Philadelphia's heavy psych quartet Ecstatic Vision has shared a full stream of their 2nd LP Raw Rock Fury before release this Friday via Relapse. Stream the album on Soundcloud.

 Additionally, Ecstatic Vision will perform two exclusive concerts with Eyehategod on April 15th and 16th. The band then heads to Europe at the end of the month on April 21st till May 20th. 

April 7th will see the worldwide release of Raw Rock Fury via Relapse Records on CD/LP/Digital. Physical pre-order and bundles are available via Relapse.com here and digital downloads can be pre-ordered by Bandcamp at this location.

Raw Rock Fury exhibits the band locking in on primordial, troglodyte Detroit rock grooves, krautian motorik sounds that recall the obscure one-time collaboration between NEU and the MC5, grimy harmonica flourishes that evoke Beefheart at his most savage, and the Hawkwindian, primal world heavy psych their debut expertly showcased. All of this is captured on four songs and 35+ minutes of the dirtiest sounding recordings since Kick Out The Jams. Do you miss the days when rock recordings were dangerous? If so, you must crave Raw Rock Fury.

Raw Rock Fury tracklisting:

“You Got It (Or You Don’t)”
“Electric Step”
“Keep it Loose”
“The Twinkling Eye”

“Electric Step”:

“You Got It (Or You Don’t)”:

Ecstatic Vision is:

Doug Sabolik
Michael Field Connor
Jordan Crouse
Kevin Nickles

(Photo - Michael Connor)

Lebanon’s leading heavy metal band Blaakyum have released a new lyric video for “Freedom Denied”, taken from their latest album Line Of Fear. Line Of Fear was released on CD (with one bonus track) and digital in June 2016.

The album theme emerged from the band's experiences with social and political oppression in Lebanon, from being jailed just for being into heavy metal to being ruled by a corrupt and violent government. All songs are about freedom of thought and artistic expression.

Blaakyum's sound is a unique blend of thrash, heavy and groove metal infused with Middle Eastern and Levantine folk music vibes. The band are the pioneers of "Middle Eastern Thrash" and they not only make thrash metal sound oriental but also make Middle Eastern musical elements sound Thrashy. The song "Freedom Denied" samples Middle Eastern folklore music and uses oriental percussions (tabla) as another thrash metal instrument. This unique thrashy tabla sound is also in the title track “The Line Of Fear” as well as on the genre-defying “Baal-Adon”.

Brian May + Kerry Ellis, featuring Queen guitar legend Brian May, have released a video for “Roll With You”, a track from the duo’s new album, Golden Days, to be released this Friday, April 7th via Duck Productions Ltd. The new video, directed by Ethan Forde & Kris Fredriksson, is available for streaming below.

Golden Days tracklisting:

“Love In A Rainbow”
“Roll With You”
“Golden Days”
“It’s Gonna Be All Right (The Panic Attack Song)”
“Amazing Grace”
“One Voice”
“If I Loved You”
“Born Free”
“Parisienne Walkways”
“I Who Have Nothing”
“The Kissing Me Song”
“Story Of A Heart”
“Can’t Help Falling In Love”

“Roll With You” video:

 

 

On June 2nd, Canadian five-piece Obey The Brave will release their third full-length, Mad Season. With its raw passion and furious determination, the album affirms Obey The Brave as a major heavyweight in the metalcore genre. Pre-orders for Mad Season are available here.

Today also marks the premiere of Obey The Brave’s new video for the track “On Our Own”. Delivering massive power chords and uncompromising emotion, “On Our Own” exemplifies the heart of Mad Season. The video is available for streaming below.

The follow-up to 2014’s Salvation, Mad Season came to life during an especially tumultuous period for Obey The Brave (vocalist Alex Erian, guitarists John Campbell and Terrence McAuley, bassist Cory Wilson, and drummer Stevie Morotti). But after a lineup change and a series of false starts in the studio, the band emerged with their most ambitious yet viscerally potent album so far.

Co-produced by McAuley - who worked alongside engineer/mixer Dean Hadjichristou (Protest The Hero, Parkway Drive) - Mad Season also proves to be Obey The Brave’s most stylistically diverse work to date. In addition to featuring a collaboration with French Canadian rap group Loud Lary Ajust (on the beat-heavy “RIP”), Mad Season finds Erian expanding his vocal approach and introducing a singing style inspired by old-school punk.

“There’s still a lot of screaming on the album, but it was really important for me artistically to try something different and give it my all,” says Erian. “It’s very exciting to try to reinvent yourself.”

Mad Season tracklisting:

“On Thin Ice”
“Drama”
“On Our Own”
“Mad Season”
“97 Again”
“Les Temps Sont Durs”
“Low Key”
“Feed The Fire”
“The Distance”
“Way It Goes”
“RIP”
“This Is It”

“On Our Own” video:

Obey The Brave formed in January 2012, with its members hailing from Montreal and Ottawa. Fueled by a strong DIY ethic, the band released its debut album Young Blood that same year, and quickly adopted a relentless touring schedule. Obey The Brave have now toured the world with many fellow metalcore standard-bearers (including The Amity Affliction, Stick To Your Guns, Emmure, Attila, Terror, Carnifex, We Came As Romans), forging meaningful relationships with each audience at show after show.

