One of the most talked about up and coming prog groups of 2014, AN ENDLESS SPORADIC, is releasing a new single, 'Spaceship Factory', in support of their upcoming appearance on the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 cruise hosted by TRANSATLANTIC's Mike Portnoy.
The band, comprising of Zach Kamins (guitars, keyboards), Andy Gentile (drums), Tony Solis (guitar), and Eloy Palacios (bass), have also filmed a new video to the single and can be seen below.

Says Zach, “I composed the main theme for 'Spaceship Factory' a couple of years ago with the intention of it being part of an orchestral piece that would eventually morph into a progressive rock piece. I've always loved film scores in movies about big space adventures. So, I wrote a piece while imagining landing on an alien planet and coming across a factory building spaceships. When I originally came up with the theme, I wasn't sure how I wanted to develop the rest of the piece. Now that An Endless Sporadic has reunited, it seemed like the perfect vehicle for this piece.”
The band's new single will be part of a forthcoming EP that will also include a studio recording of the song 'Derpulous' (the band released a demo version of the track a few months ago) as well as brand new material. It is also the 6 year anniversary of An Endless Sporadic's first EP Ameliorate, so plans to re-record a couple songs from that EP as bonus tracks are in the works. The group is planning on running a Pledge Music campaign to help fund the recordings.

Says Zach, “We have enough music demoed for a full length album and depending on how the EP does, we might want to repackage the EP as a full length later on. The idea is that because our music has a sporadic nature but also explores theme development, we want to try and find ways to expand on older material while introducing plenty of fresh material.”

An Endless Sporadic is excited about their upcoming performance on the Progressive Nation at Sea 2014 cruise, which runs from February 18th - 22nd. Others performing are legendary JON ANDERSON of YES, Transatlantic, PORTNOY SHEEHAN MACALPINE SHERINIAN, ADRIAN BELEW, DEVIN TOWNSEND, SPOCK'S BEARD, THE FLOWER KINGS, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, PERIPHERY and many others.

Says Zach, “Sixthman ran a competition called Sixthman Soundcheck, where they were selecting three up and coming progressive rock bands to add to the bill. We actually weren't selected, but we later received an e-mail that Mike Portnoy had a hard time choosing the three bands and decided to add a 5th stage to the cruise. We were selected to play on that stage.”

Australian black metal stronghold Seance Records announces April 2nd as the international release date for EREBUS ENTHRONED's second album, Temple Under Hell. Set to be released on CD by Seance and with a vinyl version to follow on April 31st through World Terror Committee, Temple Under Hell proves to be an even stronger statement than the band's debut album, Night's Black Angel.
Powerful and unyielding, this work of torrid black metal delivers seven hymns revolving around sacrifice, transformation, and illumination. A supreme work of militant esoterica spanning the breadth of classic black metal, modern Satanic cruelty, and abstract themes of darkness: with Temple Under Hell, Erebus Enthroned rekindle the flame with this new libation of cruel, ritualistic black metal in the vein of FUNERAL MIST, DISSECTION, and MGLA.
Temple Under Hell tracklisting:

'Sorathick Pentecost'
'Trisagion'
'Crucible Of Vitriol'
'Black Sword'
'Void Wind'
'The Temple Under Hell'
'Return'

Swedish progressive thrash metal band PARANORM follows up their debut EP, Pandemonium’s Rise, by releasing a four-song EP titled The Edge Of Existence. The EP is streaming in it's entirety below.
Tracklisting:

'Into The Unknown'
'Second Assault'
'Sunstorm'
'Desolate Worlds'
The physical version of the EP is available through the band's official merch store at this location. The Edge Of Existence will also be available through all major digital music stores as well as streaming services by February 27th.

Comments singer and rhythm guitarist Markus Hiltunen: “The Edge of Existence shows the band at a whole new level. We really took the time to polish every detail to make it as good as it possibly could be. The EP is powerful, melodic, progressive and aggressive, sometimes even bordering on downright scary.”

Paranorm are based in Uppsala, Sweden. They have played together since 2008, released a demo (Demo 2010) and an EP (Pandemonium's Rise, 2011) independently, and played numerous shows around Sweden. They aim to create a melodic and progressive form of thrash metal, while still retaining the power and aggression that is the foundation of the genre. Instead of repeating what bands did 25 years ago, they seek to build upon that formula, creating something new and refreshing.

Brazilian rockers LIVIN GARDEN have released the cover for their new album, Bring It On, made by the artist Guilherme Sevens (METAL MIKE, PAINSIDE).

The band has also released a lyric video for the title song of the album:
Bring It On was recorded in Curitiba/PR, at Studio Bunker, and mixed at Loud Palace Studios in Weed/CA by Sylvia Massy and Ian Rickard. Sylvia’s career includes production and mixing for bands like TOOL, RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SLAYER, among others.
Bring It On tracklisting:

‘Rock N’ Roll State Electric’
‘Exile’
‘Bring It On’
‘Out Of Range’
‘One Step Closer’
‘Who Cares’
‘Sing My Soul’
‘Let It Bleed’
‘Deep Waters’
‘Sudden’

For more info visit Facebook.

