Jackyl has announced that their brand new album, ROWYCO, will be released on August 5th via Mighty Loud Records. ROWYCO (let us know when you figure this one out!) is the fattest sounding record to date for the band.

“This will be an exciting year,” predicts lead singer Jesse James Dupree. “With the album’s release timing perfectly with the grand opening of the Full Throttle Saloon, in Sturgis, South Dakota. The original location burned to the ground last year AND they are building back bigger and better than ever.”

The Full Throttle Saloon enjoyed a six year run of a hit reality television show of the same name, which documented owner Michael Ballard and Jesse’s struggles to get the bar up, running and profitable during the world’s largest motorcycle rally.

The first single off of ROWYCO, entitled “Rally” (streaming below), is the perfect song to kick off summer, as it’s time to rally for rock! “There is not a better song than “Rally” to set the pace for an incredible summer 2016,” exclaims Jesse. “So crank that bitch up!”

And as far as the album as a whole, “It's a Jackyl record at its core, but there are some tracks, lyrically, that I went a little deeper on a personal level with some things I had going on at the time. It is the thickest sounding production that we have ever recorded. It’s just a huge slice of rock. ROWYCO is a very diverse album and every track has its purpose.”

Tracklisting:

"Disasterpiece"
"Rally"
"All Night Rodeo"
"Ahead of My Time"
"Just Because I'm Drunk"  
"Everyone's A Winner"
"Crazy"
"Hammer To The Head"
"Limpdick"
"Blast Off"

"Rally”:

Catch Jackyl live at the following shows:

June
8 - Sharon, PA - Quaker Steak & Lube
10 - Rothbury, MI - Sandy Corley Memorial Run at Double JJ Resort  
11 - Fond Du Lac, WI - Walleye Weekend at Lakeside Park  
17 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater
18 - Loudon, NH - New Hampshire Motor Speedway
25 - Johnstown, PA - Thunder In The Valley at Peoples Natural Gas Park
26 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage   

July
1 - Simpsonville, SC - Independence Slam at Charter Spectrum Am
13 - Erie, PA - Roar On The Shore  
15 - Mineral Wells, WV - Interstate Fair   
16 - Marion, IN - Brandt's I-69 Harley Davidson  
22 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Ampitheatre  
29 - Van Wert, OH - Wetzelland 30th Anniversary Motorcycle Rally  

August
19 - Milford, IA - Boji Bay Fun Pavillion  

September
6 - Minot, ND - The O'Riginal Bar & Nightclub
9 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheatre  

November
25 - Indianapolis, IN - 8 Second Saloon

 

 

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX's May 29 performance at this year's Rockavaria festival at Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany can be seen below.

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante sat out the Rockavaria concert so that he could undergo physical therapy in his continuing battle with carpal tunnel syndrome. He was once again temporarily replaced by Jon Dette, who has previously played with SLAYER, TESTAMENT and ICED EARTH.

ANTHRAX's latest album, "For All Kings", sold 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. According to Billboard, ANTHRAX was last in the top 10 back in 1993 with "Sound Of White Noise", which debuted and peaked at No. 7. "For All Kings" also gave ANTHRAX its largest sales week for an album since "Sound Of White Noise"'s second week on sale (40,000; it debuted with 62,000).

"For All Kings" is ANTHRAX's first studio album since 2011's "Worship Music" (No. 12 peak with 28,000 sold in its first week) and follows the 2013 covers set "Anthems" (No. 52; 8,000 sold in its debut frame).

"For All Kings" also topped the Hard Rock Albums chart in both the U.S. and Canada, and landed at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively, on the U.S. and Canada's Top Current Albums charts. Additionally, "For All Kings" debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, No. 2 on the Independent Albums chart, No. 4 Physical Albums, and No. 5 Vinyl Albums chart.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of TRIVIUM's June 7 performance at Rockhal in Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg can be seen below.

TRIVIUM guitarist Corey Beauileu was recently asked by Spotlightnews.com if the band has already begun writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Silence In The Snow" album. He responded: "You know, we're always writing during our down time. We don't really write that much anymore [while we're] on tour. Maybe if we just get an idea or something, but a lot of the stuff that we write nowadays is when we have breaks at home. Usually somebody writes a song, or at least gets an idea down. We don't wait till we have to start writing a record. We're just constantly writing, all the time, because it's just something we like to do. So, we have a lot of material already. Once we start thinking about a record, we'll dive through it all and figure out what in the pile is what we're looking to do for the direction of the record. Hopefully, we're thinking about a record sometime next year. I think we'll be in the timeframe for that."

Corey also talked about the evolution of TRIVIUM's sound away from the screaming/growling vocals that characterized some of the band's earliest efforts. He said: "We've had the screaming element, sound, from the beginning. We've kind of grown. We have a broad sound. We really like the melodic side of things, and we can go to aggressive, the heavier side of metal. We've always had both elements, and then we've just used them in different ways. It's given us a variety of different songs and not being stuck with having to use screaming all the time. We're able to sing as well."