Canadian tour dates with Miss May I and Auras:

May
11 - Club Absinthe - Hamilton, ON
12 - The Back Stage - Windsor, ON
13 - Mavericks - Ottawa, ON
14 - Salle Multi - Quebec City, QC
16 - La Tulipe - Montreal, QC
17 - London Music Hall - London, ON

(Photo - Charlie Baron)

Rage Against The Machine bassist and founding member Tim Commerford’s new band, Wakrat, have released a video for “Sober Addiction”, the lead track from the band’s self-titled debut, released last November via Earache Records.

Commerford courageously confronts American authority head on. The video, shot in multiple locations across the US, shows the notorious activist fearlessly mocking the perceived evils of America face to face… all whilst dressed in a middle finger costume. Religious establishments, pharmaceutical corporations, the military, law enforcement, Trump supporters and major banks all get the finger from Commerford - often provoking outrage and angry responses. This video is not for the easily offended.

Order options for the album are available at this location.

Wakrat tracklisting:

"Sober Addiction”
"The Number”
"Generation Fucked”
"Nail In The Snail”
"La Liberté ou la Mort”
"The Thing”
"Knucklehead”
"New Clear”
"Pigs in a Blanket”

"Generation Fucked” lyric video:

"Knucklehead” video:

Spanish melodic death metal outfit, Jotnar, have released a video for “Starved Of Guidance”, a track from the band’s Connected/Condemned album, to be released worldwide on April 21st via Massacre Records. The new video, directed by Andrew Fernandes, 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)

“Starved Of Guidance” video:

“Broken Esteem” video:

“Connected/Condemned” video:

Album teaser:

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich was interviewed by Sonar FM before the band's April 1 concert at Lollapalooza Chile in Santiago. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about what it has been like for METALLICA to self-fund its projects, having launched their independent record label, Blackened Recordings, Ulrich said: "Well, I think being autonomous and being independent has always been in the METALLICA spirit. We've never felt like we really belonged to anything specific. We've never felt like we were part of a movement or part of a wave; we've always kind of felt like loners. I've always felt like a loner, and I think that James [Hetfield, METALLICA frontman] and I, when we found each other, we connected over music, but we always felt disenfranchised and a little ostracized. And so being in a band, it gives you a sense of belonging to something. And so we love what we have, and I think we always feel like we never really fit in anywhere. And, obviously, whenever I say that, people [are like], 'Oh, you're in the biggest band in the world,' or whatever, but that doesn't mean very much. I still never quite feel like we really fit into anything; we're always kind of in our own little world. But, obviously, we have a lot of friends and fans with us, which makes it worthwhile. But being autonomous and independent is a great position to be in because you never feel like you owe anybody anything."

Ulrich also spoke about how his relationship with Hetfield has evolved since the release of METALLICA's 2004 documentary, "Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster", which followed the band through the three most turbulent years of their long career, during which they battled through addiction, lineup changes, fan backlash, personal turmoil and the near-disintegration of the group while making their "St. Anger" album. He said: "I think it's the best it's been now. I think we know where each of us are, we know much more about who each other is, and we know how far we can push each other, and I think there's much more of a partnership going on than there used to be. Now we're not fighting to win an argument. We rarely argue over anything, and we try to see each other's point of view much more. It's called growing up. [Laughs] So it's in a very good place — much more mature than it's been forever, basically."

The North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" 2017 tour kicks off in Baltimore and will hit stadiums in 25 cities before winding down in mid-August. Support on the quartet's first North American trek since 2009 will come mainly from AVENGED SEVENFOLD and VOLBEAT, with GOJIRA taking over for the latter group for the last six shows.

The first European leg of "WorldWired" kicks off on September 4 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and stretches through November. After a break, the trek will pick up again on February 10, 2018 in Bologna, Italy, and continue through May, finishing up in Helsinki, Finland.




¿Quién es el mejor amigo de Lars Ulrich en el mundo de la música? ¿Cuánto más estarán de gira? Todo eso y más en esta entrevista de Francisco Reinoso.

Posted by Sonar FM Chile on Saturday, April 1, 2017

Frontiers Music Srl will release "The Nature Of Time", SECRET SPHERE's ninth studio album, on June 2. 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 its unique style into what has become a trademark sound, making it 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 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. States guitarist Aldo Lonobile: "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" Adds Luppi: "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." "The Nature Of Time" track listing:

The Nature Of Time 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

SECRET SPHERE is:

Michele Luppi - VocalsAldo Lonobile - GuitarsAndrea Buratto - BassGabriele Ciaccia - KeyboardsMarco Lazzarini - Drums

Frontiers Music Srl will release RADIATION ROMEOS' self-titled debut album on June 2. RADIATION ROMEOS is a new band formed by Parramore "Perry" McCarty, best known for being the frontman of legendary U.S. metal act WARRIOR and famed BILLY IDOL guitarist Steve Stevens's solo project ATOMIC PLAYBOYS (in fact, the inspiration for the name RADIATION ROMEOS came from a line in the song "Atomic Playboys"). Musically, the band moves in a melodic hard rock direction with solid, metallic edges thanks to the production of Michael Voss (PHANTOM 5, CASANOVA, MICHAEL SCHENKER), who also contributed to the songwriting. In the studio, Parramore sang all vocals with Dag Heyne handling guitars, Jogi Spittka on bass, and Gereon Homann laying down the drum work with gusto! Perry says: "RADIATION ROMEOS started when producer Michael Voss contacted me in San Diego through Facebook. A few days later, we had the record agreement with Frontiers, so the RADIATION ROMEOS album was soon under way.

