The Dead Daisies found inspiration in the excess of their rock 'n roll lifestyles for the video for their new song "She Always Gets Her Way (All The Same)", reports Allison Stubblebine of Billboard. Check out the clip below.  

The visuals enlist a choppy animation style to depict a coke fueled, drama-filled narrative in which the frontman finds trouble with the fact that his significant other enjoys a similar lifestyle to him. 

Vocalist John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, Union, The Scream), had plenty to say about the inspiration behind the track, explaining, "In lieu of some of the psychotic and crazy women that I somehow managed to find and get involved with, writing the lyrics for this was quite easy! I've kinda realized that I'm 'that guy' that could walk into a nudist colony in a full-length fur coat and ski mask, and I would be the one that left with mosquito bites! That's my life with women, well in the past anyway... hopefully!"

 

Former Unexpect bassist ChaotH (aka Frédérick Filiatrault) has launched a new band, Vvon Dogma I. Their new four song Communion EP is now available. A video for the title track was recently released. Following is a message from the Unexpect camp:

Vvon Dogma I's Communion EP is out now for stream and download. ChaotH keeps walking in circles with his finger in the air screaming 'Proving skeptics wrong will be a delight!' like a mad professor. Please get the EP and shut him up. Thank you."

COMMUNION EP by Vvon Dogma I

The tracklist is as follows:

"Hush"
"Communion" 
"Lithium Blue"
"The Mask"

Vvon Dogma I are pioneers and trailblazers, eschewing moribund genre categorizations to create music both strange and beautiful, to misquote Shakespeare: ‘something unique this way comes’.

Inspired by artists as diverse as Radiohead, Meshuggah, Deftones, James Blake, Jean Baudin, Die Antwoord, Clint Mansell, Igorrr, Arvo Part and Hans Zimmer, Vvon Dogma I’s creative lynchpin Frederick Filiatrault aka ChaotH formerly of Unexpect explains his new band’s unusual name.

“Vvon Dogma I is an expression that I created that means to me the second incarnation of any entity, the evolution from one state of being to another one that is infinitely more powerful or conscious or evolved. Either it being through death when you leave your body to become pure soul, or a larger societal level where we are leaving the naivety and simplicity of the modern era and stepping into a more complex and conscious 21st century world. Vvon Dogma I is that moment when you step into your second incarnation and become infinitely more conscious.”

Fredrick was driven to form Vvon Dogma I when his previous band Unexpect parted ways. He had to find the right musicians and he had to create these songs in order to find inner peace.

“The songs were like living entities needing to be drawn into our world. The music is so original it is hard for me to categorise and it will definitely challenge music fans, but ultimately I think it will satisfy them beyond what any generic band copying what has gone before ever could.”

Frederick hopes the fans will get something truly special from the music that is a blend of everything he is musically and is definitely more accessible than what he has done in the past.

“I wanted to feature my freak instrument of a nine-string bass. It is often a Frankenstein of bits and pieces of writing. But I also want people to know it’s not about shredding or anything. I wanted to see how I could apply this weird playing style in a musically accessible venue. My art is song writing plus arranging and the 9 string is only one aspect of it. I find it definitely adds an interesting flavor. Hopefully people will see it for what it is as a whole.”

Vvon Dogma I’s debut EP Communion features four tracks experimenting with elements of prog, djent, funk, and electronic sampling to create a sound truly all their own. Their first single, the EP’s title track, is a trip for the true lovers of outside the box thinking, bashing the low ends with a pummeling and dominating 9 string bass accompanied by the ripping of an 8 string guitar along with some morbid electronic samples for good measure. “Communion” will definitely get the true avant-garde tech musicians anticipating more with the small taster.

Vvon Dogma I is:

9 String Bass / Vocoder: ChaotH (aka Frédérick Filiatrault) 
Guitar: Yoan Marier-Proulx 
Drumz: Kevin Alexander 
Synths and Violin: Blaise B Léonard

Photo by Guillaume Briand

Veteran rockers STRYPER have recruited FIREHOUSE bassist Perry Richardson. He joins the band as the replacement for STRYPER's longtime bassist Tim Gaines, who was fired from the group earlier this year.

"The first time I met the guys in STRYPER was in 1985, when my first band, MAXX WARRIOR opened for them in Charlotte, North Carolina," says Richardson. "From that first meeting, they have always been one of my favorite bands and a huge influence on me personally and musically. To have the honor of becoming a member of STRYPER today is an indescribable experience for me. I am so overwhelmed, I can't put it into words. To be asked to be a member of one of my favorite all-time bands is one of the greatest honors of my career. I'm so looking forward to being a part of this next chapter in STRYPER's legacy. I'm ready to rock the world with my new brothers!"

Adds STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet: "Perry is a perfect fit within our band. He's an amazing singer, an excellent bass player and just a great human being. The moment we first rehearsed with Perry, we knew that it was right. We sang harmonies, and the vocals sounded awesome. He shared stories of how STRYPER was one of his favorite bands and that he's always respected us. It meant a lot to hear him say that. He has brought a kind and humble spirit to the band. He is a professional and an absolute gentleman. His resume is quite extensive and as impressive as it gets. We're honored to have him on our team and we're extremely excited about the future!"

Gaines's exit from STRYPER had been rumored for months, ever since guitarist Oz Fox revealed that Tim was going through a divorce, forcing the group to take a hiatus and possibly consider a future without the bassist.

Gaines told KNAC.COM in August that "all hell broke loose" after he split up with his previous wife, "which is taboo as far as Christianity, I guess." He added: "I'm not the only guy in STRYPER to have gotten a divorce. Everybody in the band is married to divorced people. And I'm the bad guy, but everybody else has done it too, so? Whatever. Live in glass houses and everything will be exposed at some point or another."

A few days later, the remaining members of STRYPER released a statement denying that Gaines's divorce was a factor in their decision to part ways with the bassist and blaming Tim's "erratic and hostile behavior" for his dismissal from the group.

STRYPER is scheduled to enter the studio in November to begin work on in its new album for an early 2018 release.

Tim is currently working with FAITHSEDGE singer-songwriter Giancarlo Floridia on that band's fourth album, tentatively due in the fall of 2018.

Drummer Mike Portnoy (SONS OF APOLLO, ex-DREAM THEATER) was recently interviewed by Chile's Video Volante. The full chat can be seen below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On his recent detours away from progressive metal:

Mike: "Even though I made my name in progressive music with DREAM THEATER for twenty-five years, I could have gone down any road. When I went to Berklee, I met John Petrucci and John Myung and we formed DREAM THEATER because we wanted to do very progressive music — a lot of odd time signatures, long songs — but that was only one of my interests. I met them and we went down that road, but when I went to Berklee, I also was a big thrash metal fan. At that point, METALLICA was just coming out, and SLAYER and ANTHRAX and MEGADETH, so I could have went down that road. I was also a big classic rock fan — THE BEATLES, THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN — so I could have went down that road, but I ended up going down the progressive rock road with DREAM THEATER. It's a difficult road, because it's for a very select audience — very long songs, very complex parts at times — but because it's such a select audience, they're also incredibly devoted, so that's why DREAM THEATER, over a long period of time, finally built up a big audience. When I left DREAM THEATER, that's when I wanted to do all these other styles. I do thrash metal with METAL ALLEGIANCE; I do classic rock with THE WINERY DOGS; I go out and play with TWISTED SISTER or AVENGED SEVENFOLD; so now I get to do all of these different things I like."

