Turin, Italy-based symphonic gothic metal band, Misteyes, have released a lyric video for the track “Decapitated Rose” featuring Soilwork’s Björn "Speed" Strid. The track is featured on their debut, Creeping Time, out now via Canadian label Maple Metal Records.

Formed in 2012, the 7-member band describe themselves as “light and dark metal”. The special guests that appear on Creeping Time include Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork) with vocal parts on the track "Decapitated Rose", Nicole Ansperger (ex-Eluveitie) with violin on the track "Winter's Judgment", and Roberto Pasolini (Embryo) with backing vocals on the song "The Demon Of Fear".

Creeping Time was recorded, mixed and mastered by Alessio Sogno at Alarm Studio in Turin, Italy.  The artwork and album cover were designed by well known Italian artist Design Overload (Alessandro "Dooms" Alimonti).

Creeping Time tracklisting:

“The Last Knell” (Intro)
“Creeping Time”
“Brains In A Vat”
“Inside The Golden Cage”
“Lady Loneliness”
“The Prey”
“Destroy Your Past”
“The Demon Of Fear”
“A Fragile Balance (Awake The Beast - Part 1)”
“Chaos (Awake The Beast - Part 2)”
“Decapitated Rose”
“Winter's Judgment”

Album teaser:

"The Prey” video:

“Lady Loneliness” demo:

Misteyes have shared the stage with such acts as Arcturus, Cadaveria, Opera IX, Whyzdom, and Rublood, as well as performing at some Metal Festivals in their home country of Italy. The ban will be touring Italy, and Europe in support of their new album, with the dates and locations to be announced.

Misteyes is:

Edoardo "Irmin" Iacono - lead vocals
Denise "Ainwen" Manzi - lead vocals
Daniele "Insanus" Poveromo - guitars
Riccardo "Decadence" Tremaioni - guitars
Gabriele "Hyde" Gilodi - keyboards
Andrea "Hephaestus" Gammeri - bass
Federico "Krieger" Tremaioni - drums

Forged just three years ago in Perth, Australia, Sanzu is a unique beast that has unleashed heavy music in a way that utilizes diversity and originality without straying too far from its death metal foundation. Melodic sawblade riffs meet savage basslines and earth-quaking percussion manifesting a rhythm section that thunders and grooves in unison with unrestrained vocal assaults.

Fueled by a fiery DIY ethic, the band self-released one EP entitled Painless and their debut full-length, Heavy Over The Home, in 2015. Heavy Over The Home is now being re-released worldwide via Listenable Records on CD and limited edition orange vinyl. This updated version includes revised artwork as well as their Painless EP serving as bonus tracks and will be available on May 13th in Europe followed by a North American release of May 20th. Pre-orders are currently available here.

Heavy Over The Home tracklisting:
 
"Old Orchard Floor"
"Phenomena"
"Ubiety"
"Tailor"
"Those Who Sleep In The East"
"Awaken"
"Heavy Over The Home"
"The Chill"
"Loss"
"Colourblind"
"18 Days Of Rain" *
"For All" *
"Defamer" *
"Variant Red" *
"Lunar Crush" * 

Sanzu lineup:

Ben Stanley - drums (ex-Malignant Monster)
Zachary Andrews - vocals
Fatima Curley - bass
Mikey Hart - guitars
Jarod 'Century' - guitars (ex-Malignant Monster / ex-Animistic)

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have extended their partnership with Nuclear Blast.

Says the band in a statement: "We wish to inform you that DIMMU BORGIR and Nuclear Blast once again put pen to paper, acknowledging the past, present and future by opening another chapter in the history of extreme music! Stay tuned and watch this space for more updates on the new album and the 'Forces Of The Northern Night' live DVD/Blu-ray release as it becomes available!"

DIMMU BORGIR's tenth album is tentatively due later this year.

In a 2014 interview with Finland's Radio Rock, DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz) stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2010's "Abrahadabra": "We usually take two-three years in between each release of the albums anyway, but now it's almost four years since the last album came out, so it's about time so we can wrap this up and get going with it. That would be great. I mean, we always take our time. If we're gonna rush things, then it's not gonna be something we can stand behind anyway, so we just have to take the time it takes to make it."

He added: "I think we always need a sort of break. Maybe not this long, but after each album and touring cycle, I think every band should take a short break at least, because you need to get away from each other, just to regroup and get perspective."

Regarding what he and his bandmates have been doing during their down time from DIMMU BORGIR, Silenoz said: "Well, each one of us has so-called side projects. I have INSIDIOUS DISEASE, Shagrath has CHROME DIVISION. So we've been doing a little bit of that as well. Yeah, and family takes up a lot of time. [Laughs]"

DIMMU BORGIR performed one very exclusive show on May 28, 2011 at the Oslo Spektrum in Norway with a special, never-to-be-repeated setlist with 53 members of KORK (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra) and 30 members of the Schola Cantorum choir, who were musical guests on the band's ninth studio album, "Abrahadabra". The concert, dubbed "Forces Of The Northern Night", was professionally filmed and was broadcast as part of a one-hour documentary in June 2011 on NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company and the largest media organization in Norway.

Speaking about the status of the planned "Forces Of The Northern Night" DVD release, Silenoz told Scuzz TV: "It should have been out the same year [that it was recorded], but it got put on hold. But that sounds really good. We remixed and remastered [it]. Everything is just sitting there and waiting [for release]. [It will] hopefully [be out] by the beginning of [2015]. Certain things have to fall into place, and it's not really up to us. But once we have that out, we can have a new release that we can promote and tour with, so I hope we can sort it out as soon as possible."

Regarding the experience of performing with an orchestra, Silenoz said: "It was, of course, really special, especially since it was in Oslo, and a lot of people traveled in for the show from all over the world. And everything went great on stage for once. When you have a hundred people on stage, the percentage of something going wrong is definitely there, but it was really, really good."

He added: "You think your band is professional, then you play with an orchestra, and then you know, 'Oh, we're not so professional after all.'"

DIMMU BORGIR's most recent touring lineup included Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass.

"Abrahadabra" was released in Germany on September 24, 2010, in the rest of Europe on September 27, 2010, and it was made available in North America on October 12, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Following their wildly successful concerts at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, in front of 100,000 screaming fans at the Rock In Rio festival, and their spectacular worldwide television debut on the 2016 Grammy Awards reaching a global audience of almost 25 million people, fans worldwide demanded more. HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, the supergroup featuring international film star and musician Johnny Depp alongside Alice Cooper and AEROSMITH's Joe Perry, always deliver and arranged their schedules to give their fans what they want.

Today, HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES announce a full summer tour across the U.S. and Europe, kicking off May 24 in Verona, New York and continuing through. Joining the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES on tour will be their rock star musician friends and modern-day Vampires Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT) on drums, Robert DeLeo (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS) on bass, Tommy Henriksen (ALICE COOPER) on guitar, and Bruce Witkin (THE KIDS) on piano, percussion and guitar.

Says Pery: "Here is a gang of friends who came together really by chance and over the last year we were finally able to wrangle our schedules and the energy just fell into place. Playing with this line up is like a dream come true. After seeing the reaction at Rock In Rio in front of 100,000 fans, I know this band is going to tear the house down. Hell, I would want to be in the audience to see us rip it up."

A supergroup comprised of rock royalty and a Hollywood superstar, the VAMPIRES will hit the stage offering fans a non-stop, energetic rock concert like no other, performing their new single "Bad As I Am" from their new deluxe album, as well as renditions of popular classics including "My Generation", "Whole Lotta Love" and a "School's Out"/"Another Brick In The Wall" medley.

The HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES released a new digital deluxe version of their self-titled album. This expanded version includes three additional songs, including one original and two rocking covers. The deluxe version includes the scorching new single "Bad As I Am", an original song penned by Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen and Bruce Witkin and featuring Matt Sorum, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp. Also included is "I'm A Boy", a WHO original, that was only available as a Japanese bonus track. "7 and 7 Is" is an unreleased track from the album sessions and is the classic song by the legendary Los Angeles band LOVE, a VAMPIRES special pick and one that Alice covered on his 1981 solo album, "Special Forces".

