Legendary rocker Alice Cooper was involved in a car accident on Thursday (February 1), but fortunately suffered no injuries.

Cooper tweeted: "Had a car accident this afternoon in Phoenix, but luckily everyone walked away UNHURT. Very thankful for that and also to @Dodge for building such a sturdy Challenger!!"

The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles produced by Dodge.

Like many rock stars, Alice is an avid car enthusiast, with a fantastic collection of American muscle in his garage.

Cooper was born in Detroit and moved to Phoenix at a young age with his family.

In July 2017, Alice Cooper released "Paranormal", his first studio album in six years. Produced by Bob Ezrin, it was immediately saluted as a classic album, strong of the collaboration with iconic guests such as ZZ TOP's Billy Gibbons, U2's Larry Mullen and DEEP PURPLE's Roger Glover.

Had a car accident this afternoon in Phoenix, but luckily everyone walked away UNHURT. Very thankful for that and also to @Dodge for building such a sturdy Challenger!!

— Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) February 2, 2018

British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) will release the third album in his "Infinite Entanglement" trilogy on March 2.

The new album, called "The Redemption Of William Black", is the highly anticipated third part of the trilogy, bringing the sci-fi concept to a conclusion.

This will be the tenth album of Blaze's solo career, following his rise to global fame as singer with IRON MAIDEN (1994-1999). He was chosen for the MAIDEN role after coming to notice with his first band WOLFSBANE, based around home city of Birmingham, England, which is now the location for the recording of all his more recent solo releases.

The past three or four years has been an exciting period in Blaze's career, with a real sense of purpose, increased sales and media attention, not least with the recent front cover of Powerplay magazine (November 2017 issue), together with a three-page tour report from North America. Blaze received further recognition when voted by fans as the 67th best singer of all time in Sweden Rock Magazine, while a guest performance with DISTURBED at the U.K.'s premier music festival Download was another highlight.

"The Redemption Of William Black" has been co-written with Chris Appleton of fellow British metal band ABSOLVA. Chris, who also co-produces the album, is lead guitarist and backing vocalist in Blaze's band for recording and touring, together with his ABSOLVA bandmates Martin McNee (drums) and Karl Schramm (bass and backing vocals).

Special guests on the album include FOZZY singer Chris Jericho, also of WWE fame, for whom Blaze has specially created a character within the "Infinite Entanglement" story. Also, on choir duty is Luke Appleton (ICED EARTH bassist and ABSOLVA rhythm guitarist), as well as Michelle Sciarrotta (choir/voice actor), Jo Robinson (choir), Mel Adams (choir), Liz Owen (backing vocals/choir), Aine Brewer (voice actor) and Rob Toogood (choir/voice actor).

"The Redemption Of William Black" track listing:

01. Redeemer
02. Are You Here
03. Immortal One
04. The First True Sign
05. Human Eyes
06. Prayers Of Light
07. 18 Days
08. Already Won
09. Life Goes On
10. The Dark Side Of Black
11. Eagle Spirit

The official video for the song "Prayers Of Light", featuring a guest appearance by Chris Jericho, can be seen below.

Pictured below (from left to right): Martin McNee (drums), Chris Appleton (lead guitar and backing vocals), Blaze Bayley (lead vocals), Karl Schramm (bass and backing vocals)

The second trailer for "Resurrection", the new album from legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker's MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST project, is available below. Due on March 2 via Nuclear Blast, the disc, which was produced by Michael Voss-Schön, was recorded in four different locations over a five-month period and features guest appearances by METALLICA's Kirk Hammett, Wayne Findlay and Michael Voss-Schön along with contributions from three original MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) singers — Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley — plus Doogie White, who plays with Michael in MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK. Also appearing on the album are musicians Steve Mann (guitars, keyboards), Ted McKenna (drums) and Chris Glen (bass).

The official video for MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST's digital single "Warrior", featuring impressions of the studio recording process, can be seen below.

"Warrior" is one of two album tracks on which all of the four lead singers appear. It was composed by Schenker while the lyrics were written by Michael Voss-Schön.

"When Michael Voss-Schön showed me his lyrical and vocals ideas, it instantly came to my mind that all four singers should be involved," Michael Schenker looks back and adds: "I'm really fascinated by the result. It's really interesting how the different voices complement each other. 'Warrior' is really heavy but at the same time ear-friendly and catchy!"

"Michael Schenker played the basic riff of the track to me and I immediately had the expression 'Warrior' pop into my mind," says Michael Voss-Schön. "On the next day, the first raw version of the song was created; my vision was to let the four voices sound like the four musketeers!"

According to Schenker, "Resurrection" contains all brand new songs, including "Warrior", which he previously described as "really, really good and really powerful."

The studio album will follow the release of "Michael Schenker Fest Tokyo", a concert recording filmed in August 2016 at Tokyo, Japan's International Forum, which was made available last March via Inakustik.

"It was so funny when [Gary, Graham and Robin] all had to sing their lines and we were shooting behind-the-scenes footage, to see them how they get on," Michael recalled. "You can actually see it on the ['Michael Schenker Fest Tokyo'] DVD already, but it just continues to be as if these people have been together forever."

Michael added that he is celebrating his music career and life itself with MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST. "It seems like everybody's celebrating their life and their career at the same time," he said. "But it's all the most popular music of Michael Schenker, and the best I can do at the moment is to have Gary and Graham and Robin and now [with the addition of] Doogie White."

