Helsinki hellraisers SANTA CRUZ — whose brash, Sunset Strip-inspired hard rock was recently praised by Rolling Stone as "debaucherous and flamboyant" — have released a music video for their anthemic new song "Young Blood Rising". The track appears on the group's forthcoming M-Theory Audio debut, "Bad Blood Rising", which will be available digitally on October 6 and physically on CD and LP on November 10.

Says guitarist Johnny Cruz: "It's a live video that shows lots of headbanging, shredding and attitude, so you definitely get the point of what it looks like when you come to our live show." "Young Blood Rising" is the second single issued in advance of the release of "Bad Blood Rising", following the infectious initial preview track "River Phoenix". According to Johnny, the album is — to quote one of its other songtitles — pure fucking adrenaline, but it also adds a few new colors to the group's musical palette. "We didn't intentionally try to come up with something totally different than before, but I guess some of the new influences we've picked up along the way can be heard on these songs," he says. "At the end of the day, the apple didn't fall all that far from the tree.

"People can still expect the SANTA CRUZ sound — the fast guitars and heavy drums are still there, just served with a different sauce.

"All in all, we see 'Bad Blood Rising' as a 'comeback album'. A start of a new era. It's like what Archie is singing in 'River Phoenix': 'We're going down like River Phoenix, to rise up from the ashes once again.'" SANTA CRUZ's eponymous second album debuted at No. 3 on the Finnish chart upon its release in 2015 and featured "We Are The Ones To Fall", the most aired song of the year on the Finnish station Radio Rock. The band also appeared in a Mercedes-Benz commercial and on the AXS TV show "Breaking Bands".

SANTA CRUZ has toured extensively around the world, including three jaunts to America, where they performed with AMARANTHE, I PREVAIL and Sebastian Bach, as well as before thousands at the Rock On The Range festival in 2015.

The band has a European tour set for November/December, with plans to return to the U.S. in the New Year.

Los Angeles progressive rock group PERFECT BEINGS has signed with InsideOut Music for the release of its new album, due in January 2018. The band's current lineup includes Ryan Hurtgen (vocals, piano), Johannes Luley (guitar, bass, production) and Jesse Nason (keyboards) alongside new drummer Sean Reinert (pictured; ex-CYNIC, DEATH). PERFECT BEINGS commented: "We are very excited to announce we have joined forces with renowned prog label InsideOut. We are also so proud to announce that we have a new drummer. And not just any drummer, mind you. Joining the band is modern progressive drumming phenom Sean Reinert, whose innovation has been heard with DEATH, GORDIAN KNOT and as a founding member of CYNIC!" PERFECT BEINGS has also announced that it will oerform at RoSfest 2018 on Saturday, May 5 at 2 p,m. RoSfest takes place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and will run May 4-6, 2018. "Get yourself to RoSfest in May 2018, as we will be performing material from all three of our albums!" the band states.

In November of 2012, Luley approached Hurtgen about collaborating on a progressive rock project. It was Luley's intention to create an album that honored the style and live musicality in traditional prog-rock mediums. Hurtgen, a fresh songwriter transplant to California via Nashville, agreed and began writing sketches for a concept album based on author Suhail Rafidi's novel, "TJ & Tosc". Over the course of 2012 and 2013, Luley and Hurtgen composed and orchestrated the PERFECT BEINGS project.

With the help of drummer Dicki Fliszar, keyboardist Jesse Nason and bassist Chris Tristram, the five players began rehearsing the songs to record a live record in the same fashion as the progressive rock acts of the golden era. In April 2013, the band recorded "Perfect Beings" in a span of three weeks at My Sonic Temple studio in Los Angeles. In late 2015, the band's sophomore album was released to high critical acclaim. PERFECT BEINGS 2017 is:

Ryan Hurtgen - vocals, pianoJohannes Luley - guitars, bassJesse Nason - keyboardsSean Reinert - drums, percussion

Swedish epic heavy doom metal warlords SORCERER will release their new album, "The Crowning Of The Fire King", on October 20 via Metal Blade Records.

The official lyric video for the disc's second single, "Ship Of Doom", can be viewed below.

SORCERER comments: "We have aimed to write an album with diversity and intensity, an album that we want to listen to ourselves.

"'The Crowning Of The Fire King' is by far our best recording ever with songs that are strong, powerful and doomy. We have captured what SORCERER is about and taken the songs to the next level for the band.

"With the first single, 'Sirens', we really want to show everyone that SORCERER is a force to count on!

"The video was made by our dear friend Daniel Nyqvist who did the videos for 'The Dark Tower Of The Sorcerer' and 'Prayers For A King'. We all feel that he succeeded to capture the essence of SORCERER with his videos and are proud of what he has done for the band."

"The Crowning Of The Fire King" track listing:

01. Sirens02. Ship Of Doom03. Abandoned By The Gods04. The Devils Incubus05. Nattvaka06. Crimson Cross07. The Crowning Of The Fire King08. Unbearable Sorrow

SORCERER emerged out of Sweden in the late 80s and was one of the very early bands to champion what is now known as "epic doom metal." Besides genre pioneers CANDLEMASS, groups like SOLITUDE AETURNUS, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT and SORCERER were among the few groups around representing this style of metal.

During its existence, SORCERER produced two self-financed cassette releases, both of which quickly became underground cult classics regularly hailed by metalheads as some of the finest of the era. After a few personnel changes, the group disintegrated in 1992 and since then some of the bandmembers went on to find some success with other groups. Bassist Johnny Hagel achieved greater success in TIAMAT and later SUNDOWN. Vocalist Anders Engberg has also made a name for himself with several other bands he has fronted, such as LION'S SHARE, TWILIGHT and SECTION A.