He continued: "For us, the metalcore thing was kinda the big label when we first came out, because the scream-sing thing was popular for that point and time. Over time, we've expanded our sound and done a lot of different things, so that label doesn't really fit us for a style of metal. We just say we're metal because we bring so many different elements of metal and rock in general. The screaming thing, we just use when ever a song calls for it, where the part just really needs it. But we don't really use it all the time. So, it's definitely something of a tool in the tool kit. It's not something that overall defines what we do."

"Silence In The Snow" was released on October 2, 2015 via Roadrunner. The follow-up to 2013's "Vengeance Falls" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (SLASH, ALTER BRIDGE, THE AMITY AFFLICTION) and was mixed by Josh Wilbur (GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD).

New TRIVIUM drummer Paul Wandtke made his live debut with the band on December 5, 2015 at Knotfest in Mexico.

Wandtke previously drummed for the hit musical "Rock Of Ages" and sat behind the kit for KILL HANNAH during the band's main-support run with the SMASHING PUMPKINS.

Video footage of STITCHED UP HEART performing a cover version of Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" at the HardDrive Radio studios can be seen below.

STITCHED UP HEART singer Mixi told Alternative Press about the band's decision to cover "Back To Black": "I think Amy Winehouse in general, she was very passionate, and anybody with that much passion and talent, and I love her vocal style; I'm drawn to it. And that song, 'Back To Black', is just kind of twisted and dark, and I kind of like the dark element to things. Just a lot of love for Amy; a lot of love."

STITCHED UP HEART's debut full-length offering, "Never Alone", will be released on June 17 via Another Century.

STITCHED UP HEART is described in a press release as "a band built around the strength that comes from realizing we are the only ones that control our lives, and focused on the hope that reminds us there is always light at the end of the darkest tunnel. It's something heavy and powerful, jarring the album's epic closing track 'I Can't Breathe' from a piano-paced ballad that would do Lady Gaga proud, to a metallic onslaught of drop-tuned guitars that is sure to see the band sharing a stage with the hardest of their hard rock peers. And it is something undeniable, Mixi's voice taking flight amidst anthems of self-awareness that bridge the unrelenting confidence of IN THIS MOMENT's Maria Brink and the soulful transcendence of Adele."

Fan-filmed video footage of LACUNA COIL's June 7 performance at Exit/In in Nashville, Tennessee can be seen below.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Delirium", entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 33 with first-week sales of just over 13,000 units — nearly all from pure album sales. The set follows the No. 27-peaking "Broken Crown Halo", which also opened with around 13,000 copies back in 2014.

"Delirium" was released on May 27 through Century Media. The CD was recorded at BRX Studio in Milan between December 2015 and February 2016. The effort was produced by LACUNA COIL bassist and main songwriter Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati, with engineering by Marco Barusso and additional assistance from Dario Valentini. Coti-Zelati also created the artwork for "Delirium", which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

"Delirium" first-week chart positions:

Italy: #11Australia: #19Belgium: #29 (Flanders), #49 (Wallonia)Switzerland: #30Germany: #30Austria: #30USA: #33UK: #42France: #69The Netherlands: #94

LACUNA COIL has recruited Diego Cavallotti as a fill-in guitarist for the band following the recent departure of Marco "Maus" Biazzi.

Biazzi left LACUNA COIL in January, explaining in a statement: "I felt I couldn't add more in this project any longer so I decided to leave my second family, LACUNA COIL, to take a different path for a new challenge in my life.

Wormholedeath Productions has announced that Italian symphonic metallers Elegy Of Madness have resigned with the label. They’re ready to enter RealSound Studio (Parma) in August to record their third album titled New Era. It is already decided, thanks to a new sound direction (created by the band with the new members and near to Wormholedeath's sound imprint Opera Core), that Chris Donaldson will mix and master the album.

The band stated: “We are proud to announce, throughout 10 years of continued work, the renewal of the publishing and recording contract with Wormholedeath Records. This choice is based on the reciprocal respect and trust which has been reinforced, more and more, during these years of partnership. This label, represented by its founder Carlo Bellotti, has traced the rut of our musical and professional growth and has given us the freedom in songwriting while enhancing our potential through many prestigious live concerts such as Exit Festival (Serbia) and various opening acts. Together with Carlo, we have decided to celebrate our 10th year of activity in the best possible way: we are going to work on the third album titled New Era! This new album is the result of an intensive creative work, sound research and songwriting based on a futuristic themes which are being mixed together with our Symphonic Metal roots and electronics to form a new and outstanding sound. The release date and our tour are already scheduled for the beginning of 2017. We can’t wait to share this wonderful news with our fans as a result of a great and satisfying work.”

Stagma, the heavy rock band formed by composer/guitarist Alexandre Santos (Scar For Life), and featuring Jason Morgan (Orangefall) on vocals, Neil Fraser (Ten) on lead guitars and Joe Petro (Heaven And Earth) on bass have announced that drumming legend Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) will join them to complete the lineup.

