The new video below features guitarist Thomas Zwijsen performing “God Gave Rock And Roll To You”, arranged for classical, acoustic, flamenco or fingerstyle guitar. "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" was originally written by Argent and covered by Petra and KISS. The KISS version was titled "God Gave Rock And Roll To You II", and was used for the film Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and later included on the KISS album Revenge.

The video below features Thomas Zwijsen and Ben Woods performing an acoustic version of Europe’s “The Final Countdown”. The clip was shot all over Europe during the Master Guitar Tour 2016. This fingerstyle/acoustic/flamenco/classical guitar arrangement was made by Thomas Zwijsen and Ben Woods especially for the tour.

In another video, Zwijsen performs a cover of the Judas Priest classic, “A Touch Of Evil”, alongside vocalist Laura Guldemond. Laura is the singer of Shadowrise, but you may also know her from Idols, or from performing with Dutch metal opera Ayreon.

It was reported back in March 2013 that German/Norwegian folk metallers Midnattsol were working on new material, but the band hasn't been heard from since. They have now broken the silence with an update: 

"Hey Folks,

If you can`t believe what you`re reading right now, we fully understand you, it has been years since the last album. Despite this, we can assure you that it`s true: Midnattsol is alive!

Lots of things have happened in our personal lives. There were new jobs, new loved ones and a lot of little 'sols' have entered in our lives. Still, we always kept on writing songs and just waited for the right moment to shine again. 

We appreciate your everlasting support deep within our hearts – thank you for never stop believing in us! A new era for Midnattsol has started, and we are more than ever eager and excited for the following time. More special news is waiting for you, and we`re pretty sure that at last one will blow you away. Stay tuned!"

Midnattsol's third album, The Metamorphosis Melody, was released in April 2011.

For information and updates on Midnattsol go to this location.

Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault recently conducted an interview with vocalist Noora Louhimo of Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Assault: I guess the main change you have this time is that your main songwriter and guitar player Anton Kabanen is no longer in the band, and you got a new guitar player. Was "Bringer Of Pain" written before that change happened, or after?

Noora: "No. We actually wrote this new album with the whole band this time. That was actually part of the reason why we had to go different ways from Anton, because Anton wanted to do all the songs and make decisions on everything, and we weren't willing to do that. We wanted this band to be involved, and have everyone write songs if they want to. We did that with this album. This was really an interesting and exciting and nice experience because we could learn so many things about each other as bandmembers and friends. Of course, it wasn't like dancing with the roses but it was definitely something I want to experience again. [Laughs]"

Metal Assault: So, it must have been a very different process to write this album, with everybody involved.

Noora: "Right. On the previous albums, Anton did all the songs. I wouldn't say that we have always appreciated him as a songwriter, and he is a very talented one. But some of the other stuff didn't work with him. But yeah, this time we actually had our new guitar player, Joona [Björkroth], also write songs. I think he did four songs on the new album, and our keyboard player, Janne [Björkroth], did seven. There is one song that I wrote with Joona together, and it's actually the title song 'Bringer Of Pain'. And then our bass player Eero [Sipilä] did two songs for the album, and one song was written by Juuso [Soinio], our other guitar player."

Metal Assault: I think your music is very catchy and that's what I like about it most. Is that something you do purposely, or does it happen on its own?

Noora: "[Laughs] I think it might be part of the BATTLE BEAST magic. As you can see, the music doesn't get done just by one person now, it's done by several persons. But we still actually understand what is the BATTLE BEAST sound, and I think the sound comes from the band, and the way that we are thinking together. I guess our attention has always been to do good music, and that is the basic thing. So, let's just do good music that we like, and if someone else likes it too, it's just bonus, you know. [Laughs]"

Metal Assault: Obviously, there was already an album which the band released before you joined the band. I was always curious, and just for readers who may be don't know the band as well, how did you come in contact with the band and how did you become the singer?

Noora: "Long story short, and I'm really bad at short stories [laughs], but I'll try my best. But yeah, the BATTLE BEAST guys actually found me on YouTube, singing Janis Joplin. I started my singing career singing Janis Joplin's music, and someone had put this clip on YouTube. By accident, Anton saw this clip and suggested the guys to take me into the band. Then Anton called me and asked if I wanted to join the band, and told me the situation that we had about a month's time to rehearse because we were going on a tour with SONATA ARCTICA, and they had already started recording a new BATTLE BEAST. So, you could say it was pretty hectic times back then. [Laughs] And on top of that, I had never sung heavy metal before BATTLE BEAST, so it was a totally new area for me, even though I had been listening to heavy metal music since I was 15 or 16 years old. But it was new for me as a singer to do heavy metal."

Read the entire interview at Metal Assault.

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL will release their sixth album, aptly titled "Six", on May 26 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2010's "In The Night" was once again produced by DREAM EVIL guitarist Fredrik Nordström at his own Studio Fredman facilities, which is the birthplace of many modern metal masterpieces by such bands as IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, HAMMERFALL, AT THE GATES, DIMMU BORGIR, POWERWOLF, ARCHITECTS and BRING ME THE HORIZON. DREAM EVIL checked in with the following comment about the upcoming release: "Finally, six years after the release of 'In The Night', we started to record our new album titled 'Six', which is DREAM EVIL's album number six. We know it took us a while to get our thumbs out of our asses, but now the wait is over and we are sure the new material has made the waiting time worthwhile. On May 26, the time is here, it's time for 'Six'."

While DREAM EVIL is currently busy shooting video clips for the new album with longtime partner in visuals Patric Ullaeus (IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, WITHIN TEMPTATION), the first trailer for "Six" can be seen below.

The "Six" cover artwork, which can be seen below, was again created by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, AMARANTHE, FIREWIND). In related news, May 26 will also see the release of the third DREAM EVIL album, "The Book Of Heavy Metal", for the first time ever on vinyl. Considered a modern heavy metal classic by many, 2004's "The Book Of Heavy Metal" will be available on 180-gram black vinyl with the entire album on CD as a bonus.

DREAM EVIL is:

Niklas Isfeldt - Lead VocalsFredrik Nordström - Lead Rhythm GuitarsMark U Black - Lead Lead GuitarsPeter Stålfors - Lead BassPatrik Jerksten - Lead Drums

STONE SOUR has completed work on its new album, "Hydrograd", for a June release via Roadrunner Records. The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER.

STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor told the BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" that the band "destroyed it" during the recording sessions for "Hydrograd". He explained: "Everyone is saying the same thing — not only are the songs good but the energy is incredible, because it has that live vibe. This is not beat detected, Auto-Tuned, pitch-corrected — nothing. It is so badass, it's not even funny."

Regarding Ruston's involvemenet in the project, Corey said: "He mixed not only the two 'House Of Gold & Bones' albums [from STONE SOUR], but he also mixed the 'Burbank' covers with us. And he's just been a good friend of mine for a really long time. This is like a co-production for us. So it's, like, big, big, big time. It's unreal. People are freaking out."

Asked when fans can expect to hear some of the new STONE SOUR music, Corey said: "Hopefully soon. We have a tune that we're probaby going to leak. It's gonna be a heavier anthem tune, but not in a way that is usual. I mean, that's kind of the cool thing about this whole album — the heavy stuff is heavy, but not in a typically mediocre, normal heavy way. It just has such a different vibe to it that it's really infectious; people are really catching on to it. So the first tune, it could have very easily been a single. But we have six singles on this album as well. And you know what? We're just gonna come out and bust people and see what happens. I'm really, really excited."

Taylor also spoke about the new disc's musical direction, saying: "This album is great because it's got elements of everything. It's got the heavy energy of the '80s, there's punk moments, there's hard rock moments, all the great amalgam of music. There's even jazz and hip-hop moments. It's really, really cool. It's probably the coolest album I've made since the first SLIPKNOT album, let's put it that way. It's dope, dude. And, hey, I feel very confident making that statement, because it's so good."

Taylor recently told The Pulse Of Radio that the new STONE SOUR disc is a natural progression from the band's last studio efforts. "All the promise that we showed on the 'House Of Gold & Bones' albums, we are really trying to kind of push even further with this, and it's exciting, man," he said. "Style-wise, it'll feel like it's kind of all over the map, but it'll be very, very unifying when everybody hears it. I'm really excited."

STONE SOUR's last full set of new material was the "House Of Gold & Bones" double album, which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013. The band also released two EPs of cover songs in the last couple of years, "Meanwhile In Burbank..." and "Straight Out Of Burbank".

Taylor returned to the STONE SOUR fold this year after his other band, SLIPKNOT, completed the touring cycle for its 2014 album, ".5: The Gray Chapter".

Sebastian Bach has confirmed that he is preparing to make the follow-up to his 2014 album "Give 'Em Hell". The former SKID ROW singer told the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast: "I'm about to start on a new record, and my goal is to totally make a 'vinyl' album, as far as the sound and everything. I'm gonna concentrate on that. Whatever process that entails, I'm going to make a record like [a classic] APRIL WINE record, that I can drop the needle and have these kind of sound qualities. That's what I wanna do. I can do whatever I wanna do. That's what I wanna do. That's what I'm gonna try as hard as I can to do. I wanna make an album that sounds like the albums that I love, production-wise."

Bach also hinted that the classic lineup of SKID ROW was once being considered for a support-act slot on the GUNS N' ROSES "Not In This Lifetime" tour. "I don't know if I can get into that," he said. "But there was talk of all that. And it's a crazy situation."

According to Bach, it makes perfect sense that he would continue to get asked about the possibility of a reunion of the classic SKID ROW lineup, more than two decades since his exit from the group. "I know why" people keep inquiring about it, he said. "Because we're five human beings on a planet that are still alive that have this opportunity sitting in front of us that we are just collectively not taking. And people are, like, 'What a bunch of fucking idiots?' [Laughs] I include myself in that — okay? — 'cause I'm part of it, but I don't know what else I can do [to make the reunion happen]. I don't know what else… I can't do… I don't know what else to do. All I know is that I have a manager, Rick Sales. He deals with them [the other members of the classic SKID ROW lineup], and that's the only way it's gonna happen."

Bach said in a 2015 interview that he was "really dying to make a record that sounds like the records of the '70s that I always listened to." He told the "Iron City Rocks" podcast: "What I mean [by that] is recording it in a way that… Like, when I listen to 'Women And Children First' by VAN HALEN, the guitar's all the way on the left, and the vocals are in the middle, with the drums who knows where, and it's just very different sounding, recording-wise, than the way albums are made today. So I think the next time I make an album, that's really what I'm gonna be going for."

He continued: "BLACK SABBATH's '13' sounds like a '70s BLACK SABBATH album, as much as it could in 2014. So whatever the fuck they were doing, I just would love to have an album of mine that sounds like that.

"I love 'Give 'Em Hell'… 'Give 'Em Hell' is like 'Star Wars'; it's, like, 'Holy shit!' I mean, it's a very modern-sounding record. And when it really got that sound was when it went to mastering with Tom Baker; he made it sound so fucking 'spacey,' and I totally love it. But my taste, as a fan, a rock fan, the next one I do, I'm gonna be going for, like… If I could have a BLACK SABBATH '13' kind of production, that's what I'll be looking for."

Sebastian Bach's autobiography, "18 And Life On Skid Row", came out on December 6 via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Former Primal Fear Randy Black has checked in with the following update:

"And now for something completely different...

I’ve always had a huge respect for Jeff Porcaro and what he created with Toto and other artists. He was and still is such an inspiration, and in honour of the 25th. anniversary of his passing, this is my humble tribute to the iconic track 'Rosanna'."

 

Black announced his departure from Primal Fear in August 2014, citing irrecocilable differences with vocalist Ralf Scheepers. His last show with the band took place on August 15th at the Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. Black contacted BraveWords in the aftermath and released the following official statement:

"It is with mixed emotions that I confirm my decision to leave Primal Fear. This was not an easy choice but one that was unavoidable.

I have nothing to add to the original statement made August 11th by the band regarding the reasons why. I consider this an amicable parting of ways and wish no ill will to any of the members and hope that they have continued success.

It was a poignant goodbye, as my first official show and last show with the band were both played at the Summer Breeze Festival, first in 2003 and now in 2014.

To all the fans around the world that have supported me during my time with Primal Fear, I thank you all with a huge heart. You created some of the most memorable moments during the 11 years I was in the band.

I’m proud of all the music I recorded with Primal Fear and I’m thankful for the platform it gave me to further my drumming career.

I am now ready to take on the next challenge and start a new chapter in my musical journey. For any inquiries please see the contact page on my website at www.randyblack.de

Until our paths cross again, cheers!"

Randy Black

Deep Purple shot to international fame with their hit single “Hush” in 1968. The band performed live on the Playboy Show that year. Check them out as you have never seen them before.

In a recent interview with Billboard, Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover talked about how much the band still has left in the tank.

"No one wants to stop," says Glover. "But we know that I'm 71 now, [singer Ian] Gillan is 71, we're all about late 60s, early 70s, and bodies have a way of not keeping up with your brain or your career. We're all sort of approaching that point where I can't imagine another eight years to do an album."

Glover continues: "The time is approaching when it will end, but we don't want to face that. We don't actually want to make a date or a final tour or anything. We just want to carry on as long as nature allows or is kind of dignified. If we can't do what we do anymore, then yes, it's time to stop. But we're still doing it, and we're still enjoying it very much. So all we're saying is the door is closing, but it's not closed yet."

Deep Purple will release their new album, inFinite, on April 7th via earMUSIC.

On April 28, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will release a new DVD/Blu-ray, "Coma Ecliptic Live", via Metal Blade Records, in association with Good Fight Entertainment. The concert, which features the band performing their latest album, "Coma Ecliptic", in its entirety, was filmed live on location October 4, 2016 at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California.

Bassist Dan Briggs comments: "The genesis of the 'Coma Ecliptic' filming was based around capturing the look and feel of the show our lighting director Chris Hill produced for the full album set. It's such an important record for us and our progression as a band and the visual representation captures the moods of our tragic tale so well. It's the perfect way to wrap up the last two years we've been living with this album day in and day out!"

"Coma Ecliptic Live" available formats:

- CD/DVD/Blu-ray- 180-gram black 2LP- golden yellow marble 2LP (limited to 300 copies - EU exclusive) - ultra violet marble 2LP (limited to 200 copies - EU exclusive) - purple/black marble 2LP (limited to 300 copies - USA exclusive)

Hailed as "a 68-minute cosmic opera" (Rolling Stone), "Coma Ecliptic" was released in July 2015, debuting at #12 on The Billboard 200.

The upcoming DVD/Blu-ray for "Coma Ecliptic Live" will surely please fans once again, with the must-see visual component added to the already acclaimed album. Directed by Vince Edwards and edited by Blake Faucette and Justin Reich, "Coma Ecliptic Live"'s audio was mixed by Jamie King at the Basement Recording NC, with live GoPro camera placement by the band's own Blake Richardson (drums).

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME lineup:

Tommy Rogers - Vocals, KeyboardsDan Briggs - BassBlake Richardson - DrumsPaul Waggoner - GuitarDustie Waring - Guitar

Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL have set "1755" as the title of their Portuguese-language album about the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, which occurred in the Kingdom of Portugal. In combination with subsequent fires and a tsunami, the earthquake almost totally destroyed Lisbon and adjoining areas. The band is currently in pre-production with John Phipps at its home studios (Inferno) in Portugal and has recently posted online some pictures of videos of their daily work.

What was supposed to be just a four-song bonus for the "Lisboa Under The Spell" DVD and Blu-ray (recorded last February in Lisbon with four thousand wild fans attending, to be released in 2018) evolved into a full-length album that will be produced by Tue Madsen (of Denmark's Antfarm Studios) who worked with the band in a few previous releases ("Under Satanae", "Night Eternal", "Alpha Noir"/"Omega White").

MOONSPELL vocalist Fernando Ribeiro said: "We fell in love with the concept and made perfect sense to sing it in our national language, Portuguese. I guess we were just waiting for the right opportunity to work on such an album. Musically, it will be heavier than 'Extinct'. It will be earthshaking but also very detailed with orchestrations and percussion as we want people to relive the Lisbon of the 18th century. Singing it in Portuguese allowed me to find a different expression as a vocalist and my job is to be the survivor of the earthquake, roaming the ruins and telling you all about it."

In a 2016 interview with Spark TV, Ribeiro stated about the new MOONSPELL album concept: "I always was very fascinated about the apocalypse, the end of things, and we had this experience in the 18th Century, in 1755, and it really affected not only by the destruction and the death toll — it was very high, and it was probably one of the biggest earthquakes ever to occur on European soil — but it also influenced the way people looked at Gods, at religion, the way Europe changed. And it was tragic and traumatic, but the earthquake was the birth of a more modern Portugal, a Portugal that actually would enjoy a period of prosperity after, and the Portugal that was, before the earthquake, just going down and lost in vice and corruption and greed. So I think it makes for an interesting subject, and it makes it even more interesting if I do it in Portuguese, because it happened there."

Regarding the musical direction of the material that will appear on the new MOONSPELL LP, Fernando said: "It's not that gothic, I have to say. I think it's a more metal album. As the subject is an earthquake, it's definitely a little bit more brutal. But it still has the touch of MOONSPELL and it also has a more symphonic touch here and there. I'm not even really singing with my melodic vocals, just screaming."

Asked whether MOONSPELL would once again incorporate some of the oriental music elements — like they did on "Extinct" — on the upcoming LP, Fernando said: "I think it's a big influence in our music. And also, the idea behind this EP is to capture a certain feeling and a certain spirit of that time — people in the streets of Lisbon and people living their lives. And Lisbon, at the time, was a big metropolis, and it was populated by a lot of people — from Muslim people to people from Africa, new people from Brazil, Portuguese people, English people, French people… a lot of people, because Lisbon was the epicenter of many of the maritime dealing and commerce. So we are using these oriental things, because that was the stuff that people listened to in the streets as well, and that's important. We will not work with the same people as on 'Extinct', 'cause 'Extinct' is a full-on album, so we had more money to invest, etc. It's an EP, so it's lower budget, more modest production. But sometimes you just use your imagination. So I think that part, it's totally covered and it's going to be a bit different from 'Extinct', but it will have these feelings, definitely, on these new songs, because it's the feeling of the Portugal at the time as well."

"Extinct" was released in March 2015 via Napalm. The CD was completed at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with KATATONIA, AMON AMARTH, OPETH and PARADISE LOST, among others.

Working on the new album with Mr. orchestralmetal.com.. #moonspell #moonspellofficial #orchestralmetaldotcom #infernostudios #portugal

Posted by Moonspellofficialband on Thursday, March 2, 2017

DOPE is hinting at its upcoming album, "Blood Money Part 2", by releasing a brand new video for their cover of MINISTRY's industrial metal classic "Thieves" featuring Andy Leplegua of COMBICHRIST.

The two bands are currently co-headlining the Black Craft Whisky-sponsored "Blood Lust Death" tour.

"To celebrate the release of 'Thieves', we are inviting our fans to rob us," says DOPE frontman Edsel Dope.

The pointed-yet-hilarious video takes shots at a number of leaders throughout our history and ultimately climaxes with a ridiculous parody of Donald Trump grabbing Hillary Clinton by the pussy, followed by the two having sex while chugging wine and eating a well-done steak..

"Like many people, I wasn't pro Hillary, nor was I pro Trump," says Edsel. "I'm pro America and all of the politicians appear to be crooked in one way or another. As a result, we had a good time throwing all of them under the bus in this video."

Released In October 2016, DOPE's "Blood Money Part 1" debuted at No. 27 on The Bilboard 200 chart.

The release date for "Blood Money Part 2" has yet to be announced, but this new track is a sign that it might be coming sooner rather than later…

"I'm not a fan of cover songs," says Andy. "When Edsel reached out to me about doing 'Thieves' together, I was really skeptical — but in the end, I think we do the mighty MINISTRY justice... and I'm sure Uncle Al will love the video!"

Having completed an extremely comprehensive worldwide touring campaign in support of their comeback album, "At War With Reality", Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES have announced the departure of their co-founding guitarist Anders Björler.

Says the band in a statement: So, it is now official that Anders Björler is no longer a part of AT THE GATES. He will always be part of the AT THE GATES family, of course, but he will no longer write, record or play with us live.

"This is something that we, the rest of the band, have felt was on its way for quite some time, as that special spark was no longer with him the last year. We are grateful for all we have experienced together with him, all the records, all the songs, all the gigs, all the laughs and good times.

"The rest of us have, in the meantime, started the work on the follow-up to 'At War With Reality'. We already have three songs written, and the direction is set for an intense, hungry follow-up album.

"Jonas [Björler, bass] has always written a considerable part of the band's material and we are fully confident that the new material will live up to the standards set by our previous records. It is ripping.

"The four of us still have the burning urge to create death metal together, and we love playing live in front of our fans, so we will go on, with an even stronger intent.

"While writing the new record that we intend to record in the beginning of 2018, we are trying out Anders's replacement. Some auditions are being held as we speak, and we will get back to you with news on the matter as soon as we know more."

Anders Björler added: "Just a quick note to let everybody know that I am leaving AT THE GATES permanently. The passion is just gone. There might be a more lengthy statement in the future, but at the moment I feel no need to explain further.

"This is a personal decision, and it has 100% to do with the music side of things.

"The reunion in 2008, and the subsequent tours, as well as the comeback album, 'At War With Reality', really helped revisiting our friendship, and it brought us together in a way I will always remember and cherish.

"I would also like to thank all the people that supported us throughout the reunion shows as well as the 'At War With Reality' album. Thanks a lot!"

"At War With Reality" was released on October 28, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media. The CD, which sold 7,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 53 on The Billboard 200 chart, was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and was mixed at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, KREATOR).

AT THE GATES completed a short U.S. tour after its appearance on the 2016 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. The trek also featured THE HAUNTED and DECAPITATED (direct support) and HARMS WAY.

"A Lesson In Vengeance", a brand new song from Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's self-titled, tenth studio album, which will be released on March 17 via Relapse.

Picking up where 2014's "Inked In Blood" left off, OBITUARY show no signs of slowing down as they continue to reign as kings of death metal. Recorded at the band's home studio in Tampa, "Obituary" is a ten-track tour de force of bone-pulverizing death metal that is as heavy, uncompromising and infectious as anything they've released in the group's historic, nearly 30-year career.

"Obituary" track listing:

01. Brave02. Sentence Day03. A Lesson In Vengeance04. End It Now05. Kneel Before Me06. It Lives07. Betrayed08. Turned To Stone09. Straight To Hell10. Ten Thousand Ways To Die

The cover art was created by Andreas Marschall and can be seen below.

Commented OBITUARY vocalist John Tardy: "When writing records the songtitles and album titles are always the last things on our minds. We know that the songs themselves are the most important thing, so with this our tenth studio album and nearly three decades as a band, we thought it was the perfect time for a self-titled release. It always helps to have a killer album cover so we worked with Andreas Marschall, gave him our ideas and thoughts and asked him to break out the big guns to create an epic logo and he delivered like he always has for OBITUARY." Added the band in a collective statement: "We could not be any more excited about this new album. We had a blast writing and recording it and having Ken [Andrews, guitar] and Terry [Butler, bass] as part of the writing process was a very cool experience for all of us.

"We really took our time with the writing process of these new songs, recording riffs and ideas as we went along and recording them as rough mixes then listening back and making necessary changes to help mold them into the songs that we are extremely proud of. "It's always a challenge in the studio to get the song ideas out of your head onto the recording the way you want but we made sure we were comfortable with the songs and the sounds we were getting before we even hit the record button and it made it a great experience.

"It's hard to believe it's been two and a half years since the release of 'Inked In Blood' and we are so excited to get this new album into the hands of our fans.

"Can't wait for everyone to hear it. Hang on to your ass!!!!"

OBITUARY will hit the road this spring as part of the 2017 Decibel Magazine Tour with KREATOR, HORRENDOUS and MIDNIGHT. The tour kicks off on March 17 in Charlotte, North Carolina and runs through April 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Photo credit: Ester Segarra

"Andromeda", a brand new song from Atlanta heavy rock icons MASTODON, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's eighth studio album, "Emperor Of Sand", which will be released on March 31 via Reprise Records. The follow-up to 2014's "Once More 'Round The Sun" is available for pre-order at www.mastodonrocks.com. The deluxe pre-order package will contain the album on double 180-gram vinyl housed in a gatefold jacket along with a bonus Color-In-Your-Own vinyl jacket, plus an exclusive box of MASTODON colored pencils. In addition, fans will receive a digital copy of the entire album on March 31, along with an instant download of the album track "Sultan's Curse". "Emperor Of Sand" will also be available digitally and on CD.

The typically stunning "Emperor Of Sand" album artwork was created by Alan Brown, a.k.a. Medusawolf, who is also responsible for the inside gatefold images.

"Emperor Of Sand" finds MASTODON returning to a deeply imaginative and complex conceptual storyline that ponders the nature of time. Threading together the myth of a man sentenced to death in a majestically malevolent desert, the band conjures the grains of a musical and lyrical odyssey slipping quickly through a cosmic hourglass.

"'Emperor of sand' is like the grim reaper," says drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor. "Sand represents time. If you or anyone you know has ever received a terminal diagnosis, the first thought is about time. Invariably, you ask, 'How much time is left?'"

"We're reflecting on mortality," adds bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders. "To that end, the album ties into our entire discography. It's 17 years in the making, but it's also a direct reaction to the last two years. We tend to draw inspiration from very real things in our lives."

"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".

Over the course of MASTODON's career, the band members have fearlessly continued to push themselves towards greater creative heights on their recorded output. Each studio album has united an ever-expanding worldwide legion of fans who have come to expect the unexpected twists and turns that have elevated MASTODON to become one of the most respected and influential creative forces in rock music.

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.

Each pair of tickets purchased online for MASTODON (excluding festival dates and the May 6 Philadelphia show) includes a choice of a physical or digital copy of "Emperor Of Sand". Ticket purchasers will receive instructions via e-mail on how to redeem the album on March 31. Tickets are on sale now.

"Emperor Of Sand" track listing:

01. Sultan's Curse02. Show Yourself03. Precious Stones04. Steambreather05. Roots Remain06. Word To The Wise07. Ancient Kingdom08. Clandestiny09. Andromeda10. Scorpion Breath11. Jaguar God

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell has posted a clip online of him in the studio singing a new solo track called "The Promise", with Cornell indicating that the full tune will arrive this Friday (March 10). The song is the title track from the upcoming film starring Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale and French-Canadian actress Charlotte Le Bon, a love triangle drama set against the Armenian genocide.

"The Promise" premiered last fall at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens in theaters April 21.

Cornell's most high-profile musical contribution to a movie was "You Know My Name", his theme to the 2006 James Bond film "Casino Royale". Cornell has also contributed songs or title themes to films such as "Great Expectations", "Machine Gun Preacher" and "12 Years A Slave".

The singer told The Pulse Of Radio he prefers to make his solo material sound as different as possible from SOUNDGARDEN. "Writing any of my solo records, there's always this effort to try to make it different than the band that I'm known for," he said. "Mainly just 'cause I've never — as a music fan, never really liked when those two lines get kind of smeared."

SOUNDGARDEN last month announced a North American tour that will kick off on May 3 in Atlanta, winding down on May 27 at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.

Support on selected dates will come from THE PRETTY RECKLESS and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN. This will be SOUNDGARDEN's first trek since a summer 2014 co-headlining run with NINE INCH NAILS.

SOUNDGARDEN has reportedly been working on material for its seventh studio album, which will follow up 2012's "King Animal".




In the studio recording my song “The Promise", which will be released this Friday, March 10. #KeepThePromise

Posted by Chris Cornell on Monday, March 6, 2017

Alt rockers Lullwater have built their careers on their ability to convey their passion, talent and raw emotion to the masses. After all, as one of the industry’s hardest-working bands, they’ve literally earned each and every fan the good old fashioned way – through touring, touring and more touring. Which is why it’s no surprise that the band’s fifth video from their sophomore album Revival is, by far, their most controversial, “in-your-face”, commentary on today’s current political climate.
 

Described by lead vocalist and guitarist John Strickland as a “visual representation of our frustration with what's been happening in our society”, the video for “American Glutton” was directed by acclaimed photographer and director John Thrasher, who has worked with such artists as Drive-By Truckers, R.E.M., Against Me! and more.
 
The video was shot on location in Lullwater’s hometown of Athens, GA and is, by far, the band’s most incendiary examination of the U.S. political system.
 
“This song is the battle cry for everyone who feels let down and lied to,” said Strickland. “The video was our creative way to visually say ‘enough is enough’ and that something must change or we are all destined to be an ‘American Glutton’".

 

Los Angeles based industrial band 3Teeth has unveiled plans to release their second full-length album, shutdown.exe , on May 19th via OMF Records. Today, the band reveals the album title, release date, artwork and track listing for the upcoming record. Additional details and music will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

3Teeth’s shutdown.exe, the follow-up to their self-titled, 2014 album, was self-produced by the band, mixed by Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle) and mastered by Howie Wienberg (Deftones, Nirvana, Pantera, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden). The album features 13 songs that push their sound into new, undiscovered realms of orchestrated chaos and divine carnage with their signature fusion of experimental industrial, metal and synth driven rock that the band has become known for over the last several years.

"3Teeth are more than the sum of their influences. They are the sound of inevitability. A storm of rage and reason, man and machine, metal and bone.” - Sean Beavan (producer/mixer Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle)
 
Discussing the concepts behind the new record, frontman Alexis Mincolla says, “The album centers around the idea of shutting down consensus reality tunnels, which is a way to describe the generally agreed-upon perspectives of what is considered real."
 
Formed in 2013 in Los Angeles, 3Teeth is a transgressive artistic collaborative consisting of Alexis Mincolla (vocals), Xavier Swafford (keys), Andrew Means (drums) and Chase Brawner (guitars). Inspired by the early ‘90s industrial scene and acts like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, the four-piece boasts a unique amalgam of aggressive sound and compelling visual art that, combined with their cynical humor and provocative propaganda, ultimately ask fans to join their assault on consensus based reality.
 
Following a monumental, 2016 tour of the U.S. with legendary rock band Tool, 3Teeth is riding a wave of momentum and anticipation leading up to the release of shutdown.exe. Stay tuned for more details regarding one of the year’s most awaited releases.

Tracklisting:

“Divine Weapon”
“Pit Of Fire”
“Atrophy”
“Oblivion Coil”
“Shutdown”
“Degrade”
“Tower Of Disease”
“Tabula Umbra”
“Voiceless”
“SlaveGod”
“Insubstantia”
“B.O.A.”
“Away From Me”

“Atrophy” video:

Dutch progressive metallers, Cirrha Niva, will release their new album, Out Of The Freakshow, on April 14th via Parnassus Records. Check out the new video for "Afraid To Bleed" featuring Scarlet Stories' Lisette van den Berg.

Vocalist Legrand about the lyrics:

"If you're Afraid to Bleed for whatever thoughts you might have that's not according to or differs from whatever you were made to believe. Act like you're taught to, and be as the ones before you. Don't question or doubt, just do as you’re told. Or they will cut you down."

Guitarist Rob Willemse about the song:

"For this up-tempo rock song we had a clear ending in mind. We aimed for a vocal part in the sphere of Pink Floyd’s 'The Great Gig In The Sky’ or Ennio Morricone’s 'Once Upon A Time In The West’. And with Lisette van den Berg’s voice, input, creativity and emotion we got what we wished for."  

On Out Of The Freakshow, Cirrha Niva welcomes some very talented guest musicians. Drummer and interim band member Nathanael Taekema (Thomas Zwijsen) did the band a huge favour by creating and playing all drum tracks on the album. Psychotic Waltz frontman Devon Graves adds depth to “Just Another Legacy” with his poignant vocals and flute, and singer Lisette van den Berg (Scarlet Stories) takes “Afraid To Bleed” to a breathtaking climax. Under supervision of Joost van den Broek (ex-After Forever), keyboardist Erik van Ittersum (Theater Equation) adds spheric elements to the album using piano, Hammond organ, strings and soundscapes. And finally, the mysterious Mr. Gold, speaks as The Ringmaster in the opening song, “I Guess”.

Visualy, Cirrha Niva is surrounded by a team of creative and devoted freaks! The stunning artwork is made by Blacklake Design (Damien Wilson, Maiden United) and the band pictures are shot by Tim Tronckoe Photography. The band outfits are exclusively created by Ingeborg Steenhorst from I Style Stars (Lacuna Coil, Epica, Karmaflow).

Vocalist Legrand: “Like the saying goes: ‘out of the furnace, into the fire’. After escaping your worst nightmare you find yourself in one that’s even worse. That’s what Out Of The Freakshow is all about: getting out of whatever you want to get out of, but beware of the alternative. For we all have a freak inside of us that’s waiting for the right opportunity to get out, maybe the dirty lies of the “Silver Tongues”, or the seconds, minutes and hours that “Time” hits. Ah, you don’t have a freak hiding in the shadows? You only do good, and jealousy and envy are just words you know by looking at things ‘From Ego’s point of view? Well my friend, you are “Just Another Legacy” waiting to happen and with your dying breath you will wish you’d have gotten Out Of The Freakshow.”

Pre-order in various formats at this location.

Cirrha Niva lineup:

Legrand (vocals)
Rob Willemse (guitars)
Carlo Heefer (guitars)
Michel Steenbekkers (bass)
Robert van Kooij (drums)

It's time for the fourth installment of WOLFPAKK, the melodic metal allstar project led by Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) and Michael Voss (Mad Max, Michael Schenker). Once again the two experienced musicians have gathered a pack of "guest wolves" to refine the 11 new songs which will be featured on "Wolves Reign" (release date: April 28). Among the 26 guests are:
Biff Byford (Saxon), George Lynch (Dokken), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne), Ronny Atkins (Pretty Maids), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne), Tony Harnell (TNT), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Oliver Hartmann (Avantasia), Timo Somers (Delain), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), Pasi Rantanen (Thunderstone), Danny Vaughn (Tyketto), Michael Vescera (Yngwie Malmsteen), just to name a few.

Tracklisting:
01. Falling
02. Run All Night
03. Blood Brothers
04. Wolves Reign
05. No Remorse
06. Inside The Animal Mind
07. Scream Of The Hawk
08. The 10 Commandments
09. Mother Earth
10. Tomorrowland
11. I'm Onto You

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have entered the studio to begin recording their new album for a September 22 release. A European tour in support of the disc will kick off the same weekend.

SATYRICON vocalist Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2015, told Metal Hammer 's "In Residence" show on Spotify that the follow-up to 2013's self-titled album would see the band moving away from the "violent, aggressive" vibe of its earlier efforts.

He said: "When we started getting back in to the rhythm after I was hospitalized, the music changed. I wasn't so much into what we did earlier — it wasn't that I didn't like it, but I didn't feel it in the same way anymore.

"A lot of what we did in the beginning is relentless, violent and aggressive. It's not like it's sobbing or really sad now, but it's more percussive, varied and soulful. There's less emphasis on the aggressive violent part of it."

Satyr also revealed that SATYRICON's next album is being recorded on a farm outside Oslo, Norway.

"We've been jamming in a barn for a long time," he said. "Every time we go there, the atmosphere is really nice — we really enjoy being there.

"I just said, 'We play so well when we're here — the spirit and the soul, and what we do comes across as unique. What if we brought recording equipment and engineers here, instead of bringing SATYRICON to a studio?' So we're doing that."

SATYRICON drummer Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad told VirtualFestivals.com last summer that the material for the band's next album "feels more creative than anything we have done before. I think that we managed to open quite a few doors, creatively, than with previous albums at least. This dynamic element was important. What I have been feeling is all those doors lead somewhere, and we have been exploring them and the result is what you will hear on that next album. It will go much further than previous albums, and I think it will be a very loaded album. Intense, very very diverse. An album impossible to sum up in a few words, which is a good thing."

SATYRICON celebrated the 20th anniversary of its seminal album "Nemesis Divina" with a series of exclusive European shows which saw the Norwegian trailblazers performing the LP in its entirety for the first and last time. The album was also re-released in spring 2016, newly remastered by Satyr himself and boasting upgraded and revamped packaging.




After two and a half years of writing songs, the day is finally here: We have officially begun the recording of the new...

Posted by Satyricon on Saturday, March 4, 2017



Here we are, doing what we like the most. #newalbum #recording #satyricon

Posted by Satyricon on Sunday, March 5, 2017

"Mad Love", the new video from BUSH, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Black And White Rainbows", which will be released on March 10.

Written, recorded and produced by Gavin Rossdale, "Black And White Rainbows" is the follow-up to 2014's "Man On The Run" and will arrive just prior to BUSH's headlining tour of North America, which kicks off May 4 in Dallas, Texas.

March will also see the live television premiere performance of "Mad Love" on the U.K. version of the popular singing reality show "The Voice", where Gavin currently serves as a coach along with will.i.am, Tom Jones and Jennifer Hudson.

Among "Black And White Rainbows"'s highlights is the propulsive "Dystopia", the sweeping chorus of "Lost In You" and "People At War", which was written last summer in honor of World Refugee Day, followed by a People premiere for the song's companion video (directed by Jesse Davey), which is particularly poignant given recent events.

Gavin stated about "People At War": "Having seen the footage of innocent refugees forced to flee their homes and lives, culminating in the picture of the young boy, Aylan Kurdi, lying dead on the shore — the horror of that photograph, as a father, as a human being — was too powerful to avoid. It was the catalyst to write this song and to show empathy with the plight of the refugees.

"We stand #WithRefugees. Stand with us."

When asked about the sound of the follow-up to 2014's "Man On The Run", the 51-year-old rocker told Metro: "My whole career I've been trying to make music that's a hybrid of rock and electronic. I'd say it's a textured, approachable and commercial record. People are going to fucking love it."

"Black And White Rainbows" track listing:

01. Mad Love02. Peace-s03. Water04. Lost In You05. Sky Turns Day Glo06. Toma Mi Corazon07. All The Worlds Within You 08. Nurse09. The Beat of Your Heart10. Dystopia11. Ray Of Light12. Ravens13. Nothing But A Car Chase14. The Edge of Love15. People At War

"Man On The Run" was released in October 2014. It followed up BUSH's 2011 comeback effort, "The Sea Of Memories", which was the first all-new BUSH album in a decade.

BUSH is comprised of Gavin Rossdale (vocals/guitar), Robin Goodridge (drums), Chris Traynor (guitar) and Corey Britz (bass).

Newly formed technical death metal supergroup, Virulent Depravity, recently announced the upcoming release of their debut full-length, Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree, out on April 7th via The Artisan Era Records. The new single, “Mechanized Defilement”, is available for streaming below. Whereas the group's first single, "Beyond The Point Of No Return", was a compact and short three minute long song, "Mechanized Defilement" showcases what the band is capable of in a much longer length format, clocking in at just over six minutes of adrenaline-pumping intensity that makes for truly memorable and punishing technical death metal.

Virulent Depravity is the brainchild of guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Colin Butler. While he may be a new name to many, his impressive playing attracted the attention of well-known guitarist Malcolm Pugh (Inferi, ex-Entheos) who joined the band in 2016 on rhythm guitar and additional solos. The lineup is rounded out by Svart Crown (and ex-Benighted) drummer Kevin Paradis, whose incredible playing is the perfect foil to Colin and Malcolm's dazzling performances.

Preorder the album here.

Tracklisting:

“Serpentine Messiah”
“Spineless Obedience”
“Your Demise”
“Desecrating Eden”
“Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree”
“Bad Drug”
“Beyond The Point Of No Return”
“Only Human”
“Mechanized Defilement”
“Crushed By Futuristic Filth”

"Mechanized Defilement":

“Beyond The Point Of No Return”:

Teaser:

Doom / heavy metallers Exorcism featuring Raven Lord's and Metal Machine's Csaba Zvekan (vocals) have released the single “Endless Fight” via Dream Records. The track comes from the upcoming album Whore Of Babylon with an undisclosed release date. 

The record was produced, mixed and mastered by Csaba Zvekan at Total Master Sound, Münchenstein, Switzerland.

Artwork was created by Gragoth:

Singer and bandleader Csaba Zvekan comments:

“…Another chapter has opened for Exorcism. This time with George ‘The Kid’ Karafotis on guitars. Together with his brother Vaggelis a fantastic world class drummer. Me and George have been working together on Raven Lord many years now. After Tore Moren surprisingly quit the band I had to look for another guitar player as the show must go on. George ‘The Kid’ was definitely next in line. He brings a fresh new color to the music. His brother Vaggelis Karafotis both come from Thessanoliki, Greece where we will make our upcoming video shoot. I don’t want to spoil too much. And of course Nic Angileri has been with us during our live shows quite some time but now he debuts for the first time on Exorcism’s recordings. We welcome the Greek connection for some future damage \m/…"

Exorcism are set to play in Bellinzona, Switzerland on March 27th at Peter Pan supporting the Ross The Boss tour.

Peterborough's hard-rockin' assault Mokomokai have announced the release of their debut album Poison Whiptail, produced by Ian Blurton. The full-length record will be released on March 17th to coincide with a headlining East Coast Canadian tour.

Frontman John Ellis comments:

"This is a lot of hard work by a lot of people pooled together and condensed down to the roux. We're very proud and very excited to unleash this bad boy on rock 'n’ rollers and metal heads alike!"

The new release will feature the title track "Poison Whiptail", plus a mixture of brand new material and re-mastered songs.

Canadian East Coast Tour:

March
17 – Quebec City, QC – Scanner
18 – Moncton, NB – The Caveau
20 – Fredericton, NB – Maniac Mansion
22 – Sydney, NS – Little Vegas Showroom
23 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
24 – Saint John’s, NL – CBTG’s
25 – Saint John’s NL – CBTG’s

April
1 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
15 – Peterborough, ON – The Pig’s Ear Tavern
17 – Ottawa, ON – House Of Targ

(Photo by: Bryan Reid)

Philadelphia's heavy psych quartet, Ecstatic Vision, have shared the second single from their forthcoming new album, Raw Rock Fury. Hear "Electric Step”, available for streaming below.

April 7th, 2017 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)

Dallas, Texas-based heavy rock band, Mothership, will release its new album, High Strangeness, on March 17th via Ripple Music. Recorded at Fire Station Studios in San Marcos, TX and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Stone Axe), the album delivers eight strong songs of the band's "supersonic intergalactic heavy rock".

In advance of the album's release, the new song "Helter Skelter" is available for streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“High Strangeness”
“Ride The Sun”
“Midnight Express”
“Crown Of Lies”
“Helter Skelter”
“Eternal Trip”
“Wise Man”
“Speed Dealer”

“Helter Skelter”:

"Crown Of Lies":

In support of High Strangeness, Mothership will launch a US headlining tour on March 9th that will consist of two separate legs and run through April 2nd. The first leg of the tour will run March 10th - 17th and feature support from Slow Season and Beastmaker. The second leg will launch on March 19th and run through April 2nd including support act Black Pussy.

March (with Slow Season, Beastmaker)
9 - Tempe, AZ - Yucca Tap Room (Mothership only)
10 - Costa Mesa, CA - The Wayfarer
11 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
12 - San Jose, CA - The Ritz
13 - Oakland, CA - Golden Bull (Mothership and Beastmaker only)
14 - Sacramento, CA - Starlite Lounge
15 - Bend, OR - Volcanic Theater
16 - Eugene, OR - Old Nick's
17 - Portland, OR - Kenton Club (Black Pussy also performs)
18 - Seattle, WA - Funhouse (Black Pussy also performs)

March (with Black Pussy)
19 - Port Angeles, WA - Cherry Bomb
20 - Everett, WA - Tony V's
21 - Bellingham, WA - TBA (Mothership Only)
22 - Spokane, WA - Observatory
23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
24 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive
25 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
26 - Amarillo, TX - Leftwoods
27 - Wichita, KS - Elbow Room
28 - Oklahoma City, OK - Blue Note
29 - Omaha, NE - Dr Jack's Drinkery
30 - Green Bay, WI - Gasoline
31 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's

April (with Black Pussy)
1 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
2 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room

Returning to Europe later this summer the band kick off their journey with an appearance at Freak Valley Festival in Germany on June 17th before arriving in the UK for a string of dates with rising rockers Poseidon in support.

June
17 - Siegen, Germany - Freak Valley Festival
18 - Berlin, Germany - Badehaus*
19 - Hamburg, Germany - Hafenklang*
21 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Oefenbunker
22 - Utrecht, Netherlands - dB’s
23 - Brussels, Belgium - Magasin 4
24 - Bourlon, France - Rock In Bourlon
25 - Milton Keynes, UK - Craufurd Arms**
26 - Coventry, UK - The Phoenix**
27 - Manchester, UK - Factory**
28 - Edinburgh, UK - Bannermans**
29 - Cardiff, UK - Fuel**
30 - Bournemouth, UK - The Anvil**

July
1 - London, UK- The Black Heart**
3 - Paris, France - Le Glazart***
4 - Nantes, France - Le Scene Michelet***
6 - Barcelona, Spain - Rocksound
7 - Turin, Italy - Blah Blah
8 - Povegliano Veronese, Italy - Art Pollution Festival
9 - Parma, Italy - App Colombofili
10 - Zerobranco, Italy - Altroquando
11 - Vienna, Austria- Arena
12 - Nuremberg, Germany - Muzclub
13 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
14 - Erfurt, Germany - Stoned From The Underground Festival

* w/ Yawning Man
** w/ Poseidon
***w/ Egypt

(Photo - Andree Brown)

Ahead of their UK headline tour this month, hard rockers Monster Truck performed a stripped-back live session at Planet Rock HQ. Footage of the band performing the tracks “Don't Tell Me How To Live” and “The Lion” can be seen below.

Monster Truck tour dates:

March
13 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - Limelight 2
14 - Dublin, Ireland - Academy 2
15 - Bristol, England - Marble Factory
17 - Birmingham, England - O2 Institute 2
18 - Manchester, England - Club Academy
19 - Glasgow, Scotland - King Tuts
21 - Nottingham, England - Rescue Rooms
22 - London, England - Electric Ballroom

In the video below, Nightwish singer Floor Jansen performs “Oi Jouluyö” (“O Holy Night”) with Finland's all-star symphonic Christmas rock project, Raskasta Joulua, which translates to "Heavy Christmas”. The performance was filmed on December 17th, 2016 at Metro Areena in Espoo, Finland.

After 20 years of making albums and being on the road, Nightwish has decided to take 2017 off. While Floor Jansen, who is expecting her first child, did not urge for time off, she nonetheless sees it as a welcome break.

Ever since she joined the band on stage in 2012, Jansen has been working non-stop. Having suffered through some though years with a burn-out earlier in her career she knows exactly how important it is to have some distance and focus on other things, like family.

“It taught me what I can and can’t do, and also never to take anything for granted. The dedication and drive is there, but you need to know when to say stop. Just to keep it healthy in a longer run.”

Watch FaceCulture’s interview with Floor Jansen below:

Andorran prog/melodeath riff-masters Persefone have released a video for “Living Waves”, a song from their new album, Aathma, released on February 24th via ViciSolum Records. The track features a special guest appearance from Paul Masvidal (Cynic, ex-Death).

Guitarist Carlos Lozano states: "Picking one song from an album that works as a whole, is always a complicated task. "Living Waves" marks the middle point, musically as well as lyrically on the album before its conclusion, and with the addition of Paul Masvidal's vocals, lyrics and guitar playing, it creates a unique atmosphere by itself. That's why we chose this piece of music and this message, to go along the images with this clip.”

Aathma was mixed and mastered by legendary producer Jens Bogren in his Fascination Street Studios (Sweden). The album includes the epic 20-minute title-track, with guest appearances from vocalist Merethe Soltvedt and Leprous guitarist Øystein Landsverk.

Aathma is available as double vinyl, digipak, CD and digital. The cover was created by none other than Travis Smith, who shouldn't need further introduction. Smith also did the cover art for Persefone's last album.

Aathma tracklisting:

“An Infinitesimal Spark”
“One Of Many…”
“Prison Skin”
“Spirals Within Thy Being”
“Cosmic Walkers”
“No Faced Mindless”
“Living Waves” (feat. Paul Masvidal)
“Vacuum”
“Stillness Is Timeless”
“Aathma”
Part I. Universal Oneness
Part II. Spiritual Bliss
Part III. One With The Light
Part IV. …Many Of One

“Prison Skin” video:

Tour dates:

April
7 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
8 - Madrid, Spain - Changó
9 - Murcia, Spain - Garaje
11 - Milano, Italy - Barrio's Cafe
12 - München, Germany - Backstage
14 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire
15 - Nantes, France - La Ferrailleur
16 - London, England - Underworld Camden
17 - Essen, Germany - Turock
18 - Hoofddorp, Netherlands - Podium Duycker
19 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Merleyn
20 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
21 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Forbrændingen
22 - Stockholm, Sweden - Göta Källare

Persefone lineup:

Marc Martins: Vocals
Carlos Lozano: Guitars
Miguel Espinosa: Keyboards, vocals
Tony Mestre: Bass
Sergi Verdeguer: Drums
Filipe Baldaia: Guitars