Austrian thrash metal outfit Silius will release its debut album, Hell Awakening, on September 8th via Massacre Records. "Hell Awakening is a wake-up call for everyone who thinks that metal is a dying art," says the band. 

Hell Awakening was mixed and mastered by R.D. Liapakis and C. Schmid at The Prophecy Studios in Hegge, Germany. Anestis Goudas created the cover artwork as well as the illustrations in the booklet.

​

Tracklisting:

"Seven Demons"
"Immortalize"
"War Planet"
"Invictus"
"Anger Management"
"Kingdom Of Betrayal"
"Sick And Tired"
"Message In A Molotov"
"Tool Of Destruction"
"Joy And Pain"
"Evol Monument"

Extreme metal act, Expulsion, featuring members of Repulsion, Exhumed, Phobia, Intronaut, Gruesome, and numerous others, has shared an official guitar playthrough video for "Altar Of Slaughter" performed by guitarist Matt Olivo. The track comes by way of the band's debut album, Nightmare Future, out now on Relapse Records.

Additionally, Expulsion has announced a contest opportunity for a chance to win an autographed ESP guitar from Matt Olivo. Full details are available at this location.

Nightmare Future was produced by Matt Olivo, mixed by Toxic Holocaust's Joel Grind and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Mayhem, Faith No More, Halford). Physical orders and bundles are available at Relapse.com here and digital downloads can be ordered via Bandcamp here.

Spawned from the cerebral mind of grind legend Matt Olivo (Repulsion), Expulsion combines grind, punk, and crust into a caustic musical vomit guaranteed to stack the corpses high. Olivo's partner-in-grind, Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) was recruited over beers in a sweaty Los Angeles apartment to bring his classic brand of oratory assault. The additions of veterans - drummer Danny Walker (Intronaut, Exhumed, Phobia) and bassist Menno Verbaten (Lightning Swords Of Death) - complete the fit-to-burn outfit. Expect nothing but the best of throat-shredding vocals, relentless blast beats, buzzsaw riffs, and raw bass tones. Expulsion will leave you horrified with their vile brand of classic, 80's sickness.

Nightmare Future tracklisting:

“Total Human Genocide”
“Altar Of Slaughter”
“Mask Of Fear”
“Nightmare Future”
“Funeral Bells”
“Compulsions”
“Comatose”

Album stream:

Expulsion lineup:

Matt Harvey - Vocals
Matt Olivo - Guitar
Danny Walker - Drums
Menno Verbaten - Bass

(Photo - Jay Valena)

BMG’s comprehensive Emerson, Lake & Palmer release series continues with Fanfare: Emerson, Lake & Palmer 1970-1997, available from September 29th. Pre-order at this location.

This lavishly produced impressive box set collates nearly three decades of work from the immense musical talent of keyboardist Keith Emerson, bassist/vocalist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer.

The Fanfare box set offers a wealth of ELP treasure for their ever increasing fanbase: All of ELP’s remastered 11 albums; five previously unreleased CDs of never issued recordings; a never before issued triple vinyl set (Live In Italy, May 1973); 1 x Surround Sound Blu Ray audio, plus some high quality memorabilia including a 40-page hardback book with rare band photos, as well as tour programmes and a must-have repro 7” of “Fanfare For The Common Man”. An expansive set befitting for one of rock’s great super groups.

ELP were one the most commercially successful rock bands of the 1970s, their wild stage act and dynamic music achieved global sales of over 40 million albums. Their first seven album releases all made the UK chart Top 10 and US Top 20. Their penchant for appropriating themes from classical music and the group's more nuanced, textured approach to symphonic arrangements set ELP apart from their more bombastic guitar-based contemporaries of the time.

Despite the sad recent deaths of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, Carl Palmer continues to play sell-out shows all over the world with his group Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy and they will be appearing in the US August 2017 (see dates below).

Box Set Contents:

The remastered 11 classic original ELP albums (1970-94), on CD, with original sleeve artwork reproduced:

- Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)
- Pictures At An Exhibition (1971)
- Tarkus (1971)
- Trilogy (1972)
- Brain Salad Surgery (1973)
- Welcome Back, My Friends, To The Show That Never Ends (1974) (2 CD)
- Works Volume 1 (1977) (2 CD)
- Works Volume 2 (1977)
- Love Beach (1978)
- Black Moon (1992)
- In The Hot Seat (1994)  

Previously unreleased, gatefold, triple vinyl LP album:

- Live At Velodromo Vigorelli, Milan, Italy, May 4th,1973 & Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy, May, 2nd 1973

Previously unreleased CD albums, mastered by the internationally celebrated studio engineering team of Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham:

- Live At Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond, PA, 9th July 1972
- Live At Waterloo Concert Field, Stanhope, NJ, 13th August 1992
- Live At Birmingham Symphonic Hall, UK, 27th November 1992
- On The BBC: The Old Grey Whistle Test 1979, Pop Goes Summer 1993  
- Live At Élysée Montmartre, Paris, France, 2nd July 1997     

Audio Blu-Ray, containing the stereo 5:1 and surround sound mixes of the albums:

- Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Steven Wilson, 2012)
- Tarkus (Steven Wilson, 2012)
- Trilogy (Jakko M Jakszyk, 2015)
- Brain Salad Surgery (Jakko M Jakszyk, 2014)

Remastered 7” singles with reproduced original sleeve artwork:

- “Lucky Man” / “Knife-Edge” (1970)
- “Fanfare For The Common Man” / “Brain Salad Surgery” (1977)

- Deluxe, hardback 12” book with band photos and extensive notes from acclaimed journalist Chris Welch, featuring quotes from Keith Emerson, Greg Lake & Carl Palmer
- Reprinted original 1970 promo poster, 1972 promo brochure, 1974 and 1992 tour programs
- Metal & enamel ELP logo pin badge

Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy tour dates (appearing on the YEStival tour):

August
4 - Greensboro, NC - White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
5 - Boone, NC - Holmes Convocation Center
7 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion
8 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
10 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand at Foxwoods
11 - Brooklyn, NY - Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk
12 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Center
16 - Greensburg, PA - The Palace Theatre
17 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
19 - Elgin, IL - Festival Park - Grand Victoria Casino
20 - Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
22 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Zoo Amphitheatre
23 - Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
26 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
29 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theater

