The first video clip/single from the forthcoming Hartmann album Hands On The Wheel - the solo project from Avantasia guitarist / Echoes frontman Oliver Hartmann - is available below:

Hartmann recently issued the following update on another single due to be released soon:

"Back from the video shoot yesterday for the song/single 'Simple Man' -a duet featuring the great Eric Martin (Mr. Big) - yep, now Mr.X is official - from the forthcoming Hartmann album Hands On The Wheel'. Despite the fxxxxxg cold weather we all had loads of fun and warmed up ourselves with tea, coffee and hot slivovitz with honey. Especially the last one works more than great.

Thanks a lot to the whole team of Rock Antenne, Oliver Barth, Jürgen Votava, Basti, my better half Birgit Pezenka and everybody else who helped making yesterday a great day! Stay tuned for more news about the release."

For information and updates on Hartmann check out the official website here. Go to the Hands On The Wheel pledge campaign here.

Joe Bonamassa, the two-time Grammy-nominated blues rock guitar icon, has released a video for "Spanish Boots", a track from the upcoming British Blues Explosion Live release, out on May 18th on CD/DVD/Blu-Ray & 3LP (Black / Red, White & Blue) via Mascot Label Group in Europe and J&R Adventures in North America. Watch the video below.

The DVD and Blu-ray includes amazing bonus content such as Joe performing “Taxman” live at the Cavern Club, Joe being honoured with a “Brick In The Wall”, the British Blues Explosion Explained by Mick Wall and a photo gallery of the British Blues Explosion UK Tour.

A Salute to the British Blues Explosion, featuring the unbelievable music of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Joe pays tribute to his British Blues heroes during a short but very sweet tour of Britain - five performances only. This show was recorded at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London on July 7th, 2016.

Joe Bonamassa has been more influenced by the impact of British Blues than by any other music out there. From a young age, the musically inclined Joe fell in love with the hard-rocking, gritty and edgy sound that emanated from mid-1960’s Britain. This is especially true of the highly innovative and evocative guitar music produced by three of the field’s greatest heavyweights, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. With the deepest reverence for what these three men have accomplished and a true love of their music.

Joe Bonamassa’s love of the British Blues is at the heart of his musical inspiration; and, for the first time, with this unforgettable performance he was able to give special homage to the British guitarists that inspired him, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

The five-piece band included Michael Rhodes (Bass), Reese Wynans (Keyboards), Anton Fig (Drums) and Russ Irwin (Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals).

Tracklisting:

"Beck's Bolero" / "Rice Pudding"
"Mainline Florida"
"Boogie With Stu"
"Let Me Love You Baby"
"Plynth (Water Down The Drain)"
"Spanish Boots"
"Double Crossing Time"
"Motherless"
"SWLABR"
"Tea For One" / "I Can't Quit You Baby"
"Little Girl"
"Pretending"
"Black Winter" / "Django"
"How Many More Times"

- Bonus content TBC.

"Spanish Boots" video:

Trailer:

Swedish death metallers Lik have released a video for "Celebration Of The Twisted", featured on their new album Carnage, out on May 4th via Metal Blade.

Says the band: "We wanted to depict just how dark and gloomy Stockholm can be during the long winter we're given here in the north. That sets a mood perfect to write old school death metal. You can say that the inspiration is always just around the corner. The one who knows his or hers Stockholm death metal will rejoice as there's some major landmarks included in this video!"

The video was shot, produced and edited by Niklas Sandin. Watch below:

Pre-order the album here.

Tracklisting:

"To Kill"
"Rid You Of Your Flesh"
"Celebration Of The Twisted"
"Dr Duschanka"
"Left To Die"
"Cannibalistic Infancy"
"Death Cult"
"The Deranged"
"Only Death Is Left Alive"
"Embrace The End"

"Dr Duschanka" video:

"Rid You Of Your Flesh":

Lik has no passage as this entity is devoted to make a permanent mark on those who lay down their souls to rock'n'roll. The possessed souls to carry out the sonics are Tomas Akvik (guitar, vocals), Niklas Sandin (guitar, bass) and Christofer Barkensjo (drums).

(Photo - Michaela Barkensjo)

Marseille, France-based band Venin have released the first video from their debut album La Morsure du Temps. The clip for "La Faute Aux Souvenirs" can be found below.

Venin formed in 1981 and released a fan-favorite EP in 1986, and played a lot gigs in south of France in the late 80s. Then the band split up in 1987. Following calls from their fans, the band reformed in 2015, played some concerts and finally recorded their very first album, La Morsure du Temps, a great heavy metal and hard rock album influenced by NWOBHM bands but also by French bands like Sortilège.

La Morsure du Temps was released in March via Grumpy Mood Records. Get it here.

Tracklisting:

"Trafiquant De Rock"
"Guet-Apens"
"La Morsure Du Temps"
"L’instant"
"La Nuit Des Fous"
"La Faute Aux Souvenirs"
"Les Tourments"
"Souviens-Toi De Moi"
"La Raison Du Plus Fou"

"La Faute Aux Souvenirs" video:

The band will be on tour all year, playing festivals like South Troopers Festival, Pyrenean Warriors Open Air and Vouziers Festival. More on the band here.

Emmure has delivered their most conceptualized and intriguing, yet somewhat disturbing, new music video for the scathing track "Ice Man Confessions", which can be viewed below.

Frankie Palmeri (vocals) states: "I just want to thank all the great people involved with the filming and production of the video. The label, film crew, and actors and were nothing but cool to work with on this. Hopefully our fans look forward to hearing this track on our upcoming headline tour with Counterparts, King 810 and Varials.”

