Professionally filmed video footage of EXIT EDEN, the all-female four-piece ensemble featuring Amanda Somerville, Clémentine Delauney, Marina La Torraca and Anna Brunner, performing a cover version of "Incomplete", originally recorded by BACKSTREET BOYS, on September 22 at the Hamburg Metal Dayz festival in Hamburg, Germany can be seen below.

EXIT EDEN unites all attributes ascribed to the new millennium: cosmopolitan, self-confident-independent and ready to do their very own thing. Despite their diversity, the four singers blend together personally as superbly as they do vocally with their very diverse vocal tones and techniques that go from opera style to raspy rock. This constellation created extraordinary and powerful ideas and finally became their unique plan to raise EXIT EDEN's very own edge: to show the world that almost every classic song can be transformed into a solid metal-rock song.

EXIT EDEN's debut, "Rhapsodies In Black", which was released on August 4 via Napalm Records (worldwide excluding Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it was made available via Starwatch), is home to a colorful mix of international super hits from Rihanna to Madonna, from DEPECHE MODE to Adele, and many more. Still and all, it's miles away from being just a cover album.

Who the musicians are:

Amanda Somerville: Amanda is a rock-solid authority of the music scene, both as a solo artist and sharing success and the stage with bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT. Though her American roots are based in pop and rock, she fell in love with the metal scene and made it her home. She has toured with Alice Cooper, Ian Gillan and many more legends with her commanding voice and fronts the projects TRILLIUM and KISKE SOMERVILLE (with HELLOWEEN icon Michael Kiske). All of this, combined with her wide range of experience, grants her a unique edge and a permanent address in the metal world.

Anna Brunner: A natural talent, Anna began singing at a very young age. As a daughter of a German father and an American mother, she grew up bilingual and founded her first rock band as a teenager. Due to a music study that lead her through different parts of the world, she garnered a multitude of experience and it became crystal clear to her: music has to rock — and vocals need to be emotional — just like a passionate scream.

Marina La Torraca: Hailing from Brazil, Marina was born with rhythm in her blood. As the auspicious frontwoman of several metal bands since the age of 15, her path led her to Europe, where she got to perform with AVANTASIA and to found her up-and-coming band PHANTOM ELITE. Since having studied musical theater in New York, the versatile singer and actress can also be seen internationally in musical productions, including the upcoming German tour of the Broadway hit "Rent". For her, being close to the crowd is what counts — no problem for her and her natural convincing character.

Clémentine Delauney: Clémentine was born near Paris 30 years ago. She has been a multi talent since her childhood days — no matter if she was dancing, playing the piano or singing, she enchanted her audience. At the age of 16, she joined her first metal band. She is currently fronting symphonic metal outfit VISIONS OF ATLANTIS and also worked with SERENITY and MELTED SPACE. Another one of her career highlights is her participation on Kai Hansen's (HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY) first solo album, released in 2016. Thus, Clémentine has carved her way into being one of the great performers of the scene.

"Rhapsodies In Black" track listing:

01. A Question Of Time
02. Unfaithful
03. Incomplete
04. Impossible
05. Frozen
06. Heaven
07. Firework
08. Skyfall
09. Total Eclipse Of The Heart
10. Paparazzi
11. Fade To Grey

MEGADETH is tentatively planning to enter the studio in mid-2018 to begin recording its new album for a 2019 release. Guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine revealed on Twitter that he is in the process of "collecting ideas" for the follow-up to 2016's "Dystopia".

MEGADETH's upcoming effort will mark the group's first release to feature drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who officially joined the group a year and a half ago.

"Dystopia" was MEGADETH's first album with Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

Mustaine told "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, about MEGADETH's current lineup: "Playing with Kiko has been really rewarding out on the road, and learning a little bit more about him as a player. Meeting Dirk was just amazing. It was what we were looking for — someone that kind of had the playing ability and spirit of Gar Samuelson and somebody who lives for metal like we do. I think that getting into the studio with the four of is now is going to be super-exciting... We're all so familiar with each other right now, I think it's going to be a kick-ass record, and I look forward to it."

we haven't started recording anything yet. I am collecting ideas just like I did on Dystopia... https://t.co/gpbrCLBIDg

— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) December 28, 2017

SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY guitarist Marc Rizzo will release his new solo album, "Rotation", on March 30 via Combat Records/EMP Label Group/Amped in North America, and Combat/SPV in Europe. "Rotation" is the fourth solo release for Rizzo, following 2004's "Colossal Myopia", 2006's "The Ultimate Devotion" (both released by legendary shred label Shrapnel), and the independently released 2010 LP "Legionnaire".

Produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SOULFLY, ROB ZOMBIE, CHIMAIRA) and featuring cover art by Melody Myers (ESCAPE THE FATE), "Rotation" is a blistering showcase of Rizzo's pummeling eclectic diversity, showcased on album tracks including "Spectral Intensities", "Thrash Boogie", and title track "Rotation", combining Rizzo's penchant for pummeling, low-end riffs, with thrash-intensive leads and heavy Latin flavor.

Check out an album teaser featuring "Spectral Intensities" below.

Rizzo is also a part-time guitarist for Combat labelmates DEAD BY WEDNESDAY (first appearing on the band's 2016 EMP release "The Darkest Of Angels"), rounding out a label roster that also includes upcoming releases from legendary metal acts RAVEN, HELSTAR and WRATH.

"Marc's an awesome guitar player. He's a badass," says MEGADETH's David Ellefson, who heads up EMP Label Group. "So when Thom [Hazaert of EMP] started talking to him about his new record, Zeuss sent over some tracks, and we were all really excited. And it just turned out to be a great, natural fit for the new incarnation of Combat. Marc is a brutal, heavy player, but so technically proficient and tasteful, and able to blend so many styles into what he does, whatever he's doing, whether it's SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY or his solo stuff."

Says Rizzo: "I spent a couple years talking to David and Thom about releasing 'Rotation' and when the Combat thing came up, it just really felt right. I have known both David and Thom literally for the better part of two decades, and I'm really excited to have such a killer team putting their stamp on my record."

Rizzo will enter the studio to begin work on the new SOULFLY record in January and will hit the road with SOULFLY in April.

After appearing on the first two Devilment albums - The Great And Secret Show (2014), and II - The Mephisto Waltzes (2016) - keyboardist Lauren Francis has announced her departure from the group.

Devilment frontman Dani Filth comments, "We would like to wish Lauren all the best for the future, and we will continue to support her in all her new music endeavours."

Lauren's official statement reads as follows:

"I apologise if I haven't replied to some messages. I thought it was better to address everyone together and I didn't want to do that just before Christmas!

Being a part of Devilment has been a crazy adventure and one which I never could have predicted for myself. As many of you know, I didn’t come from a metal background, so it was a totally new and exciting experience for me. The sense of community within the metal scene is one which I had never really seen before and it’s been very humbling to have been embraced and accepted.

I have read through much of the feedback that we have received on youtube and social media, as well as speaking to fans at gigs about their favourite tracks. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that so many of you have connected with our music and felt inspired by it.

This year my life has begun taking a different shape and as much as I love the band, I am unable to commit the same level of energy and drive that it demands and deserves. So it is with great sadness that I am announcing my decision to leave Devilment.

I’m so sorry to anyone who feels disappointed by this, but I know that the band will find an amazing replacement and keep creating awesome music. I wanted to thank you all for your unwavering support and enthusiasm for the band and for my part in it.

Lots of love,
Lauren"

As previously reported, Devilment are already in the process of writing their third album, and are looking to return to playing live in the summer 2018 festival season.

 

Sweden's Year Of The Goat performed inside the Bullhead City Circus at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2016. Professionally filmed video of the band's full set can be seen below.

Setlist:

"Angel's Necropolis"
"The Key And The Gate"
"Pillars Of The South"
"Vermin"
"Vermillion Clouds"
"Black Sunlight"
"Riders Of Vultures"

A deluxe edition of Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer’s The Way Life Goes is out now via Cleopatra Records. Check out a new video trailer below, and order via the Amazon widget below and on Cleopatra’s website.

The Way Life Goes - Deluxe Edition tracklisting:

Disc 1: CD

“Solid Ground”
“A Different Light”
“It’s Not Enough"
“Cold Day In Hell”
“Thick and Thin”
“Ask Me Yesterday”
“Fool’s Paradise”
“The Flower Song”
“Mood Elevator”
“Welcome To My Mind”
“You Showed Me”
“Ain’t That A Bitch”
“The Way Life Goes”
“Babylon

Bonus Tracks:
“Nobody’s Fool” feat. Lzzy Hale
“With A Little Help From My Friends”
“Nobody’s Fool” (Piano Version)

Disc 2: DVD

Chapter 1) The Way Life’s Goin' (Documentary)
Chapter 2) “Solid Ground” (Music video)
Chapter 3) “The Flower Song” (Music video)
Chapter 4) “It's Not Enough” (Music video)
Chapter 5) “It's Not Enough” (Lyric video)
Chapter 6) Album Promo
Chapter 7) Cathouse Live
Chapter 8) Count Vamp'd Las Vegas
Chapter 9) Farm Rock Chicago

Trailer:

“The Way Life Goes” video:

 

 

Legendary thrash/black metal power force, Necrodeath, have released the details for their upcoming album, The Age Of Dead Christ, which will be available on March 9th via Scarlet Records (vinyl version on Terror From Hell Records).

