Frontiers Music Srl has just released the new album from PRETTY BOY FLOYD, titled "Public Enemies".
The official music video for the song "Feel The Heat" can be seen below. "Public Enemies" is exactly what'd you expect from these seasoned Sunset Strip veterans — a fun record meant to be played at maximum volume to help you forget about your worries, of which we all have plenty these days. PRETTY BOY FLOYD's Kristy Majors says: "Staying loyal to our 1980s roots, 'Public Enemies' is a true follow-up to the classic 'Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz'." Not too long ago, when rock was about having a good time, letting your hair down and creating chaos and anarchy, four guys got together in Hollywood and formed a band. New York City guitarist Kristy Majors hooked up with West Coast frontman Steve Summers and laid the foundation for their dream band. They worked, wrote songs and played and played and played. The band chose the name PRETTY BOY FLOYD because it seemed to describe them — four tough teens armed with guitar licks and teenage angst who set out to conquer the world.
As the new millennium rolled in, new music fans began to wonder what they had missed back in the heyday of '80s and early '90s sleaze rock. A whole new breed of young fans who weren't born when the band first emerged began to discover their music. The original fans from back in the day and the new fans found common ground — a love of PRETTY BOY FLOYD's music, sleazy shows, and fun times. Never mind what the critics think, or what trends may have come and gone. Having outlasted many of the critics who cried "they'll never make it," PRETTY BOY FLOYD continues to record and tour the world winning over news fans both young and old. "Public Enemies" track listing:
01. S.A.T.A.02. Feel The Heat03. High School Queen04. Girls All Over The World05. American Dream06. We Can't Bring Back Yesterday07. We Got The Power08. Do Ya Wanna Rock09. Run For Your Life10. Shock The World11. Paint It On12. 7 Minutes In Heaven13. Star Chaser14. So Young So Bad PRETTY BOY FLOYD is:
Kristy Majors - Guitar, Background VocalsSteve Summers - Lead VocalsJK Famous - Bass, Background VocalsJimmy Mess - Drums, Background Vocals

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's music video for the song "Wolf Named Crow" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "No Cross No Crown", which will be released on January 12 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. It will be made available on CD, digital, vinyl, and cassette formats.
States bassist Mike Dean: "'Wolf Named Crow' started with a couple of riffs Pepper was sitting on for a while. We learned those and collectively came up with a bridge on the spot and it fell together naturally. It reminds me of a new take on 'Wiseblood'-era C.O.C. and Reed [Mullin] played some very-original-yet-very-Bill-Ward-inspired fills. It's easily my favorite track on this record."
In 2014, after nearly a straight decade traversing the globe as a guitarist with New Orleans supergroup DOWN, Pepper Keenan reconnected with the core CORROSION OF CONFORMITY trio of Woody Weatherman, Mike Dean and Reed Mullin to hit the road hard. "Reed called me and mentioned maybe playing a couple shows," Keenan recalls. "I said, 'Let's just go to Europe and see if it works.' So we went to Europe and then ended up going back four times in one year... We toured for a year and then started tracking about ten or eleven months ago." Recording in North Carolina with longtime producer John Custer, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY cut "No Cross No Crown" in about forty days over the course of a year. "We took our time and didn't put any pressure on ourselves," Keenan says. "I'd go up from New Orleans and we'd do four or five days at a time, just hacking away at it. It was fun because we did it like a demo, but in a studio. We were writing and putting it on tape at the same time. We took what parts we thought were great from the old days and weren't scared to go backwards. It kinda wrote itself that way." Some of these new jams sound like could've easily been on "Wiseblood" or "Deliverance", two of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's most revered records. On "No Cross No Crown", beefy Southern stompers like "The Luddite", "Little Man" and "Forgive Me" are interspersed with melancholy guitar interludes like "No Cross", "Matre's Diem" and "Sacred Isolation" — just like SABBATH used to do in the '70s. "We started doing that on 'Deliverance'," Keenan points out. "My theory on that is that if you're trying to make a record flow, you need to break it up a little. When you need a breather, write an interlude. I like writing those mellow pieces just to space things out and make the next thing come in heavier." The album's iconic title comes from a recent tour stop in England. "We were playing this old church from like the 1500s that had been turned into a performing arts center," Keenan recalls. "The dressing room had stained glass windows and one of them showed this poor fella being persecuted. Underneath it said, 'no cross no crown.' So I just took that idea. We're not trying to be on a soapbox, but we used it as a catalyst to write songs around." Which is to say that "No Cross No Crown" has a lot less to do with politics or religion than its title implies. "I think everyone needs to get away from that mindset in general," Keenan offers. "It just seems to be a mess out there nowadays. We need to get back to being humans and taking care of each other and simple things like that. For us, the terminology 'no cross no crown' is a theme. It's mentioned in like three songs throughout the album. We just weaved it through as we went." "No Cross No Crown" stands as irrefutable proof of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's ability to overcome. "CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and the prior records I've done with them didn't just go away," Keenan observes. "It's an honor to be back out there and have an opportunity to do it again in a real way and not some washed-up reunion thing. Even before we wrote the record, we were out there for a year seeing there was a demand for it and that there was a void that we could fill. That's been CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's deal from day one. We're not chasing anybody around. We're not gonna worry about what the new trends are. CORROSION OF CONFORMITY is CORROSION OF CONFORMITY." "No Cross No Crown" track listing:
01. Novus Deus02. The Luddite03. Cast The First Stone04. No Cross05. Wolf Named Crow06. Little Man07. Matre's Diem08. Forgive Me09. Nothing Left To Say10. Sacred Isolation11. Old Disaster12. E.L.M.13. No Cross No Crown14. A Quest To Believe (A Call To The Void)15. Son And Daughter
In advance of the release of "No Cross No Crown", CORROSION OF CONFORMITY will join BLACK LABEL SOCIETY for a mammoth North American live takeover. The tour begins December 27 in Denver, Colorado and will wind its way through nearly four dozen cities, the journey coming to a close February 27, 2018. Additional support will be provided by EYEHATEGOD and RED FANG on select shows.
Photo credit: Dean Karr

The last solo song featuring Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead will be released tomorrow, Friday, December 1st, via San Diego-based label Pacific Records. The song, titled “We Are The Ones”, by Chris Declercq features Lemmy on lead vocals and bass and was co written by Lemmy.

