"Hatred Index", the debut EP from the Southern California blackened death metal outfit WITCH CASKET, can be streamed in its entirety below. The effort was produced, engineered and mixed by the band's guitarist, Colin "Nylock" Cameron, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum of Maor Appelbaum Mastering. Nylock handled guitar, bass, drums, piano, keyboards and orchestral arrangements, while vocals were performed by Drogoth, with additional guitar by Neal Tiemann.


Nylock had this to say about the writing process: "I wanted to do something different. I wasn't concerned with genre or subculture. I just wanted to write for the piece and let it flow from the darkness, untapped and unfiltered. Just the metal that I wanted to create, nothing more."


The band will play an album-release show on June 24 at The Slidebar in Fullerton, California.


WITCH CASKET was formed by ex-members of SOTHIS from Los Angeles, and guitarist Neal Tiemann of DEVILDRIVER. After over a decade of creating symphonic black metal, these musicians were looking to write more melodic death metal-style songs while still keeping aspects of the previous band's style.

"Hatred Index" track listing:

01. Hatred Index

02. That Damn Devil

03. Dawn Everlasting

04. History of Violence

05. The True Knot

Recording lineup:

Nylock: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano Keyboards and Orchestral Arrangements

Drogoth: Vocals

Neal Tiemann: Guitar


Live lineup:

Nylock: Guitar

Drogoth: Vocals

Scathe: Guitar

Aramis Arredondo: Bass

Kaspars Lucey-Grinbergs: Drums

The new instrumental album "Disney Super Guitar" features guitarists Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), Paul Gilbert (MR. BIG), Tak Matsumoto (B'Z), George Lynch (DOKKEN), Orianthi, and others performing hard-rocking, virtuosic versions of timeless Disney songs.

With cover art depicting Mickey Mouse "shredding" on an electric guitar, "Disney Super Guitar" arrives worldwide on April 27 via Walt Disney Records. In addition to the guitar stars already listed, the album also features Phil X (BON JOVI), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES), Jeff Watson (NIGHT RANGER), Mike Orlando (ADRENALINE MOB) and Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS).

Every song on "Disney Super Guitar" is a Disney classic updated to appeal to both guitar fans and Disney fans alike, and all songs are powered by a backing band comprising guitarist John Bruno, drummer B.J. Zampa, bassist Chris Vescera, and keyboardist Michael Vescera (Chris's father), who co-produced the record with the album's mastermind, renowned producer Death-Rider.

"'Disney Super Guitar' is a natural follow-up to our first guitar-powered Disney release, which was 'Metal Disney'," says Death-Rider. "Metal Disney" was released in 2017 and peaked at No. 1 on Amazon's Metal chart.

The guitar virtuosos on "Disney Super Guitar" enjoyed re-imagining famous Disney tunes in their own ways. For example, Grammy-winning guitarist Tak Matsumoto, who has sold over 80 million albums with his rock duo B'Z, takes "When You Wish Upon a Star" to new heights with a soaring, overdriven lead guitar rendition of the main theme — a theme that reappears later in the song as a down-home blues epilogue. "Everyone knows this beautiful melody, and I tried to express it in my own way," says Matsumoto. "I am so honored to be a part of this album. I hope you enjoy the guitar sound from Fujiyama country!"

Meanwhile, Zakk Wylde gives "Beauty And The Beast" a brutal metal touch. "Originally, it was a beautiful, dreamy piece," says Wylde. "Now, it's a cruel nightmare. I take pride in that."

"Hellfire" finds George Lynch performing the song's main melody note-for-note in some places, yet, at other times, veering off into adventurous guitar approaches. "I mixed in everything from Roy Buchanan and Jeff Beck tricks to pick swipes and vibrato-bar moves," says Lynch. "I threw in everything but the kitchen sink."

Paul Gilbert took direct inspiration from the title of the song he chose. "I played electric guitar on 'Under The Sea'," he says. "To create an under-the-sea sound, I operated my wah-wah pedal as quickly as possible while playing my guitar parts."

"Disney Super Guitar" track listing:

01. Zakk Wylde - "Beauty And The Beast" [Beauty And The Beast]

02. Paul Gilbert - "Under The Sea" [The Little Mermaid]

03. Tak Matsumoto - "When You Wish Upon A Star" [Pinocchio]

04. Mike Orlando - "A Whole New World" [Aladdin]

05. Orianthi - "Someday My Prince Will Come" [Snow White And The Seven Dwarves]

06. George Lynch - "Hellfire" [The Hunchback Of Notre Dame]

07. Richie Kotzen - "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" [Lion King]

08. Jeff Watson - "Colors Of The Wind" [Pocahontas]

09. Phil X - "Chim Chim Cher-ee" [Mary Poppins]

10. Ron Thal - "Reflection" [Mulan]

After dropping the eerie track "Gravedigger's Chant" on Good Friday, ZEAL & ARDOR now shares a contrasting, second new song, titled "Waste". It's from their forthcoming album, "Stranger Fruit".

ZEAL & ARDOR provocateur Manuel Gagneux explains: "'Waste' is the introduction of the other half of 'Stranger Fruit'. Fully incorporating the gospel and soul elements in black metal and never compromising in its intent. We give you this song as a second single, because it's not what one might expect to come next. This is the feeling that permeates the album as a whole as well. We hope you enjoy."


Both "Gravedigger's Chant" and "Waste" are available now on all streaming services and as instant-grat tracks when pre-ordering the new album.

"Stranger Fruit" will be released on June 8 in multiple formats, including CD, cassette, vinyl, and digital download/stream. For vinyl fans, there's a 2LP 180-gram gatefold vinyl or a 2LP limited deluxe 180-gram triple gatefold purple vinyl.

Mixing blues, gospel, and soul with harsher music has opened up a world of possibilities for Gagneux. Previously creating as a one-man solo effort, the immense interest and critical acclaim ZEAL & ARDOR attracted upon release of debut album, "Devil Is Fine", has led to the project becoming a fully fledged, internationally touring band.

After months hidden away, crafting the new songs for "Stranger Fruit", Gagneux entered the studio with producer Zebo Adam and mixer Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, KVELERTAK, NAILS). While the finished sound is larger and heavier, it is still unmistakably ZEAL & ARDOR.


The diverse yet cohesive nature of the 16 tracks on "Stranger Fruit" (artwork pictured below) is designed to encourage the listener to dig a little deeper and find their own meaning in its words. In contrast to "Devil Is Fine", these songs are deliberately intended to play off each other both lyrically and musically.


While the record seethes with a justifiable rage, its wider-reaching aim is to unify, not divide, and to inspire action, not inertia. Elements of a bleak melancholy are tempered by hope. Superficially, the album tells small isolated stories, but there are also references to the Goetia, Yoruba, and obscure occult literature and history within.


"Stranger Fruit" track listing:


01. Intro

02. Gravedigger's Chant

03. Servants

04. Don't You Dare

05. Fire Of Motion

06. The Hermit

07. Row Row

08. Ship On Fire

09. Waste

10. You Ain't Coming Back

11. The Fool

12. We Can't Be Found

13. Stranger Fruit

14. Solve

15. Coagula

16. Built On Ashes

ZEAL & ARDOR will appear at multiple European music festivals through 2018, including Download, Graspop Metal Meeting and Hellfest.