In 1969 on the Sunset Strip at a club called the Rainbow Bar & Grill, the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES were born in the upstairs bar. It was a gathering place for the rock stars living in or passing through L.A. "To join the club, one simply had to out drink all of the members," says Alice Cooper, a founding member of the original VAMPIRES.

Cooper and good friend Johnny Depp got together and decided the spirit of the Hollywood Vampires should live again (minus the drinking). Cooper and Depp were joined by Joe Perry, who is an old friend of both, and the recording began: a tribute to the original Hollywood Vampires. An environment was born for great artists to hang, laugh and play together.

HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES tour dates:

May 24 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone CasinoMay 27 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock in RioMay 29 - Herborn, Germany - Hessentag FestivalMay 30 - Stockholm, Sweden - Grona LundJun. 01 - Horsens, Denmark - The PrisonJun. 06 - Bucharest, Romania - Romexpo Parc CJul. 01 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event CenterJul. 02 - Mashantucket, CT - The Grand Theater at Foxwoods CasinoJul. 03 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort Spas and Casino Event CenterJul. 05 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest BMO Harris PavilionJul. 07 - Aurora, IL - River Edge ParkJul. 08 - Orillia, ON - Casino Rama Entertainment CenterJul. 09 - Niagara Falls, ON - Stage at Seneca Niagara Resort & CasinoJul. 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Coney Island AmphitheaterJul. 12 - Kettering, OH - Fraze PavilionJul. 13 - Mt. Pleasant, MI - Soaring Eagle Casino & ResortJul. 14 - Cadott, WI - Rock FestJul. 16 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music TheatreJul. 18 - Fargo, ND - Scheels ArenaJul. 22 - Rohnert Park, CA - Weill HallJul. 23 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt PavilionJul. 24 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain WineryJul. 25 - Paso Robles, CA - Mid State Fair

LAST IN LINE — the band featuring DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell alongside fellow founding DIO member Vinny Appice, plus singer Andrew Freeman, who has previously fronted HURRICANE and LYNCH MOB — has recruited Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE, BEGGARS & THIEVES, Steve Lukather) to play bass for the group for its upcoming shows in April and May. Also joining them at the dates will be virtuoso keyboardist Erik Norlander (Lana Lane).

Freeman previously played with Soussan in the acclaimed Las Vegas rock and roll production "Raiding The Rock Vault".

Appice and Soussan had done a number of shows together as members of the all-star jam band BIG NOIZE.

Original LAST IN LINE bassist Jimmy Bain passed away in late January at the age of 68. He was reportedly suffering from lung cancer at the time of his death.

LAST IN LINE's debut album, "Heavy Crown", was released on February 19, 2016 via Frontiers Music Srl. The CD was recorded at a Santa Clarita, California studio with producer Jeff Pilson, a veteran bassist who has played with DIO, FOREIGNER, DOKKEN and T&N, among others.

LAST IN LINE tour dates:

Apr. 14 - Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NVApr. 23 - Frontiers Rock Festival III - Milan, ItalyMay 24 - Ramona Mainstage - Ramona, CAMay 25 - Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CAMay 27 - Rocklahoma - Pryor, OK

In a recent interview with Glide Magazine, Vivian stated about LAST IN LINE's future: "I honestly don't know. We're not in a position where we have to make that decision yet, fortunately, because we only have this opportunity to do these handful of shows. It would have been wrong to just go out on tour a month after Jimmy died with some guy playing bass. That would have been very disrespectful. So we're just trying to find the right balance now between doing nothing and giving up and doing something to help this record and consequently further Jimmy's memory, 'cause Jimmy really believed in this record and this band. In fact, so much so, last year Jimmy got a LAST IN LINE tattoo on his arm. When he died, it was the only tattoo on his body, the LAST IN LINE logo. He believed in this project so much and he was so involved creatively in this record, and it is a great record and a great bookend to his career.

"Like I said, we're fortunate we don't have to make that decision yet. We're just going to do these handful of shows and then I'm on tour with LEPPARD until mid-October. So if anything does happen further with LAST IN LINE, it wouldn't happen before the end of the year. So we have a lot of time to think about it and I guess, more than anything else, our decision on our future would be determined by what happens with the record. And so far it's very encouraging, the reviews and the responses have been tremendous. With that in mind, and if it continues that way, if there's enough of a desire for people to hear us play, then we probably would."

The official trailer for "Under Attack", the new album from German thrashers DESTRUCTION, is avaialble below. The CD will be released on May 13 via Nuclear Blast.

"Under Attack" track listing:

Digipack

01. Under Attack02. Generation Nevermore03. Dethroned04. Getting Used To The Evil05. Pathogenic06. Elegant Pigs07. Second To None08. Stand Up For What You Deliver09. Conductor Of The Void10. Stigmatized

Bonus:

11. Black Metal (feat. Alex Camargo of KRISIUN)12. Thrash Attack

2LP

Side A

01. Under Attack02. Generation Nevermore03. Dethroned

Side B

04. Getting Used To The Evil05. Pathogenic06. Elegant Pigs

Side C

07. Second To None08. Stand Up For What You Deliver09. Conductor Of The Void

Side D

10. Stigmatized

Bonus:

11. Black Metal (feat. Alex Camargo of KRISIUN)12. Thrash Attack

"Second To None" was made available as a digital single on April 1. The track will also be released as a split colored vinyl EP with RAGE on April 22. The EP will be issued on red and green vinyl.

Side A: RAGE - "The Devil Strikes Again"Side B: DESTRUCTION - "Second To None"

Regarding the "Under Attack" artwork, DESTRUCTION frontman Schmier said: "I had the vision of the exploding earth with the DESTRUCTION skull as continents before we even had the title.

"Never has the earth and every individual been so under attack: whether it’s environmental issues, wars or politics and media madness, we just destroy everything that we love!

"The cover brings together the classical concepts of the band’s history and fits in well with the discography… but, unfortunately, it also represents the current state of the world today!"

DESTRUCTION started recording "Under Attack" after the summer festivals last year and has been tracking segments in various studios between September 2015 and January 2016. So far they have completed the drum recordings with Martin Buchwalter at Gernhart Studios in Germany, and have done some other basic recordings, mixing and mastering with VO Pulver at Little Creek Studios in Switzerland.

Schmier stated about the making of "Under Attack": "We really took our time for this album. After the summer festivals, we went into the studio every couple of weeks to record brand new songs and ideas in between all the touring activities. We took several studio sessions instead of one long one, to keep the ideas fresh and have time later before the mix to change bits and pieces that we did not like. Maybe this was the most effective writing we did in the last years! Due the fact we had more time in between the albums, there was a lot of musical output and creativity, but also less pressure. From my point of view, you can definitely hear the crispiness in the songwriting and the kick-ass attitude we brought from the shows into the studio. The 'on tour into the studio on tour mode' was so effective that I wanna keep this method for the future!"

He added: "How does the new record sound? For sure not like a band that is in its 33 years of existence: Efficient aggression: FAST — CATCHY — ORIGINAL!" DESTRUCTION's 30th-anniversary album, "Spiritual Genocide", was released on November 23, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Generation Doom", the seventh studio album from OTEP, the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya, can be streamed in its entirety below. Due on April 15 via Napalm, the CD was produced by Howard Benson, who has previously worked with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, FLYLEAF, P.O.D. and HALESTORM.

"Generation Doom" track listing:

01. Zero02. Feeding Frenzy03. Lords Of War04. Royals (LORDE cover)05. In Cold Blood06. Down07. God Is A Gun08. Equal Rights, Equal Lefts09. No Color10. Lie11. Generation Doom12. On The Shore

With Shamaya's multifaceted vocal approach, from gut-wrenching roars to soft seductive poetry to singing with a surprisingly magically beautiful voice, to her evolution as a writer and story teller, "Generation Doom" erupts with thunderous, punishing grooves that harmoniously detonate into dark industrial fury with magma flows of hard rock melodies that seamlessly shape shift into a mysterious musical beast we've just discovered.

