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.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, the band led by brothers and founding SEPULTURA members Max (also of SOULFLY) and Igor Cavalera, has set "Psychosis" as the title of its recently completed fourth album, tentatively due in October via Napalm Records. The disc, which was produced by longtime friend Arthur Rizk, was recorded primarily at a studio in Phoenix, Arizona.

Speaking to Metal Wani's Jake Patton, Max stated about the follow-up to 2014's "Pandemonium": "The album right now is finished. It was produced by Arthur Rizk, our friend and a great producer — an upcoming, underground producer. And he did a great job. I love the record. There are nine songs. We've got one song with Justin [Broadrick] from GODFLESH — just a great NAILBOMB, GODFLESH, CAVALERA kind of song. The rest is all pure thrash madness. And we had it mastered a couple of days ago by Joel Grind from TOXIC HOLOCAUST; he mastered the album. And it's great, man. It's a beast of an album. I think a lot of people are are gonna be surprised when they hear it. It's, for me, the best of all the CAVALERA albums, my favorite one. And it's got the same intensity and energy of the old stuff like [SEPULTURA's] 'Beneath The Remains' and 'Arise'. So a lot of people are gonna be happy to hear that."

Max also talked in more detail about the lyrical themes covered on the new CAVALERA CONSPIRACY dic. He said: "It's a bit… kind of like a mix. There's some stuff about what's going on right now, so there's some terrorist stuff in songs like 'Impalement Execution' and 'Terror Tactics' and 'Excruciating'. And there's some kind of fantasy stuff, like 'Crom', which is the father of Conan. That was a really fun song to make. We have a song called 'Insane' — it's about the state of the world, with Donald Trump and the bombings in England and France. And then, of course, there's an instrumental called 'Psychosis', which is the name of the album, which I think is cool, because I think it also reflects the state of mankind right now, the state of the world right now. It's pretty much psycho — we're living in a psycho age, with madness everywhere we go. The GODFLESH song is called 'Hellfire' — it's about drones. It was inspired by a movie called 'Eye In The Sky' and a movie called 'Good Kill', which is about drones and how people just sit in an air-conditioned office in Nevada and bomb people in Afghanistan and Pakistan with those crazy drones. It was a really cool song built around that, and I really love Justin from GODFLESH's vocals. He sings more in the line of the 'Streetcleaner' vocals from the early GODFLESH, so that came out really nice."

Asked if Max and Igor's recent tour on which they celebrated the twentieth anniversary of SEPULTURA's classic album "Roots" by performing the LP in its entirety influenced the musical content of the new CAVALERA CONSPIRACY material, Max said: "The 'Psychosis' song is very tribal. Some of the recordings were done with Igor in Uganda, in Africa. Igor went there for a thing he did with his wife, like helping people from Uganda, a humanitarian kind of thing. And he recorded a bunch of cool sounds when he was in Africa. So we created this kind of… almost like a voodoo, ambient kind of real tribal… It could have been on [SEPULTURA's] 'Roots'; this song could be on the 'Roots' album. It's got a really great buildup with the drums, and then it has real cool melodic guitars on it — almost like prog rock a little bit. It's kind of like the one 'off' song of the album that really is not like the rest of the record. But it's very cool, it's very tribal and definitely influenced by 'Roots'."

Igor told HeavyMetal.dk last month that it was "good" for him and Max to have Rizk involved with the new CAVALERA CONSPIRACY album because Arthur "is super passionate about music, the same way we are. So to have someone like him coming in and helping us with ideas and things like that, I think it's gonna surprise a lot of people, 'cause he understands a lot about what's going on today in music, and that's pretty cool — that exchange with us, with the old-school ideas with also someone that understands music right now. I'm far more excited than I've been in many years to put out a record like this. So I have to say I'm quite into it, what we're doing right now."

Max concurred, telling HeavyMetal.dk: "[Arthur] captured the classic Max and Igor in a way that's never really quite been captured before. It was always his objective from the beginning — he wanted to capture the soul of the brothers, and I think he did. I think it's quite amazing, looking back, that somebody can get that out of you after twenty-five years, man. That's awesome. But, like Igor said, there's a lot of noise also — between songs we're gonna hear all this kind of crazy just pure noise and heaviness, which is unheard of. So I'm very excited."

"Pandemonium" sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 177 on The Billboard 200 chart.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's previous CD, 2011's "Blunt Force Trauma" opened with around 5,000 units to land at No. 122.

