Edged Circle Productions has set January 5th, 2018 as the international release date for Magick Touch's second album, Blades, Chains, Whips & Fire.

Magick Touch are a power trio - with the emphasis on power - from the southwestern coastal town of Bergen, Norway. The band - HK Rein on guitar and vocals, Bård Nordvik on drums, and Christer Ottesen on bass and vocals - formed in 2014 and released their debut album, Electrick Sorcery, through Edged Circle in 2015. The album went on to reap worldwide acclaim for its simple-yet-profound pleasures.
 
As the trio encompasses at least two singers and three songwriters, Magick Touch is almost like getting several bands for the price of one. Even more so than their celebrated debut, Blades, Chains, Whips & Fire plays this out with absolute (and absolutely addicting) aplomb. The vocals are characterful indeed, blending into slick harmonies on infectious choruses whilst Rein’s wah-drenched solos are splendidly delivered. Once again, this is that rich 'n' rewarding middle point between hard rock and heavy metal, and Magick Touch finesse it with a truly magickal touch.
 

Tracklisting:

"Under The Gun"
"The Great Escape"
"Midnite Sadusa"
"Believe In Magick"
"Polonium Blues"
"Siren Song"
"Lost With All Hands"
"After The Fire"
"Electrick Sorcery"
"Blades, Chains, Whips & Fire"

"Under The Gun" video:

According to Phoenix Business Journal, the Alice Cooper’stown restaurant in downtown Phoenix, Arizona has closed.

The restaurant was open for two decades behind Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix and was owned by rocker Alice Cooper and his manager Shep Gordon.

Social media websites for Cooper’stown were also shut down Monday and the restaurant property was padlocked.

"We are very proud of the 20 years Cooper'stown operated in spite of everything closing around it - it was time to leave on an up note and we thank all who supported us," said Gordon, managing partner of Alice Cooper'stown.

Read more and see photos at bizjournals.com.

The Black Dahlia Murder has announced two catalog vinyl releases for November 24th: Miasma and Nocturnal. See below for more pressing information.

Miasma LP reissue:
- 180 g black vinyl
- night-blue vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- multi-colored splatter vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
- ultra-clear vinyl (limited to 200 copies)

Nocturnal LP re-issue
- 180 g black vinyl
- navy blue/black marbled vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- blue with red circles split colored vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
- Picture Disc (limited to 300 copies)

Pre-order your copies now in North America at this location, or in Europe via EMP or eBay.

The Black Dahlia Murder have released their eighth full-length, Nightbringers, via Metal Blade Records. A full album stream is available below. Nightbringers can be ordered in various formats at this location:

Nightbringers tracklisting:

“Widowmaker”
“Of God And Serpent, Of Spectre And Snake”
“Matriarch”
“Nightbringers”
“Jars”
“Kings Of The Nightworld”
“Catacomb Hecatomb”
“As Good As Dead”
“The Lonely Deceased”

Album stream:

“Nightbringers” video:

The Black Dahlia Murder have embarked on a North American trek in support of the new album. Suffocation, Decrepit Birth, Necrot, and Wormwitch join them on this run, with select dates to include Exhumed.

October
23 - Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
25 - Ringle, WI - Q & Z Expo Center
26 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret
27 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
28 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite
29 - Calgary, AB - Marquee
31 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater

November
1 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven (with Exhumed)
2 - Eugene, OR - WOW Hall (with Exhumed)
3 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Vinyl @ Hard Rock (with Exhumed)
4 - Petaluma, CA - Phoenix Theater * (with Exhumed)
5 - San Bernardino, CA - KnotFest ** (with Exhumed)
6 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red (with Exhumed)
7 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Cafe
9 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
10 - Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
11 - Louisville, KY - Diamond Pub Concert Hall

* no Suffocation
** no Necrot, Wormwitch

Melbourne Australia's Earth Caller has signed with Entertainment One / Lifeblood, Inc. and released a brand new music video for their single, "Fall”. This is the band's first bit of music and music video we're seeing from their forthcoming LP.

"This song is about a bit of a messy break up I had and the process of how it came to unfold," says Earth Caller vocalist Josh Collard. "I was a bit of a mess myself at the time and more or less realized that we were both guilty of similar things which is why Sophie Jest (who features on the track and acts in the videoclip) sings the chorus back at me in the bridge"

"Lyrically this album is far more personal and emotional. Sonically it’s heavier, faster and more melodic. Honestly, the band has never been more proud of a body of work than we are of this album and judging by the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve already received when we perform new material live - it appears the fans are into too!"

Earth Caller will release Crystal Death via Entertainment One / Lifeblood, Inc. on January 19th, 2018. "Fall" is also being offered as an iTunes instant gratification track, meaning fans who pre order the album via iTunes will get that song as an immediate download.

These are days of tumult and turmoil, when good people grow tired of the worsening status quo. Revolution comes in multiple guises, from armed insurrection to cultural shifts. Earth Caller is a call to arms, a loud rallying cry to mobilize, inspire and revolt.

These five men from Melbourne, Australia adeptly combine the urgent bare-knuckled hardcore sound and spirit of First Blood, Terror and Madball with the crushingly massive metallic bounce of modern metalcore. There’s even a bit of the ragged melodies of punk legends like NOFX and Bad Religion. It’s all driven by the socio-political consciousness and hip-hop feel of Rage Against The Machine, the frustration of the streets, and fused with the giant screamed choruses popularized by Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon.

The catharsis of crushing guitars, polyrhythmic riffs, driving drums and the impassioned pleas of a hardscrabble singer won’t change the world on its own, but Earth Caller is a powerful tool to inspire the change within that helps lead to change worldwide.

Tracklisting:

“Pipe Dreams ”
“Sucka ”
“No Forgiveness ”
“Exposed ”
“Dying Beside You ”
“Never In Never Around ”
“A Ghost ”
“Fall ” ft. Sophie Jest
“Mirror ”
“May 16 ”
“Hold On ” ft. Taylar Paige

“Fall” video:

Earth Caller is:

Josh Collard - Vocals
Zac Noble - Guitar/Vocals
Justin Murphy - Guitar
Harley Hadden - Bass/Vocals
Joel Diver - Drums

Canadian melodic thrash metal powerhouse, Threat Signal, are streaming the new song “Aura”, featured on the band's upcoming album, Disconnect, set to be released on November 10th via Agonia Records. Listen below.

Since their debut offering Under Reprisal (2006), which won the "Canadian Recording Of The Year Award" at the Hamilton Music Awards, Threat Signal became internationally recognized as one of the most interesting modern acts in thrash metal. Their latest two instalments, the intense Vigilance (2009) and reinvented Threat Signal (2011), have both met with unrelenting hype, with each generating growing interest within the metal community. Combining the complexity of thrash metal, with a more contemporary groove sound involving technical rhythms and melodic musical passages, the band finally returns with its fourth studio album, Disconnect.

Founder & vocalist Jon Howard commented: "Well, we made it to album number 4! To say its been a tough ride would be an understatement, but as the shit piles on, we'll keep shovelling that shit off!! So we began writing this album back in 2012, and continued writing over the next 3 years until we were able to hit the studio again. Basically our thought process while writing was to not have an end goal of what the album should sound like. We didn't plan to make a really heavy album, or a melodic album, or take anyone else's input on what we should sound like. We basically just wrote songs with a clear and open mindset until Disconnect grew together. This album ranges from melodic metal, to hard rock, to thrash metal, and even down to a chill acoustic tune, its a roller coaster of a ride while staying true to the Threat Signal sound. You will feel the energy from all of our previous albums plus something new. A big thanks to Agonia Records for believing in us and finally getting this album released. Also a HUGE thanks to the fans for sticking with us over the years. I'd like to dedicate our album Disconnect to my fallen friend and former Threat Signal drummer Norm Killeen. May you be jamming with the best of them in the next life!!! Peace and love".