Speaking about the current lineup of OTEP, Shamaya said, "These are the most talented group of musicians I've ever worked with. We are a family. These are my brothers in arms. My guitarist Aristotle and I have a spiritual connection on an alchemical level that's preternaturally conducive to creativity. Along with my amazing drummer Justin Kier and bassist Corey Wolford, we are a force of nature and resistance fighters. Music is our weapon. They believe in what we're doing, what we stand for, and have the utmost affection and respect for our fans, the OTEP tribe."

OTEP has just kicked off the "Generation Doom" tour. Support on the trek, which launched on April 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is coming from Lacey Sturm (ex-FLYLEAF), SEPTEMBER MOURNING, THROUGH FIRE and DOLL SKIN. OTEP was formed in Los Angeles in 2000 and immediately signed to Capitol Records, an achievement based solely on the strength of its live performance. They were selected to appear at Ozzfest after Sharon Osbourne witnessed one of these incendiary performances. Their debut at Ozzfest was only their ninth live show, a major achievement for any band. It would be the kick-off for a career spanning 15 years.

Santiago, Chile-based artist Ivan Muñoz, better known by his stage alias Vigilante, is one of the biggest electronic music acts in South America. With his mix of electronic and metal, Muñoz has won over audiences from Chile and all over the world, touring the US, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France and elsewhere.

The band has either shared the stage with or collaborated with numerous legends of the industrial genre including Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, VNV Nation, Die Krupps and so many more.

Now, after five years of silence, Muñoz has teamed with powerhouse indie label Cleopatra Records for his newest release, entitled Turning Point, released on April 1st. Turning Point is Vigilante’s most compelling album to date with cuts such as “We Are One” and “Kosmos” plus a killer cover of Nina’s “99 Red Balloons”. Stream the album below.

Tracklisting:

“Crossroads”
“We Are One”
“Illumination”
“Kosmos”
“Masters”
“In The War”
“Turning Point”
“Under The Sun”
“Slaves”
“99 Red Balloons”

Album stream:

Buy the CD here. Order the digital version here.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, a student named Salli Anttonen at the University of Eastern Finland recently conducted a study to find out why there is so much hate directed towards NICKELBACK. Anttonen analyzed Finnish reviews of the band from 2000 through 2014 for her paper, which was titled "Hypocritical Bullshit Performed Through Gritted Teeth: Authenticity Discourses In Nickelback's Album Reviews In Finnish Media".

Anttonen found that critiques of the band became harsher as they became more popular, noting: "It became a phenomenon where the journalists were using the same (reasons) to bash them, and almost making an art out of ridiculing them."

Even though the study was based solely upon Finnish reviews of the band, the critics' animosity toward the group has been a global phenomenon.

NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger admitted a while back that the group has never been a critical favorite. "I think we actually used to pay a little bit of attention to that, and we just kind of accepted it's, like, nope, we are never going to be one of those bands, we are never going to be the critic's darlings, and we're okay with that. Even a lot of critics are kind of, like, 'We've done our best to try and get the word out there that as many people as possible should hate this band because we hate this band.' And they've just sort of gone, 'You know what? We can't do it. We cannot convince anybody else to hate this band as much as we do.'"

Anttonen concluded: "NICKELBACK is too much of everything to be enough of something. They follow genre expectations too well, which is seen as empty imitation, but also not well enough, which is read as commercial tactics and as a lack of a stable and sincere identity."

NICKELBACK began working on music for its ninth studio effort earlier this year.

Last June, NICKELBACK canceled the majority of its tour dates in support of the band's eighth CD, "No Fixed Address", so that Kroeger could recover from surgery to remove a cyst on his vocal cords.

103GBF DJ Sandman recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford (vocals) and Glenn Tipton (guitar). You can now listen to the chat below.

Speaking about the addition of guitarist Richie Faulkner to the JUDAS PRIEST ranks, Halford said: "We can't say enough about Richie. I mean, you know, it's hard to condense it, but if you look at [PRIEST's new concert DVD and Blu-ray] 'Battle Cry' now, if you put it on your laptop or your home theater or whatever and just look at Richie's charisma and energy and all of the great stuff that's coming out of his hands, it's wonderful; it really is. And, yeah, I mean, he's infectious; the fans will tell you that. Once the show kicks off, he's at the edge of the stage connecting, and that's a really cool thing to be having happen with PRIEST."

"Battle Cry" was released on March 25 via Epic Records. Recorded live on August 1, 2015 at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in front of an audience of 85,000, the set is available on a 15-track CD, with the entire show on Blu-ray and DVD (running over 94 minutes), as well as digital audio and video formats. The DVD and Blu-ray also contains three bonus tracks shot in Poland on December 10, 2015 at The Ergo Arena, Gdansk, Poland.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest album, "Redeemer Of Souls", marks the band's first release with Faulkner, who was previously the guitarist in the backing group for Lauren Harris (daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris).

Released in July 2014, the follow-up to 2008's double-disc concept album "Nostradamus" was billed as a return to JUDAS PRIEST's heavy-metal roots.

"Redeemer Of Souls" sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Madcap Music Review 's John Golden conducted an interview with former SLAYER and current DEAD CROSS drummer Dave Lombardo at this year's NAMM show, which took place in January in Anaheim, California. You can watch the chat below.

Speaking about the formation of his new band DEAD CROSS, which also features members of THE LOCUST and RETOX, Lombardo said: "The band came together at the last minute; it was really quick. I needed to play some shows that had been booked. I ended PHILM, so [there were] shows I was committed to doing. A great friend of mine, Ross Robinson, producer who's produced SLIPKNOT, SEPULTURA records, KORN records… you know, many different projects. I mean, those are only a few to mention. And he asked me. He said, 'Hey, you wanna do this session?' You know, working with some 16-year-old songwriter — this girl that sang and played guitar. And I was into it. I said, 'Yeah, let's do it. I've got free time.' PHILM was supposed to enter the studio with Ross producing, but, obviously, they didn't do it, so I had this time that I booked. So I said, 'Dude, I'm all yours. Let's make something.' So the musicians that were brought in were Justin Pearson and Mike Crain from the band RETOX; it's a hardcore band out of San Diego. And Justin also plays in a band called THE LOCUST — an amazing band, a band I've loved since the early 2000s when I was touring with Mike Patton and FANTÔMAS. So we got together, we got along. I said, 'Guys, I need some musicians to help me out with this gig.' We got together, we started writing music. We played our gigs, we kept writing more music. We've written an album, and it has blast beats, thrash beats, punk beats. It's got all kinds of rhythms and Lombardo style of rhythm. And it's, basically, where I believe my fans want me to be. It's very, very aggressive. I'm tapping into my roots."

Lombardo also talked about the source of the searing anger and rage that is fueling the aggression of his new band. He said: "Ever since the tragedy in Paris [that took place last November]; that's why I'm fucking pissed. Because everything hit really close to home. I could have been on that stage [at the Bataclan venue in Paris where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL performed]. I could have been at a festival and some fucking son of a bitch comes in with a shotgun or whatever and starts [blowing] people's heads off. So I'm just… I'm angry. I'm over it, but, you know, with the new releasing some aggressive music, [we're able to] get all the feelings out, get all the shit that we wanna say out in this music. It's not gonna come out playing alternative music, it's not gonna come out playing soft. And my name and my drumming is synonymous with thrash and hardcore music, so I'm really excited about this."

DEAD CROSS's first studio recording, a song called "We'll Sleep When They're Dead", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

DEAD CROSS's lineup is as follows:

Dave Lombardo (PHILM, SLAYER) - DrumsJustin Pearson (THE LOCUST, RETOX) - BassMike Crain (RETOX) - GuitarGabe Serbian (THE LOCUST, RETOX, ex-CATTLE DECAPITATION) - Vocals

DEAD CROSS band photo credit: Robin Laananen

On Friday night, April 8, Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center hosted the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, welcoming a star-studded class that included DEEP PURPLE, which had been eligible for induction for two decades.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich inducted DEEP PURPLE into the institution, after which the current lineup of DEEP PURPLE performed a mini-set that included "Hush", "Highway Star" and "Smoke On The Water". Sadly, there was no surprise appearance from guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who stayed away from the event due to tensions with his former bandmates.