On his impressions of the "djent" scene:

Mike: "My son's band [NEXT TO NONE] is doing that sort of thing. They're kind of dabbling in the djent scene. It's a little bit like PERIPHERY, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, MESHUGGAH. I think that stuff is amazing. I think it's the next logical step for progressive music. It's taking everything that's heavy and making it heavier, and everything that's complex and making it even more complex. It's all about eight-string guitars and crazy double-bass drumming, so I have an appreciation for it. To me, it's part of the evolution of progressive music. I think it's more like prog for this generation."

On SHATTERED FORTRESS, in which he performs DREAM THEATER's "Twelve-Step Suite":

Mike: "It's kind of like closure. I don't plan on revisiting DREAM THEATER material; I haven't revisited DREAM THEATER material since I left the band; so this is kind of like a one-time thing for me and the fans to finally get to experience this."

SHATTERED FORTRESS just completed a South American tour and will venture to Australia for six shows in November.

Portnoy's new progressive metal band SONS OF APOLLO released its debut album, "Psychotic Symphony", via InsideOut Music on October 20. The group sees him rejoin forces with former DREAM THEATER keyboardist Derek Sherinian and his THE WINERY DOGS bandmate Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH), as well as guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) and singer Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN, JOURNEY).

The new CD from Jordan Rudess & Steve Horelick, titled InterSonic, will be released November 14th via Lazy Bones Recordings.   

The beautiful and haunting new album, InterSonic, by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and synth-wiz, Steve Horelick, features 11 tracks and a download card which includes 3 bonus tracks exclusive to the CD. 

As Jordan and Steve describe InterSonic: “When we assemble our collection of electronic and acoustic instruments, we’re setting up our sonic canvas. Will the music be tonal or textural? Who knows? A wonderful, initial state of uncertainty fills the air… Keys are pressed.  We listen. Knobs are turned. We respond. Touchplates are activated and music begins to flow from our minds through our fingers into the real world. It’s magic. Our very personal magic.”

Pre-Orders and merchandise are available now at Lazy Bones and Pledge Music.

Tracklisting:

"Child Mind"
"Particles"
"Quantum Fuzz"
"Submergence"
"Into Tranquility"
"Northern Lights"
"Unfolding"
"Swarm"
"Dreaming Aloud"
"Elias's Lullaby"
"Beyond Time"

Exclusive Bonus Tracks For CD

"Code Bender" *
"Echoes Of A Dream" *
"Once Entwimed"

* Recorded live at Purchase College

Introductory Video:

 

Truth Inc Records have announced the signing of rising melo-death stars Hollow World.

The five-piece hail from Melbourne and have taken the Australian heavy scene by storm in 2017 with the release of their debut album Exanimate, as well as gracing stages around the country with some of the best bands Australia, and the world, has to offer. 

After playing coveted festivals such as the inaugural Thrash, Blast and Grind Festival in Melbourne, Blacken Open Air in Alice Springs and the Dead of Winter festival in Brisbane and supporting the likes of Fleshgod Apocalypse and Fallujah, Hollow World are set to tour Australia with Once Human in early 2018 and then are planning on setting their sights beyond Australian shores. 

"We are excited to join a label like Truth Inc. We've always admired the Truth Corroded guys and their drive and now, to work with their label after seeing what they have done in the past with other Australian bands, we are very keen. They have impressed us with their vision for the future and we are looking forward to moving ahead with them as we grow our career," says vocalist Ben Roberts of the decision. 

Truth Inc are equally excited at the prospect of working with Hollow World and helping them reach their potential. "We are incredibly stoked to have Hollow World join the label! They are one of the best bands to have come out of the frenetic Melbourne heavy music scene in recent years and have been as unrelenting in their work ethic as in the extremity of their music. Having firmly established themselves as a leader in the industry I look forward to working with them on the bands next album and see them grow internationally," label manager Greg Shaw adds. 

Check out their latest video clips for "Wildfire" and "Patient Zero" below.

Hollow World is:

Ben Roberts - Vocvls
Michael Truscott - guitar
Theo Goslett - guitar / backing vocals
Josh Hynes - bass
Michael Hodgson - drums

For further details, visit the official Hollow World Facebook page.

 

Raintimes, the new melodic rock project featuring Italian musicians Pierpaolo “Zorro” Monti (Charming Grace, Shining Line) and Davide Barbieri (Wheels Of Fire, Charming Grace) together with singer Michael Shotton (Von Groove), will release their debut album on December 1st. The track “Swan” is available for streaming below.

The lineup on the album is completed by Sven Larsson, Andrea Gipponi, and Ivan Gonzalez.

Pre-order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

“Forever Gone”
“Make My Day”
“Don’t Ever Give Up”
“Swan”
“I Need Tonight”
“Raintimes”
“Just A Little Bit More”
“Empty Days”
“Together As Friends”
“Missing Piece”
“I See The Light”

“Swan”:

“Forever Gone” lyric video:

Band lineup:

Michael Shotton - Lead & Backing Vocals
Iván González - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Sven Larsson - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Davide Barbieri - Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Andrea Gipponi - Bass & Fretless Bass
Pierpaolo Monti - Drums & Percussion

Special guests:

Niclas Olsson - Keyboards on “I Need Tonight”
Philip Lindstrand - Backing Vocals on “I Need Tonight”
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards & Backing Vocals on “Just A Little Bit More”
Erica Trovato: Backing Vocals on “Together As Friends”
Jesús Espín: Backing Vocals on “Missing Piece”
Daniel Flores: Percussion on “I See The Light”
Michele Luppi: Keyboards on “I See The Light”

Dead Quiet's new album, Grand Rites, will be released on November 3rd. Pre-orders for Grand Rites are available at Bandcamp and iTunes. When you pre-order from iTunes you'll be able to own the songs “Blood Lovers”, “Spiritual Abuse”, “Fucking Oath” and “Dear Demon”, or you can listen to the songs via Apple Music or Spotify.

With influences ranging from doom metal to classic rock, Dead Quiet seeks to meld melody with catastrophe as they weave through a dissonant landscape of crushing metallic riffs and somber choral musings. While remaining loyal to crucial heavy metal foundations, the band is successful at pronouncing that heaviness with depth and honesty.

Having the addition of full time keyboard player Justin Hagberg (3 Inches Of Blood) to the creative process, the songs have seen a richer dynamic and further broadened their already ‘70s rock and early heavy metal characteristic.

With the release of Grand Rites on the horizon, Dead Quiet hope to continue traversing the globe, playing what has become well known as an ultra-energetic, charismatic and ear splitting live performance.

