Sliptrick Records welcome three new bands to their roster, due to release material on the label in the coming months. “All three bands come from the same country, so you could say that today we present “The Italian Job”.”

Bastian (pictured above): In 2014, Italian rock guitarist Sebastiano Conti formed Bastian, a hard rock group with a razor edge. Since then, they have released two full albums featuring such luminary musicians as Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, Heaven And Hell), Thomas Lang (Paul Gilbert, Glenn Hughes, Stork) and John Macaluso (ex-Malmsteen, James LaBrie, TNT, Riot, J.Batten). With his new lineup, Bastien are ready to release their third album, Back To The Roots. More info coming soon.

Althea: Althea were formed in Milan by guitarist Dario Bortot and bassist Fabrizio Zilio, with the object to developing a free-form progressive metal rock project. With the addition of the keyboardist Marco Zambardi, Sergio Sampietro on drums and Alessio Accardo on vocals, the Althea line up stabilized and the group began gigging extensively and recorded their first EP in 2014 to an excellent critical response. The band recorded their debut album, Memories Have No Name, throughout 2016 ready for release in the coming months.

Serial Vice: Serial Vice are a heavy metal band based in Salento, Southern Italy. After some lineup changes, the band recorded their first single “Heroin” and after yet more tweaks to the personnel, the band’s sound gelled into a heavy metal blast somewhere between classic and modern but always gritty and melodic. They cite their influences from hard rock to thrash and from doom to power. The bands EP Nightmares Come True, is scheduled for release on Sliptrick Records in 2017.

On April 28th, British heavy metal veterans, Mythra, will release a brand new studio album, entitled Still Burning. Listen to the album’s title track below.

The album will be available as a vinyl LP, CD and digital download, and will be released via High Roller Records.

"It's the first time the band has gone into the studio and recorded a complete album all in one go. We flew out to Poland in October 2016 to work with Bart Gabriel as producer. It was a superb experience and we all had a great time working with him. We were totally blown away when High Roller Records signed us to record the album and cannot thank them enough. Their support has been incredible!" says Mythra vocalist, Vince High.

"We intended to stay true to our NWoBHM roots and achieved our goal. The eleven tracks have tons of power and energy, twin lead guitar breaks, driving bass, thunderous drums and big choruses. Everything fans would expect from a Mythra album", he adds.

The album's cover artwork was painted by Roberto Toderico, Italian artist known for his previous collaboration with Mythra, as well as with other notable NWoBHM acts such as Tygers Of Pan Tang and Quartz.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has once again defended his controversial "rock is dead" comment, blaming the technology and fans for the current state of affairs.

Simmons told Esquire magazine in September 2014 — in an interview conducted by his son Nick — that "rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed and now it won't because it's that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it."

Simmons went on to elaborate that as a result of filesharing and other issues, record label support for rock music was not available like it was when KISS was coming up, concluding, "It's finally dead. Rock is finally dead."

In a brand new interview with Scott of WWL radio, Simmons stood by his comments, explaining (hear audio below): "Rock is dead. It's because of the Internet and Napster and all that stuff. Once you download and fileshare, then you're not making it possible for a new band to be able to do this full time.

"There's every bit as much talent out there as there [was] when we first started, but the new bands have to live in their mother's basement because they can't afford to do this full time, because people are just filesharing and downloading," he continued. "And that's their prerogative — we allowed it and we haven't sued everybody's pants off for doing that. So that's everybody's fault — the record company's fault."

Simmons went on to say: "Try this: 1958 until 1988 is thirty years, right? During that time, with record companies — the big, bad corporate entities called record companies… Well, without them, there wouldn't have been Elvis [Presley], THE BEATLES, THE [ROLLING] STONES, Jimi Hendrix… you know, just a thousand classic bands. Even in disco, you got Madonna, you had Prince, U2, AC/DC, us maybe and a few others. And even in pop, you had Michael Jackson, JACKSON 5… I mean, it's just endless. From 1988 until today, who is the new BEATLES? Name five bands that stand up to THE STONES, THE BEATLES, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and so on."

After Scoot brings up the American rock band PANIC! AT THE DISCO as an example of a very popular current artist, Simmons responded: "You're missing the point. If you walk down the street and the first person you meet, especially somebody forty, fifty years old, and you say, 'PANIC! AT THE DISCO,' they run. They have no idea what the hell you're talking about."

He continued: "A superstar and an iconic band pervades all and everyone knows what it is.

"There are many popular bands that are popular now. When I was growing up, it was Leif Garrett and THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY and THE MONKEES and the thousand bands that were popular for a few years. That's not what makes iconic."

Despite his pessimistic view of the current rock scene, Simmons wished all the new artists luck, but added: "It's unfortunate that new bands don't have the support of record [companies] to support them with posters and tour support and all that stuff."

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have weighed in on the topic in a variety of interviews over the last couple of years, with some digging a little deeper into Simmons's full remarks and others just glossing over the headline. SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor told a radio station in October 2014: "Nothing against Gene. I understand what he was trying to say. His way of making albums and making music and getting things out there is dead. But you just kind of have to roll with the technology, you have to rise with the times, you have to learn to use those to your advantage. You can't just sit back and just kind of do album-tour-album-tour — there's so much that goes into it now."

Tony Webster of "The Metal Command" radio show recently conducted an interview with current HELLOWEEN singer Andi Deris about the reunion of the band's classic lineup. Dubbed "Pumpkins United", the band's upcoming tour will feature seven musicians — including former members Michael Kiske (vocals) and Kai Hansen (guitar), alongside Deris and guitarist Sascha Gerstner — performing material spanning HELLOWEEN's entire three-decade-plus history. A few excerpts from the chat follow below (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On how the HELLOWEEN reunion came about:

Andi: "The whole idea started when GAMMA RAY was supporting HELLOWEEN [in 2008]. It was not scheduled, it was more or less happening accidentally. We met in Hamburg and Kai [Hansen, guitar, also of GAMMA RAY] said, 'We just finished our album.' And Weiki [Michael Weikath, guitar] and I were saying, 'Yeah, we just finished our album. Why don't we tour together for the first time with you supporting HELLOWEEN? That would be great for the fans and they would freak out if you joined HELLOWEEN for the last one or two songs, playing up there like the old days.' That turned out to be such a great spectacle for the people; they really loved it. The next step was quite clear. That would be to ask Michael Kiske if he would like to join and do something like a real reunion, but don't destroy the working band, but bring the people a two-and-a-half- and three-hour show onstage where they have 30 years of metal with the original singer, with me for the next generation, and make a big happening out of it. It worked so nicely with Kai playing the guitar, then the next logical step would be to have the real band onstage as well."

On his relationship with Michael Kiske:

Andi: "I think he doesn't dislike me. [Laughs] I don't dislike him; I think he's a really cool guy. I think he's very laid-back, so he should be a person I can get along with very nicely. Mainly, we were actually thrilled about imagining the fans down there when they finally have the chance to see him sing the old tunes, and then even together with me on one or two tunes from my time. Put it this way, from an ego point of view, I'm so happy not to have to sing all of these high-pitched Michael Kiske songs anymore. I'm so relieved that he's back in the band and I can concentrate on my own shit. That should work really nicely."

