Dave Prewitt of DaveTV.org has uploaded video footage of former PANTERA and current DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo's SUPERJOINT RITUAL project — now known simply as SUPERJOINT for legal reasons — performing on January 12 at Grizzly Hall in Austin, Texas. You can now watch the full concert in the YouTube playlist below.

Support on SUPERJOINT's recent U.S. tour came from BATTLECROSS and CHILD BITE.

Anselmo told Decibel magazine that SUPERJOINT was forced to drop the "RITUAL" from its name was "because there's a bloodsucking leech out there who took advantage of a situation. But we're all at fault as well for signing a document that basically has a zero sunset clause, meaning that this person is privy to a cut of any money a 'SUPERJOINT RITUAL' would make. Hence getting rid of the 'RITUAL,' coming back as SUPERJOINT, and cutting out that cancer."

SUPERJOINT's new album, "Caught Up In The Gears Of Application", was released on November 11 via Anselmo's Housecore record label. The disc was recorded at Philip's New Orleans-area studio, Nodferatu's Lair and was produced by Anselmo and Stephen Berrigan. The effort was mastered by Scott Hull (AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED, PIG DESTROYER) at Visceral Sounds.

Anselmo stated about "Caught Up In The Gears Of Application": "The overall theme [of the album] means many things, or no things, but there is an underlying message regardless, about how modern technology — computers and all that comes with them, mainly — has affected our lives. As a musician, it has affected my life both negatively (music being stolen) and positively (being in touch with fellow musicians around the world and staying visible). But when looking at the broader spectrum, computer-land has given everyday people a platform in which to bellow like carnival barkers about anything and everything, humdrum or political, whether qualified or not, some with good intentions, some with disingenuous intentions, and some with ideas that lay somewhere in the middle, creating a mishmash of results."

SUPERJOINT's current lineup includes guitarists Kevin Bond (CHRIST INVERSION, ARTIMUS PYLEDRIVER) and Jimmy Bower (DOWN, EYEHATEGOD), drummer José Manuel Gonzalez (WARBEAST, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS) and bassist Stephen Taylor (PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, WOVEN HAND, 16 HORSE POWER).

Pop superstar Lady Gaga will perform with METALLICA at this year's Grammy Awards.

News about the collaboration was broken last night (Monday, February 6) via a TV commercial, which was then tweeted by a Gaga fan site and can be seen below.

"It has been my dream for so long to hear Gaga sing metal with a legendary band. I have never been so excited for a Gaga performance," a fan on the Gaga Daily forums wrote in response to the news, while another added: "She is the only pop star who could duet with METALLICA."

It's unclear which song METALLICA will play at the event, which will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

METALLICA previously promised "something very unique and special" for its performance at this year's Grammy Awards, where the band is up for a Grammy in the "Best Rock Song" category for the track "Hardwired", from METALLICA's latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct".

METALLICA's nomination for "Best Rock Song" was a surprise since the band is not included in the "Best Metal Performance" category.

Lady Gaga spoke about her love for IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH in various interviews over the years, calling the experience of seeing MAIDEN for the first time a "life-changing" event. The singer also appeared in photos with Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Alice Cooper and ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante.

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford has spoken several times about his interest in a possible collaboration with Lady Gaga, explaining: "I got to see her show in San Diego, and she's a metalhead. That's the most important part of this conversation. She's a metalhead. She was wearing a PRIEST 'Ram It Down' t-shirt the other day in New York. So we met, and we only talked briefly. But if there's a chance to do a track or something, I would love it. Because collaborations can be very, very exciting and very spontaneous."

Halford first met Lady Gaga in June 2014 after her show in San Diego. He attended the concert with Lady Starlight, Gaga's longtime friend and collaborator who supported JUDAS PRIEST on tour in 2011.

Lady Gaga is set to perform with Metallica at the #GRAMMYs this Sunday, February 12th! pic.twitter.com/SqPDLqclBV

— Lady Gaga (@gagamonster96) February 7, 2017

Australia’s award winning powercore-metal pioneers A Breach Of Silence have premiered yet another music video, this time for "Broken". This is the second video clip from their upcoming third studio album entitled Secrets. "Broken" was written about depression, spawned from a very dark time in the band’s recent past.

“'Broken' was written about depression, what it feels like at your lowest,” states guitarist Mat Cosgrove. “While we were writing this album, our bassist Blair broke up with his girlfriend and it really tore him apart.” Bassist Blair Layt continues, "It reflects a time in my life when I was the most depressed I've ever been. I just broke off an emotionally abusive relationship and my thick skin had been worn thin over its duration. I was suicidal, depressed and defeated. For a short time, I turned to drugs to numb the pain. I shut people out, and I almost forgot what it was like to be happy. Luckily, through the amazing support of friends and family, I managed to pull myself together, and take steps to better my state of mind, and return to the positive place I like to revel in. Looking back now, this song is a reminder for me of how far I've come since then. I hope that any of our fans feel those vibes when listening, and hopefully they may learn through my experience... that no matter how low you are, life can always get better if you allow it to... even if you think it can't.”