After just finishing a cross-country Canadian tour, supporting Season Of Mist recording artist Anciients, Dead Quiet will be playing a CD release party in Vancouver, BC on November 17th at Rickshaw Theatre.

Tracklisting:

“Moon Curser”
“Blood Lovers”
“Corpse Revival”
“Disgraced”
“Fucking Oath”
“Dear Demon”
“Old Hopeless”
“Spiritual Abuse”
“Grand Rites”

“Dear Demon”:

“Spiritual Abuse”:

Grand Rites by Dead Quiet

"Fucking Oath":

Los Angeles-based metal band, Phinehas, have released the powerful new song and video "Hell Below”. The clip is available for streaming below.

"'Hell Below' is a dialogue between murdered North Korean civilians and the guilty Kim Dynasty, which has committed democide a thousand times over. It peers into the concentration camps that the higher ups of North Korea deny the existence of: where thousands are murdered, starved, tortured, and exploited every year," the band said. "This music video is Part One of Two of the story of 'Jayu' ('freedom 'in Korean) as he attempts to escape the grip of a North Korean concentration camp while freeing another prisoner along the way."

The band will release its new album, Dark Flag, on November 17 via Solid State Records. It's available for pre-order here.

Dark Flag is a concept album stemming from the atrocities committed by the Kim regime in North Korea. Said frontman Sean McCulloch, "This album isn't a political statement. This isn't a conservative or liberal agenda. Dark Flag is about human rights and how precious and valuable life is."

Dark Flag tracklisting:

"Dark Flag"
"Burning Bright"
"I Saw The Bombs Fall"
"The 38th Parallel"
"Hell Below"
"A War That Never Ends"
"Break The Earth"
"My Rosary"
"The Arduous March"
"Communion For Ravens" (feat. Jimmy Ryan)
"Meaningless Names"
"Know Death; Know Forever"

“Hell Below” video:

“Dark Flag”:

Phinehas will embark on a fall tour around album release with Fit For A King, Like Moths To Flames, and In Hearts Wake. All dates are below.

Tour dates:

November
9 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar
10 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall
11 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
12 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave II
14 - Columbus, OH - Park Street Saloon
15 - Detroit, MI - The Shelter
16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
17 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
18 - Montreal, QC - La Tulipe
19 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
20 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Sound Stage
21 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
22 - New York, NY - The Gramercy
24 - Freehold, NJ - GameChangerWorld
25 - Richmond, VA - The Canal Club
26 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete’s
27 - Nashville, TN - Rocketown
28 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
29 - Orlando, FL - Backbooth

December
1 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
2 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe Grotto’s
5 - San Diego, CA - SOMA
6 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
7 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
8 - Sacramento, CA - Holy Diver
9 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
10 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
12 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
13 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
15 - Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
16 - Dallas, TX - Trees

APF Records has revealed the video for "Devil" by UK sludge band, BongCauldron. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, Binge,which will be released in November. Watch the video below, and pre-order the album on vinyl here.

The band commented “‘Devil’ was written on a decline into self-destructive alcoholic despair. This song envisages depression as a force that will never leave you. A disease that no one can fully see but yourself. Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, every time you speak its standing right next to you ready to smash you in the teeth.”

Recorded by Chris Fielding of Conan in his Skyhammer Studio, Binge will be available on limited edition green vinyl, black vinyl, limited edition digipak CD and digital formats.

Since the release of their eponymous EP in 2014 the band has built up a huge buzz in the UK underground, resulting in support slots with Corrosion Of Conformity, Eyehategod, Pentagram, Weedeater, Yob, Windhand and Monolord among others. Binge combines the titanic riffs, monstrous grooves and West Yorkshire swagger that has made the band a must-see live attraction.

About BongCauldron: "Born, got drunk, played riffs, we'll eventually die.”

Tracklisting:

“Devil”
“Bury Your Axe In The Crania Of Lesser Men”
“68”
“Binge”
“Bigfoot Reigns”
“Hopeless”
“Toxic Boglin”
“Yorkshire Born”

“Devil” video:

Recorded by Chris Fielding at Skyhammer Studio
Mastered by James Plotkin at Plotkinworks
Artwork by Dominic Sohor at Dominic Sohor Design

BongCauldron is:

Corky - bass, vocals
Biscuit - guitar, vocals
Jay - drums

Entheos have released a video for “The World Without Us”, featured on the Dark Future album, out via Spinefarm Records on November 10th. Watch the video below, and pre-order Dark Future at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Black Static (I)”
“White Noise (II)”
“Melancholia”
“Pulse Of A New Era”
“Sea Of Symmetry ”
“Inverted Earth (I)”
“Sunshift (II)”
“Suspended Animation”
“The World Without Us”
“Resonance”

“The World Without Us” video:

“The World Without Us” playthrough video:

Entheos perform next on November 10th at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA. Find the band’s live itinerary here.

Swedish heavy metallers, Ram, will release their new album, Rod, on November 3rd via Metal Blade Records. The third and final single “Incinerating Storms” is available for streaming below.

The album can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:

- Jewelcase CD
- Digipak CD
- 180g black vinyl
- orange red vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
-- lame splatter vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- red brown marbled vinyl (ebay-exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- transparent orange vinyl (USA exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- box-set (limited to 500 copies) with the album on orange-brown/black-marbled vinyl and digipak CD, plus a flag, a back patch, a photo card (hand signed by all members), and the Monuments Of Masters 7" featuring covers of Venom ("In League With Satan") and Exciter ("Beyond The Gates Of Doom").

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

Ram comments about Rod: "We are very proud to release our fifth studio album entitled Rod. On this album for the first time ever we wrote a conceptual story over 6 songs, something that we always wanted to do but never got right. This album contains probably our most epic moments to date but it is still definitely Heavy Metal Tyranny!"

Rod tracklisting:

“Declaration Of Independence”
“On Wings Of No Return”
“Gulag”
“A Throne At Midnight”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 1: Anno Infinitus”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 2: Ignitor”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 3: The Cease to Be”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 4: Voices of Death”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 5: Incinerating Storms”
“Ramrod The Destroyer, Pt. 6: Ashes”

“Incinerating Storms”:

“On Wings Of No Return” video:

“Gulag” lyric video:

Ram lineup:

Oscar Carlquist: Vocals
Morgan Pettersson: Drums
Harry Granroth: Guitar
Martin Jonsson: Guitar
Tobias Petterson: Bass

Heidevolk are the true definition of Pagan metal brotherhood. These Dutchmen hold up the flag for intelligent and perfectly balanced Pagan folk metal like no other. It's time to unveil the info on their brand new release, Vuur van Verzet, set to be released on January 12th.

The band states: “We are excited to announce our long-awaited new album Vuur van Verzet ("Fire of Resistance"). An album that catapults you to a battlefield where a failing Roman empire is retreating and Germanic tribes are on the rise to claim back what is theirs. It will guide you through the great migrations and tell the tale of early traditions, gods and nature. We've fitted these stories in 11 songs that emphasize the characteristic Heidevolk sound but also underline the progression of our songwriting. Fast metal riffing combined with a our trademark dual male vocals, a 24 piece male choir, various folk musicians, a string ensemble and the raw guest vocals of Primordials' Nemtheanga make Vuur van Verzet an album that shows its teeth… in a bombastic way. Join us, the Pagan metal brotherhood is on the rise!"