Multi-Grammy-nominated thrash icons ANTHRAX have just released "Kings Among Scotland", the band's long-awaited live-in-concert DVD, via Megaforce. Captured on February 15, 2017 at the band's sold-out concert at Glasgow's historic venue Barrowland Ballroom, the two-hour "Kings Among Scotland" incorporates the band's entire live show along with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and other B-roll shot on the band's tour bus, backstage, in hotels and elsewhere. The DVD also includes a "gear rundown" from each of the band members.

A performance clip of the song "Madhouse", taken from "Kings Among Scotland", is available below.

"Playing for our friends at the Barrowlands has always been very special," said ANTHRAX's Frank Bello. "We all know we're going to get together and have an insanely great time, and we think that incredible interaction and energy really comes through on this video."

With packaging art created by Steve Thompson (SLAYER, MOTÖRHEAD, IRON MAIDEN), the DVD's concert is presented in two parts. For part one, ANTHRAX perfomed the "favorites" that had been voted on pre-show by the band's fans and includes gems like "Madhouse", "Be All, End All", "Breathing Lightning" and "A.I.R." The band augmented the stage production for part two, with ramps and staircases and other production values while they tore into their classic 1987 album "Among The Living", performing "Caught In A Mosh", "I Am The Law", "Indians", "Eflinikufesin (N.F.L.)" and more.

"It was pretty a intense show," added guitarist Scott Ian, "especially when the crowd was so insane, the floor actually started moving up and down."

"It was a challenge for all of us to play 'Among The Living' live," admitted drummer Charlie Benante. "We've played a number of that album's songs in our shows over the years, but not all of them, and playing a song in a recording studio is not the same as playing it live on stage. So we put in a lot of time to get all of the tracks down perfectly. And I'll tell you, after we finished that set, as arduous as it was, we all felt a sense of exhiliration, like we could go out and do it again."

"Kings Among Scotland" was produced, directed, filmed and edited by Green, with the sound mixed by ANTHRAX studio producer Jay Ruston. For the filming, Green utilized 17 cameras, including a crane and several mobile and stationery Go-Pros.

ANTHRAX will support SLAYER on the first two legs of the Tom Araya-fronted outfit's last-ever North American run of dates. Also scheduled appear on the bill are LAMB OF GOD, TESTAMENT and BEHEMOTH (with NAPALM DEATH replacing BEHEMOTH for the second leg).

Veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have officially welcomed Ken Mary (ALICE COOPER, ACCEPT) as their permanent drummer. Mary, who began touring with the group last year after Jason Bittner was invited to join OVERKILL, will join the band on all of their upcoming tour dates, including a short run of European shows that kicks off this weekend at Germany's Keep It True festival. He will also perform on the group's in-progress new album, due to be released via AFM Records later this year.

"It's always awesome to play with the mighty FLOTSAM AND JETSAM," Mary says. "The music is super-challenging and at the same time a great deal of fun to play. With such great musicians in the band that are also great guys, it's going to be a blast!"

"We're excited to announce that Ken will be our new drummer," adds the band. "Ken has already tracked all the drums for our upcoming album slated for release later this year, and we're all looking forward to the fans experiencing a new chapter in the history of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM."

A handful of performances on FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's European tour will see the group perform its groundbreaking 1986 debut, "Doomsday For The Deceiver", in its entirety. A new 180-gram vinyl edition of the album will be reissued by the group's original record label, Metal Blade, this week.

"We're looking forward to a couple of special performances of the 'Doomsday' album played in its entirety, with Keep It True being the first time ever the band has taken on that task," the band says. "With Metal Blade releasing 'Doomsday' on vinyl, the timing couldn't be better for this special set. It's something we're all looking forward to playing for our friends in Europe."

Soon after the group returns to America, they'll hit the road again alongside Swedish power metal veterans HAMMERFALL, with several headlining shows along the way. Says the band: "This is going to be a banging tour, and we couldn't ask for a more accommodating and cool group of talented musicians to hit the road with and bring our respective styles of metal to the masses. We have 10 headlining shows; before, during and after the HAMMERFALL dates, so hopefully we're coming close enough to your city to warrant a heavy metal road trip. Looking forward to seeing our U.S. and Canadian friends and fans on the road!"

Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett played a cover of "Skandal Im Sperrbezirk", a song originally written and recorded by the German band SPIDER MURPHY GANG, during METALLICA's April 26 concert in in Munich. Professionally filmed video footage of their performance can be seen below.

METALLICA has played 18 shows in Europe since early February and has another seven dates booked between now and mid-May.

METALLICA recently announced the details of the 2018-2019 North American leg of of its "WorldWired" tour in support of the band's latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct".

The 34-date trek kicks off September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin and runs through March 13 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each ticket purchase will be accompanied by a physical or digital copy of "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct".

METALLICA's "WorldWired" trek was the fifth-highest grossing tour of 2017, with 1.5 million tickets sold and $153 million earned. The band was also the top-selling rock act of the year and had the third best-selling rock album.

On September 22, 2017, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT played a special show at the Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Devin's landmark "Ocean Machine" album in full, as well as a set of fan-requested tracks alongside the Orchestra of Plovdiv State Opera. This concert was filmed, and on July 6, 2018, it will see the light of day as "Ocean Machine – Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv".


Devin comments: "Plovdiv and this live package represents a lot to me, it signifies the end of one era, and the celebration of another. Amidst a gruelling touring year, this show came together with much blood, sweat, and tears, and the result is the culmination of many aspects of my work on one stage.


"'Ocean Machine' was released 20 years ago, and though Marty (drums) is no longer with us, I was able to finally perform the album in its entirety with the original bassist John 'Squid' Harder on this night. On a cold evening in an old city in the ancient theatre, many lifelong milestones came to a conclusion on this night and I'm exceptionally proud of it.


"I am currently writing, writing, and writing some more for the next stage of my life and work, and the team of individuals who contributed to this project, from the musicians in the band and orchestra, to the crews locally and with this, management, artists, filmographers and most importantly, the audience... made this night a powerful and strangely bittersweet moment I am proud to have documented with this work.


"This is a very special live recording of a very special night, and I hope you enjoy it as a monument to the things that inspired it all in the first place."


"Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv" will be available as a limited deluxe 3CD/2DVD/Blu-ray artbook (with liner notes from Devin and a special documentary dubbed "Reflecting The Chaos" on the second DVD & Blu-Ray), special edition 3CD/DVD digipak, standalone Blu-ray and as digital audio download.

"Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv" track listing:

By Request with Orchestra

01. Truth

02. Stormbending

03. Om

04. Failure

05. By Your Command

06. Gaia

07. Deadhead

08. Canada

09. Bad Devil

10. Higher

11. A Simple Lullaby

12. Deep Peace


Ocean Machine

01. Seventh Wave

02. Life

03. Night

04. Hide Nowhere

05. Sister

06. 3 A.M.

07. Voices In The Fan

08. Greetings

09. Regulator

10. Funeral

11. Bastard

12. The Death Of Music

13. Things Beyond Things


DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT released the much-acclaimed "Transcendence" in late 2016, before embarking on one of its biggest world tours ever. This new live release marks the end of an era, as DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT was disbanded in early 2018 to pave the way for Devin to focus on numerous other creative, musical endeavors of which he is currently hard at work on.

Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD have released their cover version of the BIG BLACK song "Kerosene". The track is taken from LAMB OF GOD's covers album, "Legion: XX", which will be released under the BURN THE PRIEST banner on May 18 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and Epic Records in the U.S.

