Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have released a music video for their song "Clandestiny". The animated clip was directed by Brazilian-born motion designer Ariel Costa of BlinkMyBrain.

"Clandestiny" is taken from MASTODON's latest album, "Emperor Of Sand", which came out in March 2017. The follow-up to 2014's "Once More 'Round The Sun" was recorded at The Quarry Recording Studio in Kennesaw, just outside MASTODON's hometown, with producer Brendan O'Brien (PEARL JAM, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), who first worked with MASTODON on their seminal 2009 album "Crack The Skye".

"Emperor Of Sand" found MASTODON returning to a deeply imaginative and complex conceptual storyline that ponders the nature of time. Threading together the myth of a man sentenced to death in a majestically malevolent desert, the band conjured the grains of a musical and lyrical odyssey slipping quickly through a cosmic hourglass.

"'Emperor of sand' is like the grim reaper," said drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor. "Sand represents time. If you or anyone you know has ever received a terminal diagnosis, the first thought is about time. Invariably, you ask, 'How much time is left?'"

"We're reflecting on mortality," added bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders. "To that end, the album ties into our entire discography. It's seventeen years in the making, but it's also a direct reaction to the last two years. We tend to draw inspiration from very real things in our lives."

In September, MASTODON released a new EP featuring four previously unreleased tracks. "Cold Dark Place" was made available digitally and on CD on September 22 via Reprise Records, followed by the release of a limited-edition ten-inch vinyl picture disc on October 27.

MASTODON won a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 60th annual Grammy Awards in January at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band got the nod for the song "Sultan's Curse" from "Emperor Of Sand", with the latter also being nominated for "Best Rock Album."

"This Time", 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.

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.

Commented THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA: "Recording this video was like combining different dimensions in a space cocktail. Numerous times during the video shoot, band members had to call the tax authorities, to confirm their names in the register, to make sure they had not lost all contact with reality. The result is surely mesmerizing and will take you on a journey that will be hard to digest."

"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's third studio album, "Amber Galactic", was released in May 2017 via Nuclear Blast. The disc followed THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's two previous releases, 2012's "Internal Affairs" and 2015's "Skyline Whispers".

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 lyric video for the song "Angel's Thunder, Devil's Reign" from RIOT V, the band featuring members of legendary metal pioneers RIOT, can be seen below. The track is taken from RIOT V's new album, "Armor Of Light", which is being released today (Friday, April 27) via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (METAL CHURCH, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SLIPKNOT, KORN), while the cover artwork was created by Mariusz Gandzel (CRYSTAL VIPER).

The new songs promise to please fans of the "Thundersteel" era of RIOT, as longtime Mark Reale music collaborator Donnie Van Stavern undertakes a lot of the writing as he did on "Thundersteel", "The Privilege Of Power" and the latest offering, "Unleash The Fire".

Said Donnie Van Stavern: "When I decided to keep RIOT going, it was a very emotional time for Mike [Flyntz, guitar] and I. Mark Reale was not only a founding member, a great musician and a mentor but a best friend to me and I vowed to him and his family that I would keep the legacy moving forward. RIOT's 16th record drops [today] and I am beyond proud to move forward in this legacy of a band that I once listened to on the way to high school and was once a fan of and now I'm a member of.

"Some people follow, some don't. I grew up listening to Joe Anthony in San Antonio and vowed top keep the music alive. This is my fifth and Mike's ninth record with RIOT!

"Thank you for all the believers, including Markus Wosgien at Nuclear Blast! We do this with the utmost respect for the legacy of the band. Thank you again and shine on!"

Hardly any other metal act has such a long and absorbing history behind it. Since the quintet formed in 1975, they have been hit by several severe strokes of fate during their long career. Three deceased members — Rhett Forester (R.I.P. 1994), Guy Speranza (R.I.P. 2003) and Mark Reale (R.I.P. 2012) — have left their mark on the four decades of RIOT's band history.

Since their legendary debut album, "Rock City" (1977), RIOT has released numerous heavy metal classics, including "Fire Down Under" (with classics like "Swords And Tequila"), their masterpiece "Thundersteel" (1988) and the unforgotten "The Privilege Of Power" (1990).

After the death of Mark Reale and the departure of Tony Moore, Todd Michael Hall (from Michigan), completed the lineup of RIOT, which changed its name to RIOT V and moved forward under the auspices of the two long-term members and main songwriters Donnie Van Stavern (bass) and Mike Flyntz (guitar). With the critically acclaimed "Unleash The Fire" (2014), a pure power metal jewel once again underlined the musical importance and influence of the quintet.

Many artists name-check RIOT as an important influence of their musical career and have paid tribute to the power metal godfathers on multiple occasions. The list is long and includes several well-known acts such as HAMMERFALL ("Flight Of The Warrior"), Luca Turilli's RHAPSODY ("Thundersteel"), AXEL RUDI PELL ("Warrior") and newcomers such as NIGHT DEMON ("Road Racin'"), ALPHA TIGER ("Flight Of The Warrior"), SAVAGE MASTER ("Swords And Tequila") and STALLION ("Rock City").

"Armor Of Light" track listing:

01. Victory

02. End Of The World

03. Messiah

04. Angel's Thunder, Devil's Reign

05. Burn The Daylight

06. Heart Of A Lion

07. Armor Of Light

08. Set The World Alight

09. San Antonio

10. Caught In the Witches Eye

11. Ready to Shine

12. Raining Fire

A snippet of a new TOOL song called "Descending" is apparently featured in a promotional video for the band's upcoming music clinic tour. The track has been performed live during TOOL's recent live performances and is expected to appear on the band's long-awaited new album, which TOOL has been tracking for the last month and a half.

Earlier this week, TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed in a tweet that he has finished writing the lyrics and melodies to the follow-up to 2006's "10,000 Days". "My work is done," he wrote. "Waiting on them to track. Then I can finish. Can't track to music that isn't recorded."

As previously reported, TOOL drummer Danny Carey, bassist Justin Chancellor and guitarist Adam Jones will take part in a series of music clinics next month. The three musicians will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the group's music that will include discussing their writing process and analyzing individual tracks in an open question-and-answer discussion. Ticket holders will also receive exclusive commemorative merchandise.