In the fall of 2010, members of SORCERER were coaxed into reforming to play a one-off gig at the Hammer Of Doom festival in Germany and, a year later, the Up The Hammers festival in Athens, Greece. Both shows were received extremely well and the thoughts of putting together a new album started to take form.

In March 2015, SORCERER released the critically acclaimed "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross". SORCERER played several festivals in support of the album — Sabaton Open Air and Rock Hard Festival, among others, with the latter especially being a huge success for the band, selling out their entire merch supply even before finishing their set.

2015 also saw the release of the EP "Black", which consisted of three songs left over from the "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross" sessions, as well as an acoustic version of the track "Prayers For A King".

In the end of 2015, the band started to write material for a follow-up album to "In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross". Progress went pretty fast and ten new tracks emerged out of the royal epic doom chest. The songwriting carried on throughout 2016, and in early 2017, they went into the studio to record.

During the recording, the band and drummer Robert Iversen parted ways because of musical differences, and Lars Sköld (TIAMAT, AVATARIUM) filled the role as session drummer on the album.

In the early summer of 2017, the album was ready to be mixed by the very talented Ronnie Björnström (AEON, CUT UP, 220 VOLT), who also turned the knobs on their last album. The mastering this time was expertly handled by Mr. Thomas "Plec" Johansson (SOILWORK, WATAIN).

SORCERER is:

Anders Engberg - vocalsKristian Niemann - guitarsPeter Hallgren - guitarsJohnny Hagel - bassRichard Evensand - drums

"Novacaine", the new video from 10 YEARS, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming studio album, "(How To Live) As Ghosts", which will be released on October 27 via Mascot. The band's eighth studio LP was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (ALICE IN CHAINS, FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES, KORN, MASTODON) and marks the return of bandmembers Brian Vodinh (guitar, drums) and Matt Wantland (guitar).

Sometimes when band members reunite, it's as if no time has passed and nothing has changed. That couldn't be further from the truth for 10 YEARS. When Vodinh and Wantland returned to the Knoxville, Tennessee alt-metal/post-grunge band for their eighth album and Mascot debut, they burst through their comfort zones to create something new. Something better. Something career-defining. Singer Jesse Hasek reflects: "It's funny. I named our last record 'From Birth To Burial' (2015) because I thought it was our final record. It just didn't feel like 10 YEARS without Brian and Matt, and having them back is really a reunion of the core writing team. This new record actually feels like a real rebirth for the band."

While Vodinh handled drums and guitar on the new album, he's switching to just guitar for the live shows, moving Chad Huff from guitar to bass, while Kyle Mayer stays on drums. "We're bringing it back the way they should be," says Vodinh, who left the band due to family commitments in 2013. "It feels great to be back with these guys and we're in such a better place musically and creatively than ever before."

Talking about the first single "Novacaine", Hasek offers: "Six albums and a hundred songs in, I wondered if I've already written my best stuff. But at some point, you start to get real adult problems. Life has such a numbing to it. You see people go from such optimism in their 20s to having life just beat them down later. I think we all kind of get desensitized and numb to life on some level. That's what this song is about." That better place stems, in part, from a more collaborative writing process. "It used to be that just Jesse and I would write the full song, and the other guys would add a little spice to it. This time, we're starting the writing process as a full band. Sometimes it starts with a riff. Sometimes it starts with a vocal. Our formula is no formula, and it kind of works. And, we work together in a more constructive and healthier environment now," explains Vodinh. The sixth collaborator was Raskulinecz. "Nick made us step outside our comfort zone," explains Hasek. "It made for a different-sounding record. The one thing we never wanted to do is recreate the same thing over and over. We have always been musicians that love to explore and venture into new horizons." The result is 10 YEARS' most dynamic and multi-dimensional record to date. Raskulinecz encouraged the band to strip away some of the vocal production they've grown accustomed to in order to reveal a more intimate side of Hasek. "Historically, we like to orchestrate a lot of vocal parts. We'll have harmonies and layers. This time around, Nick had us strip a lot of that away. There are a lot of moments where the only vocal is just Jesse, and not this big freaking epic thing. It makes Jesse more human. And I think the more human Jesse comes across, the more relatable his lyrics are," says Vodinh. Raskulinecz also helped Hasek be more straightforward in his lyrics and message. Hasek offers: "In the past, I've written a lot of songs that were pretty ambiguous. But on this record, I'm more comfortable being direct and talking about things that are important to me. I'm older and find myself reflecting on the world more especially after having travelled the world and talk to people and really see what's going on." The title track, "(How To Live) As Ghosts", is one such song. "After traveling the world and seeing all the political, social, and religious turmoil, it had me thinking about how many people are judging and preparing for death, but are actually missing life. And, instead of using spirituality for good, a lot of people use it to point fingers and judge. Instead of worrying where we end up in the end, we need to focus on the now and the humanity." "Burnout" is another observation on mankind. "It's about a person that's right there in the limelight, has every opportunity to see the greatest things in life that are right in front of them, but they are too inside themselves to see it," says Hasek. "Blood Red Sky" was originally from a solo EP Vodinh had recorded. "The song grabbed my ear the first time I heard it because it had such a different vibe," says Hasek, "but I had a different vocal idea for it so we changed it up. It's about the struggle of maintaining everyday life and how fast your existence just flashes before your eyes. But, it also says that we are surviving and will make it through — that we will always fight through." "(How To Live) As Ghosts" might be the band's eighth album but, to them, it feels like a new start. "There was a heavier, darker tone to our last record because we weren't in a good place," adds the singer. "'Ghosts' has a brighter side to it because we're all in a really happy, optimistic, and excited place about music and life. We're ready to see how the world embraces it."