Disconnect was recorded and produced by vocalist Jon Howard and lead guitarist Travis Montgomery. Mixing and mastering were done by Mark Lewis (DevilDriver, Whitechapel, Battlecross, Coal Chamber). Artwork for the album was created by Ludovic Cordelieres of Rusalkadesign (Kamelot).

Tracklisting:

“Elimination Process”
“Nostalgia”
“Walking Alone”
“Exit The Matrix”
“Falling Apart”
“Aura”
“Betrayal”
“To Thine Own Self Be True”
“Dimensions”
“Terminal Madness”
“Eyes Sewn Shut” *

* Box CD exclusive

“Aura”:

“Elimination Process” 360° VR video:

“Exit The Matrix” lyric video:

"Exit The Matrix" playthrough video:

Album formats:

- Digipack CD.
- Limited to 500 copies BOX (inc. CD + bonus track, poster, patch and sticker).
- Regular black LP.
- Limited to 150 copies transparent blue/opaque red ("colour in clolour") LP.
- Digital
- TS

Pre-order Disconnect via the following links:

- CD/Box/LP/Merch
- iTunes
- Bandcamp

Lineup:

Jon Howard - vocals
Travis Montgomery - guitars
Pat Kavanagh - bass
Matt Perrin - guitars

(Photo - Andrew Minarik)

Sweet & Lynch, featuring Stryper vocalist Michael Sweet and Lynch Mob/Dokken guitarist George Lynch, will release their sophomore album, Unified, on November 10th. A fourth EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is available for streaming below.

Sweet & Lynch is centred around the talents of guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of heavy metal stalwarts Stryper (ex-Boston) and iconic guitarist George Lynch (Lynch Mob, KXM, ex-Dokken) along with bassist James Lomenzo (ex-Megadeth, White Lion, Black Label Society) and drummer Brian Tichy (The Dead Daisies, ex-Whitesnake). In addition to his vocal and guitar work, Michael Sweet handled all of the production duties on Unified.

"George and I couldn't be more excited about this album! We've worked very hard to bring you the best of both worlds - a throw back of the chart topping Stryper/Dokken days yet with a modern production that fits right in with anything out there now in the rock world today. We couldn't be more proud than to be working with Brian Tichy and James LoMenzo again as they are the best rhythm section you'll ever hear. If you liked Sweet & Lynch I, you're going to love Unified," says Michael Sweet of the new album.

The combination of Sweet's powerful, high-octane vocals, Lynch's immediately recognizable guitar work, and Lomenzo and Tichy's propulsive rhythm section make for an amazing musical combination. The album gives both Sweet and Lynch the opportunity to operate outside of the boundaries of their most well known work and really stretch their wings. Pummeling, traditional heavy metal combines with hook-laden melodic rock and traditional hard rock for a recipe that will satisfy the hungriest of rock fans!

Unified is an absolute must hear for fans of all of Michael Sweet and George Lynch's previous work and of course for those who enjoyed the band's excellent debut album.

Pre-order Unified at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Promised Land”
“Walk”
“Afterlife”
“Make Your Mark”
“Tried & True”
“Unified”
“Find Your Way”
“Heart Of Fire”
“Bridge Of Broken Lies”
“Better Man”
“Live To Die”

EPK #1:

EPK #2:

EPK #3:

EPK #4:

“Bridge Of Broken Lies”:

“Afterlife” lyric video:

Unified “making of” video:

“Promised Land”:

Teaser:

On November 24th, German black metal act Dark Fortress will release restored and expanded editions of their 2001 debut album Tales From Eternal Dusk and 2003 opus Profane Genocidal Creations on vinyl, CD, and all digital platforms.

When approaching the cover artworks of both albums, which were painted by Kris Verwimp (Absu, Marduk) and newly-scanned in late 2016 for these reissues, both label and band were  surprised to realize that the coloring of the first CD pressings was quite different from the original artworks. In comparison, “Tales…” had a more distinct purple touch, whereas “Profane…” looked greener than initially intended by the artist. Thus with these reissues, fans get to see the cover artworks the way Kris Verwimp had envisioned them.

On the musical front, Dark Fortress' guitarist and renowned producer V. Santura (also Triptykon) took care of the audio restoration of these records: “The first album’s sound did not require too much work, but we got rid of some unintentional pauses which interrupted the natural and intended flow of the record on the original CD. However, I remastered the entire recording session from 1997 for the “Towards Immortality” MCD as well as the 1996 demo to make this new edition of “Tales…” a complete collection of our early years.”

The second album, Profane Genocidal Creations, recorded within a mere two weeks with iconic producer Pytten (Immortal, Enslaved, Mayhem etc.), required more work as V. Santura explains: “Of course the possibilities to adjust the sound in a remastering are quite limited (opposed to a remix), but at least we could open up the overall sound impression, make it less muffled and dry. Also the rhythm guitars seemed to bury every other instrument, now especially drums, vocals and bass get a bit more space.”

Dark Fortress also reveal more about the creation of their earliest recordings in the liner notes accompanying these releases. See below for an exact list of available formats and pre-order your copy now.

Tales From Eternal Dusk (Reissue 2017)

- Gatefold golden 2LP & Poster // limited to 100 copies – Century Media webstore exclusive
- Gatefold transp. magenta 2LP & Poster // limited to 200 copies
- Gatefold black 2LP & Poster
- Special Edition 2CD Digipak
- Digital album (2CD)

Listen to “Crimson Tears” below. Pre-order your copy here.

Profane Genocidal Creations (Reissue 2017)  

- Gatefold silver 2LP & Poster
- Gatefold dark green 2LP & Poster
- Gatefold black 2LP & Poster
- Special Edition CD Digipak
- Digital album

Listen to “Battles Rage In The Infernal Depth” below. Pre-order your copy here.

Tracklistings below:

Tales From Eternal Dusk:

CD 1
“The Arcanum Of The Cursed”
“Pilgrim Of The Nightly Spheres”
“Twilight”
“Apocalypse”
“Immortality Profound (Trilogy) - Dreaming... (Chapter 1)”
“Immortality Profound (Trilogy) - Throne Of Sombre Thoughts (Chapter 2)”
“Immortality Profound (Trilogy) - Captured In Eternity's Eyes (Chapter 3)”
“Misanthropic Invocation”
“Crimson Tears”
“Tales From Eternal Dusk”
“Moments Of Mournful Splendour (At The Portal To Infinity)”

CD 2
“Cryptic Winterforest”
“Towards Immortality”
“Emperor Of The Majestic Nights”
“The Mystic Medieval Times” (Demo 1996) *
“Eternal War” (Demo 1996) *
“Passing The Shadowgates” (Demo 1996) *
“Into My Deepest Desire” (Demo 1996) *
“Reborn In A Frozen Kingdom” (Demo 1996) *

Tracks 1-3: 1997 Towards Immortality EP recording session
Tracks 4-8: 1996 The Rebirth Of The Dark Age demo

* - bonus tracks only included on CD / digital album

“Crimson Tears”:

Profane Genocidal Creations:

“Introduction”
“Defiance Of Death”
“Passage To Extinction”
“In Morte Aeternitas”
“Moribound Be Thy Creation”
“Through Ages Of War”
“Blood Of The Templars”
“Warlord (Face The Angel Of Pestilence)”
“Battles Rage In The Infernal Depth”
“A Fortress Dark”
“I Am The Black Wizards” / Emperor cover *
“Eye Of The Greyhound” / Unanimated cover *

* - bonus tracks only included on CD / digital album

“Battles Rage In The Infernal Depth”:

Almanac, the symphonic metallers led by ex-Rage guitarist Victor Smolski, have released a second video trailer for their upcoming sophomore album, Kingslayer, out on November 24th via Nuclear Blast.