The band will be headlining across North America starting on April 26th with Counterparts, King 810 and Varials as support. Dates below.

April
4/26 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
27 - Berkeley, ca - Cornerstone Berkeley
28 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse
29 - Mesa, AZ - The Nile

May
1 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
2 - Dallas, TX - Trees
3 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
5 - Charlotte, NC - Carolina Rebellion *
6 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
7 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
9 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
10 - Amityville, NY - Revolution
11 - Philadelphia, PA - The TLA
12 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
13 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
15 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
17 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
18 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
19 - Columbus, OH - Rock on the Range *
20 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
22 - Montreal, QC - Fairmount theatre **
23 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club **
24 - London, ON - London music hall **
25 - Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew’s Hall **//
26 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall //

- Emmure only *
- No King 810 **
- No counterparts //

Denver, Colorado-based prog metal architects Source have entered the studio with producer Ulrich Wild (Deftones, Pantera, Dethklok) to record their sophomore album at Colorado Sound Studios. This release is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed debut Return To Nothing, which landed the band support slots with Hellyeah and In Flames across the USA and Canada.

The new effort boasts more complex melodies, guest classical musicians, experimentation, and sonic evolution. Source is carefully crafting this new work to test the boundaries of their own capabilities and beyond.

Producer Ulrich Wild shares his thoughts on the experience. "I'm excited to spend time in Denver tracking the new Source album. Their wide range of musical influences create a unique mutant form of rock, and it's only fitting to record them where the planes collide with the Rockies."

According to vocalist/guitarist Ben Gleason, "We’re so excited to be in the studio with Ulrich. His mastery is going to take our sound to an entirely new level.” Ben continues, “Our second album is really going to show how much we’ve grown musically and as individuals. This record is about choosing to be yourself no matter the consequences.”

A late summer/early fall release is anticipated, as well as a heavy touring schedule. Check out footage from the studio below:

Greek occult black metallers with ritual & 70's rock influences, Acherontas, are streaming the third single from their upcoming album Faustian Ethos, due out on May 18th in Europe and May 25th in North America via Agonia Records. Listen to "The Alchemists Of The Radiant Sepulchre" below.

Acherontas stands at the forefront of the new wave of Greek black/occult metal scene, with strong dedication to spirituality, mysticism and magic, in both sound and image. As such, it is considered by its members as an otherworldly project; a medium, where Hellenic metal meets eastern philosophy and retro rock.

The band commented: "Faustian Ethos... a sacrament of Devil's Art and Magic. The Coven of Acherontas enters the indisputable paths of the unspeakable to transgress the Infallible traditions beyond the mundane perception. Originally crafted during the procreation of 'Amarta', the material of 'Faustian Ethos' was chosen to become a separate entity, following a different musical and ideological approach. Eight offerings to the great and everlasting Work, eight Keys to the deepest layers of the Abyss. Exploring multiple crossroads, the Coven return to the Western path, two years after the Union release with Nastrond. Art, religion and philosophy blend within the spectre of straight-edged and razor-sharp black metal, devoid of ornamental elements, reaching the very core of irredeemable Black Magical, Devilish Art. The most intense, profound and apocryphal chapter of the musical/magickal "Ma-Ion" trilogy is taking form and, like a final element, completes the alchemy of this esoteric work. Rooted deeply into the substantial core of our tradition, it invokes the Faustian spirit once again, as the Sun sets into the ruins of modernity. The triangle shall be crowned with an oak wreath and the cycle shall be completed, yet for another one to begin."

Agonia Records label manager commented: "It’s certainly the best album recoded by Acherontas so far. It’s actually one of the best Black Metal albums I have heard in years! The spirit of 90's is alive."

The follow-up to Amarta अमर्त (2017) was recorded in three different studios in Greece, UK and Germany between 2016 and 2017 with mixing and mastering done at Pentagram Studio by George Emmanuel (Rotting Christ, Lucifer's Child). The cover artwork was created by George Zafiriadis (www.occulticons.com) and the "Faustian Ethos" sigil was illustrated by VisionBlack.

Tracklisting:

"Τhe Fall Of The First Pillar"
"Sorcery And The Apeiron"
"Aeonic Alchemy (Act i)"
"Faustian Ethos"
"The Old Tree And The Wise Man"
"The Alchemists Of The Radiant Sepulchre (Act ii)"
"Decline Of The West (O  Ιερεας και ο Ταφος)"
"Vita Nuova"

"The Alchemists Of The Radiant Sepulchre":

"Sorcery And The Apeiron" lyric video:

"The Old Tree And The Wise Man":

"Faustian Ethos" album formats:

- Digipack CD with 16 pages booklet
- Black LP (inc. A5, 16 pages booklet and A2 poster)
- Red with black haze LP (inc. A5, 16 pages booklet and A2 poster)
- Black and gray T-Shirt
- Zipper Hoodie
- Digital

Pre-order the album here.

Lineup:
Acherontas V. Priest - vocals, guitars
Saevus H - guitars
Hierophant - bass
Indra - guitars
T.J.F. Valley - drums

God Is An Astronaut are streaming their new album Epitaph ahead of it's official release this Friday, April 27th via Napalm Records. Listen to the album below, and pre-order here.

Intense rock instrumentation, ethereal and emotional soundscapes by ambient instrumental band God Is An Astronaut await! Since forming 16 years ago, the Irish trio has reigned as one of the premier instrumental groups. Their new album will move you deeply.