Chancellor was asked a while back whether the members of TOOL work separately on new songs, or create them while rehearsing together. "Both," he said. "We all bring in lots of ideas, and we jam 'em a lot, and we tear 'em apart, and put them back together, and sometimes in the process, we come up with spontaneity and a completely fresh, new idea."

TOOL music clinic tour dates:

May 11 - St. Paul, MN @ Myth Live Event Center

May 14 - Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre

May 15 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

May 16 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre

May 17 - Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Indoor Pavilion

May 19 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre

May 21 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

May 23 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore

The official lyric video for "House Of Doom", a brand new song from CANDLEMASS, can be seen below. The tune is the soundtrack of the game with the same name, which was co-designed by the legendary Swedish doom metal band.

The "House Of Doom" soundtrack, a new killer doom epic, will be released on May 25 as an EP with three bonus tracks via Napalm Records. A full-length album will be released in the fall.

In addition to the regular EP, there will be a 10-inch etched vinyl with an exclusive nine-and-a-half-minute-long version of the song "House Of Doom".

CANDLEMASS singer Mats Levén stated about the EP: "We in CANDLEMASS are proud to present four new songs to the world on the new EP 'House Of Doom'! The title track is inspired by the 'House Of Doom' game from Hyperfrost. We're also very happy that our label Napalm Records are with us all the way. 2018 will be a big year for CANDLEMASS!"

"House Of Doom" is a five-reel video slot with 10 fixed paylines. It is a volatile game with a high payout. There are wilds, free(doom)spins and bonus scatter symbols (the Skull). Landing three skulls at the right moment triggers the Skulls Of Abyss bonus game, where hidden prizes can be won…

The "House Of Doom" soundtrack was written by CANDLEMASS bassist Leif Edling, produced by Marcus Jidell, mixed by David Castillo and mastered by Maor Appelbaum.

Edling said last fall that he was working on a new CANDLEMASS song that was "a part of something bigger, something really cool that will take the band on another adventure." He described the process as "very exciting and a new challenge for me as a songwriter."

CANDLEMASS's latest release, "Death Thy Lover", came out in 2016 as CANDLEMASS's special 30th-anniversary EP. The four-track effort featured singer Mats Levén, who joined CANDLEMASS in 2012 following the departure of Robert Lowe.

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have released the official lyric video for a new song called "Werwolf". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Viktoria", which will be released on June 22 via Century Media Records. The effort will be made available in the following versions:

* Limited CD box set (with CD, woven patch, metal pin, three stickers)

* LP (with inlay and 180-gram vinyl)

* Standard CD Jewelcase

* Digital

"Viktoria" track listing:

01. Werwolf

02. June 44

03. Equestrian Bloodlust

04. Tiger I

05. Narva

06. The Last Fallen

07. Viktoria

08. The Devil's Song

09. Silent Night

MARDUK's latest album, "Frontschwein", was released in 2015 through Century Media.

"Frontschwein" is German Army slang for "front pig" — a soldier serving long at the front, often used as an ironic accolade for a soldier with the will to fight.

Guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson is the sole remaining member of MARDUK who played on the band's debut album, 1992's "Dark Endless".

MARDUK's 13th studio album, "Frontschwein" was the band's first solely war-themed release since 1999's "Panzer Division Marduk".

Founding KISS guitarist and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member Ace Frehley has released a brand new single, titled "Bronx Boy". The single is the first track from an all-new, untitled full-length solo LP to be released this summer.

"Bronx Boy" is available on all digital music services starting today.

Frehley's next studio album is expected to include the two songs he co-wrote last summer with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons.

"Gene came over my house to write — it went fantastic," Ace said. "In a matter of three hours, he and I came up with two new songs for my [next] record. I'm thrilled." The occasion was momentous for another reason. "It was the first time I have worked with him while I was sober," he revealed, "and it was a pleasure."

Frehley's last release was a covers collection "Origins, Vol 1", which received great reviews and landed in the Top 25 on the Billboard album chart. The effort featured a guest appearance by KISS lead singer Paul Stanley on a cover of FREE's "Fire And Water", marking their first collaboration since 1998's "Psycho Circus".

Last September, Frehley released a newly expanded deluxe edition of his 2009 album, "Anomaly", eOne Music. Among the new tracks were two previously unreleased demos: "Hard For Me", which was later reworked into the album's "Foxy & Free", and an early take of "Pain In The Neck", different in tempo and arrangement from the final version. Also included was the previously digital-only "Anomaly" bonus track "The Return Of Space Bear". "Anomaly Deluxe" also featured enhanced album art, a new live poster, and extensive liner notes by rock writer and Ace Frehley historian Ron Albanese (including track-by-track commentary by Frehley).

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES continue to promote their upcoming studio album, "To Drink From The Night Itself" by launching its newest single and video for the song "Daggers Of Black Haze". The clip, created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media (who was also in charge of the album's artwork concept), can be seen below.

AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg comments on the track as follows: "'Daggers Of Black Haze' represents the more progressive side of the new record. It has a lot of reference points to our early back catalogue, both style-wise and the emotional setting. It is desperate and urgent, but still melancholic and epic. It is conceptually one of the cornerstones of the album. Driving home the point of the need for a war on apathy and the populistic forces that takes advantage of it. This is a fight against the abyss. A beacon for the importance of real art, real forms of expression, and importance of our understanding of our mutual cultural history.

"The video was filmed by Costin Chioreanu once again, and it is full of symbolism and heavy on the conceptual side. Costin displays the war for art and the importance of standing up to the oppressive powers and paradigms with his film. It is beautiful, striking, melancholic and I am very happy to see his vision of my concept."

Chioreanu added the following about his work: "Being aware of the heavy topic in this song, I realized that making a video for it represents a mandatory mission for the art in general.

"Speaking today of the way how the ruling class guided the evolution in art and the perception upon it, the weight of the history, which is deeply buried in the artefacts’ structures and ideologies, I take this song and the means of illustrating it as a pure and genuine artistic attitude.

"In the course of time, an imposed perception projected through the manipulation of the art by those holding the power took the shape of an idol in the viewers' eyes; it became their main light, the source of the imaginary, artistic beliefs and patterns.

"The presence of the main character depicted on the newest AT THE GATES cover and artwork — Alcyoneus, the oldest hero among the giant warriors — is here as well. His bust was rebuilt for this video, but it got a new face. Now his mouth is closed and therefore, he is reduced to silence due to the new paradigms and the oppression’s influence in art. Yet this character continues to defy the primitive human nature. The snake's symbol and the eternal temptation offered by the bestial side of the self are also present here, and they work hand in hand with the new Alcyoneus's image.