From Darkness, the new album by the Canberra-based sludge outfit I EXIST, will made available on CD and LP on March 18th via Prosthetic Records. The album can be preordered from the Prosthetic webshop along with exclusive bundles pairing the release with a t-shirt featuring the album's artwork

I Exist has also unveiled a studio video for the new song ‘Heal Me In Smoke’ consisting of footage from their recording session in Melbourne with BLOOD DUSTER's Jason Fuller (KING PARROT, MINDSNARE) along with video tour diary footage from their recent European tour with HARMS WAY.
Mixed at South Carolina's Jam Room by Jay Matheson and Kylesa's Phillip Cope (BARONESS, BLACK TUSK), From Darkness features 12 energetic tracks combining elements of doom, sludge and blackened hardcore.
From Darkness tracklisting:

‘Lightning Curse’
‘Heal Me In Smoke’
‘Sorrow On Hill 105’
‘Rituals’
‘In My Head’
‘Bloodlust’
‘Eternal Reign’
‘Obsession’
‘Tear Down The Crucifix’
‘Ride To Hell’
‘Cold World Vermin’
‘From Darkness’

For more info visit Facebook.

Swedish rock n' rollers PSYCHOPUNCH have released a short film containing three songs / videos from their current album. Smakk Valley. The film, directed by Andreas Ekvall, can be seen below.
Psychopunch guitarist and singer JM comments: "When we got the chance to make three videos at the same time for our new album Smakk Valley, I got the idea that each video should end like an episode so that the next one could take over. Like a story. Then Jocke came up with the brilliant idea that we should add stuff in between to make it like a real movie/film. So, said and done... ideas were tossed back and forth... what to add and what should be in it. Intro... outro... text... characters, etc., etc.

A lot of the inspiration came from the movie Sin City. It was real easy to work with the director, Andreas Ekvall. He loved the idea we had and came up with most of the ideas to the story. We were lucky to get hold of Andreas. It was one of Jockes friends who already made a video with Andreas who told us to get in touch him. That was a good move! So here it is, Smakk Valley the movie!"

EXTOL have released a digital deluxe edition of their self-titled 2013 album with a bonus track. The new edition contains 'Sting Of Death', an exclusive new track, as well as new digital booklet containing never-before-seen artwork. All Extol formats, including vinyl, can be purchased at this location.
In addition to the release of Extol deluxe edition and accompanying lyric video for 'Sting Of Death', the norwegian production company Animidas Productions also have an update on the release of the Extol documentary:

"We've had our hands extremely full with post production and we're now very close to a finished film! Thanks to many of you, this project has become a journey we dared not hope for three years ago. We have just signed the first (of hopefully many) broadcasting deals for television and we have started submitting the film to film festivals all over the globe. A DVD release is scheduled for the end of 2014, but we'll make it worth the wait! The TV/festival version is 70 minutes long. The DVD will be a much longer extended version, and will contain epic bonus material from the band on a second disc! Thank you so much for your patience and support. We'll keep you posted on where and when the film is screened."
Extol have also recently announced that they will be playing some live shows for the first time in seven years:

"It is now 20 years since Extol played the very first concert - in Sandvika, Norway on May 17th 1994 to be precise. We want to celebrate this anniversary with some very few exclusive live shows later on this year! The last concert Extol did was in 2006, so it's been a while. We are really looking forward to getting on a stage again, playing both new and old songs, and of course meeting our fans and friends! Waiting more than 7 years is just way too long!"

Extol will be playing Gullbrannafestivalen in Sweden and Skjaergards Music Festival and SÅ2014, both in Norway.

New York thrash metal band CASTROFATE have released their new video, for the track 'Shattered Soul', featured on their new self-titled album.
Castrofate features eight songs and will be released as a jewel case CD with a fold out poster on March 1st via Cataclysmic Metal Records. The cover art was drawn by Gina Angiolillo with logo placements by Jaymz Wall.
Album lineup:

Danny Castro - Vocals, Guitars
Tom DeFazio - Lead Guitar
Dok Dwyer - Bass
Dima Shnaydman - Drums

Osmose Productions have reissued MARDUK's long delated Fuck Me Jesus demo tape.
"The legedary demo was unleashed upon this world summer 1991 on cassette and later in 1995 as MCD/7". Finally the classic recording is being made available again. Not restored, not remastered, no bonus material just the black spell of destruction on MCD as well as strictly limited 12" vinyl versions on black, red and white vinyl! Get them while they last..."

Order at the following links:

White Vinyl
Black Vinyl
Red Vinyl

Recently formed rock group GET INVOLVED!, featuring Tucker Rule of THURSDAY, Todd Weinstock of GLASSJAW, Brian DeNeeve of FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES, Marcus Russell Price on bass and vocalist Derrick Karg-Zamudio, will release its Ross Robinson-produced "Silk Cuts" EP digitally on March 3 via the New Jersey-based MorseCode Recordings.

"We are super excited to be putting this out with MorseCode," Weinstock explains. "It's been a long time coming and they are helping make it reality with all these great limited versions."

Derek Morse, founder of MorseCode Recordings, states: “This label strives to work with exceptional artists.

"These five guys are super talented who are pushing themselves to think outside the box with their writing. We were blown away by the band's songs at first listen."

