United Rock Nations recently conducted an interview with former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER frontman Udo Dirkschneider. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether the DIRKSCHNEIDER tour, during which he performed nothing but ACCEPT songs, influenced the musical direction of the new U.D.O. album, "Steelfactory":

Udo: "I would say, and I'll be honest, I think yes. I mean, if you are on tour, let's say, for maybe three years doing nearly three hundred shows and play only ACCEPT songs, of course, it's definitely an influence and also a feeling if you start songwriting. But I don't have a problem with this. [Laughs]"

On the recent departure of guitarist Bill Hudson and temporary return of Stefan Kaufmann:

Udo: "We had a problem with a session guitar player for the second time. Bill Hudson was not the right guy for us. He was not a team player. He was not interested in songwriting and recording the album. It was a little bit strange situation. And then, after the American tour, we said, 'Okay. Sorry, guy, but this doesn't work with us.' And then I don't wanna have another — how do you say this? — quick looking for a guitar player. And then I was calling Stefan Kaufmann. I mean, we never had any bad things going on, a bad relationship, and I asked Stefan if it was maybe possible to help us out on the festivals. And he said, 'Yes. No problem. But I don't wanna join the band anymore. I'll just help you out until the festivals are over with DIRKSCHNEIDER.' And now we have time enough to look for a new guitar player, and I think the end of August, beginning of September, we can announce a new guitar player. We are still doing auditions. There are, let's say, four guitar players left, and then we will have to make our decision who will be the next guitar player."

"Steelfactory" will be released on August 31 via AFM.

Kaufmann originally left U.D.O. in September 2012 for health reasons.

He was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band's initial run after sustaining a serious injury to his back.

Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT's second breakup, and recorded nine albums with them, including his most recent release with the group, 2011's "Rev-Raptor".


In addition to Udo and his son Sven (drums), the DIRKSCHNEIDER and U.D.O. bands include bassist Fitty Wienhold and guitarist Andrey Smirnov.

Dirkschneider has spent the last two years touring under the DIRKSCHNEIDER banner, performing classic ACCEPT songs for the last time. The trek, which was originally supposed to conclude with the band's North American run in January/February 2017, has now been extended through the fall of 2018.

U.S. doom lords Northern Crown will release their self-titled sophomore album on October 12th. The band has sharpened the approach on the forthcoming full-length, combining more dirty rock organ and chunky guitar riffs with their trademark doom-isms. Following up on their debut album The Others, their self-titled sophomore release maintains the smoke and mirrors of the first EP In The Hands of The Betrayer but leans more in the direction of the first record and the band's oldest rock influences - Dio, Rainbow, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath.

Northern Crown handled mixing on their own again, but brought in the mastering talents of Tony Lindgren from Sweden's Fascination Street Studios (Witchcraft, Enslaved, Amorphis) for the final touches. Artwork by prolific artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Death) captures the album's winding atmosphere, rounding out the release.

Reflecting the uncertainty of the dark times we exist in at the moment, Northern Crown tackles the difficult subject of how well we really know ourselves and how that shapes what we do and become. Echoing their previous releases' indulgent 10-minute+ epics, the track, "The Desert and The Wind," nods to the prog-heads, while the band also includes a glowing tribute to My Dying Bride with a full cover of "Your River." The record also introduces a lineup change, with vocalist and guitarist Frank Serafine handling drums. Weaponlord's mighty Leona Hayward returns on bass, backing Zachary Randall's guitar alchemy and harsh vocals. Solos from Nightfall/Dark Hound lead shred-monster Evan Hensley punctuate the record.

Tracklisting:

“I Am Your Slave”
“Merciless, They Let You Suffer”
“Forged From Nothing”
“Chasing The Sun”
“The Desert And The Wind”
“Righteous & Pure”
“By Demons Bidden”
“Your River”

Unleashing their debut album The Rising World this past June on Rockshots Records, Romanian/Swedish symphonic power metallers Crossing Eternity have a new video to share with fans. Check out a lyric video for “High Above The Crown” below.

The Rising World blends elements of modern metal with psychedelic soundscapes alluding to the innocence of the ‘70s rock music. The album contains thirteen epic songs, widely varied in composition and arrangement. The lyrics are a natural extension of this musical experience and they are tales of a spiritual journey. At times they talk about the invisible side of the world, other times they speak of fairy tale magic characters. Human nature and the causal dynamic of human interactions are also among the approached topics.

In regards to recording of the album, singer Berti Barbera says: 

“Recording this album was the most challenging vocal experience of my life. It brought back the times me and Manu were playing in a rock band, with all the jokes and high energy. The serious effort made me use a lot of techniques and ways of expression I thought I lost or never use again. This is a great achievement and definitely our best work together in a time I stopped believing in magic. There is something cosmos related in this, it must be. I can’t wait to be on stage with these guys.”

Manu Savu (Guitar/ Bass/ Keyboards) also reflects on the album: 

"I wrote the music for this album as an introspective journey, like a confession, a deep soul search, a backward connection, a connection with the almost unseen world of metaphors and symbols, an essential part of our existence. It's an act of honesty, a musical statement about what we can and cannot see, a story between the tangible and the magical world.”

UK black metal outfit Crimson Throne have launched a first track from their forthcoming debut album Of Void & Solitude, which is set for release on October 19th via Apocalyptic Witchcraft. The cassette version will also be released in the US via Red River Family Records on the same date. Listen to "Sightless Remnants" below.

Of Void & Solitude will be available on vinyl, CD, digital and cassette formats. Pre-order here.

The album was recorded & mixed by Misha Hering at Holy Mountain Studios and mastered at Audiosiege by Brad Boatright (Beastmilk, Corrosion Of Conformity, Nails, Obituary, Yob).

Whilst the EP delved into subjects such as examples of human history akin to the Hegelian view of history as a slaughter bench, this album focuses on human suffering, pain & oppression, spanning across the ages of various cultures and their people.

Tracklisting:

"Beckoning"
"Dalit Lineage"
"Indignant Slumber"
"Blackened Sun"
"Scattered"
"Sightless Remnants"
"Ekur Calls"
"Ironsides"

"Sightless Remnants":

The band will be joining label mates From The Bogs Of Aughishka on their UK tour, launching August 16th in Manchester.

Crimson Throne lineup:

TH - Bass / Vocals
AM - Guitar / Vocals
DT - Guitar / Noise
DM - Drums / Percussion

In the official video below, Light The Torch (formerly known as Devil You Know) perform "Die Alone" at their very first live show at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY on July 9th:

Previously posted footage of the band performing "The Safety Of Disbelief", "Calm Before The Storm" and "The Bitter End" at the same show can be seen below:

 
Light The Torch will be touring with Trivium and Avatar in October and November.

October
3 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz Ybor
4 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theater
5 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
6 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
8 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts
9 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
11 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
12 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
13 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
14 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
16 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
17 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
19 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
20 - Sauget, IL - Pop's Nightclub
21 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
22 - St. Paul, MN - Myth Live
23 - Fargo, ND - Sanctuary
25 - Edmonton, AB - The Ranch Roadhouse
26 - Calgary, AB - The Palace Theater
28 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
29 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
30 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
31 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory

November
2 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
3 - Berkeley, CA - UC Theatre

Cleveland, Ohio-based metal veterans MUSHROOMHEAD will release their new DVD, "Volume III" — the follow-up "Volume 1" (2005) and "Volume 2" (2008) — tomorrow, August 17. The DVD features over 90 minutes of new material, including stunning new music videos, backstage antics, and exclusive never-seen-before content.