Almanac recently played at the Masters Of Rock Festival, where they debuted the first two new tracks live, “Losing My Mind” and “Children Of The Sacred Path”. The concert was filmed and will be part of a bonus live DVD, which will accompany the limited first edition of Kingslayer.

Watch “Children Of The Sacred Path” below.

Kingslayer was recorded with producer Andreas Herr at HeyDay Studios in Wuppertal, Germany. The cover artwork was once again created by Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (Accept, Destruction).

"Our second strike is complete," reveals Victor Smolski and explains, that "Kingslayer is the logical follow-up to Tsar, just more compact, heavier and faster. The experience now under our belts gained from our many live experiences, including the two tours and festivals, has been fully implemented in the studio. The band have grown closer and stronger, you can feel this unified energy within the new tracks. We took a lot of time and gave our very best. Kingslayer is a crafted metal album with a lively power sound!"

Kingslayer tracklisting:

“Regicide”
“Children Of The Sacred Path”
“Guilty As Charged”
“Hail To The King”
“Losing My Mind”
“Kingslayer”
“Kingdom Of The Blind”
“Headstrong”
“Last Farewell”
“Red Flag”

“Children Of The Sacred Path” video:

“Losing My Mind” video:

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

The official video recap of GUNS N' ROSES' summer 2017 North American leg of the band's "Not In This Lifetime" tour can be seen below.

Based on box-office grosses from fifteen shows during the summer 2017 North American leg of "Not In This Lifetime", the group added $53 million in sold ticket revenue to the trek's overall gross that is now believed to have passed the $400 million mark since its April 2016 launch.

GUNS N' ROSES' July 30 concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which featured DEFTONES in the support slot, was the highest-grossing show on the list, having surpassed the $5.5 million mark in ticket sales. The performance took place at the U.S. Bank Stadium that held a crowd of 48,740. Elsewhere, the August 30 concert at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada's Commonwealth Stadium held 44,393 fans with $4.8 million in sales.

Pollstar reported earlier in the year that "Not In This Lifetime" tour was the most popular and highest-grossing global tour of 2017.

About seventy people travel with the show in addition to the truck drivers; that number goes upwards of five hundred, including the local workers, by show date once catering, security, etc. are factored in, according to the tour's production manager, Dale "Opie" Skjerseth.

GUNS kicked off its long-rumored and long-awaited reunion tour in April 2016 with a club show in Hollywood and appearances in Las Vegas and at California's Coachella festival.

The "Not In This Lifetime" tour features classic lineup members Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Axl Rose (vocals) backed by guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Fank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and new second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

On October 19, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted and his THE CHOPHOUSE BAND performed at benefit concert to raise funds for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. The event, which took place at Evo Italian in Tequesta, Florida, saw Jason play an acoustic set that included a cover version of Bob Seger's 1973 classic "Turn The Page". The song was previously covered by METALLICA on the band's 1998 covers/compilation album "Garage Inc."

THE CHOPHOUSE BAND was named after Newsted's four recording studio facilities around the U.S. and features a fluid roster of players. The group began in 1992 when Newsted founded The Chophouse Records Studio in San Francisco.

Following the success of METALLICA's 1991 Black Album, The Chophouse Records Studio was conceived by Newsted to assemble friends and comrades from other established acts and groups, to have a special place to enjoy chasing ideas and sounds, having fun playing pure and wild music on breaks and downtime, mixing up wicked musical soup away from rigorous touring schedules and agendas.

THE CHOPHOUSE BAND is led by Newsted, playing acoustic guitars and performing lead vocal, accompanied by 
close friends/musicians of all walks and styles, sharing some great American songs from familiar and unfamiliar heroes.

The members of THE CHOPHOUSE BAND reside from coast to coast, including Chris Barnett, Mike Hughes, Tom Jordan, Joe Ledesma, David Lopez, Jesus Mendez, G.E. Perez, Mike Ramos, Brian Sagrafena, Angeline Saris, Chris Scianni, Amir Tal and Rob Tucker.

During an appearance on the SiriusXM satellite radio show "Eddie Trunk Live", Newsted explained how his mother's illness and eventual passing in March of 2016 inspired his current acoustic-based projects. He said: "What transpired was I had to keep playing, and she knows I had to keep playing. So I picked up the acoustic and started doing what I was able to do when I was just hanging around her, and started learning my cowboy chords and started collecting my songs. This was about the beginning of summer of 2014. So I would play certain songs for her, kind of choking through 'em — a bass player playing heavy handed on the acoustic guitar and just banging these cowboy chords out and learning Johnny Cash and Neil Young and George Jones and some more popular things like that. And by now, a couple of years later, I've dug in a lot deeper than that, but it was originally inspired by that thing, where I'd play mom songs. And she wouldn't necessarily remember, the next day or the next couple of days, which ones I'd played for her, and so she would react to certain songs the same way each time she heard them as if she was hearing them the first time. And so that kind of showed me which ones to chase, that showed me which ones had the groove, which ones my voice fit with, and all that. That's how I started collecting my songs. I had to keep playing music, of course, but the way and the form that it had to take was me with an acoustic, one voice, working through those songs as I had to put everything else on hold."

Asked how the CHOPHOUSE BAND grew into a live concept, Newsted told For Bass Players Only: "We'd all play together and do all these crazy songs — 'John Henry', CARTER FAMILY songs, Neil Young songs — and we'd do private keg parties with our buddies up the street. We'd take our Fender amps and load up the trucks and hack through the songs. Whoever wanted to be included could be included. We'd take hand drums, and people who weren't even necessarily musicians could be included. It was like a porch jam. And we did that for years, just our friends, and finally this year I decided we were going to start sharing it with more people — if they gave a crap. But we've been talking about it for a long time."

Regarding whether the CHOPHOUSE BAND will be a recording endeavor at some point, Newsted said: "I really haven't thought very seriously about it since most of the stuff is songs a lot of other people have [on] recording. There's a handful of originals, maybe a dozen, I've got together in this style. But I'm not ready to do any kind of recording with it. I'm kind of digging the idea that I just play it as much as I can and share it with people. The shows so far have only been 70 people or a couple hundred people, and it's people who want to be there. That's what I want. It's a grassroots vibe. We've been offered bigger shows for this from the agency; the initial offers were seven hundred people in a room, nine hundred people. That's not okay. We haven't earned that yet with this outfit. I want to build up the right way and earn it. I'm not in a hurry that way. I'm going to cherish every minute I do it, but I'm not going to hurry it up and ruin it."

Jason left METALLICA back in 2001, but was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, along with drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett, and the man who replaced him, bassist Robert Trujillo, in 2009.

Guitarist Ira Black (I AM MORBID, METAL CHURCH, LIZZY BORDEN, WESTFIELD MASSACRE) will join DOKKEN for nine U.S. tour dates in November and December.