Blackmore later posted a statement on his Facebook page in which he said: "I have my reason for not attending the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award. However, I do think that they should've given an award to [singer] Joe Lynn Turner for when he was in DEEP PURPLE — for his singing and writing on 'Slaves And Masters' — a great record, one of my favorites."

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at this year's Rock Hall, he was given several shoutouts during the induction speeches of the DEEP PURPLE members in attendance. In addition, Ulrich praised "Ritchie fucking Blackmore" for one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water".

"It's a big disappointment for me that [Blackmore] wasn't here tonight," said former DEEP PURPLE singer David Coverdale. "I e-mailed his manager a couple of days ago and extended a personal invitation. I never really got a response. Ritchie and I reconnected in 2012 after the loss of [keyboardist] Jon Lord just to express my condolences and we buried the hatchet... which was great."

DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan defended the band's decision to only perform with the group's current lineup at the Rock Hall induction, explaining that "there [was] no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone" with this move.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony seemed like a rare opportunity for DEEP PURPLE to reunite with Blackmore, who wrote many of the band's most memorable riffs, but hasn't played with the group since 1993.

The DEEP PURPLE members that were inducted are: Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

Joe Lynn Turner recently blasted Blackmore for going out and performing DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW's classic material with a new group musicians, explaining that "the fans deserve better than a cover band."

GRAHAM BONNET BAND's performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival on April 24 at Live Club in Trezzo (Milano), Italy will be professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming CD and DVD, to be released via Frontiers Music Srl.

Graham Bonnet says: "It's been a very long time since I last released a live video, 32 years to be exact, with ALCATRAZZ. Myself and the band are very excited to be filming and recording our performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival for a live album and DVD. The setlist will draw from my time with RAINBOW, MSG, ALCATRAZZ, IMPELLITTERI and my solo career. I think the fans will be very happy with the selection of songs." GRAHAM BONNET BAND features Bonnet on vocals, Conrado Pesinato on guitar, Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass and Mark Zonder (ex-FATES WARNING) on drums. GRAHAM BONNET BAND's studio album, which will be made available later in the year via Frontiers Music Srl, will also include a bonus disc of brand new recordings of classic songs from the Graham Bonnet repertoire. Also set for release is Graham Bonnet's authorized biography, titled "Graham Bonnet: The Story Behind The Shades".

Greek black metal legends Rotting Christ released their new album, Rituals, on February 12th via Season Of Mist. An official lyric video for the album track “Les Litanies de Satan” can now be seen 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)

“Les Litanies de Satan” lyric video:

“For A Voice Like Thunder” lyric video:

Album stream:

In the video below, Rotting Christ perform the song, “Ze Nigmar”, live at Artworks Studios. The track is taken from Rituals:

Religious communities are boycotting Rotting Christ’s upcoming shows in South Africa due to band's name.

The band have issued the following statement: “The religious voices that want to suppress the artistic minds freedom and remove any "voice" that is different to their own will not dominate, they will not find auspicious ground against a band who lives in the frontlines of the NON SERVIAM battlefield.

“So we definitely will do our scheduled shows in South Africa this summer (under the name Χ Ξ Σ due to legal issues) and we promise a hell of a show to our African metal brothers. See you in the battlefield!”

Rotting Christ lineup:

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

UK metallers, Haken, have released a lyric video for the track “The Endless Knot”, featured on their fourth full-length studio album, Affinity. The follow-up to their 2013 album The Mountain will be released on April 29th.

Says the band: ““The Endless Knot” explores ideas of human survival instinct and the power of unity in the face of extinction. Musically, you could say this is new territory for us as we've taken sounds from dance and electronica music and blended them with our own brand of rock/metal. The end result hopefully gives the song a nice and upbeat, energetic feel. The visuals loosely follow the life-cycle of a star and Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight did an awesome job with the animation on this one!"

Since releasing their Restoration EP in 2014, Haken have been making waves on the live circuit, including appearances at high-profile festivals such as Hellfest, Ramblin' Man Fair, Be Prog! My Friend and Cruise to the Edge as well as supporting the likes of Between The Buried & Me and The Neal Morse Band, a double headline UK tour with Leprous, and their first North American headline tour.

Recorded during the winter months of 2015, Affinity marks a new approach to the song-writing process for Haken, as vocalist Ross Jennings explains; "It is the most collaborative we have ever been on an album. We wanted to develop and expand our sound by having every member contribute initial ideas from the very beginning of the process. It naturally takes longer to filter through the mass of material and fit it all together coherently, but this approach has helped to create something completely fresh whilst maintaining the core elements of Haken's sound."

The band once again called upon Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Between The Buried And Me) for mixing and mastering duties. "He is a wizard in this department! We are always confident his mix will bring out the best from our performance and this is no exception," remarks keyboardist Diego Tejeida.

Like much of Haken's previous music, Affinity is full of surprises and “The Architect”, the album's centrepiece, is no exception. Blasting through a dizzying array of instrumental insanity coupled with down-tempo atmospheric tenuity, Haken welcomes friend and Leprous frontman Einar Solberg mid-song for a spot of guest vocals! Just one of many twists and turns throughout this 60-minute musical lobotomy, Haken's Affinity will open up a new dimension in this UK sextet's trajectory.

Affinity will arrive as a Limited Edition Digipak (incl. bonus disc with instrumentals), 180g Gatefold 2 LP Edition (incl. album on CD), Standard CD Jewel Case, Digital Download and Deluxe Digital Download (incl. instrumental version of the album as bonus).

Tracklisting:

“affinity.exe”      
“Initiate”
“1985”
“Lapse”
“The Architect”
“Earthrise”
“Red Giant”
“The Endless Knot”
“Bound By Gravity”

“Initiate” video:

The band have confirmed their first European tour dates:

May
26 - London, England - The Garage
27 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
29 - Paris, France - Divan du monde
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
31 - Lyon, France - Marché Gare

June
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Razz 2
3 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
4 - Spain - Minnuendo Festival
6 - Milan, Italy - Legend Club
7 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
8 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
9 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal
10 - Berlin, Germany - Maschinenhaus
11 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresija
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Bryggarsalen
15 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
16 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Spillestedet Stengade
17 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
18 - Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
19 - UK - Stone Free Festival

 

Frontiers Music Srl will release PHANTOM 5's self-titled debut album on May 13.

PHANTOM 5 is the new band featuring former BONFIRE singer Claus Lessmann and producer and guitar player Michael Voss (CASANOVA, BONFIRE, MAD MAX, MICHAEL SCHENKER). They have enlisted a sort of "who's who" of German classic and melodic hard rock, with a lineup completed by Robby Boebel (FRONTLINE), Axel Kruse (JADED HEART) and Francis Buchholz (SCORPIONS).

Born as SUPREMACY, this new German melodic rock alliance, with five real aces on the pitch, could not disappoint. So, after the name change to PHANTOM 5, the new album started to take shape. Voss states: "For me, it sounds like we did a follow-up to the famous BONFIRE 'Fireworks' album with a touch of FRONTLINE meets JADED HEART groove… It is a driving monster, with huge walls of guitars, powerful soaking drums and fine catchy melodies… We took a trip back into the world of the eighties!"

Lessmann adds: "I am very proud of being part of a very fine piece of melodic rock and I hope that many people will like and love it the same way we do. Everything came together very naturally and I had the feeling that our flow of creativity never seemed to run dry, just like it should be. After the more than painful situation with BONFIRE, it was exactly the right thing, at the right time to do for me and it just felt and feels so damn right!"

Lessmann and Voss will appear at the Frontiers Rock Festival in the Acoustic Night reserved for VIP tickets purchasers on April 22.

