On March 16th, Brooklyn's Eyes Of The Sun will release their debut album, Chapter I, via Blacklight Media Records. Watch a video for the track "Slavery Of Another Name" below.

Originally self-released in 2013, Chapter I blends ambient and moody guitars with bouts of double bass driven aggression. This is sludgy doom with an angry edge, and as vocalist/bassist Jeff Blanchard describes: "'Chapter I' is all about the demise and destruction we do to our planet and to ourselves."

Pre-order the album and hear the song "My War" here.

Chapter I tracklisting:

"My War"
"When It Dies"
"Walks Of Life"
"Choke"
"End Of Origin"
"Nineteen"
"Sound The Horns"
"Slavery Of Another Name"

"Slavery Of Another Name" video:

"Walks Of Life":

Eyes Of The Sun was conceived in early 2007 by bassist/vocalist Jeff Blanchard. Long-time friend Miguel De Jesus Jr. joined the ranks with Jeff a few months later on guitar. Within a few years, and after a couple of past members on second guitar and drums, Chris O'Neil joined as the permanent drummer. As a trio, they performed countless shows over the past 10 years, delivering their unique brand of doom metal - which leaves listeners with a range of emotions, that the band themselves then experience and extract from. The band explains: "It is known throughout the laws of science and nature that the sun creates and sustains life...Now it stands witness to the atrocities, depletion and vile consumption manifested by mankind, which it originally sustained life for. In our way, we portray what is seen through the Eyes Of The Sun."

Eyes Of The Sun lineup:

Jeff Blanchard - Vocals & Bass
Miguel De Jesus Jr. - Guitar
Chris O'Neil - Drums

(Photo - Sophy Holland)

Munich, Germany's Tenside peformed inside Bullhead City Circus at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2014. Professionally filmed video of the band's full set can be seen below.

Setlist:

"Here And Now"
"At The Top Of The Tide"
"Reborn"
"Nothing Will Remain"
"This Is Reality"

Long-running death doom collective On Thorns I Lay unveiled their new full-length, Aegean Sorrow, today via Alone Records. The complete album is available for streaming via the audio player below:

Aegean Sorrow by On Thorns I Lay

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Aegean Sorrow”
“Erevos”
“In Emerald Eyes”
“Olethros Part I”
“Olethros Part II”
“The Final Truth”
“A Sign Of Sadness”
“Skotos”

Aegean Sorrow was captured at Devasoundz Studios by Fotis Benardo (Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh) and mixed and mastered at Unisound AB Studio by Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath, Incision). Easily among the most intense records of their more than 20-year career, Aegean Sorrow fuses seemingly clashing concepts of catchy melodies and an incessantly mournful ambiance throughout. "We never stopped listening to our favorite albums - simple atmospheric doom death metal music since our formative years - so this is how Aegean Sorrow was created," the band notes. "It is a mix taken from our first demos and our first four albums back in the '90s, but with a modern sound. It is exactly what we love to hear, first of all, as fans. No trends, just pure feelings and music. Aegean Sorrow is the music we have dreamed of since we were teenagers. Waves of emotions flow over and over; it is a magical journey into the depth of our soul."

"Erevos" video:

"Olethros Part II":

“Aegean Sorrow” lyric video:

Orlando based Gothic folk metal band Urn has released an official music video for their single "Silently, I'm Still Screaming", off of their 2015 released Epiphany LP. The band's newly announced members, keyboardist Cleve Hall (SyFy’s Monster Man) and drummer Eric James Peterson (ex-Electric Hellfire Club) are featured in “Silently, I’m Still Screaming”.

"Many fans had given feedback that this song was one of their more favorites off of the album, so we wished to honor them by doing this video. We also wished to showcase our guitarist, Christopher Migdalski's lead work on this song, as he has been a role model for those afflicted with Parkinson's Disease and how to overcome disabilities to still pursue his life dream. Our hope is that this will inspire those to continue on in their battle and achieve whatever dreams/goals that they have." - Urn

Cleve Hall had become friends with the band a couple years ago when attending a Hollywood tour date of theirs back in 2015 and expressed interest in producing a video. Over time during their collaboration, it was discovered that Hall was an accomplished musician and worked with several bands in the Los Angeles are in the 1980s such as Exquisite Corpse and Mad Love. Cleve filled in on keyboards for Urns's 2016 West Coast tour and appeared and helped produce the new promotional video.

Eric James Peterson was the original drummer of the Electric Hellfire Club whom Urn frontman/guitarist Dominic St. Charles was also an alumni member. The two had an opportunity to connect during the EHC’s 25th anniversary/farewell concert last year at The Orpheum Theater in Tampa and wanted to continue to work with each other afterwards. Eric Petersen also was recently the touring drummer for former American Idol alum James Durbin.

The video was filmed in Los Angeles, CA by Jackie Bones for Steal Your Ghost Productions and additional footage was filmed by Noel McD of Global Rapture Productions (Melbourne, FL) who also edited the video.

Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators) recently performed an acoustic version of the title track of his debut solo album, Year Of The Tiger, at HardDrive Radio studios. Video of the performance can be seen below:

Kennedy released Year Of The Tiger on March 9th via Napalm Records. The album can be ordered in various bundle configurations here. Get the album digitally this location.

On Year Of The Tiger, Myles embarks on his first venture as a solo artist by embracing musical elements and influences he hasn’t explored until this point in his career. Kennedy himself plays banjo, lap steel, bass, and mandolin, in addition to guitar throughout the album. His emotional journey and personal story is captured in a bluesy-Americana album with a twist of country and rock, highlighting his unmistakable and soulful voice.

To read BraveWords scribe Aaron Small's in-depth interview with Myles, click here.

Tracklisting:

"Year Of The Tiger"
"The Great Beyond"
"Blind Faith"
"Devil On The Wall"
"Ghost Of Shangri La"
"Turning Stones"
"Haunted By Design"
"Mother"
"Nothing But A Name"
"Love Can Only Heal"
"Songbird"
"One Fine Day"

"Devil On The Wall" lyric video:

"Haunted By Design" lyric video:

"Year Of The Tiger" video:

Best Buy stores in The United States are offering an exclusive version of Year Of The Tiger, featuring three acoustic demos: "Nothing But A Name"​, "The Great Beyond"​, and "Haunted By Design".