Black will make his live debut with DOKKEN on November 2 in Houston, Texas and will perform with the group on November 4 at the Rockfest 80's festival in Pembroke Pines, Florida, to be followed by seven shows in December.

Black said in a statement: "I am very excited to be playing with DOKKEN. To play all these great songs live is a great honor, not to mention all these insane George Lynch solos!

"I remember when I was thirteen years old playing guitar on my porch and listening to 'Tooth And Nail', trying to play these songs... Imagine if someone told me back then that I would eventually do this. Well, my mind is blown NOW!"

It is not presently clear how Black's addition to DOKKEN's lineup affects the status of the band's longtime guitarist Jon Levin, who has been with the group since 2003.

Don Dokken recently confirmed that DOKKEN is planning to begin writing a new studio album this fall for a tentative 2018 release. The disc will mark the band's first collection of all-new material since 2012's "Broken Bones" effort.

Don also revealed that DOKKEN's next studio album will feature a sound and style that is very reminiscent of the band's classic releases.

"Broken Bones" sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 173 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DOKKEN's current lineup is completed by drummer "Wild" Mick Brown and bassist Chris McCarvil.

Photo credit: Jessica Chase

Down Among The Dead Men, featuring former Bolt Thrower/Benediction singer Dave Ingram and Swedish mastermind Rogga Johansson, have signed to Transcending Obscurity Records. The band’s third full-length album, ...And You Will Obey Me, will be released in early 2018. Preview tracks coming soon.

Down Among The Dead Men have assembled a new album that’s filthier and crustier than ever before. Sounding massive, Rogga Johansson has created his best music for the band yet, with Dave Ingram being in absolute top form throughout. Both members have put out highly successful albums in Paganizer and Ursinne respectively this year, not to mention the sensational Echelon release where they joined forces again.

Transcending Obscurity Records owner Kunal Choksi states, “It’s a continued honour to work with legends Rogga Johansson and David Ingram. Down Among The Dead Men have been one of my favourites and I was blown away after listening to their new album. It’s crusty as fuck and crushing as they’ve ever been. I’m sure this will be very well received and it’s great to have the support of both the gentlemen who have been very kind and cooperative all along. Both have been in phenomenal form too, what with their new albums of Paganizer and Ursinne (even Echelon) receiving an overwhelming response. This has been a great signing for the label so far and their new album will definitely be one of the highlights of 2018.”

Dave Ingram comments, “Getting Down Among The Dead Men signed to Transcending Obscurity Records was the ideal move for myself and Rogga, since we both have bands already with this great label (Ursinne for me, Paganizer for Rogga, and Echelon jointly.) This is yet another notch in our respective bullet belts, and we are proud to bring the third Down Among The Dead Men album, …And You Will Obey Me, to the world via Transcending Obscurity Records, one of the most hardworking labels on the scene.”

Rogga Johansson adds, “I just wanna riff, and riffing is what Down Among The Dead Men is all about. Riffing and the immense vocals of the legend himself David Ingram. So we did a new album, and its gonna blow you away, as its a really, really good one! And who better to release it than proven media mogul Kunal Choksi with his Transcending Obscurity? Well no one else at all. I’m utterly proud of this album, and how we release it, and I hope that anyone that needs some dirty deathly crust in their lives will agree to just that too.”

Artwork by Turkka G. Rantanen (Demilich, Demigod, Darkrypt).

Tracklisting:

“Destroy The Infinite
“Axis Of Insanity
“…And You Will Obey Me
“The End Of Time
“Omega
“House Of Blue Fire
“The Age Of Steel
“Eye Of Harmony
“Darkness Of Glass
“Panopticon

Album lineup:
Rogga Johansson - Guitars/Bass (Also in Paganizer, Echelon, Necrogod, Rogga Johansson)
Dave Ingram - Vocals (Also in Echelon, Ursinne and ex-Benediction, ex-Bolt Thrower, ex-Hail of Bullets)
Kjetil Lynghaug - Session Leads (Also in Paganizer, Echelon, Stass)
Erik R. Bevenrud - Session Drums (Also in Stass)

The full length is scheduled for release in early 2018 and a new song will be unveiled very soon via the upcoming Transcending Obscurity Records 2018 label sampler.

VIMIC, the band founded by Grammy Award-winning SLIPKNOT co-founder Joey Jordison, has signed a global deal with Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and T-Boy Records, UMe's label partnership with rock manager, Andy Gould. VIMIC's debut album, "Open Your Omen", is expected to arrive in early 2018 and signals the biggest triumph of Jordison's illustrious career to date, coming into existence as he faced his life's most difficult challenge. The album was produced by Jordison and Kato Khandwala (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THE PRETTY RECKLESS), with mixing and mastering assistance from MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine, who guests on "Open Your Omen"'s first single, "Fail Me (My Temple)", which is out today. Diagnosed in 2012 with the often-permanently debilitating neurological condition, acute transverse myelitis, Jordison, who was then SLIPKNOT's drummer, spent three months in hospital and subsequently underwent intensive physical rehabilitation to not only achieve a full recovery, but to reach a new level of proficiency with his instrument. After emerging from this battle and returning to the stage for a string of festival appearances, SLIPKNOT parted ways with him. Finding new strength via support from close friends and family, Jordison resolved to get back to doing what he does best. Enter VIMIC: Jordison (drums), Kalen Chase (vocals), Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel [bass), Matt Tarach (keyboards) and Steve Marshall (guitar). VIMIC is also set to support MEGADETH on several South American tour dates starting October 29 in Santiago, Chile, before heading to Europe to headline a string of selected tour dates in November. "This album wails!" says Mustaine. "Joey Jordison and VIMIC are incredible. High-octane drumming and heavy, melodic songs make this band something you definitely need to check out! I dig them so much I laid a solo down on one of their songs, 'Fail Me (My Temple)'. From there, we decided to take them on tour with us down to South America where MEGADETH is massive." "The riffs, lyrics, and drums of 'Open Your Omen' will tell you a lot," Jordison says. "We started this record when I was coming out of the acute transverse myelitis condition. It's literally what saved me and helped me get back to where I'm healthier than ever. These guys and this album pushed me to not only relearn how to walk, but how to play the drums again. 'Open Your Omen' is the rebirth of the rest of my life."

WHITESNAKE's self-titled album, also known in some countries as "1987", which was certified multi-platinum and featured the smash single "Here I Go Again", turns thirty this year and Rhino is celebrating with four new versions, including an expansive boxed set.

"Whitesnake: Super Deluxe Edition" will be available on October 27 (pushed back from the previously announced October 6) for $49.98. The 4-CD/DVD collection includes the original album with newly remastered sound, unreleased live and studio recordings, classic music videos, concert footage, a thirty-minute documentary, featuring a new interview with David Coverdale, WHITESNAKE's founder and lead singer. The music comes with a sixty-page hardbound book that's filled with rare and unseen photos from the era, an extended essay based on new interviews with Coverdale, plus a booklet of the album's lyrics, handwritten by Coverdale. The audio will also be available via digital download and streaming services.

A video of David Coverdale unboxing "Whitesnake: Super Deluxe Edition" can be seen below.

Three other versions of "Whitesnake" will also be available the same day. A Deluxe Edition will be available in both 2-CD ($19.98) and 2-LP ($29.98) versions, each including the newly remastered album expanded with a selection of unreleased bonus recordings. A single-disc version of the newly remastered album will also be available.

This also marks the first release under a newly signed catalog deal with WHITESNAKE and Rhino Entertainment, the catalog division of Warner Music Group. This new deal includes both the North American and Japanese rights, marking the first time a substantial amount of the WHITESNAKE catalog will reside under Warner Music Group worldwide.