The Age Of Dead Christ is Necrodeath's 11th album, 33 years after their inception into the scene, when the now legendary demo tape The Shining Pentagram was released. 33 as the age of Christ, the dead Christ, as the title of the album says. Necrodeath go back to their roots releasing one of the fastest, most violent and brutal chapters in their deadly musical path. The cover resembles the typical artwork of the Eighties demo tapes and features the band's old logo.

The Age Of Dead Christ includes the song "The Return Of The Undead", a new version of the band’s classic "The Undead" (originally included on the 1987 debut album Into The Macabre), featuring yet another extreme metal legend on vocals, the mighty A.C. Wild of Bulldozer.

Tracklisting:

"The Whore Of Salem"
"The Master Of Mayhem"
"The Order Of Baphomet"
"The Kings Of Rome"
"The Triumph Of Pain"
"The Return Of The Undead"
"The Crypt Of Nyarlathotep"
"The Revenge Of The Witches"
"The Age Of Dead Christ"

Drummer Peso comments: “Back to our black origins with thrashing brutality! The Age Of Dead Christ is a violent, loud punch in your blood thirsty mouth! Beware! Necrodeath are back to kick your asses and tear your bloody guts off!”

The official lyric video for the song "My Whole Life" from former EXODUS and current GENERATION KILL and FRAGILE MORTALS singer Rob Dukes can be seen below. The track is taken from Dukes's first solo EP, which was released in October via all digital music retailers. The effort features Scott Reeder (KYUSS, FIREBALL MINISTRY) on bass and special appearances from members of RUN-D.M.C. and SNOT.

Track listing:

01. My Whole Life (feat. Mikey Doling)
02. Hate Me (feat. Darryl "DMC" McDaniels)
03. All Lies
04. Disaster

Vocals: Rob Dukes (EXODUS, GENERATION KILL)
Guitars: Jon "Jonny Rod" Ciorciari (JRod Productions)
Bass: Scott Reeder (KYUSS, FIREBALL MINISTRY)
Drums: Craig Cefola (WHEELHOUSE JUNCTION)

All music was written by Dukes and Ciorciari
Produced and mixed by Ciorciari

Special guests:

Vocals: "Hate Me" - Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (RUN-D.M.C.)
Guitar solo: "My Whole Life" - Mikey Doling (SNOT)

Backing vocals:

"My Whole Life", "Hate Me" - Jon "Jonny Rod" Ciorciari
"Hate Me" - Sean Magaletta (POOIS)

Dukes, who fronted EXODUS for nine years, performed with the band during its July 8 concert in San Francisco, California. He sang several songs with the group on the second of EXODUS's two-night stint at The Chapel in what marked the band's first headlining Bay Area club shows since late 2013.

Dukes joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005), "The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007), "Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS' classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).

EXODUS in June 2014 announced the departure of Dukes and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

According to Law360, guitar maker Gibson has filed a lawsuit against Funko, the manufacturer of the popular vinyl toy line Funko POP, claiming that some of its guitar designs were used without permission.

The suit, which was filed late last week in California federal court, alleges "repeated" unauthorized use of its company's guitar designs in Funko figures, including those based on the likenesses Slash (GUNS N' ROSES), Ace Frehley (KISS), Paul Stanley (KISS), Kirk Hammett (METALLICA) and James Hetfield (METALLICA).

Gibson, which has trademarked the shapes of a number of guitars, claims to have contacted Funko in October with an offer of entering into a retroactive licensing agreement, but those discussions were unsuccessful.

Gibson wrote in the complaint: "The misuse of the Gibson trademarks by Funko was intended to cause, has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, consumer confusion, mistake or deception including the misleading of consumers into mistakenly believing that the defendant's unauthorized products are made directly by Gibson pursuant to Gibson's strict quality control standards or Gibson has authorized or licensed the use by Funko of the Gibson trademarks for those products."

Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Funko is a leading pop culture consumer products company. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters.

Funko is the brainchild of Brian Mariotti, who bought the company with an investor group in 2005. It is is part-owned by private-equity firm Acon Investments.

