Even after three and half decades of smoking hot guitar licks, powerful vocal performances, and just plain kick ass, foot stomping rock & roll, legendary guitar slinger Pat Travers is still firing on all boosters. Fresh off the Rock Legends Cruise in February, Travers takes the helm of another ship with Retro Rocket, a powerful new album of studio recordings to be released by Purple Pyramid Records on March 17th. Then, he’ll hit the road again with his superb band playing shows across the US throughout March and April.

As its name suggests, Retro Rocket finds Travers digging deep into the early years of his outstanding career, finding inspiration in the fiery grooves of 1978’s Heat In The Street and, of course, his monumental 1979 live album Go For What You Know. The lead off track, “I Always Run”, kicks things into high gear with a multi-layered, guitar chugging hard rock thumper that shows this veteran rocker isn’t about to slow his pace. And even when things do slow down, like the first half of the gospel-tinged “Who Can You Turn To”, it turns out to be mere build up to a massive climax of shredding solos, monster drum fills, and all out frenzied rock ecstasy. Travers’ voice shines throughout the album, seeming to only get better, more raw, more passionate with age; must be all that cocaine drinkin’ and whiskey snortin’! When you’ve had a career as long and as rich as Travers, to be releasing an album with this much energy and passion is quite a feat indeed, and hard rock fans young and old should not miss this ride of a lifetime!

After releasing a trio of releases hailed as some of the slickest and hottest guitar-rock albums ever - the aforementioned classics of ’78 & ’79 plus the 1980 blockbuster Crash And Burn - Canadian-born Pat Travers would go on to deliver classy melodic rock throughout the ‘80s, followed by a blues period in the ‘90s, and into the new millennium with several unique projects both solo and band efforts. Cited by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett as one of his favourite guitarists, the Travers legend and influence extends beyond the barriers of time, place, or genre. His live shows continue to impress, deftly balancing old favourites with fresh new material. Retro Rocket carries on Travers’ proud tradition of seriously passionate musical prowess mixed with pure, unadulterated fun.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“I Always Run”
“Searching For A Clue”
“Who Can You Turn To”
“Up Is Down”
“Mystery At The Wrecking Yard”
“You Can’t Get Their From Hare”
“I Am Alive”
“I Wanna Be Free”
“Hellbound Train”
“Looking Up” (Live) (CD only)

Bonus track (CD only)
“Lead Me Home” (Theme from The Walking Dead)

 

Aborted guitarist Mendel has put together a playthrough video for "Excremental Veracity”, from the band's current album, The Necrotic Manifesto (2014). There is also an option to download the guitar tabs.

You can also check out the official video for "The Extirpation Agenda" from The Necrotic Manifesto:

Aborted recently released The Necrotic Manifesto as a limited addition box set. The limited CD Box Set includes three bonus tracks (including a cover of Suffocation's "Funeral Inception") and the Aborted - The Game card game (110 playing cards + 1 die). Check it out here.

 

 

Aborted will play WitchFest in South Africa next month and make another trip to Japan. Look for more North American dates soon.

 

Cult Canadian thrash metal legends, Razor, have announced a reissue campaign for three of their classic late 80's and early 90's albums. The records Violent Restitution (1988), Shotgun Justice (1990), and Open Hostility (1991) will see deluxe CD/Digital reissues via Relapse Records this May.

 

 

Long out-of-print, each reissue has been completely remastered and features expanded packaging plus previously unreleased bonus material including live songs, demos, rehearsals and never-before-heard songs. The records will be reissued on May 5th in North America, May 4th in the UK/World and May 1st in Benelux/Germany/Finland. Pre-orders are available via this location, while a remastered version of the song "Violent Restitution" can be streamed below.

A Canadian thrash institution for over three decades, Razor have toured the world with the likes of Slayer, Venom and Motörhead and will be a headliner at this year's Maryland Deathfest.

 

 

Razor tour dates:

March
21 - Trois Rivieres, Quebec - Trois Rivieres Metalfest

April
18 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Manitoba Metalfest

May
23 - Baltimore, MD - Maryland Deathfest

More dates to follow.

 

On April 28th, Swedish hard rockers Airstream, featuring vocalist Staffan ‘Stiff’ Karlsson (ex-Sky Of Rage), Mathias Brask (guitar), Tommy Moon (drums), and former Thunder bassist Micke Höglund, will release Kingdom Of Isolation in North America via Metalville Records.

Featuring nine tracks, Kingdom Of Isolation finds the group offering a blend of progressive masterpieces, power hymns, and super catchy modern rock grooves in the AOR style.

Guest appearances from Kee Marcello (ex-Europe) and Thomas Larsson (ex-Glenn Hughes Band) can be heard on songs such as "You Had The World In Your Hands" and "The Power Of Music".

 

 

Kingdom Of Isolation tracklisting:

“The Power Of Music”
“You Had The World In Your Hands”
“Hold On To What We’ve Got”
“Oh Mother Oh Father”
“We Don’t Look Back”
“Addicted”
“Kingdom Of Isolation”
“Lost In Fears”
“House Of Pain”

 

Just last month, London, UK-based symphonic death/doom trio, Spectral Darkwave, announced the release of their debut album, Last First Contact, due out March 30th  via Occidental Records.

 

 

The band have now released part one of a two part documentary which showcases the journey of Spectral Darkwave and how First Last Contact came to be. In this first episode the viewer can see the band discussing the recording process, of which most was undertaken by the band themselves over a two year period, availing of modern home recording technology.

Check out first single, “Under Ebon Lash”, streaming below:

(Photo: Fabiola Santini Photography)

Austrian symphonic metallers, Edenbridge, have released a trailer (see below) for their upcoming 6 DVD package, A Decade And A Half… The History So Far, due for release in April. The 6 DVD package has a running time of approx. 9 hours, spanning the band’s entire career, starting from the very beginnings with the pre-band, Cascade, to the present.