September
3 - Tulalip, WA - Tulalip Amphitheatre

"Punishment For Gluttony", a brand new song from Texas metal titans WARBEAST, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Enter The Arena", which will be released on August 4 via Philip H. Anselmo's Housecore Records. Captured at Anselmo's Nodferatu's Lair, mixed by Mike Thompson at the Riff Factory and mastered by Lee Russell, the disc features newest WARBEAST recruits, guitarist Drew Shoup and bassist Lyric Ferchaud, and stands among the band's most potent, volatile, and unrepentantly powerful offering yet. "We recorded 'Enter The Arena' exactly a decade after we formed WARBEAST," notes vocalist Bruce Corbitt. "The nucleus and founding members of this band [guitarist Scott Shelby, drummer Joey Gonzalez and Corbitt] provided the essential veteran leadership that was vital for us to reach our goal of creating our magnum opus. The three of us also contributed our unique individual styles to guarantee that we still sound like WARBEAST. But with the addition of our two newest members — guitarist Drew Shoup and bassist Lyric Ferchaud — who I call the 'Youngbloods,' it was like adding a breath-of-fresh-air to our chemistry. We definitely sound like a well-oiled-machine on this album. So get prepared for the upcoming onslaught of pure, fresh, and quintessential Texas thrash!" "'Enter The Arena' is WARBEAST at its finest in performance, writing and tone quality," adds Shelby. "I'm confident that it will please any rivethead out there! I believe it's mine and our best work to date." The release of WARBEAST's "Enter The Arena" follows Corbitt's recent and tragic announcement that he's been diagnosed with esophageal cancer — a treatable though rarely curable disease — facing the likelihood that he will never be able to sing again. In a recent Facebook message to fans, Corbitt revealed: "After much discussion with the doctors and specialist, they've told me there's no chance within any reasonable time that I'll ever be able to perform again. So it breaks my heart at this time that I'm forced to announce my retirement from singing.

"I'm sorry to all of my bandmates for letting them down. I'm devastated with all of this hitting me so fast. I'm still in shock.

"Thanks for all of the great support all these years," he continues. "You're the best fans and I love all of you! We at least have a great WARBEAST album and music video coming soon.

"I can't even begin to explain my feelings. You guys have given me the strength I need to even prepare for this fight. Honestly, I was close to losing hope that there was any good to come out of this. Of course, I'm scared for my life like any normal human being would be. Those moments when I can get on Facebook and scroll through all of your messages, the emotion takes over. I cry, I get stronger, I also realize what all of you mean to me. I do believe in the power prayer and positive vibes. And I have all of you to thank for that." Corbitt, who recently began an intensive schedule of radiation treatments, played his final show on Saturday, May 27 at the Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The band's CD-release party took place on Friday, July 14 at The Rail Club in Ft. Worth, Texas. Vocals were handled by Anselmo, Edwin Neal ("Texas Chain Saw Massacre"), and Wayne Abney of HAMMER WITCH. A special fund to help with the Corbitt family's escalating medical expenses has been set up. To donate, go to this location. "Enter The Arena" track listing:

01. Centuries Of Poisoned Soil02. Punishment For Gluttony03. Orchestration Of Violence04. Maze Of The Minotaur05. Hitchhiker06. Chemicals Consuming07. Enter The Arena08. The Scalping09. Conjuration With The Devil10. Ancient Hate

Photo by Eric Younkin Jr.

Svart Records have set October 13th as the release date for No Stars Upon The Bridge, the debut album from Hallatar. Check out a new album teaser below, and pre-order the new album here.

Although a brand-new name, Hallatar features among its ranks Swallow The Sun and Trees Of Eternity guitarist Juha Raivio, Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen, and former HIM drummer Gas Lipstick. In fact, one could see Hallatar as an extension of Trees Of Eternity, whose massively acclaimed debut for Svart, Hour Of The Nightingale, served as the swansong of vocalist Aleah Starbridge.

Juha Raivio explains the genesis of Hallatar: "After the death of my beloved and my life partner Aleah Starbridge last April, I have been gathering writings, lyrics, and the poems of Aleah to keep them safe and close to my heart. About one month after the world came down on the blackest day of my life on April 18th, I knew I needed to pick up the guitar and try to create something or I would be truly destroyed. And something did arrive out of the darkness, and I wrote the music for the Hallatar album in a week's time. I don’t have much memory of this week, not a memory of a single day of writing the music. But all I remember when going into this abyss of the writing process was a promise to myself that whatever music would come out, I would not touch or change anything of it afterwards. What mattered was that the music would stay forever as an absolute truth of those moments as they came out. I asked my good friends - and amazing musicians - Tomi Joutsen and Gas Lipstick if they would want to record this music with me, and both of them said yes without even hearing a note of it. I am forever grateful to both of them for sharing this road with me; even the weight of the process has not been easy to carry, or will be."

Adds Gas Lipstick, "I am grateful and very honored to be asked to join this band. Juha is a dear friend of mine since many years ago, and when he told me about his vision for Hallatar and asked me to join, I said yes instantly - I just had to be part of this amazing journey. I had never heard a single note of the music before I gave my 'yes' because I didn't need to. Juha has been one of my favorite songwriters already for years, and I knew that Hallatar will be a very deep, personal, and one-of-a-kind story which I wanted to help him to bring alive."

Continues Tomi Joutsen: "I have known Juha from the year 2007, when we worked together for the first time. A couple years ago, I had the privilege to meet Juha's life partner, Aleah Starbridge, who was such a beautiful person, inside and outside, and had an angelic voice out of this world. Aleah lent her voice on the latest Amorphis album, and we called her 'the whispering ghost.' When I heard about Aleah's passing last spring, it came as a total shock and heartbreaking news out of the blue. When Juha asked me if I would want to be part of this album and carry Aleah's flame with him, I didn't have to think twice. When everything has been taken, all that is left is the music. The sorrow strips us naked and leave us humble - this is how it sounds like."

Concludes Raivio, "What we recorded was a raw moment in time honoring the memory, lyrics, and poems of Aleah Starbridge with all its pain, beauty and darkness. There are no stars left upon the bridge to light the way anymore, but the music will always be a dim light, even in the darkest of the night."

Tracklisting:

“Mirrors”
“Raven’s Song”
“Melt”
“My Mistake” (feat. Heike Langhans)
“Pieces”
“Severed Eyes”
“The Maze”
“Spiral Gate”
“Dreams Burn Down” (feat. Aleah Starbridge)

“My Mistake” video teaser:

“Mirrors” video:

Manowar performed Bulgaria's national anthem, "Mila Rodino”, live at Kavarna Rock Fest in Kavarna, Bulgaria in July, 2008. Video of the performance can now be seen below:

Manowar’s The Final Battle World Tour kicks off on November 15th at Arbis Bar & Salonger in Norrköping, Sweden. The Final Battle shows will last over two hours, blistering with the greatest hits and fan favorites from the band’s entire history.

