London, UK-based metal band, KilliT, have unveiled their brand new single, “Take The Power”. Check it out below:

“Take The Power” is taken from the forthcoming album Shut It Down, which is set for a self-release on May 6th. The album was produced by Killit & Phil Kinman/MTR Studios, recorded at Resident Studios and mastered by Ade Emsley of Table Of Tone Mastering.

The band comments: “This album is the best thing each one of us has ever been a part of, we are incredibly proud of it and have all the confidence that it can go far and beyond and pave the for KilliT to get to the ears of each and everyone of the people out there that are looking for an authentic rock band.”

KilliT have also announced they will be supporting Black Orchid Empire at London’s Borderline on March 2nd. The show is free entry so please feel free to come down if you can make it and also spread the word about the show.

KilliT’s members have extensive experience of touring the live circuit and rocking hard, born from bands which featured current members of Judas Priest and We Are Harlot, the band have begun to prove their worth in the capital playing sold out shows at The Monarch, 12 Bar and Cargo.

Originally hailing from Hungary, Israel, Argentina and Britain, KilliT was founded at the beginning of this year and they quickly released their first video for single and album title track “Shut It Down”, which has to date racked up close to 100K views.



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Toronto, ON-based hard rock band, Last Bullet, have released a music video for their new single, "Sin".

Envisioned, edited and co-directed by frontman Bryan Fontez, "Sin" was filmed in the 24th floor attic of Toronto's historical landmark the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (the 1929 built setting for Saw 5). The celebrity destination hotel, where Jim Morrison scratched his name in the same attic wall where the video was filmed, required the band carry all of their equipment up 700+ flights of stairs.

Check out the video and a behind-the-scenes/making of video below:

“In many ways the world has become a dark, cold and detached place to live. Prejudice, ignorance, materialism and a lack of empathy are beginning to divide us and cast a dark cloud over everything. “Sin” was written from a cynical but very realistic point of view, about all that is wrong with modern society. The metaphor and lyrical imagery depict not only a set of misguided values and priorities, but a life that is being manipulated by corporations, products, content and more.” - Bryan Fontez



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The third album, Roots And Roads, that is due to be released at the end of May, will be the first release under the Yossi Sassi Band moniker. Former Orphaned Land co-founder Yossi Sassi and the band are actively working on the music and soon will be entering the studio for the recording process.

This release reflects an evolution of Yossi’s compositions, merging east and west, somewhere between his work with Orphaned Land and his previous solo albums.

The band have opened a pre-order via their online shop to help finance the recording and mixing of the album while offering: digital version, digipak CD, digipak limited CD and T-shirts. More info here.

Yossi’s personal video message is offering some insights on what to expect from the new album:



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Progressive death metal outfit, Rivers Of Nihil, performed “Monarchy”, the title track of their latest album, at The Complex in Glendale, CA on November 14th, 2015. Video footage of the performance can now be seen below:

Earlier this year, Rivers Of Nihil announced that they have amicably parted ways with drummer Alan Balamut.

Regarding the split, Alan comments: "Hey everyone. I'm sure many of you already know and some may not but I have decided to part ways with Rivers Of Nihil a few months ago in good terms. The reason is simply that I need to financially situate myself (NYC isn't easy) and my urge to finish school in Music Production. I found Dylan Potts just before my departure and I believe he fits in and performs with the band in phenomenal ways. The whole ride was an amazing and unforgettable experience and I have nothing but respect for each member, former member, our manager, all the people I've met and Metal Blade Records. In the meantime I'll be doing session work and other music productions, and I'll be more open for touring after I finish school in 2016 - and if Rivers ever need any assistance, I'll be right there for them. I wish the band all the success for next year and beyond!"

With Alan's departure, Rivers Of Nihil welcome Dylan Potts to join their ranks. To showcase his talent behind the kit, the band has filmed a new drum play-through for the track "Perpetual Growth Machine", taken from their new album, Monarchy. Watch the video below:

Rivers of Nihil are set for their headlining US tour this month with Black Fast and Dark Sermon.

Tour dates:

February
17 - Buffalo, NY - Broadway Joe's
18 - Somerville, MA - Once Ballroom
19 - New York, NY - Saint Vitus
20 - Long Branch, NJ - The Brighton Bar
21 - Frederick, MD - Club 611
22 - Fayetteville, NC - The DHP
23 - Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
24 - Orlando, FL - The Haven
25 - Ybor City, FL - Crowbar
26 - Pensacola, FL - The Handlebar
27 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
28 - Nashville, TN - The End *

March
1 - Indianapolis, IN - The Hoosier Dome *
2 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's *
3 - Dayton, OH - Rockstar Pro Arena *
4 - Lakewood, OH - The Foundry *
5 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Smiling Moose *
6 - Washington D.C. - The Pinch *

* - Rivers of Nihil, Dark Sermon only

(Photo - Simon Girard)

 



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Seven years have passed since the birth of Vredehammer, and this is celebrated by the release of their second full-length album, Violator, definitely their heaviest and most powerful release yet. The album’s lead track, ”Light The Fucking Sky”, is streaming below.

With their debut album Vinteroffer, Vredehammer instantly made themselves known as a force to be reckoned with in the Norwegian metal scene. One album in and the band was already nominated for “Metal Album Of The Year” through the Norwegian Grammys. They also toured Europe as direct support for the mighty Satyricon, as well as together with Keep Of Kalessin and Vreid.

The references may not be obvious in Vredehammer’s latest release but there is certainly an underlying vibe.

Per Valla specifies: ”With Violator I wanted to take a step back and focus on the feeling I used to get from listening to bands like Metallica, Pantera and Megadeth. This resulted in an album that isn't really focused on speed and aggression, but rather groove and power. It will be interesting to see how such an album will be received these days, when a lot of the focus seems to be on speed for many of the extreme metal bands out there today.”

Tracklisting:

“Light The Fucking Sky”
“Spawn Tyrant”
“Violator”
“Deadfall”
“Ursus”
“Cyclone”
“Blodhevn”

“Light The Fucking Sky”:

“Cyclone”:

 
”Vinteroffer was a good release, but our new album Violator takes our music to a whole new level when it comes to writing really powerful and well-composed songs. I feel confident that this album will be one to remember.” - Per Valla



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Belgium-based brutal death metallers, Fractured Insanity, have finished the recording process for their third album, Man Made Hell, and have just unveiled its cover artwork, tracklisting and and advanced track.