Recently announced is the first leg of Kennedy's US solo tour; tickets and meet & greet packages on sale now. The routing is as listed:

May
2 - Spokane, WA - Bing Crosby Theater - SOLD OUT
3 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile - SOLD OUT
5 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
6 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour - SOLD OUT
9 - Dallas, TX - Cambridge Room (HOB)
10 - Houston, TX - Bronze Peacock (HOB) - SOLD OUT
12 - Nashville, TN - Topgolf
14 - Atlanta, GA - City Winery - SOLD OUT
16 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
17 - Asbury Park, NJ - House Of Independents - SOLD OUT
19 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
21 - Boston, MA - City Winery - SOLD OUT
22 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
24 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
25 - Dundee, IL - Rochaus - SOLD OUT

On February 2nd, W.A.S.P. released their 25th anniversary edition ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol) of their iconic hit album The Crimson Idol. The re-recordings of one of the best concept albums of all times tell the legendary story of Jonathan Aaron Steele, an abused child looking for love. Discovering music years later, he rises to international superstardom. Later followed by a catastrophic fall.

W.A.S.P. now release a lyric video adaption for the song “Docter Rockter” from the original motion picture, that comes as part of ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol) on BluRay and DVD. The song displays Jonathan Aaron Steele’s path to self-destruction through drug abuse and meaningless encounters to numb the pain he feels inside.

Blackie Lawless states about the video: "Few times in life or art does reality mirror or equal imagination. The casting of the characters in this portion of the story, specifically 'Doctor Rockter' was precisely what I had envisioned when I conceived those lyrics. Rarely does it marry together as well as it did in this video. The characters were suitably revolting... and REAL!"

Check out the lyric video below.

ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol) is available in the following formats via Napalm Records.

- 2CD & Bluray & DVD in Slipcase
- 2LP Gatefold + DVD
- Deluxe Box
- 2CD Digipack (Re-Press)
- 2CD Jewelcase (Re-Press)
- Digital Album

Order at this location.

Tracklisting:

CD1:
"The Titanic Overture"
"The Invisible Boy"
"Arena Of Pleasure"
"Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)"
"The Gypsy Meets The Boy"
"Michael's Song"
"Miss You"
"Doctor Rockter"

CD2:
"I Am One"
"The Idol"
"Hold On To My Heart"
"Hey Mama"
"The Lost Boy"
"The Peace"
"Show Time"
"The Great Misconceptions Of Me"

"Doctor Rockter" lyric video:

"Chainsaw Charlie" video:

Ahead of his very first appearance on Australian shores, Ihsahn - the founding frontman of Norwegian black metal legends Emperor - spoke with Metal Wani‘s Jake Patton about the tour and his upcoming album, Ámr.

Asked how he feels about the landscape of extreme metal now, compared to when Emperor was formed, he states: “I miss something that’s pushing it, something that’s cutting edge. Extreme metal doesn’t feel dangerous anymore.”

Listen to the interview below:

Ihsahn will release his new solo album, Ámr, on May 4th via Candlelight/Spinefarm. A deluxe version of the album will come with digi book packaging and the bonus track "Alone".

True living legends are few and far between, but Ihsahn has long since earned the right to be regarded as one of metal’s all-time greats. As frontman and chief songwriter with legendary Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor, he swiftly cemented a formidable reputation as one of the underground’s most idiosyncratic creative forces. Classic albums like 1995’s In The Nightside Eclipse and 1997’s epoch-shattering Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk ensured that the young band were among the most respected the most popular of Norway’s many black-hearted exports. Their imperious rise to prominence came to an unexpected end after the release of 2001’s wildly intricate and grandiose Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise, but it was an album that suggested that Ihsahn’s compositional journey was far from over.

Reincarnated as a solo artist for 2006’s The Adversary, Ihsahn has spent the last 12 years forging a second path through artistry’s darkest shadows; one that is making more and deeper connections than any of his past endeavours. With a sound that still retains strong links to his black metal roots while embracing everything from skewed art rock and avant-garde jazz to experimental electronica and dark ambient, each successive album has presented a brand new manifestation of the Norwegian’s unique craft: from the muscular and haughty riff sculptures of Angl and After’s haunting, saxophone-driven mirage to the tech-metal explorations of Eremita and on to the wild, avant-metal splurge of Das Seelenbrechen, Ihsahn’s catalogue speaks of a restless creative spirit with ideas to burn.

In keeping with that spirit, 2018 brings the arrival of Ihsahn’s seventh solo album, Ámr. Another immersive and frequently disorientating eruption of refined and absorbing progressive extreme metal, it echoes the meticulous precision and structural simplicity of 2016’s widely acclaimed Arktis. Album while taking Ihsahn’s music somewhere entirely new, where the hiss and throb of old school analogue synths dominate and the atmosphere is airless and oppressive. Once again percussively propelled by long-time drummer Tobias Ørnes Andersen and with a blistering guest solo from Opeth’s Fredrik Akesson on Arcana Imperii, Ámr is another evolutionary leap from one of metal’s most remorselessly forward-thinking protagonists.

“It’s just lovely to work with Tobias. I know that he can technically handle anything I throw at him.  But more importantly, when I say like; ‘I want this to feel like the vacuum between words in a conversation with Hannibal Lecter`, he will say ‘Yeah, I get that!’ (laughs) So for him it’s not about showing off, it’s always about relating to the vibe.  With Fredrik, we met first time in Oslo, when I did my debut solo show as support to Opeth and later we've hung out on different festivals when we happen to play the same day.  Last time in Japan when we played there with Emperor and Opeth. We were talking about guitars and I said ‘Not to kiss up to you or anything, but you’re absolutely one of my favourite players, so some day I might call you for a guest solo…’ and he says ‘I’m in!’ He did a fabulous job.”

As with all of his solo albums to date, Ámr possesses its own unique atmosphere; a palpable sense of tension and unease that infuses even the album’s most melodic moments with heightened drama and otherworldly menace. But despite its often claustrophobic feel, this is very much an album of beautifully crafted and shrewdly arranged songs. Although as dark and intense as anything he has conjured before, both the depth of sonic texture and the clarity of his overarching vision are more impressive than ever.

“Knowing that the form would be somewhat similar to what I did on the previous album, and given that I write stuff in a certain way, I wanted to change the wrapping this time,” Ihsahn notes. “So instead of going with my go-tos of strings and orchestration, I focused on analog synths and more in-your-face sounds. It goes back to the beginning of Emperor, when we brought in strings and horns inspired by orchestral movie scores by John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, but at the same time we loved all those eerie synth soundtracks of f.ex John Carpenter's Halloween. I’ve also been listening to some contemporary r’n’b and hip-hop stuff with those deep, deep 808s. It’s just somehow darker than a lot of metal or black metal. It has a depth and an energy to it that I find captivating, so I wanted to explore those arrangement styles as well.”

