Swedish metallers, Denied, will release their new album, Freedom Of Speech, on February 13th via Sliptrick Records. A lyric video for the track "Scarred Soul" is available for streaming below.

Freedom Of Speech was co-produced, mixed and mastered by Fredrik Folkare at Chrome Studio Stockholm, Sweden. Lead vocals on all tracks by Johan Fahlberg (Jaded Heart) except "Don't You Know Me", "The Ferryman" and "Freedom Pf Speech". Keyboards and effects by Fredrik Folkare.

Very special guests on the album include Chris Laney (Pretty Maids), Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn), Andreas Larsson, and Madde Svärd.

The cover artwork for the disc was created by Alexander Lifbom.

Freedom Of Speech tracklisting:

"Alive"
"Don't You Know Me" (featuring Chris Laney)
"Scarred Soul"
"Domestic War"
"The Other Side"
"The Ferryman" (featuring Andreas Larsson)
"The Devil In Me"
"Three Degrees Of Evil"
"False Truth"
"Freedom Of Speech" (featuring Madde Svärd)
"Stay Hungry" (bonus track)

"Scarred Soul" lyric video:

Says the band: "Mastermind Fredrik Folkare has co-produced the album and has also handled the mixing and mastering. He has made the best sounding album in the history of the band that for sure will stand the test of time! It's heavy and crushing, right in your face!

"We wanted a different sound comparing to our previous CD, Let Them Burn, and Fredrik did a great job! He has also contributed with keywords, effects and also a killer outro guitar solo on the track "The Devil In Me".

"Our longtime friend and brother, Johan Falhberg has taken care of all lead vocals on the album except for three tracks. Johan has also been a big part of the album, writing great lyrics and melodies. Chris Laney has done a  guest appearance in the song "Dont You Know Me" that he co-wrote with the band and Johan Fahlberg. Chris also wrote all the song melodies and lyrics for the track "Domestic War".

"Singer Andreas Larsson who officially left the band late this year is handling the vocals for "The Ferryman" which he also wrote song melodies and lyrics for. The female vocals on the album are done by Madde Svärd at the end of the title track for the album. We have put our hearts and souls into every single track on the album! Some tracks are by far our heaviest ever and we have also written the most catchy and melodic stuff ever. A perfect mix of where the band stands today!"

Algy Ward has officially confirmed May 11th as the release date for the new Tank album, Sturmpanzer. The album will be released via Dissonance Productions.

Tracklisting:

"Two Thousand Miles Away"
"March"
"No More War"
"First They Killed Her Father"
"Sturmpanzer" (Parts 1 & 2)
"Lianne's Crying"
"Living In Fear Of God"
"Für Reich und Fatherland"
"The Last Soldier"
"Which Part Of Fuck Off Don't You Understand?"
"Little Darling"
"Revenge Of The Filth Hounds" (Parts 1 & 2)

All songs written, played & shouted by Algy Ward except "Little Darling", written by Philip Lynott (Thin Lizzy). Mixed & produced by Algy Ward and Guy Denning. Mastered by Tim Turan at Turan Audio.

(Photo - Dan Wright)

Damian Wilson (Headspace, Ayreon, ex-Threshold) and Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Snakecharmer) are releasing their second full-length album on February 16th to coincide with their February/March tour.

The album, containing 10 brand new songs, will feature Damian on vocals and acoustic guitar and Adam on piano, vocals and acoustic guitar. It also features guest musicians Andy Dunlop (Travis) on guitar, Ash Soan (Adele, Robbie Williams) on drums, Tony Woollard on cello and Haley Sanderson on backing vocals.

The album will be available as digipak CD and as digital download on all major platforms on February 16th. A 12" vinyl edition will be released in March.

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched where people can pre-order the album with some ‘backers only’ extras, including:

* A signed ‘backers only’ edition of the album
* A signed vinyl edition
* One of the original test pressings of the vinyl album
* The original lyrics workbook for the album
* A private song before one of the shows in February/March tour
* Have your portrait painted by Adam

All pre-order options include a digital download of the album, sent ahead of the official release date, with exclusive live bonus tracks; only available to backers.

Visit the campaign here.Tour dates:

February
1 - Washington, UK - Arts Centre
2 - Kinross, UK - Backstage
3 - Kirton In Lindsey, UK - Town Hall
4 - Milton Keynes, UK - The Stables
11 - Tavistock, UK - The Wharf
09 - Falmouth, UK - The Poly
10 - Penzance, UK - The Acorn
15 - London, UK - St Pancras Church
16 - Sandwich, UK - St Mary's Arts Centre
18 - Cardiff, UK - Acapela
22 - Solihull, UK - The Core Theatre
23 - Lowdham, UK - St Mary's Church
24 - Fletching, UK - Trading Boundaries
25 - Norwich, UK - Arts Centre

March
1 - Worcester, UK - Huntingdon Hall
2 - Bath, UK - Chapel Arts Centre
4 - York, UK - The Basement
5 - Dumfries, UK - Theatre Royal
15 - Dusseldorf, Germany - The Pitcher
16 - Hoofddorp, Netherlands - Podium Duycker
17 - Uden, Netherlands - Kruisherenkapel
18 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Paradox

Black Veil Brides have released their new single, "The Last One”, available for instant download when you pre-order the band’s new album, Vale. Digital pre-order options for the new album are available at this location. Vale will be released on January 12th.

"Incipiens Ad Finem"
"The Last One"
"Wake Up"
"When They Call My Name"
"The Outsider"
"Dead Man Walking (Overture II)"
"Our Destiny"
"The King Of Pain"
"My Vow"
"Ballad Of The Lonely Hearts"
"Throw The First Stone"
"Vale (This Is Where It Ends)"

"When They Call My Name”:

Early next year Black Veil Brides will embark upon The Resurrection Tour with Asking Alexandria; confirmed shows are as listed below.