"The video goes fast through different moments in the history, including the perception of art and human nature, and it employs a heavy, almost funeral type of visual tone. This time I have also decided to base all my work on a pretty sharp type of image, as sharp as the blade of the daggers. Regarding imagery, there is darkness, heaviness, hate and anger, which accede to death, primordial co-habitation and they are all enshroud with an almost political type of solemnity. The revolutionary spirit emerges through the mere existence of this video per se. At some points, short scenes depicting nature come as an invitation to a philosophic reflection on the monumental character of the art required by politics. This is how I felt this song, its lyrics and all the explanations provided by Tomas for this particular tune."

"To Drink From The Night Itself", which will be released on May 18 via Century Media. Produced with Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in the U.K., the follow-up 2014's "At War With Reality" will feature conceptual artwork created by Chioreanu, who previously worked with AT THE GATES on the band's last disc.

"To Drink From The Night Itself" track listing:


01. Der Widerstand

02. To Drink From The Night Itself

03. A Stare Bound In Stone

04. Palace Of Lepers

05. Daggers Of Black Haze

06. The Chasm

07. In Nameless Sleep

08. The Colours Of The Beast

09. A Labyrinth Of Tombs

10. Seas Of Starvation

11. In Death They Shall Burn

12. The Mirror Black

Lindberg recently spoke to Decibel magazine about how the departure of longtime AT THE GATES guitarist and primary songwriter Anders Björler has affected the band's sound. "It is true that there is a big shift in the lineup," he said. "What you have to take into consideration is that Jonas Björler [bass] wrote 40 percent of both 'Slaughter Of The Soul' and 'At War With Reality'. Some people seem to forget this. They just assume that the lead guitarist is the sole songwriter. Jonas had to take a lot more responsibility this time around, but me and him have had a really great and creative time writing this album. There is a slight change of direction, maybe, but AT THE GATES fans shouldn't be worried — it is still an AT THE GATES record. If anything, it is heavier and more death metal than the last one."

Lindberg said that new AT THE GATES guitarist Jonas Stålhammar came into the band too late to be involved in the composing process for the new disc. "This one is basically Jonas [Björler] and me when it comes to the writing. All the guys have contributed in some way, but the main writing comes from Jonas and me. Most of the songs were already in the finishing stages when Jonas Stålhammar joined, so there wasn't much time for him to contribute, but we look forward to having him more involved next time around. Saying that, his solos will, of course, be written by himself."

AT THE GATES 2018 is (left to right in photo):

Adrian Erlandsson - Drums

Jonas Björler - Bass

Tomas Lindberg - Vocals

Jonas Stålhammar - Guitar

Martin Larsson - Guitar

Earlier this month, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research, also known as CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire). Located in Geneva, Switzerland CERN operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and is also the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

During their tour, Ulrich and Hammett spoke with CERN's Connie Potter about their interest in science; an excerpt has been transcribed below.

How they became interested in science as children:

Kirk: "I was an avid science student. At one point, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was in elementary school. I was into model rocketry — I built rockets. I always maintained my fascination with science and all sorts of science — all sorts of different types of science, from basic physics all the way to quantum physics."

Lars: "I grew up with a father who has been very interested in physics, very interested in philosophy, very interested in [the] universe and particles and everything. Most of my schooling came not only from the Danish public school system, but came from hanging out with my dad and staring up into space and the night sky and talking and listening and being around my father, who was very interested in everything about the universe and history and big bangs and black holes. I spent a lot of my youth listening."

Metallica's next show is April 28th in Krakow, Poland at Tauron Arena. To view their complete tour schedule, click here.

"Nothing else (anti)matters" - earlier this week, Kirk and Lars from @Metallica visited some emblematic places at #CERN: the @ATLASexperiment, the #antimatter factory and the CLOUD experiment. pic.twitter.com/XCEfXWMnmr
— CERN (@CERN) April 13, 2018

 

LINKIN PARK vocalist Mike Shinoda has released a music video for the song "About You", taken from his upcoming solo album "Post Traumatic". The track is a collaboration with producer blackbear, and the accompanying clip was directed by Shinoda.

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 will make his first solo appearance since Bennington's death at this spring's Identity LA festival in downtown Los Angeles on May 12.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS has released the official music video for its cover version of the FLEETWOOD MAC classic "The Chain". Check it out below. The track is taken from the second part of the band's opus magnum, which will be released one year after the successful arrival of rock juggernaut "Prevail I".

Due on April 27 through Napalm Records, "Prevail II" is the proverbial yang to the yin and continues right where KOBRA AND THE LOTUS left off in 2017.


"We couldn't be more stoked to release the final closer to our 'Prevail' album series," says vocalist Kobra Paige. "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?"

"Prevail II" track listing:

01. Losing My Humanity

02. Let Me Love You

03. Ribe

04. My Immortal

05. Human Empire

06. Heartache

07. Velvet Roses

08. Modern Day Hero

09. You're Insane

10. White Water

11. The Chain

12. Let Me Love You (acoustic bonus track)

Says Kobra Paige: "Humanity. One of the greatest struggles of our human existence is to retain it.

"This sequel album takes a deeper dive into the darkness of our psyche and explores the personal torment and struggle we inflict upon ourselves, one another, and the earth.

"It has become commonplace for people to give up on themselves and lose their belief in their abilities and self-worth. This in turn affects our daily actions/behavior. We are a cripplingly, self-harming species but we are also profoundly capable beings of altruism, evolution, and positivity.

"This album will close the 'Prevail' double sequel on the lightest of all notes by acknowledging that every single person has a desire to be and deserves to be truly seen, loved, and heard. When the ignorance is cleared, we can recognize that we are all in this together."

In support of "Prevail II", KOBRA AND THE LOTUS is touring the States with TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION.

Photo by Nat Enemede Photography

THE AGONY SCENE has returned with a brand new song and video. "Hand Of The Divine" will appear on the band's new album, "Tormentor", out July 20 via Outerloop Records/Cooking Vinyl. It is THE AGONY SCENE's first album since 2007's "Get Damned" (Century Media), which was preceded by 2005's "The Darkest Red" (Roadrunner) and 2003's self-titled release (Solid State).