The band's first CD, 2008's "Inflikted", registered a first-week tally of 9,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 72.

"Pandemonium" was produced by John Gray, who has previously worked with SOULFLY.

HELLYEAH has released an official "Live Experience" video for its "Love Falls" single. The track is featured on the band's fifth album, "Unden!able", which was released on June 3, 2016 via Eleven Seven Music.

Says HELLYEAH: "'Love Falls' is an extremely important song for us and your reactions have made it an even better experience for us to play it live."

HELLYEAH singer Chad Gray told Germany's Metal-Heads.de about the lyrical message behind "Love Falls", Gray said: "It's really important to me to write kind of vague and ambigious, so people can make it… 'Cause maybe it is about a relationship or whatever, and that's how somebody makes that connection to the song. Or maybe it is about a different type of love that you've lost or whatever. But I think that everybody in this world that has any kind of human emotion or feeling has had an experience with lost love, whether it's a breakup or whether it's... I mean, think about death. You know what I mean? My God! And just the idea that… It's kind of my fucked up way in my head that good things go away. I mean, we're all products of our past [and that's what] made me who I am."

He continued: "I've lost love and I have experienced death and the loss of people that I love on pretty much every level, and it really does suck. So it's not like I'm writing something that I don't know anything about. But I wanna make it… If I write it from my heart and I write it vague enough, people can make it part of their life."

Gray added: "Building a relationship, I think it starts with vulnerability — to build a strong relationship. And that's how really strong, solid relationships grow — by people giving in and trusting and being vulnerable to another. And writing songs is very much doing that, 'cause it's something that I have experience with. I put it out there. Like the line in [the song] 'X': 'Bear my soul.' It's wide open. Are you gonna embrace it? Or are you gonna fucking stab it? And trust me, both happens. I mean, my God, that's the world now — to be negative and to rip shit apart. It's terrible."

"Unden!able" marked the first time HELLYEAH's current lineup — Gray, guitarists Tom Maxwell and Christian Brady, drummer Vinnie Paul and bassist Kyle Sanders — recorded together as a unit.

According to Darker Than Blue, Deep Purple will be releasing “Johnny’s Band” from their new album, inFinite, as an audio CD EP in early August.  

Says Darker Than Blue: “It’s just the album version (a video has been out for some time) but to tempt collectors comes with a rehearsal jam and three live tracks (two oldies) listed as unreleased, but I’m not sure where from or when. The cover looks like an old cast-off Gillan band offering!”

Tracklisting:

“Johnny’s Band” (Album Version)
“In & Out Jam” (Rehearsal Recording)
“Strange Kind Of Woman” (Previously Unreleased)
“The Mule” (Previously Unreleased)
“Hell To Pay” (Previously Unreleased)

More details to follow.

Spainish melodic death metallers, Rise To Fall, have released a video for the track “Burning Signs”, featured on their 2015 album, End Vs Beginning (Coroner Records). Watch the clip below.

The album was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios. Artwork and tracklisting below.

End VS Beginning tracklisting:

“End Vs Beginning”
“The Threshold”
“Plastic Scene”
“Burning Signs”
“Parasites”
“Rise Without Drama”
“Thunders Of Emotions Beating”
“Murk Empire”
“Against All Odds”
“Dark Clowns Leading Blinds”
“Emptiness”
“Welcome To...”
“...The Refuge”
“Unspeakable Sins”
“Sustension”

“Burning Signs” video:

“Thunders Of Emotions Beating” lyric video:

Teaser:

Frontiers Music Srl will release the second studio album by PHANTOM 5, "Play To Win", on October 13.

The disc's first single, "The Change In You", can be streamed below.

After the success of its self-titled debut album, the brainchild of producer/guitarist (and for this record, bassist) Michael Voss and vocalist Claus Lessmann has returned with yet another incredible outing of impeccable German melodic hard rock. Once again joined by Robert Boebel on guitars and keyboards and Axel Kruse on drums, these fist-pumping anthems will tickle the eardrums of any connoisseur of melodic hard rock.

Michael Voss says: "[t]o all the rockers out there, we are more than happy to continue this labour of love and come back with a bang! Again, guitar wizard Robby Boebel delivered powerful riffs and Claus wrote some magic melodies. The drums were delivered by heart-pounding visual timekeeper Axel Kruse and taped by the famous Rolf Munkes at Empire Studios. Eleven well-balanced songs, full of emotion and power, right in the vein of our first album. If you like the first one, you will love the new one! Come and get it... and play it loud...we play to win!!!"