Mixed and mastered af famous polish Hertz Studios, Man Made Hell is an intense yet technical slab of brutal death metal that follows the same line of label mates like Kronos and Hour Of Penance and will for sure please every fan of Nile, Immolation, Severe Torture and early Decapitated.

Man Made Hell tracklisting:

“Habitual Killer”
“The Blame Of Humanity”
“Forced To Rome”
“Inferno Of A Narcissist”
“Man Made Hell”
“One Shot Salvation”
“A Blasted Life”
“Suicidal Holiness”

“A Blasted Life”:

Man Made Hell will be released on April 15th via Xtreem Music.

 



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Hungary-based power metal heroes, Wisdom, have released a video trailer for their upcoming album, Rise Of The Wise, which will be released on February 26th via NoiseArt Records.

Wisdom recently released the title track from Rise Of The Wise. The song, featuring Joakim Brodén from Sabaton, is streaming below.

The band states: "Now it's a tradition in Wisdom to invite our idols to do guest vocals in the title tracks of our albums. We proudly announce that Joakim Brodén from Sabaton accepted our request and did a great job on “Rise Of The Wise”! It was amazing to do the recordings together in the studio, something what we will never forget!"

Joakim Brodén adds: "On our first tour together in 2012 these guys impressed me so much  with their professionalism and great songs that I still to this day find  myself singing along to their song ”Live Forevermore”. A bunch of amazing guys making amazing music, so when they asked me to  sing on a track on their new album it was an obvious choice!"

The artwork was created by Gyula Havancsak (Hjules) who designed all of earlier Wisdom covers.

Rise Of The Wise tracklisting:

“Over The Wall”
“Ravens‘ Night”
“My Heart Is Alive”
“Hunting The Night”
“Hero”
“Through The Fire”
“Nightmare Of The Seas”
“Believe In Me”
“Secret Life”
“Welcome To My Story”
“Rise Of The Wise”

Aptly entitled Rise Of The Wise, the quintet‘s fourth studio album fully lives up to its name in each and every one of the eleven brand new songs: Thematically growing around various topics such as the multifarious facets of human existence as well as around the band mascot “Wiseman“ in a couple of songs, Wisdom rise to new heights of enthralling catchiness in the course of swift, solo-laden, double bass driven high speed gems, stomping mid-tempo majesty and magical folky ballads, all bursting with grandeur and bombastic melodies.

Guitar player Gabor Kovács himself took over production and mastering matters at Blacksmith Studios, Budapest, and SuperSize Recording StudiosTörökbálint.

 



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Earlier this evening (February 15th), Machine Head took the stage at Coop de Mai in Clermont Ferrand, France. After making his way through five songs, frontman Robb Flynn was forced to halt the concert. The band has since posted the following message online:

"Clermont Ferrand, as you know, the chest flu and hacking cough that Robb had, stopped any sound from coming out of his throat 5 songs into our set. We are very sorry that we were unable to finish tonight’s performance.

The doctor that visited Robb after the show instructed him not to sing for 4 days or his voice would not return for the tour. Unfortunately, what that means is Wednesday's show in Luxembourg is on a 'wait and see' basis. We will keep you posted as soon as we know more information."

Flynn has personally addressed the situation by saying, "Our friends in Clermont Ferrand, I have been battling a chest infection, or a chest flu, for a few days now. I can't stop coughing and I have basically blown my voice out on stage. It started happening yesterday, but it really... there's nothing coming out of my throat right now. I am so, so, so sorry that we had to stop, but I hope you understand."

Remaining Machine Head tour dates are as listed:

February
17 - Den Atelier - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - SOLD OUT 
19 - Cartonnerie - Reims, France - SOLD OUT  
20 - Aeronef - Lille, France 
21 - FZW - Dortmund, Germany - SOLD OUT 
22 - Longhorn LKA - Stuttgart, Germany - SOLD OUT   
24 - Batschkapp - Frankfurt, Germany - SOLD OUT   
25 - Alter Schlachthof - Dresden, Germany   
26 - Capitol - Hannover, Germany - SOLD OUT 
27 - Huxleys Neue Welt - Berlin, Germany  
29 - 013 - Tilburg, Netherlands - SOLD OUT 

March
2 - Open - Norwich, United Kingdom  
3 - Rock City - Nottingham, United Kingdom - SOLD OUT 
5 - Limelight - Belfast, United Kingdom - SOLD OUT
6 - Olympia - Dublin, Ireland  
8 - Academy - Manchester, United Kingdom  
10 - Great Hall - Cardiff, United Kingdom  
11 - Eventim Apollo - London, United Kingdom 
12 - 02 Academy - Glasgow, United Kingdom 

 



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Dreamtide Music announce that Author are the latest addition to their management and booking roster. Hailing from Pori, Finland, the one-man band delivers cold and raw black metal in the classic Scandinavian late 90s style.

No bullshit, no emotional parts and no funny mosh passages, just harsh and grim straight forward black metal terror backed up with Finnish lyrics praising darkness and evil. Author’s debut album, Lopun Alku, will be released in mid-2016 through German based label, Naturmacht Productions.
 
Check out a pre/demo version of the title track below:

 
Author is confirmed as the support act on the European Death Doom Darkness tour featuring Swedish co-headliners October Tide and Demonical. Dates to be announced soon.