The official lyric video for the song "Bleed The Same" from MEMORIAM, the Birmingham, United Kingdom-based death/grind metal band featuring Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER) on vocals, Frank Healy (BENEDICTION, CEREBRAL FIX) on bass, Scott Fairfax (CEREBRAL FIX) on guitar and Andy Whale (BOLT THROWER) on drums, can be seen below. The track is taken from MEMORIAM's second album, "The Silent Vigil", which will be released on March 23 via Nuclear Blast. The disc's impressive artwork was once again created again by Dan Seagrave (BENEDICTION, DISMEMBER, HYPOCRISY, SUFFOCATION) and can be seen below.

MEMORIAM stated about the track: "'Bleed The Same' is a response to the fear and hatred that exists in the world that we live in today. The lyrics are predominately about freedom, equality and justice. This is a theme that is explored throughout the new album, 'The Silent Vigil'. The lyrical content of the song is a comment on the the rise of nationalistic xenophobic ideologies that proliferate on a global scale right now. The song was ironically inspired by a speech given by Donald Trump in his inauguration ceremony in 2017."

"The Silent Vigil" track listing:

01. Soulless Parasite
02. Nothing Remains
03. From the Flames
04. The Silent Vigil
05. Bleed The Same
06. As Bridges Burn
07. The New Dark Ages
08. No Known Grave
09. Weaponised Fear

MEMORIAM previously stated about "The Silent Vigil" cover artwork: "Following the success of working with Dan Seagrave for our debut album 'For The Fallen', we decided that we had to get Dan involved for the next album cover.

"Initially, we used Dan as we were all very impressed with the art that he has created for bands over the decades, and Scott in particular wanted to have an album cover designed by Dan Seagrave as part of the things he wanted to achieve with MEMORIAM.

"Dan really encapsulates the old-school death metal feel to the album covers that he creates; they are full of detail and very atmospheric. We gave him a brief for the 'For The Fallen' debut cover and he did a great job.

"We briefed Dan and asked him to create an image which followed on from the first album. The first album features a funeral procession, the coffin of the fallen leader paraded across an ethereal battle-scarred landscape. 'The Silent Vigil' represents the next phase of the journey, where the coffin is lying in state with the followers standing in silence almost like terracotta soldiers. The cover has an overall solemn feel to it, with the ravaged landscape in the background and burnt out wrecks of military hardware in the foreground. The tree in the centre of the album cover is symbolic of life — that continues on.

"We are really pleased with what Dan Seagrave has created for us once again and we are proud to have his artwork on our album cover.

"We already have an idea for the next album cover and we hope that Dan will be able to do this for us too."

MEMORIAM was primarily developed to fill the void that was left following the tragic death of Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, the drummer from BOLT THROWER, back in September 2015. BOLT THROWER subsequently placed all activity on hold for the foreseeable future which gave Karl Willetts an opportunity to develop a new project with friends that had expressed interest in forming a band for some time.

MEMORIAM is an old-school death metal band, maintaining the standards set by their previous bands, focusing on the themes of death, loss and war. Initially, the bandmembers got together to play covers of songs that had influenced them throughout their careers within the death metal scene. However, it soon became apparent that the new songs that they created were of a superior standard.

Canadian bashers Striker have checked in with the following update:

"Well! We're almost finished the new album. We'd like to give a huge shout out to none other than Mr. Randy Black for rocking the drums on this one! He is a monster drummer, and is actually from our hometown. Our drummer took a spill in the summer, then shot two music videos... then toured North America. Apparently the doctor thought that was a bad idea, so he's recovering and will be ready for the next tour! 

More album details coming soon. Thanks again Randy for the killer job!"

Randy Black comments:

"As I mentioned in an earlier post, this forthcoming Striker CD is full of great songs that will be sure to slay all Striker fans. It was my pleasure to step in for Adam Brown while he’s taking the time to properly heal. Get well soon buddy and best of luck to you and the rest of the Striker guys!"

For those metalheads unfamiliar with Striker:

Black (ex-Annihilator), who now lives in Germany, recently checked in with the following update:

"I am very happy to announce my new teaching position at Europe’s largest and leading contemporary music college, BIMM Berlin! This is a great addition to my continuing touring and recording activities."

Check out Black's BIMM profile here.

Black recently posted the following message:

"Annihilator fans! I've been recording my own drum tracks recently and decided to re-visit a song I recorded in 1996. I originally co-wrote and recorded this song 'Refresh The Demon' with Jeff Waters. This is how I would approach it today. No triggers, no samples, no quantizing, no replacing. Cheers."

Drum Kit: Pearl Masters Premium Legend, Scarlet Red Burst finish with Black Chrome Hardware

12 & 13 rack toms, 14 & 16 floor toms and 18 gong/floor tom

Snare - 5.5 X 14 Free floating Brass

Cymbals - Sabian:
- 2 X 18 and 2 X 19” HHX-xplosion Crashes
- 2 X HH Power Bell Rides
- 14” Vault Hi-Hats and 14” AAX V-Hats
- 2 X 19” Paragon Chinas and 21” Holy China

Drum Heads - Aquarian: 
- Kicks-Super Kick 10 & Resonator
- Snr. - Jack Dejohnette
- Toms - Response 2

Drum Sticks: Wincent RBSCB signature model - black

Recorded and mixed with the Presonus StudioLive RML16AI mixer and Studio One Pro software.