"There is an underlying theme to much of the record, and that is the idea of an insane, manipulative creator, a 'tormentor' of all mankind, if you will," said guitarist Chris Emmons. "The lyrics also touch on the idea that an unquestioning belief in such a creator and an infallible doctrine can lead to a more chaotic and dark world in many cases."

He continued: "'Hand Of The Divine' was written about the Rubio murders that took place in Brownsville, Texas in 2003. These murders occurred as a result of a man who believed that his three children were possessed by demons. The video for 'Hand Of The Divine' follows along the theme of an insane creator, but does have some loose parallels with the Rubio murders. It tells the story of 'The Binding Of Isaac' that can be found in the texts of the Abrahamic religions. This story finds god demanding Abraham to sacrifice his son as an offering, proving his love and obedience. An insane and criminal act by modern standards and law. The story is portrayed a bit loosely, taking interpretations from multiple texts."

"THE AGONY SCENE was the gateway band in the era of aggressive dark metalcore, paving the way for a new generation of metal fans, including myself," said Outerloop president Shan Dan Horan. "It's impossible for me to have a conversation with a metal artist without them mentioning THE AGONY SCENE as an influence. That being said, I'm extremely excited to be a part of their most aggressive album to date."

The band will announce its summer 2018 tour plans imminently.

Swedish classic rock connoisseurs GRAVEYARD have released the first trailer for their eagerly anticipated comeback album, "Peace". The disc was recorded at Park Studios in Stockholm with producer Chips Kiesbye (THE HELLACOPTERS, MICHAEL MONROE, THE NOMADS) and engineer Stefan Boman (BURT BACHARACH, ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, KENT).

Commented the band: "As you may know, we've been doing some traveling lately. In many ways and on many levels. The good thing is that we brought back a few things for you all. Here's a first souvenir from the road to 'Peace'."

"Peace" is now available for pre-order in various formats. The Nuclear Blast mailorder edition will feature the CD as well as a red seven-inch vinyl containing two exclusive and previously unreleased non-album tracks ("Headache City" and "Something Else"). The album will also be available as digipack CD as well as on black, yellow, mint, beige and clear vinyl.

"Peace" will be released on May 25 via Nuclear Blast.

The disc will contain the following tracks:

01. It Ain't Over Yet

02. Cold Love

03. See The Day

04. Please Don't

05. Del Maniac

06. The Fox

07. Walk On

08. Bird Of Paradise

09. A Sign Of Peace

10. Low (I Wouldn't Mind)

GRAVEYARD announced its return in January 2017, only four months after saying that the band was calling it quits. The group's new lineup does not include drummer Axel Sjöberg, who is apparently focusing on his new outfit called BIG KIZZ. He has since been replaced by Oskar Bergenheim.

GRAVEYARD released four full-length albums, the latest one being 2015's "Innocence & Decadence".

GRAVEYARD's breakup in September 2016 was attributed to "the all-so-classic reason 'differences within the band.'" The group explained at the time: "This is the unfortunate final decision we've had to make after going through a period of struggling and juggling with personal issues. Things have gone out of hand and now our energy is very low."

GRAVEYARD 2018 is:

Joakim Nilsson - vocals, guitar

Truls Mörck - bass

Oskar Bergenheim - drums

Jonatan Ramm - guitar

Strapping Young Lad founder Devin Townsend recently decided to "take a break" from the Devin Townsend Project. Following his announcement that he has put the Devin Townsend Project on indefinite hiatus while he works on other projects, two members of DTP have 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 from the studio:

"We know you guys can't wait to hear Imonolith for the first time. Well, as of now it's being mixed by the incredible Jason Van Poederooyen in LA. We feel as a band, along with Jay and our management that we should give you a proper, awesome sounding representation of what Imonolith's sound will be. We're very excited to show you guys and sometime in May, when it's 100% ready, we will give you a snippet of music to check out.

It's exciting times for everyone, including you guys, but we want to make sure we present ourselves professionally on every level. Thanks so much for your patience and support. You guys are all amazing and have really made this even more exciting for all of us in the band...

Stay posted, May is just around the corner."

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

Photos by LIM SANG Photography

Deicide's 2006 album The Stench Of Redemption will be reissued on vinyl on May 25th via Earache. A number of vinyl colours are available.

Emerging from seemingly endless controversy reenergized and re-focused, the legendary Deicide hit back with their most confrontational album in years. The Stench Of Redemption bristles with the defiance and confidence borne of a new lineup (welcoming Jack Owen and Ralph Santola to the band), a new desire and a new common purpose.

Crammed full of anti-christian invective supported by a barrage of blast beats and grimly direct riffing Deicide 2006 plays with the enthusiasm and intensity that puts every young pretender band to shame. The addition of fluid, melodic leads surprised many - but the aggression and violence inherent in each track pleased all those who want only one thing from Deicide - the ultimate Death Metal sound. This is as good as it gets people!

Tracklisting:

Side A:
"The Stench Of Redemption"
"Death To Jesus"
"Desecration"
"Crucified For The Innocence"
"Walk With The Devil In Dreams You Behold"

Side B:
"Homage For Satan"
"Not Of This Earth"
"Never To Be Seen Again"
"The Lord's Sedition"
"Black Night"

As reported earlier, Deicide's 2004 album Scars Of The Crucifix will also be reissued on vinyl on May 25th in a number of vinyl colours. The title has been unavailable on vinyl since its original release way back in 2004.

Recorded at the legendary Morrisound Studios in Florida, Scars Of The Crucifix heralded the return to form of one of the death metal originators who after leaving their previous label were full of venom, hate and aggression all of which was channeled into this classic Earache masterpiece.

Tracklisting:

Side A:
"Scars Of The Crucifix"
"Mad At God"
"Conquered By Sodom"
"Fuck Your God"

Side B:
"When Heaven Burns"
"Enchanted Nightmare"
"From Darkness Come"
"Go Now Your Lord Is Dead"
"The Pentecostal"

Pre-order both titles in various vinyl colours here.

Ingested will release their fourth album, The Level Above Human, tomorrow (Friday, April 27th) via Unique Leader Records. An advanced album stream can be found below.