The single was recorded and co-produced by Cameron Webb (Motörhead, NOFX, Weezer) in 2014 at Paramount Studios and mixed by John Lousteau (Foo Fighters, The Used, Against Me) at Dave Grohl’s “Studio 606” in Los Angeles. The song also features Josh Freese on drums (Vandals, a Perfect Circle, Guns N’ Roses) and Chris Declercq on guitar. Award winning filmmaker and music producer Martin Guigui contributed production to the completion of the song and also directed a behind-the-scenes promotional video about Chris's journey and the making of the song, to be released in conjunction with the single.

Chris Declercq is a lead and rhythm guitar player, songwriter, producer and arranger currently working on his first solo album in Los Angeles featuring former members of Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper, as well as other well-known guest artists. Recognized for his extraordinary guitar skills, Chris has performed and worked over the years with a host of world-class musicians, including Lemmy. Originally from Switzerland, Chris followed his dreams by moving to Hollywood at age 18 to further his music career. Chris’s incredible journey landed him inside Lemmy’s favorite room at Paramount, where they gelled well to create “We Are The Ones”. While Lemmy only intended to sing lead vocals, he volunteered to play bass too, after hearing the first takes of the track.

Stay tuned for Chris’s Declercq’s “We Are The Ones”, available on iTunes, Spotify and all other digital music stores December 1st and also as a limited edition hard copy single exclusively with Pacific Records.

"Dreaming The Inverse", the new video from enigmatic dark metal outfit DEATHWHITE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming full-length album, "For A Black Tomorrow", which will be released February 23, 2018 via Season Of Mist. The clip was directed by David Brodsky of MyGoodEye. Comments the band: "Our first video foray, 'Dreaming the Inverse', details a man's inability to forgive and his resultant descent into madness after receiving similar treatment from his scorned significant other. While the song itself could be applied to a variety of situations, in this instance, we felt it was necessary to visualize the oftentimes complex dynamic between two people who have effectively wronged each other. We feel the video accomplishes this in more ways than one. Beyond that, we are indebted to director David Brodsky and his team, the video's actors and everyone else who helped make this a reality." "For A Black Tomorrow" was produced and engineered by Shane Mayer of Cerebral Audio Productions.

Pre-orders for the album are available now at the Season Of Mist e-shop. "For A Black Tomorrow" track listing:

01. The Grace Of The Dark02. Contrition03. Poisoned04. Just Remember05. Eden06. Dreaming The Inverse07. Death And The Master08. Prison Of Thought09. For A Black Tomorrow Formed in 2012, DEATHWHITE was created, in part, to follow in the path created by dark metal torchbearers such as KATATONIA, MY DYING BRIDE, PARADISE LOST and ANATHEMA. The band's earliest work gave rise to their impactful blend of heavy, melodic and deeply emotional metal.

DEATHWHITE's profile grew significantly with the 2015 release of their "Solitary Martyr" EP, which was hailed by critics as "...spun gold, thick with emotion..." and "wonderfully engrossing."

Prosthetic Records post-black metal group Nullingroots recently released their five track album, Into The Grey. Do not let the number of tracks fool you - Into The Grey is a massive display of spacious sound and introspective discovery. Into The Grey is available online in "grey on grey" splatter vinyl and digipack CD formats. Orders for the album are available here.

Today, the band is following up on the release with a new live, in-studio video for their track "Subsistence".

Originally the project of sole member, Cameron Boesch, Nullingroots was formed in 2014 in Southern California. A debut, self-titled album was released shortly thereafter, which extracted Boesch's post-black metal style from his previous band, Solus, and incorporated lush, gazing atmospheric elements.
 
Cameron Boesch released two more Nullingroots full-lengths before assembling his band, comprised of Deacon Blue Batchelor, from the folk band Andrew Jackson Jihad on drums, and guitarist Alex Haddad. Shortly after, the three began writing Into The Grey. Self-produced, mixed and mastered by Jack Shirley at the Atomic Garden Recording Studio, Into the Grey is an expansion of Boesch's vision. Everything is intensified; from the brutal opening track "Subsistence", to the somber passages in "The Morning That Killed The World", to the title track ending opus.
 
Nullingroots have taken what many call blackgaze to new heights and levels, releasing one of the finest albums of 2017.

EMGtv presents the Hall Of Fame HD re-edit series. In the clip below, Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, ex-Nevermore) shreds "Jato Unit" from his album Zero Order Phase on his 7 string Schecter guitar and EMG 707 pickups.

Arch Enemy are collaborating with Pablo’s Coffee from Denver, Colorado to provide some high quality coffee beans in the name of heavy metal. A taste beyond good and evil, that you can only get your hands on during the current North American tour.

North American tour dates:

December
1 - Marquee Theater - Phoenix, AZ
2 - Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
4 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
5 - Alamo City Music Hall - San Antonio, TX
6 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX

Mike Portnoy has told Australia's Loud that he has come to terms with the fact that he will probably always get asked about his time with DREAM THEATER, despite the fact that he has been involved in a dozen other recording and touring projects in recent years.

"I'm sure there's not a single interview that Roger Waters does where he's not asked about PINK FLOYD," Portnoy said, "and his tenure in PINK FLOYD was 15 [years] — mine in DREAM THEATER was 25, so it's a long time. I'd rather not talk about it, and I refuse to talk about where they are without me, but if I'm asked about my 25 years, it's part of my history. I can't not talk about it.

"I see the headlines on Blabbermouth," he continued, "and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about DREAM THEATER?' I'm not talking about DREAM THEATER! I get asked about it. When I sit down to do an interview, I try to be polite and answer the questions that I'm asked. I'd rather not, but I've accepted the fact that when I am, I try to answer as honestly as I can."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 30 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).

Mike told Loud that he left DREAM THEATER because he wanted to expand his musical horizons. "[I didn't] want to go to my grave and just be the drummer from DREAM THEATER," he said. "I knew there was way more to what I had to offer."