On what Hansen's role will be for the live shows:

Andi: "If I go through the songs, I realize there are lots of songs on the studio recordings having more than three guitars, so that should be interesting. We are able to bring onstage even more original CD sounds than possible with two guitars. For all the rest of the songs where there are only two guitars, I think it's great for one of those guys to say 'Goodbye' and have a cigar. [Laughs] It's a five or six-minute break for maybe Sascha [Gerstner, guitar] or maybe Weiki or Kai, then they have a smoke and that's great. That's the way I look at it from my point of view. I'm finally having a break in the show, having some wine, or a good little cigarette, and watching the boys. This is something really interesting. I never had that before. Same goes for Michael [Kiske]. As far as I remember, when we talked about it, he always had a smile on his face and said, 'Yeah, that's cool. After 10 or 15 minutes, I have a break, and you go sing.' It's different, but it could be very interesting, not only for the fans, but also for the band itself. The only guys I'm a bit scared for is Dani [Löble, drums] and Markus [Grosskopf, bass] because they have to play two-and-a-half and three hours without a break. I hope that turns out not to be a problem, and both say 'No, it shouldn't be a problem. It depends on how you design the running order.' You shouldn't play 'Push' and 'Eagle Fly Free' without a song in between in mid-tempo because both of them will probably be dead after these songs. There will be a way. They say it's not a problem, so I believe they are professional enough. Nevertheless, I'm very much looking forward to that. This is unbelievable. Imagine 30 years of metal with one band who was always there and still is here. I personally think it's a great adventure, not only for the fans but myself and ourselves."

On whether the "Pumpkins United" tour will be hitting the U.S.:

Andi: "Yes, absolutely. What you see now with the stuff on Facebook or [by] following our web site, don't worry — these are just the first confirmed dates and there will be dates added nearly every day. When it comes to the United States, we will play at least all the big metropolitan cities, and we're doing Canada. It's just a question of timing, that's all."

On whether HELLOWEEN is writing new songs:

Andi: "Not on purpose. Not consciously. Actually, just sitting on the sofa, collecting ideas, talking for myself, means talking for everybody. I know the guys are the same. At the end of the day, when you are sitting in front of your television and you take 30 minutes, you suddenly have your guitar in your hands again. That's pretty normal. When you have your guitar, you diddle and fiddle around and suddenly there is an idea, but maybe not. Most of the time there is an idea. Just record it to get it off your brain, so to say 'system clearance.' [Laughs] When I don't record it, then it's forever in my head. It's causing me sleepless nights. I have to record it, then I erase it from my hard drive up there in my stupid head. I know that the boys are pretty much the same, everyone is diddling and fiddling around. It's still a hobby. My guitar, that's my life. I was forced to the microphone. I never wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a guitarist. Now, the only occasion to play guitar is at home writing songs. [Laughs]"

Listen to the entire interview using the audio player below.




Posted by Helloween on Monday, January 2, 2017


Posted by Helloween on Monday, January 2, 2017

Conny Schiffbauer of Germany's Rock Hard magazine conducted an interview with ARCH ENEMY singer Alissa White-Gluz and guitarist Michael Amott during this year's 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. You can now watch the chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the status of the upcoming ARCH ENEMY album:

Michael: "The new album is written. It's partially recorded. Right now, Alissa living in Canada and I'm in Sweden, we've been e-mailing files and stuff to each other. I'd send her a demo, and then she'd put vocals on that in her home studio, sends it back, and I say, 'Great.' You know, it's just been kind of like that — working a bit separately. And after this cruise, we're actually gonna get together in Sweden at some point and… you know, there's a lot of stuff left to do — all the guitars and vocals and bass."

On the musical direction of the new ARCH ENEMY material:

Alissa: "It's hard to say until you hear the final album, I think. 'Cause you're so deeply involved with every detail that it's hard to see the big picture of it until it's actually all complete. I wouldn't even know how to approach that question."

Michael: "It's very diverse, I think, the material. It's got a lot of trademark ARCH ENEMY elements, I guess. I can think a song is really, really different, but then we're gonna play it, it's gonna be us playing it, Alissa singing, it's gonna sound very, very ARCH ENEMY. So it's not like a huge departure, but it's definitely the next… I think we're more relaxed, maybe, than on the last album… 'Cause Alissa's been with us for three years, and it's not as tense, maybe, as it was the last time around. [Before we released 'War Eternal'] we were, like, 'We don't even know if people are gonna like this, if people are gonna accept us, ARCH ENEMY, with a new singer.' We didn't really know, which made the songs maybe more… To me, 'War Eternal' has a very kind of dark and very angry and claustrophobic feel to it, which is really cool. But I think the new one is gonna be more open and probably more powerful, actually."

On whether ARCH ENEMY's new guitarist, Jeff Loomis (ex-NEVERMORE), contributed to the songwriting on the band's new album:

Michael: "Not with the songwriting, but he's gonna be playing on the album, of course."

On Michael's plans for BLACK EARTH, the project featuring former and current members of ARCH ENEMY performing material from ARCH ENEMY's first three albums live on stage:

Michael: "Yeah, I don't wanna confuse people, but what happened was the very first ARCH ENEMY album featured a completely different lineup, with my brother on guitar, and Johan [Liiva], the original male singer that we had on the first three albums. So it was the twentieth anniversary coming up. That album, and the three albums that we did with Johan, were very successful in Japan at the time, in the '90s, so we thought we'd do something to commemorate that and have some fun. So what we did is we went over there and played seven shows, a sold-out tour, that did very well for us. And, yeah, one of the nights was recorded. But I think it's only planned for release in Japan. We're just keeping it very separate. But that was a lot of fun. It's always fun to play with my brother, and, of course, it's great [to play] with Johan as well; it's fun."

On Alissa's upcoming solo album:

Alissa: "Yeah, I'm gonna be releasing a solo album in probably early 2018. And the project is just called ALISSA, because there's no band — it's just me. But I am collaborating with a lot of different musicians that I'm friends with — past and current members of ARCH ENEMY, people from KAMELOT, Doyle [MISFITS]. Basically, the goal with this project is just to do music that I love that's different from what I do with ARCH ENEMY and do it with people that I love. So far, I really like how it's going. And it's just another creative outlet for me. So I'm looking forward to seeing what people think about that."

On what the music on her debut album sounds like:

Alissa: "It's hard to describe, again, because, like I said, it's not finished yet, so I'm not exactly sure. But so far, I would have to say it's like maybe OPETH meets MUSE [laughs], if you can call it that. So I don't know if I would call it metal or if I would call it rock. There's clean singing in there, there's gonna be some interesting covers in there. It's definitely heavy, it's definitely emotional, powerful. That's what I like, that's the kind of music I like. Other than that, I'm not sure how to label it."

ARCH ENEMY will release a new live DVD, "As The Stages Burn!", on March 31 via Century Media. The set contains video footage of the band's largest stage production to date from their performance last summer at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany.

ARCH ENEMY will celebrate the release of "As The Stages Burn!" with a number of European shows with special support from LACUNA COIL and THE HAUNTED.

The producer of the Grammy Awards has apologized to METALLICA for the technical mishap that left frontman James Hetfield without a working microphone for the band's Grammy performance with Lady Gaga.

The "Moth Into Flame" performance on Sunday night's (February 12) awards show was marred by the incident, which was reportedly caused by a stagehand accidentally unplugging Hetfield's mic.

That forced the guitarist/vocalist to share Gaga's mic for almost the rest of the song. A visibly Hetfield knocked down his mic stand at the end of the performance and threw his guitar offstage.

"These kinds of things are horrible when they happen," Ken Ehrlich told the Associated Press on Wednesday. "That's one of the risks of live television."

As to what transpired to cause the glitch, Ehrlich told the Associated Press: "My guys say that the mic cable was connected. My guys' theory was that ... one of the extras [on stage] accidentally kicked out the cable that went to the mic."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said on Tuesday night's (February 14) edition of "The Late Late Show With James Corden" that Hetfield was "livid" over the technical problems during the Grammy Awards telecast. Ulrich told host James Corden: "We get off stage, we get back there, and I haven't seen [Hetfield] like that in twenty years. I mean, he was livid. He's aged really well and he's a pretty chill guy, but the first five or ten minutes in that dressing room was not a lot of fun."