A new Demonstealer track, "Sculpting The Archetype", is available for streaming below. The track features contributions from members of Septicflesh, Aborted and Nervecell.

"Sculpting The Archetype" will be featured on the upcoming release, The Last Reptilian Warrior, which will now include an extra track that will feature acclaimed drummer Daniel Presland (Ne Obliviscaris). A video of him talking about his participation can be viewed below:

The album artwork was created by Reuben Bhattacharya, aka Visual Amnesia (Slipknot, Twelve Foot Ninja, Demonic Resurrection).

Extended version of the continuous two-panel artwork:

Updated tracklisting:
 
"The Grand Collapse Of Humanity" (featuring Kevin Paradis/Benighted)
"Sculpting The Archetype" (featuring Krimh/Septicflesh, Stefano/Aborted, Rami/Nervecell)
"The Perspective Of Evil" (featuring Romain Goulon/Necrophagist, Arran McSporran/Virvum)
"The Human Pestilence" (featuring David Diepold/Cognizance, Stefano/Hideous Divinity)
"No Victory In War" (featuring Kevin Paradis/Benighted, Shoi Sen/De Profundis)
"The Weak Shall Perish" (featuring David Diepold/Cognizance, Arran McSporran/De Profundis, Mendel/Aborted)
"The Last Reptilian Warrior"
+ to be announced bonus track featuring Dan Presland (Ne Obliviscaris)

"The Grand Collapse Of Humanity" video:

The crowd-funding campaign for this album is still going on at this location.

Barcelona, Spain-based melodic metalliers, Kilmara, have released the video below, featuring footage from Grapow Studios in Slovakia, filmed during November and December.

Says the band: "We have been working with Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan), considered one of the great European metal music producers. This is our fourth and most ambitious work and is titled Across The Realm Of Time, currently in the mix phase but we hope to be able to edit it at the beginning of 2018.

The band continue: "We take the opportunity to wish you a great 2018 full of health, money, love and above all a lot of good music!"

According to The Pulse Of Radio, IN THIS MOMENT vocalist Maria Brink has told Metal Hammer that she is mulling the possibility of doing her first solo album. Asked about her musical plans for 2018, Brink told the magazine: "I'm actually thinking, for the first time, of doing a solo album. I'm starting to slowly write, no hard plans. I'm not exactly sure when I'm gonna do it, but it'll be more of the obscure, intimate, quiet side of me."

Brink added: "Probably the only drums in it would be tribal drums and probably no distorted guitars. Just the softer side of me. That's who I am. Chris [Howorth, IN THIS MOMENT guitarist] would not want to do an obscure, artistic, dreamscaping album. That's not who he is."

Brink said that her solo performances would probably feature less theatrics, explaining: "It would be just me and a piano and one dress and candles all over the whole stage." She also said that the idea of performing without the band behind her "doesn't frighten" her. "It sounds amazing," she said. "I love change. I'm a Sagittarius and I love adventure and new beginnings, new experiences, because it makes me feel like I'm living.

"When I play piano by myself and sing, something really special happens. I connect to something that I love," she added.

"My favorite moment in our IN THIS MOMENT set is when I go out by myself to play a song on the piano. That would be me being able to do that for a whole intimate set, and I think it would fill my soul."

IN THIS MOMENT recently released a music video for the song "Roots", the latest track taken from the band's recently issued sixth studio album "Ritual".

In addition to the singles "Roots" and "Oh Lord", "Ritual" includes a cover of Phil Collins's "In The Air Tonight" and a duet with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford called "Black Wedding".

IN THIS MOMENT will headline the "Witching Hour" tour early next year with P.O.D., NEW YEARS DAY and DED appearing on select dates. The trek kicks off on January 16 in Charleston, South Carolina and closes on February 18 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On February 2nd, symphonic metal pioneers Therion will finally release Christofer Johnsson's monumental brainchild Beloved Antichrist, a sweeping rock opera loosely inspired by Vladímir Soloviov’s A Short Tale Of The Antichrist. The entire piece reaches an impressive length of 3 hours. Pre-order here, and find a first official trailer below.

The dramatic and epic opus comes to life through 27 different character roles, performed by long-time band members like Thomas Vikström, Lori Lewis and Chiara Malvestiti, amongst many others. The band have unveiled a lyric video for “Temple Of New Jerusalem”, which can be found below.

The cover artwork was designed by Thomas Ewerhart.