"Our goal was to write great melodic rock songs. The album 'spans the globe' from the title track, power-rockin' 'Radiation Romeos', to some songs with a bit more grit like 'Castaways'. All the way to a beautiful ballad, 'Like An Arrow'. Something for everyone, if you will…

"The recording was so much fun and exciting for me. I couldn't wait to get up the following day to work on the next song!

"Michael is a wonderfully professional person with endless talent and the musicians super-cool guys and top players!" Parramore McCarty's career in music started when Robbin Crosby of RATT gave him his start singing in cover bands. His first major label album was "Fighting For The Earth" on Virgin Records in 1985 for the legendary heavy metal band WARRIOR. Steve Stevens's ATOMIC PLAYBOYS followed in 1989 on Warner Bros. Records. Then he returned to WARRIOR and also started gigging in the L.A. area with METAL FREQS and MONSTER TRAXX. "Radiation Romeos" track listing:

01. Radiation Romeos02. Ocean Drive03. Bad Bad Company04. Mystic Mountain05. Like An Arrow06. Promised Land07. Castaways08. Ghost Town09. Til The End Of Time10. On The Tight Rope11. Monstertraxx RADIATION ROMEOS is:

Parramore McCarty - vocalsDag Heyne - guitarsJogi Spittka - bassGereon Homann - drums

California extreme metal veterans EXHUMED have entered the studio to record their highly anticipated sixth studio album and follow-up to 2013's "Necrocracy". Titled "Death Revenge", the new disc will see a late 2017 release via Relapse Records. Said EXHUMED's founding guitarist/vocalist Matt Harvey: "We entered the studio April 1st with our buddy Jarrett Pritchard (GRUESOME, GOATWHORE) to start the process, and no, this is not an elaborate April Fool's joke...

"'All Guts, No Glory' was more of a straight-up speeding attack, 'Necrocracy' had a bit more focus on groove and incorporating some mid-paced stuff in there, and this one is gonna be a lot darker. It's a concept album, which is a first for us, so expect some new twists on our tried-and-true formula: one part late '80s death metal, half a cup of German/Canadian/Bay Area thrash, a dash of grindcore, crossover, and crust, and the occasional, well-concealed, HALL & OATES rip-off." In related news, EXHUMED has confirmed a string of European tour dates this June which include a performance at Hellfest and follow their North American appearances at Modified Ghost Festival II in Vancouver and the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore in May.

Dutch death metallers GOD DETHRONED will release their new album, "The World Ablaze", on May 5 via Metal Blade Records. The band's first disc since 2010's "Under The Sign Of The Iron Cross" is the third (and final) part of the World War I trilogy.

The official video for the disc's first single, "On The Wrong Side Of The Wire", can be seen below.

GOD DETHRONED comments: "'The World Ablaze' is our final album in the WWI trilogy. We aimed to create an album that is very dynamic and diverse. It contains typical GOD DETHRONED riffing with loads of melodies and catchy hooks. The songs are perfect for our live shows as they contain many mid-tempo parts combined with faster and more brutal parts. Diversity to the max! [Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist] Dan Swanö mixed the album in his typical fashion but without robbing the band of its own identity. Mastering was handled at the Wisseloord Studios where they also mastered albums for bands like RAMMSTEIN, among many others, and they put the icing on the cake. The album sounds crystal clear and heavy as fuck at the same time. We are very proud to present this album during our upcoming Serpent Fest album release shows early May!"

"The World Ablaze" track listing:

01. A Call To Arms02. Annihilation Crusade03. The World Ablaze04. On The Wrong Side Of The Wire05. Close To Victory06. Konigsberg07. Escape Across The Ice (The White Army)08. Breathing Through Blood09. Messina Ridge10. The 11th Hour

GOD DETHRONED 2017 is:

Henri Sattler - vocals/guitarsMike Ferguson - guitarsJeroen Pomper - bassMichiel Van Der Plicht - drums

GOD DETHRONED made a comeback at the January 2015 edition of 70000 Tons Of Metal — three years after playing a "farewell" show at the same cruise.

GOD DETHRONED will play two German release shows on the weekend of release, plus one Belgium and two Dutch shows on the following weekend.

FALLING IN REVERSE has dropped the celestial video for "Coming Home", the title track from their upcoming fourth album, due out April 7 on Epitaph Records. "This video is an analogy of the dichotomies between my personal life and my public life — a lonely traveler content on fulfilling the dreams he set out on, but missing out on everything he has at home. A bittersweet duality," said frontman Ronnie Radke. The band also released the tracks "Loser" and "Broken" ahead of the album's release. "Coming Home" is the follow up to 2015's "Just Like You" and the album finds the band exploring its sound, all the while retaining the signature ethos and aesthetic that has won the love and loyalty of its incredibly invested fans and followers. Outburn described "Coming Home" as "sonically gripping from start to finish and impressive every step of the way, with neither Radke nor the band losing their edge" in its 10-out-of-10 review. Alternative Press raved in its four-star review that "the album maintains a brilliant balance between uplifting and confessional, playful and serious. It's the most real, honest, and self-aware record FIR have released to date." FALLING IN REVERSE will perform at several festivals this spring and summer. "Coming Home" track listing: 01. Coming Home02. Broken03. Loser04. Fuck You and All Your Friends05. I Hate Everyone06. I'm Bad At Life07. Hanging On08. Superhero09. Straight to Hell10. I Don't Mind11. The Departure12. Right Now (bonus)13. Paparazzi (bonus)

Radke previously told Alternative Press that the album is "a huge left turn. It sounds like nothing we've ever done. Every song is very vibey. There's more feeling in it."