"(How To Live) As Ghosts" track listing:

01. The Messenger02. Novacaine03. Burnout04. Catacombs05. Ghosts06. Blood Red Sky07. Phantoms08. Vampires09. Halos10. Lucky You11. Insomnia

"Bluebirds Over The Mountain", a brand new song from Robert Plant, can be streamed below. The track, which features a guest appearance by PRETENDERS singer Chrissie Hynde, is taken from the LED ZEPPELIN frontman's eleventh solo album, "Carry Fire", which will be released on October 13 via Nonesuch/Warner.

The follow-up to 2014's "Lullaby And… The Ceaseless Roar" was produced by Plant in the west of England and Wales, at Top Cat studio in Box, Wiltshire with additional recordings at Real World and Rockfield studios. As with "Lullaby", Plant is accompanied by his backing band THE SENSATIONAL SHAPE SHIFTERS: John Baggott on keyboards, moog, loops, percussion, drums, brass arrangement, t'bal, snare drum, slide guitar, piano, electric piano, bendir; Justin Adams on guitar, acoustic guitar, oud, E-bow quartet, percussion, snare drum, tambourine; Dave Smith on bendir, tambourine, djembe, drum kit; and Liam "Skin" Tyson on dobro, guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel, twelve-string.

Plant and the SPACE SHIFTERS are also joined on "Carry Fire" by a number of special guests. Hynde joins Plant on the duet "Bluebirds Over The Mountain" (written by rockabilly legend Ersel Hickey and later recorded by both Richie Valens and THE BEACH BOYS). Albanian cellist Redi Hasa performs on three tracks, as does the celebrated Seth Lakeman on viola and fiddle.

Plant, who lived in Texas for a time before returning to his native England three years ago, together with his friends, present the songs on "Carry Fire", melding unusual rhythms with naturalism and smoldering power.

He says: "It's about intention. I respect and relish my past works, but each time I feel the incentive to create new work, I must mix old with new. Consequently, the whole impetus of the band has moved on its axis somewhat — the new sound and different space giving way to exciting and dramatic landscapes of mood, melody and instrumentation."

"Carry Fire" track listing:

01. The May Queen02. New World…03. Season's Song04. Dance With You Tonight05. Carving Up The World Again06. A Way With Words07. Carry Fire08. Bones Of Saints09. Keep It Hid10. Bluebirds Over The Mountain11. Heaven Sent

Industrial metal veterans MINISTRY have signed a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band recently completed recording its new album, "AmeriKKKant", for a tentative early 2018 release. The disc will feature guest appearances by DJ Swamp (Beck), Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY), Arabian Prince (N.W.A.) and Lord Of The Cello.

"This album, 'AmeriKKKant', will provide FEMA-type relief for the devastation 'Hurricane Cheeto' has brought upon us," stated MINISTRY mastermind Al Jourgensen.

MINISTRY played a new song called "Antifa" during the band's September 15 appearance at this year's edition of the Riot Fest at Douglas Park in Chicago, Illinois. Video footage of the performance can be seen below (courtesy of In The Loop magazine).

In 2016, Jourgensen announced plans to record a new MINISTRY studio album to follow 2013's "From Beer To Eternity", despite previously saying there would be no further MINISTRY records after the death of longtime guitarist Mike Scaccia in 2012.

MINISTRY will his the road this fall with DEATH GRIPS.

Jourgensen's side project SURGICAL METH MACHINE released its self-titled debut album in April 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded primarily at Jourgensen's home studio in Burbank, California with his longtime engineer Sam D'Ambruoso.

Frontiers Music Srl will release PINK CREAM 69's new album, "Headstrong", on November 10.

Another track from the disc, "Path Of Destiny", can be streamed below.

"Headstrong" marks the thirtieth anniversary of the German/British hard rockers PINK CREAM 69. And what better way to celebrate than by adding yet another gem to their already spectacular discography. Produced by bassist (and renowned producer) Dennis Ward, "Headstrong" sees the same line-up from 2013's well-received "Ceremonial" album return to deliver fans another hard-rocking set of quality songs and is their twelfth studio album overall. As a special treat, the new release includes a bonus live album featuring songs from across the band's catalogue. Ward says: "When we released our first album in 1989, we were proud to be a 'guitar band' that yielded powerful guitar riffs and soaring vocal melodies.

"Since the release of 'Ceremonial', it became evident to us that we had to take a step back to be able to make two steps forward, so we made a 'master plan': to resurrect our earliest form of songwriting incorporating these riffs and melodies, reducing the amount of keyboards and keeping the production to a minimum of sonic layers in order to be as true as possible to our sound — the sound of fat and crunchy guitars.

"I feel that the new 'Headstrong' album is a high-energy recording that redeems us as the powerful rock 'n' roll band we used to be.