Doomsday Outlaw will release their new album, Hard Times, on May 11th. The track "Spirt That Made Me" is available for streaming below. Order the album here, or via PledgeMusic.

Doomsday Outlaw is a ten-legged hard rock, blues tinged juggernaut based in darkest Derbyshire. Coupling huge riffs and killer grooves with soaring, soulful vocals to deliver timeless tales of heartbreak and redemption, the group is set to show off its distinctive sound to the legions of hard rock faithful around the globe via a new album, Hard Times, which is set for worldwide release in May.

Doomsday Outlaw vocalist Phil Poole says: "Not wanting to sound clichéd, but we’re so excited to be sharing our new album with the world. We’ve given everything to create something we are really proud of and having the opportunity to share it is really what's it's all about. Whether you buy the record, just listen to it, or come and see us live, getting feedback from fans is amazing and is a feeling that never gets old. This is a big year for us and we can't wait to get cracking. Look out for some big announcements coming your way and we'll see you on the road! Much love."

Drummer John Willis adds : “Phil is our ace in the hole. Everything else was in place with the songwriting and performance, but Phil has helped take the band to the next level.”

Poole joined the already well-oiled quartet of Steve Broughton and Gavin Mills (guitars), John ‘Ironfoot' Willis (drums) and Indy (bass) in June 2015, after which the band really gelled as a cohesive unit. Wasting no time in crafting a killer new set, they subsequently hit the road and have shared stages with the likes of Stone Broken, Warrior Soul, Vintage Caravan and Electric Boys.

Tracklisting:

"Hard Times"
"Over And Over"
"Spirit That Made Me"
"Into The Light"
"Bring It On Home"
"Days Since I Saw The Sun"
"Will You Wait"
"Break You"
"Come My Way"
"Were You Ever Mine"
"Too Far Left To Fall"

"Spirit That Made Me":

Groove-infused experimental post-rock/metal outfit Vexes - featuring frontman Charlie Berezansky (ex-Downstage and Vessl), guitarist John Klagholz (ex-Fury of Five and Vessl), drummer Justin Graves (ex-A Life Once Lost), and bassist Bobby Carpenter (ex-A Life Once Lost) - will release their breakout full-length album, Ancient Geometry, on February 23rd, 2018.

Today, after releasing three intense new tracks - "Lift", "Plasticine", and "Helion" - the band is switching it up by releasing a guitar playthrough video for "Helion", featuring guitarist John Klagholz.

John Klagholz: "We produced and engineered this record ourselves, which fortunately allowed us to really take our time and find the tones we wanted... For the playthrough, I used my custom Balaguer Growler Baritone in 27" scale with a single volume control and a built-in kill switch, made by Joe Balaguer at Balaguer Guitars. It's an excellent company from Pennsylvania for which I am proud to be an endorsee... I couldn't be happier with the guitar."

Ancient Geometry is available for pre-order on Bandcamp (with the track "Lift" as an instant grat). More digital and physical pre-order options are coming soon.

Combining gripping, virtually sensuous alt-metal atmosphere and experimental post-rock inspiration with a healthy dose of post-hardcore undertones, Vexes breathe new life into this genre set to deliver something fresh and instantly absorbing. Even more masterful - the members of Vexes visit entirely new musical realms in comparison to those explored by the bands that moulded them, completely avoiding pronounced reflections of their seasoned pasts.

From start to finish, Ancient Geometry takes listeners on a journey - starting with the bombastic "Hellion," the first song Vexes wrote together. The track flips between thrash beats and surging, choppy riffs layered with atmospheric guitars. After battering the listener with songs like "Lift" and "Decisions Are Death Here" - each of which veer from tuneful and textural to brash and furious - Vexes tone down a bit and emphasize vulnerability over anger. The distorted guitars and unsettling tempos don't disappear, nor does the juxtaposition of crooning and roaring vocals, but on songs like "Plasticine" and "Lush," the vocals become more consistently tuneful and the backing instrumentation less pugnacious. At the midpoint of the album there's "No Color," a multifaceted song that flows like a daydream turned into a nightmare and features a guest rap by Islander member Mikey Carvajal.

Tracklisting:

“Helion”
“Lift”
“Decisions Are Death Here”
“Plasticine”
“No Color” (feat. Mikey Carvajal of Islander)
“Terra”
“Lush”
“Meridian Response”
“Photochrom”
“Ancient Geometry”

"Helion":

“Plasticine”:

“Lift”:

Ancient Geometry by VEXES

(Photo by Bobby Bates Photography)

Finnish death/sludge unit Black Royal will unleash their debut album, Lightbringer, this March via Suicide Records.

A truly dense and obliterating offering both musically and thematically, the ten-track Lightbringer centers itself on mankind's utter failure in finding inner strength and the meaningless trust in fake ideologies. "Faith is, more or less, a consequence of fear and ignorance," elaborates the band. "Mankind's quest for meaning is greater than their ability to understand that we hold the key to our own potential and inner strength. This act against the original plan of The Elders and The Wise has led mankind to the brink of their own intellectual extinction. To survive, mankind must abandon the power of religious dogmas and evolve by the strength from one's inner self. Time has come for the Lightbringer to enthrone and steer man back to the path of free thought and prove wrong their false choices (the reason for current global chaos). Now is time for the new world order. It won't be divine."