Epitaph tracklisting:

"Epitaph"
"Mortal Coil"
"Winter Dusk/Awakening"
"Seance Room"
"Komorebi"
"Medea"
"Oisín"

Album stream:

"Komorebi" video:

"Epitaph" video:

Teaser:

Catch God Is An Astronaut live all over Europe in April & May with special guests Xenon Field.

Tour dates:
    
April
28 - Antwerp, Belgium - Zappa
29 - Cologne, Germany - Gebaude 9
30 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Theater

May
1 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
3 - Wien, Austria - Szene
4 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
5 - Milan, Italy - Fabrique
6 - Bologna, Italy - Estragon
7 - Rome, Italy - Orion
9 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
10 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
12 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
13 - Paris, France - Trabendo
14 - Colmar, France - Grillen
15 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Pandora
17 - London, UK - Electric Brixton
18 - Glasgow, UK - Classic Grand
20 - Manchester, UK - Club Academy

Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN are working on material for the follow-up to 2016's "Moonbathers" album. "We're writing," keyboardist Martijn Westerholt told Heavy New York before a recent concert on the band's North American tour as the support act for KAMELOT (see video below). "Right now, we're not, because we're touring the U.S. and Canada, of course. But when we're back [from the road], we will continue writing. It's a little bit quiet on purpose, because we wanna focus on writing. And the plan is to release [the new album] next year, so let's hope it works out."

Last year, Westerholt told music journalist Joel Gausten that DELAIN would spend most of 2018 away from the road as the band works on its next disc. He also confirmed that DELAIN's next album will mark the first time guitarist Merel Bechtold will be involved with one of the band's full-length recordings from the start of the creative process. "That's true, but in our case, it's never a big issue," he said. "To be frank, [singer] Charlotte [Wessels], [studio collaborator] Guus [Eikens] and I already do everything, and we do try — and are very open — to welcome band members to participate on it. But this train is rolling with or without them — preferably with them. But for us, it's not a big issue. We do like to have them involved and stimulate that. For example, Timo [Somers, guitar] did a lot of guitar arrangement on our previous album. I don't think people will hear a big difference. With all due respect to Merel — because she's great — it's not the way DELAIN works, so to say. But I do hope that she will contribute, and she surely has the talent for it. She's very creative, so let's see what happens."

DELAIN spent much of 2016 and 2017 celebrating its tenth anniversary — from the release of "Moonbathers" and an anniversary edition of its debut disc, "Lucidity", to extensive headline tours across Europe and North America to gracing some of the world's biggest festival stages — and capped it off with the release of its first-ever live DVD/Blu-ray package.


Last fall, DELAIN completed the "Danse Macabre" tour, featuring special guest and frequent collaborator Marco Hietala from NIGHTWISH on all dates.

THE OFFSPRING lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman has once again confirmed that the band is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited tenth studio album — three years after releasing a single called "Coming For You". Speaking to Q103's Candace, he said (hear audio below): "The record is almost done — legitimately almost done. I think we have 10 songs done and a couple of more we're working… just writing lyrics for. And then we might do one or two more on top of that.

As for when fans can expect to see the new OFFSPRING record released, Noodles said: "It looks like it's gonna be fall. We were hoping to have it out this summer. I was recently informed it looks more like fall now."

According to Noodles, fans may get a chance to hear a new OFFSPRING track during the band's live shows this summer.

"We've got one of the new songs already ready to go," he said. "It's one of the upbeat ones. The working title is 'Ripping'. So it kind of gives you an idea of what the song is about. And I think that we'll be playing that over the summer."

THE OFFSPRING and 311 will team up for the "Never-Ending Summer Tour" with special guests GYM CLASS HEROES. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will kick off July 25 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California and hit 29 cities across North America before wrapping September 9 in Wichita, Kansas.

THE OFFSPRING issued its Bob Rock-produced ninth album, "Days Go By", in 2012. It spent 2014 on the road promoting the 20th anniversary of its breakout album, "Smash", by performing the disc in its entirety at a number of shows.

In April 2017, THE OFFSPRING played its 1992 album "Ignition" in full at a benefit show in Berkeley, California, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of 924 Gilman, a nonprofit music and art community space.

Photo credit: Sam Jones / MSO PR

Joe Perry — legendary guitarist, co-founding member, principal songwriter and co-producer of AEROSMITH — played the last of three shows in support of his recently released "Sweetzerland Manifesto" solo album on April 20 at Borgata Music Box in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Billed as "Joe Perry And Friends", the concert saw Joe joined by his AEROSMITH bandmate Brad Whitford with Gary Cherone of EXTREME taking on the lead vocals and Dizzy Reed of GUNS N' ROSES playing keyboards.

Joe and the band performed various songs from "Sweetzerland Manifesto" (via his Roman Records imprint, distributed worldwide by Amped Distribution), along with material from his previous solo works and some AEROSMITH hits.

The album marks Joe's sixth solo album and is comprised of 10 new tracks all written or co-written by Joe (many with the album's guest vocalists), except for a cover of "Eve Of Destruction" with Joe on lead vocals and Johnny Depp on drums. The album features guest appearances from a long list of Joe's friends, colleagues and rock and roll icons.

Highlights include "Aye, Aye, Aye", which Joe co-wrote with the track's vocalist Robin Zander, and three collaborations with David Johansen, who sings "I Wanna Roll", "Haberdasher Blues" and "I'm Going Crazy", plus as many co-writes with Terry Reid whose lead vocals light up "I'll Do Happiness" (with Zak Starkey on drums), "Sick & Tired" and "Won't Let Me Go".