Following up on their terrifying, cinema-quality music video for the alternate version of MUSHROOMHEAD's track "We Are The Truth" (which has garnered over 1.7 million views since its release in early July), the band is thrilled to reveal another new music video cut from "Volume III" and its most recent album, "The Righteous & The Butterfly", this time for the track "Devils Be Damned". Watch the video below.


The clip is a complete DIY production filmed on location at the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio — known as one of the most haunted buildings in the country and the main setting of the 1994 cinematic classic "The Shawshank Redemption", starring Hollywood legends Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.


In a recent interview with Ultimate Guitar, MUSHROOMHEAD producer/drummer/founder Steve "Skinny" Felton explained: "'Devils Be Damned' [was filmed at] the Mansfield Prison [Ohio State Reformatory] which is also the prison where the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption' was filmed. So there's a cool backstory there. There's a scene [in the video] where the little girl is crawling through the tunnel — that's the same tunnel that Tim Robbins crawled through at the end of the movie; you know, the whole 'Andy Dufresne who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side' line — that's the same tunnel she crawled through."

MUSHROOMHEAD will headline the inaugural edition of the "Summer Of Screams Tour" presented by Scream Factory and Dread Central. Joining MUSHROOMHEAD on the tour will be POWERMAN 5000 (on select dates), THE BROWNING, PSYCHOSTICK (on select dates), KISSING CANDICE, UNSAID FATE, VOODOO TERROR TRIBE (on select dates), and EARTH CALLER (on select dates).

The "Summer Of Screams Tour" will run for 25 shows across North America, beginning on August 17 and running until September 15.

MUSHROOMHEAD's March 17 concert at Music Lynxx in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio marked the band's first appearance with new vocalist Steve Rauckhorst (bassist of PITCH BLACK FORECAST) and guitarist Tommy "Tankx" Shaffner (also of VENTANA).

Guitarist Tommy Church announced his departure from MUSHROOMHEAD on March 9. The musician had been with the band since 2012.

Church made his recording debut with MUSHROOMHEAD on the band's eighth studio album, "The Righteous & The Butterfly", which was released in May 2014 via Megaforce Records.

Church's exit from MUSHROOMHEAD came only a day after co-vocalist Jeffrey Nothing, also known as Jeff Hatrix (born Jeffrey Lewis Hetrick), said he was leaving the Cleveland, Ohio metal band he co-founded in 1993 with Felton.

New York hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL will release their twelfth studio album, "Wake The Sleeping Dragon!", on November 2. The follow-up to 2014's "The Last Act Of Defiance" was produced by Jerry Farley (EVERY TIME I DIE, DEMON HUNTER) and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED, MADBALL). The cover artwork was created by Ernie Parada and can be seen below.

"Wake The Sleeping Dragon!" fearures guest appearances by RISE AGAINST vocalist/guitarist Tim McIlrath and HOT WATER MUSIC frontman Chuck Ragan.

Working with friends is one of the key factors that are very important to SICK OF IT ALL, so asking Parada for the striking front cover was an obvious choice. "There is no reason to burn bridges in this business," says drummer drummer Armand Majidi. "Our history with Ernie Parada goes back to the late eighties, so working with him, there is a kinship that makes things easier to communicate."

Singer Lou Koller and Parada came up with the idea of doing monster-movie styled art as the cover. "The dragon climbing the Empire State was a concept I always wanted to see brought to life, so the two ideas were destined to come together this way," Lou says.

SICK OF IT ALL and Tue Madsen, who mixed and mastered "Wake The Sleeping Dragon!", have maintained a long-lasting relationship based on understanding, friendship and most importantly, good results — three factors any band would be very happy with. Jerry Farley also became a very important part of the creation of this album. After working with him at Nova Studios in Staten Island, New York, they went for a closer approach on this album. "This is the first time we've ever had a producer involved from start to finish, including the songwriting process," the band says. "His objective viewpoints helped settle a lot of little issues that could have easily become stumbling blocks, and the songs themselves ended up benefitting from them."

SICK OF IT ALL's latest release was the "When The Smoke Clears" EP, which came out in November 2016 via Century Media Records.

We are very excited to finally show you the cover of our new album “Wake The Sleeping Dragon!”. Another great piece of art by our friend Ernie Parada. The album is set for release on November 2nd and we can’t wait for all of you to hear it. In the meantime we are kicking off another European run at Summer Breeze festival tomorrow, Friday August 17th. See you soon!!! Here are the dates: 17.08.18 (DE) Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze 18.08.18 (DE) Trier - Summer Blast 19.08.18 (DE) Rostock - MAU Club 21.08.18 (PL) Poznan - Klub U Bazyla 22.08.18 (DE) Magdeburg - Factory 23.08.18 (DE) Lindau - Club Vaudeville 24.08.18 (DE) Wörrstadt - Neuborn Open Air 25.08.18 (DE) Sulingen - Reload Festival 26.08.18 (NL) Amsterdam - Melkweg #sickofitallnyc #sickofitall #NYHC #hardcorepunk #newalbum #centurymedia #thrash #metal #hardcoreworldwide A post shared by Sick Of It All (@sickofitallnyc) on Aug 16, 2018 at 7:52am PDT

Without question, AC/DC is one of the greatest rock bands in history. Their mammoth power chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock sounds of the '70s and is synonymous to rock culture to this day. It continues to be one of the defining sounds of rock and metal, and combined with the larynx-shredding vocals of Bon Scott (1974 - 1980) and Brian Johnson (1980+), the band enjoyed commercial success well into the 2000s, even up until 2016 selling out stadium shows across the globe.


"Let There Be Rock – Orchestrated" is a world first and brings to light a unique production scale that brings the thunderstruck sounds of AC/DC in to a world all of its own, featuring a line-up of some of the world's best rockers coming together to form a super group and backed by a 30-piece symphony orchestra to power out the biggest sound ever created! As previously announced, this unique concert event will hit four stages in Australia this year in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Thirroul.


The team behind "Let There Be Rock" is pleased to announce that next year, on January 19, 2019, "Let There Be Rock – Orchestrated" will bring down the house at the one and only currently scheduled U.S. event, taking place at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles (just before the 2019 NAMM show).


Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.


A VIP meet-and-greet is also available to attendees and can be purchased via the Eventbrite link above. The meet-and-greet will take place post-show and will include a photo op with the entire all-star band, plus early entry into the theater for prime viewing position selection!


At "Let There Be Rock" attendees will hear the full orchestrated rock arrangements of many AC/DC classics, including "Highway To Hell", "You Shook Me All Night", "T.N.T.", "Whole Lotta Rosie" and so many more in this two-hour concert production. Imagine "Back in Black", the seminal anthem of generations, with the power of the 30-piece symphony orchestra conducted by Australia's most celebrated conductor — George Ellis, behind one of the most rocking super bands assembled!


Titled in recognition of AC/DC's fourth Australian album released in 1977, "Let There Be Rock – Orchestrated" will feature all the hits from AC/DC's career from both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras. With a second-to-none lineup featuring AC/DC and DIO's own Simon Wright, ex-JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus, CHEAP TRICK drummer Daxx Nielsen, former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke, WHITESNAKE bassist Michael Devin, THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP guitarist Doug Rappoport, UGLY KID JOE vocalist Whitfield Crane, YouTube guitar phenomenon Fillipo "Solo Dallas" Olivieri, guitar legend Joel McDonald, former bassist for ARIA Hall Of Famers THE ANGELS James Morley, and buzzworthy powerhouse rock vocalist Cynthia Gallie on lead vocals, this show will prove to be one of the most exciting rock 'n' roll events to hit Los Angeles next year.

For more information, visit www.letthereberockorchestrated.com.

