One of Europe’s leading and most popular prog metal acts is finally back: Norway’s Communic have made a lasting impression on the scene with their previous four studio albums Conspiracy In Mind (2005), Waves Of Visual Decay (2006), Payment Of Existence (2008) and The Bottom Deep (2011), which all have been released by Nuclear Blast. 

Critical acclaim follows Communic since day one and a devoted worldwide fan base is hotly anticipating the release of the first Communic album since six years. With Where Echoes Gather, the band impressively confirms and underlines its exceptional status. Communic’s first album for AFM is nothing short of another dark and atmospheric masterpiece, created by the very same three guys who founded the band back then. Communic’s characteristic mixture of prog, power and thrash sounds as fresh and relevant as ever and will amaze the band’s countless fans to the fullest.

Where Echoes Gather will be available as Digipak and limited colored vinyl (250 units gold, 250 red/marbled).

The cover artwork created by artist Eliran Kantor (Testament, Sodom, Iced Earth):

Tracklisting:

Digipak
“The Pulse Of The Earth (Part 1 – The Magnetic Center)”
“The Pulse Of The Earth (Part 2 – Impact Of The Wave)”
“Where Echoes Gather (Part 1 – Beneath The Giant)”
“Where Echoes Gather (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)”
“Moondance”
“Where History Lives”
“Black Flag Of Hate”
“The Claws Of The Sea (Part 1 – Journey Into The Source)”
“The Claws Of The Sea (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)”

Bonus Tracks
“Watching It All Disappear” (Live In Studio 2017)
“At Dewy Prime (Live In Studio 2017)
“Waves Of Visual Decay” (Acoustic Live Version – 10th Anniversary Concert)

Vinyl

Side A
“The Pulse Of The Earth (Part 1 – The Magnetic Center)”
“The Pulse Of The Earth (Part 2 – Impact Of The Wave)”
“Where Echoes Gather (Part 1 – Beneath The Giant)”
“Where Echoes Gather (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)”
“Moondance”

Side B
“Where History Lives”
“Black Flag Of Hate”
“The Claws Of The Sea (Part 1 – Journey Into The Source)”
“The Claws Of The Sea (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)”

Brazilian progressive rock/metal outfit Daydream XI will make their US live debut this week, as the band enters the country to perform at the annual ProgPower gathering. New label home Sensory Records is now streaming the band's glorious new album, The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn, more than two weeks ahead of its official street date.
 
Daydream XI will mark their first American performance at the annual ProgPower USA in Atlanta, Georgia, this week, playing this Friday, September 8th, sharing the weekend's stage with the likes of Katatonia, Amaranthe, Pain, Mike Portnoy, Between The Buried And Me, Haken, Metal Church, Orphaned Land, and many others. Additional tour dates are to be expected.
 
The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn will be released on six-panel digipak CD with a twenty-eight page booklet and digital formats on September 22nd through Sensory Records; fans of Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Pain Of Salvation should tune in.

Find preorders for the CD and standard digital version at this location and the CD and 24-bit hi-res version here. Stream the album via the Bandcamp player below:

The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn by Daydream XI

 Mixing hard rock and progressive rock with heavy and power metal influences, Brazil's Daydream XI is a band with no self-imposed boundaries. Their debut album The Grand Disguise was produced by Jens Bogren, head of the world-class Fascination Street studio, in Orëbro, Sweden, released in September 2014, via Power Prog. The album has received many great reviews all over the globe, placing the band as one of the most promising names in progressive metal in South America.
 
For the follow-up album, The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn, Daydream XI embraces the progressive side of their music in a dark concept album. The concept is a metaphor to express that we are drawn to each other more by our weaknesses and our flaws than our strengths and virtues. It's portrayed through a journey, where Phillip, the Circus master, takes his new apprentice, Circe, across the various acts of this Circus. Each song represents a feeling or aspect of human life, channeled by the storyline of each character. With eleven epic new songs, The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn was recorded at an array of studios across Brazil and the US with the band's Tiago Masseti handling final production. The record was mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Haken), and completed with artwork by Kikyz1313 and Mateus Conter.

Tracklisting:

“Ticket 000011”
“Open The Curtains”
“Trust-Forged Knife”
“Painted Smile”
“Windblown”
“A Cup Of Agony”
“Overhauling Wounds”
“Collector Of Souls”
“Forgettable”
“The Love That Never Was”
“The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn”

Boston’s Silent Season has released a new single and lyric video for “The Negative”.

The band states: “Release day is here! As promised here is our surprise for you. Check out this awesome lyric video of our new song ‘The Negative’. Enjoy!

Purchase the single here.

(Photo by: Evil Robb Photography)

Providence death metal act Vital Remains recently finished up a European tour run and have released a recap video:

Guitarist Tony Lazaro comments: “After a very successful European Tour! We want to thank the following. Flaming Arts, all the promoters and staff from all the fests, and club shows! We had so much fun partying, and hanging out with other bands and most of all the fans! You guys all rule! Thank you all for the support you showed us! We had a blast! And we would also like to thank our driver Yoschi for keeping us safe and all his help!!! Thanks bro! Until next time Thanks again to all the metal fans!

Vital Remains’ last album, Icons Of Evil, was released in 2007 via Century Media Records.

Lineup

Tony Lazaro – guitars (rhythm)
Gator Collier – bass
Brian Werner – vocals
Dean Arnold – guitars (lead)

Vancouver, British Colombia-based Neck Of The Woods has unleashed another slab of progressive death metal from their impending album The Passenger upon the public, releasing the track "Face Of The Villain."

Neck Of The Woods issues of the new track, "False promises and selfishness lead to unavoidable failure. Some people are not meant to lead."

A vibrant and aggressive video that fits with the track's dynamic attack, the video for "You'll Always Look The Same To Me" was directed and edited by Christopher Lennox-Aasen. Offers Neck Of The Woods on the song's lyrical direction, which is displayed in the video, "The struggle does not become you, it only makes you stronger."

Neck Of The Woods' The Passenger delivers the band's crushing blend of progressive, death-inspired, technical, and groove-laden metal through nine engaging tracks. The Passenger will see digital release via Basick Records and CD release through the band on September 15th.

Tracklisting:

“Bottom Feeder”
“Nailbiter”
“White Coats”
“Open Water”
“You’ll Always Look The Same To Me”
“Face Of The Villain”
“Drift”
“Foothills”
“Before | Rest”

"Face Of The Villain":

"You'll Always Look The Same To Me" video:

“Bottom Feeder”:

Neck Of The Woods has announced a run of Canadian tour dates surrounding the release of The Passenger; confirmed shows are listed below. 

