Kobra And The Lotus kept their word and will soon deliver the second part of their opus magnum one year after the successful release of rock juggernaut Prevail I. Prevail II is the proverbial yang to the yin and continues right where Kobra And The Lotus left off in 2017. The album is set for release on April 27th via Napalm Records. A guitar playthrough for "Losing My Humanity" can be found below.

Says vocalist Kobra Paige about the album: "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 common place for people to give up on themselves and lose their belief in their abilities and self-worth. This in turn affects our daily actions/behaviour. 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."

Pre-order the album here

Tracklisting:

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

"Losing My Humanity" guitar playthrough:

"Losing My Humanity" lyric video:

Kobra And The Lotus vocalist Kobra Paige recently contacted BraveWords with the news that guitarist Ronny Gutierrez, who some people might recognize as the touring guitarist for Soilwork when David Andersson was sidelined, has joined the band.

Kobra: "This guy's positivity is infectious. I feel so grateful that he will be joining the KATL team and I already know he will fit in perfectly alongside Jasio. The two already bonded a year prior at NAMM and I have no doubt that they will compliment each others creativities. He's another killer creative force that I can't wait to incorporate into our sound. We are already in the stages of planning the next album and he will certainly be a part of it. Welcome to the family!"

Ronny: "Alas, the stars have aligned! I’m so thrilled to join the KATL family on their musical journey. The vibes have been really great and I’m incredibly excited for the possibility of an amazing future together.”

(Photo - Nat Enemede Photography)

Original KISS drummer Peter Criss joined his former bandmate Gene Simmons earlier today (Saturday, March 24) at the KISS bassist/vocalist's "Vault Experience" event in New York City.

After being introduced by Gene as "the powerful and the attractive, the original, one and only, Peter Criss," the drummer took the microphone and told the crowd (see video below, courtesy of Mike Brunn): "Hi. It's good to be here. It's good to see you. It's good to be here. I'm feeling great. I had to come and say hi to my bass player from my old band KISS. [Laughs] No. Really, Gene sent me a wonderful invitation; I couldn't resist. And we haven't seen each other since the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame. Out of all the bandmembers, we always had a Twinkie thing going, and way back in the day…" At this point, Simmons chimed in, "He means cake," before Criss continued: "So I had to come in and say hi to him. I do have a big place in my heart for Gene — I always will, out of all the members. So it's good that you came down for him. He loves to be loved, so give him all the love you want, and he'll take it all in. And God bless you all, and thank you so much."

In addition to playing drums in the band, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number KISS's most popular and memorable songs, including "Beth", "Black Diamond" and "Hard Luck Woman".

Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he's worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.

The four original members of KISS were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2014 by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello.

KISS did not perform — the Hall Of Fame wanted the original quartet only to play, while Simmons and Paul Stanley insisted on the current lineup — which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer — performing as well. In the end nobody won that battle.

Criss, who was known as "Catman," released his last solo CD, titled "One for All", in 2007. Peter produced the album himself for the first time, and was joined by guest musicians that included keyboardist Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee of "Late Night with David Letterman". The album featured a range of styles, from rock and jazz to blues and Broadway, and included covers of "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Send in the Clowns".

Gene began personally delivering copies of his new box set, "Gene Simmons - The Vault Experience: 1966-2016", in January.

"Gene Simmons - The Vault Experience: 1966-2016" is a comprehensive box set of Gene's solo material that comes packaged in a safe. The set includes 150 previously unreleased songs spread over 10 discs, a leather-bound photo book, a Gene Simmons action figure, an "In Gene We Trust" gold medallion and a "surprise item."

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has made appearances at a couple of the "Vault Experience" events so far, while ex-KISS axeman Vinnie Vincent is expected to join Simmons on April 14 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Stern Pinball has released a teaser for the IRON MAIDEN "Legacy Of The Beast"-themed pinball machine, due later this year. The short promotional clip below features the IRON MAIDEN logo with the band's classic song "Wasted Years" from 1986's "Somewhere In Time" album as the backing track.

Stern Pinball is the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines.

The IRON MAIDEN game will follow machines Stern created for METALLICA, AEROSMITH, AC/DC and more.

Stern Pinball's highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer, and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise, and accessories. Other recent Stern titles include Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Wars, Batman, Ghostbusters, Game Of Thrones, WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, X-Men, Tron, Transformers and Avatar. All of Stern Pinball's games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern Pinball's expert team. A broad range of players enjoy Stern's games — from professional pinball players that compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.

In 2016, MAIDEN released a free-to-play video game, "Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast", where players battled as the band's undead mascot Eddie across the different worlds of MAIDEN's discography.

AEG has responded to the lawsuit Ozzy Osbourne filed against the concert agency, saying that the company "has always worked hard to put artists first." The BLACK SABBATH singer has alleged that AEG is using a practice called "block-booking" to force him to perform at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against his wishes.

Ozzy had tentatively agreed to perform at London's O2 Arena on February 11, 2019 as part of his "No More Tours 2" farewell run, but he claims that AEG added a provision stating that if Osbourne played an indoor arena within 25 miles of Los Angeles that was promoted by competitor Live Nation during the tour, he would have to play the AEG-owned Staples Center as well.

Osbourne's attorney Daniel Wall with Latham Watkins accuses AEG of being a "monopolist" and trying to force Ozzy to play AEG's venue in Los Angeles in exchange for a London date at the arena.

AEG has now responded to Ozzy's lawsuit, telling Billboard in a statement: "This suit is without merit and we will vigorously fight it. We welcome a closer look at the global live entertainment market and, specifically, our practices and the practices of our competition. AEG has always worked hard to put artists first. At the same time, we must respond to the actions of those we compete with, specifically Live Nation and Madison Square Garden. Fighting for a level playing field is fair competition at its core."

Osbourne wants a judge to invalidate the provision in his contract that forces him to perform at Staples.

Variety reported that AEG's O2/Staples requirement came about in response to a challenge from MSG that found the company refusing to book acts into Madison Square Garden if they played at AEG's Staples Center in Los Angeles instead of the MSG-operated Forum. In response, AEG informed agents and promoters that acts who perform at The Forum instead of Staples will not be booked at London's O2 Arena.

Ozzy's final world tour kicks off this spring with dates in Mexico, South America and Europe, coming to North America in August. It's slated to last until 2020.

According to TMZ, Ozzy Osbourne has filed a lawsuit against AEG, claiming concert agency is "blackmailing" him. The BLACK SABBATH singer has alleged that AEG is using a practice called "block-booking" to force him to perform at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against his wishes.

Ozzy had tentatively agreed to perform at London's O2 Arena on February 11, 2019 as part of his "No More Tours 2" farewell run, but he claims that AEG added a provision stating that if Osbourne played an indoor arena within 25 miles of Los Angeles that was promoted by competitor Live Nation during the tour, he would have to play the AEG-owned Staples Center as well.