"After weeks of cross checking the production, listening to the CD in my car, I take great pride in saying 'mission accomplished.' We look so very forward to presenting our new 'baby.'" PINK CREAM 69 was founded in 1987 by singer Andi Deris, guitarist Alfred Koffler, drummer Kosta Zafiriou, who were later joined by bassist Dennis Ward. Deris left the band in 1994 and after auditioning various singers was replaced by Englishman David Readman. "Headstrong" track listing: 01. We Bow To None02. Walls Come Down03. Unite And Divide04. No More Fear05. Man Of Sorrow06. Path Of Destiny07. Vagrant Of The Night08. Bloodsucker09. Whistleblower10. The Other Man Bonus live album (Recorded in 2013 in Ludwigsburg, Germany):

01. Special02. Talk To The Moon03. Break The Silence04. Do You Like It Like That05. The Spirit06. Livin’ My Life For You07. Wasted Years08. Welcome The Night09. Shame

PINK CREAM 69 is: David Readman - vocalsAlfred Koffler - guitarUwe Reitenauer - guitarDennis Ward - bassChris Schmidt - drums

Finnish alt-rockers THE RASMUS have released a Jesse Haaja-directed music video for their new single, "Wonderman". The track, which also serves as the theme song in the new superhero movie "Rendel", is the latest song to be made available from the band's long-awaited new album, "Dark Matters", which will be released October 6 via Playground Music Scandinavia. The disc was produced by the Swedish team The Family (Iggy Azalea, FIFTH HARMONY). "The thinking behind our new songs was to create the kind of music we would like to listen to," THE RASMUS singer Lauri Ylönen explains. "We haven't abandoned our signature northern melancholy, but you can hear a wide range of influences in our new compositions.

"The new album is like a roller coaster with many different emotions and personal feelings. Our music is at times dark, speculative, melodic and sometimes even sad."

THE RASMUS released its previous single, "Paradise", in March after a five-year hiatus. The band also announced a PledgeMusic campaign, allowing access to an exclusive fan-only area, featuring album pre-order deals, updates from the band, behind-the-scenes footage and a variety of bonus content.

In 2012, after releasing three more albums, and multiple world tours, THE RASMUS members Ylönen, Pauli Rantasalmi, Eero Heinonen and Aki Hakala, took a break from their busy band schedule. During this period, Ylönen moved to Los Angeles, a change that resonates in many of the songs he has written since.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, PROPHETS OF RAGE guitarist Tom Morello revealed in an interview with Music Feeds that he and late singer Chris Cornell — with whom Morello recorded and toured in AUDIOSLAVE — had discussed an innovative way to stage a reunion of the latter band before Cornell died last May. The idea came up after AUDIOSLAVE reunited for a brief three-song set last January, with Morello explaining: "We started talking about maybe doing some sort of similar thing where maybe it would be a PROPHETS OF RAGE show and then we would drop an AUDIOSLAVE set into the middle of it, and we’d have a ball."

As for that show last January — the last time all four members of AUDIOSLAVE played together — Morello said, "I just say 'Thank god we played it,' you know? AUDIOSLAVE hadn’t played in 12 years, although I’d played another show with Chris about a year before that. And it was wonderful to be close friends and to rock again and to play some AUDIOSLAVE songs and stand next to him onstage with his — you know — his rock god powerful self, and his amazing voice and his amazing hair and his amazing whole thing, you know? It was wonderful."

Morello also recently revealed the existence of unreleased AUDIOSLAVE music from the sessions for the three studio albums the band released. But he told The Pulse Of Radio that at this point he doesn't know what will happen with it. "You know, we recorded music for AUDIOSLAVE records, and then we recorded more songs than made those records, and I'm certain at some point it will come out but there's no plans for it. We had talked about it when, you know, Chris was alive and we thought at some point there will be the right time to put it out. Now I don't know that there's ever a right time to put it out, but there's no reason that it shouldn't come out at some point."

Morello, AUDIOSLAVE bassist Tim Commerford and AUDIOSLAVE drummer Brad Wilk — who were also bandmates in RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE — are now in PROPHETS OF RAGE, who just released their debut LP.

Cornell committed suicide last May, following a show with his primary act SOUNDGARDEN. He recorded three studio efforts and one live album with AUDIOSLAVE from 2002 to 2007 before leaving the group.

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON celebrated the release of their ninth studio album, "Deep Calleth Upon Deep", with an exclusive and very special show last Friday, September 22 on the rooftop of the KLP building in the heart of Oslo.

Three hundred fans experienced SATYRICON in person at this very special event, which was also streamed live to fans around the world via the band's Facebook page.

"I always thought THE BEATLES gig on top of the Apple building in London, 1969 was such an intriguing thing and it really feels like a privilege to be able to do something like this ourselves," SATYRICON vocalist Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven said prior to the show. "In our hometown too! Since this is to celebrate the release of 'Deep Calleth Upon Deep', we don't want to exclude those who can't be there with us that night, so I'm glad it's being streamed worldwide. We'll play the whole record and we'll do it in style!"

You can now watch the entire performance below.

"Deep Calleth Upon Deep" was released on September 22 via Napalm Records. The disc was recorded in Oslo, Norway and Vancouver, Canada, during early 2017 and mixed together with revered studio guru Mike Fraser (who previously worked on SATYRICON's 2006 album, "Now, Diabolical").

The "Deep Calleth Upon Deep" front cover is an obscure drawing from 1898 by perhaps the greatest Norwegian artist of all time, Edvard Munch.

Chester Bennington's longtime friend Ryan Shuck, who played guitar in Bennington's side project DEAD BY SUNRISE, teamed up with KORN's onetime touring guitarist Wes Geer to perform an acoustic version of the LINKIN PARK song "One More Light" as a tribute to the late LP singer at Rock To Recovery's second annual awareness event and benefit on September 16 at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California. Video footage of their performance can be seen below.

