While the majority of the scene is aiming for a more melodic and overall accessible sound, Caliban are plunging into darkness with their latest album and heaviest offering to date, Gravity.

After playing selected shows and a highly successful European tour with Suicide Silence, Any Given Day and To The Rats And Wolves, Caliban have just started another run of live dates. It is the perfect timing to release an edit as well as a video clip for one of the crowd favourites, “brOKen”.

The video was done by Mirko Witzki in cooperation with Nova Event Solutions and make up arts coming from Kami Zero, check it out below:

“brOKen” (Edit) is also out as digital single. Get it here.

Caliban perform next on April 7th at Garage in Saarbrücken, Germany. Find the band’s live itinerary at this location.

Video footage of reactivated San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB performing on April 7 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, Californai can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV).

SKINLAB will hit the road this summer, following up a string of spring West Coast dates celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, "Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded". The East Coast run of shows will kick off on May 31 in Boston, Massachusetts and will feature support from PRODUCT OF HATE (Napalm Records) and IKILLYA (Urban Yeti).

Formed in 1994, SKINLAB has released four studio albums: 1997's "Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded", 1999's "Disembody: The New Flesh", 2002's "ReVolting Room" and 2009's "The Scars Between Us". The band is currently working on new material for 2017 and beyond, with updates frequently posted on Facebook.

SKINLAB confirmed 2017 tour dates:

Apr. 08 - Oakland, CA @ The Uptown Nightclub (w/ KYNG, WHITE KNUCKLE RIOT, BLACK WATER BIRTH)Apr. 22 - Lake Tahoe, CA @ Hard Rock Hotel & CasinoMay 12 - Portland, OR @ Rock Hard PDX

With PRODUCT OF HATE, IKILLYA:

May 31 - Revere, MA @ Sammy's PatioJun. 01 - Wallingford, CT @ Cherry St StationJun. 02 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint VitusJun. 03 - Philadelphia, PA @ Whiskey TangoJun. 04 - Washington, DC @ The PinchJun. 06 - Chesapeake, VA @ Riffhouse PubJun. 07 - Fayetteville, NC @ Drunk Horse PubJun. 08 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone

The original lineup of SKINLAB — Steev Esquivel (vocals, bass), Paul Hopkins (drums), Gary Wendt (guitar) and Mike Roberts (guitar) — played "Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded" in its entirety at the BlackThorne Screamfest last October at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California.

Wendt will be unable to play the SKINLAB East Coast shows due to scheduling conflicts. A replacement guitarist for those dates has not yet been announced.

"Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded" was reissued in October 2007 via Century Media Records. The repackaged disc featured never-before-seen video footage and pictures with liner notes from Esquivel and Roberts along with new artwork layout.

SKINLAB has played sporadic shows in the last few years but hasn't released any new music since 2009's "The Scars Between Us" album.

The band has had different lineups throughout its history, with Esquivel as the only mainstay.

In a 2011 interview with Thrash Magazine, Esquivel stated about SKINLAB's sound: "Everyone said we were too death metal on 'Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded', which we didn't agree with. We've never really fit into any one genre. We're definitely not nu metal, which a lot of people think, and we're definitely not metalcore. We just write what feels good to us without losing the sound of SKINLAB. Everyone has their own opinion and interpretation on what genre we fall into."

Former CRUCIFIED BARBARA guitarist Klara "Force" Rönnqvist Fors, bassist Ida "Evileye" Stenbacka and drummer Nikki Wicked (a.k.a. Jannicke Lindström) have joined forces with DEATHSTARS bassist Jonas "Skinny Disco" Kangur (on lead guitar) and burlesque performer, model and singer Pepper Potemkin in a brand new band called THE HEARD.

THE HEARD's Facebook page describes the group as being about "heavy riffs, misty songs, dark waters and a death supreme."

THE HEARD is:

* Klara Force (CRUCIFIED BARBARA) - Guitar* Ida Evileye (CRUCIFIED BARBARA) - Bass * Nikki Wicked (CRUCIFIED BARBARA) - Drums* Jonas "Skinny Disco" Kangur (DEATHSTARS) - Lead Guitar* Pepper Potemkin - Vocals

CRUCIFIED BARBARA announced its breakup in June 2016, two years after the release of the band's fourth album, "In The Red". The group explained at the time that "our lives have parted and we need to move on. The last years have taken its toll on all of us and the joy of playing together got lost somewhere along the way." "In The Red" was released in September 2014. The CD was recorded at Music A Matic studio in Gothenburg with producer Chips Kiesby and engineer Henryk Lip, and was the follow-up to 2012's "The Midnight Chase".

"Cleanse The Bloodlines" is the first track off of Unleash The Archers’ upcoming album Apex.

Powerful front woman Brittney Slayes states:        

"We are beyond stoked to finally debut a track from the new album, and this song was unanimously chosen as the first single by the whole band, no question. It's a heavy song so we wanted a heavy video, and we think that Richard (Olak, director) did an incredible job of capturing the essence of the album perfectly. It was a brutal two days of filming in zero degree weather, but it was worth it, and we think it turned out well. We filmed with a 6K RED Weapon, one of the best cameras out there right now, and the cinematic quality adds to the dark nature of the lyrical content.  We think our fans are really going to like this one!"

It has now been 10 years of Unleash The Archers. These heavy metal heroes are celebrating this honour with an exhilarating feast on their upcoming album, Apex, out on June 2nd via Napalm Records.

The band states: “We are extremely excited to release another full on concept album; it's just so much fun to play out a story when you're up on stage. This one has a protagonist that we call 'The Immortal' being forced to serve the antagonist, a.k.a. 'The Matriarch' as she embarks down a very dark path to achieve immortality. We had a great time writing this record, and I think the cohesiveness of the story has really shone through in the music as well. It has a certain vibe throughout, from beginning to end, and we can't wait to hear what our fans have to say about the direction this album has taken. We don't like to write the same record over and over again and we are very happy with the progression of our sound on Apex. We think it will appeal to all of our fans old and new; it has the best parts of our past albums combined into one with just a little more spit and polish.”

Ken Sarafin created the picturesque album artwork for Apex. This album takes nerves of steel; from its opener “Awakening” to the title track that closes the album, the listener will partake in a furious adventure, weaving through elements of the strongest metal genres of our time. You’ll be guided by the shimmering heat of sweeping lead guitars, face-melting solos, deafening growls, pummeling bass lines and of course the thrilling hooks of Brittney Slayes' queen-size voice.

Tracklisting:

“Awakening”
“Shadow Guide”
“The Matriarch”
“Cleanse The Bloodlines”
“The Coward's Way”
“False Walls”
“Ten Thousand Against One”
“Earth And Ashes”
“Call Me Immortal”
“Apex”

"Cleanse The Bloodlines" video:

Lineup:

Brittney Slayes - Vocals
Scott Buchanan - Drums
Grant Truesdell - Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley - Guitar, Vocals
Nikko Whitworth - Bass

Fan-filmed video footage of QUIET RIOT's April 7 performance at Bowery Live in West Palm Beach, Florida can be seen below.