Album artwork by Awik Balaian, full tracklisting and available formats below.

Vuur van Verzet tracklisting:

“Ontwaakt”
“A Wolf In My Heart”
“Onverzetbaar”
“Yngwaz Zonen”
“Britannia”
“The Alliance”
“Tiwaz”
“Het Oneindige Woud”
“Gungnir”
“Woedend”
“Het Juk der Tijd”
“Drink op de Nacht” (Bonus Track)
“Een Wolf in mijn Hart” (Bonus Track)

Available formats:

- 1 CD 6-pages Digipack incl. 24 pages booklet
- 1 LP Gatefold, black and limited golden vinyl
- Ltd Edition Album Bundle incl. 6-pages Digipack, Leather wristband, flag, patch
- Digital Album Download
 
Get your hands on your exclusive pre-order here.

Heidevolk will be hitting the road for an European tour run together with their label mates in Arkona as well as Finish folk metal outfit Korpiklaani in 2018. Check out all dates below and make sure to grab your tickets soon.
 
February
15 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
16 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
17 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinehalle 2 *
18 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg *
19 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage **
20 - Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre
21 - Nantes, France - Stereolux
22 - Toulouse, France - Le Bikini
23 - Madrid, Spain - Sala But
24 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1
25 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur
26 - Vevey, Switzerland - The Rocking Chair **
27 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
28 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Theater

March
1 - Prague, Czech Republic - Meet Factory
2 - Munich, Germany - Backstage *
3 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA *
4 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
5 - Milano, Italy - Magazzini Generali
6 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse **
7 - Graz, Austria - Orpheum
8 - Vienna, Austria - Simm City
9 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser *
10 - Geiselwind, Germany - Musichall *
11 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol
 
* extended shows with Black Messiah, Evertale & The Privateers
** no Arkona
 
Heidevolk Line-up:
Lars - Vocals
Jacco - Vocals
Kevin Vruchtbaert - Guitar
Kevin Storm - Guitar
Rowan Roodbaert    - Bass
Joost Vellenknotscher - Drums

(Photo - Kevin Storm)

Italian melodic metal band Temperance have announced the decision to move ahead without singer Chiara Tricarico, who is now officially no longer in the band. Chiara sang on Temperance’s 2014 self-titled debut release up until the latest DVD, Maschere: A Night At The Theater, and together they toured the world extensively. Temperance wish her the best of luck for her future endeavours. More news will be announced soon on the band’s official web pages.

Tricarico has issued the following statement:

"Dear all, last Saturday, after a show and after almost four years of live and studio activity together, I was told by the guys from Temperance about their decision to change line up, in which I am officially not included anymore. Of course I am sorry to be no more part of a project I have put so much effort and passion in through the years, but I wish them all the best with the new line up.

Feel your power, limitless. Be yourself, not someone else!"

Temperance released a video for the song "A Thousand Places", taken from their 2016 album, The Earth Embraces Us All. Check it out below.

The Earth Embraces Us All was released on September 16th, 2016. via Scarlet Records. The album artwork has once again been made by Gustavo Sazes (Kamelot, Arch Enemy, Morbid Angel).

Tracklisting:

“A Thousand Places”
“At The Edge Of Space”
“Unspoken Words”
“Empty Lines”
“Maschere”
“Haze”
“Fragments Of Life”
“Revolution”
“Advice From A Caterpillar”
“Change The Rhyme”
“The Restless Ride”

US metal powerhouse, WildeStarr, will release their new album, Beyond The Rain, on Friday, December 8th via Scarlet Records. A lyric video for the single and title track, “Beyond The Rain”, can be found below.

WildeStarr is the combined talents of three of the most dynamic musicians in heavy metal today: Dave Starr (Vicious Rumors, Chastain), on all guitars & bass, London Wilde on vocals, and powerhouse drummer Josh Foster. Over the course of three studio albums - Arrival (2010), A Tell Tale Heart (2012), and now Beyond The Rain - WildeStarr have established themselves as the masters of their craft with melodic and aggressive metal full of dark drama, and conveyed via a huge wall of sound.

Beyond The Rain takes the listener on a harrowing ride and emotional roller coaster. Some might think its a concept album, but its actually much more than that. The songs are London Wilde’s lyrical expression of pain, torment, hope, and love based on the real life tragic suicide of her brother Gary in 2012. Gary was a gifted musician who suffered the sad pitfalls of many others who pick up the guitar and dream of success in the music business. After his death, Gary essentially became a not so silent fourth member of the band, and his presence and spirit was deeply felt throughout the songwriting and recording process.

Beyond The Rain contains ten tracks of classic heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, and Dio, complete with Dave Starr’s soaring guitar harmonies and killer riffs, pounding bass and drums, and out of this world vocal melodies and lyrics by London. Husband and wife team Dave Starr and London Wilde have been friends for thirty years and married for over fifteen now. This makes their songwriting and chemistry very special and unique in the world of heavy metal.  

The album artwork was made by world renowned digital artist Jonas De Ro. Jonas has worked on many blockbuster movies as a concept artist, including Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Terminator Genisys, Jupiter Ascending, Edge Of Tomorrow, and many others.

In Dave Starr's own words: "The original artwork is titled "Moscow Ruins", I found this on the internet a year ago and London and I fell in love with it. It really seemed to fit the mood for Beyond The Rain, so I contacted Jonas and purchased the rights to use it.”

Beyond The Rain tracklisting:

“Metamorphose”
“Beyond The Rain”
“Pressing The Wires”
“Red”
“Down Cold”
“Rage And Water”
“Crimson Fifths”
“Undersold”
“From Shadow”
“When The Night Fall”

“Beyond The Rain” lyric video:

On October 20th, Epica's Simone Simons, Isaac Delahaye and Coen Janssen performed a short acoustic set live on air at NPO Radio 1 in Holland. They performed "Beyond The Matrix" and "Universal Death Squad" from The Holographoc Principle; check out the studio footage below.

Epica’s The Solace System EP is out now via Nuclear Blast. The EP features six brand-new numbers, which were created during the creative phase of The Holographic Principle album. The Solace System was recorded, mixed & mastered by team Joost van den Broek and Jacob Hansen. The splendid artwork is once again by the hand of Stefan Heilemann.

Tracklisting:

“The Solace System”
“Fight Your Demons”
“Architect Of Light”
“Wheel Of Destiny”
“Immortal Melancholy”
“Decoded Poetry”

“Immortal Melancholy” video:

“The Solace System” video:

Brazilian metal band Shadowside, featuring Swedish bass player Magnus Rosén (ex-Hammerfall), have checked in with the following update:

"Here is the second track of our new album Shades of Humanity: 'Beast Inside'! Add it to your playlist! This song is a made-up conversation between God and mankind. It's not a religious song, though. It's about how we are all born perfect and innocent, but somewhere along the line mankind became one of the most destructive forces on the planet. These are tense lyrics, that represent all of our wars, prejudices, pain and suffering."