 

 

Contents:

DVD 1
- Sabine and Lanvall reunite with former bass player Kurt Bednarsky and former guitar player Andreas Eibler to resume the early years of Edenbridge’s history
- Rare footage from the early years and even before, when the band was called Cascade

“Everflowing Stream” (Cascade Rehearsal 1994)
“Steps Towards The Bridge” (Cascade Rehearsal 1994)
“In The Rain” (Cascade Live In Vienna 1995)

First Edenbridge Show Ever, Linz 2000
“Velvet Eyes Of Dawn”
“Wings Of The Wind”
+ Local TV coverage of first live show

“Midnight At Noon” (Live In Verviers 2000)
“The Palace” (Live In Linz 2001)

- Korea 2002 Documentary

Live At Busan Rock Festival
“Forever Shine On”
“Into The Light”
“Cheyenne Spirit”

Live In Seoul
“Suspiria”
“Winter Winds”
Medley: “Sunrise In Eden”/“My Last Step Beyond”
“Cheyenne Spirit”

DVD 2
- Sabine and Lanvall reunite with former bass player Kurt Bednarsky and former guitar player Andreas Eibler to resume the early years of Edenbridge’s history
- Forever Shine On (spontaneous acoustic live performance by Sabine, Lanvall, Andreas and Kurt 2014)
- Aphelion Studio Documentary 2002
- The Magic Of Angels Tour Documentary 2003

Live In Pratteln 2003
“The Undiscovered Land”
“Perennial Dreams”
“Holy Fire”

Live In Vienna 2003
“The Final Curtain”

TV Coverage Rock Show Nuremberg 2003 (Interview And Live)
“Skyward”
“Perennial Dreams”
“The Final Curtain”
“Starlight Reverie”

- Summer Breeze Documentary 2003
- Moscow Documentary 2004

DVD 3

Live In Germany 2004 (Multicam)
“Ascending”
“The Undiscovered Land”
“Skyward”
“Holy Fire”
“Fly On A Rainbow Dream”
“Forever Shine On”
“Starlight Reverie”
“Perennial Dreams”
“The Final Curtain”
“Suspiria”
“Arcana”
Medley: “Sunrise In Eden”/“My Last Step Beyond”
“Cheyenne Spirit”

- Shine Studio Documentary 2004
- On Tour With Angra 2005 Documentary (including Sabine performing “No Pain For The Dead” With Angra)
- Outtakes And Other Funny Stories

DVD 4

Live In Beijing 2007 (Multicam)
“Evermore”
“Terra Nova”
“Wild Chase”
“October Sky”
“For Your Eyes Only”
“The Undiscovered Land”
“Flame Of Passion”
“Move Along Home”
“What You Leave Behind”
“Starlight Reverie”
“See You Fading Afar”
“On Top Of The World”
“The Grand Design”
“Shine”
“Cheyenne Spirit”

DVD 5
- Asian Tour Documetary 2006/2007
- The Making Of Myearthdream
- Drum recordings Vienna 2007
- Orchestra Recordings Prague 2007

Live At Jump Guro Festival, Seoul, Korea 2008
“Shadowplay”
“Remember Me”
“Undying Devotion”
“Paramount”
“Centennial Legend”
“Wild Chase”

Live In Pratteln 2008
“Shine”
“Evermore”
“Fallen From Grace”
“Myearthdream”

DVD 6
- “Higher” Videoclip 2010
- The Making Of Higher” Videoclip 2010
- Solitaire Album Trailer 2010
- Indonesian Promo Tour Radio Interview 2010 At National Radio Station Jakarta
- Orchestra Recordings The Bonding Vienna 2012
- “Alight A New Tomorrow” Videoclip 2013
- The Bonding Album Trailer 2013

Live At Made Of Metal Festival, Czech Republic 2014 (Multicam)
“The Force Within”
“Mystic River”
“Alight A New Tomorrow”
“Skyline´s End”
“Shadowplay”
“The Invisible Force”
“Remember Me”
“Solitaire”
“Higher”

Trailer:

For more details on this release, and to pre-order various packages, head to this location.

 

Founding member Kelly Shaefer of Florida based technical metal pioneers, Atheist, has posted the following update:

“I've been cast in a small role as a cop in the directorial debut of my long time friend John McElroy, in a film called Rocky Mountain Fast Guy, being shot here in Florida. Here is a pic of me in character.

 

 

“Shooting for my part concludes Sunday (March 8th) on location in the middle of the state. I will post pics on Sunday.

Met with John today and went over my lines.. it's gonna be a blast. Movie is scheduled for a 2016 release, and has many other local musicians from our area in the movie. Watch for it at the 2016 Sarasota Film Festival.”

Stay tuned for updates.

 

Classic rockers Toto has unveiled another new song called "Burn" from their upcoming album, Toto XIV, due out via Frontiers Music globally on March 20th, March 23rd in the UK and North America on March 24th.

 

Configurations include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph. The album will be available via all digital retailers.

The new album is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. Toto XIV is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to Toto IV, which made the band global superstars.
 
Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to Toto IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for."

Keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of Toto as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness.  There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'."

As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think." Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own."  
 
Founding bassist David Hungate returns to the fold, about whom Luke simply offers, "No one plays like David Hungate." Drums were performed by Keith Carlock who's commitments to Steely Dan prohibit him from participating in the 2015 World Tour. Shannon Forest will be behind the kit, who was a part of the band's 2014 North American run. Luke offers, "Shannon is a world class drummer and we are honored to have him back with us."

The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21st, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium. Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale. A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015. The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.

Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative, and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.

 

 

Toto XIV tracklisting:

"Running Out Of Time"
"Burn"
"Holy War"
"21st Century Blues"
"Orphan"
"Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)"
"The Little Things"
"Chinatown"
"All The Tears That Shine"
"Fortune"
"Great Expectations"

"Orphan" video:

“Holy War”:

EPK:

 

Progressive power metallers Shadowkiller from North Carolina have signed a worldwide deal with Pure Steel Records.

Lineup:

Joe Liszt (D-Train, HellHound, Rocka Rollas, Ancient Empire) - guitar, lead vocal -
Marc Petac (Germhead, Bad Influence, Sterling Violation) - lead guitar
Gary Neff (Forced Psychosis, HellHound) - drums
Dan Lynch (3rd Zen) - bass

The lyric video for the song “Survival” gives a first foretaste for the second album Until The War Is Won, which will be released soon.

Cyprus heavy metal act Lethal Saint has released a lyric video for the track “Ascend To Power”.

“Ascend To Power” is featured on Lethal Saint’s new album, WWIII, slated to be released on Pure Steel Records on March 20th. The album was produced by Andreas Kasapis and mastered by Andy Classen.