“The Gods And Kings Tour was a groundbreaking moment in our career: The stage, sound, video and you, our fans, were magnificent!” said Manowar. “Coming off such an amazing tour it was clear that the next time we must go even bigger and beyond anything we have ever done; something that will fulfill every Manowarrior’s dreams. Then that will be the ultimate moment to say thank you and farewell!”

Tour dates:

November
15 - Arbis Bar & Salonger - Norrköping, Sweden
17 - Scandic Hamar - Hamar, Norway
18 - Fryshuset Klubben/ Arenan - Stockholm, Sweden
20 - Trädgår'n - Gothenburg, Sweden
24 - Zenith München - Munich, Germany
25 - Zenith - Die Kulturhalle - Munich, Germany
27 - Messe Erfurt - Erfurt, Germany
28 - Tempodrom - Berlin, Germany
29 - Tempodrom - Berlin, Germany

December
1 - Grugahalle Essen - Essen, Germany
3 - Sparkassen-Arena - Kiel, Germany
5 - Palladium Köln - Cologne, Germany
8 - Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt - Frankfurt, Germany
9 - Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt - Frankfurt, Germany
12 - Arena Trier - Trier, Germany
15 - Porsche-Arena - Stuttgart, Germany
16 - Porsche-Arena - Stuttgart, Germany

Lingua Mortis Orchestra - featuring Rage musicians Victor Smolski (guitar, keyboard and cello), Peavy Wagner (vocals and bass) and André Hilgers (drums) - performed their at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in August, 2013. Video of the full performance is available for streaming below.

Setlist:

“Cleansed By Fire”
“From The Cradle To The Grave”
“Scapegoat”
“Empty Hollow”
“Lament”
“Witches' Judge”
“Straight To Hell”

Jag Panzer have released a lyric video for the song "Far Beyond All Fear". The track is taken from their forthcoming album The Deviant Chord, set for release on September 29th via Steamhammer/SPV.

The lyric video was created by guitarist Mark Briody: "I wanted the video to be a Jules Verne style adventure, like the kind we grew up with. I always wanted to set the lyric video in the same time period as the cover (late 1800s) so I could give some back story to the album artwork."

For Jag Panzer, team spirit is more important than anything else. Without team spirit, guitarist Mark Briody would no longer see any reason for continuing the band. "We're like a family, we've all known each other for many years," he says and looks back at the years between 2011 and 2013 when Jag Panzer were on the brink of calling it a day. "Two band members quit and there was little interest in hiring new people and starting over. Introducing new musicians would have been tough, so we decided to disband."

But then the American power metal act's strong fan base made itself heard, causing the spark to be rekindled. Briody: "We had a lot of interest in our early albums, so my band mates soon noticed that people were still listening to Jag Panzer, that the audience was still there. We started talking on the phone more and more. Some excellent gig offers arrived so we decided we should get back together." What a stroke of good fortune, after all now the public can look forward to an accomplished comeback album. The Deviant Chord is a veritable metal manifesto, consisting of ten awesome songs featuring all those typical Jag Panzer strengths that the band's fans have come to appreciate.

The Deviant Chord tracklisting:

"Born Of The Flame"
"Far Beyond All Fear"
"The Deviant Chord"
"Blacklist"
"Foggy Dew"
"Divine Intervention"
"Long Awaited Kiss"
"Salacious Behavior"
"Fire Of Our Spirit"
"Dare"

Together with band members John Tetley (bass), Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin (vocals), Rikard Stjernquist (drums) and Joey Tafolla (lead guitar), who has returned to the fold, Briody has recorded an album that impresses in every respect and that benefits from the outstanding qualities of all five band members. "John does our 'quality control', meaning that he makes sure every song we do is the best it can be. Harry is a musical genius. He's been singing since we were kids, he's very skilled in vocal arrangements and vocal recording techniques. This skill makes him a very big contributor in the songwriting.  Rikard is all about drumming. He's been drumming since he was a small child and has never stopped. He grew up living all around the world and he has always been in a band. Joey is the classic lead player in every sense of the world. He has amazing skill on the guitar plus an outstanding stage presence. His playing makes every song better."

The Deviant Chord will be available as a CD Digipak (including poster) and double LP coloured version as well as for download and streaming. The cover artwork, pictued above, was created by Serbian artist Dusan Markovic and reflects the album's haunting atmosphere perfectly. Briody also gives some hints: "Fans of both science fiction and real life scientists should look closely at the new Jag Panzer album as the band has placed a few hidden tributes in the album art!"

There can be no doubt: the spark has rekindled the fire in Jag Panzer and it's burning brightly. Briody: "The mood in the band is very focused. This album was the first time we did multiple demos for every song. So everyone has been very involved in every step. Each band member got to see a song grow and change with time. That's very exciting for us. And we're all excited to unleash The Deviant Chord unto the world."

 

Swedish thrash metallers The Haunted will unleash their new, ninth studio album entitled Strength In Numbers, on August 25th worldwide via Century Media Records. The album’s second single and video, “Spark”, has been released today.

Drummer Adrian Erlandsson checked in with the following comment about the new track: “’Spark’ is the second video from our upcoming album Strength In Numbers. It’s a brooding and catchy number which shows a more melodic side of the album. One of those songs that will remain in our live set for years to come. Turn it up and watch it all burn!”

The previously launched first single “Brute Force” can be enjoyed below.

​

Recorded at Parlour Studios in The UK with producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, The Exploited), Strength In Numbers comes with artwork by The Haunted’s longtime designer Andreas Pettersson.

Strength In Numbers tracklisting:

“Fill The Darkness With Black”
“Brute Force”
“Spark”
“Preachers Of Death”
“Strength In Numbers”
“Tighten The Noose”
“This Is The End”
“The Fall”
“Means To An End”
“Monuments”

The album’s limited edition Mediabook CD version will additionally include the bonus tracks “Illusions” and “Sinister”, expanded layouts as well as three stickers. Strength In Numbers”will also be available on 180 gr. vinyl in various editions:

- Black LP (Unlimited)
- Silver LP (200x copies / Sweden)
- Clear LP (300x Copies / US)

And last but not least, a strictly limited Deluxe LP package will be available from CM Distro / CM Webshop in Europe. This very special edition is limited to 500x copies on transparent red coloured vinyl and comes with a printed guitar tablature book, a poster, a set of three guitar-picks and the entire album on CD as bonus. Grab it before it’s too late.

Pre-order the album in its various physical formats from CM Distro here, or digitally here.