Shadowside recently released a video for their song "Alive", the first single of the new album Shades Of Humanity, which was recorded and produced in Sweden by Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, Hammerfall, Evergrey) and Henrik Udd (Architects, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil).

The music video for "Alive" was produced and shot at Adrenaline Studios in Orlando, FL, by director of photography Daniel Stilling, known for his work on The Martian film and Criminal Minds television series.

"Alive" is not only a music video, it's a short film that features the power of resilience represented by the four elements of nature, where the band members Dani Nolden (Air), Magnus Rosén (Earth), Raphael Mattos (Fire) and Fabio Buitvidas (Water) experience situations of life and death, at the edge of impending disasters. Will they be able to fight for their lives?

Shades Of Humanity explores deep subjects such as depression, abortion, the Mariana Dam disaster in Brazil and mankind's moral values, branching out in musical ways nobody expected while still keeping their heavy guitar riffs and catchy melodies.

The release of Shades Of Humanity will be on July 26th in Japan, via Spiritual Beast, July 28th in North America / Europe via EMP Label Group (the US-based label of Megadeth bass player Dave Ellefson), and September 4th in Brazil via Furia Music Records.

Tracklisting:

"The Fall"
"Beast Inside"
"What If"
"Make My Fate"
"Insidious Me"
"The Crossing"
"Stream Of Shame"
"Parade The Sacrifice"
"Drifter"
"Unreality"
"Alive"
"Haunted" (Japanese bonus track)

Swedish progressive hard rockers Nightingale have announced the release of their first-ever live album, Rock Hard Live, for December 8th.

Following Nightingale’s latest studio album, Retribution, which was released in 2014 via InsideOutMusic, Rock Hard Live, was recorded at Germany’s Rock Hard Festival in 2016.

Nightingale’s Dan Swanö checked in with the following comment about Rock Hard Live:
“After eight Nightingale studio releases the time had come for a proper live album!

“When we were invited to perform at the prestigious Rock Hard Festival in May 2016 we felt that this could be the right time and place to capture the energy of a Nightingale live performance.

“Once we listened back to the recordings of the gig it became obvious that there was a special vibe both on stage and in the audience that day. In order to capture that we decided to mix the album with a very high percentage of the sound coming from the two audience microphones. This approach gives the listener the sensation of actually being there at the gig when you listen to it, but this also means that you have the occasional out-of-time and tune-notes here and there since there is no way to fix anything in the studio once you mix an album this way.

“So, Rock Hard Live indeed is a genuine sonic snapshot of what Nightingale sounds like on stage, warts and all!”

A first single (and iTunes instant grat track) off Rock Hard Live is also being launched today, along with the album preorder. Check out “Chasing The Storm Away” streaming below.

While InsideOutMusic is handling digital release for Rock Hard Live, its CD and LP (black or colored vinyl) formats will be issued via Spain’s Alone Records, who are also launching an LP version of Nightingale’s latest studio album Retribution on December 8th.

Tracklisting:

“Nightfall Overture”
“A Raincheck On My Demise”
“Hideaway”
“Forevermore”
“Into The Light”
“Chasing The Storm Away”
“Revival”
“Steal The Moon”
“Black Tears”

“Chasing The Storm Away”:

Having been reported recently that melodic death metallers Bloodshot Dawn had entered the studio to begin work on their third full length album, entitled Renanimation; an album that is also set to feature prominent guests including Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore), Paul Wardingham, Ken Sorceron (Abigail Williams, The Faceless), Mendel Bij De Leij (Aborted). Today the band are pleased to reveal the album is set to see the light on 12th January 2018 and will be released via Hostile Media.

Since their self-titled and second album Demons, there has been shifts in the bands ranks making way for new members, Canadian shredder Morgan Reid, drummer James Stewart (also of Vader and Divine Chaos) and bass player Giacomo Gastaldi.

Frontman and last founding member Josh McMorran reflects on the losing all members from the Demons line up as a huge shock to the system, "I had to take some time to think about how to move forward with the band’s sound and honestly thinking wasn't what was needed. When Morgan joined the band he worked tirelessly on riffs and ideas for songs which I sculptured into my design and feel for how I thought the album should flow. We met up over a two week period and turned hundreds of ideas into ten tracks very naturally. The general feeling is that we now for the first time have a solid direction and process, we work as a unit instead of separate solo efforts within the band."

"We recorded guitars and drums in the east of Germany and Czech simply because that's where Morgan and James are based. The studio in Czech, Babylon Studios, had an incredible drum room which was a huge selling point to this studio. We recorded guitars at Morgans home studio, which follows a similar process to our previous records. After that we headed for Sweden to work with Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) for final guitar pieces, additional layers, mixing and mastering. Per is a good friend and an extraordinary musician and his ear and eye for the big picture has helped us create Renanimation and pushed us to evolve our sound in a very natural way."

"As for the stories within the album, a lot of it is ambiguous, regarding personal struggles, as well as observations on modern day society. But as with all Bloodshot Dawn records the lyrics aren't always as clear cut and it's the sci-fi artwork that really tells the cover story so to speak. We worked with a good friend Chris Kewli who is a concept artist with an incredibly creative mind. The artwork is the third part of a trilogy of art continuing and finishing the concept that started with the first two Bloodshot Dawn albums. The front cover pictures an alien approaching a war torn earth who's coming to clean up the planet of human life and refresh the earth back to its former glory! The art unfolds further through the inlays of the CD."

As well as the news of an imminent new release the band will be on tour throughout UK/Ireland tour, their first in almost 2 years! "We are excited to be hitting the tour circuit again after a short hiatus. We are hungry for live devastation and looking forward to seeing fans old and new!"

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Harvester Of Sorrow" on October 26 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland can be seen below.

The European leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour kicked off in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 2 and will run through November. After a break, the trek will pick up again on February 1, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, and continue through May, finishing up in Helsinki, Finland.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band is touring in support of its tenth studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", which came out last November.

The first ten of the shows of the North American "WorldWired" tour during May and June grossed $49.5 million in ticket sales.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone that the band was genuinely surprised to learn they could still play stadiums, saying, "It was like, 'Holy fuck, people really still care about this band in ways that you stopped taking for granted literally decades ago. It was very inspiring and kind of eye-opening."

He added: "Full stadium runs can sometimes be a little intimidating. There's all these things to worry about like, 'You should really try to play maybe only on the weekend,' and, 'Where do you play on Tuesday?' and some of those practicalities can get a little bewildering. We just threw caution to the wind. Doing a stadium run seemed like the perfect thing on the back of how well this record has been received and all the good will that's out there in METALLICA's world right now."

Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN have just embarked on a very special run of shows, dubbed the "Danse Macabre" tour. Joining the band for this exclusive set of dates is longtime friend and collaborator, NIGHTWISH lynchpin Marco Hietala. Having contributed to most of DELAIN's records with guest appearances and after worldwide requests from fans, DELAIN and Hietala are now storming the stage together on the "Danse Macabre" tour.