Tracklisting:

Act I
“Turn From Heaven”
“Where Will You Go?”
“Through Dust, Through Rain”
“Signs Are Here”
“Never Again”
“Bring Her Home”
“The Solid Black Beyond”
“The Crowning Of Splendour”
“Morning Has Broken”
“Garden Of Peace”
“Our Destiny”
“Anthem”
“The Palace Ball”
“Jewels From Afar”
“Hail Caesar!”
“What Is Wrong?”
“Nothing But My Name”

Act II
“The Arrival Of Apollonius”
“Pledging Loyalty”
“Night Reborn”
“Dagger Of God”
“Temple Of New Jerusalem”
“The Lions Roar”
“Bringing The Gospel”
“Laudate Dominum”
“Remaining Silent”
“Behold Antichrist”
“Cursed By The Fallen”
“Resurrection”
“To Where I Weep”
“Astral Sophia”
“Thy Will Be Done!”

Act III
“Shoot Them Down!”
“Beneath The Starry Skies”
“Forgive Me”
“The Wasteland Of My Heart”
“Burning The Palace”
“Prelude To War”
“Day Of Wrath”
“Rise To War”
“Time Has Come/Final Battle”
“My Voyage Carries On”
“Striking Darkness”
“Seeds Of Time”
“To Shine Forever”
“Theme Of Antichrist”

Trailer #1:

“Temple Of New Jerusalem” lyric video:

Back on October 12th, Mr. Big made their much-awaited return to the Philippines. Check out this recap video of the band's trip to Manila.

The band's latest album, Defying Gravity, deftly showcases that patented Mr. Big blend of crunch and melody, from the freight-train ride of opening cut "Open Your Eyes" to the harmony-laden wonderment of "Damn I'm In Love Again" to the grateful/wistful nostalgia of "1992" (recalling the days when the band was flying high atop the singles charts with their international #1 smash "To Be With You") to the barnburning slide-blues closer, "Be Kind”. Overall, Defying Gravity is prime evidence that the only thing Mr. Big remains tethered to is their ongoing pursuit of achieving creative excellence.

Defying Gravity tracklisting:

“Open Your Eyes”
“Defying Gravity”
“Everybody Needs A Little Trouble”
“Damn I’m In Love Again”
“Mean To Me”
“Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)”
“Forever And Back”
“She’s All Coming Back To Me Now”
“1992”
“Nothing At All”
“Be Kind”

DVD contents:

“Defying Gravity” (music video)
“Everybody Needs A Little Trouble” (music video)
Making of Defying Gravity (video)
Making of “Everybody Needs A Little Trouble” (video)
Track by track interview

“Defying Gravity” video:

“Forever And Back”:

“Mean To Me”:

“Everybody Needs A Little Trouble” video:

"1992":

The Making of "1992”:

Canadian power metallers The Order of Chaos will be unleashing their new EP Night Terror on February 23rd, 2018 to follow their 2015 full-length Apocalypse Moon (Killer Metal Records) that took the band on tours across China, Europe and Canada. The epic three song EP was produced by Nathan Kidd & Dave Stoten at Method Music Productions in Edmonton, AB represents their most mature and dynamic songwriting effort to date.

BraveWords is teaming up with the band to premier their new video for the EP's title track "Night Terror" directed and produced by their very own bassist Barrett Klesko who runs FadeBack Studios United. 

The band comments:

"We are incredibly excited to share 'Night Terror' with everyone who has supported us through the years as well as all heavy metal fanatics around the world!" Our new single presents a new sound and modern direction for The Order of Chaos, one that we couldn't be more ready to take to the stage!"

Tracklisting:

“Night Terror”
“False Security”
“New World Order”

(Photo by: Travis Nesbitt)

Japan's heavy/progressive power metal band, Saber Tiger, have joined the ranks at Sliptrick Records.

Saber Tiger was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita and they have been illuminating the Japanese metal scene ever since. In recent years, they have been more prolific than ever, leading to the international release of Bystander Effect via Sliptrick Records in March, 2018. The album illustrates the broad appeal of Saber Tiger. The riffs are intricate, yet catchy. The songs are heavy, yet melodic. And the vocals of Takenori Shimoyama are raw, but extremely passionate. As a result, the groups heavy metal is classic and timeless while at the same time having the potential to appeal to both traditional metal-heads and fans of contemporary power metal. There are even some progressive influences in their music. The band may have been around for a long time but there is a freshness and commitment to the music that belies their many years and the band certainly sound nothing if not contemporary.

