Tor-Helge (Manes, Manii) and Anna Murphy (Cellar Darling, ex-Eluveitie), Lethe's minds, souls and bodies, present with "Down Into The Sun" a new fragment off brand new album The First Corpse On The Moon ready to be released on February 24th via My Kingdom Music and they do it with a video edited by MKM Graphix:

The new ten-track album is an astonishing and unique experience into the most Avant-garde metal / trip-hop / electro / pop / experimental art and this new song shows how ambitious, eclectic and declarant is Lethe's musical universe.

Close your eyes, open your mind, and let the music take you on a musical journey through different moods.

Vocalist Joacim "Jake E" Lundberg has broken his silence regarding his departure from AMARANTHE, the successful Swedish melodic metal band he co-founded.

AMARANTHE has kept an active touring schedule in between recording and releasing four studio albums. Following AMARANTHE's tour of Japan with HELLOWEEN last September, Jake E, one of the band's three vocalists, announced he would "take a break" from the band to focus on other projects, with SMASH INTO PIECES vocalist Chris Adams stepping in for him at AMARANTHE's recent shows.

"I've had some fantastic seven years with AMARANTHE," Jake told Roppongi Rocks. "We have achieved success far beyond what I expected when we formed the band.

"I am very proud of what we have achieved with AMARANTHE: creatively and commercially, in the studio and on stage in front of our great fans. Now I am stepping off the AMARANTHE tour bus and will go on to do new things. I am involved with plenty of great things, both in the music space and in other creative areas."

Jake E, who will perform in March with his old band DREAMLAND, has spent time hosting a radio show, working on film projects and producing the debut album by Finnish band EMBER FALLS.

AMARANTHE's latest album, "Maximalism", was released in October via Spinefarm Records. The CD was once again produced by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, EPICA, DELAIN) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck (RAMMSTEIN, APOCALYPTICA, DRAGONFORCE).

"The Separation Of Flesh From Bone", a brand new song from death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's twelfth studio album, "Torment", which will be released on 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.

Finnish doom/post metal band Oceanwake has released a brand new video for “A Storm Sermon (2nd Movement)”. The song is an excerpt that is the middle part of the 21-minute opening track “A Storm Sermon”, from the forthcoming album Earthen that will be released on March 10th via ViciSolum Productions.

Oceanwake about the video:

"All of us were familiar with the phenomenal music videos Vesa and Harri had shot for other bands. There was no competition, they were our numberone choice in the first place. The promotional clip for A Storm Sermon (2nd Movement) was shot at various arctic locations in three countries. We are definitely more than pleased with their dedication to the project and, of course, with the astounding end product." - Eero Haula

Oceanwake about the album:"On Earthen, we really tried to push the envelope and followed our instincts without limitations. Certain parts of the album might seem a bit out of place at first, but I can guarantee that every second of music serves a purpose. I feel that even the most unexpected moments still resonate with everything we've done before. This must be the greatest strength of Oceanwake." - Jarkko Mäkelä

(Photo by: Matias Nummelin)

Sweden’s In Flames released their new album Battles in November 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The band is streaming new track “Here Until Forever”:

 

Battles has been nominated for the Swedish Grammis as “Hard Rock/Metal Album Of The Year”, marking the group’s eigth nomination to date. The awards will take place in Stockholm on February 28th. Other bands nominated in this category include Dark Tranquillity and Ghost.

The band states: "We are very honored to have received our 8th Swedish Grammis nomination for our newest album, Battles. We can’t thank our fans enough, who, throughout their years of support and dedication to our music have kept In Flames alive and inspired. Jesterheads, this one's for you!"

In March, the band will kick off their European tour named In Our Room - An Evening With In Flames. They will perform in spectacular, intimate locations such as churches and theaters. Most of the shows are already sold out, so make sure to grab some of the last tickets available now at InFlames.com.

Dates:

March
18 - Oslo, Norway - Kulturkirken (Sold Out)
19 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik (Sold Out)
20 - Stockholm, Sweden - Berns (Sold Out)
22 - Berlin, Germany - Admiralspalast
23 - Bochum, Germany - Christuskirche (Sold Out)
24 - Offenbach, Germany - Capitol (Sold Out)
26 - Munich, Germany - Freiheiz (Sold Out)
27 - Milan, Italy - Teatro Dal Verme
28 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
29 - Paris, France - Alhambra
31 - Zurich, Switzerland - Theatre 11

British underground metal band Weak13 have released a new music video for their song “Obey The Slave” from their 2016 album They Live. The music video was filmed in a real English magistrate’s court and revolves around a theme of law and order. The song raises questions about authority and activism with thought provoking lyrics and proudly shouts “Don't start a revolution. Have a revelation and share. Wake up”.

The band is currently preparing to record their second as yet untitled studio album with producer John Stewart at FrEQ in Coventry, England. Speaking to the website, frontman and guitarist Nick J Townsend revealed, “We were so impressed with the engineering by Stewart on the They Live album; it's important news that we'll be able to work with him again and we know already that he'll do the new material the justice it deserves.”

Frontiers Music Srl will release "Don't Let Up", the new studio album from NIGHT RANGER, on March 24. The disc will be available in both a standard edition and a deluxe edition (featuring bonus track and bonus DVD — physical format only).

The "Don't Let Up" title track can now be streamed below.

NIGHT RANGER truly epitomizes the sound of the '80s, while at the same time transcending it. Since their reunion in 1996, they have brought their guitar heavy, melodic brand of hard rock into the 21st century with their unparalleled talent, energy, and creativity.