Ulrich added to Corden: "Like they say, the show must go on, and we fought through it… A lot of people said that at least it made for great television, which is really the point of doing the Grammys to begin with."

"Obviously, we apologize to the band," Ehrlich told the Associated Press, calling the incident "awful."

Prior to the Grammy performance, Ulrich told "Access Hollywood" that METALLICA was "psyched" to get "carte blanche" from Ehrlich to "go heavier and heavier each time" the band performs at the event. He said: "When we were done with our rehearsal [for the Grammy show], my manager came up and said, 'This may be the heaviest song that's ever been played at the Grammys ever' — even heavier than the last four of five times METALLICA were there."

Despite the problems with that performance, Ulrich told Rolling Stone earlier this week that Gaga was the "quintessential perfect fifth member of this band," adding that he would like to work with her again.

Vocalist Hernan "Eddie" Hermida of California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE has defended the band's decision to explore new musical territory on the group's latest, self-titled fifth abum, explaining that "if we didn't do this, it would be doing a disservice to the (band) name."

SUICIDE SILENCE has come under fire in recent weeks following the release of the track "Doris" from the new disc. The controversy over the track's new sound — featuring a more melodic and clean singing style, in the vein of acts like DEFTONES and KORN — even caused one disgruntled fan to launch a petition to stop the record coming out.

"We really stepped outside of ourselves and wrote a record that challenged us," Hermida told The Orange County Register. "It's going to challenge our fan base, too, and people that were used to hearing that certain sound out of us.

"If we didn't do this, it would be doing a disservice to the (band) name," he continued. "By making it self-titled, we're telling fans and we're telling ourselves that this is who we are now."

According to Hermida, "Suicide Silence" solidifies his status as a full-fledged member of SUICIDE SILENCE, four years after the death of his predecessor, Mitch Lucker.

"Nothing can change that Mitch passed away and when he did, he took what the band was and he actually changed it," Hermida said. "He gave us the gift of self-realization in a very volatile time and when you're given that gift and you don't explore it and take it where you need to, you're succumbing to the fear and pain instead of growing from it. We wanted to tell people that it's okay to grow and to step outside of the things that keep you from exploring and expanding your world, your community and yourself."

"Suicide Silence" will be released on February 24 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced by Ross Robinson, who has previously worked with KORN, SLIPKNOT, LIMP BIZKIT and SEPULTURA, among others, and was mixed by Joe Barresi (KYUSS, MELVINS, TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE).

Seattle grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN will release a remixed deluxe edition of "Ultramega OK" on March 10 via Sub Pop. This remixed and expanded reissue is a long-planned "correction" of the legendary band's Grammy-nominated debut full-length.

"Ultramega OK" was originally recorded and released in 1988 on SST Records. While the band enjoyed working with the original producer, Drew Canulette, they soon realized they weren't quite happy with the final mix. Thus, shortly after the album's release, the band decided to remix the album for subsequent pressings. However, success intervened: the band rapidly scored a deal with A&M and began work on their major-label debut, "Louder Than Love", and the "Ultramega OK" remix project fell by the wayside as SOUNDGARDEN climbed their way to (ultra)mega-stardom.

In 2016, after worldwide success, a breakup, a reunion, and many albums and tours, the band finally acquired the original multi-track tapes to "Ultramega OK" and carved out time to dig into the remix. They handed the tapes over to longtime friend and engineer Jack Endino (NIRVANA, MUDHONEY, SCREAMING TREES, SKIN YARD), who worked with the band to create a fresh mix of the album that, for the band, ties up this persistent loose end and remedies the sound of their debut album.

While they were at it, the band dug out six early versions of tracks that wound up on "Ultramega OK". The songs were recorded in 1987 on 8-track tape by Jack Endino and Chris Hanzsek at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, and mixed by Jack Endino in 2016. These versions feature the band in raw, powerful form — sonically closer to the band's Endino-recorded debut EP "Screaming Life" — and provide a fascinating window into the development of songs that eventually became staples of the band's set. The six songs comprise what the band refers to as "Ultramega" EP, and they are included in this reissue.

Hailed as grunge innovators, SOUNDGARDEN redefined rock music for a generation. In the '80s, the band — singer/guitarist Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Hiro Yamamoto, and drummer Matt Cameron — combined a punk ethos, brutal metal soundscapes, and Cornell's ravenous roar to capture the attention of the masses. Jagged and ferocious, their music was deeply at odds with the synth-pop and hair metal which dominated the '80s airwaves. Early indie releases, including seminal "Screaming Life" and "Ultramega OK", quickly led to a dedicated indie following as the band toured on both sides of the Atlantic. Subsequent albums, including "Badmotorfinger", "Superunknown" and "Down On The Upside", achieved multi-platinum sales and launched the band to international fame.

"Ultramega OK" reissue track listing:

01. Flower02. All Your Lies03. 66504. Beyond The Wheel05. 66706. Mood For Trouble07. Circle Of Power08. He Didn't09. Smokestack Lightning10. Nazi Driver11. Head Injury12. Incessant Mace13. One Minute Of Silence14. Head Injury (Early Version)15. Beyond The Wheel (Early Version)16. Incessant Mace (Short) [Early Version]17. He Didn't (Early Version)18. All Your Lies (Early Version)19. Incessant Mace (Long) [Early Version]

The newly remixed version of "Flower", taken from the "Ultramega OK" reissue, can be streamed below.

KITTIE guitarist/vocalist Morgan Lander has paid tribute to her bandmate Trish Doan (a.k.a. Trisha Jai-Mee Doan), who passed away earlier in the month. The KITTIE bassist was only 31 years old at the time of her death.

Said Morgan in a statement on her Instagram account: "I have been struggling with the right words and having trouble processing the loss of someone who I counted among my best friends.

"Thank you to everyone for reaching out, your kind words, stories and photos. She was truly loved more than we all could ever know.

"From the moment I met Trish, there was an instant bond between us that I could never really explain. Perhaps we saw within each other many of the things that were reflected within ourselves; qualities that made us intrinsically who we are, and we clung to that dearly. I think she also looked up to me a great deal, and I appreciated the responsibility of what that meant as a friend.

"We grew up together to become better people than who we once were and through everything, she and I always remained very close, part of the support system we both needed. I loved her like a sister and she was a part of my family, now forever changed. She with her boundless energy, 10,000 ideas and a fiery, vibrant light that could never be extinguished, even now.

"I love you Trish and I miss you."

Born in Gwangju, South Korea (about 270 kilometers from the capital Seoul), Doan joined KITTIE in 2005 and was in the band for two years before leaving in 2007 and then rejoining in 2012. She can be heard on KITTIE's 2006 EP "Never Again" and the 2007 full-length album "Funeral For Yesterday".

In early 2008, it was reported that Doan originally left KITTIE due to the eating disorder anorexia-athletica-nervosa, which she had been struggling with for almost two years.

The current version of L.A. GUNS — which includes singer Phil Lewis and the band's co-founding guitarist Tracii Guns — is recording a new album for a tentative summer release through the Italian record label Frontiers Music Srl.

"It sounds amazing — I'm not exaggerating," Lewis tells Westword in a new interview. "It's so slick, and every song is so well crafted. Big choruses. It's really interesting, and I think people are going to be knocked out by it. We're gonna release it on CD and digital, of course, but we're gonna put it put on vinyl. We have enough to put it out on double vinyl gatefold."

L.A. GUNS' present lineup is rounded out by Shane Fitzgibbon on drums and Johnny Martin on bass with Michael Grant on guitar as a touring member.

