METALLICA's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett performed the U.S. national anthem Monday night (June 6) before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins at SAP Center in San Jose, Califorinia. Video footage of their rendition can now be seen below.

Each of the guitars used during last night's performance was signed by the members of METALLICA, displayed on the concourse during the game and then donated to the Sharks Foundation to be auctioned off. Fans will be able to bid on the guitars until Wednesday, June 15, with proceeds going to Little Kids Rock and the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, with each receiving 50 percent of the total raised.

METALLICA has supported the Sharks for years, and the Sharks skate through their iconic shark head and onto the ice for home games while METALLICA's "Seek And Destroy" is played.

The band's members are no strangers to SAP Center. Hetfield was in attendance when the Sharks clinched their first trip to the Cup Final with a 5-2 win against the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final.

Last season the Sharks held "Metallica Night". The band dropped the opening puck, helped with the lineup announcement and were presented with custom Metallica Sharks jerseys.

FEAR FACTORY's Dino Cazares tore a muscle in his right foot after the band's June 5 show in Melbourne, Australia. The guitarist saw a local doctor, who told him that he could not put any pressure on the foot for the next two weeks. As a result, Cazares will be sitting in a chair for the next four concerts — the two remaining dates on the Australian tour, as well as the two South African shows.

FEAR FACTORY wrote in a Facebook post: "Dave Grohl, we need to borrow your throne."

FEAR FACTORY's latest album, "Genexus", was released on August 7, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The follow-up to 2012's "The Industrialist" was co-produced by longtime collaborator Rhys Fulber, along with guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell and mixed by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by Anthony Clarkson. Drums on "Genexus" were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).

FEAR FACTORY recently completed a U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, "Demanufacture", in its entirety.

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH's June 3 performance at the Rock Im Park festival at Zeppelinfeld in Nürnberg, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Black Sabbath02. Fairies Wear Boots03. After Forever04. Into The Void05. Snowblind06. War Pigs07. Behind The Wall Of Sleep08. N.I.B.09. Hand Of Doom10. Rat Salad11. Iron Man12. Dirty Women13. Children Of The Grave

Encore:

14. Paranoid

SABBATH is playing European festival shows during the summer before returning to North America for its final stint.

BLACK SABBATH is selling a new limited-edition CD titled "The End" at the shows on its farewell tour. The disc features four previously unheard studio tracks left off the band's 2013 reunion album, "13", as well as live versions of four songs from the world tour the band did in support of that disc.

The four studio cuts are "Season Of The Dead", "Cry All Night", "Take Me Home" and "Isolated Man". They feature drums by Brad Wilk.

The live tracks, with drumming from Tommy Clufetos, are "God Is Dead?", "Under The Sun", "End Of The Beginning" and "Age Of Reason". The live cuts were recorded in Sydney, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand and Hamilton, Ontario.

Wilk and Clufetos had to get involved after founding SABBATH drummer Bill Ward withdrew from the reunion after initially agreeing to participate in it.

"13", the first SABBATH full-length studio album in 35 years to feature original members Geezer Butler (bass), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Osbourne, also became SABBATH's first No. 1 album in the U.S. when it was released in June 2013. The band abandoned plans for a follow-up after deciding that the current trek would be its last.

Estranged BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has helped create a new new three-piece band called DAY OF ERRORS. The group, which was formed by Ward "in the desire to have my drumming spirit continue to live," also features Joe Amodea on guitar/vocals and Nick Diltz on bass/lead vocals.

Ward says: "We play loud, hard, with overtures of gut-kicking heavy, heavy parts."

DAY OF ERRORS lineup is:

Joe Amodea - Guitar/VocalsNick Diltz - Bass/Lead VocalsBill Ward - Drums/Vocals

Guest musicians:

Walter Earl - PercussionAron Ward - Keyboards

Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced in November 2011, but backed out soon after. He later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

SABBATH has used singer Ozzy Osbourne'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 band's comeback album, "13", which came out in June 2013.

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, which he allegedly balked at.

Asked in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine if he would be in shape right now to rejoin BLACK SABBATH, Ward responded: "Absolutely, yeah. I have no doubt in my mind. I know that they've suggested that I played half the gig, and I don't want to play half the gig. I'm quite capable of playing a complete fucking BLACK SABBATH set. So this health thing has been bandied around, and it's true that I have heart disease, and it's true that I did get sick a couple of years after the fact. But when the health card is being thrown around, the bottom line is that I really tried to take care of myself. Every day, I always look at the day and say, 'Could I have played a gig today no matter what's going on with me?' And the answer is always, 'Yes.' I'm much harder on me than those guys could ever be."

Ward in 2015 released his first solo album in 18 years. Titled "Accountable Beasts", the record can be purchased on iTunes.

"Loudwire Nights" host Toni Gonzalez spoke with DISTURBED's David Draiman and Dan Donegan at Rock On The Range about AC/DC's decision to use Axl Rose as the the lead singer of the band's current tour after Brian Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss."

Draiman was the first to offer his opinion, saying: "I think [Axl has] already proven that it's not only been an amazing thing, but that he's certainly up to the task.

"You know, look, my heart goes out to Brian. Hearing loss is an incredibly frightening thing to deal with, and I can't even imagine what he must be going through. And I can't imagine the frustration that the guys in AC/DC, losing their brother of so many years, must be going through."

He continued: "Everybody is very quick to point fingers and try to make somebody the bad guy. I don't think there's a bad guy in this situation. I think that they all have to deal with this unfortunate scenario that's been thrust upon them. And you know what? Axl has the chops. He's been showing it. He's been killing it with GUNS N' ROSES vocally; he's been killing it with AC/DC vocally; and doing it from Dave Grohl's borrowed throne, for God's sake, which is not easy, technique-wise. To execute all of that vocally from a sitting position is incredibly difficult; it takes tremendous precision and technique."

Draiman added: "If I was wearing a hat, it would be off to [Axl], because he was worthy before this, but certainly since the reunion and since the shows that have happened of late that I have been able to enjoy and watch online, he's worthy of tremendous praise and tremendous respect."

Donegan had a slightly different point of view, explaining that: "I agree that [Axl is] fully capable and he's fully talented and that. I think, from a fan perspective, I would have liked to have seen the smoke clear a little bit from the first initial news of Brian to let us digest the fact that he's no longer with the band. It just seemed really quick to have to not only accept that but then the band just immediately move on. I'm not knocking it — that's their opinion or their preference — but, I mean, it's like a marriage. If your wife dies and then immediately you're dating somebody next week, it's, like, 'Wait! Slow down for a minute. Let the kids digest the idea that they just lost their mother.' And it's that…. Like I said, coming as a fan, I would like to digest it a little bit more before I'm ready to accept somebody else jumping in that role.

