Frontiers Music Srl will release JORN's brand new studio album, titled "Life On Death Road", on June 2. A trailer for the disc can be seen below. Easily one of the greatest rock singers of the 21st century, Norway's very own giant Viking warrior Jorn Lande's vocals are resoundingly strong once again on his ninth original studio album, "Life On Death Road". This absolutely brilliant new album sees Lande attacking the microphone with rejuvenated vigor, accompanied by a new band and a bigger and stronger sound. "Life On Death Road" took several months of hard work for the songwriting vision to come together. Jorn needed to take the music to a new level to push the concept of the band further than it has ever gone before. The result is a record that is deep, strong, full of groove and powerful with anthemic songs aplenty. Songs like "Man Of The '80s", "Love Is The Remedy", "Life On Death Road", "Insoluble Maze (Dreams In The Blindness)", and "The Slippery Slope (Hangman's Rope)" capture the essence of Jorn as a singer, songwriter and lyricist. Jorn says: "It's easily one of the best albums I've ever recorded. This was all about putting the right people together for the right result, and about taking the necessary time to work more thoroughly and in depth with the material we chose for the album.

"The older I get, the more I feel it is necessary to listen to my heart and look for that genuine and honest feeling that made me take interest in music in the first place.

"Back in the '70s and early '80s when I grew up, people and music were more free and so the presence of feeling and soul came more naturally and was expected from an artist or a band. This is the energy and craftmanship we've been looking for, but still keeping a pulse on the modern times we live in.

"'Life On Death Road' is an original album that is pretty much summing up the last 40-50 years of rock and metal and has become a hybrid modern heavy rock album without losing those tasty elements of a good aged wine. Regardless, we're all products of our time, and the feeling, soul and symbioses we've achieved for this album is a rarity in today's music world, so in that sense this album is a true old school sailors' 'tall ship adventure.' From start to finish, it took us nearly three years to finalize and I'm really proud to say that this album is the proof that classic albums can still be made." The album also marks the debut of a new lineup of very experienced and gifted musicians around the Norwegian singer. On bass is Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER, KISKE/SOMERVILLE) who needs virtually no introduction to European heavy metal fanatics. On keyboards and production is Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE, REVOLUTION SAINTS), who already joined JORN for the recording of his last covers album, "Heavy Rock Radio" and was the glue that helped Jorn to create the feel and the direction for the new album. Francesco Iovino (PRIMAL FEAR) is on drums and Alex Beyrodt (PRIMAL FEAR, VOODOO CIRCLE) handles guitar. Truly a recipe for a roaring success! Jorn had no desire to do "just another" JORN record. The aim was to do the best record possible and it took almost two years of writing, arranging, and producing before wrapping this all up. The performances are thunderous across the board and you can hear the urgency of these songs in Jorn's singing! Jorn's catalogue is getting too long to include in brief overviews and his innovative and creative skills as a vocalist and music visionary have led to him selling millions of albums worldwide while being a frequent entrant on sales charts around the world, including Billboard. Worth a mention here though are his years fronting MASTERPLAN, whom he recorded three albums with. He has also recently collaborated with the world's biggest online gaming company, Riot Games, providing vocals for the virtual band "PENTAKILL" in the game "League Of Legends". Claimed to be the biggest-selling Norwegian musical export since the pop band A-HA, Jorn continues his rock crusade and there are no signs of him slowing down and "Life On Death Road" is a magnificent testament to his abilities! "Life on Death Road" track listing:

01. Life On Death Road02. Hammered To The Cross (The Business)03. Love Is The Remedy04. Dreamwalker05. Fire To The Sun06. Insoluble Maze (Dreams In The Blindness)07. I Walked Away08. The Slippery Slope (Hangman's Rope)09. Devil You Can Drive10. The Optimist11. Man Of The '80s12. Blackbirds JORN is:

Jorn Lande - VocalsAlex Beyrodt - GuitarsMat Sinner - Bass Alessandro Del Vecchio - KeyboardsFrancesco Iovino - Drums

Frontiers Music Srl will release SNAKECHARMER's sophomore album, "Second Skin", on May 12.

The song "Punching Above My Weight", taken from "Second Skin", can be streamed below. The British hard rock supergroup SNAKECHARMER was originally founded in 2011 by former WHITESNAKE members Micky Moody and Neil Murray along with the perfect mix of high-caliber musicians, including Laurie Wisefield (WISHBONE ASH), Harry James (THUNDER, MAGNUM), Adam Wakeman (OZZY OSBOURNE), and Chris Ousey (HEARTLAND). The band's debut self-titled album was released in 2013 and musically the record showed a finely crafted hard rock style mixed with blues and melodic overtones, akin to Micky and Neil's former band and BAD COMPANY, with hints of early FOREIGNER as well. SNAKECHARMER played live shows regularly in support of the album's release and built a solid fanbase in Europe. In 2016, Moody left the band and was replaced by the Irish-born Simon McBride on lead guitar. Simon was hailed "among the best blues-rock players anywhere in the world" by Guitarist magazine and has built up an impressive resume playing with outstanding rock, soul, and blues artists. "Second Skin" is the hotly anticipated second effort from SNAKECHARMER and brings the listener straight back to the good old days of real rock n' roll played with heart and soul. Slightly harder edged compared to the debut, but with roots still firmly planted in the classic hard rock vibe with a hint of late '70s AOR, this new record sounds fresh and crisp. Murray says: "It's been a rather long journey, but finally I'm very pleased to announce that SNAKECHARMER are soon to release our new album, 'Second Skin'.

"The band has now found its own unique musical identity and in particular Laurie Wisefield and Chris Ousey have contributed some very powerful and melodic songs, which still have the SNAKECHARMER blues-rock distinctive trademarks.

"The band works in a very democratic and collaborative way, which means that sometimes there is a lot of discussion before decisions are finally made, and it was great to have a more objective viewpoint from producer Gary Stevenson, who also fired the band up with his ideas, enthusiasm and sonic skills.

"We can't wait to get out on tour and play some of the new songs, together with the best of our established classics, both SNAKECHARMER and WHITESNAKE, and showcase our new virtuoso guitarist, the brilliant Simon McBride." Track listing:

01. Sounds Like A Plan02. That Kind Of Love03. Are You Ready To Fly04. Follow Me Under05. I'll Take You As You Are06. Hell Of A Way To Live07. Fade Away08. Dress It Up09. Punching Above My Weight10. Forgive & Forget11. Where Do We Go From Here SNAKECHARMER is:

Chris Ousey - vocalsLaurie Wisefield - guitarSimon McBride - guitarAdam Wakeman - keyboardsNeil Murray - bassHarry James - drums

Atmospheric doom metallers, Trees Of Eternity, featuring Fredrik Norrman and Mattias Norrman (ex-Katatonia, October Tide) and Kai Hahto (Wintersun, Swallow The Sun), have released a lyric video for “Eye Of Night”, a track of their new album, Hour Of The Nightingale, out now via Svart Records. Watch the new clip below.