Ozzy feels this is effectively a violation of the antitrust laws, which prohibit businesses from gaining a stranglehold on customers.

"Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife and business manager, publicly complained about having to sign the Staples Center Commitment, but AEG would not relent," the complaint reads. "Ozzy commences this action (on his own behalf and for all similarly situated artists) to prohibit AEG from enforcing the Staples Center Commitment, an unlawful tying arrangement that unfairly leverages AEG's dominance in greater London to distort and deter competition in greater Los Angeles."

Osbourne wants a judge to invalidate the provision in his contract that forces him to perform at Staples.

Last month, Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon shared a a fiery letter she sent to AEG in which she condemned the act that would force the rock icon to perform at the Los Angeles venue as part of a deal for a scheduled concert at the O2 Arena.

She wrote: "Shame on AEG for bringing artists into a power struggle you're having with your competitor, Live Nation. I can assure you that Live Nation would never strong-arm an artist into playing a venue they're not comfortable performing in."

AEG Live chairman/CEO Jay Maricano responded, "Dear Sharon, Thank you for your note. Please understand this dispute is between The Forum and Staples Center and we couldn't agree with you more — it should always be the artist's choice. We long for the days when artists and fans came first. PS — The other guys started this first!"

Sharon responded a day later, saying: "This is a staggering attempt to blackmail Ozzy into playing your venue in Los Angeles. It is also a complete abuse of bargaining power and not conducive to a free market."

Sharon threatened legal action against AEG if Ozzy's London date was not confirmed, adding: "I find the way you're conducting yourself and your company to be no more than childish playground tactics. I cannot be involved in a squabble between two venue owning promoters as my interests only lie 100 percent with Ozzy."

Variety reported that AEG's O2/Staples requirement came about in response to a challenge from MSG that found the company refusing to book acts into Madison Square Garden if they played at AEG's Staples Center in Los Angeles instead of the MSG-operated Forum. In response, AEG informed agents and promoters that acts who perform at The Forum instead of Staples will not be booked at London's O2 Arena.

Ozzy's final world tour kicks off this spring with dates in Mexico, South America and Europe, coming to North America in August. It's slated to last until 2020.

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton says that he was "shocked" when he was first diagnosed with the later stages of Parkinson's disease.

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

Speaking to Tim "Hitman" Hartt of 105.7 WAPL about his condition, Tipton said (hear audio below): "It's a weird thing, because I knew something was wrong, but you don't like to admit it to yourself, and maybe delayed getting it diagnosed. And I was sort of shocked when I was eventually diagnosed and they told me that I've had it for over 10 years. And it answered a lot of questions, you know, for me. But... life goes on. There's a lot of people who are suffering, and you've just gotta get on with life and do your best."

Tipton went on to describe Parkinson's as "a pretty cruel disease. It gets you in that way," he said. "Some days you have good days, some days you have bad days, and I suppose the older you get, you get more and more bad days. But it's great to have a goal in life, and my goal in life is to tread water, not sink — swim and just beat it in any way I can. So it's good to have that ambition in life, that goal, something to aim for. And that's how I'm approaching it."

Tipton rejoined his PRIEST bandmates on stage Tuesday night (March 20) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey to perform the concert's three-song encore: "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight". Asked if he is planning on making more live appearances with the group, Glenn told 105.7 WAPL: "I think so, yeah. As long as I'm capable of going on stage and doing my parts and doing it well. I love it — I love to be on stage with PRIEST, and I'll do it for as long as I can."

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

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

Listen to "JUDAS PRIEST" on Spreaker.

Andreas Kisser says that SEPULTURA went through "a chaotic, hellish time" before splitting with frontman Max Cavalera more than two decades ago.

SEPULTURA's most commercially successful period ended in 1996 with the exit of Max after the rest of the band fired his wife Gloria as their manager. His brother, drummer Igor Cavalera, stuck around with the group for another 10 years before leaving SEPULTURA and re-teaming with Max in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

With only Kisser and bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. remaining from the classic SEPULTURA lineup, the band has continued making albums and touring the world amid constant calls from fans for a reunion with the Cavalera brothers.

Although things with Max ended badly, SEPULTURA's 1996 album "Roots" was the peak of the band's success. Asked by Eonmusic if he looks back at that period as a golden time, despite the difficulties, Kisser responded: "In a sense, yes; in the other sense, it was a chaotic, hellish time. SEPULTURA was chaos backstage. Max was not a part of the band anymore, basically. He had his own bus, and after the show he disappeared. We couldn't have the kind of conversation which is so healthy after the show — you know: 'Hey, change here, there. Fucking great show,' you know? [Something that would have taken] five minutes — but so important for us, at least for myself, to keep the show improving, and not take it for granted."

Pressed about whether he thinks SEPULTURA perhaps got too big too fast, Kisser said: "I think it was big the way it was supposed to be, I guess.

"['Roots' is] a great album, [but] we were not prepared to be that big, especially our structure, our management structure," he continued. "That's why we fired our manager; because she couldn't do it. She couldn't organize things, she was only thinking about the singer, and putting him in the most important position, and we were just the back-up band, and that was not SEPULTURA. On stage, and on practice, nobody was there but us, so we could deal with ourselves and play and did what we did.

"'Roots' is a great album, and I'm very proud of it. Working on it was very difficult, but at the same time, we achieved something fantastic there. But it was impossible to deal with anything — to make business, to discuss simple things — and we couldn't really go much further than that."

The current SEPULTURA lineup released its latest studio album, "Machine Messiah", in January 2017 via Nuclear Blast.

Igor and Max have spent much of the last two years celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Roots" by performing the LP in its entirety all over the world.

KORN is working on material for the follow-up to 2016's "The Serenity Of Suffering" album, Jonathan Davis has confirmed. Speaking to Ugly Phil of the Australian radio station Triple M, the singer said: "We're in the process of writing right now. The guys are gonna be here tomorrow. The next day, we're gonna start writing with me over here, hitting our studio in Bakersfield. We're just in the middle of just getting into it, so I don't know what it's gonna turn into. But that's just part of the process — we go through writing and these songs turn into different things, and it's dope. I love it. I'm really excited for it."

KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch told Good Company last year that the band's next disc would likely be "a combination of maybe both ['The Serenity Of Suffering'] and [2013's 'The Paradigm Shift']. We'll try some new stuff though, but we're gonna definitely focus on guitars again."

Welch noted one thing that will be notably different on the next disc, explaining, "Jonathan, he said he's gonna spend more time writing with us this record. 'Cause he just came in — the last two records that I've been back — he came at the last . .. like when we were done."

