Norwegian prog metallers, Circus Maximus, will release a new live album, Havoc In Oslo, on August 4th. It will be available on 2CD/DVD and 2CD/BluRay. Watch “The Weight” from the upcoming release, available for streaming below.

On February 6th, 2016, Circus Maximus celebrated the release of their fourth studio album, Havoc, with a sold out show at the Rockefeller in Oslo, with a stunning live production that involved pyro, sparks (literally), and a massive light rig. The band wanted to make this show one of the most memorable performances in Circus Maximus history and then to share this night with the world. So, it was decided to capture the entire night with multiple high definition cameras for a release on both Blu-Ray and DVD as well as an audio component.

Ever since the band released Live In Japan via YouTube, they have been eager to make a proper live release in a physical format. Havoc Live in Oslo is a powerful statement from a band at the top of their game.

Tracklisting:

CD1:

“Forging”
“Namaste”
“The One”
“The Weight”
“Highest Bitter”
“Architect Of Fortune”
“Arrival Of Love”
“Loved Ones”
“Sin”

CD2:

“Havoc”
“Pages”
“Abyss”
“I Am”
“Chivalry”
“Game Of Life”

DVD/Blu-Ray:

“Forging”
“Namaste”
“The One”
“The Weight”
“Highest Bitter”
“Architect Of Fortune”
“Arrival Of Love”
“Loved Ones”
“Sin”
“Havoc”
“Pages”
“Abyss”
“I Am”
“Chivalry”
“Game Of Life”

“The Weight” video:

U.K. metalcore band ASKING ALEXANDRIA is putting the finishing touches on its new album, to be released later in the year via Sumerian Records.

In a June 17 post on his Facebook page, ASKING ALEXANDRIA singer Danny Worsnop revealed that he was "making notes for [Sunday's] pickup session wrapping this album." He added: "I have had so much fun writing an album I never thought I'd make with people I never thought I'd make on with again. It's out of the box, out of my comfort zone, out of the ordinary, and out of this world! This is something totally new and unique that I cannot wait for the world to hear. This album has me proud, humbled, reassured, and affirmed. Welcome to a new era, and a new sound which I'm sure in two years will be ripped off by far too many artists (there's a song about that on here too)."

Danny continued: "You will not hear songs about partying, or girls, or how rock and roll I am. Instead you will hear some of the most carefully crafted songs I've ever made that hopefully will live longer than I do.

"Thank you to [ASKING ALEXANDRIA guitarist Ben Bruce] for writing some phenomenal music for me to create stories with, [bassist Sam Bettley], [drummer James Cassells] and [guitarist Cameron Liddell] for their great talent in making this sound so good, and [producer Matt Good] for heading the operation and fooling the world into thinking I know what I'm doing.

"Shoutout to the band's manager @diony1 and label [Sumerian Records], namely [Sumerian founder Ash Avildsen] who is responsible for me being here after a very persuasive conversation as brothers in Los Angeles last October. You are all very dear to my heart and I appreciate you all."

ASKING ALEXANDRIA recently released a teaser for a brand new song, apparently called "I Am Iniquity". The 41-second clip, which includes footage from the studio, can be seen below.

The reunion between Danny and ASKING ALEXANDRIA was confirmed last October following weeks of rumors and speculation regarding the status of his replacement, Denis Shaforostov, who joined the band in 2015.

Danny, who released a solo album, "The Long Road Home", in February while still being involved with his other band WE ARE HARLOT in between acting gigs, told Finland's Kaaos TV that he is working closely with the members of ASKING ALEXANDRIA to ensure that he is able to pursue other projects alongside his touring and recording activities with AA.

When Danny's return to ASKING ALEXANDRIA was first announced, Bruce said in a video message that Shaforostov had "just stopped talking to us." But Denis later tweeted, "I left AA because I can't be in a touring band at this point in my life. There's no drama and I don't want to be a part of it."

Fan-filmed video footage of GWAR performing a brand new song titled "Fuck This Place" on June 16 at the Seattle stop of this summer's Vans Warped Tour can be seen below. The track is expected to appear on the band's new album, "The Blood Of Gods", which will be released in the fall via Metal Blade Records. The disc is the group's first to feature the Berserker Blothar on lead vocals.

Fans attending the Vans Warped Tour have the chance to pre-order the album before anyone else. Just head over to the GWAR merchandise tent to pre-order your copy of "The Blood Of Gods". When you give the hateful slave working the GWAR merchandise booth your hard-earned cash, they will give you a special laminate that will guarantee you a copy of the CD upon release date. Following their run on Vans Warped Tour, the band will make an appearance at Chicago's Riot Fest, as well as two other headline dates, before they return home for a brief Antarctic slumber. Expect a full fall tour in support of "The Blood of Gods". More details on the new album, including artwork, full track listing and your first taste of new music will be made available over the coming weeks.

GWAR's last album was 2013's "Battle Maximus", which was released the year before Dave "Oderus Urungus" Brockie passed away.

Brockie was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia on March 23, 2014. According to Virginia's State Medical Examiner's Office, he died from acute heroin toxicity by accidental means.

Dave Brockie, who fronted GWAR under the name Oderus Urungus was the band's last remaining original member.

"The Dark Project", the debut album from FRAGILE MORTALS, the new band that combines hip-hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (RUN-D.M.C.) with the metal group GENERATION KILL — featuring vocalist Rob Dukes (ex-EXODUS) and bassist Rob Moschetti (ex-PRO-PAIN, M.O.D.) — will be made available for digital download on July 13.

A 42-minute video featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the disc can be seen below.

"The Dark Project" is expected to include "Fired Up" and "Suicide", the two singles that were released last year via Bumblefoot Music, the record label of artist/producer Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ART OF ANARCHY, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), who also produced and added additional guitar solos to the tracks. "Suicide" is also featured in the audio version of DMC's memoir, "Ten Ways Not To Commit Suicide", which came out last July.

Stemming from a chance meeting between Dukes and DMC, an initial one-track collaboration for a DMC solo album turned into a full-on force, as FRAGILE MORTALS was born. The band then recruited the ear of Thal as producer, and their combined creative vision has allowed the band to grow further than expected. Lending the occasional guitar riff and solo to the tracks, Ron's contributions earned him the title of unofficial seventh member.

Addressing issues ranging from suicide, drug abuse, prostitution, life and death, and racism, "The Dark Project" also offers a glimmer of hope and light at the end of a gritty tunnel, exposing the darker side of humanity without glorifying it in any way.

FRAGILE MORTALS offers the listener an intellectual look into real-world issues, as the music takes you on a journey, serving as the soundtrack to this all-too-real story.

Original KISS drummer Peter Criss played what was being billed as his final U.S. concert this past Saturday, June 17 at the Cutting Room in New York City.

Criss handled the vocals and some of the drums at the show and was backed by musical director and keyboardist Alex Salzman, guitarist Erik Rudic from the band the COLD SEAS and a horn and string section.

Criss's set consisted of KISS classics and his solo songs, including "I Can't Stop The Rain", from the 1978 solo album "Peter Criss".