Upcoming dates in Finland:
 
February
26 - Kouvola, Finland - Bar Downtown
27 - Pori, Finland - Rock Bar Monttu

March
18 - Lahti, Finland - Torvi

June
3 - Oulu, Finland - Hevimesta
4 - Pori, Finland - Annis Metal Attack



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"Arktis", the sixth solo album from EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan), has had its release date pushed back to April 8 from the previously announced March 4. The album will be available in standard CD, deluxe CD (featuring additional exclusive content), and vinyl formats via Candlelight Records. The album's first single, "Mass Darkness", is available via iTunes and Amazon. It is available for streaming now via Spotify. The Michael Dickinson-created (ORANGE GOBLIN, GALLOWS) lyric video for the song available can be seen below. "Arktis" was recorded at Ihsahn's studio in Notodden, Norway and was mixed in Sweden by Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA). The album features ten songs and is the longest and most spirited of Ihsahn's solo recordings. It features guest appearances from Einar Solberg (LEPROUS), Matt Heafy (TRIVIUM), Jorgen Munkeby (SHINING), Tobias Ornes Andersen (SHINING, ex-LEPROUS), and renowned Norwegian author Hans Herbjornsrud. Graphic elements for "Arktis" once again have been provided by award-winning Spanish designer Ritxi Ostariz. Few artists in modern heavy music have created such an extraordinary and unique body of work as Ihsahn. Having refined and redefined black metal with the now-legendary EMPEROR, Ihsahn is Norway's foremost musical extremist. He has spent the last decade establishing himself as a fearless and wildly idiosyncratic solo artist and even by his own remarkable standards, "Arktis" is a bold and mind-blowing step into the unknown. Ihsahn comments, "My focus for this album was to write within more traditional song structures and still give each song a strong individual identity, be that through a re-occurring melody, a chorus, sound design or the good, old guitar riff. I also wanted to explore this on the production side, blending organic rock sounds with more modern expressions." The stark visuals utilized in the video for "Mass Darkness" are inspired by late 1800s Norwegian explorer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. It depicts his famed three-year expedition to the North Pole first by ship and then by foot over land. Ihsahn notes: "The whole atmosphere of facing the cold, immense unknown fits rather good with the general lyrical concept of the entire album. It paints a sense of doubt, hopelessness and frustration yet celebrates curiosity, free will and the choice to avoid conformity. It is, at best, an observance of one's insignificance in relation to time, nature and space yet each individual's ability to make things matter even if only to themselves." For the 40-year old musician, the global accolades have yet to impact his creativity with each and every album pushing boundaries and preconceived sounds typically assigned to heavy music. With "Arktis", he continues his blending of extreme metal and progressive rock that will easily sustain his already massive fanbase while opening even more doors for the humble multi-instrumentalist. Ihsahn says: "With the contributions from several of my talented friends and the incredible mixing skills of Jens Bogren, I feel the end result is just as varied yet cohesive as I hoped for. Actually, I can't recall having had such a great time making an album before and hopefully that comes across too." "Arktis" track listing:

01. Disassembled02. Mass Darkness03. My Heart Is Of The North04. South Winds05. In The Vaul06. Until I Too Dissolve07. Pressure08. Frail09. Crooked Red Line10. Celestial Violence

Fan-filmed video footage of DEAD CROSS performing aboard the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which set sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on February 4 and returned on Monday, February 8, can be seen below.

DEAD CROSS is the new "punk" outfit featuring former SLAYER and PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo alongside members of THE LOCUST and RETOX.

DEAD CROSS recently spent time in the studio recording its debut album, due later in the year. The sessions were helmed by producer Ross Robinson, who has previously worked with KORN, DEFTONES, SEPULTURA and LIMP BIZKIT, among others.

DEAD CROSS's lineup is as follows:

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

Lombardo described DEAD CROSS's sound to Noisey: "It's just straightforward brutal punk— metal-esque, but it's definitely not metal. I think it definitely leans more towards the punk style, because I feel that the way things are in the world, a punk attitude is definitely necessary to help you along with the shit that's going on. There's no time to sing 'We Are the World' or all this bullshit, we're all pissed right now, and there's no better way to release anger than to be in a punk band and write punk music."

Regarding DEAD CROSS's recording plans, Lombardo told Noisey: "The level of musicianship we have is very high, so I don't think it'll be too much of a problem to create music and put something out. These guys are driven like I am. I've learned a lot from being in this industry, and sometimes it's a lot better when you grab the bull by the horns yourself and don't wait around for other people."

Years before Beavis and Butt-head headbanged "Thunder Kiss '65" and "More Human than Human" into the eternal rock video canon, there was primordial WHITE ZOMBIE — a quintessential, diabolically loud by-product of Manhattan's underground rock scene, born of art-school rendezvous and squalid apartment circumstance. On June 3, 2016, Numero resurrects WHITE ZOMBIE's eternally out-of-print early EPs and LPs as "It Came From N.Y.C." This set is the most exhaustive attempt so far to document the band's wondrously ugly birth. Get reintroduced to WHITE ZOMBIE as New York noise-rock, a grotesque creation that clawed and threatened its way to crossover metal glory. Spread across five LPs or three compact discs, all 39 tracks have been remastered by WHITE ZOMBIE guitarist J. Yuenger and packaged alongside the original lurid artwork. The accompanying 108-page book painstakingly documents WHITE ZOMBIE's punishing progression through scores of unpublished photos, period discography, a T-shirtography, and tales from the terrifying early years that stitch together the sordid story of a band whose true power eclipsed its mainstream heyday. "It Came From N.Y.C." package details:

* 5LPs or 3 CDs* 108-page hardcover book* 20,000 word essay by Grayson Currin* Flyer gallery* Complete shirtography, 1985-1990* 50 previously unpublished photographs* Available on black, white*, and Toxic Waste Green* vinyl

*only available via Numero Group website "It Came From N.Y.C." track listing: "God's On Voodoo Moon" 7" - 1985 01. Gentleman Junkie02. King Of Souls 03. Tales From The Scare Crow Man04. Cat's Eye Resurrection 05. Black Friday* 06. Dead or Alive* "Pig Heaven" 7" - 1986 01. Pig Heaven 02. Slaughter The Grey 03. Scarecrow #2*04. Red River Flow* 05. Rain Insane*06. Paradise Fireball* "Psycho-Head Blowout" 12" EP - 1987 01. Eighty-Eight 02. Fast Jungle 03. Gun Crazy 04. Kick 05. Memphis 06. Magdalene 07. True Crime "Soul-Crusher" 12" LP - 1987 01. Ratmouth 02. Shack Of Hate 03. Drowning The Colossus 04. Crow III 05. Die Zombie Die 06. Skin 07. Truck On Fire 08. Future Shock09. Scum Kill 10. Diamond Ass "Make Them Die Slowly" 12" LP - 1989 01. Demonspeed 02. Disaster Blaster 03. Murderworld 04. Revenge 05. Acid Flesh 06. Power Hungry 07. Godslayer "God Of Thunder" 12" EP - 1989 01. God Of Thunder 02. Love Razor 03. Disaster Blaster-2 *Previously unissued

Pre-order here via Numero Group.