January
10 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
11 - Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO
12 - Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland - Kansas City, MO
13 - Myth - Minneapolis, MN
15 - Pageant - St. Louis, MO
17 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA
18 - Monroe Live - Grand Rapids, MI
19 - Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI
20 - Riviera Theatre - Chicago, IL
23 - Academy - Birmingham, UK
24 - Academy - Manchester, UK
25 - Academy - Glasgow, UK
27 - Brixton - London, UK
29 - Palladium - Köln, Germany
30 - O13 - Tilburg, Netherlands
 
February
2 - Palladium - Worcester, MA
3 - State Theatre - Portland, ME
4 - M Telus - Montreal, QC
5 - Rebel - Toronto, ON
7 - Norva - Norfolk, VA
8 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY
9 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
10 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
12 - Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
13 - Marathon Music Works - Nashville, TN
14 - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre - Indianapolis, IN
16 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
17 - House Of Blues - Houston, TX
19 - El Rey Theater - Albuquerque, NM
20 - Marquee Theater - Tempe, AZ
22 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID
23 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
24 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
25 - Vogue - Vancouver, BC
27 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Spokane, WA
 
March
1 - The Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA
2 - House Of Blues - Las Vegas, NV

(Photo by Jonathan Weiner)

Legendary drummers and brothers Vinny and Carmine Appice teamed up for a new project, Appice, and released their debut album, Sinister, via SPV/Steamhammer back in October. Now you can listen to the full album and hear commentary on each track from the brothers. Get Sinister at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Sinister”
“Monsters And Heroes”
“Killing Floor”
“Danger”
“Drum Wars”
“Riot”
“Suddenly”
“In The Night”
“Future Past”
“You Got Me Running”
“Bros In Drums”
“War Cry”
“Sabbath Mash”

Album stream with track commentary:

"Monsters And Heroes" video:

"Monsters And Heroes” lyric video:

Carmine and Vinny will perform songs from Sinister at the 2018 Hall Of Heavy Metal History Celebrity Induction Ceremony, on January 24th.

"We are so excited to have Carmine and Vinny Appice perform some of the songs from their Sinister album, at the 2018 Hall Of Heavy Metal History Celebrity Induction Ceremony," says Hall Of Heavy Metal History President Pat Gesualdo. "Vinny was inducted into the Hall in 2017, and Carmine is going to be inducted in 2018."

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan and other metal royalty will be featured in the annual Hall Of Heavy Metal History induction ceremony.

The 2018 all-star induction ceremony takes place Wednesday, January 24th at the Anaheim Wyndham Garden Grove, Anaheim CA. Television and radio personality Eddie Trunk will host the event. An all-star jam and surprise artists will be part of the ceremony. Budderside will perform as special guests. Proceeds to benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund.

The 2018 Hall Of Heavy Metal History inductees Include:

- Bill Ward  (Black Sabbath, Ward One)
- Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
- Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs)
- Carmine Appice  (Ozzy, Michael Schenker, Paul Stanley), Induction by Vinny Appice
- Anvil
- Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, Rudess/Morgenstein)
- Riot
- Metal Mike Chlasciak (Halford, Painmuseum, Courtesy of Marshall Amps)
- Munsey Ricci (President, Skateboard Marketing)
- Exodus
- Sammy Ash (COO Sam Ash Music)
- Elliott Rubinson (Dean Guitars, with Rubinson family accepting the Induction)

Tickets at this location.

(Photo - Joey Wester)

Dutch epic death/black metallers Bleeding Gods will release their new album, Dodekathlon, on January 12th via Nuclear Blast. Today, the band present their Christmas present to all fans: the second single "Tripled Anger" is now available digitally.

The band have also released a stunning lyric video to accompany the release of the song, which features the artwork from the new album. Watch the video by Sebastiaan Spijker, below.

Guitarist Ramon Ploeg comments the song: "We are really proud to launch our second single 'Tripled Anger' from the new album Dodekathlon upon you! 'Tripled Anger' is about stealing the cattle of Geryones. Hercules' trip went to the hot desert and shot an arrow onto the sun. Apollo, God of the Sun, admired him and helped him. He pierced Geryones' tripled armour suit with one arrow and one shot. He stole the cattle and brought it back to King Eurystheus. This was Hercules' 10th labour of the series of 12. Sebastiaan did an awesome job making this lyric video, which also contains some artwork of the booklet in it. The motion artwork is created by The Glitch and he did an amazing job to turn the artwork become alive!"

Physical copies of Dodekathlon can be pre-ordered here. Pre-order the album digitally and receive “From Feast To Beast” and "Tripled Anger" instantly.

The album title Dodekathlon is referring to the Greek myth of the twelve labours of Hercules, the greatest of the ancient Greek heroes.´Driven mad by Hera (Queen of the Gods), Hercules slew his son, daughter and wife Megara. After recovering his sanity, Hercules deeply regretted his actions. He was purified by king Thespius, then traveled to Delphi to inquire how he could atone for his actions. Pythia, the oracle of Delphi, advised him to go to Tiryns and to serve his cousin king Eurystheus for twelve years, performing whatever labors Eurystheus might set him. In return, he would be rewarded with immortality. During these twelve years, Hercules is sent to perform twelve difficult labors, which has resulted in twelve album tracks: Every labor is a track, so the complete album tells the whole ancient story.

The album was recorded at Pitch Note Productions and Hal 5 Studio; mixed and mastered at Soundlodge Studio. The cover artwork was created by Dimitris Tzortzis from Immensa Artis.

Dodekathlon tracklisting:

“Bloodguilt (Nemean Lion)”
“Multiple Decapitation (Lernaean Hydra)”
“Beloved by Artemis (Ceryneian Hind)”
“From Feast To Beast (Erymanthian Boar)”
“Inhuman Humiliation (Augean Stables)”
“Birds Of Hate (Stymphalian Birds)”
“Saviour Of Crete (Cretan Bull)”
“Tyrannical Blood (Mares Of Diomedes)”
“Seeds Of Distrust (Belt Of Hippolyta)”
“Tripled Anger (Cattle Of Geryon)”
“Hera’s Orchard (Apples Of The Hesperides)”
“Hound Of Hell (Cerberus)”

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

Trailer #4:

“From Feast To Beast” behind-the-scenes:

“From Feast To Beast” video:

PAPA ROACH's music video for the song "Traumatic" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's ninth studio album, "Crooked Teeth", which was released on May 19 via Eleven Seven Music.