Welch added: "[Davis] is gonna come in and be involved with the music. So yeah, I think we'll have a good record, an even better record this time around because everybody [is] involved."

"The Serenity Of Suffering" featured a guest appearance by SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor on the song "A Different World".

"The Serenity Of Suffering" marked the second KORN album since the return of Welch.

JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford (vocals), Richie Faulkner (guitar) and Glenn Tipton (guitar) were recently interviewed by BUILD Series. The full conversation can be viewed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):

On the strong first-week sales of the group's new album, "Firepower":

Rob: "We can't get to where we get to, and we certainly couldn't have gotten this far on in doing what we do in metal, without our beautiful metal maniacs, our fans. Everybody's sharing in this moment. It's a big celebration. We thank you so much for giving us this great place in the Billboard charts and all the other places. It's fantastic. It just goes to show you the force and the power and the broad scope that metal still has, and continues to grow and develop. It feels fantastic."

On why the group chose "Lightning Strike" as the album's first single:

Richie: "I think it's a pretty immediate song. As soon as it goes on, it's in your face. It contains all the trademark elements that a PRIEST song does. It's powerful; it's fast; it's got the trademark screams, the trademark harmonies, the trademark guitar solo, drums and bass; so to announce a new record, we couldn't really think of anything better to put out there as the first single."

On opening concerts on their current tour with the title track of "Firepower":

Rob: "We're excited to share this moment of 'Firepower' with as many people as we can on this 'Firepower' world tour that's just started. It made absolute sense for us to kick off the night with the title track from the record. PRIEST has been a working band, as we call ourselves, for almost fifty years now, and whenever we go out, it is to promote our latest release. In this case, it was 'Firepower', and I think in the back of our minds as the record was coming together, we probably felt that this could be the lead-off track for the set each night that we play. It certainly sets the tone for the evening and just transcends into a really special moment."

On choosing to record "Firepower" with both Tom Allom and Andy Sneap:

Richie: "We whittled it down to these two guys. These were two guys who kept coming up, and we couldn't decide. I think it was actually Glenn [Tipton] that one day said, 'Why don't we get them both? Why don't we throw them both in the mix and see how it goes?' It could have gone horribly wrong. They could have trod over each other's toes creatively, or personally, they might not have got on."

On the band's lyrical themes:

Rob: "The longer you live, you should gain some wisdom and some perspective about life, and I think you filter that down in the work that you do. PRIEST has always had this message of solidarity and being united and together, and the messages that we send out, even though the music is extremely fierce and strong and potent and powerful, our messages are always about unity, and they're always about conquering challenges [and] oppressing evil. It's a very strong, positive, optimistic kind of projection that we've sent out pretty much from day one."

On not being voted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame:

Richie: "You define a genre, both musically and visually, and you'd think that's something that's something the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is founded on. I guess not."

Rob: "I think we all believe that eventually, we'll get in there. We would like to get in there while we're still able to perform, because that's part of the ceremony for the induction. The fact that we were even nominated was a thrill, because no matter what your perspective is on the Hall Of Fame, it always creates a little bit of a ripple, a bit of controversy for whatever reason, but the Hall Of Fame is not just rock n' roll — it's all kinds of genres, as it should be. We just want to see some more metal in there. There definitely needs to be some more heavy metal in the halls, so hopefully one day, PRIEST will get that opportunity."

Richie: "To be honest, fifty years into a career, blazing new music and selling out arenas, with the fans around the world, that's what it's about. That's as big an accolade as you can ever get, and it's the fans that put it there. It's thanks to them that the band's been going for fifty years and continues to forge new metal. That's as much of an accolade [as] I think anyone can ever ask for, really."

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

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

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

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SMASHING PUMPKINS founder and frontman Billy Corgan did not mince words about former bassist D'arcy Wretzky in a New York Times interview on Thursday (March 22), saying he has not seen her in 19 years and was horrified she shared their private correspondence about the upcoming PUMPKINS reunion tour online. Corgan explained: "I think what she did demonstrates why she couldn't be involved. I was vulnerable and shared things and trusted that there was a reason to give it a chance, despite plenty of empirical evidence that that was not a wise decision."

Corgan added that the bridge between him and Wretzky — with whom he started rebuilding his friendship two years ago — is now burned "forever." She is not taking part at all in the reunion, which also includes original guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

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

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

The current almost-all-original lineup of the PUMPKINS have been recording on two EPs, with the first of the new music coming in May.

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

Polish black/death overlords BEHEMOTH will release their new DVD/Blu-ray, "Messe Noire", on April 13. The set includes the band's victorious shows in Warsaw, Poland on October 8, 2016 and Brutal Assault 2016 as well as "The Satanist" cinematic archive featuring all official videos associated with the band's globally successful record of the same name.

A performance clip of the song "The Satanist", taken from "Messe Noire", can be seen below.

Commented singer, guitarist and mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski: "'Messe Noire'. Well, that is everything that the BEHEMOTH live magick represents, and we're stoked that we have a true representation on record for everyone out there to enjoy. 'Messe Noire' captures the true intensity of what we do as a band and the energy we share with our fans. This is also an exclamation mark, the perfect way to conclude 'The Satanist' cycle which has been an overwhelming experience and amazing chapter in BEHEMOTH's career and our lives so far! By the release of 'Messe Noire' we would like to hail our legions all around the world for undying support! Now let the art speak..."

"Messe Noire" includes the band's victorious shows in Warsaw, Poland on October 8, 2016 and Brutal Assault 2016 as well as "The Satanist" cinematic archive featuring all official videos associated with the band's globally successful record of the same name.

DVD/Blu-ray track-listing

Live Satanist (Warsaw 2016)

01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

02. Furor Divinus

03. Messe Noire

04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer

05. Amen

06. The Satanist

07. Ben Sahar

08. In The Absence Ov Light

09. O Father O Satan O Sun!

10. Ov Fire And The Void

11. Conquer All

12. Pure Evil And Hate

13. At The Left Hand Ov God

14. Slaves Shall Serve

15. Chant For Ezkaton 2000

Live Assault (Brutal Assault 2016)

16. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

17. Furor Divinus

18. Messe Noire

19. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer

20. Amen

21. The Satanist

22. Ben Sahar

23. In The Absence Ov Light

24. O Father O Satan O Sun!

25. Ov Fire And The Void

26. Conquer All

27. Chant For Ezkaton 2000

"The Satanist" cinematic archive

28. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

29. Messe Noire

30. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer

31. The Satanist

32. Ben Sahar

33. O Father O Satan O Sun!

CD track listing

Live Satanist (Warsaw 2016)

01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

02. Furor Divinus

03. Messe Noire

04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer

05. Amen

06. The Satanist

07. Ben Sahar

08. In The Absence Ov Light

09. O Father O Satan O Sun!

Vinyl track-listing

Live Satanist (Warsaw 2016)

Side A:

01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

02. Furor Divinus

03. Messe Noire

04. Ora Pro Nobis Luficer

Side B:

01. Amen

02. The Satanist

03. Ben Sahar

04. In The Absence Ov Light

Side C:

01. O Father O Satan O Sun!

02. Ov Fire And The Void

03. Conquer All

04. Pure Evil And Hate

Side D:

01. At The Left Hand Ov God

02. Slaves Shall Serve

03. Chant For Ezkaton 2000

CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR, which features current NAPALM DEATH touring guitarist John Cooke, has released a music video for the song "Engineering Consent". The track is taken from CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR's recently released album, "Eunoia". The clip was filmed and edited by Ryan Fallon and features the exquisitely named DJ Bastardcunt.


CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR formed in 2012 in the barren seaside town of Southport in the U.K., bonded together by a shared love for fast music and heavy drinking.

In direct contradiction to the album's contents, "Eunoia" means "beautiful thinking" or "well mind", neither of which are the natural descriptors for the creators of these thirteen fast and filthy tracks. The album can politely be described as a collection of intense, introspective, deeply personal — and sometimes political — diary entries; a fair representation of how CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR see the world around them.

The five musicians responsible for this audio warfare have left their fingerprints over much of the fast and/or heavy music originating out of the Northwest of England (and occasionally further afield) for many years now. To have past/present members of NARCOSIS, THE ERGON CAROUSEL, NAPALM DEATH, VENOMOUS CONCEPT, HORSE BASTARD, MAGPYES and others says more about the depths of sonic depravity that they're capable of, more so than as a claim to fame. The fetid cherry on the fucked-up cake is the production abilities of CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR drummer Tom Dring; as well as taking the reins on this recording, he has been behind the desk for the likes of VENOM PRISON, DRAGGED INTO SUNLIGHT and DAWN RAY'D — even roping the latter's Simon B in to perform violin on album closer, "Five Years".

Having released the album on a "pay-what-you-want" basis via Bandcamp towards the end of 2017, the overwhelming response has led to the band opting to release "Eunoia" physically too. The record was pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, with matte finish inner and outer sleeves, plus a gloss A4 print of a recent shirt design.

"Eunoia" track listing

01. Human Cry

02. Engineering Consent

03. Crime And Disease

04. Night Chant

05. Survivor's Guilt

06. Born In The Caul

07. Burning Bridges And Burning Homes

08. The All Consuming Self

09. Rat King

10. Destroying Everything You Believe In

11. Body Horror

12. On Judith's Birthday

13. Five Years

CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR is:

John Cooke - Guitar

Chris Reese - Vocals

Tom Dring - Drums

Adam Clarkson - Guitar

Oliver Turner - Bass

"Better The Devil", "Officer Down" and "Shape Shifter", three new songs from BAD WOLVES, can be streamed below. The tracks are taken from the band's debut album, "Disobey", which will be released on May 18 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc will include BAD WOLVES' cover of THE CRANBERRIES' "Zombie", which recently hit No. 1 in multiple countries around the globe.

The hit single was first released by THE CRANBERRIES in 1994, the original track hit No. 1 across the globe, including the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart. The song returned to the Top 10 on the U.S. Rock chart shortly after news of Dolores O'Riordan's passing earlier this year.

O'Riordan was slated to record vocals for BAD WOLVES' cover of the track (which she described as "killer") on the day of her passing. The band decided to release the song in her honor with all BAD WOLVES' proceeds going to her children.

BAD WOLVES, which is managed by Zoltan Bathory of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, consists of of vocalist Tommy Vext (ex-DIVINE HERESY, SNOT), drummer John Boecklin (ex-DEVILDRIVER), guitarist Doc Coyle (VAGUS NERVE, ex-GOD FORBID), guitarist Chris Cain (BURY YOUR DEAD) and bassist Kyle Konkiel (ex-IN THIS MOMENT).

"Disobey" track listing:

01. Officer Down

02. Learn To Live

03. No Masters

04. Zombie

05. Run For Your Life

06. Remember When

07. Better The Devil

08. Jesus Slaves

09. Hear Me Now

10. Truth Or Dare

11. The Conversation

12. Shape Shifter

13. Toast To The Ghost

BAD WOLVES burst on to the scene last year with the independently released debut single "Learn To Live".

Boecklin previously described BAD WOLVES' style as "a heavy-slightly prog rock band that tunes low and cuts off most of the fat. Watching FAITH NO MORE on the reunion tour made my thought process change," he explained. "I was standing there, and it hit me that I don't want to be in a metal band with screaming all the time. We're heavy, yet from track-to-track, things change quite a bit."

"More was revealed, so more was required," added Vext. "The overall tonality and approach resonated with me as an opportunity to challenge myself and grow as a vocalist. I was given a platform to tap into some musical influences I hadn't yet explored in previous bands. All in all, it was some of the most diverse, original material I've gotten to wrap my hands around."

In no rush to put together something reminiscent of his musical past, Boecklin quietly wrote over the course of 2015. During summer of 2016, he entered AudioHammer Studios with longtime collaborator Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS) and tracked what would become the group's debut album.

"Starting from scratch is never easy," admitted Boecklin. "Many musical roads were traveled before getting to what you hear today — it's trial and error. I kept reminding myself not to do what I've done before. Eventually, we started to hear what we wanted."

"A Toast To The Ghosts" delivers a searing gut-punch punctuated by sharp succinct fretwork, smart-bomb precise percussion, and another searing vocal performance. Everything culminates on the pensive and punishing "Blood And Bones". Vext added: "It's like an open letter to an abusive relationship partner that no longer serves you or the opposing counterpart. It's left open to interpretation."

Defined by a push-and-pull between incalculable instrumentation and soaring melodies, BAD WOLVES will keep listeners guessing and thinking on their path to hard rock and metal supremacy.

"This is something new for me," Boecklin left off. "It's the most unique drumming I've ever done. Tommy has never sounded so good. The songs are much more diverse than anything from our collective past. I'd love for people to take away some sort of connection emotionally. That's what all of the bands who inspire me do. Everything else doesn't really matter."

BAD WOLVES will tour the U.S. later in the year with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and SHINEDOWN.

"Psycho", a brand new song from BREAKING BENJAMIN, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming sixth studio album, "Ember", which will be released on April 13 via Hollywood Records.


Speaking about the disc, BREAKING BENJAMIN founder/frontman Ben Burnley noted: "People have always really liked the heavier side of the band. I think that's what they sort of gravitate towards. But we also make sure to explore our melodic and softer side too." On "Ember", he explained, "we just tried to make it more extreme — the softer side on this album is really soft, and the heavy side is really heavy. We decided to give everybody what they want to the furthest degree."