Rob Zombie told England's RockAAA in a 2011 interview that WHITE ZOMBIE will never reunite. Zombie explained, "I don't see the point. I think as with most things people have a memory of something like, 'I saw them when I was 14 years old and it was the greatest thing ever,' but if they saw us now they'd probably go, 'I wish I hadn't seen that reunion, it was awful.' The singer added, "It is better to leave it alone and I haven't talked to anyone from the band except [drummer] John Tempesta in about 15 years."

WHITE ZOMBIE broke up in 1997 and Rob Zombie went on to launch a successful solo career in 1998. He told The Pulse Of Radio that nowadays a lot of his audience isn't even familiar with the old WHITE ZOMBIE songs. "The crowds are really, really young and I've been noticing that with the set list too, because, you know, as the time has gone on, we've really worked the WHITE ZOMBIE material more out of the set, because we've been finding that it's not working like it used to," he said. "It seems like that those songs just seem now old to people and it's very strange."

The history of WHITE ZOMBIE came up when Rob Zombie was asked to comment on the publication of "I'm In The Band", a memoir from former WHITE ZOMBIE bassist Sean Yseult, who is also Rob's former girlfriend.

In the book, Yseult claimed that the departure of drummer Ivan DePrume led to the eventual disintegration of the group.

Zombie said, "I have not seen it [the book] so I can't comment. I can barely remember those days, so I'm glad somebody can."

He added, "Everybody likes to make up stories which aren't true. I don't think that's fair. Ivan left the band, John Tempesta came in and the band sounded better than ever, we kept playing and made bigger records and did more tours so I don't see how that had anything to do with it."

In a 2015 Artisan News interview, Sean confirmed that Rob "hasn't spoken to any of [the other former members of WHITE ZOMBIE] since the band broke up."

Yuenger admitted to Crawdaddy! back in 2010 that he still harbored some resentment over WHITE ZOMBIE's demise. He said: "I would have liked to make another record, but it wasn't in the cards. On Rob's solo albums, you can see what he wanted to do, where he wanted to go. I always wanted to be in a rock 'n' roll band, where the primary instruments are guitar, bass, and drums, you know? We were living in New York City for all those years, hearing all the rap and techno coming out — my favorite bands back then were SLAYER and PUBLIC ENEMY. I was really all about sampling, and we put out 'La Sexorcisto' with all those samples, and it blew people away. We were like, the first rock band to do that. And it was great, I loved it. But as time went on, the sampling and techno stuff started to dominate everything, and I really hated it. Now you can hear how little humanity is in Rob's stuff."

WHITE ZOMBIE's 4-CD/1-DVD box set "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" was released in November 2008 via Geffen/UMe. The CDs brought together for the first time all 64 original studio recordings released by the band led by Rob Zombie during its 1985-1996 career. The DVD offered nine music videos, 10 live performances, and some hidden gems.

Yuenger told Crawdaddy! about "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie": "They sent me and Sean mockups, like, two days before the release date. There was such little thought put into it. None of the photos were credited. There were no liner notes, which are essential for something like that. I mean, the band had such an interesting story, how could you not have liner notes? I hear about it all the time from fans. They're happy that the super rare early records are on there, that's cool for them to hear, but the packaging sucks. Sean's got all kinds cool shit — photos and flyers and stuff that they could have put in there."

Pitcam.tv conducted an interview with bassist Sean Delander and drummer Lee Stanton of Australian death metallers THY ART IS MURDER on January 24 in Berlin Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if they were prepared for the departure of THY ART IS MURDER's longtime singer CJ McMahon prior to the start of the band's European tour with PARKWAY DRIVE and ARCHITECTS, Delander said: "Not really. It's a shame, 'cause it's a really big tour for us. But we've got Nick Arthur [from MOLOTOV SOLUTION] filling in. He's doing a great job. I mean, we weren't gonna not do the tour 'cause we didn't have CJ. It's definitely different, but we're just keeping on trucking."

Regarding THY ART IS MUDER's search for McMahon's replacement, Delander said: "We're just making a shortlist. We've got a couple of friends that we've approached, or they've approached us. So we're just sending out some instrumental tracks for them to record themselves on. We're gonna take it slow. I don't think there's any rush. It'd be nice to get someone permanent before the summertime and all that. But we don't really wanna rush into it."

THY ART IS MURDER's third album, "Holy War", entered the official Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) chart at position No. 7 — the highest-ever position for an Australian extreme metal act. The Sydney-based band has generated controversy for the strong anti-religious stance of the title track's video, as well as the album cover which features references to a suicide bomber.

"Holy War" was released in Australia via UNFD and in other parts of the world through Nuclear Blast. Produced and mixed by Will Putney (SUICIDE SILENCE, EXHUMED, THE ACACIA STRAIN), the CD was made available in various formats: digital; limited digipak + bonus track; assorted color vinyl; exclusive mail-order picture disc.

Prosthetic Records will release legendary progressive metallers WATCHTOWER's recent digital-only tracks on LP and CD. The four tracks will be combined with one brand new song, creating the EP "Concepts of Math: Book One" and will be released on limited edition vinyl and digipack CD later this year. Comments WATCHTOWER vocalist Alan Tecchio: "I am so stoked to be a part of this legendary jazz-metal-prog group once again! Right now we are close to finishing the tracking for the additional ten-minute song that we are adding to the other four tunes. This will complete the EP that Prosthetic plans to release later this year. I can tell you that the new song is especially super cool and has that classic WATCHTOWER sound. I think the fans, both new and old, will have a deep appreciation for what is going to be available from us later this year." WATCHTOWER guitarist Ron Jarzombek remarked on the partnership: "I'm psyched to be on the same label as my old friend Marty Friedman! Prosthetic has also been home to great bands like GOJIRA, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, ALL THAT REMAINS, as well as my fellow Texans SCALE THE SUMMIT. It's nice to know we are in good company on this label. The music we'll release later this year picks up right where we left off with 'Control And Resistance'." WATCHTOWER was formed in 1982 in Austin, Texas and has been hailed as the first jazz inspired progressive metal band. They have released two full length albums to date: "Energetic Disassembly" in 1985 and 1989's "Control and Resistance", which is often hailed as the benchmark for progressive metal and has influenced a countless number of heavy, technical bands. "Control and Resistance" was inducted into Decibel magazine's Hall Of Fame in 2010.