A video teaser from the album’s recording sessions can be seen below:

Live dates:

August
31 - Oslo, Norway - Blå

September
1 - Stavanger, Norway - Folken
2 - Bergen, Norway - Hulen
8 - Örebro, Sweden - Frimis Salonger (with Witchery)
9 - Linköping, Sweden - The Crypt (with Witchery)
15 - Borlänge, Sweden - Liljan
16 - Sundsvall, Sweden - Club Destroyer
21 - Göteborg, Sweden - Pustervik (with Witchery)
22 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Strand (with Witchery)
23 - Malmö, Sweden - KB (with Witchery)
29 - Hultsfred, Sweden - Mörkaste Småland Festival
30 - Eskilstuna, Sweden - Loket

October
7 - Hoogeveen, Netherlands - Graveland Fest
 
The Haunted lineup:

Marco Aro - Vocals
Jensen - Guitars
Ola Englund - Guitars
Jonas Björler - Bass
Adrian Erlandsson - Drums

Swedish post punk/dark wave masters, Then Comes Silence, have released a third video trailer for their upcoming, fourth full-length studio album, Blood, which will be released on October 20th worldwide via Nuclear Blast. Watch below.

Blood tracklisting:

“The Dead Cry For No One”
“Flashing Pangs Of Love”
“Strange Kicks”
“My Bones”
“In Leash”
“Choose Your Poison”
“Good Friday”
“The Rest Will Follow”
“Magnetic”
“Warm Like Blood”
“Mercury”
“Into Death Alone” (limited first edition bonus track)

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

"The Dead Cry For No One" video:

Lineup:

Alex Svenson - vox, bass, synth
Seth Kapadia - guitars
Jens Karnstedt - guitars
Jonas Fransson - drums

(Photo - Per Kristiansen)

Brian "Head" Welch says that he is "pissed" about the death of Chester Bennington, explaining that taking your own life "is the cowardly way out."

The LINKIN PARK singer died of an apparent suicide by hanging Thursday morning. He was 41.

The coroner's department is currently conducting a death investigation, with more information set for release later today.

Earlier this afternoon, the KORN guitarist took to his Facebook page to write: "Honestly, Chester's an old friend who we've hung with many times, and I have friends who are extremely close to him, but this is truly pissing me off! How can these guys send this message to their kids and fans?! I'm sick of this suicide shit! I've battled depression/mental illness, and I'm trying to be sympathetic, but it's hard when you're pissed! Enough is enough! Giving up on your kids, fans, and life is the cowardly way out!!!"

Welch later added: "I didn't mean to sound insensitive about Chester. Just dealing with a range of emotions today.

"Love you, Chester. I'm pissed that you did this, but I know this could have been me back in the day after getting wasted one night."

Chester's LINKIN PARK bandmate Mike Shinoda confirmed reports of Bennington's death, tweeting: "Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one."

Bennington has six children from two relationships.

According to TMZ, Chester was scheduled to join his bandmates for a photo shoot in Hollywood today.

Sources told the site Chester arrived back in L.A. Wednesday from Arizona, where he and his wife were spending time.

One of Bennington's bandmates showed up at the singer's Palos Verdes Estates home shortly after police arrived, according to the site. He said he was supposed to be driving Chester to the photo shoot and was "absolutely shocked."

LINKIN PARK was set to go on tour starting July 27 in Boston, with dates stretching into the fall.

Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow said Bennington's "powerful range, paired with his impressive songwriting skills, made him a bona fide hard rock hero."

"His riveting stage presence made every live performance magnetic, earning him millions of fans around the globe," Portnow said. "Having put as much passion into charitable causes as he did his musical craft, we were honored to pay tribute to him at our 2013 MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert, where he lent his time and talents to help raise money to assist members of the music community with the addiction treatment process."




Honestly, Chester's an old friend who we've hung with many times, and I have friends who are extremely close to him, but...

Posted by Brian Head Welch on Thursday, July 20, 2017

Massacre Records has announced the signing of French melodic death metal outfit Temnein.

The was founded in 2009 and released a demo (Time To Avenge, 2010) and their 404B.C. debut in 2014. 

Temnein will release their new album White Stained Inferno in late October. The band has stated it will be darker and more atmospheric than the debut.

Additional details will be announced soon. 

Milwaukee's Khazaddum will release sophomore effort Plagues Upon Arda on August 19th. Following the 2015 In Dwarven Halls EP, the album offers a deeper glimpse into the tragic world of J.R.R. Tolkien. The new video for "The Deathless Crown" is streaming below.

Returning with their signature Dwarven death metal assault, Khazaddum has taken the Tolkien concept to another level. Incorporating symphonic orchestration throughout the album in order to illuminate the epic scale of the story told within, the nine-track opus delivers a barrage of crushing death metal that bears witness to the harrowing tales of the denizens of Middle-Earth.

Pre-order your copy at this location.

Tracklisting:

"The Halls Of Khazad-Dum"
"The Deathless Crown"
"Lord Of Isengard"
"Legion Of The White Hand"
"The Fell Rider's Scourge"
"The Black Hand Of Gorthaur"
"Masters Of The Plains"
"Shelob The Great"
"Oathbreaker's Curse"

"The Deathless Crown" video:

"Masters Of The Plains":

Plagues Upon Arda was recorded at No Passenger Studio by Spencer Fox and Trae Titus. The album cover art is by Kosta Djordjevic, and digitally painted by Matt Zeilinger. 

Khazaddum is:

Luka Djordjevic - vocals / lyrics
Alex Rausa - guitars
Tony Cannizzaro - bass
Peter Kissane - drums

For further details, visit the official Khazaddum Facebook page.

On August 25th, Swedish heavy metallers Portrait will release their new full-length, Burn The World, worldwide via Metal Blade Records. The band is streaming new song "Martyrs" below.. The album can be preordered on Metal Blade in the following formats:

--CD
--180g black vinyl
--pale violet red marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies) 
--pastel rose marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies) 
--mahogany brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies) 
--multi-coloured splatter vinyl (eBay exclusive - limited to 150 copies) 
--orange red marbled vinyl (USA exclusive - limited to 150 copies) 
--box-set (limited to 500 copies) with the album on pale pink clear vinyl and digipak CD, plus a patch, slipmat, photo card (signed by all members), and Mother Sun 12" featuring a cover of Judas Priest's "Mother Sun" as well as two exclusive demo versions on side B
* exclusive bundles with a shirt, plus digital options are also available!

