Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project) - Drums

Canadian bashers Kobra And The Lotus have checked in with the following:

"We raised money to do the double album Prevail project, and once mastering was completed we did an acoustic set and VIP dinner as part of the package. This is acoustic 'Modern Day Hero' from that dinner."

Prevail II is the proverbial yang to the yin and continues right where Kobra And The Lotus left off in 2017. The album will be released this Friday (April 27th) via Napalm Records and is available for pre-order here.

The band recently unveiled their video for a cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic "The Chain".

Says Kobra about the video and song: "We couldn't be more stoked to release the final closer to our Prevail album series!! We've chosen a classic, recorded in 1976, and we hope to connect and carry the magic forward from that musical era. Here it is, 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac, in full Kobra And The Lotus spirit. Can you recognize it?"

More Prevail II details below.

Tracklisting:

"Losing My Humanity"
"Let Me Love You"
"Ribe"
"My Immortal"
"Human Empire"
"Heartache"
"Velvet Roses"
"Modern Day Hero"
"You're Insane"
"White Water"
"The Chain"
"Let Me Love You" (Acoustic Bonus Track)

Album teaser #1:

Album teaser #2:

"Let Me Love You":

"Losing My Humanity" lyric video:

A complete list of tour dates can be found here.

Swedish metallers SOILWORK have completed work on their eleventh album at Nordic Sound Lab studios in Skara, Sweden with producer Thomas "Plec" Johansson. The follow-up to 2015's "The Ride Majestic" is tentatively due in late 2018 or early 2019 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Singer Björn "Speed" Strid told Australia's Sticks For Stones about SOILWORK's new disc (hear audio below): "It [turned out] really, really great. I'm really, really pleased with it. And it's gonna be released at the end of the year or the beginning of the next. That's all I can say right now. But I'm very thrilled about it."

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

Strid told Sticks For Stones about Thusgaard: "That was his first recording with the band. He's been playing with us live for quite some time, but [it was his] first real recording, and he did really, really good. It's awesome."

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

Strid recently said that the recording sessions for the new SOILWORK album "have been different from anything we've done before. Everyone's been very involved in the whole process, and we've allowed ourselves to experiment more and take more chances sonically," he explained. "Bastian brought another dimension to our sound, and he made the rest of us step up our game as well. And working with producer Thomas 'Plec' Johansson (The Panic Room) has been a real pleasure. Even though we've been through a lot over the past years, we feel more like a unit than we've done for a long time.

"We, as a band, are far from done exploring our creative and musical abilities and we want to bring back SOILWORK to the masses," he added. "Our fans around the globe can expect that promise to get fulfilled when our touring cycle starts in promotion of our coming album."

Thusgaard stated about his contributions to SOILWORK's upcoming disc: "I'm so proud of my achievements on this album. I was given a great amount of freedom both in writing and recording. Obviously, I wanted to honor the 'drum vibe' that has developed in the band through time. At the same time, I'm very aware of the fact that I'm a different drummer to my predecessors. This is something I really wanted to showcase by adding my own vibe to the band's sound."

Strid added: "On this new album we have gone back to classic heavy metal basics but with a twist of our own legacy of sound, with soaring melancholic melodies at a sometimes-furious tempo and great diversity. People will recognize the vibe that we've had on the latest two albums, but we feel that we've taken our sound even further, with more energy, darker elements but uplifting structure."

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

SOILWORK is:

Björn "Speed" Strid - Vocals

Sven Karlsson - Keyboards

David Andersson - Guitars

Sylvain Coudret - Guitars

Bastian Thusgaard - Drums

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

Photo credit: Stephansdotter Photography

"We Shall Conquer," a new song by Greek epic/power metal force Battleroar is now available for streaming. The track is taken from forthcoming album Codex Epicus, which will be released June 8th in North America via Cruz Del Sur Music.

The follow-up to 2014's Blood Of Legends was recorded at Devasoundz Studios in Athens, Greece and features a guest appearance from Manilla Road guitarist/vocalist Mark Shelton on the song "Sword Of The Flame", reprising a role he first took on with "The Wanderer", which appears on Battleroar's 2005 album, The Age Of Chaos.