"If they come through town and I get a chance to see it, I probably would go see it, 'cause I still think the band's talented, Axl's talented," he admitted. "But I would have preferred a little bit of downtime to digest the whole thing and accept that Brian was gone to begin with."

Johnson had been AC/DC's frontman for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

AC/DC is currently in the midst of a European run with Axl Rose on the mic. Rose will also join them for the ten North American shows that need to be made up starting in late August.

France’s Gojira will release their new album, Magma, on June 17th via Roadrunner Records. In the video below, Gojira – Magma, The Visual Companion – available exclusively as part of the ultimate bundles at gojira-music.com.

This limited edition 52 hardcover book serves as a visual companion to Magma.
It includes exclusive photos, sketches and artwork from the creation of the Magma album.
It gives a unique look into the album through Joe and Mario Duplantier’s personal sketches and artwork.

Gojira have released a teaser video for the track “The Shooting Star”, taken from their new album, Magma.

The cover art and tracklisting for Magma are available below:

Tracklist:

"The Shooting Star"
"Silvera"
"The Cell"
"Stranded"
"Yellow Stone"
"Magma"
"Pray"
"Only Pain"
"Low Lands"
"Liberation"

“Silvera” video:

Gojira have announced details of a massive North American headline tour which will get underway this fall. The nationwide trek will see Gojira joined by Tesseract and is set to kick-off September 21st at Silver Spring, Maryland’s The Fillmore. From there Gojira will traverse North America through October where the tour will eventually wrap up on October 23rd at New York City’s Terminal 5 (tour itinerary below).

Gojira tour dates:

June
7 - Roncade, Italy - New Age Club
8 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
10 - Paris, France - Download
12 - Donnington, England - Download
14 - Grenoble, France - La Belle Electrique
15 - Geneva, Switzerland - L’Usine
17 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Konzertfabrik
18 - Hasselt, Belgium - Graspop
19 - Clisson, France - Hellfest

July
2 - Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde
3 - Helsinki, Finland - Tuska Open Air
8 - Viveiro, Spain - Resurrection
10 - Biarittz, France - Atabal
16 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Open Air
17 - Quebec, QC - Festival D’Ete De Quebec
22 - Tromso, Norway - Bukta Open Air Festival
23 - Malakoff, Norway - Malakoff Rock

August
11 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault Festival
13 - Walton, England - Bloodstock

September (with Tesseract)
21 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
24 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
25 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
26 - Orlando, FL - Plaza Live
27 - Tampa, FL - Ritz Ybor
29 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
30 - Houston, TX - House of Blues

October
1 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live!
3 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre
6 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
7 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
9 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
10 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
11 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
13 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
14 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
16 - Minneapolis, MN - Myth Live
17 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom
19 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit
20 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
21 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
22 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
23 - New York, NY - Terminal 5

Motograter has unveiled the cover art and details for their upcoming album, Desolation, due out near the end of 2016. 

Providing the artwork is Sam Shearon, who has created covers for comic books and graphic novels including: Clive Barker's Hellraiser, Judge Dredd, The X-Files, Mars Attacks, KISS, and Clive Barker's Books Of Blood. Shearon also worked on album sleeve artwork and merchandise designs for: Godhead, Ministry, Rob Zombie, Iron Maiden, Powerman 5000, Biohazard, American Head Charge, Rammstein, Fear Factory and Kill Devil Hill. 

Producing the new album is Ahrue Luster, current guitar player for Ill Nino and former guitar player for Machine Head. Mixing the album is Joshua Wickman (King 810, Within The Ruins).

Samples and electronics will be provided by Phil Western (known for his work with Skinny Puppy / Nine Inch Nails) among other collaborators not yet announced. Jon Berrier will also be lending additional engineering / production skills to the project. 

Desolation is Motograter's first full-length album since the 2003 Elektra/No Name self-titled release featuring Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch) on vocals. Now fronting the band is James Anthony Legion (Deadform, The Breathing Process).

Motograter is currently on a full North American tour with American Head Charge, remaining dates are as listed:

June
7 - The Juggernaut - Gallup, NM
8 - The Rogue Bar - Phoenix, AZ
9 - The Whiskey A Go Go - Los Angeles, CA
10 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA
11 - Dive Bar - Las Vegas, NV
12 - Boardwalk - Sacramento, CA
13 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
14 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
15 - The Palomino - Spokane, WA
16 - Pub Station - Billings, MT
17 - Herman’s Hideaway - Denver, CO
18 - Aftershock - Merriam, KS
19 - The Outland Ballroom - Springfield, MO
20 - The Loft - St Joseph, MO
21 - Firebird - St Louis, MO
22 - The Reverb - Waterloo, IA
23 - Lookout Lounge - Omaha, NE
24 - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
25 - Skyway Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

Greek black metal legends Rotting Christ released their new album, Rituals, on February 12th via Season Of Mist. A lyric video for the album track “Devadevam” is now streaming below.

Rituals tracklisting:

“In Nomine Dei Nostri”
“Ze Nigmar”
“Elthe Kyrie”
“Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)”
“Apage Satana”
“Tou Thanatou”
“For A Voice Like Thunder”
“Konx Om Pax”
“Devadevam”
“The Four Horsemen”
“Lok'tar Ogar” (bonus track)

“Devadevam” lyric video:

“Konx Om Pax”:

“Tou Thanatou”:

“The Four Horsemen” lyric video:

“Les Litanies de Satan” lyric video:

“For A Voice Like Thunder” lyric video:

Legendary Swedish black metal band, Marduk, have unveiled dates for the North American leg of their Frontschwein 2016 tour, which includes special guests Rotting Christ, Carach Angren and Necronomicon.

September
2 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
3 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
4 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
5 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
6 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
7 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
8 - Montreal, QC - L'Astral
9 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
10 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
11 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
12 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
13 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
14 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
16 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
17 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
18 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
19 - Oakland, CA - Metro Opera House
20 - Las Vegas, NV - LVCS
21 - Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater
22 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto
23 - El Paso, TX - Mesa Music Hall
24 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
25 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar

Swiss avant-garde extreme metal titans, Schammasch have revealed plans for a late fall jaunt across Europe supporting Rotting Christ alongside black metallists Inquisition and Mystifier.