"I love when people know me from things other than DREAM THEATER," he added. "That was one of the reasons… even when I was in DREAM THEATER, I started doing a lot of drum clinics and drum festivals, and I really started to establish my name for myself. That was important to me. I got known in the drum world. After I left DREAM THEATER, and I was doing AVENGED SEVENFOLD, TWISTED SISTER… all these other things, I made a lot of new fans in a lot of new areas. It was important to know who I am, all these different pieces of the puzzle."

Portnoy has just completed a tour with his SHATTERED FORTRESS project, with which he performed DREAM THEATER's "12 Step Suite" in its entirety for the first time ever. The music documents the drummer's battle with alcoholism, and is an ensemble of five songs recorded by DREAM THEATER from 2002 to 2009, with titles that reflect his struggles: "The Glass Prison", "This Dying Soul", "The Root Of All Evil", "Repentance" and "The Shattered Fortress".

Andrew W.K. has revealed the title, cover art, and track listing of his upcoming LP, "You're Not Alone". The album is scheduled for release on March 2, 2018 via RED Music/Sony Music worldwide, with its front cover image painted by legendary artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell. These two masters of fantasy worked closely with Andrew over a six-month period, crafting the painting based on their unique vision. It's safe to say, nobody has partied harder, longer, or more fervently than the undisputed King of Partying himself, Andrew W.K. A one-man music machine possessed of a single-minded, monomaniacal focus to spread a singular message: That to party is to exist. And to exist is to party.

On "You're Not Alone", Andrew W.K.'s first album of new rock songs in nearly twelve years, the party is reborn, delivering everything one would want and expect from an Andrew W.K. record — high-octane, full throttle rock 'n' roll powered by buoyant, infectious, and triumphant melodies. His music, always a music of extremes, is relentlessly upbeat and celebratory, while also exploring contradiction and confusion.

The songs on this album follow a surprising path to self-actualization. They give the listener permission to admit their vulnerabilities, and the encouragement to feel empowered. They're reflections on the push and pull between freedom and restriction. It's a confirmation of everything you are, rejection of all you are not, and at times, a blurring of the difference between the two. Doubt becomes certainty, confusion becomes clarity, and the fear of life becomes the courage to live it completely. The album reveals itself through double meanings, mirrored views, each ringing equally true, even at their most severely discordant.

Andrew W.K. has lived a life built on a belief that to reach a state of grace and acceptance, one must embrace both the shadow and the light, the pain and the joy, all that is known and unknown, the stability as well as the chaos, its speed and torpor. Understanding this, Andrew W.K. suggests, is the foundation of what partying eventually transmits to us. And by harnessing the revelatory power of partying — by celebrating the puzzles and pressures of life - we find the key to change and evolution comes from both inside and out, when we're together and on our own.

That inner voice, the music of our consciousness, becomes our guide. Trust it. Follow it. Through good times and bad, ups and downs, highs and lows. Realize that just being able to hear it conveys something fundamental to your being… you're not alone.

"You're Not Alone" track listing:

01. The Power of Partying02. Music Is Worth Living For03. Ever Again04. I Don't Know Anything05. The Feeling of Being Alive06. Party Mindset07. The Party Never Dies08. Give Up On You09. Keep On Going10. In Your Darkest Moments11. The Devil's On Your Side12. Break The Curse13. Total Freedom14. Beyond Oblivion15. Confusion and Clarity16. You're Not Alone

Century Media Records adds another shade of black by welcoming Wiegedood from Belgium to their roster.

After being formed in 2014 by Levy Seynaeve (Amenra, Oathbreaker) as well as Wim Coppers and Gilles Demolder (both also in Oathbreaker) Wiegedood quickly became a household name in the European extreme metal scene. Both of their albums, De Doden Hebben Het Goed and De Doden Hebben het Goed II, as well as their furious and cathartic live performances made waves beyond the realms of black metal.

After recently wrapping up shows with Wolves In The Throne Room the band just headed into the studio to record the final chapter of their album trilogy: De Doden Hebben het Goed III. The album is due for a release in the spring of 2018.

Catch Wiegedood on one of their visceral and intense live shows:

December
2 - Leeuwarden - Into Darkness Festival

March
17 - Lokeren, Belgium - De Kapel
28 - Hasselt, Belgium - Muziekodroom
30 - Oslo, Norway - Inferno Festival
31 - Edegem, Belgium - Catacomb

April
22 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Roadburn Festival

May
27 - Langres, France - Outch! Festival

Augusts
18 - Mean, Belgium - Metal Mean Festival

DELTA DEEP, the critically acclaimed blues-based band featuring Phil Collen (lead guitarist of DEF LEPPARD) and Robert DeLeo (bassist for STONE TEMPLE PILOTS), in addition to Debbi Blackwell-Cook (back-up vocalist for such artists as Michael Bublé and Gregory Hines) and Forrest Robinson (drummer for India.Arie, Joe Sample & THE CRUSADERS, TLC), will release a concert CD/DVD, "East Coast Live", on January 26, 2018 via Frontiers Music Srl. The set captures a magical night where all the stars fell into place at Daryl's House, the Pawling, New York club owned by Daryl Hall of HALL & OATES.
A lyric video for the song "Bless These Blues" can be seen below. Collen states about the track: "This tour was the first time we played the song live, and I'm blown away by the sound. It came over like a living, breathing powerful entity — a monster — everything you'd want in a live song. We had this particular performance filmed at Daryl's House on the second to the last day of our East Coast tour. It was so mighty, it made sense that we release it as a live performance lyric video instead of just an audio track and share it with the world."
Collen initially started DELTA DEEP in 2012 after jamming at home over the course of a year with friend and relative Debbi Blackwell-Cook (Blackwell-Cook is the godmother of Collen's wife, Helen). What started as a casual pairing singing Motown and classic blues staples while Debbi frequently visited Collen's home quickly turned into much more. Collen, Helen and Debbi began writing original music which Collen and Debbi recorded in Collen's home studio. Later that year, a chance meeting re-acquainted Collen with Memphis native and enigmatic heavy metal, jazz, and R&B drummer Forrest Robinson. A friend suggested giving STP bassist Robert DeLeo a call. Sharing a loving affinity for soul, funk and the blues, DeLeo was the perfect fit. According to Collen: "We really wanted Robert in this band. He had the added firepower of being the premiere pioneer and most 'badass bass player' to come out of the alternative rock explosion."