Originally born as SUPREMACY, the band decided to change its name to PHANTOM 5 before recording its debut album for release last year. It had been a long time since the public had heard a melodic hard rock record this good coming from Germany. Mixing influences from the cream of the crop of German melodic hard rock bands, but with Michael and Claus's unique stamp on it, the debut was met with rave reviews across the board. After the success of that album, Michael and Claus knew it was a no-brainer to follow it up with an even more inspired outing and that is exactly what they've done here.

"Play To Win" track listing:

01. The Change In You02. Crossfire03. Baptised04. Read Your Mind05. Play To Win06. Child Soldiers07. Do You Believe In Love08. Phantom Child09. Had Enuff10. Shadows Dance11. Reach Out PHANTOM 5 is:

Claus Lessmann - Lead VocalsMichael Voss - Guitar, Bass, Backing VocalsRobert Boebel - Guitar, KeyboardsAxel Kruse - Drums

"Living On The 110", the new video from PROPHETS OF RAGE, the supergroup featuring members of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, PUBLIC ENEMY and CYPRESS HILL, ca nbe streamed below. The track is taken from PROPHETS OF RAGE's self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 15. The disc was recorded with legendary producer Brendan O'Brien who has done notable work with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE.

"'Living On The 110' is a song that speaks to the issue of homelessness," PROPHETS OF RAGE guitarist Tom Morello said in a statement. "The 110 is a freeway in Los Angeles and living beneath it are thousands of homeless people. Bentleys and Rolls Royces roaring by are literally driving on top of the poor and their makeshift homes, a picture-perfect analogy for the grotesque economic inequality that plagues our times."

"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."

Even though PROPHETS OF RAGE does not feature RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE frontman Zack de la Rocha, the group plays classics like "Bulls On Parade" along with tunes by PUBLIC ENEMY and CYPRESS HILL.

"I think the music of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE is more relevant today than it was when it was written," Morello told Cleveland.com. "And we give a lot of credit and honor to Zack at every show because his lyrics are brilliant."

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

Canadian hardcore/punk outfit Comeback Kid have released a second trailer for their upcoming album, Outsider, out on September 8th via New Damage Records in Canada and Nuclear Blast throughout the rest of the world. Watch the new video below, and order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

“Outsider”
“Surrender Control”
“Absolute” (feat. Devin Townsend)
“Hell Of A Scene”
“Somewhere, Somehow”
“Consumed The Vision” (feat. Chris Cresswell)
“I’ll Be That”
“Outrage (Fresh Face, Stale Cause)”
“Blindspot”
“Livid, I’m Prime”
“Recover”
“Throw That Stone”
“Moment In Time” (feat. Northcote)

“Somewhere, Somehow” video:

“Absolute” (featuring Devin Townsend):

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

(Photo - Alexey Makhov)

The official lyric video for the song "Cold War Love" from BLACK STAR RIDERS can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's third studio album, "Heavy Fire", which was released on February 3 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The disc was a worldwide success, reaching position No. 6 on the U.K. chart, No. 11 on the German chart, No. 91 on U.S. Current Top Albums chart.

BLACK STAR RIDERS frontman Ricky Warwick stated about "Cold War Love": "You can't fix yourself by breaking somebody else."

Formed in 2012, BLACK STAR RIDERS signed their first contract with Nuclear Blast Entertainment in the same year. Under the banner of the independent label, the band released three critically acclaimed albums: "All Hell Breaks Loose", "The Killer Instinct" and "Heavy Fire".

2016 saw BLACK STAR RIDERS return to the studio with "The Killer Instinct" producer Nick Raskulinecz (RUSH, FOO FIGHTERS, KORN), at his studio just outside Nashville. The resultant album is BLACK STAR RIDERS' most accomplished work to date. From the immediate riffs of album opener "Heavy Fire" to the instant hooks of first single "When The Night Comes In", from the dirty bass groove of "Thinking About You Could Get Me Killed" to the familiar and trademark dual guitars of Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson on "Testify Or Say Goodbye", this is an album that will further cement BLACK STAR RIDERS' reputation as one of the world premiere rock acts. "Angst, passion, power, glory, love, truth, lies, loyalty, questions that begged to be answered. There's a guitar army coming…and it's bringing the 'Heavy Fire'!" said Warwick. "Not many new bands get to record three albums these days," added Gorham. "Without doubt, this is BSR's best album so far. We had a great time recording it."