Portrait comments: "Burn The World is our fiercest one to-date, holding all aspects of Portrait within it, yet in an even more dynamic, empowered and elevated form than its predecessors. Expect nothing else than sheer heavy metal rage dedicated to all forces that seek to end this world through their fires of adversity."

Burn The World contains guest appearances by Set Teitan (Dissection) and Kevin Bower (Hell).

Tracklisting:

“Saturn Return (Intro)”
“Burn The World”
“Likfassna”
“Flaming Blood”
“Martyrs”
“Further She Rode”
“The Sower’s Cross” (CD bonus track)
“To Die For”
“Pure Of Heart” 

"Martyrs":

"Burn The World":

Northern California-based death metalcore quartet Apothesary released their sophomore album Accept Loss Forever on July 7th via M-Theory Audio. BraveWords is premiering the emotional video for “You’ve Met With A Terrible Fate, Haven’t You”.

Described by the band as an “ode to suffering,” the emotionally charged Accept Loss Forever is a chronicle of the various challenges and difficulties the group has overcome. According to guitarist Clayton Cagle, “Accept Loss Forever was written for anyone who’s been depressed, who’s wished for their own death, who’s struggled with drug abuse to numb the pain, or who’s ever been broken by the loss of a loved one. Everyone in the band who put pen to paper to write this album lived through some, if not all, of the above. I don’t know where I would be without the support and catharsis that Apothesary has given me, and if just one person is helped by this record in the same way that I was, it will all be worth it.”

Tracklisting:

“Sensory Overload”
“Two-Minute Hate”
“1976”
“Elizabeth”
“Accept Loss Forever”
“Making Up For Lost Time”
“You’ve Met With A Terrible Fate, Haven’t You”
“Knight”
“Woodland Critter Christmas”
“Tempest (Even Tide)”
“Expressionless Me”

“Tempest (Even Tide)” lyric video:

According to TMZ, LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington has committed suicide. He was 41 years old.

Law enforcement sources tell the site the singer hanged himself at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles county. His body was discovered Thursday just before 9 a.m.

Chester wed Talinda Bentley in 2006. The couple share three children, and he has three children from previous relationships.

The singer struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He had said in the past he had considered committing suicide because he had been abused as a child by an older male.

After Chris Cornell died in May, Bennington wrote a heartfelt message paying tribute to the SOUNDGARDEN frontman. In the message, Bennington wrote he couldn't imagine the world without his late friend in it.

TV show host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted earlier today that Bennington was one of the kindest people he's had on his show.

LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia wrote that she was at a "loss for words," adding, "why, why, why."

SKILLET's John Cooper tweeted: "Absolutely no words. Speechless and so sad. I am such a fan."

Bennington last year opened up in an interview with Metal Hammer about his lengthy battle with drug addiction some years back, which came to a head when his bandmates decided to stage an intervention. Bennington said that at one point he was smoking crack and using crystal meth, explaining: "I was on 11 hits of acid a day. I dropped so much acid I'm surprised I can still speak! I'd smoke a bunch of crack, do a bit of meth and just sit there and freak out. Then I'd smoke opium to come down. I weighed 110 pounds. My mom said I looked like I stepped out of Auschwitz. So I used pot to get off drugs."

He continued: "In 2006… I did some counseling with the guys and they really opened up and told me how they felt. I had no idea that I had been such a nightmare. I knew that I had a drinking problem, a drug problem and that parts of my personal life were crazy but I didn't realize how much that was affecting the people around me until I got a good dose of 'Here's-what-you're-really-like.' It was a shock. They said that I was two people — Chester and then that fucking guy. I didn't want to be that guy."

Bennington told The Pulse Of Radio a while back just how bad even his drinking problem got. "I lived on alcohol," he said. "It was either beer, or Jack and Coke, or Jack Daniel's in a pint glass with ice. And then it got to the point where my wife said to me about seven months after we got together, she goes, 'I don't think there's been a day since I've known you that you haven't drank.' And I was like, 'What are you talking about? That's crazy' — as I'm drinking a Jack and Coke. That was where my life went."

Bennington told Metal Hammer that he's pleased to be in a band now where everyone has their act together, saying: "We're not a clichéd rock band where everyone is messed up on drugs. We're all decent people, so that makes me proud too."

LINKIN PARK's most recent album, "One More Light", topped the Billboard 200 earlier this year.

This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.

Canadian rockers Bobnoxious - featuring Razor frontman Bob Reid have paid homage to the Beach Boys' 1966 version of 'Sloop John B' and the brilliance of Brian Wilson in a modern take on a true summer classic. Check out the band's official video below.

"Sloop John B" is a traditional folk song from the Bahamas, also known as "The John B. Sails", which was included in Carl Sandburg's 1927 collection of folk songs, The American Songbag. The Beach Boys ' version appeared on their 1966 album, Pet Sounds.

Buy or stream the track below or via iTunes.

Sloop John B by Bobnoxious

The Quireboys will release their brand new album, White Trash Blues, on September 5th via
Off Yer Rocka Recordings. It will be preceeded by the Leaving Trunk EP, to be released digitally worldwide with two bonus tracks on August 1st.

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved the blues. I used to buy The Blues Collection magazine back in the '90s - I’ve still got all of those CDs. It’s a genre that I’ve always loved and doing this album was a dream come true,” says keyboardist Keith Weir.

There’s a genuine buzz in the Quireboys’ camp as the veteran rock and rollers ready their most ambitious album to date. “It’s never been black and white where The Quireboys are concerned,” said frontman Spike. “There have always been shades of the blues. And now we’ve got the perfect chance to put a new twist on some old classics.”

But why now? After a successful foray into the world of Americana and the release of their most raucous album to date (2016’s Twisted Love), the decision to record a raft of iconic blues tunes might seem like a surprise - almost sideways - move. Far from it.

“When Spike and I met Chris Ingham from Ramblin’ Man Fair he floated the idea of doing a blues set at this year’s festival and we loved the idea,” said guitarist Guy Griffin. “Why not do something different to the norm? And at that point we sensed an opportunity to make a blues record. All of the guys are great musicians - as a band we can play anything. I suppose the trick was giving these blues classics a unique twist and that’s what we’ve tried to do.”

And on White Trash Blues the genre’s legends come thick and fast. Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry and Billy Boy Arnold are all afforded a unique Quireboys makeover. Never has Spike sounded so authentic and the band so audibly confident.

“The album came together very organically but they are songs everyone has played at different times over the years and they feel like they’re part of our history,” said guitarist Paul Guerin. “There are a few leftfield choices and we love that, but it’s always great to give the classics a go. We’re naturally suited to playing the blues but let’s be honest - once Spike starts singing they all sound like they could be Quireboys songs. And they can be!”