LAMB OF GOD may be one of the biggest bands in modern metal, but they will never forget where they came from. Mark Morton (guitar), John Campbell (bass) and Chris Adler (drums) formed the first incarnation of the band, BURN THE PRIEST, in the winter of 1994 after meeting four years earlier as students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Less than a year later, in the summer of 1995, they met vocalist Randy Blythe before adding Chris Adler's brother, Willie Adler (guitar), prior to transitioning to LAMB OF GOD — and the rest is global metal history.


Morton says: "To truly understand the essence of the band BURN THE PRIEST, one must first consider the landscape in which it began: the mid-'90s. Grunge and alternative music ruled the airwaves. Social media and the internet had yet to assume their role as our collective sources for entertainment and cultural exchange. It was a time when DIY 'zines turned us on to new bands and regional scenes, and 'copy and paste' still implied a print shop and a glue stick."


BURN THE PRIEST's self-titled debut album, released via Philadelphia-based Legion Records, documented what was, in essence, a primal punk band performing metal. Ultimately, as they grew in local popularity, the five-piece chose to stray away from their name to avoid being associated with satanic metal, choosing the name LAMB OF GOD.


Morton continues: "As our sound and songs developed, so did our goals… we began playing basement parties and warehouse shows and in doing so, we realized that the energy we were creating was transferable. The shows we played in those squats and warehouses [in Philadelphia] and the people we met there are forever embedded in our collective consciousness and the DNA of our band."


As they enter their 20th year since releasing their first self-titled album as BURN THE PRIEST, the band will release a full-length covers album that reflects on the greatness of classic punk, hardcore, crossover and noise — rock subgenres that contributed to what LAMB OF GOD, and indeed, the world, now view as modern heavy metal.


As BURN THE PRIEST, the band presents "Legion: XX" — featuring tracks originally performed by CRO-MAGS, AGNOSTIC FRONT, QUICKSAND, MINISTRY, BAD BRAINS, MELVINS, S.O.D., THE ACCÜSED, BIG BLACK and Richmond punk band SLIANG LAOS. The tracks are performed with the unmistakable precision that has kept the band vital for two decades, but ultimately harks back to the raw, punk-driven sound first explored by four unsuspecting college students and a line cook-turned-vocalist in their formative years. Produced with Josh Wilbur at the helm, "Legion: XX" exhibits BURN THE PRIEST in their true element.


"Our inauspicious beginnings somehow grew into something none of us had ever even imagined possible, let alone aspired to, however, this is the story of BURN THE PRIEST," adds Morton. "The songs we chose to cover on this album reflect that story. They are touchstones from that point in time. The inspiration we gleaned from these bands and these songs carries through our work and our creative pursuits, even to this day. Many thanks to these bands for lighting our fire and endless gratitude to our fans around the world for keeping it lit."


"Legion: XX" track listing:

01. Inherit The Earth (THE ACCÜSED cover)

02. Honey Bucket (MELVINS cover)

03. Kerosene (BIG BLACK cover)

04. Kill Yourself (S.O.D. cover)

05. I Against I (BAD BRAINS cover)

06. Axis Rot (SLIANG LAOS cover)

07. Jesus Built My Hotrod (MINISTRY cover)

08. One Voice (AGNOSTIC FRONT cover)

09. Dine Alone (QUICKSAND cover)

10. We Gotta Know (CRO-MAGS cover)

Bonus song (only on LP!):

11. In The Meantime (HELMET cover)

LAMB OF GOD will support SLAYER on the first leg of the latter band's farewell world tour. The trek will kick off with a May 10 concert at San Diego's Valley View Casino Center, with dates running through August 26 at San Jose, California's SAP Center.

OF MICE & MEN's Ben Anderson-directed video for the song "Instincts" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album "Defy", which was released in January through Rise Records.

"Defy" marks OF MICE & MEN's first full-length release without vocalist Austin Carlile, who left the group due to his ongoing battle with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that afflicts the connective tissue holding the body's cells, organs and tissue together. Handling lead vocals in the band now is bassist Aaron Pauley.

Pauley told Alternative Press about "Instincts": "We were supposed to do a festival called With Full Force in Germany, and it was in this giant vintage machinery graveyard kind of museum called Ferropolis. It's also on a little lake, which I read about was a microclimate, and then a couple hours before we were supposed to play, a literal hurricane, like a micro hurricane around the lake, happened. The whole festival got rained out and shut down. So the demo for that song, instrumentally, started that day."

"Defy" was produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THREE DAYS GRACE, SKILLET, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (GREEN DAY, BREAKING BENJAMIN, SHINEDOWN, RISE AGAINST).

Pauley told Kaaos TV about the songwriting process for "Defy": "The only real difference was, in the past, [Austin] and I would work on vocals together and stuff, and for writing the music, everything else was the same as it's been before, which, for us, felt very good to kind of go back in the studio… That's a really good question — we get asked that a lot: how different was it? And for us, it didn't really feel that much different. I think when it came to doing lyrics and vocals, instead of me bouncing ideas off of Austin, I would bounce ideas off of Tino [David Valentino Arteaga, drums] or off of Alan [Ashby, guitar] or off of Phil [Manansala, guitar]. So kind of the whole way that we've always done things is very group-oriented. And with regards to the music, us being the four musicians that played instruments, that didn't change and the way that we had crafted music and made records and demos in the past didn't change. It was just the vocals and the lyrics — and even that didn't really change other than it wasn't me bouncing ideas off of Austin, it was me bouncing ideas off of Tino and Alan, Phil and our producer. So it felt very similar — probably more similar than it felt different."

Carlile originally left OF MICE & MEN in 2010 after his doctor forbade him from touring to undergo heart surgery tied to complications with Marfan Syndrome. He returned in 2011, but his ailments didn't cease, forcing him to exit the band for the second, and presumably final, time at the end of 2016.

The official video for the song "Flying Hearts" from FREEDOM CALL founder and frontman Chris Bay can be seen below. The track is taken from Bay's first solo album, "Chasing The Sun", which was released on February 23 via Steamhammer/SPV.

Says Bay: "Here it is, the brand new video clip 'Flying Hearts' from my solo album 'Chasing the Sun'. This great clip was filmed during our Southeast Asian tour with FREEDOM CALL in Thailand, so the album title 'Chasing The Sun' is literally a program. For me, this video is very special, as I have been very touched by the flair, the beautiful landscape and the cordiality of this country. I wish you a lot of fun with this clip. Certainly it will cause some of you wanderlust.... in any case, that's how I feel."

It's a well-known predicament that Bay shares with many other composers: occasionally, his wealth of inspiration goes beyond the stylistic and thematic scope of his own band.

"I permanently write songs and am constantly working on ideas in the studio," he explains. "That's why I've collected a whole lot of tracks over the years that on the one hand don't really suit FREEDOM CALL and on the other are just too good to gather dust in my archive." The solution to his "luxury" problem: "Chasing The Sun", committing himself in his very own, unmistakable way to the music that has inspired him since the very early days of his career. And although the songs on the album were created over a long period of time, Bay produced the whole material in spring 2017 at his own studio.

Which must be one of the reasons why "Chasing The Sun" — despite the diversity of the individual tracks — sounds cohesive. Alongside a number of rock songs in characteristic Chris Bay style, he has skilfully blended in modern sound elements on the opening track "Flying Hearts", added Wurlitzer piano touches, which bring to mind the currently trendy 1970s, on "Hollywood Dancer" and risked a song with a slow shuffle groove, a consciously dark atmosphere and an avant-garde flair in "Where Waters Flow In Heaven".