Geer founded Rock To Recovery on December 12, 2012, in an effort to give non-musicians access to the magic, healing powers of playing music, and advance the use of music expression groups in various treatment settings. In each session, program participants form a band, write a song together, and record their work, offering an uplifting, therapeutic release to patients recovering from PTSD, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, cancer treatments and more, by organically helping improve body/brain chemistry by stimulating the natural release of serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Rock To Recovery typically operates as an adjunct service to a treatment center's curriculum, and in just four years, the program has grown to become an integral part of the weekly treatment curriculum for nearly eighty programs.

Rock To Recovery's non-profit entity donates its services to the U.S. Department of Defense's Wounded Warriors program, state-funded programs and indigent rehabs like the Salvation Army and Clare Foundation, programs for at-risk youths including Turning Point and North County Lifeline, as well as Breath of Heaven, and local VA programs including New Directions for Veterans and the Brentwood VA.

Prior to the inception of these annual concerts, Rock To Recovery has been entirely self-funded. Due to the program's success and subsequent demand, coupled with the overwhelming successes of last year's event, the organization will continue to grow its reach through these annual fundraising celebrations in order to bring the healing power of music to more people.

For more information on Rock To Recovery, visit www.rocktorecovery.org.

According to Billboard, FOO FIGHTERS' new album, "Concrete And Gold", moved 127,000 equivalent album units in first week of release to debut at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Of that sum, 120,000 were in traditional album sales, which also makes the effort the top-selling album of the week.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

FOO FIGHTERS previously topped the chart in 2011 with "Wasting Light". Seven of the band's albums have landed in the top 10, including 2014's "Sonic Highways", which debuted and peaked at No. 2.

FOO FIGHTERS earlier in the month released an animated mini-documentary on the making of "Concrete And Gold", which arrived on September 15. In the short film, frontman Dave Grohl talks about how the band selected the producer it wanted to work with, Greg Kurstin, and how it landed a guest appearance from Justin Timberlake, among others.

Grohl recalls meeting Kurstin at a restaurant after hearing a song by his band THE BIRD AND THE BEE on the radio in his car. As the two become friends, Grohl decides he wants Kurstin to record the next FOO FIGHTERS album. Kurstin has previously produced artists like Adele and Pink.

Grohl also recounts how he floated the idea of working with Kurstin to the rest of the band, who were puzzled because Kurstin had never worked on a heavy rock record.

In addition to Timberlake, the disc features guest appearances from Paul McCartney, THE BIRD AND THE BEE's Inara George, THE KILLS' Alison Mosshart and BOYZ II MEN singer Shawn Stockman.

FOO FIGHTERS have lined up a fall North American tour that kicks off on October 7 in San Bernardino, California with Cal Jam 17, also featuring QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, CAGE THE ELEPHANT, Liam Gallagher, ROYAL BLOOD, THE STRUTS and more. The rest of the tour begins on October 12 in Washington D.C.

Montreal-based progressive death metal legends. Augury. has been hard at work the last few years writing and recording their third full-length. The group's 2004 debut album, Concealed, and 2009 follow-up, Fragmentary Evidence, are widely revered death metal releases which were far ahead of their time.

Eventually, the group's forward-thinking ways have led to their esteemed status as highly influential legends in the progressive death metal and technical death metal scenes. Today the band is proud to announce their signing to rising extreme metal label, The Artisan Era, which will be followed by the release of their third album in 2018.

Augury had this to say about signing with The Artisan Era: "We are proud to announce that Augury has teamed with The Artisan Era Records for the release of their third album. While the recording is entering the mixing/mastering process with Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy) at The Grid Studios, Augury is back with a new creation, lyrically influenced by lost civilizations and their enigmas, musically following the roots from the two predecessors, 2004’s Concealed, and 2009’s Fragmentary Evidence. The album's artwork and title will be disclosed in a further statement, so brace yourselves for its emergence in spring 2018!"

A video featuring clips of some of the new Augury material can be found below:

Augury is:

Patrick Loisel - Vocals, Guitars
Mathieu Marcotte (Humanoid) - Guitars
Dominic "Forest" Lapointe (First Fragment, Teramobil, ex-Beyond Creation) - Bass
Antoine Baril (Contemplator) - Drums

(Photo - Mélany Champagne)

Melodic metal band, Within Silence, will release their new album, Return From The Shadows, on October 27th in Europe and North America via Ulterium Records. A music video for the song “Heroes Must Return” is available for streaming below.

Return From The Shadows is a perfect follow-up to the debut album, Gallery Of Life, and feels like a more mature and focused album. The impressive songwriting and melodies are still there, and together with heavy riffs, symphonic arrangements and epic parts the result is a really strong album.

The album was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (Delain, Apocalyptica, Korpiklaani). Return From The Shadows is a perfect album for fans of bands like Theocracy, Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius.

Return From The Shadows tracklisting:

“We Are The Ones”
“Heroes Must Return”
“Children Of Light”
“Calling From The Other Side”
“In the Darkness”
“The Final Victory”
“You & I”
“Master”
“Return From The Shadows”

“Heroes Must Return” video:

Within Silence tour dates:

November
3 - Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands

March
24 - Lindenkeller - Freising, Germany (with Brainstorm, Signum Regis)

Zach Slaughter, frontman for Canadian bashers Skull Fist, has posted the following update:

"My first full length album Nature Never Lies is out today along with this new video. You can buy it here along with shirts and such. Also on iTunes and Spotify. It took a ton of work playing and recording all the instruments myself as well as doing all of the art and video work, so be rad and check out the shop link. We will begin recording the new Fist record in 3 weeks yo! Get stoked."