Criss handed out roses while he sang "Beth" and closed out the set with the swing classic "Sing Sing Sing".

Asked by Australia's The Rockpit in a brand new interview if he is "moving on to do other things," Criss responded: "You know what?! I'm 71. That scares me when I say that [laughs], but if you're around me, I'm like a 15-year-old kid — I really am. But I've had an amazing career in music. I was around in the '60s and '70s, which was about the best time to be a musician. I actually saw Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison and THE BEATLES when I was young. I've seen the greatest of the greats perform. I grew up at a time when music was so cool. There was Bob Dylan, and things were changing — things were becoming amazing for musicians in the world. So I played clubs for 15 years, then I started the band with the guys.'

He continued: "I'm a big BEE GEES fan, I was watching the salute to Barry [Gibb, the last surviving member of the BEE GEES], I've been a big fan since they started, and I love that he got up there and performed. And I see now all these guys, from THE ROLLING STONES, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, and we're all in our 70s now, and I hate to say it, but we're dying out, and that's so real. There's less rock and roll in the world, less music in the world, and it's kinda sad.

"So I'm 71 I'm in the best health I've been in for a while, and I thought if I'm gonna do it, I've gotta do it now. I had male breast cancer and I beat it, and that's really changed my life, and my wife also beat cancer too, so I went out I signed autographs, I wrote a book. When I connected [with the fans] again, I got to hear their stories and they'd ask me if I'd play again or sing again; there was so much love. And when I looked around, everyone was slowing down or retiring, like Eric Clapton, and I wondered what I have left."

Criss added that he is planning on finally completing the solo album that he started work on nine years ago.

"Before my cancer, I really put down some really heavy rock and roll. I put down some ballads too, but it was heavier than the stuff I normally do. And then I got sick and I put it aside and I've been sat on it these last eight years. And when I moved to California, I took it with me. There aren't any vocals on there yet, but I played it to a good friend and he told me that it was the best stuff he'd heard in years and I had to finish it, so when I'm over in June to play my last show in New York City, I'll finish it."

In addition to playing drums in the band, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number KISS's most popular and memorable songs, including "Beth", "Black Diamond" and "Hard Luck Woman".

Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he's worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.

Criss, who was known as "Catman," released his last solo CD, titled "One for All", in 2007. Peter produced the album himself for the first time, and was joined by guest musicians that included keyboardist Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee of "Late Night with David Letterman". The album featured a range of styles, from rock and jazz to blues and Broadway, and included covers of "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Send in the Clowns".

The four original members of KISS were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2014 by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello.

KISS did not perform — the Hall Of Fame wanted the original quartet only to play, while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley insisted on the current lineup — which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer — performing as well. In the end nobody won that battle.

Fan-filmed video footage of RAINBOW's June 17 performance at the Stone Free Festival at The O2 Arena in London, England can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Spotlight Kid02. I Surrender (Russ Ballard cover)03. Mistreated (DEEP PURPLE)04. Since You Been Gone (Russ Ballard Cover) (with Russ Ballard)05. Man On The Silver Mountain (incl. "Woman From Tokyo" snippet)06. Soldier Of Fortune (DEEP PURPLE)07. All Night Long08. Difficult To Cure09. Child In Time (DEEP PURPLE)10. Stargazer11. Still I'm Sad (THE YARDBIRDS cover) / Drum Solo12. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll13. Black Night (DEEP PURPLE)

Encore:

14. Burn (DEEP PURPLE)15. Catch The Rainbow16. Smoke On The Water (DEEP PURPLE)

The revamped version of RAINBOW last month released its first new music in more than two decades. Two tracks were made available on iTunes: an instrumental song called "Land Of Hope And Glory", which is is a reworking of the 1902 British patriotic song of the same name from Edward Elgar's "Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1", and a re-recording of the RAINBOW classic "I Surrender", which was written by Russ Ballard and was first released by RAINBOW in 1981. The latter song features vocals recorded by current RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero.

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT for the first time last year to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of the band he had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

Although Ritchie initially said that he had no plans to make a new RAINBOW album — explaining in early 2016 that he wanted to "just get back to playing the old songs one more time" — he revealed to Japan's Burrn! magazine that he changed his mind.

The current incarnation of RAINBOW includes Romero, originally from Chile but now settled in Madrid, Spain, as well as STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT), and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

Blackmore was full of praise for Romero, who spends some of his time fronting the Spanish metal band LORDS OF BLACK and is a member of a new project called THE FERRYMEN. "When I heard him, he seemed like the right guy to sing the [Ronnie James] Dio-era songs of RAINBOW," Ritchie told Burrn!. "He is versatile, he can sing like Freddie Mercury or Ronnie James Dio or Graham Bonnet.

"The reason I did not ask [former RAINBOW singer] Joe Lynn Turner [to get involved in the RAINBOW comeback] is because I thought European fans wanted to hear the Dio lineup of RAINBOW.

"I was very surprised that tickets [to the first RAINBOW comeback shows] sold out in 15 minutes. It was nice to know so many people wanted to hear RAINBOW at this time."

Joe Lynn Turner last year slammed Blackmore for the guitarist's decision to go out and perform classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more "authentic" lineup.

Less critical of the new RAINBOW lineup was former DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, who admitted to Metal Express Radio earlier this year that he had watched some YouTube clips of the new RAINBOW lineup performing in 2016. "Singing Ronnie's [James Dio] songs needs a special kind of singer and I think the young chap did a reasonably good job and I think Ritchie may well have found the guy for him," Hughes said of Romero. "He was certainly a good fit for RAINBOW."

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany last June were caught on camera to produce "Memories In Rock - Live In Germany", which was released in November via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

After Ritchie left DEEP PURPLE for the final time in 1993, he reformed RAINBOW for one album (1995's "Stranger In Us All") and one tour, ending things in Denmark in 1997.

MOONSPELL will release "1755" on November 3 via Napalm Records. The disc is a Portuguese-language album about the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, which occurred in the Kingdom of Portugal. In combination with subsequent fires and a tsunami, the earthquake almost totally destroyed Lisbon and adjoining areas.

The Portuguese metallers have described the effort as "a poetic, musical and philosophical reflection of the band about the tragic event that took place on the 1st of November of 1755 in Lisbon, decimating the entire city.

"It's mostly a metal record, with vibrant riffs, epic orchestration and vocals and lyrics, which invoke the agony of that day. The band was also concerned in recreating the end of the 18th Century Lisbon and there will be lots of fusion, percussion and a melodic approach to that time and to the atmosphere the great city of Lisbon enjoyed back then.

"There will be ten powerful, surprising songs that echo remotely to some of MOONSPELL previous efforts like 'Under The Moonspell' or 'Alpha Noir'. But make no mistake! This is MOONSPELL as you never heard them before, with the fire of their native language Portuguese and 900 years of history to unveil!

"An historical, rigorous, serious, artistic record. A black beast from Portugal that the metal scene so craves for."