Written and recorded in a cramped North Hollywood studio, "Crooked Teeth" was produced by Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Colin Brittain, with the exception of "Born For Greatness", which saw the band collaborate with writer/producer Jason Evigan (Jason Derulo, Demi Lovato, Zedd, MAROON 5). Furlong and Brittain, who grew up listening to PAPA ROACH, inspired the band to revisit some of the traits that personally endeared the band to them, most notably singer Jacoby Shaddix's rapping technique and the band's intense live energy.

"The first time we met up with RAS and Colin, they said that [2000's] 'Infest' was on constant rotation when they were growing up and they wanted to bring back some of that fire," said Shaddix. Added Furlong: "The whole idea was to take the classic elements of PAPA ROACH that everyone loved and revamp them into a modern version of the sound through the creative process, and we ended up with a bold, courageous and more adventurous version of PAPA ROACH."

PAPA ROACH will return to the studio in the summer to resume work on its follow-up to "Crooked Teeth". Shaddix told TheRave TV earlier this month: "In June and July [of 2018], we're gonna step in the studio and continue working on the next record — we've already started work on the next record — and pick up where we left of with 'Crooked Teeth' and just keep kicking ass and taking names."

PAPA ROACH has been previewing a new song called "Geronimo" at some of the band's recent shows. Drummer Tony Palermo told Germany's Metal-Heads.de that the track's lyrics "are basically [about] Jacoby growing up and looking for stuff to do in a small town."

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area rockers Y&T will release their first-ever acoustic EP, "Acoustic Classix Vol. 1", in January. Recorded earlier this month, the effort contains six classic Y&T songs, including a few songs fans wouldn't expect to hear acoustically, each with a different spin.

Says the band: "This is a very special EP that gives Y&T fans a whole new way to enjoy these classic Y&T tunes."

"Acoustic Classix Vol. 1" track listing:

01. Contagious
02. Rock 'N' Roll's Gonna Save The World
03. Summertime Girls
04. Black Tiger
05. Barroom Boogie
06. Rescue Me

You can pre-order "Acoustic Classix Vol. 1" from the Y&T webstore.

Y&T has released 25 albums and 11 singles since 1976.

Guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti is Y&T's lone remaining original member. He is joined in the band's current lineup by John Nymann (guitar, vocals), Mike Vanderhule (drums) and Aaron Leigh (bass).

Two of Y&T's other founding members — drummer Leonard Haze, 61, and bassist Phil Kennemore, 57, who both had left the lineup — died from complications of lung cancer: Kennemore on January 7, 2011, and Haze on September 11, 2016.

"It was incredibly disheartening and emotionally wrenching," Meniketti told Recordnet.com about Kennemore and Haze's deaths. "Anything I can say just doesn't come up to describing it. When you lose your best buddy [Kennemore] you've been standing next to for 37 years, the best word is 'time.'

"You come out of it," the 64-year-old added. "When you've gone through all those hard times so often, losing him — on all of us — was not an easy thing. His spirit's still here. Regardless."

Y&T's live album, "Live At The Mystic", was released in November 2012 via Frontiers Records.

The band's first studio album in 13 years, "Facemelter", came out in May 2010 via Frontiers.

CORELEONI, the new project founded by GOTTHARD guitarist Leo Leoni to pay a very personal tribute to his rock and roll past, made its live debut last night (Thursday, December 21) at the Temus Club in Agno, Switzerland. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

CORELEONI's debut album, "The Greatest Hits - Part 1", will be released on February 23 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Leo Leoni is joined in CORELEONI by Ronnie Romero (LORDS OF BLACK, RAINBOW) on vocals, Hena Habegger on drums, Jgor Gianola on guitar and Mila Merker on bass.

Says Leo: "On the 25th anniversary of the release of the first GOTTHARD album, I wanted to pay tribute to songs like 'Downtown', 'Firedance', 'Higher', 'Here Comes The Heat', 'In The Name', 'Ride On…', 'Let It Be' and 'All I Care 4'. Songs that with GOTTHARD we have kind of left aside. We've re-recorded, refreshed, and 're-brushed' them in a respectful way. These songs are very dear to me and they are part of a period that will remain forever with me."

Leoni dusted these songs off and brough a new life to these overlooked masterpieces from his past.

"Walk On Water" is the sole new track featured on "The Greatest Hits - Part 1".

"This CORELEONI project made me feel so many emotions and memories, filling my heart with joy," says Leo. "I hope hearing these new versions gives all the GOTTHARD fans, especially the ones who knew and loved the band in the early days, the same great emotions that it has brought to me."

"The Greatest Hits - Part 1" track listing:

01. Il Padrino
02. Firedance
03. Downtown
04. Higher
05. Get It While You Can
06. In The Name
07. Let It Be
08. All I Care For
09. Walk On Water
10. Here Comes The Heat
11. Tell No Lies
12. Ride On
13. Anytime Anywhere
14. El Traidor (bonus track; CD edition only)

Since their formation in late 2012, Metaprism have grown into the melodic metal, dual vocaled powerhouse, that sees them climbing through the ranks both on home soil in the UK and internationally.

The dual vocalist dynamic of Theresa Smith and Joey Draper add an exciting contrast and edge, mixing it up with high soaring clean melodies, beautiful blended harmonies and raging aggressive growls. Add to this crushing modern metal riffing, blazing melodic solos and thunderous bass lines with prog infused drumming and you get the energetic and compelling sound that is Metaprism.

To support the upcoming release of their new album Catalyst To Awakening on January 26th, and their tour with Iced Earth earlier that month, Metaprism are now releasing a video for the track "Unleash The Fire". This song deals with finding your inner strength and what makes you you. Finding that you are stronger when you unleash your true self and not to conform to what others tell you to be, but instead embrace who you want to be. Watch the video below.

Catalyst To Awakening was mastered by Tony Lindgren (Dragonforce, Kreator, Angra) and contains guest appearances from Timo Somers (Delain) on the song "Anomalous II: Ghost Of Asylum" and from Marco Pastorino (Temperance) and Chiara Tricarico (Teodasia, former vocalist for Temperance) on the song "Incarcerate".