The complete tracklist for Nature Never Lies is as follows:

"Dancing On The Rain" 
"See You Around "
"Never Ending Battle" 
"All Of My Memories"
"For A Friend"
"Nature Never Lies" 
"It's Slright" 
"Her Face Was Pretty" 
"Little Nemo"

Black/death metal band Lloth check in with the following update:

"This is a clip from our album Athanati (Immortal) that is dedicated to Maria 'Tristessa' Kolokouri of Astarte. 'In The Name of Love' is a heavy slow tempo track...it feels like you hear a wounded beast crawling...."

The tracklisting for Athanati is as follows:

“I (Dead Inside)”
“Archos”
“Pan”
“Born In Sin”
“In The Name Of Love (Sacrifice)”
“Alles Black”
“Hell (Is A Place On Earth)”
“Emptiness”
“Tristessa”
“Athanati (Immortal)”

At last year’s annual Morsefest in Nashville, the dream of every Spock’s Beard fan in attendance came true. The band’s original lineup, and current members, performed the critically acclaimed double-disc concept album, Snow, in its entirety. It was a moment in time fans never thought they’d ever get a chance to see. Snow was the last album that Neal Morse recorded with the band before quitting in 2002.

Now it’s time for fans worldwide of Spock’s Beard and Neal Morse to experience that night for themselves. Snow Live will be released November 10th on Radiant Records via Metal Blade Records / SONY in multiple formats: 2 DVD / 2CD Digipack, 3 LP Vinyl (available in four different colors), 2 disc Blu-ray and as a 2 DVD /2 CD / 2 Blu-ray pack complete with a 48-page Artbook, poster and postcards. Pre-orders for each edition are now available on Radiant Records’ website.

The first 200 Artbook Bundles ordered will be signed by Neal Morse. A free MP3 download of Journey’s "Separate Ways" performed by Spock's Beard and sung by Ted Leonard at the Morsefest Inner Circle jam will come with all pre-orders of any version of Snow Live, only at Radiant Records. The first clip from Snow Live of “Made Alive” / “Overture” can be seen below. 

Spock’s Beard features Neal Morse (lead vocals, piano, synths, electric and acoustic guitar), Alan Morse (electric guitars, vocals), Ted Leonard (electric and acoustic guitar, vocals), Jimmy Keegan (drums, percussion, vocals), Nick D'Virgilio (drums, percussion, vocals, acoustic guitars), Ryo Okumoto (keyboards--hammond organ, mellotron, jupiter 8, minimoog, vocoder), and Dave Meros (bass, vocals).

“It is difficult for me to know what to say about Snow and Spock's Beard and this whole amazing event that happened in 2016,” says Neal Morse. “I guess what I would like to share from my perspective is that this is an album that meant a lot to many people. It touched the hearts and lives and had profound meaning to people all over the world and in a way, it was like the child that myself and the band bore and then put up for adoption. Since we never played it live and I quit the band right after the album was finished, we never got to experience what it meant to others. We never got to see how it lived out in the world. Until now. I think we always knew that we were going to get together and play it at some point. It just needed to happen. But, as you can imagine, there was a lot of pain associated with this album. So, while Nick (D'Virgilio) had brought it up several times over the years, there was always so much going on in our lives that we put it off and said we were too busy. It just never felt like the right time. Or that's the way it seemed anyway.”

As Neal Morse concludes, “Obviously, the stars aligned and many prayers were answered as we gathered to play the Snow album in its entirety for the first time at Morsefest 2016. Some brilliant person had the idea to enlist the extreme talents of both Jimmy (Keegan) and Ted (Leonard) which brought a dazzle and musicality that is off the chart. Between that and Rich Mouser's astounding mix, not to mention Thad Kesten's team of amazing video people, this is one of the finest live concert packages of which I have ever been involved.”

 

French heavy thrash / stoner band Worselder will release their new album, Paradigms Lost, on September 30th in The USA via Sliptrick Records.

In the fall of 2015, Worselder started pre-production on their second album Paradigms Lost, finally finishing the ten-track opus in late 2016. A preview can be enjoyed below.

The band is deeply and proudly committed to its Pyrenean roots; it influences the atmosphere of their music, which is both dark and optimistic with lyrics marking topical events, as well as historical references. The album’s title and artwork are an evident reference to the history of the Cathar heretics (which proves once again the attachment of the band to its roots), but here the development of this theme goes further. Not being a concept album strictly speaking, Paradigms Lost explores all the paradigms humans have wasted, due to religious, political or financial considerations. 

Paradigms Lost was recorded by Elise Aranguren in the band’s private studio, then mixed and mastered at Upload Studio in Montpellier, France by Bruno Varea (Satyricon, Lenny Kravitz). 

Tracklisting:

"Infighting"
"Paradigms Lost"
"Seeds Of Rebellion"
"Idols"
"The Sickening"
"Severed"
"My Consuming Grief"
"Home Of The Grave"
"The Haven"
"Land Of Plenty"

"Paradigms Lost" video:

 

 

 

 

In the new video below, Entheos drummer Navene Koperweis performs the track “The World Without Us”, featured on the band’s Dark Future album, out via Spinefarm Records on November 10th.

The video was mixed, shot and edited by Navene Koperweis without the aid of audio quantizing or sample replacement.