Secrets was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom (Bring Me The Horizon, Arch Enemy, In Flames) and mixed by Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman. It will be released worldwide via Eclipse Records on February 24th. The first music video from the new album "Falling Away" has already topped 100,000 views, and may be watched below.

Tracklisting:

"Falling Away"
"Ride Or Die"
"Undefeated"
"Secrets"
"Nightcrawler"
"Fair Weather Friends"
"Buzz Killington"
"The Revelator"
"A Better Place"
"Broken"
"Shameless" (The Weeknd cover)
"Dethroned"
"Sugar And Spice"

Secrets is available for pre-order via iTunes and Amazon. Either option comes with the songs “Falling Away”, “Secrets”, and “Nightcrawler” as instant grat tracks.

For further details, visit A Breach Of Silence on Facebook.

 

Texas death metal outfit Desecrate The Faith are streaming “Sacrilege Reborn”, a track from forthcoming Comatose Music release, Unholy Infestation, out March 3rd via Comatose Music. The track can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Daemones Nos Ave Satanas”
“Predatory Impalement”
“Malignant Divinity”
“Shrine Of Enmity”
“Unholy Infestation”
“Magna Daemonia”
“Ceremonial Invocation”
“Sacrilege Reborn”
“Angel Eater”
“Septic Womb”
“Ascension Of Belial”
“Let Us Burn (The Father, The Son, And The Holy Spirit)”

“Sacrilege Reborn”:

“Angel Eater”:

“Shrine Of Enmity” video:

Danish black metal mistress Amalie Bruun appeared with her project Myrkur at Wacken Open Air 2016. Video of the full performance is available for streaming below.

Setlist:

“Den Lille Piges Død”
“Hævnen”
“Onde Børn”
“Vølvens Spådom”
“Jeg Er Guden, I Er Tjenerne”
“Mordet”
“Dybt I Skoven”
“Skøgen Skulle Dø”
“Skaði”
“Bathory”

Perth, Australia-based metalcore act, Havoc, have unleashed their new track, ‘Improvidence”, a second brutal offering from their currently untitled debut album, due for release this year.

Featuring guest vocals from fellow West Coaster Sean Harmanis (Make Them Suffer), “Improvidence” follows on from first taster “Extinction”, showing a cause and effect themed scenario.

The song and video revolve around a man realizing the effect corporate greed and mass consumption is having on the Earth. Following his moves to raise awareness of the current environmental state, the protagonist's efforts for change fall on deaf ears, causing him to lose all hope and subsequently spiral out of control.

Forming in 2014, Havoc already have two shattering EP's under their belt, multiple tours (including a seven date run of Indonesia) and have notched up support slots with Confession, Make Them Suffer, Buried In Verona, Feed Her To The Sharks and more. 2017 is set to be a rewarding year as Havoc continue to pummel audiences while putting the finishing touches on their debut long player.

“Improvidence” is out now through all digital retailers via Firestarter Distribution.

Alpha Omega Management has announced the signing of Gothenburg, Sweden-based atmospheric death/black metallers Nox Vorago. Formed in 2006, Nox Vorago's goal has always been, and always will be to create something inspired by the entire width of the metal scene, thus incorporating the elements they like into their music and creating a well-written chaos without confines.

Nox Vorago's statement on the signing: "We look forward to working with Alpha Omega and to the future with anticipation as to what will be achieved under united banners!"

Alpha Omega Management adds: "We're excited to welcome these chaos makers in Nox Vorago to our Family! Their music is like a dark jewel from the underworld, which captures your attention right from the first tunes!"

A great example of Nox Vorago's "well-written chaos without confines" is their new single, "At The Feet Of Ereshkigal", which the band released at midnight on February 4th, and is now available on Spotify / iTunes. The single cover was created by Uduun Art. The track is taken from their upcoming album, entitled Al Chem.

Furthermore, Nox Vorago reveal the release date for Al Chem, due on February 26th. The album features seven songs that, all in their own way, represent some part of the inspirational dark philosophy and mystic phenomena that continues to challenge mankinds' perception of reality.

Al Chem was recorded at Top Floor Studios under the very talented Jakob Herrmann. It was mixed by the well known Roberto Laghi and mastered at Bohus Sound Recording by the legend Dragan Tanaskovic. More details to be unleashed soon.

Newly formed technical death metal supergroup, Virulent Depravity, have completed work on their debut full-length, Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree, set for release on April 7th via The Artisan Era Records. The album will appeal to fans of Spawn Of Possession, First Fragment, Archspire, and Origin.