"We have Tracii's drummer that he's been working with for the last year and a half," Lewis says. "With Johnny Martin on bass, that's just a great rhythm section. Tracii's been going out with those two and another singer doing L.A. GUNS stuff, and it's been perfectly adequate. But now we've got Michael Grant. It's back to two guitars, and it's fierce. They're doing a lot of damage."

The last time Lewis and Guns joined forces was back in 2000 with legendary producer Andy Johns for the making of what would become "Waking The Dead". Regarding the decision to use the L.A. GUNS moniker for the new album, Guns told LA Weekly: "When you put Phil and I together, that's the sound of L.A. GUNS. There's no way around that. As much as I love certain other [former] members of the band, it's hard to say what their contribution to the overall sound of the band was — but Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns, the band's gotta be L.A. GUNS. It can't be anything else."

Back in December, Phil announced that he was leaving the L.A. GUNS version that included drummer Steve Riley.

On February 17, EVANESCENCE will release a very special career-spanning vinyl box set encompassing all of the band's studio albums — "Fallen", "The Open Door" and "Evanescence" (with the latter two making their vinyl debut) — and, for the first time ever, the commercial debut for the previously unreleased demo album "Origin". Also included in "The Ultimate Collection" six-LP set is "The Lost Whispers" album, which officially culls the band's legendary bonus tracks and features the studio version of the long sought-after tour intro "Lost Whispers" and the first new EVANESCENCE studio recording in years, "Even In Death (2016)", a song that originally appeared on "Origin". The box set includes a 52-page casebound book featuring art, handwritten lyrics, photos and rarities.

You can now stream "Even In Death (2016)" below.

Publicists for EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee have confirmed that the band is working on new music. The band's first new recordings since 2011 are expected to arrive sometime later this year, but details on a release date, title, or even the format in which the material will be issued remain unknown. Lee hinted in an interview with AOL last fall that new music from the group might not take the form of a traditional album release, saying: "We have some new little plan in store, but I don't wanna give it away yet."

Lee hinted in interviews last year at some sort of non-traditional release, saying: "There is some new EVANESCENCE stuff that we're starting at, but it's not exactly the most traditional thing . . . there's something else that's a little bit special and different and (that is) gonna take you down a different path that we wanna try."

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

The singer has been evasive about when or if the band would record a new album, which would follow up its self-titled third effort that came out six years ago.

Lee released a new solo single, called "Love Exists", on February 10 via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and all the usual streaming services.

Lee has another new solo song coming out this spring. The single "Speak To Me" will appear on the soundtrack for the forthcoming supernatural thriller "Voice From The Stone", due April 28.

ASHES OF ARES, the band featuring former ICED EARTH members Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales, has parted ways with drummer Van Williams (ex-NEVERMORE).

Says the band: "This decision was both mutual and amicable, and we wish Van nothing but the best with GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS and any other future endeavors.

"What does that mean for the future of ASHES OF ARES? It means Matt and Freddie are continuing on. Eight songs are written, and two or three more will be finished up soon (and possibly some bonus tracks on top of that), then we can begin pre-production. So, basically, we will fully record demo versions of all the songs to appear on the album to make sure they are how we want them before recording the final versions."

Adds Van: "Maybe not the best news of the day, but not the worst... I’m writing you all today to let you know that I will be stepping down from drumming duties at ASHES OF ARES. The guys and I have discussed this for a while and we are all good. I think with all that has been going on in my/family's life this past year and juggling the bands, I didn't give my family and bands 110% of time each deserves.

"My GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS schedule is growing more demanding of time and it’s not fair to give ASHES less than 100%, so I feel it only best that they find someone that can give their all in the current timeframe as both bands are working on new albums and planning shows at the moment.

"On a good note, my wife [who was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in April 2015] has been doing much, much better so we are very happy to be living and taking every day as a blessing! Thank you all for supporting us through some very dark times. So, really, it's not all that bad news... ASHES OF ARES will continue and put out a great record, and you also get another cool GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS album from me and my fellow ghouls."

ASHES OF ARES's self-titled debut album was released in September 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida with legendary producer Jim Morris (ICED EARTH, OBITUARY, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, JAG PANZER).

"Dark Matter", the new video from ONCE HUMAN, the band featuring former MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, can be seen below. The song is taken from ONCE HUMAN's second album, "Evolution", which will be released on February 17 via earMUSIC/eOne.

Vocalist Lauren Hart states: "This vicious new track, 'Dark Matter', is about the dark energy in the world that affects us at our core. You can hold on to it and let it destroy you or you can let it flow through you and grow above it. It is there to strengthen you; letting it destroy you is a choice."

Adds Mader: "We worked with director Brian Cox (GEMINI SYNDROME) for this video. We gave him complete creative control over the imagery and he did not disappoint. He read the lyrics and was inspired. We are really happy wirh how it came out and hope you enjoy it."

"Evolution" is not just the title of ONCE HUMAN's sophomore release, it's an armor-plated declaration. Having made waves with their 2015 debut, "The Life I Remember", the band has dramatically progressed beyond the melodic death metal sound of that release into something more complex, emotional, distinct, and devastatingly heavy.

"Having been focused on recording, producing and developing bands, I had not picked up the guitar out of passion for twelve years but as soon as I started writing with Lauren, I fell in love with what we were making, and I wanted to play in the band and get back on stage," states Mader, whose name will be familiar to metalheads not only for his production and/or mixing work on records from the likes of GOJIRA, FEAR FACTORY and DEVILDRIVER, but also as the original guitarist in MACHINE HEAD, and his late-'90s stint in SOULFLY.

"Our first record was getting the ball rolling, but now it's as if we're a totally different band. We really found our sound and our identity, it's quite unique and I think what we're doing is really on fire."

Armed with this track and the eight others comprising "Evolution", ONCE HUMAN intend to build on the groundwork laid down by the two tours they did in support of their debut, and make it damn clear that this is a band to be taken seriously.

"It's only been a little more than a year since we put out our first record, but we were so driven by the new sound that we forged that we needed to get back into the studio and capture it," Mader explains. "It was also important to prove to people that this is a real band. It's not just a project I felt like doing on a whim, this is a band that's going to have a full career, and now we're really getting started."

With the lineup rounded out by drummer Dillon Trollope, bassist Damien Rainaud and guitarists Skyler Howren and recent recruit Max Karon, everything about "Evolution" makes it clear that this is a band pushing itself to deliver something that truly stands apart. "Our first record was getting the ball rolling, but now it's as if we're a totally different band," says Mader. "We really found our sound and our identity — it's quite unique — and I think what we're doing is really on fire."

With the intensity and range of Hart's roar having drastically increased, she unleashes it across complex and constantly shifting time signatures, and thick, contorted riffs that land with sledgehammer force. However, this is not only about bludgeoning the listener into submission, the violence often juxtaposed with eerie atmospherics and dark melodies to create something with great depth.

"Evolution" track listing:

01. Flock Of Flesh02. Eye Of Chaos03. Mass Murder Frenzy04. Gravity05. Dark Matter06. Paragon07. Drain08. Killers For Cure09. Passenger

LINKIN PARK has set "One More Light" as the title of its new album, due on May 19 via Warner Bros.

The group debuted a new song, "Heavy", via Los Angeles radio station KROQ earlier today. The track features guest vocals from Kiara Saulters, who is best known for recording stop-motion, hip-hop-inspired electro-R&B under the name Kiiara. The song sees the band team up with pop songwriter Emily Wright who has also worked on Miley Cyrus's "Party In the U.S.A.", Katy Perry's "California Gurls" and Flo Rida's "Good Feeling".

LINKIN PARK unveiled the cover art for the follow-up to 2014's "The Hunting Party" earlier this week, and the track listing has since been revealed via Amazon.