Over the years the group has gone through lineup changes, break-ups and hiatuses, though the individual members have always kept themselves in the public eye. Jarzombek, through his SPASTIC INK and BLOTTED SCIENCE projects, has established himself as one of the most respected guitar players in the scene. Tecchio has fronted HADES and NON-FICTION, and sang for SEVEN WITCHES throughout the years. His vocal range and style is unrivaled. Drummer Rick Colaluca has been name checked consistently by the likes of Gene Hoglan and Mike Portnoy, among many other drummers. Bass player Doug Keyser has an impressive list of bands who've asked him to audition for them (METALLICA, being one) while still being cited as a major influence from a younger generation of four-string players. "Concepts of Math: Book One" features 2010's digital single, "The Size of Matter", along with three additional tracks the band surprised fans by releasing across digital platforms late last year. An epic new track, "Mathematica Calculis", rounds out the EP. "Concepts of Math: Book One" track listing:

01. M-Theory Overture02. Arguments Against Design03. Technology Inaction04. The Size Of Matter05. Mathematica Calculis

California-based metal outfit CARNIFEX will enter Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida to begin recording its new album for a summer release via Nuclear Blast. The as-yet-untitled CD will be produced by CARNIFEX and Mick Kenney, co-produced by Jason Suecof and mixed by Mark Lewis.

"Album number six, over 10 years as a band and we have more fire and passion than ever," comments CARNIFEX vocalist Scott Ian Lewis. "This album will reshape our genre and be looked back on as an album that started a new movement for aggressive, dark metal. We're going to show those who love us and those who hate us just how far reaching our ambition is."

CARNIFEX's latest album, "Die Without Hope", debuted at No. 98 on The Billboard 200 chart upon its release in March 2014 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded at Audiohammer with producer Mark Lewis. Cover art for the effort was created by renowned artist and longtime collaborator Godmachine. The recording marke the introduction of CARNIFEX's new lead guitarist Jordan Lockrey.

CARNIFEX is:

Scott Lewis - VocalsShawn Cameron - DrumsJordan Lockrey - GuitarCory Arford - GuitarFred Calderon - Bass

Ready to kick off their USA headlining tour this April, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER is now launching a new video for the track "Threat Level No. 3", taken from the band's recently released album "Abysmal". Written, directed, and animated by Adam Avilla, the clip can be viewed below.

Avilla comments: "It isn't often that a band that you have listened to for fifteen years approaches you and wants you to draw four minutes of sheer madness for their new record. It's insane. Such a great honor. And the song rips!"

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's Trevor Strnad (vocals) comments: "Adam has done an amazing job of bringing the fiendish character behind 'Threat Level No. 3' to life in all his despicable glory. This is by far the best video we've ever brought forth and the best part of all...You don't have to look at our ugly faces once!"

This spring, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will tour the USA in support of "Abysmal", which was released on September 18 via Metal Blade. As an added treat, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will play its first full-length album, "Unhallowed" (2003), in its entirety during the trek, and perform at intimate venues across the country that haven't seen the band since their debut was released.

Regarding "Abysmal", Strnad previously stated: "The new album, 'Abysmal', is true to THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER formula, but further down the evolutionary path we began with our 'Ritual' release. It has bigger, more dynamic and developed songs. It sees the band in a darker, faster and more melancholic place than anything we've done to date. It is an album wrought emotion on a scale that we haven't reached with our previous attempts. It's dripping with urgency, and an undeniable sincere life and death purpose. It has moments of triumph and moments of utter abandon and defeat. It runs the gamut.

"If you can't sense the message of despair in a song like 'Receipt' or the title track, 'Abysmal', then you are an unfeeling statue of a person. You speed freaks can also thank the ungodly contribution of our young skinsman Alan Cassidy, as the new album sees us approaching maniacal speeds unseen before in the TBDM catalog."

He continued: "I get a lot of inspiration from our continuing success as a band. There is a tremendous pressure to deliver for our fans. I want to wow them every time we come back and for our new material to keep them excited about us.

"I have had a long, intimate love affair with death metal and I enjoy sharing my continued excitement for it through this outlet. I am still obsessed with the macabre and the darker side of life, and I revel in creating dark lyrical content that makes the listener react in some way. I enjoy straddling the line between fantastic elements and real life horror, as there is constant atrocity all around us in the human experience. You don't have to look far to find something that is happening in the modern world that can fill ones sails with disgust."

Paul Inder, the son of iconic MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, fielded questions in the press room at last night's Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. You can watch video footage of his appearance below (courtesy of Artisan News).

The Grammy Awards included a tribute to Lemmy by HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, the supergroup featuring international film star and musician Johnny Depp alongside Alice Cooper and AEROSMITH's Joe Perry.

Of the tribute, Inder stated: "I thought it was great. I thought it was very moving to respect my father in that way and pay homage to him, you know, at the Grammys too. So he would have been proud. So that was very, very touching for me."

Speaking about Lemmy's final months on the road, Inder said: "He had his up days and he had his down days. He would battle to go on stage sometimes, but he would always get it together — even if he was laid out on his back. Like, one show, I heard from Steve Luna, his assistant, that he was actually laid out on his back backstage. Then he heard the crowd chanting, 'Lemmy, Lemmy,' and he got up and he went out and he did it. So he was determined all the way to the end. That's all he lived for. He said, Well, there's nothing else I can do. I'm not gonna retire.' 'Retire' didn't exist in his vocabulary. So, I think he was… For him, it was all the way to the end, and he wanted to go with his boots on, and he kind of did."

Inder added: "He set a great example for hard-working musicians. For anyone who gains respect from just sheer hard work and never stopping and never giving up and never giving in, I think he represented that."

Lemmy, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Christmas Eve (December 24), learned two days later that he was afflicted with an aggressive form of cancer. He died two days later, on December 28, at his home in Los Angeles.

The MOTÖRHEAD frontman had dealt with several health issues over the past few years, including heart trouble, forcing him to cut back on his famous smoking and Jack Daniels habits.