September
10 - Broken City - Calgary, AB
11 - Vangelis - Saskatoon, SK
13 - Neighbours Corner Pub - Drumheller, AB
14 - Cloud 9 Live - Regina, SK
15 - Industry House - Edmonton, AB
16 - Record City - Vernon, BC
22 - Pub340 - Vancouver, BC

(Photo by: Shimon Karmel)

 

Apocalyptic heavy music icons, Integrity, have released a video for “Burning Beneath The Devils Cross”, a track from their 12th studio album, Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume, out now via Relapse Records. Watch the new clip below.

Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume was recorded and mixed at Developing Nations Studio in Baltimore with mastering handled by Brad Boatright (Obituary, Toxic Holocaust, Full Of Hell). The album is available on CD/2xLP/Deluxe 3xLP/CS/Digital.

Physical orders and exclusive bundles are available via Relapse.com at this location, while digital orders are available via Bandcamp here.

The Deluxe 3xLP contains three additional bonus tracks, a 12 page LP sized booklet featuring expanded artwork and a double-sided slipmat. The digital version includes four additional bonus tracks. A complete tracklisting is available below.

Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume tracklisting:

“Fallen To Destroy”
“Blood Sermon”
“Hymn For The Children Of The Black Flame”
“I Am The Spell”
“Die With Your Boots On”
“Serpent Of The Crossroads”
“Unholy Salvation Of Sabbatai Zevi”
“7 Reece Mews”
“Burning Beneath The Devils Cross”
“String Up My Teeth”
“Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume”
“Viselle De Drac” (Digital / Deluxe Vinyl Bonus Track)
“Entartete Kunst” (Digital / Deluxe Vinyl Bonus Track)
“Deathly Fighter” (Digital / Deluxe Vinyl Bonus Track)
“The Perfect Silence” (Digital Bonus Track)

“Burning Beneath The Devils Cross” video:

Album stream:

“7 Reece Mews” short film:

“Hymn For The Children Of The Black Flame” video:

“I Am The Spell” video:

Tour dates:

October (with Creepout)
6 - Tokyo, Japan - Antiknock
7 - Mie, Japan - Chaos
8 - Osaka, Japan - Hokage
9 - Tokyo, Japan - Earthdom

(Photo - Jimmy Hubbard)

Innerstrength Records has announced the forthcoming new album, Stygian, from Italian death metal/deathcore stalwarts, The Modern Age Slavery. Coming almost four years since the release of the 2013 release Requiem for Us All (Pavement), the level-jumping blast of intensity on the band's Innerstrength debut is the result of miles logged and the already dynamic songwriting honed to a fine point. The album is targeted for a November 24th release.

The band has released the following statement about the new album: "With this new album we tried to make another step forward in the evolution of our sound: what you'll hear it's a quite obscure atmosphere delivering a sullen and evil experience, yet keeping the heaviness of the death metal matrix that marked our music in the previous albums. The lyrics are all inspired by a common theme, from which the name Stygian and the correlated artwork come from, discussing the questionable matter of the human evolution leading men to a slow but inevitable mutation into a being that lost his mind and compassion devoured by greediness and will to power. All the pieces of the puzzle are perfectly pondered to create an album made of passion, of anger, and real emotions. This is the The Modern Age's album!"

Stay tuned for details in the weeks to come.

 

Black Sabbath have released a clip of “Children Of The Grave” from their upcoming The End Of The End concert film. Watch the video and find more details below:

The End Of The End chronicles the final tour from the band that spawned the metal genre - Black Sabbath. On February 4th, 2017, Sabbath stormed the stage in their hometown of Birmingham, to play the 81st and final triumphant gig of The End tour. This monumental show brought down the curtain on a career that spanned almost half a century.

The sold out performance marked the culmination of a global tour that saw the band play to over one and a half million fans. With their inception in 1968, Black Sabbath pioneered a sound that would form the basis of heavy metal, and to this day continues to influence bands the world over.

The film brings fans the up close and personal story of the final, emotionally-charged concert, as the band perform hits including “Iron Man”, “Paranoid”, “War Pigs” and many more. Join Sabbath in the studio, as they deliver unique and exclusive performances of some of their favourite songs not played on the tour, and catch an intimate glimpse into the band’s world; the music, relationships and banter, alongside personal anecdotes.

The band said: “To bring it all back home after all these years was pretty special. It was so hard to say goodbye to the fans, who’ve been incredibly loyal to us through the years. We never dreamed in the early days that we’d be here 49 years later doing our last show on our home turf.”

The End Of The End offers you the chance to witness for yourself Black Sabbath’s incredible swansong. As Ozzy says, “What a journey we’ve all had. It’s fucking amazing”. This is the final word from the greatest heavy metal band of all time.

Marc Allenby from Trafalgar Releasing said: "Trafalgar Releasing are excited to be expanding our music events with the legendary band, Black Sabbath, and their final ever historic show. We look forward to collaborating with Eagle Rock and Black Sabbath's management on The End Of The End."

For one night only on September 28th, 2017, over 1,500 cinemas worldwide will be showing a specially edited version of Black Sabbath: The End Of The End. Watch a new trailer below.

The film will be distributed to cinemas worldwide by Trafalgar Releasing on September 28th and will include the incredible final gig as well as unprecedented behind the scenes access to the band, filmed by director Dick Carruthers (Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day, Imagine Dragons: Smoke + Mirrors Live). The End, Live In Birmingham will be released in various formats later this year.

Tickets are now on sale worldwide with more cinemas to follow soon. If Black Sabbath: The End Of The End is not screening in a specific area, fans can make a request for via ‘Demand It’ it by filling out a form on the website, and Trafalgar Releasing will do their best to bring the event to a cinema near them.

For details of cinemas taking part in this very special one night only event and ticket information visit this location.

Black Sabbath recently announced the September 29th release of The Ten Year War, a limited edition vinyl box set bringing together the band’s eight Ozzy Osbourne-fronted albums, plus a swathe of other rarities, all housed within exclusive artwork created by renowned street artist Shepard Fairey.

The Quietus report that Bill Ward and Tony Iommi looked back on their band’s most fruitful years at an event to promote the new release.

The launch event was held in Regent Sounds Studios in London, now a guitar shop, in the very room where Sabbath’s first two records were recorded. Iommi was interviewed live on stage, while Bill Ward, who was omitted from the lineup on the band’s farewell tour after a shoulder injury and subsequent fall-out with singer Ozzy Osbourne, sent a video message projected to a small but eager crowd.

“There were times when I felt very angry towards the press because of their comments,” said Ward of the so-called Ten Year War, a period which saw Black Sabbath receive scathing reviews from a large swathe of the media. “I didn’t like them. I was too selfish and soft-centred. They were probably trying to be artistically provocative…”

Iommi remembered: “For some reason the British press just couldn’t stand us, so we got to the point where we thought ‘that’s it, we’re not doing any press.’ It wasn’t worth it, we got better press by not doing any. I’ll always remember one guy came along to report on our show and I read his review, he’d came and then just left again straight away… That’s true, and it’s a shame really. I don’t mind criticism if its deserved, but some of them just didn’t like us.”