Virulent Depravity is the brainchild of guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Colin Butler. While he may be a new name to many, his impressive playing attracted the attention of well-known guitarist Malcolm Pugh (Inferi, ex-Entheos) who joined the band in 2016 on rhythm guitar and additional solos. The lineup is rounded out by Svart Crown (and ex-Benighted) drummer Kevin Paradis, whose incredible playing is the perfect foil to Colin and Malcolm's dazzling performances.

An early teaser video for the album can be seen below:

Pre-order the album here.

According to Amazon, "Bloodlust", the new album from BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T, will be released on March 31 via Century Media.

The first single from "Bloodlust", a song called "No Lives Matter", will make its online debut on February 17.

"Bloodlust" was recorded with producer Will Putney (MISS MAY I, UPON A BURNING BODY), who also helmed 2014's "Manslaughter".

The new CD will feature guest appearances by Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA; on the track "All Love Is Lost"), MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe. Other titles set to appear on the effort include "This Is Why We Ride" and "The Purge".

Ice-T recently told Revolver magazine about "Bloodlust": "Making records is a very interesting process. You work really hard on something and finish it and then you'll be, like, 'Yo, that sounds like somebody else's record.' Or, 'Hey, didn't we just make that record three days ago?'

"One time we did two songs in a row and afterwards I looked at them and said, 'That's the same riff in each song.' So we had to pick one. But in the end, we came up with some very aggressive and cool music."

He added: "I like to start with hot metal tracks that you can listen to without a word on them and go, 'Wow, that was just like fire!’ The music tells me what the song is about, and that's when the words start coming to me. Then it's up to me not to fuck it up."

As for the choice of album title, Ice-T said: "Bloodlust is part of the human makeup. Murder is about as normal as love. It's in our nature to want to get violent and kill, but we know there are consequences. That's why we like violent movies, video games and combat sports. It's in our DNA. It's what we are."

"Manslaughter" sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 102 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 10, 2014 via Sumerian.

BODY COUNT's current lineup includes guitarist Juan Garcia (a.k.a. Juan Of The Dead; AGENT STEEL, EVILDEAD), who made his live debut with the group in November 2013 at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas.

France’s nihilistic black metal act, The Negation, have released a video for “A Prayer For The Ones I Will Have To Kill”, featured on their sophomore album, Memento Mori, released last year via Kaotoxin Records. The video is available for streaming below.

Produced at the Hybreed Studio (Temple Of Baal, Glorior Belli) and with artwork by Metastazis (Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Watain), Memento Mori features ten tracks of powerful, heavy, intense and extremely dark black metal. But don't expect straightforward Satan-praise here: there's far more than meets the eye with The Negation. Their lyrical conceptual is a call to resistance against the so-called élite who are making this world a living Hell. It's about a stand for liberty, free speech, and free will! Folks that got the chance to witness The Negation on stage during their recent tour with Marduk and Belphegor will testify their live performance is as extreme as their lyrical content is dark. You've been warned.

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“The True Enemy”
“Sacrifice The Weak”
“Parasite Fall”
“A Prayer For The Ones I Will Have To Kill”
“Faith In God's Corpse”
“End Of Cycle”
“Visions Of Doom”
“Résistance”
“Outro”

“A Prayer For The Ones I Will Have To Kill” video:

Album stream:

Atmospheric black metallers, Fen, are streaming “I (Pathway)”, the lead track from their fifth full-length album, to be released via Code666 on March 10th. Listen to the new song below.

Titled Winter, and produced by of Jaime Gomez Arellano at the Orgone Studios in London (Ulver, Altar Of Plagues, Grave Miasma, Primordial, Solstafir), the six-track album promises to be a colossal piece of work for the English three-piece, at once rich in sound, beguilingly delicate, and yet laced with darkness.

Consisting of six songs that are thematically and compositionally linked, each piece on Winter flows into the next, and, ideally, the whole record is intended to be listened to in one sitting to allow the full journey to be absorbed. Musically, the band have sought to push themselves further than ever before and Fen’s trademark use of atmospheric black metal and delicate, spacious cleans,has been married with aspects of ‘70s progressive rock, shoegaze and doom metal, with the intention of rendering Winter as involving and as immersive a listen as possible.

Winter will be available in Standard CD, Double Black Vinyl limited to 300 copies, and Digital formats.In addition there will also be available a Special Collectors Box limited to 199 copies which will include the standard CD, an additional bonus CD, the DLP with Side A/Side B in a smashed splatter effect of transparent aquamarine and opaque cream, an exclusive T-shirt and poster, and a certificate of authenticity signed by the band.

Frontman The Watcher has summarized the album thus:  “With Winter we wanted to ‘return to the roots’ of the band so to speak but not in the clichéd, nostalgic way many bands do – instead, we wanted this record to represent the ‘essence’ of Fen in terms of tone, atmosphere and above all concept. This album therefore very much describes a journey towards sanctity and redemption across a landscape steeped in mystery, hints of forgotten darkness and sorrows long since drowned in the distant past. It represents the culmination of over 18 months of writing and rehearsing, pushing ourselves harder and harder as musicians – it is a lengthy and self-indulgent record for which we make no apology for. Indeed, it is a fitting tribute to mark ten years of the existence of Fen.”