The devastating 10-track album, which was engineered by Stu McKay (Arcania, Dyscarnate) and mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Despised Icon), shows the band at the absolute zenith of their 12 year career. The Level Above Human will undoubtedly cement the Manchester, UK group's place at the top of the extreme metal world.

Physical pre-order bundles for The Level Above Human are available here, and digital pre-orders are available here.

Tracklisting:

"Sovereign"
"Invidious"
"Misery Leech"
"Purveyors Of Truth"
"Transcendence Of Gods"
"Better Off Dead"
"Last Rites"
"The Crimson Oath"
"Purge The Parasite"
"Obsolescent"

Album stream:

"Purveyors Of Truth" lyric video:

Ingested are currently in the middle of a monstrous world tour, which includes their first North American headlining tour as well as a stint on this year's Devastation On The Nation Tour, in support of their new album The Level Above Human. Find the band's tour itinerary here.

Idyllwild, CA-based thrash metalheads Throw The Goat have released a lyric video for "Melt Away". The band released it in celebration of Earth Day, in the hopes of continuing the conversation about global warming.

"Melt Away" comes off of the band's most recent album, The Joke's On Us, which was released through Combat Records, owned by Dave Ellefson (Megadeth). Listen to the album here.

Tour dates:

May
4 - Mission Tobacco Lounge (MTL) - Irvine, CA
11 - Doll Hut - Anaheim, CA (with Agent Orange)
20 - The Yard @ Sharkys - Tamarindo, Costa Rica

June
1 - The Hood Bar - Palm Desert, CA
21 - Warped Tour @ Pomona Fairplex - Pomona, CA

One-man industrial metal force Author & Punisher enters the studio to record his sixth studio album. The yet-to-be-titled full-length is being recorded at K Street in San Diego, CA and engineered by Tristan Shone & John Cota (Death Eyes). Additional recording will be in Las Cruces, NM with Jason Begin (vytear).

The album will be co-produced with Braden Diotte (Tarantula Hawk, Exxo//Endo), mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Author & Punisher’s new album is set to be released Fall 2018 on Relapse Records.

Additionally, Author & Punisher announces early summer European headline tour dates with Trepaningsritualen. The tour begins May 21st in Leipzig, Germany and ends June 9th in Poznan, Poland. Author & Punisher will also make a special appearance at Moogfest on May 17th in Durham, NC. All confirmed tour dates are listed below.

Tour dates:

May
17 - Durham, NC - Moogfest
21 - Leipzig, Germany - Wave-Gotik-Treffen
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - VEGA / Ideal
24 - Berlin, Germany - Urban Spree
25 - Antwerp, Belgium - Het Bos
26 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Merleyn w/Sumac
27 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Occii
28 - London, UK - Elektrowerkz
29 - Glasgow, UK - Nice N Sleazy
30 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion Manchester
31 - Bruxelles, Belgium - Mag3

June
1 - Athens, Greece - Temple Athens
2 - Moscow, Russia - Joy
5 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Serdce
6 - Wroclaw, Poland - D.K. Luksus
7 - Warsaw, Poland - Klub Hydrozagadka
8 - Gdansk, Poland - Protokultura
9 - Poznan, Poland - Pawilon

(Photo - Marilla Maschion)

Blackened metallers SKELETONWITCH will release their first full-length album in five years, "Devouring Radiant Light", on July 20 via Prosthetic Records. The first single from the disc, "Fen Of Shadows", can be streamed below.

Guitarist Scott Hedrick describes "Fen Of Shadows" as "SKELETONWITCH 2.0... The song travels further down the rabbit hole with more elaborate arrangements, layers of wailing guitar, and strong dynamic shifts. It's the most fully formed example of what this band has become." New vocalist Adam Clemans notes that the single lyrically "sets up the theme for the entire record. It's of my belief that in times of turmoil and darkness, we as humans, learn the most about our true selves. If you look within, you will always find light, passion and dedication. To what exactly, is up to the individual. For us, it's creating music together and as individuals."

While black metal has always been a recognizable component of the SKELETONWITCH DNA, "Devouring Radiant Light" sees the band crashing headlong into the subgenre like never before. And where SKELETONWITCH previously ran its output through a second-wave black metal filter, "Devouring" incorporates a strong atmospheric influence. "Bergtatt"-era ULVER and Cascadian black metal lineage are palpable. From ethereal intros to tremolo sky-ride leads, "Devouring" is draped with and adorned in the musical lexicon of black metal. But the expansion of influence does not stop there.

Nathan Garnette and Scott Hedrick are still co-captaining the dual-guitar stratospheric charge but they've dramatically expanded their palette. Celestial crunch that evokes post-metal pioneers ISIS? Check. Gothic doom passages à la PARADISE LOST? Check. High-flying Åkerfeldt-ian solos slingshotting over mountains of undulating progressive rhythms? Check. The foundation for this sonic structure is the effortless bass work of Evan Linger who possesses some of the strongest four-string chops of any player in heavy music. Providing requisite room for the guitar maelstrom, Linger shows up with dazzling yet tasteful runs in just the right places.

And then there's vocalist Adam Clemans. Equal parts Tompa Lindberg fury and Jacob Bannon punk rage, Clemans's creative intensity and sense of purpose fueled the band's new musical trajectory which surfaced on "The Apothic Gloom". His organic writing lends the band a newfound gravitas and his vocal performance is nothing short of epic.

Originally hailing from Ohio, SKELETONWITCH were cheekily dubbed the Sons of Midwestern Darkness in their early days. That nom de guerre now applies in spirit only as the band's members span the coasts. This separation forced the band to transcend geography, crafting and refining the material digitally from a distance.

"Devouring Radiant Light" was recorded by CONVERGE guitarist and engineering deity Kurt Ballou (HIGH ON FIRE, KVELERTAK, CHELSEA WOLFE) at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts. The band's rapport with Ballou provided the familiarity necessary to embrace uncharted creative territory. Melodeath genre architect Fredrik Nordström (OPETH, AT THE GATES) mixed the album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. The record was mastered by Brad Boatright of metallic hardcore greats FROM ASHES RISE at Audiosiege Engineering in Portland, Oregon.

SKELETONWITCH is back on the road next month in support of "Devouring Radiant Light". They join PALLBEARER and OBITUARY this spring before heading to Europe. Highlights include New York City's Gramercy Theatre, Metro in Chicago, Roskilde festival and more. Fall dates with SYSTEM OF A DOWN and AT THE DRIVE-IN have also been confirmed.