Remembering the band’s early recording sessions at Regent Sounds, Ward said: “We were such a tremendous, forceful [live] band, the only way to record Black Sabbath was to throw a lasso around it and literally pull it in. We didn’t have very big lassos back then. I think we did very well.”

Iommi, meanwhile, explaining a number of photographs from the band’s early studio sessions which saw him bearing a black eye, recounted the story that would eventually spark ‘Fairies Wear Boots’. “We got into a fight a couple of days before we were due in the studio with some mods, who of course didn’t like us rockers. We ended up in this ginormous fight, Ozzy hit someone over the head with a hammer. There was only the four of us and one of the crew, you had to have a weapon of some sort! A hammer did the job, although Ozzy’s got a gun now…”

Read the full report at The Quietus.

Unique to this release is the metal crucifix shaped Black Sabbath USB stick, which can be worn round the neck and contains MQA high definition audio of the eight albums. The extremely rare The Ten Year War brochure, reproduced from the original publication gives its name to this super deluxe box set.

Pre-order now at tenyearwar.com, or pledgemusic.com/blacksabbath.

The Limited Edition Box Set Includes: 8 x vinyl LPs meticulously reproduced in their original sleeves, re-mastered by renowned mastering engineer Andy Pearce from the original tapes and pressed on 180 gram splatter-coloured vinyl, each LP with unique and individual colouring.

• Black Sabbath

• Paranoid

• Master Of Reality (Including original fold-out colour poster)

• Vol. 4

• Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

• Sabotage

• Technical Ecstasy

• Never Say Die!

Plus:

• 2 x rare 7” singles, reproduced in their original sleeves: Japanese version of “Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me)”/“Black Sabbath”. Chilean version of

Paranoid”/“The Wizard” (only 100 copies of the original radio promo were pressed)

• Crucifix shaped Black Sabbath USB stick, exclusive to this box set, which can be worn round the neck and contains MQA high definition audio of the first eight Black Sabbath albums

• The extremely rare The Ten Year War brochure, reproduced from the original publication

• Hardback book, featuring accolades from the cream of rock royalty, coupled with official and candid iconic photography of the band during their 1970s tours, recording sessions and photo-shoots

• Tenth Anniversary World Tour 1978 Official Programme, impeccably reproduced

• Reprinted tour poster from the 1972 Seattle Centre Arena show

• Box set cover art has been created by globally renowned street artist Shepard Fairey

• Exclusive Shepard Fairey art print included with this limited edition version

Black Sabbath are one of the world’s most popular and enduring heavy metal bands and are constantly credited with inventing and defining the genre. To this day, the world of metal - fans and artists alike - cites Sabbath as being both influential and inspirational.

From the blues-laden metal which defined the band’s sound on their self-titled debut, to the multi-million selling follow-up, Paranoid, Sabbath captured the attention of a generation hungry for a new musical direction. However, the all-conquering enthusiasm shown by Sabbath’s rabid fan base wasn’t always mirrored by the gatekeepers within the music press, and it is this disparity which inspired the band to publish The Ten Year War brochure. This document was a playful dig at the journalists of the time with the witty tagline: “More good press than most – more bad press than any”.

With a career spanning 50 years, Black Sabbath have proven time and time again that their musical heritage is unrivaled. Having sold tens of millions of records, sold out global arena tours and bewitched millions of dedicated fans, the band have built a catalogue envied by all.

The Ten Year War box set brings together the first eight Sabbath studio albums in one place, plus a swathe of other rarities, and celebrates the band’s achievements on the stage, in the studio and in the public eye.

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Lacuna Coil’s debut. To celebrate this special date, the band are announcing a very special show. Dubbed ‘Nothing Stands In Our Way’, the one night only exclusive show is scheduled for January 19th at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, England. Tickets are available via the band’s new and redesigned website, lacunacoil.com.

It will be a unique extravaganza and truly exceptional event that is not to be missed. Apart from a career spanning set you will be able to enjoy Lacuna Coil songs never played live before. The show will be filmed and recorded for a release later in 2018.

The band on what you can look forward to: “We are very excited to celebrate our twentieth anniversary with an exclusive live show on January 19th in London!  London is a very special city for us – it welcomed us with open arms when we started 20 years ago and we feel it’s the perfect place to invite our fans from all over the world to celebrate with us. As for what will happen…that’s a surprise, you’ll have to come and see for yourselves!”

Lacuna Coil are also working on their first ever book of the same title, Nothing Stands In Our Way, which will be published around the world early in 2018. Go to lacunacoil.com for more info including the option to register for early news and more.

Cristina Scabbia (vocals) on the book: “I’m so excited to share what the last 20 years of my life were made of! It has been an awesome journey so far and so much happened it was almost impossible to remember it all!! You all know a lot about us but there is SO much more we never said and showed before, now the time is right to do it. Our backstages and living rooms will open up for you all… you’re welcome, coilers, come in and get comfortable… Once upon a time…”

Lacuna Coil recently announce a full European headlining tour with special guest Cellar Darling.

Tour dates:

November
10 - San Gwann, Malta - Aria Complex
11 - Andernach, Germany - JUZ LIve Club
12 - Wörgl, Austria - Komma
13 - Belgrade, Serbia - Dom Omladine
15 - Bucharest, Romania - Quantic Club
17 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Mixtape 5
18 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Principal Theater Club
19 - Athens, Greece - Piraeus Academy 117
22 - Aarburg, Switzerland - Musigburg
24 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
25 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
26 - Weinheim, Germany - Café Central
28 - Toulouse, France - Le Metronum
29 - Zaragoza, Spain - CC Delicias

December
1 - Lisboa, Portugal - Lisboa ao Vivo
2 - Porto, Portugal - Hard Club
3 - Sevilla, Spain - Cutom
4 - Murcia, Spain - Garaje
6 - Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
7 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
8 - Vaureal, France - Le Forum
9 - Diest, Belgium - Moonlight Music Hall
10 - Nancy, France - Chez Paulette
11 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche Bochum
13 - Angers, France - La Chabada
14 - Colmar, France - Le Grillen
15 - Hengelo, Netherlands - Metropol
16 - Limoges, France - Festival De Noel

(Top photo - lacunacoil.com)

Legendary drummers and brothers Vinny and Carmine Appice have teamed up for a new project called APPICE. They are set to release their debut album, "Sinister", on October 27 via SPV/Steamhammer. Before they do, however, they have announced three special live shows where the brothers will perform "Sinister" together. The three dates include appearances in New York City; Derry, New Hampshire; and Los Vegas. Tickets for all three shows are available now. At the Las Vegas show, you can be a part of history, as APPICE will shoot a video for their song "Monsters And Heroes". See APPICE live:

Sep. 22 - New York, NY @ Cutting RoomSep. 23 - Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music HallSep. 29 - Las Vegas, NV @ Vampd "Sinister" is the first joint studio album by Carmine and Vinny and was recorded with the support of a number of prestigious guests. Vinny says: "As Ringo said: with a little help from our friends." "Sinister" consists of a total of thirteen tracks, recorded by Carmine and Vinny together with distinguished colleagues. "Killing Floor" and "Future Past" feature the wonderful Craig Goldy (together with bassist Tony Franklin), Franklin resurfacing, together with Paul Shortino, on "Suddenly" and on "You Got Me Running". Shortino also lends his awesome vocals to "War Cry" and the programmatic "Monsters And Heroes", the latter also featuring BULLETBOYS guitarist Mick Sweda, while Shortino teams up with WHITESNAKE stringsman Joel Hoekstra on "War Cry". Talking of vocals: "Sinister", "Danger" (bass: Phil Soussan), "In The Night" (guitar: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal) and "Sabbath Mash" (guitar: Erik Turner, keyboards: Erik Norlander) are all sung by Jim Crean, while Chas West recorded the vocal parts for "Killing Floor", Scotty Bruce featuring on "Future Past" and Robin McAuley on "Riot". The biggest surprise of all: Carmine himself doubles as vocalist on "You Got Me Running". Vinny says: "Carmine has been singing lead and background for years. He's a very good singer and I"m glad he sang one number on this record." "Sinister" will be released as CD digipack, double gatefold vinyl, download and stream.

Track listing:

01. Sinister02. Monsters And Heroes03. Killing Floor04. Danger05. Drum Wars06. Riot07. Suddenly08. In The Night09. Future Past10. You Got Me Running11. Bros In Drums12. War Cry13. Sabbath Mash

Lineup and guests

Carmine Appice (drums, vocals)Vinny Appice (drums)

Jim Crean (vocals)Paul Shortino (vocals) (ROUGH CUTT, ex-QUIET RIOT)Robin McAuley (vocals) (MSG)Chas West (vocals) (ex-LYNCH MOB)Scotty Bruce (vocals)

Craig Goldy (guitar) (ex-DIO, ex-GIUFFRIA)Bumblefoot (guitar) (ex-GUNS N' ROSES)Joel Hoekstra (guitar) (WHITESNAKE)Mike Sweda (guitar) (BULLETBOYS)Erik Turner (guitar) (WARRANT)David Michael Phillips (guitar) (KING KOBRA)

Tony Franklin (bass) (ex-BLUE MURDER, ex-THE FIRM)Phil Soussan (bass) (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE)Johnny Rod (bass) (KING KOBRA, ex-W.A.S.P.)Jorgen Carlson (bass) (GOV'T MULE)

Sharon Osbourne claims that her husband Ozzy Osbourne had several affairs before she learned of his indiscretions thanks to a misdirected e-mail.

In August 2016, Ozzy apologized to the women with whom he has had extramarital sexual relationships and admitted to undergoing therapy for sex addiction. Ozzy's statement came out in the wake of the first interview given by Michelle Pugh, the celebrity hairstylist whose four-year affair with the BLACK SABBATH singer was discovered by Sharon and nearly ended their 33-year marriage.

But Sharon revealed in a new interview with the British paper The Telegraph that "there wasn't just one woman; there were six of them. Some fucking Russian teenager... then a masseuse in England... our masseuse out here [in Los Angeles]... and then our cook," she said. "He had women in different countries. Basically, if you're a woman giving Ozzy either a back rub or a trolley of food, god help you."

Ozzy's affair with Pugh was exposed in May 2016 after Sharon learned of the mistress by searching through his e-mails.

"We were sitting on the couch watching telly; Ozzy on one couch and me on the other," Sharon recalled to The Telegraph. "And suddenly, he sends me this e-mail. 'Why did you send me this stupid e-mail?' I asked, and when Ozzy told me that he hadn't sent me anything, I grabbed his phone and said, 'Look!' And, of course, it was a message meant for one of his bloody women."

When asked by Hello! this past spring how he got things "back on track" with Sharon, Ozzy said: "To be honest with you, it's only been recently that Sharon's been properly with me. I've damaged our relationship. But I promised her that I would stick with my sex addiction therapy. I don't want to be that person anymore. I've been doing my utmost to make amends to Sharon and to all of the family."

Ozzy is still undergoing therapy for his sex addiction and he is determined to stay the course of recovery.

"If you stop going, the little monster in your head opens one eye and it's scary," he told Hello! "You don't know your own mind. I don't like that side of myself; I hate that guy. I'm fed up of being an addict — and it's not just sex; it can be drugs, alcohol, collecting stamps, anything. There's no in between with me and it's really hard work. And the business that I'm in… it's like sitting in a cake shop when you're on a diet. I even do the sex therapy sessions on Skype now when I'm on the road."

Ozzy reportedly pursued Pugh for a year after she first colored his hair in late 2011.

Earlier this year, Ozzy told The Times that he didn't think he was a sex addict, explaining that he was just acting like a typical rock star.

"I'm in a fucking band, aren't I?" he said. "There have always been groupies. I just got caught, didn't I?

Ozzy and Sharon renewed their 35-year-old wedding vows on May 14, a date which also coincided with Mother's Day in America.

They first said "I do" on July 4, 1982.

Sharon continued to manage Ozzy's career throughout their marital crisis.

Queen’s 1977 album News Of The World is to be reissued as a box set later this year.

It will be released on November 17 and will include the original album on CD and vinyl, plus two further CDs of recently unearthed outtakes and rarities from the band’s archives – one of which is a new ‘alternative’ version of the album titled Raw Sessions.

Raw Sessions will feature never-before-heard versions of each of the album’s 11 tracks, with a statement on the release adding: “Every lead vocal is different, as are most of the lead guitar parts and a great many other instrumental details. Here we experience We Are The Champions anew, with many unfamiliar vocal and instrumental elements, and for the first time at its full-recorded length rather than the edited 1977 album cut.

“Here also is the chance to discover peak era Freddie Mercury vocals on a track that nobody outside Queen’s inner circle has heard him sing before at all – Brian May’s All Dead, All Dead. The original album version features May himself on vocals.”

Roger Taylor’s Sheer Heart Attack will include the original’s long-lost guitar intro and uncut ending, while Taylor’s Fight From The Inside includes his demo vocal from his home studio sessions.

A selection of bonus tracks make up a third CD, which will include a five-song live session recorded for BBC radio in October 1977.

The box set will also include a one-hour documentary titled Queen: The American Dream which comprises footage from the band’s 1977 US tour in support of the album.

"Strength In Numbers", a new song from PROPHETS OF RAGE, the supergroup featuring members of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, PUBLIC ENEMY and CYPRESS HILL, can be streamed below. The track is taken from PROPHETS OF RAGE's self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 15 via Fantasy Records. The disc was recorded with legendary producer Brendan O'Brien who has done notable work with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE.