Another bold stride into uncharted territory, Ihsahn’s seventh solo album is the legendary Norwegian’s most eclectic and challenging to date. Morphing fluidly from mellifluous art rock ambience to vicious extreme metal, covering all points in between, the likes of grandiloquent opener "Lend Me The Eyes Of The Millennia" and the wild, melodic melancholy of "Sámr" blend seamlessly with ornate, progressive metal monoliths like "In Rites Of Passage" and the immaculate, climactic "Wake". Drenched in evocative synthesizers and brimming with skewed but irresistible riffs, Ámr is both Ihsahn’s most accessible record to date and his most extreme departure from his black metal roots.

“Every album I intend to make the darkest album ever. I never set out to make anything more melodic or accessible. However, growing up on 80s metal, plus having a rather wide range of musical influences, I often end up with quite contrasting elements. This is my seventh solo album, so in the end it really comes down to methods and perspectives that keep me exited and fired up about what I'm working on. If I’m not excited about it, I can’t expect anybody else to be!”

Pre-order the deluxe edition of Ámr here.

Tracklisting:

"Lend Me The Eyes Of Millennia"
"Arcana Imperii"
"Sámr"
"One Less Enemy"
"Where You Are Lost And I Belong"
"In Rites Of Passage"
"Marble Soul"
"Twin Black Angels"
"Wake"
"Alone" (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)

Deluxe edition pictured below:

(Photo Bjørn Tore Moen)

Stryper's new album, God Damn Evil, will be released on April 20th. The band's follow-up to 2015's Fallen album was recorded at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts. A video for the track "Sorry" can be found below. The song is available at digital music stores and on streaming services.

Michael Sweet recently stated: "The new Stryper album is our best to date. If this was 1987 (when rock and metal ruled the charts) we might have a Grammy waiting with our name on it. But since this is 2018, we're just happy knowing that our fans will love it. We are blessed. Can't wait to get this one into your ears!"

God Damn Evil tracklislting:

"Take It To The Cross"
"Sorry"
"Lost"
"God Damn Evil"
"You Don’t Even Know Me"
"The Valley"
"Sea Of Thieves"
"Beautiful"
"Can’t Live Without Your Love"
"Own Up"
"The Devil Doesn’t Live Here"

"Sorry" video:

"Take It To The Cross" visualizer:

Alice In Chains have announced dates for the second leg of their North American headline tour, which kicks off August 22nd at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC. The new dates are part of a worldwide trek that will see Alice In Chains performing across North America and Europe. Dates are listed below and ticket info can be found here.

Alice In Chains (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and vocalist/guitarist William DuVall) are currently putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to 2013’s critically-acclaimed album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. Due out later this year, the new album was recorded at Henson Studios in Los Angeles with Nick Raskulinecz, who produced both The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here and its predecessor, 2009’s Black Gives Way To Blue.

Tour dates:

April
28 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
30 - Syracuse, NY - Landmark Theatre

May
1 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
3 - Washington DC - Anthem
4 - Charlotte, NC - Carolina Rebellion
5 - Virginia Beach - WNOR Lunatic Luau
7 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
8 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
10 - Atlanta, GA - Coca-Cola Roxy
12 - St. Louis, MO - Pointfest
13 - Somerset, WI - Northern Invasion
15 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
16 - South Bend, IN - Morris Performing Arts Center
18 - Columbus, OH - Rock on the Range
19 - Philadelphia, PA - WMMR BBQ / BB&T Pavilion

June
16 - Leeds, UK - O2 Academy
17 - London, UK - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
20 - Stockholm, Sweden - Grona Lund
21 - Halden, Norway - Tons of Rock Festival
22 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell
24 - Clisson, France - Hellfest
25 - Zagreb, Croatia - INmusic Festival
28 - Padua, Italy - Sherwood
30 - Bezirk-Landstrasse, Austria - Arena Open Air Wien

July
1 - Budapest, Hungary - Budapest Park
3 - Berlin, Germany - Huxley’s Neue Welt
4 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
8 - Belford, France - Les Eurockeennes 30
10 - Milan, Italy - Ippodromo Snai San Siro
13 - Madrid, Spain - Mad Cool Festival
14 - Lisboa, Portugal - NOS Alive
17 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Caesarea
18 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Caesarea

August
22 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
28 - Paso Robles, CA - Vino Robles Amp
29 - Los Angeles, CA - Palladium
31 - Riverside, CA - Riverside Municipal Auditorium

September
1 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl
3 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Music Hall
4 - El Paso, TX - Abraham Chavez Theatre
6 - Austin, TX - ACL Live
7 - Houston, TX - Revention Music Center
8 - Dallas, TX - Pavilion @ Toyota Music Factory
10 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theatre
11 - Kansas City, MO - Midland Theatre
13 - Denver, CO - Fillmore
15 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre

(Photo - Johnny Buzzerio)

The German extreme metallers Eisregen are going to release a new mini-album this summer.

The new release is entitled Satan Liebt Dich (Satan loves you), will contain seven new and previously unreleased songs and should shorten the waiting time until the band's 13th studio album will be released this fall.

Satan Liebt Dich will once again be mixed and mastered by Markus Stock at Klangschmiede Studio E, whereas drummer Yantit will take care of the cover artwork.

Vocalist M. Roth exclusively talked to the German Legacy magazine and revealed a few other details about the upcoming record in the magazine's latest issue (#113).

The mini-album's record release show - which is also presented by the Legacy magazine - will take place on the actual release date - on June 8th - at the Heudepot in Tambach-Dietharz, Germany. The gig's motto is "Metal im Thüringer Wald 2018". Eisregen will be joined by their label mates Grabak and Hardholz on this evening.

“What I end up doing is, I take all the Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber records and put them on backwards and listen to all the satanic messages and the riffs,” Black Label Society leader Zakk Wylde tells Hysteria's Anna Rose most seriously in regards to how he came up with material for the band's new album. “Then I convert back to Catholicism and play the riffs normal - then there you go, we have a whole bunch of Black Label Society songs. I do it all for the art.”

Black Label Society recently soared into the charts with the new album, Grimmest Hits (Entertainment One). The LP landed at #4 on the Billboard Current Charts, the highest charting LP since Order Of The Back released back in 2009. Grimmest Hits reached #1 on the Billboard Hard Music, #1 Independent, and #2 Rock Charts.