"It gives me great joy to finally have so much of my WHITESNAKE catalog all under the same roof with the Warner family and I'm thrilled to be now working with this tremendous team on a worldwide basis," says Coverdale. "I have great memories of being with Warner back in my days with DEEP PURPLE. Then when I was with Geffen, they were distributed by Warner, so it feels like coming home to now have WHITESNAKE there. This elaborate reissue is the perfect project to kick off the new relationship."

"WHITESNAKE is one of the all-time great rock n' roll bands, with David being an absolute icon as a vocalist and front man," says Rhino president Mark Pinkus. "We are absolutely thrilled to now have so much of the WHITESNAKE catalog with Warner on a global basis and are excited for the fans to see what great releases we have planned for the coming years."

Soon after its release in April 1987, "Whitesnake" became a huge success around the world, selling multi million copies. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard album chart and spawned four popular singles: "Still Of The Night", "Give Me All Your Love", "Is This Love" (which reached #2) and the #1 hit "Here I Go Again".

"Whitesnake: Super Deluxe Edition" comes with an entire disc of unreleased live performances featuring Adrian Vandenberg, Vivian Campbell and Tommy Aldridge, recorded during the band's 1987-88 tour. The music includes live versions of several tracks from "1987", plus WHITESNAKE classics "Slide It In", "Love Ain't No Stranger" and "Slow An' Easy".

An additional disc spotlights the creative process behind "Whitesnake" with a selection of elevent unreleased demo and rehearsal recordings, including early versions of nearly every song on the album called "87 Evolutions". The final disc introduces newly remixed versions the album's four singles, and includes rare radio mixes, as well as songs from "87 Versions", an EP released exclusively in Japan.

The DVD from "Whitesnake: Super Deluxe Edition" includes music videos for the four singles, all of which have been carefully restored and remixed in 5.1 Surround Sound for the first time ever. In addition, the DVD also features a new thirty-minute documentary about the making of "Whitesnake", a new promo video made especially for this set of the 1988 version of "Here I Go Again" and unreleased live footage from the 1987-88 tour.

According to Billboard, a WHITESNAKE home video will follow on Record Store Black Friday (November 24) as well as a coffee table book chronicling "The Purple Album" cycle from 2015. An all-new WHITESNAKE studio album is planned for 2018, along with a world tour.

"It was a lot of fun to do," Coverdale told Billboard of the "Whitesnake" reissue, "because I don't go back a lot. I kind of learn from the past to apply those lessons to the future and the present. But my gratitude for (the album) is beyond words. I've only ever gone into a studio to try to improve on the last record...There was no, 'Right, I'm gonna sell thirty-odd million fucking records!' It was amazing, just amazing, so it's great to revisit all of this."

Coverdale also revealed that he has been getting together with WHITESNAKE guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra for regular writing sessions for a new album that will lively arrive late spring of 2018. "I'm actually very excited about it because it's the first opportunity both Reb and Joel and I have actually had to sit down and write together," Coverdale said of what will be WHITESNAKE's first set of original material since 2011's "Forevermore". "There's a lot of what one would refer to as arena rock; Reb and I were talking the other night over dinner and he said, 'Man, there's so many songs here that no matter where we play — Portugal or Brazil or Tokyo — they're gonna get this hook. They're gonna be punching the fuckin' air and have a great night.' And I went, 'Oh, absolutely — and more than usual,' which is great. I can't do throwaway shit. The only reason I'm doing this record are the songs are gonna be a great WHITESNAKE album for WHITESNAKE fans — and the band. It's very exciting."

"Whitesnake: Super Deluxe Edition" 4CD/DVD Track Listing:

Disc One: Original Album 2017 Remaster:

01. Still Of The Night02. Give Me All Your Love03. Bad Boys04. Is This Love05. Here I Go Again '8706. Straight For The Heart07. Looking For Love08. Children Of The Night09. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again10. Crying In The Rain11. Don't Turn Away

Disc Two: Snakeskin Boots [Live On Tour 1987-88]:

01. Bad Boys/Children Of The Night*02. Slide It In*03. Slow An' Easy*04. Here I Go Again*05. Guilty Of Love*06. Is This Love*07. Love Ain't No Stranger*08. Guitar Solo – Adrian and Vivian*09. Crying In The Rain*10. Still Of The Night*11. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City*12. Give Me All Your Love*

Disc Three: 87 Evolutions [Demos and Rehearsals]:

01. Still Of The Night*02. Give Me All Your Love*03. Bad Boys*04. Is This Love*05. Straight For The Heart*06. Looking For Love*07. Children Of The Night*08. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again*09. Crying In The Rain*10. Don't Turn Away*11. Crying In The Rain (Lil' Mountain Alternate Take Ruff Mix) *

Disc Four: 87 Versions [2017 Remixes]"

01. Still Of The Night - Remix*02. Is This Love - Remix*03. Give Me All Your Love - Remix*04. Here I Go Again 87 - Remix*05. Standing In The Shadows - 1987 Versions, Japanese Mini-Album06. Looking For Love - 1987 Versions, Japanese Mini-Album07. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again - 1987 Versions, Japanese Mini-Album08. Need Your Love So Bad - 1987 Versions, Japanese Mini-Album09. Here I Go Again - Radio Mix10. Give Me All Your Love - Single Version

DVD:

01. Still Of The Night - Music Video, Restored and Remixed in 5.102. Here I Go Again 87 - Music Video, Restored and Remixed in 5.103. Is This Love - Music Video, Restored and Remixed in 5.104. Give Me All Your Love - Music Video, Restored and Remixed in 5.105. Documentary about the making of 1987 Album*06. Here I Go Again - Purplesnake Video Jam*07. Crying In The Rain - 1987 Tour Video Bootleg*08. Band Intros - 1987 Tour Video Bootleg*09. Still Of The Night - 1987 Tour Video Bootleg*

"Whitesnake: 30th Anniversary Edition" 2LP Track Listing:

Side One:

01. Still Of The Night02. Bad Boys03. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again04. Straight For The Heart05. Here I Go Again 87

Side Two:

01. Give Me All Your Love02. Is This Love03. Children Of The Night04. Crying In The Rain05. Don't Turn Away

Side Three:

01. Still Of The Night - 2017 Remix *02. Is This Love - 2017 Remix *03. Give Me All Your Love - 2017 Remix *04. Here I Go Again 87 - 2017 Remix *05. Looking For Love

Side Four:

01. Bad Boys/Children of the Night - Live*02. Here I Go Again - Live*03. Is This Love - Live*04. Give Me All Your Love - Live*05. Still of the Night - Live*

"Whitesnake: 30th Anniversary Edition" 2CD Track Listing:

Disc One: Original Album 2017 Remaster

01. Still Of The Night02. Give Me All Your Love03. Bad Boys04. Is This Love05. Here I Go Again 8706. Straight For The Heart07. Looking For Love08. Children Of The Night09. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again10. Crying In The Rain11. Don't Turn Away

Disc Two: Snakeskin Boots [Live On Tour 1987-88]:

01. Bad Boys/Children Of The Night*02. Slide It In*03. Slow An' Easy*04. Here I Go Again*05. Guilty Of Love*06. Is This Love*07. Love Ain't No Stranger*08. Guitar Solo – Adrian and Vivian*09. Crying In The Rain*10. Still Of The Night*11. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City*12. Give Me All Your Love*

* Previously unreleased

On October 6th, Tampa Bay death metal godfathers Obituary performed at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, CA with Exodus and Dust Bolt. Video of their entire set is available below courtesy of Capital Chaos TV.