"Phantom 5" track listing:

01. All The Way02. Blue Dog03. Someday04. Don't Touch The Night05. Renegade06. Flying High07. Since You're Gone08. They Won't Come Back09. Frontline10. We Both Had Our Time11. Why12. Sing Along (bonus track; digital version)

The song "Since You're Gone" can be streamed below.

PHANTOM 5 is:

Claus Lessmann - lead vocalsMichael Voss - guitars, vocalsRobby Boebel - guitarFrancis Buchholz - bassAxel Kruse - drums

The debut album from Shiraz Lane, entitled For Crying Out Loud, will be released on April 15th. The band have released a music video for the album’s title track - watch below:

Formed in 2011, Shiraz Lane is a young, energetic, ambitious, authentic hard rock group from Vantaa, Finland. Although wearing inspiration from big masters like Aerosmith, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses on their sleeves, the band has a sound and style all their own. Members of some of the biggest bands in Scandinavia - The 69 Eyes, Amorphis, Children Of Bodom, Lordi and Sonic Syndicate among others - have all described Shiraz Lane as being one of the most entertaining bands they have ever seen in the underground music scene, bringing something new to the table in terms of both music and live performance! Notwithstanding their young age (the band members are all in their 20s), the guys are already veterans of the underground circuit in their homeland and have developed a reputation for being uncompromising, loud and genuine.

"We started working on our debut album in mid-August 2015 after receiving confirmation about details and deadlines from Frontiers Music Srl”, says Miki Kalske. "We were actually extremely busy at the time since we did an extensive Finnish tour in September, so the Shiraz factory was working pretty much around the clock. In retrospect it was good to have a tight agenda, since the songs came out very naturally and with a steady pace. After we felt confident enough with the songs, we joined forces with our producer Ben Varon and analyzed them meticulously, re-arranged parts, rehearsed, re-rehearsed etc. Before hitting the studio to lay down the final tracks."

On the final result, For Crying Out Loud, the band shows they have learned all the tricks in the book and they're now ready to take on the world.

"The album is not conceptual, but it is definitely a tight knitted package so that every song has its own natural place in the running order”, continues Kalske. "All in all the record turned out to be an ass-kicking hard rock gem with a large scope of different emotions and feelings included. Variety would be a good key word to describe the album throughout, although bowing down to our own sound and style. An important notion would be to listen to the lyrics and message we are trying to send to the listeners out there  - we don't wan't to preach, but if our music can act as an eye-opener on some level and send positive vibrations out to the world during these darker times, I would say we have done something right!"

Shiraz Lane debuted with a two song single release, "Out There Somewhere" and "Money Talks" in October 2014. The band expanded upon those two tracks to release a five track EP, Be The Slave Or Be The Change in the spring of 2015. It was extremely well received by both the public and the press in Scandinavia and the single ''Mental Slavery'' could even be described as an underground hit. Following the EP release, the band has put out four music videos, played the biggest Finnish summer festivals and also performed in places like Toronto, Canada, Finland Fest in Tokyo Japan and Wacken Open Air in Germany. In the autumn of 2015, Shiraz Lane did an extensive national tour supporting fellow countrymen Santa Cruz. Although music is not a matter of competition, it should be mentioned the band won the Hard Rock Rising 2014 and Wacken Metal Battle 2015. The hype culminated with an international record deal with Frontiers Music Srl, which was signed and sealed in September.

"We have grown to fill the boots of the endangered Dinosaurus of Rock and continue the legacy of authentic, rocking and meaningful music" concludes Miki Kalske. "We are thrilled to let you guys experience a full-length insight in our musical minds and assure that this is going to be the best possible news for the fans out there after a heartsick and grieving turn of the year. Heads up and play this record loud and proud - we certainly will!"

For Crying Out Loud tracklisting:

“Wake Up”
“Momma's Boy”
“House Of Cards”
“Begging For Mercy”
“Same Ol' Blues”
“Mental Slavery”
“Behind The 8-Ball”
“For Crying Out Loud”
“Bleeding”
“M.L.N.W. - Kill Me (With Your Love)” (Bonus track digital version)

“House Of Cards”:

“Same Ol’ Blues”:

“Wake Up” video:

"Mental Slavery” video:

EPK (Electronic Press Kit):

Shiraz Lane is:

Hannes Kett - vocals
Jani Laine - solo guitar
Miki Kalske - rhythm guitar
Joel Alex - bass
Ana Willman - drums

Swiss avant-garde extreme metal titans, Schammasch, have released a new track, "Maelstrom”, from their upcoming triple-album, Triangle, which is set for worldwide release on April 29th via Prosthetic Records. Watch the new video for "Maelstrom" below.

Marking the third album in their discography, Schammasch's newest epic, Triangle encompasses 100 minutes in its entirety, with three distinct 33-minute movements differing in atmosphere and style and each representing the three stages of the album's strong concept – Part I: The Process Of Dying, Part II: Metaflesh and Part III: The Supernal Clear Light Of The Void.

This unique concept is visually represented through a series of four inventive photographs packaged as a bold triple-gatefold, limited-edition 3LP set and a 3CD set with imagery realized by acclaimed photographer Ester Segarra (Watain, Behemoth) and graphic designer Valnoir (Alcest, The Black Dahlia Murder). Rarely is such a grand musical and aesthetic feat accomplished within the bounds of extreme metal.

Pre-order's are now available which include a 3CD set (limited to 2,000 copies worldwide) as well as a triple gatefold vinyl 3LP set (limited to 666 pressings worldwide), reserve your copy in North America or UK / EU.

“Maelstrom” video:

“Metanoia” video:

Greece’s Rock Overdose caught up with Lacuna Coil vocalist Andrea Ferro to talk about the band’s new album Delirium and also about the rumors of Axl Rose taking Brian Johnson’s place in AC/DC as Ferro is a big AC/DC fan.

His opinion of AC/DC possibly performing with Rose: “I don’t know. I think he has that type of voice that could fit in, but I think that he would have been better a few years back. Nowadays, I don’t know. I think nowadays, you expect AC/DC with Brian Johnson and that’s it. He’s been with the band for so many years that it’s hard to replace him. At the same time they should probably consider the possibility that it might be time to quit. I love AC/DC, they’re one of my favorite bands. Maybe the first rock/metal t-shirt I bought was an AC/DC one, with Angus posing on it. I’m very connected to this band. My first vinyl was Let There Be Rock. I love the band. It’s just that, I think that when you can’t do it anymore, maybe it’s time to stop.”

Lacuna Coil have released a lyric video for “The House Of Shame”, a track from their 8th studio album, Delirium, which is set for a worldwide release on May 27th via Century Media Records. Find the new video below.

Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati created the artwork for 'Delirium' which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

Delirium tracklisting:

“The House Of Shame”
“Broken Things”
“Delirium”
“Blood, Tears, Dust”
“Downfall”
“Take Me Home”
“You Love Me 'Cause I Hate You”
“Ghost In The Mist”
“My Demons”
“Claustrophobia”
“Ultima Ratio”

“The House Of Shame” lyric video:

Lacuna Coil will be making their return to North America as part of the Delirium Worldwide tour starting in San Francisco on May 7th. This will be their first US run in support of Delirium. The first leg of the tour will feature Butcher Babies as direct support with 9Electric and Painted Wives rounding out the package. The second leg will be announced in the coming weeks and will have a different band as direct support, while the rest of the touring package remains intact.

Cristina Scabbia (vocals) states: "Everything feels different this time in the Lacuna Coil camp. It's something I can hear it and something I can breath. A new wave of confidence, a renewed essence and pure drops of energy sweating out of our pores. I can't wait to show it to all my friends and welcome you all once again in our family. Trust me, this is a ‘Delirium’ you will feel the NEED to be part of."

Andrea Ferro (vocals) further adds: "Delirium is not the beginning of a new chapter in Lacuna Coil's life; it is the beginning of a new book! We're really excited about starting this touring cycle with such a fresh vibe, meeting old and new friends around the US and get such great touring companions. We're just writing the first page of this book and it is already a crazy one."