These shows feature a specially selected set list of rarely heard DELAIN songs, a sneak preview of new material, special effects and much more.

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Danse Macabre" kick-off show, which took place on October 26 at L'Alhambra in Paris, France, can be seen below.

DELAIN will follow the "Danse Macabre" tour with a string of dates in South America in late 2017 and a full North American tour with KAMELOT and BATTLE BEAST in the spring of 2018.

DELAIN spent the last year celebrating its tenth anniversary — from the release of "Moonbathers" and an anniversary edition of its debut disc, "Lucidity", to extensive headline tours across Europe and North America to gracing some of the world's biggest festival stages — and capped it off with the release of its first-ever live DVD/Blu-ray package. Issued on October 27, "A Decade Of Delain: Live At Paradiso" was filmed at a sold-out gig at Amsterdam's legendary Paradiso on December 10, 2016. DELAIN was joined on stage throughout the evening by Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Liv Kristine, Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY), and many other special guests and collaborators.

OPERATION: MINDCRIME, the band led by former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate, will release "A New Reality", the third and final of a concept album trilogy exploring international politics, the world economy and social ethos, on December 1 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The song "Wake Me Up", taken from "A New Reality", can be streamed below.

"A New Reality" track listing:

01. A Head Long Jump02. Wake Me Up03. It Was Always You04. The Fear05. Under Control06. The New Reality07. My Eyes08. A Guitar In Church?09. All For What?10. The Wave11. Tidal Change12. The Same Old Story

The cover artwork can be seen below.

"The whole OPERATION: MINDCRIME project was really a group effort," Tate told the Chicago Tribune.

"I wanted to have an open-door policy where really great players could come in, contribute and also do other projects. I just called all the people I really respect that I've met over the years, asked them to be part of it and gave them all the material I've written.

"We did one really massive session and recorded everything. I've just been finishing it over the years."

OPERATION: MINDCRIME recorded and released the first part of the trilogy, "The Key" in 2015 and followed it a year later with "Resurrection".

"Resurrection" continued to track Tate's protagonist, H, as he plowed ahead in his quest to bring a project called The New Reality to fruition. "I wanted it to be what happens next, of course," Tate explained to Billboard. "The first part was kind of set up where you see a little bit about what's going on with the characters; the second one is what actually happened, then how do the characters get out of it."

Among the musicians who have contributed to the OPERATION: MINDCRIME project are keyboardist Randy Gane; guitarists Kelly Gray and Scott Moughton; DISTURBED bassist John Moyer; and drummers Brian Tichy (OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE) and Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO).

"I love storytelling. I like telling stories with music," Tate told the Chicago Tribune. "It's something that I just grew up with, listening to the ALAN PARSONS PROJECT's 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination' and PINK FLOYD's 'The Wall' and 'The Dark Side Of The Moon'.

"They were fantastic albums that told stories that really got under my skin and influenced me. It's what I enjoy."

Swedish heavy metal heroes SABATON are uniting with German thrash titans KREATOR for the ultimate North American co-headlining trek. The 24-date tour kicks off on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona and will make stops in Los Angeles, Montreal, and Philadelphia before concluding at Jannus Landing in Tampa, Florida on March 10.

SABATON's Par Sundström comments: "We are excited to return to American grounds after the last successful tour. Teaming up with our friends in KREATOR, we are able to play larger venues which allows us to bring a bigger production than we ever brought into America." KREATOR's Mille Petrozza states: "Hordes! We return back to North America alongside the mighty SABATON! It's a true European invasion and we can't wait to be back! We're looking forward to sharing this bill with SABATON and playing our full headline set for KREATOR fans old and new."

General admission tickets go on sale on Friday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Dates for the 2018 SABATON and KREATOR North American co-headlining tour are:

Feb. 08 - The Van Buren - Phoenix, AZFeb. 09 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA Feb. 10 - The UC Theater - San Francisco, CA Feb. 12 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR Feb. 13 - Showbox - Seattle, WA Feb. 14 - The Vogue Theater - Vancouver, BC, CanadaFeb. 16 - Union Hall - Edmonton, AB, CanadaFeb. 17 - The Palace - Calgary, AB, CanadaFeb. 19 - Revolution - Boise, ID Feb. 21 - The Gothic Theater - Denver, CO Feb. 22 - The Truman - Kansas City, MO Feb. 23 - The Myth - Minneapolis, MNFeb. 24 - Orpheum - Madison, WI Feb. 26 - 20 Monroe - Grand Rapids, MI Feb. 27 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL Mar. 01 - The Phoenix - Toronto, ON, CanadaMar. 02 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC, CanadaMar. 03 - House of Blues - Boston, MA Mar. 04 - The Paramount Theater - Huntington, NY Mar. 06 - The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA Mar. 07 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD Mar. 08 - The Ritz - Raleigh, NC Mar. 09 - Buckhead Theatre - Atlanta, GA Mar. 10 - Jannus Landing - Tampa, FL

SABATON's eighth album, "The Last Stand", was released in August 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Heroes" was once again produced by Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, LINDEMANN, HYPOCRISY) and it "marks a brand new chapter in SABATON history," according to a press release.

The artwork for "The Last Stand" was created by Peter Sallaí, who has worked with SABATON since "Carolus Rex".

SABATON last year parted ways with guitarist Thobbe Englund and replaced him with Tommy Johansson (GOLDEN RESURRECTION, REINXEED).

KREATOR is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "Gods Of Violence", which entered the official chart in Germany at position No. 1. The cover artwork for the album was created by renowned artist Jan Meininghaus, who also made the limited-edition artwork for KREATOR's previous effort, 2012's "Phantom Antichrist", and has lent his talents to bands like BOLT THROWER, ACCEPT and OVERKILL in the past.

Petrozza told Metal Wani about the reception to "Gods Of Violence": "It couldn't be better. To us, the way we measured the success of our record is 'How do the fans react in the live situation to the songs we put in the setlist?' For [the latest] tour, we've added, like, five or six new songs to the setlist. Reactions are just as good for, let's say, 'Extreme Aggression' or one of the classic songs. To us, it's mind-blowing. It shows us that we did something right."

Legendary BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward spoke about the upcoming tour from his new band DAY OF ERRORS during this weekend's edition of his radio show "Rock 50". The group, which was formed by Ward "in the desire to have my drumming spirit continue to live," also features Joe Amodea on guitar/vocals and KILL DEVIL HILL singer Jason "Dewey" Bragg on vocals.

Bill said (see video below): "I'm really excited, and so are all the guys in DAY OF ERRORS; we're very, very excited about it. It'll be nice. We need to stretch our legs. We've made some records recently. As a matter of fact, I just got out of the studios literally yesterday, so we've got a couple of new cuts that we're hoping to get on iTunes in November, hopefully, or December, so you'll be able to hear some new things, and hopefully that will come about. But, yeah, we're all looking to stretch our legs. I feel really good about it, and I can't wait to have a play."