MorseCode Recordings is not only releasing the digital version of "Silk Cuts" but also as a one-sided 12-inch with a silk-screened B-side and hand-numbered limited CD edition as well. There will also be a two-song seven-inch featuring GET INVOLVED!'s take on ROKY ERICKSON's "The Night Of The Vampire", limited to 500 copies.

Redfield Records, in conjunction with MorseCode, will release GET INVOLVED's "Silk Cuts" EP as a 10-inch vinyl record for Europe.

"Silk Cuts" EP track listing:

01. Let Your Guard Down 02. Paint It Gold 03. Serenity Now 04. Apathy

Check out the song "Apathy" in the YouTube clip below.

The Shadow Realigned", a new collection from GODHEAD, will be released on April 29 via Warrior Records. The set features 14 remixes from 14 different producers that GODHEAD has come to be friends with and fans of over the coure of its career. GODHEAD singer and founder Jason C. Miller says, "I also went back into the vault and finished three unreleased tracks, the GODHEAD original 'To Heal' and two covers: 'Never Let Me Down Again' by DEPECHE MODE and 'God Of Thunder' by KISS."

Remixers Include:

* Ben Moody
* Spencer Wiggers & Andrei Lifinski
* The Sweet Kill
* Ashburn "Creature" Miller
* Team Cybergeist
* Jamison Boaz
* Psyclon Nine
* Ginormous (Bryan Konietzko)
* Arritmic
* Shelter Project
* Khursor (Michael Wandmacher)
* Joe Bishara
* Shok
* NeonGenesis

"The Shadow Realigned" track listing:

01. The Gift (Robotic Beehive Remix) (Spencer Wiggers & Andrei Lifinski)
02. Through the Cracks (The Sweet Kill Remix)
03. Unrequited (Ben Moody Mix)
04. Hey You (Ginormous Remix)
05. Trapped In Your Lies (NeonGenesis Remix)
06. Inside Your World (Shelter "Dark Moon" Remix)
07. Goodbye (Khursor Remix)
08. Another Day (Shok's Other Way Mix)
09. Once Before (Arritmic Remix)
10. Push (Creature Remix)
11. Your End Of Days (Jamison Boaz Remix)
12. Fall Down (Joe Bishara Remix)
13. Trapped In Your Lies (Psyclon Nine Remix)
14. Unrequited (Team Cybergeist Remix)
15. To Heal
16. God Of Thunder (KISS cover)
17. Never Let Me Down Again (DEPECHE MODE cover)

You can pre-order the album at WarriorRecords.com.

Formed in the mid-'90s in a northern Virginia basement, GODHEAD has stood the test of time as an influential and truly original hard rock act. One part industrial, one part goth, one part metal, GODHEAD was never easy to define.

"We had elements of so many different sounds in our early days," says the group's singer and founder, Jason C. Miller, "that it actually worked to our advantage. We could open for almost anyone and find a way to fit in. People hear what they SEE live so, opening for a goth band? Throw on the eyeliner and play our moodiest songs. Metal band? Wipe off the eyeliner and play our heaviest songs. Industrial band? Smear on the eyeliner AND play our heaviest songs! We always wore all black, so a wardrobe change was never necessary. We even managed to survive two months opening for GWAR. I'm still not sure how we're all still alive."

Despite their early adventures with audiences unknown, GODHEAD began to thrive. Touring rigorously, they eventually landed a record deal in Europe and then in the States with Sol 3 Records, helmed by legendary producer Richard Gottehrer (BLONDIE, THE GO-GOS, THE STRANGELOVES). "Nothingness" and "Power Tool Stigmata" were both released on the Sol 3 label, and GODHEAD continued to tour relentlessly. They then caught the attention of rock icon Marilyn Manson. About to launch his new label Posthuman Records, Manson snatched them up and GODHEAD released "2000 Years Of Human Error" in 2001.

Upon release, MTV and radio stations across the country started catching on to the GODHEAD sound and began playing "Eleanor Rigby" and "The Reckoning" in heavy rotation. The band would play in front of over three million people touring with MARILYN MANSON, BLACK SABBATH, DISTURBED, LINKIN PARK, SLIPKNOT and RAMMSTEIN. They would appear on three major motion picture soundtracks, including the gold-selling "Queen Of The Damned" as well as "The Blair Witch Project 2" and "Dracula 2000". GODHEAD's success continued into 2003 with "The Hate In Me" single from their "Evolver" album that turned into an MTV2 hit as well as the song "Far Too Long", which was featured on CBS Television's "NFL Today" show.

In 2006, GODHEAD released "The Shadow Line". The single "Trapped In Your Lies" put GODHEAD in the rock radio Top 40 for the first time in their career and put them back on the road, which inspired them to write and release their 2008 album "At The Edge Of The World".

"'The Shadow Line' was such a defining album for us," Miller says, "We co-produced it ourselves at our own studio, and were really able to explore the evolution of our sound. Now that we have the opportunity, we thought it would be great to get a lot of other producers we admire to have a shot at remixing each song and giving our fans a completely new look at our material."

KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono has released the following statement:

"Today I decided that EX DEO [Iacono's side project] and its legions will rest their arms , We will take an indefinite leave of absence. Theres a good possibility that 'Romulus' and 'Caligvla' be the only sonic assaults that will ever see the light under the flag of Ancient Rome's lone but real epic voice: EX DEO.

"If another album will ever see the light, it will be by the will of the Gods and voice of those who believe in the spirit of the once most powerful Empire… ROME. Time will tell… or not.

"I feel we've done two great albums, full of passion and epic passages.

"No regrets, just proud moments. It was an education on where we all come from.

"Roma touched your blood one way or another, either through your ancestry or through your way of life. Not believing it is not believing who you really are, because the entire world took a new spin towards a progressive future under Roman rule, hence the world we have today, still imperfect with many defects but forging ahead through progress.

"We will still post stuff [on our Facebook page] from time to time.

"Hope you enjoyed the ride.

"We thank you for the great comments and thrills you have brought us ROMA CAPUT MUNDI ...Forever

"I leave you with this great passage from my hero: 'I love the name of honor more than I fear death' - Julius Caesar"

EX DEO's "The Tiberius Cliff (Exile To Capri)" video can be seen below. The song is taken from EX DEO's sophomore album, "Caligvla", which was released in August 2012 via Austria's Napalm Records.

"Caligvla" was mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others. The artwork and layout for the album were handled by SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton. The booklet for the album features commentaries and descriptions from frontman Iacono with his views on each song. The limited first pressing was released as a six-panel digipack featuring the bonus track "Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light", a song dealing with Caligvla's madman rival emperor Nero.

"Caligvla" features contributions from ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Francesco Artusato, TRISTANIA singer Mariangela Demurtas, SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton and GRAVEWORM's Stefano Fiori. Every invited guest on the album is of Roman or Greek descent.

In early October 2013, former BLOOD STAIN CHILD vocalist Sophia launched a new solo project called SEASON OF GHOSTS. She has checked in with the following update:

"I still cannot believe it, but the album recording is finished! The Human Paradox is here. More news soon."
The Human Paradox is due to be released in 2014. It was created, composed and co-produced by Sophia, mixed and mastered by Ettore Rigotti (DISARMONIA MUNDI, PRINCESS GHIBLI, BLOOD STAIN CHILD).

Stay tuned for more details. Check out the official Season Of Ghosts homepage here.

Sophia has posted a cover of 'Sarah's Theme' - created with ZOMBIE SAM - from the '90s Walt Disney film Hocus Pocus via Soundcloud. It is available for free download.

A trailer for The Human Paradox is also available:

Virginia Beach, VA-based metal act PROVOKE, DESTROY have signed with Indianola Records. The label will release the band’s forthcoming full length, entitled Vulture, this spring.
Guitarist Ryan Johnson spoke on the signing, “Signing to Indianola Records has been the best move for us so far. With their support we can share our music with more people and show the industry that we have what it takes.”

Vulture will feature nine Andrew Baylis (HONOUR CREST, APPARITIONS, CAMISADO) produced tracks that drummer Tyler Melton described as, “A breath of fresh air. We have finally found the real Provoke sound and I am excited to show everybody exactly what that is. All I can say is be ready for the best Provoke, Destroy you have heard yet.”

Bassist Michael Mann went on to add, "I think this album is going to surprise a lot of people. With our last EP we were just recording songs that had been written for our live set, rather than being written for recording. This album is a lot more melodic and guitar oriented than our previous releases and I think this album will show that we can be more than just a typical "breakdown" band."

Provoke, Destroy was formed in early 2011 and played their first show in June of that year in Virginia Beach, VA. The band recorded their debut 5 song EP Rosewell, with Andrew Baylis and released it on June 12th, 2012. The band spent the next year touring and playing shows to promote Rosewell. In late 2013/early 2014 they went into the studio to record their debut full length album. The album is set to drop on Indianola Records sometime in spring 2014.

Danish instrumental noise rock duo FOSSILS is ready to distribute their second album - the pounding, utterly intense Flesh Hammer - set for worldwide disbursement on March 3rd via Indisciplinarian.
Consisting of ten precise, noisy and ever-entertaining no-bullshit pieces of music in twenty minutes, Fossils' succinctly pulverizing Flesh Hammer was created by a band that has refined their trademarks of thunderous riffs and stomping grooves side-by-side with complex rhythms, pouring out their unique, stripped-down brand of instrumental, noisy rock firmly rooted in punk, metal and hardcore. Flesh Hammer was produced by Danish sound-enigma Q (BETA SATAN, ENTOMBED), and will see worldwide release via digital download as well as 12" LP limited to 300 copies. Pre-orders for the vinyl are now live; internationally order direct from the Indisciplinarian web shop HERE, while Earsplit Distro is carrying the LP for North America with preorders available HERE.

The release Flesh Hammer will be celebrated with two Danish release shows, at Radar in Aarhus on February 28th and at Beta in Copenhagen, on March 1st. In the unconventional spirit of Fossils, these will not simply be "typical" release shows with the usual canapés and support bands, but instead an overload of awesome musical guests will be involved in each of the performances, not at least at the Aarhus gig where the program is quite overwhelming.