QUIET RIOT made its live debut with the band's seventh lead singer, "American Idol" finalist James Durbin, on March 18 at The Cotillion in Wichita, Kansas.

Durbin, who became known as the "metal guy" on 2011's season of "American Idol" after performing "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking The Law" with JUDAS PRIEST, joined QUIET RIOT in March after the dismissal of Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha; formerly of ADLER'S APPETITE). Nicols was with QUIET RIOT for just a few months, but long enough to record the vocals for an early version the band's upcoming album, "Road Rage".

Prior to the Wichita show, Durbin — who recently collaborated with QUIET RIOT guitarist Alex Grossi on the "Maps To The Hollywood Scars" EP — explained his decision to join QUIET RIOT, saying that it was partly motivated by his desire to elevate the band's status to levels not seen in the decade following original singer Kevin DuBrow's death.

"Me stepping into QUIET RIOT is me wanting to use the attention that I have and the things that I have done to highlight a band that I feel is being forgotten, or is being remembered for the wrong reasons," he said.

"[The QUIET RIOT documentary 'Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back' is] a great movie, it's a great story, it's tragic, it happens to every band. Whenever somebody loses a member, you go through this thing where you're trying to find somebody to fill that spot, and in some cases, it's just another guy, but in other cases, it's your best friend or your brother. And you've really gotta find people that you really gel with and really work with and really understand."

Drummer Frankie Banali revived QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after DuBrow's death, along with Grossi and Wright. The group went through two vocalists — Mark Huff and Scott Vokoun — before settling on Jizzy Pearl in 2013. Pearl announced his exit from QUIET RIOT last October.

This summer, METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour hits stadiums across North America. The band has invited along special guests AVENGED SEVENFOLD and openers VOLBEAT or GOJIRA to join them through out the summer. However, as some fans have noticed, there are a handful of cities (five, to be exact!) where only one band from the bill is able to join. Since METALLICA have had so much fun checking out local bands that fans voted for to open the shows in other parts of the world (Central/South America, Copenhagen and Mexico City), it only seems natural to invite fans to once again voice their opinion and help choose a band. This time around, the group receiving the most fan votes will hit the stage first on their own five-city tour! The "mini" tour includes these five dates: May 19 - Foxborough, MA - Gillette Stadium (also with VOLBEAT) June 04 - St. Louis, MO - Busch Stadium (also with VOLBEAT)June 14 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome (also with AVENGED SEVENFOLD)June 16 - Dallas, TX - AT&T Stadium (also with AVENGED SEVENFOLD)June 18 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field (also with AVENGED SEVENFOLD) METALLICA fans will have the opportunity to vote in two phases. For the first phase, visit the sites of the radio partners below in each market. KEGL / DallasWLUP / ChicagoKISS / San AntonioKPNT / St Louis:

All the votes will be tabulated by the stations and two finalists from each contest will go head to head for votes in phase two on Metallica.com starting next week on April 14. Ten days later, the band with the most votes will be announced and can start packing their bags to head to their first gig in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium courtesy of METALLICA! Vote locally now and stay tuned to see who will open the shows in Foxborough, St. Louis, San Antonio, Dallas and Chicago on the "WorldWired" tour.

The North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" 2017 tour kicks off on May 10 in Baltimore, Maryland and will hit stadiums in 25 cities before winding down in mid-August. Support on the quartet's first North American trek since 2009 will come mainly from AVENGED SEVENFOLD and VOLBEAT, with GOJIRA taking over for the latter group for the last six shows.

Steve Perry reunited with JOURNEY for the first time in years as they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame earlier tonight (Friday, April 7). The iconic singer appeared onstage with his former bandmates as they each gave speeches, but did not perform with the group later in the event.

During his speech, Perry praised each of JOURNEY musicians as well as the band's current singer, Arnel Pineda, who was not being inducted into the Rock Hall. "I must give a shoutout to a man who sings his heart out every night, Arnel Pineda," Perry said.

Perry concluded his remarks by thanking the JOURNEY fans, crediting them for "put[ting] us here." He added: "You're the rock and roll hall of fame! From my heart, I must tell you, I've been gone a long time, [but] you've never not been in my heart. Thank you so very much."

After the individual speeches were completed, the Pineda-fronted version of JOURNEY performed three songs "Lights", "Separate Ways" and "Don't Stop Believin'".

Pineda, who has been the band's frontman since 2007, greeted Perry with open arms backstage at the ceremony.

"One the sweetest hug you can ever get from one of my heroes and silent mentors..it means the world to me..waited 35 years for this moment..thank you Almighty God," Pineda wrote alongside an Instagram photo of him hugging Perry.

Perry's final full concert with JOURNEY took place in early 1987. He later rejoined his bandmates for a brief performance in 1991 to honor late concert promoter Bill Graham. He also appeared with JOURNEY when they received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2005.

In addition to Perry and guitarist Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Gregg Rolie and Aynsley Dunbar were inducted, as well as current drummer Steve Smith, who's on his third run with the group.

The 32nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the third time. An edited version will later air on HBO and there will be a radio broadcast on SiriusXM.

Artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single.

RUSH's Geddy Lee joined members of YES on stage at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony to perform the song "Roundabout".

For the first time in well over a decade, founding YES frontman Jon Anderson took the stage alongside current YES members Steve Howe and Alan White, as well as former members Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman.

Lee and RUSH bandmate Alex Lifeson inducted YES into the Rock Hall, with the bassist/vocalist stating: "It's not overstating things to say it changed the way I played and listened to music forever. So here we are, decades later, and the music of YES is still echoing down through the years, showing me that music truly is a continuum." Lifeson described YES as "my gateway band in so many ways. There's nothing so fleeting yet enduring about the way music feels when you're 17 years old."

Following "Roundabout", Lee left the stage and the remaining musicians performed "Owner Of A Lonely Heart".

"Roundabout" originally appeared on the 1972 YES album "Fragile", which featured influential bassist Chris Squire. Squire passed away in 2015.

Asked what it was like to learn Squire's intricate bass parts, Lee told the press: "At first, difficult. After a while, difficult. They're a very precise band. Chris Squire was one of the most inventive-sounding bass players ever. So to play his parts… I mean, it's one thing to mimic his parts — you can mimic anything if you practice it — but to write those parts is sheer brilliance. It was a great honor for me to step in."

Swedish melodic rockers, Treat, will release their first ever live CD and first live DVD/Blu-Ray in over 10 years, entitled The Road More Or Less Traveled - Live In Milano on April 21st. A video for “Do Your Own Stunts” from the upcoming release is available for streaming below.

On April 23rd, 2016, Treat played a hotly anticipated set at Frontiers Rock Festival III. Held close to Milano, Italy, this was the third annual edition of the festival and saw Treat playing hot on the heels of the release of their latest studio album, Ghost Of Graceland. The release date of this live album happens to be about one year after the initial performance took place and almost coincides with the 2017 edition of the Frontiers Rock Festival as well.