SHAMAN'S HARVEST is back with the brand new video for "The Devil In Our Wake". The track comes off the band's latest album, "Red Hands Black Deeds", which was released last year via Mascot Records. Produced by Keith Armstrong, the disc pre-meditatively took on a more organic approach, utilising vintage gear.


Talking about the song, singer Nathan Hunt offers: "'The Devil In Our Wake' tackles the topic of war. I'd go to bed with CNN on to some bullshit at the White House, or the heartbreaking situation in Syria. I'd see what's going on in the world and think, 'Shit, how did we get so divisive?'"


"Red Hands Black Deeds" is a darker, visceral, and more layered sound than past repertoire. The album ranges from the ominous, haunting vibes of the title track prelude, "A Longer View", "The Devil In Our Wake" and "Scavengers" — which could fit just as easily on a horror film soundtrack as it does on this rock band's album — to quieter, more vulnerable moments as heard on "Tusk And Bone" and "Long Way Home". Lyrically, the band also ventured into new territory, taking on the current political, social, and economic struggles the USA is facing as a nation under the new administration. "'Red Hands Black Deeds' touches upon the darker nature inside all of us," says Hunt. "The whole record has a contrast and push and pull tension — a juxtaposition of good and bad or questioning what is right and wrong. The record ended up having a concept, though we weren't intending it to," says Hunt.


SHAMAN'S HARVEST's Mascot Records debut, "Smokin' Hearts & Broken Guns", in 2014, garnered more than 33 million streams. The album's "In Chains" peaked at #11 on the Mediabase chart after a run of 22 weeks at Active Rock radio. It also spent over four months in the Top 10 of iTunes Metal Songs chart. The song's video has more than 3 million views on YouTube, while the band has a cumulative 8 million YouTube views.

New York hardcore veterans MADBALL will release their new album, "For The Cause", on June 15 via Nuclear Blast.

The first trailer for the disc can be seen below.

Commented singer Freddy Cricien: "We are beyond excited to finally drop 'For The Cause'. To say we're happy with the end result of all that we put into this is an understatement. This record accurately defines the current state of our band... our sound, our state of mind, our ambitions, our flaws and our attitude!"

The follow-up to 2014's "Hardcore Lives", "For The Cause" was co-produced by Tim Armstrong (RANCID), who is also featured on one song on the album. It was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Tue Madsen (MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL) at Antfarm Studios in Denmark. Former MADBALL guitarist Matt Henderson laid down the guitar tracks in the studio, but will not join the group on tour.

Commented MADBALL singer Freddy Cricien: "Tim and us go way back. He's an old friend and super-talented guy... across the board! A legend in his own right. He invited us to come record with him and it all fell into place very organically. He's respected our band from day one and was excited to be a part of this. We're honored to have him on board."

Bass player Hoya Roc stated: "We got a real good album. It feels like the movie 'Pulp Fiction'. We've got every style of hardcore in there. It feels like we've got something special."

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

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

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

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

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

Electronic rockers ORGY have been consistently releasing addictive EDM-influenced singles for the better part of the last decade, and their newest super single, "Army To Your Party", featuring buzzworthy rapper Crichy Crich, is no exception.


Listen to a sample of "Army To Your Party" below.


"Army To Your Party" can be pre-ordered now via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play, and will be officially released on May 11. The single is being released as part of an EP featuring three full volume mastered mixes of the track, including a radio edit, instrumental, and a cappella, as well as three dynamic mastered mixes in the same versions. The former are engineered for singers and for karaoke, and the latter for streaming, blogs, DJs and remix engineers to use in live setlists and remixes.


"Army To Your Party" is taken from the upcoming ORGY album, titled "#newmusic". The track was mixed by Jay Baumgardner of NRG Recording Studios, and is a full collaboration written by ORGY, Sullivan King and Crichy Crich. The single will be performed live in West Hollywood, California at the Whisky A Go Go on the release date, May 11, and on ORGY's upcoming tour.

Along with the release of "Army To Your Party", ORGY is pleased to welcome new drummer Raanen Bozzio to the band. Raanen has always been surrounded by music, as he is the son of drumming legend Terry Bozzio from MISSING PERSONS and former Capitol Records A&R rep EV Bozzio. Over the years, Raanen has toured as direct support for the likes of CYPRESS HILL, WEDNESDAY 13, PERIPHERY, WEEDEATER and THE MEMORIALS.

"'Army To Your Party' is the super single release for the upcoming '#newmusic' ORGY record, which we'll tell our fans more about very soon," says ORGY mastermind Jay Gordon. "'Army To Your Party' features a guest appearance by the homie Crichy Crich, who is sick and gritty, so I know people will appreciate his contribution to the track. We're thrilled to also have the track be part of the new 'MX vs ATV All Out' video game, and to have our new drummer, Raanen Bozzio (son of my favorite drummer of all time Terry Bozzio), join the ORGY fold! Lots of exciting things happening in the world of ORGY right now."


"Lyrically, 'Army To Your Party' wreaks havoc on pointless cliques and Energy Vamps, as I often to refer to them by," adds Gordon. "Those are people who just have to rain on your parade and complain about everything just for the sake of complaining, yet offer nothing themselves."


"#newmusic" and "Army For Your Party" are being released via the partnership of D1 Music and Pacific Rising Entertainment, a new company started by longtime ORGY fan Adrian Stinson that aims to assist artists in making their vision come true, whether they are already an internationally known touring act or just getting their feet wet in the music industry.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist Daron Malakian's long-dormant side project, SCARS ON BROADWAY, has release a brand new single and video. The track, titled "Lives", marks the first new music from SCARS since the song "Fucking" came out in 2010. The band itself, now rebranded DARON MALAKIAN AND SCARS ON BROADWAY, has undergone a complete overhaul, with none of the members from the group's 2008 debut — including SYSTEM drummer John Dolmayan — appearing on the new song.