Aarhus will see the resurrection of Fossils' old band, the local high-octane rock n' roll heroes STUDSON playing a sweet set of oldies but goodies. Then Fossils will mutate into their own doom version, SLISSOF, covering an old COLA FREAKS-classic with several guests from Cola Freaks, Rising and Studson. Hereafter, Fossils will perform Flesh Hammer from beginning to end, and finally the dynamic duo concludes the show when joined by numerous vocalists such as Jacob Bredahl (THE KANDIDATE, ex-HATESPHERE) and Kim Kix (POWERSOLO) who will interpret various Fossils compositions from earlier releases. In Copenhagen, Fossils will play a more straight-up set and special guests will be the aforementioned Studson, and a second band yet to be announced.
Flesh Hammer record release shows:

February
28 - Beta - Copenhagen, Denmark

March
1 - Radar - Arhaus, Denmark

STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet has posted an update on his highly anticipated project with guitarist George Lynch (T&N, LYNCH MOB, ex-DOKKEN):

"Been writing and arranging George Lynch and Michael Sweet songs for the new Lynch/Sweet/Tichy/Lomenzo album. Coming along well. I guess I work better under pressure; less than two weeks to get 12 songs put together. The pressure makes me focus."
Italy-based label Frontiers Records has issued the following announcement regarding the planned collaboration between Sweet and Lynch:

"Frontiers Records can proudly announce to be the label behind the yet unnamed new band project featuring Stryper's Michael Sweet, former Dokken and Lynch Mob axeman George Lynch, former WHITE LION bass player James Lomenzo and ex-WHITESNAKE drummer Brian Tichy.

The debut album will be recorded in early 2014 with Sweet overseeing production duties, for a release pencilled right after the summer of 2014.

This is the first of a number of new exciting band projects put together personally by Serafino Perugino, President and Head of A&R of Frontiers Records, which will see the light of day during 2014. Stay tuned as more exciting news will be unfolding soon!"

North Carolina-based death metal band BLOODSOAKED have launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to raise funds for their fourth album. The album, which will be entitled Religious Apocalypse, will be released via Comatose Music later this year.

Fans can donate to the cause at this location.

Bloodsoaked main man Peter Hasselbrack explained the decision as follows:

"We took less money from our record label this time around so we could secure the digital rights to Bloodsoaked's music and give back to the fans. With our new deal with Comatose Music we now have the rights to give away all Bloodsoaked's music absolutely FREE via the Bloodsoaked web site. What does this mean to the fan? Well, six months after the new Bloodsoaked album is released we will be releasing every Bloodsoaked album FREE to everyone and anyone. We are doing this to give back to all the fans that have supported and continue to support Bloodsoaked."

The cover artwork for Religious Apocolypse can be seen below:
The band have also announced a ten-date European headlining tour, starting April 3rd. Check out the dates below:

April
3 - Blackland - Berlin, Germany
4 - Schlosskeller - Weissenfells, Germany
5 - Klex - Greifswald, Germany
6 - Pub Korba - Katowice, Poland
7 - Klub U Bazyla - Poznan, Poland
8 - TBA - Leipzig, Germany
9 - The Cave - Amsterdam, Netherlands
10 - Le Club - Paris, France
11 - Come-Inn - Renchen, Germany
12 - Bolies Pub - Winschoten, Netherlands

Bloodsoaked are also confirmed for the Obscene Extreme Festival, taking place in the Czech Republic in July.

For further information visit

Swedish black metal masters DARK FUNERAL are currently rehearsing heavily for their upcoming anniversary show at Stockholm’s Klubben on May 3rd. This show will also mark the first gig with Themgoroth as guest vocalist since almost two decades.

Lord Ahriman states:

“It’s really special for me to have so many guests from our darkest past joining forces again and the last time Themgoroth and I shared the same stage was back in the mid-90’s when we played Germany’s first Under The Black Sun Festival. Now, almost exactly 20 years after the release of our first MCD via Hellspawn Records, the label Blackmoon (RIP) and I originally formed together, it feels truly special to perform with all these guys again even though David will surely be missed on that occasion. Still, we’ll make sure this will be a show you will remember!”
Themgoroth states:

"Even though we haven't had contact over the years, I have always been impressed by Dark Funeral's ambition and determination. Through their hard work, they have managed to become one of the most respected names in the genre. And I am proud that I have once been a part of it. So, when Ahriman called and asked me if I wanted to sing on this unique event, I had no doubts whatsoever. This will be the perfect opportunity to show my appreciation to the fans and say my final goodbye to the scene."

On May 3rd, Dark Funeral will present an unforgettable gig offering a very exclusive set spanning their entire catalogue yet with focus on older classics. The band will be fronted by Emperor Magus Caligula. On top of this, former members will make exclusive guest appearances, too. Thus you will see Themgoroth, Typhos, B-Force, Dominion and Gaahnfaust live and onstage for the first time since they left the band.
This very special anniversary gig entitled 20 years of Satanic Symphonies will take place at Klubben, Stockholm on May 3rd and tickets can be obtained at this location.