Black Royal's thundering Lightbringer will see release on CD, LP, and digital formats via Swedish-Finnish label Suicide Records on March 9th with pre-orders to be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, sample the band's new video for opening album bruiser, "Cryo-Volcanic", below.

Lightbringer tracklisting:

"Cryo-Volcanic"
"Self-Worship"
"Salvation"
"Denial"
"Pentagram Doctrine"
"Lightbringer"
"The Chosen"
"Dying Star"
"New World Order"
"Ou[t]roboros"

"Cryo-Volcanic" video:

Hailing from Tampere, Finland, Black Royal was forged in 2013. The quartet's music combines modern sludge with '90s death metal, classic seventies influences, epic choruses and unconventional arrangements, resulting in a distinctly alluring sound often and accurately described as "death blues." Inspired by beer and occult teachings, their music is laced with distortion and growls proclaiming various themes from free thought to the perils of organized religion.

Following two critically-lauded EPs - The Summoning Pt.1 and Pt.2, released in 2015 and 2016 respectively - the band was signed by Swedish-Finnish label Suicide Records and unleashed the Dying Star seven-inch/digital single, serving as the first taste of Black Royal's imminent Lightbringer debut, coming at you this spring.

Black Royal:

Jukka - drums, percussion
Pete - bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Riku - vocals
Toni - guitars, backing vocals

(Photo - Peero_Lakanen)

Argentinian symphonic power metal band Preludio Ancestral are streaming the title track of their forthcoming fourth album, Oblivion, which will see international release on March 21st via Fighter Records (except Asia). Listen below.

Formed back in 2005 by guitarist Leo Gatti, the band released a demo in that same year, but it wasn't until 2012 when a first EP and their debut album, Hacia lo Inmortal (Towards The Immortal), was released, being followed by another EP a year later and their second and third albums - Kybalion in 2015 and El Misterio de la Pasión Divina (The Mystery Of Divine Passion) in 2016, respectively. Preludio Ancestral have been gaining recognition not only in their native country, where they even opened for Rhapsody Of Fire and Stratovarius, but also around the world.

Preludio Ancestral's Oblivion will be a magnificent opus of epic-painted power metal with symphonic arrangements and awesome guitar work, where various European vocalists and Argentinian musicians give form to an album that will be the delight of any lover of this genre.

Tracklisting:

"Intro"
"King Of Silence"
"Storm"
"Fear Of Falling"
"Ready To Rock"
"Oblivion"
"Universal Love"
"Reflection In The Wind"
"Dust World"
"Metal Walls"

"Oblivion":

"King Of Silence":

For further details, visit Preludio Ancestral on Facebook.

The new single from British metal band Spartan Warrior, "Covered In Lust", is available for streaming below. The band's new album, Hell To Pay, will be released on CD on February 23rd. The pre-order phase will start on February 9th in the Pure Steel Records webstore.

Spartan Warrior, who are a hugely prestigious signing at Pure Steel, are one of the hottest bands of the NWOBHM movement. The band's debut album, Steel N‘ Chains, and their self-titled second album which were released during 1983 and 1984 to critical acclaim, were albums of great quality and continue to attract a deserved cult status among heavy metal aficionados.

In 2009 the band reunited and subsequently released the Behind Closed Eyes album, which also heralded the bands return to the live circuit both at home in the UK and abroad.

Hell To Pay is the bands fourth album and the 10 featured songs and the bands performances on this album provide firm evidence, if ever that were needed, that founding members David and Neil Wilkinson have lost nothing of their original power and appeal. Harnessing the force of a line up that has essentially been together since mid 2011 the band deliver 45 minutes of quality hard rock infused heavy metal. Drawing on influences as thunderous as Saxon and as melodic as UFO, Spartan Warrior show their dexterity as song writers and performers.

Driven by the powerhouse rhythm section of James Charlton (drums) and Tim Morton (bass), Spartan Warrior launch a heavy metal attack on tracks such as “Walls Fall Down”, “Fallen”, “In Memorium” and the title track “Hell To Pay” whilst equally delivering the sublime balladry of “Something to Believe In” and the hook laden choruses of “Lettin Go” and “Bad Attitude”.

The twin guitar attack of Neil Wilkinson and Dan Rochester is a force to be reckoned with and the vocals of David Wilkinson have lost none of their characteristic bite.

Spartan Warrior have delivered an album of great quality and which is truly representative of the bands status as a stunning live act.

Lineup:

Dave Wilkinson - vocals
Neil Wilkinson - guitars
Tim Morton - bass
James Charlton - drums
Dan Rochester - guitars

Into Eternity guitarist Tim Roth has checked in with the following update:

"Hi there!! I can finally post this vocal cover I was asked to do by my new buddy Brad Wagner. This was out of my comfort zone, but now I'm so glad I did it. Thanks to Justin Bender for recording my vocals. Brad played every instrument and recorded the rest, which in itself is amazing, I think."

The track was recorded, mixed and mastered at Green Room Studios in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Musicians:

Tim Roth - vocals
Brad Wagner - drums, bass guitar, guitars, keyboards.

Check out Roth's rendition of the Into Eternity song "Sandstorm", which was recorded by Stu Block for the final 2011 single version.