Hour Of The Nightingale tracklisting:

“My Requiem”
“Eye Of Night”
“Condemned To Silence” (feat. Mick Moss of Antimatter)
“A Million Tears”
“Hour Of The Nightingale”
“The Passage”
“Broken Mirror”
“Black Ocean”
“Sinking Ships”
“Gallows Bird” (feat. Nick Holmes of Paradise Lost)

“Eye Of Night” lyric video:

“Hour Of The Nightingale” lyric video:

“A Million Tears” lyric video:

“Broken Mirror” lyric video:

Sampler:

German alcohol-soaked thrash metal act, Tankard, will celebrate their 35th anniversary with the release of their 17th studio album, One Foot In The Grave, to be issued on June 2nd via Nuclear Blast. In the new trailer below, the band discuss the album title and artwork:

A recent message from Tankard about the cover artwork: “With this, our iconic mascot, the Tankard-Alien, celebrates his return after about 13 years of absence. The alien was born in 1989 with the Alien EP and has already graced five album covers. Our fan club, Maniac Aliens, is named after it also. The artwork was brought to life by Patrick Strogulski, who is a student of Sebastian Krüger, the former Tankard cover artist. He also created the cover artworks for A Girl Called Cerveza and R.I.B..”

Tracklisting:

“Pay To Pray”
“Arena Of The True Lies”
“Don’t Bullshit Us!”
“One Foot In The Grave”
“Syrian Nightmare”
“Northern Crown (Lament Of The Undead King)”
“Lock ‘Em Up!”
“The Evil That Men Display”
“Secret Order 1516”
“Sole Grinder”

“Arena Of The True Lies” lyric video:

Listening session impressions:

Behind-the-scenes with song snippets:

Upcoming Tankard tour dates are listed on the flyer below:

Colorado-based black metal band, Nightbringer, have released “Serpent Sun”, featured on the band’s new album, Terra Damnata, out now via Season Of Mist. The track is available for streaming below.

Recorded once again with Dave Otero (Cobalt, Cephalic Carnage, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire), Terra Damnata is a truly explosive take on metal's most orthodox sub-genre. On tracks such as "As Wolves Among Ruins", "Serpent Sun" and "Misrule" violent, breakneck speeds collide with whirling, pitch-black riffs and melodies as Nightbringer explore the darkest depths of true evil.

Tracklisting:

“As Wolves Amongst Ruins”
“Misrule”
“Midnight's Crown”
“Of The Key And Crossed Bones”
“Let Silence be His Sacred Name”
“Inheritor Of A Dying World”
“The Lamp Of Inverse Light”
“Serpent Sun”

“Serpent Sun”:

“Of The Key And Crossed Bones”:

The revamped version of RAINBOW recently entered the studio to record band's first new music in more than two decades.

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT last year to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of the band he had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

Although Ritchie initially said that he had no plans to make a new RAINBOW album — explaining in early 2016 that he wanted to "just get back to playing the old songs one more time" — he appears to have changed his mind. He told Japan's Burrn! magazine for its May 2017 issue that the current incarnation of RAINBOW — which includes singer Ronnie Romero, originally from Chile but now settled in Madrid, Spain — is in the process of recording two tracks. "I wrote one new song, and also recorded one of the old ones," he said, according to The Highway Star. "Ronnie, who is in Madrid now, added his vocals and sent it back. Rather than make an album, we may release as singles."

Blackmore was also full of praise for Romero, who spends some of his time fronting the Spanish metal band LORDS OF BLACK and is a member of a new project called THE FERRYMEN. "When I heard him, he seemed like the right guy to sing the [Ronnie James] Dio-era songs of RAINBOW," Ritchie said. "He is versatile, he can sing like Freddie Mercury or Ronnie James Dio or Graham Bonnet.

"The reason I did not ask [former RAINBOW singer] Joe Lynn Turner [to get involved in the RAINBOW comeback] is because I thought European fans wanted to hear the Dio lineup of RAINBOW.

"I was very surprised that tickets [to the first RAINBOW comeback shows] sold out in 15 minutes. It was nice to know so many people wanted to hear RAINBOW at this time."

Joe Lynn Turner last year slammed Blackmore for the guitarist's decision to go out and perform classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more "authentic" lineup.

Less critical of the new RAINBOW lineup was former DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, who admitted to Metal Express Radio earlier this year that he had watched some YouTube clips of the new RAINBOW lineup performing in 2016. "Singing Ronnie's [James Dio] songs needs a special kind of singer and I think the young chap did a reasonably good job and I think Ritchie may well have found the guy for him," Hughes said of Romero. "He was certainly a good fit for RAINBOW."

In addition to Romero, Blackmore was joined at last year's RAINBOW gigs by STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT), and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany last June were caught on camera to produce "Memories In Rock - Live In Germany", which was released in November via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

After Ritchie left DEEP PURPLE for the final time in 1993, he reformed RAINBOW for one album (1995's "Stranger In Us All") and one tour, ending things in Denmark in 1997.

MR. BIG has set "Defying Gravity" as the title of its new album, tentatively due this fall via Frontiers Music Srl. The follow-up to 2014's "...The Stories We Could Tell" is being produced by Kevin Elson, who helmed all of MR. BIG's early LPs, including "Mr. Big" (1989), "Lean Into It" (1991) and "Bump Ahead" (1993).

"Defying Gravity" will feature MR. BIG's original lineup — Paul Gilbert on guitar, Eric Martin on lead vocals, Billy Sheehan on bass and Pat Torpey on drums — with a special guest appearance by drummer Matt Starr. Starr has been filling in on the road for Torpey, who has had limited involvement with MR. BIG on the road since he was told he had Parkinson's disease in 2014.

The 57-year-old drummer told CrypticRock.com about his diagnosis: "What was really great about it is that I found out how many people really care about me and the great support system I have around me with the guys in the band, our management, and especially my wife. My wife is my guardian angel; she basically saved me. It was tough, but I am doing much better. I found a way, and I'm trying to do it every day."