Featuring special guest Lee Vernon, from Pearl Handled Revolver, on harmonica, White Trash Blues is the perfect companion to what promises to be a set to remember at Ramblin’ Man Fair on July 30th.

“We didn’t just want to do carbon copies of these great old songs but at the same time we wanted to pay due respect to the people behind the songs,” said keyboard player and self-confessed blues aficionado Keith Weir. “I think we’ve managed to strike the right balance.”

White Trash Blues will be available worldwide via Off Yer Rocka Recordings from September 5th. The digital release will include three bonus tracks.

Tracklisting:

"Cross Eyed Cat"
"Boom Boom"
"I Wish You Would"
"Take Out Some Insurance"
"Going Down"
"Help Me"
"Shame Shame Shame"
"I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man"
"Leaving Trunk"
"I'm A King Bee"
"Walking The Dog"
"Little Queenie"

Leaving Trunk EP - release date August 1st.

Tracklisting:

"Leaving Trunk"
"Champagne And Reefer"
"Rollin and Tumblin"

The Quireboys are:

Spike - vocals
Guy Griffin - guitar
Paul Guerin - guitar
Keith Weir - keyboards
Nick Mailing - bass
Dave McCluskey - drums

(Band photo by Tom Gold)

 

Ritualistic, apocalyptic noisemakers Atriarch have shared the official music video for “Repent” off the impending full-length album Dead As Truth. Watch the chaotic, Daniel Menche directed video for “Repent” below.

Atriarch comments on the video: “We are beyond thrilled to have gotten the chance to work with the legendary Daniel Menche on this project. He is not only a fantastic artist but an incredible person as well. We are long time admirers of his work, both sonic and visual. So this was truly a great experience for us."

Recorded and mixed by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios (Om, Graves At Sea, Vhol) and featuring artwork by Stevie Floyd (YOB, Dark Castle), Dead As Truth sees Atriarch venture deeper into the blackened abyss with haunting incantations, exotic drones, and crushing aural experimentations that boldly embrace death's cold heart. Fragments of post-punk, gothic doom, black metal, sludge, and noise complement the band's desolate universe and further supplement their most immediate and formidable release to date. Atriarch prescribe the order that there is but one truth and that is death.

Dead As Truth is set for release on August 11th on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital order are available via Relapse.com here and Bandcamp here.

Dead As Truth tracklisting:

“Inferno”
“Dead”
“Devolver”
“Void”
“Repent”
“Hopeless”
“Void” (Demo) (Digital Bonus Track)
“Dead” (Demo) (Digital Bonus Track)
“Repent” (Demo) (Digital Bonus Track)

"Repent" video:

“Inferno”:

Additionally, the band is set to open for label-mates Inter Arma on a short run of West Coast dates this August. More dates will be announced shortly.

Tour dates with Inter Arma:

August
11 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt
12 - Seattle, WA - Barboza
13 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
17 - San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside

Atriarch is:

Lenny Smith - Vocals
Joshua Dark - Guitar
Andrew Stromstad - Bass
Maxamillion Avila - Drums

(Photo - James Rexroad)

Professionally filmed footage of Metallica performing the …And Justice For All album cut, “Harvester Of Sorrow”, at Festival d'été de Québec in Québec City, Québec on July 14th can be seen below.

Metallica’s WorldWired tour in support of their new album, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, stops next at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Québec on July 19th.

Upcoming Metallica North American tour dates are listed below. Find the band’s complete live itinerary at this location.

July
19 - Montreal, QB - Parc Jean-Drapeau*^
29 - Los Angeles, CA - Rose Bowl*+

August
4 - Phoenix, AZ - University of Phoenix Stadium*+
6 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park*+
9 - Seattle, WA - Centurylink Field*+
11-13 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands
14 - Vancouver, BC - BC Place*+
16 - Edmonton, AB - Commonwealth Stadium*+

* With Avenged Sevenfold
^ With Volbeat
+ With Gojira

"What can we say guys… Gracias! We had so much fun rocking and partying with you in Curitiba, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rosario. And it’s UNBELIEVABLE to see and feel how dedicated each and everyone of you is," exclaims The Dead Daisies. "This is what rock 'n' roll is all about and we LOVE it! Thanks a ton for coming out, and to our fantastic crew for making all this possible. We’ll be back as soon as we can, promise!"

In other news, The Dead Daisies have announced a monumental return to Woodstock Poland, featuring in a gripping headline performance at a special Concert For Freedom with The Gorzow Philharmonic Orchestra on August 3rd.

Founder & President of Woodstock Poland, Jurek Owsiak has the following thoughts on The Dead Daisies and their return to his festival: “Woodstock 1969 became an incredible spark which inspired all freedom thinkers of the world to face their biggest challenge yet - striving to achieve freedom, independence, truth, and try to build a true fraternity of people across the globe. For people in Poland, it became an inspiration to take a very important step on the road to regaining freedom and true independence. It was thanks to music, thanks to artists, who gave voice to our dreams which, 25 years ago, resulted in the creation of Polish solidarity and our Polish independence. We are so proud to say that it has been 23 years since we began to send the message of peace. It is especially important in such turbulent times as now.

“We are very grateful that thanks to artists like you, and amazing initiatives like The Dead Daisies and their songs about freedom, we are able to nurture and develop these everlasting ideals. The spirit of freedom permeates the globe, unstoppable like the wind, and it reminds us that despite the different skin colors or creeds we are all united by the ideals of Love, Friendship, and Music.”

In the middle of a world tour supporting the release of their new live album - Live & Louder, Doug Aldrich said the following: “We are very, very, excited to be involved in the Woodstock Festival again this year. We will be performing with a sixty-piece orchestra!! It has been a big dream to do that! The Dead Daisies set list is going to be a one off special in the name of Peace & Freedom just for this show. Can't wait!!”

Alongside the announcement, The Dead Daisies are releasing a new video today for “With You And I”, which was fittingly filmed at the band’s inaugural performance at the Woodstock Festival last summer. It features imagery in line with values that the world seems to have sadly forgotten.

Singer John Corabi: “I think the lyrics to "With You And I" are especially relevant at the moment, you can't turn the TV on and NOT see some sort of human decay anymore. We're battling each other in so many ways, it's disturbing. Be it political party differences, the struggle of black vs. white, religious differences, terrorism, famine, disease, pollution, climate change, etc. - nobody is working TOGETHER in any way to find answers to these issues, and communicate as adults!”