WWIII tracklisting:

“The Curse”
“Merciless Decay”
“Prophecy Of War”
“Chaos Rising”
“Order To Defend”
“Omen”
“Thorns Of Existence”
“The Alliance”
“Ascend To Power”
“Spoils Of The Past”
“WWIII”

Finnish melancholic dark metal forerunners AMORPHIS have started the year off by demoing songs for their upcoming twelfth studio album, due out in September. The band will start pre­production this March in Helsinki with producer Jens Bogren. The CD recordings will begin in April at Bogren's Fascination Street Studio in Sweden. The lyrics are written by AMORPHIS' spiritual mentor, Pekka Kainulainen.

"Like 'Kalevala', they are descriptions of natural phenomena, seasons and the human mind," says Kainulainen. "Reoccuring situations where hope and uncertainty alternate. Attempting to gain advice from higher powers. The poems do not form a complete story per se, but they are drawn together by a certain theme. We live under a red cloud and once again, time weighs us."

The release of AMORPHIS' new album will be followed by a world tour, starting with shows in the band's home country. AMORPHIS will the then hit the road in Europe with NIGHTWISH at the end of the year.

This past December, AMORPHIS completed a successful Central European "retro" tour where the band played its legendary "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" album in its entirety to celebrate the CD's 20th anniversary. As a special treat for the fans, AMORPHIS also played songs from its debut album, which it hasn't played in more than two decades. In Germany, the media praised the tour of its authencity and its "time travel to 20 years ago" aspect.

AMORPHIS' eleventh album, "Circle", was released on April 19, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. Production and mixing duties for the follow-up to 2011's "The Beginning Of Times" were handled by HYPOCRISY and PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren, who has previously worked with such bands as CHILDREN OF BODOM, CELTIC FROST, IMMORTAL and DIMMU BORGIR. The recordings took place at Petrax Studio (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, KORPIKLAANI) in Hollola and 5K Studios in Helsinki. The cover artwork was created by Tom Bates (BLEED FROM WITHIN, DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL).

Dr. Light Productions has uploaded professionally filmed video footage of THE AGONIST's February 27 performance at Foufounes Électriques in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Check out the clips below.

THE AGONIST's new album, "Eye Of Providence", was released on February 24 in North America (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media. The band's first CD with singer Vicky Psarakis was recorded at The Grid studio in their hometown with producer Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY). Vicky joined THE AGONIST as the replacement for Alissa White-Gluz, who left the band to focus on her new gig as the frontwoman of ARCH ENEMY.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, guitarist Danny Marino stated about the writing process for "Eye Of Providence" compared to those for the band's previous albums: "It was a whole new experience and the most enjoyable we've ever had. There was an air of full collaboration like never before. It was a good balance of group effort and individual composition and understanding that balance. While Vicky [and I] were the main composers, every member composed part of this album and this was the first album where lyrical content was also shared between Vicky, Simon [and I]."

Asked where he thinks THE AGONIST fits in today's metal scene, Danny said: "I don't really know exactly. I think it's cliché to say we can't be categorized, but I do think that is true of 'Prisoners' and 'Eye Of Providence'. I feel like we have come into our own sound, especially on 'Eye Of Providence'. I am influenced by artists like Devin Townsend and Mikael Åkerfeldt. Not to say that our music sounds like those bands, per se. But I am inspired by artists with the courage to take a listener to many different places in one album and make it work somehow. That's what we have been trying to do since our second album. I think with 'Eye Of Providence', we were able to find that balance."

THE AGONIST 2015 is:

Vicky Psarakis - VocalsDanny Marino - GuitarChris Kells - BassSimon McKay - DrumsPascal "Paco" Jobin - Guitar

Death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER will release their eleventh studio recording on May 5 via Metal Blade Records. Titled "Crypt Of The Devil", the ten-track slab of audio violence was composed by vocalist Chris Barnes and CANNABIS CORPSE bassist/vocalist Phil "Landphil" Hall. While on tour with CANNABIS CORPSE in 2013, Barnes and Hall met and kept in touch. Barnes would later lend his vocals to a track on CANNABIS CORPSE's "From Wisdom To Baked". That same year, Hall and Barnes joined forces to pen brand new SIX FEET UNDER tracks. Barnes lauds Hall's take on the SIX FEET UNDER style of death metal and stated that this material was, "where my wheelhouse is — it's where I thrive vocally and lyrically."

With "Crypt Of The Devil", Barnes has worked to continue the overall story from the previous works, wherein he is penning lyrics from the perspective of a serial killer. Or as Barnes describes, it's a "winding journey through his mind. The songs paint a picture that's not necessarily linear, rather a meandering back and forth through a dark soul." Soon-to-be-classic cuts such as "Open Coffin Orgy" serve as exemplary examples of the fruits of Barnes' macabre muse.

Recording for the album took place at Hall's studio in Virginia. Hall tracked rhythm and bass guitar, while his brother, Josh Hall, tracked drums, and guitarist Brandon Ellis tracked the majority of the album's leads. Barnes took to London Bridge Studio (PEARL JAM, ALICE IN CHAINS) in his new base of operations in Seattle, Washington to record vocals and in fact holed himself up in the very same booth where Layne Staley tracked his words. The mix was completed by Rob Caldwell (CANNABIS CORPSE, IRON REAGAN) in Sarasota, Florida and mastering was done by Alan Douches (CANNIBAL CORPSE, REVOCATION, TORCHE, SKELETONWITCH) at West West Side in New Windsor, New York.

"Crypt Of The Devil" track listing:

01. Gruesome02. Open Coffin Orgy03. Broken Bottle Rape04. Break The Cross In Half05. Lost Remains06. Slit Wrists07. Stab08. The Night Bleeds09. Compulsion To Brutalize10. Eternal in Darkness

SIX FEET UNDER's current live lineup will include longtime guitarist Steve Swanson, flanked by Jeff Hughell on bass, and Marco Pitruzella on drums.

Florida death metal veterans MALEVOLENT CREATION have completed work on their twelfth album, "Dead Man's Path", due later in the year via Century Media.

MALEVOLENT CREATION vocalist and founding member Bret Hoffmann previously stated about the band's new record deal: "I am very excited and extremely pumped to be signing and working with Century Media! I believe we will finally get that push we need to really get our music out there!!

"It feels great to have the guys at Century Media believe in us and our new songs, and really want to stand behind them and the band, and push us forward to bigger things! I mean, I think we have always been a bit underrated (I hear that from a lot of fans too) and I really think with this signing, we have a great chance to boost this band up!!! It's also a pleasure to have drummer Justin DiPinto back in the fold! He brings the hungry aggressive quality this band has always had back to the forefront!

"When we played three weeks of festivals and shows in Europe in August, it felt great!! That aggression was feeling strong!!