Produced by BREAKING BENJAMIN, "Ember" is the follow-up to the band's 2015 release "Dark Before Dawn", which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart and spun off three No. 1 rock radio tracks, "Failure" (2015's most played Active Rock track), "Angels Fall" and "Never Again". The first single from "Ember", "Red Cold River", was released on January 5 and the accompanying video has nearly four million views.

"Ember" track listing:

01. Lyra

02. Feed The Wolf

03. Red Cold River

04. Tourniquet

05. Psycho

06. The Dark Of You

07. Down

08. Torn In Two

09. Blood

10. Save Yourself

11. Close Your Eyes

12. Vega

BREAKING BENJAMIN will hit the road this summer for co-headlining dates with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. A few of the shows will be part of Live Nation's "Ticket To Rock" program.

Photo credit: Chris Yankton

Gothenburg, Sweden-based rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR have released their latest single, "Electric Rider", via Gain Music Entertainment. The song is taken from the band's forthcoming 11th studio album, "You Can't Kill My Rock 'N' Roll", which is due later in the year.


"Electric Rider" is described in a press release as "three minutes and 40 seconds of that classic hard-hitting HARDCORE SUPERSTAR sound, all wrapped up in an infectiously 'sweet satanic groove' that's guaranteed to give the band their third radio hit in a row."


HARDCORE SUPERSTAR debuted "Electric Rider" live at its recent concert in Norrköping, and within minutes, fan-filmed footage was up on YouTube and several forums to rapturous applause, confirming that this is a natural choice for a single and a definite crowd pleaser.


The new single ties in with HARDCORE SUPERSTAR's current world tour that includes several select co-headline dates with fellow countrymen MUSTASCH in Sweden before they take things further afield into Finland, Spain, Italy and Australia, all after headlining the opening day of the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival in June.

SEPTIC TANK, the long-running project featuring vocalist Lee Dorrian (CATHEDRAL), guitarist Gary Jennings (CATHEDRAL) and bassist Scott Carlson (REPULSION), will release its debut album, "Rotting Civilisation", on April 13 via Rise Above Records.

The song "Treasurers Of Disease", taken from "Rotting Civilisation", can be streamed below.

If ever there were a point in history that demanded angry, scathing, explosive music, then this is it. With eerie-but-exhilarating echoes of Reagan's '80s and the bilious, hyper-aggressive hardcore punk scene that erupted in response, the world of 2018 is more than ready for the blistering return of SEPTIC TANK. This band of weather-beaten underground veterans have existed since the early '90s, more as a whispered enigma than a full-time band, but the decisive moment of deafening reality has arrived with the unveiling of "Rotting Civilisation", the first full-length SEPTIC TANK record and the ugly, rampaging rebirth of the subversive hardcore spirit.


Originally formed in 1994 as a low-key outlet for doom metal standard bearers CATHEDRAL's love for DISCHARGE, SIEGE and other pioneering hardcore luminaries, SEPTIC TANK's original lineup featured Dorrian, Jennings and drummer Barry Stern (ex-TROUBLE) alongside Carlson. A handful of jaw-shattering, snot-spraying anthems were swiftly thrown together and the impromptu crew jammed together on a few occasions, but thanks to a combination of logistics, geography and life getting in the way, SEPTIC TANK lay dormant for nearly two decades.


"We talked about doing it again many times, but it took us 20 years to make a record," Dorrian explains. "BLACK SABBATH were doing their so-called last-ever show in Birmingham and Scott wanted to come over for that, so I suggested we got together and did an album while he was here," Lee recalls. "He stayed over for five days. 14 of the songs were already roughly written but not rehearsed, another eight or so came up on the spot and were recorded straight away, and that was it. It took us over 20 years but I'm really happy we did it."


With all the vitality and venom we demand from the best hardcore, "Rotting Civilisation" is an obscenely thrilling rollercoaster ride that takes in everything from numerous bursts of flagrant DISCHARGE worship ("Walking Asylum", "Victimised") to MOTÖRHEAD-style snot'n'roll ragers ("Divide And Conk Out", "Digging Your Own Grave"), FROST-fuelled doomcore ("Death Vase", "Living Death") and even a skewed homage to Japanese punk legends G.I.S.M. ("You Want Some?"). Musically diverse but unrelenting in its belligerence, it's also an album full of brutally direct declarations on the state of the world today, the idiocy of the social media age and the general stupidness and selfishness of humanity in the 21st century. With his incensed worldview vividly reflected in artist Stewart Easton's idiosyncratic cover art, Dorrian has never written with such sledgehammer accuracy or righteous fury.


No longer a shadowy side-project that existed more in the minds of its participants than in the ears of the masses, SEPTIC TANK has blossomed — or, perhaps, mutated — into one of the most invigorating musical fists to the face of our times. The perfect soundtrack to the collapse of society, "Rotting Civilisation" proves that legends never die, the best ideas are always worth another go and, above all, we the people will not go fucking quietly.


"Rotting Civilisation" track listing:

01. Septic Tank

02. Who

03. Victimised

04. Social Media Whore

05. Divide And Conk Out

06. Treasurers Of Disease

07. Fucked

08. Whitewash

09. Death Vase

10. You Want Some

11. Digging Your Own Grave

12. Danger Signs

13. Walking Asylum

14. Lost Humanity

15. Never Never Land

16. Self-Obsessed

17. Living Death

18. Rotten Empire

The official video for the song "Broken Heart" from ESCAPE THE FATE can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's sixth full-length album, "I Am Human", which will be released on March 30 via Better Noise Records.

"I Am Human" sees ESCAPE THE FATE at its most raw, real, and relatable. Helmed by Grammy Award-nominated super producer Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, IN FLAMES, ALL THAT REMAINS), this record sees an evolution of ESCAPE THE FATE's sound that brings the band back to the excitement of their roots.

"We're getting older, and we're changing — so our music should change with us," singer Craig Mabbitt says. "At the same time, we rediscovered what made us who we are. I felt like I was 17 years old again. I haven't been this excited to release something since I first joined the band and we put out 'This War Is Ours'."

"I Am Human" track listing:

01. Beautifully Tragic

02. Broken Heart

03. Four Letter Word

04. I Will Make It Up To You

05. Bleed For Me

06. Do You Love Me

07. I Am Human

08. If Only

09. Empire

10. Recipe For Disaster

11. Riot

12. Digging My Own Grave

13. Resistance

14. Let Me Be

ESCAPE THE FATE has announced its return to North America for a number of headline appearances, dates supporting PAPA ROACH, and a run of Australia and New Zealand celebrating the 10th anniversary of its classic sophomore album, "This War Is Ours". Beginning on Wednesday, April 4 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the tour will visit major markets such as Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday, April 14; Detroit, Michigan on Thursday, April 19; Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, April 21; Seattle, Washington on Friday, May 4; Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 12; and many more. ESCAPE THE FATE will also perform "This War Is Ours" in Australia and New Zealand from Monday, May 28 through Monday, June 4, visiting cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Wellington.