Southern Californian rock trio Radio Moscow has just delivered the masters of its fifth studio album, New Beginnings, which is set for release via their new label home, Century Media Records, on September 29th.
 
The album’s striking cover artwork was created by artist Courtney Cole and photographer Dana Trippe with lettering coming from Robin Gnista. New Beginnings was recorded at Lost Ark Studio in San Diego with Mike Butler, produced by the band’s own Parker Griggs and mastered by Mark Chalecki at Little Red Book Mastering.

New Beginnings will be released as regular black and limited-edition colored LP+CD (including a poster designed by Robin Gnista) as well as on CD, and all digital/streaming platforms.
 
Right on time with the release of their new opus, the band has confirmed the The Drifting Tour, which will drown Europe from September 26th to October 31st in waves of fuzzy, hard rocking riffs and sweaty, cranked up blues.
 
Prior to that, Radio Moscow will perform at several European festivals as well as head over to the UK for a mini tour in August with support coming from The Groundhogs. Furthermore, a U.S. west coast tour has been recently added. 

Tracklisting:

“New Beginning”
“Deceiver”
“Woodrose Morning”
“Dritin’”
“No One Knows Where They’ve Been”
“Last To Know”
“New Skin”
“Pacing”
“Pick Up The Pieces”
“Dreams”

The Time Traveler's Dilemma, the debut from New York-based death metal collective Afterbirth - featuring within its ranks members of Helmet, Artificial Brain, and Buckshot Facelift -, will see release next week via Unique Leader Records. New song “Sifting Through The Sands Of The Unholy” is streaming below.

"Originally, this song was always intended to be an instrumental," offers guitarist Cody Drasser. "Even when we had our original, pioneering death metal vocalist Matt Duncan in the band and I was preparing the song to show to the rest of the members, it always had a sense, to me at least, of being a long, epic, and atmospheric progressive death metal track that lent itself more to mental imagery and inner wanderings than needing any particular lyrical vision. Conceptually, I had always been reminded of the horrific ambience and terror of H.P. Lovecraft's The Nameless City when I was piecing the song together. The song title itself arose from a late-night death metal talk with a friend of mine many years ago and it always stuck in my head as being particularly inventive and memorable. Musically, it springs from inspiration guided by my early love for thrash and heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden, Kreator, Megadeth, Metallica, etc. as I wanted to capture and evoke the aura and spirit that those bands stirred up in my young psyche with their adventurous, legendary songwriting, especially when it came to some of their more extended, and epic song passages. For a long time it did exist as the instrumental version. After Matt's departure from the band and new vocalist Will Smith coming on board, we all spoke about the idea of perhaps adding lyrics to the song; while I might have been slightly hesitant at first, Will presented ideas to the band that coincided with my own personal interpretations that were a perfect fit for the song and honestly too good to ignore just for the sake of keeping the track strictly instrumental."
 
Adds Smith, "This song was originally written as an instrumental, but when I heard it I could imagine classic Afterbirth vocal patterns and easily convinced the guys to let me write and record the song's vocal mix. I'm very proud that it ended up being used on the album. Like most of the album, the song title and concept were established before I joined and I just wrote the lyrics based on my band mate's ideas. Most of the visuals and narrative are based on the flashback scenes from The Exorcist II and Exorcist: The Beginning which explored that back story further."

The Time Traveler's Dilemma - set for release on July 28th on CD, digital, and vinyl formats - was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joseph Cincotta at Full Force Studios (Suffocation, Dehumanized, Mortal Decay) and comes sheathed in the cover art of Kishor Haulenbeek (Black Harvest). The vinyl edition was mastered by James Plotkin (Old, Scorn, Khanate). As an extra bonus, Frank Rini (Internal Bleeding) performs backing vocals on the track, "Timeless Formless".

Preorders for The Time Traveler's Dilemma are currently available at this location. 

Among the earliest purveyors of brutal death metal, Afterbirth was forged on Long Island, New York during the summer of 1993. The following year, the band released the Psychopathic Embryotomy studio demo which has since become something of a cult-like classic among the extreme metal underground. Due to various issues among its members however, Afterbirth disbanded shortly thereafter the recording.

After a near-20-year hiatus however, the band reunited in 2012 and began composing new material for an unknowable future and a then as-yet untitled debut. It became immediately apparent that the creative magic among the Afterbirth members remained - it had never left - resulting in some of their heaviest and most dynamic material to date.