"Looking so forward to playing MANY shows after this album hits the street!! Speaking of which, we are currently working on the new slab! It is coming out intense and heavy as HELL!! Everyone is killing it!

"I think everyone is just so determined and hungry to bust out the heaviest music and ideas we can with this one!! Great heavy grooves will not be missing, I promise!!

"With this signing to Century Media and the new ripping album being done, I see great thing happening!! So with that being said, we will soon be unleashing the malevolence all over the world!!! We will be pounding stages and eardrums into oblivion and hope to see you all out there!!! Let the slaughter commence!!!!"

Added MALEVOLENT CREATION guitarist and founding member Phil Fasciana: "I couldn't agree more with Bret's comments concerning signing with such an established record label (Century Media) and having the confidence of knowing we are working with a company that believes in our band's music and will get it distributed worldwide properly.

"Along with guitarist Gio Geraca, bassist/founding member Jason Blachowicz and returning drummer Justin DiPinto, we no longer have the word 'compromise' associated with band and its music. We have had more than enough time to write, re-write and perfect our new material and deliver it the way we want for ourselves and fans.

"We are very excited to be working together on our 12th album and look forward to its release on Century Media and will be wasting no time on getting back on the road and touring extensively around the world to promote our band and new album.

"Nobody knows what the future holds, but the five of us are all committed to delivering the heaviest MALEVOLENT CREATION album to-date and look forward to the future and working with Century Media Records worldwide."

Said Philipp Schulte, Century Media A&R Europe: "When my colleague Stefan Franke and I were asked about our opinion about signing MALEVOLENT CREATION, my thought was if this was a rhetorical question.

"MALEVOLENT CREATION have never ever wimped out. They never tried to go mainstream nor have they ever delivered a weak album. (Don't mention 'Stillborn' here! The album still slays, no matter what you think of the production) and they know how it has to be done. So the answer seemed pretty obvious to me.

"We have received a lot of positive feedback throughout the last couple of years on our signing policy for extreme metal bands, be it newcomer bands or big established names. MALEVOLENT CREATION belongs to the latter group and we think they just perfectly fit into the Century Media roster. We are very proud having them on board. The six demo tracks we have heard are brilliant, offering all the well-known trademarks on a very high level. Seeing them live and meeting the guys at Party.San Open Air was a pleasure. We saw a veteran death metal band in perfect shape, all five guys fully committed to the band with the focus on working on an album with the potential to become a classic in a catalogue abundant in classic albums."

Stated Dan Dismal, Century Media product manager/A&R USA: "Being a MALEVOLENT CREATION fan AND having the privilege to hear a handful of their new material made this an easy decision for me... Yes, yes and YES!! And come on, it's MALEVOLENT CREATION! Who wouldn't be stoked to work with one of death metal's most viable institutions!?"

MALEVOLENT CREATION is:

Phil Fasciana - guitarBret Hoffman - vocalsJason Blachowicz - bass guitarJustin DiPinto - drumsGio Geraca - guitar

Photo courtesy of MALEVOLENT CREATION Facebook page

Fan-filmed video footage of SANCTUARY's March 3 performance at The Underworld in Camden, London, England can be seen below.

SANCTUARY's European tour started with a very special headline show in London before they join the mighty OVERKILL for a run of mainland shows. The trek will end with two headlining gigs in Greece.

SANCTUARY recently parted ways with guitarist Brad Hull and replaced him with Nick Cordle (ex-ARCH ENEMY, ARSIS).

Said SANCTUARY guitarist Lenny Rutledge: "Nick is an amazing musician and we believe he will bring a fresh energy to the lineup. You can see Nick Cordle with SANCTUARY this March touring Europe on the Killfest tour." Added Cordle: "It'll be a great pleasure to join SANCTUARY on tour in Europe! I've admired the band for a long time and [SANCTUARY's new album] 'The Year The Sun Died' is a breath of fresh air. It's a welcome challenge to work up these songs and I'm excited to get moving!"

SANCTUARY's comeback album, "The Year The Sun Died", was released in October 2014 via Century Media. Recorded in Seattle at Soundhouse Studios with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SOULFLY, SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE), the CD features 11 tracks. There was a deluxe media book, available exclusively at CM Distro in the United States, which featured expanded packaging and the bonus track, a cover of THE DOORS classic "Waiting For The Sun". The vinyl version came with a CD featuring this bonus track as well. The cover artwork for the album was created by Travis Smith (OPETH, NEVERMORE).

SANCTUARY last year filmed video for the song "Frozen" with director Dirk Behlau.

In 2010, four of the founding SANCTUARY members — Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard, Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill — came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that the guys changed their minds. Now, some 20 years after they left off, SANCTUARY has continued with its unique mix of U.S. power metal, hard rock and progressive elements.

SANCTUARY released the classic albums "Refuge Denied" and "Into The Mirror Black" during its short existence between 1985 and 1992. Following the band's split, Dane and Sheppard formed NEVERMORE.

SANCTUARY's current lineup:

Warrel Dane - VocalsLenny Rutledge - GuitarNick Cordle - GuitarJim Sheppard - BassDave Budbill - Drums

Swedish masters of melancholy KATATONIA will release a new concert film, "Sanctitude", in North America on March 31 via Kscope.

"Sanctitude" will be released in four formats:

* Blu-ray/DVD in 5.1 Surround Sound plus "Beyond The Chapel" documentary, including brand new interviews with Anders Nyström and Jonas Renkse.* CD/DVD package - audio / visual set including "Beyond The Chapel" documentary.* Double LP (incl. download code)* Digital download (audio)

"Sanctitude" can be pre-ordered in physical formats via the Kscope webstore.

"Sanctitude" was filmed and recorded in the stunning, candle-lit setting of London's Union Chapel during KATATONIA's May 2014 "Unplugged & Reworked" tour — an intimate acoustic evening performing tracks from the "Dethroned & Uncrowned" album alongside atmospheric classics from the band's entire career, stripped and reworked. The 80-minute set features 17 songs across the albums "The Great Cold Distance", "Viva Emptiness", "Brave Murder Day", "Last Fair Deal Gone Down", "Dead End Kings" and "Dethroned & Uncrowned", including fan favorite "Teargas". The show closes with the sublime "The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here" and a special guest appearance by Norwegian vocalist Silje Wergeland of Dutch rockers THE GATHERING. The band was also joined on guitar and vocals by THE PINEAPPLE THIEF frontman and songwriter Bruce Soord. "As a band we set out on uncharted waters, but while apprehensive about the journey ahead, our intentions couldn't have been more genuine to undertake this beautiful experience," commented guitarist Anders Nyström. "Sailing this project into harbor turned out to be bliss and has ultimately enriched all the members of KATATONIA."