Pennsylvania metal band Tallah have released a video for the single "Cottonmouth" off of their self released No One Should Read This EP. The video, directed by Tallah's very own Max Portnoy, is the follow-up to Tallah's debut single and video "Placenta" which was released last month. See both clips below.

"We purposely went with the most extreme song on the EP for our latest video... and the video is just as brutal visually as the song is musically." - Tallah

Purchase the No One Should Read This EP here.

Tracklisting:

"Kungan"
"Placenta"
"We, The Sad"
"Cottonmouth"
"Red Light"

"Cottonmouth" video:

"Placenta" video:

The band has announced tour dates with A Killer's Confession and New Fiction that begins August 19th at Hot Rocks in Warren, MI, and concludes on September 16th in Reading, PA.

GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier has confirmed to Metal Injection that the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2016's "Magma" album. "We started to write new stuff maybe about a year ago," he said. "Seven months ago we started to jam, especially my brother [Mario, drums] and I, and maybe the other guys too, thinking that we're starting really, really early. By the time we think we're ready to record, we'll be ready.

"Turns out we're going a little deeper in the writing and maybe we're thinking too much sometimes," he continued. "We did 20 kind of demos, songs, ideas. I can't say we have something yet. We're doing some research and more than before. Usually we write 12 songs and record 12 songs and release 12 songs. Now it looks like we're going to write 100 songs. It's a different approach and it's fun. We have new desires and a new way of doing things. I like to think it's going to be awesome. I feel it's going to be really exciting, for us at least. I don't know what people are going to think."

According to Joseph, GOJIRA is planning to explore some new territory on the upcoming album. "I want to go back to some of the older influences that we have," he said. "We were always not a death metal band. Before that, I was a DIRE STRAITS fan, Michael Jackson. We have that in us and some progressive stuff too. We have all these things and we need to express that somehow, mixed with our own special sauce. We're working with stuff that sometimes is a bit surprising, even to us. Sometimes it's, like, 'What is this?' I don't know, let it sleep a little bit and go back to it. After this, we're going to go back into the studio and see what's going on."

In 2016, GOJIRA's "Magma" staked its claim among the best albums of the year, earning Metal Hammer's coveted "Album Of The Year" title while also landing on Rolling Stone's "Top 20 Metal Albums of 2016," Consequence Of Sound's "Top 50 Albums of 2016" / "Top 10 Metal Albums of 2016" lists, and Pop Matters's "Best Metal of 2016" recap. Additionally, "Stranded", the lead single off "Magma", was named one of Stereogum's "100 Favorite Songs Of 2016." "Magma" also earned GOJIRA their first-ever Grammy nominations for "Best Metal Performance" and "Best Rock Album." GOJIRA's crushing track "Silvera" received a nomination for "Best Metal Performance", while "Magma" was nominated for "Best Rock Album" at the awards.


"Magma" took the #1 spot on Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart upon debut, making GOJIRA the first French band to hold the #1 spot on the chart in its nine-year existence. The release of "Magma" marked the highest chart debuts of GOJIRA's career, landing them at #4 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, #6 on Billboard's Tastemaker Albums chart and Top 25 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, GOJIRA earned career-high chart positions around the globe, including Top 10s in France, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Norway, with Top 15 debuts in Australia and Germany.

Last summer, GOJIRA was the support act on a number of North American dates on METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour.

Dutch metal legends Martyr have recruited Marcel den Breejen as their new guitar player.

Guitarist Rick Bouwman comments: “There has been an awful lot of response to our announcement last week that we were searching for a new axeman. It soon became apparent that Marcel den Breejen was the right candidate for the job. He has the skills, the background and the ambition that we demand for Martyr. Den Breejen picked up on our songs in no time. During the auditions he literally blew us through the roof. In our humble opinion, Marcel isn’t just a replacement but an improvement that upgrades the band to an invincible force. His background as multi instrumentalist and composer will support us in our path and plans. Welcome to Martyr 2.0!”

Den Breejen responds: “After leaving my previous band Persistense a few months back, I figured it was time to explore other options. I had seen Martyr perform live several times and I was impressed by their energetic performance. Their song material is just great and their Eighties style with modern touches is exactly my piece of cake: grooving riffs, killer solo’s and a singer with a phenomenal voice and a ditto appearance. When the news broke that Martyr were searching for a new guitar player I took my chance and auditioned. The Martyr guys are relaxed and confident and I instantly felt comfortable, supported, encouraged and empowered to join the band. Within Martyr there’s a good atmosphere without any concessions, which appeals to me very much. There’s some good shows coming up so let’s rip it up and leave those venues smothered in ashes!”

Catch Martyr live:

September
15 - Bambi Galore - Hamburg, Germany (Spirit Of Metal Fest)

October
20 - Estrado - Harderwijk, Netherlands (Rocktober Fest)
27 - Baroeg - Rotterdam, Netherlands
    
November
17 - Vzw Stubborn Donkey - Kuurne, Belgium (Kuurne Metal Fest)

January
12 - Wieleman, Westervoort - Netherlands (No Sleep Till Wieleman)

March
9 - B58 - Braunschweig, Germany (Steel Held High Festival)

More Martyr festival and club shows to be announced soon.

HUNTRESS singer Jill Janus has died by suicide. She was only 43 years old.

Jill's family and bandmates have released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Jill Janus — frontwoman for the California heavy metal band HUNTRESS — passed away on Tuesday, August 14. A longtime sufferer of mental illness, she took her own life outside of Portland, Oregon. Janus spoke publicly about these challenges in hopes of guiding others to address and overcome their mental illness.

"Janus was a truly special creative involved with numerous musical projects including her role as vocalist for female metal/hard rock cover bands THE STARBREAKERS and CHELSEA GIRLS. In addition, Janus was co-composer and creator of an upcoming rock opera with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA's Angus Clark and had a decade-long career as NYC DJ Penelope Tuesdae. Her musical career began in childhood.

"Beyond her accomplishments in the music world and her advocacy for mental health issues, she was a beautiful person passionate about her family, animal rescue and the world of natural medicine. She will be missed more than she could have ever known.

"If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress."

Janus has been open over the years about her battles with not only mental illness, in the form of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder and alcoholism, but also physical illness in the form of cancer.

Jill told Psychology Today in a 2015 interview that she attempted suicide for the first time at the age of 16 "with a pair of scissors. I was getting mandatory counseling at school but didn't see a psychiatrist until I was 20," she said. "I was then diagnosed manic-depressive and participated in a medical study at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan."

Janus was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, telling Psychology Today: "I've always seen and heard things others couldn't. Many visions or dreams would manifest into reality, which my family and friends described as my 'psychic ability.' This caused more drama at school, being called a 'freak' and getting beaten up. When I was 17, the visions and encounters with 'other-worldly creatures' was almost a daily occurrence."

In a Revolver interview, Janus described how the schizoaffective disorder evolved into full schizophrenia, which affected her in her 20s and continued until her death. She said: I was suicidal constantly. I was very suicidal early on in my life. Then in my mid-20s, it shifted to full-blown mania, where I can't really remember much of my 20s. I can't remember anybody from high school, either. I lost my long-term memory and can't remember names, faces, or even places. We'll be at a venue on tour and [HUNTRESS guitarist] Blake [Meahl] will be, like, 'We've played here two times before,' but I'll have no recollection."

Janus was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2015 while HUNTRESS was working on its third album, "Static". She was eventually declared cancer-free after undergoing a hysterectomy.

"Static" was released in 2015 via Napalm Records.

"You Never Know", a brand new song from BEARTOOTH, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's third album, "Disease", which will be released on September 28 via Red Bull Records.