"A Love Unreal" video:

"All That Once Shined" lyric video:

“Room Of Nightmares” video:

Order Grimmest Hits via the links below:

- Physical

- Digital

Blackened death juggernaut Blood Of The Wolf are streaming "Scorched Earth Ceremony", a track from the follow-up to the band's 2015 debut I: The Law Of Retaliation. The new album, II: Campaign Of Extermination, will be released on April 7th. Listen to the new song below.

II: Campaign of Extermination was mixed and mastered by Joe Tiberi, February through August of 2017. All songs written and arranged by Blood of the Wolf. Cover art created by Agus Wibowo.

Tracklisting:

"Thunder The Drums of War"
"Campaign Of Extermination"
"Beneditio Ultionis: Their Blood For My Glory"
"Erupting Volcanic Wrath"
"The Sword Is My Light And My Salvation"
"Scorched Earth Ceremony"
"With Fire And A Thousand Flashing Blades"
"A Sermon Of Slaughtered Foes"

"Scorched Earth Ceremony":

"Campaign Of Extermination":

Campaign of Extermination by Blood of the Wolf

(Live photo - Tammy Guillen)

As a taster for their new album Viva La Paradise, Swedish melodic rockers Grand Design have released the single “Face It” on all digital platforms. A video for the song, filmed and edited by David Söhr, is available for streaming below.

Get the single via Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify.

The new album will be released in Japan on April 11 through Rubicon Music, and CD and LP in the rest of the world on April 20th via GMR Music. The digital version of the album can be legally downloaded through iTunes, Spotify, etc. next week. More details to follow.

On March 9th, Nightwish kicked off their Decades world tour - featuring a setlist loaded with older Nightwish material - at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. Fan-filmed video is available below. The setlist on the night was as follows:

"Swanheart"
"End Of All Hope" (first time live since 2004)
"Wish I Had An Angel" (first time live since 2013)
"10th Man Down" (first time live since 2003)
"Come Cover Me" (first time live since 2012)
"Gethsemane" (first time live since 2003)"
"Élan"
"Sacrament Of Wilderness" (first time live since 2008)
"Dead Boy's Poem" (first time live since 2009)
"Elvenpath" (first time live since 2004)
"I Want My Tears Back"
"The Carpenter" (first time live since 1998)
"The Kinslayer" (first time live since 2005)
"Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean" (first time live since 2002)
"Nemo"
"Slaying The Dreamer" (first time live since 2008)
"The Greatest Show On Earth"
"Ghost Love Score"

Tuomas Holopainen's 3-track demo earned him his first record deal with his freshly founded band Nightwish back in 1996. 20 years later - with over 2,000 shows played and more than 8 million records sold - Nightwish are the biggest European symphonic metal band. Reason enough for Nuclear Blast to celebrate this huge anniversary by releasing a 2CD compilation titled Decades, out now.

Get your copy here, or at the Nightwish shop here. Or get the digital version, here. Check out a fourth video trailer below.

Decades is available as:

- 2CD-Jewelcase
- 2CD-DIGI
- 3LP BOX (different colors)
- 2CD-Earbook

CD1
"The Greatest Show On Earth"
"Élan"
"My Walden"
"Storytime"
"I Want My Tears Back"
"Amaranth"
"The Poet And The Pendulum"
"Nemo"
"Wish I Had An Angel"

CD2
"Ghost Love Score"
"Slaying The Dreamer"
"End Of All Hope"
"10th Man Down"
"The Kinslayer"
"Dead Boy’s Poem"
"Gethsemane"
"Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean"
"Sacrament Of Wilderness"
"Sleeping Sun"
"Elvenpath"
"The Carpenter"
"Nightwish" (demo)

3LP Box (33 RPM)

Side A
"The Greatest Show On Earth"

Side B
"Élan"
"My Walden"
"Storytime"
"I Want My Tears Back"
"Amaranth"

Side C
"The Poet And The Pendulum"
"Nemo"
"Wish I Had An Angel"

Side D
"Ghost Love Score"
"Slaying The Dreamer"
"End Of All Hope"
"10th Man Down"

Side E
"The Kinslayer"
"Dead Boy’s Poem"
"Gethsemane"
"Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean"

Side F
"Sacrament Of Wilderness"
"Sleeping Sun"
"Elvenpath"
"The Carpenter"
"Nightwish" (demo)

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

Trailer #4:

The release will be accompanied by a 9-month tour across the globe. After kicking off with 34 concerts in North America in March-April, the journey will continue with dozens of European festival and headline shows. On this tour, Nightwish will also be presenting a special set list, featuring rare material from the early years of their career. That's why these evenings will not only be special events for the fans, but also for the band themselves. Be prepared to hear a lot of old school material. All dates can be found below.

March
9 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
10 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore
12 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
13 - Baltimore, MD - Lyric Theater
14 - New York, NY - Playstation Theater
16 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
17 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
18 - Albany, NY - The Egg
20 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
21 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
23 - Niagara Falls, NY - Rapids Theatre
24 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
26 - Covington, KY - Madison Theater
28 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
29 - St. Louis, MO - Touhill Performing Arts Center
30 - Minneapolis, MN - The Myth
31 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom

April
2 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
3 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
5 - Edmonton, AB - Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
6 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
7 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theater
8 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
10 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
12 - Ventura, CA - The Majestic Ventura Theatre
13 - San Jose, CA - City National Civic
14 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove
15 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
17 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
18 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
19 - Mobile, AL - Saenger Theater
21 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing
22 - Miami, FL - Olympia Theater

(Photo - Tim Tronckoe)

Stygian Crypt productions has set March 15th as the international release date for Therion’s Blood Of The Dragon limited collector’s edition.

The release will contain 2CDs: 1st CD - rare cover-versions of different bands which were recorded by Therion, but featured on different compilations, the second CD contains new cover versions of Therion songs by different bands.

Tracklisting:

CD1
“Fight Fire With Fire”
“The King”
“Southbound”
“Witching Hour”
“Green Manalishi”
“Revelations”
“Black Funeral” (feat. Messiah Marcolin)
“Iron Fist”
“Ivanubis Hollanda – Perennial Sophia”
“Ivanubis Hollanda – Raven Of Dispersion”

CD2
Ghost Warfare – “An Arrow From The Sun”
Antyra – “Asgard”
Revolted Masses – “Baal Reginon”
Remains – “Genocidal Raids”
Day 40 – “Invocation Of Naamah”
Dark Letter – “Kali Yuga. Part I”
Whirlwind Storm – “Liusalvheim”
Theosophy – “Pandemic Outbreak”
Theudho – “Schwarzabenheim”
The Experiment No.Q – “Seven Secrets Of The Sphynx”
Imperial Age – “To Mega Therion”
Elimi – “The Blood Of Kingu”
Numenor – “The Riders Of Theli”
Mare Infinitum – “The Wand Of Arabis”
Frozen Ocean – “The Wings Of The Hydra”
Majesty Of Revival – “Widsom And The Cage”

Hollywood Vampires bandmates, guitarist Joe Perry (Aerosmith) and actor Johnny Depp, joined Stone Temple Pilots on stage during their March 8th show at The Rose in Pasadena, CA. Check out some footage from the show, filmed by Mikolaj Jaroszyk and Ted Weitzman, below.