All audio on "Sanctitude" has been mixed and mastered by Bruce Soord, with artwork once more supplied by longtime visual collaborator Travis Smith.

Disc 1: 01. In The White02. Ambitions03. Teargas04. Gone05. A Darkness Coming06. One Year From Now07. The Racing Heart08. Tonight's Music09. Sleeper10. Undo You11. Lethean12. Day13. Idle Blood14. Unfurl15. Omerta16. Evidence17. The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here Disc 2: * Concert Film (80 minutes)* Documentary "Beyond The Chapel" (66 minutes)

The performance clip of the song "Day" from "Sanctitude" can be seen below.

BROKEN HOPE's co-founding drummer Ryan Stanek passed away on March 1 at the age of 42.

BROKEN HOPE guitarist Jeremy Wagner has released the following statement: "I was stunned to hear of Ryan's passing and I'm still not believing it.

"Though Ryan and I didn't talk that often since he split from BROKEN HOPE many years ago, we did correspond once in awhile, and we always wished each other well in whatever endeavors we were pursuing.

"Ryan was always an EXTREMELY talented man. When we first met, he was the BEST metal drummer within a 100-mile radius, and Joe Ptacek and I were fortunate to have this amazing drum-kid in our own backyard!

"Ryan co-founded BROKEN HOPE with Joe and me. We were the core… just the three of us, in the beginning, all in high school. Ryan also designed the very first BROKEN HOPE logo, which was a 'circular logo' we used on our first flyers and backdrop.

"With all that, Ryan's artistic talents went BEYOND drums and drawing, he also played acoustic guitar incredibly well, wrote some of the segues on the earlier BROKEN HOPE albums, contributed his own lyrical-parts on the 'Swamped In Gore' album , and also, Ryan became a singer-songwriter post BROKEN HOPE, in other bands he formed where he expressed his art his own way, and very well done.

"Ryan set the bar for death metal drumming when we recorded 'Loathing'. Specifically, the track 'Siamese Screams' is a song that measures any drummer's worth if he or she can play it to Ryan's original level.

"If I have any regrets, it's that I didn't stay more connected with Ryan — especially after Joe's passing — but I'm HOPING he'd understand as many of us (like me) live in the illusion that we'll live forever and reconnect down the road later. Unfortuantely, Ryan left too early for me to hug him and hang with him again and catch up.

"So, Ryan Stanek, I'm so very sorry to see you go — and Brian Griffin (ex-BROKEN HOPE) also tells me personally that he wishes he could see you off, but he's in Australia right now.

"If you can hear my words here, please know that I'll NEVER forget YOU… you enriched and changed my life for the better. BROKEN HOPE would never have existed without you, and most important: I'm extremely grateful to have known you, and to have known you as my 'friend' when we were young men — and also, the last time we ever spoke.

"If there's a heaven, I wish you travel well, Ryan… and I imagine you and Joe have met up and are having a blast."

Ryan Stanek's official obituary and online guestbook can be found here.

METALLICA will celebrate this year's "Record Store Day" with the release of an exact duplication of the band's 1982 demo tape "No Life 'Til Leather" as a limited-edition cassette on April 18. The artwork was made from METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich's own copy and will feature his handwriting.

Says METALLICA in a statement: "In 1982 we recorded seven songs that became our initial calling card known as 'No Life 'Til Leather', and it led us to our first record deal. Tthe rest, as you some of you may know, is history!

"On Record Store Day, April 18th that demo tape will be available as a limited-edition cassette (yes, cassette!!) at your favorite neighborhood record store and Metallica.com.

"We've been digging through the archives, gone to the original source material and re-mastered it to maximize the sound potential for 2015 without altering the original mixes in any way.

"Recorded with the first line-up of the band that appeared live as METALLICA, 'No Life 'Til Leather' has never been commercially available until now. Look for expanded versions coming on CD, vinyl and a collector's set sometime this summer.

"We hope you enjoy this little walk down memory lane with us and that you will continue to join us in supporting independent record stores around the world. Visit RecordStoreDay.com for a list of independent retail stores taking part in Record Store Day."

"No Life 'Til Leather" was recorded on July 6, 1982 at Chateau East Studio, Tustin, California and it features the following tracks:

01. Hit The Lights02. The Mechanix03. Motorbreath 04. Seek & Destroy 05. Metal Militia 06. Jump In The Fire07. Phantom Lord

"No Life 'Til Leather" recording lineup:

James Hetfield - lead vocals, rhythm guitarLars Ulrich - drumsDave Mustaine - lead guitarRon McGovney - bass

Speaking to RollingStone.com about "No Life 'Til Leather", Ulrich said: "It's time for us to put out some next-level reissues and do the song and dance of the catalog that everyone else has done; the U2s and the LED ZEPPELINs and the OASISes. Instead of starting with 'Kill 'Em All' in 1983, we figured we'd go back another two years to when the band was formed in 1981."

He continued: "This is the second demo that we made and circulated. I sat in my bedroom and wrote on the J cards and went to the post office and sent it around to all the tape collectors around the world. Now, 20, 30 years later, it has become synonymous with the pre-'Kill 'Em All' era."

METALLICA is currently working on material for its tenth studio album for a tentative late 2015/early 2016 release. The new CD will follow up 2008's "Death Magnetic".

METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in 2014, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, being guests of honor at a film festival, and playing a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson".

In a brand new interview with Greg Prato of Songfacts, HELLYEAH and MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray was asked if he thinks MUDVAYNE will ever work together again.

"I don't know if the full band will," he responded. "Who knows — they might be putting something else together. We were talking for a while and that whole Greg thing went down [MUDVAYNE guitarist Greg Tribbett left HELLYEAH in 2013] and everything kind of fell apart. Our relationship, which was the only truly solid relationship in the whole group, although Matt [McDonough, drums] and I are still great, Ryan [Martinie, bass] and I still briefly talk. I mean, the only way I personally would want to do MUDVAYNE is if everybody licked their wounds and got over it."

He continued: "There's a lot of things in that band that tore us apart. Maybe MUDVAYNE was the martyr for people that stopped supporting music. You sell 159,000 records the first week, and then the next record is like, 'Whatever, fuck it.' Maybe it's a subliminal message if you don't support things… MUDVAYNE's probably bigger now than it ever was. So, people want what they can't have."