The band was forced to cancel a number of shows last year, although they did manage to complete one final European tour on December 11.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, California rock band EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, who were playing at Paris's Bataclan when terrorist burst in and killed dozens of concert-goers in November will return to "finish" the gig Tuesday night. The show, which is sold out, will be attended by many survivors of the massacre.

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL frontman Jesse Hughes said he felt it was a "sacred duty" to return to Paris. "I feel we were chosen by circumstances for better or for worse," he said. "I take it as a responsibility I'm charged by God to fulfill." Austrian band WHITE MILES, who opened for the band in November, is also returning.

Like the rest of the world, the rock community was stunned by the horrifying events that took place in Paris, France on November 13, 2015, when at least six coordinated terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 129 people, including 89 concertgoers attending a show by EAGLES OF DEATH METAL at the Bataclan. About 350 more at the show were injured.

In the wake of the attacks, FOO FIGHTERS and DEFTONES canceled the rest of their European tours, while U2 postponed a special broadcast from Paris and COLDPLAY postponed a live streamed concert in Los Angeles. Other bands like FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH carried on with their tours, although a rumored threat against a show by the latter band in Milan, Italy, forced them to cancel that and several other gigs.

Although none of the musicians in EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were harmed, several tour personnel and record company staffers who worked with that band and many others did not survive the nightclub attack.

Perris Records has announced the signing of Captain Black Beard from Stockholm, Sweden. The CD release date worldwide is March 25th.

The band had this to say: "We are very proud to sign with Perris Records! The label is already the home of many great acts such as Helix and Laney's Legion. Perris knows our genre well so we will be a perfect match. The new album, It's A Mouthful, is a step forward in every way. From Chips Kiesbye producing to the songwriting reaching a higher level. We think we've made a great album and can't wait for people to enjoy it.

We hope that everyone watches the video to 'Divided Feelings'. Once again we worked with 11 Frames and made a tribute to the '80s slasher flix and the zombie genre in general. It was a lot of fun to make and even more fun to watch." The video will be released soon...

(band photo by David Hedman)

 



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Dani Nolden, vocalist for Brazilian bashers Shadowside, has checked in with the following update on the band's forthcoming album, due out later this year. The album will be produced by Fredrik Nordström.

"I finally can announce it and I'm honored beyond words! I can't wait to start recording this album! Shadowside is going to have songs from Magnus Rosén (ex-HammerFall) with Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) on the new album!"

Rosén, who is Shadowside's new bassist, revealed in a 2015 interview with Slovakia's Hellmagazine that he was writing with La Rocque, possibly for the new Shadowside record.

Magnus: "What I hope and believe so will our different backgrounds to give new color to the music. Then I never got the chance write music in Hammerfall, it gives me a great pleasure that the door is open to influence the music. I have written some music with the King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque, and maybe Shadowside will be inserting them and have influences for the upcoming album."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Nolden recently spoke exclusively with Bravewords scribe Carl Begai about the band's previous experience working with Nordström.

"One of the most interesting stories from the Inner Monster Out sessions is how Fredrik really wasn't enjoying one of the choruses," Dani reveals. "We were having a hard time writing a new one in the studio, so he asked us if we wanted him to call Niklas (Isfeldt / Dream Evil vocalist) to help out. So, Niklas came up during his lunch break, listened to the song, sang a few melodies, and we had a chorus. From there I had the challenge to write the lyrics overnight because it was a completely different melody and I had to make it work. It was a really cool collaboration between the Dream Evil guys and Shadowside on the song 'A Smile Upon Death', and when we asked Niklas what he wanted for it he told us he only wanted a credit. At that point we weren't even friends yet, so for Niklas to just do that for us for no specific reason was fantastic."

"We felt so comfortable working with Fredrik and everything went so well that we don't want to lose that," she adds. "He managed to extract everything we wanted to do on Inner Monster Out. He pushed us very hard, and he was the guy who wouldn't take no for an answer (laughs). I like the fact he's really honest. We didn't need a producer to pat us on the back and say 'Great job!', we wanted someone who would tell us when we were screwing up so we could fix things before it was too late."

Shadowside was formed by singer Dani Nolden, Raphael Mattos on guitars and Fabio Buitvidas on drums and now with Magnus Rosén (ex-HammerFall) on bass. Magnus was part of Hammerfall from 1997 to 2007, did several world tours and recorded several albums, being awarded golden records and a Grammy nomination with Hammerfall. He also recorded albums with Jorn Lande, Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath) and has just released his 10th solo album titled "The World Changes" with musicians who played with Hammerfall, Black Sabbath, ABBA, Yngwie Malmsteen and others.

Magnus Rosén sent a message to the fans: "I've been away from the metal stage for more than 8 years! Metal has a very nice energy that I miss and love, and I think Shadowside has just that kind of nice metal that fits my style! And at the same time I always liked Brazil/South America. After 9 times with mixed HammerFall tours and solo bass tours in this part of world, I know for sure of my feelings and I am looking forward to join the band Shadowside. So when I was asked to join and play with Shadowside, so was the desire great to once again set a high volume, smoke, light, and good metal music. The band have nice feelings in the metal music that I like. I got few new song ideas from the band and I think these songs and music are powerful and will be loved by the people out there. So I can't wait to get the wheels moving forward with the band."

Dani also commented on why they invited Magnus and what this means for the band: "Magnus is someone we admire greatly and it is an honor to work with him, not only because of his great skills as a bass player but also because he has an incredible experience with many different and special projects. We felt he would be a perfect match for us and we're thrilled that he accepted our invitation to join Shadowside. Now we can't wait to start the recordings and get this show on the road. It's going to be amazing!"

Rosén is already participating in the songwriting process of the new album with Shadowside, which is set to be recorded in the first half of 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden.



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Australia's Dragonsclaw have revealed a lyric video for the song "Cry Wolf" from their upcoming album Moving Targe'. The video, which can be seen below, was created by Dragonsclaw bassist Aaron Bryn Thomas.

Joining Dragonsclaw on their third release is drummer Mark Zonder (Graham Bonnet Band, ex-Fates Warning, Warlord). Zonder comments, "Giles Lavery and I developed a musical relationship after we toured together on the Warlord European Tour 2013 and that spilled into working together on the new Dragonsclaw album."