"…Stories We Could Tell" was produced by Pat Regan, known for his work with DEEP PURPLE, WARRANT and KEEL. Formed in 1988, MR. BIG forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original lineup produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres, be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" and "Just Take My Heart".

According to The Pulse Of Radio, MASTODON bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders and guitarist Bill Kelliher explained in a new interview with Noisey that the band doesn't let online trolls and haters — and even some of their own fans — get to them with criticism about their sound or the way it's changed. Kelliher said, "Our fucking fans are nuts. They pick apart every fucking note, every fucking word, who's singing what, why this song doesn't sound like the last song, why this song sucks because it's different."

Kelliher added: "I read these comments on the internet of people saying we sold out by playing songs like 'Show Yourself'. Who the fuck are you? What do you mean we sold out? I'll play whatever music I want to play! I'll put out a goddamn pop record if I want to. I don't have to answer to anybody but my bandmates — and my wife."

Kelliher offered his perception of who some of these alleged fans are, saying: "There's people that follow the MASTODON Facebook page and then they talk shit. Are you just trying to be cool? I think of a pimply-faced 14-year-old in his underpants sitting on his computer. Where's your band that you've had for 17 years? Where are your three-time Grammy loser certificates?"

MASTODON has been nominated for a Grammy three times in the "Best Metal Performance" category over the years, losing all three times.

"Show Yourself" is currently No. 8 on the rock radio chart, the biggest single of MASTODON's career.

The track is taken from the group's seventh studio album, "Emperor Of Sand", which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart last week, making it their third Top 10 album

MASTODON has just kicked off a spring U.S. headline tour that brings the band to San Francisco on Tuesday (April 18).

Swedish/Danish melodic metal act, Amaranthe, performed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air in the summer of 2012 with their three singers. Footage of the full performance is available for streaming below.

Setlist:

“Leave Everything Behind”
“Enter the Maze”
“1,000,000 Lightyears”
“Serendipity”
“Amaranthine”
“Rain”
“Call Out My Name”
“Automatic”
“Hunger”

Los Angeles-based hard rockers, Edge Of Paradise, have released a lyric video for "Dust To Dust" from their new Alive EP, check it out below:

Check out BraveWords’ Edge Of Paradise feature here.

“Alive”
“Dust To Dust”
“Mystery”
“Shade Of Crazy”
“Humanoid”

“Alive” video:

Catch Edge Of Paradise live in concert:

April
21 - The Soundbox Tavern - Simpsonville, SC
22 - The Drunk Horse - Fayetteville, NC 
   
June
7 - Viper Room - West Hollywood, CA  
  
July
28 - Funhouse - Seattle, WA  
29 - Rock Hard DPX - Portland, OR

August
8 - DiPiazza's - Long Beach, CA
9 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
  
September
23 - Female Metal Event - Eindhoven, Netherlands

(Photo - Kevin Estrada)

Finnish symphonic metallers Nightwish have checked in with the following update:

The book Marco Hietala - Ruostumaton will tell the story of Marco Hietala with all its joys and sorrows, successes and adversities. Finnish edition is now available for pre-order at this location. All pre-ordered books will be autographed. Information about the English edition will follow."

2016 was a triumphant year for Delain with the release of their EP Lunar Prelude, their latest full length Moonbathers, relentless touring and the celebrations of their 10 year anniversary in a sold out Paradiso, which will appear on live DVD/Blu-ray.

Celebrating what has been an incredible year and making 2017 a worthy successor, Delain announce a very special run of shows for October 2017, dubbed the Danse Macabre tour.

Joining the band for this exclusive set of dates is long-time friend and collaborator, Nightwish lynchpin Marco Hietala. Having contributed to most of Delain's records with guest appearances and after worldwide requests from fans, Delain and Hietala will now storm the stage together on the Danse Macabre tour.

These shows will feature a specially selected set list of rarely heard Delain songs, a sneak preview of new material, special effects and much more. Danse Macabre promises to be a spectacular evening with Delain!

Dates:

October
26 - Paris, France - Alhambra
27 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
28 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
29 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
31 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Tivoli

November
1 - London, UK - Koko  

Legendary British guitarist and composer Allan Holdsworth has died at the age of 70. In a short statement his daughter Louise said on Facebook: "It is with heavy hearts that we notify everyone of the passing of our beloved father. We would appreciate privacy and time while we grieve the loss of our dad, grandad, friend and musical genius. We will update close friends and family when service arrangements have been made and will notify the public of an open memorial service, which all would be welcome. We are undeniably still in shock with his unexpected death and cannot begin to put into words the overwhelming sadness we are experiencing. He is missed tremendously. Louise, Sam, Emily & Rori."

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted a tribute to Holdsworth aong with the following message:

"Losing the one of a kind incredible guitarist, Allan Holdsworth is devasting to the music world. His playing was remarkably unique and influenced everyone I make music with. He left behind so much great music. If you are not familiar with his work, go explore and have your mind expanded! 
This GeoShred clip was made as a tribute to him." 

Other members of the rock and metal community took to social media to express their condolences and admiration for Holdsworth in the wake of his death.

 
 
Alan Holdsworth...RIP...Stunning Guitarist. Thoughts & Prayers To His Family, Friends & Fans... pic.twitter.com/tTDmObQwun

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) 16 April 2017

 
 
I'm very saddened to hear about the death of Allan Holdsworth today. He was a huge influence on my playing as... https://t.co/gUzIYxlEjd

— John Petrucci (@JPetrucci) 16 April 2017

 
 
Rest in peace, my brother Allan pic.twitter.com/drfLxTCev1

— Tony MacAlpine (@tonymacalpine) 16 April 2017

 
 
Very sad to hear about the loss of Allan Holdsworth. We were just at NAMM together for ISP! A brilliant guitarist & innovator. God Bless you

— MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) 16 April 2017

 
 
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. pic.twitter.com/ubyzaV6JXH

— Michael Amott (@Michael_Amott) 16 April 2017

 
 
Huge loss, true genius. His music went over heads at times (mine 2 admittedly) but brilliant uncompromising & impactful RIP#AllanHoldsworth pic.twitter.com/6H6tiKe2gn

— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) 16 April 2017

 
 
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. You remain an enormous inspiration to me. Your beautiful music will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/UEpuqCTm8s

— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) 16 April 2017

Holdsworth, born in Bradford, England in 1946, embarked on a solo career as composer and bandleader exclusively in 1979. Holdsworth’s career as producer, bandleader, and lead composer is documented in a new box set called The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever, featuring a 28-track selection of favorites on his label Eidolon Efformation featuring material from 1982 through 2003.