"Disease" was recorded at BlackBird studio in Franklin, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz (DEFTONES, KORN, FOO FIGHTERS). Vocalist Caleb Shomo told AltPress.com about the LP: "I would say sonic photo album is the best way to describe this record. I came up with the title and the whole concept in December of 2016. Realistically, I've been sitting on the idea of this album for a year and a half. I wrote the song 'Disease', about a month or two later. From there, it was really a process of taking all those songs of written over that year and a half and within two months, kind of like really narrowing it down and deciding what would fit best all together. This is the first record I made with a ton of time, and I think it shows because there's a kind of spectrum to this record.

"There are songs where I was kind of more in a chipper place, where I was feeling more melody-driven or just flat-out heavy metal," he continued. "It's a great depiction of what it's like to make a record over the course of a year and a half. 'Aggressive' was made in, what, two months? And I think you can hear that as well on this new record. Obviously, I don't hate it, but I feel it lacked the same dynamic the first record had, compared to this one. I'm just glad I achieved the dynamic I was going for."

"Disease" is described in a press release as "a painstaking, riff-driven examination of the unshakeable throes of depression. While there are moments of positivity, this isn't the sound of triumph. This is music about survival."

Roadrunner Records group COHEED AND CAMBRIA has unveiled a third new track from its highly anticipated new LP, "The Unheavenly Creatures". "The Gutter", an explosive six-minute operatic rock jam, can be streamed below.

"The Unheavenly Creatures" is a sprawling 15-track, 78-minute epic which finds COHEED AND CAMBRIA returning to the conceptual narrative of "The Amory Wars".

Set for release on October 5, the box set includes an exclusive 80-plus-page hardcover illustrated sci-fi novel with strikingly realistic color imagery by Chase Stone, as well as the complete "Act 1" novella written by frontman Claudio Sanchez and his wife, Chondra Echert. The set also houses a fully wearable hard-plastic mask of the main character in "The Unheavenly Creatures", a CD copy of the album, as well as the exclusive bonus album, "The Crown Heights Demos", showing the songs in their original written form. Additional items include a three-panel fold out poster of expanded album cover art, and "The Unheavenly Creatures Black Card" which will allow all card holders early access to tickets and early entry to COHEED AND CAMBRIA headline dates.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA recently released "The Unheavenly Creatures"' 10-minute prog manifesto, "The Dark Sentencer", which was leaked to fans by frontman Claudio Sanchez along with the opening paragraphs from the album's aforementioned novella.

"The Unheavenly Creatures" track listing:

01. Prologue

02. The Dark Sentencer

03. Unheavenly Creatures

04. Toys

05. Black Sunday

06. Queen Of The Dark

07. True Ugly

08. Love Protocol

09. The Pavilion (A Long Way Back)

10. Night-Time Walkers

11. The Gutter

12. All On Fire

13. It Walks Among Us

14. Old Flames

15. Lucky Stars

The third in a series of clips featuring backstage and behind-the-scenes footage from SEPULTURA's ongoing summer 2018 European tour can be seen below.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser confirmed to TotalRock Radio that the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2017's "Machine Messiah" album. "Already, me, Eloy [Casagrande, drums], Derrick [Green, vocals] and Paulo [Xisto Pinto Jr., bass], we have a few ideas, so we have where to start from — a few songs in demo version," he said at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. "And we still have to develop [them] and stuff. We don't still have a kind of a direction or a theme or something, but it's getting there. We still like to enjoy a lot the road, and we don't write that much on the road as a band. Yeah, it's going, but it's still early."

Kisser also talked about SEPULTURA's relationship with Nuclear Blast Records, with whom the band has been for nearly a decade. "It's amazing, man," he said. "They are a metal label, and there are people that are on the scene since the beginning, the early days. It's a label that never sold out. Many other labels sold out to bigger companies and bigger labels, you change personnel, you think more on the business side. I think Nuclear Blast has a perfect balance between believing in music — in metal and hardcore and punk — and having the business able to sustain everything… And you see how many artists now are with the label, which is great. It's a great place to be. We have total freedom and support to do our stuff and to work with the producers we want and the artists for the cover — everything. They're very supportive, and they believe in the band, which is everything we need. It's great."

"Machine Messiah" was released in January 2017. The disc was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Swedish producer Jens Bogren. The CD's cover artwork was created by Filipino artist Camille Della Rosa.

SEPULTURA's official documentary, "Sepultura Endurance", will tentatively be released on DVD and Blu-ray this fall.

DISTURBED will release its new album, "Evolution", on October 19. The official music video for the disc's first single, "Are You Ready", can be seen below. The clip was directed by Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober), who has previously worked with METALLICA, ALICE IN CHAINS, MASTODON and GREEN DAY, among others.

The band said in a statement: "It is with tremendous pride, joy, and anticipation that we look forward to sharing the next chapter in the creative life of DISTURBED with the world.

"This record is truly unique, and very special to us, and we can only hope that upon listening to it, that the world will feel the same.

"The record showcases the most adventurous and eclectic combination of musical styles and moods that we've ever attempted in our careers. Each song truly has its own identity, feel, and power.

"The writing and recording sessions that fostered this album were truly an emotional and magical experience for us, creating without boundaries or limitations, and simply going where each day's musical inspiration led us. Influenced by some of the great classic rock records of our youth, it is an experience unlike anything we’ve previously created.

"Its time is drawing near for the world to finally hear what is undoubtably the most daring record of our lives.

"Evolution is coming.

"Are you ready?"

"Evolution" track listing:

01. Are You Ready

02. No More

03. A Reason To Fight

04. In Another Time

05. Stronger On Your Own

06. Hold On To Memories

07. Savior of Nothing

08. Watch You Burn

09. Best Ones Lie

10. Already Gone

Deluxe edition bonus tracks:

11. The Sound Of Silence [live] (featuring Myles Kennedy)

12. This Venom

13. Are You Ready (Sam de Jong Remix)

14. Uninvited Guest

DISTURBED recently launched an online poll to ask fans which type of track should be unveiled as the first single from the new LP, with the choices being "Heavy" and "Ballad." Drummer Mike Wengren told El Paso, Texas radio station KLAQ about getting the public involved: "We were letting everybody know that this record has got a pretty big diverse amount of material on there, and we just wanted to know what their opinion was." He added that many fans were "leaning towards the heavy song."

Wengren also talked about the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2015's "Immortalized", saying: "This time around was a lot similar to when we did 'Immortalized'. For us, when the magic really happens is when we are in a room together and you can look each other in the eyes and you can see those reactions, you can feel together when the hair on the back of your neck stands up when there's something cool that was created. Years before that, we got a little bit away from that, because we don't live in the same states anymore, so it can be challenging to get together, especially with everyone's busy schedules. But we definitely realized how important that is for that live element of the chemistry coming together."

"We're a bit spread out," he continued. "John [Moyer, bass] is down in your neck of the woods. I know you're in El Paso, but he's down in Austin. David [Draiman, vocals], actually, recently moved from Austin to Honolulu — he's out in Hawaii with his family; his wife's family is from there, so they moved to be closer. And then I'm up in the Wisconsin area, outside of Milwaukee, and Dan [Donegan, guitar] is down in the Chicago area. So a lot of times what we'll do to get the jumpstart is I'll drive down to Dan's — he's got a home studio at his place — and we'll just start working on some music, and when we get a little bit of some stuff happening, we'll throw it David's way just to get his opinion. But then, ultimately, again, like I said, it's about us coming together in a room and hashing it all out, and, like I said, just letting that energy flow and getting the magical moments."