Metal Wani writer Achintya Venkatesh recently conducted an interview with doom metal vocalist Robert Lowe (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETURNUS). You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Asked about whether his split with CANDLEMASS was an amicable one, Lowe said: "Actually, there was not a situation [that caused the breakup]. I mean, the guys decided to drop the best vocalist they ever had. It's not my problem. But you, there wasn't a situation. Everything is good, everything is kosher."

Lowe also commented on CANDLEMASS mainman Leif Edling's claim that Robert never bothered learning the lyrics to some of the band's classic songs and had to read them from a notebook while on stage. "Well, yeah. I mean, everybody reads the Bible, and I do the same thing," Lowe said. "I have my Bible, and there you go."

As previously reported, Lowe has teamed up with composer and NS/Stick player Michael "Dr. Froth" Millsap (SIX MINUTE CENTURY, WELL OF SOULS) to record a concept album entitled "Gathered In Darkness".

The music will be a blending of progressive metal with epic doom metal textures.

Lowe is best known for his work as the vocalist for CANDLEMASS from 2007 through 2012, appearing on the albums "King Of The Grey Islands", "Death Magic Doom" and "Psalms For the Dead", as well as for his work with SOLITUDE AETURNUS.

Dr. Froth is the bassist for SIX MINUTE CENTURY, whose latest album, "Wasting Time", was released in October of 2013 on Nightmare Records. He is also a member of the epic doom band WELL OF SOULS.

Several other musicians will be joining the cast of "Gathered in Darkness", including vocalists Chuck Williams (SIX MINUTE CENTURY), John Calvin (WELL OF SOULS), and David Gonzales (FLUID FREQUENCY); guitarist Joel Gregoire (STRIDE); Don LaFon (SIX MINUTE CENTURY); Simone Mularoni (DGM); and Marc Petillon.

The project is wrapping up the writing phase and is scheduled to enter the studio in early March.

Death metal psychopaths ABORTED have completed work on their eighth full-length album, "The Necrotic Manifesto", with Danish producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MERCENARY). The CD will be released on April 28 in Europe and on April 29 in North America via Century Media Records.

Comments ABORTED frontman Sven De Caluwé: "I can't believe we did it, to be honest.

"We had a little over three months from start to master on this record.

"Everyone really gave 300% on this record, and it was an absolute pleasure to work with Jacob once again, who really pulled the best out of all our asses.

"I can say, in all honesty, that 'The Necrotic Manifesto' is, without a doubt, the strongest record ABORTED has done thus far and could not be more proud of everyone involved in the project. It is the most brutal, extreme and technical record of the band without losing sight of groove and catchiness, which are all vital elements of this band.

"We cannot wait to get out there and start playing some new material in front of people and get some feedback on what we did in these intense months. Besides this, I am very thrilled to have some of my favorite vocalists on this record as guests. Both Phlegethon (WORMED) and Vincent Bennett (THE ACACIA STRAIN) brought their own brand of burp to the table and really complemented the songs they are on! The artwork has been done by Pär Olofsson (PATHOLOGY, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL)."

"The Necrotic Manifesto" track listing:

01. Six Feet Of Foreplay
02. The Extirpation Agenda
03. Necrotic Manifesto
04. An Enumeration Of Cadavers
05. Your Entitlement Means Nothing
06. The Davidian Deceit
07. Coffin Upon Coffin
08. Chronicles Of Detruncation
09. Sade & Libertine Lunacy
10. Die Verzweiflung
11. Excremental Veracity
12. Purity Of Perversion
13. Of Dead Skin & Decay
14. Cenobites

In support of "The Necrotic Manifesto", ABORTED will tour North America with KATAKLYSM in April.

ABORTED will return to Europe in May for a handful of release shows before heading into the festival season.

ABORTED is:

Sven De Caluwé: Vocals
Mendel Bij De Leij: Guitar
Danny Tunker: Guitar
JB van der Wal: Bass
Ken Bedene: Drums

Swedish occult rockers GHOST were honored in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held last night (Wednesday, February 19) at Cirkus in Stockholm. The bands were all nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2013.

"Best Hard Rock/Metal" nominees were as follows:

* CRASHDÏET - The Savage Playground * GHOST - Infestissumam * NICKE BORG HOMELAND - Ruins Of A Riot * THE KRISTET UTSEENDE - Pervogenesis * WATAIN - The Wild Hunt

As previously reported, GHOST was also honored with the P3 Guld award (for "Infestissumam") from Swedish radio station P3 in the "Best Rock/Metal Album Of The Year" category. The winners were announced on January 18 during a live awards ceremony broadcast from the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.

GHOST's sophomore album, "Infestissumam", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The CD topped the official chart in the group's home country after selling nearly five times as many copies as the No. 2 album, MISS LI's "Wolves".

In an interview with ARTISTdirect, a nameless ghoul from GHOST said about "Infestissumam": "It feels way more theatrical and bombastic. In many ways, 'Infestissumam' is thematically a continuation of where [the debut album] 'Opus Eponymous' began. Whereas a lot of the thematic ideas we have in mind for upcoming albums might differ a little bit and will go in another direction. That's not to say we won't sing about the things we do and not have makeup. I'm just saying it will evolve into other things in the future. On this record, I feel like we're doing a lot of things we intended to do on the first naïvely being we could pull off a show like that at that point — which we couldn't. Now, we have a little bit more muscle. The attendance is probably more in accordance with being able to present a show like that."