According to Ward, DAY OF ERRORS' set includes such tracks as "Vacant Church", "Macabre" and "Young Demons". "We've got a lot of songs, man, in the band, and they kick ass," he said. "I can't wait to get stretched out. And when [I say] 'stretched out,' I mean I've gotta get… my arms, just everything's gotta get real strong. And I've been working out for about two months in lieu of getting this moving. So I feel pretty good."

Bill said that he is looking forward to hitting the stage with DAY OF ERRORS for the first time in more than a year. "Hopefully we can meet a few people, say hi, and hopefully it'll be a lot of fun," he said. "We'll kick it down for you. We'll play a nice hardcore set."

Confirmed DAY OF ERRORS tour dates:

Dec. 07 - Wow Hall - Eugene, ORDec. 08 - High Dive - Seattle, WA Dec. 09 - Dante's - Portland, ORDec. 12 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CADec. 13 - Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CADec. 14 - The Garage - Ventura, CADec. 15 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA

DAY OF ERRORS made its live debut in June 2016 at Gaslamp in Long Beach, California.

Bragg joined DAY OF ERRORS earlier this year following the departure of bassist/vocalist Nick Diltz (ALL HAIL THE YETI).

Ward says: "We play loud, hard, with overtures of gut-kicking heavy, heavy parts."

Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced in November 2011, but backed out soon after. He later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

SABBATH has used singer Ozzy Osbourne's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on the band's comeback album, "13", which came out in June 2013.

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, which he allegedly balked at.

Asked in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine if he would be in shape right now to rejoin BLACK SABBATH, Ward responded: "Absolutely, yeah. I have no doubt in my mind. I know that they've suggested that I played half the gig, and I don't want to play half the gig. I'm quite capable of playing a complete fucking BLACK SABBATH set. So this health thing has been bandied around, and it's true that I have heart disease, and it's true that I did get sick a couple of years after the fact. But when the health card is being thrown around, the bottom line is that I really tried to take care of myself. Every day, I always look at the day and say, 'Could I have played a gig today no matter what's going on with me?' And the answer is always, 'Yes.' I'm much harder on me than those guys could ever be."

Ward in 2015 released his first solo album in 18 years. Titled "Accountable Beasts", the record can be purchased on iTunes.

Michigan rockers POP EVIL have released a brand new single and music video for a track called "Waking Lions". The song is taken from the band's fifth studio album, "Pop Evil", which will be released on February 16, 2018 via Entertainment One. The band collaborated on the record with veteran producer Kato Khandwala and has been hard at work since early June. The sessions took place over the summer in Nashville, Tennessee at Studio A in Sound Emporium Studios and earlier this month at Sphere Studios in Los Angeles, California.

"This is a dawn of a new day for POP EVIL," says vocalist Leigh Kakaty. "The new lineup feels like a whole new chapter for us. We could not be more proud to lead off this new album cycle with 'Waking Lions', sending a positive message to our fans.”

POP EVIL teamed up with Columbia Tatone on the video and is thrilled with the outcome. "Columbia brought a unique and distinctive approach with her visuals for our new music video," Leigh says. "We really feel she delivered the energy that the song carries."

POP EVIL bassist Matt DiRito told the WRIF radio station that the band spent the "longest time in the studio ever" recording the follow-up to 2015's "Up" album. "Usually our turnaround is about three months in the studio. And this time we've been working on it since, like, May," he said.

"We're just taking our time," he continued. "We're working with a different producer. His approach is… he's very thorough with all the sounds and the songs. Instead of having some crazy digital samples, like if we have some weird effect we wanna do, he'll make us sit down and do it organically with, like, tambourines and shakers and triangles. All those little things, I think, kind of improve the quality, overall, of the album sonically, and I think it's time well spent, but it's just overall taking longer."

"Pop Evil" marks the recording debut with the band of British drummer Hayley Cramer, who joined POP EVIL in 2016 following the departure of Josh "Chachi" Marunde.

Kakaty previously said that the band recorded "close to twenty songs" for its next LP. He has called the sessions for the effort "the smoothest recording process to date."

Fan-filmed video footage of W.A.S.P.'s October 29 performance at Élysée Montmartre in Paris, France can be seen below.

Brazilian drummer Aquiles Priester made his live debut with W.A.S.P. at the opening show of the band's "Re-Idolized - The Crimson Idol 25th Anniversary World Tour" on September 25 at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aquiles said in a statement: "I'm very happy to announce that I will be touring Europe this fall with W.A.S.P. It's a huge honor to be part of the 'Re-Idolized' tour. 'The Crimson Idol' is one of the most important progressive concept albums in the history of heavy metal music. I would also like to extend my gratitude to W.A.S.P.: Blackie [Lawless, guitar/vocals], Mike [Duda, bass] and Doug [Blair, guitar]. Thank you, for having me aboard on this tour. I've learned a lot from all three of you."

For a list of upcoming W.A.S.P. shows, visit WASPnation.com.

Born in South Africa, Priester has collaborated with such bands and solo artists as ANGRA, HANGAR, MIDAS FATE, PRIMAL FEAR, Paul Di'Anno (ex-IRON MAIDEN), Tony MacAlpine and Vinnie Moore. He is also known for having participated in the widely talked-about DREAM THEATER drummer audition which took place after Mike Portnoy had left the band. It was after that event that DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci recommended Priester to another great guitar virtuoso, Tony MacAlpine.

Priester has released three educational publications: the book "Inside My PsychoBook: 100 Double Bass Patterns" (2011) as well as two DVDs, titled "The Infallible Reason Of My Freak Drumming" (2010) and "Top 100 Drum Fills" (2013).

Drummer Mike Dupke left W.A.S.P. in 2015 after a nine-year stint with the band. He was initially replaced on the road by YNGWIE MALMSTEEN drummer Patrick Johansson and, later, by Randy Black (PRIMAL FEAR).

Napalm Records will release "Re-Idolized", the twenty-fifth-anniversary version of W.A.S.P.'s iconic hit album plus the original "The Crimson Idol" movie on DVD and Blu-ray.

"Re-Idolized" will be made available on Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and vinyl in early 2018.

BUTCHER BABIES have released the music video for their single "Headspin". The track is taken from the band's third album, "Lilith", which was released on October 27 via Century Media. The follow-up to 2015's "Take It Like A Man" was produced by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SEPULTURA, SUICIDE SILENCE) and marks the band's recording debut with new drummer, Chase Brickenden, who replaced Chris Warner last year. Co-frontwoman Carla Harvey states about the clip: "With 'Headspin', we finally wrote about a topic that we've strayed away from for years: sex, one of the most basic human needs. This song drips sensuality and we wanted the video for it to do the same.

"We enlisted two pros, Jessa Rhodes and Zander Corvus, to tell this story of lust for us and towed the lines of truth versus fantasy by experimenting with virtual reality. It's also a bit of social commentary on how much of our reality is skewed in this social media-driven world."