"'Strength In Numbers' is a Molotov Marshall Stack Manifesto," says guitarist Tom Morello about the song. "We stand together or we fall apart. The world is in chaos, but if we're gonna go down, we're gonna go down together… AND we're gonna go down swinging. The question remains: can we be as united in the streets as we are in the mosh pit? Let's find out."

PROPHETS OF RAGE came together during 2016's tumultuous election to combat the coming storm, wherever it may lead. Following last summer's inaugural tour, the group knew it could evolve from protest performance art with a tactical mission, to a stand-alone entity with creative ideas all its own. Holed up with longtime RAGE collaborator, producer Brendan O'Brien, the band fused the diverse styles, sonic firepower and hard-hitting social consciousness of their previous work, into an inventive and compelling new musical statement, completing the album's twelve tracks in just over a month of recording.

At its core, PROPHETS OF RAGE functions not only on a love of music, but a deep belief in its power as a tool, and a weapon. Woven into the band's DNA are influences as varied as THE CLASH, KRS-One and Johnny Cash, as well as the undeniable ideals and aesthetics of its predecessors: PUBLIC ENEMY's frenzied, racing textures, RAGE's jaw-melting riffs, CYPRESS HILL's manically playful party energy.

"The music is the passport to the world," Chuck D. says, describing the unique bond the group shares. "It's not always a given to have members who want to go where few have gone."

"Prophets Of Rage" track listing:

01. Radical Eyes02. Unfuck The World03. Legalize Me04. Living On The 11005. The Counteroffensive06. Hail To The Chief07. Take Me Higher08. Strength In Numbers09. Fired A Shot10. Who Owns Who11. Hands Up12. Smashit

Morello told Billboard that the members of PROPHETS OF RAGE have set a very high bar for the material that they want to release. "The goal is a simple one: The music has to be devastating," he explained. "In all these interviews, we talk a lot about the politics, but the cornerstone is that the music has to be devastating and we have to not just be competitive with our legacies, but in [2017], it has to be something that goes beyond that and is very authentic, unapologetic and contemporary."

PROPHETS OF RAGE made their live debut in May 2016 in Los Angeles.




#StrengthInNumbers ✊?

Posted by Prophets of Rage on Monday, September 4, 2017

"Dark Web", a brand new song from THE UNABOMBER FILES, the Brazilian extreme metal project featuring SEPULTURA bassist Paul Xisto Pinto Jr. alongside current/former members of EMINENCE and THE MIST, can be streamed below. The track is taken from THE UNABOMBER FILES' new EP, "The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Best Friend", which was recorded at Pacific Studios and Eminence Studios in March 2017. The effort was mixed and mastered by Alan Wallace at Eminence Studios in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The artwork was created by Anderson L.A.

THE UNABOMBER FILES's last six-song EP was released in 2013.

Formed in April 2009, THE UNABOMBER FILES' goal is "to play simple and heavy raw music with sarcastic lyrics," according to a press release.

THE UNABOMBER FILES is:

Alan Wallace (EMINENCE) - Guitar Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. (SEPULTURA) - BassVladimir Korg (THE MIST) - VocalsAndré Márcio (EMINENCE) - Drums

For more information, go to this location.

Fan-filmed video footage of GUNS N' ROSES' September 3 performance at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington can be seen below.

The 2017 North American leg of GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" tour kicked off July 27 in St. Louis, Missouri.

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

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

GUNS N' ROSES recently made Forbes magazine's "Celebrity 100" list of the world's top-earning entertainers for the first time. The band landed at No. 12 with earnings of $84 million in the past twelve months, before taxes and fees for managers.

Last summer's North American leg, which featured 25 stadium shows in 21 cities, grossed a whopping $116.8 million with over one million tickets sold.

The official Jeffrey Sisson-directed video for the song "Infinitesimal To The Infinite" from U.S. extreme metallers ORIGIN can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Unparalleled Universe", which was released on June 30 via Agonia Records in Europe and Nuclear Blast Records in North America.

ORIGIN frontman Jason Keyser comments: "In ORIGIN's first official music video in nearly a decade, we are happy to present 'Infinitesimal To The Infinite', directed by Jeffrey Sisson. A conceptual nightmare in the form of a reverse/revenge extra-terrestrial abduction, 'Infinitesimal To The Infinite' is an example of no matter how vast the expanse of space or how advanced some of its occupants may be, there is pain enough for all. In an indiscriminate universe, we are unequivocally equal in our suffering."

For twenty years, ORIGIN has engaged a full-blown sensory assault of tight, taut, and technical death metal amplified by flashes of grindcore and groove. However, "Unparalleled Universe" sees the quartet — Paul Ryan (guitar, vocals), John Longstreth (drums), Mike Flores (bass, vocals) and Jason Keyser (vocals) — strengthen that blueprint with a handful of surprises.

"It feels like an ORIGIN album, but it's unparalleled to what you might expect if you haven't heard us for ten or fifteen years," said Ryan. "To me, it's a true reflection of ourselves. I compare it to an action movie. Our earlier material is filled with action from beginning to end. Now, the idea is to add a little more depth and dynamics. You could say there are some twists in the plot musically."

ORIGIN began compiling ideas for what would become "Unparalleled Universe" while touring in support of their 2014 sixth offering, "Omnipresent". Along the way, the record snatched their highest position on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, bowing in the Top 10. Meanwhile, it garnered acclaim from metal press and successful tours with everyone from ABORTED and EXHUMED to IMMOLATION and MARDUK over the last three years. They've also shined on the Summer Slaughter Tour in 2009 and 2014. On the road with BELPHEGOR last year, the members debuted a skeleton of the first single "Accident And Error" in front of packed crowds.

"We would ask the audience to give us title ideas, but we could never discern what they were actually saying," laughed Ryan. "Riffs typically start on tour, and I keep them in my back pocket. That's the way it is. Ultimately, 'Unparalleled Universe' begins another era for ORIGIN. In the end, we're still writing death metal songs, but we're adding new dimensions. We're still ORIGIN."

"Unparalleled Universe" was recorded and mixed at Chapman Studios in February 2017 alongside longtime collaborator and engineer Robert Rebeck (Tech N9ne). The band emerged with ten new songs, including a cover of BRUJERIA's "Revolución", that were mastered in March 2017 by Colin Marston at Menegroth - The Thousand Caves (ALTAR OF PLAGUES, JAROBE, KRALLICE) and wrapped in a cover prepared by Filip Ivanovic (DISMEMBER, CRYPTOPSY, GORGUTS).

Track listing:

01. Infinitesimal To The Infinite02. Accident And Error03. Cascading Failures04. Mithridatic05. Truthslayer06. Invariance Under Transformation07. Dajjal08. Burden Of Prescience09. Unequivocal10. Revolucion

ORIGIN is:

Paul Ryan - Guitar, Backing VocalsJohn Longstreth - DrumsMike Flores - Bass, Backing VocalsJason Keyser - Lead Vocals

The official video for POWERMAN 5000's new single, "Sid Vicious In A Dress", can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "New Wave", which will be released on October 27 via Pavement Entertainment.