The new album, "Don't Let Up" was self-produced by the band.

"The 'Don't Let Up' album is the result of five musicians living and breathing rock 'n roll 24 hours a day. 35 years on and NIGHT RANGER is once again ready to let the fans know 'it's only rock and roll, but I like it,'" says NIGHT RANGER bassist and vocalist Jack Blades of the new album.

NIGHT RANGER drummer and vocalist Kelly Keagy adds: "Working on the material for the new album "Don't Let Up" was a great experience once again. I always look forward to creating music with Brad, Eric, Keri, and Jack. I'm really looking forward to playing some of this material for the fans. It rocks!"

States NIGHT RANGER guitarist Brad Gillis: "I'm looking forward to the new NIGHT RANGER studio effort 'Don't Let Up' as it's always a pleasure releasing new material to keep the bands creative flow. As typical for NIGHT RANGER, we have all the elements that made us popular in the first place, including twin-lead-vocal tradeoffs with Jack and Kelly and dual guitar harmonies and solos with my new partner in crime, Keri Kelli. We've stacked the deck again with up tempo driving rock songs, mid tempo tunes and a few acoustic ballad tracks. We're hoping this new album will be added to your existing NIGHT RANGER catalog!!!"

With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide, over 3000 live shows performed, and more than 1 billion in radio audience, NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style of that era and beyond. With songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and continue to expand their ever-growing fan-base, NIGHT RANGER is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

NIGHT RANGER has earned widespread acclaim, multi-platinum and gold album status while leaving their indelible mark on the music charts with a string of best-selling albums ("Dawn Patrol", "Midnight Madness", "7 Wishes", "Big Life" and "Man In Motion"), its popularity fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks.

NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

"Don't Let Up" track listing:

01. Somehow Someway02. Running Out Of Time03. Truth04. Day And Night*05. Don't Let Up 06. Won't Be Your Fool Again07. Say What You Want08. We Can Work It Out09. Comfort Me10. Jamie11. Nothing Left Of Yesterday

* Bonus audio track on deluxe edition

* Bonus DVD: Band Interviews; "Running Out Of Time" (video); "Day And Night" (Video)

Australia’s Boris The Blade have released a video for the new track “Nihilist” available for viewing below. The track is featured on the band’s second album, Warpath, out now via Siege Music.

Warpath tracklisting:

“Warpath”
“Backstabber”
“Misery” (feat CJ McMahon)
“Nihilist”
“Omens” (feat Scott Lewis)
“Paralysed”
“Thorns”
“Devastator”
“Elixir” (feat Tim Goergen)
“Solace”

“Nihilist” video:

“Misery”:

“Warpath” video:

The name Byzantine is synonymous with a band thriving in the underground for its whole existence. Heralded as the most underrated band from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement, Byzantine has slowly gained a cult-like following after releasing five genre-bending albums. Now, Metal Blade Records has given Byzantine the chance to show their talent on a bigger stage and the band has responded with The Cicada Tree - the culmination of many years of musical craftsmanship and resounding songwriting. 16 years underground, it's finally time for the world to hear Byzantine on June 2nd.

In conjunction with PledgeMusic, The Cicada Tree is now available to pre-order in various formats and bundles, with every "pledge"/purchase receiving a digital download of the tracks, plus exclusive content. To reserve your copy of the album (with two cover songs by Fishbone and The Cars), signed material from the band, apparel, and more, visit this location.

Chris "OJ" Ojeda (vocals, rhythm guitar) comments: "The last two Byzantine albums were released DIY and both were coupled with successful crowd-funding campaigns. Now that we have finally landed a home with Metal Blade, we feel that it is vital that we continue our close relationship with our fan-base by offering up pre-orders for The Cicada Tree through PledgeMusic. Our experience with PledgeMusic has been nothing short of fantastic. We hope you enjoy The Cicada Tree as much as we enjoyed making it for you!"

With a lineup comprising Shatraug (Horna, Sargeist, Behexen, Nightbringer), Anti-Christian (Tsjuder, Beaten To Death) and founder and frontman Doedsadmiral (Nordjevel, Svartelder, Enepsigos), it was inevitable that there would be interest in Doedsvangr's debut full-length album, Satan Ov Suns, and today the band have revealed details.

Satan Ov Suns was recorded at Velvet Recording in Spydeberg with Christer Krohg, whilst drums were recorded at the Klang Studios in Oslo with Bjarne Stensli. Artwork is by Khaos Diktator Design.

Tracklisting:

“Our Lord Cometh!”
“Rituals”
“Doedsvangr”
“Black Dawn”
“Northern Watchtowers”
“Diaboli”
“Gnashing Of Teeth”
“Breath Of Lucifer”
“Throne Of Black Illumination”
“Blood Whores”
“Black Sun Nimbus”

“Rituals” and “Black Dawn” can be heard below:

Satan ov Suns by Doedsvangr

Satan Ov Suns will hit the streets on March 27th via Immortal Frost Productions, and will be available in CD, double vinyl and digital formats.

Despite the evil feel that pervades the whole album, Doedsvangr's vastly experienced Norwegian and Finnish members have not fallen into the trap of producing a formulaic black metal album, but have been able to create eleven tracks that offer extreme variations, and, it has to be said, "a lot of groove".

Commenting on the formation of Doedsvangr the band's prolific frontman "Doedsadmiral" recently had this to say: "All my other bands each have a different sound and musical ethos one from the other, and Doedsvangr is one that comes from a much darker direction. Doedsvangr, like the other projects in which I'm involved, does not come from me alone, but is the result of two great musicians coming onboard so that together we can create music the way we all want it to sound, and perform it in a way that we all want to hear it. Will Doedsvangr perform live one day? That remains to be seen, let's just see where the album takes us first".