DISTURBED recently held an industry event where various record company people and radio personnel got to hear the band's forthcoming album, and the response was overwhelmingly positive, according to Wengren.

"For musicians, it's always a long, crazy process, 'cause from the moment you start a riff or a beat or a melody, and then once it develops into a full song, and then you go in and record it, it's a long process," he explained. "And the anticipation of being able to let the fans hear it and let people hear it and give their opinion, the longer it takes, the worse it feels. So it was really exciting for us to be able to finally let some people hear it, and especially getting those positive reactions was definitely reassuring. But, yeah, it was a lot of fun, and even more importantly now, to be here at the release date of the single coming up here, being able to let all the fans hear it, this is what it's all about."

Wengren said that DISTURBED is "definitely working" on putting together a tour in support of the upcoming album. "The last I heard is we're talking about doing a big U.S. run come January and February of '19," he said. "Nothing is in stone yet — we don't have any routing yet; nothing is solidified — but we're trying to put together something really big, and we wanna bring it to as many cities as we can. So once we get that finalized, hopefully we'll be able to announce some dates soon."

"Immortalized" ended a four-year hiatus for the quartet and was its fifth album to enter the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1. "Immortalized" featured the band's massive hit cover of SIMON & GARFUNKEL's "The Sound Of Silence".

Like "Immortalized", DISTURBED's new album was recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada with producer Kevin Churko.

DISTURBED only has one show on its schedule so far for the rest of 2018, at the Austin City Limits music festival on October 13 in Austin, Texas.

Photo by Travis Shinn

SINSAENUM, the extreme death metal project featuring DRAGONFORCE bassist Frédéric Leclercq and former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison, has released the official lyric video for the song "I Stand Alone". The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Repulsion For Humanity", which was released on August 10 via earMUSIC.

With the help of Francis Caste on mixing duties, SINSAENUM sharpened their own sonic identity, far from the typical death or modern metal sound.


The cover artwork, created by none other than Travis Smith, matches the radical, violent and angry approach of the album.


This autumn, SINSAENUM will be touring Europe for the first time since its formation. U.S. tour plans remain to be determined.


Last November, SINSAENUM released the EP "Ashes", with Metal Hammer Germany declaring it to be a "rad sign of life" and Metal Hammer U.K. taking it one step further, saying, "Take that form into the studio for the second full-length and we could have a classic on our hands."

"Echoes Of The Tortured", SINSAENUM's first album, was nominated as "Best Debut" by Metal Hammer Germany and was praised worldwide as one of the freshest and finest approaches to death metal.


With these impressive credentials, it is hard not to label SINSAENUM a supergroup, since it embodies the joint venture of Leclercq and Jordison. The rest of the band is of no less importance and credibility — Sean Zatorsky (DÅÅTH, vocals), Stephane Buriez (LOUDBLAST, guitar), Heimoth (SETH, bass) and Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, vocals) – all of which are well respected in their fields – complete the ensemble, making SINSAENUM the epitome of premium-level heavy metal.

Oakland-based thrash quintet CULTURAL WARFARE has unveiled the title track of its debut full-length album, "Warmageddon", due September 14 via M-Theory Audio. A lyric video, created by LVMP, can be seen below. In addition, fans who pre-order digital copies of "Warmageddon" via Amazon, iTunes and Bandcamp will receive the title track — as well as the previously released "Divided We Crawl" — as instant downloads. Physical copies are available for pre-order via the M-Theory Audio webshop.


Explains vocalist Jacques Serrano: "'Warmageddon' is loosely related to the song 'Future Kill' off our debut EP. It is a continuation of the demise of human religions, beliefs and overall way of life. Warmageddon is when the Blood Machines begin their brutal takeover of all humanity, erasing all symbols of the humans way of life. The world is being overwhelmed with technology and machines to where they treat the human race as cattle. Life as we knew it is over, and now humans must hide and hopefully prepare for a rebellion, but it is a time when it seems all that are left are the meek."


CULTURAL WARFARE has announced several West Coast performances to celebrate the release of "Warmageddon", including a pair of shows alongside EXMORTUS and HATCHET.


"Warmageddon" is the follow-up to the CULTURAL WARFARE 's 2017 debut EP "Future Kill", hailed by Metal Wani as "neck-breaking thrash." Recorded at California's Trident Studios with producer Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS) and mastered at Sweden's Fascination Street Studios by Jens Bogren (SEPULTURA, KREATOR), "Warmageddon" is a "look into the future" where a "new world chaos" reigns supreme, according to the band. The album's artwork was designed by Brian Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY).


Guitarist Billy Garoutte details the concept of "Warmageddon" further: "Decade after decade, humanity has been in constant battle. Now set in a post-apocalyptic time, there is a new form of humanity now known as the blood machines and the eye of the future that live off of what once was. The extinction of mankind has brought forth the Warmageddon and a new world order."


CULTURAL WARFARE creates music that stays true to the classic Bay Area while creating a modern twist in the music to create a melodic, yet aggressive sound. With all five members of the band having long-standing roots in the Bay Area dating back to the golden age of thrash metal, CULTURAL WARFARE understands the rich history and lineage of the classic bands that paved the way for the heavy bands of the modern age. With that said, the group has created a sound of their own while flying the flag for the legendary music that inspired them along the way.


Upon releasing "Future Kill" last year, the group performed throughout the Western United States alongside the likes of WARBRINGER, APOTHESARY, THE AGONIST, HATRIOT and others. Whereas the EP found Kevin Doughty playing drums, "Warmageddon" sees him join Billy Garouette on guitar to make room for new percussionist Bones Padilla, a former tech for BIOHAZARD.

Former SICK PUPPIES singer Shimon "Shim" Moore will release his new solo album, "Shim", on September 14 on BFD, distributed worldwide by The Orchard.

After creating a worldwide fan base as founder and former lead vocalist for SICK PUPPIES, the Australian-born singer, songwriter and producer found himself back at square one, and after a couple failed attempts at collaborating again, decided to bet on himself.

"I set out to make the best music of my career — which I've done," Moore says. "For better or worse, I put everything I had to give into this album, and for the first time in my life it doesn't matter what the outcome is, because I couldn't have bled anymore than I did on this music."

It's impossible not to feel Shimon's blood running through all 11 tracks. "The theme of this album is about someone digging themselves out of a hole," he says. "It's the whole journey of doing the work to create the life you want, despite the obstacles."

Listen to the killer album opener, "A Brand New War", below.

The debut single from "Shim", "Hallelujah", a bold and infectious anthem, is currently working its way up the charts at rock radio.

Pre-order the digital album starting August 31 from iTunes and Amazon and receive instant downloads of "A Brave New War" and "Hallelujah".

"Shim" track listing:

01. A Brand New War

02. Secrets

03. Our Time

04. Kaleidoscopes

05. Crucified

06. Hallelujah

07. Fearless

08. All Of Me

09. Sting Like A Bitch

10. Broken Men

11. Don't Wake Me Up

Former WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp's debut album as a solo artist, "Capricorn", saw the light of day 20 years ago back in 1998. Now the right time has come properly reissue the LP.

Tramp says: "22 years ago, I walked into a recording studio in Reno, Nevada to record my first solo album. I was both curious and nervous. Did I have style, did I have a sound. Now looking back after 10 solo albums. 'Capricorn' is the foundation of every album I have done ever since, it is Mike Tramp, it makes me proud".

The 2018 reissue of "Capricorn" will be made available on November 2 via Target Records in the following formats: white limited-edition LP (500 copies only), CD and digital. The album has been remastered at Medley Studios in Copenhagen and the artwork carefully restored and refreshed.