Reactivated California thrash metal pioneers DARK ANGEL are continuing to work on material for their long-awaited comeback album. The band's first CD since 1991's "Time Does Not Heal" will feature the lineup that has performed sporadic live shows since reuniting in 2013: Gene Hoglan (drums), Eric Meyer (guitar), Jim Durkin (guitar), Ron Rinehart (vocals) and Michael Gonzalez (bass).
Speaking to Agoraphobic News, Hoglan stated about DARK ANGEL's next disc (hear audio below): "We are in the process of writing it. My schedule is pretty crazy, so trying to devote as much time as I would love to to writing it has been a challenge. But we're in the process of writing it. And there's no timeline to when it's gonna be completed. And I appreciate everybody's patience. I can only imagine people [going], 'Where's that new DARK ANGEL [album] you promised a few years back?' But we're trying to work on it. I'm gonna make it fucking the most ball-crushing record possible."
According to Hoglan, he and his DARK ANGEL bandmates "have a great time" when they get together to play live shows. "This is my family too," he said. "We're all brothers. We get back together and have a good family reunion and play some metal."
Gene told KNAC.COM earlier in the year that he had "five or six songs ready to go" for DARK ANGEL's next album. "The stuff Jim's writing is deadly," he said. "And I'm trying to carry forth the youthful energy and aggression of 'Darkness Descends' with a little bit of what we were doing with 'Time Does Not Heal' and some cool-ass 'Leave Scars' thrown in. It sounds like DARK ANGEL, but I'm trying to err on the side of hyper-aggression, and that's cool with me. You never go wrong going heavier. So write a shit-ass heavy fucking record, that's gold in my book."
DARK ANGEL released two albums with Don Doty on vocals — 1984's "We Have Arrived" and 1986's "Darkness Descends" — before he exited the group and was replaced by Ron Rinehart (after a brief stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two more studio LPs — 1989's "Leave Scars" and 1991's "Time Does Not Heal" — before calling it quits in 1992. Rinehart, Hoglan and Meyer reassembled DARK ANGEL more than a decade ago but were forced to abandon their reunion plans after health issues reportedly put Rinehart's singing career on hold.

Rawk - The Art of Jason Newsted is underway at the Cultural Council in Lake Worth, Florida. The Grammy Award winner gave a tour for media on Thursday, reports Alanna Quillen of West Palm Beach TV Channel 5.

Newsted played bass for Metallica for nearly 20 years, and started creating art in 2004. He incorporates his musical influences into his art exhibit, which features an array of paintings and sculptures.

"The paintings look like the music sounds. It's the same energy, same heart, same brain, same hands that make the music. Direct transference," he said.

Newsted's works are for sale and proceeds will benefit  two charities: Little Kids Rock, which promotes music education in schools, and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation that honors the life of one of the Jupiter teens lost at sea. The money will be used to help build an outdoor classroom, the Perry J. Cohen Wetlands Laboratory, at Jupiter High School.

Read more at this location, and watch a video preview below.

 

Norwegian pioneers of progressive extreme metal In Vain, have released an animated lyric video for “Seekers Of The Truth”, the first single from their upcoming album Currents, to be released on January 26, 2018 via Indie Recordings.

Guitarist Johnar Håland comments: “On Currents you will find a variety of epic, long and complex songs, and on the other side of the spectrum; short, catchy and more immediate tracks. ‘Seekers Of The Truth’ falls in the latter category. Costin did a great job of visualizing the lyrical content and we are very pleased with his creative work.”

The video was done by In Vain’s cover designer, Costin Chioreanu, who provides his thoughts on the creative process behind the video: “'Seekers Of The Truth' is by far not a random lyric video. Pushed by the message of the song, I wanted to add a new dimension to the whole presentation, which can be discovered in the message of the illustrations. For me, the lyrics of this song are talking about one of the vital issues of nowadays society, an issue which is felt just by a very few. Those are the seekers, who are still living out there, among this terrifying crowd of people who switched their reality with a common illusion, agreed and imposed by the system. So, with all these dramatic moments I tried to catch in my illustrations for this video, I hope I could make the message of the band more powerful, and I hope it will be reached by those who need it to go on."

Currents will be released in two editions. The special edition will feature two bonus tracks and extended packaging; pre-orders can be placed here.

 

Two-time Grammy nominees August Burns Red are excited to kick off the holiday season with their reimagined version of the classic Christmas song "Last Christmas". August Burns Red have made a highly-anticipated annual tradition of releasing Christmas covers, with last year's being "What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)" and the beloved Home Alone theme song the year prior. "Last Christmas" will be available for purchase digitally tonight at 9pm PST / Midnight EST on iTunes. 

"This year I sat down with the intention of writing something upbeat, melodic, and shredtastic," says bassist Dustin Davidson. "When I decided to cover 'Last Christmas' I kept in mind that most people only know the chorus of the song. I didn't want to recreate something word for word, or note by note, so I took the main hook and built a bunch of original ideas around it. The lyrics to Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' are very sad, so if you're feeling lonely this holiday season, I hope this cover finds you well."

This week, August Burns Red were announced as nominees for the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best Metal Performance category for their song "Invisible Enemy", taken from the band's latest full-length album Phantom Anthem. This marks the second Grammy nod for Lancaster, PA's August Burns Red, as they were nominated in the same category in the 58th Grammy Awards for their song "Identity" from 2015's Found In Far Away Places.

The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will take place in New York City on Sunday, January 28th, 2018, with winners being announced live from Madison Square Garden. 

August Burns Red will kick off their headline Phantom Anthem Tour in January. Tickets are available now at AugustBurnsRed.com. Full tour routing below. August Burns Red have had a busy 2017, having toured The U.S. and Europe in support of the 10th anniversary of their Messengers album, and performing at major festivals, including Rock Allegiance Festival and Aftershock.