Malakian explained the personnel changes in an online post, saying: "Nobody quit. When I first started SCARS, I always said that it would be different lineups from album to album. Depends on the type of direction I want to take. Different musicians work for different styles. That is partly why I added my name in front of the band's."

"Lives" is taken from DARON MALAKIAN AND SCARS ON BROADWAY's upcoming album, "Dictator", which will be released on July 20. The disc was recorded in 2012 but has remained unreleased — until now.

"I recorded the album, and then around that time, SYSTEM started playing live again," Daron told Rolling Stone. "So every time we'd play live, there'd be conversations like, 'Maybe we'll do an album.' So being the guy who wrote the majority of almost all the SYSTEM songs in the past, I was, like, 'All right, let me see what's happening with it. Let me hold on to these songs and let me see how this develops.' We talked about it and we weren't all on the same page. Not everybody was into the idea. But every time we played live, it kept coming up.

"I just got to the point now where a lot of people were asking about the SCARS album — I hear it all the time — so I was. like, 'I'm gonna put this album out.' Not knowing what's happening with SYSTEM has kept me from putting my own stuff out. Too much time has passed, and I'm really excited to finally get some music out finally."

Daron also confirmed that everything on the album is from 2012. "Yeah," he said. "I played everything on it. I went into the studio and recorded an album in less than 10 days. I played all the instruments — the drums, everything — and I've just been sitting on it for six years. [Laughs]"

According to Daron, SYSTEM OF A DOWN has not abandoned the idea of making a new album. "But as of right now, not everyone is on the same page," he said. "Trust me, man, I'm probably the biggest SYSTEM OF A DOWN fan in the world. I mean, I named the band. [Laughs] So I'd like to see something like that happen.

"But we're all friends," he continued. "We all still go out. We play the songs live. We enjoy it. But doing an album is a totally different thing than playing the songs we already have live. It takes a little bit more togetherness, a little bit more commitment from everybody, and I'm not sure everybody is ready to commit to that right now. And it is what it is, man. I can't force anybody to do anything they don't want to. But with that said, our relationship as friends, and even as a band, is healthy. It's respectful, and we support each other with anything each one of us does on our own. It's not one of those things where there is bad blood and I can't be in the room with that guy. It really comes down to where each person is in his life and not everybody is ready to commit the same way I might be."

SCARS ON BROADWAY has just the one LP to its credit so far and last performed in 2012 as the opening act for DEFTONES in Los Angeles.

The group has only played live sporadically over the years: a headlining trek in 2008 was canceled, with Malakian citing his lack of enthusiasm and "his heart not being into touring" as the chief reasons behind the decision.

The guitarist later explained that he thought it was "almost too soon" for him to go on the road after SYSTEM OF A DOWN went on hiatus in 2006, also citing issues in his personal life that "made it impossible" for him to tour.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN, which has toured intermittently since ending its hiatus in 2011, has some shows coming up this spring but has not released new music in 12 years.

Following is a heads up from the Metallica camp:

"Hamburg! A professionally mixed live audio recording of the March 29th show at Barclaycard Arena is available now on CD or as a digital download. Relive the show today!"

The setlist on the night was as follows:

"Hardwired"
"Atlas, Rise!"
"Seek & Destroy"
"The Four Horsemen"
"The Unforgiven"
"Now That We're Dead" (with extended middle drum solo with all members of the band)
"Dream No More"
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
"Halo on Fire" (followed by Kirk & Rob's solos incl. "Into The Arena/Rock Bottom" and "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth")
"Die, Die My Darling" (Misfits cover)
"Fuel"
"Moth Into Flame"
"Sad But True"
"One"
"Master of Puppets"

Encore:
"Spit Out the Bone"
"Nothing Else Matters"
"Enter Sandman"

British rockers PRAYING MANTIS will release their 11th studio album, "Gravity", on May 11 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The official music video for the disc's opening track, "Keep It Alive", can be seen below.

"Gravity" track listing:

01. Keep It Alive

02. Mantis Anthem

03. Time Can Heal

04. 39 Years

05. Gravity

06. Ghosts Of The Past

07. Destiny In Motion

08. The Last Summer

09. Foreign Affair

10. Shadow Of Love

11. Final Destination

After the positive response given to to the band's last studio release, 2015's "Legacy", the new record sees PRAYING MANTIS return with another inspired, take-no-prisoners set.

The album also sees MANTIS retain the same lineup, with John Cuijpers (vocals) and Hans In't Zandt (drums) again contributing to the songwriting process. Alongside founding members Tino Troy, Chris Troy and Andy Burgess, they have not only helped in the writing of the songs, but also in providing a new dimension in terms of sound engineering and overall production.

One of the most influential and well-known sleeve artists in the rock field, Rodney Matthews (MAGNUM, DIAMOND HEAD, ALLEN/LANDE), has been commissioned to design the artwork for "Gravity" in the same style and stunning quality that so many fans loved on MANTIS albums such as "Time Tells No Lies", "Predator In Disguise" and the aforementioned "Legacy".

PRAYING MANTIS was formed by brothers Tino and Chris Troy in 1973 and together with bands like IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, SAXON, and others they spearheaded the NWOBHM movement. While they did not see the same dizzying heights of success as some of their contemporaries, PRAYING MANTIS nonetheless became one of the most influential bands of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). The band has remained active over the years and still record and play live regularly.