Satan Ov Suns is now available to pre-order in CD and vinyl formats here, and in digital format here.

During the 1980s, the music scene was exploding with an abundance of great rock bands - including multi-platinum sellers such as Mötley Crüe, Quiet Riot and Ratt - but there was always room for talented new contenders. For King Kobra this was an invitation from heaven, launching onto a landscape that was primed for killer hard rock, enormous sales, and unlimited airplay.

It comes as no surprise then, that respected re-issue label Rock Candy Records has turned a spotlight on their first two classic albums, Ready To Strike and Thrill Of A Lifetime. Both titles are set to be reissued on February 10th having been fully remastered with enhanced 16-page booklets featuring rare photos, new interviews, and a 4,000 word essay penned by Malcolm Dome.

Formed in California in 1984, by seasoned drummer Carmine Appice (Cactus, Beck Bogart & Appice, Ozzy Osbourne) and featuring vocalist Mark Free (Unruly Child), guitarists John Michael Philips & Mick Sweda (Bulletboys) and bassist Johnny Rod (W.A.S.P.), the band won instant attention for their unique look - four blondes and one brunette. Produced by Spencer Proffer (Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Cheap Trick) and signed to Capitol Records, the band’s debut album, originally issued in 1985, won them the attention of fans and critics alike by delivering one of the year’s best records. Tracks such as “Hunger”, “Tough Guys”, “Piece Of The Rock” and the title track itself are pivotal examples of some of the best mid 80’s hard rock.

Thrill Of A Lifetime, their sophomore album, originally issued in 1986, saw the band shift gear, modernising their sound and focussing on more accessible songs, perhaps modelled on the chart success of artists like Bon Jovi and Cinderella. The material was spearheaded by the hugely infectious “Iron Eagle (Never Say Die)”, a track that was included on the hit movie Iron Eagle. Elsewhere there’s “Feel The Heat”, “Raise Your Hands To Rock” and “Dream On” for further proof of their hard rocking credentials.

Each album can be ordered via the Amazon widgets below.

Ready To Strike tracklisting:

“Ready To Strike”
“Hunger”
“Shadow Rider”
“Shake Up”
“Attention”
“Breakin’ Out”
“Tough Guys”
“Dancing With Desire”
“Second Thoughts”
“Piece Of The Rock”

Thrill Of A Lifetime tracklisting:

“Second Time Around”
“Dream On”
“Feel The Heat”
“Thrill Of A Lifetime”
“Only The Strong Will Survive”
“Iron Eagle (Never Say Die)”
“Home Street Home”
“Overnight Sensation”
“Raise Your Hands To Rock”
“Party Animal”

Bonus Track:
“Home Sweet Home” (Street Mix)

 

 

 

 

MONSTER MAGNET is "almost done" recording its new album for a tentative summer 2017 release. Speaking to the "Talking Metal" podcast, frontman Dave Wyndorf stated about MONSTER MAGNET's planned follow-up to 2013's "Last Patrol" (hear audio below): "The way I write is different than a lot of people. I write the music in my kitchen [in Red Bank, New Jersey] and lay it all out, arrange everything, and [I] don't really write the lyrics 'till I've recorded everything. So I just sat here in the kitchen, wrote the songs and brought it to the band and worked it out with those guys. And then went into the studio, like a good rock man should, I did drums, bass, guitars and [we're] almost done. All we're waiting for now is for that idiot singer to complete the lyrics and sing them, and maybe put a couple of leads on, and then it'll be ready to go. So, at this point, I'll be mixing in March."

Regarding the recording process for MONSTER MAGNET's new album, Wyndorf said: "In Long Branch is where I did the drums and bass — at a place called Shorefire, which is a really, really great place. Total old-school studio; you'd think you were in 1972 in there — wood, big room, big glass…. like really, really hot. And then once all that's done, I take it out and go to a smaller place — Studio 13 in Red Bank, which is Phil Caivano's studio, the guitar player in MONSTER MAGNET and my co-producer. And then we start doing leads and vocals and all that kind of stuff."

Wyndorf also talked about the overall musical direction of the new MONSTER MAGNET material, saying: "It's full-on rock — shorter songs. Yeah, it's 'fight' music. Still 'psych' in a kind of garage-rock kind of way and sound, and you'll hear echoes and stuff like that, but it's less longform."

He continued: "The last bunch of records, I went on a psychedelic tinge, as is my right to do. But after I do a couple of records that are completely psychedelic, it just overtakes me to just rock — just go out there and pummel it. So it's fast tempo and a lot of Detroit-style… That's the best way I can describe it, 'cause Detroit had this spirit to it, and even a sound — kind of droney strings, but still rocking. It's what I needed to do in order to live continually in 21st Century, which is completely out of its mind. So I needed something… I take the psychedelic stuff and get all cerebral and kind of ruminate on what's going on in the world in my head and in my music. And then, when I get so disgusted with the way the world is, then I strike back with my music, or me, in this way. So it makes sense."

MONSTER MAGNET's next disc will be the final release under the band's current contract with Napalm Records. "And then I'll see if they wanna continue or somebody else will wanna continue," Wyndorf told Sofia Live last year.

MONSTER MAGNET's last release was "Cobras And Fire (The Mastermind Redux)", which came out in October 2015. The album was dubbed an "alternative listening experience" to the band's 2010 effort "Mastermind". The approach was similar to what MONSTER MAGNET did in 2014 when they took "Last Patrol", pulled the songs apart and rebuilt them as "Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagining Of Last Patrol".