The release of Bystander Effect is not just a simple reissue for the international market; four of the tracks, originally in Japanese, have been re-recorded with English lyrics, while the brand new acoustic instrumental "Ship Of Theseus" and a new recording of the Saber Tiger classic "First Class Fool" are exclusive to the Sliptrick Records release. Also, demo recordings of the spectacular tracks "Sin Eater" and "What I Used To Be" are included. There is no better way to get acquainted with Saber Tiger’s unique brand of heavy metal.

Saber Tiger commenced life in the same year as their famous compatriots Loudness and Anthem. Their somewhat remote location on the northern island of Hokkaido and the numerous lineup changes they had to endure in their early years have slowed down the band’s rise a little, but Kinoshita’s “never say die” determination has resulted in a legacy of first class metal. Besides Kinoshita and Shimoyama, Saber Tiger now consist of guitarist Yasuharu Tanaka, drummer Yasuhiro Mizuno and young bass wizard Hibiki, the most recent addition to the band.

In June of 2016, the band played its first two shows on European soil, which finally opened the door to introduce Japan’s best kept metal secret to the rest of the world. In case you missed that, the international release of Bystander Effect is your chance to get to know Saber Tiger. The album will be available on March 13th via Sliptrick Records.

Saber Tiger are:

Takenori Shimoyama - Vocals
Akihito Kinoshita - Guitar
Yasuharu Tanaka - Guitar
Yasuhiro Mizuno - Drums
Hibiki - Bass

Sign Of Cain - featuring Tomas “Tompa” Lindberg (At The Gates, The Lurking Fear) - are streaming the track "Bearing Eyes", featured on the band's To Be Drawn And To Drown album. Listen below.

Besides Tompa, the band consists of scene-veterans Tomer Hasenfratz (guitar, backing vocals: Viscera Trail), Tomy Minas (guitar: The Sin), Tuval Refaeli (drums: Viscera Trail, Equilibrium) and David Mauritzon (bass: Razor Rape). 18 years after its formation the band finally unleashed its debut, To Be Drawn And To Drown, out now via Apostasy Records.

To Be Drawn And To Drown tracklisting:

“Sign Of Cain”
“The Earth Collapses Behind”
“Path Of The Feeble”
“Thunders Never Followed”
“Scatter”
“Remembrance And Pain”
“Empires Ablaze With Unrest”
“Bearing Eyes”
“Again I Shed”

“Bearing Eyes”:

“The Earth Collapses Behind”:

Lineup:

Tomas Lindberg - Vocals (At The Gates, Disfear, The Lurking Fear)
Tomer Hasenfratz - Guitar, Backing vocals (Viscera Trail)
Tomy Minas - Guitar (The Sin)
Tuval Refaeli - Drums (Viscera Trail, Equilibrium)
David Mauritzon - Bass (Razorrape)

Reaper Entertainment has announced the signing of the Finnish female-fronted metal band, Evil Drive. The group was formed in January 2013 and their debut album, The Land Of The Dead, was released in 2016.

The band states: “After lengthy negotiations, Evil Drive is today proud to announce the signing of a record deal with German Reaper Entertainment Europe label. Reaper Entertainment was chosen because of the best deal and shared interests considering the longevity of the co-operation and the best possible future for the band. We believe that with the help of the Reaper people, Evil Drive will reach a whole new level as a band and the future looks very bright for us. However, we want to thank everyone who has supported us over five years already. We are also eager to meet new Evil Drive fans and supporters all around the world. We hope to see you all soon!”

Greg from Reaper adds: “We are absolutely proud we get the chance to sign such a brilliant band as Evil Drive. It’s an honour to welcome them to our young and fast-growing Reaper-family. To get the chance to work with such talented and promising artists is always amazing. We are really looking forward to this new signing and Evil Drive’s upcoming release, so should you!”

The sold-out debut album The Land Of The Dead was released in January 2016. Later on, Evil Drive has become one of the most talked of bands in the underground. Their unique blend of melodic death metal with thrash metal elements and strong female vocals have quickly made them a favourite for fans and critics alike.

The new album, titled Ragemaker, will be released in March of 2018. More info coming soon.

Evil Drive are:

Viktoria Viren - Vocals
Ville Wiren - Guitar
Juha Beck - Drums
Marko Syrjala- Bass
J-P Pusa -Guitar

Los Angeles-based band Cutthroat LA - featuring former touring Downset frontman Neil Roemer, brothers Art Banura (drums), Dan Banura (guitar, Murder Deathkill, Donnybrook) and Jesse Gomez (bass) - have released their new video, "Religion Breeds Violence", from their upcoming record produced by Rogelio Lozano (Downset, Powerflo) and Billy Graziadei (Biohazard, Powerflo).