In connection with the release of "Capricorn", Tramp will perform two exclusive "Capricorn" shows at Zeppelin Rock Bar in Copenhagen on October 31 and November 1. Only 50 tickets available each day (contact [email protected] to purchase tickets).

The "Capricorn" 2018 version can be pre-ordered now on limited white LP, CD (signed personally by Tramp) and also a new "Capricorn" t-shirt design is available at the official Mike Tramp webshop.

AEROSMITH announced its upcoming Las Vegas residency during an appearance this morning on the "Today" show before the group performed its classic songs "Love In An Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion" for fans at New York's Rockefeller Plaza.

The "Deuces Are Wild" show, named for AEROSMITH's 1994 single, will kick off April 6, 2019 at the Park Theater at MGM Grand.

A total of 18 shows will take place during the months of April, June and July. Tickets range from $75 to $750 and go on sale to the general public August 24.

"I feel like we've been out of the wind for a while and it seems like it would be a really cool thing to bring some of the history back, so the production is gonna look like that," guitarist Joe Perry said. "We want to bring a show we can't do when we're on the road on a regular tour. A show that still has AEROSMITH and all the guts of AEROSMITH."

Drummer Joey Cramer added: "The history behind our almost 50 years of being together. As soon as you walk into the Park Theater in Vegas, you're gonna feel it."

Singer Steven Tyler promised a special show for Vegas.

"We're going to keep it raw," he said. "It's going to be beautiful, we're going to rock out and we’re going to use some special effects we haven't used before."

AEROSMITH officially formed in Boston in 1970 and last performed on May 5 at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

In 2017, AEROSMITH announced a run of dates called "Aero-Vederci Baby!", but stopped short of calling it a final tour.

AEROSMITH hasn't released a new studio album since 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!"

Photo credit: Zack Whitford

A new photo of AC/DC members Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd sitting on the deck of Vancouver's Warehouse Studio with the band's longtime mixer, engineer, and producer Mike Fraser has been posted on the Ear Of Newt web site and can be seen below.

Fraser has mixed and engineered several albums by AC/DC, including the last three — 2000's "Stiff Upper Lip", 2008's "Black Ice" and 2014's "Rock Or Bust" — all of which were recorded at Warehouse.

According to Canadian journalist Steve Newton, Vancouver resident — and hardcore AC/DC fan — Crystal Lambert has an apartment located near Warehouse, and she and longtime friend Glenn Slavens have been keeping an eye on the studio's outside deck, where various bandmembers seemingly retreat to get some air and get a drink. Angus and Stevie Young were also spotted at the studio earlier in the month.

The assumption is that AC/DC is in the midst of making — or at least planning — another album, with Rudd and Johnson both back in the lineup.

Ever since AC/DC completed the tour cycle for its 2014 album "Rock Or Bust" nearly two years ago — a turbulent trek that weathered the forced retirement and eventual death of co-founder Malcolm Young, plus the departures of Johnson, Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams — fans have wondered whether sole remaining founding member Angus Young would keep the band going or decide it was time for AC/DC to pack it in.

Johnson was forced to leave AC/DC mid-tour due to a dangerous level of hearing loss, and was eventually replaced on the road by GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose, while Williams decided to retire at the end of the cycle.

Rudd's spot behind the kit for AC/DC's "Rock Or Bust" world tour was taken by Chris Slade in 2015 after Rudd was arrested for drug possession and threatening to kill an employee.

Angus has not said publicly what he has planned for the future of AC/DC.

AC/DC in Vancouver: Mike Fraser spotted with Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, maybe calling Cliff Williams on his phone? https://t.co/OYquDvgitg— Andrew Kahofer (@Mustangguy68) August 15, 2018

The heavy metal world was shocked by last month's unexpected death of one of its legends: Mark "The Shark" Shelton, a founding member of the legendary epic metal band MANILLA ROAD. Mark was a musician with many projects and one of his last ones was the long-forgotten idea to release songs he did many years ago with David T. Chastain.

In February 2018, Mark and Chastain began discussions about releasing some music they had recorded together in the late '80s. Over the following months, they worked together in getting everything ready for release in late 2018. Just two days before Mark's passing, he was sending in thoughts and comments to be included in the final product. Everyone involved knew how excited Mark was about this release and we wanted to make sure it was released exactly in the way Mark wanted.

Two extraordinary musicians working together on great songs with the '80s spirit: epic, melodic, heavy, unique! Of course MANILLA ROAD and CHASTAIN joining in the '80s means nothing less than a masterwork! So you will be able to listen to a long hidden treasure of heavy metal history!!!! In remembrance of Mark Shelton, David T. Chastain and Pure Steel Records want to give these songs a place in metal history to complete the incredible life work of a metal master!

Lineup:

Mark Shelton - vocals, lyrics, melodies

David T. Chastain - guitars, bass, drum programming

OTEP's lyric video for the anti-hate group, Nazi-stomping anthem "Molotov" can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's most uncompromising, candid, all-inclusive and controversial assessment of the current residing political regime that it has ever released — the new album "Kult 45".

Throughout the span of her career, OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver magazine have lauded Shamaya for "following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Zach de la Rocha, dubbing her "one of music's catalysts for social change". So, with the political climate as it is today, it's prime time for OTEP to make their voices heard in their primary medium — song.


"Kult 45" was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP's first album, "Sevas Tra" (down to Shamaya's vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. "Kult 45" was self-produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.


Shamaya explained that "Kult 45" is the most authentic album OTEP has ever released, at least since their first record, and producing it themselves helped achieve this result. "We had the freedom to be able to write, record and exist within the songs on 'Kult 45'," she said. "Things needed to be said and songs needed to be written that reflect the times. We weren't under anyone else's agenda, there was no pressure to create a 'single' or a song for radio, and the band was really able to shine."

"Invasion", a new song from American grindcore icons TERRORIZER, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's long-anticipated new full-length, "Caustic Attack", which will be released on October 12 via The End Records. Produced by Jason Suecof (DEICIDE, ALL THAT REMAINS, KATAKLYSM, BATTLECROSS) at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and featuring the apocalyptic cover art of Timbul Cahyono (ROTTING CORPSE, PYREXIA), the record serves as the band's first studio offering in six years.

TERRORIZER guitarist Lee Harrison commented: "We are proud to finally unveil the new track from 'Caustic Attack'. We made sure this album is unrelenting and 'Invasion' is a good start on the journey. This album is a punisher so be warned. A short and fast blasting dose of Pete Sandoval in his element. We look forward to playing this one live."


"Caustic Attack" track listing:

01. Turbulence

02. Invasion

03. Conflict And Despair

04. Devastate

05. Crisis

06. Infiltration

07. The Downtrodden

08. Trench Of Corruption

09. Sharp Knives

10. Failed Assassin

11. Caustic Attack

12. Poison Gas Tsunami

13. Terror Cycles

14. Wasteland


Before drummer Pete Sandoval recorded MORBID ANGEL's first album, 1989's "Altars Of Madness", he performed on two demos and a split album with his original band TERRORIZER. Today, the group's 1989 full-length debut "World Downfall" is still considered a pinnacle for death metal and grindcore, featuring impossibly fast blast-beats and double-bass drumming along with a blitzkrieg attack by late guitarist Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH), and ex-vocalist Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA). The 1989 lineup was rounded out by Sandoval and then-fellow MORBID ANGEL bandmate David Vincent on bass.


Over the next twenty-three years, Sandoval took time between MORBID ANGEL albums to continue working with TERRORIZER, recording two more cataclysmic full-lengths, 2006's "Darker Days Ahead" and 2012's "Hordes Of Zombies". And now, another six years down the burning highway, TERRORIZER is back with "Caustic Attack", their heaviest and most eclectic album to date.