Catalyst To Awakening tracklisting:

"The Awakening"
"Codex Regius"
"Unleash The Fire"
"Incarcerate"
"Anomalous I: Illogical Era"
"Anomalous II: Ghost Of Asylum"
"Living By Proxy"
"Carve The Stone"
"Aftermath"
"Unanimous"
"Catharsis"

"Unleash The Fire" video:

Tour dates (with Iced Earth, Freedom Call):

January
9 - Garage - Saarbrücken, Germany
10 - Festsaal - Berlin, Germany
11 - Capitol - Hanover, Germany
12 - Musichall - Geiselwind, Germany
13 - Haus Auensee - Leipzig, Germany
14 - Hyde Park - Osnabrück, Germany
16 - Markthalle - Hamburg, Germany
17 - Schlachthof - Wiesbaden, Germany
18 - Zeche - Bochum, Germany
19 - Eventhall Airport - Obertraubling, Germany
20 - Kaminwerk - Memmingen, Germany
21 - Z7 - Pratteln, Switzerland

Dutch symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION have decided to release footage of their unique "Black X-mas" performance, recorded live at the 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands exactly one year ago. In the coming months, the band will unveil more videos online and on the band's streaming portals.

Watch a trailer below.

Although there has been huge demand for the band to do a 2017 edition of this special show, the band decided to give away free live footage to their fan-club members, after announcing a fall/winter 2018 European tour this November.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's "Black X-mas" show featured a stunning performance with special costumes, custom masks, and brand new visual effects, as well as special scenery and actors throughout the venue. Fans flocked from all over the world to catch it.

Fan-club members can access the newly released "Black X-mas" footage through the band's website at within-temptation.com. If you aren't a member yet, you can join the fan club for free.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's last studio album, "Hydra", came out in January 2014. The follow-up to 2011's "The Unforgiving" debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking WITHIN TEMPTATION's first appearance in the Billboard Top 20.

American industrial icons Ministry performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2016 for the second time. In the professionally filmed video below, the band perform "Just One Fix", "Stigmata", and "So What".

Ministry recently announced the new album AmeriKKKant, the band's first release for Nuclear Blast Records (worldwide), due out March 9th. The album's first single/official music video, "Antifa", stands up to the political chaos that is currently going on in America. Watch Al Jourgensen deconstruct the single below:

Produced by Al Jourgensen, recorded at Caribou Studios in Burbank, CA between January and May this year, and with striking artwork created by Mister Sam Shearon, the psychedelic, politically influenced and very much in-your-face AmeriKKKant's nine tracks are rooted in Jourgensen's unadulterated anger for what's happening in America today: the waning respect for the US Constitution, the growing acceptance of one's opinions replacing facts, the decline of our leaders' sense of morals, ethics and personal responsibility to the country and to their constituents, and the mad man in the White House.

Pre-order your physical or digital copy of AmeriKKKant via Nuclear Blast or Pledgemusic.com.

AmeriKKKant tracklisting:

"I Know Words"
"Twilight Zone"
"Victims Of A Clown"
"TV5/4Chan"
"We're Tired Of It"
"Wargasm"
"Antifa"
"Game Over"
"AmeriKKKa"

"Antifa" video:

To support the release of AmeriKKKant, Ministry will headline a five-week North American tour that kicks off March 22nd with the enigmatic Chelsea Wolfe supporting. Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 15 at 10 AM (local); for all ticket purchasing info, go to here.

Confirmed tour dates are as follows:

March
22 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
23 - Ventura Theatre - Ventura, CA
24 - Brooklyn Bowl - Las Vegas, NV
26 - Ace of Spades - Sacramento, CA
28 - Roseland Theatre - Portland, OR
29 - Vogue Theatre - Vancouver, BC
31 - Union Hall - Edmonton, AB

April
1 - Palace Theatre - Calgary, AB
3 - Wilma Theatre - Missoula, MT
5 - Boubon Theatre - Lincoln, NE
7 - Riviera Theatre - Chicago, IL
8 - Turner Hall Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI
10 - Bogart's - Cincinnati, OH
11 - 20 Monroe Live - Grand Rapids, MI
12 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN
14 - Opera House - Toronto, ON
15 - MTelus - Montreal, QC
17 - Royale - Boston, MA
18 - Aura - Portland, ME
19 - Paramount Theatre - Huntington, NY
21 - Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ
22 - Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY
23 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
25 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GA
26 - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
28 - Levitation Festival - Austin, TX

SAINTED SINNERS, the band featuring former ACCEPT singer David Reece, will release its second album, "Back With A Vengeance", on February 16, 2018 via El Puerto Records.

Expressing the "pure essence of rock 'n' roll" was the ambition that paired those four well-known and experienced musicians together in early 2016 to create and play the music which is deeply inside their hearts and in their blood. The love for rock legends, such as DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE, UFO, BLACK SABBATH, VAN HALEN and many others, built the cornerstone for the music of the new founded quartet called SAINTED SINNERS.

Fronted by the unique, soul-driven voice of American-born vocalist David Reece and highly gifted guitar player Frank Pané (BONFIRE), SAINTED SINNERS got completed by the dynamic rhythm section of the two former PURPENDICULAR members Malte Frederik Burkert (bass) and the Hungarian drum maestro Berci Hirleman.

"We were aiming for a more guitar-heavy approach this time and also a warmer, more ballsy sound," explains Pané and continues: "This time we already knew where to go. You definitely can hear my huge VAN HALEN and Randy Rhoads influences more than on the previous one. But it also has that DEEP PURPLE touch, even with less keyboards this time. In other songs, you definitely hear a RAINBOW and DIO influence... and it goes on and on. These influences are totally natural and are not planned. So we just go with the flow and that's the essence of rock 'n' roll for us."

The keyboards on "Back With A Vengeance" were handled by guest musicians Angel Vafeiadis and Eric Ragno, who is known for his work with Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley (KISS) and Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP).

"I'm really happy and satisfied with the end result," summarizes Pané. "Being a new band, it's hard to be recognized nowadays with all the hundreds of releases every month, so we wanted to make a statement that SAINTED SINNERS is a band you should look out for."

SAINTED SINNERS is:

David Reece - Vocals
Frank Pané - Guitar
Malte Frederik Burkert - Bass
Berci Hirleman - Drums

Two years of hard work, a new bass player (Natale Casile), dozens of hours spent in a recording studio and at the end the fantastic meeting with Anna Murphy (Cellar Darling, Lethe, ex-Eluveitie) and her incredible support and collaboration.