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”:

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

Chicago-based four-piece instrumental group, Zaius, have released a video for “Seirenes”, a track from their debut LP, Of Adoration, to be released via Prosthetic Records on October 6th. Watch the clip below, and order the album here.

Formed in 2010, the band explores a lighter, more melodic side of the members' musical tastes without abandoning the metal tendencies that come natural to them.

Guitarist Dann Dolce comments on signing to Prosthetic Records: "We are insanely proud of these eight songs and can't wait to share our first full length with the world. A proper release is what this album deserves, and Prosthetic Records really has our backs on this. The four of us couldn't be happier."

Of Adoration was tracked at the start of 2017 with Jeff Edwards before being sent off to be mixed and mastered by Chris Common (Pelican, Mouth Of The Architect, Minus the Bear). The record features eight tracks that peaks and valleys its way through over 40 minutes of music.

"We try not to conform to any specific sub-genre and pull influence from as many places as possible," reflects Dolce. "Our goal is to keep our songs moving and dynamic, heavy yet engaging, not letting parts drag on longer than they have to."

Illustrations for the album were created by Marald Van Haasteren (Baroness, Kylesa) whose style is as colorful and alive as these tracks were meant to be.

Of Adoration tracklisting:

“Phaneron”
“Echelon”
“Reformer”
“Sheepdog”
“Magnolia”
“Seirenes”
“Anicca”
“Colin”

“Seirenes” video:

“Sheepdog”:

“Phaneron”:

Zaius is:

Jeremy Bellen - Bass
Dann Dolce - Guitar
Mike Imbordino - Drums
Ian McConnell - Guitar

The Fright will release their new album, Canto V, on October 13th via SPV/Steamhammer. A music video for the album’s opening track, “Bonfire Night”, is available for streaming below.

Put your hand on your heart: It's hardly going to be any old random stories when a band like The Fright names its latest release after one of the greatest works of world literature. The title, Canto V, goes back to Dante's Inferno, in other words to the opening section of his Divine Comedy, and it documents two things: Firstly, it's the fifth studio album by the formation from Thüringen (which explains the Roman symbol for 5), secondly, it's a particularly special piece of work, both musically and with regard to subject matter.

For, even more than on their previous releases, on Canto V, The Fright perfects their greatest strengths. At the same time, their first-class songwriting once again effortlessly meets international standards, sounding as catchy as it is ambitious. As we have become accustomed, the Thuringian dark rockers' sound derives from a wide variety of sources, from gothic rock legends like Bauhaus, The Cult, The Mission, Sisters Of Mercy and The 69 Eyes (who The Fright toured with in 2013) to traditional hard rock à la Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses and Skid Row. "I love Sebastian Bach!,” confesses singer Lon Fright, who founded the group back in 2002.

The album was produced by well-known producer Waldemar Sorychta (Lacuna Coil, Tiamat, Sodom, Moonspell).

Waldemar Sorychta about the co-operation with The Fright: "This is a really outstanding band and they present a well dosed mixture between Gothic tunes and Metal. Strong melodies and hook lines alongside a very talented shouter - this is top notch! The whole production process was extremely enjoyable. I definitely found some new friends. Thanks a lot guys."

Canto V will be available digitally in North America. Cover art by German artist Timo Würz.

Tracklisting:

“Bonfire Night”
“No One”
“Wander Alone”
“Love Is Gone”
“Fade Away”
“Oblivion”
“Leave”
“Drowned In Red”
“Century Without A Name”
“In Sicherheit”

“Bonfire Night” video:

(Photo - Liss Eulenherz Photography)

Genus Ordinis Dei will release their second full-length album, Great Olden Dynasty, on November 24th via Eclipse Records. The album features ten pummelling tracks of symphonic death-metal mastery, including Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil) on guest vocals for the song “Salem”.

The cover art for the album was designed by Andrea Spoto, and the album was produced, mixed, and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, DGM) at Domination Studio.

Great Olden Dynasty tracklisting:

“The Unleashed”
“You Die In Roma”
“Cold Water”
“The Flemish Obituary”
“Sanctuary Burns”
“Morten”
“ID 13401”
“Halls of Human Delights”
“Salem” (featuring Cristina Scabbia)
“Greyhouse”

Pre-order Great Olden Dynasty on iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play, with more options coming soon.

In 2016 Genus Ordinis Dei was invited to join European leg of the Delirium World Tour as opening act for Lacuna Coil, where they completed a five week endurance of 31 gigs in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues. The band has consistently performed throughout Europe in 2017, and recently announced the following shows, with more dates to be added soon:

October
20 - Lodi, Italy - Km298

November
24 - Diest, Belgium - Moonlight Music Hall (with Hell)

December
16 - Pozzuoli (NA), Italy - Crash / Live To Rock Metal Fest

Lineup:

Nick K (vocals & guitars)
Tommy Mastermind (guitars & orchestra)
Steven F. Olda (bass)
Richard Meiz (drums)

(Photo - Valentina Riboli)

Heavy metal cult band Oz have released a lyric video for the new track “Restless”, featured on their upcoming new album, Transition State, out on October 20th via AFM Records. Find the clip below.

More than five years after the re-start of their career with the Burning Leather release, the band led by founding member and drummer Mark Ruffneck finally delivers the anticipated new studio album (their first all new songs album since 1991). Transition State can be pre-ordered here.

Oz doesn’t fail to impress with thirteen cracking and fresh, traditional metal tracks of immensely high quality. Even though Ruffneck is the last remaining member left from the original lineup, Oz are as strong as ever and continue to haunt you with the relentless, uncompromising sound they are known for.