Listen to "TM 651 Dave Wyndorf" on Spreaker.

Belgian black metal trio Wiegedood, featuring members of Amenra, Hessian, Oathbreaker and Rise And Fall, are sharing a full stream of their second full-length, De Doden Hebben Het Goed II, prior to the official release this Friday, February 10th.

Set for release on February 10th via Consouling Records, the new album follows-up Wiegedood’s debut album, De Doden Hebben Het Goed, and sees the Belgian trio sounding more concise, cohesive and ferocious than ever before. Physical pre-orders are now available via Consouling Sounds webstore at this location.

Album stream:

“Ontzieling” video:

(Photo - Stefaan Temmerman)

Power Trip gives us one last glimpse into Nightmare Logic before it's out this month on Southern Lord. The ripping title track does not disappoint - proving Power Trip grander than ever. With hooks and tightness rivaling greats like Pantera or Pentagram, "Nightmare Logic" punishes fans not only sonically but with pure songwriting skill.

Power Trip executes music with raw energy. They've trimmed the fat on every reference they pull from - whether that's hardcore, metal, or punk - to make music that leaves marks in 2017. Hailing from Dallas, the band has toured the world relentlessly for years. Their musical proficiency, perfect song structure, rich tones, fierce riffs, delivery, and collective attitude has seeded them as one of today's most prolific acts in any astute or heavy genre.

Riley Gale's lyrics reflect that aggression by honing in on the devaluation of human life by those who've gained power through money and politics. By creating a broad dissection of human suffering above reproach from personal agendas, the lyrics attempt to unify and inspire listeners. Coming from the hardcore world, where every band vaguely fights "the man", wants to live free and break down the walls, Power Trip noticeably stands out. Instead of skirting around the thought of fighting back, Nightmare Logic focuses in on real oppression felt by many all over the world, whether that's fighting addiction and the pharmaceutical industry ("Waiting Around To Die") or right-wing religious conservatives ("Crucifixation"). Taking cues from Discharge and Crass in Margaret Thatcher's UK, Nightmare Logic delivers poignant social information directly into those homes engulfed in the sour turn of global politics towards right-wing agendas.

Through the years, Power Trip has boldly surprised their broad fanbase by performing alongside less obvious artists - closing the gap that in 2017's social climate desperately needs to be filled. One month you can catch them playing with Title Fight, Merchandise, or Big Freedia, the next you can catch them on a long tour with Napalm Death or Anthrax. They're a powerful storm of aggression, gaining more and more momentum with true, honest spirit. Their next massive tour kicks off this month. Dates include an East Coast run with Iron Reagan and a West Coast run with Destruction Unit.

Nightmare Logic is out February 24th on Southern Lord. Preorders for the album are now available at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Soul Sacrifice”
“Executioner’s Tax (Swing Of The Axe)”
“Firing Squad”
“Nightmare Logic”
“Waiting Around To Die”
“Ruination”
“If Not Us Then Who”
“Crucifixation” 

"Nightmare Logic":

“Executioner’s Tax (Swing Of The Axe)”:

“Firing Squad”:

Power Trip hits the road again next month in support of the album. In addition to an East Coast run with Iron Reagan and others, the band has extended the tour up and down the West Coast with Destruction Unit and many more.

(Photo by: Renate Winter)

Summon Horrendous Destruction, the debut demo/EP from Portland, OR-based old school death metal butchers, Petrification, will be released on March 3rd.

Petrification formed out of their love of old school Swedish, British and particularly Finnish death metal, wanting to create music that while an homage to its roots, allowed its members to find their own unique voice in extreme metal. Drawn to the evil and doom-laden soundscapes of the Finnish masters (Funebre, Abohorrence, Convulse, etc.), Petrification set out to meticulously craft their own vision in the writing of the demo Summon Horrendous Destruction, lyrically and sonically conjuring apparitions of giant, man-eating arachnids and other horrors that lurk on the edge of the void awaiting their victims. Petrification’s old school death metal trudge batters the flesh and smashes bone with the cruelty of an orc unleashed from hell, and  Summon Horrendous Destruction is a glorious onslaught of mummified and gross as fuck old school death metal that will delight fans of Autopsy, Nihilist, Grave, Cruciamentum, Disma, etc.

The Summon Horrendous Destruction demo tape is slated to drop as a limited run of pro-dubbed cassettes and as a digital product (a vinyl 7" will be follow soon), and you can now listen to the title track of the demo below via the gore-laced madness that is the accompanying music video for the track.

Tapes and digital products can be now pre-ordered here.

Summon Horrendous Destruction EP tracklisting:

“Summon Horrendous Destruction”
“Stagnation Of Transmigration”
“The Headless One”
“Desecrators Of Conscious Entropy”

“Summon Horrendous Destruction” video:

(Photo - Kathryn Caligari)

London's premium old school extreme metal force Craven Idol will release their second album of ruthless first wave blackened thrash in the vein of early Bathory, Gospel Of The Horns, Manilla Road and Inquisition.  

After four years of toil, the U.K. four-piece present: The Shackles Of Mammon, an uncompromising and unique blend of tag-less extreme metal from the early days of horrible hellnoise. 

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

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

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

The Shackles of Mammon will be released April 14th on LP, CD, and MC via Dark Descent Records.

Oakland, California hard rock hooligans, Lecherous Gaze, will release their new album, One Fifteen, this Friday, February 10th. The album’s title track is now available for streaming below.