All this to give birth to Lenore S. Fingers' sophomore album, All Things Lost On Earth, which will be released on March 23rd via My Kingdom Music.

The band recorded the album with Alessio "Lex" Mauro's support in Italy and then flew to Lucerne (Switzerland) where Federica recorded her vocal parts at Soundfarm Studios under the great Anna Murphy's supervision, who worked at the keyboards parts and above all giving her incredible contribute to mixing the album. All Things Lost On Earth was finally mastered by Simon Jameson at BlackArt Audio Studio in Liestal, Switzerland.

Federica states: "We are very excited about all of this! I feel satisfied with what I have learned and acquired during this musical journey and I must say that this also is due to the collaboration with Anna! I want to thank her for the passion she trasmitted us; working with her has been a honor for us. I am sure that people who will listen to this new album will get in their hands the best Lenore S. Fingers music ever".

Cover and tracklisting to be revealed soon.

Few albums still feel relevant, fresh, and contemporary-sounding, ten-years after their initial release. The Ocean's Precambrian, originally released in November 2007, is one such case: the band's most mature and versatile album to that date, Precambrian is distinguished by complex yet intimate songwriting, huge orchestrations, subtle electronic textures and immense harmonic and dynamic density. With guests appearances by Caleb Scofield (Cave In, Old Man Gloom), Nate Newton (Converge), Tomas Hallbom (Breach), Eric Kalsbeek (ex-Textures), and musicians from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Precambrian remains a career-defining milestone for the band and a fan favorite.

To commemorate its release, Pelagic Records will issue a special tenth anniversary edition of Precambrian on March 16th, 2018. The 3xLP, available in three color variants, comes with a brand new studio re-recording of ten-minute opener "Rhyacian" featuring the current lineup of guitarist Robin Staps, vocalist Loic Rossetti, drummer Paul Seidel and bassist Mattias Hägerstrand.

Precambrian 10th Anniversary Edition 3xLP Tracklisting:

Side A:
"Hadean / The Long March Of The Yes-Men"
"Eoarchaean / The Great Void"
"Paleoarchaean / Man And The Sea"
 
Side B:
"Mesoarchaean / Legions Of Winged Octopi"
"Neoarchaean / To Burn The Duck Of Doubt"
 
Side C:
"Siderian"
"Rhyacian / Untimely Meditations"
"Orosirian / For The Great Blue Cold Now Reigns"
 
Side D:
"Statherian"
"Calymmian / Lake Disappointment"
 
Side E:
"Ectasian / De Profundis"
"Stenian / Mount Sorrow"
 
Side F:
"Tonian / Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind"
"Cryogenian"
"Rhyacian" (2017 Studio Version)

For pre-orders, visit this location.

In related news, The Ocean will revisit Precambrian during their headlining set at Doom Over Leipzig Festival on April 21st, 2018, where they will be performing the album in its entirety.

(photo: David Robison)

 

 

Frode Hovd’s Aldaria returns with a new all-star lineup to support Cancer Research. 100% of all income from this single will be donated to Cancer Research.

"This is a very important cause for me, as I lost my mother to this horrible disease in 2010," says Frode.

The single, "When The Time Has Come", will be available across all streaming and digital platforms soon, and at the official webstore, where you will get a special edition with a lossless audio file, instrumental, high resolution cover art, and lyrics. An official lyric video for the song can be found below. Buy the single here

Mixed and Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios. Cover art by Stan W Decker & Frode Hovd.

Vocals: Chris Bay (Freedom Call), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Ola Halen (ex-Insania Stockholm), Yannis Papadopoulos (Beast In Black) Mike Livas, Victor Emenka (Soulspell) Terje Harøy (Pyramaze) Siegfried Samer (Dragony), Todd Michael Hall (Riot V), David Åkesson (Qantice).

Guitars: Frode Hovd (Aldaria), Christer Harøy (Divided Multitude) Thobbe Englund (ex-Sabaton) Lars Rettkowitz (Freedom Call), Jimmy Hedlund (Falconer).

Bass: Ronnie König (Signum Regis).

Orchestration: Peter Crowley’s Fantasy Dream & Frode Hovd.

Drums: Morten Gade Sørensen (Pyramaze).

Trollzorn presents Catacombs, the new and third full-length from German old school death metal maniacs, Atomwinter. The album will be released on February 9th on CD, gatefold LP and in digital formats.

Catacombs sets the morbid underworld to music, creating a sinister, merciless and threatening atmosphere. This piece of raw and filthy death metal will crush down headbanger's minds like a war machine. There's no salvation for the damned.

A first track, "Necromancer", is available for streaming below.

Tracklisting:

"Intro"
"Catacombs"
"Dark Messiah"
"Sadistic Intent"
"Ancient Rites"
"Gathering of the Undead"
"Carved in Stone"
"Necromancer"
"Morbid Lies"
"Funeral of Flesh"

"Necromancer":

Heavy metal blues rockers LUCIFER have released a new song called "Faux Pharaoh". The track will appear on the band's upcoming second album, "Lucifer II", which will arrive before next summer.

LUCIFER earlier in the year parted ways with drummer Andrew Prestige and guitarist Gary "Gaz" Jennings. The now-Stockholm-Sweden-based group has since been joined by Nicke Andersson (IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC, THE HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) on drums, with Robin Tiderbrink handling guitar duties.

LUCIFER's debut album, "Lucifer I", was released in June 2015 via Rise Above Records.

Back in 2015, singer Johanna Sadonis, who was previously in THE OATH, told Jimmy Cabbs about LUCIFER's musical direction: "The original idea was to kind of take a bow towards the great bands of the '70s that are kind of the forefathers of heavy metal. And, I mean, all of us have been in many bands over many years and explored all the different extreme subgenres of metal. And things get more bottom-endy and heavier and heavier. But, I think, for music to be heavy, it doesn't necessarily have to be defined by the sound — being heavy. And I also think that, once you go through all these phases, and I think every heavy metal or rock fan, or whatever, can say this, you listen to all these different things and go through phases, and so on, but in the end, you always kind of, after filtering through it, realize that there's a reason why these great bands, like [BLACK] SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE and so on, they are timeless because they are just that good. And there's a reason why everything that came after is kind of based on that core, that original spirit of that music. I mean, by now I'm listening to the music my parents have listened to. I never thought that would be the case. I had a phase where I was listening to death metal and black metal for many years. But it always comes back to the classics, right?"