"Devouring Radiant Light" track listing:

01. Fen of Shadows

02. Where Paradise Fades

03. Temple of the Sun

04. Devouring Radiant Light

05. The Luminous Sky

06. The Vault

07. Carnarium Eternal

08. Sacred Soil

A PERFECT CIRCLE was the musical guest on the Monday, April 23 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The band played several songs — including "TalkTalk" and "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" — on the show's outdoor stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

Official video footage of the performance can be seen below.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band.

A PERFECT CIRCLE's new album, "Eat The Elephant", was released on April 20 and is the band's first collection of studio recordings since the 2004 covers LP, "eMOTive".

A PERFECT CIRCLE's first official single from the new album was "The Doomed", while the band has also previewed song like "Feathers" and "TalkTalk" live.

Frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed how he communicated with A PERFECT CIRCLE guitarist Billy Howerdel creatively while making "Eat The Elephant". Keenan explained to Kerrang!: "We haven't done an album in 14 years. He was probably thinking things were going to go the way they used to, and I was going to respond to sounds the way I used to. We really had to come up with a new language for each other."

Asked how he tells Howerdel if a song's not working for him, Keenan responded: "There's no other way to do it other than to be straight and honest and deal with that week of misery. There's no other way to go about it. Like, 'I'm not hearing what you're hearing, sorry.' But the good news is that we wouldn't be standing here if I didn't hear it in other things, so that part you just have to figure out how to let it go."

Howerdel said that making a record is always stressful, remarking: "It's hard not to get physically worn down from it. When you get to that place where you're not sleeping, and you can barely think straight, that's when you go, 'God, did I need to push it that hard? Or was it necessary?'"

LIV SIN, the band led by former SISTER SIN vocalist Liv "Sin" Jagrell, has released the official music video for its cover version of the DANZIG song "Devil's Plaything". The track will appear on LIV SIN's upcoming EP, "Inverted", which will be issued on May 25. The vinyl-only release, which was produced by Martin Sandvik of HARDCORE SUPERSTAR at Studio Österlyckan, also includes reworked versions of the songs "Black Souls" and "Killing Ourselves To Live" from LIV SIN's debut album, 2017's "Follow Me", as well as a bonus track called "Murphy's Law" that was originally recorded for "Follow Me".

The "Devil's Plaything" video was filmed by Bullsize at Studio Österlyckan in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"Inverted" track listing:

01. Devil's Plaything

02. Black Souls

03. Killing Ourselves To Live

04. Murphy's Law

Liv stated about "Devil's Plaything": "[The] next [LIV SIN] album will not sound like this, but it will not sound like 'Follow Me' either."

From the gutters of south Sweden, Jagrell emerged as a major force as the vocalist for hard rockers SISTER SIN. Throughout the band's 13-year career, SISTER SIN sold thousands of albums and toured the world with high-profile tours supporting the likes of SLAYER and KING DIAMOND on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, as well as being a part of the Revolver magazine "Hottest Chicks In Metal" tour. SISTER SIN toured relentlessly for over a decade across Europe and North America garnering an intensely loyal following of rockers that craved the band's aggressive and melodic brand of hard rock.

When SISTER SIN called it quits at the end of 2015, Liv knew that she had much more to give to her fans. From this, LIV SIN was born. Liv's new music shows the power, sexiness, and attitude that she is known for.

LIV SIN offers a modernized hard rock sound to take Liv into her next phase, a sound that is destined to please both new fans and her longtime fans of SISTER SIN.

According to WAFF 48 News, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is recording at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Although it's unclear what he’s recording, studio management confirms he will be in town all week.

Meanwhile, AL.com has posted reactions from many lucky Alabama fans who got the opportunity to meet Tyler. For more, head to AL.com.

The documentary Steven Tyler: Out On A Limb has been selected as the opening night film of the Nashville Film Festival on May 10th, reports Variety.

The date has also been proclaimed "Steven Tyler Day” by Nashville Mayor David Briley. In addition, Tyler will perform with Nashville-based The Loving Mary Band at The Woods at Fontanel on May 12th.

“Nashville is a key part of my musical journey and has had an influential place in my career, so this recognition from the city is a tremendous honor,” said Tyler. “I’m also so touched that the Nashville Film Festival selected Steven Tyler: Out On A Limb to kick off opening night of this year’s event with our world premiere.”

Momentum Pictures will release the film on VOD and digital HD on May 15th. Read more at Variety.com.

Tyler, along with Nashville's Loving Mary Band, have announced dates for North America and Europe this summer. The tour is set to launch on June 12th at Artwork Amphitheater in Lewiston, NY, and will conclude on August 7th at O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, England. Tickets on sale now.

Tour dates:

June
12 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark Amphitheater
18 - New York, NY - SummerStage in Central Park
21 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap
24 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
27 - Detroit, MI - MotorCity Casino Hotel
30 - Northfield, OH - Hard Rock Live

July
7 - Naperville, IL - Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest
11 - Calgary, AB - Cowboys Stampede Tent
15 - Sion, Switzerland - Sion Sous Les Etoiles Festival
18 - Trieste, Italy - Trieste Piazza Unita D’Italia
24 - Barolo, Italy - Collisioni Festival, Piazza Colbert
27 - Rome, Italy - Rome Cavea
30 - Madrid, Spain - Teatro Real

August
2 - Marbella, Spain - Starlite Festival
7 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

Swedish rock quintet Spiral Skies are readying the release of their debut full-length album Blues For A Dying Planet, out May 18th via AOP Records. In anticipation, the band is streaming the new single “The Prisoner”. Listen below.

The impending record will be released digitally and on CD and vinyl with distribution from Plastichead (Europe, USA, World) and Edel (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Pre-order now via the following links:

- Europe
- North America

"Haven't we all wished to see the world burn at some point? How many aren't they, who seek justice in an unjust world? Imprisoned by norms, pressure of society and circumstances of life we all want to break free." - Spiral Skies
 
With influences ranging over decades, Spiral Skies has created a sound that can most easily be described as “rock from another planet.” A unique blend of folk, doom and 70’s inspired rock music. The band has been compared to band such as Jefferson Airplane, Curved Air and The Devil's Blood, to name a few.