"One More Light" track listing:

01. Nobody Can Save Me02. Good Goodbye03. Talking to Myself04. Battle Symphony05. Invisible06. Heavy07. Sorry for Now08. Halfway Right09. One More Light10. Sharp Edges

LINKIN PARK is expected to reveal more details about the album during a Facebook Live event today at noon PT / 3 p.m. ET.

LINKIN PARK recently released new video update from the studio in which members of the band discussed their approach to the upcoming album's lyrical themes. Singer Chester Bennington said: "There are songs that don't specifically talk about situations, they talk about a frame of thinking. Like, 'This is shit that's going on inside my head,' or, 'This is something that I'm dealing with.' To me, also, it tells a story, but it's also revealing as well in another way, and that feels honest to me."

Bennington added in the video update: "We're trying to connect with people. We're trying to make a record that has fucking stellar songs that people wanna listen to all the time."

Co-vocalist Mike Shinoda appeared on a YouTube question-and-answer session recently and told fans about the new album: "I can't tell you what it sounds like. I can tell you you're going to be surprised. You gotta expect the unexpected. Don't expect what you've heard before."

Frontiers Music Srl will release "Saint Of The Lost Souls", the tenth studio album from HOUSE OF LORDS, on March 24. The official video for the song "Harlequin", taken from "Saint Of The Lost Souls", can be seen below. Recorded and produced by the band's singer and mastermind James Christian, the follow-up to 2015's "Indestructible" has an incredible flow of up-tempo and mid-tempo rockers mixed with power ballads, which lean a bit more toward keyboards this time around, but without compromising the band's trademark sound which is based around Jimi Bell's guitar. "Saint Of The Lost Souls" is already one of the year's most anticipated melodic rock releases and will not disappoint fans of the band or genre. James Christian's well-crafted and smooth vocals bring the band's songwriting to new heights. Guitarist Jimi Bell is on fire and the melodic riffs throughout the album will leave you breathless. A new addition on bass is Chris Tristram, who is no stranger to the rock community. His solid performance adds another dimension to the sound and BJ Zampa brings a solid and powerful rhythm foundation to HOUSE OF LORDS. The band has toured relentlessly in Europe and the States in support of their releases and has now become a true staple of the hard rock scene on both continents.

HOUSE OF LORDS stands for superb hooks and majestic atmospheres that bring back the memories of their stellar debut album, monumental guitar riffs and a production to die for. All these ingredients you will find on "Saint Of The Lost Souls" which shines from the first second to the last! "Saint Of The Lost Souls" track listing:

01. Harlequin02. Oceans Divide03. Hit the Wall04. Saint of the Lost Souls05. The Sun Will Never Set Again06. New Day Breakin'07. Reign of Fire08. Concussion09. Art of Letting Go10. Grains of Sand11. The Other Option

Swedish thrashers THE HAUNTED will enter Parlour Studios in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England in early March with producer Russ Russell to begin recording their ninth album for a late 2017 release via Century Media.

Comments THE HAUNTED guitarist Ola Englund: "After almost two and a half years since the release of 'Exit Wounds', we're finally hitting the studio again. Telling from the pre-productions, this will be a bit more of a dynamic album than 'Exit Wounds', song-wise. I'm very excited to let the fans hear what we have in store. It's brutality and beauty in perfect disharmony."

In addition to supporting ARCH ENEMY in Central Europe in March/April, THE HAUNTED will embark on a tour of Scandinavia in August/September.

Last year, Englund told Kaaos TV about the upcoming follow-up "Exit Wounds" album: "I think that with 'Exit Wounds', there was a lot that THE HAUNTED needed to prove, because it was some kind of a comeback album, in a way. And I think the pressure of that album, we don't have that with this one, so with this one, we can take more time, we can focus more on maybe quality. And we don't have to do everything super fast or play super-fast songs."

He continued: "I think for the dynamic of the album, it will be a lot better this time than 'Exit Wounds'. 'Exit Wounds' was just a head-on, super-intense album from start to finish, and I think with this one, it's way more dynamic sounding. I mean, from the songs that we've written so far. So it's gonna be interesting."

Asked if they felt they were rushed during the making of "Exit Wounds", Ola said: "Not necessarily rushed, but it was stressful for us [during] the recording. I mean, we had a deadline, and we were basically late on that deadline a couple of times. If we had gotten more time, we could have put a lot more effort into that album. But everyone was waiting for the album, and we had to do something. But we're still happy with the album."

Added vocalist Marco Aro: "[Now] the people understand that we're back and we're around, so we don't have to try to catch a window where we need to fit in there. So, as Ola said, we can keep it a bit more relaxed and more thoughtful."

"Exit Wounds" was recorded with THE HAUNTED's longtime producer Tue Madsen at Denmark's Antfarm Studio (DARK TRANQUILLITY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SICK OF IT ALL).

Frontiers Music Srl will release ADRENALINE RUSH's second album, "Soul Survivor", on April 21. Following the successful release of the band's 2014 self-titled debut, ADRENALINE RUSH is now ready to unleash its next infectious slice of hard, sleaze, melodic rock on the rock 'n roll masses! This time, Swedish blond bombshell vocalist Tåve Wanning mainly collaborated with Fredrik Folkare (FIRESPAWN, UNLEASHED), who brought fresh influences to the table that fit very well with Tåve's ideas. The music has evolved and grown beyond what appeared on the debut. It is still melodic and definitely has an '80s flavor, but also is a bit more complex, darker, and heavier than the previous album. The production is edgier and the guitar work once again pristine. Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE) was once again involved as a sounding board, co-writing a song and mastering the finished tracks. "I didn't want to make another album just like the first one," Tåve says. "I've grown since we recorded the first, I am in a different place. And I feel the album reflects that. The new tracks really complement the old instead of replacing them; they add a new dimension and gives us a broader spectrum of songs to choose from when playing live." The band has also seen some changes. Ludvig and Soufian left the band to focus on other endeavors and have been replaced by Sam Soderlindh (lead guitar) and Joel Fox (bass). Sam is a new face to most, a young guitarist with fast fingers and a lot of potential. Joel, on the other hand, has been around for a while in bands like DYNAZTY and SINIESTRO. Alexander Hagman and Marcus Johansson complete the band's lineup on guitar and drums, respectively. ADRENALINE RUSH is set to perform a few club gigs in Sweden before appearing at the fourth annual Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, Italy on April 30. "Soul Survivor" track listing:

01. Adrenaline02. Love Like Poison03. Breaking The Chains04. Soul Survivor05. Stand My Ground06. My Life07. Break The Silence08. Sinner09. Shock Me10. Wild Side11. Don't Wake Me Up12. Crash13. Soul Survivor (acoustic version - bonus track digital version) ADRENALINE RUSH is:

Tåve Wanning - lead vocalsSam Soderlindh - lead guitar, vocalsAlexander Hagman - guitar, vocalsJoel Fox - bass, vocalsMarcus Johansson - drums

The next issue of Germany's Rock Hard magazine — which will be made available on February 22 — comes with an exclusive OVERKILL / KREATOR split seven-inch vinyl single, featuring the unreleased KREATOR track "Warrior Heart". The song was recorded during the "Gods Of Violence" sessions but has not been released — until now. OVERKILL can be heard with its rare rendition of Johnny Cash's "Man In Black", which was originally included on the band's career-spanning box set "HistoriKill: 1995 – 2007", released in 2015.

The artwork for the single was created by Jan Meininghaus, who also was responsible for the "Gods Of Violence" cover (European version).

You can listen to snippets of both songs below.

KREATOR kicked off its European tour with Brazilian/American metallers SEPULTURA on February 1 at La Bam in Metz, France. Also appearing on the bill are visionary Swedish melodic death metallers SOILWORK and Belgium's finest death/grind outfit ABORTED.

KREATOR's latest album, "Gods Of Violence", entered the official chart in Germany at position No. 1.