The band took the stage by storm, opening the show with the title track from their last studio album and showcasing a very special lineup, which features H.E.A.T. keyboardist Jona Tee taking the place of Patrik Appelgren for this exclusive performance. Treat offered a show with a great mixture of new and recent songs taken from their latest album, the highly regarded 2010 release Coup De Grace, and classic songs from the good ol’ days including “World Of Promises”, “Get You On The Run”, and “Ready For The Taking”.

Says guitarist Anders Wikström, “As we haven’t released a live home video in 10 years, let alone a live album ever, and then Serafino asked us, we were more than delighted, and frankly, long overdue, to show our fans what we been up to for the last couple of years. With so many albums to choose from and our audience constantly asking for different songs in the setlist, this was a great opportunity to close one chapter, only to start writing the next. "The Road more or Less Traveled” is a great reminder for anyone to see that Treat is very much a living and breathing live entity!”

Treat’s performance was truly a unique and special one and this live video documents a great moment in the band’s history as well as serving as a celebration of one of Sweden’s finest hard rock bands ever!

"This year will take us right back we belong, on stage! We have some really cool surprises and will of course play the best of the new, but also older songs we haven’t performed in ages! See you all on tour through 2017,” concludes Anders.

The Road More or Less Traveled will be released on CD/DVD, Blu-Ray standalone, and digital editions.

Tracklisting:

“Ghost Of Graceland”
“Better The Devil You Know”
“Non Stop Madness”
“Ready For The Taking”
“Papertiger”
“Do Your Own Stunts”
“Endangered”
“Gimme One More Night”
“We Own The Night”
“Roar”
“Get You On The Run”
“Conspiracy”
“Skies Of Mongolia”
“World Of Promises”

“Do Your Own Stunts” video:

“Papertiger” video:

“Ready For The Taking” video:

Treat tour dates:

May
17 - Shibuya Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan
18 - Umeda Quattro - Osaka, Japan
27 - Kalos Festival - Madrid, Spain

August
25 - Hair Metal Heaven Festival - Hull UK

Band lineup:

Robert Ernlund: Lead vocals
Anders Wikström: Lead Guitars and vocals
Pontus Egberg: Electric Bass and vocals
Jamie Borger: Drums
Patrick Appelgren: Keyboards and vocals

Royal Machines featuring Sebastian Bach, Mark McGrath, Billy Gibbons, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Chris Chaney, performed live in Rust, Germany at World Hosting Day 2017 at Europa Park.

WorldHostingDays is the global event series for the cloud services and internet infrastructure industries. The main event is WHD.global, a week-long festival that happens annually in Germany. It’s where leaders come together to understand how all digital technologies fit together to shape our current world and our future.

WorldHostingDays has been around since 2003 and was originally focused on the hosting industry. Over the years, attendees have come from a wider range of fields, and the hosting industry itself has needed to adopt a more robust array of technologies. With its unique programming and atmosphere, WHD.global is now the main global event for cloud services and internet infrastructure. It features more than 120 presentations and 200 exhibitors that bring you the most cutting-edge digital innovations, and topics spanning the entire range of digital technology and culture.

KISS’ “Rock And Roll All Nite”:

AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell”:

Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”:

ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man”:

ZZ Top’s “La Grange”:

Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxxy Lady”:

Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name Of”:

German melodic black metal newcomers, Mallevs Maleficarvm, have released a lyric video for “He Shall Bring No Light”, a track from their debut album, Homo Homini Lupus, out on April 21st via NoiseArt Records. The clip is available for streaming below.

Founded back in 2011, mastermind Marius Berendsen entrenched himself over the course of the last years to give this beast of an album the final polishing.

Tracklisting:

“Homo Homini Lupus”
“Der Widerchrist”
“Under The Red Skies”
“A Blaze At Dawn”
“He Shall Bring No Light”
“Event Horizon”
“Sieben Sonnen”
“War”
“Tragedy And Triumph”
“Mors Ultima Ratio”

“He Shall Bring No Light” lyric video:

“Under The Red Skies” lyric video:

Trailer:

(Photo - Mallevs Maleficarvm Facebook)

A live video for “Rush Of Silence”, from Vanden Plas' forthcoming live CD/DVD, The Seraphic Live Works, is available for streaming below. The set will be released on May 12th.

In their long career, Vanden Plas Official has only released one live album, Spirit Of Live, recorded in Paris at the legendary Elysée Montmartre, in 2000. With the upcoming release of The Seraphic Live Works, the wait for another documentation of the band's immense talents as a live act is finally over.

Through many tours and countless concerts, Vanden Plas has proven again and again that it is among the world's leading progressive metal bands. The quintet's glowing reputation carries across the pond to the U.S. where Vanden Plas was invited to appear at the renowned ProgPower USA in Atlanta in 2011. Regardless of a band's fame, an invitation to this prestigious event is an honor and their performance is certainly a high note in Vanden Plas' history. And it is for exactly that reason that Vanden Plas decided to captutre that unique moment.

The Seraphic Live Works shows unmistakably how extraordinary this gig at Center Stage Theater was for everyone involved. A performance exploding with energy, euphoric audience, and the venue's own special flair. The recordings will captivate every viewer and there is no question that Vanden Plas made the right decision to preserve this performance for eternity.

The Seraphic Live Works captivates and enthralls for nine songs, beginning with straightforward opener "Postcard To God" through the atmospheric "Far Off Grace" to the brilliant closer, "Silently." In this extended live version of the song, Vanden Plas ignites a prog metal fireworks display that is unparalleled, leading the listener through more than 11 magnificent minutes to a spectacular conclusion.

Vanden Plas has fans all over the world, but for those who have not yet been able to experience the band, they wanted to give them the next best thing with The Seraphic Live Works. The audio and video capture an authentic band that stands out in the prog metal genre.

Tracklisting (CD/DVD):

“Postcard To God”
“Rush Of Silence”
“Holes In The Sky”
“Far Off Grace”
“Scar Of An Angel”
“Quicksilver”
“Cold Wind”
“Frequency”
“Silently”

“Rush Of Silence” video:

Lineup:

Stephan Lill – Guitar
Andreas Lill – Drums
Günter Werno – Keyboards
Andy Kuntz – Vocals
Torsten Reichert – Bass

German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN will release a new concert DVD and Blu-ray, "Paris", on May 19. The set was recorded in March 2012 at the then-named Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris (now AccorHotels Arena) during RAMMSTEIN's "Made In Germany" tour, and was helmed by the band's longtime collaborator, Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund.

A performance clip of the song "Mutter", talken from "Paris", can be seen below.

Åkerlund has also worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others.