Holdsworth has been recognized by many of the world’s most accomplished and unique rock and jazz guitar virtuosos. Luminaries including Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello universally expressed reverence and astonishment at Holdsworth’s pioneering approach to his playing and vast vocabulary of “uncommon” chord voicings.

He further expanded the guitar’s orchestral potential with a range of electronic effects, then moved on to become one of the early innovators of guitar-based synthesizer controllers. In the nearly five decades Holdsworth has been touring, collaborating, and recording, he has created an immense sonic and musical legacy.

In the ‘70s he played with legendary Miles Davis drummer, Tony Williams and Cream bassist Jack Bruce as the band Lifetime, and toured with Soft Machine. He worked with former Yes and King Crimson drummer, Bill Bruford’s first solo project, Feels Good To Me, and subsequent recordings with Jean-Luc Ponty, and Gong. Bruford suggested Allan for the progressive-rock “supergroup,” U.K., which, along with Bruford, also featured John Wetton and Eddie Jobson.

This new episode of the Digital Tour Bus series, Bus Invaders, takes you inside the touring vehicle of the heavy metal musicians Max & Iggor Cavalera (ex-Sepultura):

In November/December, Max & Iggor Cavalera will be back in Europe on the MTV Headbangers' Ball Tour 2017, with support from Overkill, Insomnium and Deserted Fear. A trailer video can be found below.

Tour dates:

November
26 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
27 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA
29 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit
30 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys

December
1 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Bash
3 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
4 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
7 - Pratteln, Switzerland -  Z7
8 - Oberhausen, Germany - Ruhrpott Metal Meeting
9 - Gießen, Germany - Hessenhallen
11 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage

Spanish melodic death metal outfit, Jotnar, have released a video for “Suicidal Angel”, a track from the band’s Connected/Condemned album, to be released worldwide on April 21st via Massacre Records. The new video, directed by Pablo Garcia, is available for streaming below.

Jotnar offers a redesigned and modern sound with strong and aggressive rhythms, smooth melodies, catchy choruses and insane growls. The band made it’s live debut in late 2008, and underwent several lineup changes, which led to today's lineup, consisting of vocalist Mario Infantes, guitarists Ben Melero and Elhadji N’Diaye, bassist Octavio Santana and Jose Rodriguez. The quintet has already played with bands such as Korn, Amon Amarth, Sabaton and Machine Head, and played at festivals like MetalDays, Rock Bitch Boat and Villa De Bilbao.

The Connected/Condemned cover art was created by British artist Russ Mills.

Connected/Condemned tracklisting:

“Connected/Condemned”
“Remaining Still”
“Missing Shadows”
“Broken Esteem” (feat. Björn “Speed” Strid - Soilwork)
“Suicidal Angel”
“Live Together Die Alone”
“Starved Of Guidance”
“I, The Paradox”
“The Sentence”
“Invisible Trace”
“The Loneliness' Legacy”
“Say It Right” (Nelly Furtado cover)
“Envy World”
“The Portrait” (feat. Jennie Nord - Ultimate Fate, Santi Suarez - Sphinx, Bruno Pardini)

“Suicidal Angel” video:

“Starved Of Guidance” video:

“Broken Esteem” video:

“Connected/Condemned” video:

Album teaser:

Original Overkill guitarist, Bobby Gustafson, has launched a pre-order for Axe To The Head Of My Enemies, the new album from his Satans Taint project. A video message from Bobby can be found below.

The first five songs on the set were remastered by James Murphy, who also performs a solo on one of the tracks.

Tracklisting:

“Asatru”
“Killing Spree”
“He Who Wore The Crown”
“Deliver Me To The Gods”
“Gutpile”

Bonus tracks:
“All Out War”
“Gothic Serpent”
“Battle Of Bravalla”
“Song For The Einherjar”
“The Hammer And The Cross”

To pre-order the album, head to this location.

Just Before Dawn, the “Swedish steamroller death metal project”, will be performing at select festivals in 2018. A message posted at the band’s Facebook page follows:

“The troops have gathered, and we have formed a death metal alliance that will bring a panzer breaking attack on to the stages of the world.”

The official live lineup will be:

Dave Ingram - Vocals (Down Among The Dead Men, Echelon, Ursinne, ex-Hail of Bullets, ex-Bolt Thrower, ex-Benediction)
Anders Biazzi - Guitar (Blood Mortized, ex-Amon Amarth)
Jonny Pettersson - Bass/ backing vocals (Wombbath, Ashcloud, Ursinne, Henry Kane)
Gustav Myrin - Guitar (Blood Mortized, Reek Of Martyr, ex-Pathalog)
Jon Rudin - Drums (Pale King)

The band was founded by Anders Biazzi in the summer of 2012. Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, Revolting, The Grotesquery) joined some months later. It was originally meant to be a two man project, with Anders writing the music and Rogga writing the lyrics and singing. But soon after many other musicians from around the world got involved in the project: Jonas Lindblood (Puteraeon), Mr. Hitchcock (Zombiefication), Gustav Myrin (Blood Mortized), Dennis Johansson (Plästerd, Headstoned), Ralf Hauber (Revel in Flesh) and Tony Freed(Godhate), as well as those involved in the live line-up.

In September 2012, Just Before Dawn signed with Chaos Records for an 8-track CD and vinyl release. Music in the vein of Bolt Thrower, Hypocrisy and Asphyx.

The self-titled full-length debut from Seattle-based extreme progressive metallers, A Flourishing Scourge, will be released on June 9th through the band's own imprint Begotten Records. The album features eight dynamic and ferocious songs, all written and performed by original members Tye Jones (Vocals, Guitars), Kevin Carbrey (Bass), and Andrew Dennis (Guitars). The album also features session drummer Samus Paulicelli (Decrepit Birth, ex-Abigail Williams).

Pre-order the album here, and stream new song "Tidal Waves" below.

A Flourishing Scourge was recorded at Gojira's Silver Cord Studios in Brooklyn, New York, from June 1 to June 10, 2016. The album was engineered and mixed by Jamie Uertz (Gojira, Anthrax) with mixing and editing contributions from Tye Jones during the fall of 2016, and was mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Amon Amarth) of Fascination Street Studios, Stockholm, Sweden. Original cover artwork by Andrada Saftescu.

Tracklisting:

“Tidal Waves”
“To The Stench Of A Rotting Corpse”
“Insatiable”
“Onerous”
“Awakened”
“Vacant”
“The Hedonist”
“Solace”

“Tidal Waves”:

Additional vocals by Andrew Dennis and Kevin Carbrey. Additional instrumentation composed and recorded by Tye Jones. Lyrics by Tye Jones, Kevin Carbrey, and Josh Keifer. Album design by Tye Jones. Artist Management by Kevin Carbrey.