Comments Battleroar guitarist Kostas Tzortzis: "Mark is one of my biggest musical influences, my mentor and my brother. I am lucky enough to know him personally for more than 16 years and we have shared many experiences in many different places on this planet! So, during the creation of this album, I found myself drained of inspiration, with a nice song on my hands half-finished, but with absolutely no idea how to get it done. Time was running out and I was getting desperate, so I thought of asking Mark for help. Mark has never failed me and this time was no different. He wrote the lyrics, created the vocal lines, sang them and he even added a guitar solo in the end of the song. The rest is history..."

Tracklisting:

"Awakening The Muse"
"We Shall Conquer"
"Sword Of The Flame"
"Chronicles Of Might"
"The Doom Of Medusa"
"Palace Of The Martyrs"
"Kings Of Old"
"Enchanting Threnody"
"Stronghold" (CD bonus track - new version)

"We Shall Conuqer":

Codex Epicus by BATTLEROAR

Battleroar will support Codex Epicus with extensive live shows across Europe.

Originally formed in 2000, Battleroar's self-titled debut album was released in 2003. The band followed it up with The Age Of Chaos in 2005 before joining Cruz Del Sur for the release of 2008's To Death And Beyond...

On October 13th, 2017, Marillion played at the Royal Albert Hall for the very first time. The concert was sold out in a split second and the audience, travelling from all over the world, was rewarded with an incredible Marillion show.

In two parts, All One Tonight: Live At The Royal Albert Hall firstly showcases the band’s acclaimed 2016 studio album F*** Everyone And Run (F E A R) in full. Accompanied by an awe-inspiring light show and films, Marillion perform their incisive and era-defining zeitgeist with unparalleled passion and power. The second half introduces In Praise Of Folly and guests, a string quartet with flute and French horn that throughout the rest of the show inject an extra depth and emotion to some of Marillion’s best-loved live material.

British rock band Marillion, founded in 1979, have become one of the most commercially successful neo-progressive rock bands of the 1980s and are still one of the most outstanding representatives of their genre. Throughout a celebrated career that has spanned almost four decades they have released 18th studio albums and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

The concert film All One Tonight: Live At The Royal Albert Hall was directed and edited by Tim Sidwell and recorded and mixed by Michael Hunter. The Blu-ray comes with exclusive bonus material such as a 35mins documentary and the sensational screen media. Marillion’s landmark performance at London’s iconic concert hall will be released in stores worldwide on a series of formats via earMUSIC on July 27th, and is available to pre-order now.

Watch a video trailer below:

“Practicing at home for the upcoming European tour 2018. Backing track from the internet. I played on top of the drums and bass mix,” says Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro.

Check out Kiko rehearse the classic track “Hangar 18”:

In the video below, Kiko can be seen running through "Tornado Of Souls" from Megadeth's fourth studio album, Rust In Peace, released in 1990 via Capitol Records.

Megadeth will commence their European tour on June 5th in Oslo, Norway at Spektrum. To view the complete routing, visit this location.

HALESTORM will release its fourth album, "Vicious", on July 27 via Atlantic. The first single from the disc, "Uncomfortable", premiered this morning, and the video, directed by Evan Brace (PHANTOGRAM, TAKING BACK SUNDAY), can be seen below.

Recorded last year at Nashville, Tennesse's Rock Falcon recording studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz, "Vicious" is available for pre-order beginning today at all DSPs and streaming services. All pre-orders are joined by an instant download of "Uncomfortable".

Deluxe album packages are available for pre-order exclusively at the band's official webstore, including the new album on standard vinyl, plus a limited-edition opaque purple colored double vinyl with enhanced cover art and bonus tracks, limited to 1500 units worldwide. Also exclusively available at the webstore are a limited edition t-shirt, dog tag necklace, autographed poster, and a free album cover magnet with physical album purchase while supplies last.