21 years down the line, with the original lineup, the six East Berliners stand at the very apex of the rock world, achieving album and DVD sales in the millions, headlining festivals and major venues around the world and selling out shows in record time (the band's bill-topping appearance at New York's Madison Square Garden saw the 20,000 seats snapped up in just 20 minutes!) Trafalgar Releasing had worldwide rights to "Paris" excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland (which were distributed by NFP). The top-performing territories for Trafalgar Releasing were Russia, Latin America and Poland, helping to achieve over $1 million for the outfit. NFP's territories saw a grossing of almost $1.2 million across two screening dates, coming in second on Germany's weekend box office. "Paris" has become one of Trafalgar Releasing's top music events following the worldwide screenings of "Roger Waters: The Wall" (which made almost $5 million at the global box office with top performing territories including Italy, Latin America, Czech Republic, France and Germany) and "One More Time With Feeling With Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds" (from acclaimed director Andrew Dominik, which achieved over $2.2 million). 2017 has also seen Trafalgar Releasing (in partnership with CinEvents) screen across the U.K. and selected European territories, a targeted release of "Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" (alongside a new interview with the drummer from David Bowie's band produced by MOJO magazine), which made an impressive $240,000 from just 200 screens. Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, has said on the success: "It was great to work so closely with RAMMSTEIN's management team on the release of 'Paris' — they helped us talk directly to the passionate fan base of the band, who came out to celebrate this truly unique event. We look forward to working on similar kinds of projects in the future and bringing music events to the big screen around the world."

Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD will release their first-ever live album, "Greetings From…", on May 5 via Razor & Tie. The band recorded all of the shows on its fall 2016 tour with OPETH and chose nine songs to make up the track listing on the disc.

Starting today, "Greetings From…" will be available for pre-order on iTunes, with "Maiden, Mother And Crone" being an instant grat track with every order. Vinyl and physical CDs can be pre-ordered at the band's webstore and also at the Razor & Tie webstore. Those ordering on the band's webstore have a choice of multiple bundles, including a custom laminate, slip mat, exclusive t-shirt, and a limited edition signed lithograph of the album's cover art. The label's webstore will feature bundles with an exclusive t-shirt and hoodie.

To support the "Greetings From…" release, THE SWORD will do two legs of touring in May and July. The May tour, focusing mainly on the eastern half of the U.S., will feature eight shows supporting CLUTCH and LUCERO, and eleven headline dates featuring support by CROY & THE BOYS, MOUNT CARMEL and PONTIAK on various dates. The July dates will be focused on the West Coast and support on all shows will be provided by BIG JESUS.

THE SWORD will commence the recording of its sixth studio album in September, with a release scheduled in early 2018.

"Forces Of The Northern Night", the highly anticipated double DVD from Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR, will be released on April 14 via Nuclear Blast. The set will contain two of the band's live performances: their legendary show in Oslo, presenting DIMMU BORGIR on stage with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and a bombastic choir, as well as their entire performance at Wacken Open Air festival in 2012 in Wacken, Germany with almost a hundred musicians on stage. Both concerts present a spectacular sound scenario of raging black metal in front of an epic orchestral landscape plus the band's unique visuals.

An unboxing video for "Forces Of The Northern Night" can be seen below.

DIMMU BORGIR's remarkable and atramentous stage show has long seemed like a natural evolution for fans, but much time, arrangements and commitment were necessary to put this gigantic production into reality and fill the stage with 90 minutes of mindblowing aural delight per night. The shows guide the fans through classics from the band's discography — from the majestic finisher "Mourning Palace" — which can be seen below (footage from the Wacken show) — to the stomping manifesto "Puritania" and the haunting "Gateways". "For us, this is the pinnacle of our career so far," says DIMMU BORGIR frontman Stian Thoresen (a.k.a. Shagrath). "As a band, we've always used a lot of symphonic elements in our music. But we haven't been able to use a real orchestra. We've had to use samples, synthesizers and so on, so this was a huge, awesome experience for us." In addition to the two concerts, "Forces Of The Northern Night" will include a bonus documentary feature.

DIMMU BORGIR's May 28, 2011 concert at the Oslo Spektrum in Norway, which is included on "Forces Of The Northern Night", featured a special setlist with 53 members of KORK (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra) and 30 members of the Schola Cantorum choir, who were musical guests on the band's ninth studio album, 2010's "Abrahadabra". The show was professionally filmed and was broadcast as part of a one-hour documentary in June 2011 on NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company and the largest media organization in Norway.

In an interview with Scuzz TV, DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz) stated about the experience of performing with an orchestra: "It was, of course, really special, especially since it was in Oslo, and a lot of people traveled in for the show from all over the world. And everything went great on stage for once. When you have a hundred people on stage, the percentage of something going wrong is definitely there, but it was really, really good."

He added: "You think your band is professional, then you play with an orchestra, and then you know, 'Oh, we're not so professional after all.'"

DIMMU BORGIR last year extended its partnership with Nuclear Blast.

The band's tenth album is tentatively due before the end of 2017.

DIMMU BORGIR's most recent touring lineup included Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass.

"Devil Dancer", a new song from WARRANT, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new studio album, "Louder Harder Faster", which will be relased on May 12 via Frontiers Music Srl. The disc was recorded with producer Jeff Pilson, a veteran bassist who has played with DIO, FOREIGNER, DOKKEN and T&N, among others, and was mixed by Pat Regan except for the song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink", which was mixed by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, PRONG, LAST IN LINE).

With a lineup featuring original members Erik Turner (guitar), Jerry Dixon (bass), Joey Allen (guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums) along with singer Robert Mason (LYNCH MOB, CRY OF LOVE), WARRANT is now stronger than ever. Mason's vocals remain a breath of fresh air and his swagger on the songs gives new life and a bright future to the band. "Louder Harder Faster", true to the band's roots, is full of rockers with some classic ballads thrown in and will surely send their faithful fans into a frenzy.

Turner says: "You can hear and feel the emotions of the last twenty-five-plus years of being in this band poured into 'Louder Harder Faster'. The fun and the frustrations, the pleasure and the pain... a whole lot of blood, sweat, tears and beers went into the making of this album. Love it or hate it, it's the real-fuckin'-deal, hundred-percent pure melodic hard rock handcrafted by five musicians who dedicated their lives to music when they were just little kids with big dreams."

Dixon adds: "'Louder Harder Faster' is truly one of our best records to date. It has all the classic WARRANT ingredients that people have come to know, plus a lot of extras that keep it in the modern realm of todays music. It's a perfect mix between balls and ballads.

"When we started this project over two years ago, we wanted to bring the listener back to the days of sitting in the living room and cranking up a record from start to finish.

"Making full records seems to be a lost art, [and] we hope in some small way that this album helps people find that art again."

Regarding how the "Louder Harder Faster" album title came about, Mason told "The Rock Brigade" podcast: "On stage, since probably '09, '10, '11… I don't remember when; maybe it was after our record [was released]. But as a thing to say between… It kind of just came out of my mouth one day — 'louder, harder, faster' — and I screamed it into the microphone and we started the next song. It was kind of one of those dumb things lead singers say to break up the dead air between songs in live shows. And it kind of stuck in my head and I started doing it. It was a thing I kind of started saying. And one day I had a riff in my hands and a guitar in my house, or in a hotel room, and then it turned into, 'Oh, guys, by the way, I wrote this song. It's called 'Louder, Harder, Faster'.' And I think I half-drunkenly said in a hotel bar one night, maybe three or four years ago, 'Oh, by the way, the record should be called 'Louder, Harder, Faster', 'cause I have this fucking song.' And, you know, that's what cocky lead singers say to their guitar players. And I think Joey Allen was, like, 'Yeah, yeah. Blah blah blah. I'll believe it when I hear it.' So there you go. When we came up with the songs for this record, it just kind of became obvious that that was the… If you're gonna name it after one of the songs, there you go."