October
19 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
20 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Beta
21 - Berlin, Germany - TBA
22 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
23 - Katowice, Poland - Mega Club
24 - Prague, Czech Republic - Storm
25 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
26 - Ljubljiana, Slovenia - Gala Hala
27 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
28 - Munchen, Germany - Backstage
29 - Brescia, Italy - Circolo Colony
30 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks
31 - Lyon, France - CCO

November
1 - Luynes, France - Le Korigan
2 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
3 - Barcelona, Spain - Apolo 2
4 - Toulouse, France - Metronum
5 - Rennes, France - Ubu
6 - Paris, France - Petit Bain
7 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall
8 - Dublin, UK - Voodoo Lounge
9 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control
10 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
11 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
12 - Nijmegenm, Netherlands - Doornroosje
13 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
14 - Weinheim, Germany - Kafe Zentraal

Rotting Christ lineup:

Sakis - vocals, guitars
Themis - drums
Van Ace - bass
George - guitars

(Photo - Rotting Christ Facebook)

Kna'an is a project that was born in the head of the Memmingen's Landestheater director - Walter Wayers. Wayers wrote a complete new play with his modern perspective about the familiar biblical story of Abraham in the land of Kna'an and was looking for someone to fit in writing the soundtrack and songs for this purpose. That's how a co-production between Kobi Farhi (Orphaned Land) and Erez Yohanan (Amaseffer) was born.

Kobi and Erez, with the help of Orphaned Land's members, composed this special soundtrack consisting ballads and metal songs about all the characters and inner conflicts of the heroes in this complex episode, a story that still reflects till this day the three Abrahamic religions.

The concept album Kna’an will be released through Century Media Records on August 26th.

Orphaned Land will celebrate their 25th anniversary with an exciting journey into World Metal music which takes you through Russian-Chinese and Middle Eastern metal. All three bands embedded in their own different cultures and yet all brought together in a night of the finest Metal music the world has to offer:

Tour dates (with Voodoo Kungfu, Imperial Age)

November
3 - Matrix - Bochum, Germany
4 - Nieuwe Pul - Uden, Holland
5 - TBA - Bremen, Germany
6 - Loppen - Kobenhavn, Denmark
7 - Marx - Hamburg, Germany
8 - Bi Nuu - Berlin, Germany
9 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
10 - TBA - Prague, Czech Republic
11 - Firlej - Wroclaw, Poland
12 - Randel Club - Bratislava, Slovakia
13 - Midian Live - Cremona, Italy
14 - TBA - Florence, Italy
15 - Z7 - Pratteln, Switzerland
16 - Coo Vileurbainne - Lyon, France
17 - Devan du Monde - Paris, France
18 - Baroeg - Rotterdam, Holland
19 - Biebob - Vosselaar, Belglium
20 - Underworld - London, England

Festival shows:

June
19 - Hellfest Open Air - Clisson, France
23 - Nof Ginosar - Ginosar, Israel

July
2 - Basinfirefest - Mírová, Czech Republic
15 - Rock Fest - Barcelona, Spain
25 - Metaldays - Tolmin, Slovenia

August
5 - Wacken Open Air - Wacken, Germany
6 - Gugulan Rock Fest - Caransebes, Romania

Alpha Omega Management has announced the signing of US hard rock/metal band Halcyon Way to its roster.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia and founded in 2001, Halcyon Way is the ultimate example of blue-collar work ethic, self-reliant bootstrapping, and hard work and perseverance in spite of nearly insurmountable odds. The band has released three albums worldwide through Nightmare Records/Sony RED, and performed in a dozen countries and counting. Halcyon Way's sound cannot be neatly slotted into any sub-category of metal; but it can be described as heavy, catchy, technical, and above all, focused on mature songcraft. Currently the band is working on their fifth album.

Halcyon Way comments: “HW are super stoked to be working with Tim and Alex at Alpha Omega and the rest of the crew, and believe that this new partnership will help HW climb up to the next level. We’re hard at work writing the follow up to our 2014 album Conquer, and hope to be in the studio by the end of the summer. We have a few super cool tours in early stages of negotiations, and we hope to make some big announcements on that front soon.”

Alpha Omega Management adds: "We're so thrilled to welcome these hard working guys in Halcyon Way to our family! Their attitude on stage talks a clear language; these guys are here to stay and conquer new frontiers! Stay tuned for next announcements!"

Furthermore Halcyon Way announce that they have parted ways with the band's long-time drummer Ernie Topran, and announce the replacement for upcoming dates:

"We are sad to say that we have amicably parted ways with our longtime friend and drummer Ernie Topran, who has been with us for nearly a decade behind the drums. He’s a great player and friend of us, there was no drama at all, and we wish him the absolute best in the next chapter of his musical career. He’s been a huge part of the HW family for a long time, and his unique drumming style helped take our material to the next level.

“Taking over behind the throne for all of our upcoming dates is Aaron Baumoel, who is a veteran of the Atlanta metal scene. He’s a killer drummer and although we are sad to see Ernie go, we’re firing on all cylinders with Aaron rocking the kit.”

Ernie’s statement on leaving: “I am announcing my departure from Halcyon Way. The band has been a great part of my life for the past nine years but I feel it's time to move on musically. The HW guys are my bros and I truly wish them all well. I had a great time on tour with Queensrÿche this January/February and it was great to see my friends and fans across the USA one last time with HW and I hope to see you all again soon in the near future. Until then, you can check out my website for tour dates and info on other projects and bands I'm working with. www.ernietopran.com. Thanks everyone for your years of support and I'll see you in one form or another!”

Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of Minneapolis, MN’s Out Came The Wolves. The band - Cameron Burns (Vocals), George Shrouder (Guitar), Austin Brady (Guitar) and Ervin Buljubasic (Bass) - have also released a digital single comprised of tracks “96” and “Queen Mary,” which is available today at all DSPs.

“Queen Mary” is accompanied by an official music video, which is streaming below. Both tracks will appear on the band’s debut LP due out later this fall.

Frontman Cameron Burns commented on the band’s signing, “I've grown up listening to bands on Roadrunner Records and it's truly a dream come true to be a part of their family and work with them. I've always been that kid in the crowd losing my voice to bands on stage and now I get to show the world what Out Came The Wolves is made of.”

Guitarist George Shrouder added, “We have unanimously looked up to Roadrunner bands our entire lives. Having the opportunity partner up with the best label in the world is a dream come true.”

This summer Out Came The Wolves will join Myka Relocate on a US trek which is set to get underway June 15th in Salt Lake City, UT at Billboard Live and continue through mid-July (tour itinerary here). Out Came The Wolves recently wrapped an extensive US tour supporting The Word Alive and were recently selected for Taco Bell’s “Feed The Beat” program.