Nuclear Blast Entertainment will release the new album from Tax The Heat, Change Your Position, on March 9th, 2018. The album will be available as CD and digital. A video for the title track can be found below.

Change Your Position is the follow up to the 2016 critically-acclaimed debut album Fed To The Lions. The new album sees the band take a huge step forward as both songwriters and performers. The band's unique blend of fuzz-driven rock with a modern alternative twist has won them a legion of fans. The album stamps its authority right from the off with the taut "Money In The Bank" (also the first single). From the staccato stomp of "Playing With Fire" to the huge riffs of "Cut Your Chains," from the garage rock of "On The Run" to the slow groove and instant lyrical hit of "All That Medicine". Change Your Position is a lean, focused album loaded with an energy that is set to propel the band to headline status.

The driving rhythms of Jack Taylor (drums) and Antonio Angotti (bass) are overlaid with the powerful riffs of JP Jacyshyn (guitars) and distinctive melodies of Alex Veale (vocals, guitars).

"If an album is about capturing a band or artist at a certain point, Change Your Position might have happened at the perfect time. As a band we toured, found our sound, found our place and took inspiration from a world in utter chaos. With Change Your Position we pushed ourselves creatively as hard as we could and it took us further into ourselves than we expected - we hope it's apparent to the listener." - Alex Veale

Tracklisting:

“Money In The Bank”
“Change Your Position”
“Playing With Fire”
“All That Medicine”
“On The Run”
“The Last Time”
“Taking The Hit”
“My Headspace”
“We Are Consumers”
“Cut Your Chains”
“Wearing A Disguise”
“The Symphony Has Begun”

“Change Your Position” video:

“All That Medicine” lyric video:

“Money In The Bank” video:

The Medicine Sessions: Episode One:

More than 30 years after their inception, English neofolk kings Sol Invictus will release their long-awaited new album, Necropolis, on March 23 via Prophecy Productions (Alcest, DOOL). Described by the group's dean Tony Wakeford as “a record based on and brought forth from London and the serpent Thames that snakes its way through its heart”, the LP is quite possibly the final release from a band revered as progenitors of a dark and desperate sound.

Sol Invictus is one of the most prolific and influential bands associated with neofolk or apocalyptic folk, a form of experimental music which emerged in punk rock circles in the 1980’s, blending elements of folk and industrial music with dark themes of decay, decline, and/or the destruction of Western civilization. Along with Current 93 and Death in June (both of which included Wakeford as a member), Sol Invictus has both created and guided the genre, steering it forward through to this day. Latin for 'the unconquerable Sun', Sol Invictus has released over a dozen albums since the mid-Eighties, chronicling an evolution from raw, post-punk dark folk to increasingly sophisticated arrangements.

A quasi-conceptual album centered on Wakeford’s feelings of a declining London [“London was once the apex of an empire but it is now the playground of other empires that have superseded it.”], Necropolis could be called a eulogy to England’s capital. Sol Invictus titled the record after The London Necropolis Railway, a railway line that has connected London with the Brookwood Cemetary since 1854. But the moniker is also a nod to Wakeford’s perception that the town is now “a London of mausoleums and masonry” and “a city haunted by the customs and crimes of the dead and the living.”

Necropolis features guest guitar from Don Anderson (ex-Agalloch, Khôrada) who previously lent his skills to Sol Invictus' 2014 release, Once Upon A Time. The group around Wakeford continues to explore the psychedelic side of dark folk, using acoustic guitar as a foundation enriched with piano, flute, violin, electric guitar an drums among other instruments and – for the first time – the singing of The Green Army Choir.

Tracklisting:

“Portal”
“Nine Elms”
“Old Father Thames”
“See Them”
“Serpentine”
“Still Born Summer”
“Brick Lane”
“Turn Turn Turn”
“The Last Man”
“The Garden Of Love”
“Kill Burn”
“Set The Table”
“Murder On Thames”
“Shoreditch”
“Necropolis Egress” 

“The Last Man”:

The Swedish melodic metal band Metalite has released a piano version of their debut single "Afterlife". "Afterlife (Piano Version)" is available at all digital outlets as a digital single.

The original version of "Afterlife" is the opening track on the Metalite debut album Heroes In Time, available now through Inner Wound Recordings. The music video for "Afterlife" recently passed 800,000 views on YouTube.

"Afterlife (Piano Version)" is produced, arranged and mixed by Emma Bensing.

Heroes In Time is an impressive debut album filled with melodic and memorable songs, crowned with the strong and emotional vocals by vocalist Emma Bensing as well as a powerful production by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Evergrey). The album should be perfect for fans of bands like Beyond The Black, Dynazty and Amaranthe.

Vocalist Carley Coma of Candiria has launched a new series of videos for the band's latest album While They Were Sleeping.

The series dives deep into the story behind the album's concept. The first video, which addresses the title track, is streaming below:

The second clip is now available below and centers on "Mereya," the second track on the album.

New videos for each track will be launched in sequence in the coming weeks.

Candiria will be headlining the Blacklight Media Records showcase in New York City on March 8th at the Gramercy Theatre. The band has put together a special set list for the night, celebrating over 20 years of its sophomore album Beyond Reasonable Doubt.

Road To Jerusalem has released the video for the track “Widowmaker”, which is also the first single from the upcoming album. The video is directed by the talented Mariam Zakarian.