This title once again underscores the boundless ease with which Bay moves in his world of music. As the album title "Chasing The Sun" already suggests, Bay casually processed the desires and wishes that probably each of us holds in this dark season.. sun, freedom, warmth and harmony ... a "summer hit" in winter, a matter of interpretation.

The official video for the song "Stay With Me" from German metallers CREMATORY, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Oblivion", which was released on April 13.

Like all great rock bands, CREMATORY has based its success on the creativity of a well-rehearsed songwriting team. With Germany's leading gothic metal act, it's drummer Markus Jüllich in collaboration with the producer of each individual album that's kept the group's compositions on course for more than 25 years. At the same time, Markus Jüllich has enough experience to know that the band's evolvement depends on fresh ideas and new influences. So, by enlisting guitarists Tosse Basler and Rolf Munkes and, soon after, bassist Jason Mathias he has ensured that the band has remained contemporary and diverse ever since their 2016 release "Monument", reaping the fruits his efforts on "Oblivion".

"In particular, the sound and the selection of songs reflect the impact our three new band members have had," comments Markus Jüllich. "Tosse is a fantastic rhythm guitarist who adds even more diversity to the material with his clean vocals, and our lead guitarist Rolf enhances the record with his solos. Jason has added lots of drive to the deep frequencies, which is why we've consciously opted for a loud mix of the bass parts."

Along with Markus's wife Katrin (keyboards and samples) and vocalist Felix Stass, the three new additions are important factors that ensure that CREMATORY find themselves in a contemporary and forward-looking position in 2018.

In fact, the band went one step further on "Oblivion": while Markus Jüllich and producer Kristian Bonifer were busy working on the basics of their new recording at the Kohlekellerstudio, Stefan Glass, Dirk Riegner and Walter Stobbe were asked to contribute additional input to the creative process.

"Dirk comes from the indie genre and helped to add an important new nuance to the characteristic CREMATORY approach," Markus Jüllich explains. "Stefan Glass is a specialist for orchestral arrangements and Walter Stobbe is a real riff virtuoso on the guitar." The result is thoroughly compelling as well as ingenious. CREMATORY's unmistakable style manifests itself on programmatic numbers such as "Ghost Of The Past" and "Revenge Is Mine", but also on the anthemnic "Wrong Side" and the melancholy title track. The Stefan Glass-inspired orchestral arrangements can be heard on the dark opener "Salvation" as well as on "Until The Dawn", "Blessed" and "For All Of Us". Walter Stobbe's penchant for heavy metal features on "Cemetary Stillness" and on the album's impressive finale, "Demon Inside".

CREMATORY has rarely sounded as multi-faceted and timeless as on "Oblivion". The group's classic trademarks, such as Felix Stass's deep growls, are still present, at the same time new influences emphasise their great commercial potential. Markus Jüllich says: "So far we've had a special motto to set the direction of each of our albums, but 'Oblivion' simply combines all our strengths and experience. Over the years we've learned to blend different styles into the typical CREMATORY sound without ever losing sight of the importance of playing in a way that benefits our music. The motto 'less is more' applies to our compositions 100 percent. CREMATORY songs never lose themselves in exaggerated effects but always go the whole hog. That's partly due to the fact that we've remained very much down to earth."

"Oblivion" track listing:

01. Expectation (1:27)

02. Salvation (4:36)

03. Ghost Of The Past (3:59)

04. Until The Dawn (4:36)

05. Revenge Is Mine (4:50)

06. Wrong Side (4:12)

07. Stay With Me (4:13)

08. For All Of Us (4:06)

09. Immortal (3:32)

10. Oblivion (4:52)

11. Cemetary Stillness (4:50)

12. Blessed (4:02)

13. Demon Inside (4:06)

CREMATORY lineup:

Felix Stass - vocals

Rolf Munkes - guitar

Tosse Basler - guitar

Jason Mathias - bass

Markus Jüllich - drums

Katrin Jüllich - keyboards

"Just Say When", the new video from the Texas rock quartet NOTHING MORE, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "The Stories We Tell Ourselves", which was released last September via Better Noise Records. The disc saw frontman Jonny Hawkins once again bearing the soul of NOTHING MORE as his bandmates Mark Vollelunga (guitar), Daniel Oliver (bass) and Ben Anderson (drums) craft a sonic palette comprised of elements ranging from progressive metal to pop.

The songs on "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" were written in early 2016 and recorded primarily on the road and in personal studios as production duties were often handled by Hawkins and the bandmembers themselves.

From the relentless groove of "Don't Stop" to the emotive, anthemic bent of the PIXIES-esque "Still In Love", "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" proves that confessionals have never been so catchy — and songs like "Let 'Em Burn" seamlessly alternate between aggression and anthemic pop.

Lyrically the band was further informed by everything from the writings of Carl Jung and C.S. Lewis to the potent psychedelic DMT, the latter of which helped open Hawkins's mind to new ways of understanding himself and the world around him.

"The Stories We Tell Ourselves" earned NOTHING MORE three Grammy nominations: "Best Rock Album", "Best Rock Performance" and "Best Rock Song" for the single "Go To War".

"That one's definitely personal," Hawkins told Beatroute about the track. "It was written at the end of an eight-year relationship where the end of that relationship got real fiery, and very confusing, and just kind of devolved, even though six to seven years of it was pretty peaceful."

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have released a music video for their song "Clandestiny". The animated clip was directed by Brazilian-born motion designer Ariel Costa of BlinkMyBrain.

"Clandestiny" is taken from MASTODON's latest album, "Emperor Of Sand", which came out in March 2017. The follow-up to 2014's "Once More 'Round The Sun" was recorded at The Quarry Recording Studio in Kennesaw, just outside MASTODON's hometown, with producer Brendan O'Brien (PEARL JAM, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), who first worked with MASTODON on their seminal 2009 album "Crack The Skye".

"Emperor Of Sand" found MASTODON returning to a deeply imaginative and complex conceptual storyline that ponders the nature of time. Threading together the myth of a man sentenced to death in a majestically malevolent desert, the band conjured the grains of a musical and lyrical odyssey slipping quickly through a cosmic hourglass.

"'Emperor of sand' is like the grim reaper," said drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor. "Sand represents time. If you or anyone you know has ever received a terminal diagnosis, the first thought is about time. Invariably, you ask, 'How much time is left?'"

"We're reflecting on mortality," added bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders. "To that end, the album ties into our entire discography. It's seventeen years in the making, but it's also a direct reaction to the last two years. We tend to draw inspiration from very real things in our lives."

In September, MASTODON released a new EP featuring four previously unreleased tracks. "Cold Dark Place" was made available digitally and on CD on September 22 via Reprise Records, followed by the release of a limited-edition ten-inch vinyl picture disc on October 27.

MASTODON won a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 60th annual Grammy Awards in January at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band got the nod for the song "Sultan's Curse" from "Emperor Of Sand", with the latter also being nominated for "Best Rock Album."

"This Time", the new video from the Swedish classic/progressive rock supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — featuring members of SOILWORK and ARCH ENEMY — can be seen below. The song is taken from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's fourth studio album, "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough", which will be released on June 29 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was again produced by the bandmembers themselves and was recorded at Handsome Hard Music / Larsson Music Studio as well as Nordic Sound Lab in Skara, Sweden. Mixing duties were taken on by the band's guitarist/percussionist Sebastian Forslund and mastering was done by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at The Panic Room.

Just like 2017's "Amber Galactic", the LP will feature two different covers (see below) — one for the regular and the other for the limited edition.

The limited first-edition digipack CD, as well as the vinyl, will include an exclusive bonus track. The Japanese version will also feature an additional cut.