Raskulinecz is an acclaimed producer who has previously worked with RUSH, KORN, ALICE IN CHAINS and DEFTONES, in addition to having produced HALESTORM's third covers EP, "ReAniMate 3.0: The CoVeRs eP", which came out in January 2017.

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale told Boston radio station WAAF about the band's new album: "I feel like this is the most… Every record, we try to kind of get it closer and closer to what people see every day live. And I really think that this is the most HALESTORM record that you're gonna hear from us as of yet."

HALESTORM debuted a new song called "Black Vultures" at the opening show of its Canadian co-headlining tour with STONE SOUR in late January in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

HALESTORM guitarist Joe Hottinger told the SiriusXM show "Trunk Nation" that the band's follow-up to 2015's "Into The Wild Life" will contain some of "the heaviest stuff we've ever done."

"Into The Wild Life" was criticized by some HALESTORM fans for veering too far into pop music territory.

"Vicious" track listing:

01. Black Vultures

02. Skulls

03. Uncomfortable

04. Buzz

05. Do Not Disturb

06. Conflicted

07. Killing Ourselves To Live

08. Heart of Novocaine

09. Painkiller

10. White Dress

11. Vicious

12. The Silence

HALESTORM will embark on the second leg of their milestone U.S. tour showcasing all female-fronted hard rock bands. The dates — once again co-headlined by Roadrunner/Atlantic group IN THIS MOMENT — get underway July 27 at Kansas City, Missouri's SEC Arena and then travel through the end of August. Support throughout the trek comes from special guests NEW YEARS DAY. The tour will include stops at a number of upcoming festivals and state fairs, including Oshkosh, Wisconsin's Rock USA (July 12), Cadott, Wisconsin's Rock Fest (July 13), Dubuque, Iowa's Dubuque County Fair (July 28) and Springfield, Illionois's Illinois State Fair (August 11). Other highlights include a one-night-only event supporting JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS — set for August 9 at Moorehead, Minnesota's Bluestem Amphitheater — as well as a free concert on Las Vegas, Nevada's Fremont Street (August 25).

Kansas City, MO tech death monsters Ahtme have released a new music video for their song "Subhuman Remains". The track is form their forthcoming new album Sewerborn which will come out on Unique Leader this Friday, June 1st and perfectly captures the band's disturbing, grimey, and overwhelmingly nasty feel. 

The group commented on the track saying, “‘Subhuman Remains’ unintentionally wound up being the main inspiration for the concept behind the whole album. After we wrote it we looked back through all of the songs and realized there’s a basic common denominator between them, and they all focus around the plain and simple fact that we (human beings) for the most part are disgusting and horrible.  We went with a literal interpretation of the lyrics for this song when we shot this video, on Easter Sunday, in the middle of an ice storm and half of us wound up practically getting pneumonia because of it. At least we didn’t have to eat anything nasty or puke this time around. Cheers!"

Sewerborn features 47 minutes of jaw dropping guitar playing, sickening brutality, and an unrelentingly ferocious and horrifying atmosphere that demonstrates the groups pummeling vision and song writing maturity. With Sewerborn, Ahtme have proven to be an extremely exciting addition to the Unique Leader roster. Find preorders at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Lord Of Shit”
“Subservient”
“Dig”
“Sea Of Sand”
“Summoning Shiba” (feat. Malcom Pugh)
“The Stench Of Farooq”
“9_2_5”
“To Exist”
“Contort And Control”
“Possession Obsession”
“Subhuman Remains”

"Subhuman Remains" video:

US death metal veterans Skinless recently released their new album Savagery via Relapse Records. A full stream of the record can be found below.

Savagery was recorded by Tom Case at Doomsday Bunker Studio in New York and by Dave Otero (Primitive Man, Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage) at Flatline Audio in Colorado.

Savagery embodies ten slabs of rotting, aural remains across 37 minutes of titanic slams, untouchable grooves, mauling riffs and blood-thirsty, bestial growls. Savagery sees Skinless at the top of their game, more than 25 years into an untouchable reign of terror. Features stunningly sick cover art by renowned tattoo artist Jesse Levitt.