Obituary have shared the official live video accompanying "Sentence Day" off the band's self-titled full-length album. The video was filmed in stunning 4k by Magnetar Studios at several locations on the band's headlining tour with Gruesome earlier this year. Watch Obituary perform "Sentence Day" below.

The band comments on the video and song: "We are super excited to bring you guys another music video from the new album. This video was extra fun for the band as we invited James to ride along with us for a couple shows and get onstage/offstage and crowd footage then his entire crew met up with us and filmed a show with multi-camera angles. 'Sentence Day' is one of our favorite songs on the album and definitely a fan favorite so we are proud to bring you guys this video. Enjoy!"

(Photo - Ester Segarra)

Sweden's Kill The Kong from Västerås, Sweden will release their new album, Colossus, on November 24th via Gain / Sony. They recently released an official video for the song "The Antagonist". Check it out below.

The band contacted BraveWords directly with a brief overview of the band:

"We are Kill the Kong, a seven man strong metal band based in Sweden. Influenced by such acts as Architects, Five Finger Death Punch, Slipknot and As I Lay Dying, we build our songs on massive guitars, double singers and a drum/percussion section."

Earlier in the year, Kill The Kong released videos for "Snake Eyes" and "Juggernaut (Wolfpack)", also taken from Colossus.

For information and updates on the Kill The Kong go to this location.

On October 17th, Rhino Records re-issued Skid Row's 5-track B-Side Ourselves EP, which pays tribute to the band's influences. It includes covers of songs by Ramones, Judas Priest, KISS, Rush and Jimi Hendrix available on grey vinyl.

Original Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach comments: 

"Atlantic / Rhino Records have released the 1992 EP B-Side Ourselves on grey vinyl . I found out about this release on social media, so I don’t know if this is sourced from the original analog tapes or made from digital files, or anything else about this release. I hope it sounds good on your turntable."

Tracklist:
"Psycho Therapy" (Ramones)
"C'mon And Love Me" (KISS)
"Deliverin’ The Goods" (Judas Priest with special guest Rob Halford)
"What You’re Doin’" (Rush)
"Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix)

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. Original Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach put that old adage to good use recently via Twitter and the following image showing Bach, and Skid Row guitarist Scotti Hill, both clearly in good spirits. It's accompanied by two words, "Volatile Situation".

 
Volatile Situation pic.twitter.com/O6A945fT2K

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) August 15, 2017

By utilizing the phrase "Volatile Situation," Sebastian is directly quoting Scotti Hill from an interview he did recently with Another FN Podcast, recalling the split with Bach. During the appearance, Hill admits that a reunion was being considered at one point, and reveals that Skid Row and Bach will never work together again, stating "People are, like, 'Hey, man, do it for the fans.' Not at the expense of my happiness, no. Sorry. It ain't fucking happening. We appreciate fans, we do. We're probably the most fan-friendly band you'll ever meet. We'll go out in the cold, we'll hang out with them, but what we won't do is put ourselves in a volatile situation and be unhappy and destroy what we have now." Hear for yourself via the audio player below.

Listen to "Scotti Hill - Skid Row" on Spreaker.

Montreal's Karkaos have checekd in with the following update:

"Karkaos is proud to announce the return of Michel Peloquin to the family. If the name sounds familiar, that's probably because Michel is one of Karkaos' founding members and co-wrote most the songs of In Burning Skies, our debut EP.

From building snow forts together as kids to meeting again years later in a school bus to find a common interest in music, Vince and Michel always seem to find themselves working together towards a common goal. After a couple of years away from Karkaos, Michel picked up the bass to play in multiple projects and when we started looking for a new bass player, he clearly showed that it was time for him to re-join the band.

Michel is a great person to have around, a hard worker and one of the most inspired musician we know. He was one of the hands that forged this band and together we will keep on shaping Karkaos into the giant we've always imagined as kids.

Welcome back, my friend."

Karkaos released their new album, Children Of The Void, on May 26th. They have released a lyric video for the album's title track. Check it out below.

Children of the Void official tracklisting:

"Babel"
"Skymaster"
"Kolossòs"
"Let The Curtain Fall"
"Pale"
"Children Of The Void"
"Rêverie"
"Tyrants"
"Where Mushrooms Grow"
"Lightbearer"
"The Beast"
"Bound By Stars"

Karkaos official 2017 lineup:

Viky Boyer - lead vocals (scream and clean)
Vincent Harnois - rythm guitar and back vocals
Justine Éthier - drums
Samael Pelletier - lead guitar
Sébastien Bélanger Lapierre - keyboard
Michel Péloquin - bass guitar

For more information and updates go to this location.

Photo by Vincent Lamoureux

UK quartet, Skarlett Riot, are streaming the new song “Warrior”, featured on the band’s Regenerate album, out October 27th via Despotz Records. Listen below.

The band’s new material is harder, heavier, faster but still driven by the anthemic hooks that have kept them at the forefront of the UK modern metal scene. The band have constantly developed and honed their craft; and the band are in comfortable in their darker and heavier guise, with elements of Asking Alexandria, In This Moment and Bullet for My Valentine shining through; opening up all new possibilities for the band.

A press release states: “Whereas their peers are all seemingly heading towards a lighter direction, Skarlett Riot are embracing the anger and aggression of the modern world and challenging it into some of their most challenging material to date. The commanding voice of Skarlett has taken on a bolder and more forceful presence, whilst the guitars of Danny are razor sharp and incisive, giving the rhythm section of Luke and Martin the room to progress and expand into a taut, almost hostile driving force, as the first single ‘Break’ ably demonstrates!”

Tracklisting:

“Break”
“Closer”
“Stand Alone”
“What Lies Beneath”
“Calling”
“Affliction”
“Outcast”
“Paralyzed”
“The Storm”
“Warrior”

“Warrior”:

“Break” video:

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will release their new studio album, "Firepower", in early 2018. The band will support the disc's release with a North American tour, which will kick off on March 13 in Pennsylvania, and wrap up on May 1 in Texas.

All dates will be running a "JUDAS PRIEST fan presale" starting Wednesday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m local time with the password "FIREPOWER" that fans can use to purchase tickets in advance.

Check the local venue for additional information.

Confirmed tour dates:

Mar. 13 - Wilkes Barre, PA - Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza Mar. 15 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Centre Mar. 17 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum Mar. 18 - Washington, DC - The Anthem Mar. 20 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center Mar. 22 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena Mar. 25 - Ottawa, ON - The Arena at TD Place Mar. 27 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens Mar. 28 - Oshawa, ON - Tribute Communities Centre Mar. 30 - Orillia, ON - Casino RamaMar. 31 - Detroit, MI - Detroit Masonic Temple Apr. 03 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater Apr. 05 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center Apr. 08 - Bloomington, IL - Grossinger Motors Arena Apr. 10 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center Apr. 11 - Loveland, CO - Budweiser Events Center Apr. 15 - Kent, WA - ShoWare Center Apr. 17 - Portland, OR - Veterans Memorial Coliseum Apr. 19 - San Francisco - The Warfield Apr. 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theater Apr. 24 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica TheatreApr. 26 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center Apr. 28 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory Apr. 29 - Sugarland, TX - Smart Financial CentreMay 01 - San Antonio, TX - Freeman Coliseum

The British heavy metal legends have spent the last few months in the studio recording the follow-up to 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" with the band's longtime collaborator Tom Allom, acclaimed British knob-twiddler Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, ACCEPT) and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH).