Marco Coti-Zelati (studio guitars, live bass) continues: "We’re all super excited to finally be coming back to the US and we’re ready to kick some asses with the greatest album that we’ve ever made! New lineup, new sound, a new vibe and new emotions. I can’t wait to see the reactions from the audiences when they hear the Delirium songs played for the first time. Fresh, dark and powerful emotions all at the same time. The strength and heavy approach of thrash metal from the ‘90s - in a modern style. To me, this is the album that I think will be exciting to both of our older AND newer fans. I’m excited, and ready to have some fun on stage, while we spread the Delirium to the people."

Ryan Blake Folden (drums) adds: "For me, I am truly excited to get on the road and play some new material. This is the first record I got to be a part of with the band and I can’t wait to finally see people reactions to songs that I have been really excited about for over a year now. Not to mention, I’ll finally be expressing myself on stage in a way that I haven't been able to do in some time, having up until this point performed music that predated my arrival to the band. With the manifestation of the theme, costumes and artwork, along with the music, the band creatively and passionately poured itself into making this something special."

Tour dates:

May
7 - San Francisco, CA - Social Hall *
8 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
9 - Phoenix, AZ - The Marquee
10 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
12 - Dallas, TX - Trees
14 - Cherokee, NC - Cherokee Event Center (Halestorm)
15 - Richmond, VA - The National (Halestorm)
17 - Davenport, IA - Adler Theater (Halestorm)
18 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre *
20 - Traverse City, MI  - Ground Zero *
21 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
25 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus ^^
26 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Wolf Den ^^

* no Butcher Babies
^^ no support

Festival dates:

April
30 - Quezon City, Philipines - Pulp Summer Slam Festival

May
2 - Pudong Sanjia Port Suzhou, China - MIDI E-Festival

June
24 - Parabiago (MI), Italy - Rugby Sound Festival

July
1 - Piazzola Sul Brenta (PD), Italy - Postpay Sound
9 - Les Remparts De Longwy, France - Rock’n’Roll Train Festival
22 - Vinci (FI), Italy - Festa Dell’Unicorno

August
13 - Graz, Austria - Metal On The Hill Festival

(Photo - Allessandro Olgiati)

FOREIGNER guitarist Mick Jones was interviewed by rock journalist Mitch Lafon for a recent edition of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast (Facebook page). You can now listen to the chat using the Spreaker widget below.

Speaking about his relationship with former FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm, Jones, who is the sole original member of FOREIGNER still recording and touring with the band, said: "I think at the bottom of everything, all the way through all that, all through the changes that came in the '90s and etcetera, I think, nevertheless, we had sort of a kind of a love for each other that was deeper, that was born out of the intensity of what we went through, or had been through for the last eight or nine years [prior to the band's initial split with Gramm]. I could never sort of look at it that way, but eventually, it did start to get to me, just the noise that was coming out of his camp [about his solo career], really. And so that led to the first major breakup, and things continued… We were estranged after a while, but deep down I always had a great love for Lou, as a friend, as a coworker, as a musician, vocally, and as a lyricist too. It was just a tough, tough period — and unnecessary in a way, but I think also what fueled it was that both of us had a few little adventures in the drug area, and alcohol, I would have to say as well, has contributed perhaps. We managed what we were doing very, very well at the beginning, considering the expectation and the stress. But I guess the top had to come off it at some point, and it kind of did."

Asked if there is any chance of Gramm returning to FOREIGNER for some special shows to celebrate the band's fortieth anniversary, Jones said: "Well, it's quite possible. We've actually been talking about it. I'm not at a point where I can say it's definitely gonna happen, but we're all working on trying to make it happen. So it's kind of exciting. And hopefully it'll be feasible and possible to pull it off next year."

He continued: "Lou and I have communicated, and, of course, we got together when were beneficiaries of the Songwriters Hall Of Fame award [in 2013]. And since then, we've kept up sort of a loose communication, as I have actually also with Ian McDonald [rhythm guitar], Al Greenwood [keyboards], Dennis Elliott [drums] and Rick Wills [bass]. So, yeah, as I say, we're in the early stages, but we're trying to put something together to commemorate… It's scary when I say… forty years. [Laughs]"

Talking in more detail about what FOREIGNER has in store as part of the band's fortieth-anniversary celebrations, Jones said: "We're putting my team — my people and myself — are physically putting it together right now, trying to find the right venues that would make sense for us. And, generally, there will be a lot of events that go around this, around the forty-year celebration. So I can't really say that much about it right now, but we're definitely… We're talking about it. We have a communication with Lou and his people, and it looks like it might be something we can really pull off next year. And there's gonna be a couple of new tracks [with the current lineup of FOREIGNER] coming out at some point within the early part of 2017."

Back in 2011, Gramm told Spinner that Jones touring under the FOREIGNER moniker was "false advertising." Gramm, who had gone on record as saying that Jones often treated him no better than a sideman during his years in FOREIGNER, left the band in 2003 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by current lead singer Kelly Hansen in 2005.

With Hansen a vocal dead ringer for Gramm, Spinner asked him its weird being replicated on stage by a band he no longer fronts. "It is. It totally is," he said. "But what's stranger to me is that, as I've learned talking to people who see those shows, is that in many cases the audience, especially if they're younger, don't even know it's not the original lead singer. In FOREIGNER's case, as I understand it, the singer was actually trained to deliver pretty much exactly everything as I did it, note for note. If I were in the audience and learned that while I was there, I'd get up and leave. I think when the band name remains the exact same, but something as important as the lead vocal is different, it's misleading. It's like false advertising."

Gramm told The Pulse Of Radio that without him, there's no FOREIGNER, no matter what Jones calls it. "He's put a new band together, and is calling it FOREIGNER. And that's all well and good, but unless I'm singing, it's not."

With blackened claws the resurrected Cacophonous Records emerges from its biting, damp vaults bearing two behemoth releases from legendary symphonic metal act Bal-Sagoth. The band’s debut and sophomore opuses A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria and Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule paved the way for a hugely successful career, and pushed the musical boundaries for extreme metal. Both records are to be reissued as a CD and digital release on May 6th, with vinyl due this summer.

“Cacophonous! A name oft hissed in the shadows of the underground extreme metal scene during the last two decades; loved, loathed, revered and feared in equal measure, responsible for bringing fans assorted early works by such genre luminaries as Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Primordial, Sigh and Bal-Sagoth to name but a few. But what does Cacophonous mean to Bal-Sagoth in particular? Know that Frater Nihil and Cacophonous were the only entities willing to take a chance on the fledgling Bal-Sagoth in 1993.

“We recorded our debut album A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria during the summer of 1994 at Academy Music Studio in Yorkshire, England and the opus was released the following year on CD and LP by Cacophonous Records. This was our opening salvo in the grand campaign of Bal-Sagoth, our statement of martial intent to the unsuspecting world. The key elements of Bal-Sagoth were established on the first chapter of the First Trilogy; brutality, darkness, theatrical bombast, narrative eloquence and epic symphonic grandeur. 

“Our second album Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima Thule was recorded during the summer of 1996. This second chapter in our legendary First Trilogy was an unparalleled opus of glorious symphonic splendor, pushing the boundaries of the extreme metal genre and creating an icy benchmark against which all orchestral black metal albums would be judged for the next two decades. Starfire crystallized the Bal-Sagoth mandate and represented an album which has endured as the absolute highlight of the band’s discography in the hearts and minds of countless fans across the globe.

“Now, twenty two years after they were originally released, this first darksome chapter and thunderous second installment in our epic hexalogy has once again been unleashed upon the world as a special remastered edition to commemorate two tumultuous decades of Bal-Sagoth’s immortal crusade” – Byron Roberts, Vocals

Remastered by Danny B (Criminal, Pentagram Chile Anihilated) from HVR Studios in Norwich, the re-issues will contain extended lyrics and annotations by Byron himself explaining where some of the songs fit within the overall saga of the Bal-Sagoth lyrical canon. New artwork for A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria has been produced by Martin Hanford, who penned much of Bal-Sagoth’s artwork and graced the covers of several novels published by Games Workshop as well as speculative fiction publications such as Interzone. The original artwork for Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule by renowned artist Joe Petagno – who crafted artwork for Motorhead, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd – has also been revamped. The CD will be available to preorder on April 18th. 