He continued: "We're challenging ourselves now more than we ever have in the weirdest ways possible, because you would think writing the craziest solo or riffs would be the challenging part. But the challenging part is trying to stick to a theme and not go all over the place like we would normally do."

FOREIGNER will celebrate 40 years as one of rock's most popular and enduring acts with a new career-spanning compilation titled "40" that features 40 hits from 40 years. This summer, the band will also launch an extensive 40th-anniversary U.S. tour with CHEAP TRICK and JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE. Rhino will release "40" on May 19 as a double-CD set for $19.98 that includes 40 songs recorded between 1977 and 2017. A double-vinyl version that features 23 songs will be released on June 2 for 31.98. Following its self-titled debut in 1977, FOREIGNER went on to record some of rock's most enduring anthems — "Juke Box Hero" and "Hot Blooded" — as well as the #1 smash "I Want To Know What Love Is". The group has 10 multi-platinum albums to its credit and is one of the best-selling bands of all time, with worldwide sales in excess of 75 million. "40" brings together the best songs from FOREIGNER's nine studio albums, including all 16 of its Top 30 hits: "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and more. The collection features "Too Late" from the group's 2008 retrospective "No End In Sight" and "The Flame Still Burns", the title track from a vinyl EP released just last year, making its debut on CD in this collection. All prior recordings have been remastered and the album features two new tracks recorded especially for this release, "Give My Life For Love" and a new version of "I Don't Want To Live Without You". The first disc covers FOREIGNER's first five albums: "Foreigner" (1977), "Double Vision" (1978), "Head Games" (1979), "4" (1981) and "Agent Provocateur" (1984). The 21 tracks include some the group's biggest hits ("Urgent" and "Feels Like The First Time") as well as deeper cuts like "Luanne" and "Women". The second disc features songs from "Inside Information" (1987), "Unusual Heat" (1991), "Mr. Moonlight" (1994) and "Can't Slow Down" (2009), and features "Rain", "When It Comes to Love" and "Heart Turns To Stone". FOREIGNER — Mick Jones (lead guitar), Kelly Hansen (lead vocals), Jeff Pilson (bass, vocals), Tom Gimbel (rhythm guitar, sax, vocals), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar) and Chris Frazier (drums) — will hit the road this summer for their 40th-anniversary tour with CHEAP TRICK and JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE. The tour kicks off on July 11 in Syracuse, New York. "40" CD track listing: Disc One

01. Feels Like The First Time (radio edit)02. Starrider03. Cold As Ice04. Long, Long Way From Home05. Headknocker06. Hot Blooded (radio edit)07. Double Vision (radio edit)08. Blue Morning, Blue Day09. Dirty White Boy (radio edit)10. Head Games11. Women12. Urgent (radio edit)13. Juke Box Hero14. Waiting For A Girl Like You15. Night Life16. Luanne17. I Want To Know What Love Is18. That Was Yesterday19. Tooth And Nail20. Reaction To Action (radio edit)21. Down On Love Disc Two

01. Heart Turns To Stone02. Can't Wait03. Lowdown And Dirty04. Soul Doctor05. White Lie06. Rain07. All I Need To Know08. Too Late09. When It Comes To Love10. Can't Slow Down11. In Pieces12. Fool For You Anyway13. Say You Will14. Save Me15. Girl On The Moon (Live)16. Break It Up (Live)17. I Don't Want To Live Without You (new recording)18. Give My Life For Love (new recording)19. The Flame Still Burns (available on CD for the first time)

Echo of The Metal Authority conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza of German thrash metal veterans KREATOR before the band's March 19 concert in Tampa, Florida. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked about the lyrical message on KREATOR's latest album, "Gods Of Violence", Mille said: "It's hard to explain. If you already got the glimpe and got the idea that the lyrics are in a way… Of course, I use graphic words and very strong and heavy vocabulary, but the message is a positive one, of course. That is because a lot of the lyrics are very metaphoric and very much deal with issues that I… When I think about certain events and certain things… Like, for example, 'Satan Is Real', of course I don't think Satan is real. I don't think any of these religious icons are real. To me, it's just an expression, an example for Satan, God, Allah… whoever you want him to be. And I think this shouldn't be real in this day and age. That's why the song 'Satan Is Real' reflects on the fact that a lot of the problems that we have in this day and age are based on religion and the way people interpret religion and how they make religion a tool to manipulate people and make them do very evil things."

KREATOR is headlining this year's edition of the annual Decibel Magazine Tour. Support on the trek is coming from Florida death metal legends OBITUARY, old-school Ohio brutalizers MIDNIGHT and progressive death prodigies HORRENDOUS.

"Gods Of Violence" entered the official chart in Germany at position No. 1. The cover artwork for the album was created by renowned artist Jan Meininghaus, who also made the limited-edition artwork for KREATOR's previous effort, 2012's "Phantom Antichrist", and has lent his talents to bands like BOLT THROWER, ACCEPT and OVERKILL in the past.