Out Came The Wolves began turning heads in 2013, selling out local venues throughout the Midwest which eventually lead to support slots on hometown bills with acts such Asking Alexandria, August Burns Red and We Came As Romans. Praised for their electrifying mix of modern rock and post hardcore, Out Came The Wolves will release their debut LP for Roadrunner Records later this fall.

First conceived as an indie importer of metal albums in 1980, Roadrunner Records has grown into the most significant and innovative label in heavy music culture. Code Orange’s elevated and expansive mixture of hardcore / punk finds them at the forefront of a new generation of artists and cements their places as torchbearers who will continue to further the label’s already historic legacy.

Gruesome have released a drum playthrough video for the track “Raped By Darkness”, featured on their Dimensions Of Horror EP. Watch below:

Gruesome are streaming their Dimensions Of Horror EP in it’s entirety. Listen below.

Self-produced by the band and recorded with Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation Studios in Orlando, FL, Dimensions Of Horror is a gruesome salute to Death’s iconic Scream Bloody Gore. and once again features cover art by the legendary Ed Repka (Death, Atheist, Massacre). A six-song slab of grisly, bone-breaking death metal jams, Dimensions Of Horror continues the development of Gruesome’s homage to the founding fathers of the genre and proves that no matter the decade, old-school death metal is always relevant, always savage, and always irresistible.

Tracklisting:

“Forces Of Death”
“Raped By Darkness”
“Amputation”
“Hellbound”
“Seven Doors”
“Dimensions Of Horror”

EP stream:

“Dimensions Of Horror” video:

Trailer:

Stoner power doom and sludge metal outfit High Fighter will release their first full-length album, Scars & Crosses, on June 10th via Svart Records. An advanced album stream can be found below.

Scars & Crosses was recorded live at RAMA Studio in Mannheim, Germany (Ahab, The Hirsch Effekt, Fjørt) by Jens Siefert, and is mixed and mastered by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business) in Los Angeles. Again the band worked with artist Dominic Sohor from the UK, who has already been responsible for the stunning artwork of The Goat Ritual back in 2014, on the upcoming album.

Tracklisting:

“A Silver Heart”
“Darkest Days”
“The Gatekeeper”
“Blinders”
“Portrait Mind”
“Gods”
“Down To The Sky”
“Scars & Crosses”

Album stream:

"Blinders" video:

After the band formed in the summer of 2014 and in one band year only, High Fighter heavily toured across Europe including UK dates, shared the stages with bands such as Ahab, Mammoth Storm, The Midnight Ghost Train, Corrosion of Conformity or Greenleaf, and played festivals in 2015 such as Stoned from the Underground, Sonic Blast in Portugal, Red Smoke Poland, Hamburg Metaldayz and an exclusive press showcase live at Wacken Open Air 2015.

(Photo by: Peter Kupfer)

Portland-based heavy metal troupe Spellcaster are streaming the new track “Night Hides The World”, featured on their upcoming full-length release, Night Hides The World, out on July 8th via Prosthetic Records. Listen to the track below.

Often compared to the lauded forerunners that have paved the path for the classic heavy metal genre, Spellcaster have dug out a new trail with their forthcoming effort which features their most visceral material to date. The band - which includes vocalist Tyler Loney, guitarists Cory Boyd and Bryce R. VanHoosen, bassist Gabe Franco and drummer Colin Vranzian - split their time tracking the new material between Oakland, CA and their hometown with producer/mixer Zack Ohren (All Shall Perish, Exmortus) amidst consistent appearances in North America and Europe including gigs with Death Angel, Flotsam & Jetsam, Night Demon, Holy Grail, Exmortus and more.

Tracklisting:

“Aria
“Night Hides The World”
“The Lost Ones”
“Betrayal”
“I Live Again”
“The Accuser”
“The Moon Doors”
“Prophecy”

“Night Hides The World”:

“I Live Again”:

Night Hides The World is available for physical pre-order via Prosthetic Records web shop at this location. The album will be offered on CD, limited-edition LP (black and opaque purple variants) and limited-edition cassette tape (purple variant). Digital pre-order's will also be available in the coming weeks.  

Spellcaster will continue to spread the word about their most visceral release to date this July/August as they have been announced to support label mates Holy Grail and Exmortus on The Fellowship Of The Strings tour. Full dates and details will be announced in the coming weeks.

HELLYEAH frontman Chad Gray has spoken to Billboard.com about what led to his other band Mudvayne‘s hiatus and how it doesn’t seem like the group will return anytime soon. He commented:

“People want what they want—sometimes you can’t have what you want. That’s been the frustration—they want Mudvayne, but we can’t give it to ’em. I tell people all of the time, ‘Dude, if you want to hear it, buy it and listen to it. There are CDs, and I am hugely proud of what we did.’

If you want to do a reunion tour, you need all the members. Nobody’s hurt by that fact more than Vinnie Paul. A reunion tour is only a reunion if everyone is involved. All we are trying to do is create music together that is viable, that is from our hearts and souls. We don’t care about what music is doing or what anybody else is doing. We just love playing music together.”
He continued:

“Mudvayne [at that time] was basically breaking. I still love and talk to those guys, but it’s like being in a relationship and all the sudden things just start to fall apart. Mudvayne was just dissolving. It became too much for all of us. It was no one person in particular’s fault. We all have faults. It was crumbling beneath us. I chose to be an artist and continue to play in HELLYEAH.”
Tomorrow, June 03rd, will see the release of HELLYEAH‘s new album, “UNDEN!ABLE“. Earlier today that band released their new cover of Phil Collins‘, “I Don’t Care Anymore“, complete with unreleased recordings from late Pantera, etc. guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, check it out here.

Guitarist Phil Sgrosso has a busy slate ahead of him this year. The former As I Lay Dying shredder will release the self-titled debut from his new group Poison Headache tomorrow, June 03rd. He will also be taking to the road with Saosin as their touring guitarist at numerous upcoming stops and has also been invited to perform with Nails at some shows as well. Presumably he will join up with Nails on their Californian leg in July, following his run with Saosin on the ‘Taste Of Chaos Tour‘. That particular leg of the Nails trek will kick off July 20th at the Brick By Brick in San Diego, CA—a venue he co-owns with his Wovenwar bandmates, Nick Hipa and Jordan Mancino.

Beyond that, mixing has been taking place for the new album from his other outfit, Wovenwar—which finds him paired with various ex-members of As I Lay Dying along with Shane Blay of Oh, Sleeper fame. During a recent chat on Into The Combine, he described that new album as being a much heavier affair than the group’s 2014 self-titled debut:

“I try to stay away from the word heavier, because every band says that, but it was a conscious goal to kind of leave the more… midtempo of the first record, kind of that rock, you know? We just kind of wanted to see what we could do with more rock elements to our sound. But I think we’re going back to just heavier and meaner, but still a lot of melody in the vocals, a lot of melody in the guitars.