Not only was the music heavier and far more aggressive than it had been during the band's initial short-lived run, but new elements like progressive metal, space rock, jazz, and noise began to rise to the surface of their song writing. Following a 2014 demo and 2015's Maggots In Her Smile EP, Afterbirth is set to release their debut withThe Time Traveler's Dilemma, an otherworldly combination of sounds that shift between the discordant and the melodious; the alluring and the disfigured; the eccentric and the methodical.

Heavy, complex guitar work; atypically inspired bass rumblings; skillful, fast, and tastefully groovy drums/percussion; otherworldly growls from beyond known dimensions of time and space... All of this and more combine to form the basis of Afterbirth's current musical output. While the subject matter doesn't stray too far from what some might call "typical" of the death metal genre - murderous grotesqueries, pain, and horrors unimaginable still certainly abound - the band's vision has expanded far beyond the classic death metal template to include ideas and archetypes found in philosophical, religious, and scientific fiction/horror literature. "Just as our musical prowess had strengthened and amplified over the years," notes the band, "so had our desires to express ourselves lyrically and conceptually. Gore and mutilated fetuses are always great and rich subject matter but we've all branched out and discovered other avenues of knowledge and inspiration we wanted to explore within the framework of the band."

The Time Traveler's Dilemma tracklisting:

"Eternal Return"
"Maggots In Her Smile"
"Drills And Needles"
"Discarded Astral Body"
"Multiverse Dimentia"
"The Time Traveler's Dilemma I"
"Sifting Through The Sands Of The Unholy"
"Timeless Formless"
"Transcendental Object At The End Of History"
"Devouring The Hungry Ghost"
"Time Travelers Dilemma II"

"Sifting Through The Sands Of The Unholy":

"Drills And Needles":

"Maggots In Her Smile":

The Time Traveler's Dilemma by Afterbirth

Afterbirth is:

Cody Drasser - guitars
David Case - bass
Keith Harris - drums
Will Smith - vocals

Legendary guitarist Steve Howe will add a second volume to his Anthology series this summer with an upcoming collection that highlights his key contributions to groups like Yes and Asia, while also rounding up his numerous collaborations with musicians like Paul Sutin and Oliver Wakeman.

On July 21st, Rhino will release Anthology 2: Groups And Collaborations as a physical three-CD set designed by Roger Dean and digital equivalent. The collection spans more than 50 years of Howe’s prolific career with 56 tracks that mix hits with a generous selection of unreleased recordings, including several with Keith West, who was Howe’s bandmate in Tomorrow and The In Crowd.

 Starting with his work in the mid-Sixties, the collection opens with songs that Howe recorded during brief tenures with bands like The Syndicats (“Maybellene,” 1964), The In Crowd (“Blow Up,” 1967), Tomorrow (“Revolution,” 1968) and Bodast (“Nothing To Cry For,” 1969).

As you would expect, Anthology 2 is packed with many of Howe’s memorable contributions to Yes and Asia, two of the world’s most successful progressive-rock bands. Hits like Yes’ “Roundabout” and Asia’s “Heat Of The Moment” are featured along with rarities like “Montreux’s Theme,” a song Yes recorded during sessions for Going for the One (1977), and “Masquerade” a previously unreleased tune by Asia.

 The collection also touches on Howe’s stint in GTR, the supergroup he founded in 1986 with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. Featured here is “When The Heart Rules The Mind,” a song from GTR’s only album to date. Also included is “Brother Of Mine,” a song he recorded in 1989 with former Yes members: Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford and Rick Wakeman. The Steve Howe Trio, a jazz band he started with his son Dylan on drums, is represented by: “Kenny’s Sound” and “Sweet Thunder.”

The set’s final disc explores some of Howe’s many musical collaborations through the years, including songs he recorded with Fish of the band Marillion (“Time And A Word,” 1993), keyboardist Oliver Wakeman (“The Forgotten King,” 2001) and Paul Sutin (“Voyager,” 1995). In addition, more than a dozen of Howe’s unreleased collaborations will make their debut on Anthology 2.