The exclusive North American cover for "Gods Of Violence" was created by renowned artist Marcelo Vasco, who has previously worked with SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY and HATEBREED.

German alcohol-soaked thrash metal act TANKARD will release its seventeenth studio album, "One Foot In The Grave", on June 2 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "R.I.B. (Rest In Beer)" was recorded at Gernhart Studios in Troisdorf with producer Martin Buchwalter (DESTRUCTION, ACCUSER, PERZONAL WAR, SUIDAKRA).

A trailer for "One Foot In The Grave" is available below. The clip was filmed at a listening session for the new album which took place on February 17 at the Alte Liebe pub in Frankfurt, Germany.

"One Foot In The Grave" track listing:

01. Pay To Pray02. Arena Of The True Lies03. Don`t Bullshit Us!04. One Foot In The Grave05. Syrian Nightmare06. Northern Crown (Lament Of The Undead King)07. Lock`Em Up!08. The Evil That Men Display09. Secret Order 151610. Sole Grinder

This time, the album is going to have a serious streak, not only filled with humor but criticizing today's society. Even the traditional beer song "Secret Order 1516" displays some critical elements. But don't worry: fans of the typical TANKARD humor won't be disappointed! With songs like "Sole Grinder", the band hasn't forgotten their raison d'être. This song pays tribute to the band’s manager Buffo (Gerre: "The funniest choleric person in Germany") in an ironic way.

The cover artwork for "One Foot In The Grave" was created by Patrick Strogulski, who is a student of Sebastian Krüger, the recent artwork designer of TANKARD. He also created the cover artwork for the "A Girl Called Cerveza" and "R.I.B." albums. With this, the iconic band 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. The TANKARD fan club "Maniac Aliens" is also named after it.

States TANKARD vocalist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia: "Mister Strogulski has once again created a real masterpiece and surpassed himself. Our first plan was that I would be on the cover instead of the alien... but, lucky me, it ended up being the alien..."

The clip below offers a look behind the scenes of the "One Foot In The Grave" album production, as well the very first song snippets.

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

The song "Follow Me Under", 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

Atlanta heavy rock icons MASTODON were the musical guests on last night's (Monday, April 3) episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The band played the song "Show Yourself" on the show's outdoor stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Check out video footage below.

MASTODON will play a rare, intimate show at Amoeba Music in Hollywood later today (Tuesday, April 4) at 5 p.m. Fans who purchase the band's new album, "Emperor Of Sand", at Amoeba Music in Hollywood will receive admission to the in-store and a limited-edition "Mastodon Live At Amoeba" lithograph commemorating the show. Admission is limited to in-store orders only and two LP/CD + ticket per person. Admittance lines for the in-store will form on Ivar Avenue beginning at 2 p.m. on April 4 and is limited to first purchasers and the store's capacity.

The follow-up to 2014's "Once More 'Round The Sun", "Emperor Of Sand" was recorded at The Quarry Recording Studio in Kennesaw, just outside MASTODON's hometown of Atlanta, with producer Brendan O'Brien (PEARL JAM, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), who first worked with MASTODON on their seminal 2009 album "Crack The Skye".

MASTODON kicks off a spring U.S. headline tour in support of "Emperor Of Sand" on April 14 in Missoula, Montana, with support from EAGLES OF DEATH METAL and RUSSIAN CIRCLES. The tour also includes stops at several festivals, including the Carolina Rebellion on May 5.

Swedish doom / folk / medieval metal mongers Apocalypse Orchestra have released their new single, "Flagellants' Song" today and it can be enjoyed via the YouTube video below.

Taken from their upcoming Despotz Records release, The End Is Nigh, the band says the following about the track, "Flayed minds fumbling in perpetual darkness alongside madness. With the word of God flogging the soul like a whip ripping the flesh. Seeking salvation through suffering, bordering on lunacy. Give a demented laugh and join the 'Flagellants' Song'."

With one leg in medieval times and the other in modern metal, Apocalypse Orchestra weaves their own special tapestry of music. The tones of the hurdy gurdy and the bagpipe intertwine with heavy guitars, allowing music separated by over 800 years to meet.

The band was formed by musical partners in crime Mikael Lindstrom and Erik Larsson in Gävle, Sweden, bonding over their love of folk music and sludgy metal. With the idea to combine the two genres and having a wealth of original music and lyrics they decided to incorporate melodies from as far back as the 11th century in order to round out their vision. The idea was to create an homage to a bygone era.

The End Is Nigh tracklisting:

"The Garden of Earthly Delights"
"Pyre"
"Flagellants' Song"
"Exhale"
"Theatre Of War"
"The Great Mortality"
"To Embark"
"Here Be Monsters"

 

 

Brazilian metal band Shadowside have checked in with the following update:

"As promised, here is the first taste of Shadowside's upcoming album... a sample of the new song 'What If'!"

Shadowside's new as-yet-untitled album was recorded at Fredman Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden, with producers Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, Evergrey, Bring me the Horizon, Hammerfall) and Henrik Udd (Architects, Delain, Dream Evil, Bring Me The Horizon) and will feature the debut of new bass player Magnus Rosén (ex-Hammerfall).

The new Shadowside album features the collaboration of Andy La Rocque, guitarist known worldwide for his work with King Diamond. La Rocque wrote a few of the new songs together with new bassist Magnus Rosén (ex-HammerFall).