But you know, drums are very driving. Just kind of looking back on our first album, what we didn’t do and what we can do now. A lot of stuff, a lot more screaming, for all the fans that want to say ‘oh, where’s the screaming?’—that become a strength of Shane‘s from the touring we were doing, so it was like ‘alright, let’s do it on the record.” Overall we’re pretty excited about it.”

Breaking Benjamin frontman/guitarist Ben Burnley‘s suffers from severe aviophobia (aka a fear of flying) and as such, sailed a 9-day voyage across the Atlantic to get to Europe for the band’s overseas touring this month. Drummer Shaun Foist accompanied him on the journey, of which he told Teamrock:

“We took the Queen Mary 2 over here – and it took nine days. That’s how much we love our fans. It was basically a floating seniors’ centre but we made the most of it. We had fun other than the bad weather. We’re big on the bingo scene and we just made it full-contact bingo.”
He later added of flying:

“It’s just something I’m really not comfortable with. I’d rather die some other way.”
The band currently have the below dates booked overseas. After that, Burnley will presumably sail back home for their summer tour with Disturbed and Saint Asonia.

06/03 Mendig, GER – Rock Am Ring
06/04 Nuremberg, GER – Rock Im Park
06/06 Zurich, SWI – X-Tra
06/07 Milan, ITA – Magazzini Generali
06/09 Nickelsdorf, AUT – Nova Rock Festival
06/12 Donington, UK – Download Festival
06/14 Hamburg, GER – Docks
06/17 Moscow, RUS – Stadium Live
06/18 St Petersburg, RUS – A2 Green Concert
06/20 Stockholm, SWE – Debaser Medis

SikTh have announced the impending departure of vocalist Justin Hill from their lineup and the instatement of his replacement, Joe Rosser of Aliases fame. The following statement was issued on the matter:

“We’ve reached the point with SikTh where we are being offered some amazing opportunities. The band has a new lease of life. We have new management and a new full length album coming in the new year. Being in a band takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice and for SikTh to be given the attention it deserves takes a certain amount of commitment. Unfortunately, with the above in mind, Justin has decided to step aside from SikTh going forward – a decision we totally respect and understand.

From Justin: “Now SikTh are ready to step things up a notch and fully focus on the next chapter I’m afraid its time for me to bow out. My production and mixing career are still my priority so unfortunately I’m unable to give the band the time and commitment that’s needed going forward. I’m chuffed to bits that SikTh have the opportunity to move onto bigger things and I don’t want to hold them back from doing all the shows offered due to my schedule.

Goes without saying that I fully support the rest of the guys and want nothing but great things for them in the future. I’ve had an awesome time with the band so thanks to everyone involved for all the good times.”

We wish Justin all the best with his future and will continue to be close friends.”

Our last show with Justin will be tomorrow night where we headline the Underworld at Camden Rocks festival, onstage at 9.15pm!”

Drummer Danny Walker (of Intronaut, etc.) expects Murder Construct to put together a sophomore album in the months to come. The group feature members of the likes of Cattle Decapitation, Nausea and more. Given the scheduling conflicts, the band are opting to embrace the convenience of technology for this release. Walker commented via his Facebook:

“No we aren’t dead, but things certainly have been difficult with Travis Ryan‘s crazy schedule with Cattle Decapitation, Leon del Muerte living in Portland and his commitments with Terrorizer LA, Nausea – Los Angeles and now Nails! Caleb Schneider‘s constant grinding on movie sets and with Bad Acid Trip, not to mention my crazy touring schedule with Intronaut. We are going to attempt to write another album over the internet. This just has to happen!”

After The Burial bassist Lee Foral has exited the band in order to tend to his family life. The group released the following statement regarding that:

“As some of you may know, the last few tours have been without our bassist Lee. A year ago he was gifted with a baby boy, and that has understandably been his number one priority.

We are sad to break the news that he will no longer be playing with us, but at the same time are happy that he’s taken the role of a father. We’ll always cherish the times we had together, the music we made, and the friendship that we still share. We wish him nothing but the best!”

Trade Wind have signed with Graphic Nature Records, the Equal Vision Records imprint founded by producer/musician Will Putney. You may recall that Trade Wind themselves feature some familiar faces with Stick To Your Guns frontman, etc. Jesse Barnett, Stray From The Path guitarist/vocalist Tom Williams and ex-Struc/tures drummer Andrew McEnaney among their ranks. Noted engineer Randy LeBeouf rounds out the lineup. Barnett commented of the effort:

“We approached this record with a very open mindset. We didn’t tie ourselves to an idea of what we thought we should be, we just started writing songs and what came out is what came out. As for me personally, it’s been a very hard past 15 months. You have this thing that makes you so happy…this thing you feel like you were even brought to life to do and you have to sacrifice so much for it. And sometimes you can cope with the things you leave behind, and sometimes you can’t.”
He later added:

“More than anything I want people to separate this from our related projects. I don’t want people going into this record with a certain pre-determined mind set. I want the listener to love it or hate based on nothing more than the record itself. I don’t want this to be looked at as a “side project”. In this case I take that term to be derogatory being as how I didn’t just put a piece of myself into it. I put my full self. As did the rest of the members. This band and this record has its own legs and it can walk on its own. Scratch that, it can fucking sprint.”
The band’s full-length debut, “You Make Everything Disappear,” will meet a July 15th release date. A music video for “I Hope I Don’t Wake Up” from the release can be found below. Album pre-orders meanwhile are now available through Merchnow.com. The following tour with Many Rooms and Wander has been announced as well:

07/14 Philadelphia, PA -The Voltage Lounge
07/15 New York, NY – The Studio at Webster Hall
07/16 Montréal, Canada – Turbo Haus
07/17 Cambridge, MA – Out of the Blue Gallery
07/18 Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose
07/19 Chicago, IL – Reggies Rock Club
07/20 Columbus, OH – Double Happiness
07/21 Nashville, TN – The End
07/22 Greensboro, NC – Greene Street Live
07/23 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
07/25 Houston, TX – Walter’s Downtown
07/26 Fort Worth, TX – Rail Club
07/28 Mesa, AZ – Underground
07/29 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction

The self-titled two-song EP from SINSAENUM, the new project featuring Frédéric Leclercq, virtuoso bass player of London-based power metallers DRAGONFORCE, and Joey Jordison, formerly of SLIPKNOT and currently of VIMIC, can be streamed using the Spotify widget below. Released today (Monday, June 6), the ten-inch vinyl version of the effort features an embossed logo on the album cover and comes with an exclusive signed inner sleeve.