During an October 5 appearance on the "Trunk Nation" show on SiriusXM channel Volume, singer Rob Halford stated about the progress of the recording sessions for PRIEST's new disc: "We're almost done. We're in that final hurdle before we get to the finishing line. It is sounding monumental. It's gonna blow your socks off. We're thrilled. We've got this big metal monster looming in the background, about to drop early next year, with a world tour to coincide."

Asked what it has been like collaborating again with Allom, who produced every PRIEST release from "Unleashed In The East" (1979) through "Ram It Down" (1988), along with several live records since then, Halford said: "Brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. Tom has a rich history with PRIEST, particularly those great moments with 'Screaming For Vengeance', 'Defenders Of The Faith' [and] 'British Steel'. My God — he's the man in that respect. So I thought it was really great for Andy Sneap and Mike Exeter to accept that this was gonna be like a three-man job, with Andy mostly holding the reins, but with Tom by his side and Mike there [as well].

"It's an unusual way to make this kind of record for PRIEST, because it's generally the producer and the band," Halford admitted. "We just had so much faith in Andy and in Tom and Mike that we said, 'Guys, you go for it. You tell us what to do.' And if Andy Sneap said, 'Do another take, Rob. Do another take, Rob. Do another take, Rob. '… I've never sung so much in the studio behind a mic in all my life. But he got the results that we needed, and I think I can say the same for Glenn [Tipton, guitar] and for Richie [Faulkner, guitar] and for Scott [Travis, drums] and for Ian [Hill, bass]. So he got something out of us — they all did — but they got something out of us truly remarkable, and you're gonna be hearing it very soon."

Sneap, who plays guitar in the reactivated British occult metal act HELL, recently told Serbia's Hardwired magazine that PRIEST had "about twenty-six ideas" in the early stage of the production process for the new album. "We've whittled [that] down to fourteen or fifteen," he said, adding that "we haven't decided on which songs [will make the final cut] or a running order for the album yet."

Andy went on to say that PRIEST's new album will contain "a really good energy and some real classic moments." He said "Rob did great" during the album's final recording sessions. "I'll tell you what: for someone who's got that much experience, there's no ego there at all," he said. "We'd do, like, six or seven passes, and I'd ask him to try something a bit [different] on this part, and he was, like, 'No problem.' And he'd give me another four takes with a slightly different vibe. And then me and Tom Allom would sit there and we'd comp it, and we pretty much agreed on everything."

PRIEST was nominated for induction into the 2018 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, part of a list of nineteen potential candidates.

Inductees into the 2018 Rock Hall will be voted on by a group of more than nine hundred artists, historians and music-industry professionals.

The 2018 inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will be held at Cleveland's Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018.

DOWN 'N' OUTZ will release a brand new live album, "The Further Live Adventures Of ...", on December 1 via Frontiers Music Srl. The disc, recorded in Sheffield Corporation in December 2014, will be available 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray, vinyl and digital. In addition, on the same day, the band will reissue its previous records "My Re-Generation" and "The Further Adventures Of ..." on CD, LP and digital. The DOWN 'N' OUTZ is the project founded and fronted by DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott and backed by members of THE QUIREBOYS, WAYWARD SONS and RAW GLORY. The band pays tribute to rock legends MOTT THE HOOPLE and was established from the most unusual of circumstances. In the words of Joe Elliott: "When MOTT THE HOOPLE announced they were reforming for a week's worth of shows at the Hammersmith Odeon, I was asked that I participate in some capacity. They've always been my favourite band and it's nice to see the rest of the rock world finally catch up and give them their due.

"But, what was I to do? It was suggested to me that THE QUIREBOYS would be up for offering their services. This was perfect! A fan since their first album, I loved the idea of working with a band as enthusiastic to do this as I was. I decided that the thing to do was play some songs that like-minded people thought they would never hear live again, if ever, songs by spin offs of MOTT THE HOOPLE — songs by MOTT, Ian Hunter and BRITISH LIONS. Songs that are close to my heart, songs that I've played every week for the best part of thirty-five years on record, cassette, CD, iPod and now live."

The DOWN 'N OUTZ supported MOTT THE HOOPLE at one of their legendary 2009 reformation shows at Hammersmith Odeon. Following a rapturous reception, the one-night-project took on a life and energy of its own and an album project was born. The band then decided to record an album, "My Re-Generation", produced by Elliott and Ronan McHugh (DEF LEPPARD), which was recorded in Elliott's personal studio with basic tracking done at Moor Hall studio Bedfordshire by engineer Chris Corney. The album featured entirely covers of songs by artists related to MOTT THE HOOPLE, such as tracks by MOTT, BRITISH LIONS and Ian Hunter. The band made an appearance at the 2010 High Voltage festival in the U.K., launched their own branded beer, and also announced it would be performing with Paul Rodgers in April 2011 as the opening act on the latter's U.K. tour. On April 21, 2014, DOWN 'N' OUTZ released their second studio album, "The Further Adventures Of..." Classic Rock wrote: "'Further Adventures' raises the bar for MOTT THE HOOPLE covers while giving timeless songs a new lease of life, as classics deserving of a new audience." In addition to Elliott (vocals, guitar, keyboards), the band features THE QUIREBOYS' Paul Guerin (guitar), Guy Griffin (guitar), Keith Weir (keyboards), drummer Phil Martini (WAYWARD SONS) and bassist Share Ross (VIXEN).

"The Further Live Adventures Of..." track listing (2CD + DVD) CD1

01. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding02. One More Chance To Run03. Rock And Roll Queen04. Drivin' Sister05. Whizz Kid06. Storm07. Overnight Angels08. One Of The Boys09. Shouting And Pointing CD2

01. Sea Diver02. The Journey03. Who Do You Love04. Crash Street Kidds05. Violence06. England Rocks07. Good Times DVD

01. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding02. One More Chance To Run03. Rock And Roll Queen04. Drivin' Sister05. Whizz Kid06. Storm07. Overnight Angels08. One Of The Boys09. Shouting And Pointing10. Sea Diver11. The Journey12. Who Do You Love13. Crash Street Kidds14. Violence15. England Rocks16. Good Times

Bringing to close an unforgettable 14-date European Winter tour of their 2016 summer hit album Your Wilderness, The Pineapple Thief, led by post-progressive mastermind Bruce Soord and reinforced by Gavin Harrison on drums with Darran Charles on guitar, gave the sold-out Islington Assembly Hall in London a truly awe-inspiring gig on February 11th, 2017. “Alone At Sea” is streaming below:

Where We Stood showcases a powerful performance from both band regulars and guests on new tracks from Your Wilderness, including "In Exile", "No Man's Land" and "The Final Thing On My Mind", and of the classics from previous albums, "Nothing At Best", "Show A Little Love" and "Simple As That".

Bruce Soord says about the show and release: “It was our last show of the tour and our biggest headline show ever. We had 15 cameras, a massive jib, but more importantly - a sell-out crowd!  The pressure was indeed on, but it’s safe to say that the stars aligned for us that night and it turned out to be one of the most memorable performances of our career so far.

We've thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this special edition Blu-ray.  It has the full show; documentary footage and interviews; and two different 5.1 surround mixes (one natural, one discrete) - all in high resolution 24/96 stereo.  It also has our last album Your Wilderness in stereo and surround, plus the special 8 Years Later album in stereo with a brand-new surround mix too.  All of that plus five acoustic tracks (also stereo and surround) and loads of bonus videos. This is without doubt the definitive Your Wilderness release.”