Stone Temple Pilots' setlist:

"Wicked Garden"
"Vasoline"
"Lounge Fly"
"Coma"
"Big Band Baby"
"Regeneration"
"Glide"
"Big Empty"
"Atlanta"
"Plush"
"Meadow"
"Interstate Love Song"
"Army Ants"
"Piece Of Pie"
"Roll Me Under"
"Dead And Bloated"
"Tripping On A Hole In A Paper Heart"
"Down" (with Johnny Depp)
"Toys In The Attic" (with Johnny Depp & Joe Perry
"Sex Type Thing" (with Johnny Depp & Joe Perry)

Stone Temple Pilots have released the song "Never Enough", featured on the band's new self-titled album, out March 16th. The track is available for streaming below.

Stone Temple Pilots marks the band’s first album with the new lead singer, Jeff Gutt. Despite being one of the best-selling bands of the 1990s with platinum records and a Grammy to its credit, guitarist Dean DeLeo says, “We are thrilled about what lies ahead. The best way for us to honor our past is to keep making new music.”

The band does just that on Stone Temple Pilots. The first single “Meadow” (lyric video below) and “Never Enough” channels the gritty guitars and swaggering rhythms that STP perfected on Core (1992), Purple (1994), and No. 4 (1999). “Roll Me Under” (available for streaming below) glides along a nimble bass line before slamming into the chorus, where Gutt’s baritone digs in.

Pre-order the album today at stonetemplepilots.com and receive instant downloads of “Meadow” and “Roll Me Under” Exclusive bundles are also available on the site, including vinyl, t-shirt, and a limited edition, hand signed lithographs by the band. The album will also be released on vinyl on May 25th.

When asked what to expect on the upcoming tour, Robert DeLeo says,” With so much time and experience gone by in life we feel compelled to dig back into a 30-year catalog and really try to reflect and choose what songs haven’t been performed live. We want to give people who have come to see us in the past a chance to hear something they haven’t heard before at previous STP shows. We want to celebrate this time in our lives with our performances.”

Find STP's complete tour schedule here.

Stone Temple Pilots tracklisting:

“Middle Of Nowhere”
“Guilty”
“Meadow”
“Just A Little Lie”
“Six Eight”
“Thought She’d Be Mine”
“Roll Me Under”
“Never Enough”
“The Art Of Letting Go”
“Finest Hour”
“Good Shoes”
“Reds & Blues”

“Never Enough”:

“The Art Of Letting Go”:

“Roll Me Under”:

“Meadow” lyric video:

Former SANCTUARY members Jeff Loomis (guitar) and Jim Sheppard (bass) rejoined the veteran power metal band on stage on March 5 at El Corazon in Seattle, Washington to perform the songs "Taste Revenge" and "Future Tense", respectively. Video footage of their appearance can be seen below (courtesy of "Iron" Mike Savoia).

Featured songs:

0:22 "Battle Angels"
4:46 "Soldiers Of Steel"
11:30 "Future Tense" (featuring bassist Jim Sheppard)
16:55 "Taste Revenge" (featuring guitarist Jeff Loomis)

SANCTUARY's ongoing North American tour with ICED EARTH is acting as a tribute to the musical legacy of SANCTUARY singer Warrel Dane, who passed away last December. Guest vocals for SANCTUARY on the trek are being provided by Joseph Michael (WITHERFALL). Also joining the band on the road is second guitarist Joey Concepcion (ARMAGEDDON, THE ABSENCE).

Prior to the start of the ICED EARTH tour, SANCTUARY guitarist Lenny Rutledge said that the band "decided to continue on" with the shows "to pay tribute to our brother Warrel Dane." He added that the set would "consist of many old and some newer songs performed with the utmost respect and quality to honor our friend" and invited fans to "join us in this farewell as we celebrate Warrel's musical legacy with SANCTUARY."

A year ago, SANCTUARY released the official prequel to 1988's classic debut "Refuge Denied", "Inception", which showcased several previously lost recordings from their 1986 studio session that have now been restored, remixed and remastered by Chris "Zeus" Harris (QUEENSRŸCHE).

Formed in 1985, the band was signed to Epic Records with the help of MEGADETH guitarist Dave Mustaine and released two records, "Refuge Denied" (1988) and "Into The Mirror Black" (1989), which saw them perform with the likes of MEGADETH, FATES WARNING, WARLOCK and DEATH ANGEL. The band disbanded in 1992 as members Dane and Sheppard went on to form the highly successful metal act NEVERMORE with acclaimed guitarist Jeff Loomis. SANCTUARY reunited nearly 25 years later in 2010 and appeared at several festivals worldwide before returning to the studio to record their acclaimed full-length comeback album, "The Year The Sun Died", for Century Media Records in 2014.

Dane tragically passed away on December 13, 2017 due to a heart attack while recording his second solo album in São Paulo, Brazil.

In a recent interview with Loud TV, Loomis — who played with SANCTUARY in the early 1990s and again in 2010-2011 — said about Dane's passing: "It's a sad situation with one of my best friends that I grew up being in a band with. [He was] one of the best lyricists in metal, I believe, that was ever out there — a fabulous person. He was a troubled person too at the same time; he had some issues. We had many great times together in the past, and we had many bad times, but I would say that the good times outweighed the bad. And in the end, we were talking still as friends, and we talked in the end before he passed away. We were on good terms. It's a very sad loss to the music community and he'll be well remembered as one of the great vocalists of a metal era."

Loomis added that Warrel had been "struggling with drinking and things like this" for years before he died. "I'm not getting into too much detail there," he said. "He had some troubles. I'm gonna miss him a lot. He was a great friend of mine and he was a wonderful human being."

San Francisco doom rock band The Watchers will release its new album, Black Abyss, on March 9th via Ripple Music. Pre-order the album here. In celebration of the album's impending release, the band is streaming the whole album.