TERRORIZER started working on "Caustic Attack" in 2014, but before they could lay down a single bar of music, Sandoval had to make sure he was healthy enough to work on a new album — which was far from a sure thing. Rewind to 2009 when Sandoval's suffered a severe back injury caused by decades of Olympic-class death metal drumming. After seeing different doctors and exploring his options, Sandoval opted for invasive surgery to repair the deteriorated discs between interlocking vertebrae in his spine.


By 2013, Sandoval was feeling pretty good, so he got together with multi-instrumentalist Lee Harrison, who played on MALEVOLENT CREATION's 1989 demo a year before giving birth to metal veterans MONSTROSITY, which have released five full-length albums to date. In 2007, Lee joined up with fabled CRIMSON GLORY singer Midnight, with whom he worked until the vocalist died in 2009. Lee has also played guitar with OBITUARY on tour in South America in 2012. Now, he's deadly serious about his role in TERRORIZER, but at first playing with Sandoval was more like a hobby.


"We started playing some songs just for fun," Sandoval explains. "We did some of the 'World Downfall' songs, and then we learned a few cover songs and we did our first show as a party. That's how everything started."


Feeling confident and comfortable again behind the kit, Sandoval invited Sam Molina, who played with Harrison in MONSTROSITY, to join them on bass, and the trio started working on songs for "Caustic Attack". A violently explosive album for increasingly turbulent times, "Caustic Attack" is the sound of a world nearing apocalypse. The songs conjure images of warplanes on bombing runs, giant tanks obliterating small villages and the endless rattle of machine guns mowing down everyone in sight.


Sandoval has long been known as one of the fastest players in death metal — the pioneer of blast beats — and he doesn't hold back on "Caustic Attack". At the same time, even the fastest songs are tighter and more precise than TERRORIZER have ever been thanks to veteran producer Jason Suecof, who's painstaking method of recording showcases Sandoval and his team at peak capacity. The only minor hitch in the process was deciding whether or not to include guitar solos.


"The original TERRORIZER didn't have solos, so we took the same approach," Harrison says. "It was just riff after killer riff. That was an interesting challenge for me — to keep the music fresh without relying on solos. But the great thing about not having solos is it allows us to keep a dense sound as a three-piece. When you put leads in there, you need a second guitar or else the bottom falls out. Staying a three-piece makes it easier to travel and tour, and we didn't want to mess with that formula."


Now that Sandoval is devoting all his time and effort to TERRORIZER (he left MORBID ANGEL in 2013), he plans to tour extensively and then record another album. The six-year curse is officially broken. "It feels so great to be back playing every day," Sandoval says. "I worked really hard on my recovery and all that work is really paying off now because when I play these songs I feel the same way I did in 1990 or 2000. I feel young again and I can play with no problem. And that's hard to do because this new album has a lot of changes, double-bass, fast blast beats. You name it."


TERRORIZER is:

Pete Sandoval - drums

Lee Harrison - guitar

Sam Molina - bass/vocals

The first trailer for "Ritual", the forthcoming eleventh album from SOULFLY, can be seen below. Due on October 19 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the follow-up to 2015's "Archangel" was produced, recorded and mixed by Josh Wilbur (KILLER BE KILLED, LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA). Cover artwork was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, SODOM). Additional booklet art was handled by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER, HATEBREED, KREATOR), who also handled the package design. The album features multiple guests, including Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD) and Ross Dolan (IMMOLATION).

The first single from the disc, "Evil Empowered", can be streamed below.

Comments guitarist/vocalist Max Cavalera: "I am really stoked to be working again with two of my favorite artists, Eliran Kantor and Marcelo Vasco!

"The 'Ritual' artwork is very mystic and captures the vibe of the album perfectly. For this one, we really tried to retain the groove of early SOULFLY as well as my love for the heavy, fast stuff I'm into, like death and black metal and some hardcore.

"Working with Josh Wilbur for SOULFLY this time around has been amazing. He's a huge fan and added a lot to the record. I would fight for the fast songs and he would always push me to add more groove. I think in the end we created a really cool mix of songs that covers a lot of ground in my career. Let the Ritual begin!"

Wilbur adds: "Before I had ever recorded a record, in my formidable years, Max released the holy trinity that was (at least to me) 'Chaos A.D.', 'Roots' and 'Soulfly'. I wanted to make a record that captured what I loved about those when I was growing up! Those records inspired me and introduced me to heavy metal. Fast forward to now and I was given the opportunity to make the record I wanted as a fan! So I set up some mics, recorded some riffs, we banged on some galvanized metal, roto toms, djembes, and anything else we could get, then I told Max to 'BRING DA SHIT'!"

"Ritual" track listing:

01. Ritual

02. Dead Behind The Eyes (feat. Randy Blythe)

03. The Summoning

04. Evil Empowered

05. Under Rapture (feat. Ross Dolan)

06. Demonized

07. Blood On The Street

08. Bite The Bullet

09. Feedback!

10. Soulfly XI

According to Amazon, Post Hill Press has set a December 11 release date for "Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza" by J. Marshall Craig.

Official book synopsis: "With Nick Menza behind the kit, MEGADETH transitioned from celebrated cult band to international superstars. 'Rust In Peace', the first album to feature Menza and Marty Friedman, was instantly considered a classic, sold over a million copies, got nominated for a Grammy Award, and established what many consider to be the definitive MEGADETH lineup. It was the beginning of a remarkable run in which the band would release three career-defining albums and tour the world many times over.

"Success was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows: sobriety and addiction, peace and tension, laughter and anger. Until one day it all came crashing down. Despite his contributions to the band’s most iconic and enduring work, when Menza was forced to seek treatment for a debilitating tumor in his knee, he awoke from surgery to learn he was being fired from the band by the man he considered a brother and mentor, the ever-enigmatic Dave Mustaine. The devastating news sent him into a spiral of anger and frustration, followed by a dark period of self-medication that nearly killed him.

"'Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza' is an unflinching look at life inside of one of metal's most successful bands, from the back of the stage to the bunks on the bus, as well as a blow-by-blow account of the tumultuous, complicated relationship between Menza and Mustaine. It is also the singular story of a self-taught musician who achieved his dreams through sheer will and determination, watched it all disintegrate, and then rebuilt himself from scratch."

Last year, Menza's family, management and biographer promised some shattering public disclosures about Nick's final months — and the disgraceful treatment they've received since the musician's sudden death.

Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari in their band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Little more than a year later, the Menza camp has its crosshairs on MEGADETH founder Dave Mustaine, according to author J. Marshall Craig, manager Robert Bolger and Rose Menza, Nick's mother, who is now guarding and caring for the drummer's estate and legacy.

Shortly after Nick's passing, Rose expressed her "enormous gratitude for the outpouring of love and condolences from Nick's many friends and fans," adding that she was "so happy and excited" that "Dave Mustaine has chosen to help celebrate Nick's life and help the boys (Nick's two surviving sons)" with a benefit memorial concert that was proposed to feature all willing former members of MEGADETH.

In the days after Nick's death, Mustaine told Kerrang! magazine that, "The Nick that I know, at the end, I think that he… he went to heaven doing what he wanted to do: play drums. And I think that instead of us all mourning, we should celebrate his life, celebrate his legacy."