Commented THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA: "Recording this video was like combining different dimensions in a space cocktail. Numerous times during the video shoot, band members had to call the tax authorities, to confirm their names in the register, to make sure they had not lost all contact with reality. The result is surely mesmerizing and will take you on a journey that will be hard to digest."

"Sometimes The World Ain't Enough" track listing:

01. This Time

02. Turn To Miami

03. Paralyzed

04. Sometimes The World Ain't Enough

05. Moments Of Thunder

06. Speedwagon

07. Lovers In The Rain

08. Can't Be That Bad

09. Pretty Thing Closing In

10. Barcelona

11. Winged And Serpentine

12. The Last Of The Independent Romantics

13. Marjorie (limited-edition digipack CD and vinyl bonus track)

14. Pacific Priestess (Japanese bonus track)

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA said in a statement: "THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA returns with another chapter in their steaming space opera that began with 'Amber Galactic'.

"This time, the female space commanders want even more revenge than they already had, space is even more infinite, and the amount of champagne it takes to keep this navy afloat and adrift in the cosmos is probably illegal on most planets!

"Never looking back, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA boldly goes where no man or woman has ever gone before, and with this album, they've taken another step in their quest to elevate classic rock from being a music genre to becoming an immersive whole-body transcendental experience!

"It's time to prepare yourself, because the riffs will be riffier, the vocals will be throatier, the synthesizers will envelop you, the AOR will be AOR-ier, the long songs will be longer, the short songs will be shorter, the bass will seduce you, the drums will destroy you, the groove will hypnotize and paralyze you. Can you handle it?"

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's third studio album, "Amber Galactic", was released in May 2017 via Nuclear Blast. The disc followed THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's two previous releases, 2012's "Internal Affairs" and 2015's "Skyline Whispers".

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA is:

Björn Strid - Vocals

Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass

David Andersson - Guitars

Richard Larsson - Keyboards

Jonas Källsbäck - Drums

Sebastian Forslund - Guitars, Percussion, Special FX

Anna-Mia Bonde - Backing Vocals

Anna Brygård - Backing Vocals

Photo credit: Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg



Main cover:



Limited-edition cover:

The official lyric video for the song "Angel's Thunder, Devil's Reign" from RIOT V, the band featuring members of legendary metal pioneers RIOT, can be seen below. The track is taken from RIOT V's new album, "Armor Of Light", which is being released today (Friday, April 27) via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (METAL CHURCH, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SLIPKNOT, KORN), while the cover artwork was created by Mariusz Gandzel (CRYSTAL VIPER).

The new songs promise to please fans of the "Thundersteel" era of RIOT, as longtime Mark Reale music collaborator Donnie Van Stavern undertakes a lot of the writing as he did on "Thundersteel", "The Privilege Of Power" and the latest offering, "Unleash The Fire".

Said Donnie Van Stavern: "When I decided to keep RIOT going, it was a very emotional time for Mike [Flyntz, guitar] and I. Mark Reale was not only a founding member, a great musician and a mentor but a best friend to me and I vowed to him and his family that I would keep the legacy moving forward. RIOT's 16th record drops [today] and I am beyond proud to move forward in this legacy of a band that I once listened to on the way to high school and was once a fan of and now I'm a member of.

"Some people follow, some don't. I grew up listening to Joe Anthony in San Antonio and vowed top keep the music alive. This is my fifth and Mike's ninth record with RIOT!

"Thank you for all the believers, including Markus Wosgien at Nuclear Blast! We do this with the utmost respect for the legacy of the band. Thank you again and shine on!"

Hardly any other metal act has such a long and absorbing history behind it. Since the quintet formed in 1975, they have been hit by several severe strokes of fate during their long career. Three deceased members — Rhett Forester (R.I.P. 1994), Guy Speranza (R.I.P. 2003) and Mark Reale (R.I.P. 2012) — have left their mark on the four decades of RIOT's band history.

Since their legendary debut album, "Rock City" (1977), RIOT has released numerous heavy metal classics, including "Fire Down Under" (with classics like "Swords And Tequila"), their masterpiece "Thundersteel" (1988) and the unforgotten "The Privilege Of Power" (1990).

After the death of Mark Reale and the departure of Tony Moore, Todd Michael Hall (from Michigan), completed the lineup of RIOT, which changed its name to RIOT V and moved forward under the auspices of the two long-term members and main songwriters Donnie Van Stavern (bass) and Mike Flyntz (guitar). With the critically acclaimed "Unleash The Fire" (2014), a pure power metal jewel once again underlined the musical importance and influence of the quintet.

Many artists name-check RIOT as an important influence of their musical career and have paid tribute to the power metal godfathers on multiple occasions. The list is long and includes several well-known acts such as HAMMERFALL ("Flight Of The Warrior"), Luca Turilli's RHAPSODY ("Thundersteel"), AXEL RUDI PELL ("Warrior") and newcomers such as NIGHT DEMON ("Road Racin'"), ALPHA TIGER ("Flight Of The Warrior"), SAVAGE MASTER ("Swords And Tequila") and STALLION ("Rock City").

"Armor Of Light" track listing:

01. Victory

02. End Of The World

03. Messiah

04. Angel's Thunder, Devil's Reign

05. Burn The Daylight

06. Heart Of A Lion

07. Armor Of Light

08. Set The World Alight

09. San Antonio

10. Caught In the Witches Eye

11. Ready to Shine

12. Raining Fire

A snippet of a new TOOL song called "Descending" is apparently featured in a promotional video for the band's upcoming music clinic tour. The track has been performed live during TOOL's recent live performances and is expected to appear on the band's long-awaited new album, which TOOL has been tracking for the last month and a half.

Earlier this week, TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed in a tweet that he has finished writing the lyrics and melodies to the follow-up to 2006's "10,000 Days". "My work is done," he wrote. "Waiting on them to track. Then I can finish. Can't track to music that isn't recorded."

As previously reported, TOOL drummer Danny Carey, bassist Justin Chancellor and guitarist Adam Jones will take part in a series of music clinics next month. The three musicians will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the group's music that will include discussing their writing process and analyzing individual tracks in an open question-and-answer discussion. Ticket holders will also receive exclusive commemorative merchandise.

Chancellor was asked a while back whether the members of TOOL work separately on new songs, or create them while rehearsing together. "Both," he said. "We all bring in lots of ideas, and we jam 'em a lot, and we tear 'em apart, and put them back together, and sometimes in the process, we come up with spontaneity and a completely fresh, new idea."

TOOL music clinic tour dates:

May 11 - St. Paul, MN @ Myth Live Event Center

May 14 - Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre

May 15 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

May 16 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre

May 17 - Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Indoor Pavilion

May 19 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre

May 21 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

May 23 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore

The official lyric video for "House Of Doom", a brand new song from CANDLEMASS, can be seen below. The tune is the soundtrack of the game with the same name, which was co-designed by the legendary Swedish doom metal band.

The "House Of Doom" soundtrack, a new killer doom epic, will be released on May 25 as an EP with three bonus tracks via Napalm Records. A full-length album will be released in the fall.

In addition to the regular EP, there will be a 10-inch etched vinyl with an exclusive nine-and-a-half-minute-long version of the song "House Of Doom".

CANDLEMASS singer Mats Levén stated about the EP: "We in CANDLEMASS are proud to present four new songs to the world on the new EP 'House Of Doom'! The title track is inspired by the 'House Of Doom' game from Hyperfrost. We're also very happy that our label Napalm Records are with us all the way. 2018 will be a big year for CANDLEMASS!"