MOONSPELL vocalist Fernando Ribeiro said: "We fell in love with the concept and made perfect sense to sing it in our national language, Portuguese. I guess we were just waiting for the right opportunity to work on such an album. Musically, it will be heavier than 'Extinct'. It will be earthshaking but also very detailed with orchestrations and percussion as we want people to relive the Lisbon of the 18th Century. Singing it in Portuguese allowed me to find a different expression as a vocalist and my job is to be the survivor of the earthquake, roaming the ruins and telling you all about it."

In a 2016 interview with Spark TV, Ribeiro stated about the new MOONSPELL album concept: "I always was very fascinated about the apocalypse, the end of things, and we had this experience in the 18th Century, in 1755, and it really affected not only by the destruction and the death toll — it was very high, and it was probably one of the biggest earthquakes ever to occur on European soil — but it also influenced the way people looked at Gods, at religion, the way Europe changed. And it was tragic and traumatic, but the earthquake was the birth of a more modern Portugal, a Portugal that actually would enjoy a period of prosperity after, and the Portugal that was, before the earthquake, just going down and lost in vice and corruption and greed. So I think it makes for an interesting subject, and it makes it even more interesting if I do it in Portuguese, because it happened there."

In support of "1755", MOONSPELL will play three shows in Portugal to coincide with the album's release. They will have a double-date hometown show in Lisbon where you can enjoy the band's annual Halloween party as well as watch the performance. On November 1, MOONSPELL will take the event to the city of Porto, as part of the first three "1755" announced dates:

Oct. 30-31 - Lisboa Ao Vivo, LisbonNov. 01 - Hard Club, Sala 1, Porto

These very special gigs will be produced by the band themselves in partnership with Alma Mater Records and in collaboration and with total support from their main label, Napalm.

At the shows, you will have the chance to buy the upcoming record exclusively and straight from the band as you watch them destroy Lisbon and Porto. Each ticket holder will get a free CD or vinyl edition (first 500 tickets; the edition will be signed by the band!). More information about tickets, reservations and information, visitwww.letsgo.pt.

Says the band: "On these shows we're gonna play 1755 in its entirety but also recover some obscure stuff we haven't been playing for many years."

"Seizure And Desist", the new video from DEAD CROSS, the Southern California outfit featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, MISFITS) and singer Mike Patton (FAITH NO MORE), can be seen below. The song is taken from DEAD CROSS's self-titled debut album, which will be released on August 4 via Ipecac Recordings. The effort was helmed by producer Ross Robinson, who has previously worked with KORN, DEFTONES, SEPULTURA and LIMP BIZKIT, among others, and was mastered at Golden Mastering in Ventura, California.

DEAD CROSS, which is rounded out by Justin Pearson (THE LOCUST, RETOX, HEAD WOUND CITY) and Michael Crain (RETOX, FESTIVAL OF DEAD DEER), last year parted ways with singer Gabe Serbian.

Regarding the "Seizure And Desist" clip, Pearson said: "The artist who created our album art, Eric Livingston, came up with this video. As far as I'm concerned, It sums up the current social and political climate of today. For a lot of humanity, this world is a mean motherfucking place. The video captures the severity of the times we live in, as well as a means to communicate beyond basic language using iconic imagery, campy techniques, historical relevance, as well as a glimpse into the future."

"Dead Cross" features a glow-in-the-dark cover (CD/LP) also created by Livingston, with vinyl available in a limited edition gold and a clear/red/black swirl. Digital pre-orders include instant downloads of "Grave Slave" and "Seizure And Desist".

Joining DEAD CROSS on the bulk of their North American tour is SECRET CHIEFS 3. The San Francisco-based outfit, who describe themselves as "an ever-unfolding musical vision," features Patton's former MR. BUNGLE bandmate Trey Spruance. "I have no idea what kind of chaos it will conjure on stage or in the audience," said Lombardo of the five-week outing, continuing, "but I know it’s going to be a hell of a good time."

The late-summer tour kicks off on August 10 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California and includes a stop at Riot Fest in Chicago.

Patton told Rolling Stone that he got involved with DEAD CROSS after reaching out to Lombardo to see if he could release the band's album on Ipecac. After getting a text from the drummer asking him to join the group, "my jaw dropped," the singer said. "I was like, 'Who, me? Hmm …' And I think it took like all of 30 seconds, but in a sarcastic way, I'm like, 'Yeah, of course. I can do this. Are you sure you want me?' So I kind of second-guessed him a little bit. And he said, 'Man, you'd be our dream vocalist.' And then it was just a matter of logistics. I decided to record it here in my basement, which is fitting. It shouldn't sound too polished."

Regarding DEAD CROSS's musical direction, Patton said: "To me, it is a traditional hardcore record. It is very pointed, direct and visceral. Like, I wasn't going to play keyboards, add samples or any kind of orchestration. It was like, 'Yo, just go for it.' In some ways, it reminded me of stuff that we had collectively all grown up with and loved when we were like teenagers — bands like the ACCÜSED, DEEP WOUND or SIEGE, stuff that was just brutal, uncompromising and right to the point. I was listening to all those bands again before this came to be, so it was already back infused in my blood. And now I got a chance to do a pencil-in-your-eye record."

Lombardo concurred, telling Rolling Stone: "The album is only 28 minutes long. And the funny thing is [SLAYER's] 'Reign In Blood' was 29 minutes. This album carries so much anger and frustration. You hear it in my drumming. It was the perfect birth of a hardcore album. It's one of the most brutal albums I've ever done."

The pro-shot clip below, filmed on June 14th, features Metallica performing "Sad But True" at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.

The band recently issued the following recap video, thanking fans for the show:

Metallica’s WorldWired live dates are as follows:

June
18 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field*#

July
5 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium*^
7 - Miami, FL - Hard Rock Stadium*^
9 - Atlanta, GA - Suntrust Park*^
12 - Detroit, MI - Comercia Park*^
14 - Quebec City, QC- Festival D'Ete
16 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre*^
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
# With Local H

Five years into the San Diego micro-brewery's history, they hit paydirt, with a limited edition ode to one of the biggest alcohol consuming metalhead of all time, the late Lemmy Kilmister. Not the first time they've offered a Motörhead beverage, Born To Lose IPA (via Amplified Ales) is available now! The label on the silver, pint can depicts the band's menacing War Pig logo, as well as grimacing drummer Mikkey Dee flipping the bird, as each band member is characterized in a state of chaos. The IPA is a robust, hop laden drink, with a hint of citrus flavor. 6.5% is a bigger kick than most competition, but would expect nothing less from the Lemmy/ Motorhead pedigree, always striving to be the biggest/ baddest/ loudest (and now “heaviest”). Sadly, Whammy Bar Wheat was not part of my care package. Would love to investigate, being something of a weizen beer aficionado, courtesy of multiple annual trips to Germany. Available from TheBeerConnect.com.

 

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee joined UGLY KID JOE on stage earlier today (Sunday, June 18) at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium to perform a cover version of Harry Chapin's 1974 folk rock song "Cat's In the Cradle". Professionally filmed video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

EVANESCENCE is working on an album called "Synthesis", which will reimagine some of the band's past catalog with full orchestration and electronic backing.