Road To Jerusalem, the international project featuring drummer Per Møller Jensen (The Haunted, Invocater, Konkhra), bassist Andreas Holma (Hypocrisy, Scar Symmetry, Soilwork), guitarist Michael Skovbakke (Konkhra) and vocalist Josh Tyree, The band´s debut album is expected in March 2nd, 2018 and is mixed by the critically acclaimed producer Tue Madsen (Rob Halford, Meshuggah, Heaven Shall Burn).

Road To Jerusalem will be touring in 2018 and new concerts are constantly added. They will among other be supporting Orphaned Land on the second leg of their upcoming European Tour in March.

Deep Dark River, the acoustic doom, folk, blues, ambient and soul side project from Vesperia's Morgan Rider, has posted a new video covering Dio's "Holy Diver".

Rider comments: "I had a lot of fun working on this one, I absolutely love Dio and wanted to create a blues version of one of their best known songs: 'Holy Diver'! I might just do another Dio cover in the future!"

Rider was inspired to create Deep Dark River by the works of his close friend David Gold (Woods of Ypres). Deep Dark River's self-titled debut album is currently being recorded and is planned for a 2018 release featuring all original tracks. Rider has performed across Canada, USA and Europe with a variety of heavy metal groups such as Vesperia, Crimson Shadows, Woods of Ypres and SIG:AR:TYR .

Deep Dark River's previously unleashed cover of Woods Of Ypres' "Allure of The Earth" was in tribute of the memory of dear friend David Gold. The video was shot in Whitby, UK, Sherwood Forest, UK and Clarington, ON.

Other cover videos by Deep Dark River can be viewed below:

Emmure have unleashed the pulverizing, new live performance video for "Natural Born Killers", which comes off the group's latest effort, Look At Yourself (Sharptone Records).

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!

Unruly Child's Unhinged: Live From Milan will be released on CD/ DVD, Blu-Ray, Vinyl, and MP3 (audio only) on February 23rd. Check out the video for “Who Cries Now” below, and pre-order the album here.

Unruly Child were born when Marcie Free (King Kobra, Signal) started writing songs with Bruce Gowdy (Stone Fury, World Trade) and Guy Allison (Lodgic, World Trade, Doobie Brothers). With a lineup completed with Jay Schellen (Hurricane, World Trade, Asia) and Larry Antonino (Pablo Cruise), Unruly Child officially debuted in 1992.

After some lineup and style changes over the years, the original members of the quintet decided to reunite in 2016 and released a brand new album, Can’t Go Home, in February 2017.

Unhinged: Live From Milan tracklisting:

CD:

"Wind Me Up"
"Lay Down Your Arms"
"Rock Me Down Nasty"
"Let’s Talk About Love"
"Is It Over"
"On The Rise"
"Tunnel Of Love"
"To Be Your Everything"
"Long Hair Woman"
"Forever"
"When Love Is Gone"
"Who Cries Now"

DVD / Blu-Ray:

"Wind Me Up"
"Lay Down Your Arms"
"Rock Me Down Nasty"
"Let’s Talk About Love"
"Is It Over"
"On The Rise"
"Tunnel Of Love"
"To Be Your Everything"
"Long Hair Woman"
"Forever "
"This Is Who I Am"
"When Love Is Gone"
"Who Cries Now"

"Who Cries Now" video:

"To Be Your Everything" video:

Lineup:

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

Barcelona-based vintage thrash battalion Crisix will release the Against The Odds full-length via Listenable Records this Spring.
 
Sporting a symbolic title that represents the band's hard work, dedication, and friendship, Crisix' fourth full-length studio output was self-produced at Axtudios in Spain and mastered by Jens Bogren (Arch Enemy, At The Gates, Bloodbath, Kreator et al) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Straight from the raging kick off of "Get Out Of Head," the nine-track Against The Odds commands its listener's attention with a devastating formula of power thrash with an often hardcore edge proving Crisix' importance in today's new generation of thrash.

Thematically, the record draws from a wide range of subject matter including Ridley Scott's Aliens in “Xenomorph Blood”, novelist George R. R. Martin's fantasy worlds in “The North Remembers”, and Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball character in “Prince Of Saiyans”. 
 
Against The Odds will see release in Europe on March 23rd followed by a North American release on April 6th. Preorders will be available in the coming days.

Tracklisting:

“Get Out Of My Head”
“Leech Breeder”
“Technophiliac”
“Perseverance”
“Xenomorph Blood”
“Prince Of Saiyans”
“Leave Your God Behind”
“Cut The Shit”
“The North Remembers”

By Norse Music has announced the reissue of Enslaved’s historical album Hordanes Land, due for release on March 2nd on CD digipack and digital, and April 20th on LP.

You can preorder Hordanes Land on CD Digipack, limited green LP with embossed logo and title on cover (Enslaved webstores exclusive), limited white LP with embossed logo and title on cover (by Norse Music webstore), regular black LP, exclusive bundles and digital now here:

By Norse Music
Enslaved European Store
Enslaved North American Store
Digital
Bandcamp

First released in 1993 as a mini 12” LP, Hordanes Land was also released a few weeks later as a split CD album with Emperor and is considered a key release in the development of Viking metal.