"House Of Doom" is a five-reel video slot with 10 fixed paylines. It is a volatile game with a high payout. There are wilds, free(doom)spins and bonus scatter symbols (the Skull). Landing three skulls at the right moment triggers the Skulls Of Abyss bonus game, where hidden prizes can be won…

The "House Of Doom" soundtrack was written by CANDLEMASS bassist Leif Edling, produced by Marcus Jidell, mixed by David Castillo and mastered by Maor Appelbaum.

Edling said last fall that he was working on a new CANDLEMASS song that was "a part of something bigger, something really cool that will take the band on another adventure." He described the process as "very exciting and a new challenge for me as a songwriter."

CANDLEMASS's latest release, "Death Thy Lover", came out in 2016 as CANDLEMASS's special 30th-anniversary EP. The four-track effort featured singer Mats Levén, who joined CANDLEMASS in 2012 following the departure of Robert Lowe.

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have released the official lyric video for a new song called "Werwolf". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Viktoria", which will be released on June 22 via Century Media Records. The effort will be made available in the following versions:

* Limited CD box set (with CD, woven patch, metal pin, three stickers)

* LP (with inlay and 180-gram vinyl)

* Standard CD Jewelcase

* Digital

"Viktoria" track listing:

01. Werwolf

02. June 44

03. Equestrian Bloodlust

04. Tiger I

05. Narva

06. The Last Fallen

07. Viktoria

08. The Devil's Song

09. Silent Night

MARDUK's latest album, "Frontschwein", was released in 2015 through Century Media.

"Frontschwein" is German Army slang for "front pig" — a soldier serving long at the front, often used as an ironic accolade for a soldier with the will to fight.

Guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson is the sole remaining member of MARDUK who played on the band's debut album, 1992's "Dark Endless".

MARDUK's 13th studio album, "Frontschwein" was the band's first solely war-themed release since 1999's "Panzer Division Marduk".

Founding KISS guitarist and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member Ace Frehley has released a brand new single, titled "Bronx Boy". The single is the first track from an all-new, untitled full-length solo LP to be released this summer.

"Bronx Boy" is available on all digital music services starting today.

Frehley's next studio album is expected to include the two songs he co-wrote last summer with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons.

"Gene came over my house to write — it went fantastic," Ace said. "In a matter of three hours, he and I came up with two new songs for my [next] record. I'm thrilled." The occasion was momentous for another reason. "It was the first time I have worked with him while I was sober," he revealed, "and it was a pleasure."

Frehley's last release was a covers collection "Origins, Vol 1", which received great reviews and landed in the Top 25 on the Billboard album chart. The effort featured a guest appearance by KISS lead singer Paul Stanley on a cover of FREE's "Fire And Water", marking their first collaboration since 1998's "Psycho Circus".

Last September, Frehley released a newly expanded deluxe edition of his 2009 album, "Anomaly", eOne Music. Among the new tracks were two previously unreleased demos: "Hard For Me", which was later reworked into the album's "Foxy & Free", and an early take of "Pain In The Neck", different in tempo and arrangement from the final version. Also included was the previously digital-only "Anomaly" bonus track "The Return Of Space Bear". "Anomaly Deluxe" also featured enhanced album art, a new live poster, and extensive liner notes by rock writer and Ace Frehley historian Ron Albanese (including track-by-track commentary by Frehley).

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES continue to promote their upcoming studio album, "To Drink From The Night Itself" by launching its newest single and video for the song "Daggers Of Black Haze". The clip, created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media (who was also in charge of the album's artwork concept), can be seen below.

AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg comments on the track as follows: "'Daggers Of Black Haze' represents the more progressive side of the new record. It has a lot of reference points to our early back catalogue, both style-wise and the emotional setting. It is desperate and urgent, but still melancholic and epic. It is conceptually one of the cornerstones of the album. Driving home the point of the need for a war on apathy and the populistic forces that takes advantage of it. This is a fight against the abyss. A beacon for the importance of real art, real forms of expression, and importance of our understanding of our mutual cultural history.

"The video was filmed by Costin Chioreanu once again, and it is full of symbolism and heavy on the conceptual side. Costin displays the war for art and the importance of standing up to the oppressive powers and paradigms with his film. It is beautiful, striking, melancholic and I am very happy to see his vision of my concept."

Chioreanu added the following about his work: "Being aware of the heavy topic in this song, I realized that making a video for it represents a mandatory mission for the art in general.

"Speaking today of the way how the ruling class guided the evolution in art and the perception upon it, the weight of the history, which is deeply buried in the artefacts’ structures and ideologies, I take this song and the means of illustrating it as a pure and genuine artistic attitude.

"In the course of time, an imposed perception projected through the manipulation of the art by those holding the power took the shape of an idol in the viewers' eyes; it became their main light, the source of the imaginary, artistic beliefs and patterns.

"The presence of the main character depicted on the newest AT THE GATES cover and artwork — Alcyoneus, the oldest hero among the giant warriors — is here as well. His bust was rebuilt for this video, but it got a new face. Now his mouth is closed and therefore, he is reduced to silence due to the new paradigms and the oppression’s influence in art. Yet this character continues to defy the primitive human nature. The snake's symbol and the eternal temptation offered by the bestial side of the self are also present here, and they work hand in hand with the new Alcyoneus's image.

"The video goes fast through different moments in the history, including the perception of art and human nature, and it employs a heavy, almost funeral type of visual tone. This time I have also decided to base all my work on a pretty sharp type of image, as sharp as the blade of the daggers. Regarding imagery, there is darkness, heaviness, hate and anger, which accede to death, primordial co-habitation and they are all enshroud with an almost political type of solemnity. The revolutionary spirit emerges through the mere existence of this video per se. At some points, short scenes depicting nature come as an invitation to a philosophic reflection on the monumental character of the art required by politics. This is how I felt this song, its lyrics and all the explanations provided by Tomas for this particular tune."

"To Drink From The Night Itself", which will be released on May 18 via Century Media. Produced with Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in the U.K., the follow-up 2014's "At War With Reality" will feature conceptual artwork created by Chioreanu, who previously worked with AT THE GATES on the band's last disc.

"To Drink From The Night Itself" track listing:


01. Der Widerstand

02. To Drink From The Night Itself

03. A Stare Bound In Stone

04. Palace Of Lepers

05. Daggers Of Black Haze

06. The Chasm

07. In Nameless Sleep

08. The Colours Of The Beast

09. A Labyrinth Of Tombs

10. Seas Of Starvation

11. In Death They Shall Burn

12. The Mirror Black

Lindberg recently spoke to Decibel magazine about how the departure of longtime AT THE GATES guitarist and primary songwriter Anders Björler has affected the band's sound. "It is true that there is a big shift in the lineup," he said. "What you have to take into consideration is that Jonas Björler [bass] wrote 40 percent of both 'Slaughter Of The Soul' and 'At War With Reality'. Some people seem to forget this. They just assume that the lead guitarist is the sole songwriter. Jonas had to take a lot more responsibility this time around, but me and him have had a really great and creative time writing this album. There is a slight change of direction, maybe, but AT THE GATES fans shouldn't be worried — it is still an AT THE GATES record. If anything, it is heavier and more death metal than the last one."