Savagery is available on CD/LP/Digital. Physical packages are available via Relapse.com here, and Digital Downloads / Streaming Services here.

Savagery Tracklist:

"Savagery"
"Siege Engine"
"Skull Session"
"Reversal Of Fortune"
"Exacting Revenge"
"Medieval"
"Line Of Dissent"
"Cruel Blades Of The Guillotine"
"The Hordes"
"High Rate Extinction" (Bonus Track)

Album stream:

"Skull Session" video:

Skinless have announced three East Coast tour dates supporting the impending release of the Savagery full-length. The weekend tour is June 7th - 9th with support by Ringworm, Churchburn and Outer Heaven. Additionally, Skinless will perform at California Deathfest and Quebec Deathfest in October. All confirmed tour dates below.

June (with Ringworm, Churchburn & Outer Heaven)
7 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
8 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bazaar
9 - Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall

October
13 - Oakland, CA - California Deathfest
20 - Montreal, QC - Quebec Deathfest

(Photo - Melissa Sheffer)

Progressive rock masters Riverside have just signed a new deal with longtime partners InsideOutMusic, and have announced their upcoming seventh studio album Wasteland, as well as its corresponding first European tour for October/November.

Riverside checked in with the following: “Well, we're back in the game! We're happy to tell you that our seventh album will be called Waste7and (Wasteland) and will be released at the end of September this year. It will be our first album recorded as a trio. Our music has become more serious and more mature, so get ready for a manly and emotional album. Waste7and is going to be a really accomplished one. It combines the emotional character of the first two and the production maturity of the latest two releases. If everything goes according to plan (as we're still recording), the new Riverside album will simply d e s t r o y you :)

"Also this year we’re going on the Wasteland 2018 Tour to promote the new album. Below you will find a list of the cities we’re going to visit in the autumn of 2018. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 1st. More info soon!“

In regards to the extended co-operation via a new deal between Riverside and InsideOutMusic, Thomas Waber, label manager/A&R international InsideOutMusic, checked in with the following: "We have been working with Riverside for a long time now and there is a lot of personal history. The InsideOutMusic family would be very different without them, so I am extremely pleased that the family is staying together. We all miss Piotr dearly, but i am looking forward to this new chapter. You are still with us, Grudzień!"

Upcoming Riverside dates:

Festivals 2018/2019:

June
21 - Konin, Poland - Progressive Evening
23 - Valkenburg, The Netherlands - Midsummer Prog Festival

July
13 - St. Goarshausen, Germany - Night Of The Prog Festival XIII

February
4-9 - Tampa to Key West & Cozumel - Cruise To The Edge

Wasteland 2018 Tour:

October
12 - Gdansk, Poland - B90
13 - Poznan, Poland - Tama
14 - Wroclaw, Poland - A2
16 - Katowice, Poland - Miasto Ogrodów
17 - Lódz, Poland - Magnetofon
18 - Torun, Poland - Od Nowa
20 - Kraków, Poland - Studio
21 - Warszawa, Poland - Hala Kolo
30 - Berlin, Germany - Kesselshaus
31 - Schorndorf, Germany - Manufaktur

November
3 - Lisbon, Portugal - LAV      
4 - Madrid, Spain - MON Live
5 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1
6 - Lyon, France - CCO
7 - Paris, France - La Machine
9 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
10 - London, UK - The Electric Ballroom
11 - Sint Niklaas, Belgium - Casino
12 - Utrecht, The Netherlands - Tivoli Vredenburg
14 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
15 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle 2
16 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z-7
17 - Neunkirchen, Germany - Gloomaar Festival

Riverside had previously announced guitarist Maciej Meller to complete the band’s lineup for shows after taking a longer break from any live performances due to the tragic passing of founding member and guitarist Piotr Grudziński on February 21st, 2016.

Look out for more news on Riverside in the coming weeks.

(Photo - Oskar Szramka)

Norwegian black/thrash metal outfit The Konsortium, featuring bassist Teloch (Mayhem, ex-Orcustus, ex-Gorgoroth, ex-1349) and drummer Dirge Rep (Orcustus, ex-Enslaved, ex-Aura Noir), are streaming their sophomore studio album Rogaland prior to it's release on June 1st in Europe and June 8th in North America via Agonia Records. Listen below, and pre-order the album at this location.