"Sinsaenum" track listing:

01. Death Is The Beginning (exclusive EP track)02. The Forgotten One (album track)

Having worked on some material that owed more to death metal than the power metal of his day job as far back as 1998, Fred had long been concocting a plan to put together an extreme metal project. Having secured the involvement of Stéphane Buriez, a French scene icon with LOUDBLAST for 30 years, it was only after an unexpected message from the U.S. when things began to really take shape. Fred explains: "Joey Jordison sent me an SMS to ask what I was up to, so I told him about those death metal songs." After the former SLIPKNOT drummer had heard the demos, he wanted to know whom Frédéric had recruited to beat the skins. As there was nobody yet, he eagerly suggested adding his own ferocious style. Joey also had the idea for the name SINSAENUM, a fitting combination of the words "sin" and "insane." When it came to choose a voice for the trio’s godless tunes, it actually ended up with two, the main criterion being "death metal with a clear enunciation." The first was no other than Attila Csihar from Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM and drone masters SUNNO))), another long-time acquaintance of Leclercq's and Jordison's, notorious for his many registers ranging from tortured screams to throat singing. Sean Zatorsky from NWOAHM titans DÅÅTH and CHIMAIRA became the other vocalist. With another countryman of Frédéric's — Heimoth, the brain of eclectic extremists SETH — completing the picture on bass, the material for SINSAENUM's full-length was rounded off and perpetuated at different places. The end result is titled "Echoes Of The Tortured" and was mixed in Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, where Jens Bogren (OPETH, KREATOR, DEVIN TOWNSEND) put the finishing touches to 21 tracks that are — in one word — expansive. "Echoes Of The Tortured" will be released via earMUSIC on July 29.

Jordison's other band called VIMIC will release its debut album, "Open Your Omen", later in the year via Roadrunner Records. Joey is joined in that group by singer Kalen Chase Musmecci, who has toured with KORN as a backing vocalist and percussionist, and Joey's former SCAR THE MARTYR bandmates Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass) and Matthew Tarach (keyboards).

"El Diablo", a brand new song from NONPOINT, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "The Poison Red", due later in the year via Spinefarm Records. The CD was recorded at Uptown Recording Studio in Chicago with producer Rob Ruccia.

"The Poison Red" is the first NONPOINT album to feature lead guitarist BC Kochmit, whom frontman Elias Soriano has described as "Eddie Van Halen's illegitimate child."

Soriano stated about their new disc: "This record tells a lot of stories: going from guts to glory; chasing impossible dreams down the rabbit hole; harsh and honest words with consequences attached; uncovered rules for the weak, made by the wicked and heartless; recalling fight or flight moments with a deep breath. And it all starts with a warning to all the world's generations past, present and future to look up, look forward and live their lives loose from social media shackles, online bullying, the devaluation of art and music, and to not be absorbed by the dramatic, megalomaniacal side of politics. Life is right outside of your phone and newsfeed. Go live it and play this record while you do. It'll all start to make sense."

"The Poison Red" track listing:

01. Generation Idiot02. Foaming At the Mouth03. Bottled Up Killer Bees04. Rabbit Hole05. Chasing White Rabbits06. Standing In the Flesh07. Divided.. Conquer Them08. Radio Chorus09. Spanish Radio Hour10. El Diablo11. No Running Allowed12. Promises13. Be Enough14. My Last Dying Breath

From their 2000 debut, "Statement", through 2014’s "The Return", NONPOINT have stayed the course, continuously crafting smart rock anthems with the kind of hooks that take up residence in your brain for days. The band is a staple performer at all the core U.S. festivals, such as Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, and Rocklahoma, and has enjoyed several Top 20 rock radio singles. NONPOINT's 2014 single, "Breaking Skin", was the most played track of the year on SiriusXM’s Octane channel.

According to Vienna.at, a Swedish national who attended the Rock In Vienna festival in Austria has drowned after going for a swim in the Danube river.

The 47-year-old man wanted to cool off and frolic in the river with his girlfriend on Sunday after seeing IRON MAIDEN perform at the event, which is held on a thin island in the middle of the Danube. At approximately 10:30 p.m., he got caught up in a whirlpool and his girlfriend tried to pull him out of the water, but was unsuccessful.

Paramedics who arrived on the scene were unable to revive him.

Police spokesman Patrick Maierhofer told theORF that the man and his girlfriend had both consumed alcohol at the festival.

The Swedish Ministry For Foreign Affairs informed Expressen that they were familiar with the matter and were in contact with Austrian authorities. "If it was a Swedish citizen, we'll find out who it was and identify the person," said Joakim Edvardsson at the Ministry's press office.

Fieldcandy.com has teamed up with British metal legends Iron Maiden to create a truly rockin' tent, featuring their iconic The Trooper cover art. You can now truly eat, breath and sleep Iron Maiden!

Quality rock deserves a quality tent, not just epic to look at this four-season tent is 100% waterproof and built to withstand whatever the weather or the rock festival throws at you.

Own a piece of limited edition rock royalty. Whether you're joining Iron Maiden on their The Book of Souls world tour, or following the band to Download, Rock im Revier or Sonisphere rocking up in The Trooper is the only way for die hard fans to camp!

Your tent and everything you need comes in an extra strong zipped carry bag in a matching The Trooper design to match the tent. Inside the handy carry bag you will find the tent in a drawstring carry bag, flysheet, poles and pegs in separate black drawstring bags, along with the all important instructions.

For more details visit Fieldcandy.com.

 

The new video below features an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden’s “Lord Of The Flies”, from the X Factor album, performed live at the Eindeloos Eiland Festival in The Netherlands by Blaze Bayley and Thomas Zwijsen.

A video for “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” from Nylon Maiden’s upcoming double CD, Preserved In Time, can be seen below. Nylon Maiden is headed up by Dutch classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen - known for his acoustic renditions of some of metal’s greatest songs and arrangements of Iron Maiden tracks.

Nylon Maiden’s Preserved In Time is due for release this month. Thomas has gained almost 10 million views on YouTube with his arrangements of Iron Maiden songs for classical guitar, making this his most anticipated album to date.

Preserved In Time promises to be Zwijsen’s ultimate Iron Maiden tribute album. It makes the classical guitar world a bit more metal by adding 16 Iron Maiden songs (and two Bruce Dickinson songs) to its repertoire.