Vinny Appice, who has formed the backbone of such bands as Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell and more, live and in the studio, has recorded and co-written songs on over 25 albums, including many multi-platinum records. With over two decades of touring and the sale of millions of records behind him, the other members of Stagma are delighted that he will be joining them in the studio to record their debut EP, Stagma.

“I grew up listening to Vinny's drumming,” said Lisbon-based guitarist Alex Santos. “For me, he's one of the heaviest drummers in rock history with a very personal style. Having Vinny on board is a privilege and he will add the vital ingredient that Stagma is looking for ...”

Stagma was formed in late 2015 when Alex Santos, guitarist, producer and composer with Scar For Life, got together with Jason Morgan, Neil Fraser and Joe Petro with the desire to form a new heavy rock band. Stagma was born out of this collaboration and since then Alex has composed seven new songs, with lyrics by Jason Morgan, to be featured on the band’s debut EP, also titled Stagma - due to be released this year. The band has been recording in Lisbon and LA and the EP will be mixed and produced at Alex’s PressPlay Music studios in Lisbon.

Stagma will be planning performances surrounding the release in the coming months and new dates will be announced soon.

(Photo - Stigma Facebook)

The new and third full-length-album of the deadly mastermind-duo Johansson & Speckmann has been baptized Edge Of The Abyss and will be released via Soulseller Records in September. The cover artwork was created by Roberto Toderico.
 
Master’s Paul Speckmann comments: “Rogga and I are looking forward to sharing Edge Of The Abyss with the masses. You can be sure that this third installment of the Johansson-Speckmann series is by far the best in the series, so go out and buy this masterpiece, you won't be disappointed!”
 
His partner in crime, Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, Ribspreader, Revolting and others), adds: “For the third time me and Paul have decided to write some awesomely ugly and heavy death metal for you all. If you liked the previous albums you will love this one, as its more of just everything you have come to know as Johansson & Speckmann. This time we are not only backed up by monster drummer Brynjar Helgetun but have also a lead guitarist in Kjetil Lynghaug, who delivers some sick solo work.”

Tracklisting:

“Perpetuate The Lie”
“You’ve Stepped On A Dime”
“Misanthropy”
“Turn It Around”
“The Last Witness Is Barely Alive”
“The One They All Despised”
“The Edge Of The Abyss”
“A Concept”
“Already In Disguise”

Greenleaf have released a video for “Tyrants Tongue”, a track from their new album, Rise Above The Meadow, released back in February via Napalm Records. The new video can be found below.

"A Million Fireflies"
"Funeral Pyre"
"Howl"
"Golden Throne"
"Carry Out The Ribbons"
"Levitate And Bow (Pt. 1 & 2)"
"You´re Gonna Be My Ruin"
"Tyrants Tongue"
"Pilgrims"
"High And Low" (bonus track)

“Tyrants Tongue” video:

“Golden Throne” video:

"Howl" lyric video:

"A Million Fireflies" video:

Album preview:

Russian Circles have canceled their June live appearances due to injures guitarist Mike Sullivan recently suffered in a head-on collision. Sullivan is expected to recover, but is currently nursing a number of injuries from the accident, which occured late last month. He issued the below statement on that:

“I regret to inform that we have to cancel our upcoming appearances at Levitation Vancouver and Crucial Fest in Salt Lake City. On the 27th of May, I was the victim of a head-on car collision while driving home from the band’s practice space. I’m relieved to announce that I won’t suffer from any long term injuries from the incident but unfortunately I did incur severe trauma to my neck and spine and am in no position to play the upcoming shows. I wish I could play but its simply not an option at the moment. We’ve played through broken bones, torn ligaments, and a myriad of illnesses without cancellations, but we physically can’t make it happen this time around.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to Levitation and Crucial Fest for giving us the opportunity to play and for understanding our cancellation. I apologize to anyone who made travel arrangements for the shows or bought tickets in advance. We look forward to making up these shows another time down the road. Thank you to everyone who helped facilitate our presence at these festivals. We’re eager to hit the road this August with a clean bill of health.

Dates effected are:
Crucial Fest in Salt Lake City
Levitation in Vancouver”
The band do still plan to tour later this year in support of their forthcoming album, “Guidance“, out August 05th.

Recently The Ghost Inside frontman Jonathan Vigil suffered a grisly setback in his recovery, when a screw that was surgically inserted into his ankle came loose and broke through the skin. Unfortunately, the situation has led to a second bone infection, which will keep him off his feet for at least a month. He explains his situation in the below post.

Vigil continues his long road to recovery from the bus crash the band were involved in last November while on tour. He suffered a brain injury, a fractured neck, two broken ankles, a broken tooth and various cuts and abrasions as a result of the accident.

Perth’s Cloak & Dagger have released their new single from their forthcoming Imminence Records’ debut entitled Balance. The six track EP features a rerecorded version of the band’s “Stay Gold” single along with the new single entitled “Ruin.” The EP is slated to be released later this year.