The By Norse Music reissue features exclusive liner notes and quotes by major figures of the black metal scene such as Fenriz (Darkthrone), Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ), Lee Barret (Candlelight) and Hrymr (Helheim) among others, a reassembled layout respectfully done by Marcelo Vasco, the original songs entirely remastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio (Bergen, Norway) and the bonus track “Enslaved”, from the Enslaved split with Satyricon “Yggdrasill”, released in 1992.

Enslaved co-founder and guitar player Ivar Bjørnson comments: "We have decided to have Iver Sandøy remaster Hordanes Land because of the great job he did with Vikingligr Veldi finally being released on vinyl in 2016 (also on By Norse Music). His philosophy is not so much to remake anything with the remaster; but to emphasize and highlight the strengths of the original mastering. The original album is a milestone and a document from a historical moment in modern metal, so the spirit and atmosphere needs preservation - not alteration."

Tracklisting:

“Slaget i skogen bortenfor (Epilog / Slaget)”
“Allfǫðr Oðinn”
“Balfǫr (Andi fara / Prologr)”
“Enslaved” (Bonus Track)

Greek extreme metal band, Karma Violens, has been hard at writing and recording the their third record, Serpent God. The new album contains 10 tracks and is set for release on April 13th through Growl Records, a division of ROAR! Rock of Angels Records.

Serpent God, was produced and mixed by Costas Papadopoulos and Karma Violens at Symbolic Studios. Recordings by Costas Papadopoulos at Symbolic Studios. Mastered by Andreas Karayiannis at Dysmorphia Studios. The artwork and layout created by Greek Design mastermind Giannis Nakos at Remedy Art Studios.

Karma Violens returns with their third album, Serpent God. The album is an outcome of their new sound - an amalgam of extreme metal forms, with black metal influences prevailing. Serpent God is a conceptual album, mainly focusing on the transparency of today's social standards and ideas. Freedom, or lack thereof today, is the main body of what the album conveys; man's tendency to create social "musts" and "have-to’s" via religion, God and modern society. The Serpent God is the liberation from our modern way of life.

Tracklisting:

"Men Of Gibeah"
"Serpent God"
"Sons Of Destruction"
"A Letter To The Worthless Chamber"
"The Sun I Never Had"
"Dark Morel"
"The Constractors"
"Radix Malorum"
"Eternal Darkness"
"Blood Aurora"

Karma Violens is:

Marios - Vocals
George - Guitars
Costas - Guitars
Steven - Bass

We all know about the exploits of Louis Rando with regards to Impiety and The Furor, and this time around, he's formed a death metal band that's just as sonically intense and devastating. If you like Morbid Angel, Immolation and Hour Of Penance, this is the extreme version of that with all the darkness, hunger and flavour intact.

Depravity's Evil Upheaval album will be released on April 30th via Transcending Obscurity Records. The track "Despondency" is available for streaming below.

The album was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studios (Behemoth, Vader), and featured artwork by Alex Tartsus (Sinister, De Profundis).

Tracklisting:
 
"Manic Onslaught"
"Insanity Reality"
"Repugnant"
"Despondency"
"The Great Divide"
"Victimizer"
"Tormented"
"Evil Upheaval"
"Vile Defloration"

"Despondency":

Lineup:

Louis Rando - Drums
Lynton Cessford - Guitar
Jamie Kay - Vocals
Ainsley Watkins - Bass
Jarrod Curly - Guitar

Baltimore, Maryland-based death metallers, Misery Index, have premiered a Scott Rudd Films lyric video for their new single, "I Disavow".The single is to be released on 7" vinyl via Vitriol Records, with a B-side cover of "Wasting Away" from Nailbomb's 1994 Point Blank album, on February 9th.

The vinyl and video features artwork from Gary Ronaldson (Napalm Death, Kreator) of Bite Radius Designs. Pre-order the 7" here, or the digital version via Bandcamp.

The songs were recorded and mixed late last year in 4 studios. Drums were recorded at Developing Nations with Kevin Bernsten (Full Of Hell, Magrudergrind), vocals were recorded at Studio Kolotila with Olli Nokkala, guitars, bass, and vocals were recorded at Ryan Vincent Studios with Ryan Vincent (Truth Corroded, Aggression), and was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Nightingale) at Unisound.

Bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton has the following to say regarding the release: "Greetings! So, we start recording our new album this spring… but until then, how about a new song? We present the single 'I Disavow' - a ferocious spitfire that harkens back to the 'Traitors' era-yet remains forward looking at the same time. Riven with spite and contempt towards our modern age's void of truth, it gets faster as things get uglier. Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound. Available now on Bandcamp (and streaming platforms soon). For physical format freaks we have the 7” version available from our friends at Vitriol records. More news on the new album (coming once more on Season of Mist records) in the next weeks and months."

Catch Misery Index performing these songs and more at the upcoming Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, Maryland, and across Europe at Brutal Assault Festival, Summer Breeze Festival, Motocultor Festival, Kaltenbach Open Air, Deathfeast Open Air, and more.

Tengger Cavalry's sixth record and Napalm Records' debut, Cian Bi, will be released on February 23rd. A lyric video for "Ride Into Grave And Glory (War Horse II)" can be seen below.

Says band mastermind Nature G: "This song incorporates traditional Mongolian fiddle Morin Khuur's melody style with modern groovy metal riff. It is about the story between a man and his beloved horse, life and death."