"New Wave" is POWERMAN 5000's eleventh official release since forming in 1992 and continues the strides and success, from their platinum-selling album "Tonight The Stars Revolt!" to their most recent chart-topping single in 2014, "How To Be A Human".

POWERMAN 5000 vocalist Spider One stated about "Sid Vicious In A Dress": "I suppose at its simplest it's a twisted love song, but really it's about loving what hurts you, what is bad for you. Staying when you should run. Over the years, Sid Vicious has become the poster child for chaos and self-destruction. I just took that and put it in the form of a beautiful girl. The title of the song kind of says it all."

Regarding the overall sound of the follow-up to 2014's "Builders Of The Future", Spider One said: "We went a bit dirtier on this one. Ripped it up more than the last couple of records. One of the goals was to recreate the noise of the live show. Keep in the chaos."

On the topic of the new album title, Spider said: "New Wave? Are we a new wave band? Well, I would say that we have always had more in common with DEVO than DIO."

POWERMAN 5000's legacy continues to push the boundaries of rock, metal, industrial, rap and punk to create innovative and groundbreaking releases time and time again. With songs like "David F**king Bowie", "Cult Leader" and "Sid Vicious In A Dress", the new album is sure to please longtime fans, as well as turn the heads of many more to come.

"New Wave" track listing:

01. Footsteps And Voices02. Hostage03. Sid Vicious In A Dress04. David F**king Bowie05. Cult Leader06. No White Flags07. Thank God08. Die On Your Feet09. Get A Life10. Run For Your Life

"Builders Of The Future" sold around 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 63 on The Billboard 200 chart. Issued in May 2014, the CD was released through POWERMAN 5000's partnership with T-Boy Records, a co-venture with Universal Music Enterprises founded by veteran rock manager Andy Gould.

In a brand new interview with the Dayton City Paper, EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza said that he isn't bothered by the fact that his band wasn't included in the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX.

"I've never thought, 'I wish I was Big Four,'" he said. "I've heard that term many times and it doesn't really matter to me. It's not the truth. There's them, and OVERKILL, TESTAMENT and EXODUS. You could also talk about KREATOR, SODOM and DESTRUCTION, if you want to get down to it. It doesn't bother me — I'm content where I'm at."

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine in 2013 spoke to Radio.com about which band should have been included if the "Big Four" were expanded and considered the "Big Five". Mustaine said: "You know, people will say there's a whole another generation, like the 'Medium Four' [laughs], and I think there's a lot of great bands that fit that bill, too. But I think probably EXODUS, because there was nobody else at the time that had that kind of pull or that kind of importance in the metal community. Granted, it was with [late EXODUS singer Paul] Baloff, and Baloff had a voice that you had to have an acquired taste for, but you know, I liked him."

In a 2010 interview with Metal Asylum, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt was asked if he feels the "Big Four" should have been expanded and considered the "Big Seven", including EXODUS, TESTAMENT and OVERKILL. "Well, I think it should be the 'Big Five' with EXODUS, because we were there at the start of thrash metal with METALLICA in the real early '80s," he said. "Same thing with MEGADETH because Mustaine was a part of METALLICA's birth and he also created MEGADETH. And SLAYER are SLAYER. ANTHRAX are also great and old friends, but if you listen to those first few records, they have definitely changed. TESTAMENT has every right to be part of the thrash metal legends, but it just came down to timing because they came later. And OVERKILL have been their since the beginning also. But I don't get hung up on that shit, because I know how it all started and I know where I was when the shit got created. We [EXODUS] certainly deserve to be part of the founding fathers, but you know who often gets excluded are the Germans — KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM. Everybody looks to America and forgets those guys. KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM all released records in the early '80s."

Back in 2014, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett was asked by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine if it's strange to him how much METALLICA has eclipsed the other "Big Four" bands in terms of commercial popularity. "I try not to spend too much time thinking about stuff like that because whatever I think of is still not going to be a satisfying enough explanation," he replied. "It's just the way things are and how the chips fell. EXODUS in the '80s had some bona fide problems, but I think their first album [1985's 'Bonded By Blood'] is just as good as [METALLICA's debut] 'Kill 'Em All'. We were just playing the music we wanted to hear because no one else was playing it and it wasn't being played on the radio. It was only a small group of people who knew about it and it was almost elitist in that 'No posers allowed!' thing."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield narrowly avoided serious injury earlier tonight (Monday, September 4) during the band's concert in The Netherlands.

METALLICA was performing the sixth song of its set, "Now That We're Dead", at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam when Hetfield apparently took a wrong step and fell into a small hole on the stage that had just opened up (and from where one of four rectangular percussion tables was supposed to come up). Within seconds, a couple of crew members came over to help the frontman get back on his feet as bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett looked on with obvious concern. After Hetfield was lifted back on stage, he continued playing the track while grimacing in pain.

Fan-filmed video footage of the incident — shot from two different angles — can be seen below.

This is not the first stage accident that Hetfield has been involved in as a member of METALLICA. During a 1992 stadium tour with GUNS N' ROSES, James suffered second-degree burns to his face, arms and hands after an ill-placed explosion erupted during the song "Fade To Black". Hetfield later said: "There was extra pyro in addition to the original pyro and I got a little too close." He credited his guitar with saving him from further injury.

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

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

A true visionary is a rare thing; but such a man is Josh Dummer. Providing all instruments and vocals on his creation Buried Realm's debut, The Ichor Carcinoma, with the exception of some very exciting guests such as Bob Katsionis (Firewind, Septicflesh), Brandon Ellis (Arsis, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannabis Corpse), Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy, Armageddon), Dean Paul Arnold (Vital Remains), Marios Iliopoulos (Nightrage), Peter Wichers (Soilwork), Ryan Strain (Recode The Subliminal), Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) and Travis Montgomery (Threat Signal, Jeff Loomis band). Dummer is a man who is not afraid to gaze into the abyss for music and lyrical inspiration.

Inspired by Opeth, Kreator, Old Man’s Child, Symphony X (and tons of old hair metal); Dummer describes Buried Realm's music as ‘fierce, cutting, technical, melodic, and memorable’. The studio project represents a hidden dimension within himself where the ‘buried disputes’ of his life are confronted only through music; where he can express musical ideas without compromising.

Eager for the fans to hear his debut album, Dummer reflects: “I feel that listeners can appreciate it, not only on a musical level but hopefully enjoy the listening experience too. This album was a long time in the making and hopefully that translates. 'The Ichor Carcinoma’ was originally supposed to be an EP. However, I had too many pre-production demos and didn’t want to scrap them, so I decided on a full-length, which fans can expect many guests across the entire album!”