Produced by Greg Wilkinson (Eerie, High On Fire) at Earhammer Studios and mastered by Carl Saff (Earthless), One Fifteen is The Gaze's third full-length LP and showcases the hyper-talented musicians at the peak of their power. One Fifteen is the follow-up to the band's 2014 album Zeta Reticuli Blues.

Lecherous Gaze features current and former members of such kick ass bands as Annihilation Time, Witch, Saviours and more. The band play, in their own words, "Psycho-delic shred-tastic ultra-hyphened rock-punk heavy jams." ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons more concisely calls the band's sound "heavy". On One Fifteen, searing guitarist Graham Clise deals absolutely ferocious licks while vocalist Zaryan Zaidi and the band spit old school, no bullshit, in-your-face, maximum impact rock straight into your kisser. Mean and greasy riff forward proto-punk is the name of the game! Out of this world cover art from American fantasy and science fiction artist Frank Frazetta adds to One Fifteen's overall awesomeness. If you thought real deal hard rock had no future, Lecherous Gaze has returned to slap some sense into you.

"One Fifteen is the definitive Lecherous Gaze album," comments Clise. "This record is a timeless masterpiece of epic proportions or some shit."

Pre-order One Fifteen at Tee Pee Records.

Tracklisting:

“One Fifteen”
“Reptile Minds”
“Cosmos Redshift 7”
“Thing Within”
“The Day The Earth Caught Fire”
“Dark Nebula”
“Malevolent Shroud”
“Blind Swordsman”
“X City”

“One Fifteen”:

"Thing Within":

(Photo - O.)

Australia’s Desecrator have inked a deal with Alpha Omega Management.

Desecrator are a 4-piece thrash metal band based in Melbourne. With a sound that has been compared to early Testament, Death Angel and Sacred Reich, Desecrator’s twin guitar attack, punishing rhythm section and blood soaked vocals have won over the old guard of staunch metal fans as well as recruiting the new wave of young thrashers. Desecrator will unleash more information about their upcoming album, soon.

The band's statement on the signing: "Desecrator are hella excited to announce our addition to the Alpha Omega roster. Alex Azzali's vision for Alpha Omega roster bands, their touring schedules, logistics and progression is exactly in line with how we have operated over the last 7 years. We feel he understands the necessity for a DIY ethic in a current day cashless business and how to maintain that status whilst climbing the music industry ladder internationally. We can't wait to sink our teeth into 2017!”

Alpha Omega Management adds: "We're excited to welcome our first Australian band, Desecrator, to our roster! We've seen these guys in action and seen how they steam the stages they play, delivering some serious ass-kicking thrash with their unconditional attitude! Next announcements soon, stay tuned!"

(Photo - LD Photography Inc.)

Bay Area legends Testament performed at the 2017 installment of the annual 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise, which set sail February 2nd - 6th on board Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Independence Of The Seas, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Labadee, situated on the northern coast of Haiti. Fan-filmed video from the band's show can be viewed below.

Bands performing during the cruise included: Amaranthe, Amorphis, Angra, Annihilator, Anthrax, Arch Enemy, Avatarium, Axxis, Carcass, Cattle Decapitation, Cruachan, Cryptex, Cryptopsy, Dalriada, Death Angel, Demolition Hammer, DevilDriver, Draconian, Dying Fetus, Edenbridge, Einherjer, Equilibrium, Ghost Ship Octavius, Grave Digger, Haggard, Kalmah, Kamelot, Manegarm, Marduk, Misery Loves Co., Moonsorrow, Mors Principium Est, Nightmare, Omnium Gatherum, Orden Ogan, Orphaned Land, Pain, PowerGlove, Psycroptic, Revocation, Saltatio Mortis, Scar Symmetry, Serenity, Stam1na, Striker, Stuck Mojo, Suffocation, Testament, Therion, Total Death, Touch The Sun, Trauma, Trollfest, Uli Jon Roth, Unleashed, Vreid, and Xandria.

Watch for more footage in the coming days, along with an overview from BraveWords.com's own Metal Tim Henderson.

Testament, will launch a massive North American tour starting next April in support of their chart topping Brotherhood Of The Snake release. Joining them are legendary Brazilian death/thrashers Sepultura and genre defying stalwarts Prong. A video trailer for the tour can be found below.

Prong founder Tommy Victor on the upcoming tour: “Prong is absolutely ecstatic about being part of this upcoming Testament and Sepultura tour. We are totally honoured to be supporting and sharing a stage with both these legendary bands! It's simply fantastic! Don't miss it! It's going to be great!”

"After 4 successful tours through Europe over the last 6 months, we are looking forward to touring across North America,” comments vocalist Chuck Billy. "We'll have a new headlining setlist with tracks from Brotherhood Of The Snake, and how cool is it that we will be sharing the stage with our brothers in metal Sepultura and Prong?! See ya' in the PIT!"

To purchase tickets visit testamentlegions.com.