OVERKILL is touring in support of its latest album, "The Grinding Wheel", which was released on February 10 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by OVERKILL and mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ACCEPT). The artwork was created again by Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, SOILWORK, DEATH).

"Flag Of The Beast", the new video from metalcore heavy hitters EMMURE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Look At Yourself", which will be released on March 3. The follow-up to the 2014's "Eternal Enemies" marks EMMURE's first release with SharpTone Records.

Discussing the process behind the making of the new music video and the concept at the heart of "Flag Of The Beast", EMMURE frontman Frankie Palmeri states: "I was very happy with the video we did with Aaron Marsh. He came to me with a vision based off his interpretation of the song, and he brought it completely to life. He wanted to give me an audience that becomes ultra violent or possessed by the lyrics of the song.

"'Flag Of The Beast' represents the idea that I am in fact some sort of evil deity in some people's eyes, but on the same coin, I am sort of an anti-hero. It is about myself and how I view people that have exited my life or have looked at me like I'm not on the right path. It is about being the epitomy of all things that are against the grain.

"You can hate me if it makes you feel better, but I am not going anywhere."

"Look At Yourself" represents a coming of age for EMMURE, a new chapter in an aggressive autobiography that stretches back to the band's very first album, released when Palmeri was barely out of his teens. It's infused with a brutal self-examination and observation, balancing hate, bile and perseverance, with the tempered experience of a life spent in pursuit of self-reliance and respect, from within and without. It's expressed in a crushing cacophony of riffs that never fail to super-serve the forward-motion groove of EMMURE.

The new lineup of EMMURE made its live debut in April 2016 in Oberhausen, Germany. Joining Palmeri in the band's latest incarnation are guitarist Josh Travis (GLASS CLOUD, ex-THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA), bassist Phil Lockett (ex-THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA) and drummer Josh Miller (ex-GLASS CLOUD).

"I'll Follow You" was the fourth single from Shinedown's fourth album, Amaryllis. Now, the song has taken on a whole new life, with the brand new release of an alternate video. 

"About four years ago we went and filmed this video," explains guitarst Zach Myers. "We ended up going with a different version of the video that was very beautiful, but I'm glad we finally get to release this one. Here's what has until now been surrounded in SD folklore... the original 'I'll Follow You' video."

"The song 'I'll Follow You' is a song about true conviction and devotion. It represents everything that is beautiful in our human nature," adds Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith. "So, back in 2013 upon the release of the song, we set out to make a passionate, grand, and dare I say explosive video for it, and that's exactly what we did... you just never saw it, haha. Oh we released an epic video, but what you may not know is that we shot two videos for the song."

And the original "I'll Follow You" video from 2013, which has been viewed over 15 million times on YouTube:

As an added bonus, enjoy this clip of Shinedown performing "I'll Follow You" in The Live Room as part of an exclusive live recording session at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA.

Catch Shinedown live in concert:

March
31 - Route 66 Casino - Albuquerque, NM 

April
1 - Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ  
4 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA  
5 - Fox Theater - Bakersfield, CA   
7 - Balasco Theater - Los Angeles, CA 
8 - Paul Paul Theater - Fresno, CA      
10 - Medford Armory - Medford, OR  
11 - Eureka Municipal - Eureka, CA 
13 - Memorial Aud - Sacramento, CA  
14 - Silver Dollar - Fairgrounds  Chico, CA 
15 - Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV 
17 - House Of Blues - Anaheim, CA

Then Shinedown will traverse the Atlantic to open for metal legends Iron Maiden on the European/UK leg of their Book Of Souls tour. Shinedown’s Zach Myers comments, “Iron Maiden are the kings of metal and one of the greatest live bands of all time. It's an honour to be touring with them in Europe and in their home country and to play in front of their fans.” Confirmed dates are as listed: 

April
22 - Antwerp, Belgium - Sportpaleis
24 - Oberhausen, Germany - König-Pilsener-Arena
25 - Oberhausen, Germany - König-Pilsener-Arena
28 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
29 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle

May
2 - Hamburg, Germany - Barclaycard Arena
4 - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
6 - Dublin, Ireland - 3arena
8 - Manchester, UK - Arena
10 - Sheffield, UK - Arena
11 - Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena
14 - Newcastle, UK - Metro Radio Arena
16 - Glasgow, Scotland SSE Hydro Arena
17 - Aberdeen, Scotland - AECC GE Oil & Gas Arena
20 - Liverpool, UK - Echo Arena
21 - Birmingham, UK - Barclaycard Arena
24 - Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
27 - London, UK - O2 Arena           
28 - London, UK - O2 Arena

West Virginia rockers Hydrogyn has released their brand new video for “My Redemption”. The video represents the first single from their upcoming release Redemption due out March 10th on HighVolMusic.

The video was shot on location in Ironton, OH at the old historic Ironton City Jail. The city mayor gave permission to use the location as the film site. The jail is being torn down by the city but withheld from final destruction until filming was complete. The location was the perfect place to shoot with its dilapidated structure and surroundings that matched the dark and heavy vibe of the song.

Located in Ironton, Ohio, the building opened on September 22, 1892 on the site of a former market place at Railroad and North 4th streets.  Dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Relief Corps, American Expeditionary Forces and the Spanish-American War soldiers, the building housed a library and relics from the war and later the city hall and jail. It was abandoned in 1996.

Constructed for $20,000 by the Yost and Packard Architectural firm of Columbus to honor Civil War Veterans, the building was dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Relief Corps, American Expeditionary Forces and the Spanish-American War soldiers. The original deed from 1889 stated that the building could be used only for Union soldiers, their widows and orphans, and that it would contain a library and be a place for “relics of a patriotic nature.”

In 1905, a fire burned most of the structure that left only the front stone facade and tower, taking with it the Briggs Public Library.  Memorial Hall was soon rebuilt and used as a library. The building also suffered from the Ohio River floods of 1913 and 1933 but no major damage was reported. After the library moved out in the 1960s, the building housed the Ironton city jail and city hall until 1996, when a deteriorating roof, floor joist, and stairs led to its closure.

Hydrogyn signed with the label in November and not only includes Redemption but the entire back catalog for the band.

Founding member Jeff Westlake comments; "Signing with HighVolMusic is just a natural fit for Hydrogyn. Bill Chavis is where it all started with Bombshell in 2006 and so with Erica now on board it just seemed it was time to come home. So to do it right we did the entire catalog just to tighten the family up."

Redemption tracklisting:

“Fixir”
“My Redemption”
“Tail Spin”
“Devil God Devil”
“Suffering”
“Break In Two”
“Down In Flames”
“Hey Ho”
“In The End”
“Jenny”

"My Redemption" video:

Audio samples:

Special Redemption package pre-orders will begin on January 13th, and contain merchandise only available during the pre-order time. Visit the HighVolMusic online store for details beginning January 13th.

Australian melodic progressive metal act Damnations Day will release their second album, A World Awakens, through Sensory Records in March, and the record’s first single "Colours Of Darkness” is streaming below.
 
Proclaims damnations day on the track, "'Colours Of Darkness' is one of our favorite tracks on A World Awakens! We feel this track is a great example of where our music has progressed to, over the last couple of years. It's got everything we love, a big chorus and a cool build. Enjoy! Can't wait to play this one live!"

Recorded and mixed by Dean Wells at Wells Productions and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Kamelot, Wolverine), A World Awakens maintains the raw energy, power, and integrity of Invisible The Dead, while showcasing the bands growth in maturity, honesty and depth of both their musicianship and songwriting. Showcasing top-tier performances by vocalist/guitarist Mark Kennedy, brother and drummer Dean Kennedy, and lead guitarist Jon King, with additional strings and bass by Dean Wells, while not leaning to just one genre or direction, A World Awakens is an album that will have your undivided attention on first listen, only to pull you in further and further more on repeat.