Artwork by Grungyn.

Tracklisting:

“I (Pathway)”
“II (Penance)”
“III (Fear)”
“IV (Interment)”
“V (Death)”
“VI (Sight)”

Bonus (available on all limited formats)

“The Keening Soils”
“Sight (Reprise)”
“Penumbral Whispers”
“Temples Beyond The Shoreline”

“I (Pathway)”:

Steve Lang, former bassist for Canadian rock legends April Wine, has passed away at the age of 67. April Wine guitarist/vocalist Brian Greenway pays tribute to his former bandmate with the following message:

“It is with great sadness that I let you know that Steve Lang passed away last Saturday. I was in many bands with Steve. Steve was the bassist of April Wine 1975 to 1984. All the big hits. Steve also did very well as a Financial Investor with his own company. He was a friend of 50 years. Steve was 67. My sincere condolences to his family.”

Further details are currently unavailable.

Wolfheart has released a new video for “The Flood”, the new single from Tyhjyys, the band’s third full-length, out March 3rd via Spinefarm Records. Watch the new video below.

Tracklisting:

“Shores Of The Lake Simpele”
“Boneyard”
“World On Fire”
“The Flood”
“The Rift”
“Call Of The Winter”
“Dead White”
“Tyhjyys”

“The Flood” video:

“Boneyard” video:

(Photo - Valtteri Väyrynen)

Progressive rock band, Pendragon, return with their brand new live release, entitled Masquerade 20. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of the most successful albums in their career - an album that won them near-overwhelming acclaim and made them one of the highest-selling bands unsigned to a major label at that time - the band returned to the Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland in May 2016 to record a special show, consisting of all the classics from The Masquerade Overture as well as a number of fan-favourites from their other releases.

Nick Barrett, guitarist and vocalist comments: "This DVD is probably the most cohesive performance from the band so far captured on film. Just as we have been together for so many years as musicians it shows us as friends as well, even with new boy, Vinnie our drummer and Verity and Tina on backing vocals who appear for the first time with us on DVD. The overall feel of the music and performance is fantastic and the sound is amazing."

The cover artwork was done by Björn Gooßes – Killustrations, know also for the band’s previous artworks: Pure, Passion, Men Who Climb Mountains and Out Of Order Comes Chaos DVD.

The DVD will also include an interview with Peter Gee and Jan-Vincent Velazco, photo gallery and other extras. Masquerade 20 DVD is scheduled for release on April 7th via Metal Mind Productions (May 5th in North America). Also available as a double CD.

Tracklisting:
 
“The Masquerade Overture”
“As Good As Gold”
“Paintbox”
“The Pursuit Of Excellence”
“Guardian Of My Soul”
“The Shadow”
“Masters Of Illusion”
“King Of The Castle”
“Schizo”
“Beautiful Soul”
“Faces Of Light”
“Nostradamus”
“Explorers Of The Infinite”
“Come Home Jack”
“This Green And Pleasant Land”
“Breaking The Spell”
“Indigo”

Extras:

Interview with Peter Gee and Jan-Vincent Velazco
In Bardo in Sri Lanka
Photo gallery
Discography
Desktop images

Spanish sludge doomers MotherSloth have revealed the cover artwork and first single from their forthcoming new album. The song, “Once Human”, is available for streaming below.

Formed in Madrid during 2008, MotherSloth are authors of a huge and quite original doom sludge that will easily suit all fans of sonorities like Pallbearer, Alice In Chains and Danzig. The album, Moon Omen, will be released via Argonauta Records and will be available from March 3rd. Pre-orders here.

Tracklisting:

“Shadow Witch”
“Once Human”
“The Firemill”
“Doomsday Cyborg”
“Wish For Dawn”
“Moon Omen”

“Once Human”:

Psychedelic ritual sludge trio, Nibiru, will enter the studio this month to begin recording its long-awaited follow-up to Padmalotus, which was released via Argonauta Records in 2015.

Nibiru frontman Ardat comments: “After the release of “Teloch” 12” EP as a four-piece in spring 2016, we will enter MusicLab Studio to record our new effort live in the studio in February 2017. The new album, called Qaal Babalon, will be the perfect incarnation of Nibiru as power trio. Working with the drummer L.C. Chertan we found harmony, professionalism, accuracy and anger. According to me and Ri, a lot of rage is essential. Our new music emerged from the deep with no effort. We do not love the peace of soul.

“The songs have been written between October 2016 and January 2017. We are very happy about the result. Nibiru came back to their roots, to a sound that is ours. Since the beginning this kind of sound is a Nibiru trademark. Psychedelic, ritualism, noise were, are, and will be Nibiru. The album will be ready in Spring 2017. In profundum laci.”