Back in December 2016, Shadowside posted the following:

"Here is the last part of the making of 'Alive', Shadowside's upcoming music video! This is a 15-minute video with behind the scenes footage of the 3 days we spent filming our new music video in Florida, USA, with interviews with band members Dani Nolden, Magnus Rosén, Raphael Mattos and Fabio Buitvidas, and the video director Daniel Stilling."

Chicago based rock band Aeraco has released the official music video for the title track, "Baptized By Fire," from their forthcoming album, scheduled for release June 30th via Dark Star Records in association with MVD and Sony Music Entertainment.

Baptized By Fire was produced by Aeraco, recorded and mixed by Bruce "Beast" Smith and mastered by Grammy award winning engineer Brian "BigBass" Gardner.

"We are extremely proud of what we've done. All of our careers have led to this point and we feel like we were made to make this album. To say we're excited would be a huge understatement!" - Aeraco

Tracklisting:

"Baptized By Fire"
"Stab In Dim Light"
"The Outlaw"
"Back With Vengeance"
"Withered Rose"
"In Vain"
"All I Know"
"Tequila & Lime"
"Lone Wolf"
"Fighting The Fame"
"In Hell We Trust"
"Cum To Rock"
"Bad"

 

ART OF ANARCHY, the band featuring CREED singer Scott Stapp alongside DISTURBED bassist John Moyer and ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, stopped by the WDHA Coors Light Studio and performed acoustic versions of the songs "The Madness" and "Changed Man". Check out the footage below.

ART OF ANARCHY's sophomore album, "The Madness", was released on March 24.

Thal said in an interview with TeamRock that Stapp is thriving as ART OF ANARCHY's new lead singer, adding that the band is providing a healthy environment for Stapp as he continues his fight to stay sober. Thal explained: "The band, ART OF ANARCHY, is drug free. Me and the Votta brothers [guitarist Jon and drummer Vince] have never even smoked a cigarette, none of us drink, have never done drugs, never smoked pot or anything like that."

Thal continued: "So that's good, because the last thing you need on the road if you're trying to stay clean is a bunch of people doing that around you. Scott is doing well... It's great that he has a strong family and a lot of people that care and support and that were there to help him get out of that situation. Now he's better than ever."

The CREED frontman joined the band last year, following a highly publicized, drug-enhanced meltdown in late 2014, after which he entered rehab program and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Stapp told The Pulse Of Radio he was touring as a solo artist again when he was approached about joining. "I really wasn't looking for a band, but I was definitely curious," he said. "I wanted to see what it was all about. I love writing with talented people and I think that's really what made the decision for me, was to sit in a room with Ron, Jon and Vince and throw out ideas, trade ideas and realize, 'Hey, there's something that could come of this.'"

ART OF ANARCHY made its live debut in October 2016 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City and will embark on its first headlining tour this month.

ART OF ANARCHY released a self-titled debut album in 2015 that featured former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland.

Reinvigorated black metal infamists Nargaroth have shared a special broadcast discussing their forthcoming seventh album, Era Of Threnody, set for international release on May 16th via Inter Arma Productions. In this broadcast, mainman Ash and partner Bernth discuss the new album's recording and its central themes. This broadcast can be heard via the Soundcloud audio player below:

German black metal's longest-running and most prolific band, Nargaroth has built a canon of work that's as infamous as it is legendary in the underground. Led as always by the peerless vision of vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ash, the Nargaroth aesthetic has spanned the many extremes of black metal as an artform, but always done with bravado and self-belief, purity of intent and purity of purpose. Now, with the band's first full-length in a long eight years, Era Of Threnody has arrived to mark a glorious new epoch for Nargaroth.

Ever aptly titled, Era Of Threnody burns with rage and repose - a war cry from a battlefield long forgotten, a remembrance of sorrows past, present, and future. Across its 65-minute landscape, the 10 songs which comprise Era Of Threnody paint a portrait of Nargaroth at its most dynamic: nearly every unique era of the band is represented, but executed with a startling sense of professionalism. But let it be known that "professionalism" in no way should be conflated with mainstream ambitions, for this is still pure 'n' pristine black metal in all its monochromatic grandeur. More accurately, perhaps, Era Of Threnody is the sound of Nargaroth at the height of its powers, well rested from the studio hiatus and eager 'n' emboldened by an upcoming European tour with Absu and Hate. The time of reckoning is at hand, and it is indeed the Era Of Threnody!

In the meantime, a special teaser video can be enjoyed below. The cover art and tracklisting follow.

Tracklisting:

"Dawn Of Epiphany"
"Whither Goest Thou"
"Conjunction Underneath The Alpha Weel"
"...As Orphans Drifting In A Desert Night"
"The Agony Of A Dying Phoenix"
"Epicedium To A Broken Dream"
"Love Is A Dog From Hell"
"Era Of Threnody"
"TXFO"
"My Eternal Grief, Anguish Neverending"

 

 

With less than two weeks remaining before the April 14th release of their second full-length, Craven Idol has unleashed the second track from The Shackles Of Mammon, a song called "A Ripping Strike"; listen via the audio player below.

The Shackles of Mammon by Craven Idol

Recorded at Birmingham's Priority Studios and engineered by Esoteric's Greg Chandler (and mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound), The Shackles Of Mammon boasts an old school production as well as Craven Idol's most fierce and varied songs to date.