Find order options here.

Veil Of Maya have released a video for “Whistleblower”, a track from their new album, False Idol, out now via Sumerian Records. Watch the clip below, and order False Idol here.

The new album is a marked sonic evolution - it's more hypnotic, heavier, and hits harder than ever before. False Idol also encodes a curious narrative underneath a maelstrom of polyrhythmic guitars, sweeping vocals, and shuddering beats.

"The whole album is told from a first-person perspective", explains vocalist Lukas Magyar. "You're following this character, who's not the nicest person, and he rises to power. You'll have to listen to find out what happens - it's a very dark storyline."

"It felt more like we were making a movie or a TV series," guitarist Marc Okubo adds. "Lukas actually had a storyboard idea that we talked about before even starting. It's almost like we were providing the soundtrack in Veil Of Maya's template."

The seeds for this widescreen ambition can be traced back to 2015's Matriarch, which bowed at #2 on the Billboard US Hard Rock Chart and spawned the band's biggest hit to date in the form of “Mikasa” - the video racked up over 5.2 million YouTube views and 5.1 million Spotify streams.

The release of Matriarch saw Veil Of Maya hit the road with the likes of Animals As Leaders, Upon A Burning Body, Volumes, Chelsea Grin, Oceans Ate Alaska and other heavy hitters, as well as performing on the Vans Warped Tour. Then, in late 2016, the band headed to Los Angeles to record what would become False Idol. Marc Okubo worked with producer Max Schad in one studio, while Lukas Magyar teamed up with vocal producer Brandon Paddock in another.

"Working in two studios at the same time was a new approach for us," says Marc. "In the past, we completed all of the instrumentals for Lukas to then marinate on. Everything was done by the time he joined the band, but this is the first time we got to write with his voice in mind. And another change was that he was writing on the spot - it brought a different energy and ended up being really cool. Working with Max [Schad] made a big difference too."

The end product is a darker and heavier vibe, with first single “Overthrow” effortlessly moving from a crushing tidal wave of riffs into a soaring, striking clean refrain. It taps into the expansive energy of signature fan favourites, whilst elevating the group to a new level. In False Idol, Veil Of Maya have an album that crushes pulverising power with an unforgettable narrative in the landscape of their most definitive work to date.

"We wanted to create something fresh," Lukas explains. "We didn't recycle the same old thing. It's a new beginning."

"I hope the record is one that people will want to go back to and study again," agrees Marc. "It's worth more than one listen."

Tracklisting:

“Lull”
“Fracture”
“Doublespeak”
“Overthrow”
“Whistleblower”
“Echo Chamber”
“Pool Spray”
“Graymail”
“Manichee”
“Citadel”
“Follow Me”
“Tyrant”
“Livestream”

“Whistleblower” video:

“Doublespeak” video:

“Overthrow” video:

Veil Of Maya are:

Lukas Magyar - vocals
Marc Okubo - guitar
Danny Hauser - bass
Sam Applebaum - drums

Icelandic metallers Skálmöld have teamed up with their tour mates Omnium Gatherum to join alliances for a heavy European tour run this October and November, as well as on their upcoming split single.

This is not just an ordinary split single, this a brand new and exclusive track for both bands. Get your hands on this strictly limited beauty here.You can also get your copy on tour and get it signed by both bands as well.

Skálmöld have premiered their track, "Höndin sem veggina klórar" as a music video (watch below).

Bibbi commented on the track:  "To me this song sounds a little bit different, and I like that fact very much. Don't get me wrong, it is clearly a Skálmöld song, but somehow it's just ... fresh? Yeah, for a lack of a better word, let's go with fresh. I am also very happy about the lyrics, and the concept. The title translates to "The Hand That Scratches The Walls" and is written from a standpoint of a man who is caught with his family inside their burning farmhouse.

It might sound as a total cliché but I truly feel this is one of our best songs to date. And we totally need it since the Omnium Gatherum song on the flip side could easily make us look very bad in comparison. What a killer band they are!"

So as Omnium Gatherum are hitting the road with Skálmöld next week they decided to deliver a stunning lyric video for their track "Blade Reflections" as well, which can be seen below.

The bands gives a deeper insight of the track and important story behind it.  "Hello friends. In the light of recent events we wanted to voice our opinion about the tragedy of suicide. This is a subject that may concern anyone at some point. "Blade Reflections" is a statement against suicide and an encouragement to all of those who dwell in the depths of self-annihilation. Having been there myself too, so I know how devastating it can be. There is nothing more precious than this life itself and it is worth seeing through. Though, We do not condemn those who choose to go, rather we want to stand by with all the rest, all of us, who are staying." (Jukka Pelkonen)

“‘Blade Reflections’ is lil older song that didn’t fit to previous album entirety, so here it is - on a single format standing alone anthem! The song was a swansong recording session made together with our old long-time drummer Jarmo Pikka, so we still keep Tuomo Latvalas upcoming beats and styles as mystery for you til the next album, the Century Media OG debut, which we're soon about to start recording. Before that, enjoy ‘Blade Reflections’ and come to see us on autumnal European stages in October/November during our Arctic Circle Alliance co-headline tour with Icelanders of Skalmöld and Finnish fellows Stam1na opening all the evenings!" (Markus Vanhala)

 
October
25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Nachtleben
26 - Amstelveen, Netherlands - P60
27 - London, UK - Underworld
28 - Oostende, Belgium - Elysée
29 - Paris, France - Le Petit Bain
30 - Nantes, France - Le Ferrailleur
31 - Limoges, France - CC John Lennon

November
2 - Porto, Portugal - Hard Club
3 - Lisbon, Portugal - RCA Club
4 - Madrid, Spain - Penelope
5 - Murcia, Spain - Garaje
6 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 3
7 - Marseille, France - Jas Rod
8 - Lyon, France - CCO
9 - Milano, Italy - Legend
10 - Sion, Switzerland - Le Port Franc
11 - Bern, Switzerland - Gaskessel
12 - Munich, Germany - Backstage, Halle
13 - Prague, Czech Republic - Futurum
14 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
15 - Krakow, Poland - Kwadrat
16 - Poznan, Poland - U Bazyla
17 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu
18 - Hannover, Germany - Mephisto
19 - Cologne, Germany - Jungle Club

Cult UK doom/sludge outfit Iron Monkey has released their first new full-length in almost two decades. 9-13 is available for streaming below.

After disbanding in 1999 due to the death of their original singer J.P. Morrow, the group has reformed for phase two of their mission. Recorded in their hometown of Nottingham in spring 2017 A.D. with producer Johnny A. Carter, 9-13 is nine songs and 48 minutes of total nihilism. Now older, more cynical and more isolationist, Iron Monkey are back to usurp the scene, then crush its skull. Without question, their most focused, aggressive and direct material to date, 9-13 is an all-out assault of violent hatred and nightmarish negativity. Recommended listening for fans of pain, suffering, and misanthropy.

9-13 is available on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital orders are available via Relapse.com here and all retail outlets here.

9-13 tracklisting:

“Crown Of Electrodes”
“OmegaMangler”
“9-13”
“Toadcrucifier - R.I.P.P.E.R.”
“Destroyer”
“Mortarhex”
“The Rope”
“Doomsday Impulse Multiplier”
“Moreland St. Hammervortex”

Album stream:

9-13 by Iron Monkey

“Crown Of Electrodes” video:

"9-13" video:

(Photo - Ralph Barklam)