Not afraid to draw deep from a painful wellspring of inspiration, Dummer adds: “Many people close to me, myself included, have been though unfortunate life-threatening situations recently.  No one is invincible and everyone walks though life like they are…I couldn’t ignore those events when it came to writing lyrics for this release. Some of the songs go into further detail about the terror I’ve experienced and personal demons I’ve faced. The lyrics are about the mental and physical battles of terminal illness/diseases and the attempt to rebuild.”

A lyric video for ”Asphyxiation’s Lullaby", which features guests guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) and vocalist Ryan Strain (Recode The Subliminal), can be found below. “Lyrically, this song entertains the idea of entering the spiritual realm of sleep paralysis, and pulling through the depths of such darkness. Anyone that experiences this knows how freaky it is. Another aggressive and “in your face” tune.” says Dummer.

The Ichor Carcinoma is set for release on September 29th with pre-order available on Bandcamp, Amazon and iTunes.

Tracklisting:

“Portal”
“The Ichor Carcinoma”
“Asphyxiation’s Lullaby”
“Through These Darkened Halls”
“Apeiron I - The Legacy”
“On Serpent Soil”
“Apeiron II - Global Dreamer”
“Unscrupulous”
“Hidden Chapter”
“SuperSpell”

”Asphyxiation’s Lullaby" lyric video:

“The Ichor Carcinoma” guitar playthrough:

“Asphyxiation’s Lullaby”:

“The Ichor Carcinoma” lyric video:

(Photo - Tamara Clarke)

Dutch rock legends, Focus, announce the release of its new 2 CD collection, The Focus Family Album, which has been prepared over the last 12 months. The 20 track set gives fans new insight into the band and includes 15 unreleased original songs, alternate versions from the Focus X sessions, solo tracks from each of the current members and tracks from the beginning of the Focus 11 sessions.

Many of the tracks have been recorded in a variety of countries in Europe and South America and are exclusively available on this collection. Thijs van Leer said, “Dear Friends & Fans! With pleasure we present to you our new double album 'The Focus Family Album,' it makes us so happy that you will listen to pieces recorded together as a band and solo songs too, in many different countries during our travels! We hope it will make you happy as well!!!”

The set includes all of the rarities from the Focus X-era and is an ideal companion to that album and the forthcoming Focus 11. The set also introduces the band's new bass player Udo Pannekeet, who takes over the position from long term bass player Bobby Jacobs, who said, “Dear beautiful fans, after 15 years playing the beautiful music of Focus with my heart and soul I decided to stop and focus on new life adventures (music and a lot of other things). Thank you and love! Hope we will meet again...”

The Focus Family Album features artwork by Roger Dean and is being released to coincide with the band's South American and European tour dates. It's the latest release on the band's own In and Out of Focus Records (via Cherry Red).

Tracklisting:

Disc: 1
“Nature Is Our Friend” - Thijs Van Leer
“Song For Eva” - Focus
“Riverdance” - Pierre Van Der Linden
“Victoria” - Focus
“Two-Part Intervention” - Menno Gootjes
“Mosh Blues” - Focus
“Raga Reverence 1” - Swung
“The Fifth Man” - Focus
“Song For Yaminah” - Udo Pannekeet
“Clair-Obscur” - Focus

Disc: 2
“Let Us Wander?” - Thijs Van Leer
“Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango)” - Focus
“Spiritual Swung” - Pierre Van Der Linden
“Santa Teresa” - Focus
“Hazel” - Menno Gootjes
“Fine Without You” - Focus
“Raga Reverence 5” - Swung
“Five Fourth” - Focus
“Anaya” - Udo Pannekeet
“Winnie” - Focus

 

 

(Photo - Focus Facebook)

Fleshkiller have released a lyric video for “Salt Of The Earth”, a track from their upcoming Awaken album, out on September 15th via Indie Recordings. Pre-orders can be placed here.

"'Salt Of The Earth' is lyrically filled with bold statements from probably the most influential person in history, old quotes which is still able to stir controversy.
Musically it follows up with the same boldness through a plow of heavy hitting rythms that once again will make you bang your head!" - Ole Børud, Fleshkiller

“Salt Of The Earth” lyric video:

Founded by Ole Børud, Fleshkiller saw the light of day as a result of Extol’s return to hiatus after their last album in 2013. The upcoming debut album was recorded and mixed between late 2015 and early 2017 at multiple locations around the world. Also written by Ole Børud, the style of music mixes old school death metal aesthetics with rich harmonic prog fusion elements. Compared to his previous efforts in the genre these new compositions spark a new level of intensity.

"Parallel Kingdom":

Fleshkiller lineup:

Ole Børud: guitar/vocals (Extol)
Elisha Mullins: guitar/vocals (The Burial, A Hill To Die Upon)
Ole Vistnes: bass (Shining, Tristania)
Andreas Skorpe Sjøen: drums (Umpfel)

Swiss melodic metal band, Gods Of Silence, have released a digital single and music video for the song "Neverland”, the title track of the band’s debut album, which drops on September 8th via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. The video can be viewed below.

Neverland, includes 11 tracks and was produced, mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69). The album/cover artwork was made by Stan W Decker (Masterplan, Vanden Plas, Resurrection Kings, Stryper).

Tracklisting:

“Gods Of Silence (Intro)”
“Army Of Liars”
“Against The Wall”
“Neverland”
“Full Moon”
“The Phoenix”
“Demons”
“Wonderful Years”
“Alone”
“You Mean Nothing More To Me”
“All My Life”

“Neverland” video:

Gods Of Silence is:

Gilberto Meléndez - Vocals (Maxxwell, ex-Gonoreas)
Sammy Lasagni - Guitars (ex-Kirk, Godiva, Granit)
Bruno Berger - Keyboards (ex-Kirk, In Your Face)
Daniel Pfister - Bass (ex-Kirk)
Philipp Eichenberger - Drums (Legenda Aurea, ex-Kirk, ex-Pain)

Magic Bullet Records confirms the digital release of 33, the new LP by occult rock sect, Ancient Vvisdom. The album's second track, "Light Of Lucifer”, has been issued alongside pre-orders for the album.

33 is the fourth studio album from Cleveland, Ohio's Ancient Vvisdom. This time around, the perennial nucleus of brothers Nathan "Opposition" Jochum (vocals, acoustic guitar, kick drum) and Michael Jochum (guitar, backup vocals) is rounded out by new band member Connor Metsker on bass. Thematically, the album largely continues forth the prior agenda of empowerment through Satanism, instinct, enlightenment, and ritual. 33 comes under the microscope on this recording and is regarded by the band as a master number. Frontman Nathan Jochum is quick to point out that it is the age that Christ was crucified, the age of the peak of existence, and the age he happened to be in making this album.

The sonic approach continues in the tradition of prior albums: deliberate, mid-tempo songs with minimal arrangements, unparalleled melody, and dynamic vocal range. Ancient Vvisdom could be cited as among the strongest proponents of the philosophy "if it ain't broke don't fix it." 33 was produced by Nathan "Opposition" Jochum, engineered by Steve Rauckhorst, mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound, and completed with cover art by Linas Garsys and design by Emma White.