Tour dates:

April
6 - Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
7 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
8 - Aztec Theater - San Antonio, TX
9 - House Of Blues - Houston, TX
10 - House Of Blues - New Orleans, LA
12 - The Ritz Ybor - Tampa, FL
13 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
14 - House Of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
15 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GA
16 - The Fillmore - Charlotte, NC
19 - The National - Richmond, VA
20 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
21 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA (New England Metal & Harcore Festival)
22 - The Paramount - Huntington, NY
23 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
24 - Ram's Head Live - Baltimore, MD
26 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
27 - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, ON
28 - Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MI
29 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
30 - Agora Theatre - Cleveland, OH

May
2 - Concord Music Hall - Chicago, IL
3 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
4 - The District - Sioux Falls, SD
6 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
7 - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT
9 - Roseland Theater - Portlant, OR
10 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
11 - Showbox Market - Seattle, WA
12 - The Revolution Concert House - Boise, ID
15 - Orpheum Theater - Flagstaff, AZ
16 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA
17 - Livewire - Scottsdale, AZ
18 - House Of Blues - Anaheim, CA
19 - Regency Ballroom - San Francsco, CA
20 - Brooklyn Bowl - Las Vegas, NV

Tony Iommi has once again said that he wouldn't rule out BLACK SABBATH recording new material or playing a one-off event.

BLACK SABBATH finished its year-long "The End" farewell tour on Saturday night (February 4) in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career with an emotional 15-song set.

The band decided to make this tour its last because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in late 2011 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Speaking to the U.K. radio station Planet Rock, Iommi said: "I'm going to miss playing on stage because that has been my whole life, the band and playing on stage. I like [playing on stage] and I'm sure it's not going to end like that; I'm sure we might do a one-off show somewhere.

"It's just the touring for me — it's time to stop roaming the world and be at home for a bit... I'm still going to write and put stuff out."

Asked if SABBATH's recording days are truly over, Tony said: "No, I don't think we've ruled anything out apart from me not wanting to tour any more on that scale, but who knows, we may do something. We haven't spoken about it. That's another thing — we haven't talked about anything, really, that's to do with what's going to happen afterwards. But I'm sure something can happen somewhere."

Tony added that he is looking forward to the new chapters ahead in his life. "It's nice just to take some time off and really think about it," he said. "I've been offered quite a lot of stuff at the moment. It's quite exciting. There are lots of different things coming in, things I would never have thought, to be honest. It's all there and needs some thought. I don't want to rush into anything.

"Thing is, when you're touring, you've got to go out for six, eight, twelve months or whatever and you've got a schedule that you have to do. Now… if I want to do some TV for a month, I can do that."

The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on the album "13", which came out in June 2013.

Iommi and Butler haven't announced any specific post-SABBATH plans yet, but Osbourne is reportedly at work on a new album, and already has a pair of solo shows scheduled for this summer.

Vince Neil says that he still enjoys performing MÖTLEY CRÜE's music live, regardless of the size of the venues he plays with his solo band.

MÖTLEY CRÜE called it quits in December 2015 following an eighteen-month tour that saw the group performing to packed houses all over the world.

A tour film about CRÜE's final shows, "The End", came out last fall, and a film adaptation of the band's 2001 autobiography "The Dirt" is still said to be in the works.

Speaking to "Trunk Nation", Eddie Trunk's show on SiriusXM channel Volume (106), Vince acknowledged that he is currently the only member of MÖTLEY CRÜE who is waving the flag for the band's music by performing CRÜE songs as a solo artist.

"It's a cool thing, because I love MÖTLEY CRÜE, I love MÖTLEY CRÜE's music, and I love singing, and I love the fans' reactions when they hear the songs," he said. "Whether we're playing in front of a thousand people or twenty thousand people, I can only see the front row anyway. So I'm happy for me and for the fans to be able to still hear that music after MÖTLEY CRÜE is finished."

Neil reiterated the fact that he doesn't mind performing in much smaller places with his solo band than he was accustomed to playing with MÖTLEY CRÜE. "I always look at it like the best of both worlds," he explained. "You know, we had the big, giant MÖTLEY stuff and everything, and then you've got… I like going out and playing… We do fifteen-hundred, two-thousand, three-thousand seaters and some festival stuff, and it's fun to go out there and just let the music do the talking, as the song goes. And I don't miss it. I like just going out there and just raw."

Even though Neil's solo set consists exclusively of MÖTLEY CRÜE material, he says that he tries to keep things fresh by occasionally throwing in "deeper" album cuts that many fans wouldn't expect to hear in a live situation.

"Like [the] songs 'Red Hot' and 'Piece Of Your Action', we didn't have [them] in the set for a long time, and then I was, like, 'Yeah, let's just go ahead and let's do this,'" he said. "Then we added 'Red Hot' and we stopped doing it for a while, and then we just added it again."

He continued: "The old songs are… MÖTLEY didn't play all these old songs, and I enjoy singing these old songs, so it's fun for me and it's fun for the band and it's fun for the crowd."

Neil's solo band includes Dana Strum and Jeff Blando from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx told RiffYou.com last year that his new band, SIXX:A.M., "[doesn't] play MÖTLEY CRÜE music" and will "never play MÖTLEY CRÜE music, explaining that he wanted to make a clean break from touring with CRÜE out of the deep respect he had for all he had accomplished with his bandmates.

ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS singer Myles Kennedy has confirmed to The Aquarian Weekly that he has already begun work on his second solo album, even thought the first one has yet to see the light of day. He said: "The [first] solo [album] was something I started years ago, and then just didn't have time to finish. So, once it was finished last year and mixed and everything, then I started writing another one. Just because I feel like songs have a shelf life for me, so I was curious in my downtime here while I was at home in between tours, what will happen if I wrote a whole new batch of material? So I'm just doing that and just trying to stay busy, and we'll see which one ends up being released."

He continued: "These songs aren't riff-oriented like ALTER BRIDGE. With this approach, I wanted to approach more like a singer-songwriter would and some of my favorite albums have been just a guy and a guitar like Robert Johnson or Chris Whitley. I wanted to attempt something like that."