Zwijsen’s long-time collaborator Blaze Bayley is one of the returning guest musicians on this album, performing two tracks from his Iron Maiden days, as well as a unique version of “Blood Brothers” off the Brave New World album! This is the first time Blaze performs an Iron Maiden song from the post-Blaze era. It gives Iron Maiden fans an idea of what it would have sounded like if Blaze had stayed with the band.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“If Eternity Should Fail”
“Stranger In A Strange Land”
“Judgement Of Heaven” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Ghost Of The Navigator”
“Powerslave” (Thomas & band)
“Burning Ambition”
“Tears Of The Dragon” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“Blood Brothers” (with Blaze Bayley)
“When The Wild Wind Blows” (Thomas & band)

Disc 2
“Afraid To Shoot Strangers”
“Como Estais Amigos” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Wrathchild”
“Tears Of A Clown”
“Jerusalem” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“For The Greater Good Of God”
“Reach Out”
“Fear Of The Dark”
“Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” (Thomas & band)

Zwijsen comments: “In our attempt to choose the best track listing for the most fulfilling, surprising and complete Iron Maiden tribute album, we simply couldn't fit all the songs on a single CD, so we decided to make it a double CD this time. Many of the songs were requests from people on YouTube. If this were to be the setlist at an Iron Maiden concert, I’d be very happy!”

People who pre-order the album get some cool extras:

- Their names printed in the booklet of the album, preserved in time!
- The album signed by Thomas
- A free specially designed stainless steel Nylon Maiden dog tag.

“When The Wild Wind Blows” video:

“Powerslave” video:

"Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" preview video:

“If Eternity Should Fail”:

"Afraid To Shoot Strangers”:

“Tears Of The Dragon”:

“Ghost Of The Navigator”:

“Powerslave” bass solo preview:

Accept’s guitar powerhouse Wolf Hoffmann, inspiration and role model for generations of new guitar players - his classical handwriting carved a different niche for Accept since the early music labeling of something called heavy metal - is getting ready to release his second solo album, entitled Headbangers Symphony, completely dedicated to the grand Classic Maestros, on July 1st via Nuclear Blast. Listen to the album’s lead track, “Scherzo”, streaming below.

Wolf Hoffmann has a passion. His life-long love and dedication to heavy metal music is documented in dozens of albums spanning four decades with his long time heavy metal band Accept. But beyond heavy metal, Wolf has an incessant craving for the classics, yes, the ones written decades and centuries ago.

Classical music has always been an influence - albeit limited - on Accept's teutonic approach to rock and heavy metal. However, it wasn't until 1997 during a extended hiatus from Accept, that Wolf Hoffmann finally had the chance to fully explore and fulfill this interest by recording his first astounding solo album Classical, a record filled with his rock guitar driven interpretations of some of classical music’s most loved compositions.

"I have always incorporated classical music in my songwriting with Accept, especially with Metal Heart, but I constantly felt there was so much more that I could do and I did not want to overload Accept or force it in any way. I always knew I could make a whole record of it and that’s how the first record Classical was born. Even today, fans tell me that they are still listening to it, that's why it is so fantastic now to do another one."

Headbangers Symphony is truly a bold statement by a genuine musician who simply refused to rest on his laurels and continues to push and challenge himself.

Headbangers Symphony tracklisting:

“Scherzo” (L. v. Beethoven)
“Night On Bald Mountain” (M. Mussorgsky)
“Je Crois Entendre Encore” (G. Bizet)
“Double Cello Concerto in G Minor” (A. Vivaldi)
“Adagio” (T. Albinoni)
“Symphony No. 40” (W. A. Mozart )
“Swan Lake” (P. Tchaikovsky)
“Madame Butterfly” (G. Puccini)
“Pathétique” (L. v. Beethoven)
“Meditation” (J. Massenet)
“Air On The G String” (J. S. Bach)

“Scherzo”:

"I am just so excited about Headbangers Symphony. It has taken a long, long time but here we are, it's done, finally!" Wolf is just bursting with vigor as he talks about his latest labor of love. But why now? "It's truly coincidental, after we completed the last Accept tour, I finally had the time to finish it. I started this a few years ago. The early recordings have been sitting in my archives in my home studio for years, almost completed. The reality was that with the continued success of Accept, I was only able to work on it when Accept was not recording or touring."

The prevalent early challenge was to pick the most suitable compositions. This was an exploratory process that only increased Wolf's adoration for the classics. "I always listen to classical music, it's always playing throughout my house. I have a huge collection of classics and as I listen - often at random, I take notes if something truly strikes me. When I notice that this or that could work in a translation to rock or heavy metal, I remember it and I pursue it! This has been going on for a long time!"

There are several reasons for the necessary experimentations that faced Wolf. Most classical compositions were written to be performed by a full orchestra. The fluid timing, those multiple, complex layers and sections that stretched out for lengthy periods, classical music was simply never designed to be played to the rigid beat so prevalent in rock 'n' roll.

Headbangers Symphony showcases an overabundance of highly skilled improvisations. Wolf took the main pieces, and then wrote riffs that fit them. Lastly, in the grand hard rock tradition, he layered a guitar solo over it. He shaped the sound into a quite adventurous elegance, but the key themes of the originals remained.

The first volume had a focus on the better known pieces; the second - Headbangers Symphony - takes a similar approach. "In general, it does follow the same path," admits Wolf, "but this time I did try to add a couple lesser known compositions. Mostly though, listeners will say, hey, I know that melody… so it’s pretty much the same path as the Classical record. It was my desire to record melodies I like and melodies people recognize."

Now that the album is done, Wolf is proud looking back and is pleased with this true labor of love; something he has wanted to do since the first record Classical came out almost 20 years ago. While Accept's Peter Baltes added several impressive bass lines, and other notable guest musicians made an appearance as well, the bulk of the work was completed by himself and Italian musician and arranger Melo Mafali.

"There are two major categories," Wolf elaborates. "First the heavier stuff like Beethoven, the bombastic, full force epics on which you can simply shred along. Of course then there are the ballads, slower compositions that bring out the deeper feelings in each listener."

The highlights on Headbangers Symphony are plentiful and easy to pin point. The album kicks off with 'Scherzo' from the well-known "9th Symphony" by Ludwig v. Beethoven. Many listeners might recognize the opening riff from the Accept song "Teutonic Terror". "Back in 2009," Wolf explains, "when we started working on the songs for the »Blood Of The Nations« album, I played the classical demos to our producer Andy Sneap. He liked that riff a lot and insisted on using it for the album. So we wrote 'Teutonic Terror' using this "borrowed" riff."