Lindberg said that new AT THE GATES guitarist Jonas Stålhammar came into the band too late to be involved in the composing process for the new disc. "This one is basically Jonas [Björler] and me when it comes to the writing. All the guys have contributed in some way, but the main writing comes from Jonas and me. Most of the songs were already in the finishing stages when Jonas Stålhammar joined, so there wasn't much time for him to contribute, but we look forward to having him more involved next time around. Saying that, his solos will, of course, be written by himself."

AT THE GATES 2018 is (left to right in photo):

Adrian Erlandsson - Drums

Jonas Björler - Bass

Tomas Lindberg - Vocals

Jonas Stålhammar - Guitar

Martin Larsson - Guitar

Earlier this month, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research, also known as CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire). Located in Geneva, Switzerland CERN operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and is also the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

During their tour, Ulrich and Hammett spoke with CERN's Connie Potter about their interest in science; an excerpt has been transcribed below.

How they became interested in science as children:

Kirk: "I was an avid science student. At one point, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was in elementary school. I was into model rocketry — I built rockets. I always maintained my fascination with science and all sorts of science — all sorts of different types of science, from basic physics all the way to quantum physics."

Lars: "I grew up with a father who has been very interested in physics, very interested in philosophy, very interested in [the] universe and particles and everything. Most of my schooling came not only from the Danish public school system, but came from hanging out with my dad and staring up into space and the night sky and talking and listening and being around my father, who was very interested in everything about the universe and history and big bangs and black holes. I spent a lot of my youth listening."

Metallica's next show is April 28th in Krakow, Poland at Tauron Arena. To view their complete tour schedule, click here.

"Nothing else (anti)matters" - earlier this week, Kirk and Lars from @Metallica visited some emblematic places at #CERN: the @ATLASexperiment, the #antimatter factory and the CLOUD experiment. pic.twitter.com/XCEfXWMnmr
— CERN (@CERN) April 13, 2018

 

LINKIN PARK vocalist Mike Shinoda has released a music video for the song "About You", taken from his upcoming solo album "Post Traumatic". The track is a collaboration with producer blackbear, and the accompanying clip was directed by Shinoda.

Shinoda spoke with ET Canada about the songwriting process for "Post Traumatic", which is due on June 15. He explained: "It started in a really dark place. In the beginning, I wasn't leaving my house. It felt very claustrophobic, having lost one of my closest friends and collaborators. We associate who we are, to some degree, with what we do, so I felt very lost."

He continued: "The experience of this last year has been crazy, and I wanted to put it into music, not only to just put a stamp on it and say, 'This happened,' but also to allow the fans and the people who have been along for the ride, to guide them on that journey in terms of keeping up with my narrative or understanding where I'm at."

Asked how difficult it was to write the songs for the album, many of which dealt with the death of LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington, Shinoda added: "Life was difficult; music was easy. The music made things easier."

Shinoda also spoke about dealing with his own grief over Bennington's suicide last summer, saying: "I had terrible days, and now I have less bad days. And eventually, I will find a new 'normal,' like a new stasis."

Shinoda will make his first solo appearance since Bennington's death at this spring's Identity LA festival in downtown Los Angeles on May 12.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS has released the official music video for its cover version of the FLEETWOOD MAC classic "The Chain". Check it out below. The track is taken from the second part of the band's opus magnum, which will be released one year after the successful arrival of rock juggernaut "Prevail I".

Due on April 27 through Napalm Records, "Prevail II" is the proverbial yang to the yin and continues right where KOBRA AND THE LOTUS left off in 2017.


"We couldn't be more stoked to release the final closer to our 'Prevail' album series," says vocalist Kobra Paige. "We've chosen a classic, recorded in 1976, and we hope to connect and carry the magic forward from that musical era. Here it is, 'The Chain' by FLEETWOOD MAC, in full KOBRA AND THE LOTUS spirit. Can you recognize it?"

"Prevail II" track listing:

01. Losing My Humanity

02. Let Me Love You

03. Ribe

04. My Immortal

05. Human Empire

06. Heartache

07. Velvet Roses

08. Modern Day Hero

09. You're Insane

10. White Water

11. The Chain

12. Let Me Love You (acoustic bonus track)

Says Kobra Paige: "Humanity. One of the greatest struggles of our human existence is to retain it.

"This sequel album takes a deeper dive into the darkness of our psyche and explores the personal torment and struggle we inflict upon ourselves, one another, and the earth.

"It has become commonplace for people to give up on themselves and lose their belief in their abilities and self-worth. This in turn affects our daily actions/behavior. We are a cripplingly, self-harming species but we are also profoundly capable beings of altruism, evolution, and positivity.

"This album will close the 'Prevail' double sequel on the lightest of all notes by acknowledging that every single person has a desire to be and deserves to be truly seen, loved, and heard. When the ignorance is cleared, we can recognize that we are all in this together."

In support of "Prevail II", KOBRA AND THE LOTUS is touring the States with TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION.

Photo by Nat Enemede Photography

THE AGONY SCENE has returned with a brand new song and video. "Hand Of The Divine" will appear on the band's new album, "Tormentor", out July 20 via Outerloop Records/Cooking Vinyl. It is THE AGONY SCENE's first album since 2007's "Get Damned" (Century Media), which was preceded by 2005's "The Darkest Red" (Roadrunner) and 2003's self-titled release (Solid State).

"There is an underlying theme to much of the record, and that is the idea of an insane, manipulative creator, a 'tormentor' of all mankind, if you will," said guitarist Chris Emmons. "The lyrics also touch on the idea that an unquestioning belief in such a creator and an infallible doctrine can lead to a more chaotic and dark world in many cases."

He continued: "'Hand Of The Divine' was written about the Rubio murders that took place in Brownsville, Texas in 2003. These murders occurred as a result of a man who believed that his three children were possessed by demons. The video for 'Hand Of The Divine' follows along the theme of an insane creator, but does have some loose parallels with the Rubio murders. It tells the story of 'The Binding Of Isaac' that can be found in the texts of the Abrahamic religions. This story finds god demanding Abraham to sacrifice his son as an offering, proving his love and obedience. An insane and criminal act by modern standards and law. The story is portrayed a bit loosely, taking interpretations from multiple texts."

"THE AGONY SCENE was the gateway band in the era of aggressive dark metalcore, paving the way for a new generation of metal fans, including myself," said Outerloop president Shan Dan Horan. "It's impossible for me to have a conversation with a metal artist without them mentioning THE AGONY SCENE as an influence. That being said, I'm extremely excited to be a part of their most aggressive album to date."

The band will announce its summer 2018 tour plans imminently.

Swedish classic rock connoisseurs GRAVEYARD have released the first trailer for their eagerly anticipated comeback album, "Peace". The disc was recorded at Park Studios in Stockholm with producer Chips Kiesbye (THE HELLACOPTERS, MICHAEL MONROE, THE NOMADS) and engineer Stefan Boman (BURT BACHARACH, ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, KENT).

Commented the band: "As you may know, we've been doing some traveling lately. In many ways and on many levels. The good thing is that we brought back a few things for you all. Here's a first souvenir from the road to 'Peace'."

"Peace" is now available for pre-order in various formats. The Nuclear Blast mailorder edition will feature the CD as well as a red seven-inch vinyl containing two exclusive and previously unreleased non-album tracks ("Headache City" and "Something Else"). The album will also be available as digipack CD as well as on black, yellow, mint, beige and clear vinyl.

"Peace" will be released on May 25 via Nuclear Blast.