Mustaine insisted in interviews that he had a "very, very close" relationship with the drummer, despite Menza's public accusation that the MEGADETH frontman sent him a "ridiculous proposal" for a failed 2015 reunion of the band's classic "Rust In Peace"-era lineup. In interviews and public posts on his social media, Nick revealed that Mustaine refused to pay for him rehearsals or even recording the next record, and offered an insulting weekly touring rate. When Nick's attorney and management submitted a counter-proposal, Mustaine allegedly lost his temper and scuttled the reunion, changing his phone number and e-mail address. Nick and Mustaine never spoke again, which Craig says is explored fully in the upcoming book.

"Dave's betrayal was really a huge blow to Nick," Craig said. "But I can say that not long after, Nick was as sure as ever that he was better off and far more musically satisfied playing with Chris and Pag. He absolutely loved those guys. He was far more excited about the prospect of playing Europe with OHM: than he ever seemed to me when the subject of MEGADETH came up. He told me he wanted the reunion for what it could have and should have been — a celebration of a band at its zenith, regrouping one more time for the fans.

"Yeah, it would have been great. And who's to say it still can't be sometime in the future," Nick said in his final interview with Craig, at Rose Lane Studio in Carpinteria less than a month before his death. "It sure doesn't look good now but I'll never say never; it's all up to Dave. It always has been."

In the year since Menza's death, sadly, Mustaine has failed to not only stage a memorial concert featuring surviving MEGADETH alumni and for the benefit of Nick's sons — he has reportedly yet to call Menza's parents or even send a condolence letter.

"He never called," Rose said from the family home in Studio City. "I am really upset at him (Mustaine). They were NOT good friends, no matter what he says now that Nick's not here to answer what's being said about him."

Mustaine told the Q103 radio station a couple of days after Menza's death: "People think that we had this failed reunion attempt. There were several times that we tried to reconcile stuff, and it just didn't happen for whatever reason — I don't know why, but it didn't."

Said biographer Craig: "Dave knows exactly why there was no reunion, since he pulled the plug — again — as can be clearly seen in mail exchanges between him and Nick, which Nick gave me complete access to. I've put the conversations in the book, unabridged," Craig said. "Dave's at once friendly and encouraging and then, in an instant, childish and rude; Nick comes across like, well Nick: polite, agreeable and accommodating, trying his best to get along and make it work.

"I've been telling media before and after Nick's passing that he never sought to call out Dave for the things he did and said, which is completely true. Nick wanted to take the high road and, indeed, he always did, and we're honoring that legacy.

"Believe me — there is A LOT that Nick revealed to me that is not in the book … though what is most fans will find pretty shocking, but not a surprise.

"In consultation with Nick's mom and dad and sister and ex, his manager Rob and Nick's closest friends, we're unanimous in the decision to not censor anything now."

Craig, best known for his deeply behind-the-scenes books with THE ANIMALS frontman Eric Burdon and THE ROLLING STONES keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell, believes the most disgraceful incident so far is the MEGADETH frontman's treatment of Menza's surviving young boys.

As for repeated declarations from Mustaine that he "sang almost every single note of Marty Friedman's guitar solos, and I wrote the majority of Nick's drum parts, and I wrote almost every bass note that Ellefson played" and "I did it to [former guitarists] Jeff [Young], Chris [Poland] and Al [Pitrelli], too," Craig said that long before Nick's death, he held nothing back on discussing his time in MEGADETH and how the band's management treated him in years since. "I've been privy to it all," Craig said, "the e-mails, the attorneys' and managers' correspondence on both sides. I think it paints an ugly picture, but fans will be able to make that assessment for themselves when they see the book.

"Nick didn't want a tell-all, and nothing about this book can be considered salacious in the least," Craig concluded. "But that doesn't mean it's not going to be controversial and perhaps bruise a few feelings that deserve to have the wind knocked out of them: This book is the truth — Nick Menza's true MegaLife."

Active since 2015, Sacremento, California-based progressive melodic death metal outfit The Odious Construct are a young band relatively speaking. Yet in their brief existence, they've moved at blinding speeds to continually refine their craft live and in the studio in order to reach the next level. After hashing out two single song demos in 2015, the band quickly released their well-received self-titled EP in July of 2016. 

Now in 2018, The Odious Construct have evolved as musicians and songwriters and are primed to release their strongest music to date on Shrine of the Obscene. Recently signed to The Artisan Era, Shrine of the Obscene will be The Odious Construct's first effort on the label and is set for release on Friday, October 12th through The Artisan Era.

Throughout the five swift and deadly songs on Shrine Of The Obscene, The Odious Construct carves out a path beyond the typical "complex for complexities sake" approach with a focus built upon catchy guitar melodies, straightforward brutality, and enhanced by orchestral flair to ensure the songs remain stuck in your head.

The Odious Construct had the following to say about the upcoming release of Shrine of the Obscene

"This upcoming EP is a progression from the previous self-titled EP.  While still melodic, there is more speed and technicality involved, and there is more experimentation with orchestra instruments. Thematically, the writing is still dark. The lyrics revolve around psychological disorders, horror, suicide, etc. The goal of this EP was to include more dynamics musically and more diverse instrumentation. We are still a melodic death metal band but we are incorporating more modern elements to the music stylistically."

Tracklisting:

“Vortex Of Self”
“Descension”
“They Came Through The Mirrors”
“Cyanide Eyes”
“Shrine Of The Obscene”

Teaser:

Gates Of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music imprint) has announced the forthcoming release of Chevalier's Chapitre II on 12" vinyl MLP.  The sold-out 2018 EP was specially remastered for this vinyl release and features an exclusive Brocas Helm cover version of "Fly High." The MLP is limited to 500 green vinyl copies and includes one A4 insert. Layout by Annick Giroux. 

The MLP will be released on September 21st, concurrently with Chevalier's show at Harder Than Steel festival with Omen, Oliver Dawson Saxon, Ashbury, Cauldron and more. Preorders available here.

Too often, hitting the "rewind" button on speed or thrash metal reveals bands more interested in rehashing past glories than offering something new. The speed/thrash explosion of the mid-'00s displayed that if anything, it's far too easy to slap on a jean jacket, queue up Bonded by Blood, form a band, "borrow" some riffs and release subpar, uninspired material. Which brings us to Helsinki, Finland for an introduction to Chevalier, one of the most fiery and unique bands to hit the speed metal pavement in recent memory.

Formed a mere two years ago, Chevalier (who consist of vocalist Emma Grönqvist, the guitar tandem of Tommi and Mikko, bassist Sebastian Bergman and drummer Joel), immediately got to work in their rehearsal room, whereupon they recorded their A Call to Arms debut EP. While their recent split with Legionnaire recorded in a traditional studio, the band opted to return to the comfortable environs of their rehearsal room for the tracking of Chaptire II. Sure enough, it has given Chevalier a throttling, reverb-soaked sound that catapults speak not only to the band's speedy roots, but the labyrinthine song constructions similar to NWOBHM upstarts Hell and Mercyful Fate.

Chapitre II is the band's most diverse release to date, as evidenced by the expanded song lengths and oftentimes adventurous song layouts. Grönqvist, in her banshee-wailing, scream-queen glory, turns in a riveting performance, holding steady against relentless thrash beats and triumphant gallops. The songs themselves tackle a wealth of topics: "The Messenger" is about the rush to deliver a crucial message to one's kingdom before paranoia kicks in; "Wrath Of Steel" details a warrior's thoughts on a bloody battlefield, and "The Curse Of The Dead Star" is about impending doom from outer space.

The combination of fantasy and science fiction lyrics along with urgent, challenging, melody-laden speed metal instantly sets Chevalier apart from the pack, where every song is more than just a simple headbang-a-thon - they are journeys onto themselves.

Tracklisting:

“The Messenger”
“Wrath Of Steel”
“The Curse Of The Dead Star”
“Fly High” (Brocas Helm cover)