PRAYING MANTIS will perform at the annual Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, Italy on April 28.

PRAYING MANTIS is:

John Cuijpers: lead vocals

Tino Troy: guitars & vocals

Chris Troy: bass & vocals

Andy Burgess: guitars & vocals

Hans In't Zandt: drums

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST have commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2017's "Bringer Of Pain" album. "We started in the beginning of this year, doing the demos," singer Noora Louhimo told Antihero Magazine during a recent interview (see video below). "And when we get back [from the road], we continue doing the new album. So it's gonna be out next year."

Asked what fans can expect to hear on the next BATTLE BEAST disc, Noora said: "I don't wanna say anything too much revealing, but a hundred percent heavy metal. [Laughs]"

BATTLE BEAST's fourth album, "Bringer Of Pain", was released in February 2017 via Nuclear Blast Records. The ten-track disc was recorded and produced at JKB Studios by keyboardist Janne Björkroth, was mixed by Björkroth alongside Viktor Gullichsen and Mikko Karmila, and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The cover artwork was crafted by Jan Yrlund.

"Bringer Of Pain" was BATTLE BEAST's first album to feature guitarist Joona Björkroth, who joined the band in 2015.

BATTLE BEAST in February 2015 parted ways with lead guitarist and main songwriter Anton Kabanen due to "insurmountable disagreements" with the other members of the band.

Marilyn Manson made a special guest appearance at Coachella Saturday night, April 21. The shock-rocker joined Yoshiki of Japanese superstars X JAPAN during their second set of the festival for a performance of EURYTHMICS' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", a song which Manson covered back in 1994 on his "Smells Like Children" album.

In an interview with L.A. Weekly, Yoshiki said of Manson, "He's been an amazing friend of mine. So we talked about him showing up at Coachella and he said, 'I'd be happy to.' He's just a very sweet person and he kindly tries to support X JAPAN — or support me. That's wonderful." Yoshiki went on to describe Manson as "very inspirational."

X JAPAN made its Coachella debut last weekend, playing a set that featured guest spots from Wes Borland of LIMP BIZKIT, Richard Fortus of GUNS N' ROSES and Miya of MUCC, along with holograms of X JAPAN's deceased members, bassist Taiji (who died in 2011) and guitarist Hide (who passed away in 1998).

X JAPAN is the most successful rock group in Japanese history. Led by composer, drummer, and pianist Yoshiki, the band has sold more than 30 million albums, singles, and videos combined, sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times. X JAPAN has also headlined major international stages such as London's Wembley Arena and New York City's Madison Square Garden.

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing the song "One" on April 11 at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland and a cover of the DIAMOND HEAD classic "Am I Evil?" on April 9 at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, Germany can be seen below.

METALLICA has played 16 shows in Europe since early February and has another eight dates booked between now and mid-May.

METALLICA recently announced the details of the 2018-2019 North American leg of of its "WorldWired" tour in support of the band's latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct".

The 34-date trek kicks off September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin and runs through March 13 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each ticket purchase will be accompanied by a physical or digital copy of "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct".

METALLICA's "WorldWired" trek was the fifth-highest grossing tour of 2017, with 1.5 million tickets sold and $153 million earned. The band was also the top-selling rock act of the year and had the third best-selling rock album.

Swedish melodic metallers AMARANTHE recently entered Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, EPICA, DELAIN) to begin recording their fifth album, due later in the year. The follow-up to 2016's "Maximalism" will mark the band's first release with DYNAZTY's Nils Molin, who officially joined AMARANTHE in July 2017 as the replacement for Jake E.

A short video clip of Molin laying down vocals for the new AMARANTHE disc can be seen below.

Having previously used Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye from the band SMASH INTO PIECES as a stand-in for Jake on some of the shows in 2016 and in early 2017, AMARANTHE recruited Molin for three Swedish concerts in March 2017 and he has been part of the group's live appearances ever since.

Jake E announced his departure from AMARANTHE in February 2017, explaining at the time that he began to feel that "my place both on the albums and live was reduced; I felt like I was superfluous… I started to feel more like a backing singer." He has since launched a new band called CYHRA with former IN FLAMES members Peter Iwers (bass) and Jesper Strömblad (guitar) alongside LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY drummer Alex Landenburg.

In a 2016 interview with CrypticRock.com, AMARANTHE singer Elize Ryd said that the recording process for "Maximalism" was "a little different from the previous ones because we actually had time to sit down and think a lot about how we could make some changes in the sound without changing too much, of course. We were playing around a lot with new keyboards and worked on a list of things that we like that we had not used yet on the previous albums. This was an opportunity for us to get a little bit more diverse. I think that is exactly what this album represents. We wanted to maximize our sound and ourselves as human beings. It is also a little bit more organic."

Mr. Nils Molin is officially recording for Amaranthe for the first time! Goosebumps galore! #ama2018 #AMA5Posted by Amaranthe on Friday, April 20, 2018

Indian heavy metal band Against Evil first enthralled listeners when they released their debut, Fatal Assault, on the Indian sub-label of Transcending Obscurity. Three years later, they conjure up enough material to release their debut full length titled All Hail The King, which includes their song "Stand Up And Fight!", whose official video went viral in India. The new album features a guest appearance by Arch Enemy guitarist Jeff Loomis, who delivers a solo on the track "Sentenced To Death". The official video for the song, including an appearance by Loomis, can be viewed below.  

All Hail the King was released independently on April 6th. It is available via the Bandcamp widget below. 