Remaining dates on The Dead Daisies' Live & Louder World Tour are as listed:

July
19 - Club Chocolate - Santiago, Chile
21 - El Plaza Condesa - Mexico City, Mexico

August
3 - Woodstock Poland - Kostrzyn, Poland
10 - Arcada Theatre - Chicago, IL
11 - Shelter at Saint Andrews - Detroit, MI
12 - Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON
16 - House Of Independence - Asbury Park, NJ
17 - Highline Ballroom - New York NY
18 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
19 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
20 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
23 - Gas Monkey - Dallas, TX
25 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
26 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA
27 - Counts Vamp’d - Las Vegas NV

Lineup:

Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) - guitars
John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream) - vocals
David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink) - guitars
Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) - bass
Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) - drums

Australian metallers, As Paradise Falls, will release their new album, Digital Ritual, this Friday (July 21st) via Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Shane Edwards (Northlane, Thy Art Is Murder)

The album's concept revolves around the idea that technology is ruining our lives by inhibiting “real life” engagement with our friends and family. At the same time, tracking cookies and big advertising corporations are chipping away at internet privacy and aggregating “big data” to sell to the highest bidders.

Digital Ritual is already available for pre-order via iTunes and Amazon. Either option comes with the songs “StarBlind”, “Dead Message”, and “Digital Ritual” as instant grat tracks. The album is also available to pre-order via Google Play, and CD/merch bundles are available here.

Listen to all songs featured on the new album via the YouTube playlist below.

Tracklisting:

“Digital Ritual”
“Balance”
“StarBlind”
“The Ultimate Consumer”
“Automated Sacrifice”
“Glory To The Server”
“Reborn”
“Dead Message”
“Hysteria”
“Pride and Disgrace”
“Captive To The Creation”

Upcoming tour dates:

July
29 - Brisbane, Australia - Jubilee Hotel

August
19 - Brisbane, Australia - Crowbar

September
1 - Adelaide, Australia - Enigma Bar
2 - Melbourne, Australia - BANG
9 - Sydney, Australia - The Bald Faced Stag

Pre-sales have begun for the upcoming AC/DC book from Rufus Publications, entitled Rock Or Bust: The Official Photographic Tour Book.

The first official AC/DC book with an introduction by Angus Young, the book covers the full extent of AC/DC’s groundbreaking 2015 world tour supporting the multi-million selling Rock Or Bust album released in 2014.

Starting in Coachella, the Rock Or Bust tour has played to millions of fans around the world, setting records for attendance and sell out times. It is also the last tour to feature legendary vocalist Brian Johnson.

Renowned music photographer Ralph Larmann has captured AC/DC throughout this incredible tour, creating an amazing photographic documentary of the band and fans in action.

This 300mm square coffee table book has been produced in conjunction with the band and features an introduction by Angus Young. Printed on 170gsm art paper and with 264 pages in full colour, this coffee table book features hundreds of behind the scenes images and live action shots of key dates on the 2015 tour tour, finishing in Australia in December.

If you pre-order now you can get your name in the back of the book.

When you place your order you will see an area to add your name on the main order page. Please make sure your name is spelt correctly. All names will appear at the back of the book in alphabetical order. If you do not wish your name to appear please put “No Thanks” in the name box.

After August 18th it will not be possible to have your name in the book (they need to start printing) and the offer price will be revised. The book will also go on public pre-sale at this point.

The Official Leather and Metal Edition:

Bound in recycled, black leather with a pewter embossed logo and supplied in a red metal, die cut slipcase together with 300mm square art prints of AC/DC album covers. Individually numbered and limited to 500 copies.

- A unique AC/DC collectible weighing 6 kilos!
- Normal price £295 plus shipping.
- Pre-order price £275 inc FREE worldwide shipping.

Click here to pre-order now.

The Official Standard Edition:

A large format, softcover book with matt lamination and spot UV supplied in a presentation black buckram slipcase with foil embossed logo. Printed in colour on 170gsm art paper.

- Normal price £95 plus shipping.
- Pre-order price £85 inc FREE worldwide shipping.

Click here to pre-order now.

The Bundle Editions:

Both versions of the book bundled together at a special price for pre-orders.

- Normal price £390 plus shipping.
- Pre-order price £330 inc FREE worldwide shipping.

Click here to pre-order now.

Final Shipping Date: October 16th, 2017

Why are they shipping in October?  It takes 6 weeks to print, bind and put together each edition and they have to allow a month to get people's names in for the subscriber section of the book. It then takes a while to assemble and pack each edition for sending to customers via their courier service.

On October 10th, photographer Lynn Goldsmith - in collaboration with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley - will release a 336 page hardcover coffee table book via Rizzoli Publishing entitled KISS: 1977 - 1980. The cover art and official description are as follows:

Chances are you've seen numerous iconic pictures by award-winning photographer Lynn Goldsmith, who has photographed every important rock musician and band of the late twentieth century: The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Talking Heads, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, and Patti Smith, among many others. Published in conjunction with the band, KISS: 1977 - 1980 is the definitive photographic chronicle of KISS at the height of their popularity, showcasing the band on and off stage, in the photo studio, and in unguarded candid moments. From her archive, Goldsmith has compiled fan favorites as well as many never-before-seen photographs, all which perfectly capture the enduring phenomenon that is KISS.
 
KISS rose to meteoric prominence with their extravagant live performances featuring fire-breathing, blood spitting, guitars bursting into flames, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnic showpieces. With makeup and costumes, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley created characters and origin stories similar to comic book characters: the Starchild, the Demon, the Space Ace, and the Catman. When put all together, it wasn’t just a stadium rock concert, it was dynamic performance art that is still on the road today!
 
Goldsmith, Stanley, and Simmons have created this book as a thanks to the KISS Army, many of whom have been devoted to the band for more than 40 years and have brought their children and grandchildren into appreciating the music, as well as the spectacle of the band’s live performances. With a simple matte white laminated padded cover that highlights the KISS logo and edged with gilding, the end result could be compared to a kind of bible, holding the relics that their supporters cherish.

Pre-order your copy of KISS: 1977 - 1980 now via Amazon.

 

 

German power metallers Orden Ogan continue their successful crusade with numerous chart entries worldwide for their new album Gunmen, which dropped on July 7th via AFM Records.

Vocalist/guitarist Seeb: “It almost feels unreal to see our name appearing in the Top 10 of the official album chart in Germany. We are very thankful for this amazing success and are looking forward to tour Europe in the fall, together with our special guest Rhapsody Of Fire.”