Inspired by the streets and surrounding political and religious chaos, Cutthroat LA uses a mixture of hardcore, beatdown, 90s hip-hop and thrash metal as a canvas to express their music.

Cutthroat LA begins their South American tour with Brazilian hardcore band Worst on January 25th in Varginha, Brazil. See the tour flyer below for additional dates.

Finnish prog rock four-piece, Sisare, is releasing their new album, Leaving The Land, on January 19th via V.R.Label Finland. Now the band presents their second single, "Escape" - an epic progressive journey through different forms of life.

Along with the band’s signature sound of atmospheric melodies, the song introduces a hint of minimalism and a wall of fuzzy guitars. Utopian escapism is not only pursued by the vocals, but also by the lead guitar - an important narrative instrument in their distinctive style. Sit back, close your eyes and lose yourself to another world. We leave the land behind, grow our wings and free our mind.

Listen to the single now on Spotify, or via the SoundCloud widget below.

Last month the group released their first single and music video, "Geno" (see below). The upcoming album Leaving The Land explores the universe from multiple different perspectives. It dives through the concept of time, ego death and escapism - just to name a few. Every song is a story and a trip, where the band sometimes explores the rhythmic dimensions, sometimes stands in awe of all creation and sometimes rides towards the end or beginning of times with screaming fuzz.

The new album is more progressive, more psychedelic and less metal than their debut album Nature’s Despair. The atmospheric soundscapes and post-rocking guitars carry through the stories of Leaving the Land, where the lead guitar often takes the role of storytelling through melody. No keyboards were used in this record - this is pure guitar music!

“Sisare gives me the opportunity to search for new dimensions and narrate in free form, but without the possibility of using keyboards. This challenges me to find new perspectives to guitar arrangements - making every new composition an exploration to the very core of art rock.”

The band has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to get Leaving The Land pressed on vinyl. The album has been produced, recorded and mixed by Severi Peura and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Paradise Lost, Ulver, Electric Wizard).

Tracklisting:

"Escape"
"Mountains"
"Geno"
"Pace"
"Shattered"
"Perception"

"Escape":

"Geno" video:

(Photo - Juha Laurila)

Test Your Metal Records announce their latest signing, Mumbai rock 'n rollers Overhung for the re-release of their 2016 album, Moving Ahead.

The full length is an electrifying 10 tracks ready to blast from the stereo speakers and give fans that classic glam rock n' roll feel of the 70's and 80's. In their native country of India, the Mumbai rock band has been garnering praise along with their straight to the point lyrics about sex and more sex that they feel is still a topic too taboo to be spoken of.

Moving Ahead will be distributed in North America in 2018 (date to be determined) by Test Your Metal Records along with a new single to be released by the band entitled “King Of Dreams” at a later date.

TYM label A&R Mujeeb Basha comments: “The signing of Overhung may raise eyebrows, as it should. The band has already built a reputation in their home country rocking the foundations of ‘Hard Rock Cafes’ all over INDIA peddling their signature “Sex, Rum, and Rock&Roll!” Coming soon to North America through a partnership with TYMR, what you can expect is that Overhung will rock your socks off! The band has bold and audacious ideas and the cross-cultural partnership with Test Your Metal Records means 24/7 debauchery.”

Overhung vocalist Sujit Kumar adds: "We, at Overhung are really excited with the association with Test Your Metal Records. For a band that functions from different parts of the globe, Overhung has continued to write, record, release and tour and every year. Just as the album title "Moving Ahead" suggests, we've constantly moved ahead in some way or the other. Looking forward to taking the debauchery to North American shores."

Tracklisting:

"Sex Machine"
"Insane"
"Waiting"
"I Don’t Believe Her"
"Through The Slime"
"Waste"
"I Am I"
"Must Drink"
"Casual Bitch"
"You Think You’re So Cool"

Album and live band lineup:

Sujit Kumar - Vocals
Howard Pereira - Guitars
Crosby Fernandes - Bass
Sheldon Dixon - Drums

Italian rockers, Aeren, have released a video for "Breath Of Air", one of the featured tracks on their forthcoming album, Breakthru. Watch the clip below.

The album is due for release worldwide via Sliptrick Records on March 6th. The song itself tackles the subject of air pollution and the dramatic effect it’s been having on the world’s population. It features Aeren in somber mood for the opening moments until "Breath Of Air" kicks in with the band in strong, hard hitting, melodic form.