Tracklisting:

CD1
“Maybellene” – The Syndicats
“On The Horizon” – The Syndicats
“Finger Poppin’” – The In Crowd
“Blow Up” – The In Crowd
“You’re On Your Own” – The In Crowd
“My White Bicycle” – Tomorrow
“Claramount Lake” – Tomorrow
“Revolution” – Tomorrow
“Why” – Tomorrow
“The Spanish Song” – Canto
“Beyond Winter” – Bodast
“Nothing To Cry For” – Bodast
“Roundabout” – Yes
“Montreux’s Theme” – Yes
“Tempus Fugit” – Yes
“Heat Of The Moment” – Asia
“One Step Closer” – Asia
“Lying To Yourself” – Asia
“Masquerade” – Asia *
“When The Heart Rules The Mind” – GTR
“Toe The Line” – GTR

CD2
“Brother Of Mine” – Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
“Dangerous” – (Backing Track) Yes
“Without Hope You Cannot Start The Day” – (Backing Track) Yes
“Bring Me To The Power” – Yes
“From The Balcony” – Yes
“Nine Voices (Longwalker)” – Yes
“We Agree” – Yes
“Kenny’s Sound” – Steve Howe Trio
“Sweet Thunder” – Steve Howe Trio
“Wish I’d Known All Along” – Asia
“Over And Over” – Asia
“Through My Veins” – Asia
“Light The Way” – Asia
“Hour Of Need” – (Long Version) Yes
“Reno (Silver And Gold)” – Asia
“Believe Again” – Yes

CD3
“Traveller” – Billy Currie
“Time And A Word” – Fish
“Sweet Eternity” – Paul Sutin and Steve Howe
“Voyager” – Paul Sutin and Steve Howe
“Lily’s In The Field” – Paul Sutin and Steve Howe
“Turn Of The Century” – Steve Howe and Annie Haslam
“Forgotten King” – Oliver Wakeman and Steve Howe
“Most Of A Man” – Dean Dyson and Steve Howe *
“Cross That Bridge” – Keith West and Steve Howe *
“Heaven” – Keith West and Steve Howe *
“Strange Girl” – Keith West and Steve Howe *
“Luxury Of Love” Keith West and Steve Howe *
“Curved Ball” – Keith West and Steve Howe *
“Running In The Human Race” – Max Bacon and Steve Howe *
“Hot Touch” – Max Bacon and Steve Howe *
“Runaway” – Max Bacon and Steve Howe *
“Forever” – Max Bacon and Steve Howe *
“Tell The Story” – Max Bacon and Steve Howe *
“Slim Pickins’” – Ray Fenwick and Steve Howe *

*previously unreleased

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM will release their seventh album, "Two Paths", on September 15 via Metal Blade Records. Produced by Anssi Kippo, the disc was recorded on tape, for a true analog experience.

The first single from the album, "For Those About To Fight For Metal", can be streamed below. You can't talk about the true greats of folk-inspired melodic death metal without reverent mention of ENSIFERUM, and with "Two Paths", they once more affirm their place in the pantheons of the genre. Further building upon the thrilling metallic hybrid honed across six full-lengths, "Two Paths" is simultaneously the Finnish quintet's most epic and far-reaching collection and their most organic, which definitely sets it apart from the pack. Additionally, the album literally takes the concept of "Two Paths" to heart, with two different versions of standout tracks "Don't You Say" and "God Is Dead".

"Even though ENSIFERUM has always had clean vocals and choirs, harsh vocals have been the main style, and those songs worked so well with both styles that we decided to include both versions," explains bassist/vocalist Sami Hinkka. With Mikko P. Mustonen again handling orchestral arrangements and Lassi Logren returning to play nyckelharpa and violin on a few songs, Hinkka is also more than happy that they brought "more bombastic orchestral and down to earth folk aspects" to the record, further fleshing out their vision. This also applies to the contribution of Gyula Havancsak, who provided the artwork for both "Two Paths" and its predecessor, "One Man Army". "It was really nice to work with him again because he always wants to hear our ideas and then he adds his own magic and improvements to them, and the result is always astonishing," says Hinkka.

"Two Paths" track listing

01. Ajattomasta Unesta02. For Those About To Fight For Metal03. Way Of The Warrior04. Two Paths05. King Of Storms06. Feast With Valkyries07. Don't You Say08. I Will Never Kneel09. God Is Dead10. Hail To The Victor11. Unettomaan Aikaan12. God Is Dead (Alternative Version) 13. Don't You Say (Alternative Version)

From September 27 onward, ENSIFERUM will present "Two Paths" live on stage, splitting their European tour into two parts. The first part will be in September with six dates in three countries, and then in April 2018 there will be an extended tour through many more European countries. In between that time, ENSIFERUM will visit all other continents.