"Louder Harder Faster" track listing:

01. Louder Harder Faster02. Devil Dancer03. Perfect04. Only Broken Heart05. U In My Life06. Music Man07. Faded08. New Rebellion09. Big Sandy10. Choose Your Fate11. Let It Go12. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink (bonus track available on CD only)

Photo credit: Stephen Jensen / F3 Studios

"Sacred", the new video from Maryland doom legends THE OBSESSED, can be seen below. The song is the title track of the band's first studio album in over twenty years, which is being released today (Friday, April 7) via Relapse Records.

"Sacred" is being made available on CD, LP, deluxe double LP, and digital formats. The deluxe 2xLP bundle includes an enamel logo pin, signed art print, and two bonus tracks.

With renewed energy and purpose, THE OBSESSED sounds heavier and more relevant than ever before. On "Sacred", the band doubles down on enormous, heaving riffs and pummeling low-end across twelve tracks of eternal doom. Rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich's lyrical honesty and iconic throaty vocals, "Sacred" is an album that further pushes THE OBSESSED into the annals of heavy metal history, well worth the two-decade-plus wait. "Sacred" track listing:

01. Sodden Jackal02. Punk Crusher03. Sacred04. Haywire05. Perseverance Of Futility06. It's Only Money07. Cold Blood08. Stranger Things09. Razor Wire10. My Daughter My Son11. Be The Night12. Interlude13. On So Long (bonus)14. Crossroader Blues (bonus)

Weinrich, who has also played with SAINT VITUS, SPIRIT CARAVAN, THE HIDDEN HAND and SHRINEBUILDER, is joined in THE OBSESSED's current touring lineup by Reid Raley on bass, and Brian Constantino on drums.

Weinrich announced THE OBSESSED's return in March 2016 on social media, explaining in a statement: "All over the world I've listened to friends tell me, 'We want you to bring back THE OBSESSED,' so I have decided to resurrect THE OBSESSED." He added that he was "waiting for the right combination of ability, attitude and personality to accomplish this goal."

Forged in 1976 in Maryland, THE OBSESSED weathered various lineup shifts and an on-again-off-again status over the course of a winding, forty-year history. The band released three now-legendary full-lengths — 1990's "The Obsessed", 1991's "Lunar Womb" and 1994's "The Church Within" — as well as a gaggle of seven-inch singles and compilation appearances.

"The Church Within" was Wino's most critically hailed album. Despite being co-released by Hellhound Records and the major label Columbia Records, the music-buying masses were not ready to embrace doom in 1994 and instead fixated on buying records by rehashed pop-punk bands. Several factors led to "The Church Within" becoming THE OBSESSED's last full-length album. Despite not becoming a top-seller, the album remains hugely influential.

The official video for the song "Blood And Salt" from the Amsterdam-based metal band THE CHARM THE FURY can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's sophomore album, "The Sick, Dumb & Happy", which was released on March 17 via Nuclear Blast / Arising Empire. The disc was recorded at Wisseloord, ICP Belgium. The mixing was completed by Josh Wilbur (MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED) with additional mixing by Stefan Glaumann (WITHIN TEMPTATION, RAMMSTEIN, PARADISE LOST). Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound in New York City and Brian "Big Bass" Gardner handled the mastering.

The cover artwork for the follow-up to 2013's "A Shade Of My Former Self" can be seen below.

"The Sick, Dumb & Happy" track listing:

01. Down On The Ropes02. Echoes03. Weaponized04. No End In Sight05. Blood And Salt06. Corner Office Maniacs07. The Future Need Us Not08. Silent War09. The Hell In Me10. Songs Of Obscenity11. Break And Dominate

Commented the group: "This record is a cross-section of the metal sound we hope will resurrect in the next ten years — a return to thrash roots, headbanging anthems, and tried-and-tested songwriting that made metal so great back in the '80s and '90s.

"We found Robert Sammelin via an app, saw his work and immediately knew that this was our guy. He still hand-draws his designs, creating some completely surreal comic-style images. While working with him we actually found out that he did key artwork for 'Battlefield 1', which is crazy. We gave him the rough idea for the spiral eyed skull, the color scheme and blood spatters was all his idea. We wanted something different and we feel he created a completely unique piece, better than anything we could come up with."

THE CHARM THE FURY has matured since their debut. With several of Europe's biggest festivals under their belts, they have transformed their sound into a startling slab of ultra-modern but utterly distinctive metal that shrewdly and honestly redefines what THE CHARM THE FURY is all about. Driven by a collective distaste for the state of the world in the 21st century, the band recorded an angry album underpinned by ferocious intelligence and a heartfelt desire to wake people out of their digital stupors.

THE CHARM THE FURY is:

Caroline Westendorp - VocalsMathijs Tieken - DrumsRolf Perdok - GuitarMartijn Slegtenhorst - GuitarLucas Arnoldussen - Bass

It was a tricky question... How would Swedish duo VINTERSORG continue after 2014's intriguing album "Naturbål"? Shunning repetition, vocalist and mastermind Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund did the unthinkable and composed a sequel to his groundbreaking 1998 album "Till Fjälls", which is considered to be one of the most important albums in the genre of black/folk metal!

What to expect from "Till Fjälls Del II"? No scientific lyrical concept, no progressive trickery, but a heartfelt return to snowcapped mountains, pure nature-inspired mysticism, Nordic folklore and real black metal with a captivating epic streak. VINTERSORG share a vision of equally harsh and melodic soundscapes that melt the raging extremes of the late '90s with the focus of 2016.

The worldwide album release is set for June 30 via Napalm Records.

"Till Fjälls Del II" track listing:

CD1

01. Jökelväktaren02. En Väldig Isvidds Karga Dräkt03. Lavin04. Fjällets Mäktiga Mur05. Obygdens Pionjär06. Vinterstorm07. Tusenåriga Stråk08. Allt Mellan Himmel Och Jord09. Vårflod

CD2

01. Tillbaka Till Källorna02. Köldens Borg03. Portalen04. Svart Måne

The album will be available as a 2-CD 6-page digipak and 2LP gatefold edition (black vinyl, strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide). Also available is the VINTERSORG classic "Ödemarkens Son" from 1999 on vinyl for the first time ever. 1LP gatefold edition, strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide.