“Ruin was created from a desire I had to write something stripped back in comparison to my normal writing style. No frills or fancy ornaments, just straight up heavy and hard hitting riffs. The appeal is in the simplicity. To me this lets the instruments fall into their respective pockets, allowing the vocals to really shine through.” - Oliver Royer (Guitarist)

“Conceptually, Ruin is about the apocalypse. The whole world is being torn apart and ancient monstrosities are being unearthed. Lyrically, there is a pervasive sense of helplessness and resignation to the end. This song is necessary within the structure of the EP to represent the lowest point- the point of giving up- which makes the eventual decision to go on living at the EP's end all the more powerful.” - Jordan Phoebe (Vocalist)

 

After the success of the album Overture To Madness (2015 Pure Steel Records), which was the first Axemaster album of all new material in over 20 years, the band has announced that they have started recording their new (as yet untitled) album. The drums and bass are being recorded at Studio 45 in Akron, Ohio by producer/engineer Rick Fuller (who has done tracking for, among many others, the artists Duffy for Mercury Records and If These Trees Could Talk for Metal Blade Records). 

After which, Joe Sims will be recording all the remaining tracks and mixing the album at Chamber Studio in Ravenna, Ohio. Much more information and updates are forthcoming.

To get a free download of the song "Sanity;s Requiem" from the Overture To Madness album, and at the same time have an opportunity to check out lengthy clips of all 13 tracks from the album head to this location.

Italian progressive speed metallers Exiled On Earth, comprised of members of Rosae Crucis, Maelstrom, and T.I.R., announced recording sessions recently were completed at 16th Cellar Studios (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour of Penance, Theatres Des Vampires, Subhuman) by Stefano “Saul” Morabito. The tracklisting for the album, Forces Of Denial, has been revealed.

Tracklisting:

“Forces Of Denial”
“The Glory And The Lie”
“Hypnotic Persecutions”
“The Mangler”
“Vortex Of Deception”
“Underground Intelligence”
“Into The Serpent’s Nest”
“Lifting The Veil”

Forces Of Denial is the band’s second album and comes 7 years after the band’s debut The Orwell Legacy. Forces Of Denial is due for release via Punishment 18 Records later this year.

Black Crown Initiate have officially announced the departure of longtime guitar player Rik Stelzpflug. Wes Hauch, formerly of The Faceless joins the band as his replacement.

"It's a really rare and awesome thing if you're able to find a group of dudes that you can genuinely get along with," says Hauch. "It's even more rare if your musical tastes and goals are congruent. I can definitely say that's the case right now in Black Crown Initiate and I'm very grateful. Things are great and I'm looking forward to the the future."

The band is also debuting the title track off their forthcoming LP, Selves We Cannot Forgive.. This is the second track the band has released, the first being "For Red Cloud”. Hear both songs below.

Black Crown Initiate will release their new album, Selves We Cannot Forgive, on July 22nd via Entertainment One Music (eOne).

Recorded and mixed by Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, Texas In July, From Ashes To New) at Atrium Audio Recording Studio’s in Lancaster PA, Selves We Cannot Forgive will be the follow up to the buzzworthy debut LP The Wreckage of Stars released at the end of 2014. The Wreckage of Stars also propelled the band into the international touring act it is today. BCI quickly found themselves on the road with the likes of Behemoth, Deicide, Napalm Death and Voivod.  

Selves We Can Not Forgive, the band’s sophomore album with Entertainment One, is a lean and focused collection that jettisons the extraneous fat found too often within ambitious metal bands, striking a balance between fearless adventurousness and methodical might. It follows The Wreckage of Stars, which together with their self-financed Song of the Crippled Bull EP introduced Black Crown Initiate’s unapologetic exploration of everything from Friedrich Nietzsche and Greek Sophist Gorgias to Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous mysticism, with a pragmatic skepticism.

Tracklisting:

“For Red Cloud”
“Sorrowpsalm”
“Again”
“Belie The Machine”
“Selves We Cannot Forgive”
“Transmit To Disconnect”
“Matriarch”
“Vicious Lives”

“Selves We Cannot Forgive”:

"For Red Cloud”:

After completing a successful run on the 2016 Metal Alliance tour, Black Crown initiate have announced new plans to hit the road this summer supporting Australian import Ne Obliviscaris. Dates will kick off on July 12th in San Diego with a full coast to coast run before finishing up back out west in Phoenix one month later on August 12th.

"We are incredibly excited!" says guitarist Andy Thomas. "We are long-time fans and even opened for them on their first ever US show. We spoke about this possibility then, and the fact that it is happening makes us all very happy. We are sure that fans of progressive metal will get their fill! See you all there!"  

Tour dates:

July
12 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
13 - Los Angeles, CA - Whisky A Go Go
14 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
16 - Portland,. OR - Hawthorne Theater
17 - Bellingham, WA - The Shakedown
18 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
21 - Edmonton, AB - Starlight Room
22 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
24 - Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
25 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
26 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
27 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
28 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
29 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
31 - Boston, MA - ONCE Ballroom

August
1 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
2 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
3 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
5 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar
6 - San Antonio. TX - The Rock Box
7 - Ft. Worth, TX - Rail Club
8 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
10 - Denver, CO - Bluebird
11 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto

Black Crown Initiate will join Born Of Osiris, Veil Of Maya and Volumes on the Sumerian Alliance European Tour in fall 2016. The run marks Black Crown Initiate's first visit to Europe.