A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria tracklisting:

“Hatheg Kla”
“Dreaming Of Atlantean Spires”
“Spellcraft & Moonfire (Beyond The Citadel Of Frosts)”
“A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria”
“Enthroned In The Temple Of The Serpent Kings”
“Shadows ‘Neath The Black Pyramid”
“Witch-Storm”
“The Ravening”
“Into The Silent Chambers Of The Sapphirean Throne (Sagas From The Antediluvian Scrolls)”
“Valley Of Silent Paths”

Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule tracklisting:

“Black Dragons Soar Above The Mountain Of Shadows (Prologue)”
“To Dethrone The Witch-Queen Of Mytos K’unn”
“As The Vortex Illumines The Crystalline Walls Of Kor-Avul-Thaa”
“Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule”
“Journey To The Isle Of Mists”
“The Splendour Of A Thousand Swords Gleaming”
“And Lo, When The Imperium Marches Against Gul-Kothoth”
“Summoning The Guardians Of The Astral Gate”
“In The Raven-Haunted Forests Of Darkenhold”
“At The Altar Of The Dreaming Gods (Epilogue)”

These innovative and musically forward opuses are a must-have for Bal-Sagoth fans, and a monumental chapter in the history of Cacophonous. With further re-issues and releases on the horizon, the second carnation from Cacophonous will see new life breathed into British extreme music.

According to Deutsche Welle, German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have filed a lawsuit against Germany for having temporarily indexed their 2009 album "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" (English-language translation: "There's Enough Love For Everyone").

The German government's Federal Department For Media Harmful To Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle Für Jugendgefährdende Medien, a.k.a. the BPjM) is tasked with identifying all types of media, from literature and films to video games and web sites, that may be considered harmful to young people, and, if so, placing them on a list commonly known as the "index." According to the BPjM, "Distributors of that medium are then no longer permitted to sell, rent out, present it in public or broadcast it." Advertising is also forbidden, with violations punishable under German law.

"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" made the BPjM's list seven years ago after it was determined that one of the songs of the album, "Ich Tu Dir Weh" (English-language translation: "I'll Hurt You"), as well as a picture in the album booklet showing a seated man about to hit a naked woman, promoted unsafe sex and portrayed sexuality and power in a sadomasochistic manner. The Federal Office objected to the fact that the track included lines such as "Bites, kicks, heavy blows, nails, pincers, blunt saws — tell me what you want."

As a result of the ruling, "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" could not be advertised or placed on open exhibition in such a way that it could be accessed by young people and children under the age of 18 years.

Most albums indexed by the BPjM are those "with lyrics about racial hatred or glorifying National Socialism," BPjM chairwoman Petra Meier stated at the time. But a large share of the music banned in Germany is classified due to "brutal violence, pornographic lyrics or a mixture of sexuality and violence," she said.

After "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" was placed on BPjM's list, RAMMSTEIN keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz told the Bild Am Sonntag newspaper: "There's nothing on the album that could be more misinterpreted than on other RAMMSTEIN records. Why now and why this? One of the examiners presumably has a daughter who annoys him with RAMMSTEIN at full volume."

"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" only remained on the index for half a year before it was removed by the Administrative Court in Cologne, which ruled that the classification was unlawful, as it neglected considerations of artistic freedom.

As a result of the album being indexed, RAMMSTEIN claims it had to destroy or store nearly 85,000 copies of the album and is now trying to recover the damages — 66,000 euros (nearly $75,000).

RAMMSTEIN's case will be heard in court this summer.

WOVENWAR, the band featuring the talents of Jordan Mancino (drums), Nick Hipa (guitar), Phil Sgrosso (guitar) and Josh Gilbert (bass) of San Diego, California based metal act AS I LAY DYING, and Shane Blay (vocals) of OH, SLEEPER, has entered the studio to record its second album for a summer/early fall release via Metal Blade Records.

Comments WOVENWAR: "Recording for the second WOVENWAR album is officially underway, with the drum tracking being completed and the process moving into the guitar-tracking phase. Several months worth of demos have been condensed into eleven new songs we are very proud of. The process found us expanding upon our melodic sound with a darker and more aggressive approach — utilizing elements restrained on our debut but familiar to our cumulative history. Nolly Getgood (PERIPHERY) is onboard to handle mixing duties. We look forward to hearing how his versatile talents elevate our sound and direction."

The band continues: "We're looking to have the recording process wrapped up in the next couple months and hope to have the album out sometime late summer/early fall. Until then please keep up with us on all band socials for updates."

WOVENWAR's self-titled debut — which landed at No. 36 on The Billboard 200 chart — delivered an introductory statement that sent shockwaves throughout heavy music, with Revolver magazine declaring the album as "more multifaceted than anything by AS I LAY DYING," and Decibel magazine asserting that "WOVENWAR sounds confident, vital, and even liberated on this splendid debut."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich took questions backstage in the press room after inducting DEEP PURPLE into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this past Friday, April 8 during a ceremony at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center. You can now watch video footage of the question-and-answer session below.

Asked which artists he would like to see inducted into the Rock Hall next, Ulrich said "Well, obviously, there's a slew of people from back in the day who should be next. I don't have this prepared, so forgive me if it's somewhat out of whack. But I guess off the top my head, I would say MOTÖRHEAD, IRON MAIDEN, BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE… I don't know… JUDAS PRIEST at some point, maybe… I think the one band that is eligible next year, if my math is close to being right, is RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, who I hope we don't have to wait decades for to get in, because their influence is, obviously, immeasurable. And so I would say that of the sort of later-generation bands, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, hopefully, should be on deck, ready to come. But from bands back in the day, I mean, you know, URIAH HEEP, JUDAS PRIEST, RAINBOW maybe at some point… Thinking in the '70s and the early '80s, obviously, IRON MAIDEN, MOTÖRHEAD, JUDAS PRIEST… The list goes on. I'll remember all of them as soon as I step off the stage."

Despite the fact that artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

KISS was passed over by the Hall since 1998 before finally getting the nod in April 2014.

METALLICA themselves were inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2009 and previously inducted BLACK SABBATH in 2006.

METALLICA's induction into the Hall included all three of the band's bass players: Robert Trujillo, Jason Newsted and late bassist Cliff Burton.

METALLICA has been working on its tenth studio album, which could emerge sometime later this year.

Video footage of DEATH ANGEL's April 9 performance at the NorCal Tattoo And Music Festival in Sacramento, California can be seen below.

DEATH ANGEL's new album, "The Evil Divide", will be released on May 27 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was once again recorded at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, DEICIDE), who previously worked on 2010's "Relentless Retribution" and 2013's "The Dream Calls For Blood". Mastering duties were handled by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City. The cover artwork was created by tattoo artist Bob Tyrrell.

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany said: "Both Mark [Osegueda, vocals] and I had been tattooed by Bob, and when the subject of album artwork came up, we approached him to create the design. We wanted an image that would represent the idea of 'The Evil Divide'; something beautiful, yet simultaneously wicked, hence the death moth. Bob realized our vision with mere pencil and paper."

SHEL, the folk/pop band composed of four sisters from Fort Collins, Colorado, has released the official video for their haunting cover of METALLICA's "Enter Sandman". The clip premiered on Nerdist, which wrote that SHEL has "created the platonic ideal of one of the metal group's classic numbers. Paring the song down to softly delivered vocals and spare acoustic instrumentation, the version of the track is as disconcerting as it is beautiful... The audio-visual subtlety of this track makes for an extremely unique cover that hits a totally different chord of terror than the original."