Asked in Revolver magazine if Greg's exit from HELLYEAH hit him especially hard, seeing as the two of them started off paying together in MUDVAYNE, Chad said: "Yeah, man. He has always been my right-hand man. He's been the back I look at when I'm writing songs and the sounding board for my ideas. When everything went sideways, it was like losing a great friend. I was filled with fear and I had mixed emotions. At first, I was like, Goddamn, I don't know if I'm ever gonna be able to do this without him."

Questioned directly if MUDVAYNE is officially over, Chad replied: "I don't think so. We all still talk. I'm not ready to put a headstone on anything yet."

Back in March 2014, MUDVAYNE posted a message on its Facebook page denying that the band had broken up. The group wrote at the time: "Final explanation… MUDVAYNE is on hiatus. With respect to all the bandmembers, we are all doing something in music that satisfies our appetite right now. When the time is right, MUDVAYNE WILL be back in action. In no shape or form is this a disrespect to our fans. We love our fans and will give them all they can handle when it is time. 'Till then, patience is needed."

It's been more than five years since MUDVAYNE released its self-titled fifth album and little has been heard about the band since then. But in a late 2010 interview with the music blog Warwick, MUDVAYNE bassist Ryan Martinie discussed the group almost entirely in the past tense. When asked about the quartet's musical evolution, Martinie said, "I think that what we did is valuable. It's become a cog in the wheel of music in some sort of way. We are a piece of musical history now . . . We were always just responding to our environment. I always saw the band to be important as an aspect of my life, as something that was supposed to take us places that are positive, and in that sense everything that happened with the band has happened for a reason."

MUDVAYNE did not tour behind its fifth album, which was barely promoted and sold weakly upon release.

The critically acclaimed Banger Films documentary "Super Duper Alice Cooper" was named "Best Feature-Length Documentary", and also took the "Best Editing In A Feature-Length Documentary" prize at Sunday night's Canadian Screen Awards, which honor excellence in the country's film, TV and digital media programming. The event was held at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto and was hosted by beloved Canadian comic Andrea Martin.

Eagle Rock Entertainment released "Super Duper Alice Cooper" in June 2014 as DVD, Blu-ray and Deluxe Limited Edition Boxed set.

Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014, "Super Duper Alice Cooper" is the first ever "doc opera" film, presented with a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation, and rock opera. "Super Duper Alice Cooper" is the story of Vincent Furnier, a preacher's son who struck fear into the hearts of parents everywhere as the ultimate rock star of the bizarre, Alice Cooper. Yet beyond the make-up, there is a richer, deeper story. Presented here is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr. Jekyll whose rock 'n' roll Mr. Hyde almost kills him. Through the advent of Alice as front man of a rock band group of Phoenix misfits in the '60s, to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the '70s, to his triumphant comeback as '80s glam metal godfather, the film reveals how Alice and Vincent battled for each other's souls, and how these two opposite characters came to co-exist within one mind. Alice's story is told not only by the man himself, but through exclusive interviews with members of the original ALICE COOPER band, Elton John, Iggy Pop, John Lydon and Dee Snider. The DVD and Blu-ray version of "Super Duper Alice Cooper" include bonus deleted scenes, Alice Cooper interviews from the VH1 Classic series "Metal Evolution", and additional rare footage. The Deluxe Edition features not only the full film on DVD and Blu-ray, but also a second DVD of previously unreleased concert footage from Montreal University in 1972, and a CD of Cooper's performance at the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, all housed in an LP-sized box with 60-page hardback photobook. "Super Duper Alice Cooper" is the creation of Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Banger Films, producers of "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" (2009 SXSW Audience Choice Winner) and "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" (2010 Grammy-nominated and Tribeca Audience Choice Winner), and much-lauded filmmaker Reginald Harkema (winner of the TIFF Special Jury Prize for his film "Monkey Warfare"). "Super Duper Alice Cooper" Deluxe Track Listing DVD - Montreal 1972:

01. Be My Lover02. You Drive Me Nervous03. I'm Eighteen04. Is It My Body05. Dead Babies06. Killer07. Long Way To Go08. School's Out09. Under My Wheels

CD - Montreux 2009:

01. It's Hot Tonight02. No More Mr. Nice Guy03. I'm Eighteen04. Feed My Frankenstein05. Acoustic Solo06. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side07. Dirty Diamonds08. Vengeance Is Mine09. Halo Files10. Welcome To My Nightmare11. Only Women Bleed12. Steven13. Dead Babies14. Ballad Of Dwight Fry15. Devil's Food / Killer / I Love The Dead16. School's Out17. Billion Dollar Babies

Finnish "apocalyptic death rock" band BEASTMILK has parted ways with guitarist and co-founding member Johan "Goatspeed" Snell and has changed its name to GRAVE PLEASURES.

Says the band in a statement: "We ask you to understand that both sides did absolutely everything they could to make things work, but were unable to find a way to continue together.

"We all wish Johan the very best, but the show must go on.

"Given these circumstances, BEASTMILK will continue to forge ahead, but will assume the new identity of GRAVE PLEASURES.

"The band is on atomic fire, with a new album and new members in our ranks.

"We look forward to seeing you at all of the shows, where we will play your favourite BEASTMILK tracks, alongside brand new material from the forthcoming album.

"Along with the name change, new live/studio guitarist Juho Vanhanen (ORANSSI PAZUZU) has joined the band, while guitarist Snell departs the ranks.

"Juho V. is welcomed into GRAVE PLEASURES by frontman Kvohst, bassist Arino and guitarist Linnéa Olsson (THE OATH, SONIC RITUAL), who joined the band earlier in 2014.

"The band can also reveal that they will be signing a major label deal and that they will go into the studio in May with producer Tom Dalgety (ROYAL BLOOD, KILLING JOKE), with the album set for release in September, followed by a European tour."

GRAVE PLEASURES singer Mat "Kvohst", who wrote the material on BEASTMILK's debut album, 2013's "Climax", says of the name and lineup change: "The lineup has never been stronger!

"We're really excited to perform material from the forthcoming album and classic songs from 'Climax'.

"The name might change, but the songs and the performance will be better than ever."