Lyrically the album deals with the vices of man, the plagues they unleashed upon themselves, and the rationalisation of its own actions - be it in tragedy or ruin - through the creation of deities and cults. Mammon the - Demon of Avarice - reigns above all, whilst the black arts and countless religions seek to justify human failure. 

The album boasts artwork by the extraordinarily twisted Daniel Corcuera. The artist's powerful take on Sascha Schneider's 1896 wood carving 'Mammon und sein Sklave' is a striking work of art.  

Tracklisting: 

"Pyromancer"
"A Ripping Strike"
"Black Flame Divination"
"The Trudge"
"Dashed To Death"
"Mammon Est"
"Hunger"
"Tottering Cities Of Men"

Catch Craven Idol live in concert:

April
8 - London, England - Black Heart
15 - Glasgow, Scotland - North Of The Wall Fest

May
15 - London, England - Underworld (with Nifelheim)

 

 

Unleashing a furious and blistering sound bred from the union of varied creative metal borne winds, Brazilian metallers Siriun have persistently drawn eager ears since emerging in 2014 and are poised to do so again with the release of their debut album.

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Siriun was formed by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Alexandre Castellan. His vision saw a tapestry of modern, brutal metal woven with progressive, grooved spun adventure around thought provoking lyrical explorations. To bring his ideas and imagination to life, Alexandre linked up with a long-time friend in bassist Hugo Machado and world renowned drummer Kevin Talley, famed for his explosive prowess through the likes of Six Feet Under, Daath, Feared, Suffocation, DevilDriver, and Battlecross. The result of aligning their striking individual talents has led to a first album which in perfect balance devours the senses and ignites the imagination as raw and tempestuous intensity entangles with technical and melodically grooved imagination.

In Chaos We Trust is a furnace of sonic and emotional fire as ravenous as it is seductive, each track drawing the listener into unique explorations of sound and provocation. It sees acoustic and predatory sides often entangling, exotically melodic and savagely invasive textures frequently aligning as the compelling lyrical and vocal confrontations of Alexandre roar.

The album's first single, "Mass Control”, is available for streaming below. It presents a hellacious echo of a live presence which has seen acclaim and an increasing tide of fans sweep towards Siriun, shows with the likes of Krisiun and The Black Dahlia Murder reinforcing the band's growing reputation now set to be pushed on again by the release of In Chaos We Trust.

Produced and mixed by Alexandre with mastering undertaken by Alan Douches (The Black Dahlia Murder, Revocation), the global introduction to Siriun simply demands attention. Wrapped in the glorious artwork of Dark Tranquillity guitarist Niklas Sundin, who also made the remarkable animated video for album track “Transmutation”, the imaginatively and physically voracious In Chaos We Trust goes for the jugular as it enslaves the imagination from its fiercely growling and creatively transfixing opener “Mass Control” right through to the intensively climactic close of final track “Becoming Aware”.

In Chaos We Trust is the next step in Siriun's hungry and rabidly inventive assault on the biggest metal spotlight which, with the new lineup of guitarist Elvis Damigo, bassist Ricardo Amorim, and drummer Braulio Drumond alongside Alexandre and another surge of live shows ahead, will not allow to go unnoticed.

Tracklisting:

“Mass Control”
“Infected”
“Spread Of Hate”
“Cosmogenesis”
“In Chaos We Trust”
“Transmutation”
“Intent”
“Becoming Aware”

“Mass Control”:

Hail Of Bullets performed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2011. Footage of the band’s full set is available for streaming below.

Setlist:

“General Winter”
“Operation Z”
“Red Wolves Of Stalin”
“Kamikaze”
“Ordered Eastward”

"With sadness in our hearts, we hereby inform you that we have decided to pull the plug on Hail Of Bullets," reads a post dated March 13, 2017 on the band's official Facebook page. "The patient had been suffering from illness for a few years already. We thought we had cut out the disease a few years ago, but apparently the tumor was more widespread than we had expected. There are no immediate plans to resurrect the corpse…

PS: Personal messages/questions about this situation will not be answered. This is it, and both you and us will have to deal with that..."

 

 

Calling Rotterdam, Netherlands home, Hail Of Bullets released three albums via Metal Blade Records:  …Of Frost And War (2008), On Divine Winds (2010), and III: The Rommel Chronicles (2013).

At the end of 2015, Hail Of Bullets parted ways with singer Martin van Drunen (Pestilence, Asphyx) due to personal issues, and Dave Ingram (Bolt Thrower, Benediction) was announced as the permanent replacement vocalist. The remainder of the lineup for this Dutch old school death metal supergroup stayed intact from beginning to end, namely: guitarists Paul Baayens and Stephan Gebédi (Thanatos), bassist Theo Van Eekelen, and drummer Ed Warby (Gorefest, Ayreon). The band's lyricial content centered on World War II.

"Warsaw Rising" video:

"Swoop Of The Falcon" lyric video:

"Operation Z" video:

Like a Lovecraft-ian novel, death metal knows no bounds. It's themes are often filled with outlandish creatures and horrors that challenge the everyday monotony of our existence. It's through these musical and lyrical themes that we are afforded an opportunity to truly be free... to live among the creatures that dwell in our subconscious minds.

Straight from the deepest, darkest recesses of the mind is born a partnership of musical aberration, crawling from the murk in the form of Canada's Fumigation and The Path To R'Lyeh. This brutal two-some have joined forces on the CDN Records-released split CD, aptly-titled Invasion.