Updates to follow.

On February 24th, Dutch necromantic death metallers AntropomorphiA returns with their latest collection of gospels of the obscene: Sermon Ov Wrath. For another preview of the album, the new single "Crown Ov The Dead" (featuring guest vocals by Dool's Ryanne van Dorst), can be heard below.

AntropomorphiA singer/guitarist Ferry Damen comments: "The compositional approach ov this audial incantation was very instinctive, and although it wanders from the traditional framework, it is the continuation ov our path, and breathes AntropomorphiA to the fullest."

The new record can be pre-ordered in the following formats:

- CD
- 180g black vinyl
- deep violet marble vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
- blackberry red marble vinyl (limited to 100 copies)
- clear/purple marble vinyl (limited to 100 copies; USA exclusive)

An exclusive t-shirt bundle, plus digital options are also available. Pre-order at this location.

AntropomorphiA singer/guitarist Ferry Damen comments: "This is by far our most diverse and strongest incantation to date. Sermon Ov Wrath has a veil ov our poisonous roots breathing throughout the whole album while never compromising or abiding to any limitation. We've entered a new realm and have become a different type ov beast. Beyond the veil ov wicked Dead!"

Featuring artwork by 13 Candles Tattoo/Madeleine Hoogkamer, Sermon ov Wrath was once again recorded at drummer Marco Stubbe's Aftermath Studio, and then mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, giving the album a savage, crushing sound. As their most diverse record to-date, Sermon ov Wrath contains a bewitching atmosphere, furious groovy riffs, and merciless brutality - proving that the band is not afraid to experiment within the genre.

Sermon Ov Wrath tracklisting:

“Sermon Ov Wrath”
“Suspiria de Profundus”
“Murmur Ov The Dead”
“Ad Me Venite Mortui” (Intro)
“Crown Ov The Dead”
“Sinful Rapture”
“Within Her Pale Tomb Ov Putrid Lust”
“The Blistering Splendour Ov Darkness”
“In Bestial Decadence”

“Crown Ov The Dead”:

“Sermon Ov Wrath”:

AntropomorphiA lineup:

Ferry Damen - vocals, guitar
Jos van den Brand - guitar
Marc van Stiphout - bass
Marco Stubbe - drums

Emerging from the dissolution of the respected bands Agalloch and Giant Squid, a new group is born: Khôrada. Featuring former Agalloch members Don Anderson (guitar), Jason Walton (bass) and Aesop Dekker (drums) alongside ex-Giant Squid guitarist / vocalist Aaron John Gregory, Khôrada exists to create expansive, epic and passionate music. The quartet has announced that it has signed with the independent label Prophecy Productions and is currently writing and demoing material for its as-yet-untitled debut album.

"Khôrada members Don Anderson and Jason Walton have been fans of Prophecy Productions since their inception in 1996," comments the band. "We have always admired and respected their commitment to quality packaging and uncovering the most cutting-edge artists in the scene. We are honored and humbled to be a part of their family."

Immediately following the breakup of Agalloch in May of 2016, Walton, Anderson and Dekker remained committed to writing and playing together and unanimously agreed on working with Aaron John Gregory from the recently disbanded Giant Squid. Musically, Khôrada (an ancient Greek term for an empty space, or place of reflection) is dedicated to heavy, brooding and deeply emotional songs while lyrically, Gregory will write about the anxieties and fears of raising his daughters in a world that is both environmentally and politically in turmoil; where animal life and human life continue to be treated like property and assets to be exploited; the grind of living in an ever-competitive world with an ever-growing and unsustainable population and the fierce determination of nature to violently reset these terrifying imbalances.

Agalloch (1995-2016) was a dark metal band from Portland, OR. The group released five acclaimed albums including Pale Folklore (1999), The Mantle (2002), Ashes Against The Grain (2006), Marrow Of The Spirit (2010) and The Serpent & The Sphere (2014) and was hailed as "an American extreme metal institution." Giant Squid (2003-2015) was a progressive doom rock band from the California Bay Area. The avant-garde unit issued a string of celebrated releases including Metridium Field (2004), The Ichthyologist (2009), Cenotes (2011) and Minoans (2014) and was lauded for making "beautiful, strange, cinematic music that not only has no real peers, but belongs to no extant genre."

Khôrada features:

Don Anderson – former guitarist, original member and co-songwriter for Agalloch; guitarist and vocalist for technical death metal band Sculptured; collaborator with Sol Invictus.

Aaron John Gregory - guitarist, vocalist, lyricist, for Giant Squid (2003-2015), and bass and vocals in bay area sludge-wave band, Squalus. Gregory is also an internationally published scientific illustrator and cartoonist, professional aquarium biologist, and is married to renown metal cellist, Jackie Perez Gratz, (Grayceon, Giant Squid, Amber Asylum).