Pre-order the new album here, and watch a video for the track "Cian Bi (Fight Your Darkness)" below.

'Cian Bi' stands for the name of an ancient nomadic tribe that immigrated into Northern China to merge cultural differences. The band's nomadic fighting spirit helps to fuse unworldly cultures in harmony - and that's the spirit! With their music as a deputy: Distorted guitars and double bass-blast beats hit this very own singing style out of Central Asia. With the Mongolian horsehead fiddle aka Morin khuur these extremes got stick together to a thrilling sound you have never heard before. This is innovation surpreme!

Nature G, mastermind and creative spirit behind Tengger Cavalry, comments: "In this album, we used the concept of the Cian Bi tribe, to express the idea of multi-culture development, acceptance of diversity and individual freedom. We believe that through individual choice and identity freedom, each of us can decide who we want to become and embrace every culture around the world as one nomadic tribe - human tribe."

Cian Bi tracklisting:

"And Darkness Continues"
"Cian-Bi (Fight Your Darkness)"
"Our Ancestors"
"Strength"
"Chasing My Horse"
"Electric Shaman"
"Ride Into Grave And Glory (War Horse II)"
"Redefine"
"A Drop Of The Blood, A Leap Of The Faith"
"The Old War"
"One Tribe, Beyond Any Nation"
"Just Forgive"
"One-Track Mind"
"You and I, Under The Same Sky"
"Sitting In Circle"

"Cian-Bi (Fight Your Darkness)" video:

"Cian Bi" instrumental playthrough:

"Ritual And Redemption" lyric video:

Armored Dawn is a promising heavy/power metal band from Brazil who will debut on AFM Records with their new album, Barbarians In Black, on February 23rd. A video for the album track "Sail Away" can be seen below.

"Beware Of The Dragon"
"Bloodstone"
"Men Of Odin"
"Chance To Live Again"
"Unbreakable"
"Eyes Behind The Crow"
"Sail Away"
"Gods Of Metal"
"Survivor"
"Barbarians In Black"

"Sail Away" video:

Trailer:

After supporting Fates Warning on their latest European tour, Armored Dawn will now open for Saxon at the following shows:

February
27 - Tilburg, Netherlands
28 - Saarbrücken, Germany

March
1 - Hannover, Germany
2 - Frankfurt, Germany
3 - Dresden, Germany

Greek extreme metal veterans, Rotting Christ, have released an official live video for "Societas Satanas", originally recorded and released by Thou Art Lord in 1996. The footage was shot on June 30th, 2017 in Athens, Greece.

Rotting Christ have announced the release of Their Greatest Spells, out on March 23rd via Season Of Mist. This double CD compilation features a best of selection approved by frontman Sakis Tolis as well as a brand new track, "I Will Not Serve". Listen to the new song below.

With 12 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1,250 shows under their belts so far, it is high time Rotting Christ get a proper compilation spanning their 30+ years career. Their Greatest Spells takes a retrospective look at the cult Greek band's fascinating musical development by picking a select choice of key tracks covering the many facets of Rotting Christ. With such a massive catalogue, a "best of" compilation will always lead to controversy about certain additions as well as omissions from the final list, but the involvement of frontman Sakis Tolis himself in this difficult task ensures that the result is at least relevant.

Pre-order here.

Their Greatest Spells tracklisting:

CD 1
"The Sign Of Prime Creation"
"Athanati Este"
"Non Serviam"
"King Of A Stellar War"
"Nemecic"
"Grandis Spiritus Diavolos"
"Art Of Sin"
"Dying"
"Archon"
"Serve In Heaven"
"Astral Embodiment"
"After Dark I Feel"
"Sorrowfull Farewell"
"In Yumen-Xibalba"
"Elthe Kyrie"
"Cold Colours"

CD 2
"The Sign Of Evil Existence"
"Fgmenth Thy Gift"
"Ze Nigmar"
"Phobo's Synagogue"
"Demonon Vrosis"
"...Pir Threontai"
"Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy"
"Among Two Storms"
"Semigod"
"Welcome To Hel"
"A Dynasty From The Ice"
"Shadows Follow"
"Forest Of N'gai"
"Feast Of The Grand Whore"
"Exiled Archangels"
"Saturn Unlock Avey's Son"
"I Will Not Serve"

"I Will Not Serve":

Catch Rotting Christ on tour with label mates Carach Angren. The band's live itinerary can be found here.

Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett performed a cover of XUTOS & PONTAPÉS's "A Minha Casinha" during METALLICA's February 1 concert in Lisbon, Portugal. Fan-filmed video footage of their rendition can be seen below.

XUTOS & PONTAPÉS has dominated the Portuguese rock music scene since the late 1970s, with the band's fan base spanning several generations.

Trujillo dedicated METALLICA's version of "A Minha Casinha" to XUTOS & PONTAPÉS guitarist Zé Pedro, who died in December at the age of 61.

He reportedly died at home in Lisbon following a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

METALLICA's show in Lisbon kicked off the 2018 European leg of the group's "WorldWired" tour, which will run through May 11 in Helsinki, Finland.

The first European leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour launched in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 2 and ran through November 3.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band is touring in support of its tenth studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", which came out in November 2016.

The "WorldWired" trek was Pollstar's fifth-highest grossing tour of 2017, with 1.5 million tickets sold.