Photo by Ester Segarra

Swedish quartet TRIBULATION will release its new album, "Down Below", on January 26, 2018 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2015 release "The Children Of The Night" will feature artwork crafted by TRIBULATION guitarist Jonathan Hultén.

"Down Below" is preceded by a brand-new seven-inch EP. Titled "Lady Death", it includes the album track "Lady Death" as well as the B-side "Skärselden".

The official music video for "Lady Death" can be seen below.

TRIBULATION comments: "Today we are very pleased to announce the release of the second single of the upcoming album, 'Lady Death'! It is also our second collaboration with the film director Robert Piel, who has created the visuals that are accompanying the song. We are also very proud to to say that the amazing Anna Von Hausswolff has recorded an exclusive track for the b-side of the seven-inch version of the single! She also makes a guest appearance on the song 'Purgatorio' on the new album 'Down Below'!"

"Down Below" track listing:

01. The Lament
02. Nightbound
03. Lady Death
04. Subterranea
05. Purgatorio
06. Cries From The Underworld
07. Lacrimosa
08. The World
01. Here Be Dragons
10. Come, Become, To Be (bonus track)

TRIBULATION will commence its touring cycle for "Down Below" with runs across Central Europe and the U.K. supporting ARCH ENEMY and WINTERSUN, as well as dates in the East and South of Europe with INSOMNIUM.

TRIBULATION is:

Johannes Andersson - Vocals, Bass
Adam Zaars - Guitar
Jonathan Hultén - Guitar
Oscar Leander - Drums

KAMELOT has released a music video for the song "Under Grey Skies", featuring a guest appearance by DELAIN's Charlotte Wessels.

KAMELOT vocalist Tommy Karevik calls "Under Grey Skies" "one of my favorite songs" from the band's latest album, "Haven", and says that the track was written "about the importance of never giving up on yourself or the people around and that you can always make a difference in someone else's life. Sometimes by just believing in them or simply listening to what they have to say."

He adds: "It was very nice singing with Charlotte and her voice fits the song perfectly."

Adds Wessels: "I absolutely adore songs like 'Under Grey Skies' that inspire hope and optimism in the darkest of times. I was proud to be part of the track and even more thrilled that there's a video for the song to share now as well. Add to that the fact that KAMELOT and DELAIN will share the stage again in the U.S. this spring and I'd say there's plenty of things to get excited about!"

KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood states: "We wanted to release this video as a last 'Haven' Christmas gift to the fans.

"This album has reached so many new heights for us, thanks to the fans and some long and intense touring.

"The next album is almost ready to be unleashed in 2018. Get ready for a monster!!

"We approach the end of the 2017 and the ending of the epic 'Haven' tour. What an amazing time we have had with 'Haven', taking the band to new countries, cities and highest chart placements in the band's history. Debuting at #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Charts was a stunning reminder that we have the best fans in the world!!

"But wait! We will not leave for the Christmas break without dropping a nice and beautiful Christmas present here for all of you beautiful people! Here is our video for 'Under Grey Skies' featuring Charlotte Wessels from DELAIN. Also appearing on this track is Troy Donockley from NIGHTWISH. Enjoy and see you all on tour in 2018!!!"

KAMELOT recently spent time at a studio in Wolfsburg, Germany putting the finishing touches on its new album with producer Sascha Paeth. The follow-up to "Haven" will be released in early 2018 via Napalm.

Youngblood told Rock Overdose that the band's new material was harkening "back to the 'Ghost Opera' days a bit with 'Haven' elements."

"Haven" sold around 7,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was made available in May 2015 via Napalm Records as part of an exclusive licensing deal through the band's Kamelot Music LLC.

The official lyric video for the song "Zodd The Immortal" from BEAST IN BLACK, the Helsinki, Finland-based metal band led by former BATTLE BEAST guitarist and main songwriter Anton Kabanen, can be seen below. The track is taken from BEAST IN BLACK's debut album, "Berserker", which was released on November 3 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by Kabanen and recorded primarily at his studio, Sound Quest Studio. The cover artwork is a collaboration between Anton and Roman Ismailov, who was the original illustrator and graphic artist for BATTLE BEAST.

"Berserker" track listing:

01. Beast In Black
02. Blind And Frozen
03. Blood Of A Lion
04. Born Again
05. Zodd The Immortal
06. The Fifth Angel
07. Crazy, Mad, Insane
08. Hell For All Eternity (bonus track; digi only)
09. Eternal Fire
10. Go To Hell (bonus track; digi only)
11. End Of The World
12. Ghost In The Rain

The official video for the song "Blind And Frozen" can be seen below. The clip was directed by Ville Lipiäinen.

Kabanen stated: "'Blind And Frozen' is a super-catchy and massive song. Yannis's [Papadopoulos, vocals] interpretation and performance here is nothing short of pure perfection!"

BEAST IN BLACK was formed by Kabanen shortly after he exited BATTLE BEAST in early 2015. By the end of that year, his new group had played its first gig as opening act for NIGHTWISH.

The recording process for "Berserker" took more than a year and was completed this summer. The Nuclear Blast deal was inked almost immediately after BEAST IN BLACK put the finishing touches on the album.

According to a press release, "Berserker" "continues in the style of Anton's previously composed works which include the first three BATTLE BEAST albums. One of the essential themes on this debut album is the Japanese manga and anime Berserk."

Kabanen was dismissed from BATTLE BEAST in February 2015 due to what was described at the time as "insurmountable disagreements" with the other members of the band.

In a 2016 interview with Hungary's Hard Rock Magazin, Anton stated about his split with BATTLE BEAST: "To be honest, I'd prefer not to go into the truth how I see it, because probably it would only start an ugly and endless war of words. But at least to squeeze it into minimum without going into details, I can tell that hypocrisy, lying, opportunism and blackmailing was the name of the game. The whole thing was just wrong and twisted and there is no more BATTLE BEAST, if you ask me."