Tour dates:

January
5 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis/ M-Telus 
6- Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
7- Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
9 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
10 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot 
11 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
12 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
13 - Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
14 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick
16 - Edmonton, AB - Union Hall
17 - Calgary, AB - The Palace
19 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theater
20 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox
21 - Portland, OR - Roseland
23 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
24 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
25 - Los Angeles, CA - Belasco Theater
26 - Phoenix, AZ - The Marquee
27 - Albuquerque, NM - Historic El Rey
29 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
30 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
31 - St. Louis, MO - The Ready Room

February 
1 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy
2 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
3 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Ballroom 
4 - Austin, TX - Emo's 
6 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz Ybor
7 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
8 - Orlando, FL - The Beacham
9 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade (Heaven)
10 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete's
11 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
13 - Norfolk, VA - the Norva
14 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Sound Stage
15 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
16 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts

Entombed A. D. conquered the main stage at Germany's Wacken Open Air 2016, and delivered the finest old school death metal. Professionally filmed video footage from the performance can be seen below.

Songs:

"Second To None"
"Dead Dawn"
"Wolverine Blues"

Gothenburg, Sweden’s Bombus have released a two track single entitled “Call You Over” featuring the song “I Call You Over (Hairy Teeth, Pt. II), which is taken from their latest album Repeat Until Death, and another, previously unreleased track called “Black Stakes”. They also launched a brand new video for “I Call You Over (Hairy Teeth, Pt. II)” (watch below).

The band comments, “Friends of Bombus! Repeat Until Death is coming full circle and we have already entered the studio for the recording of our fourth studio album! What better way to celebrate this than with the release of a new single and a video! ‘I Call You Over (Hairy Teeth, Pt. II)’ is taken from Repeat Until Death. The video is made by the ingenious and extremely good looking Adam Holmquist who also did the video for ‘Deadweight’. ‘Black Stakes’ is a previously unreleased, cool and quirky lil’ track. This release is dedicated to Amélie de Moy - who appears in the video - and Nicklas Högberg at Live Nation who both sadly passed away fucking way to soon. That fucking sucks... But we really hope you all enjoy this release and we will see all y’all soon! Hail, kill and don’t forget to wear white Speedos! Peace out!“

The digital single including the previously unreleased track “Black Stakes” is available on all download and streaming platforms. Click here to direct you to selected download and streaming services.

Beasto Blanco, the band fronted by long time Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, will release Live From Berlin on January 19th via Rat Pak Records.

Live From Berlin was recorded at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany during the 2016 sold-out Böhse Onkelz tour. The release features songs from both their debut release Live Fast Die Loud (2013) as well as their 2016 self-titled sophomore release Beasto Blanco.

Frontman Chuck Garric comments, "It was an honour to be invited to tour with the legendary Bohse Onkelz. Every show was sold out, every night a feast of rock ‘n’ roll. The music was loud the crowd was louder! Berlin was a special night and we want to invite you to the party!”

Calico Cooper adds, “Beasto is a band that’s driven by the crowd. The more they scream for it the more we give it and Berlin was howling, it was an electric show!”, and guitarist Brother Latham states, “Blood, and sweat, it makes for any great story…this one, for sure will be written in the books. Berlin knocked us up beyond our wildest potential, living up to our motto Live Fast Die Loud!”

Influenced by bands such as White Zombie and Motorhead, Beasto Blanco’s music is a potent mix of heavy riffs, driving bass and melodic choruses. Live From Berlin” is available for pre-order in various bundle configurations including vinyl, cassette, deluxe jewel case, hand autographed and an Ultimate Fan Bundle where you can receive a personal phone call from Chuck Garric. Click here to pre-order.

Tracklisting:

"Il Nostro Spirito"/"Beasto Blanco"
"Freak"
"Motor Queen"/Drum Solo
"Grind"
"Machine Girl"
"Death Rattle"
"Honey"
"Feed My Frankenstein"
"Sadhana"/"Breakdown"

Former TRIVIUM members Travis Smith and Brent Young have rejoined forces in a new Florida-based hard rock band called BLACKNOVA. The new group is writing and recording its debut EP for a tentative spring 2018 release. The debut single, "Eclipse From Within", will be accompanied with a music video.

The formation of BLACKNOVA began in 2015 when Smith met fellow musician Rob Adams — with both of them having musical backgrounds, they hit it off quickly and became fast friends. They soon began discussing the idea of building their own music studio for post-work jam sessions/music recording. After a bit of searching, they acquired and converted a storage facility, creating their own custom studio space over the course of six months. The vision of the studio was to be a place that was inviting, comfortable and ultimately embracing creativity. Travis's childhood friend Brent Young soon joined in on the studio sessions as the second guitarist and after only after a few sessions, it was apparent the trio had great musical chemistry.

The band's initial intentions were simply to get together, play music they loved and have fun. At the outset, their focus was not about playing out and touring. However, the more music they wrote, the more their priorities began to naturally shift towards these goals. The final stage in the band's growth came when they decided to make a change in the lineup. After trying out a few singers that didn't quite seem to fit, Young decided to go back to bass guitar and step up to the role of lead vocals. The group agreed that having a three-member band was a vital element to achieving BLACKNOVA's sound, and this final shift in roles completed the lineup.

BLACKNOVA's style has been described as hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock and groove rock. The band is influenced by musical groups such as DREAM THEATER, ERRA, SEVENDUST, TOOL, MACHINE HEAD, SHINEDOWN, GUNS N' ROSES, METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and MEGADETH.

BLACKNOVA is:

Rob Adams - guitars, backing vocalsTravis Smith - drumsBrent Young - lead vocals, bass guitar

FEARED, the death metal outfit featuring current and former members of THE HAUNTED, DÅÅTH, SUFFOCATION and CLAWFINGER, has released an animated music video for "Your Black Is My White" off the band's forthcoming sixth album, "Svart". The clip, featuring drawings by Johan Ejerblom (ArtByEjerBlom) and directed by Hugo Andersson, can be seen below.

Commented guitarist Ola Englund: "The video for 'Your Black Is My White' is about Frida, a married woman who suffered a tragedy of losing her daughter in a drowning accident. Now she struggles through life living in two worlds, reality and nightmare. The accident is tearing apart on her relationship. In the video, the world shifts, and in the end, reality is the nightmare and her everyday perfect life is her dream. Video producer Johan Ejerblom really did a great job capturing the FEARED vibe."