Canadian progressive thrash legends VOIVOD will reissue their three classic albums from the Noise Records years through BMG on April 28. 1986's "Rrrroooaaarrr", 1987's "Killing Technology" and 1988's "Dimension Hatross" have all been remastered, with the CD versions containing a whole host of addition extras including a double CD of the album, a live set and an additional DVD of live performances, rehearsals and photos all compiled from the bands own personal archives. The 2CD/DVD Set vividly captures the period surrounding the albums, where the band's sound and concept come together in perfect union, and where the transition from thrash metal into something altogether more unique, was finally made. All three albums have been re-mastered from the original tapes, pressed on high quality heavy-weight vinyl and the artwork has replicated from the original release. Available on vinyl again for the first time in 30 years!

A video clip of VOIVOD performing the song "Tribal Convictions" live at Anthrax in Norwalk, Connecticut on November 9, 1988 from the forthcoming deluxe 2CD/DVD reissue of "Dimension Hatross" can be seen below. VOIVOD is a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Québec. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s. Starting out as a speed metal band, VOIVOD have added a mix of progressive metal and thrash metal to create their own unique metal style, and are credited as one of the "big four" Canadian thrash metal bands, along with SACRIFICE, RAZOR and ANNIHILATOR. They are considered by many as one of the most influential metal bands from the '80s, influencing and gaining praise from multiple bands and across numerous genres. Since its inception in 1982, VOIVOD have released thirteen studio albums, as well as one EP, one live album, two compilations, seven demos and one DVD featuring a live concert. The band found mainstream success in the late 1980s with their fifth studio album, "Nothingface" (1989), which is VOIVOD's only album to enter The Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number 114. "Rrrroooaaarrr" track listing:

CD1

* Korgull the Exterminator* Fuck Off And Die* Slaughter In A Grave* Ripping Headaches* Horror* Thrashing Rage* The Helldriver* Build Your Weapons* To The Death!

CD2 - Spectrum '86 - "No Speed Limit" Weekend; Live at Montreal, October '86

* Korgüll The Exterminator* Ripping Headaches* Blower* Fuck Off And Die* Tornado* Iron Gang* War And Pain* Warriors Of Ice* Nuclear War* Overreaction* The Helldriver* Ravenous Medicine* Voivod* Thrashing Rage

DVD

Audio:

* Rrröööaaarrr Rough Mix Demo 1985* Anachronism Live 25.06.86 (first show)* Early Rehearsals 1983-1984* Piggy Sound Collage 1980

Video:

* Live, NYC, N.Y., USA – 05/05/86; First U.S. Show* Live, Long Beach, C.A., USA – 06/13/86* Live, Jonquiere High School, QC, Canada, 12/20/84; Morgoth Invasion* Live, Jonquiere Cultural Center QC, Canada, 01/27/84; To the Death! * Slideshows: Artwork (1983 – 1986) + Live & Studio Photos (1985 – 1986)

"Killing Technology" track listing:

CD1

* Killing Technology* Overreaction* Tornado* Too Scared To Scream* Forgotten In Space* Ravenous Medicine* Order of The Blackguards* This Is Not An Exercise* Cockroaches

CD2

Spectrum '87 - Live In Montreal, September 1987:

* Killing Technology* Overreaction* Ravenous Medicine* Tornado* Korgull The Exterminator* Ripping Headaches* Blower* Live For Violence* Tribal Convictions* Order of The Blackguards* Cockroaches* To The Death* Voivoid* Batman

DVD

Audio:

* Live At Kriekelaarzaal, Brussels, Belgium: 28/11/87

Video:

* Live At The Token Lounge, Westland, MI, USA: 14/05/87* Live At Rossli Azmoosm, Sargans, Switzerland: 06/11/87* Live At Festhalle, Tuttlingen, Germany: 07/11/87* Live At Rex Club, Paris, France: 01/12/87* Live At Ildiko's, Toronto, ON, Canada: 19/09/87* Slideshows: Artwork (1987) | Live & Studio Photos (1987)

"Dimension Hatross" track listing:

CD1

* Experiment* Tribal Convictions* Chaosmongers* Technocratic Manipulators* Macrosolutions To Megaproblems* Brain Scan* Psychic Vacuum* Cosmic Drama* Batman

CD2 – Spectrum '88 – 'A Flawless Structure?'; Live in Montreal, December 21st 1988:

* Overreaction* Experiment* Tribal Convictions* Chaosmongers* Ravenous Medicine* Korgull The Exterminator* Technocratic Manipulators* Macrosolutions To Megaproblems* War And Pain Medley* Brain Scan* Psychic Vacuum* Order to The Black Guards* Holiday In Cambodia* Batman

DVD

Audio

* "Dimension Hatröss" Demo 1987

Videos

* Live At Blondies, Detroit, MI, USA: 18.11.88* Live At The Axiom, Houston, Texas, USA: 10.12.88* Live At Anthrax, Norwalk, CT, USA: 09.11.88* Live At Fenders Ballroom, Long Beach, California, USA: 03.12.88* Slideshows - Artwork + Live And Studio Photos (1988)

Veteran rockers WARRANT have released the official video for their remake of the classic Merle Haggard song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink". Check it out below.

WARRANT's cover of "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink" was recently selected as the Professional Bull Riders' new "party anthem. The song will also appear on WARRANT's next album, "Louder Harder Faster", which will be released on May 12 via Frontiers Music Srl.

"During the 2016 PBR World Finals, we were fortunate to have WARRANT headline Saturday night in Toshiba Plaza, and they put on an incredible show for our fans, said Sean Gleason, the CEO of PBR in a statement. "When we found out the band are PBR fans, we jumped at the chance to work together on a custom music project and to make them a featured act during the 2017 season."

The official video for "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" was premiered in February at PBR St. Louis. The clip was filmed in Anaheim, prior to the PBR Built Ford Tough Series at the Honda Center earlier that month.

"Creating a party anthem is what WARRANT loves to do and getting a chance to create one for the 'toughest sport on dirt' is a bonus," said WARRANT guitarist Erik Turner. "We're pumped up to rock PBR Bars and events all year long."

"Louder Harder Faster" was recorded with producer Jeff Pilson, a veteran bassist who has played with DIO, FOREIGNER, DOKKEN and T&N, among others, and is currently being mixed by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, PRONG, LAST IN LINE).

"Louder Harder Faster" track listing:

01. Louder Harder Faster02. Devil Dancer03. Perfect04. Only Broken Heart05. U In My Life06. Music Man07. Faded08. New Rebellion09. Big Sandy10. Choose Your Fate11. Let It Go12. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink (bonus track available on CD only)

WARRANT solidified its current lineup in 2008 when singer Robert Mason joined the four original WARRANT members: guitarist Erik Turner, basist Jerry Dixon, guitarist Joey Allen and drummer Steven Sweet.

"Kill All Your Masters", the brand new video from VALLENFYRE, the U.K. death metal band featuring Gregor Mackintosh, songwriter and guitarist of PARADISE LOST, alongside Hamish Glencross, formerly of MY DYING BRIDE, can be seen below. The song is taken from VALLENFYRE's third album, "Fear Those Who Fear Him", which will be released on June 2 via Century Media Records. Recorded by the band's new core lineup consisting of Mackintosh (vocals and guitar), Glencross (guitar and bass) and Waltteri Väyrynen (drums), "Fear Those Who Fear Him" was once again produced by Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, NAILS) at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts and mastered by Brad Boatright (OBITUARY, BEASTMILK, YOB) at Audiosiege Mastering in Portland, Oregon. The cover artwork was created by Hal Rotter.