Lineup:

Tye Jones - Guitar / Vocals
Andrew Dennis - Lead Guitar
Kevin Carbrey - Bass

Middle East extreme metal pioneers Nervecell have set Past, Present…Torture as the title of their new album, due for release this summer via Lifeforce Records. 

Nervecell’s forthcoming effort will mark the band’s third full-length studio release since the follow-up to 2011’s Psychogenocide, which was also mixed and mastered by Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski at Hertz Studios (Behemoth, Decapitated, Vader) in Poland. The album cover artwork was created by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (Exodus, Origin, Whitechapel) and can be seen below. The new song "Proxy War" is available for streaming:

 

Commented the band: "Past, Present…Torture is an album we’ve been working on for roughly the last four years. The album consists of 13 new tracks that promise to be the most extreme and versatile Nervecell record to date, have no doubt about it! The title speaks for itself, focusing on the state of the world and where we are all headed as a civilization. We can’t wait for you all to have a taste of what’s in store, don’t say we didn’t warn you…"

For information and updates on Nervecell check out their official Facebook page here.

Newmachine have released a video for “Hell To Pay”, the lead track on their debut album, Karma, out now via HighVolMusic. The new clip can be found below.

The album was engineered and produced by Howard 'The Doctor' Lindeman (John Lennon, Blue Oyster Cult, KISS) and recorded at CVRS Studios in Naples, FL during the months of October, November, and December 2016. Karma contains ten tracks with one track being mastered by Bill Leverty of Firehouse.

Tracklisting:

"Hell To Pay"
"Nowhere Fast"
"Everglades"
"Lost"
"Love Is Crazy"
"No More"
"Hold On"
"Livin' It Up"
"Hell To Pay" (Bill Leverty master)

“Hell To Pay” video:

Audios samples:

“Heroine’s Descent”, a track from Ides Of Gemini’s upcoming new album, Women, is available for streaming below. The album, due for release on April 28th via Rise Above Records, is available for pre-order at this location.

Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2010, Ides Of Gemini have built a formidable and enigmatic reputation by stoutly refusing to conform to anyone else's idea of what lurks in the shadows-with a sound that elegantly salutes the greats of the post-punk and proto-goth eras while simultaneously harnessing the oomph and clangor of underground metal. The ornate sparkle of something else, something irresistibly alien has long ensured that Ides Of Gemini have stood proudly alone, and yet their stately invective has clearly connected with the discerning masses.

"We get lumped in with a lot of metal bands, I guess for obvious reasons," says guitarist and songwriter Jason Bennett. "There are some metal songs on the new album, but it's really not a metal record. And we're not exactly a Goth band, either. So I don't know what to call what we do. Is it heavy? Yes. Is it metal? Not exactly. I guess you could say it's a mystery..."
 
Even the haziest of musical entities undergo some process of regeneration between records. Ides Of Gemini are no different, but their journey from their stunning 2012 debut, Constantinople, and its formidable follow-up Old World New Wave-both released via post-metal mavens Neurosis' Neurot Recordings-to brand new studio album Women, the band's first for Rise Above Records, has been a turbulent and challenging one. Original drummer Kelly Johnston-Gibson incurred a career-threatening injury while on tour in the US in 2015, causing Bennett and vocalist (and then-bassist) Sera Timms to reassess their next move. After enlisting Scott Batiste of Saviours as a stand-in drummer for a short West Coast tour, a new alliance was formed and Scott soon became a permanent member. The band then expanded to a quartet for the first time, as Sera relinquished her bass-playing duties to newcomer Adam Murray.

"Having Sera make that change ended up being the best thing we ever did," Bennett recalls. "It's freed her up to do so much more vocally. She was somewhat confined by also playing bass, and now she doesn't have to do that anymore-the sky's the limit. Scott and Adam are awesome. It's almost a new band. I think that the new record would've been pretty similar if we'd stayed a three-piece, but it wouldn't have been this good. There's a totally different dynamic now. We're new and improved.
 
Still recognizable as the work of the band behind those early triumphs, the new Ides Of Gemini album is both a dramatic leap forward for these idiosyncratic spirit guides and their most direct and impactful collection of songs to date.

Produced by the inimitable Sanford Parker, Women also features guest appearances from Tara Connelly of Clay Rendering (on "Queen Of New Orleans") and bewitching singer-songwriter Emma Ruth Rundle (on "She Has A Secret"). As ever, Ides Of Gemini's new songs uniformly fizz and crackle with a storyteller's verve, as Timms' emotionally devastating delivery and Bennett's scabrous riffs paint vivid images of womanhood's multifarious routes to the gates of Hell and beyond. As a result, the new album's title was a no-brainer.

"Why Women? The short answer is that all the songs are about women!" Bennett laughs. "The way we work is that I title all the songs and Sera writes all the lyrics, and I give her an idea of what inspired each title for me. She can either take my idea and use it or totally discard it and come up with her own concept for it. Some of these women are mythological figures, some are historical figures, some are obscure actresses, and some are people we just made up. But every song is about a woman, so the title seemed obvious."

Determined to make up for the time lost during recent upheavals, Ides Of Gemini hope to use Women as a springboard to re-launch their assault on the consciousness of the world's outcasts and eccentrics. Revitalized and armed with their finest album to date, these inveterate square pegs may yet prove to be unstoppable.

"We want to tour as much as possible," Bennett avows. "There are a lot of places we haven't been yet and a lot of places we haven't been to in a while. We never finished the tour when Kelly got injured, so we haven't done a full national tour since 2013 when we went out with Ghost. And we haven't been to Europe since 2012, so it's been a while. We can't wait to get started."

Tracklisting:

“Mother Kiev”
“The Rose”
“The Dancer”
“Raft Of Medusa”
“Heroine’s Descent”
“Swan Diver”
“The Last Siren”
“Zohra”
“She Has A Secret”
“Queen Of New Orleans”

“Heroine’s Descent”:

SLAYER frontman Tom Araya says that the United States Of America has become "a nation of crybabies" following the election of Donald Trump as president, with many of its citizens unable to "even laugh at themselves" because they are "mad" that "they didn't get their way."

Araya drew criticism from some SLAYER fans in January when a photoshopped picture of Donald Trump and the members of SLAYER appeared on their Instagram account. Araya posted the image and later criticized fans who objected to the photo, saying that he "thought it was funny" and that anyone who disagrees should keep quiet.