Due on December 8, the follow-up to last year's critically acclaimed "Synder" was mixed by Mark Lewis (CANNIBAL CORPSE, TRIVIUM, WHITECHAPEL) and features the artwork of Sylvain Lucchina.

FEARED is led by THE HAUNTED guitarist Ola Englund .

"Svart" track listing:

01. När Allt Blir Svart02. King of the Dead03. Hate Mantra04. My Next05. In I Dimman06. Your Black Is My White07. Engines Of Death08. The Mare09. Blodspår FEARED is:

Mario Ramos - VocalsOla Englund - GuitarsJocke Skog - BassKevin Talley - Drums

Oriental metal pioneers, Orphaned Land, have released a second teaser for their new studio album, Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs, out on January 26th via Century Media Records. Find two teasers below, and pre-order the album here.

For the new album, Jens Bogren once again took over mixing and mastering duties of what turned out to be the band’s best and biggest production so far. Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs will feature a guest appearance of guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett as well as guest vocal appearances by no other than Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates). The great album artwork was created by Valnoir.

Singer and frontman Kobi Farhi comments: “We are thrilled and so happy to finally reveal you the great artwork of Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs! Our music has always been a combination of anger, tragedy, protest and joy. We can't wait for you to hear the 13 brand new tracks of this album. As always it will be very eclectic, no song sounds like the other and the whole album is a one big musical journey. We feel that this album takes our feelings to a new level of anger, protest and tragedy. The cover speaks for itself and it was made as tribute to the way governments design their money. Enjoy!”

Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs tracklisting:

“The Cave”
“We Do Not Resist”
“In Propaganda”
“All Knowing Eye”
“Yedidi”
“Chains Fall To Gravity”
“Like Orpheus”
“Poets Of Prophetic Messianism”
“Left Behind”
“My Brother's Keeper”
“Take My Hand”
“Only The Dead Have Seen The End Of War”
“The Manifest - Epilogue”    

Teaser #1:

Teaser #2:

To celebrate the release of the new album, the band will be touring Europe again in early 2018.

Kobi comments: “We are impatiently waiting to hit the roads and stages and play our new songs for you all. We feel that we have an amazing album on our hands. Join our ride and see you all very soon!”

Orphaned Land will be supported by In Vain, Subterranean Masquerade and Aevum. Dates below.

February
24 - Willemeen - Arnhem, Holland
25 - Turock - Essen, Germany
26 - Underworld - London, UK
27 - Petit Bain - Paris, France
28 - Le Ferrailleur - Nantes, France

March
2 - Copérnico - Madrid, Spain
3 - Bovedo - Barcelona, Spain
4 - Secret Place - Montpellier, France
6 - Jungle - Cologne Germany
7 - Bi Nuu - Berlin, Germany
8 - Randal  Club - Bratislava, Slovakia
9 - Flying Circus - Cluj Napoca, Romania
10 - Zet Pete - Krakow, Poland
11 - Dürer Kert - Budapest, Hungary
13 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
14 - Dagda Live Club - Borgo Priolo, Italy
15 - Jailbreak Live Club - Rome, Italy
16 - The Manoir Pub - St. Maurice, Switzerland
17 - Galvanik - Zug, Switzerland
18 - Chez Paulette - Pagney, France

Orphaned Land is:

Kobi Farhi - Vocals
Chen Balbus - Guitars
Idan Amsalem - Guitars
Uri Zelcha - Bass
Matan Shmuely - Drums

(Photo - Zohar Ron / Zoharon - Photography)

British heavy metal legends SAXON will release their 22nd studio album, "Thunderbolt", on February 2 via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music). The follow-up to 2015's "Battering Ram" was once again helmed by producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, ACCEPT and TESTAMENT, among others. The disc will feature original artwork by longtime SAXON collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory.

The official video for the "Thunderbolt" title track, featuring footage from SAXON's pyro-filled performance at Wacken Open Air and a host of other live gigs, can be seen below.

Frontman Biff Byford says: "['Thunderbolt' is] a storming, smashing, thundering collection of tracks we've been crafting with producer Andy Sneap and it's finished ready to be unleashed. Stand clear and fasten your seat belts!"

Three weeks later, the band will embark on the first leg of the "Thunderbolt" 2018 European tour. SAXON will be joined by fellow English rockers DIAMOND HEAD and metal trio ROCK GODDESS will perform on the scheduled U.K. dates, with very special guests MAGNUM on the U.K. Hull date only. However, SAXON doesn't stop there — dates for "Thunderbolt" tour part two will be announced in early 2018.

"Thunderbolt" will feature the song "They Played Rock And Roll", written about and dedicated to MOTÖRHEAD. Byford previously said that he gave the track that title because "that's what Lemmy used to say every night [from the stage]." He added: "It's basically about early MOTÖRHEAD — '79/'80 MOTÖRHEAD, like around 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', 'cause that's the tour we were on, that one. So, yeah, it's about the band, really, and their music."

According to Biff, "They Played Rock And Roll" will be musically similar to Lemmy and Co. He explained: "I asked Nibbs [Carter, SAXON bassist] to write me some music that was like MOTÖRHEAD, and he did. So it sounds very MOTÖRHEAD-ish, but not MOTÖRHEAD, if you know what I mean."

Regarding the "Thunderbolt" album title, Byford said: "'Thunderbolt' is about Greek gods, so I read up on Greek mythology. There's not really that much. Homer had some writings… I made most of it up, but it's based on Zeus and Poseidon and Hades, so it's got a bit of good and a bit of evil in it, so it's pretty cool. Obviously Zeus's sign was a thunderbolt and his sign was an eagle holding a lightning bolt."

Like "Battering Ram", SAXON's upcoming effort will feature Byford alongside Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt on guitar, Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler on drums.

"Thunderbolt" track listing:

01. Olympus Rising02. Thunderbolt03. The Secret Of Flight04. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz) 05. They Played Rock And Roll06. Predator07. Sons Of Odin08. Sniper09. A Wizard's Tale10. Speed Merchants11. Roadie's Song12. Nosferatu (Raw Version) (not available on vinyl)

Indonesian president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will file a report with the country's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the METALLICA "Master Of Puppets" box set he received from Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Since the gift technically constitutes a form of gratification, it must legally be reported to the KPK, according to Coconuts Jakarta.