In support of "Synthesis", EVANESCENCE will embark on a special tour this fall which will see the band performing with a "full orchestra."

EVANESCENCE debuted a previously unheard song called "Take Cover" during its North American tour last fall.

Lee also released a solo single called "Love Exists" in February, while a second solo song, "Speak To Me", appears on the soundtrack for the supernatural thriller "Voice From The Stone", which came out on April 28.

UGLY KID JOE's latest full-length album, "Uglier Than They Used Ta Be", was released in North America in October 2015 via Metalville/UKJ Records.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons told U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine that he started throwing the devil's horn gesture as an "homage" to Spider-man, who is known to make the motion in movies and his comics to activate his powers.

Simmons filed an application last week with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark on the hand signal fans and rockers alike hold up during shows, in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended, the middle and ring finger are curled into the palm, and the thumb either sticks out from the hand like an errant branch from a tree or is also curled into the palm. The KISS bassist/vocalist claimed the gesture was first used in commerce on November 14, 1974, which corresponds to KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour. He wrote in his signed declaration that he believes "no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance."

Most music fans have slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.

In issue 196 of Classic Rock magazine, Simmons revealed where he got the inspiration for the gesture, explaining it was inspired by Spider-man and the way he shoots webs from his wrists.

Simmons told Classic Rock: "We laid down the templates. When you see bands rocking out in sync, that's us. When you see bands putting up that two-fingered devil horn salute, that started with KISS."

When asked if it was Ronnie James Dio who actually started it, Simmons replied: "Well, I've heard Ronnie say that to my face and I said, 'God bless you.' I mean him no ill will, but I think he's wrong.

"Mine came from Spider-man doing his hand signal, as a homage to him. If you see me in photos, I'm sticking out my thumb. That's the sign in sign language which means 'I love you.'"

Ronnie James Dio's widow Wendy has slammed Simmons for attempting to trademark the hand sign, calling it "disgusting." She told TheWrap: "To try to make money off of something like this is disgusting. It belongs to everyone — it doesn't belong to anyone. It's a public domain, it shouldn't be trademarked."

Wendy Dio has slammed Gene Simmons's attempt to trademark the "horns" hand gesture as "laughable."

The widow of deceased singer Ronnie James Dio, who's widely credited with popularizing the symbol — a staple at rock concerts for decades — told TheWrap about Simmons's trademark application: "To try to make money off of something like this is disgusting. It belongs to everyone; it doesn't belong to anyone. … It's a public domain; it shouldn't be trademarked."

"It's laughable, I think, quite honestly," she continued. "I think he's made a complete fool of himself.

"It's disgusting; what does he want?" Wendy added.

Ronnie James Dio, who reportedly didn't start using the hand gesture on stage until after joining BLACK SABBATH in 1979, himself declined to take credit for the symbol, explaining in a 2001 interview: "That's like saying I invented the wheel. I'm sure someone did that at some other point. I think you'd have to say that I made it fashionable."

Dio ― who said he got the gesture from his Italian grandmother ― also took issue with Simmons.

"Gene Simmons will tell you that he invented it," Ronnie once said. "But then again, Gene invented breathing and shoes and everything else."

Simmons filed an application last week with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark on the hand signal fans and rockers alike hold up during shows, in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended, the middle and ring finger are curled into the palm, and the thumb either sticks out from the hand like an errant branch from a tree or is also curled into the palm. The KISS bassist/vocalist claimed the gesture was first used in commerce on November 14, 1974, which corresponds to KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour. He wrote in his signed declaration that he believes "no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance."

Most music fans have slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.

In American Sign Language, it means "I love you." It is also very similar to the motion Spider-man is known to make in movies and his comics to activate his powers, and is featured on the album cover for THE BEATLES' 1966 single, "Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby", which showed John Lennon making the gesture nearly a decade before KISS was even formed.

Nikki Sixx says that he is "thinking of trademarking" the middle-finger gesture.

The MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX:A.M. bassist apparently made his comment in jest in response to yesterday's report that Gene Simmons was looking to claim the "devil horns" hand gesture for his own.

Simmons filed an application last week with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark on the hand signal fans and rockers alike hold up during shows, in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended, the middle and ring finger are curled into the palm, and the thumb either sticks out from the hand like an errant branch from a tree or is also curled into the palm. The KISS bassist/vocalist claimed the gesture was first used in commerce on November 14, 1974, which corresponds to KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour. He wrote in his signed declaration that he believes "no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance."

Most music fans have slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.

In American Sign Language, it means "I love you." It is also very similar to the motion Spider-man is known to make in movies and his comics to activate his powers, and is featured on the album cover for THE BEATLES' 1966 single, "Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby", which showed John Lennon making the gesture nearly a decade before KISS was even formed.

Although Ronnie James Dio is considered one of the originators of the devil horns, he reportedly didn't start using it on stage until after joining BLACK SABBATH in 1979.

Earlier today, Sixx sent out a tweet with the widely used middle-finger emoji, saying that he was "thinking of trademarking" it.

The middle finger, which is generally considered an obscene and insulting gesture, has a long history that dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It originally represented the phallus but has come to be recognized as a sign of disrespect.

Sixx and Simmons last year engaged in a war of words over the KISS star's admittedly callous remarks regarding Prince's death. Nikki stated at the time that Gene's "heartless and uneducated remarks" about Prince's passing show "why he's not my hero anymore or anybody's. I think that he is an overrated, lucky guy that dresses like a clown. He wrote some good songs, but hasn't in a long time, and loves to brag about himself."



Posted by Nikki Sixx on Thursday, June 15, 2017

According to The Hollywood Reporter, KISS frontman Gene Simmons filed an application last Friday (June 9) for a trademark on the so-called "devil's horns" hand gesture.

Simmons claims in the filing that the hand gesture was first used in commerce November 14, 1974 — a date that appears to correspond with KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour.

Gene is attempting to secure the mark for "entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist."

Back in 2004, Steve Appleford of LA CityBEAT conducted a "survey" of heavy metal musicians regarding the origins of the "devil's horns" hand sign — the horned hand, with index finger and pinkie raised proudly as the sign of the beast, which is being used as the "international greeting to heavy metal ecstasy."

"Gene Simmons wrote in his 2002 autobiography that it was his accidental invention, the inadvertent gesture of a great man, repeated at concerts and picked up by fans," Appleford said. "Not likely. Former BLACK SABBATH shouter Ronnie James Dio also takes the credit, first raising the horns before joining the band in 1978. And he's expressed alarm over the image of Britney Spears fans raising the sign at concerts by the dancing diva of lip-synched pop."

When Appleford asked Lemmy about the source of the "devil's horns" hand sign, noting the casual claims of Gene Simmons, Lemmy replied, "Well, he would, wouldn't he? He is so eeevilll. Come on, gimme a fucking break."

Lars Ulrich of METALLICA had no doubt at all: "That’s got to be Ronnie James Dio. I remember RAINBOW used to play in Denmark about every half hour, so I used to go see it every half hour. And Ronnie James Dio did a lot of that. Back in '75, '76, '77, it was all about RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY."