Tour dates:

September
9 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Stadtmitte  
10 - Brussels, Belgium - VK  
11 - Leeds, UK - Key Club  
12 - Glasgow, UK - Classic Grand  
13 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control  
14 - Cardiff, UK - The Globe  
15 - London, UK - O2 Islington Academy  
16 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013  
17 - Paris, France - Fleche d'Or  
18 - Toulouse, France - Metronum  
20 - Madrid, Spain - Changó   
21 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 2  
22 - Montpellier, France - Secret Place  
23 - Milano, Italy - Legend Club  
24 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Cerbervs Fest  
25 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage  
26 - München, Germany - Backstage  
27 - Wien, Austria - Arena  
28 - Budapest, Hungary - Durer Kurt  
29 - Katowice, Poland - Mega Club  
30 - Leipzig, Germany - Täubchenthal  

October
1 - Köln, Germany - Euroblast   
2 - Köln, Germany - Euroblast   
3 - Berlin, Germany - Musik & Frieden
5 - Stockholm, Sweden - En Arena  
6 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee  
7 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Fangelset   
8 - Aarhus, Denmark - Atlas

Tickets at this location.

(Photo - Trevor Sweeney)

Italian death metallers, Ragestorm, have released an official music video for the track “Moloch”, featured on their album The Thin Line Between Hope And Ruin, available via Sliptrick Records. The new clip can be found below.

The Thin Line Between Hope And Ruin tracklisting:

“The Meatgrinder Theory”
“Debt Ritual”
“Polysilicotetrapropryvinylfluorethalene”
“Moloch”
“Idiocracy”
“Acid Tears”
“Interlude: Hari Seldon's Speech” (feat. The Boylerz)
“The Thin Line Between Hope And Ruin”
“Soldiers Of A Lost War”
“New World Disorder”
“Reaching the Impossible”

“Moloch” video:

“Acid Tears”:

=

Iron Bonehead Productions has set August 19th as the international release date for Entropy, the debut album of Australia's Spire. Shrouded in a mystique as shadowy and ominous as their moniker, Spire have seen a slow 'n' steady evolution since their formation in 2007, releasing a self-titled EP in 2010 and then the murky 'n' majestic Metamorph EP in 2011. So enthralled by the fathomless expanses of the latter, Iron Bonehead saw fit to release Metamorph on 12" vinyl before the close of 2014. The stage was thus set for Spire's inevitable debut album... and at last, it arrives in Entropy.

Much as Metamorph was ever aptly titled, the title of Entropy portends much of its malignant, miasmic contents. Since their fortuitous beginnings, Spire's black metal is an obsidian tower both ascending and descending, to the heavens and the hells, an unbreakable/unshakable continuum of grim splendor ‘n’ despair. But whereas a lot of slow(er) black metal simply sounds like that - "slow" - the Spire sound carries a very patient, simmering aura, that continuum portending darker, more doomed things than the reigned-in pace suggests, that cyclonic violence is around the corner, lurking dread to be imminently invoked. And indeed it is invoked across Entropy, and often, as the spiraling ascent/descent is even more malaised 'n' hazed, the violence more threatening and dramatic, and the shifts between the two both sudden and subtle.

But unlike Spire's earlier work, the atmosphere of Entropy solely stems from both the songwriting and its execution rather than simply the sound itself. In fact, one could argue that Entropy is daresay "well produced" or at least more than a bit clear; its murk wholly arises from the record's contents and those players willing it into being. When the trend in modern underground metal is utter obfuscation - and often, when there's little to nothing of any value worth obscuring in the first place - Spire's clarity of expression is a daring move, and one suggestive of a band whose confidence and mastery have at last conjoined. One must only hear the closing, 14-minute title track to corroborate this fact.

Above all, Entropy is an album of stark contrasts - speed/sloth, density/space, tension/resolution - brought into frightening focus; it leaves everything and nothing to the listener. The gates have both opened and closed, and there stands the Spire, your Entropy all but guaranteed. Take the first steps toward those gates with "Void," the first track to be revealed from Entropy, streaming below.

Entropy tracklisting:

“Ends”
“Labyrinthine”
“(Remake)”
“Void”
“(Unmake)”
“Entropy”

“Void”:

Sanguis draconis is a thick, blood-red resin extracted from exotic trees. Since the dawn of time, it has uses in medicine, crafts, and of course. magic. And so is Witchthroat Serpent’s music: dark and heady as blood, weird as it would come from another world, and ridden with that old powerful magic men both used to practice and fear.

Witchthroat Serpent was created in November 2011 in Toulouse, France, by Fredrik Bolzann (guitar/vocals), Niko Lass (drums), and Lo Klav (bass), with the aim to spread occult and powerful doom metal. The self-titled first album was released on CD in 2014 by Deadlight Entertainment, soon followed by a tape version through Zanjeer Zani and on LP by US label Emetic Records the year after. Quickly acclaimed as a promising newcomer, the band toured extensively throughout Europe, playing both underground shows in various countries and making it to big festivals such as the Day Of Doom in Barcelona and Hellfest in 2015, before a complete Spanish tour.