Myles added: "The first one I recorded was a bit more produced with layers and guitars, and with this new thing I'm working on, I'm doing my best to keep it very stripped down and organic and raw. So, we'll see what ends up happening in the end, but you will hear it."

Kennedy's first solo album was recorded with Brian Sperber (ALTER BRIDGE) at Ansons Pocket Studio in Yorktown Heights, upstate New York. The CD's release date, title and artwork have yet to be revealed.

In a 2012 interview with Metalshrine, Myles said that his upcoming solo effort would feature guest appearances by "a lot of friends," including Slash, who "was kind enough to offer his guitar prowess on a track which turned out really cool."

Amaranthe vocalist Jake E., who is currently on hiatus, has checked in with the following update:

"In the beginning of 2017 the young and up and coming Finnish band Ember Falls will release their debut album through Spinefarm/Universal Music. I had the honor and the great privilege to produce the album as well co-write a lot of the songs. The album was mixed by no other then the Danish master producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Epica), and it was fun to work side by side with him once again, but in a completely different role this time.

February 17th is a very important date. That´s the day when Ember Falls debut album will be released worldwide!" 

The album tracklist is as follows:

"The Cost of Doing Business"
"Falling Rain"
"Of Letting Go"
"The Enemy You Need"
"Freedom"
"COE"
"Rising Tide"
"Open Your Eyes"
"One More Time"
"Shut Down with Me"
"The Lamb Lies Down in Sacrifice"

Comatose Music welcomes Posthuman Abomination to the growing ranks of the death metal elite. The band has marked the occasion with the release of its first-ever track, "Crafting Life".

This accomplished Italian trio was formed in 2014, comprised of musicians from Devangelic, Natrium and Xenomorphic Contamination. Originally founded as a studio project only, Posthuman Abomination has now focused their attention to becoming a band that is active and performing live. 

The group is currently hard at work composing its debut full length, Transcending Embodiment, which is planned for release in early 2018. Inspired by the likes of Suffocation, Disavowed and Deeds Of Flesh; expect a hard hitting bombardment of supreme brutal death metal. 

Posthuman Abomination lineup:

Lorenzo Orrù - vocals
Max Santarelli - guitars
Marco Coghe - drums

 

Svart Records has announced March 10th as the international release date for Lubricant's Swallow This collection. Lubricant were one of the forerunners of the rock-influenced strain of old-school death metal, along with such bands as Xysma and Wolverine Blues-era Entombed. Their brief lifespan consisted of one demo and and one mini-album originally, which are now compiled together on this release.

The demo, Swallow The Symmetric Swab, was recorded in 10 hours by enthusiastic death-obsessed teenagers and distributed via the tape-trading scene worldwide. The tape proved an underground hit, with over 2000 copies manufactured. Cult German label Morbid Records grabbed the band, and the deal resulted in the Nookleptia mini-album, released on CD and vinyl in 1993.

Lubricant have recently reactivated themselves with the original lineup, but back in the day, they existed for a mere few years. Their original approach to death metal and grind won over many fans, and they soon became a cult act, with many shows around Europe.

Entitled Swallow This, this compilation of Lubricant's vintage material has been remastered according to the band's original vision. It restores much of the dirt and venom not entirely present on version which ended up on the original Nookleptia vinyl. Hear the first evidence of this restoration at Svart's Soundcloud audio player with the track "Semistarvation". The cover and tracklisting follow.

"Telesyphilis Of Exfetation"
"Paralysis Bulbaris"
"Imperious Radiopraxis (Tabidus Scatter)"
"Inflammatorius Pulmonectomia"
"Pulpectomy"
"Monohemerous Joy"
"Thrombose"
"Declaration Of Gallopping Consumption"
"Laceration Of Vasoconstrictive Emotion"
"Expulsive Gastroscopia"
"Semistarvation"

 

 

Maryland doom legends THE OBSESSED will release their first studio album in over twenty years, "Sacred", on April 7 via Relapse Records. The song "Razor Wire", taken from "Sacred", can be streamed below. Comments THE OBSESSED guitarist/vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich: "I can honestly say I think this is the best-sounding recording of my career, and I am excited to release it on Relapse.

"This song 'Razor Wire', I have been carrying around the title concept and main riff in my pocket for a couple years. The full song was born after applying real life experiences, with a little wishful thinking! Fuck control." "Sacred" will be made available on CD, LP, deluxe double LP, and digital formats. Physical preorders and bundles are available via Relapse.com here and digital downloads can be preordered by Bandcamp at this location. The deluxe 2xLP bundle includes an enamel logo pin, signed art print, and two bonus tracks. "Sacred" track listing:

01. Sodden Jackal02. Punk Crusher03. Sacred04. Haywire05. Perseverance Of Futility06. It's Only Money07. Cold Blood08. Stranger Things09. Razor Wire10. My Daughter My Son11. Be The Night12. Interlude13. On So Long (bonus)14. Crossroader Blues (bonus)

Weinrich, who has also played with SAINT VITUS, SPIRIT CARAVAN, THE HIDDEN HAND and SHRINEBUILDER, was joined in THE OBSESSED's most recent touring lineup by Bruce Falkinburg on bass and vocals, Brian Constantino on drums and Sara "Seraphim" Claudius (ex-ARMAGEDDON) on guitar.

Weinrich announced THE OBSESSED's return in March 2016 on social media, explaining in a statement: "All over the world I've listened to friends tell me, 'We want you to bring back THE OBSESSED,' so I have decided to resurrect THE OBSESSED." He added that he was "waiting for the right combination of ability, attitude and personality to accomplish this goal."