In a separate interview, METALLICA singer-guitarist James Hetfield answered: "I think Dio." Then he went on, with a smile: "I think Spider-Man originally. It's also 'I love you' in sign language. I don't know, I think it's 'Two more songs!' — you know."

Gene Simmons seeks to register a trademark on the iconic rock hand gesture https://t.co/IdFtcqoLjB pic.twitter.com/bsiVsg2BP6

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 14, 2017

Former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin has officially commenced work on his long-awaited third solo album. Teamed with drummer Danny "Danté" Needham of TONY MARTIN'S HEADLESS CROSS and VENOM, and American guitarist Scott McClellan, Tony's new collection of songs currently has the working title of "Thornz". It was previously going to be released as "Book Of Shadows", but that title was dropped because of other works under the same name.

According to Martin, his new material is heavier than he has attempted in the past due to the prolific writings of unknown guitarist Scott McClellan who contacted him by chance on social media some four years ago. Scott sent Tony a guitar track to check out and this chance meeting grew into a very productive writing period that has resulted in this solo release for Martin.

Tony said: "Scott really surprised me with his energy. I found that I could pull out the riffs that really work for my voice, so I was more than happy to have him involved in the 'Tony Martin project.'"

"Thornz" is expected to include ten tracks, mostly written by Martin and McClellan and some by Martin alone. Apart from the title track — the story of a woman struggling with being abused — there is the previously cited "Book Of Shadows" still in the track list along with "No Shame At All", "As The World Burns" and "Damned By You", among others.

Martin's new material is missing keyboards completely in favor of guitar-based riffs. The singer says that it "was hard to lose" his onetime BLACK SABBATH bandmate Geoff Nicholls, who also played on Tony's last solo album, 2005's "Scream", and he felt he could not attempt to replace that part of the sound.

Martin says that, at 60 years old, "Thornz" is likely to be his last solo project, but doesn’t rule out future embellishments to his solo career. He added that it would not affect any reconnection with SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, if and when that happens.

"Scream" featured legendary drummer Cozy Powell (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE) on the track "Raising Hell" as well as songwriting contributions by Nicholls.

BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Tony Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987), "Headless Cross" (1989), "Tyr" (1990), "Cross Purposes" (1994), "Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995).

Photo credit: Rob Billingham Billbee Creative Ltd

"Mirrors", the new video from HALLATAR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's debut album, "No Stars Upon the Bridge", which is based on the lyrics and poems of Aleah Starbridge, and is tentatively slated for release this autumn via Svart Records.

Although a brand-new name, HALLATAR features in its ranks SWALLOW THE SUN and TREES OF ETERNITY guitarist Juha Raivio, AMORPHIS vocalist Tomi Joutsen and former HIM drummer Gas Lipstick. In fact, one could see HALLATAR as an extension of TREES OF ETERNITY, whose acclaimed debut for Svart, "Hour Of The Nightingale", served as the swansong of vocalist Aleah Starbridge.

Juha Raivio explains the genesis of HALLATAR: "After the death of my beloved and my life partner Aleah Starbridge last April, I have been gathering writings, lyrics, and the poems of Aleah to keep them safe and close to my heart.

"About one month after the world came down on the blackest day of my life on April 18th, I knew I needed to pick up the guitar and try to create something or I would be truly destroyed. And something did arrive out of the darkness, and I wrote the music for the HALLATAR album in a week's time.

"I don't have much memory of this week, not a memory of a single day of writing the music. But all I remember when going into this abyss of the writing process was a promise to myself that whatever music would come out, I would not touch or change anything of it afterwards. What mattered was that the music would stay forever as an absolute truth of those moments as they came out.

"I asked my good friends — and amazing musicians — Tomi Joutsen and Gas Lipstick if they would want to record this music with me, and both of them said yes without even hearing a note of it. I am forever grateful to both of them for sharing this road with me; even the weight of the process has not been easy to carry, or will be."

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

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

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

HALLATAR is:

Tomi Joutsen - VocalsGas Lipstick - DrumsJuha Raivio - Guitar, Bass, Keys

Norwegian progressive metallers LEPROUS will release their fifth studio album, "Malina", on August 25 via InsideOut Music. The official video for the disc's first single, "From The Flame", can be seen below. The clip was directed by David Solbjørg of Twitchy Films. The band checked in with the following comment about "From The Flame": "'From The Flame" is definitely one of our favorite tracks from the album, with a strong hook and memorable melodies. Despite it sounding big and catchy, it also sounds pretty organic and it has a depth to it. We're super proud of the son and feel it represents LEPROUS 2017 very well!" Solbjørg added about the clip: "It's always fun and challenging to work with LEPROUS. This time around we chose to shoot with RED 8K cameras and brand new colour science (ipp2) to get as atmospheric shots as possible in a demanding low light environment."

Following a hugely successful European tour as support to labelmates DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, LEPROUS started recording the follow-up to 2015's "The Congregation". Frontman and keyboard player Einar Solberg comments: "This album is the perfect example of how you can start with a vision and end up with a result that has nothing to do with the original idea.

"The writing of the album started out with the idea to perfect the sound and working method we began with on 'The Congregation'.

"While the writing process was actually pretty similar (30 sketches, elimination process etc etc) we gradually started noticing stuff with the sound and the songwriting on the previous album that we wanted to sound different. Gradually we realized what needed to be done. This album needs to sound more alive, more organic and more dynamic."

The band entered the studio with David Castillo at Ghostward in Sweden, while mixing duties were once again taken care of by Jens Bogren.

"David immediately understood where we wanted to go," Solberg says. "We spent probably four times as many days in the studio as with any other recording we've done, for we've come to learn that if you want to sound unique that is primarily done during recordings, not the mix. We wanted it to sound like it sounded. We did not want to 'digitalize' the sound." With "Malina", LEPROUS has made every effort to try new ways of working, and push the boundaries of their sound in ways they had not originally set out to do.

"We feel with 'Malina' that we've managed to achieve a natural-sounding organic album with great songs that still sounds modern," says Solberg. "Organic doesn't necessarily equal 'retro'. While we still very much sound like LEPROUS, I believe that with this album we more accurately define as a rock band than a metal band.

"We're insanely proud of this album, and can't wait to share it with you all."

This feeling is reflected in the stunning cover artwork too, which you can see below. Einar continues: "We wanted to try something new this time, and work with a new artist. Some good musician friends of ours recommended Corey Meyers. I checked him out, and damn he's good. This is the first time we've ever received the perfect cover on the first attempt. It represents the album perfectly and looks pretty amazing!"

"Malina" track listing: 01. Bonneville02. Stuck03. From The Flame04. Captive05. Illuminate06. Leashes07. Mirage08. Malina09. Coma10. The Weight Of Disaster11. The Last Milestone "Malina" will be available as jewelcase CD and digital download, but also as limited-edition mediabook CD (with extended booklet and the bonus track "Root") and as a gatefold 2LP on 180-gram vinyl (with a poster, the bonus track "Root" and the entire album on CD).