Recorded in California's Sonic Room Studios (Forbidden, Zed) and mixed by Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T), the record features eight tracks of heavy street-riff rock and is the follow-up to The Watchers' 2016 debut, Sabbath Highway.

Formed in 2016, The Watchers features members of popular California underground bands SpiralArms, Orchid and BlackGates. Longtime vets of the San Francisco heavy music scene, the band plays razor-edged rock 'n' roll, fast and heavy. Black Abyss is a hard-charging riff-fest, jam-packed with rich solos, driving, blues-based harmonies and the unmistakable vocals of Tim Narducci (ex-Systematic). The Watchers' high-energy hard rock cooks like the Mojave Desert heat and distills the singular attitude and attributes of traditional heavy metal into the sound of now.

Tracklisting:

"Alien Lust"
"Black Abyss"
"Buzzard"
"Oklahoma"
"People Of The Gun"
"Seven Tenets"
"Starfire"
"Suffer Fool"

"Black Abyss":

Album teaser:

Twitching Tongues have release their new album, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, via Metal Blade Records. A full album stream can be found below.

The title for Twitching Tongues' fourth full-length, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, was drawn from a quote by famed social philosopher Eric Hoffer - "Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life" - and it reflects the band's mentality in approaching the record: paying homage to those who supported them while belligerently responding to their detractors. With "failure" as a core theme driving Colin Young's lyrics, it also features his first foray into the political arena, motivated by the contemporary political climate to speak his mind. Directly inspired by film scores, the record has a strong epic feel, the band realizing their vision of having the music flow like a story being told. With interconnected parts, musical references and callbacks in each song, everything is tied together in a manner unlike any of their previous releases. At the same time, while maintaining the same levels of hardness and aggression that has characterized their later work, it features much more immediate and memorable melodies, which evoke the sound of In Love There Is No Law yet at the same time feel fresh and new.

The record is available to order here in the following formats:

- CD
- Ultra clear vinyl + download card (limited to 500 copies - USA exclusive)
- Metallic gold/black split vinyl + download card (limited to 250 copies - USA exclusive)
- Metallica gold w/ black smoke vinyl + download card (limited to 250 copies - USA exclusive)
- Ultra clear w/ black smoke and metallic gold splatter vinyl + download card (limited to 500 copies via Closed Casket)
- Black w/ bronze splatter vinyl + download card (limited to 300 copies - EU exclusive)
- Beer inside grey split vinyl + download card (limited to 200 copies - EU exclusive)

* exclusive bundles with a shirt, plus digital options are also available

Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred tracklisting:

"AWOL (State Of The Union)"
"Harakiri"
"Kill For You"
"T.F.R."
"Forgive & Remember"
"Gaining Purpose"
"Long Gone"
"The Sound Of Pain"
"Defection (Union Of The State)"

Album stream:

"Gaining Purpose" video:

"Harakiri" video:

In support of this release, the band will hit the road with Hatebreed, Crowbar, and Acacia Strain, before heading out on a headlining tour in the USA.

With Hatebreed, Crowbar, Acacia Strain

March
16 - Syracuse, NY - Westcott Theater
17 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
18 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
19 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre
20 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
21 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
22 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
23 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
24 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
25 - Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe at Old National Centre
26 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
27 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
28 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
29 - Reading, PA - Reverb

With True Love, Vamachara

March
30 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
31 - Waterford, NY - Chrome

April
1 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
3 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Club
4 - Hamden, CT - Ballroom at The Outer Space
5 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fire
6 - Richmond, VA - The Canal Club
8 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Purgatory)

Italian deathsters Grind Zero have unveiled the album cover for Concealed In The Shadow, the new full-length album that will be released later this spring via Punishment 18 Records.

The effort was mastered by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Bloodbath, Katatonia, Edge Of Sanity) that, about the band, also said: "...awesome death/grind that brings me back to the '80s/'90s!"

Tracklisting:

"Soul Collected"
"Corrosion"
"See You In Hell"
"Master's Pleasure"
"Sodomizing The Sun"
"A Shadow"
"Lost Shrine"
"Buried Deception"
"The Horde"
"Cursed Be My Path"

 

Forget everything you thought you knew, because Follow The Cipher are ready to herald in a new musical era and crash through the many dimensions of our universe to steal your breath. Despite their stylistic diversity, the Swedish metal act from Falun creates a very cohesive ambience, mixing a first class sound with magical charisma, an innovative concept, live presence and an incredibly talented singer.

Follow The Cipher recently announced the release of their self-titled debut album which will be available on May 11th through Nuclear Blast. Its cover artwork was created by no less than Sabaton's Chris Rörland. After unveiling the first single "The Rising" plus an album trailer during the last few weeks, the time is ripe for another foretaste of the Swede's forthcoming record. Their brand new music video for "Valkyria" has been launched today and can be viewed below.

Guitarist/vocalist Viktor Carlsson stated: "For me, 'Valkyria' is a song directly taken from the action of the battlefield. The pulse in the music is what inspired the lyrics to be formed as a very aggressive and straight forward way of saying 'This is our final resolution.' I personally connect with 'Valkyria' as I visually can see the battlefield in front of me as I'm listening to the song."

Follow The Cipher can be pre-ordered here. Pre-order the album digitally to receive "Valkyria" and "The Rising" instantly.

Follow The Cipher tracklisting:

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

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

"Valkyria" video:

"The Rising" lyric video:

Trailer:

Follow The Cipher live dates:

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

(Photo - Georgios Grigoriadis)

From Ashes To New have released a lyric video for "Broken", a track their upcoming LP, The Future, out on April 20th via Better Noise Records / Eleven Seven Music. The album is available for pre-order now at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Wake Up"
"Crazy"
"My Name"
"Gone Forever"
"Broken"
"Forgotten"
"Enemy"
"Nowhere To Run"
"Let Go"
"On My Own"
"The Future"

"Broken" lyric video:

"Crazy" video:

Catch From Ashes To New live in concert:

May
5 - Carolina Rebellion - Concord, NC
18 - Rock On The Range - Columbus, OH

After two critically acclaimed albums, the self-titled debut and sophomore album II, it was time for Lords Of Black to craft their all important third album. With the anticipation created by the album’s predecessors and vocalist Ronnie Romero’s selection as the singer for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow reunion, expectations are high and the pressure is on for the band to deliver. Have they?