Comments Mackintosh: "'Kill All Your Masters' is about the frustration and anger we feel towards the many people and regimes in positions of power, whether it be political, religious or corporate, inflicting crimes and injustices on an often docile and enslaved population, who in many ways seem happy to be told what to do by anything from ancient books to lifestyle magazines."

"Fear Those Who Fear Him" will be released as gatefold LP+CD on limited colored and regular black 180-gram vinyl, as special edition digipak (international version), jewelcase CD (Canada, USA, Mexico only) and on all digital / streaming platforms.

Inspired by the likes of HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, AUTOPSY, ANTISECT, DISCHARGE, NIHILIST, ENTOMBED, early NAPALM DEATH, early BATHORY and CONFLICT, VALLENFYRE have forged a trademark sound between rotting death metal driven by a chainsaw-like guitar sound, filthy doses of crust and early grind as well as crushing, depraved doom. Onstage, VALLENFYRE performs as a quintet with live members Sam Kelly-Wallace (rhythm guitar) and Chris Casket (bass) completing the lineup.

"Fear Those Who Fear Him" track listing:

01. Born To Decay02. Messiah03. Degeneration04. An Apathetic Grave05. Nihilist06. Amongst The Filth07. The Merciless Tide08. Dead World Breathes09. Soldier Of Christ10. Cursed From The Womb11. Kill All Your Masters12. Temple Of Rats

Mackintosh said: "Most bands refine their sound over the first two or three albums. Becoming more technically adept and honing their craft. VALLENFYRE have done almost exactly the opposite. We have devolved, made things simpler and crush most of the melody under swathes of rotting noise. From 'A Fragile King' to 'Splinters' and now to 'Fear Those Who Fear Him', we have become more savage, more raw and less compromising!"

Guitar legend George Lynch has provided more of a timeline surrounding the recent reunion and upcoming releases that will not include a full-blown studio album ... but a tease! Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and “Wild” Mick Brown reunited as Dokken for six shows in Japan. The brief trek began with a single US date on September 30th at Badlands Pawn Guns Gold and Rock ‘N’ Roll. The group then headed to Japan for Unleashed In The East tour dates — six shows between October 5th and 12th.

A new Dokken live album with three new studio tracks, as well as a live DVD, is expected in early 2018.

In a new interview with All That Shreds, George Lynch was asked if any future Dokken albums will be released: “A Dokken live album coming out with three new studio tracks on it as well as live DVD,” he says. “That will be coming out probably in the beginning of 2018. And then Lynch Mob also has a live album and a DVD coming out at some point. So yes, I’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline which is very confusing.”

Read the complete interview at AllThatShreds.com.

Fan-filmed video from Dokken's October 6th show at Namba Hatch in Osaka in available below.

Norway’s Koldbrann performed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2014. Video footage of the band’s full set can be seen below.

Setlist:

“Introvertigo”
“Totalt Sjelelig Bankrott”
“Drammen”
“Fortapelse i Svovel og Helvetesild”
“Djevelens Treskeverk”
“I Eklipsens Skimmer”
“Russion Vodka”

Boston, MA hard rock foursome, Summoner, will release its new album, Beyond The Realm Of Light, on May 12th via Magnetic Eye Records. Recorded at Q Division Studios (Pixies, Converge), produced by the band and mastered by Dave Shirk (Soilent Green, Pentagram), the LP fuses 70's proto-metal, guitar rock and cosmic psych into a driving, six song testament to the power of the riff.

Beyond The Realm Of Light is the follow-up to Summoner's 2013 full-length, Atlantian. Artwork for Beyond The Realm Of Light was created by Samantha Muljat (Earth, Power Trip). Check out an album trailer, including the song "New Sun", below.

Featuring vocalist / bassist Chris Johnson (Doomriders, Deafheaven touring bassist), guitarist AJ Peters, drummer Scott Smith (Plagues) and guitarist Joe Richner (Plagues), Summoner formed in 2009 (as Riff Cannon). In the time since, the quartet has released two studio albums - 2012's Phoenix and the aforementioned Atlantian - praised for their creative power and "riffs that Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, Torche would be proud to call their own". The group's live performances have been called "atmospheric and heavy, melodic and propulsive" and have seen Summoner perform alongside Cave In, Worshipper, Magic Circle and more.

Tracklisting:

“New Sun”
“The Huntress”
“Beyond The Realm Of Light”
“The Emptiness”
“Skies Of The Unknown”
“Into Oblivion”

Trailer:

Pre-order Beyond The Realm Of Light here.

On the strength of its live set, Summoner has been asked to perform at the 2017 Psycho Las Vegas Festival, set for August 18th - 20th at Sin City's Hard Rock Hotel.

In additional news, Baltimore's Oliver Brewing Company will release a limited edition Beyond The Realm Of Light double IPA on May 13th, in tribute to Summoner. The special beer is part of the breweries' "Long Live Rock and Roll" double IPA series, released in collaboration with the bands and record labels that soundtrack its brewing process. Previous artists featured include Mothership and The Well. For more details, head here.

(Photo - Tinnitus Photography)

Next week, North Carolina-grown blackened thrash trio, All Hell, will drop the molten fruits of the The Grave Alchemist full-length, a twelve-track, narrative-driven, horror-based concept album that weaves a tale of alchemy, necromancy, and vampirism over the span of three centuries. As a precursor to its release, the band have released a video for “Laid To Unrest" (see below).

"As The Grave Alchemist is essentially an album in two parts, we felt that Side A (Side Solve) needed to end with what felt like an album closer, thus the nature of “Laid To Unrest”,” elaborates vocalist/guitarist Jacob Curwen. "Conceptually, this song represents the dissolution of the Alchemist; a temporary state of 'death' analogous to the 'dark night of the soul,' linked to the alchemical processes of Putrefactio and Fermentatio. The Alchemist is struck down for his crimes and buried alive as he utters the Words of his Return. . .The video takes cues from German Expressionists, particularly Wiene and Murnau, whose silent works, infused with dark and powerful symbolism, have now haunted viewers for nearly a century."

The Grave Alchemist - which was captured by Kris Hilbert (The Body) and mastered by Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust) - will see worldwide release via Prosthetic Records April 14th on CD, LP, and digital formats. Pre-orders available here.

Tracklisting:

“Grave Alchemy”
“Necrosophia”
“Wed The Night”
“Vampiric Lust”
“The Castle”
“Laid To Unrest”
“Memory Tomb”
“The Madness Out Of Time”
“The Thing In The Ground”
“Return Of The Reaper”
“Elixir”
“I Am The Mist”

“Laid To Unrest” video:

“I Am The Mist” lyric video:

“Vampiric Lust”:

All Hell will bring their odes of odium to the stage for a short run of live dates this spring with additional live incursions in the plotting stages.
 