As mentioned, LEPROUS will head out on an extensive European tour this autumn with AGENT FRESCO as special guests, including an appearance at the U.K.'s Damnation Festival. LEPROUS comments: "We're super excited to announce that we're heading out on a European tour this fall to celebrate the new album. And guess what!? We're bringing one of our generations greatest with us: the amazing AGENT FRESCO! In addition to that we're bringing ALITHIA from Australia, as well as ASTROSAUR — the band featuring our great step-in guitarist from the Devin tour. This is a dream tour for us, to be able to perform in all of these great places for our fantastic fans, listen to amazing music every night and also travel Europe with really good friends!"

Four musicians from four different countries with four entirely different biographies, yet all stemming from the world of rock, now united in one band: EXIT EDEN. The all-female four-piece ensemble unites all attributes ascribed to the new millennium: cosmopolitan, self-confident-independent and ready to do their very own thing. Despite their diversity, the four singers — Amanda Somerville, Clémentine Delauney, Marina La Torraca and Anna Brunner — blend together personally as superbly as they do vocally with their very diverse vocal tones and techniques that go from opera style to raspy rock. This constellation created extraordinary and powerful ideas and finally became their unique plan to raise EXIT EDEN's very own edge: to show the world that almost every classic song can be transformed into a solid metal-rock song. EXIT EDEN's debut, "Rhapsodies In Black", which will be released on August 4 via Napalm Records (worldwide excluding Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it will be made available via Starwatch), is home to a colorful mix of international super hits from Rihanna to Madonna, from DEPECHE MODE to Adele, and many more. Still and all, it's miles away from being just a cover album. Who the musicians are: Amanda Somerville: Amanda is a rock-solid authority of the music scene, both as a solo artist and sharing success and the stage with bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT. Though her American roots are based in pop and rock, she fell in love with the metal scene and made it her home. She has toured with Alice Cooper, Ian Gillan and many more legends with her commanding voice and fronts the projects TRILLIUM and KISKE SOMERVILLE (with HELLOWEEN icon Michael Kiske). All of this, combined with her wide range of experience, grants her a unique edge and a permanent address in the metal world. Anna Brunner: A natural talent, Anna began singing at a very young age. As a daughter of a German father and an American mother, she grew up bilingual and founded her first rock band as a teenager. Due to a music study that lead her through different parts of the world, she garnered a multitude of experience and it became crystal clear to her: music has to rock — and vocals need to be emotional — just like a passionate scream. Marina La Torraca: Hailing from Brazil, Marina was born with rhythm in her blood. As the auspicious frontwoman of several metal bands since the age of 15, her path led her to Europe, where she got to perform with AVANTASIA and to found her up-and-coming band PHANTOM ELITE. Since having studied musical theater in New York, the versatile singer and actress can also be seen internationally in Musical productions, including the upcoming German tour of the Broadway hit "Rent". For her, being close to the crowd is what counts — no problem for her and her natural convincing character. Clémentine Delauney: Clémentine was born near Paris 30 years ago. She has been a multi talent since her childhood days — no matter if she was dancing, playing the piano or singing, she enchanted her audience. At the age of 16, she joined her first metal band. She is currently fronting symphonic metal outfit VISIONS OF ATLANTIS and also worked with SERENITY and MELTED SPACE. Another one of her career highlights is her participation on Kai Hansen's (HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY) first solo album, released in 2016. Thus, Clémentine has carved her way into being one of the great performers of the scene.

"Rhapsodies In Black" track listing: 01. Question Of Time02. Unfaithful03. Incomplete04. Impossible05. Frozen06. Heaven07. Firework08. Skyfall09. Total Eclipse10. Paparazzi11. Fade To Grey

Photo credit: Christian Barz

Australian rock act HANDS LIKE HOUSES has inked a deal with Hopeless Records. To celebrate this signing, the band has dropped a brand new single and music video for "Drift", which fans can watch below. Additionally, the band has signed to UNFD in Australia and New Zealand. Frontman Trenton Woodley says "Drift" is about finding the connection. "'Drift' is about a momentary lapse in momentum, where everything is still long enough to question where you're going, where you've been and how they are somehow supposed to connect in the middle," he explains. The electrifying chemistry between lead singer Trenton Woodley, lead guitarist Matt "Coops" Cooper, guitarist/backing vocalist Alexander Pearson, bassist/backing vocalist Joel Tyrrell, and drummer Matt Parkitny, paired with a brilliant, unique artistic identity make HANDS LIKE HOUSES one of the most exciting bands in the hard rock genre right now, touring with the likes of PIERCE THE VEIL, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, A DAY TO REMEMBER and BRING ME THE HORIZON as well as their upcoming third trip on Vans Warped Tour. Born and bred in Canberra, HANDS LIKE HOUSES is one of the most famous rock exports to come emerge from the nation's capital. With over one hundred thousand record sales, fourteen full U.S. and eight U.K. tours on the books, HANDS LIKE HOUSES has just experienced the most successful eighteen months of its career. Their critically acclaimed third album, "Dissonants", impressively debuted at No. 7 on the ARIA chart and Top 10 Billboard Independent Albums, Hard Music Albums, Alternative Albums and Rock Albums. The band has also spent its time thrilling epic crowds at home on UNIFY 2016, the "Equinox Tour" and the listeners of Triple J with their incredible cover of NO DOUBT's "Don't Speak" on "Like A Version". Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, HANDS LIKE HOUSES played sold-out shows on their biggest U.K. and U.S. headline runs ever, as well as played to tens of thousands of people on the Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Northern Invasion alongside legendary acts RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, ALICE COOPER and DISTURBED. On joining the Hopeless Records family, Woodley states: "In terms of our career, we're incredibly excited to be working with our friends at Hopeless Records, as they become that key link between our present and our future as a band."

Melodic Revolution Records has announced that they have signed New York-based prog outfit Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius for the group’s upcoming release, Guilty Of Innocence.

Stratospheerius will release their fifth CD Guilty Of Innocence through Melodic Revolution Records early fall.  The new ten track album will be available worldwide in both physical and digital formats. The album features special appearances by Alex Skolnick (Testament), Rave Tesar (Renaissance) and Randy McStine (The Fringe).
 
Guilty Of Innocence’s highlights include a reimagined cover of Muse’s “Hysteria,” a 12-minute prog epic titled “Soul Food” which features many of the guests mentioned above, plus “Dream Diary Cadenza,” a solo electric violin extravaganza lifted from Joe’s electric violin concerto.
 
The band is led by founding member, electric violinist and vocalist Joe Deninzon. Joe has been called the “Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin.”
 
Guilty Of Innocence features members: French guitarist Aurelien Budynek (Cindy Blackman, Vernon Reid), bassist Jamie Bishop (The Syn, Francis Dunnery), and drummer Lucianna Padmore, praised by Modern Drummer Magazine for her “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops.”

In a Statement from Joe

“We are honored to be part of Melodic Revolution Records, and feel it will be a strong partnership, We would love to expand our audience worldwide, especially in the prog community. We love Nick’s commitment to and enthusiasm about the artists on his label.