ENSIFERUM is:

Petri Lindroos - Vocals/GuitarMarkus Toivonen - Guitar/VocalsSami Hinkka - Bass/VocalsJanne Parviainen - DrumsNetta Skog - Digital Accordion/Backing vocals

Six weeks prior to releasing the upcoming album Vagabond, Israeli/Norwegian prog-rockers Subterranean Masquerade has released the lyric-video for the first single of the album. The song, chosen as the video-appetizer for the album, is "Nomad", which is the second track of the upcoming opus.

Tomer Pink (guitars) comments: 

"‘Nomad’ is one of the earliest tracks written for Vagabond. It's heavy, progressive, mixing all the elements from which this album is made of and kicks ass live. The lyrics tell the story of visiting a faraway place, trying to run away from inside demons until eventually facing them. 

The lyric video was created with the talent of the gifted Rafael Ortega, who has perfectly captured the feelings of the song, in the visual art.

Signed to the Swedish label Vicisolum Records (Persefone, Loch Vostok) for a two album deal, Vagabond is set for release on September 1st.
 
Subterranean Masquerade features members of Orphaned Land and Green Carnation, and is one of the most exciting ethnic-influenced prog-artists to emerge from the underground layer these days. It's prog-rock, but it's also psychedelic ‘70s metal. It's "Jesus Christ Superstar" but it's also Israeli folklore and traditional heavy metal - all wrought through the grinder and delivered perfectly by a bunch of very talented musicians.

The album was mixed by Christer Andre Cederberg (Anathema, Tristania, etc.) and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The artwork was created by Ben Danzig and Travis Smith.

Tracklisting:

“Place For Fairytales”
“Nomad”
“Waves”
“Carousal”
“Kippur”
“Daled Bavos”
“As You Are”
“Hymn Of The Vagabond”
“Space Oddity” (David Bowie cover)

“Nomad” lyric video:

The brand new Maryann Cotton music video for the single “Gallows Pole” is out now. The song is available on Spotify and iTunes.

“Gallows Pole” was written for Patriot Pictures and the upcoming Al Pacino film Hangman. The song reached #2 on the Danish Rock Chart and #8 on the iTunes Hot 100. 

The new band lineup:

Maryann Cotton
Hal Patino
Sebastian Sly
Joel Korpela

On September 15th, Germany's Cripper will release their new album Follow Me: Kill! worldwide via Metal Blade Records. First single, “Pressure” is streaming below, and the record can be preordered at Metal Blade in the following formats:

 

--Digipak CD (EU exclusive)

--CD

--180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)

--Yellow orange vinyl (limited to 200 copies)

--Cool grey marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies)

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

 

Follow Me: Kill! is Cripper's fifth album, and it adds fresh, exciting elements into their music. Still, the band never forgets where they come from and stay true to themselves within the frames of musical progression. The result is an effort that maintains the heaviness and groove the band is known for, while also containing atmospheric parts, capably realized and granting diversity.

 

Cripper comments: "Taking a different approach with the way of songwriting this time really paid off! The overall atmospheric curve was laid down for the whole album before we even started writing. It turned out to be a great idea - we were able to create a strong density throughout the album, while the songs are more diverse than ever. A heavy, intense piece of genre-stretching metal music!"

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Pressure”

“Into The Fire”

“World Coming Down” (limited digipak only)

“Mother”

“Shoot Or Get Shot”

“Bleeding Red”

“Comatose”

“Pretty Young Thing”

“Running High”

“Menetekel”

 

“Pressure”:

 

 

Cripper live:

 

July

29 – Coburg, Germany – Summerblast Festival

 

September

2 – Kleinwenkheim, Germany – Bonebreaker Festival

15 – Hannover, Germany – Subkultur (album release show)

 

October

20 – Greifswald, Germany – Jugendzentrum Klex

21 – Hannover, Germany – LUX

22 – Koln, Germany – MTC

27 – Markneukirchen, Germany – Music Hall

28 – Berlin, Germany – Cassiopeia

 

December

9 – Andernach, Germany – JUZ Andernach 

Eight years after melodic death/folk metal masters Eluveitie released their acoustic album Evocation I, the Swiss musicians have stored their electronic instruments again in the rehearsal room. Evocation II - Pantheon will be released August 18th via Nuclear Blast Records. An official “In The Studio” video trailer is available for streaming below.

Get your physical copy of the album here. Purchase “Epona” instantly or pre-order the digital version of the new album here.