April
27 - The Nick - Birmingham, AL (with New Masters Of Evil)
28 - 529 - Atlanta, GA (with New Masters Of Evil)
29 - Drkmttr - Nashville, TN
30 - The Pilot Light - Knoxville, TN

May
4 - Slim's Downtown -  Raleigh, NC
5 - Raw Ink Live - Gaithersburg, MD
6 - Century Bar - Philadelphia, PA
7 - Gallery 5 - Richmond, VA

SLAUGHTER vocalist Mark Slaughter will release his sophomore solo album, "Halfway There", in May worldwide via EMP Label Group, the U.S.-based label of MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. The follow-up to 2015's independently released "Reflections In A Rear View Mirror" is a stunning return to form for Slaughter, channeling the familiar hard rock sensibility of classic-era SLAUGHTER releases like "Stick It To Ya" and "The Wild Life" on "Hey You" and emotionally charged title track, "Halfway There", with a mature, progressive, metal bent, evidenced on cuts like "Devoted", "Conspiracy" and "Reckless".

Produced and co-mixed by Slaughter with John Cranfield (AFI, Andy Grammer), with art by famed horror/album artist "Mister" Sam Shearon (ROB ZOMBIE, IRON MAIDEN, KISS, Clive Barker), "Halfway There" is slated to be released May 26 in North America by EMP Label Group/Amped, and EMP/SPV in Europe, and May 10 in Japan via EMP Label Group/Universal.

The song "Hey You" can now be streamed below.

Mark will tour Japan in May with SLAUGHTER, supporting RATT, in conjunction with the Japanese release of the LP, with shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and a performance at the Tokyo Metal Summit on May 14 with RATT, SEBASTIAN BACH, ENUFF Z'NUFF and more.

Not only is "Halfway There" a blistering showcase of Slaughter's seemingly never-ending vocal abilities, but a glowing testament to his perpetually underserved prowess as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, handling all production, engineering, songwriting, arrangements, guitar, and the bulk of the album's instrumentation himself.

Slaughter says: "My first solo record was kinda getting back on the horse, so to speak. I mean doing everything and recording... I'm taking on a lot more tasks as an engineer/producer/ writer on all this… because I'm doing everything.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, anybody who is a SLAUGHTER fan will certainly understand that I am a large part of the SLAUGHTER sound and vibe, so, obviously, if you like that, it's in there. It's just that I take a lot more liberties on the solo side that I probably wouldn't do when it's a group effort."

He adds: "The record is basically… I spend a lot of time writing songs and things just grow out of me.. I'll be woken up in the middle of the night from nowhere and the song's just in my head and I just exorcize the demons and there you have it. I guess what it is is an artist makes art. And I've really come to the fact that since we haven't made a SLAUGHTER record in so long, it's one of those things that I still have to make the art. That's what I do. That's what I love to do, and that's what I'll continue to do."

EMP A&R director Thom Hazaert chimes in: "It's been such an incredible honor to put this record together with Mark, who, truly, in my humble opinion, is one of the greatest hard rock singers and songwriters of our generation, and, what a lot of people don't realize, just a phenomenal player as well.

"We spent almost a year going back and forth about the idea of putting the record out together. Obviously, Mark and David (Ellefson) have a great longstanding friendship, so it really was an amazing fit.

"From the first time I heard the working demos of these songs, I knew Mark was working on something very, very special.

"Growing up (and still) a huge SLAUGHTER fan, I think these songs are going to not only resonate with the people who already love Mark and what he does, but carve a niche far beyond."

Ellefson adds: "I have been friends with Mark for over 30 years, since he was in VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, and there's a lot of shared history. So when we started talking about the idea of putting this record out, yes, it was a great and natural fit.

"Mark is such a tremendous talent and songwriter, and the scope of that is truly evident on 'Halfway There'.

"We're extremely proud, and excited to have been able to partner with him on it, and can't wait for the world to hear it."

Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE have parted ways with guitarist David Roads and have replaced him with Harri Harrison (PALACE OF THE KING).

Says AIRBOURNE in a statement: "David Roads has decided to leave the band to work in his family business. As the old saying goes, 'You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy.' We say, good on ya mate, well played and good luck!

"Now to the future, and it's all guns blazing foot to the floor! Introducing you to our new AIRBOURNE brother, he's our longtime staunch mate Harri 'The Riff Doctor' Harrison. Possessing a gifted rock 'n' roll right-hand motor, he already 'fits in like a well-greased piston into a V8' and we are all pumped to be bringing his powerful locomotive-like rhythm with us to rock the summer festivals!"

Roads states: "Many thanks to all the fans. It has been an absolute pleasure rocking out with you guys over the years. It was great to be a part of this wild AIRBOURNE ride! Cheers!"

AIRBOURNE's latest album, "Breakin' Outta Hell", landed in the Top 10 in both the U.K. and the band's native Australia after its September 2016 release.

Legendary grindcore masters, Lock Up, are streaming their new album, Demonization, out now via Listenable Records. Listen to the complete album below.

Boasting a crushing 14 tracks, Demonization is available on CD, digital, and limited edition vinyl formats in Europe, with a North American release to be announced shortly.

Demonization tracklisting:

“Blood And Emptiness”
“The Decay Within The Abyss”
“Locust”
“Demonization”
“Demons Raging”
“Desolation Architect”
“Instruments Of Armageddon”
“Sunk”
“The Plague That Stalks The Darkness”
“Foul From The Pure”
“Mind Fight”
“Void”
“Secret Parallel World”
“We Challenge Death”

Bonus tracks:

“Life To Grave”
“Shut The Light”

Album stream:

Lock Up will tour Europe this spring alongside Napalm Death and Brujeria, with additional support from Power Trip. The Campaign For Musical Destruction European Tour 2017 will run from April 25th through May 21st. See all confirmed dates below.

April
25 - Amager Bio - Copenhagen, Denmark
26 - Pustervik - Gothenburg, Sweden
27 - Kraken - Stockholm, Sweden
28 - Roxy - Flensburg, Germany
29 - Factory - Magdeburg, Germany
30 - Patronaat - Haarlem, Netherlands

May
1 - Underground - Köln, Germany
2 - SO36 - Berlin, Germany
4 - Kwadrat Klub - Krakow, Poland
5 - Klub Fléda - Brno, Czech Republic
6 - K19 - Kassel, Germany
7 - Garage - Saarbrücken, Germany
9 - O2 Institute - Birmingham, UK
10 - Classic Grand - Glasgow, UK
11 - Rebellion - Manchester, UK
12 - The Electric Ballroom - London, UK
13 - Le Glazart - Paris, France
14 - Zappa - Antwerpen, Belgium
16 - Espace André Malraux - Six-Fours-Les-Plages, France
17 - L'Usine - Geneva, Switzerland
18 - Zona Roveri - Bologna, Italy
19 - NCO Club - Karlsruhe, Germany
20 - Backstage - München, Germany
21 - Effenaar - Eindhoven, Netherlands