Offers Mark Kennedy on the band's new alliance with the Sensory Records branch of American progressive powerhouse, Laser's Edge, "We are very privileged to team up with Sensory Records, for the release of, A World Awakens. This being our second release promises a more refined and mature sound, this beginning a new exciting chapter for Damnations Day."

A World Awakens will be the first 2017 title for Sensory Records, the album now set for release on March 24th. The cover artwork, track listing, and more have been issued, with audio samples, pre-orders, and more to be made available in the weeks ahead, with touring plans coming together for later in the year.

A World Awakens tracklisting:

“The Witness”
“Dissecting The Soul”
“Colours Of Darkness”
“I Pray”
“Into Black”
“To Begin Again”
“The Idol Counterfeit”
“A World Awakens”
“Diagnose”

"Colours Of Darkness":

Damnations Day lineup:

Mark Kennedy - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Jon King - Lead Guitar
Dean Kennedy - Drums

Michigan blackened grinders Sunlight's Bane will release debut album The Blackest Volume: Like All The Earth Was Buried on February 17th via Innerstrength Records. Formerly called Traitor, Sunlight's Bane has crafted a sound so inherently dark and repulsive that even the sunlight will withdraw and run from it. The album is streaming in full below.

The Blackest Volume: Like All The Earth Was Buried was recorded by Andy Nelson at Bricktop Recordings (Harm's Way, Weekend Nachos, Exalt, Dead In the Dirt) and mastered by Brad Boatright of Audiosiege (Nails, Full Of Hell, Integrity, Twitching Tongues).

Tracklisting:

“Praise The Venom Shield”
“Begrudging Soul”
“From Heaven Wept”
“Curse Diminished Years”
“I Am The Cold Harsh Whispers In Hell”
“Dance Of Thorns”
“The Blessed Ivory Tongue”
“No Taste More Bitter”
“With Fear This Love Is Given”
“Came No Dawn”
“To Whom I Await”

Album stream:

“Praise The Venom Shield”:

With the release of their sophomore full-length album set for March, Norwegian black metallers Endezzma will release a limited edition 7" EP on February 24th. Aside from showcasing a track from the new album, the B Side of the EP features the exclusive track  "Black Tempest", which is the last song written by Urgehal frontman Trondr Nefas before his death. Drums on the track are performed by Beastcraft bassist and former Tsjuder drummer Desecrator.

Titled Morbus Divina, the EP was recorded at the  Gravlund Studio , with mastering duties performed by Tore Stjerna at the Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Repugnant, Tribulation). Artwork on the two-track EP is by Remember The Fallen Artworks.

Morbus Divina will be released on Pulverised Records in a limited edition of 500 copies world-wide, with 100 on transparent yellow vinyl and 100 on transparent red vinyl.  The remaining 300 copies will be on standard black vinyl.

Tracklisting:

“Morbus Divina”
“Black Tempest”

“Morbus Divina”:

Morbus Divina by Endezzma

Signum Regis are releasing their 5th album called Decennium Primum (= the first decade in Latin). With this album the band celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding. Release is set for March 17th.

Signum Regis has released a lyric video for the song “Damnatio Ad Bestias”. The lyrics cover the persecution of early Christians in Ancient Rome, where they were often punished to death and eaten by beasts in the Colosseum.

Tracklisting:

“Decennium Primum”
“Unfold The Mastery”
“Damnatio Ad Bestias”
“Screaming For Justice”
“Kingdom Of Light”
“The Future King”
“Well Deserved”
“Thunder And Rain”
“Train To Neverland”
“A Psalm Of Life”

“Damnatio Ad Bestias” lyric video:

Infernal Angels have just released their new album Ars Goetia and My Kingdom Music is presenting the full album in streaming with its violence and obscurity.

Ars Goetia was released on January 20th  through My Kingdom Music on CD and digital format. Order at My Kingdom Music.

Special guests on the album are Mancan from Ecnephias, Lorenzo from Frostmoon Eclipse and Snarl from Black Faith.

The cover art was created by the band's guitarist. Apsychos:

Tracklisting:

“Amdusias: The Sound Of Hell”
“Vine: Destroyer Of The World”
“Asmoday: The Impure Archangel”
“Purson: Matter And Spirit”
“Bael: The Fire Devour Their Flesh”
“Paimon: The Secret Of Mind”
“Balam: Under Light And Torment”
“Zagan: The Alchemist”
“Belial: The Deceiver”
“Beleth: Lord Of Chaos And Spirals”

"Belial: The Deceiver" video:

Teaser:

Special guests on the album will be three great characters of the Italian scene, Mancan from Ecnephias, Lorenzo Sassi from Frostmoon Eclipse and Snarl from Black Faith, who add new and obscure facets and atmospheres to the songs.

A very special box set release from Unruly Chile, entitled Reigning Frogs - The Box Set Collection, will be released on April 21st.

This exclusive, limited edition box set includes the rare and hard-to-find releases from the band's catalog. In all, five full length studio albums and one DVD are included in this beautifully packaged, must have release for Unruly Child fans.

Reigning Frogs - The Box Set Collection contents:

- Waiting For The Sun, which was originally released in 1998 and featured the lineup of singer Kelly Hansen (ex-Hurricane, now with Foreigner), Gowdy and Jay Schellen (with special guest Ricky Phillips of Styx on bass).

- The Basement Demos, which features all the demos that the band recorded in preparation for their first record for Interscope Records. The album also includes a bonus DVD with rare in-studio interviews and recording sessions from the same period.

- UCIII, an album which sees another Unruly Child incarnation featuring Gowdy with Guy Allison and Philip Bardowell taking on vocal duties. While slightly more proggy at times, UCIII still retains the overall vibe that fans loved about Unruly Child.

- Worlds Collide, which featured the full reunion of the original lineup of the band (Gowdy-Allison-Free-Antonino-Schellen). This release truly brought back the magic of the early demos and the first record.

- Down The Rabbit Hole is an independently released album - very much sought after by collectors - which was only sold in a limited number of copies via the band’s website in 2014. Another fine and classic melodic rock release featuring the original lineup.

The Box Set houses the CDs in vinyl replica and includes all lyrics, a total of three bonus tracks (unreleased outside Japan) and a 20-page booklet, including exclusive stories personally written by Gowdy, Free, and Allison as well as photos from their archives.

A superb release limited to on 1,000 copies worldwide.

Tracklisting:

CD1 - Waiting For The Sun
“Heart Run Free”
“Rise Up”
“Why Should I Care”
“Forever”
“Man Inside”
“Do You Ever Think Of Me”
“Still Believe”
“To The Cross”
“Fool Again”
“Live In The Night”
“Waiting For The Sun”
“World Of Difference” (Bonus Track)

CD 2 - The Basement Demos Cd
“On The Rise”
“Rock Me Down Nasty”
“To Be Your Everything”
“Lay Down Your Arms”
“Is It Over”
“Let’s Talk About Love”
“Long Hair Woman”
“Forever”
“Live In The Night”
“Unruly Child”
“Undefeated”
“Down The Road”
“Still Believe”
“The Man Inside”
“Live Without Love”
“True Love”

CD 3 - UCIII
“Tear Me Down”
“Falling”
“All Around Me”
“Bring Me Home”
“Sleeping Town”
“You See Three”
“Kings Of Tragedy”
“Vertigo”
“Shades Of Love”
“Unruly Child”
“Something”
“Ruby Tuesday” (Bonus Track)