Chart positions:
Germany - #8
Switzerland - #37
Austria - #31
Sweden’s Hard Rock Chart - #13
U.K. Rock and Metal Chart - #39

Check out dates on the tour flyer below:

Gunmen is available as a digipak CD with bonus DVD, limited gatefold 2LP silver vinyl, limited box set, limited 2LP red vinyl, and limited picture disc. Order at this location.

The album was once again produced by the band’s guitarist/vocalist Seeb Levermann, who just recently had also handled mixing & mastering duties for Rhapsody Of Fire’s latest release, Legendary Years.

Standard CD tracklisting:

“Gunman”
“Fields Of Sorrow”
“Forlorn And Forsaken”
“Vampire In Ghost Town”
“Come With Me To The Other Side” (feat. Liv Kristine)
“The Face Of Silence”
“Ashen Rain”
“Down Here (Wanted: Dead Or Alive)”
“One Last Chance”
“Finis Coronat Opus”

“Fields Of Sorrow” lyric video:

“Gunman” video:

Polish metal extremists Decapitated’s seventh album, Anticult, is out now via Nuclear Blast. The album has achieved the Billboard chart positions listed below:

Anticult can be ordered here and at this location.

Anticult highlights just how vital Decapitated have remained two decades deep into their career. Decapitated have long been undeniable masters of their craft and they are expanding their parameters with Anticult, which should elevate the band's profile beyond the death metal realm in which it has dominated for years.

"Anticult represents the legacy and future of Decapitated," said guitarist Vogg. "We're extremely proud of the record, in both the song compositions and the production. This is the best representation of our music and we're really excited for the world to hear it!"

Anticult tracklisting:

“Impulse”
“Deathvaluation”
“Kill The Cult”
“One Eyed Nation”
“Anger Line”
“Earth Scar”
“Never”
“Amen”

“One Eyed Nation”:

“Earth Scar” video:

“Never” video:

Thy Art Is Murder and Decapitated will co-headline a North American tour together this August/September. Joining them are progressive death metal masters Fallujah and depressive black metal sensations Ghost Bath.

Tour dates:

August
21 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
22 - Greensboro, NC - Blind Tiger
23 - Atlanta, GA - The New Masquerade
25 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
26 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
27 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar 'N Grill
29 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
30 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex

September
1 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
2 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
3 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
6 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
7 - West Hollywood, CA - The Roxy Theatre
8 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
9 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red
10 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
11 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
13 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
14 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
15 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
16 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
17 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
19 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
20 - Syracuse, NY - The Lost Horizon
21 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
23 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage

Next to the restless and still ongoing live-campaign for their latest album release, Incoming Death, Dutch doom death metal division Asphyx have announced a very special anniversary celebration of the band’s 30 years of existence in 2017.

In addition to the already announced and sold out anniversary show at the Turock venue in Essen, Germany on Saturday, November 18th, Asphyx have now announced a second (matinee) show in the same location for the day after, Sunday, November 19th. These two 30 Years Anniversary concerts will not only be supported by metal comrades Pentacle and Soulburn, but also feature long Asphyx sets, special merchandise as well as meet and greet opportunities including former band members like Eric Daniels, Bob Bagchus, Wannes Gubbels, Ronnie van der Wey, Roel Sanders or Sander van Hoof.

Tickets go on sale today and are not expected to last very long, so better be quick. Purchase tickets here. More details can also be found on the club’s website.

Asphyx have checked in with the following message about the anniversary shows: "Salutations Asphyxians! Due to the unexpected, rapid sell out of our 30 years anniversary show in Turock, Essen, Germany on November 18th, for which our massive gratitude, we decided for those who could not obtain a ticket, to do an extra show the very next day. So, Sunday the 19th of November 2017. Same bill, same set, same goodies, same price. Just a little earlier, doors open at 3 PM, so everybody can get back to work on time the next day. Cheerz and see you all in November!"

Also, November 17th will mark the long overdue release date for a special and limited anniversary version of Asphyx’s classic debut album, The Rack, as double-album, containing both the original album as well as a special bonus version of the entire album sequence covered by friends and peers of the group. More details and formats of this project will be unveiled soon, so stay tuned.

Upcoming Asphyx shows:

July
22 - Brescia, Italy - Colony Open Air

August
13 - Kortrijk, Belgium - Alcatraz Metal Fest
19 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze Open Air

September
9 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg Open Air
30 - Bucharest, Romania - Fabrica

October
7 - Hoogeveen, Netherlands - Graveland Festival
21 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja

November
18 - Essen, Germany - Turock / 30 Years Anniversary Show - Sold Out
19 - Essen, Germany - Turock / 30 Years Anniversary Show - Matinee

Asphyx lineup:

Martin van Drunen - Vocals
Paul Baayens - Guitars
Alwin Zuur - Bass
Stefan “Husky“ Hüskens - Drums

(Photo - Negakinu.com)

Metal legend Thor reclaims the classic metal throne with a brand new studio album of 12 original songs that will get your blood pumping and leave your ears ringing.

Titled Beyond The Pain Barrier, Thor’s new album will be released on August 4th to coincide with his performance at the Porispere Festival in Finland. Thor will be hitting the road in support of the release, kicking off at a major metal festival in Finland in August followed by a 30-date tour of North America.

Says Thor, “I had the opportunity to work with young musician/songwriters on this record. Guitarist John Leibel and Ted Jedlicki know the metal sound of today. With my classic riffs and melodies combined with their modern metal songwriting and performing, we made a killer sounding album.”

A new documentary film called Return Of The Thunderhawk (a sequel to the well-received I Am Thor film) is scheduled for release later this year. Watch the premiere of Thor’s new video, “The Calling”, featuring footage from the Return Of The Thunderhawk documentary, below.

Says Thor, “I feel this is the sequel to the Metal Avenger album. The story continues with very powerful yet melodic tunes.”

Buy the CD here. Buy the digital version here.

Beyond The Pain Barrier tracklisting:

“Tyrant”
“The Calling”
“Beyond The Pain Barrier”
“When A Hero Dies”
“On Golden Sea”
“Phantom's Light”
“Twilight Of The Gods”
“Galactic Sun”
“The Land”
“Deity In The Sky”
“Thunder”
“Quest For Valor”

“The Calling” video:

And also be sure to check out the 3-disc (2CD+DVD) Ultimate Collector’s reissue of the classic live album from 1985, Live In Detroit, packaged with the AN-THOR-LOGY DVD and live material from more recent incarnations of Thor’s band. Also available on vinyl.

Buy the 2CD/DVD here. Buy the LP here.