Kabanen admitted that it was "hard at first" to move forward after his departure from BATTLE BEAST "but the only solution was just to keep going." He added: "I got support from many dear people; fans, friends, colleagues, family and etc. I'm grateful to everyone who stood by my side. My passion is to create music and I always do it with full heart and uncompromised. So I kept writing new songs and tried to focus in forming a new band/project that would consist of people whose musical professionalism matches — or surpasses — my expectations and of people who would be honest and loyal friends."

Regarding why he chose to keep the word "beast" in the name of his new band, Anton said: "I want to continue my vision which I originally started with BATTLE BEAST. Basically, it means writing my own songs with freedom, and the beast has already become an essential part of my life. It's something like Eddie of IRON MAIDEN."

Asked how he would compare the music and the overall vibe of his new band to that of BATTLE BEAST, Anton said: "The feeling in this group is totally different. And only in a good way. Everyone can be themselves and we enjoy each other's company and I believe people will feel and see it. In BEAST IN BLACK, the level of musicianship is much higher than in BATTLE BEAST. The band rehearsals, the album recordings and the communication is so much smoother. The music itself is not gonna be so different, but it's gonna be more powerful and heavy."

BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo told Metal Assault earlier this year that the band parted ways with Anton because he "wanted to do all the songs and make decisions on everything, and we weren't willing to do that. We wanted this band to be involved, and have everyone write songs if they want to."

BEAST IN BLACK is:

Anton Kabanen (BATTLE BEAST) - Guitar, Vocals
Yannis Papadopoulos (WARDRUM) - Lead Vocals
Kasperi Heikkinen (U.D.O.) - Guitar
Máté Molnar (WISDOM) - Bass
Sami Hänninen (BRYMIR) - Drums

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES will stage their very own two-day festival called Borgholm Brinner (English-language translation: Borgholm Is Burning) next summer at the infamous Borgholm Castle of Eastern Sweden's island of Öland. On each evening, IN FLAMES will play an exclusive headline set after performances by around five other bands. The dates to remember are Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28.

Borgholm Brinner allows fans to be part of a milestone in IN FLAMES' history — an exclusive weekend filled with the best food and drinks (including singer Anders Fridén and guitarist Björn Gelotte's beer brand, Frequency Beer Works and an exclusive batch of In Flames Gin), fantastic bands and a few more surprises in an intimate setting.

Tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime festival experience go on sale January 29 at 10.00 a.m. CET. Make sure to visit www.borgholmbrinner.se and subscribe to the RSVP link to receive all updates immediately.

Fridén states: "I think every band dreams of being able to do this one day — at least for us it's always been in the back of our minds — and right now feels like the best time to do it.

"Whether or not it's putting on your own festival, it's an indescribable feeling to have created a community from your music, and even crazier to have the ability bring that community together in a physical place — playing and enjoying music together, drinking together etc. And in a castle of all places. That's another thing. It wouldn't be an IN FLAMES festival if it were just happening on a plot of dirt. It's got to be special so our fans can have the ultimate experience, so we can pay them back for being so great to us for 20 years with an awesome weekend they'll never forget. We've also hand-picked the best bands for everyone to enjoy and although we can't say who's playing yet, we can promise there will be no disappointments."

IN FLAMES last month surprised fans by releasing a four-track covers EP, "Down, Wicked & No Good". The collection includes the band's versions of DEPECHE MODE's 1997 hit single "It's No Good", ALICE IN CHAINS' "Down In A Hole", Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", and a live bonus version of NINE INCH NAILS' "Hurt".

IN FLAMES' 25-date European co-headline arena tour with American heavyweights FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and special guests OF MICE & MEN will close out tonight (Thursday, December 21) at London's Wembley Arena.

IN FLAMES' twelfth studio album, "Battles", was released in November 2016 via Nuclear Blast in all territories excluding North America and Scandinavia and Eleven Seven Music Group in the U.S.

One of hard rock’s most renowned emerging bands, Silvertung, is giving fans a backstage pass into the making of their critically-acclaimed acoustic album, Lighten Up, with the release of their first official DVD, which is available through their Pledge Music campaign which kicked off today (December 20th).

The Lighten Up DVD has Silvertung bringing its rock glory to full measure, resulting in one of the most exciting acoustic rock DVDs in quite sometime. While they may be offering a “softer” side in these newly recorded versions of their hits, make no mistake, this live DVD delivers stone-cold rock music at its very best. The result is an honest, in-your-face, music, played straight from-the-heart, with no gimmicks or studio enhancements.

Featuring candid and intimate footage shot with informal interviews and live performances spliced in, Lighten Up DVD finds the band delivering such signature hits as “Devil’s Advocate”, “Dig”, “I Don’t Care”, and more. Past videos including “Face The Music” and “You & Me” are also included in this riveting video.

Pledge Music fans will also have the opportunity to purchase signature Silvertung merchandise and memorabilia from the making of the Lighten Up album that has been bundled with the DVD including original hand-written lyric sheets, autographed drumhead, framed cover art work, and a DVD viewing party with all of the members of the band at the manager’s house in Baltimore in late January (a month before street date) with ten friends!

“Our Pledge Music Campaign is our holiday gift to our fans to give them the opportunity to own the DVD plus so much more before the DVD is available anywhere where else!” said Speed, lead vocalist for Silvertung. “We are really proud of this DVD and can’t wait to share the experience with the best fans on Earth.”

To learn more about the Silvertung Pledge Music Campaign and Lighten Up DVD, head here.

(Photo - James Roberts at Dark Nite Photography)

On December 21st 2011, the Canadian metal community lost one of its heroes, David Gold of Woods Of Ypres in a tragic car accident. On the 6th anniversary of his death, good friend and fellow metal brother, Morgan Rider of well-known Canadian death metallers Vesperia has released a tribute video covering Woods of Ypres' "Allure Of The Earth" under his acoustic doom, folk, blues, ambient and soul side project Deep Dark River. The video was shot in Whitby, UK, Sherwood Forest, UK and Clarington, ON. BraveWords is teaming up with Deep Dark River to premier this beautiful tribute to David Gold.