Other highlights follow in rapid succession: "Night On Bald Mountain" by Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a very dramatic dark song on the theme of a witches’ Sabbath, a perfect fit for Wolf's "metal treatment". "Symphony No. 40" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be immediately recognizable. "It's a little more up-tempo, pretty happy, typical for Mozart. Not mean and heavy as most of the other stuff," Wolf points out. Additional high-points include Wolf's interpretations of such masterworks as Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake," "Pathétique" also from Ludwig v. Beethoven, "Méditation" from the opera Thais by French composer Jules Massenet, and of course the aforementioned "Madame Butterfly".

All in all, the eleven compositions on Headbangers Symphony paint the perfect portrait of Wolf's life-long passion for the classics and his adoration for heavy metal. "I worked so much and so long on this until I felt it was ready. Now it is and I am thrilled and proud. This is my baby, my labor of love, ready for me to set it free."

In November 2015, Swedish doomsters Sorcerer released their Black EP independently on vinyl and CD. Now, the EP finally sees a digital release via Metal Blade Records.

Get it via Spotify or iTunes. The CD version can be purchased at this location.

The EP features all new and previously unreleased songs in the same vein as on their latest full-length, In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross - classical doom metal at its best.

Tracklisting:

“Black”
“Legion Of The Serpent”
“Into Oblivion”
“Prayers For A King” (acoustic version)

For a preview of Black, be sure to check out the video for the album's title track below:

Sorcerer live:

August
20 - Falun, Sweden - Sabaton Open Air

Sorcerer lineup:

Anders Engberg - vocals
Kristian Niemann - guitars
Peter Hallgren - guitars
Johnny Hagel - bass
Rovert Iversen - drums

Maryland-based death metal act, Dying Fetus, have issued a video update in regards to the band’s upcoming eighth studio album, coming soon from Relapse Records. Check out the clip below:

Dying Fetus were recently on the road headlining the Metal Alliance Tour with support from The Acacia Strain, Jungle Rot, Black Crown Initiate and rotating openers Reaping Asmedeia and Nylithia.

During their May 3rd Illinois stop of the tour, the band received what they considered a very interesting request. One of their biggest fans recently passed away and as a final wish, he had asked that his ashes be scattered on stage during their show. When the band ripped into Nick's favorite song "Homicidal Retribution", the band honoured his wish and did just that.

"We just scattered nicks ashes in the pit for his favorite song, homicidal retribution, may he RIP. Rest in the pit \m/", commented the band on Twitter.

Tour dates:

July
27 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Metaldays
28 - München, Germany - Free & Easy Fest
29 - Aachen, Germany - Musikbunker
30 - Steenwijk, Holland - Stonehenge Fest
 
August
1 - Moscow, Russia - Volta
2 - St.Petersburg, Russia - ClubZal
4 - Athens, Greece - Second Skin
5 - Thessaloniki @ Eightball Club
6 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
7 - Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, France - Sylak Fest
8 - Zürich, Switzerland - Dynamo
9 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
10 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault
11 - Rostock, Germany - Alte Zuckerfabrik
12 - Schlotheim, Germany - Party San
13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Helvete
14 - Ieper, Belgium - Ieper Fest
15 - Bremen, Germany - Tower
16 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Beta, Days Of Summer
17 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
19 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze
20 - Paris, France - Divan du monde
21 - Saint Nolff, France - Motocultog

(Pictured above - Dying Fetus vocalist/guitarist John Gallagher with fan Nick's ashes)

In September 2015, over the course of four sold-out shows, Ayreon's legendary progressive rock concept album, The Human Equation, was brought to life as a full-blown musical production at the Nieuwe Luxor theater in Rotterdam. This limited run of performances was witnessed by die-hard fans from across the world, but now Arjen Lucassen's story can be witnessed by all, as a recording of the final night of those special evenings is being released as both a DVD and Blu-Ray package on June 17th.

Check out the video for “Day Eleven: Love”, streaming below:

The Theater Equation will be available as a deluxe artbook version including Blu-Ray, 2DVDs & 2CDs, as well as a special edition 2CD & DVD digipak, standalone blu-ray & digital audio download. You can now pre-order signed copies of the release here.

Watch the full trailer for The Theater Equation below:

Arjen comments: "Even today as I write this, I am amazed and touched by how hard everyone worked and how much love and care they generously gave to make it all happen. Sometimes the dream becomes reality!"

The stage show stars Dream Theater frontman James Labrie in his original roll as "Me" and features nearly the entire cast of vocalists from the original 2004 album. The main cast is supported by a specially put-together 19-strong Epic Rock Choir. This is a unique document of an undertaking that was surely once in a lifetime.

Cast:
James LaBrie as 'Me'
Devon Graves as 'Agony'
Heather Findlay as 'Love'
Eric Clayton as 'Reason'
Magnus Ekwall as 'Pride',
Marcela Bovio as 'Wife'
Irene Jansen as 'Passion'
Anneke van Giersbergen as 'Fear',
Jermain van der Bogt (Wudstik) as 'Best Friend'
Mike Mills as 'Rage/Father'
Nienke Verboom as 'Nurse'
Peter Moltmaker as 'Doctor'
Anita van der Hoeven as 'Mom'

Band:
Ed Warby: Drums
Jeroen Goossens: Flutes and woodwinds
Johan van Stratum: Bass
Maaike Peterse: Cello
Ben Mathot: Violin
Marcel Coenen: Guitars
Freek Gielen: Guitars
Erik van Ittersum: Keyboards/synths
Ruben Wijga: Keyboards/synths
Epic Rock Choir

Another clip from the production, “Day Two: Isolation”, isstreaming below:

The Human Equation story:

After a mysterious single-car accident, the victim - a man in his late 30s - lies comatose in the hospital. Before the accident he was a powerful businessman, wildly successful by any measure but also known for his cutthroat business tactics. Now he finds himself trapped in a prison that took him a lifetime to build: the prison of his own mind.

Guarding the prison are his emotions, which have taken on vivid personas inside his mind. Some are friends, some are foes, and they all have their own agendas. Some aim to trick him or dominate him, others to comfort or inspire him. But the one objective they all share is to force him to face up to the demons of his past and the deep truths about who he is and how he's lived his life, all of which he's conveniently ignored until now. Fear, Rage, Agony, Love, Passion, Reason and Pride take turns engaging the man in this emotional warfare.

Two people hold vigil at the man's bedside: his wife and his best friend. They are desperate to understand how the accident happened and to see even the tiniest sign that the man will regain consciousness. But the man's recovery is not their only concern: is it possible that he somehow found out their secret, and that the "accident" wasn't really an accident at all? Would he ever be able to forgive them?

Will the man have the strength to face the truth about himself and the ones he loves? The story unfolds over his twenty-day emotional struggle with Fear, Rage, Agony, Love, Passion, Reason and Pride, in which each day of coma is represented by a song.