HBO has teamed up with some of the music industry's top artists for the second installment of "Catch The Throne: The Mixtape", for the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series "Game Of Thrones". Building on the success of Volume I — with over 2.5 million streams to date — that attracted hip-hop and reggaeton fans alike, "Volume II" will feature Method Man, Snoop Dogg and Yandel and will transcend genres by adding Grammy-nominated metal bands KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and ANTHRAX to the mixtape lineup. The mixtape will be released in anticipation of the season 5 debut of "Game Of Thrones", airing April 12 on HBO.

A snippet of ANTHRAX's contribution to "Catch The Throne: The Mixtape" can be streamed in the Instagram post below.

Scott Ian, founding member of ANTHRAX, told Finland's Kaaos TV: "[Our contribution to the mixtape] was a song we had already written [for our next studio album]. We didn't have time to start writing something brand new from scratch. We listened to all the material we had and made the decision. That one just… We all thought the same thing. Everybody listened to the demos and we all had the same idea that this one demo just sounded like that should be the song for 'Game Of Thrones', so it was a pretty easy decision. The lyrics weren't written yet, though — we only had the music — so then [the show producers] said you have to pick something about the show to write about. And I got to write about exactly what I wanted to write about [the Lannister family], so I was very happy about that. It was a really fun thing for me to do, because I'm such a massive fan of the show. So are Charlie [Benante, drums] and Frankie [Bello, bass] — they're really big fans. So it was just something really exciting that we got the call to do that. And we were, like, 'Yeah!' A lot of times you get calls for things, and it's kind of, like, 'Naaahhh. Just say no.' But this we were very excited about."

Produced by Launch Point Records, the 15-song mixtape features diverse artists representing "Game Of Thrones" families, leveraging themes and highlights from season 4. Showcasing the importance of music in "Game Of Thrones", each song on the mixtape samples music from the show's season 4 soundtrack. This year's mixtape also weaves in the overarching theme of fire and ice, providing listeners with an exciting lineup of heavy metal and hip-hop artists.

Lucinda Martinez, SVP of multicultural marketing at HBO, stated: "'Catch The Throne: The Mixtape' garnered much praise and piqued interest of artists wanting to partake in its sequel. We're excited to seize the opportunity to channel the fandom of these artists into 'Volume II' and give audiences another opportunity to experience original music inspired by the show. We are particularly excited to integrate heavy metal into the mixtape this time around to continue our celebration of this groundbreaking series."

"Catch The Throne: The Mixtape Volume II" will be released next month free of charge. Listeners are encouraged to share using the hashtag #CatchTheThrone.

Viewers can access previous seasons of "Game Of Thrones" on HBO GO, HBO On Demand or by checking local listings for replays.

Fan-filmed video footage of GODSMACK's entire February 28 performance in Brisbane, Australia as part of this year's Soundwave festival can be seen below.

In a 2014 interview with AMH Network, GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna admitted that the band has neglected the international market on a wide scale for most of its nearly 20-year existence, something that GODSMACK planned to change in 2015. "There was a lot of politics going on with our record label and some of the decisions that were made," he explained. "There was a merger, and long story short, it became too expensive for us to go overseas without the support. We had no records in stores. But now it's gotten to the point where we acknowledge that we need to start touring internationally, and we have the support to do it."

Back in 2012, GODSMACK was forced to cancel a number of European dates due to Erna's unspecified vocal troubles.

GODSMACK was only able to perform two of its fourteen scheduled dates in Europe, which marked the first time the band had toured the continent in almost nine years.

GODSMACK's sixth studio album, "1000hp", sold approximately 58,000 copies in its first week of release to land at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 album chart. The disc, which arrived on August 5, 2014, followed up 2011's "The Oracle", which topped the chart with sales of 117,000 copies in its debut week.

Erna described the sound of the "1000hp" album to The Pulse Of Radio as "a little bit more raw, a little bit more open. The writing was a little freer. The production is really kind of raw and in your face, and the songs, man — I'm really, really excited about these songs. And I have to tell you honestly, I wasn't that excited about writing this record at first."

Veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have announced the first wave of confirmed club and festival dates for their upcoming 2014 European tour that is scheduled to start in May and run through August. The trek will mark the band's return to Europe, coming off the heels of 2012's "Ugly Noise" album and last year's re-recording of the band's classic 1988 "No Place For Disgrace" LP.

Initially set to start in April, the tour was pushed out a month to May in order to allow FLOTSAM AND JETSAM time to continue writing material for the band's new album, which will feature new drummer Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, ANTHRAX). At press time, the band will begin tracking its as-yet-untitled new effort later this month, with more European and U.S. tour dates to follow.

Confirmed FLOTSAM AND JETSAM shows:

May 13 - GR - Metropolis Live, PatrasMay 14 - GR - AN Club, AthensMay 15 - GR - Eightball Live, ThessalonikiMay 16 - GR - Polyxwros Agora, IoanninaMay 18 - UK - Underworld, LondonMay 19 - UK - Queens Hall, NuneatonMay 20 - UK - Stereo, GlasgowMay 22 - DE - Rock Hard Festival, GelsenkirchenMay 24 - BE - Biebob, VosselaarMay 25 - DE - Backstage, MunchenMay 27 - CZ - Modra Vopice, PragueMay 28 - AT - Viper Room, ViennaMay 31 - AT - PMK, InnsbruckJun. 05 - DE - Hypothalamus, RheineJun. 06 - NL - Fortarock, NijmegenJul. 17 - DE - Bang Your Head!!!, BalingenJul. 24 - DE - Headbangers Open Air, Brande-HornerkirchenJul. 27 - NO - Revolver, Oslo (w/ Death Angel)Jul. 28 - SE - Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg (w/ DEATH ANGEL)Jul. 29 - SE - Debaser Medis, Stockholm (w/ DEATH ANGEL)

FLOTSAM's current linup includes Steve Conley on guitar and Michael Spencer (who previously contributed to the writing of the band's classic 1988 release, "No Place For Disgrace") on bass.

Spencer recently stated about the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM material: "There's a great, old-school thrash vibe going on with the direction of the songs and what originally influenced the band, mixed with a little of what we like about today's sound, in metal."

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM returned to Metal Blade Records for the release of "Ugly Noise".

On January 16, Josh Rundquist (a.k.a. That Drummer Guy) conducted an interview with drummer Anders Jivarp of Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY before the band's performance at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Speaking about the progress of the songwriting sessions for DARK TRANQUILLITY's follow-up to 2013's "Construct", Anders said: "Myself and our keyboard player [Martin Brändström] have been writing ever since June. Pretty much three times a week we meet up in his studio and just write, so we have a lot of material — actually, almost six [or] seven songs done. Not with guitar solos and vocals, but it's there. So we said we're gonna spend… After this [North American] tour, we're kind of done [with the 'Construct' album cycle]. We're gonna do festivals and stuff like that, but we're gonna concentrate, in a really slow tempo, on just releasing a really, really good album. And I think we can do that, I'm pretty sure."