Spiral Skies has spellbound audiences with a unique visual performance at their intense and enchanting live shows, and their debut EP A Queendom To Come gained a lot of attention on Bandcamp, resulting in the following single “Event Horizon”.

Blues For A Dying Planet tracklisting:

"Black Hole Waltz"
"Awakening"
"Dark Side Of The Cross"
"The Wizard's Ball"
"Danse Macabre"
"Labyrinth Of The Mind"
"Shattered Hopes"
"Left Is Right And Right Is Left Behind"
"The Prisoner"

"The Prisoner":

Tour dates:

May
8 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Copperfields (Album Release Show)

June
7 - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival

Lineup:

Frida Eurenius - Vocals
Jonas Lyander - Guitar, Percussion, Choir
Dan Svanljung - Guitar, Organ, Mellotron
Eric Sandberg - Bass
Daniel Bäckman- Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer

CyHra, the band featuring former Amaranthe singer Jake E. and ex-In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad, performed live and unplugged at the Bandit Rock Awards in Stockholm on January 31st. Pro-shot video of the performance can be viewed below.

Antihero Magazine had the chance to sit down with Jake E and Euge Valovirta of CyHra during their recent North American tour with Sabaton and Kreator. They discussed the band’s first major tour since the release of their debut record, Letters To Myself, their instant on-stage chemistry, plans for the summer, and the possibility of new music later this year.

CyHra, the band featuring former Amaranthe singer Jake E. and ex-In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad, are currently on the road in North America supporting Sabaton and Kreator. The clip below is the live stream from CyHra's show at The Orpheum Theater in Madison, Wisconsin on February 24th. The setlist was as follows:

"Dead to Me"
"Letter to Myself"
"Here to Save You"
"Heartrage"
"Closure"
"Karma"

CyHra have released a video for "Heartrage", a track from their debut album, released last October via Spinefarm Records. Watch below.

Letters To Myself tracklisting:

"Karma"
"Heartrage"
"Here to Save You"
"Muted Life"
"Closure"
"Letter to Myself"
"Dark Clarity"
"Holding Your Breath"
"Rescue Ride"
"Black Wings"
"Inside a Lullaby"
"Dead to Me"

"Heartrage" video:

"Letter to Myself”:

"Karma" video:

Find the band's tour schedule here.

CyHra are:

Vocals: Jake E (ex-Amaranthe)
Guitar: Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames)
Bass: Peter Iwers (ex-In Flames)
Drums: Alex Landenburg (ex-Annihilator)
Guitar: Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining)

The Neal Morse Band's triumphant double album, The Similitude Of A Dream, is the most acclaimed release that Morse has helmed to date. The 2017 tour was their largest yet, including new continents for the band. At the O13 in Tilburg, Holland, the stars aligned for the most commanding performance of the run, captured for live release in stunning quality. "An epic night on an epic tour," proclaims Neal.

Released from Radiant/SONY/Metal Blade, it will be available on Blu-Ray and 2CD/2DVD. Join Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Eric Gillette, Bill Hubauer, and Randy George for over two hours of musical magic, as they play the album in its entirety, as well as a four song encore that will leave you breathless. Watch a promo video below.

The Similitude Of A Dream: Live In Tilburg 2017 is now available for pre-order. Release date is June 15th. All pre-orders of both versions receive a free bonus track download. "Ways Of A Fool" includes just the vocals from the studio album. First 200 pre-orders of both versions signed by Neal Morse.

Tracklisting:

Disc One:
Intro
"Long Day"
"Overture"
"The Dream"
"City Of Destruction"
"We Have Got To Go"
"Makes No Sense"
"Draw The Line"
"The Slough"
"Back To The City"
"The Ways Of A Fool"
"So Far Gone"
"Breath Of Angels"

Disc Two:
"Slave To Your Mind"
"Shortcut To Salvation"
"The Man In The Iron Cage"
"The Road Called Home"
"Sloth"
"Freedom Song"
"I'm Running"
"The Mask"
"Confrontation"
"The Battle"
"Broken Sky / Long Day" (Reprise)
"Momentum"
"Author Of Confusion"
"Agenda"
"The Call"

Audio snippets of all the tracks that are set to appear on FOREIGNER's "Foreigner With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

"I Want To Know What Love Is", "Cold As Ice", "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "Hot Blooded", "Juke Box Hero". FOREIGNER's timeless anthems continue to rock the charts with 10 multi-platinum albums, 16 Top 30 hits and album sales now exceeding 75 million copies. For the first time ever, FOREIGNER will present all its hits with a 58-piece orchestra and a 60-piece choir with "Foreigner With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus" available on April 27 via earMUSIC.


In May 2017, the band performed two sold-out shows in Lucerne, Switzerland, together with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Ernst Van Tiel. "Foreigner With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus" represents this year-long collaboration between FOREIGNER founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones and Grammy-nominated composing/arranging team Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer, exploring the deep symphonic potential of these classic and iconic songs. Eggar, Juilliard protégé and cellist/pianist/composer, and Palmer, producer/writer/percussionist, have toured, performed and recorded with artists such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Patti Smith, COLDPLAY and many more.


Says Mick Jones: "I could never have imagined when I set out to create FOREIGNER 40 years ago, that we'd still be touring around the world and performing the music we love all these years later. Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer's orchestral arrangements have shown us a new symphonic dimension of our music, which I hope our fans will enjoy."


"Foreigner With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus" CD track listing:

01. Overture

02. Blue Morning, Blue Day

03. Cold As Ice

04. Waiting For A Girl Like You

05. Say You Will

06. When It Comes To Love

07. That Was Yesterday

08. Feels Like The First Time

09. Starrider

10. Double Vision

11. Fool For You Anyway

12. Urgent

13. Juke Box Hero

14. I Want To Know What Love Is


"Foreigner With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus" DVD track listing:

01. Overture

02. Blue Morning, Blue Day

03. Cold As Ice

04. Waiting For A Girl Like You

05. Head Games

06. When It Comes To Love

07. Say You Will

08. The Flame Still Burns

09. That Was Yesterday

10. Juke Box Hero

11. Starrider

12. Double Vision

13. Fool For You Anyway

14. Hot Blooded

15. Urgent

16. Feels Like The First Time

17. I Want To Know What Love Is

Photo credit: Karsten Staiger

Canadian hardcore metal punks CANCER BATS have just surprise-released their sixth studio album, "The Spark That Moves". Choosing to forgo the traditional lead ups and teaser singles, CANCER BATS, with no forewarning, released "The Spark That Moves" in its entirety on all digital services at 12:01 this morning, with vinyl and CDs ready to ship out to fans the same day.