Tracklisting:

“Bone Crusher”
“Restless”
“Heart Of A Beast”
“Drag You To Hell”
“Whore Of Babylon” (Bonus Track)
“The Witch”
“In A Shadow Of A Shotgun”
“Never Close Your Eyes”
“The Mountain”
“Demonized”
“We'll Never Die”
“Sister Red” (Bonus Track)
“Midnight Screams” (Bonus Track)

“Restless” lyric video:

Oz lineup:

Mark Ruffneck - Drums & Percussion
Vince Kojvula - Vocals
Johnny Gross - Guitar
Juzzy Kangas - Guitar
Peppy Peltola - Bass

Known for their thunderous beats and infectious grooves, one of hard rock’s most renowned emerging bands, Silvertung, is giving fans a glimpse behind the rough and tumble exterior with a new acoustic live EP that is as personally riveting as it is raw and rollicking. Aptly named Lighten Up, the group’s first acoustic album will feature six of their most well known songs and is scheduled for an October 27th release.

Lighten Up was recorded live in front of an audience comprising music critics and industry professionals at Wrightway Studios giving the album a truly authentic “jam session-like sound” as the band describes it.

“This release is unique in many ways. The preparation that goes behind this type of live recording is very different from what we are used to doing”, said Speed, singer/guitarist for Silvertung. “When you record a studio release, mistakes can be re-recorded, but live...it is what it is. Even though we recorded it in a studio, we still set up facing one another and did this live!”

Produced and engineered by Steven Wright, each song on Lighten Up was completely reinvented. For example, “Face The Music” still has the same melody but is a very different acoustic with a more swing vibe to it… and “Devil’s Advocate, which appeared on Billboard Mainstream Rock Radio’s Most Added List the week of release, was originally heavy and aggressive and is now performed stripped down and accompanied by a violinist.

It’s this creative freedom and the ability to experiment with their music that led Silvertung to explore the idea of an acoustic album in the first place.

“We created this album for our fans. We wanted them to see a different side to the band. We’re a hard rock band, that’s what we do best, but this is different and it’s a growth for us”, said Codey Red, lead guitarist for Silvertung. “Recording Lighten Up has already pushed us and challenged us as we’re writing new songs for the next release!”

The first single, “Dig”, hits radio airwaves on October 9th.

Lighten Up EP tracklisting:

“Devil’s Advocate”
“Dig”
“Face The Music”
“I Don’t Care”
“Justified”
“Déjà Vu”

Lighten Up will be available for digital download wherever digital music is available, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Gracenote, KKBox, Napster, Deezer, Tidal, Google Play, Pandora, etc. and on the band’s website.

Canadian metal/hardcore band Counterparts have released a video for the track “Swim Beneath My Skin”, featured on the band’s new album, You’re Not You Anymore,  out now via Pure Noise Records. Order the record now at this location, and watch the new video below.

You're Not You Anymore tracklisting:

“Walk Away Slowly”
“Bouquet”
“Arms Like Teeth”
“No Servant Of Mine”
“Haunt Me”
“Swim Beneath My Skin”
“Thieves”
“Rope”
“A Memory Misread”
“Fragile Limbs”
“You’re Not You Anymore”

“Swim Beneath My Skin” video:

"Haunt Me":

“Swim Beneath My Skin”:

"No Friend Of Mine":

“Bouquet” video:

Counterparts’ live itinerary can be found here.

(Photo - Trey Hales)

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" Monday night (September 25) at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

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.

THE DARK ELEMENT, the new musical project featuring former NIGHTWISH vocalist Anette Olzon and Finnish guitarist and songwriter Jani Liimatainen, will release its self-titled debut album on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The official video for the song "My Sweet Mystery" can be seen below.

Since word of this project got out, fans have been frothing at the mouth with anticipation for its arrival. And no wonder considering the talent involved! Anette is widely known for being the immaculate voice on the hit albums from NIGHTWISH, "Dark Passion Play" and "Imaginareum". Jani has recently been busy in CAIN'S OFFERING alongside STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto, but left a deep mark on the minds of all power metal fans thanks to his time in SONATA ARCTICA.

Said Liimatainen: "I have always been a big fan of Anette's voice and when the opportunity to work with her arose, writing and producing an album, it was something I just couldn't say no! It has been a blast working on the songs and I can't wait for everyone to hear the final result. This will be epic! The songs are extremely melodic and to the point. My goal has been to write catchy songs with hooks that will haunt your dreams, and I think it's pretty much 'mission accomplished.' Stay tuned for something special!"

Added Olzon: "I am so looking forward to this album and I believe our collaboration worked like a perfect match and I am really happy that Jani and Frontiers asked me to do this with them!"

"The Dark Element" track listing:

01. The Dark Element02. My Sweet Mystery03. Last Good Day04. Here's To You05. Someone You Used To Know06. Dead To Me07. Halo08. I Cannot Raise The Dead09. The Ghost And The Reaper10. Heaven Of Your Heart11. Only One Who Knows Me

Musicians:

Anette Olzon - Lead VocalsJani Liimatainen - Guitars, Keyboards, ProgrammingJonas Kuhlberg - BassJani "Hurtsi" Hurula - Drums

* Piano on "Someone You Used to Know" and "Heaven of Your Heart" by Jarkko Lahti* Backing vocals by Anette Olzon, Petri Aho, Anssi Stenberg and Jani Liimatainen* Growls on "Dead To Me" by Niilo Sevänen