The same image first appeared on the official SLAYER Instagram account on inauguration day, but was mysteriously removed before being reposted a few days later.

A SLAYER band representative told Rolling Stone that Tom took it upon himself to post the photo and stressed that the image was "not something the band would have posted if asked," insisting that such a picture "does not belong on a SLAYER social page." The representative added: "We all have our personal opinions, some of which we have voiced in the past, but SLAYER has never endorsed any political party or any candidate, and the band intends to keep it that way." SLAYER guitarist Kerry King also chimed in via his wife's Instagram account, saying that "my opinion is that our war of words should be with people who don't believe what SLAYER is about. NOT with our own fan base."

Now, in a brand new interview with the Chilean radio station Futuro, Araya spoke out about the controversy surrounding his decision to post the Trump photo, saying that he was "taken aback by the response" to the image and insisting that he "didn't realize that [he] was gonna piss so many SLAYER fans off."

Referring to the public outcry that following his Instagram post, Tom said (hear audio below): "That's what America has become. It's become a bunch of people that… because they didn't get their way, they're mad. I shared a picture that I thought was funny. They can't even joke. They can't even laugh at themselves. They can't even have fun. And that just is amazing that it's come to that. We're a nation of crybabies. [Laughs]"

Regarding how he came to post the picture in the first place, Araya said: "Someone has sent it to my wife on her page. She showed it to me. I laughed. I thought it was funny. And I thought it was funny because of all the rhetoric that Donald Trump is getting and how everybody hates him. And I decided to post the picture. I knew that some people wouldn't like it. You have to do that, though, you know what I mean? I'm in SLAYER [laughs], and being in SLAYER, sometimes you do stuff like that just to piss people off. [Laughs]"

Even though Araya expected to get some flak for posting the Trump photo, the ferocity of the reaction from SLAYER fans surprised him. "I didn't realize it was gonna be the way it was, which is blown out of proportion and people saying really mean things," he said. "I'm amazed. I was just amazed at the response, as far as people thinking it's funny and they thought it was great and they support Trump, and other people that didn't like it, they thought it was ugly and they can't believe that I support Trump. [Laughs] I don't even support Trump. I didn't vote for Trump and I didn't vote for Hillary [Clinton]. Those are two people that are the furthest from… that I would ever vote for. I was taken aback by the response and how people reacted. But it was all in fun. It was all to make people laugh, 'cause I thought it was funny. And also to piss some people off. I just didn't realize that I was gonna piss so many SLAYER fans off. [Laughs]"

Araya also talked about the left-right division in American politics and how it has created a real resentment on the part frustrated citizens who see their government not being efficient or effective. "It's not only America, man," he said. "I think it's all over the world. People are just fed up. The world is fed up with the nonsense and the bureaucratic bullshit that exists, that runs and controls our lives. Everybody! Here in America, we're able to express it without any repercussions. But [it's happening] in the world in general, everywhere. Some places, people have have had enough. Everyone has had enough. They wanna be able to speak; some of these countries don't allow that. The experience that went on in Chile about that — people trying to express themselves, and that was a bad time in Chile. Now it's the whole world; the whole word is doing that. And that's not good. It's a time of people rising up and it can be dangerous for some people."

SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph last year called Donald Trump "the biggest joke I've ever seen in my life," and referred to some of Trump's rhetoric as "the scariest shit I've ever seen as an American — in my lifetime." Similarly, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King said that Trump was "the biggest liar I've ever seen in politics," clarifying, "I mean, most of them are liars, but he just outright in-your-face lies." King's words were echoed by his SLAYER bandmate Gary Holt who described Trump as a "serial liar" who refused to disavow former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke.

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A new trailer for "Addicted To Porn: Chasing The Cardboard Butterfly", the documentary which takes a sobering look at the impact pornography addiction is having on the individual and on cultures around the world, can be seen below.

Narrated by METALLICA's James Hetfield, "Addicted To Porn: Chasing The Cardboard Butterfly" is the fifth feature-length film, and fourth documentary, from writer-director Justin Hunt, who previously interviewed Hetfield for his award-winning documentary "Absent", exploring the worldwide crisis of absent and disengaged fathers and the negative impact that the "father wound" makes on society.

In "Addicted To Porn: Chasing The Cardboard Butterfly", Hunt dissects the impact of pornography on societies around the globe, from how it affects the brain of the individual, to how modern technology leads to greater exposure to youth, to watching it tear a family apart. In what may well be one of the most devastating issues in modern culture, this film breaks down the damage that porn is doing to us a human race and leave you thinking that it's clearly time that we start taking porn addiction much more seriously.

Beginning with a brief history of sexuality in human beings and continuing on with how it affects the human brain, how modern technology, coupled with a lack of public education, is exposing youth to a level of sexuality that they're not prepared for, this film opens up audiences' minds to an entirely new perspective on what porn does to the individual, the family and society as a whole. With some of the world's leading minds on the issue, this film is an authentic undertaking aimed at exposing people to the dangers of porn and the cycle of shame that can keep people addicted for a lifetime.

"Addicted To Porn: Chasing The Cardboard Butterfly" is being released tomorrow (Tuesday, April 18) via Amazon, iTunes, Vimeo and numerous cable networks in the U.S. and Canada.

For more information, visit www.atpdoc.com.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and VIMIC, the new band featuring former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison, have both shared photos on social media of Dave and Joey at a Nashville studio, leading to speculation that Mustaine will make a guest appearance on VIMIC's upcoming debut album.

VIMIC in February postponed its previously announced European tour so that the group could finish work on its first full-length disc, to be released later this year. "Open Your Omen", is described in a press release as "quite possibly the biggest triumph of Jordison's illustrious career."