Jason Walton - bassist for Sculptured and doom band Celestiial; founder of experimental bands Snares Of Sixes and Self Spiller; solo experimental noise artist, sound engineer, former bassist, original member and co-songwriter for Agalloch.

Aesop Dekker – drummer for Vhol, Worm Ouroborus, Extremity, ex-Lucicra, ex-Agalloch.

(Photo - Cody Keto)

Rochester, NY-based rockers, Unwill, have released a new video for their track "Tomb”.

"We're very excited to share the official music video for "Tomb" with you!," says the band. "This song encompasses the heart of the album and we wanted to make the video express exactly that. Watch this to see what Past Life is all about."

Directed by Josiah Moore / Jeffery Fergusin, the new video can be found below.

The band’s new album, Past Life, is out on February 10th via Entertainment One Music / Lifeblood Inc. Fans can pre-order album bundles at the band's merch store here.

The Past Life album will be the follow up to the band’s 2015 debut single and video for “Calm”, directed by Josiah Moore (Ice Nine Kills, Sirens and Sailors, It Lives, It Breathes). That year the band expanded its touring across the Northeast, exposing its unforgiving live performance alongside such acts as Letlive, He Is Legend and Norma Jean. Musically, Unwill has been compared to the likes of Linkin Park, Deftones, Chevelle and Underoath. But the band doesn’t shy from putting its own spin on alternative rock.

Past Life features eleven songs that are unrelenting in their grim honesty. The album deals with themes of identity, faith, self-doubt, solipsism, regret, and the truest parts of our natures. Beneath the dark exterior of these songs, however, are shreds of light.

Within the eleven-song journey of Past Life, listeners will come across the many sides of Rocco Sylvio’s voice, smooth on one end and coarse on the other. They will also hear cleaner guitars mixed in with the dirtier tones, and soaring melodies alongside unapologetic heavy riffs.

Wherever listeners come to face Unwill, whether it be through live performance or studio recording, they can be sure to always be met with relentless force.

Past Life tracklisting:

“Doubt”
“Bitter Truth”
“The Way”
“Tomb”
“Back Again”
“You Wanted Out”
“Drifting”
“On My Own”
“Soul”
“Past Life”
“Go”

“Tomb” video:

“Back Again”:

“Soul”:

(Photo - Josiah Moore)

French melodic death metal band, Right To The Void, present their new drummer, Alex Dumas, who according to the band and to all the people that know him, is going to blast beyond the speed of light.

Says the band: “We are thrilled to welcome Alex in the band, we know him from the various bands he was in and we know he is the best drummer we could hope for. His natural groove will help the band to go further.”

Alex states: “I am honoured to be part of Right To The Void and I will give it my all to meet their expectations.”

Right To The Void is inspired by many different music styles. From death to thrash through Swedish metal, the band plays a modern, incisive and melodic metal.

The band released its first EP It Has To Be Done, recorded by Rakan Musics, in 2010 and played a lot of shows in France; sharing the stage with Napalm Death, Immolation, As They Burn, E-Force and many more. In 2012 the band signs with the international label Wormholedeath for its first album, Kingdom Of Vanity, released in 2013. The recording took place at the MathLab Recording Studios in Prato (Italy) with the producer Jonathan Mazzeo (The Way Of Purity, Mechanical God Creation). The mixing and the mastering were executed by Christian Donaldson (The Agonist, Beneath The Massacre, Cryptopsy) in Canada.

In 2014 the quintet goes back to the studio and records its second album Light Of The Fallen Gods with the same team to give an outstanding mixture of brutality and melody. Since the release of this album, the band toured all over Europe and never stopped writing new material for an upcoming release, expected in 2017.

Invictus Productions and Iron Bonehead Productions announce April 7th as the international release date for the debut album from Belgium's Possession, entitled Exorkizein. Invictus will handle the album's CD release while Iron Bonehead will handle its vinyl LP version.

One of the hottest bands in the modern black/death metal underground, Possession's ascent has been rapid but never exacting, and more than rightly earned. Forming in 2012, their debut demo, His Best Deceit - released jointly by Invictus and Iron Bonehead, in 2013 - exploded with excitement, showing an incendiary charisma rarely heard, not to mention a veteran's grasp of engaging songwriting. But for however filthy 'n' furious His Best Deceit was, less than a year later, the band released the Anneliese EP: a catacombed dirge that proved there were yet more haunting depths to this still-young band.

Between the two records, Possession's name was already on the tongues of legions worldwide - which is all the more remarkable considering their canon, to that point, consisted of six songs. Alas, in 2015 arrived the 1585-1646 mini-album. The band's longest work to date at 25 minutes, 1585-1646 studiously explored more concerted lyrical themes, marrying the conceptualism of the Anneliese EP to a still-unfolding, still-unholy synthesis of ancient Metal of Death and the pitchest-black metal. It was the band's boldest move to date, teasing their now-rabid fanbase with greater glories to come...and now they have arrived with Exorkizein.