In a Statement from Nick Katona President MRR:

“I’m a longtime fan of the band and look forward to this journey of making music and magic through our collaboration. 

Melodic Revolution Records is more than just another independent record label: we are a family of individuals and musicians that work hard together like a well-oiled machine, bringing the music listener, music that inspires, and makes us think, while cultivating memories – music that will stand the test of time. It is through this family atmosphere that new collaborations have evolved to create a rich blend of dynamic new music."

London based Death Valley Knights are poised to deliver a razor sharp slice of modern hard rock with new EP Valhalla Vintage which is set to be released on July 28th. Ahead of the release, the band have launched a new video for “Be The Grizzly”:

Co-produced by acclaimed producer Scott Atkins (Cradle of Filth, Amon Amarth, Sylosis), the band are confident this is their best material to date. Working tirelessly to get the best sounds and performances for each track, Scott and the band were pleased with the results.

"Working with Scott was such an experience.  No matter how long, how many takes, he would not let us settle for less than our best so we can confidently say that this is our finest music to date," says Jake Thorsen.  "I think people will be impressed and we've really raised the bar for ourselves."

Death Valley Knights live:

June
17 – London – Stone Free Festival 

July
15 – Nottingham – The Maze
22 – Birmingham – Scruffy Murphy’s

August
19 – London – The Lounge 666

October
29 – London – The Underworld 

In a recent audio interview with Ave Noctum, Dave Ingram - former vocalist for Bolt Thrower and Hail Of Bullets – reveals the details of a major new project and all those involved.
 
Coming soon: Troikadon, a triple-fronted band with vocals from old school veterans Kam Lee, Karl Willetts, and Ingram himself. The lineup is completed by Rogga Johansson (guitars), Jonny Pettersson (bass) and Travis Ruvo (drums.) Production of the album is currently underway, and the band are looking for a label to call home.
 
During the interview Ingram spoke of Hail Of Bullets:

“…I really hope the band does eventually get back together, and I hope as well that whatever happened in the past they put it to one side, and they get back together with Martin (Van Drunen.) That would be perfect for the band. That would be ideal.”

Ingram’s current project, Ursinne will soon have their debut album Swim With The Leviathan released on Transcending Obscurity Records.

To add to Ingram’s busy schedule, he and Rogga Johansson have begun writing the third Down Among The Dead Men full-length, titled …And You Will Obey Me as well as him working with Travis Ruvo and Rick Demusis on a project named Hellfrost And Fire.

Heavy rockers Tower Of Babel featuring guitar shredder Joe Stump (Raven Lord, Holyhell) and Csaba Zvekan (vocals) (Exorcism, Raven Lord, Metal Machine) will release their debut long player Lake Of Fire through Lion Music. The release date is scheduled July 20th.

The record was produced by Zvekan and Stump and recoded at various places. Artwork was created by Gragoth.

Zvekan comments: “…Here is another great long player we done for those who crave the classic rock in modern package. We’ve been working on this record for quite some time now. Just so all is perfect for you. Now it’s finally time to reveal the release date. It’s a great record we’re all proud to be a part off.   \m/…"

Stump adds: “...Myself and vocalist Csaba Zvekan work and write well together and we`re both massive fans of the classic Dio era Rainbow period. So kind of our modern take on that and the type of partnership that both Dio and Blackmore had in relation to their approach to composing together. It's not too deep conceptually going,  just channeling my influences  and combining my guitar work inside every musical and listenable classic hard rock and metal tunes . I wanted it to appeal to my core fanbase who of course buy my records to hear me play guitar but also to fans of classic hard rock and European power metal as well.”

Tracklisting:

“Dragonslayer”
“It’s Only Rock’n’Roll”
“Lake Of Fire”
“Addicted”
“Midnight Sun”
“Eternal Flames”
“Once Again”
“Stardust”
“Eyes Of The World”
“Lamb And The Wolves”
“Thoth”
“All Out Warfare”

Swiss melodic metal band, Gods Of Silence, will release its debut album Neverland, on September 8th via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. Neverland, includes 11 tracks and was produced, mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69). The album/cover artwork was made by Stan W Decker (Masterplan, Vanden Plas, Resurrection Kings, Stryper).

Tracklisting:

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

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

Santa Cruz, CA’s tech-death masters, Decrepit Birth, will release their first album in seven years, Axis Mundi, on July 21st via Nuclear Blast Records (North America) and Agonia Records (Europe). A lyric video for the album track “Hieroglyphic” is available for streaming below.

Recorded at three different studios over the course of a year, Axis Mundi sounds incredible. The clarity, the power, the musicianship, and the brutality aren’t vying for attention. They’re in absolute harmony. The guitars - tracked by guitarist Matt Sotelo at his home studio - are razor sharp yet spine-snappingly heavy. The drums - tracked by Ryan Forsyth at Private Ear Studios in Winnipeg, Canada - are genre-defining, recalling what Sean Reinert, Gene Hoglan, and Steve Flynn did for Death and Atheist, respectively. And the bass - tracked by bassist Sean Martinez, also at his home studio - has a great deep-end against the ceaselessly wicked rhythms. Tracks like “Hieroglyphic”, “Spirit Guide”, and “The Sacred Geometry” wouldn’t have crushed skulls and blown minds if it wasn’t for the accomplished mixing and mastering of Stefano Morabito at 16th Cellar Studios.

The cover artwork was created by Dan Seagrave (Entombed, Suffocation).

Axis Mundi tracklisting:

“Vortex of Infinity - Axis Mundi”  
“Spirit Guide”       
“The Sacred Geometry”   
“Hieroglyphic”      
“Transcendental Paradox”              
“Mirror of Humanity”        
“Ascendant”         
“Epigenetic Triplicity”        
“Embryogenesis”

Bonus Tracks:
“Orion” (Metallica cover)
“Desperate Cry” (Sepultura cover)
“Infecting The Crypts” (Suffocation cover)

“Hieroglyphic” lyric video:

“Epigenetic Triplicity”:

Fans can pre-order the Axis Mundi in various formats and bundles at this location. Pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon and receive the songs "Hieroglyphic" and "Epigenetic Triplicity" instantly.

For the better part of their 16-year existence, California-based death metallers Decrepit Birth haven’t followed the rules. From debut album, 2003’s …And Time Begins, to new album, Axis Mundi, they’ve shuffled the tried and true tenets of death metal into something defiantly other. Certainly, the Surf City denizens have written and continue to write brutally brutal music, but after years of purveying labyrinthine riffs and blasts at light-suffering speeds, they’ve transcended, they’ve transformed, they’ve gone beyond. Decrepit Birth in 2017 aren’t entirely the same band that unfurled …And Time Begins in their twentysomethings.

Seven long years separate Polarity from Axis Mundi. The absence would kill the fan velocity of most bands. But not Decrepit Birth. Even after 2014’s The Summer Slaughter Tour - the last time the West Coasters were on tour - the group’s legion of freaks have stayed true to their death metal masters, pleading and pining with regularity on social media for new technically-proficient savagery. That wait will soon be over with Axis Mundi.