Joining Jordison in VIMIC are singer Kalen Chase Musmecci, who has toured with KORN as a backing vocalist and percussionist, and Joey's former SCAR THE MARTYR bandmates Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass) and Matthew Tarach (keyboards). VIMIC has also welcomed new guitarist Steve Marshall to the band.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's "Alive Or Just Breathing" (Roadrunner) was released on May 21, 2002 and has since secured its reputation as a modern classic, as noted by its election to Decibel's elite Hall Of Fame canon. The record celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. The band, which released its most recent album, "Incarnate", in March 2016, is commemorating the occasion with an 180-gram black vinyl version of the album that drops on May 12. Fans can pre-order the vinyl here; there are 15-year anniversary merch bundles also on sale. Additionally, a limited-release beer, cleverly dubbed "Alive Or Just Brewing", will be released in conjunction with the vinyl. The beer is available in select markets, including Tampa, New York City, and the Cigar City Brewing Tasting Room. More info can be found here. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE is scheduled to play The Paramount Theatre on May 5 in Long Island, New York as part of "The Killthrax Tour", a co-headlining bill with ANTHRAX that also features THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and CODE ORANGE as support. The vinyl will be available for purchase on tour beginning that evening. Also, the "Alive Or Just Brewing" beer will be on tap for the show so fans can properly celebrate the anniversary and Cinco de Mayo. The "Alive Or Just Brewing" bottle features the signature artwork of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio on the label. The beer is a New England-style IPA, is loaded with Citra, Mosaic, Motueka and Neslon Sauvin hops, and uses white wheat and flaked oats to add additional body and a slight haziness resulting in a full, juicy hop experience. What better beer style to celebrate the New England band's aggressive and innovative brand of metal than an aggressive and innovative take on a New England-style IPA.

Fan-filmed video footage of GHOST's entire April 5 concert at E-Werk in Köln (Cologne), Germany can be seen below.

Featured songs:

02:10 Square Hammer06:16 From The Pinnacle To The Pit10:12 Secular Haze15:31 Con Clavi Con Dio19:24 Per Aspera Ad Inferi23:30 Papa Talks To The Crowd27:14 Body And Blood30:58 Devil's Church (Short Intro/Song)33:15 Cirice39:10 Year Zero44:45 He Is48:58 Absolution55:12 Mummy Dust59:25 Ghuleh / Zombie Queen1:07:10 Ritual1:18:04 Monstrance Clock

As previously reported, GHOST frontman and founder Tobias Forge, who performs as Papa Emeritus, is being sued by four ex-members of the group. The quartet of former Nameless Ghouls have accused Forge of cheating them out of their rightful share of the profits from the group’s album releases and world tours.

The lawsuit, filed in the district court of Linköping, Sweden, where GHOST was originally based, claims that Forge solely controlled the band’s business affairs without input from anyone else in the group, while also carrying out management duties. The four musicians are asking the court to order Forge to disclose GHOST's revenues and expenses for the financial years 2011 to 2016 and reveal the company's assets as of December 31, 2016.

If Forge fails to act as ordered, the musicians are asking the court to force Forge to pay a penalty of approximately $22,000 or an amount that the court considers reasonable.

The lawsuit alleges that Forge has been collecting all revenues from sales of the band's merchandise and recordings since the band was formed in 2010, and has insisted that the "company" was not yet profitable while at the same time refusing to disclose financial statements.

The situation became dire in 2012, when the band members did not receive any compensation at all. Forge was finally pressured to pay them, which he did only sporadically while still claiming that the band was broke.

The four musicians were offered two separate contract proposals by Forge in 2016, which they rejected as "slave agreements." That may have led to Forge's wholesale firing of the band at the end of 2016.

The new lineup of GHOST is rumored to include musicians who have previously played with THE SISTERS OF MERCY, KORN, PENDRAGON and BLOODBATH.

Since the musicians wear masks and are only identified as Nameless Ghouls, personnel changes in the group over its seven-year existence have gone unannounced.

Forge writes almost all of the group's music and does most of the act's interviews disguised as a Nameless Ghoul.

Asked for his reaction to the lawsuit by Swedish outlet Corren, Forge said: "I can't comment on it because it is a legal process. The lawsuit will be answered fairly soon by my legal counsel."

A PERFECT CIRCLE guitarist Billy Howerdel has told The Salt Lake Tribune in a new interview that the band's first new album in 14 years will arrive possibly by this November, but next spring at the latest. Howerdel said: "In a perfect world for me, I would make an album, tour, take a break, make an album, tour. But there's costs to that, too. There's a benefit to having an appetite out there when we haven't been out in a while, and it makes us approach things a little differently. It's just like saying, 'Would you like to eat something delicious every day?' You'd be like, 'Yeah, of course,' but if you don't, you're really going to appreciate it when you get it."

Howerdel added that he began writing music for a new A PERFECT CIRCLE album several years ago and "started peppering [singer Maynard James Keenan] with songs as early as, I'd say, maybe 2010."

The guitarist explained that a new A PERFECT CIRCLE record would have arrived much sooner had he not been forced to work around his singer's timetable. "I've always been there, ready for Maynard to get a window in his schedule," he said. "The bottom line is, if you know anything about him, then you'll know that … many things take his attention. He's owns a winery, he's also a father and a husband, he's got three bands. Finding that window to put a tour together is not something you can do in a whim or just do on a month's notice. You need planning, you need notice a year in advance to start chipping away at the schedule."

Last month, A PERFECT CIRCLE announced that it had signed a new worldwide recording deal with BMG Music.

The group, which toured in 2010 and 2011, launched its first full-fledged tour in six years on April 6 in Las Vegas. The schedule will include several festivals in late April and early May, closing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on May 7.

Original ANVIL member Dave Allison (guitar) rejoined his former bandmates on stage this past Saturday, April 15 at Red Dog in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada to perform three songs: "Metal On Metal", "Forged In Fire" and a cover version of "Born To Be Wild". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below (courtesy of Scotty Flamingo).

After Allison and original ANVIL bassist Ian Dickson came up on stage for the first time since 1989 at ANVIL's July 2016 concert in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, ANVIL drummer Robb Reiner told Planet Mosh TV: "Yeah, it was the first time in 20-odd years that the four original boys were hanging out at the same time. It was great. Dave got on the Internet recently. He discovered smart phones and all of this stuff, so he got on Facebook so he's been following ANVIL. Next thing you know, he wanted to come and see the band. In that process, we phoned up Ian and told him, 'Hey, man, why don't you come and hang out with us since Dave is coming out?' We didn't jam onstage. They came onstage and sang 'Metal On Metal'. It was a good time. Dave's been out of the business since back whenever… like 1984. He's been out of it since then. Ian, he plays weekends in some band, like a hobby. That's about all I know. We were talking about doing this '1-2-3' tour where we'd have the original guys and do all of the stuff from the first three albums. It's a good idea to do it for the fans where we play five songs from each album. We still might do it. The original guys… I don't know. I don't know if Dave is ever going to be up to it as a musician. I don't know if he's got it. He's not in game shape."

Reiner and ANVIL guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow recently confirmed that they are "about halfway through" filming their next documentary project. They also revealed that they have written "six new songs" for ANVIL's follow-up to "Anvil Is Anvil" album, which came out in February 2016 worldwide (excluding Japan) via SPV/Steamhammer. "We're gonna try to record it next summer," said Robb.