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

"Used Future", the new video from Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD, can be seen below. The clip was created by videogame makers Rooster Teeth in the spirit of old Nintendo games.

"Used Future" is the title track of THE SWORD's sixth studio album, which is being released today (Friday, March 23). The disc was recorded in Portland, Oregon with producer Tucker Martine (MY MORNING JACKET, THE DECEMBERISTS, FIRST AID KIT).

In an interview with Billboard, THE SWORD lead singer and guitarist J.D. Cronise revealed the band's sound has evolved away from doom metal and now incorporates elements of LED ZEPPELIN, THIN LIZZY and BLACKFOOT.

"We have to do something that we find interesting and enjoyable," Cronise said. "And, for me, the same old thing all the time just gets boring after a while. Our tastes have changed and evolved and matured over the years, and to me, everything we've done feels totally natural.'

He added: "I think what's weird is people's reactions of not really knowing what to make of [the new sound]. Which, in a way, I get, because it's just not a thing that's done very commonly these days. But, for me, I can't imagine it having gone any other way."

THE SWORD's live album "Greetings From..." , was released last May via Razor & Tie. The band recorded all of the shows on its fall 2016 tour with OPETH and chose nine songs to make up the track listing on the disc.

Photo credit: Jack Thompson

No, it wasn't just a one-off event. When Swedish industrial band MISERY LOVES CO. returned in 2016 and hit the main stages at some of Europe's leading metal festivals some might have thought of it as a temporary return. But a year later a new song, the instant MISERY classic "Would You?", was released.


17 years after its critically acclaimed third album "Your Vision Was Never Mine To Share", the band proved itself better than ever before. More shows followed, both in the U.S. and in Europe.


And now... "Suburban Breakdown" could be MISERY LOVES CO.'s strongest song to date. Just like in the past, the band manages to mix aggressiveness with melody and innovativeness with an impressive songwriting. The chorus might be the best thing you'll hear all year.


"Suburban Breakdown" was mixed by Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, ENTOMBED A.D.) in Gothenburg. On the cover is an amazing piece of art by Italian painter Alessio Radice.


Listen to "Suburban Breakdown" on Spotify. You can get the track digitally via iTunes.

MISERY LOVES CO. released its self-titled debut in 1995 (a year earlier in Scandinavia) and soon became one of Europe's most talked-about up-and-coming metal bands. With songs like "My Mind Still Speaks" and "Kiss Your Boots", they managed to mix aggressiveness with melody and innovativeness with an impressive songwriting. Both audience and critics took the band to their hearts, and perhaps Metal Hammer said it best: "If someone were to prescribe a formula for how metal should sound in 1995, it could be described in three words — MISERY LOVES CO."

Tours and shows in both Europe and the U.S. followed with such acts as SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, DEFTONES and PARADISE LOST. MISERY LOVES CO.'s second release, "Not Like Them", earned the band a Grammis (Swedish Grammy equivalent) in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category in 1998. This time Patrik's lyrics were even more personal, which is why he, to this day, gets response from people telling him how songs like "Prove Me Wrong" helped them get through bad times.

The year 2000 saw the band release its last album, "Your Vision Was Never Mine To Share", which was a huge step for the band musically. The dynamics of songs like the title track and "On Top of The World" were more impressive than ever and the band progressed in a very exciting artistic direction. Still, just a few months later, the band split up and the world became an inferior place.

Until 2016, when MISERY LOVES CO. returned to the live stage at Gefle Metal Festival (Sweden), Bloodstock (U.K.) and Brutal Assault (Czech Republic) and has since then done club shows in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Uppsala. In 2017 they also boarded the world's biggest metal cruise, 70000 Tons Of Metal.

MISERY LOVES CO. is:

Patrik Wirén - Vocals

Örjan Örnkloo - Guitar, Programming

Michael Hahne - Guitar

Swedish classic/progressive rock supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — featuring members of SOILWORK and ARCH ENEMY — has completed work on its fourth studio album. Due later in the year via Nuclear Blast, the as-yet-untitled disc was again produced by the bandmembers themselves and was recorded at Handsome Hard Music / Larsson Music Studio as well as Nordic Sound Lab in Skara, Sweden. Mixing duties were taken on by the band's guitarist/percussionist Sebastian Forslund and mastering was done by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at The Panic Room.

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA said in a statment: "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

German metallers CALIBAN have released a music video for the song "Ich Blute Für Dich". The track, which features Matthi from NASTY and Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler from ESKIMO CALLBOY on vocals, is taken from CALIBAN's upcoming album, "Elements", which will be released on April 6 via Century Media.

CALIBAN guitarist Marc Görtz had this to say about the album cover: "We used the elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water as symbols for realization, ideas, power, and emotion. These symbols inspire us to continue to do what we love the most, which is to create, evolve, and be inspired by our music. And these elements directly correspond to the cover art, which was done by Marcel Gadacz. He did the art for 'Gravity', so we're happy to have him back."

For "Elements", CALIBAN brought back longtime collaborator — going all the way back to 2007's "The Awakening" — and studio wizard Benny Richter to co-produce with Görtz at his Nemesis Studios. CALIBAN also hired on German-based Andy Posdziech and buddy Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler, as well as Australian-based Callan Orr to assist in the recording process. "Elements" was mixed by Görtz and mastered by Olman Viper, whose repertoire includes previous CALIBAN albums "I Am Nemesis" (2012), "Ghost Empire" (2014), and "Gravity" (2016).

"The production on 'Elements' was pretty different," says Görtz. "The instrumental side of the production was produced by me, Andy and Callan. Then, Benny and myself worked on fine-tuning the music. The vocals, however, were produced by Benny, with Sushi acting as a vocal coach. We wanted Benny to focus on the vocals and the vocal production. Getting them right was very important to us."

"Elements" track listing:

01. This Is War

02. Intoxicated

03. Ich Blute Für Dich

04. Before Later Becomes Never

05. Set Me Free

06. My Madness

07. I Am Fear

08. Delusion

09. Carry On

10. Masquerade

11. Incomplete

12. The Great Unknown

13. Sleepers Awake


CALIBAN is:

Andreas Dörner - Vocals

Denis Schmidt - Guitar

Marc Görtz - Guitar

Marco Schaller - Bass

Patrick Grün - Drums

The official video for the song "Pesta" from Swedish extreme metallers NECROPHOBIC can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's eighth studio album, "Mark Of The Necrogram", which was released on February 23 via Century Media Records. The disc is NECROPHOBIC's first for Century Media and it marks another step up on the staircase to the death metal throne, delivering sorrow-laden melodies of musical mastermind Sebastian Ramstedt, furious riffs of rhythm guitarist Johan Bergebäck, the pounding bass of Alexander Friberg, battering war drums by the band's heart and soul Joakim Sterner and the demonic voice of Anders Strokirk, who reunited with the band more than 20 years after the release of "The Nocturnal Silence".