Vocalist Giles Lavery said, "This record finds us moving quite far away from the power metal sound of the first two releases. We wanted to make a record that was a 'traditional heavy metal' record in the style of mid '80s Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, with the raw production of something like early Twisted Sister... a focus on big memorable songs was the main priority... it has taken a long time to get this record to exactly where we want it, releasing 'just another metal record', or something that sounded like the first two Dragonsclaw records would be kinda pointless, this had to be something that took it to the next level in performance, songwriting and more... having Mark on drums was part of that plan.”

Watch the first video from Moving Target, for the track “Road Beneath Your Wheels”, below.

Tracklisting:

“Road Beneath Your Wheels”
“Survival”
“Cry Wolf”
“Don't Break The Silence”
“(Tell Me) All Your Lies”
“Ghost Soldiers”
“Shadowfire”
“Back On The Streets”
“Raise Your Fist”

 



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Italian thrashers, Braindamage, will release their new album, The Downfall, via My Kingdom Music on April 18th. Seven years after their last work, Braindamage return with their most futuristic, abrasive and visionary output of their 28-year career.

The Downfall is a concept album based on the novel Kahlenberg, The Queen In Red And Other Tales, written by Andrea, bass player, vocalist and leader of the band. The story deals about power agents who fight for the conquest of the world during one thousand years since 1066 in different places of the Earth. The last one of these agents permits to the mysterious Red Empress (or Queen in Red) to start the conquest of the planet, starting from Turin, through a thermonuclear war.

The cover artwork was created by Stefania Didonato.

Tracklisting:

“Substituting Forgiveness With Mass Destruction”
“God Granted Your Prayers Through Nuclear Warheads”
“She Can Smell The Blood Of A Surrendering Race”
“I Owe You A Billion Years Of Terror”
“Subhuman's Towns Merciless Obliteration”
“Queen Acadienne's Floating Mirrors And Tarots”
“Last Of The Kings, First Of The Slaves”
“The Shadow That I Cast Is Yours, Not Mine”
“You Nailed My Soul I Burned Your Flesh”
“The Downfall Is Here To Stay, I Shall Fight Until The End”



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American neo-classic riff masters, Black Fast, have release a new lyric video, for the track “The Fall” (see below), featured on the group’s new album Terms Of Surrender, out now via eOne Music.

Ripping pages from Death's technical death metal guidebook, the St. Louis foursome conjures the spirit of the late, great Chuck Schuldiner while channeling the viciousness of Megadeth's young-and-hungry Dave Mustaine and blistering aggression of Kreator’s Mille Petrozza. The band tapped veteran producer Erik Rutan for the effort on their debut LP for eOne Music. Known for his work with Hate Eternal, Six Feet Under, Goatwhore and Cannibal Corpse, Rutan was an easy choice.

Terms of Surrender is the band's follow-up to their self-released Starving Out The Light. Black Fast has a short but concentrated history. Started in 2010 by fellow music students Aaron Akin, Trevor Johanson, Ryan Thompson and Ross Burnett, the band has bulldozed on an upward trajectory ever since. Their soundtrack to society’s collapse is relentless. Possessed by unbridled energy and a palpable desperation, the band has a fierce vitality that will not go unnoticed.

Creating a modern twist on the energetic riffs of metal’s glory days, Black Fast harness the spirit of their metal forefathers, whether exploring hand-cramp-inducing riffs or blazing through straightforward thrash. Black Fast songs have a hungry ferocity reminiscent of the Bay Area thrash scene, the likes of which haven’t been this raw or hyper-charged in decades.

Tracklisting:

“The Keep”
“To Propagate The Void”
“The Coming Swarm”
“Tongues Of Silver”
“I Conspire”
“Haunted Vigil”
“The Fall”
“Vacuous Idol”
“Until Dust”

“The Fall” lyric video:

“The Coming Swarm” video:

“I Conspire” video:

Rivers Of Nihil are about to hit the road with Black Fast and Dark Sermon as support.

Tour dates:

February
17 - Buffalo, NY - Broadway Joe's
18 - Somerville, MA - Once Ballroom
19 - New York, NY - Saint Vitus
20 - Long Branch, NJ - The Brighton Bar
21 - Frederick, MD - Club 611
22 - Fayetteville, NC - The DHP
23 - Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
24 - Orlando, FL - The Haven
25 - Ybor City, FL - Crowbar
26 - Pensacola, FL - The Handlebar
27 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
28 - Nashville, TN - The End *

March
1 - Indianapolis, IN - The Hoosier Dome *
2 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's *
3 - Dayton, OH - Rockstar Pro Arena *
4 - Lakewood, OH - The Foundry *
5 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Smiling Moose *
6 - Washington D.C. - The Pinch *

* - Rivers of Nihil, Dark Sermon only



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JUDAS PRIEST's tour in support of their 17th studio album overall, "Redeemer Of Souls", was one of the most extensive of the group's entire career — consisting of 130 shows in 33 countries, and offering a setlist that touched upon selections from nearly all of their classic albums. And now, fans can relive the live PRIEST experience once more, with the release of the new CD/DVD/Blu-ray, "Battle Cry", on March 25 via Epic Records.

Recorded live on August 1st, 2015 at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in front of an audience of 85,000, "Battle Cry" 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.

What makes the show's track listing so appealing is it balances new classics ("Dragonaut", "Halls of Valhalla", "Redeemer Of Souls") along with headbanging classics ("Metal Gods", "Electric Eye", "You've Got Another Thing Coming"), as well as key album tracks from yesteryear ("Devil's Child", "Beyond The Realms Of Death", "Jawbreaker").

"Battle Cry" CD track listing:

01. (Intro) Battle Cry02. Dragonaut03. Metal Gods04. Devil's Child05. Victim Of Changes06. Halls Of Valhalla07. Redeemer Of Souls08. Beyond The Realms Of Death09. Jawbreaker10. Breaking The Law11. Hell Bent For Leather12. The Hellion13. Electric Eye14. You've Got Another Thing Coming15. Painkiller

"Battle Cry" DVD/Blu-ray track listing:

01. (Intro) Battle Cry02. Dragonaut03. Metal Gods04. Devil's Child05. Victim Of Changes06. Halls Of Valhalla07. Turbo Lover08. Redeemer Of Souls09. Beyond The Realms of Death10. Jawbreaker11. Breaking the Law12. Hell Bent For Leather13. The Hellion14. Electric Eye15. You've Got Another Thing Coming16. Painkiller17. Living After Midnight Recorded live on August 1, 2015 at Wacken Festival, Germany. Bonus tracks:

18. Screaming For Vengeance19. The Rage20. Desert Plains Recorded live on December 10, 2015 at The Ergo Arena, Gdansk, Poland.