The law is to prevent politicians from receiving gifts that could be considered a form of bribery.

"The President is planning to report the gift of the METALLICA vinyl records to the KPK," presidential spokesperson Johan Budi said.

Back in May 2013, Widodo was forced by KPK to turn over his autographed METALLICA bass guitar to the government, while authorities determined whether the instrument was merely a gift or a violation of ethics rules. Widodo received the bass from METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, but had to give it up to the state within 30 days, according to laws regarding gifts to state officials.

Rasmussen presented Jokowi with the "Master Of Puppets" box set during a state visit on Tuesday (November 28) at the Bogor Palace in Indonesia. In return, Jokowi, gave Rasmussen a rencong (traditional dagger from Aceh).

Jokowi's copy of the "Masters Of Puppets" box set came with the signature of METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who said he was thrilled Jokowi had accepted the gift.

"This is way cool… I signed [a 'Master Of Puppets'] box set for Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to give to Indonesian president Joko Widodo who is well known as a huge fan of rock music and came to see us in Jakarta in '13," Lars wrote on Instagram. "Music really does connect people!"

The 56-year-old Widodo, who served as governor of Jakarta before being elected president in 2014, attended METALLICA's August 2013 concert in the city — 25 years to the day after the release of the band's fourth album, "…And Justice For All", and more than 20 years after their tumultuous first show in Indonesia.

Widodo has also professed love for other heavy metal bands like MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and NAPALM DEATH in the past.

This is way cool… I signed an MOP box set for Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to give to Indonesian President Joko Widodo who is well known as a huge fan of rock music and came to see us in Jakarta in ‘13… music really does connect people!!! ???? @larsloekke @jokowi #masterofpuppets

A post shared by Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) on Nov 28, 2017 at 9:56am PST

Indonesia’s president @jokowi seemed eager to dig into his diplomatic gift from Denmark: A #MasterOfPuppets box signed by #heavymetal fans’ all-time favorit drummer @larsulrich @metallica pic.twitter.com/Epcq2paywh

— Lars Løkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) November 28, 2017

According to Billboard, six songs from Australian hard rock legends AC/DC have landed on the Hot Rock Songs chart following the death of the band's co-founder and longtime rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.

"Thunderstruck" is at No. 6, with 6,000 downloads sold (up 73 percent) and 4.1 million U.S. streams (up 33 percent) in the week ending November 23, according to Nielsen Music; "Back in Black" is at No. 11 with 3,000 downloads sold and 3.1 million U.S. streams; "You Shook Me All Night Long" is at No. 15 with 3,000 sold and 2.5 million streams; "Highway To Hell" is at No. 18 with 3,000 sold and 2.5 million streams; "T.N.T." is at No. 23 with 2,000 sold and 1.6 million streams; and "Hells Bells" is No. 24 with 2,000 sold and 1.5 million streams.

Meanwhile, AC/DC's "Back In Black" sold 7,000 equivalent album units in the week ending November 23. Of that total, 3,000 are from pure album sales, an increase of 127 percent.

Malcolm was remembered as "quiet, humble and understated" at his funeral in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday (November 28), according to ABC News. Hundreds of people gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral for the service, including AC/DC guitarist and Malcolm's brother Angus Young, former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and ex-AC/DC bassist Mark Evans. Eulogies were read by Bradley Horsburgh and David Albert, who described Young as a "quiet, humble and understated man."

The Albert family had managed AC/DC for more than four decades.

One of Malcolm Young's guitars was carried into the church for the service, while guitar picks inscribed with his date of birth and death were handed out with the official funeral programs.

After the service, a pipe band played a medley of songs as the funeral procession left St. Mary's, including the guitar solo from AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top", as well as "Waltzing Matilda" and "Road To Gundagai".

Malcolm, who co-founded AC/DC with Angus in 1973, died on November 18 at the age of 64 after suffering from dementia and failing health for several years.

Malcolm and Angus's older brother George passed away earlier this month, while original AC/DC singer Bon Scott died in 1980.

An unfinished demo song that will be included on the forthcoming 13th album from MALEVOLENT CREATION can be streamed below. The disc will feature the band's current lineup, consisting of founding guitarist Phil Fasciana alongside new additions Lee Wollenschlaeger (vocals, guitar), Phil Cancilla (drums) and Josh L. Gibbs (bass).

Fasciana stated about MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest incarnation: "After receiving so many great videos and songs from singers wanting to take over the vocal position after the departure of original vocalist Bret Hoffman, I finally have found the right man for the job.

"I received a few songs from Lee Wollenschlaeger and his solo project IMPERIAL EMPIRE and was so impressed that after a lot of conversations and hearing his own compositions and demos of him singing MALEVOLENT CREATION songs, I could not deny his talent.

"The demo song posted below is one of his songs that I really liked and told him we could work with his song for the next MALEVOLENT CREATION album and let people hear our new vocalist and his talent. He is also playing guitar in the band, which makes us now a four-piece.

"To prove my commitment to him that he is now the vocalist, I posted this demo song that he wrote and that is being re-recorded as we speak so he can re-write the lyrics and I can lay down a couple guitar solos for this song.

"We will be posting some more music with Lee Wollenschlaeger singing MALEVOLENT CREATION songs, and between the music i have written for the next album and his music, as well as our bassist and drummer who both write music as well, we now have a band that is dedicated to record the heaviest MALEVOLENT CREATION album yet.

MALEVOLENT CREATION's new lineup:

Phil Fasciana - GuitarLee Wollenschlaeger - Vocals/Guitar Phil Cancilla - Drums Josh L. Gibbs - Bass

MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "Dead Man's Path", was released in 2015 via Century Media.

Fan-filmed video footage of HIM's entire November 26 concert at Stadium in Moscow, Russia can be seen below.