CD 4 - Worlds Collide
“Show Me The Money”
“Insane”
“When We Were Young”
“Tell Another Lie”
“Love Is Blind”
“When Worlds Collide”
“Talk To Me”
“Life Death”
“Read My Mind”
“Neverland”
“Very First Time”
“You Don't Understand”
“Talk To Me” (Acoustic Remix) (Bonus Track)

CD 5 - Down The Rabbit Hole
“This Is Who I Am”
“She Can't See Me”
“Down The Rabbit Hole”
“For All We Know”
“Breaking Hearts”
“Kindred”
“Say I Love You”

DVD - The Basement Demos DVD
“On The Rise” (Live Video)
“When Love Is Gone” (Live Video)
“Wind Me Up” (Live Video)
Unruly Child Revisited (Interview)
“Long Hair Woman”
History Lesson (Interview) (Incl. Medley: “Long Hair Woman”, “To Be Your Everything”, “Is It Over”, “When Love Is Gone”, “On The Rise”)
“Forever” (Ricky Phillips Studio Session)
“Buffalo Mics” (Ricky Phillips Studio Session)
“One Note Away” (Ricky Phillips Studio Session)
“Stairway To Drums” (Jay Schellen Studio Session)
“Unruly Child” (Tracking - Studio Session)
“On The Rise 1” (Tracking - Studio Session)
“Tunnel Of Love” (Tracking - Studio Session)
“Sinking Vocals” (The Asylum - Studio Session)

The new studio album from Unruly Child, entitled Can't Go Home, will be released on February 24th. The new song “Someday Somehow” is available for streaming below.

Marcie Free (vocalist - King Kobra, Signal), Bruce Gowdy (guitarist - Stone Fury, World Trade), and Guy Allison (keyboardist - Lodgic, World Trade, Doobie Brothers) together with the original rhythm section from the first record, drummer - Jay Schellen (Hurricane, World Trade, current touring member of YES) and bassist - Larry Antonino (Pablo Cruise), are back again with an awesome rock album, which will please old and new fans alike.

"Early in 2016, we decided to make time and give it a go once again with all five Unruly Child members," says Guy Allison. "The new album, Can't Go Home, has now become my favourite set of Unruly Child Band songs and performances ever. True story!"

The group has generated an exciting new album reflecting its musical roots in contemporary and classic rock sensibilities. With the return to the original line-up from the debut album, they have discovered that while time may pass, some things never change...

"We are so excited with this new album coming out in February," adds Marcie Free. "And if you find that you still got the heebie-jeebies after that and are in need of another transfusion of Unruly - try a shot of our new box set coming out too!  It's got practically everything we've ever done in it and that should hold over even the most shakiest UC junkies for at least as long as it takes before we hit your area for some live shows!  So come on get on board baby!  The UC Train is about to blast off!!"

The band is, in fact. also working on a box set release of their independent albums, which will see the light of day in spring on Frontiers. "We put together all the earlier material that's out of print (the first album non-withstanding - you know, lawyers!) together in one package - one box set - to make available to our fans," concludes Guy. News about the box set release will be coming soon.

With so much excitement centered around their new record, it has sparked talk of touring...Will they hit the road? News will also be coming on that front very shortly.

Can't Go Home tracklisting:

“The Only One”
“Four Eleven”
“Driving Into The Future”
“Get On Top”
“See If She Floats”
“She Can't Go Home”
“Point Of View”
“Ice Cold Sunshine”
“When Love Is Here”
“Sunlit Sky”
“Someday Somehow”

“Someday Somehow”:

“Point Of View”:

“She Can't Go Home”:

“Can’t Go Home”:

Lineup:

Marcie Free - Vocals
Bruce Gowdy - Guitars
Guy Allison - Keyboards
Larry Antonino - Bass guitar
Jay Schellen - Drums

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by producer, guitarist and singer/songwriter John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Arena), has announced that its second studio album The Big Dream will be released on April 28th..
 
Following 2015's debut Please Come Home, The Big Dream has a core theme running through it - one that sees The Astronaut, the central character in the Lonely Robot adventure, emerging from a long period in stasis.
 
Mitchell explains: "The Astronaut wakes up from a cryogenic sleep but finds he's no longer in space, and is instead in a woodland area surrounded by a group of strange people with animal heads! It's a little surreal, a little 'Midsummer Night's Dream' to some extent. This is something of a solipsistic haze, for want of a better description!"
 
Mitchell explains more about his Lonely Robot concept: "I have always envisaged the storyline of The Astronaut's journey evolving over the course of three albums. And I always knew where I wanted to go with the second album - taking The Astronaut away from space and into a strange and unfamiliar environment. Right now, I have no thoughts of what will happen for the third one but I'd better start thinking about it now!"
 
"The key inspiration for Lonely Robot comes from my love of science fiction films, and the atmospheric soundtracks that often accompany them - such as Alan Silvestri's compositions for 'Contact' and Clint Mansell's work for 'Moon'."
 
The album once again features drums by Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson), with all other instrumentation on the album delivered by Mitchell himself.

The Big Dream will be available as a special edition digipak CD (including three bonus tracks), gatefold 2LP + CD & digital download.

Tracklisting:

“Prologue (Deep Sleep)”
“Awakenings”
“Sigma”
“In Floral Green”
“Everglow”
“False Lights”
“Symbolic”
“The Divine Art Of Being”
“The Big Dream”
“Hello World Goodbye”
“Epilogue (Sea Beams)”
“In Floral Green” (acoustic version) (bonus track)
“The Divine Art Of Being” (acoustic version) (bonus track)
“Why Do We Stay?” (feat. Kim Seviour) (bonus track)

At the end of 2015, Lonely Robot played a triumphant show at The Scala in London, and Mitchell wants to play further dates in 2017, with a few already confirmed. "The only condition is that I want them all to be special; and now we have two albums of material from which to choose the set." The current line-up is made of John Mitchell, Craig Blundell, Steve Vantsis (Fish) & Liam Holmes (Inglorious).

Helsott, whose exotic sound mixes melodic death with pagan influences, has signed with M-Theory Audio, who will release the group's new five-song EP, The Healer, on April 28th. The full cover art by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth) can be seen below.

Since forming seven years ago, Helsott – whose name means “fatal illness” in Old Norse – has paid homage to pagan cultures and mythologies while keeping true to their American influences. The group's unique mix of folk metal, death metal, symphonic metal, thrash, classical and rock first caught the attention of audiences on a large scale during the 2013 Paganfest North American tour, where they performed with Ensiferum, Tyr and Trollfest. The group built further momentum the following year with the release of their debut full-length, Woven, behind which they toured alongside Arkona and Heidevolk.

Helsott now returns with The Healer, a five-song EP recorded in part at Southern California's Trench Studios (Intronaut, Abysmal Dawn) and mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (Kataklysm, Ex Deo). The release spawned from the band's successful crowd-sourcing campaign to fund the recording of Woven, when they offered to write a song about a fan who pledged a certain amount. A patron named Doc – who was indeed a doctor – took them up on their offer, and the band liked the final result so much that they decided to write and record additional new songs to be issued in conjunction.

M-Theory Audio is the new label recently launched by Marco Barbieri, the former president of Century Media Records' North American office. Its roster also includes Bay Area thrash outfit Cultural Warfare, Las Vegas heavyweights Sicocis and Sacramento headbangers Blessed Curse, among others.

“We are beyond excited to be working with the M-Theory Audio team,” says Helsott vocalist Eric Dow. “Marco is one of the true good guys of the industry and we look forward to everything he and his respected team brings to the table. We plan on bringing an equal amount of work to this partnership and we feel like this union will only benefit everyone involved, especially our amazing fans!”

Helsott will perform live in California in the coming weeks alongside Immolation and Evergrey. Additional tour dates will be announced shortly.

Helsott live:

March
5 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA (with Immolation)

May
14 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA (with Evergrey)