He continued: "We're talking about recording the album in October [and] November, [and it makes] sense to release it in maybe March [or] April [of 2016]."

Regarding the musical direction of the new DARK TRANQUILLITY material, Anders said: "I've been writing, like, 95 percent of it. It's very guitar oriented. It's very… I'm surprised, actually, how a drummer and a keyboard player can create so many guitar riffs. 'Cause 'Construct' was a little bit different; it was more… [It didn't have] too many guitar riffs necessarily. But I would say it's gonna surprise a lot of listeners. Maybe they wil say, 'Oh, [it sounds like] old DARK TRANQUILLITY,' with so much guitar riffs and stuff. It's a little bit towards that direction, I dare to say, even if it's not… I played some of the songs for Niklas [Sundin], our guitar player, and he was, like, 'Woah! Fuck! What's this?' [Laughs] So… We'll see. No ballads so far. I'm very happy with it."

He continued: "I'm surprised, actually, that me and Martin could do that, actually. 'Cause I was… When I started writing, I was, like, 'Hmm… How is this album gonna sound? Maybe like ANATHEMA [and] OPETH… This mellow, soft…' You know?! 'Cause I like that. But when I started writing, it was, like… no. This is what I've got. All this fast stuff. So… Maybe the album after that will be the slow one. We'll see."

DARK TRANQUILLITY's tenth studio album, "Construct", was released on May 27, 2013 via Century Media Records. The CD was mixed by Jens Bogren (PARADISE LOST, OPETH, KATATONIA) at his Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden.

DARK TRANQUILLITY filmed a music video for the song "Uniformity" in April 2013 with Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

Dutch blackened death metal act God Dethroned is working on their first new album in five years. The band posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“It's been something like five years since we last wrote a God Dethroned song. Maybe some of you wondered if we still have it in us to write new stuff again and the answer is definitely yes, we do! The first riffs have been written and the inspiration is there to write a lot more.

“You know we never write the same album twice and also this time there won't be an exception to this rule. I'm not gonna tell you yet what you can expect, it's even a bit too early for us to say what will be the outcome, but we're trying something completely different this time around.

“This will be the third and final chapter about World War One and we're hoping to have the recordings finished before year end.

“We'll keep you posted about the process, but most of all, we'd like to see you at one (or more) of the upcoming shows this season!”

God Dethroned’s last album was 2010’s Under The Sign Of The Iron Cross, released by Metal Blade Records.

El Salvadoran death thrashers Conceived By Hate are streaming their cover of Dissection’s “Thorns Of Crimson Death”.

On March 10th Morbid Skull Records will release a double dose of destruction entitled Coalition Of Death, a split release featuring El Salvador's Conceived By Hate and Colombia's Akheron. The album will be limited 500 hand-numbered copies, including 50 diehard versions with extras.

Check out Conceived By Hate’s “Hypocritical Sense Of Ego” below:

Death thrashers Conceived By Hate begins the sinister proceedings with three original slash 'n burners and an incendiary rendition of Dissection's "Thorns Of Crimson Death". Formed in 2002 by Morbid Skull Records owner and guitarrist/vocalist Jorge Montesino (Disorder, Morbid Stench) with co-founders Carlos Basagoitia and Rene Vega, the El Salvadoran unit leaves behind nothing but scorched earth with their contribution. Conceived By Hate is currently working on its next full-length album and is in the midst of planning a European invasion.

The second half of the split features the sonic mayhem and savagery for Akerhon's violent thrash. Featuring four tracks, including a wicked cover of Misfit's "Where Eagles Dare", Akheron continues their eardrum shattering assault with lyrical themes on the originals of existentialism, mental degradation, mankind's warring territorial obsessions, and the continual downward spiral of what others might call daily life. Launched in 2003, Akheron is led by founder/composer/vocalist/guitarist Juan Guerra who along with bassist Julie Gomez, drummer Luis Galeano, and guitarist Jonathan Jimenez seeks only to destroy.

 

 

Coalition Of Death tracklisting:

Conceived By Death
“Devotees Of Death”
“Hypocritical Sense Of Ego”
“Embrace The Absurd”
“Thorns Of Crimson Death” (Dissection cover)

Akheron
“Estimga”
“Chemtrail”
“In-Conformista”
“Where Eagles Dare” (Misfits cover)

Conceived By Death’s “Devotees Of Death”:

Akheron’s “Estigma”:

 

Gates Of Hell Records, the new Cruz Del Sur Music sister label, will release Anal Vomit's Peste Negra, Muetra Negra on May 5th in North America. The release comes after a nearly six-year period during which only a live EP and a compilation from the band were released. Anal Vomit's fourth studio album is an overdose of pure, uncontaminated, satanic death as taught by the ancient gods, with razor sharp solos, machine gunning drums and vocals straight out of hell.

Influenced by old thrash metal and by legendary acts such as Sarcofago, Holocausto, Sextrash, Vulcano and Possessed, these Peruvian tyrants play blackened old school death/thrash the way it was meant to be and take you back to a time when death metal was not about gore, but about Satan, leather, spikes and hell.

Peste Negra, Muetra Negra will be available in CD, die-hard vinyl edition, a limited-edition colored vinyl edition, and regular vinyl formats. The die-hard edition (limited to 100) includes a brown vinyl LP, a big woven patch not available elsewhere, a t-shirt and a sticker. This edition is available only through the Gates Of Hell website. The limited edition (100 copies) includes an oxblood vinyl LP and a sticker. All vinyl editions include a cover version of Sarcofago's "INRI". Peste Negra, Muetra Negra is licensed from Icarus Music for Europe and North America, and features a sick artwork by Mottla and guest chorus vocals by Silvina Harris (Betrayer) and Wata (Matan S.A.).

Peste Negra, Muerta Negra tracklisting:

“Brebaje De Muerte”
“Valle De Tinieblas”
“Obsessive Sexual Slaughter”
“La Muerte Del Papa (Interludio)”
“Dios Muerto”
“Venganza Obscura”
“A Savage Fornication”
“Estado Comatoso”
“Pact To Kill (Outro)”
“INRI”*

*LP only bonus track