Stream 33's second hymn, "Light Of Lucifer" below. Appropriately, 33 sees official release on Friday the 13th of October. Find Bandcamp pre-orders here.

33 tracklisting:

“Ascending Eternally”
“Light Of Lucifer”
“In The Name Of Satan”
“True Will”
“The Infernal One”
“Summoning Eternal Light”
“Rise Fallen Angel”
“33”
“The Great Beast”
“Lux”
“Dispelling Darkness”

“Light Of Lucifer”:

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of REVERTIGO, the Stockholm, Sweden-based duo of Mats Levén (vocals) and Anders Wikström (guitar). Their debut album will be released in early 2018.

As close personal and musical friends for nearly thirty years, REVERTIGO is the next chapter in an ongoing collaboration between the two culminating with their new album.

Anders says: "Mats and I always had an idea of creating something that would celebrate the fact that we really enjoy working together, but with busy separate music careers, it wasn't until 2016, we sat down and concentrated on new songs with a firm plan."

Adds Mats: "The fact that we, besides writing for other international artists, hadn't done a proper album together in twenty-five years also gave the writing and recording process of REVERTIGO a purpose."

In September 2016, a three-song demo found its way to Frontiers Music Srl, who decided to sign the band on the spot. In between touring activities with CANDLEMASS, TREAT and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, the pair finalized the eleven songs featured on the debut album. All the instruments on the album are played by Mats and Anders, except for the drums, which were performed by their dear friend Thomas Broman (GREAT KING RAT, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ELECTRIC BOYS).

"Both of us have a strong mutual vision; that's why we choose to play and sing most of the instruments and parts on the album ourselves," says Mats. Peter Mansson is responsible for the mixing duties, which took place at Mir Studios in Stockholm and Svante Forsbäck mastered at Chartmakers in Helsinki.

REVERTIGO's music itself is a blend of heavy-yet-melodic songs paying tribute to their favorite albums and artists from the '70s, '80s and up to present day filtered through the chemistry that comes to life when Mats and Anders join forces.

"I love when you get that teenage excitement together over a song idea, and how you hear a finished gem in your head, hence the band's name REVERTIGO," says Mats.

"We might not be reinventing the wheel, but we're certainly putting on fresh tires," says Anders.

REVERTIGO's debut album will be released worldwide in early 2018, with multiple singles and videos preceding the release of the full-length.

Gene Simmons's long-promised box set of previously unreleased solo material, which has apparently had several different working titles over the years — including "Monster" (later used by KISS for the band's most recent studio album), "Alter Ego" and "100" — will finally see the light of day later this year.

In a newly released video message, the KISS bassist/vocalist states: "For the past three years, I've been working on something that I've wanted to share with you my entire life. I've gone through hours and hours of music I've recorded and written over the past fifty years to craft my career-spanning solo recordings box set. It's called 'The Vault'."

He continues: "'The Vault' is one hundred and fifty-plus never-before-released songs I've written, spanning fifty years, going all the way back to when I was fourteen years old, all the way to some of the songs that became KISS classics. Tens CDs right here, all inside 'The Vault'. It's finally ready to bring to you. Yeah, that's right, I said 'to bring to you,' because what I'm gonna be doing is something that's never been done before by any artist or band. I'm gonna hand-deliver 'The Vault' box set to you and to fans like you around the world."

Simmons adds: "I also wanted you to have really cool stuff: an exclusive Gene Simmons action figure, an 'In Gene We Trust' medallion, a beautiful full-color book packed with photos from my peronsal archives, and my stories behind the songs — and a very special surprise item from me to you. You're not gonna believe the things we found."

More information on "The Vault" will be made available at www.genesimmonsvault.com.

Simmons has released two solo albums and also written for and with other artists, including Bob Dylan and Donna Summer.

"I've always written 'outside' stuff," he explained in response to a fan question on his official web site back in 2009. "But KISS is KISS. And that means the outside stuff winds up on solo albums, or I keep it in the drawer."

Simmons's sophomore solo album, "Asshole", sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in 2004 to land at position No. 86 on The Billboard 200 chart. Like Gene's 1978 self-titled solo album, "Asshole" featured a number of outside songwriting contributions and guest appearances. Bob Dylan and Gene co-wrote the album's "Waiting For The Morning Light". Frank Zappa and Gene share co-writing credit on "Black Tongue" and the Zappa Family, Dweezil, Ahmet, Moon, Gail and Frank Zappa himself sing and play guitar on the song.

Fan-filmed video footage of DOKKEN's entire September 3 performance at the Labor Day Weekend Backyard Bash at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood, California can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "xgabex").

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Don't Close Your Eyes02. The Hunter03. Kiss Of Death04. Into The Fire05. Breaking The Chains06. Dream Warriors07. Just Got Lucky08. Alone Again09. Maddest Hatter10. Too High To Fry11. Will The Sun Rise12. It's Not Love13. In My Dreams14. Tooth And Nail

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.

Don Dokken, guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer "Wild" Mick Brown completed a short Japanese tour last October, marking the first time in twenty-one years the band's classic lineup had hit the road.

A new DOKKEN concert DVD focusing on the band's reunion tour is tentatively due before the end of the year or in early 2018. The set will feature footage from two of the Japanese shows — including Tokyo — as well as the band's very first comeback gig, which was held on September 30, 2016 at Badlands Pawn Guns Gold And Rock 'N' Roll in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Don told "The Classic Metal Show" that the main reason he doesn't want to continue with the classic DOKKEN lineup is that "loves" the band he has now — which features Brown, alongside guitarist Jon Levin and bassist Chris McCarvil.

Toronto blackened extreme metallers Astaroth Incarnate have released a lyric video for the brand new track, entitled "Curse Of The Black Plague". The song is pulled from their forthcoming album Omnipotence - The Infinite Darkness, set to drop September 8th via CDN Records.

Frontman Astaroth had this to say about the track; "'Curse Of The Black Plague' defines the meaning of our album Omnipotence – The Infinite Darkness. The meaning stands for Darkness being the most powerful entity in all of existence. It is indestructible and everlasting. Its shadows manifest inside all living beings. One can choose to cower away and hide under the protection of light but ultimately, everything must return to Darkness. Therefore, one must understand the importance of grasping this concept and embracing the Darkness that flows within."

Tracklisting:

“Obscurity”
“Curse Of The Black Plague”
“Unfleshed”
“Sanctum Of Torment”
“Re-Creation”

“Unfleshed”:

Pre-order the new album via the following links:

- Canada
- US/International

Catch Astaroth Incarnate live in concert:

September
8 - The Geekery Pub - Niagara Falls, ON
16 - Coalition - Toronto, ON
30 - Taco Joint & Metal Bar - Hamilton, ON
 
October
13 - The Hard Luck Bar - Toronto, ON