Invasion will be released on April 28th through CDN Records. Pre-orders can be made here.

Tracklisting:

Fumigation

“Arachnophobia”
“Forced Vaginal Harbourage”
“Earwigs & Earwax”
“A Beard Full Of Maggots”

“Arachnophobia”:

The Path To R'Lyeh

“Dream Eater”
“The Book Made Of Human Skin”
“Extra-Terrestrial Abomination”
“Y'ha-ntlei's Awakening”

Credits:

Artwork by Pzychopart
Layout by Yan Chatel

Fumigation guest vocals:

Track 1: Em Rodríguez (Green Lung Grinders)
Track 2: L-P Dugal (Ex-Fumigation / Accursed Creation)
Track 3: Tobin (Deamon / Deathrow Six)
Track 4: Corey Athos (Flesh Consumed)

All Music by Chris Humeniuk and Fumigation.
All Lyrics by Scott McConnery, L-P Dugal, Chris Humeniuk, Tobin, Jay Donelly
Drums tracked by Topon Das at "Apartment 2 Recording"

Engineered/Mixed/Mastered by Tom Hansen

The Path To R'Lyeh:

All music by Alain Harrison Cloutier
All lyrics by Yan Chatel
Guitars, Bass, and Drum Programming by Alain Harrison Cloutier
Vocals by Yan Chatel

Exterminating since early 2008, Fumigation is a five-piece death metal band from Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Today's metal scene lacks bands with a constant theme, or at least an interesting one. Through this void enters Fumigation "Your Death Metal Pest Control Specialists". The theme of insects, rodents and chemicals is entertaining, insightful, and humorous all at the same time. From phobias to infestations, harbourages to feeding habits, Fumigation will dissect the situation and select the best method of control. This method usually comes in the form of groove laden death metal.

Signed to CDN Records, Fumigation released their debut full length CD Integrated Pest Management in 2013. The band has been supporting large underground metal acts such as Vital Remains, Napalm Death, Malignancy, Revocation, Dehumanized, Incantation, etc. and have toured parts of Quebec and Ontario including participation in festivals. The band has also been featured on various Canadian and international compilations, Canadian and internet radio stations, blogs, mobile game apps, print magazines, and more.

Lineup:

Mat Desjardins: Drums
Jay Donnelly: Vox
Tom Hansen: Guitar
Chris Humeniuk: Bass
Matt MacIvor: Guitar

It is in the search of R'lyeh that the band took root. During this insane journey, no one could anticipate the meeting of the minds that now shapes The Path To R'Lyeh.

Having benefited for years from the lore of H.P. Lovecraft, it was felt that the metal scene was ready to contribute, once again, to the exceptional lore of this genius writer. The Path To R'Lyeh is not so much as a tribute as it is a willing contributor, aiming at adding to the world of Lovecraft as well as using its pillars to immerse the listener in a dark and mad place.

Quebec, Canada's The Path To R'Lyeh devotes themselves passionately and with abandon to prepare brutal, opaque and grim tales that will transport you into a nightmarish yet fascinating world where the holy does not exist and the wicked comes from distant worlds.

Lineup:

Alain Cloutier: Guitar
Milann Vaidya: Drum
Yan Chatel: Vocal
Jonathan Lattimore Desabrais: Guitar

Tony J. West, lead vocalist for Hollywood’s Blacklist Union, recently recorded six songs for Stone Temple Pilots in an attempt to secure the lead vocalist position left vacant by Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and the late Scott Weiland.

XS Rock spoke with Tony about the songs, why he’s making them available as free downloads and his thoughts about the late Scott Weiland and Stone Temple Pilots.

Read the full story and get your free download at xsrock.com.

American melodic speed/true heavy metal warriors, Vänlade, have announced the addition of new bassist Jonathan Tennant to their ranks.

Vanlade vocalist Brett "Blackout" Scott has checked in with the following comment: “Welcome to a new era of Vänlade! We are excited to announce the addition of our new bass player, Jonathan Tennant, the man behind the bass onslaught of Midwest extreme metal legends such as Garoted and Verräter.

“Jonathan has years of experience shredding the low end alongside our drummer Nolan Weber in these projects and has become a good friend of ours over this time. We couldn't have found a better dude or more competent musician to fill this role, and we can't wait to show off what we can do now. Be on the lookout for upcoming new album updates and come catch us live at the Legions Of Metal festival in Chicago, Illinois on May 20th.”

Vanlade's last release was their 2016 covers EP, Wayward Sons: Masters Of Time Vol. I, which featured songs from Heart, Saxon, Black Sabbath, Rush, Judas Priest and Kansas.

Vänlade’s last full studio album, Rage Of The Gods, was released in 2015 via Metalizer Records (Germany) and was mastered by guitarist / producer Stu "The Hammer" Marshall.

Greek metallers, W.E.B., have announced their signing with Apathia Records. A message from the band follows:

“Dear Libertines, We are very pleased to announce that we have signed with French record label, Apathia Records. Not only are we glad to be part of their amazing band roster but, also France is a place W.E.B. have great memories and bond from, since the last time we toured the country extensively.

“We also reveal to you the title of our upcoming album. It is said to be the darkest place of Greek mythology.... TARTARUS! Tartarus full-length album is scheduled to be released within October of 2017. More about this will follow up. STAY DARK!”

(Photo - Georgina Staikou Photography)