While recording "Enter Sandman", SHEL lead vocalist Eva Holbrook was concerned about how to tackle it. "When recording 'Enter Sandman', I said a prayer to the god’s of rock that I wouldn’t be struck dead, or mysteriously electrocuted in the studio for whispering the lyrics to a METALLICA song, or for not including an electric guitar in the arrangement," she told Nerdist. "I've survived to say that I am truly blown away by the poetry of the song." SHEL's version of "Enter Sandman" will be featured on the the Nashville-based band's second full-length album, "Just Crazy Enough", which will be released on May 13. Produced by Dave Stewart (best known for his work with the EURYTHMICS), the album features the captivating harmonies and intriguing rhythms that are emblematic of SHEL's inventive songwriting. The four sisters of SHEL have amassed a loyal fanbase due to a defiantly DIY approach marked by tireless touring and genre-twisting music that wears its heart on its sleeve. Raised on an abandoned trailer park that the family restored and turned into a farm, they had an unconventional and imaginative upbringing in the foothills of Fort Collins, Colorado. Each found an instrument to master early on, studying classical music while composing and arranging with Sarah on violin, Hannah on piano, Eva on mandolin, and Liza on drums, djembe and beatboxing. Using their first initials, the band created an acronym — SHEL. Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook like to say they are "four sisters, traveling the world, tellin' tales, and sharing a dream." The band released their 2012 self-titled debut to great acclaim, and were embraced by MTV, USA Today, American Songwriter, and many more.

"Enter Sandman" was featured as the opening track and lead single from METALLICA's eponymous 1991 album. The song was produced by Bob Rock, and the music was written by Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and James Hetfield. Vocalist and guitarist Hetfield wrote the lyrics, which deal with the simplest concept of a child's nightmares.

The "Enter Sandman" single was certified gold in the United States for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. Acclaimed by critics, the song is featured on all of METALLICA's live albums and DVDs released after 1991 and has been played live at award ceremonies and benefit concerts. It is considered to be METALLICA's signature song to the general public.

METALLICA's self-titled "black album" has sold more than 16 million copies in the U.S., according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Innovative metal project Burning Rome, who recently signed with Alpha Omega Management, has released their new album The New Era Begins, via Underground Symphony. The album is a blend of sounds of Savatage, Paradise Lost, Anathema but also of Korn, SOAD, Journey, conceived in the form of an alternative metal characterized by a powerful musical amalgam, straight and immediate, with vocals that alternate between extreme violence and yearning melody.  

The full length album The New Era Begins is available in deluxe digipack CD format. The album cover art was created by the visual artist Garjan Atwood (Bathory Project), who created all the visual parts and album artwork.

Tracklisting:

“In Hoc Signo Vinces”
“Silence And Me”
“Lonely Boy”
“Never Never”
“The Art Of Bleeding”
“Into Shadows”
“Who Do You Think We Are”
“The Second Wave”
“The Same Old Story”
“Gravity”
“This Is The Place”

Teaser:

“Silence And Me” lyric video:

Alpha Omega Management has announced the signing of the Century Media Records' roster band, the mighty Malevolent Creation - one of most legendary and longest running death metal horde on this globe!

Malevolent Creation was formed in Buffalo, New York in 1987, but only a year later they moved to Florida. Their debut album The Ten Commandments (1991) became a landmark in the death metal underground, expanding on the early work of bands like Slayer, Kreator, Possessed, Onslaught, Obituary and Death. After 11 studio albums and unleashing three of them (Warkult, Doomsday X and Invidious Dominion) under Nuclear Blast Records, in 2014 the band signed the global records deal with Century Media Records, releasing their 12th and latest effort Dead Man's Path in 2015, heading right away to the extended co-headliner Death Raid Over Europe tour.  

Malevolent Creation mastermind Phil Fasciana states:

"Malevolent Creation is very proud to say we are now working with Alpha Omega Management and are looking forward to many great things! You will see and hear much more Malevolent Creation because of this collaboration with Alpha Omega Management and we look forward to seeing you all soon enough!" 

Alpha Omega Management adds:

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Malevolent Creation, the Creators of the ‘Florida Death Metal sound’, to our roster family, who, since the very beginning have become stronger and stronger with each of their 12 studio releases, never allowing any situation to affect the power and skill of the band in a negative way! This we can call a deep devotion and passion what this band has to deliver with their music and playing on stages, everywhere! Stay connected for next announcement, soon!"

Timothy Shearn, Head of the Alpha Omega U.S. Office, had this to say:

"I have been into heavy metal music as long as I can remember. I lived on all of the classics Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, and everything in between. It was however when I came across Malevolent Creation, Pandora's box was opened and I was drawn into a whole new world of extreme metal, and never looked back since \m/"

Guitar legend Zakk Wylde has posted footage of himself and Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt performing together on current Generation Axe tour at an undisclosed location. Additional fan-filmed video has also been posted below. They perform a cover of the Citizen Cope song "Sideways".

The term “supergroup” gets thrown around on a regular basis these days, however, a new tour featuring some of the greatest guitarists of all time is about to truly give the term a whole new meaning. Introducing: Generation Axe, featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi.

Beginning on April 5th in Seattle, Generation Axe - A Night Of Guitars hit the road for 26 performances in North America.

"The Generation Axe show is a unique performance of five fiercely talented guitar players coming together to create a 6-string extravaganza that is sure to amaze and delight,” commented Steve Vai.

The Generation Axe fan experience will go way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam. Each tour stop will include a variety of collaborations by the five players, including everyone performing together as one cohesive band with a rhythm section including Pete Griffin (Dweezil Zappa, Stanley Clarke, Edgar Winter) on bass and Nick Marinovich (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys. Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt and Abasi will perform songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known songs (as well as probably a few unexpected, unearthed gems).

Making this rare tour experience even more special, Generation Axe VIP packages will be offered, giving fans access to these guitars masters and exclusive one-of-a-kind memorabilia. A front row package (including a meet & greet), a meet & greet package, and a VIP tour package will be available. For more information, visit generationaxe.com.

Tour dates:

April
10 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
13 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
15 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre
16 - Salina, KS - The Stiefel Theatre
17 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory
18 - Houston, TX - Revention Music Center
20 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
21 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
23 - Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear Community College
24 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
25 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
26 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre
27 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
29 - Chicago, IL - Copernicus Center

May
1 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre
2 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
4 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
5 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater
6 - Westbury, NY - Theatre at Westbury
7 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
8 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center

Alpha Omega Management has announced the great heavy metal monsters Helstar to its roster family, who just recently signed a contract with Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson’s EMP Label Group. Comments Helstar frontman and vocalist, James Rivera:

"It's with great pleasure that Helstar is proud to announce we will be working with Alpha Omega Management group. With a team like this that has satellite offices around the globe, we definitely feel the band will receive the exposure and promotion we deserve. This all was instigated by our lifelong friend and producer Bill Metoyer who recently joined the Alpha Omega team weeks prior to our decision to work with him in this sense on top of him still mixing our music to this day. Alpha Omega! Let's conquer new and bigger horizons!"

Alpha Omega Management adds:

"We're extremely honored to welcome Helstar to our roster family! Already from the very first exchange of messages and skype chats, we found out to be on the same wavelength with James and the whole band! We are ready and cannot wait to bring out to light the great plans we have to conquer new and bigger horizons!  New Spring, New Greater Era has began! Helstar is ready to rock the stages worldwide, harder than ever before! Stay tuned for next announcements, soon!"

Helstar - formed in the early '80s by the band's guitarist Larry Barragan and vocalist James Rivera - have no need of long introductions, as their successful career speaks by itself, being the influential force in the American metal scene, since the very beginning. Their latest effort This Wicked Nest came out to the masses in April 2014, promising the band's powerful return to the scenes.

Currently Helstar are preparing to unleash their new album, entitled Vampiro, another opus of tales of Dracula and vampires like the band's all time most acclaimed 1989 release Nosferatu (produced and mixed by Bill Metoyer) in the same vein musically with shades of who Helstar are today. The new single, "Black Cathedral", is now available through iTunes here.

Rivera: "As my late great father use to say, 'Better Days are coming!' So here you go my blood thirsty friends! The new single you have been waiting for. This is just the beginning of the new Vampiric race we will establish!"

Helstar are: James Rivera (voice), Larry Barragan (guitars), Andrew Atwood (guitars), Mikey Lewis (drums), Garrick Smith (bass)