Finland-based thrashers, Lost Society, released their third record, Braindead, on February 12th via Nuclear Blast. A new music video for the album track “Hangover Activator” can be seen below:

The Braindead artwork was created by Jan Meininghaus (Bolt Thrower, Sick Of It All, UDO, Holy Moses, Debauchery).

Tracklisting:

“I Am The Antidote”
“Riot”
“Mad Torture”
“Hollow Eyes”
“Rage Me Up”
“Hangover Activator”
“Only (My) Death Is Certain”
“P.S.T.88”

Bonus:
“Terror Hungry” (Californian Easy Listening Version)

“I Am The Antidote” video:

Track-by-track videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Lost Society have announced that they will be playing as main support alongside Exodus on their upcoming 2016 European tour.

Frontman Samy Elbanna on the announcement: "We can't even begin to tell you all how stoked we are to announce that we'll be hitting the road with the almighty Exodus at the end of February! We're so happy to finally return to Europe and hit our favourite countries and cities. We'll be playing some tracks off of Braindead for the first time ever, and of course songs off of the first two records. One thing is for sure, Exodus and Lost Society will tear down every single venue, and we expect you all to go crazy and scream your lungs out! Make sure you get your tickets right away, this is gonna be legendary! Europe BEWARE: Lost Society and Exodus comin' atcha!”

Tour dates are listed on the tour poster below:

 



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HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, the supergroup featuring international film star and musician Johnny Depp alongside Alice Cooper and AEROSMITH's Joe Perry, paid tribute to late MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister by performing the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades" earlier tonight (Monday, February 15) at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Dave Grohl introduced the VAMPIRES' appearance by saying: "Many of us play rock and roll, but very few of us are rock and roll. Lemmy Kilmister was rock and roll. He was a rebel and an outsider, one of a kind and a way of life. He was MOTÖRHEAD. He was a legend and I was proud to call him my friend. I have an 'Ace Of Spades' tattoo, but the truth is Lemmy and MOTÖRHEAD left their mark on me a long time ago, just as they did for everybody who's ever loved rock and roll. As Lemmy taught us in 'Ace Of Spades', the pleasure is to play. So tonight, I wanna thank Lemmy and the late Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor for their music and everything it meant."

Cooper, Perry and Depp, along with Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan then hit the stage, performing their own song, "As Bad As I Am", followed by "Ace Of Spades" in front of a bass rig featuring Lemmy's trademark high mic stand and cowboy hat and bass.

"We started this band as a means to toast our 'dead drunk friends' at the Rainbow, all the ghosts in the bar, and now I guess Lemmy is involved in that, too," Cooper told Rolling Stone.

"He was always funny," he continued. "I'm a 'healed' alcoholic and I haven't had anything to drink in 35 years. A lot of people that drink always feel a little bit like they owe an explanation to me. A couple weeks before his death, Lemmy came up to me and said, 'Alice, I've quit drinking.' And he's got a glass in his hand. And I go, 'Really?' And he says, 'Yeah, I don't drink whiskey anymore. I drink vodka.' And I went, 'Lemmy, do you think your liver has any idea what color the alcohol is?' He said, well it's a step down from whiskey.' And I went, 'Okay. Any step's a good step.'"

Swedish occult rockers GHOST were honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 58th annual Grammy Awards, which is being held tonight (Monday, February 15) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. GHOST was nominated for the song "Cirice", from its 2015 album "Meliora".

In his brief acceptance speech, GHOST frontman Papa Emeritus III said: "Hello. We are GHOST. Thank you so much for this. This is a big, big thing for us, obviously. And, you know, a nightmare has just turned into a dream. So… Thank you all for that. Thank you, everybody involved, and thank you for voting. Now go party."

The nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category were as follows:

Band: AUGUST BURNS REDSong: "Identity"Track from: "Found In Far Away Places"Label: Fearless Records

Band: GHOSTSong: "Cirice"Track from: "Meliora"Label: Loma Vista Recordings

Band: LAMB OF GODSong: "512"Track from: "VII: Sturm Und Drang"Label: Epic Records

Band: SEVENDUSTSong: "Thank You"Track from: "Kill The Flaw"Label: 7Bros Records

Band: SLIPKNOTSong: "Custer"Track from: ".5: The Gray Chapter"Label: Roadrunner Records

Speaking about the nomination, one of GHOST's nameless ghouls told Grammy.com: "Being nominated for a Grammy is obviously a big honor for any band or artist — obviously, ourselves included. Especially for us, as a Swedish band, it feels extra honoring, I guess. Especially us maneuvering in the rock genre, where traditionally it's usually British or American bands."

He added: "To my knowledge, we are the first Swedish rock band to ever be nominated for a Grammy, which is also the reason why when we got the news that we were nominated, I just got a text saying, 'You're nominated for a Grammy.' In Sweden, we have another prize called Grammis, which, internationally, is referred to as the Swedish Grammy. So when I got the text, I told my friend next to me that we were nominated for a Grammis. So it took like an hour later until I actually got it confirmed that they were actually talking about a Grammy, not a Grammis, which was a very mind-boggling experience. So winning or not winning, just being nominated is a big honor, and for us it's definitely a sign of recognition that we can suck on for the rest of our lives."

This year's Grammy Awards process registered more than 21,000 submissions over a twelve-month eligibility period (October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015).

As the only peer-based music award, the Grammy Awards are voted on by The Academy's membership body of creators across all disciplines of music, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. Final-round Grammy ballots were mailed December 16.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the Grammy Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.

Last year's Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category went to TENACIOUS D, who were nominated for their cover version of the DIO classic "The Last In Line", from the "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life" tribute album.

TENACIOUS D beat out several notable metal acts, including ANTHRAX, which was nominated for its own contribution to "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life", a cover of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Neon Knights".