Icons Of The New Days is more than enough proof that yes, the band has indeed delivered in spades. Lords Of Black has crafted a collection of amazing songs that draw from the influences of traditional heavy metal with elements of progressive metal thrown in the mix with robust production showcasing all the member’s talents. Guitarist Tony Hernando, drummer Andy C., bassist Dani Criado and vocalist Ronnie Romero are indeed a rising force to be reckoned with in the modern metal scene.

Tracks like the incredible album opener, “World Gone Mad” along with “Not In A Place Like This” and the title track set the bar high for an album that is going to be a contender for metal album of the year. “Forevermore” and “The Way I’ll Remember” are simply stunning and powerful metal tunes such as “When A Hero Takes A Fall” and “Wait No Prayers For The Dying” will cause you to thrust your fist to the sky. As has become the band’s tradition, epic songs like “King’s Reborn” and “All I Have Left”, the longest song ever written by Lords Of Black, anchor the proceedings.

Once again produced by Tony Hernando and Roland Grapow (who also handled mixing and mastering duties), the production and quality of the song arrangements are another decisive factor in the greatness on display here.

Last but not least, Felipe Machado has delivered another stunning album cover.

Pre-order the album here, and watch a video for the title track below.

Tracklisting:

"World Gone Mad"
I - History Of Gods
II - The Slaughter Of Innocence
III - World Gone Mad
"Icons Of The New Days"
"Not In A Place Like This"
"When A Hero Takes A Fall"
"Forevermore"
"The Way I’ll Remember"
"Fallin’"
"King’s Reborn"
"Long Way To Go"
"The Edge Of Darkness"
"Wait No Prayers For The Dying"
"All I Have Left"

Bonus Disc tracklisting (only available on CD/DVD Deluxe Ed. and digital):

"Innuendo" (Queen cover)
"Only" (Anthrax cover)
"Tears Of The Dragon" (Bruce Dickinson cover)
"Edge Of The Blade" (Journey cover)
"The Maker And The Storm" (Bonus Track)
"When Nothing Was Wrong" (Bonus Track)

"Icons Of The New Days" video:

The official lyric video for "Crash And Burn", a brand new song from WITHIN TEMPTATION frontwoman Sharon Den Adel's solo project, called MY INDIGO, can be seen below. The track is taken from MY INDIGO's self-titled debut album, which will be released on April 20.

The singer announced the new project's existence via a video message on Facebook in which she described the MY INDIGO material as "very personal" and revealed that composing the songs was a therapeutic experience that helped he deal with an undisclosed family "crisis."

She said in a statement: "For many years, we've been touring and every time we came home, I used to start writing songs almost immediately and was happy to do so. After the last tour, I tried to do the same, but it wasn't the same. Eventually I found myself in a crisis which was bigger than just not being able to write songs. The years of touring and working under a certain pressure took its toll and besides that there were things in my personal life I had to deal with.

"I really took time off, but when I started writing again, it was something totally different than WT, but this was what I needed and I embraced it. One song led to another and it turned into a whole album. I gave it a name and it's called MY INDIGO. MY INDIGO is about my journey these last few years and I would like to share it with you.

"MY INDIGO is not at all like WITHIN TEMPTATION and it wasn't meant to be that at all. I wrote it first of all for myself, but nevertheless I hope you'll enjoy it as well!"

"My Indigo" track listing:

01. My Indigo
02. Indian Summer
03. Out Of The Darkness
04. Star Crossed Lovers
05. Crash And Burn
06. Someone Like You
07. Black Velvet Sun
08. Lesson Learned
09. Safe And Sound
10. Where Is My Love

"Nothing Remains", the new video 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 song is taken from the group's second album, "The Silent Vigil", which will be released on March 23 via Nuclear Blast. The disc's impressive artwork was once again created again by Dan Seagrave (BENEDICTION, DISMEMBER, HYPOCRISY, SUFFOCATION).

MEMORIAM states: "'Nothing Remains' is about dementia, and in particular about Karl's mother's struggle with this condition. The video is showing the experience of loss and dissolution brought about by the disease in the burning of old family portraits of Karl's mother and family, parents of MEMORIAM members and of friends as well as random strangers. Similar to us all being of the same blood as expressed in the previously released 'Bleed The Same', we also all die and decay the same."

The live footage for "Nothing Remains" was shot at Dark Easter Metal Meeting in München and Asylum in Birmingham. All other video work, concept and editing was done by Timm Sonnenschein.

"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 video for "Spectre", a brand new song from British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Firepower", which is being released today (Friday, March 9) via Epic. The follow-up to 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" was recorded by British producer Andy 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 digital artist and photographer Claudio Bergamin.

"Firepower" track listing:

01. Firepower
02. Lightning Strike
03. Evil Never Dies
04. Never The Heroes
05. Necromancer
06. Children of the Sun
07. Guardians
08. Rising From Ruins
09. Flame Thrower
10. Spectre
11. Traitors Gate
12. No Surrender
13. Lone Wolf
14. Sea Of Red

JUDAS PRIEST fans from around the Northeast area will be able to meet the band at a New York City CD signing. In addition, there will be an exclusive PRIEST pop-up store at the same location. Starting today at 10 a.m., if you purchase "Firepower" at Sony Square NYC (25 Madison Avenue in New York City), you will receive a wristband that will grant you access to the special event on March 19 at 6 p.m. Wristbands are limited and will be distributed on first-come-first-served basis. This will be the only opportunity to meet the band while they are in the U.S. No posed photos allowed, and the band will sign copies of the new the album purchased during street week at the Sony Square NYC. Also please note, Sony Square NYC only accepts credit cards.

The JUDAS PRIEST pop-up store will also be at Sony Square NYC — located in the gallery at Sony Square NYC (25 Madison Avenue in New York City) from March 9 to March 19. Featured items include a gallery of rare band photos, a display of historic JUDAS PRIEST stage outfits, JUDAS PRIEST lyric sheets handwritten by Rob Halford, and other JUDAS PRIEST surprises. For sale at the pop-up store will be "Firepower", as well as the band's entire vinyl catalog and authentic JUDAS PRIEST merchandise.

Asked by the WSOU 89.5 FM radio station if "Firepower" is a "heavier" record than 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls", JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner said: "I think 'heavy' means so many different things — it could be heavy in terms of sound, it could be heavy in terms of speed, it could be heavy in terms of lyrical content. So it's hard to know what someone's interpretation of 'heavy' means. But I think it's a more energetic record — I think there's more fire in it — which is one of the reasons why 'Firepower' was a relevant title to call the record. It's got that kind of intensity. I don't think 'Redeemer' was lacking in that respect, but this one's definitely got more of it. It's got fast stuff, it's got groovier stuff."

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton announced last month that he will be sitting out the band's touring activities as a result of his battle with Parkinson's disease, with which he was diagnosed a decade ago.

Tipton, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST album since the band's 1974's debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live. Joining PRIEST for its upcoming dates will be Sneap, a former member of SABBAT who has most recently played with HELL.

The North American leg of the "Firepower" tour will kick off on March 13 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and will wrap on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas. Support on the trek will come from SAXON and BLACK STAR RIDERS.

A PERFECT CIRCLE's Alex Howard-directed video for the song "Disillusioned" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's fourth album, "Eat The Elephant", which will be released on April 20 via BMG. The disc arrives following years of anticipation and speculation, which reached a fever pitch as the outfit helmed by Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel launched their fall 2017 tour with the release of "The Doomed". The band then ushered in the new year with the debut of "Disillusioned".

"Although I'm extremely excited to finally be completing this album after a 14-year hiatus, I'm actually more excited that its intentional release date is serving a greater purpose," explains Keenan. "The 20th of April is Carina Round's birthday. She is a dear friend who is extremely difficult to shop for. Pressure off. Of course, I must also note that the potheads are gonna be thrilled that this album comes out on 4-20. May it serve as a glorious soundtrack to accompany all of the giggling and vexing sounds of nibbling and snacking. Fingers crossed, Cheech & Chong will be proud."

"Demos are these precious ideas that you love in their initial state," adds Howerdel. "Then you collaborate, invite other ideas, and watch them progress. That's the dynamics and growth of a great record. I feel we've made a great record."

Pre-orders for the 12-song album, which was co-produced by Dave Sardy (AUTOLUX, SLAYER), are available now and come with instant digital downloads of "TalkTalk", "Disillusioned" and "The Doomed". "Eat The Elephant" is being released in multiple formats, including digital, CD, double gatefold 180-gram vinyl and a box set with vinyl, CD and hi-res digital download as well as a prism and custom playing card deck. In advance of Record Store Day, a limited-edition independent retail exclusive version of the LP on white 180-gram vinyl with alternate cover will also be available.

The track listing for the disc is as follows:

01. Eat The Elephant
02. Disillusioned
03. The Contrarian
04. The Doomed
05. So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish
06. TalkTalk
07. By And Down The River
08. Delicious
09. DLB
10. Hourglass
11. Feathers
12. Get The Lead Out

The band's lineup remains unchanged from 2013. Joining Keenan and Howerdel once again are James Iha on rhythm guitar, Matt McJunkins on bass and Jeff Friedl on drums.

Howerdel told Razor 94.7 about A PERFECT CIRCLE's songwriting process: "Typically, I'll start an idea at home, kind of in isolation, and just kind of work on it until I don't hate it anymore. And then send it over to Maynard, see if he finds anything compelling about it. He'll kind of say 'yay' or 'nay' and find something he latches on to. And he'll throw down a scat vocal — syllables and a vocal melody idea, and it helps me move the song forward from there. And then if it's enough, then he starts working on lyrics, so he does all the lyrics and melodies and orchestrates the backups and all that. And then I concentrate on making the music. So that's kind of the back-and-forth conversation that we have musically."

Howerdel, who helmed all of A PERFECT CIRCLE's previous albums, explained his decision to enlist an outside producer for the new disc. "I wanted to bring a producer on in this record, just to take the musician's role more than the engineer-slash-producer-slash, you know, looking at budgets and the whole thing," he said. "And it let me, I think, hone in and see a twenty-thousand-foot view of these songs in a way that I've not been able to do in the past."

Howerdel is excited for fans to hear A PERFECT CIRCLE's next album, telling Razor 94.7: "I've said this before, so I'm being a little redundant: I can talk you out of anything, really, and I can talk you out of listening to our music or anything I've ever done, but I would say this record is some of the best songs we've ever done, and certainly some of the favorite things I've ever heard Maynard sing."

Photo credit: Tim Cadiente

"Millions", the new video from progressive metallers BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new effort, the conceptual epic two-part album "Automata", part one of which is being released today (Friday, March 9) through the group's new label, Sumerian Records.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME lead vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Giles Rogers, Jr. states: "Every single week, music comes and goes. We can get music instantly, and with this luxury, the listener has a hard time sitting down with albums and exploring their every twist and turn. Because of this, we have decided to release our new album in two parts.

"Our music is dense and our albums are very long, so we want to give people two separate moments to dive in this year and explore new music that we've put our entire being into. We hope you enjoy the creation as much as we've enjoyed the process."

Sumerian founder Ash Avildsen adds: "I first toured with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME in early 2000s when they were on Lifeforce. Since then, we remained friends and I have watched their career grow nonstop through eras on Victory and Metal Blade. I am very grateful such a seminal, influential and progressive group of musicians have chosen to partner with Sumerian for their next chapter. It's days like this that remind me of my roots and excite me about our future."

"Automata I" track listing:

01. Condemned To The Gallows (6:35)
02. House Organ (3:41)
03. Yellow Eyes (8:45)
04. Millions (4:43)
05. Gold Distance (1:02)
06. Blot (10:27)

"Automata II" will be released in the summer.

What if dreams could be broadcast for the purpose of entertainment? Could you consume the innermost thoughts of another person on screen? If you could, what does that say about an attention-starved audience? More importantly, what would become of the dreamer?

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME poses those questions and more on its two-part eighth full-length and introductory offering for Sumerian Records, "Automata". The North Carolina quintet — Tommy Giles Rogers, Jr. (lead vocals, keyboards), Paul Waggoner (lead and rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals), Dustie Waring (rhythm and lead guitar), Blake Richardson (drums) and Dan Briggs (bass, keyboards) — explores these themes by personally smashing boundaries once again. "Automata" marks the band's first proper double LP-spanning concept. Moreover, they continue to expand their ever-evolving style, upholding a tradition of progression in the process.

"We never want to repeat ourselves," affirms Paul. "We're always trying to do something different, and this album fell right into that sort of pattern. We push ourselves into new places, while retaining our basic sound. Musically, we go somewhere that's fun and challenging. We never know how it's going to turn out. These are uncharted waters for us. We've never written an entire piece and presented it in separate parts like this."

"All of our music should build up to the newest record," Tommy leaves off. "That's what happens with 'Automata'. You can take little snippets from our past throughout this album. It sounds like BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, but it's still new. We hope to keep the music industry on its toes. This is part of doing that."

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME kicked off a North American headlining tour on March 2, with support from THE DEAR HUNTER and LEPROUS.