Tracklisting:

“Dureððu”
“Epona”
“Svcellos II (Sequel)”
“Nantosvelta”
“Tovtatis”
“Lvgvs”
“Grannos”
“Cernvnnos”
“Catvrix”
“Artio”
“Aventia”
“Ogmios”
“Esvs”
“Antvmnos”
“Tarvos II (Sequel)”
“Belenos”
“Taranis”
“Nemeton”

In The Studio trailer:

“Epona” video:

The Story Of “Epona” video:

(Photo - Manuel Vargas)

The third trailer for "The Rise Of Chaos", the new album from German/American metallers ACCEPT, can be seen below. The disc will be released on August 4 via Nuclear Blast.

ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann told Spain's MariskalRock TV about "The Rise Of Chaos": "It was recorded by the same team as the last three albums — it was Andy Sneap producing and Mark Tornillo on vocals and Peter Baltes [bass] and myself in the band. We have two new members, but other than that, it was recorded and written exactly the same way as all the other previous three albums. [It was] recorded mainly in Nashville, mixed in England. And, yeah, we took all of last year to write the songs, and I think it sounds [like] typical ACCEPT."

Regarding the "The Rise Of Chaos" title, Wolf said: "The title just seemed to come out of nowhere. It really seems to fit the times that we live in. It really means the world is getting more and more chaotic, and that's what we feel like. So when we had the [title track], it seemed to just fit the times that we live in. It's not really about any chaos in particular, but if you look at politics nowadays, there's chaos; if you look at the global warming or the climate change, that's chaotic; or a lot of the Syrian crisis and the refugees in the world, there's so much chaos around us. So that's what it is about."

Hoffmann told Finland's Kaaos TV that ACCEPT's goal is to continue writing music as if it sounded like it was created thirty years ago. "Absolutely, and if you want it to sound like it sounded back then, you've gotta use what you know worked back then," he said. "That's how we've been doing it back then, so we're doing it still the exact same way. I want it to sound somewhat old-school and '80s, only with a modern touch and modern sound, fresh ideas and all of that. But, really, the core of the music should be like back in the '80s."

The cover artwork for "The Rise Of Chaos" was created by the Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák and can be seen below.

The follow-up to 2014's "Blind Rage" is the first ACCEPT album to feature the band's latest additions, guitarist Uwe Lulis (GRAVE DIGGER, REBELLION) and drummer Christopher Williams.

ACCEPT parted ways with guitarist Herman Frank and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann in December 2014.

In a brand new interview with Forbes, Lars Ulrich was asked which drummer he would hypothetically want to play in METALLICA while he watched. "That would probably have to be Phil Rudd from AC/DC," Lars responded. "If I could hear Phil Rudd play 'Enter Sandman' or something like that in his pocket, his groove, that would be awesome."

Ulrich's latest comments echo those he made back in May when he told Baltimore radio station 98 Rock that he would pick Rudd to take over behind the kit for METALLICA if he was no longer able to play drums in the band. "He's been probably my main, biggest source of inspiration when we did the turn-away from the super-progressive stuff, the crazy stuff after 'Justice', when we got into the 'black album' and the 'Load' stuff, when it got a little more about the bounce and the riffs and the feel and the groove and all that," Lars said. "Phil Rudd, he's the top of that pyramid. Hearing Phil Rudd play behind James [Hetfield], that'd be pretty cool."

Asked by 98 Rock if he could imagine a scenario where one member of METALLICA could no longer go on and the other three had to decide whether to continue with a replacement, Ulrich answered: "I think a lot of it would have to be under what the circumstances were… If somebody leaves, it's hard for me to imagine that we would not go, 'You know, we've had a great ride for thirty-five years.' But if somebody encourages the other three guys to continue, or there's an injury... I'm just saying you never know what the circumstances are."

METALLICA has had relatively few personnel changes in its 36-year career. The band replaced guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney with Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton in its early days, while Burton's death in 1986 led to the hiring of Jason Newsted.

That lineup remained stable until Newsted's exit in 2001, but with the addition of Robert Trujillo in 2003 the band roster has been the same for fourteen years and counting.

As for Ulrich's hand-picked replacement, Rudd was ousted from AC/DC in late 2014 after being arrested in his adopted home of New Zealand on charges of drug possession and threatening to kill.

He has since gone through therapy and rehab and has expressed interest in returning to AC/DC, but has been recently touring behind his solo debut, "Head Job".

The North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" trek will hit stadiums in nine more cities before ending in mid-August.

The next stop on the tour is Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Wednesday, July 19.