Witchthroat Serpent’s incantations are made of an old legacy - that of the ancestors of the doom and stoner scenes - but don’t be mistaken! Witchthroat Serpent is more than a clone. It has its own spells, and sure know how to use them to enthral the listener: morbid groove and psychedelic tunes to seduce you to your perdition. And so is their new album, Sang-Dragon, recorded in one day at Drudenhaus Studio in September 2015. First released on CD by Deadlight Entertainment, it will be spread on noble black vinyl by Svart Records on August 26th. Before that, and just returning from a successful Spanish/French tour in May, the trio will appear onstage at Motocultor Fest on August 19th.

Sang-Dragon tracklisting:

“Hydra's Bewitchment”
“A Caw Rises From My Guts”
“Siberian Mist”
“Lady Sally”
“Into The Black Wood”
“Behind Green Eyes”
“Mystical Devotee”

“Hydra's Bewitchment”:

Sang-Dragon by Witchthroat Serpent

“Into The Black Wood”:

Band lineup:

Fredrik Bolzann (Darvulia, Fornication) - guitar, vocals
Lo Klav (Artemisia Absynthium) - bass
Niko Lass (Sektarism, Malhkebre) - drums

(Photo - Alionkas)

Locrian have released a new video, for the Infinite Dissolution album track “An Index Of Air”. Check it out below.

Infinite Dissolution tracklisting:

“Arc Of Extinction”
“Dark Shales”
“KXL I”
“The Future Of Death”
“An Index Of Air”
i. Divinations”
ii. Air Structures”
iii. Watcher Of The Clouds”
“KXL II”
“The Great Dying”
“Heavy Water”
“KXL II”

“An Index Of Air” video:

“Heavy Water” video:

"Arc Of Extinction" video:

Teaser:

 

 

Lord Impaler have recently made available a free compilation containing 17 songs or a decade’s worth of music, under the title Demology, The Decade Of Obscurity. Download the compilation at Bandcamp.

The band’s vocalist, Tragon, issued the following statement: “On May 13, 2016, Lord Impaler stepped on a stage for the first time after 16 years. Our previous gig happened in July 2000. We were working hard all these past months to give the best show we could, and I hope we delivered a memorable performance. We met and talked to people attending the show who weren’t even born when we started our journey as a band.

“A journey with ups and downs, with twists and turns. And we wanted them to be able to retrace it, from the first dark days, all the way to making our debut album. So we prepared this compilation. Demology, The Decade Of Obscurity contains all of our demos, plus some unreleased songs. We have treated the sound a bit, to make them listenable, to remove some tape hiss, to bring them to the same volume level, but otherwise we fixed nothing else. This is our history and we are proud of it, because each of these songs has had its role into making us what we are today. This collection is free for anyone who wants to discover Lord Impaler. We hope you will enjoy it.”

Lord Impaler is a melodic black metal band from Kastoria, Greece. Formed in 1998, they have defined their own brand of black metal through numerous releases. They recently resumed live action (after a 16 year long pause) and are currently finishing the recordings of their second full length album In Full Regalia. The band is already working on new material for a third album.

Atmospheric blackened metal outfit, Wayfarer, are streaming the new track “Catcher”, from their forthcoming sophomore effort, Old Souls. Listen to the song below.

Wayfarer will release their sophomore album on June 17th via Prosthetic Records. Recorded at Flatline Audio with Shane Howard (Martriden, Khemmis) while being mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Cobalt), the album features seven tracks clocking in at almost 50 minutes long. The album's cover artwork was created by Colorado artist and knifesmith Adam Gersh.

Wayfarer’s debut album, Children Of An Iron Age was met with worldwide critical acclaim. Asked how Old Souls differs, guitarist and vocalist Shane McCarthy commented: "This record is a darker and much more focused effort from us. Writing the album was a very cohesive and involved process as a whole band this time around. It has moved further and further away from any particular genre trappings and stepped closer into what we feel our sound is; which is always shifting, always evolving. Life is too short to write music that already exists. We can't wait to get this out there."

Following the release of Old Souls, the band will head out on the road with Maine’s Falls of Rauros, joining them in Canada is Numenorean.

Tracklisting:

“Ever Climbing”
“Frontiers”
“Old Souls’ New Dawn”
“Catcher”
“Deathless Tundra”
“The Dust Lakes”
“All Lost In Aimless Chaos”

“Catcher”:

“Deathless Tundra”:

"All Lost In Aimless Chaos":

(Photo - Alvino Salcedo)

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have signed Danish pulverizing thrash squad Mental Coma and are set to release their new album entitled Fragments Of Democracy July 1st on CD and Digital formats. Below is the official description:

“Mental Coma make their Horror Pain Gore Death Productions debut with the new album Fragments Of Democracy! Hailing from Denmark, Mental Coma play old school aggressive thrash metal anno 1983-1991 in the vein of Sepultura, Dark Angel, Kreator, Slayer and Testament. Fragments Of Democracy displays intense, hard hitting speed with high tempos, blazing guitar solos and angry vocals which tell the real horror story that is the human condition. Lyrical themes revolve around politicians and the wealthiest people of the world exploiting the rest of the planet as slaves, without the world knowing it. Mental Coma have successfully crafted an album that is a fast, non-stop assault of punishing, authentic Thrash which holds nothing back... turn it up!”