Morgan Rider comments: 

"I have recorded, filmed and edited a cover of the song I performed at his memorial (Allure of the Earth). A lot of this project has been inspired by David and his works, so I feel like this is an appropriate time to announce this project."

Deep Dark River's self-titled debut album is currently being recorded and is planned for a 2018 release.

PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS (formerly PHIL CAMPBELL'S ALL STARR BAND), the band featuring MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell alongside his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, plus vocalist Neil Starr, has released a performance video for its cover version of the HAWKWIND classic "Silver Machine" (featuring a guest appearance by original HAWKWIND member Dave Brock) honoring Campbell's longtime friend and companion, the late Lemmy Kilmister. The song will be available as a bonus track on the CD version of PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS' upcoming debut album, "The Age Of Absurdity", which will be released on January 26, 2018 via Nuclear Blast.

"The Age Of Absurdity" was recorded at Rockfield Studios and Longwave Studios in Wales and produced, engineered, and mixed by Romesh Dodangoda. The record was then passed over to the acclaimed Abbey Road Studios in London for mastering.

Commented Phil Campbell: "I am really excited for the fans to hear our debut record. Every part of the process was done in Wales, from the writing, to the recording and even the artwork!

"The album title, 'The Age Of Absurdity', was inspired by the crazy world we live in today. The world to me seems to be a bit of a theater show, so the album artwork idea just seemed to fit so well with the whole concept and album title."

Added Starr: "Writing and recording this album was a lot of fun. We got to record at Rockfield Studios where so many great artists had been over the years — it really was inspirational. Hearing the blistering riffs that the Campbell family seem to churn out effortlessly made me ensure I pushed myself to the limits when writing the melodies and lyrics. It's an album that I, and the rest of the band, are very proud of and can't wait to share it with the world!"

"The Age Of Absurdity" track listing:

01. Ringleader
02. Freak Show
03. Skin And Bones
04. Gypsy Kiss
05. Welcome To Hell
06. Dark Days
07. Dropping The Needle
08. Step Into The Fire
09. Get On Your Knees
10. High Rule
11. Into The Dark
12. Silver Machine (HAWKWIND cover feat. Dave Brock of HAWKWIND)*

* only to be included in the first pressing of the CD version of the album

The cover art was created by Matt Riste and can be seen below.

PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS' last release was a digital-only live EP, "Live At Solothurn", which came out in June.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has released a video for its surprise cover of THE OFFSPRING's "Gone Away", which originally appeared on that act's 1997 LP "Ixnay On The Hombre".

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory stated about the video: "Every song has exactly as many meanings as many people have heard it, but by creating a music video we can crystallize one of the possibilities, our personal interpretation, and share what those words mean to us personally.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and by taking a snapshot of our own perception of something, we are also sharing the impact it had on us.

"'Gone Away' is one of those songs that can hit you in the chest, and our interpretation may surprise some... but this is how we heard it."

"Gone Away" is included on FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's greatest-hits set, "A Decade Of Destruction", along with a new original tune called "Trouble". Upon the album's release, the former track immediately hit #1 on both the iTunes Rock and Metal charts and broke inside the Top 15 on Spotify's U.S. and Global Viral 50 charts. The "Gone Away" lyric video — available on Vevo and YouTube — has garnered over two million views, while the song has amassed six million streams worldwide. "Trouble", meanwhile, racked up over two million streams worldwide in just a few weeks, making it the band's biggest streaming debut for a lead track.

Drummer Jeremy Spencer told Razor 94.7 that he was unsure about doing a greatest-hits LP at first, saying: "I was, like, 'Do we even have enough hits?' And then we looked and we have like 13 or 15 radio hits."

The hits collection and an already completed new studio album are part of a deal to settle a legal dispute and close out the band's contract with its label, Prospect Park.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's seventh full-length LP, which was finished nearly a year ago, will follow up 2015's "Got Your Six" and will be released in spring 2018.

The band has just finished a European arena tour with IN FLAMES and OF MICE & MEN.

Earlier this month, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH celebrated the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) platinum certifications of its "American Capitalist" (2011) and "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Vol. 1" (2013) albums.

"War Is The Answer", the band's 2009 album, and its hit single "Bad Company" previously went platinum in 2016 and 2013, respectively.

Infectus 13 have uploaded a new video tribute. As the project has been plagued by delays due to Sid Falck's ongoing health problems, it was decided in December of 2016 to start releasing some cover/tribute songs, that had originally been meant as "bonus" material for the eventual album.

The current upload, is a tribute to Slayer, in the form of "South Of Heaven". Like most other musicians in the thrash/power metal genre, the personnel in I13, has been influenced in many ways by the mighty Slayer. From their raw power, brutal "Take no prisoners" attitude, to the sometimes surprisingly melodic passages, to the often overlooked meaning and social commentary in their lyrics. On this release, I13 invited Jörgen Kristensen, guitarist and growler of Swedish death metal band Dead Awaken to contribute.

Says Sid Falck: "We have uploaded the next tribute song to our YouTube channel for those still interested to check out. This will be the next to last "tribute" song we will be putting out. It was my initial intention to put these songs out here now, while I am dealing with forced downtime, for people to at least have something from I13 to enjoy and help fill the downtime, while the writing and recording has been forced to temporarily stop. However, these songs have, quite understandably really, been met with very little interest, so it seems somewhat pointless to keep going on with them. After all, I13 was meant to be an original album project, not a cover band. We therefore have only one more tribute song to go, which I hope will be ready by the end of December. Thanks to those of you who still show an interest."

Further, Sid continues to fight his health demons. Besides a second Lumbar fusion in June of 2017, he also underwent a Bladder Cystoscopy in October, and a partial prostate removal in November. Biopsy results were such that he will be needing regular tests and monitoring. Further, on December 22nd, Sid will undergo further surgery to remove his gall bladder.

In a post on his personal Facebook page, he joked that: "When I signed on to become an organ donor, I didn't expect the donation process to begin this soon. I fully expected it to not come into play until after I croak."

For now, I13 expect to set up studio and resume the writing and recording process around March of 2018. Stay tuned for updates.

For more on Infectus 13 go to this location.