"Mark Of The Necrogram" comes with an eerily monumental cover artwork of Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin, with whom the band has been working together since the release of the second album, "Darkside".

"Mark Of The Necrogram" track listing:

01. Mark Of The Necrogram (4:53)

02. Odium Caecum (4:25)

03. Tsar Bomba (5:40)

04. Lamashtu (5:20)

05. Sacrosanct (4:38)

06. Pesta (5:59)

07. Requiem For A Dying Sun (4:39)

08. Crown Of Horns (3:59)

09. From The Great Above To The Great Below (5:53)

10. Undergången (2:48)

"Mark Of The Necrogram" is available as a standard jewel-case CD; deluxe LP (with gatefold sleeve, double-sided poster, four-page LP insert and 180-gram vinyl); deluxe CD box set (with CD digipak, five photo cards, a woven patch and a Necrogram metal pendant) and digitally.

Please note that the deluxe CD box is worldwide limited to only 3,000 copies!


Formed in 1989, NECROPHOBIC belongs to the first wave of Swedish death metal bands. Ever since the release of its classic debut album, "The Nocturnal Silence" (1993), the band has issued a total of eight studio LPs, among them timeless masterpieces as "Darkside" (1997), "Bloodhymns" (2002) or the brilliant 2009 album "Death To All".

NECROPHOBIC was rejoined by guitarists Sebastian Ramstedt and Johan Bergebäck following the band's split with its axeman of five years, Fredrik Folkare.

NECROPHOBIC 2018 is:

Anders Strokirk - Vocals

Alexander Friberg - Bass

Joakim Sterner - Drums

Sebastian Ramstedt - Guitar

Johan Bergebäck - Guitar

The official lyric video for the song "As Bridges Burn" from MEMORIAM, the Birmingham, United Kingdom-based death/grind metal band featuring Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER) on vocals, Frank Healy (BENEDICTION, CEREBRAL FIX) on bass, Scott Fairfax (CEREBRAL FIX) on guitar and Andy Whale (BOLT THROWER) on drums, can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's second album, "The Silent Vigil", which is being released today (Friday, March 23) via Nuclear Blast. The disc's impressive artwork was once again created again by Dan Seagrave (BENEDICTION, DISMEMBER, HYPOCRISY, SUFFOCATION).

"The Silent Vigil" track listing:

01. Soulless Parasite

02. Nothing Remains

03. From the Flames

04. The Silent Vigil

05. Bleed The Same

06. As Bridges Burn

07. The New Dark Ages

08. No Known Grave

09. Weaponised Fear

MEMORIAM previously stated about "The Silent Vigil" cover artwork: "Following the success of working with Dan Seagrave for our debut album 'For The Fallen', we decided that we had to get Dan involved for the next album cover.

"Initially, we used Dan as we were all very impressed with the art that he has created for bands over the decades, and Scott in particular wanted to have an album cover designed by Dan Seagrave as part of the things he wanted to achieve with MEMORIAM.

"Dan really encapsulates the old-school death metal feel to the album covers that he creates; they are full of detail and very atmospheric. We gave him a brief for the 'For The Fallen' debut cover and he did a great job.

"We briefed Dan and asked him to create an image which followed on from the first album. The first album features a funeral procession, the coffin of the fallen leader paraded across an ethereal battle-scarred landscape. 'The Silent Vigil' represents the next phase of the journey, where the coffin is lying in state with the followers standing in silence almost like terracotta soldiers. The cover has an overall solemn feel to it, with the ravaged landscape in the background and burnt out wrecks of military hardware in the foreground. The tree in the centre of the album cover is symbolic of life — that continues on.

"We are really pleased with what Dan Seagrave has created for us once again and we are proud to have his artwork on our album cover.

"We already have an idea for the next album cover and we hope that Dan will be able to do this for us too."

MEMORIAM was primarily developed to fill the void that was left following the tragic death of Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, the drummer from BOLT THROWER, back in September 2015. BOLT THROWER subsequently placed all activity on hold for the foreseeable future which gave Karl Willetts an opportunity to develop a new project with friends that had expressed interest in forming a band for some time.

MEMORIAM is an old-school death metal band, maintaining the standards set by their previous bands, focusing on the themes of death, loss and war. Initially, the bandmembers got together to play covers of songs that had influenced them throughout their careers within the death metal scene. However, it soon became apparent that the new songs that they created were of a superior standard.

The official lyric video for "Big Tings", the title track of the new album from the Welsh "ragga metal" band SKINDRED, can be seen below. The disc, which was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio in the village of Box, Wiltshire, England, will be released on April 27 via Napalm Records.

SKINDRED, along with producer James Loughrey and engineer Lee Slater, could not be more excited about what will be the band's seventh studio album.


Says SKINDRED guitarist Mikey Demus: "The name hopefully says it all. You can expect some seriously 'Big Tings' from SKINDRED on our next record. We've thrown away the rulebook and pushed ourselves harder than ever to create the biggest, baddest, and most banging songs we could muster. We can't wait to start unleashing this new stuff on the world, so prepare yourselves for some 'Big Tings'!"

Roaring and pounding, the follow-up to 2015's "Volume" is a magnificent beast churning out heavy, distortion-laden riff punches melting into vocalist Benji Webbe's frenzied rapping. Explosive metal and punk material rubs shoulders with smooth melodies — and, of course, SKINDRED wouldn't leave us on the dancefloor without a hefty helping of their trademark Godzilla-esquely huge choruses. Big songs, big sound, big tings!

SKINDRED will embark on a full U.K. tour in April with special guests CKY.

SKINDRED recently released a music video for its "Machine" single. The clip features actor and stuntman Neil Chapelhow, best known for his work in the films "Wonder Woman" and "Fantastic Beasts".


The band states: "When we were told we were doing a video with the stunt team that's be behind the Marvel films, James Bond and the Bourne films, we knew we were in for a good time on the shoot. Throw in Gary from REEF and one of our fave bars in London (Big Red) and you have the ingredients for a really fun video. The idea is don't judge a book by its cover. SKINDRED is inclusive. Not exclusive. So when someone in a rock bar is being teased by some 'rockers' for not being the same as them, he hits back! In a big way!"

"Machine" features vocals by REEF frontman Gary Stringer and guitar by Phil Campbell of MOTÖRHEAD. The track was previously used as both the intro and outro theme to AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson's TV show "Cars That Rock".

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, the company which creates "beautiful lullaby versions of your favorite artists," has just released "Lullaby Versions Of Gojira" via Roma Music Group.