Tracklisting:

“Mental Enslavement”
“Grotesque Reality”
“Civilized Abuse”
“Profitable Killings”
“Mass Media Manipulation”
“The Forgotten Ones”
“Scars Of Loyalty”
“Awake”
“Global Suicide”
“Ashes Of Humanity”

“Civilized Abuse”:

Preorder the CD at Horror Pain Gore Death or preorder the digital version on Bandcamp.

Brutal Panda Records announce the signing of Austin, TX quartet Sweat Lodge. Formed in 2010, the hard rock / heavy psych / progressive rock / proto-metal band have released a self-titled EP (2013) and a full-length Talismana (2015), the latter of which will see a vinyl reissue via Brutal Panda this summer. Sweat Lodge are known for their vigorous live shows and have performed with YOB, Acid King, Earthless, The Sword, Pentagram and many others.

Pre-orders for the vinyl reissue of Talismana are available here while the album can be streamed in full below:

Talismana by Sweat Lodge

Sweat Lodge are currently on the road with fellow Texan hard rockers Crypt Trip and have been announced as support for the upcoming summer tour with Sweden's Monolord and California's Beastmaker. A full listing of dates is available below.

Additionally, Sweat Lodge will enter the studio later this year to record a new EP entitled Tokens For Hell, which will see a late 2016 release via Brutal Panda. Details will be announced shortly.

The band commented on the signing: "Sweat Lodge is really excited about the vinyl reissue of Talismana and our new EP. Killer roster, killer people! Look out for us this summer with Monolord and Beastmaker!"

Sweat Lodge live:

June (with Crypt Trip)
8 - Columbia, MO - Rose Music Hall
9 - Oklahoma City, OK - Blue Note Lounge
10 - Fort Worth, TX - Lola's Saloon
11 - Houston, TX - Satellite Bar

August (with Monolord, Beastmaker)
5 - Seattle, WA - Barboza
6 - Bellingham, WA - The Shakedown
8 - San Franciscio, CA - The Chapel
9 - Los Angeles, CA - The Viper Room
11 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
12 - Scottsdale, AZ - The Rogue Bar
13 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
15 - Dallas, TX - The Rail Club
16 - Austin, TX The Sidewinder
17 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
18 - San Antonio, TX - The Korova
19 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
20 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
21 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Kreepy Tiki Bar & Lounge
22 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub
23 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
24 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry
26 - Baltimore, MD - The Windup Space
27 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar
28 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
30 - Boston, MA - Great Scott

September (with Monolord, Beastmaker)
1 - Toronto, ON - Coalition: T.O
2 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
3 - Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle
4 - Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze
5 - Omaha, NE - Lookout Lounge
6 - Denver, CO - Lost Lake
7 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Bar
8 - Sacramento, CA - Starlite Lounge
9 - Portland, OR  - Ash Street Saloon
10 - Vancouver, BC - Astoria Hastings

Less than 12 months after unveiling their debut album, Melbourne-based rock n’ roll nomads Palace Of The King have announced the upcoming release of their second full-length album, Valles Marineris. A new lyric video for "We Are The Vampires" is streaming below.
 
Set to land on July 15th, Valles Marineris deepens Palace Of The King’s footprint on the international rock music scene by expanding on the qualities of their debut through an all-new ten track collection of blues and psych-infused hard rock. Preorders are available via Listenable Records.
 
Lead by the bruising gospel-tinged riffathon of “Let The Blood Run Free”, Valles Marineris is both eclectic and unrelenting right through to the final eerie piano fadeout of album closer “Into The Black”.
 
Vocalist Tim Henwood comments “I feel like we’re really honing in on our own distinctive sound now. I love our early recordings but after traveling around the world and playing over 300 shows in our first three years as a band, we’re growing and evolving. It’s real, it’s from the heart and we can’t wait to let this one out of the box.”
 
Having always placed equal importance on the visual component of each release, the band once again enlisted award-winning tattoo artist Kristian Kimonides for the album artwork, whose original painting was inspired by the music and lyrics of Valles Marineris.
 
With extensive tour dates already scheduled in Australia, US and Europe, 2016 is set to be Palace Of The King’s best and most prolific year yet.

Tracklisting:

“Let The Blood Run Free”
“Beyond The Valley”
“Black Cloud”
“The Bridge Of The Gods”
“We Are The Vampires”
“Empire Of The Sun”
“Sick As A Dog”
“River Of Fire”
“Throw Me To The Wolves”
“Into The Black”

"We Are The Vampires" lyric video:

Raleigh, NC based traditional metal band Widow's new single, “Wisdom”, is streaming below. The track taken from the band’s new album, Carved In Stone, set for release on June 24th via Pure Steel Records.