The album is now available through the band's own record label Bat Skull Records in partnership with New Damage Records in Canada and the U.S.

"We were just tired of waiting," said frontman Liam Joseph Cormier. "We spent all of 2017 working hard on this album, all while playing shows and talking with our fans, who were constantly asking, 'When can we hear new music?' We figured why make anyone wait any longer, let's just drop the entire new album all at once," Cormier enthused. "I know as a fan, I just want to hear everything right away, let me buy the record right now! We figured, why not release our own music the way we want."


On top of releasing all 11 tracks off of their new record, CANCER BATS decided to pull "a bit of a Beyonce" and have dropped a music video for every song on the album.


"The Spark That Moves" track listing:

01. Gatekeeper

02. Brightest Days

03. We Run Free

04. Space & Time

05. Bed of Nails

06. Headwound

07. Fear Will Kill Us All

08. Rattlesnake

09. Can’t Sleep

10. Heads Will Roll

11. Winterpeg


"The Spark That Moves" follows the band's critically successful album "Searching For Zero" (2015), which landed CANCER BATS their fourth Juno Award nomination for Metal/Hard Music Album. Recorded in Winnipeg, Manitoba under the watchful eyes and ears of JP Peters (PROPAGANDHI) at his studio Private Ear and mixed by longtime collaborator and award-winning producer Eric Ratz (producer of "Hail Destroyer", "Bears Mayors Scraps & Bones" and "Dead Set On Living"), "The Spark That Moves" is CANCER BATS at its finest. Combining all of the elements from the band's last five releases, the 11 tracks that make up the album blend together the group's most melodic moments with their most aggressive, becoming a savage sprint of hardcore, punk, sludge, and metal that leaves the listener craving more. Drummer Mike Peters and lead bass player Jaye Schwarzer seamlessly collide together like two wild beasts, while guitarist Scott Middleton blasts his signature layers of squeals and destruction over top. All of this thunderously led by singer Cormier's now fully formed melodic growl as he fires both positive, inspiring lyrics and scorching damnation as displayed on album opener "Gate Keeper". Without skipping a beat, they fire on track 2, "Brightest Days", shifting back to a classic BATS positive party anthem. The record seamlessly keeps this pace of raw, catchy, anthemic, metal and punk. Halfway through it breathes with the melodic standout "Bed Of Nails", a touch of desert rock they add into the mix before diving back into the chaos that is "Head Wound". This pace continues right until the crushing album closer "Winterpeg", an ode to the very city they recorded in, featuring guest vocals from Chris Hannah of the legendary Winnipeg punk band PROPAGANDHI.


CANCER BATS are currently on tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of their acclaimed sophomore album "Hail Destroyer". The band will play two sold-out shows in Toronto this weekend at Lee's Palace before heading to the U.K. to play four back-to-back shows at the Underworld in London. CANCER BATS will return to Canada to continue the "10 Years Of Hail Destroyer" tour in Alberta in May.

Photo credit: Asad Aman

VIOLATION WOUND, the punk rock/metal band formed by Chris Reifert (DEATH, ABSCESS, AUTOPSY) on guitar and vocals, will release its new album, "With Man In Charge", on April 27 via Peaceville Records.

Two songs from the disc, "Fearmonger" and "State Of Alarm", can be streamed below.

VIOLATION WOUND was born in a beer- and whiskey-soaked basement in June of 2013, driven to create 100 percent real punk rock. Nothing trendy, nothing wimpy, nothing pretentious, just fuelled by aggression and kick-ass riffs. VIOLATION WOUND is not interested in modern, plastic or safe crap, instead honoring the raw, dirty and pissed off ways of the original innovators, while carving out a path all their own.

Featuring Reifert alongside bassist Joe Orterry and drummer Matt O'Connell, "With Man In Charge" is VIOLATION WOUND's first release for Peaceville, offering psychotic blasts of punk-injected madness over 20 tracks. Joining VIOLATION WOUND on "With Man In Charge" are guests Athenar of U.S. act MIDNIGHT and Dave Hill, having recently collaborated with Chris in the rock act PAINTED DOLL. The disc was recorded at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California with Greg Wilkinson (AUTOPSY), featuring cover artwork created by Wes Benscoter (AUTOPSY, SLAYER, NILE).

Reifert states: "We at VIOLATION WOUND headquarters are really fucking psyched to be working with Peaceville Records.

"We poured a lot of outrage, madness, aggression, and just plain ass-kicking into our new album, 'With Man In Charge', and we think our intentions will be heard loud and clear for anyone who gets their eardrums wrapped around this quickfire distorted assault. This isn't just an attempt to relive old punk days gone by or to latch on to whatever the hell people are calling hardcore these days. It's insane music for insane times by insane people."

The first track to be released is "Stalemate Suicide". Reifert states about the song: "Ah, humans. If only we could learn to deal with each other intelligently instead of putting ourselves on the brink of potential nuclear war over toxic egos and playground insults. Should we build a bigger bomb? What could possibly go wrong?"

SINBREED, the German power metal band featuring BLIND GUARDIAN drummer Frederik Ehmke and ex-VICIOUS RUMORS singer Nick Holleman, has inked a deal with Massacre Records. The group is currently working on a new album that is set to be released later this year.

SINBREED recently parted ways with singer Herbie Langhans and has replaced him with Holleman.

Said SINBREED: "After being on tour with Nick throughout Europe in 2016, we are happy to continue with him and open the next chapter of the band. This also means that Herbie Langhans won't be part of SINBREED anymore.

"Thank you, Herbie, for your work on our three first albums that we did over the last eight years. Rock on! We all wish you the best of luck for your current and future projects!"

SINBREED 2018 is:

Nick Holleman (Vocals)

Manuel Seoane (Guitar)

Flo Laurin (Guitar)

Frederik Ehmke (Drums)

Alexander Schulz (Bass)

SINBREED's latest album, "Master Creator", was released in February 2016 via AFM Records.

BLIND GUARDIAN guitarist Marcus Siepen was a member of SINBREED from 2012 until 2015.