Named after a county in Western Norway, Rogaland sees the band taking a different turn from its self-titled predecessor and critically acclaimed 2008 demo combined, following a more complex and technical trajectory. The band has taken the utmost care in every detail to channel and bring forth the forces of their album’s namesake, with vocals recorded and lyrics written on site in the woods, in the mountains and on the Northern shores. Nature-inspired and folk-tinged, it's the kind of album that rewards each new listen, and progressively reveals its secrets.

"This album has been a long time coming," founder and mastermind Fredrik G. Fugelli explains. "The process has been tedious and time-consuming, but in the end it has definitely been worth it. Everything clicked and fell into place; from vision to finished product, each and everyone involved has delivered their best. I feel confident that we’ve managed to define and refine the material in such a way that we ended up capturing the essence of what the album tries to convey: the timeless battle and coexistence between man and nature; the old magic and the bond that is lost in a modern and controlled world, void of spirituality. Rogaland is a strong affirmation of roots, and a damn well executed one, at that".

Drummer Dirge Rep adds to that, saying: "It's the most technical and demanding album of my somewhat 25 years under black metal. I am extremely grateful for the honor of performing under The Konsortium and dedicated myself in entirety to the excellence of the work, its will and its energy".

Not only does The Konsortium return with new music, but they return in style, too. Unmasked, the Norwegians finally shed light on their identity - we have the aforementioned F.G. Gugelli (vocals, guitars), famed black metal veterans Teloch (bass) and Dirge Rep (drums), followed by the talented T. Jacobsen and B. Waldejer (both on guitars). Together, they journey through the wild and untamed, the harsh darkness and the bewitching cold that is Rogaland.

Rogaland was mixed and mastered by Gomez at Orgone Studios (Paradise Lost, Ulver, Grave Pleasures, Primordial) and produced by F.G. Fugelli. The cover artwork and layout were designed by Trine+Kim (Ulver, Darkthrone, Virus). Cpt. Estrella Grasa (Nidingr) guest appears on vocals on tracks "Skogen" and "Arv".

Album formats:
-Digipak CD
-Gatefold black LP
-Gatefold transparent white LP (limited to 150 copies)
-Black t-shirt
-Digital

Tracklisting:

“Innferd”
“Skogen”
“Fjella”
“Stormen”
“Hausten”
“Arv”
“Havet”
“Utferd”

Album stream:

“Arv” video:

Northern Ireland-based band No Hot Ashes have released a video for "Glow", featured on their self-titled album released back in March. Watch the clip below.

Originally formed in 1983, No Hot Ashes were influenced by UFO, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Journey, Foreigner, Thin Lizzy and other classic rock/AOR acts of that era. They released their first single, "She Drives Me Crazy", in 1986 and supported bands such as Mama’s Boys, Magnum, Girlschool and Steve Marriott’s Packet Of Three.

The group signed a record deal with GWR Records in early 1988, joining Motorhead, Girlschool and Hawkwind on that label’s roster. They also relocated to London in order to be closer to the company and made an album before the end of that year. However, delays then occurred in getting it released and by the end of 1990 the band had called it a day and the record was shelved.

That should have been it, but in September 2013 NHA reformed for a one-off tribute gig which subsequently snowballed. Performing what can be described as classic melodic rock with a contemporary twist, they have been delighting new fans in the years since with their hook-laden guitar and keyboard driven songs, supporting Aerosmith, Foreigner, UFO and Scorpions along the way and touring the UK with FM and Romeo’s Daughter. They have also performed at major festivals such as Hard Rock Hell AOR, Download, London Calling, Ramblin’ Man, Steelhouse, Rockingham and the Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, going down a storm each time.