The disc will contain the following tracks:

01. It Ain't Over Yet

02. Cold Love

03. See The Day

04. Please Don't

05. Del Maniac

06. The Fox

07. Walk On

08. Bird Of Paradise

09. A Sign Of Peace

10. Low (I Wouldn't Mind)

GRAVEYARD announced its return in January 2017, only four months after saying that the band was calling it quits. The group's new lineup does not include drummer Axel Sjöberg, who is apparently focusing on his new outfit called BIG KIZZ. He has since been replaced by Oskar Bergenheim.

GRAVEYARD released four full-length albums, the latest one being 2015's "Innocence & Decadence".

GRAVEYARD's breakup in September 2016 was attributed to "the all-so-classic reason 'differences within the band.'" The group explained at the time: "This is the unfortunate final decision we've had to make after going through a period of struggling and juggling with personal issues. Things have gone out of hand and now our energy is very low."

GRAVEYARD 2018 is:

Joakim Nilsson - vocals, guitar

Truls Mörck - bass

Oskar Bergenheim - drums

Jonatan Ramm - guitar

Strapping Young Lad founder Devin Townsend recently decided to "take a break" from the Devin Townsend Project. Following his announcement that he has put the Devin Townsend Project on indefinite hiatus while he works on other projects, two members of DTP have teamed up with a couple of members of Townsend's former group, Strapping Young Lad, to form a new band, Imonolith. Joining drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen and guitarist Brian "Beav" Waddell (who played bass in DTP) are bassist Byron Stroud, second guitarist Jed Simon and vocalist Jon Howard.

The band has checked in from the studio:

"We know you guys can't wait to hear Imonolith for the first time. Well, as of now it's being mixed by the incredible Jason Van Poederooyen in LA. We feel as a band, along with Jay and our management that we should give you a proper, awesome sounding representation of what Imonolith's sound will be. We're very excited to show you guys and sometime in May, when it's 100% ready, we will give you a snippet of music to check out.

It's exciting times for everyone, including you guys, but we want to make sure we present ourselves professionally on every level. Thanks so much for your patience and support. You guys are all amazing and have really made this even more exciting for all of us in the band...

Stay posted, May is just around the corner."

Band lineup:
-Jon Howard (Threat Signal) - Vocals
-Jed Simon (Vimic, Strapping Young Lad, Scar The Martyr) - Guitar
-Brian "Beav" Waddell (Devin Townsend Project) - Guitar
-Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad) - Bass
-Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project) - Drums

Photos by LIM SANG Photography

Deicide's 2006 album The Stench Of Redemption will be reissued on vinyl on May 25th via Earache. A number of vinyl colours are available.

Emerging from seemingly endless controversy reenergized and re-focused, the legendary Deicide hit back with their most confrontational album in years. The Stench Of Redemption bristles with the defiance and confidence borne of a new lineup (welcoming Jack Owen and Ralph Santola to the band), a new desire and a new common purpose.

Crammed full of anti-christian invective supported by a barrage of blast beats and grimly direct riffing Deicide 2006 plays with the enthusiasm and intensity that puts every young pretender band to shame. The addition of fluid, melodic leads surprised many - but the aggression and violence inherent in each track pleased all those who want only one thing from Deicide - the ultimate Death Metal sound. This is as good as it gets people!

Tracklisting:

Side A:
"The Stench Of Redemption"
"Death To Jesus"
"Desecration"
"Crucified For The Innocence"
"Walk With The Devil In Dreams You Behold"

Side B:
"Homage For Satan"
"Not Of This Earth"
"Never To Be Seen Again"
"The Lord's Sedition"
"Black Night"

As reported earlier, Deicide's 2004 album Scars Of The Crucifix will also be reissued on vinyl on May 25th in a number of vinyl colours. The title has been unavailable on vinyl since its original release way back in 2004.

Recorded at the legendary Morrisound Studios in Florida, Scars Of The Crucifix heralded the return to form of one of the death metal originators who after leaving their previous label were full of venom, hate and aggression all of which was channeled into this classic Earache masterpiece.

Tracklisting:

Side A:
"Scars Of The Crucifix"
"Mad At God"
"Conquered By Sodom"
"Fuck Your God"

Side B:
"When Heaven Burns"
"Enchanted Nightmare"
"From Darkness Come"
"Go Now Your Lord Is Dead"
"The Pentecostal"

Pre-order both titles in various vinyl colours here.

Ingested will release their fourth album, The Level Above Human, tomorrow (Friday, April 27th) via Unique Leader Records. An advanced album stream can be found below.

The devastating 10-track album, which was engineered by Stu McKay (Arcania, Dyscarnate) and mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Despised Icon), shows the band at the absolute zenith of their 12 year career. The Level Above Human will undoubtedly cement the Manchester, UK group's place at the top of the extreme metal world.

Physical pre-order bundles for The Level Above Human are available here, and digital pre-orders are available here.

Tracklisting:

"Sovereign"
"Invidious"
"Misery Leech"
"Purveyors Of Truth"
"Transcendence Of Gods"
"Better Off Dead"
"Last Rites"
"The Crimson Oath"
"Purge The Parasite"
"Obsolescent"

Album stream:

"Purveyors Of Truth" lyric video:

Ingested are currently in the middle of a monstrous world tour, which includes their first North American headlining tour as well as a stint on this year's Devastation On The Nation Tour, in support of their new album The Level Above Human. Find the band's tour itinerary here.

Idyllwild, CA-based thrash metalheads Throw The Goat have released a lyric video for "Melt Away". The band released it in celebration of Earth Day, in the hopes of continuing the conversation about global warming.

"Melt Away" comes off of the band's most recent album, The Joke's On Us, which was released through Combat Records, owned by Dave Ellefson (Megadeth). Listen to the album here.

Tour dates:

May
4 - Mission Tobacco Lounge (MTL) - Irvine, CA
11 - Doll Hut - Anaheim, CA (with Agent Orange)
20 - The Yard @ Sharkys - Tamarindo, Costa Rica

June
1 - The Hood Bar - Palm Desert, CA
21 - Warped Tour @ Pomona Fairplex - Pomona, CA

One-man industrial metal force Author & Punisher enters the studio to record his sixth studio album. The yet-to-be-titled full-length is being recorded at K Street in San Diego, CA and engineered by Tristan Shone & John Cota (Death Eyes). Additional recording will be in Las Cruces, NM with Jason Begin (vytear).

The album will be co-produced with Braden Diotte (Tarantula Hawk, Exxo//Endo), mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Author & Punisher’s new album is set to be released Fall 2018 on Relapse Records.

Additionally, Author & Punisher announces early summer European headline tour dates with Trepaningsritualen. The tour begins May 21st in Leipzig, Germany and ends June 9th in Poznan, Poland. Author & Punisher will also make a special appearance at Moogfest on May 17th in Durham, NC. All confirmed tour dates are listed below.

Tour dates:

May
17 - Durham, NC - Moogfest
21 - Leipzig, Germany - Wave-Gotik-Treffen
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - VEGA / Ideal
24 - Berlin, Germany - Urban Spree
25 - Antwerp, Belgium - Het Bos
26 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Merleyn w/Sumac
27 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Occii
28 - London, UK - Elektrowerkz
29 - Glasgow, UK - Nice N Sleazy
30 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion Manchester
31 - Bruxelles, Belgium - Mag3

June
1 - Athens, Greece - Temple Athens
2 - Moscow, Russia - Joy
5 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Serdce
6 - Wroclaw, Poland - D.K. Luksus
7 - Warsaw, Poland - Klub Hydrozagadka
8 - Gdansk, Poland - Protokultura
9 - Poznan, Poland - Pawilon

(Photo - Marilla Maschion)