"Lilith" track listing:

01. Burn The Straw Man02. Lilith03. Headspin04. Korova05. #Iwokeuplikethis06. The Huntsman07. Controller08. Oceana09. Look What We've Done10. Pomona (S**t Happens)11. Underground And Overrated

Harvey told Meltdown Of Detroit's WRIF radio station that the music on "Lilith" "runs the gamut" from "great thrash metal" to "a little bit of '90s influence." She said: "We're singing, we're screaming and it's just a great, great album. I couldn't be prouder of it. I think there's four songs where we do predominantly singing on it. And normally that would scare even me, 'cause I'm, like, 'I'm a metal girl! I don't wanna be singing.' But it's so beautiful — it really is. So it's kind of ballady, but not too ballady. It's very dark, sensual — the lyrics are very sensual on this album."

She continued: "I think we're bringing a little bit of the sexy back on this album that we kind of steered away from for a while. When we were building up our career, we wanted to be taken so seriously as metal chicks, so I think we kind of let those hindrances go a little bit and said, 'Let's just be us in all aspects of us' — from the metal to the sexy to everything else."

Although there is a lot of variety on BUTCHER BABIES' latest effort, Carla was quick to point out that "I couldn't do an album with no thrash on it, 'cause that's my passion. I think my favorite song on the album is a completely ridiculous thrash metal song that you'll hear," she said. "It's just amazing. In fact, one line in the song is about my Corvette that is always broken down. I have a '75 Corvette, 'cause I'm a real Detroit girl with a real American car. The song has completely ridiculous lyrics, but it's so cool — total thrash."

Regarding BUTCHER BABIES' collaboration with Evetts, Carla said: "He doesn't do any Auto-Tuning or any pitching or anything like that, so every note on this album is a hundred percent authentic. And it's really cool to be able to say that about an album nowadays, I think, because people are so used to hearing everything Auto-Tuned and touched up and fixed up. This album is exactly what we've always wanted to do — it's something passionate and raw — and we're all just over the moon for it."

She added: "That's the one thing that we've always wanted to capture, because I think that we're a great live band, and when you're a good live band, you wanna capture that energy, and we finally found a producer that can help harness that live energy, actually, into the album."

BUTCHER BABIES are supporting HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD on a U.S. tour which kicked off on October 1 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mediterranean symphonic metal band Sleeping Romance will release their new album, Alba, on November 3rd via Napalm Records as digital download and jewel case CD. The album track “Lost In My Eyes” is available for streaming below.

Says the band: “We are really excited about our new single ‘Lost In My Eyes’! It's a little bit different compared to the first two singles we have released from Alba but we think it is a killer track and we hope you'll like it! Il metallo!!“

This Italian quintet displays true mastery, as they fuse bloodcurdling classical sounds with monstrous melodic death metal-riffing. The music is full of force yet sustained by noble, theatrical flamboyance and provides a symphony for the broken hearted who somehow manage to love again.

Their upcoming album, Alba, leads a journey of orchestral opera arrangements and siren songs; touching, sometimes frightening, but always as personal as can be. Songstress Federica Lanna means every word she sings and Federico Truzzi complements her lovely voice with delicate guitars.

Sleeping Romance states: “We are very excited to present our new album Alba, an album we are very proud of! Alba represents a strong musical evolution compared to our debut album and is more dark, powerful and deep. Heavy guitar riffing, a lot of orchestral and choir sections and emotional lyrics is what you'll get from this album. All strings, woodwinds, brasses and choir parts are recorded live to give our songs real life and a great sound.

“The concept of Alba, “Dawn” in Italian, centers around the main character and her life that advances through difficulties, choices and mistakes, and leads the character to a positive growth. The message the concept wants to give is that life is complex, full of obstacles, but there’s always a way forward, and an opportunity for everyone to reach what their heart desire. We really hope you will appreciate our second album, both the music and the concept and atmosphere!”

Tracklisting:

“Overture - Twilight”
“Where The Light Is Bleeding”
“Lost In My Eyes”
“Touch The Sun”
“Forgiveness”
“My Temptation”
“Across The Sea”
“Everything Behind”
“Through The Looking Glass”
“Alba”
“Underture – Daylight”

“Lost In My Eyes”:

Webisode #1:

Webisode #2:

Webisode #3:

Webisode #4:

“Where The Light Is Bleeding” video:

“My Temptation” lyric video:

Sleeping Romance lineup:

Federica Lanna - Vocals
Truzzi Federico - Guitar and orchestra
Lorenzo Costi - Bass
Francesco Zanarelli - Drums
Fabrizio Incao - Guitar

Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN will spend most of 2018 away from the road as they work on the follow-up to 2016's "Moonbathers" LP. "We want to keep low key and a low profile because we want to focus on making the new album — to write it and record it," keyboardist Martijn Westerholt told music journalist Joel Gausten in a new interview. "There were some tours offered, but we declined because we really have to focus on new stuff." Singer Charlotte Wessels added: "We're going to be doing a lot, but you won't be seeing much of it."

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

DELAIN spent the last year celebrating its tenth anniversary — from the release of "Moonbathers" and an anniversary edition of its debut disc, "Lucidity", to extensive headline tours across Europe and North America to gracing some of the world's biggest festival stages — and capped it off with the release of its first-ever live DVD/Blu-ray package. Issued on October 27, "A Decade Of Delain: Live At Paradiso" was filmed at a sold-out gig at Amsterdam's legendary Paradiso on December 10, 2016. DELAIN was joined on stage throughout the evening by Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Liv Kristine, Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY), and many other special guests and collaborators.

DELAIN has just embarked on the "Danse Macabre" tour, featuring special guest and frequent collaborator Marco Hietala from NIGHTWISH on all dates. SERENITY and CELLAR DARLING are providing support.

DELAIN will follow the "Danse Macabre" tour with a string of dates in South America in late 2017 and a full North American tour with KAMELOT and BATTLE BEAST in the spring of 2018.

Following the release of their acclaimed debut album 1917 and last year's successful Pledge Music campaign, doom pop act Courtesans released their 5-song EP, Better Safe Than Sober, on March 31st. The band is out supporting Wednesday 13 for three shows and have released a new video to coincide with the gigs. Check out "Feel The Same" below, the second music video to be taken from the EP and lands ahead if a UK headline tour this November and December.

The Courtesans on "Feel The Same" - "A tale of deception, desperation and resignation. It’s about a hollow belief in other people’s honour, honesty and good intentions when dealing with your emotions.Holding on to what you thought you were told was true but being confronted with the chilling reality of having been lied to and then left alone to battle the pain of understanding the lies you were spun, questioning everything you thought was real."

Courtesans dates are as follows:

October
28 - London, O2 - Academy Islington (with Wednesday 13)

November 
23 - Cardiff, Wales - The Moon
24 - Bristol, UK - Mothers Ruin
25 - Southampton, UK - Heartbreakers
26 - Brighton, UK - The Hope & Ruin
30 - London, UK - The Black Heart

December
1 - Leicester, UK - Duffy's Bar
2 - Nottingham, UK - The Red Room
3 - Norwich, UK - The Waterfront Studio
6 - Birmingham, UK - The Flapper
7 - Leeds, UK -  The Key Club
8 - Glasgow, Scotland - Audio
9 - Newcastle, UK - Think Tank
10 - Manchester, UK - Gullivers