Aeren are:

Silvia Galetta - Vocals
Simone D’Andria - Guitar
Simone Solidoro - Bass/Piano/Keyboards
Cosimo De Marco - Drums

Finnish death/thrash metal band, Desecrated Grounds, has released their first ever single, "The Anthem Of The Faceless".

Says the band: "We decided to record this song to celebrate Finlands 100-Years independence, and show how we see things in here. The song is available currently on YouTube, but given few days, will also appear in Spotify and other streaming services! We invite you to celebrate 100-years of independence with us and also to see things as they truly are, not how you are told them to be!"

"The Anthem Of The Faceless" is featured on the band's debut full-length, Lord Of Insects, released back in September.

Corrosion Of Conformity's new album, No Cross No Crown, will be released via Nuclear Blast Entertainment worldwide on January 12th on CD, digital, vinyl, and cassette formats. Various pre-order bundles are currently available here.

In part six of J. Bennett’s roundtable with Corrosion Of Conformity, the band discusses forthcoming fan reaction and album reviews:

Find five more No Cross No Crown video blogs below.

No Cross No Crown tracklisting:

“Novus Deus”
“The Luddite”
“Cast The First Stone”
“No Cross”
“Wolf Named Crow”
“Little Man”
“Matre's Diem”
“Forgive Me”
“Nothing Left To Say”
“Sacred Isolation”
“Old Disaster”
“E.L.M.”
“No Cross No Crown”
“A Quest To Believe (A Call To The Void)”
“Son And Daughter”

No Cross No Crown trailer:

"Wolf Named Crow" video:

“Cast The First Stone”:

No Cross No Crown video blogs:

In advance of the release of No Cross No Crown, Corrosion Of Conformity will join Black Label Society for a mammoth North American live takeover. The tour begins tonight, December 27th, in Denver, Colorado and will wind its way through nearly four dozen cities, the journey coming to a close February 27th. Additional support will be provided by Eyehategod and Red Fang on select shows.

Corrosion Of Conformity is:

Pepper Keenan - vocals, guitar
Woodroe Weatherman - guitar
Mike Dean - bass, vocals
Reed Mullin - drums, vocals

(Photo - Dean Karr)

Dead Soul Communion - the band led by former Devilment guitarist Daniel Finch - have unveiled the cover art for their second album, MMXVIII, which is due for release in summer 2018. The new album is said to have taken a heavier approach, with 10 new songs written mainly by founder Daniel J Finch. Recording is due to start in January 2018.

The cover was designed and drawn by Drake Mefestta having done the cover art for the first DSC album. Finch met drake when he did the cover for his previous band Devilment. Drake has done a number of covers and art including 69 Eyes, Symphony X, Devilment and Cradle Of Filth.

The band released their  debut album in July 2017, gaining a lot of attention from the metal community. You can buy the album now direct from the band from their website or download from iTunes, Google Play & Amazon. Stream it from Apple Music and Spotify.

The band are also lining up a number of festival appearance in 2018.

Dead Soul Communion is:

Daniel Finch - guitars
Dan Jackson - guitars
Kev Jackson - bass
Simon Dawson - drums
Edwin Mascorn - vocals
Paul Jensen - vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards

A video recap of SABATON's first-ever headlining concert in Turkey, which was held on December 16 at Uniq in Istanbul, can be seen below.

SABATON will kick off a North American co-headlining tour with German thrash veterans KREATOR on February 8, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Opening the trek will be CYHRA, the new band featuring vocalist Jake E (ex-AMARANTHE), guitarist Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES), guitarist Euge Valovirta (ex-SHINING), bassist Peter Iwers (ex-IN FLAMES) and drummer Alex Landenburg (LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY).

SABATON's eighth album, "The Last Stand", was released in August 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Heroes" was once again produced by Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, LINDEMANN, HYPOCRISY).

The artwork for "The Last Stand" was created by Peter Sallaí, who has worked with SABATON since "Carolus Rex".

SABATON bassist Pär Sundström told Sticks For Stones in a recent interview that the band will not "do that much touring" in 2018. "We have been touring extensively the last years, and we did a lot in 2017 and 2016," he said. "In 2018, we need to focus on a new album. We have to take a little bit of time off from touring and focus on a new album. It's difficult to keep up the songwriting cycle that you used to have when you're touring more than ever, so we will have to take a little bit of a break in touring to make a new album."

SABATON last year parted ways with guitarist Thobbe Englund and replaced him with Tommy Johansson (GOLDEN RESURRECTION, REINXEED).