ANVIL's first documentary, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", was named one of 2009's best documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent. The directorial debut of screenwriter Sacha Gervasi ("The Terminal"), it followed ANVIL on a thirty-year quest for rock-stardom and it featured interviews with longtime fans and many of the band's successful peers, all of whom seemed equally puzzled by ANVIL's lack of fame and fortune.

Photo credit: Scotty Flamingo

Terry Ilous, lead singer for the band GREAT WHITE and founder of '80s metal band XYZ, will release his third solo venture, "Gypsy Dreams", on Friday, April 28.

A video trailer for the album is available below.

Ilous relocated to Hollywood, California from Lyon, France in 1986, forming the metal band XYZ along with friend and bassist Pat Fontaine. Ilous quickly became a favorite on Sunset Strip scene in the late '80s before getting signed to Enigma/Capitol. After selling over 1.5 million records worldwide and touring with artists such as FOREIGNER and ALICE COOPER, Ilous has continued to release albums well into the 2000s, along with film, songwriting and television work.

In 2009, Terry was contacted to play a handful of dates with multi-platinum recording artists GREAT WHITE, who are one of the few bands of that era to still be consistently touring to sold-out shows. In 2011, the lineup was made official and GREAT WHITE immediately headed out on an extensive year-long tour followed by a new album in 2012 that was highly praised by the media and fans alike, with the song "Hard To Say Goodbye" reaching No. 8 on the radio chart.

A cover album of classic rock and hard rock favorites with a Latin and flamenco edge, "Gypsy Dreams" features an amazing cast of L.A.-based artists, including Luis Villegas (Grammy-nominated artist) on guitar, Jose Garcia (vocalist, renowned flamenco guitarist) on guitar, Chris Trujillo (former percussionist for TOTO, BLACK CROWES) on drums/percussion, Al Velasquez (BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY, Michael McDonald, Albert Lee) on drums/percussion, Mike Paganini (renowned session player, bassist) on bass, Ben Woods (renowned flamenco guitarist) on guitar, Mike Bennett (Alicia Keys, Pitbull, Richie Kotzen) on drums/percussion, Jesse Stern (George Clinton, Chad Smith) on bass and Natalie Gelman (singer/songwriter) on background vocals. Terry states: "This album is just the start in a series of different projects I have in mind for the future.

"I decided to start with covers of familiar and rock favorites to introduce the Latin/flamenco rock sound to my audience, and I plan to start up a series of intimate club shows reminiscent of close-knit Latin and gypsy gatherings."

Terry on recording "Long Train Running": "In the late '80s, I would warm up with 'Long Train Running' while on the road with XYZ; and for years I wanted to record the song with more of a Latin edge." Terry on recording "Heaven And Hell": "[Ronnie James] Dio was arguably one of the biggest inspirations in music. And this is one of the songs that really influenced my decision in making this album."

He adds: "This has been a long road, but the final tracks sound truly amazing, and are definitely worth the wait.

"I thank all my fans and band for being a part of this journey and for all your support along the way. I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you." "Gypsy Dreams" track listing: 01. Whole Lotta Love (LED ZEPPELIN)02. Boys Of Summer (DON HENLEY)03. In Your Eyes (PETER GABRIEL)04. Long Train Running (THE DOOBIE BROTHERS)05. Wicked Game (CHRIS ISAAK)06. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH) 07. Ride Like The Wind (CHRISTOPHER CROSS)08. Love Bites (DEF LEPPARD)09. Kill The King (RAINBOW) Featured musicians:

Terry Ilous - VocalsLuis Villegas - GuitarJose Garcia - GuitarMike Paganini - BassMike Bennett - BassBen Woods - GuitarJesse Stern - Drums/PercussionChris Trujillo - Drums/PercussionAl Velasquez - Drums/PercussionNatalie Gelman - Background Vocals

"Gypsy Dreams" will be released Friday, April 28 via digital format on iTunes.

The physical copy will arrive in May 2017 on Ilous's private label, Fyco Records.

Secret Sphere's ninth studio album, The Nature Of Time, will be released on June 2nd. Watch a video for the new song “The Calling”, available for streaming below.

The new recording celebrates 20 years of hard work that started back in 1997 with the release of the band's widely praised debut album, Mistress Of The Shadowlight. Since then, Secret Sphere has evolved and developed their unique style into what has become a trademark sound, making them one of an elite group of bands putting the Italian metal scene on the global map. The addition of extraordinary singer Michele Luppi (also currently serving as keyboardist and background vocalist for the legendary hard rock act, Whitesnake) in 2012 brought the band to the next level. This was evidenced by his first release with the band, Portrait Of A Dying Heart, receiving wide fan and critical acclaim and landing on many metal journalists best releases of 2012 lists.

The new album, The Nature Of Time, proves to be the ultimate showcase of the band's skill in composing highly orchestrated songs and introducing their foray into a new age of heavy rock and metal music. High class songs with amazing choruses, big vocals, majestic orchestral arrangements, and amazing, mind-blowing, guitar heroics are the order of the day.

The Nature Of Time explores the "back to life" concept, an inward looking search of the self that can positively impact everyone's everyday life.

"The long writing process of this album has been a constant "re-living" of memories and feelings, that started with only instrumental pieces that were put together only in order to vent my then current state of mind: a way to express emotions purely, without any kind of "holding back," so to speak. I then talked to Michele and we decided these were the perfect basis for a new Secret Sphere record," states guitarist Aldo Lonobile.

"What can I say about this album? We spent a few months writing songs in a way that opened the doors to our new age of heavy rock... definitely a new beginning for each member of the band, a new approach that got inspired by the concept of the album itself. It's not easy to open and talk about love and kindness. We chose the most direct way, no masks, only passion, energy and light guided each note leaving any kind of fear behind. Eventually, with time, we became US, not individuals...THIS IS US. Some of these songs earned a very special place in my heart," concludes singer Michele Luppi.

The Nature Of Time tracklisting:

Chapter I - Genesis
“Intermission”
“The Calling”

Chapter II - The Seven Virtues
“Love”
“Courage”
“Kindness”
“Honesty”
“Faith”
“Reliance”
“Commitment”

Chapter III - The New Dawn
“The Awakening”

Chapter IV - The Way
“The New Beginning”

“The Calling” video:

Secret Sphere lineup:

Michele Luppi - Vocals
Aldo Lonobile - Guitars
Andrea Buratto - Bass
Gabriele Ciaccia - Keyboards
Marco Lazzarini - Drums