Effectively a summation of Possession's powers and prowess they displayed across their first three recordings, Exorkizein is the bold and brazen first-album statement that will fully write the band's name into black/death legendry. Its fury is more feral and unchained than ever, its downshifts into doom more swirling and fatal, and its recording is as rounded and robust as a highly anticipated debut requires. And yet, for however much this is all unmistakably Possession, Exorkizein marks a change in lineup: vocalist Mestema is out of the band and has been replaced by Viriakh, while S.Iblis enters as new bassist. Far from a disabling blow, this lineup shakeup has resulted in a stronger Possession than ever before, brimming with madness and mystery, slavering with sin and ever prepared to strike. The youthful discordance has slightly, subtly given way to an ageless confidence, without one sacrifice of the core ethics of authentic, deeply-felt black/death metal.

More or less written in one year, with no stopping doing gigs, Possession's Exorkizein was recorded once again at Blackout Multimedia with Phorgath (Enthroned, Emptiness). Artwork was also once again created by underground icon Chris Moyen. And Possession once again chose Invictus and Iron Bonehead to release the album because they're "a loyalty-above-all kind of band, and that is part of our identity and strength."

Exorkizein tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Sacerdotium”
“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession”
“Beast Of Prey”
“In Vain”
“Take The Oath”
“Preacher's Death”

“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession”:

Much like the lyrical conceptualism explored on the previous two Possession records, Exorkizein tells a story flowing through its six central songs  the life, the work as an exorcist, and the death of Gabriele Amorth, last-known chief exorcist of the Vatican, who died on the 16th of September of 2016.

"We start writing about him before his death," the band state, "but it seems that Evil was once again on our side, as the exorcist died while we were still writing lyrics. We changed the lyrics in regards of that event."

From there, each song on Exorkizein could be summarized like this:

“Sacerdotium” - “His heart filled with faith, a young & devoted priest is about to accept the exorcist sacerdotium..." This song is about the young priest Amorth swearing the oath of the Exorcist.

“Infestation - Manifestation - Possession” - “As written in the holy book of exorcism, demoniac possession comes by progressive steps ...when the last one is complete, it is already too late..." This song explains the three steps of the demoniac possession.

“Beast Of Prey” - “Hear the words of the Evil invading your soul, feel his fire burning inside you, let him speak through your throat and tongue..." The demon speaks through the voice of the possessed one.

“In Vain” - “Hard is the work to fulfill the exorcism ritual, only a few can achieve it, many are done in vain..." The exorcist performs the ritual on the possessed one, but preaches are sung in vain as the demon is the strongest.

“Take The Oath” - “Used as living weapons, exorcist priest must kneel before the altar and swear an oath for lifetime..." The now-old priest Amorth indoctrinates young priests to force them to take the exorcist oath.

“Preacher's Death” - “At the twillight of his life, devoured by sickness, the priest is waiting to join his creator, but demons are tormenting him as they wait for his soul to ascend..." On his deathbed, the priest wishing to return to his creator is now tormented by demons telling him that Evil can't be defeated.

Overtures have released a video for “Go(l)d”, a track from the band’s fourth album, Artifacts, released last year via Sleaszy Rider Records.

The video, filmed by Marco Falanga, directly connects its images with the lyrics of the song with three mini-stories showing how the modern society is affected by the lost of real values. A girl addicted to the modern drug: socials; a kid victim of the standardization of averageness; mankind devoted to the new God: go(l)d. Find the clip below.

Artifacts tracklisting:

“Repentance”
“Artifacts”
“Go(l)d”
“As Candles We Burn”
“Profiled”
“Unshared Worlds”
“My Refuge” (feat. Paolo Campitelli on keyboards)
“New Dawn, New Dusk”
“Teardrop” (feat. Marco Pastorino, Caterina Piccolo on vocals, Paolo Campitelli on keyboards)
“Angry Animals”
“Savior” - Alternative version

“Go(l)d” video:

“Artifacts” video:

“Unshared Worlds” lyric video:

East German thrash metal band, Tormentor, will release their new album, Morbid Realization, on March 17th via Iron Shield Records.

Tormentor was formed in 2006 by Max Seipke, when he was 12 years old. Together with producer Evil (Evil Studios) they recorded the first demo, Lesson In Aggression, in 2007, which was released in the following year.

Shortly after the release, Thomas Wedemeyer became the new drummer of the band. With the demo and some new songs they took over the road as a two-pieced band for the next two years. The demo received good feedback, but the biggest compliment came from Kreator mastermind Mille Petrozza, as he praised the band in a radio station interview.