Decrepit Birth is:

Matt Sotelo (guitar)
Bill Robinson (vocals)
Samus Paulicelli (drums)
Sean Martinez (bass)

The New Roses are about to return with their brand new album, One More For The Road, set to be released on August 25th via Napalm Records.

Just recently the 4-piece band from Wiesbaden, Germany, unveiled first details about their upcoming new record. Today the tracklisting has been revealed and finally the wait is over, since One More For The Road is now available to pre-order here.

One More For The Road tracklisting:

“Quarter To Twelve”
“My Own Worst Enemy”
“Forever Never Comes”
“Dancing On A Razor Blade”
“Consider Me Gone”
“Life Ain't Easy (For A Boy With Long Hair)”
“Every Wild Heart”
“Fight You Leaving Me”
“The Same Moon”
“Piece By Peace Of Mind”
“One More For The Road”
“Do I Look Scared To You (Bonus Track)
“The Storm” (Bonus Track)”
“Nitro Nights” (Bonus Track)

Delivering phenomenal hearty hymns, with One More For The Road, The New Roses again share the feeling of stepping into endless freedom and the album surely marks the band's catchiest, emotional and heaviest record to date.

Says the band: “One More For The Road is 100% New Roses, straight in your face rock’n’roll, no compromises, based on the experiences of the countless shows we played over the last year, dedicated to our great live audience. We can’t wait to play it live on our upcoming tour, because these songs were written for a hot stage, a loud crowd and a kick ass rock’n’roll band!"

Find the band’s tour schedule here.

Chicago-based conductors of death metal brutality, Broken Hope, have released a 360° video for “The Meek Shall Inherit Shit”, the opening track of their upcoming album, Mutilated And Assimilated.

Explore unique perspectives of the extreme and incredible art of Wes Benscoter and experience a kaleidosphere of death metal misanthropy at every turn in this all new interactive video.

While much of the album pays tributes to John Carpenter’s classic The Thing and John W. Campbell Jr’s short story Who Goes There (heed the title track “Mutilated And Assimilated” and brutal instrumental “Beneath Antarctic Ice”) .The lyrics behind “The Meek Shall Inherit Shit” were actually inspired by the true horrors observed in the real world.

“The Meek Shall Inherit Shit” is a premonitory message about the increasingly irreversible dangers of global pollution. Guitarist and songwriter  Jeremy Wagner further explains: “”The Meek Shall Inherit Shit” is a song I've been wanting to write lyrically for some time. I'm an environmentalist - a guy who considers environment, rather than heredity, as the primary influence on the development human beings. Homo sapiens are living in a shitpile. We constantly foul our nest, we are killing the planet, and we cause up to 2,000 extinctions every year. Look, I don't want to get all hippy and political here. I just love the natural world so much and I hate what's being done to it. It fucking pisses me off! And you can hear my anger in the lyrics and the music of this track."

Broken Hope once again tapped director Tommy Jones for the making of this 360° clip who also directed the lyric video for the album title track, where he incorporated live footage of Broken Hope in Berlin with storyboards by illustrator Mark Rudolph.

Mutilated And Assimilated will be released on June 23rd as a Limited Edition CD+DVD Digipak in North America and in a Special Edition CD+DVD Digipak in Europe, as well as digital & streaming versions available on all the major outlets worldwide.

The LP version will be released in the following vinyl colours:

Gatefold "Peeled Flesh" neon pink LP+CD: US Exclusive
Gatefold "Antarctic" blue LP+CD: Band Exclusive
Ltd. Gatefold "Cremated Corpse" black LP+CD: available via European stores
Ltd. Gatefold "Gory Glory" transp. red LP+CD: CM Distro Europe Exclusive

Mutilated And Assimilated tracklisting:

“The Meek Shall Inherit Shit”
“The Bunker”
“Mutilated and Assimilated”
“Outback Incest Clan”
“Malicious Meatholes”
“Blast Frozen”
“The Necropants”
“The Carrion Eaters”
“Russian Sleep Experiment”
“Hell's Handpuppets”
“Beneath Antarctic Ice”
“Swamped-In Gorehog”

“The Carrion Eaters” video:

“Mutilated And Assimilated” lyric video:

“Making Of” videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

In celebration of the forthcoming album, Broken Hope have announced their Los Angeles listening party and live concert, taking place June 25th. Tickets are on sale now at this location.

Broken Hope lineup:

Damian Leski - Vocals
Jeremy Wagner - Guitars
Mike Miczek - Drums
Matt Szlachta - Lead Guitars
Diego Soria - Bass

Jim Matheos, founding guitarist of legendary US progressive metallers Fates Warning, recently announced the release of the debut album from his new ambient instrumental rock project, Tuesday The Sky. The first full-length album, Drift, is set for release on June 30th via InsideOut Music, and sees Matheos expanding the boundaries of his sound ever further. A music video for the album track “Vortex Street” can be found below.

Drift came together in the downtime between Fates Warning finishing Theories Of Flight and the beginning of the touring cycle, enabling Matheos to explore a type of atmospheric and instrumental music you might not expect of him. He comments: "With this kind of music, it's a lot about creating a mood and letting that sink in and develop over long periods of time, as opposed to the more frenetic format of most prog music."

Taking cues from artists like Brian Eno, Boards Of Canada, Sigur Ros and Explosions In The Sky, he explores expansive textures and ambient electronica, as well as some of the most colossal riffs he has ever produced.

The album also features the talents of God Is An Astronaut's drummer Lloyd Hanney, who provides a rhythmic backbone that is at once punchy, precise and restrained when necessary. Other guests include long-time OSI collaborator and former Dream Theater member Kevin Moore who plays keys on two songs as well as Anna-Lynne Williams (Trespassers William, Lotte Kestner), who provides ethereal vocals (of the non-verbal kind) on two other songs.

What the future of this project holds and whether it will be taken out on the road is yet to be seen. Matheos comments: "It would be a challenge to bring this project but it is an interesting idea and one I would at least consider if there seems to be enough interest."

What is sure though, is that Tuesday The Sky's debut is a bold, brave, creative and ultimately successful album from one of rock's most underrated of musicians. The album will be released as special edition CD, black LP + CD & digital download.

Tracklisting:

“Today The Sky”
“Kite”
“Vortex Street”
“It Comes In Waves”
“Dyatlov Pass”
“Far And Away”
“Westerlies”
“Roger, Gordo”
“The Rowing Endeth”
“Drift”

“Vortex Street” video:

Dutch black metallers, Carach Angren, have released a video for “Charles Francis Coghlan”, a track from  their new concept album, Dance And Laugh Amongst The Rotten, out today via Season Of Mist. The clip is available for streaming below.

The album artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu.

Tracklisting:

“Opening”
“Charlie”
“Blood Queen”
“Charles Francis Coghlan”
“Song For The Dead”
“In De Naam Van De Duivel”
“Pitch Black Box”
“The Possession Process”

“Charles Francis Coghlan” video:

“Blood Queen” video:

“Charlie”:

“Song For The Dead”:

Order the new album at this location.