Regarding the lyrical themes covered "Infestissumam", the nameless ghoul said: "Thematically we knew the major difference between the first and the second albums as much as we do between the second and the third. It's a bit ironic now. Jumping up to the contemporary controversy with our album artwork and the refusal of printers to print the art is funny because the whole record is about the presence of the devil. Obviously, it's about how mankind relate to the presence of the devil. Historically, it's always been the female body that has taken the fall for that, which is what happened in this case. The problem was a vagina in the art not the inverted crosses."

GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for "legal reasons."

Last year's Grammis award in the "Best Hard Rock" category went to GRAVEYARD for the band's "Lights Out" album.

Sweden’s band of blood drunkards SALEM'S POT return this April to consecrate their union with the LA based label EasyRider Records with a follow-up to last year’s Watch Me Kill You.
Following in the footsteps of the sprawling and self-indulgent jam albums of the early 1970s, over three tracks of swirling heavy psych ...lurar ut dig på prärien offers the listener little chance of escape. Summoning the writhing sounds of demon fuzz and distant death knells the opening swell of ‘Creep Purple’, a 14 minute purge of lo-fi garage metal riffs and lysergic comedown finds Salem’s Pot setting out their stall from which to peddle the darkest of doom.

Loose, low slung and inspired by the legends of BLACK SABBATH and the extended jams of HAWKWIND ‘Dr Death’ and the pounding ‘Nothing Hill’ complete the unholy trinity of tracks replete with lyrics that propel the listener into worlds unknown. Atmospheric realms populated with weed and witches in a reality as miserable and malevolent as it mind-bending and majestic.
Salem’s Pot:

Mentor Mike - Organ, Cult Leader
Nateonomicon - Guitar, Accordion, Howls
Pre-historic Pete - Bass, Howls
The Eagle - Drums, Percussion, Shruti-box

The official lyric video for the song "Nothing Stands In Our Way" from Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new studio album, "Broken Crown Halo", which will be released in North America on April 1 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded Italy by producer Jay Baumgardner (P.O.D., SEVENDUST, EVANESCENCE, PAPA ROACH) and engineer Kyle Hoffmann (P.O.D., BUSH, ZEBRAHEAD). The effort was mastered by Howie Weinberg, whose credits include RAMMSTEIN, SOUNDGARDEN, NIRVANA, DEFTONES and SHERYL CROW.

"Broken Crown Halo" is LACUNA COIL's seventh studio effort, and the highly-anticipated follow-up to "Dark Adrenaline", which was released in January 2012 and saw the band tour with acts including MEGADETH, MOTÖRHEAD, VOLBEAT and SEVENDUST after debuting at No. 15 on The Billboard 200 album chart.

"Broken Crown Halo" track listing:

01. Nothing Stands In Our Way02. Zombies 03. Hostage To The Light 04. Victims 05. Die & Rise 06. I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name)07. Cybersleep 08. Infection 09. I Burn In You10. In The End I Feel Alive11. One Cold Day

LACUNA COIL will hit the road as a quintet later this month as part of "The Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock Tour" following the departures of guitarist Cris "Pizza" Migliore and drummer Cristiano "Criz" Mozzati. Marco "Maus" Biazzi will handle all guitar duties on the trek while drummer Ryan Blake Folden will once again sit behind the kit for the tour. The band states: "Fans will already be familiar with Ryan, as he performed live with LACUNA COIL on the majority of the 2012 and 2013 'Dark Legacy' and 'Dark Adrenaline' tours."

Regarding the departures of Migliore and Mozzati, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia told U.K.'s Metal Hammer, Scabbia elaborated on Migliore and Mozzati's exit from the band. "It's something we announced [on Friday] but knew for a few weeks, and honestly, I feel good, because we couldn't have a better — I don't even wasn't to use the word ‘split'; that sounds like, 'Oh, we had a big fight and we don't want to see each other anymore,' she said.

"It was something that was coming from the heart, very sincere. They just decided they wanted to change their lives. It's not like they didn't like the band anymore, but this lifestyle is not easy. You're on tour all the time, you don't have any private life anymore.

"Being on tour is really surreal, because time moves in a different way, so I think it's absolutely normal that after so many years together, some of us want to carry on doing what we do because we still enjoy it, and some of us would want to move on, keeping the great memories we have together. I mean, they're not planning to join other bands. It's not going to be a huge difference, because we will have the same songwriter, and we are determined to go on. So I'm sad that they're leaving, but we will continue seeing each other outside the band. They are happy, we are happy, everyone is happy."

She continued: "The drums [on the U.S. tour] will be played by Ryan Folden, who played with us for the last year while Criz was at home growing up his kid. And for guitar we are going on with Marco only, and then we will decide.

"I posted the news [on Friday] and I got 25 private messages in half an hour from people that wanted to do auditions. But we're not doing any auditions.

"It's too early to think about replacements, and we don't even know if we want that. We might work with session musicians for a while, because even if we are serene and happy, it's hard for us, because we lost two brothers, so we don't want anyone to come into the family just like that. It would be wise, I think, just to go on with us four and then move on with friends like Ryan, who is a great drummer and very easy to get along with. And that's an important factor, because if you're going to share a tour bus with people, you have to be able to get along with them!"