In the year 2010 the band went into the studio, once again with producer Evil, to record their debut album, Violent World. After the recording was done, Christian Schomber on bass and Kevin Hauch on the rhythm guitar became new members of the band. Violent World was released in 2012 via Iron Shield Records. Following the release they toured through Saxony, Brandenburg and Poland and established their name in the underground scene.

2013 and 2014 there mostly used for writing new songs, which were recorded at the end of 2016. The result will be released as CD/ LP and download/streaming via Iron Shield Records.

Tracklisting:

“Hope”
“Kill With No Excuse”
“Morbid Realization”
“Comprehension Failed”
“Burning Empire”
“Endless Emptiness”
“Forgotten”
“Lurks In The Dark”
“Walk Past Myself”
“Path To The Dark Side”

Lineup:

Max Seipke - vocals, guitars
Kevin Hauch - guitars
Christian Schomber - bass
Thomas Wedemeyer - drums

Veteran Spanish melodic death metallers, In Thousand Lakes, will release their second album, Age Of Decay, on February 20th via Xtreem Music. A video for the album track “I Rise” is available for streaming below.

Age Of Decay tracklisting:

“Death Train”
“Fall Into The Void”
“I Rise”
“True North”
“Age Of Decay”
“Hunter Of Souls”
“Blind Eyes”
“Ethereal”
“Vanished”
“Wolfzeit”
“4 Walls (Scars)”

“I Rise” video:

“Death Train”:

“True North” lyric video:

Long-running Swedish death metallers, Deranged, whose new album Struck By A Murderous Siege was released a few months ago, have parted ways with their vocalist, Anders Johansson. The band's choice as his successor fell on Johan Bergström (Visceral Bleeding).

Commented Deranged: "2016 has been a hell of a year for Deranged. First US show at Maryland DF, an amazing week in Indonesia, signing with Agonia, recording and releasing our ninth album - intense and heavy work! We're 100% grateful for all the support we've had, from organizers, the press, and most of all YOU, our fans!

“And now we head into 2017, with both some bad news and some good news to follow. Bad news first: Anders has left the band. He wishes to focus on his family, so we part as friends and wish him the best of luck! Now for the good news: while Anders' shoes are big to fill, we have already found a perfect replacement.

“Johan is an old friend of ours, we've played with him before in different projects and there is no doubt he will take Deranged's brutality to another level, onstage and in the studio! Anyone who has seen him perform in any of his other bands knows that he is a bloody powerhouse with one hell of a voice, and we're looking forward to lay waste to Europe this coming spring together.”

Deranged has announced the following spring dates:

February
17 - Retro - Malmo, Sweden

March
10 - Musicon - The Hague, Netherlands
11 - Deathfest - Heidelberg, Germany
30 - Sala Silikona - Madrid , Spain
31 - Nave Bunker - Salamancea , Spain

April
1 - Tondela Rocks II - Tondela, Portugal
2 - Transylvanie Club - Vigo, Spain
21 - From Hell - Erfut, Germany
22 - April Valley Festival, Germany

May
12 - Deathfest  - Holsteiner, Germany
13 - Incineration Fest - London, UK
18 - Viper Room - Vienna, Austria
19 - Bandhaus - Leipzig, Germany
20 - Elpee - Deinze, Belgium

Gutted, the long-running death metal band from Hungary, have braved trends and challenges of all kinds. They're back with their fourth full-length album, Martyr Creation, out now via Xtreem Music.

If you like death metal that's astoundingly solid and sufficiently brutal, this is for you. The band have released an official lyric video for “Into Oblivion / Atrophied Existence” featuring Mayhem’s Attila Csihar. The clip can be found below.

Gutted have been around since 1998 and have been an impressive act throughout. They were always forward-thinking with their music which keeps getting better with each album. They've honed their style imbibing influences of technical as well as brutal death metal, and the dark flavour a la Immolation doesn't hurt at all. Their style is a cross between American and European (mostly Dutch) death metal and it's satisfying as hell. On their latest release, again on the ever-supportive Xtreem Music, they've improved their songwriting and the songs are not only intense but also dark and memorable. It has an epic quality to it as well as a brutish one that is welcome as most bands in this style are too polished-sounding for their own good. This is tangible, organic and drives the point home better than others. For vigorous and hard-hitting death metal, look nowhere else.

Tracklisting:
 
“Chaos Of The Beginning” (intro)
“Cosmos Of Humans”
“False Happiness”
“Consuming Life”
“Deeper Than Hell”
“Fades Away”
“Kings Of Emptiness”
“Hell Dwells Inside”
“Into Oblivion”
“Atrophied Existence” (outro)

“Into Oblivion / Atrophied Existence” lyric video (featuring Attila Csihar):

Lineup:

Sándor Hajnali - Vocals, all lyrics
Gábor Drótos - Guitars, song writing
Sándor Tamás - Drums
András Horváth - Guitars (Live Musician)
Péter Lipák - Bass (Live Musician)