All Hail the King (Heavy Metal) by AGAINST EVIL (India)

The complete tracklist is as follows:

"Enemy At The Gates"
"The Army Of Four"
"All Hail The King"
"Stand Up and Fight!"
"Sentenced To Death" (feat. Jeff Loomis)
"Bad Luck" 
"We Won't Stop" 
"Gods of Metal"
"Mean Machine"

SLEEP has just released its first full-length album of new recordings since 1998. Years after the release of "Volume One" in 1991, "Holy Mountain" in 1992 and "Dopesmoker" in 2003, the sonic titans reaffirm their place at the top of the riff pyramid with this brand-new double album, "The Sciences", available on Jack White's Third Man Records.

Words elude us to describe this masterpiece, we recommend you listen immediately. "The Sciences" is available now everywhere one can listen to music in 2018, and physically in stores hand-selected by the band as a limited-edition split-colored LP with an alternate cover. A standard edition of the album is also available to order now.

"The Sciences" track list:

01. The Sciences

02. Marijuanaut's Theme

03. Sonic Titan

04. Giza Butler

05. Antarcticans Thawed

06. The Botanist

In 2014, SLEEP released "The Clarity", its first new song since "Dopesmoker", as part of the Adult Swim Singles Program. In an interview with NPR at the time, the band stated: "SLEEP has been sporadically writing riffs for a while now.... There is no preconceived idea of what the new material should be. It would be an amalgamated effort of decades of riff immersion."

"Dopesmoker" first surfaced in edited form in 1999, chopped into nine tracks and released under the title "Jerusalem". In proper form, the album, composed over four years, is meant to be heard as a single, hour-long track.

SLEEP disbanded following the release of "Dopesmoker", but reunited in 2009. The trio has toured sporadically since, with Jason Roeder replacing original drummer Chris Hakius.



Limited edition cover art:



Standard edition cover art:

KING'S X frontman Doug "Dug" Pinnick will release "Tribute To Jimi (Often Imitated But Never Duplicated)", a tribute album to the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, on May 18 via Rat Pak Records.

"Tribute To Jimi" was recorded at Blacksound Studios in Pasadena, California and was co-produced by Pinnick and Michael Parnin and mastered by Kurdt Vanderhoof of METAL CHURCH.

About the release, Doug states: "I've been wanting to do this for a long time, so when Joe at Rat Pak Records brought the idea up to me, I couldn't wait to get started! We wanted to recreate the analog recording process as closely to the original recordings as possible, so we did our research and tried to use as many of the original effects and equipment that we could find. I'm very happy with how this turned out and I hope everyone enjoys listening to this music as much as I enjoyed recording it in memory of Jimi Hendrix."

The album is available in various configurations at this location.

"Tribute To Jimi (Often Imitated But Never Duplicated)" track listing:

01. Are You Experienced

02. Crosstown Traffic

03. Fire

04. If 6 Was 9

05. Purple Haze

06. Up From The Skies

07. All Along The Watchtower

08. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Recording lineup:

* Doug Pinnick: vocals, rhythm guitars, bass, piano, percussion, kazoo, combs and foot-stomps

* Mike Hansen: drums and percussion

* Tracey "Spacey T" Singleton: lead and acoustic guitar

* Tommy Baldwin: additional lead guitar, background vocals

* Mike Farrell: keyboards

* Reinhold Schwarzwald: saxophone

British rockers ORANGE GOBLIN will release their new album, "The Wolf Bites Back", on June 15 via Candlelight Records.

The disc's opening track, "Sons Of Salem", can be streamed below.

Vocalist Ben Ward comments: "'Sons Of Salem' is the first track on the album and we consider it an ORANGE GOBLIN anthem. We see this song being a staple of the live set with the singalong chorus and the awesome, catchy riff. A mean and moody intro to the album that sets the tone throughout, it's short, sweet and straight to the point. The lyrics are about the sons of the Salem witches returning from the grave to seek vengeance on the religious fools that murdered their mothers during the witch trials."


The album artwork, created by Roland Scriver, is exactly what the band had in mind when they all agreed on the album title. Ward adds: "We wanted something dark, menacing, striking and memorable all at once and we feel that Roland has certainly delivered that. We think it has the look of an iconic cover, one that you will recognise for years to come and one that perfectly represents the music on the record. The wolf is such an amazing beast. The wolf is predatory, vicious and a merciless hunter but at the same time so determined, smart, cunning and beautiful and the portrayal of the wolf about to strike on the cover is a great representation of the way we felt when writing this album."


Recorded at Orgone Studios in rural Bedfordshire with esteemed underground guru Jaime "Gomez" Arellano (GHOST, GRAVE PLEASURES, PARADISE LOST, CATHEDRAL) at the controls, the new opus comes adorned with a raw but crystalline sound that has maximized ORANGE GOBLIN's extraordinary eight-legged chemistry.

Ward states: "Gomez has a very new, custom-built studio in a really remote part of the English countryside so there are zero distractions and we were totally focused on the job at hand. We gave ourselves plenty of time so the vibe was relaxed and almost experimental. We were trying out new sounds and working with equipment and instruments that we may not have considered in the past. Gomez was like a fifth member of the band, constantly making useful suggestions. I think that the band's playing and songwriting on this album are the best they've ever been. It's a huge wall of sound and Gomez has recorded and mixed it perfectly."

"Lost Boys", the new video from DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey, can be seen below. The track is taken from Airey's upcoming solo album, "One Of A Kind", which will be released on May 25 via earMUSIC as 2CD (including a bonus live CD) as well as on vinyl and digitally.