No Hot Ashes tracklisting:

"Come Alive"
"Good To Look Back"
"Satisfied"
"Boulders"
"I’m Back"
"Glow"
"Over Again"
"Jonny Redhead"
"Souls"
"Running Red Lights"

"Glow" video:

"Boulders":

Lineup:

Bass - Paul Boyd
Keyboards - Tommy Dickson
Guitar - Niall Diver
Guitar - Davey Irvine
Vocals - Eamon Nancarrow
Drums - Steve Strange

Swedish metal act Follow The Cipher have released an official live video for "I Revive", a track from their self-titled debut album, available now via Nuclear Blast. Watch below:

Order the new album here.

Follow The Cipher tracklisting:

"Enter The Cipher"
"Valkyria"
"My Soldier"
"Winterfall"
"Titan's Call"
"The Rising"
"A Mind's Escape"
"Play With Fire"
"I Revive"              
"Starlight"
"Carolus Rex"

Bonus DVD
"Valkyria" - Music Video
"Carolus Rex" - Music Video
"A Mind's Escape" - Lyric Video
"The Rising" - Lyric Video
"Enter The Cipher" - Live from Masters of Rock
"My Soldier" - Live from Masters of Rock
"A Mind's Escape" - Live from Masters of Rock
"Winterfall" - Live from Masters of Rock
"I Revive" - Live from Masters of Rock
"My Soldier" - Live from Falkenberg w/ studio sound
"Carolus Rex" - Live from SOA w/ camera sound
Presentation - Ken Kängström
Band Interview
Masters Of Rock - Vlog
Sabaton Open Air - Vlog
Behind The Music Videos - Vlog

"Winterfall" live video:

"A Mind's Escape" lyric video:

"Carolus Rex" video:

"Valkyria" video:

"The Rising" lyric video:

Follow The Cipher live dates:

June
1-3 - Pilsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest Open Air
21 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting

According to Vanyaland, guitarist Josh Martin, best known for his work in Massachusetts grindcore legends Anal Cunt from 1996 to 2011, has died. He was 46.

Martin, who also played in bands like Adolf Satan, Fukk, Impaled Northern Moonforest, and Failure Clinic, reportedly fell off a Providence Place escalator late Monday (May 28th) near the mall’s food court.

“According to Providence Police, the man fell off an escalator from the upper level to the food court area around 10:45 p.m., sustaining severe head trauma,” reports WPRI. “He later died from his injuries. Officials say the incident appears to be completely accidental and there is no indication that the victim intentionally jumped or was pushed.”

WPRI did not cite Martin in its report, but Vanyaland has confirmed with the musician’s friends that it was him who took the fatal fall.

Read more at Vanyaland.

(Photo - ReturnToThePit.com)

Greek extreme metal veterans ROTTING CHRIST have entered the studio to begin recording of their brand new album, to be released in early 2019 via Season Of Mist. The disc will be produced by vocalist Sakis Tolis, and Jens Borgen (AMON AMARTH, KREATOR, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH, KATATONIA) will again take on the job of mixing and mastering.

Regarding the new record, Sakis comments: "After almost two years on the road promoting and supporting our latest album, 'Rituals', the time has come to create its follower. An album that will be inspired by the intense artistic worries which arose during those two years on the road, and which seems to be our darkest and most mystical influences yet in our career! Thanks for the support all those years, we will not disappoint you!"


ROTTING CHRIST will make a select number of festival appearances this summer.

Asked in a recent interview with Pavillon 666 if he thought ROTTING CHRIST would last 30 years upon the band's 1988 formation, Sakis said: "It's a full life. No, of course [not]…you don't start the band to exist for 30 years or to be famous or rich or whatever the fuck. We just started the band because I wanted to sound like my idols back then. I wanted to play only one show and now I'm in a position where I've played 1,500 shows. And, no, I didn't expect something like this, but the spirit remains the same, even if I'm not that young. I still have the spirit and the hope that if we are in good health to keep playing with the band until our death. If health permits, of course. It's not up to me. If health does not permit, then I will not serve."

Pressed about what advice he would give to younger bands, Sakis said: "I don't know. I grew up in a very different era than nowadays. I remember I took the train with my band back in the '90s and we toured Europe on the train. It would be very hard nowadays for something like this to happen. I remember, myself, I did this without [making] money for 20 years, but I did it. I could survive because the situation wasn't like it is today. Things were better back in the day, or maybe more easy to make sacrifices like I used to make. So, if new bands want advice, it's just to concentrate on what they're doing and if they don't achieve something, that's no problem. Life is not only for them, everyone is good at something. For instance, if you tell me to do something else than music, believe me, it would be very bad. Someone else should be very good at something else. You need my music sometimes, I need your work. Everyone needs everyone. I suggest just be yourself, play your music, but be yourself, that's important. If you don't achieve something, no problem. Life is short, you should enjoy it."

ROTTING CHRIST's "Their Greatest Spells" was released in March via Season Of Mist. This double-CD compilation features a best-of selection approved by Tolis as well as the new track "I Will Not Serve".

Florida-based melodic power metal band Artizan is slated to release their new album Demon Rider on August 17th via Pure Steel Records.

The sensational Demon Rider artwork was illustrated by Berlin based artist Eliran Kantor, who has created numerous masterpieces for the likes of Testament, Iced Earth and Hatebreed.

The album will be available as standard and limited edition CD, as well as standard vinyl with bonus poster. The limited edition CD will include a bonus track featuring vocalist Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer), live tracks, and isolated drum and bass tracks, showcasing the extraordinary performance of guest bassist Joey Vera (Fates Warning).

Pre-orders are now available here.

Wayward Sons - the UK guitar act made up of Toby Jepson (vocals, guitar), Sam Wood (guitar), Nic Wastell (bass), Dave Kemp (keys) and Phil Martini (drums) - have released a video for  "Don't Wanna Go", featured on their  debut album, Ghosts Of Yet To Come, out now. Watch the clip below.

The album was produced by Wayward Sons (Toby Jepson’s previous credits as a songwriter and producer include the likes of Katie Melua, The Virgin Marys, The Answer and Toseland) and Chris D’Adda (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds).

Tracklisting:

“Alive”
“Until The End”
“Ghost”
“Don't Wanna Go”
“Give It Away”
“Killing Time”
“Crush”
“Be Still”
“Small Talk”
“Something Wrong”

“Don't Wanna Go” video:

“Ghost” video:

“Crush” video:

“Alive” video:

“Until The End” video:

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has released a new solo EP entitled The Madness Of It All. It is available for streaming and purchase via the audio player below.

The tracklist is as follows:

"The Madness Of It All"
"The Depths"
"Turn Out The Lights"
"Spazztastic"

The Madness Of It All EP by Jason Bieler

Bieler has scheduled a string of solo shows for 2018 leading into the fall. His schedule is currently as follows:

July
14 - New York City, NY - Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2

August
10 - Baton Rouge, LA - Red Dragon Listening Room 
11 - New Orleans, LA - Howlin’ Wolf Porch

October
13 - Los Angeles, CA - The Hotel Cafe

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 official video for "Punch Patrol" 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"

Promo video:

On June 29th, Paradise Lost will release a new version of their eighth full-length album Believe In Nothing that initially saw the light of day in 2000. The band was never really satisfied with the overall production and artwork of this record, Jaime Gomez Arellano remixed and remastered the twelve tracks and Branca Studio designed a dark and moody new cover artwork, to bring it closer to the initial vision that the band once had for their gothic rock album.

In the new trailer below, Nick Holmes and Greg Mackintosh discuss the artwork:

Believe In Nothing - Remixed & Remastered will be available in the following formats:

- Digipack CD
- Bi-coloured LP
- White LP
- Standard Black LP
+ T-Shirt Bundles

Pre-order via the following links:

- Official Omerch Store
- Nuclear Blast Mailorder
- Digital

New artwork by Branca Studio.

Tracklisting:

"I Am Nothing"
"Mouth"
"Fader"
"Look At Me Now"
"Illumination"
"Something Real"
"Divided"
"Sell It To The World"
"Never Again"
"Control"
"No Reason"
"World Pretending"

Bonus tracks:
"Gone"
"Leave This Alone"

"Mouth" lyric video: