King Woman have released their debut full-length album, Created In The Image Of Suffering. The full album is available for streaming below.

Created In The Image Of Suffering was recorded with engineer Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Wreck & Reference, Oathbreaker) at the Atomic Garden in Palo Alto, CA.  Each song evokes rich, gloomy imagery with crumbling washes of blurred, billowing distortion densely layered atop hazy, psychedelic atmospheres that call to mind a surrealistic Black Sabbath fronted by Mazzy Star. Complete with deeply personal, introspective lyrics that serve as a catharsis for years of religious and mental torment, King Woman truly suffer to create their art.

Order the new album at this location.

The band's debut EP Doubt (released on leading SF avant-garde imprint The Flenser in 2014) paired weighty subject matter such as religious abuse with cathartic, brooding, and hypnotic songwriting with a transcendental feel. With Esfandiari's lush and dramatic vocals, King Woman go far beyond mere stoner metal. The band's compositions call to mind rich, detailed imagery and powerful atmospheres that elevate their music beyond classification. King Woman’s mystical sound resonated strongly enough to catch the attention of Relapse Records, who signed King Woman in 2016.

Tracklisting:

“Citios” (Digital Bonus Track)
“Utopia”
“Deny”
“Shame”
“Hierophant”
“Worn”
“Manna”
“Hem”

Album stream:

"Deny" video:

Tour dates:

February
24 - Sacramento, CA - Starlite Lounge
26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo

March
14 - Brooklyn, NY - St Vitus
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts *
16 - Washington, DC - DC9 *
17 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight *
18 - Nashville, TN - The End *
19 - Orlando, FL - Backbooth *
20 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
22 - Dallas, TX - Three Links *
23 - Houston, TX - Walter’s *
24 - Austin, TX - Sidewinder *

April
8 - Linz, AT - Kapu ^
9 - Vienna, AT - Arena ^
10 - Leipzig, DE - Felsenkeller ^
11 - Berlin, DE - Musik & Frieden ^
12 - Dresden, DE - Beatpol ^
14 - Antwerp, BE - Het Bos ^
15 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club ^
16 - Glasgow, UK - Saint Luke’s &
17 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla &
18 - London, UK - Heaven &
19 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt &
20 - Lille, FR - La Malterie ^
21 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Roadburn ^
23 - Karlsruhe, DE - Dude fest ^
24 - Lyon, FR - Le Periscope ^
25 - Nantes, FR - Le Ferraileur ^
26 - Paris, FR - L’Espace B ^
27 - Brussels, BE - VK ^
28 - Groningen, NL - Vera ^
 
* - with Oathbreaker & Jaye Jayle
^ - with True Widow
& - with True Widow and Chelsea Wolfe

(Photo - Rob Williamson)

UK groove death metallers A Trust Unclean will release their new EP Parturition on Basick Records on June 2nd. In celebration of the news, the band has unveiled their new video “To Encompass And Eclipse”.

Hailing from Oxford, UK, A Trust Unclean have quickly made their mark on the UK death metal scene with their own brand of groovy, technical death metal, performed with sheer precision. A band that brings fun back into live music, via explosive riffs delivered with a smile.
 
The quintet released their EP Reality Relinquished in August 2015 which was received tremendously amongst press and fans alike. Following a successful UK tour with Osiah the band went on to share stages with the likes of Aversions Crown, Rings Of Saturn, Black Tongue, and Ne Obliviscaris as well as performing at UK Tech Metal Fest with bands such as Decapitated, Heart Of A Coward, Monuments and many more.
 
After unfortunately parting ways with their vocalist Joe and drummer Scott in late 2016 during the writing process of their new release Parturition (translates to the act of giving birth), the band have since recruited Kyle Lamb on vocals and Noah Plant on drums. With the line-up now stronger than ever, A Trust Unclean have undergone a fresh start, a re-birth and are ready and determined to take their new music as far and wide as possible.

Catch the band live with heavyweights Frontierer at London's The Black Heart, on March 1st.

Tracklisting:

“Parturition”
“Dominion Over Bone”
“Exonerate”
“Aeon”
“Apex”
“To Encompass And Eclipse”
“Repurposed”
“Aetherius”

“To Encompass And Eclipse” video:

New York City sludge/doom/drone trio, Unearthly Trance, are streaming their new album, Stalking The Ghost, out now via Relapse Records. Listen to the full album below.

An esoteric ritual of seismic doom, Stalking The Ghost taps into the darkest realms of the occult over the course of seven tracks that reek of utter despair. Forming a balance between slow-churning maelstrom and spine-chilling harmony, wrapped beneath a blackened cloud of rumbling feedback, Unearthly Trance sound more powerful and exploratory than ever before.

Recorded at Menegroth/The Thousand Caves Studios by Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts, Panopticon) and featuring cover art by Orion Landau (YOB, Red Fang, Graves At Sea), Stalking The Ghost restores misery to a gentrifying city.

Physical orders and bundles are available via Relapse.com while digital downloads can be ordered via Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Into The Spiral”
“Dream State Arsenal”
“Scythe”
“Famine”
“Lion Strength”
“Invisible Butchery”
“The Great Cauldron”
“In The Forest's Keep” (Digital Only Bonus Track)

Album stream:

Tour dates:

April
17 - KB18 - Copenhagen, Denmark
18 - Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany
19 - Magasin4 - Brussels, Belgium
20 - Roadburn - Tilburg, Netherlands
21 - Doom Over Leipzig - Leipzig, Germany
23 - JAZ - Rostock, Germany

(Photo - Jimmy Hubbard)

French progressive metal sextet Uneven Structure begins a new chapter of their career with the release of the single "Incube".

"'Incube' is the first of many videos and an introduction to the universe of La Partition" quotes guitarist and founding member Igor Omodei.

The single provides a first insight into the new concept album La Partition (coming April 21st, 2017) and is now available as video, download and stream.

Igor Omodei about "Incube":

"It's been a while since we had the idea to showcase ‘Incube’ first as it is a track where the Februus and La Partition stories bridges, featuring all the important characters from this album.The video is some sort of home-made story-telling experiment. The lyrics on this album being more frontal, I've ended up using Matt's vocals as actual dialogue lines. This in turn produced a more relaxed, short-movie-ish feel to the video I guess, which is something I've been interested in giving a try for quite some time now! All parties involved are close friends and family members, we'd like to thank Alex Meddeb from Gravity, Manon Quinot, Thomas Romarin and the TCRM Blida for their help in doing these videos."

Through Ages Of Sleep is Siberian's second theme-based album in their "Age Trilogy", released today through The Sign Records. The Swedish three-piece mixes influences from American sludge and Scandinavian metal and have created a unique wall of sound. The album is written and based on band members Gus Ring, Linus Marron and Daniel Eklöw own dreams during a 2 years period. Thanks to the wide spread of genres the band have captured many audiences from different scenes. Adding Gus Ring's powerful and haunting vocals with mixtures from traditional Eurasian folk music, makes Through Ages Of Sleep an album with direct impact.

Returning to Joona Hassinen and his Studio Underjord to record Through Ages Of Sleep was the obvious choice for the band, keeping the trilogy true to its core. Angus 'Angst' Norder (Witchery, Nekrokraft) recorded bass on all songs. Mastering were done by Brad Boatright at AudioSiege (YOB, Skeletonwitch, Converge) Mattias Frisk (Ghost, Vanhelgd, Miasmal) illustrated the album on oil panel with no guidance other than the dreams that were written down by the band.

Tracklisting:

“Ascend”
“Witness”
“Axis Mundi”
“Heresy Breath”
“Anima Astray”
“Transcend”
“Kingdoms”
“Dirge”
“Age Of Sleep”

“Kingdoms”:

“Witness”:

Eclectic Norwegian progressive/post-metal outfit, White Willow, has debuted the first single from their Laser's Edge-bound seventh album, Future Hopes, with an official video for the record's title track. Laser's Edge will issue Future Hopes on CD, LP, and digital formats on March 31st.

White Willow's first album since 2011's well-received Terminal Twilight sees the outfit exploring some of the most "progressive" territory the band has ever ventured into, with several lengthy tracks and more instrumental passages than they are usually known for. Musically the album builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, with a modern approach to production. Future Hopes also features a heavy use of synthesizers, including the unique textures of the famed Blade Runner synth, the Yamaha CS80.

The Future Hopes lineup, which as always is a loose constellation of musicians with multi-instrumentalists Jacob Holm-Lupo and Mattias Olsson at the core, sees the return of several White Willow stalwarts, including flautist Ketil Einarsen (Jaga Jazzist, Motorpsycho), keyboardist Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Wobbler, Tusmørke), and bassist Ellen Andrea Wang (Pixel, Manu Katché Quartet). The singer is however a new arrival. Venke Knutson is best known in her native Norway for a string of Top 10 hits and is well established as a solo pop artist. She came into Holm-Lupo's orbit as a guest singer with his other project, The Opium Cartel. Guesting on several tracks and putting a clear stamp on the album is Norway's trailblazing guitar hero Hedvig Mollestad, known from her own Hedvig Mollestad Trio. Holm-Lupo felt the material needed a soloist who could both navigate the tricky, almost jazz-influenced chord and time changes on the album while at the same time retaining a rock edge, and Hedvig fit the bill perfectly.

Future Hopes was mixed by highly respected Norwegian Grammy-nominated engineer Christian Engfelt, known for his work on the Elephant9 / Reine Fiske album, Atlantis, and the Todd Rundgren / Lindstrøm collaboration, Runddans. The record was mastered by Grammy Award-winning audiophile legend Bob Katz, and completed with a specially commissioned painting by Roger Dean. The CD and digital versions of the album also feature two bonus tracks, including an original tune, "Damnation Valley", as well as White Willow's unusual cover of The Scorpions' classic dirge, "Animal Magnetism", re-interpreted as a Tangerine Dream-like electronic piece while still retaining the heaviness of the original. The star on the track is New York-based clarinetist David Krakauer, knows as the world's foremost klezmer clarinetist, with countless credits to his name both with his own projects, in jazz constellations, with many of the world's best philharmonic orchestras and with soundtrack music. Krakauer is a recipient of many prestigious nominations and awards, from DownBeat to the Grammys.

Future Hopes tracklisting:

"Future Hopes"
"Silver And Gold"
"In Dim Days"
"Where There Was Sea There Is Abyss"
"A Scarred View"
"Animal Magnetism" [CD/digital bonus track]
"Damnation Valley" [CD/digital bonus track]

"Future Hopes" video:

[photo by Dagfinn Hobæk]

Progressive metal band The Reticent have released an official video for "The Decision," a track from 2016 album On The Eve Of A Goodbye.

Grammy-nominee and front man Chris Hathcock had this to say about the video:

"After months of planning, The Reticent has finally released their heart-wrenchingly beautiful new video "The Decision."  Taken from the acclaimed album, On The Eve Of A Goodbye, this new video seeks to confront viewers with the reality of suicide and the loss of a loved one.  Made more like a silent film than a music video, the video's narrative is heartbreaking in a way few music videos can be.  This makes "The Decision" the perfect visual companion to the tragic masterpiece of On The Eve Of A Goodbye.  Have some tissues handy."

Heaven & Hell Records released On The Eve Of A Goodbye on October 5th.

Greek/Swedish metallers, Nightrage, are streaming the new song, “In Abhorrence”, featured on the band’s new album, The Venomous, out on March 31st via Despotz Records. Listen to the track below, and pre-order the new album here.

The Venomous  is a relentless tale of extinction, told with as much venomous aggression as there are intriguing and mesmerizing melodies. Memorable hooks and some of the catchiest choruses that metal has seen in decades does nothing to compromise the brutality and honesty that Nightrage is known for. The music is catchy and extreme.  Lyrically the album deals with the failure of mankind and how we as human beings are racing towards our own extinction.

Tracklisting:

“The Venomous”
“Metamorphosis/Day Of Wrath”
“In Abhorrence”
“Affliction”
“Catharsis”
“Bemoan”
“The Blood”
“From Ashes Into Stone”
“Trail Of Ghosts”
“Disturbia”
“Desolation And Dismay”
“Denial Of The Soul” (Instrumental)

“In Abhorrence”:

“Affliction”:

"The Venomous”:

Nightrage is:

Marios Iliopoulos - guitar
Anders Hammer - bass
Ronnie Nyman - vocals
Magnus Söderman - guitar
Lawrence Dinamarca - drums

(Photo - Soile Siirtola)

Italian progressive death metal band, Gravestone, return with a new lineup and EP, entitled Proud To Be Dead. The release is heavily influenced by each member with hints of horror and progressive brought to life by the use of keyboards and synths.

Proud To Be Dead was recorded at Trick Studio by Andrea Mattei. It was mixed and mastered by Alfonso Corace (drummer of Lunarsea).

On the EP, the band present five songs which includes a rearrangement of Corpse Embodiment from a previous album Symphony Of Pain complete with text inspired by Lovecraft and Myths of Cthulhu. The song is realized in a more modern style and shows the progression Gravestone has gone through since their formation and the songs original version in 1992.

“Proud To Be Dead”’s text refers to the protagonist’s (and our) frenetic life, empty of values and affections. However, at the moment of his death, he realizes he’s in another world from which he can see his old world and as an external observer, he expresses his (negative) opinion about this style of life that people live. Our protagonist comes to the conclusion that life after death is better than the previous one he had and therefore is “Proud To Be Dead”. “Eyes Without Sight” is inspired by Lovecraft’s dream cycle. The initial and main riff is inspired by the harmony of classical music. It’s the most melodic song on the EP. “Flaggelation” is an allegory of those attitudes of some religious groups who injure themselves in an attempt to reach their God. In other words, pain as vehicle to divinity. Closing the EP is “Matres”, which is inspired by the trilogy of the three mothers from the Dario Argento movies Inferno, Suspiria and the Third Mother.

Tracklisting:

“Proud To Be Dead”
“Corpse Embodiment”
“Eyes Without Sight”
“Flagellation”
“Matres”

Gravestone are:

David Folchitto - Drums
Alessandro Iacobellis - Vocals
Marco Borrani - Guitar
Pierluigi Fiore - Guitar
Fabrizio Di Carloantonio - Keyboards
Massimiliano Maax Salvatori - Bass

Ventura, California based metal outfit, Night Demon, have proclaimed their epic return in 2017, which comes in the form of the band's upcoming full length studio effort, Darkness Remains. The new album is the follow up to their debut record, Curse Of The Damned, and is primed for an April 21st release on Century Media.

In addition to the impending release of Darkness Remains, Night Demon is also pleased to announce that they will be embarking on a US tour supporting the venerable likes of Anvil. The tour begins on March 2nd in Boston and will conclude on April 9th in Cleveland. The band will also be announcing a special album release show in Los Angeles for April 17th.

Speaking about their journey on the path leading to the release of Darkness Remains, the members of Night Demon came together to state the following: "Well it's about time for Night Demon to release a new album! It's been quite the whirlwind for us touring the world over the last two years on Curse Of The Damned. We really wanted to give the existing fans a chance to digest the album and have a chance to see it live a few times. We have been prepping for the new record for over a year, and now the moment is upon us to unleash this beast for one and all! Very excited to continue our road journeys with some new material for the faithful, and the newcomers. Night Demon is coming for you in 2017!"

Darkness Remains will be available in the following formats:

- Limited Edition Digipak
- LP
- Deluxe Digital Edition (featuring bonus tracks)

Vinyl will be released in the following colors:

* Dark Green - European Exclusive - Limited to 2000 copies
* Silver - US Exclusive - Limited to 500 copies

The pre-order bundles for Darkness Remains are available now at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Welcome To The Night”
“Hallowed Ground”
“Maiden Hell”
“Stranger In The Room”
“Life On The Run”
“Dawn Rider”
“Black Widow”
“On Your Own”
“Flight Of The Manticore”
“Darkness Remains”
“We Will Rock You” (by Queen )*
“Turn Up The Night” (by Black Sabbath)*

* - Bonus Tracks

In addition to the upcoming album and touring, Night Demon remain active in their charitable efforts and have just launched the campaign for their annual "Metal Cares" program.

Speaking about this project and their endeavors aimed at giving back to the community, the band comments: "At least once a year we do a campaign for the Night Demon Metal Cares shirt. Each year has a new design and they have ended up being some of the best merch we've done. This year, our big brothers in Cirith Ungol have gotten in on the action to combine forces with us for an amazing T-shirt for the 2017 edition of Metal Cares.

“Recently our efforts have been focused on scholarships for the underprivileged in our community - working with the YMCA and Merch Relief in aiding victims of natural disasters, and that is the focus of this new design.

“The current campaign runs from February 22nd through March 3rd. ALL PROFITS will be donated! Shirts are produced in response to pre-order and will print/ship once the campaign ends - at which time this exclusive design will be gone!"

For more info on how you can support the cause, head to this location.

US dates with Anvil:

March
2 - Boston, MA - Great Scott
3 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Putnam Den
4 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
5 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
7 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz*
9 - Cheaspeake, VA - Riffhouse Pub
10 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java
11 - Wilmington, NC - Reggie's 42nd St. Tavern
12 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
14 - Miami, FL - Churchill's Pub*
15 - Sarasota, FL - Kelly's Live*
16 - Jacksonville, FL - Nighthawks
17 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theater
18 - Sanford, FL - West End Trading Co.
22 - Jefferson, LA - Southport Hall
23 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
24 - San Antonio, TX - The Korova
25 - Arlington, TX - Diamond Jim's Saloon
26 - Austin, TX - Grizzly Hall
30 - Omaha, NE - Lookout Lounge
31 - Oklahoma City, OK - Thunder Alley

April
1 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
2 - Iowa City, IA - Gabe's
3 - Cinncinatti, OH - The Mad Frog*
4 - St Louis, MO - Fubar*
5 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews*
6 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
7 - Cudahy, WI - The Metal Grill
8 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
9 - Cleveland, OH - The Grog Shop
17 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA*

* - Headlining show (no Anvil)

London-based deathcore/black metal band, She Must Burn, is currently preparing for the release of their new album, Grimoire, due out on March 3rd via Artery Recordings. Just a week before the release, the band has premiered a new video for their single “The Wicked” (feat. Scott Lewis of Carnifex). Find the clip below.

After releasing their dark 2015 self-titled EP, She Must Burn is leading the next generation of deathcore infused black metal to emerge from the UK scene. The band has already made a name for themselves touring with Carnifex, Cradle Of Filth and Heart Of A Coward among others.

She Must Burn has a blend of metal genres, including deathcore, death metal, black metal and symphonic metal. The band brings it all together with heavy crushing guitar tones and unstoppable devastating breakdowns.

It is hard to call She Must Burn anything but hard-working. With such an explosive start to their career, it is only a matter of time before they are solidified as the torch holders for the next generation of aggressive metal music.

She Must Burn is:

Joseph Sinclair - Vocals
James Threadwell - Guitar
Annina Melisa - Keys
Jonny Davies - Guitar
Frank Korsair - Bass
Daniel Ristic - Drums

Massachusetts metal veterans, Within The Ruins, have debuted an all new track called "Objective Reality".

“'Objective Reality' really represents the sound of this album as a whole,” says guitarist Joe Cocchi. This is the third and final track being released from the forthcoming LP. “It has a ton of elements. It's definitely the biggest chorus on the album. We all know how music fans just 'love' when metal bands add 'singing.' So we did it. Just for you all. Enjoy.”

“Objective Reality”, ”Beautiful Agony" and "Death Of The Rockstar" are available on all major streaming services and will be offered as an iTunes instant gratification tracks. Fans who pre-order the album today will get all three tracks immediately as a download.

Within The Ruins will release Halfway Human on Friday, March 3rd via Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and SPV overseas. The band recorded the new effort from their own studio with producer and guitar player Joe Cocchi at the helm. Vocal production took place at Zing studios in Westfield, MA with Jim Fogarty (Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada).

"The writing process was a bit different for this album," says Cocchi. "We took a step back and kind of reviewed some of our older material. Typically we'd rush and blast out a group of songs and then hit the studio. At the time it felt right. And It had a more organic feel. Now because of a combination of maturity and honestly just feeling sick of the same old formula, we really focused on creating something different sounding."

Halfway Human will be the band's followup to the critically acclaimed Phenomena LP released in 2014. Cocchi concludes, "We went back to a more organic style of writing and production. I personally was finally able to abandon a lot of my writing habits or 'rules,' if you will. No more 'oh, that part doesn't really sound like us, have to change that,' type of bullshit. Doing that created a fresher sound. This is the most raw and extreme sounding material we've ever written. Keep an eye out for studio blogs and more updates."

Within The Ruins maintain an emphasis on showmanship but with diversity, smartly sidestepping predictable structures and contrived breakdowns. Born and bred in the same heavy metal rich Northeast soil as New Wave Of American Heavy Metal progenitors Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Unearth and Shadows Fall and weaned on the dark sounds of classic death metal, the technical melodicism of Scandinavia and the precision staccato crunch of Meshuggah, Within The Ruins have busted their collective ass to carve out a unique identity for themselves from those ingredients.

Within The Ruins are refreshingly authentic, feverishly committed and have proven that they will endure. Filled with power, deserving of utter respect, armed with concise compositions and technical might, Within The Ruins will not be stopped.

Tracklisting:

“Shape-Shifter”
“Death Of The Rockstar”
“Beautiful Agony”
“Incomplete Harmony”
“Bittersweet”
“Objective Reality”
“Absolution”
“Ivory Tower”
“Sky Splitter”
“Ataxia IV”
“Treadstone”

"Beautiful Agony" video:

“Death Of The Rockstar”:

The band are on the road in support of the new LP with friends in Born Of Osiris on The New Reign Tour. Click here for all tour dates.

(Photo - Jeremy Saffer)

Norwegian Balkan metallers, Trollfest, have released a video for “Professor Otto”, a track from their new album, Helluva, out now via NoiseArt Records. Watch the new video below.

The band states: "Trollfest gives you “Professor Otto”! This is a totally kaotic and intense video custom made to fit the frantic nonstop pace of the music that accompanies it! We pulled out all the weird lights we could find, we put colours on them and put them in weird angles! Visually, this is not for the faint of heart! We have a goal for the new album and its accompanying music videos; they shall all be different, and they shall all fit perfectly with the song. “Professor Otto” is a pretty massive song with a relentless thrashy groove and a sweet, progressive midsection. The visuals we choose fits well with the crazy song, and we think that Kaptein Kaos would be proud!"

Helluva is available in the following formats:

- CD-Digipak incl. Helluva-Patch
- Gold Vinyl incl. Poster
- Mint Vinyl incl. Poster
- Silver Vinyl incl. Poster
- Black Vinyl incl. Poster
- Download and Streaming

Order a copy here.

Tracklisting:

“This Is Just The Intro”
“Professor Otto”
“Spelunking Sisters”
“Gigantic Cave”
“Steel Sarah”
“Trollachen”
“Hen Of Hades”
“Reiten mit ein Fisch”
“Fräulein Helluva”
“Kabaret”
“La Grande Finale”
“What A Good Idea”

Bonus tracks (Digipak)
“Don Gnomo Vega”
“Sputnik”

Track-by-track #1:

Track-by-track #2:

"Steel Sarah" video:

Bay Area rock outfit, Black Map, have revealed an all new single, “No Color”. from their new album coming out in March. Listen to the track below.

"'No Color' is about the cost of our conformity," says bassist and frontman Ben Flanagan. "It's about what happens sometimes when we distance ourselves from our real passions. We may even distance ourselves so far that we lose them permanently."

The new track is also available on all major streaming services and will be offered as an iTunes instant gratification track. Fans who pre-order the album today will get “No Color”, "Ruin" and "Run Rabbit Run" immediately as a download.

Black Map will release In Droves on March 10th via Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and SPV overseas. The band only wrapped up production on the effort last month with Aaron Hellam at Oakland’s Hellam Sound (The Trophy Fire) and created an ambitious but no less intense sophomore set, a boundary smashing, down-tuned heavy rock slab.

Tracklisting:

“Transit I”
“Run Rabbit Run”
“Foxglove”
“Ruin”
“Heavy Waves”
“Dead Ringer”
“Octavia”
“Transit II”
“No Color”
“Indoor Kid”
“White Fence”
“Just My Luck”
“Cash For The Fears”
“Transit III”
“Coma Phase”

“Ruin”:

“Run Rabbit Run” video:

(Photo - Jen Cash/Calibree Photography)

Australia’s Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard have released a video for “Dead Smile”, a track from their debut album, Supersonic Rock’N Roll, out now via Napalm Records. Check out the video below.

Supersonic Rock’N Roll is available as a 4-page digipack with a bonus track, and as a very special single LP gatefold edition limited to 300 copies worldwide.

Supersonic Rock’N Roll tracklisting:

“Grind The Grinder”
“Dead Smile”
“Galactic Motherfucker”
“Love For Speed”
“Roll’n Burn”
“Fight Fight Fight”
“Supersonic Rock’n Roll”
“Bad Boy Benny”
“God Of No”
“Judas”
“Sick Sad City” (Bonus Track)

“Dead Smile” video:

"Supersonic Rock'n Roll" video:

Album teaser:

Dutch necromantic death metallers, AntropomorphiA, have released a video for “Murmur Ov The Dead”, a track from the new album, Sermon Ov Wrath, out now. The new clip can be found below, as well as a full album stream.

The new record is available in the following formats:

- CD
- 180g black vinyl
- deep violet marble vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
- blackberry red marble vinyl (limited to 100 copies)
- clear/purple marble vinyl (limited to 100 copies; USA exclusive)

An exclusive t-shirt bundle, plus digital options are also available. Order at this location.

Featuring artwork by 13 Candles Tattoo/Madeleine Hoogkamer, Sermon ov Wrath was once again recorded at drummer Marco Stubbe's Aftermath Studio, and then mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, giving the album a savage, crushing sound. As their most diverse record to-date, Sermon ov Wrath contains a bewitching atmosphere, furious groovy riffs, and merciless brutality - proving that the band is not afraid to experiment within the genre.

Sermon Ov Wrath tracklisting:

“Sermon Ov Wrath”
“Suspiria de Profundus”
“Murmur Ov The Dead”
“Ad Me Venite Mortui” (Intro)
“Crown Ov The Dead”
“Sinful Rapture”
“Within Her Pale Tomb Ov Putrid Lust”
“The Blistering Splendour Ov Darkness”
“In Bestial Decadence”

“Murmur Ov The Dead” video:

Album stream:

AntropomorphiA lineup:

Ferry Damen - vocals, guitar
Jos van den Brand - guitar
Marc van Stiphout - bass
Marco Stubbe - drums

Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett), Roger King (Steve Hackett) and Marco Minnemann (Joe Satriani, Aristocrats) return as The Mute Gods with their second album, ...tardigrades will inherit the earth, out now. A music video for the album’s title track is available for streaming below.

Following the release of 2016's debut album 'do nothing till you hear from me', and a Progressive Music Award 2016 win in the Vanguard category, the trio deliver adventurous rock effort infused with timely perspectives on the state of religion, politics, media, and the environment.

The Mute Gods examine these and other major queries facing our planet on its second album for InsideOut Music. It's a darker, deeply thought-provoking follow-up to its acclaimed 2016 debut recording 'Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me'. It picks up from where the first album left off, with its examination of societal control mechanisms, and looks at the inevitable outcomes should we continue down dark, dogmatic pathways. Musically, the album is an expansive rock effort with a heavier, more metal-oriented focus than its predecessor, yet steeped in melodicism and addictive hooks.

Nick Beggs had this to say: "I know I'm not the only person who feels the way I do. Other people understand the state of the world and what's at stake as we make one terrifyingly bad decision after another. This album asks people to take off their rose-tinted spectacles and consider the reality facing us. At this point in my career, I feel strongly that it's important to use music as a vehicle for truth, not just feel-good entertainment."

The album is available as a limited edition CD digipak (with bonus track), gatefold 2LP + CD & digital download.

Tracklisting:

“Saltatio Mortis”
“Animal Army”
“We Can't Carry On”
“The Dumbing Of The Stupid”
“Early Warning”
“Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth”
“Window Onto The Sun”
“Lament”
“The Singing Fish Batticaloa”
“Hallelujah” (bonus track)
“The Andromeda Strain”
“Stranger Than Fiction”

“Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth” video:

Track-by-track #1:

Track-by-track #2:

Track-by-track #3:

“We Can’t Carry On” lyric video:

Depressive black metal merchants, Ghost Bath, have announced the release of Starmourner on April 21st via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Today, the band has released the first single from that record, entitled "Thrones", available for streaming below.

Starmourner takes these concepts to a higher level. It explores joy (instead of sorrow), the cosmos (instead of earth), and paradise (instead of purgatory.) But most importantly, it explores ecstasy - instead of tragedy - as its basic human emotion. With over 72 minutes of heavy, melodic, and dramatic black metal, it is Ghost Bath's most ambitious undertaking yet.

The album takes its listener on a journey in a variety of ways; Each track is accompanied by a beautifully crafted painting as well as a "parable" to read alongside. This allows the listener to explore not only the audio soundscapes, but a visual and imaginative experience through as they delve into the album. "The stories, or parables, look into Jewish angelology and the hierarchy of angels as found in the bible and other religious texts," says vocalist/ mastermind Nameless. "Although the album has a definitive joyful and hopeful feel, it is still drenched in depression and sorry, as any true Ghost Bath record should be."

Starmourner was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Josh Schroeder and features cover artwork Luciana Nedelea.

Starmourner tracklisting:

“Astral”
“Seraphic”
“Ambrosial”
“Ethereal”
“Celestial”
“Angelic”
“Luminescence”
“Thrones”
“Elysian”
“Cherubim”
“Principalities”
“Ode”

“Thrones”:

Pre-order the album at this location.

Ghost Bath will hit the road this March with Amigo The Devil.

Confirmed dates are as follows:

March
1 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
3 - Cleveland, OH - Now That's Class
4 - Baltimore, MD - Metro
5 - Amityville, NY - Revolution
7 - Providence, RI - The Met
8 - Ottawa, ON - Zaphod Beeblebrox
9 - Rochester, NY - Flour City Station
10 - Dekalb, IL - House Cafe
11 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam

Vitja have released a video for “Heavy Rain”, a track from their sophomore album, Digital Love, which is set for release on March 3rd via Century Media. Watch the new clip, produced by Iconographic, below.

Digital Love was recorded and produced over the course of a year at Sureshot Studios by Vitja, Daniel Keller and Andreas Vieten and mixed/mastered by Aljoscha Sieg at Pitchback Studios.

If you pre-order a digital copy of Digital Love via iTunes or Amazon you get access to “Scum”, “No One As Master No One As Slave” and “Heavy Rain” immediately.

Vitja is the Russian equivalent to the first name Viktor which translates to “winner”. After already creating an underground buzz in their native Germany with their album Echos and the Your Kingdom EP, the four-piece from Cologne and Muenster is set out to win over the rest of the world.

Tracklisting:

“Scum”
“D(e)ad”
“No One As Master No One As Slave”
“Roses”
“Digital Love”
“Six Six Sick”
“The Golden Shot”
“Heavy Rain”
“Find What You Love And Kill It”
“In Pieces”
“The Flood”
“I'm Sorry”
“New Breed”

“Heavy Rain” video:

“No One As Master No One As Slave” video:

“Scum” lyric video:

“New Breed” video:

After playing more than 300 shows already, it is time for Vitja to headline their first club tour throughout Germany. Special guests will be Breathe Atlantis, Improvement and Die Heart.

Tour dates:

April
14 - Berlin, Germany - Privatclub
15 - Hannover, Germany - Lux
16 - Cologne, Germany - MTC
20 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
21 - Stuttgart, Germany - Club Zentral
22 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
28 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
29 - Dresden, Germany - KONK Club
30 - Muenster, Germany - Sputnikhalle

Vitja are:

David Beule - vocals
Mario Metzler - bass
Vladimir Dontschenko - guitar
Daniel Pampuch - drums

Dave Mustaine says that he "didn't care" that the house band played the song "Master Of Puppets" from his former band METALLICA when MEGADETH was honored with its first-ever Grammy on February 12.

MEGADETH was nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for the title track of "Dystopia". This marked the band's twelfth Grammy nomination in this category (including nominations in the discontinued "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category).

Asked by Grammy.com what it was like winning his first award, Mustaine said: "It was really exciting. We were all sitting in a row, and when Margaret Cho [one of the pre-telecast hosts] had said, 'Dystopia', we were all ready to hear 'M_' [for MEGADETH], and she went 'D_' [for 'Dystopia'], and I think it kind of faked all of us out for a little while. And then after she said 'Dystopia' and said 'MEGADETH' really loud, I was, like, 'Oh my God! We got it.' So I remember standing up and being pretty excited."

He continued: "It was a long way from our seat to the stage, and a lot of people are making a big deal about the house band playing a METALLICA song. I don't care. I didn't care at all. It was about the award. I thought winning the award was great."

Mustaine added: "I wish that there would have been more time so that the [other] guys [in MEGADETH] could have had something to say too, but I know they're all gonna get their chance to say whatever they wanna say about winning the award."

Mustaine was fired from METALLICA in 1983 — some three years before "Master Of Puppets" was released — over substance abuse and anger issues. Although he later conceded that he was "bitter" for a period of time after being dismissed, he insisted that any perceived feud with his former bandmates was an illusion.

Mustaine recently told Radio.com that he "didn't even notice" "Master Of Puppets" being played as he walked toward the stage to give his acceptance speech. "It just sounded like some music in the background," he said. "The funny thing is that when I went back and listened to my acceptance speech, and I heard the song, I was, like, 'Wow!' Everyone was asking me, 'What about the METALLICA thing?' And I said, 'I didn't hear it, I just saw it.' 'How could you not have heard it?' I didn't know what they were talking about. I thought that they were talking about METALLICA's performance. Because we split [after the pre-televised awards]. By the time they did their thing with Lady Gaga, we were across the street eating dinner. So I went back and listened to my acceptance speech and I went, 'Wow!'"

He continued: "I didn't mind them playing it at all, it's a house band, and they're doing cover songs. They were probably saying, 'We don't know any MEGADETH songs. How about if we do a METALLICA song?' But when I went back and listened to it, I was, like, 'Oh my God! That's the worst version of 'Master Of Puppets' I've ever heard in my life!'"

When the interviewer pointed out to Mustaine that the house "house band seemed to be playing pretty random songs," Mustaine agreed: "They could've done a Cyndi Lauper song! [Laughs] I was just happy to be up there. It's about being recognized."The members of METALLICA have been mostly respectful while discussing their onetime member, with guitarist Kirk Hammett saying on a podcast last fall: "I've always seen Dave as someone who was just really, really sad, really angry, really frustrated about his situation with METALLICA, and he never could let that go. And, you know, I've always shown a lot of empathy for him, understanding that he was just pissed off. It's the equivalent of the woman of your life leaving you."

MEGADETH recently completed a month-long U.S. tour with AMON AMARTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, METAL CHURCH and BUTCHER BABIES.

A video recap of METALLICA's January 20 concert at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong can be seen below. Also available is a professionally filmed video clip of the "Atlas, Rise" performance from the same show.

The North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" 2017 tour kicks off on May 10 in Baltimore, Maryland 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.

Each ticket purchased for the tour will come with a copy of METALLICA's new album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", available as a physical CD or a digital download. Various VIP packages are up for sale as well.

METALLICA has also announced the formation of its All Within My Hands Foundation, which will raise funds through ticket sales to support national, local and Bay Area charities selected by the band members, while continuing to donate to music education programs and local food banks.

"Torment", the twelfth studio album from death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER, can be streamed in its entirety below. The disc was released today (Friday, February 24) via Metal Blade.

There's plenty of classic SIX FEET UNDER groove to be had on "Torment", but fans will note a much more aggressive approach, and even more modern blast beats throughout. This is a cantankerous SIX FEET UNDER with absolutely nothing to prove. This is SIX FEET UNDER at its most deadly.

"Torment" was brought to life by Chris Barnes with bassist/guitarist Jeff Hughell (BRAIN DRILL) shouldering the load of writing the music, along with heralded drummer Marco Pitruzzella (BRAIN DRILL, ANOMALOUS, SLEEP TERROR). The combination of Barnes's multi-decade death metal experience and the speed and precision of Hughell and Pitruzzella's relative youth go a long way to cementing this as a solid foundation for high-level death metal. This is immediately apparent in the first track "Sacrificial Kill" and expanded further right away in the second track "Exploratory Homicide". Both Hughell and Pitruzzella are allowed to play their style of metal with a unique SIX FEET UNDER flair. That's what makes "Torment" a unique and welcome addition to the band's stories catalog.

Barnes states about "Torment": "I've been lucky to have a lot of standout albums in my career. That's only because I've had a great many talented writing partners and musicians to collaborate with. Our new album, 'Torment', to me, is one of those albums. Jeff Hughell has provided the flammable material for me to write some explosive lyrics and vocal parts to.

"I know people always say, 'This is my best album ever,' and I won't say that, because everyone has their own favorites, but I do enjoy creating new music, and I feel as though with this one we expressed concisely and to the fullest the duality of our music. I have also found it important over the years, going back to the start of my career, that the artwork for our albums gets to express, on some level, what the experience is within. To do that this time around, we were able to incorporate an amazing new artist, Septian Devenum, to take on the task of visually bringing this album to life.

"Every song on the album is depicted with a piece of artwork that explores the lyrical content of each song, similar to what we did for the packaging for our album 'Bringer Of Blood'.

"'Torment' has been a great album to work on and help create, we hope all of our fans appreciate it."

"Torment" track listing:

01. Sacrificial Kill02. Exploratory Homicide03. The Separation Of Flesh From Bone04. Schizomaniac05. Skeleton06. Knife Through The Skull07. Slaughtered As They Slept08. In The Process Of Decomposing09. Funeral Mask10. Obsidian11. Bloody Underwear12. Roots Of Evil

SIX FEET UNDER's new album was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris and was previously described by Barnes as "the most brutally intense, groove-laden masterpiece we've ever put together!"

SIX FEET UNDER in December completed the "X-Mas in Hell Tour 2016" in Germany where the band celebrated the 21st anniversary of its debut album, "Haunted", by performing the LP in its entirety.

British punk legends THE EXPLOITED have issued a statement in response to an incident last weekend when a Russian music fan was stabbed and killed following the band's show in St. Petersburg.

According to the Russian web site Life, a 27-year-old man, identified only as Igor, confronted a group at the Cosmonaut venue who were chanting what translated to "zigovat." A Google search reveals that this refers to "Sieg Heil," a gesture affiliated to those sympathizing with Nazi beliefs. An altercation ensued and Igor was stabbed in the abdomen. A medical team quickly arrived at the scene, but the man died a short time later.

Authorities are reportedly investigating the situation and are gathering information from eyewitnesses about the whereabouts of any of the assailants involved.

THE EXPLOITED released a statement strongly condemning the attack and reiterating that Nazis are not welcome at their gigs.

The band said: "We have just been told that an EXPLOITED fan had been killed outside our gig in St Petersburg after Saturday's concert. Our condolences go out to his family and hopefully they catch the people who did this.

"There are a lot of people here talking shit as if it is THE EXPLOITED's fault that this kid got killed outside a gig.

"Let's get a few points cleared up. If we had seen anyone sieg heiling at our gig, we would have had them kicked the fuck out. Also, if the people who are talking shit had seen someone do this, then why did they do fuck-all about it? There was 1700 people at the gig.

The group continued: "We had stopped playing five or six times due to the bouncers beating up the punks at the front of the stage.

"Nazi skins or punks are not welcome to our gigs ever."

THE EXPLOITED is in the middle of a European tour, which is scheduled to stop in Athens, Greece Friday night (February 24).




We have just been told that an Exploited fan had been killed outside our gig in Saint Petersburg after Saturday's...

Posted by The Exploited on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

The official video for the song "Echoes" from the Amsterdam-based metal band THE CHARM THE FURY can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's sophomore album, "The Sick, Dumb & Happy", which will be released on March 17 via Nuclear Blast / Arising Empire. The disc was recorded at Wisseloord, ICP Belgium. The mixing was completed by Josh Wilbur (MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED) with additional mixing by Stefan Glaumann (WITHIN TEMPTATION, RAMMSTEIN, PARADISE LOST). Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound in New York City and Brian "Big Bass" Gardner handled the mastering.

The cover artwork for the follow-up to 2013's "A Shade Of My Former Self" can be seen below.

"The Sick, Dumb & Happy" track listing:

01. Down On The Ropes02. Echoes03. Weaponized04. No End In Sight05. Blood And Salt06. Corner Office Maniacs07. The Future Need Us Not08. Silent War09. The Hell In Me10. Songs Of Obscenity11. Break And Dominate

Commented the group: "This record is a cross-section of the metal sound we hope will resurrect in the next ten years — a return to thrash roots, headbanging anthems, and tried-and-tested songwriting that made metal so great back in the '80s and '90s.

"We found Robert Sammelin via an app, saw his work and immediately knew that this was our guy. He still hand-draws his designs, creating some completely surreal comic-style images. While working with him we actually found out that he did key artwork for 'Battlefield 1', which is crazy. We gave him the rough idea for the spiral eyed skull, the color scheme and blood spatters was all his idea. We wanted something different and we feel he created a completely unique piece, better than anything we could come up with."

THE CHARM THE FURY has matured since their debut. With several of Europe's biggest festivals under their belts, they have transformed their sound into a startling slab of ultra-modern but utterly distinctive metal that shrewdly and honestly redefines what THE CHARM THE FURY is all about. Driven by a collective distaste for the state of the world in the 21st century, the band recorded an angry album underpinned by ferocious intelligence and a heartfelt desire to wake people out of their digital stupors.

THE CHARM THE FURY is:

Caroline Westendorp - VocalsMathijs Tieken - DrumsRolf Perdok - GuitarMartijn Slegtenhorst - GuitarLucas Arnoldussen - Bass

German rockers SINNER — who are led by PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner — have released the official video for "Tequila Suicide", the title track of their forthcoming album. Check it out below.

Due on March 31 via AFM, "Tequila Suicide" was produced by Mat Sinner, and co-produced, mixed and engineered by Dennis Ward. The album features Tom Naumann (PRIMAL FEAR), Alexander Scholpp (TARJA) on guitars, Francesco Jovino (PRIMAL FEAR) on drums, plus special guests Sascha Krebs, Kolinda Brozovic, Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE), Ricky Warwick (BLACK STAR RIDERS), Pete Lincoln (THE SWEET), Neil Witchard and Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR).

"Tequila Suicide" track listing:

01. Go Down Fighting02. Tequila Suicide03. Road To Hell04. Dragons05. Battle Hill06. Sinner Blues07. Why08. Gypsy Rebels09. Loud & Clear10. Dying On A Broken Heart

Digipack bonus tracks:

11. House Of Rock12. Monday Morning13. I Am

SINNER's album of re-recorded versions of the best songs from the band's early years, "Touch Of Sin 2" (in a nod to SINNER's 1985 album, "Touch Of Sin"), was released in August 2013 via AFM.

Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show", has apologized for repeatedly referring to SLAYER frontman Tom Araya as "Tim" Araya during a broadcast of her program.

Back on January 20, Maddow opened her show by drawing an unlikely connection between the 2010 "American Carnage" tour featuring SLAYER, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT and President Donald Trump's grim inaugural address, which painted a bleak picture of the America he now leads, declaring, as he had throughout the election campaign, that it is beset by crime, poverty and a lack of bold action. "This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared in his speech. "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

During the segment, Maddow referred to Araya as "Tim" on several occasions, drawing the ire of metalheads everywhere, who questioned her journalistic skills and bashed her incessantly on social media for getting the name of their hero wrong.

Earlier this week, while alerting viewers that she would be part of a special broadcast looking at the first month of Donald Trump's presidency, Maddow finally offered up an apology for her slip-up and revealed that she would be wearing a special "American Carnage" tour t-shirt to make amends for the embarrassing month-old typo.

"For more than one month now, I have wallowed in shame over a mistake that I made on inauguration day," she said. "I have felt bad for more than a month. But tonight, perhaps an opportunity for a reprieve, because tonight, right after the show, we are going back to 'American Carnage'. Tonight is our special on Trump, the first month. But tonight, I am going to get 'American Carnage' right. I've got my 'American Carnage' tour t-shirt, I've got SLAYER lyrics tattooed on the inside of my eyeballs. Tonight I get a second chance to get at least the metal part of this right."

This is not the first time heavy metal bands were mentioned on Maddow's program. Back in August 2012, she brought up the Tampa, Florida death metal scene in a segment debunking stories in the day's news. Three years earlier, she interviewed METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich about a number of topics, including how he felt about his group's music being used to psychologically torture prisoners of war.

The Jamie Brown-directed video for "Noises In The Sky", a brand new song from KXM, the project featuring drummer Ray Luzier (KORN), bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick (KING'S X) and guitarist George Lynch (LYNCH MOB, DOKKEN), can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's sophomore album, "Scatterbrain", which will be released on March 17 via Rat Pak Records.

The follow-up to KXM's 2014 self-titled debut is currently available for pre-order via the Rat Pak web site in various bundles, including signed CDs and t-shirts. "Scatterbrain" was recorded at the Steakhouse studio in North Hollywood, California. The 13-track effort was helmed by Chris "The Wizard" Collier (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, PRONG, LAST IN LINE), who also produced KXM's debut. From the infectious riff of the album opener "Scatterbrain" to the outro of "Angel", KXM has created something truly special and musically diverse. Songs like "Breakout", "Calypso" and "True Deceivers" are sonically different from each other, taking the listener on a musical journey.

"Scatterbrain" is thematically a darker record than the debut. The album builds upon the developed KXM rock sound but this time includes some different dynamics drawing inspiration from prog, ska, punk and metal. Through it all, it remains undeniably KXM. Recorded over the span of ten days, every song on "Scatterbrain" was the result of a musical jam from all three members playing together in the same room. Luzier explains: "We wanted to use the same formula as the first KXM record: book studio time, come in fresh every day with a new idea and run with it and not overthink anything." Lynch describes the sessions as record-topia: "We showed up in the studio, camped out with a bunch of gear and let the tape roll! Just like the first album — no pre-production, no rehearsal, no pre-written songs." Pinnick adds: "The vibe was like a bunch of old friends having fun creating music like the previous record — nothing but fun!" "Scatterbrain" track listing: 01. Scatterbrain02. Breakout03. Big Sky Country04. Calypso05. Not A Single Word06. Obsession07. Noises In The Sky08. Panic Attack09. It's Never Enough10. True Deceivers11. Stand12. Together13. Angel KXM takes its name from the combination of the members' other projects: K from KORN, X from KING'S X and M from LYNCH MOB.

In an interview with Revolver magazine, Luzier, Lynch and Pinnick spoke about how KXM came together.

"I had a birthday party for my son and invited a bunch of friends and musicians," Ray said. "Doug and George ended up in my home studio picking up my guitars and jamming around a bit. George said, 'We should all do a record together sometime,' and I said, 'That would be a dream come true!'

"I've been a huge KING'S X fan for decades and have been following George and had respected his playing for decades. We just tried to figure out everyone's schedules to make it happen. I give it up for George for being so persistent in getting this going. KORN tours all year, every year, and with Doug and George's crazy schedules, it's just awesome that we made it happen. I'm very pleased with the result."

Pinnick added: "George was the instigator. Ray and I have known each other for quite a while and always talked about doing something together, but George brought it up at Ray's party and we agreed. George got after it and Ray did the same! Before I knew it, we were in a studio in the mountains, got a record deal, a video and a CD. As they say in Texas, 'You gotta get after it!' George has an incredible amount of energy and humor, and he gets things done. I've learned a lot from him. He's a true genius with the heart of a saint — and he comes up with some crazy guitar parts."

Lynch said: "When you're working as a pro musician in L.A., you're frequently running into other players who you know and respect. A lot of times, the 'dream band' conversation comes up. It's fun to talk about. A lot of times, it's the alcohol talking. But the reality for most of us is that we're locked into other commitments and obligations that in the cold light of day don't really afford us the time or flexibility to pull off these projects that look great on paper.

"I'm not trying to take credit here, but I gotta honestly say I was determined to follow through and at least push hard enough to see if we could get any momentum going. Ray jumped right in and was obviously really excited about making it happen, despite his insanely busy schedule with KORN. I think for Doug, it was sort of like, 'Well, yeah, sure, I'll invest some time and energy into this,' but I don't think he realized how profound and potentially musically rewarding and even important KXM could become. But as the writing and recording started to happen and evolve, he became like a little kid in a candy store!"

The official video for the song "Pickin' Up The Pieces" from TOKYO MOTOR FIST can be seen below.

You don't need to be a die-hard '80s metal fan to know that the fruits of an artistic alliance between DANGER DANGER singer Ted Poley and guitarist/producer Steve Brown of TRIXTER is going to make melodic rock fans rejoice! The two musicians from New Jersey recently created TOKYO MOTOR FIST and the new band has unleashed its self-titled debut album via Frontiers Music Srl.

Indeed, TOKYO MOTOR FIST is exactly what you would expect: catchy and uplifting hard rock, the way is should be! You want big — we mean, BIG — hooks? You got 'em. What about major guitar riffs? Of course there's plenty of those. Killer rhythm section? Well, with Greg Smith (TED NUGENT, RAINBOW, ALICE COOPER) and Chuck Burgi (RAINBOW, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, JOE LYNN TURNER), you simply can't go wrong! Ted and Steve have been friends for a long time. They were playing the same club circuit with their respective bands, DANGER DANGER and TRIXTER, when both bands were starting their careers. Over the years, they've had a great personal relationship and the idea of doing a record together has been in the cards for many years. Now, thanks to Frontiers, this concept has become a reality. "To say that I'm excited for the world to hear TOKYO MOTOR FIST would be an understatement," says Steve Brown. "Working on this project with my rock and roll brothers Ted Poley, Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi was a total blast… We had fun and it shows in the performances and in the music! As a songwriter, I couldn't be happier with the way the songs came together. Fans of TRIXTER, DANGER DANGER, DEF LEPPARD, BON JOVI and CHEAP TRICK will get the best of all those worlds." Poley adds: "Working with guys of this caliber was amazing. I was excited to collaborate with my longtime friend Steve Brown, who is not only a really great songwriter and guitarist but also an insanely cool producer! The band sounds great and very high energy. The vocals of Steve and I along with his SHREDDING guitar, combined with the world-class rhythm powerhouse section of Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi is amazing. What a cool band — the sound is HUGE. But it's the songs that drew me into making this album in the beginning and the record is full of catchy songs with massive choruses and great melodies and sounds BIG BIG BIG! I am beyond THRILLED with the final result and I hope you will be too." "Tokyo Motor Fist" track listing: 01. Pickin' Up The Pieces02. Love Me Insane03. Shameless04. Love05. Black And Blue06. You're My Revolution07. Don't Let Me Go08. Put Me To Shame09. Done To Me10. Get You Off My Mind11. Fallin' Apart TOKYO MOTOR FIST is:

Ted Poley - VocalsSteve Brown - Guitar, Vocals Greg Smith - BassChuck Burgi - Drums

Fort Worth, Texas death metal horde Asylum will unleash their debut album, Psalms Of Paralysis, March 17th via Metal Rising Records.

Psalms Of Paralysis features nine blistering, absolutely vile tracks that clock in around 40 minutes. These blasphemous hymns showcase a band who have honed their skills for the sole purpose of unleashing face-shredding madness upon the world.

Mixed, mastered and engineered by Irving Lopez at Imperial Mind Engineering in Dallas, Texas, Psalms Of Paralysis boasts technical prowess and a penchant for devlish heaviness. The debut album offers a comprehensive musical interpretation of human psychoanalysis, social deconstruction, and unbreakable attachment to technology. Psalms Of Paralysis dives far deeper into the enigma that is human imagination, exploring a multitude of philosophical ideas and archaic modi operandi within the realm of medical science. 

"Irving entirely surpassed our expectations for recording, adhering to strict schedules and fine-tuning the music to our liking with zen-like patience," said founding guitarist Jonathan Hatley. "Working with Irving Lopez at Imperial Mind Engineering was a fantastic experience!"

The album features a guest solo from Vital Remains lead guitarist Dean Arnold on the track "Obsidian Spine".

Tracklisting:

"Apprehensia"
"Spectral Incantation"
"Psalms Of Paralysis"
"Obsidian Spine" (featuring Dean Arnold of Vital Remains)
"Heliophobic"
"Conjuring Fog"
"Prefrontal Orbit"
"Syringic Pathology"
"Neuroslave"

Formed in 2012, Asylum creatively delivers audible personification of the enigmatic human psyche by a medium of technical death metal, heavily influenced by old school thrash and black metal. With Psalms Of Paralysis, Asylum is paving the way for a new perspective on old school and technical death metal. 

Upcoming tour dates:
 
February
25 - Reno's Chop Shop - Dallas, TX

March
3 - Tomcats West - Fort Worth, TX (with Interment)
24 - Dirty Dog Bar - Austin, TX
25 - Bonds 007 - San Antonio, TX

April
2 - Tomcats West - Fort Worth, TX (with Mindscar)
22 - Fields Of Despair - Corpus Christi, TX

May
5 -  Andy's Bar - Denton, TX

June
23 - Acadia Bar - Houston, TX
24 - Alamo City Music Hall - San Antonio, TX

July
7 - Tomcats West - Fort Worth, TX (with Whore Of Bethlehem)

Pre-orders for Psalms Of Paralysis are currently being offered at this location.

Asylum is:

Colby Rogers - vocals
Jonathan Hatley - guitars
Troy Hepfer - guitars
Carlos Alonzo Gallegos - bass
McKenzie Webb - drums

 

Shadow Kingdom Records has revealed the cover art and tracklisting for Temple Of Void's forthcoming second album, Lords Of Death. Ever aptly titled, Lords Of Death is an insanely massive slab of doom-death. Nearly three years in the making, Lords Of Death is an experience like no other.

"The Charnel Unearthing"
"Wretched Banquet"
"A Watery Internment"
"The Hidden Fiend"
"An Ominous Journey"
"The Gift"
"Graven Desires"
"Deceiver In The Shadows"

Temple Of Void is an uncompromising collaboration from the depths of Detroit, Michigan. Comprising five musicians who have put in decades of time in the Detroit underground, Temple Of Void entered this world with singular focus and methodical execution from the start. Temple Of Void harkens back to the somber sound of early European doom, while channeling the energy and devastation of old-school American death metal. But Temple Of Void is far more than the sum of its parts: Temple Of Void destroys.
 
Temple Of Void self-released their first demo in 2013. Four weeks later, they had signed to four different record labels to release Demo MMXIII and their imminent debut album across the world. The demo was met with staggering support from the underground, but just over a year later, Temple Of Void unleashed their debut album, Of Terror And The Supernatural, via Saw Her Ghost Records for the double-LP vinyl version and on CD through Rain Without End Records. The day it was released, Shadow Kingdom contacted the band and requested dibs on re-releasing the album to a worldwide audience. Unleashed internationally in September 2015, the slab of barbarity otherwise known as Of Terror And The Supernatural quickly became a cult hit amongst those looking for the darkest, dirtiest doom-death.

But, with the bar set so high by that debut album, Temple Of Void swagger forth to eclipse that achievement and soundly obliterate any comparisons with Lords Of Death. A prescient title if there ever was one, Lords Of Death casts Temple Of Void in a slightly newer light: whilst unmistakably Temple Of Void, this is the sound of the band shorn of any fat and fully representing the powerful, punishing experience of the band in a live setting. It's still signature Temple Of Void, to be sure, but Lords Of Death emits an enviable amount of focus and forward momentum, with the band largely ditching the doomier tropes in favor of ones reflective of their all-consuming onstage power. Instead, Temple Of Void emphasized the deathlier aspects of their debut, but pumped them full of addicting, headbanging energy. Put another way, whereas Of Terror And The Supernatural was doom with death metal, Lords Of Death is death metal with doom. Fittingly, the production here is utterly crushing, and once again recorded at Mount Doom in Detroit.

The release date, first track, and pre-order info for Lords Of Death will be revealed shortly.