Forged in 1976 in Maryland, THE OBSESSED weathered various lineup shifts and an on-again-off-again status over the course of a winding, forty-year history. The band released three now-legendary full-lengths — 1990's "The Obsessed", 1991's "Lunar Womb" and 1994's "The Church Within" — as well as a gaggle of seven-inch singles and compilation appearances.

"The Church Within" was Wino's most critically hailed album. Despite being co-released by Hellhound Records and the major label Columbia Records, the music-buying masses were not ready to embrace doom in 1994 and instead fixated on buying records by rehashed pop-punk bands. Several factors led to "The Church Within" becoming THE OBSESSED's last full-length album. Despite not becoming a top-seller, the album remains hugely influential.

RATT singer Stephen Pearcy was interviewed by rock journalist Mitch Lafon for a recent edition of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast (Facebook page). You can listen to the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On RATT's plans to record the follow-up to 2010's "Infestation" album:

Stephen: "'Infestation' wasn't brilliant. It was good. We didn't hit our mark, and Warren [DeMartini, guitar] and I know that — because Juan [Croucier, bass] wasn't involved. This next thing we do, it's gonna be the same schematic I used with [my new solo album] 'Smash': time and effort. Something that we really didn't have a lot of back in the day, because it was, like, go on the road for two hundred dates, and then you have a few months off, and you're in the studio for three months, and then you've got a month off, and then you're on the road. And this time it's gonna be different. We wanna do something special. We want it to be brilliant, and we're gonna take the time and effort to do it. We just don't wanna go out there and… I mean, of course, we're gonna go out there and play the hits and do what we do, but at the end of the year, we wanna start on the record. It's part of the plan of us getting together in the first place — the three of us [me, Warren and Juan] — and going through the mess that we did to protect this entity, and to step up and finally say, 'Okay, this is big-rock time. This is 'stop the bullshit,' all this nonsense that's going on.' So, you know, expect the best… I mean, expect hopefully more than the best when it comes down to a new RATT record, because it'd better be a hundred times better than 'Smash'."

On the motivation for RATT to make new music instead of just touring the world and playing the hits:

Stephen: "Well, number one, the thing that keeps getting us back together is the music. I mean, we don't really always hang out. It's a business. Back in the day, we forgot about the music business — which some people did — and this time around, we want to make music. That's what we do, that's what I do, and that's what always pulls us back together. Of course, we go through this and that and all these complications that dysfunctional bands do to be successful. I mean, it's almost like if you're not dysfunctional when you have success, you've never really made it, unfortunately. You've gotta earn those stripes. But no, we want to write a record because we wanna prove to ourselves that we can bust some ass. And it's not about just going out and playing the hits. We know we're classic rock. We've been there, we've done it many times over. There's no point to make. But when it comes down to music, it's very important still. And to go out and even play performances now that we're gonna do — these festivals, the Rocklahomas and the Rock Fests and the M3s — the handful we have right now just to step up, we're gonna be playing the best you've ever heard us. I mean, it's a totally different sober environment for all of us. And it's gonna be a whole another world."

On the songwriting chemistry between him, Warren and Juan:

Stephen: "Well, first off, without Robbin [Crosby, late RATT guitarist], we're not really complete. All I can do is make sure he's channeled in there somewhere and his legacy lives on and he's not forgotten. I mean, even when I write my own music, I think about Robbin… So when it comes to the three of us now, we want the best… I don't know… It's like adding these strange chemicals and you get this something that only you can do together. Juan writes, I write, Warren writes… you put us all together — bingo. But without Robbin, it's not really the same, but all we can do is do our best and keep his spirit and his… or me, keep him in that mix, as I'm doing what I'm doing, 'cause he was a big part of what we did. So we're gonna do the best we can as far as putting something out."

On who will play drums for RATT at the upcoming shows and beyond:

Stephen: "As far as I'm concerned, that is yet to be seen or announced. I think Jimmy [DeGrasso] will be in on the first show, and then we'll see what happens. We're talking about something to where I think, and hopefully we all believe, that we want the best for what we're going to do for the next couple of years. And no disrespect to anybody, that's what's gonna happen, and we haven't decided, I haven't decided, and we'll see what happens. But I know who we pull in for the long term is gonna be special."

On RATT's future plans now that the band has regained the rights the name from drummer Bobby Blotzer:

Stephen: "The solo stuff is just… that turns me on, that fulfills my own trip, and that's not going anywhere. I'll do that for as long as I feel like doing it. RATT, like I said, is a whole different machine. I don't even wanna get into the whole thing of it… It was never lost; it was returned. I do write for TV and other things, and so, for RATT, all of us, I believe, would like to see a good two, three years… I don't wann do this… You know, I've got other things I wanna do. I wanna sponsor my race cars, I wanna, you know… Who knows? Walk my dog for a year. I don't know… [Laughs] But we do want to have a good few years out there. And nothing disturbs anything. The solo shows for 'Smash', they start next month and they wind down the Second of July. I just got a new agent, which is brilliant, for my solo [band]. And RATT's still structuring itself business-wise. Unless all the components are complete, we'll have to see how long we want to… It's up to us, you know. We'll do it as long as we can. But I know we wanna do a record. That's one thing. We do wanna accomplish a record. It'll be our tenth. If we can accomplish that, we've really done a lot for ourselves, believe me. So we'll see what happens."

Stephen's fourth solo album, "Smash", was released on January 27 via Frontiers Music Srl.


Listen to "RATT (Stephen Pearcy) - Ep. 300 One On One With Mitch Lafon" on Spreaker.