It is hard to find a name amongst all those that over the last 30 years have left their mark in the history of rock that has not utilized Don's keyboard skills at some point. The list includes OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE, JUDAS PRIEST, Gary Moore, Brian May, JETHRO TULL, BLACK SABBATH and, obviously, DEEP PURPLE, the band of which Airey has been a full-time member for over 15 years.

But Airey has never been a session player. Bands and artists work with him for his unique musical vision, for the twist he gives to songs. It is with the same passion, the same energy, the same talent that Don Airey approaches his very own songwriting.

"One Of A Kind" is a true classic hard rock gem with melodies, great riffs and solos and a unique band unity. To top it all, his new solo album has been written and recorded using the spirit of a band featuring the following talented musicians: Carl Sentance (from the current lineup of British legends NAZARETH) is a singer that all fans of metal voices like those of Rob Halford and Graham Bonnet will love; bassist Laurence Cottle, who has played with everyone from BLACK SABBATH to Gary Moore to Chick Corea, forges a great rhythm section with the thunderous talent of Jon Finnigan, apparently as loud on stage as he is at the after show parties. Last but definitely not least, there is the incredible talent of Simon McBride, who has no fear of being compared to the many incredible guitar players Don has worked with before.

"One Of A Kind" is one song after the other for the delight of every hard rock fan, who would be making a big mistake were they to overlook this album.

It is not difficult to see Don Airey playing one day with DEEP PURPLE in front of 15,000 people, and the next day, playing the organ in the church of his beloved local village with the same concentration and respect for the music and the audience.

It is with the same spirit that Don shows no discernible effort moving from the glories of the last two DEEP PURPLE albums ("Now What?!" and "InFinite" both having benefitted from his ever present talent) to playing in clubs with his own band. And always with a big smile on his face as soon as the guitar roars in, waiting to reply with his Hammond.

"One Of A Kind" track listing:

01. Respect

02. All Out Of Line

03. One Of A Kind

04. Everytime I See Your Face

05. Victim Of Pain

06. Running Free

07. Lost Boys

08. Need You So Bad

09. Children Of The Sun

10. Remember To Call

11. Stay The Night

Bonus CD (Recorded live at Fabrik, Hamburg on March 14, 2017):

01. Pictures Of Home (originally by DEEP PURPLE)

02. Since You've Been Gone (originally by RAINBOW)

03. I Surrender (originally by RAINBOW)

04. Still Got The Blues (originally by GARY MOORE)

Veteran Los Angeles hard rockers AUTOGRAPH have released the video for their new single, "Every Generation". Directed by Paul Gervasi, the clip was filmed on location in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Every Generation" is taken from AUTOGRAPH's latest album, "Get Off Your Ass", which was released last October via EMP Label Group, the U.S.-based label of MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson.

"Get Off Your Ass" is the first official studio LP from the revamped quartet, featuring original/founding members guitarist Steve Lynch and bassist Randy Rand, alongside new vocalist/rhythm guitarist Simon Daniels (JAILHOUSE), and drummer Marc Wieland. The first single, "Get Off Your Ass", reached the Top 10 on the Mediabase Classic Rock charts, with repeated airplay on nationally syndicated shows, including "Nights With Alice Cooper".

AUTOGRAPH made an appearance on the 2018 Monsters Of Rock cruise and continues to tour through 2018 supporting "Get Off Your Ass", with announced shows with NIGHT RANGER, SKID ROW, KIX, SLAUGHTER, and more.

"Get Off Your Ass" features an updated, hard-edged (and keyboard-free) sound for AUTOGRAPH, including down-tuned guitars and the fiery, blues-soaked delivery of Daniels, as evidenced on tracks like "Every Generation", "I Lost My Mind In America", and the first single, edgy title track, "Get Off Your Ass". The album also features an updated live version of the band's classic rock staple "Turn Up The Radio", performed by the current lineup.

Formed in 1983, AUTOGRAPH gave the world the perpetual rock anthem "Turn Up The Radio", which still commands nearly constant airplay on classic rock stations around the world, and has become an iconic piece of pop culture, making appearances in mass media classics like "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City", and more recently in the film "Hot Tub Time Machine".

With seminal albums "Sign In Please" (1984), "That's The Stuff" (1985) and "Loud And Clear" (1987), as well as years of touring alongside legendary artists including MÖTLEY CRÜE, DIO, VAN HALEN and AEROSMITH, AUTOGRAPH left an ever-lasting imprint on rock 'n' roll.

"Blood And Leather", the new video from IRON ANGEL, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Hellbound", which will be released on May 4 through Scandinavia's premiere metal-rock label Mighty Music.

IRON ANGEL is one of the true cult legends of the German speed metal genre. Formed in the Hamburg-area back in 1980 and known for two classic eighties metal album "Hellish Crossfire" from 1985 and "Winds Of War" from 1986 and a reputation as a staggering live band. The band has toured Germany with KING DIAMOND and in recent years has showed it is still a live band to reckon with at festivals like Metal Magic in 2016 and earlier this year at the Headbanger's Open Air in Germany. The band also recently toured South America with big succes.

Now the time has finally come for the long awaited comeback album from the band — the first studio effort in over 30 years!

"Hellbound" track listing:

01. Writing's On The Wall

02. Judgement Day

03. Hell And Back

04. Carnivore Flashmob

05. Blood And Leather

06. Deliverance In Black

07. Waiting For A Miracle

08. Hellbound

09. Purist Of Sin

10. Ministry Of Metal


IRON ANGEL lineup:

Dirk Schröder - vocals

Didy Mackel - bass

Mitsch Meyer - guitars

Robert Altenbach - guitars

Mäx Behr - drums