The album offers their strongest material to date, yet more diverse than ever before. The follow up to 2011’s Life’s Blood, also on Pure Steel, shows the band taking their true metal sound in a much catchier, song oriented direction. Carved In Stone is a strong, rocking affair that will appeal to traditional metal fans young and old.  

Tracklisting:

“Burning Star”
“Carved In Stone”
“Another Time And Place”
“Wisdom”
“Time On Your Side”
“Borrowed Time”
“And We Are One”
“Anomaly”
“Live By The Flame”
“Of The Blood, We Bind”
“Nighttime Turn”
“Let It Burn”

“Wisdom”:

Widow has toured steadily over the past few years, performing in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. The band plans to hit the road to support Carved In Stone later in 2016/17, kicking things off with a performance at Frost and Fire ll Festival in Ventura, CA in October.

Sofia's (Bulgaria) hereAndNow will release their debut album Flipside Story on June 16th. Flipside Story is available for preorder and streaming on Bandcamp.

A new force on the internal metal scene, hereAndNow rages against the ills of society through its music. Stylistically, this is melodic, progressive, modern, and groovy metal. The album was mastered by Swedish producer Jens Bogren (Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Moonspell, Amon Amarth). The album will be available on the band's site and all major online outlets. In addition to the CD, a custom designed flash drive will be available, with maximum quality sound and a subscription to the supporters' area with exclusive making-of material, including pictures, videos, song notations and alternative mixes.

A teaser video and single “rebuildAndDestroy” is streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“areYouWithUs”
“toResist”
“forsakeTheSick”
“becauseWeCan”
“rebuildAndDestroy”
“ruinsOfThePast”
“protestMarch”
“theHydra”
“chooseASide”
“spaceElevators”
“There”

“rebuildAndDestroy”:

Teaser video:

Swedish metallers SOILWORK will release a special collection of rarities titled "Death Resonance" on August 19 via Nuclear Blast.

Commented the band: "Attention SOILWORK fans! Although 'The Tour Majestic' is far from over, we've put together a very special release for you all. 'Death Resonance' compiles fifteen rare and unreleased tracks ranging all the way back to 'Stabbing The Drama'. Many of these tracks were previously only available in Asia. Two songs are brand new and five others have been remixed for your listening pleasure. More details to follow soon. Stay tuned!"

SOILWORK's tenth studio album, "The Ride Majestic", was released worldwide on August 28, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

The band's drummer, Dirk Verbeuren, is currently touring with MEGADETH while Chris Adler is busy on the road with LAMB OF GOD.

While Verbeuren is playing with MEGADETH, his seat in SOILWORK is being occupied by Bastian Thusgaard of THE ARCANE ORDER.

Joining SOILWORK on tour in support of "The Ride Majestic" is new bassist Markus Wibom, formerly of Helsingborg hardcore group HEARTS ALIVE. Wibom replaced longtime bandmember Ola Flink, who amicably left the group to focus on other endeavors. Wibom had been a personal friend of the band for many years and previously toured with SOILWORK as a guitar tech and lighting designer.

"Drowning, Fading, Falling", the new video from MESHIAAK, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming debut album, "Alliance Of Thieves", which will be released on August 19 via Mascot. The CD was recorded at GREEN DAY's Jingletown Recording Studios in Oakland, California.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, MESHIAAK features veteran extreme metal drummer Jon Dette, who has played with SLAYER, ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT and ICED EARTH, alongside TERAMAZE guitarist Dean Wells, former 4ARM frontman Danny Tomb and bassist Nick Walker.

Wells says: "We went with keeping the sound as band-orientated and organic as possible, but with using a lot of modern technology.

"It's a blend of old and new because we recorded to two-inch tape for the drums through an old Neve desk, but the rest of the album was produced in my home studio.

"We also went with a mixer named Jacob Hansen who is known for a lot more progressive music. But I think the combination really gives MESHIAAK a new and fresher sound than most traditional thrash albums.

"And so we've tried to create something fresh among the guidelines of traditional metal and thrash with some progressive elements, although at the same time we wanted to make music feel like when we first discovered bands like MEGADETH, METALLICA, MACHINE HEAD... even ALICE IN CHAINS and SLIPKNOT."

Wells adds that the progressive overtones in MESHIAAK's music come largely from his interest in other musical genres not typically associated with an extreme metal band. He says: "I have a lot of influences outside the metal world such as TOOL and DREAM THEATER, and a lot of guitar instrumentalists as well like Guthrie Govan and Joe Satriani.

"At times, I had to be brought back into line to keep things metal and exciting. I think that's what makes MESHIAAK unique — the melting pot of influences we have. Perfect soundtrack for punch-ups with your mates."

"Alliance Of Thieves" track listing:

01. Chronicles Of The Dead02. It Burns At Both Ends03. I Am Among You04. Drowning, Fading, Falling05. At The Edge Of The World06. Last Breath Taken07. Maniacal08. Alliance Of Thieves09. Death Of An Anthem