The Revolver-magazine-presented "The Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock Tour kicks off February 20 and features LACUNA COIL sharing a stage with SICK PUPPIES, Century Media Records labelmates EYES SET TO KILL and CILVER. The tour launches in Wilmington, North Carolina, and runs through March 20 in Anaheim, California. Visit www.hottestchickstour.com for additional details and VIP packages.

"Nothing Stands In Our Way" lyric video:

Canberra, Australia-based progressive metal outfit AEON OF HORUS will release their sophomore effort, Existence, on March 3rd.
The band has released the first track off Existence. ‘Release’ features guest vocals by Adam Agius - current frontman of THE LEVITATION HEX and well known for his role in Australian metal pioneers ALCHEMIST.

Existence features 50 minutes of progressive death metal and sees the band explore their vast array of influences in an epic sensory experience. The effort was recorded over the course of 2012/2013 and features engineering by Clayton Segelov of the Brain Studios in Sydney, Australia, mixing and mastering by Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES, THE RED SHORE) at Split Second Sound in Amsterdam, Netherlands and artwork by long-time collaborator Jon Hocking.
Existence tracklisting:

'Refraction'
'Radiate'
'Symbiosis'
'Exude'
'Release'
'Emanate/Parallax'
'Dissipate'
'Thesis'
'Antithesis'
'Resolve'

‘Release’:
Existence teaser:
For the past few years, Aeon Of Horus have been honing their sound relentlessly - the culmination of this process results in the bands second full length Existence. Not content to remain sonically stagnant; the sophomore release sees Aeon Of Horus push their own boundaries, exploring their vast array of influences including 70's progressive, electronic, ambient, and jazz against a backdrop of well-crafted death metal. Existence is a grand sensory experience – intense and technical; yet texturally rich, dynamic, focused and thought-provoking in ways sure to appeal to fans outside of the metal genre.

London metallers SAVAGE MESSIAH have released a brand new music video for the track "Hellblazer", featuring London contortionist Pixie Le Knot ("Game Of Thrones" season 3, "The Devil Inside"). Check it out below.

With eye-watering riffs, lung-busting vocals and fist-in-the-air fearsomeness, "Hellblazer" tells a tale of power, religion and corrupted innocence through an ancient Illuminati ritual. The music video was filmed with director Tom Walsh (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, PENDULUM) and features a mesmerizing performance from Le Knot.

"Hellblazer" is taken from SAVAGE MESSIAH's new album, "The Fateful Dark", which is due to be released on March 10 in Europe and March 18 in the USA. The album is available to pre-order now from the Earache webstore on CD with an exclusive bonus disc featuring three cover tracks, and is also available on limited edition coloured vinyl LP including a bonus 10-inch vinyl featuring four cover tracks.

"The Fateful Dark" is also available to pre-order now on iTunes, including three bonus cover tracks and three instant grat tracks.

SAVAGE MESSIAH frontman Dave Silver comments: "As we get ever closer to the release date for 'The Fateful Dark', we're very pleased to unveil our latest promo for the track 'Hellblazer'.

"Musically, this is a solid representation of the SAVAGE MESSIAH sound; melodic, heavy, catchy and with guitar solos galore! We tried to invoke that classic URIAH HEEP-esque groove with this track, so we hope you dig it!

"And talking of invoking, the video depicts us conducting a kind of exorcism ritual of sorts where we draw the evil pope from contortionist and 'Game Of Thrones' actress Pixie Le Knot!

"We want to extend our thanks to director Tom Walsh and all involved in creating this video!"

SEVENDUST didn't waste any time getting 2014 started the best way they know how: being holed up in the recording studio to create their long-awaited and highly-anticipated acoustic album. "Time Travelers & Bonfires" will be released on April 15 via 7Bros. Records, in conjunction with ADA Label Services. On April 1, they'll hit the road for their first U.S. headlining tour of the year, entitled "An Evening With Sevendust", which kicks off in Athens, Georgia at the Georgia Theatre. It's their first acoustic trek since 2004, when they were touring in support of their second album, "Seasons", and a format their fans have been anxiously awaiting for once again. The Atlanta band — Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Morgan Rose (drums/vocals), Clint Lowery (guitar/vocals), John Connolly (guitar/vocals) and Vince Hornsby (bass/vocals) — recently entered Architekt Studios in Butler, New Jersey (where they recorded their previous "Black Out The Sun" album) to record their highly anticipated and much-talked-about acoustic studio album. It will be a collection of brand new songs, along with re-recorded SEVENDUST classics. Newly re-recorded songs will include "Black", "Gone", "Denial", "Karma", "Trust" and "Crucified". Six brand new songs have also been written and recorded for the acoustic album. It's not the first time SEVENDUST has explored their acoustic side. Their critically acclaimed "Southside Double-Wide" live acoustic album was released in 2004. "Time Travelers & Bonfires" track listing: 01. Come Down02. Under It All03. The Wait04. Upbeat Sugar05. One Life06. Bonfire07. Gone08. Denial09. Trust10. Crucified11. Karma12. Black