"Lullaby Versions Of Gojira" track listing:

01. The Gift Of Guilt

02. Born In Winter

03. Le'Enfant Sauvage

04. Oroborus

05. The Shooting Star

06. Silvera

07. Flying Whales

08. Stranded

The song "Stranded" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star was born for the parent that wants to pass along their biggest passion to their child, music. Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star transforms popular music into instrumental lullabies perfect for babies, yoga or just relaxation. Now, parents can enjoy the music from LADY GAGA to METALLICA in soothing lullaby style. With over 135 titles to choose from, Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star is the largest line of pop, rock, metal and jamband music lullabies in the world.


These aren't novelty recordings. They are cute, they are soft but these are serious recordings. Roma Music Group, which releases Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, is run by two music industry veterans who put the fidelity of these recording at the top of the priority list. Let's face it, much like the brand name clothes you buy for your infant, this music is really for you. Whether you are raising a metal baby, rocker or hippie baby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star has your music transformed from arena anthems into nursery classics.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, the company which creates "beautiful lullaby versions of your favorite artists," has just released "Lullaby Versions Of Sepultura" via Roma Music Group.

"Lullaby Versions Of Sepultura" track listing:

01. Roots Bloody Roots

02. Territory

03. Refuse / Resist

04. Ratamahatta

05. Beneath The Remains

06. Dead Embryonic Cells

07. Arise

08. Attitude

The song "Roots Bloody Roots" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star was born for the parent that wants to pass along their biggest passion to their child, music. Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star transforms popular music into instrumental lullabies perfect for babies, yoga or just relaxation. Now, parents can enjoy the music from LADY GAGA to METALLICA in soothing lullaby style. With over 135 titles to choose from, Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star is the largest line of pop, rock, metal and jamband music lullabies in the world.


These aren't novelty recordings. They are cute, they are soft but these are serious recordings. Roma Music Group, which releases Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, is run by two music industry veterans who put the fidelity of these recording at the top of the priority list. Let's face it, much like the brand name clothes you buy for your infant, this music is really for you. Whether you are raising a metal baby, rocker or hippie baby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star has your music transformed from arena anthems into nursery classics.

Marilyn Manson's music video for the song "Tattooed In Reverse" can be seen below. In the clip, Courtney Love plays nurse to Manson's wheelchair-bound patient.

Manson wrote on Twitter: "Who allowed Courtney Love to be my nurse? Oh shit…I did." Manson also recently shared two new photos with Love, writing: "Reunited and it feels so wrong. That's why we F**k S**t up."

"Tattooed In Reverse" is the third single from Manson's latest album, "Heaven Upside Down".

Manson and Love have been on-again, off-again friends for years, with the two occasionally taking jabs at each other online or in the press.

Manson told Esquire about their relationship: "We never really had a falling out. We've always been weird with each other, because she's slept with pretty much every one of my friends, supposedly. Not me, though. She, one time, told me she was mad at me because I didn't want to fuck her and I was smarter than her. I said, 'Well, you kind of proved your own point right there on that one.'"

Both Love and Manson appeared on the final season of the smash FX biker series "Sons Of Anarchy", although they did not have any scenes together.

Manson and Rob Zombie will co-headline the "Twins Of Evil: The Second Coming Tour" this summer, starting July 11 in Detroit and wrapping up on August 29 in Irvine, California.

LAMB OF GOD will release a 20th-anniversary covers album, "Legion: XX", as BURN THE PRIEST, the name under which LAMB OF GOD was originally formed in 1994. Due on May 18 via Epic, the collection will contain LAMB OF GOD's versions of songs originally written and recorded by bands that inspired them, including STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH, BAD BRAINS, MINISTRY, AGNOSTIC FRONT and CRO-MAGS.

As they enter their 20th year since releasing their first self-titled album as BURN THE PRIEST, the band will release a full-length covers album that reflects on the greatness of classic punk, hardcore, crossover and noise — rock subgenres that contributed to what LAMB OF GOD, and indeed, the world, now view as modern heavy metal. The tracks are performed with the unmistakable precision that has kept the band vital for two decades, but ultimately harks back to the raw, punk-driven sound first explored by four unsuspecting college students and a line cook-turned-vocalist in their formative years.

Guitarist Mark Morton said of the effort: "To truly understand the essence of the band BURN THE PRIEST, one must first consider the landscape in which it began: the mid-'90s. Grunge and alternative music ruled the airwaves. Social media and the Internet had yet to assume their role as our collective sources for entertainment and cultural exchange. It was a time when DIY 'zines turned us onto new bands and regional scenes, and 'copy and paste' still implied a print shop and a glue stick.

"As our sound and songs developed, so did our goals… we began playing basement parties and warehouse shows and in doing so, we realized that the energy we were creating was transferable," he continued. "The shows we played in those squats and warehouses [in Philadelphia] and the people we met there are forever embedded in our collective consciousness and the DNA of our band."

"Legion: XX" was recorded with producer Josh Wilbur (GOJIRA, ALL THAT REMAINS), who previously helmed LAMB OF GOD's 2015 "VII: Sturm Und Drang" album:

"Legion: XX" track listing:

01. Inherit The Earth (THE ACCÜSED cover)

02. Honey Bucket (MELVINS cover)

03. Kerosene (BIG BLACK cover)

04. Kill Yourself (S.O.D. cover)

05. I Against I (BAD BRAINS cover)

06. Axis Rot (SLIANG LAOS cover)

07. Jesus Built My Hotrod (MINISTRY cover)

08. One Voice (AGNOSTIC FRONT cover)

09. Dine Alone (QUICKSAND cover)

10. We Gotta Know (CRO-MAGS cover)

As BURN THE PRIEST, the group released a self-titled album in 1999, featuring guitarist Abe Spear, who later left the band to be a photographer and filmmaker. As soon as Spear exited BURN THE PRIEST, guitarist Willie Adler joined his brother Chris (drums) in the group.

Prior to the release of LAMB OF GOD's debut album, 2000's "New American Gospel", the band underwent a name change, which Morton told Metal Hammer was the group's idea. "Think about it, BURN THE PRIEST sounds like the sort of thing a bunch of kids would come up with after drinking too much beer in a basement, which is how we got it in the first place," he explained. "But can you really take any band with that name seriously? It's so juvenile. By this time, we were starting to step everything up. At that point, we'd sign to the Prosthetic label, and they were desperate for us to keep on as BURN THE PRIEST. Just because we had a buzz building. But we resisted, told them we were going for LAMB OF GOD. They seemed happy enough."

LAMB OF GOD will support SLAYER on the first leg of the latter band's farewell world tour. The trek will kick off with a May 10 concert at San Diego's Valley View Casino Center, with dates running through August 26 at San Jose, California's SAP Center.