The band's setlist was follows:

01. Buried Alive By Love02. Heartache Every Moment03. Your Sweet Six Six Six04. The Kiss Of Dawn05. The Sacrament06. Tears On Tape07. Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly08. Gone With The Sin09. Soul On Fire10. Wicked Game (CHRIS ISAAK cover)11. Killing Loneliness12. Poison Girl13. Bleed Well14. Heartkiller15. Join Me In Death16. It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)17. In Joy And Sorrow18. Right Here In My Arms19. The Funeral Of Hearts

Encore:

20. Rebel Yell (BILLY IDOL cover)21. When Love And Death Embrace

HIM is continuing its farewell tour, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career.

"After quarter of a century of love and metal intertwined, we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored," said HIM frontman and main songwriter Ville Valo. "We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you."

Formed in 1991 by Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).

Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music — HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve gold status in the USA.

Now, four years after the release of the band's last studio album, "Tears On Tape", HIM is saying farewell, taking in 14 countries across 35 shows for its final goodbye.

HIM in 2015 parted ways with its longtime drummer, Mika Kristian Karppinen (a.k.a. Gas Lipstick), and replaced him with Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger (formerly of HERRA YLPPÖ & IHMISET).

San Francisco Bay area metallers MACHINE HEAD will release their ninth studio album, "Catharsis", on January 26, 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The effort will be made available in several formats, including a CD/DVD digipak edition which contains footage of the band's 2015 concert at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom.

A performance clip of the song "Now We Die", taken from the above-mentioned 21-track DVD, can be seen below.

The follow-up to 2014's "Bloodstone & Diamonds", "Catharsis" was produced by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Zack Ohren (FALLUJAH, ALL SHALL PERISH) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Mastering was handled by Ted Jensen (HATEBREED, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES) at Sterling Sound in New York. Cover photography was created by Seanen Middleton.

Flynn told Jason Ellis of SiriusXM that "Catharsis" is a simpler and more straight-forward effort than some of MACHINE HEAD's past outings. "I've been telling everybody, 'Keep your expectations low for the heaviness,'" Robb said. "It's a very grooving, very melodic record, and it's kind of freaked people out — understandably, I guess."

Asked how "unheavy" "Catharsis" really is, Flynn said: "It's got some pretty melodic moments, man. This isn't us at our heaviest. To me, if 'The Blackening' was us at our most thrashing and most heavy, this is probably us at our most grooving and most melodic. And it's still heavy, it's great songs, it's just… it's a new trip, and I dig it, man."

According to Flynn, MACHINE HEAD had "no plan" while composing the songs for "Catharsis". "We just start writing," he explained. "There's never a plan. We just started writing, and it came out the way it came out, and it was just cool. That was the shit that got our dick hard, and we were, like, 'Fuck! Let's go with it.'"

He added: "To me, Keith Richards summed it up best. We're just a vessel and we're just channeling what's going through us."

Pointing out that "Catharsis" is a 15-song collection of music with a running time of around 75 minutes, Flynn admitted that "it's a big commitment" for the listener. But, he added, "The majority of the record is short songs. And it was nice. It was just, like, the first two songs we wrote were just short and sweet and heavy, and we were, like, 'Fuck! It doesn't need to go on for six more minutes or have 20 other changes.'"

As for what brought about the slight change in direction for MACHINE HEAD's new album, Flynn said: "I don't listen to a whole lot of metal — I'm being straight with you. To me, a lot of it doesn't interest me, a lot of the lyrics don't interest me. I listen to a lot of hip-hop. I grew up on a lot of hardcore, punk rock, hip-hop, and I just love… Love it or hate it, I love just the fucking direct, ignorant-ass lyrics of hip-hop. It's very clear, it's very blunt; there's no metaphors. Metal's full of metaphors. We've been singing about the same shit now for 30 fucking years and I get a little bored with it. And with this record, I really wanted to just strip it down and make really clear, really simple, really blunt… Especially my choruses, just really clear… Like, you know what the fuck I'm talking about exactly when I'm talking about it. And it's cool. Like real vulgar language and coarse language, and it's a good vibe, man."

Flynn went on to say that he was inspired by the idea of changing up the formula and taking MACHINE HEAD down a new path without veering too much from the band's established sound.

"How the fuck do you blow people away? How do you say something different?" he asked rhetorically. "'Cause there's the two sides — there's the type of bands that are, like, 'We wanna be AC/DC. Never change. It's always the same.' And then there's THE BEATLES, which is probably the most evolution that's ever happened over the course of 10 years in music history. And I don't wanna say we've changed that much, 'cause I never think that we have, but I love the evolution. I love trying to find some new thing that keeps you going."

"Catharsis" track listing:

01. Volatile02. Catharsis03. Beyond The Pale04. California Bleeding05. Triple Beam06. Kaleidoscope07. Bastards08. Hope Begets Hope09. Screaming At The Sun10. Behind A Mask11. Heavy Lies The Crown12. Psychotic13. Grind You Down14. Razorblade Smile15. Eulogy

The album is available for pre-order at this location.

MACHINE HEAD recently filmed the official video for the "Catharsis" title track. The clip is expected to make its online debut on Friday, December 8.

The North American tour in support of "Catharsis" will kick off on January 25 in Mesa, Arizona.

Swedish black metal band Grafvitnir have announced the December 15th Carnal Records release of new album Keys To The Mysteries Beyond. A promo video for the album's opening track, "Nidhögg," is available below.

The driving force behind the band is, and has always been, Occultism and the never-ending quest for the enigmatic emerald of Lucifer. Just like razor sharp claws of a Werewolf move and twists against whirling moonlit Night Skies, the ice-cold blades of Occultism will tear the illusion of the demiurg's false Creation apart and fiercely widen the cracks and crevices to the ancient kingdom of Beyond. 

With the band's fifth album, Grafvitnir are back from the frostbitten shadows of Scandinavia to eternally ignite the concealed spiritual Fire of the descendants of the Serpent, and to obtain the ancient Keys To The Mysteries Beyond.

Tracklisting:

“Nidhögg”
“Keys To The Mysteries Beyond”
“Vargavinter”
“Crossing The Abyss”
“Eternity’s Glistening Black”
“Journey Into Storms”
“Unleash The Storm Of Nothingness”
“Eye Of Lucifer”
“Whispers Of The Primordial Sea”
“Glimpses Of The Unseeable”

“Nidhögg”: