Drummer Charlie Benante is sitting out ANTHRAX's current European tour dates with SLAYER. He is once again temporarily being replaced by Jon Dette, who has previously played with SLAYER, TESTAMENT and ICED EARTH.

ANTHRAX's tour with SLAYER kicked off this past Sunday, October 25 at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Benante previously missed the first few weeks of ANTHRAX's spring North American tour with VOLBEAT so that he could undergo physical therapy in his continuing battle with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dette originally filled in for Benante during ANTHRAX's appearance at the Soundwave festival in 2013 and at a number of European shows in 2014. Jon told "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" how he initially got the call to step in for Charlie: "Actually, Jason Bittner from SHADOWS FALL, who was filling in for Charlie on [the 2012] ANTHRAX run, couldn't do one of the tours that was coming up and called me and asked me if I would be available to do it. And I said, 'Of course. It would be great.' And the next day Charlie called me — which, Charlie is one my biggest influences ever, next to [Dave] Lombardo [of SLAYER], so it was kind of a surreal moment for me to get a call like that, saying, 'Hey, can you help me out?' Which, of course, I said, 'Absolutely.'"

Asked how it felt to be playing with ANTHRAX, Dette said: "It's amazing, man. The first day that I started playing drums — a lot of people may or may not know this — the first album I ever got from the day I got my drum set was 'Fistful Of Metal' [by ANTHRAX], and literally, the first song I ever tried playing on drums was 'Metal Thrashing Mad'. Actually, I [was] hanging out with Charlie and I told him that this morning, and he was, like, 'Really?' And I'm, like, 'Yeah, really.' [laughs] ANTHRAX, METALLICA and SLAYER, they were such a foundation of my style growing up, and I've been privileged now to actually play for two of those bands [ANTHRAX and SLAYER]. It's a very natural thing for me to play, but at the same time, seeing the back of their heads on stage, and Joey [Belladonna] is looking at me and he's singing, and I'm just, like, 'This is great.' I guess you can say that I play with a lot of passion when I'm with those bands, 'cause it's just absolutely passion and just an amazing experience."

Dee Snider, Geoff Tate, Bob Catley, Michael Kiske, Olli Hartmann, Ronnie Atkins and Jorn Lande… and I want to announce another guest for the new album. Please welcome - from Phoenix Arizona - former Lynch Mob singer and current vocalist of US platinum rockers Warrant: Mr. Robert Mason!
This man must have one of the bluesiest, raspiest and cutting voices I‘ve ever heard. I found it really exciting to approach Robert to sing on Avantasia, a bluesy voice doing some Classic European 'Wagnerian Rock' material. What I knew would be an explosive combination has turned out to be way more than I could have hoped for. He did a hell of a job, and I am sure you will love it. Great voice, Mr. Mason!
Here‘s a Lynch Mob video feat. Robert; from back in the day

Izzy of the 105.1 The Blaze radio station conducted an interview with DEFTONES drummer Abe Cunningham and turntablist/keyboardist Frank Delgado at this past weekend's Aftershock fetival in Sacramento, California. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On DEFTONES' upcoming follow-up to 2012's "Koi No Yokan" album:

Delgado: "It's being mixed now. It started being mixed a couple weeks back. They're actually going tomorrow to go down and listen to mixes and do things and… We're mixing and we still are in the process of [finalizing the] album title, artwork, songtitles. We haven't even got there yet. But the music's done."

On the writing and recording process for DEFTONES' new album:

Delgado: "You know what's cool? We had some [release] dates that were already kind of tentative. But we were [putting the finishing touches on the album] and the label actually came in. They were, like, 'Hey, guys, for the first time ever, you guys wanna just take your time, make it right, and then we'll release it in the first [quarter] of the year?' And we were, like, 'Wow! Yeah. That sounds great.' And that was actually how we wrote the record. We would go and we'd meet up in L.A. and we'd write for, like, two-three weeks, we'd go home for a week or two weeks, and we'd go back to L.A. and write for a month, then go home for three weeks. So it was very relaxed and very chill. Then we'd do a couple of shows in between all that, and then we were ableto jam our ideas on soundcheck. And we have never done it like that. Usually we'd be, like… They'd say, 'You need a record out at this time.' And then you're, like, 'Oh, shit! We've gotta go in the studio.' Now you've gotta be creative and turn it on within this short amount of time, and write and record. But this one's been hella cool, because it's been at our own pace, at our discretion, and it's been different and really good. And it works for us too, especially now at this time in particular for who we are as musicians and men. A lot of the guys got kids and families, so it worked out for that part of the thing really well."

Speaking about the new album's musical direction, DEFTONES singer Chino Moreno told a radio station this past summer: "Every time we make a record, our main focus, with anything, is to try different things, and try things maybe outside our comfort zone a little bit. But this time, this record, one thing that's really cool, sonically, is that our bass player [Sergio Vega] is really not so much playing… He does play bass on some of the record, but [on] a lot of the record he plays a Bass VI, which is a six-string bass, which is more like a baritone guitar, sort of. So the way his frequency works with my guitar frequency and Stephen's [Carpenter] guitar frequency, it kind of [gave] it a different sound."

Chino also talked about the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2012's "Koi No Yokan". He said: "It's never easy, I don't think. I think we found better ways to work nowadays. We used to have our own studio in Sacramento, and we didn't have set hours or anything like that. We would show up at the studio at eight o'clock at night, and we'd get there, and we'd have no focus. I mean, we'd sit there for two hours watching 'Lost'… Seriously, we would just waste a lot of time, and by the time we'd start playing our instruments, it was midnight or one o'clock in the morning. We were taking three years sometimes to make records. And I attribute that to a lot of different things, but that was one of the main things. A couple of records back, we adopted this [routine] of going in at this hour — we start at noon and we end at five. And the room that we actually write in is pretty small, so while we're in there, we wanna be actually doing something productive. We just need to create, create, so we can get out of here for the day, and then listen to whatever we did the next morning, come [back] in, and do it again. We did, like, ten days, two weeks of writing sessions — going in and spending six days a week just doing that. We all live apart now — a couple of guys live in Sacramento, I live in Oregon, one guy lives in New York, and one guy lives in L.A. So, yeah, we all kind of fly in to meet at a certain spot and just work. And we all kind of go back to our little hideouts and come back and meet again. So it's kind of cool."

According to Moreno, sixteen songs were written for DEFTONES' new CD, which was once again produced by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, MONSTER MAGNET, WINDS OF PLAGUE). The effort will feature a guest appearance by Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS).

After taking a four-year hiatus, Florida-based hard rock collective Soulidium are feeling re-charged and will release their sophomore album, the appropriately entitled Awaken, on October 30th via Soulidium Records. Check out the new lyric video for the track “Calling” below:

“Every song on Awaken represents a page that is ripped out from the pages of my life. The truth is that we all cry the same tears and rage against the same demons. All we can do is rage together,” Soulidium’s frontman and founder Michael McKnight said. “In a world that is perpetually offended at everything, I knew it was time to remind people that being an original is a privilege and not a sin. To hell with conformity or trying to change our sound to match trends. What's on this album represents the true contents of my heart.”

Soulidium has launched the pre-order for Awaken via iTunes.

Awaken, which serves as the follow-up to the band’s debut album, 2007’s Children Of Chaos, is a hard-hitting 12-track collection that is loaded with bangers such as “Fly 2 The Sun” featuring Sevendust’s Lajon Witherspoon, an intense cover of Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell”, and the politically-charged single “Betrayed”.

While much of Awaken is centred on universal topics, including perseverance and conquering demons, McKnight also shares his views on politics and the emerging PC Movement.

“I think that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are at the core of who we. The tattoos on my hands read 'Live Free' because I can't imagine life otherwise,” McKnight said. “With the rise of social media and global news, the powers that be know how to keep your mind distracted from what's really going on. Their propaganda feeds your brain conformity using fear as its power. It tells you how to think and what behavior is politically correct. It discourages free thinking, keeping your mind asleep. Then, hopefully, Awaken will help a sleeping world to wake up."

Additionally, Soulidium has debuted their brand new website, which contains music videos of their previous singles, new wallpapers and 90-second snippets of all the songs of the upcoming album.

Tracklisting:

“Betrayed”
“Calling”
“The Devil’s On His Way”
“The End”
“Fields Of Fire”
“Fly 2 The Sun” featuring Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust
“Reluctant Goodbye”
“Run Like Hell”
“Sacrificing You”
“Shattered Man”
“Son Of Anarchy”
“Taking Over”

Listen to audio samples at soulidium.com.

Trailer:

Finland’s Hooded Menace has returned with Darkness Drips Forth, their fourth full-length and most gruesome work to date. Recorded and mixed by Chris Fielding (Electric Wizard, Primordial) and the band´s usual sound engineer Mikko Saastamoinen, and graced by decrepit artwork from Justin Bartlett, the band employ a new approach on their latest effort, expanding their writing across four cataclysmically dense tracks, nearly all of which exceed ten minutes apiece. Cavernous vocals preside over mastermind Lasse Pyykko's rumbling riffs; while the rest of the band’s unshakable rhythmic core provides a grim backbone for the record. A full album stream can be found below.

A press release states: “The hint of melody Hooded Menace sought back in their earliest days has fully blossomed into an essential element of the band’s music; Darkness Drips Forth is as melodic as it is devastating and as emotionally disquieting as it is thematically stirring. Funereal, deliberate, and methodical, Darkness Drips Forth is sure to be an essential acquisition for fans of winter's crushing doom, the old-school death metal of Bolt Thrower and Asphyx, and the cruel, apocalyptic atmospheres of Dead Congregation and Coffins alike. Just in time for Halloween, Hooded Menace delivers a gruesome treat to chill your bones and crack open your coffin.”

The record is slated for an October 30th release via Relapse Records, and will be available on digital, CD, and vinyl formats. Pre-order the album on CD or special edition vinyl at Relapse Records.

Darkness Drips Forth tracklisting:

“The Burning Oath / Dungeons Of The Disembodied”
“Elysium Of Dripping Death”
“Ashen With Solemn Decay”
“Beyond Deserted Flesh”

Album stream:

Album trailer:

Edmonton, AB-based death metallers Tales Of The Tomb are releasing their debut EP, Volume One: Morpras, on Friday, November 27th.

"Out of the gates we have just under a year have played over a half dozen shows and recorded our debut 3-song EP entitled Morpras. The name is old English for "secret killing of a person, unlawful killing." The EP is a compilation of serial killer themed music not celebrating but elaborating on the heinous crimes committed by infamous murderers. It is old school death metal with its blending of melody and groove, gives Morpras its unique sound. The first track, “Snowtown”, will ease you into this murderous journey with a heavy groove and plenty of vocals. “Pig Farmer”, the second song on the EP is as fast and brutal as the slaying of Robert Pickton; the song is also accompanied with our lyrical video which will be available on YouTube. “Dr. Death” also makes an appearance as the final track, a chilling slower tempo song that depicts the heinous crimes of Harold Shipman." - John Thomson (Drums)

This concept album about murder was recorded by Greg Wright at Hillbilly Wizard Sound Studio, and mixed/mastered by Euro-death metal master Dan Swano (ex-Bloodbath, Unisound) and is just the first of many more sonic crimes to come from Tales Of The Tomb.

Every town has stories to caution or warn, every police officer has a seen a crime that keeps them awake at night, and every coroner has seen death in ways that the rest of us could never imagine. Murder, conspiracy, supernatural horror, and real-life terror are stains on the cutting room floor where Edmonton-based group Tales Of The Tomb paints their canvas.

Unified by the desire to have the grotesque power of 90's era death metal, Tales Of The Tomb started as a thought that grew into an insatiable need to make extreme music. Core Skerlak and Connor Adams divided duties to guitar and vocals respectively, Bryn Herbert was sewn on to cover bass, John Thomson is the machete-swinging drummer, and finally Tres Thomas to draw out the gruesome tone as the second guitarist. Much of their inspiration is drawn from the pulp-and-grim of throwback horror comics that glorified hideous crimes and creatures, and such was the inspiration for the name; Tales Of The Tomb.

Tracklisting:

“Snowtown”
“The Pig Farmer”
“Dr Death”

Digital pre-orders here, CD pre-orders here.

(Photo - Stephanie Bell at Slayer of Pixels)

 

Gothenburg, Sweden-based rockers, Spiders, will bring their high octane, MC5-inspired rock to the US this winter, touring alongside Graveyard.

"It's finally time for Spiders to tour the US," the band said. "And to have been invited by our fellow countrymen Graveyard as support just couldn't make us any happier. It's a very exciting tour ahead of us and we can't barely wait to get it rolling."

To further amp up excitement about Spiders coming stateside for a tour, check out their killer video for "Why Don't You”, streaming below.

Tour dates:

January
22 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East Downstairs
23 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
24 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
26 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theater
27 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
28 - Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew's Music Hall
29 - Louisville, KY@ Headliners Music Hall
30 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
31 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater

February
2 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
4 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre Saint Petersburg
5 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West At King Plow
6 - Chattanooga, TN - Revelry Room
9 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
10 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowel
11 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
12 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
13 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
 
Spiders dropped Why Don't You, a three-song EP, both digitally and as limited 10" vinyl this month.

Tracklisting:

"Why Don't You"
"Watch Out" (ABBA cover)
"In a Room"

“Why Don’t You” video:

 

American power metal band Reverence, featuring Todd Michael Hall (Riot, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr), Bryan Holland (Tokyo Blade, Arrest), Steve “Doc Killdrums” Wacholz (Savatage, Crimson Glory), Pete Rossi (Overland, Sanxtion), and Michael Massie (Overloaded, Inner Recipe), have released a video for “Until My Dying Breath”, a track from their new album, Gods Of War.

Gods Of War will be let loose to cause havoc on Asia/Japan on October 21st through Marquee/Avalon Records and will be unleashed to conquer the rest of the world through Razar Ice Records on November 4th.

Trackisting:

“Gods Of War”
“Heart Of Gold”
“Until My Dying Breath”
“Angel In Black”
“Tear Down The Mountain”
“Blood Of Heroes”
“Battle Cry”
“Choices Made”
“Splinter”
“Cleansed By Fire”
“Race To Obscene”

Trailer:

Reverence previously released a teaser clip for the song “Race To Obscene”. Reverence’s second album will follow their first release, When Darkness Calls, which was released through Razar Ice Records in 2012. The clip below allows fans to get a quick peak of the upcoming album.

Legendary Baltimore death netallers, Pessimist, have returned to slaughter the faithful in 2015 with a special October 31st reissue of this classic album from Obscure Musick.

Slaughtering The Faithful is Pessimist's fastest, most lethal and most blasphemous CD. Produced by Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) and digitally remastered by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (live sound for Nile, Morbid Angel), the album is a timeless classic. Featuring art by Jon Zig, the CD is filled with sadistic, blackened death metal, in the vein of Krisun, Hate Eternal and Immolation.

The CD reissue also includes bonus tracks "Summoned To Suffer" 2000 Demo and a live in-studio performance on WNYU's (89.1 FM) nationally renowned HellHole show. The digital-only release includes three additional bonus tracks and live rehearsal tapes from the "Slaughtering" demos, featuring recently-deceased drummer, John Grden (RIP).

Stream the album's original nine tracks, remastered for maximum audio terror, below.

Slaughtering The Faithful is the first of three Pessimist reissues coming your way from Obscure Musick. Reissues of 1997's Cult Of The Initiated  and 1999's Blood For The Gods are scheduled for 2016 in March and September, respectively.

Tracklisting:

“Requiem”
“Slaughtering The Faithful”
“Summoned To Suffer”
“Resurrected Torment”
“Infernal Abyss”
“Baptized In Blasphemy”
“Metempsychosis”
“Embodiment Of Impurity”
“Stripped Of Immortality”

Bonus tracks:

“Summoned To Suffer” (2000 Demo)
Live on-air 2002 at HellHole WNYU

Digital-only release:
Slaughtering Demos

Pre-order at this location.

Slaughtering The Faithful (Remastered) by Pessimist

Realms Of The Untold will be the title of the second full-length studio album by Italian Pagan death metal band, Vinterblot. Italian artist Marco Hasmann gave life to the cover artwork, joining forces with the project to perfectly portray the album concept.

Main production and recordings for Realms Of The Untold took place at Vinterblot’s personal studio. Vinterblot guitarist Vandrer has led the whole production process as engineer and producer while Angelo Emanuele Buccolieri took care of the drum recordings. Legendary Swedish artist and producer Dan Swanö (Opeth, Dissection) fully mixed and mastered the record.

The album will be released worldwide in early 2016 through Nemeton Records. Three exclusive shows will preview the album across Italy in late November.

Realms Of The Untold tracklisting:

Antimony Chapter
“Evoked By Light”
“Frostbitten”
“Unveiling The Night's Curtain”

Realgar Chapter
“The Summoning”
“Vagrant Spirits In A Misty Rainfall”
“…Of Woods And Omen”

Onyx Chapter
“Stone Carved Silence”
“Throne Of Snakes”
“Triumph Recalls My Name” (Bonus Track)

More updates to follow.

The release of the second chapter of Vanden Plas' rock opera, Chronicles Of The Immortals – Netherworld II, is scheduled for November 6th. The new song "Godmaker’s Temptation” can be heard below:

Approximately one year after the release of the first chapter, Vanden Plas return with their elaborate arrangements, superb piano melodies, and epic instrumental passages, paired with the signature heavy Vanden Plas sound and distinctive vocals of Andy Kuntz.

In guitarist Stephan Lill’s words: “This is our 8th studio album, so now we know what works for Vanden Plas and what doesn't. With every new CD we try to continue to break new ground, while still remaining faithful to our original style. As the songs of Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld Part I & II are written for a Rock Opera, this time the arrangements of the music are more epic and orchestral than on the previous albums. The engagements for several rock operas in theaters and the work together with big orchestras helped us a lot to improve the way of writing songs or to arrange song parts in a way that makes it special. A band needs this kind of a light progression. And maybe the next cd will sound a bit more reduced again, we will see.”

Fans of the saga of the immortal Andrej Delãny will now be able to enjoy the eagerly awaited continuation with Chronicle Of The Immortals - Netherworld II. As Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld, Path I ended, the perfidious plans of the dark Godmaker threatened to emerge. All seemed lost, yet from within the pervading darkness shone a soft light. Deliverance comes in the second half of the story, where the creative duo of Vanden Plas and Wolfgang Hohlbein has merged again in top form.  And of course it will be up to the listener to find out how the story will end!

“Wolfgang Hohlbein was, together with his manager Dieter Winkler and our singer Andy, responsible for the story which was the base for both Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld CDs. For the theater piece we did here in Germany, he wrote a book especially for this event what was fantastic,” tells Stephan.

Vanden Plas has always been open to remarkable and unusual ideas, and the collaboration with the writer Wolfgang Hohlbein found fertile ground there from the beginning. The author who has sold more than 40 million books worldwide was a big fan of the band. Blutnacht (Bloodnight), a stage production performed at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, was based on his series The Chronicle Of The Immortals. Hohlbein, his manager Dieter Winkler, and Vanden Plas frontman Andy Kuntz developed the story and Vanden Plas provided the musical realization. The reward was 25 sold-out performances during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and unanimously thrilled audiences.

“We will start the shows in support of the new album during the winter of 2015. For the previous CD, we played 3 to 4 shows in seven countries in Europe. That's what we plan also for the beginning of 2016. We just have to coordinate the dates of our Vanden Plas concerts with the dates of our theatre shows to take care that there won't be a crossing over,” concludes Stephan.

For more than 20 years, Vanden Plas has stood for intelligent progressive metal. With Netherworld II, the conclusion of Chronicles Of The Immortals, the band now opens a new and exciting chapter in its career.

Tracklisting:  

Vision 11even - "In My Universe”
Vision 12elve - "Godmaker’s Temptation”
Vision 13teen - "Stone Roses Edge”
Vision 14teen - "Blood Of Eden” (“All Love Must Die”) (“The Rite”) (“This Is The Night”)
Vision 15teen - "Monster”
Vision 16teen - "Diabolica Comedia”
Vision 17teen - "Where Have The Children Gone”
Vision 18teen - "The Last Fight”
Vision 19teen - "Circle Of The Devil”

“The Last Fight”:

“Stone Roses Edge” video:

Trailer:

Trailer:

 

Spanish hard rockers ‘77 present the music video for title track of the forthcoming new album and Century Media debut, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us, out on October 30th. The video, directed by Juli Bazooka for Full Metal Films, can be seen below:

Artistically and aesthetically deeply rooted in the Seventies, the Valeta brothers Armand Valeta (vocals and rhythm guitar) and LG Valeta (lead guitar) founded ’77 (pronounced Seventy Seven) as a direct reflection of the concept of the era they love. Over the past years ’77, who are hailing from Spain, didn’t just make a name for themselves with their studio recordings, but particularly with their high energy live shows that secured them countless European tours with the likes of diverse bands such as Bullet or Audrey Horne.

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us, was produced by Jaime Gomez Arellano who has worked with diverse artists such as Paradise Lost, Ghost, Ulver or Cathedral. You figure this might sound too heavy for fans of real rock’n’roll? Wait until you get to hear the first track and you’ll be turned into a real believer that this was a match made in rock’n’roll heaven!

Gomez on the recording: "Working with '77 was a brilliant journey back to... well... sort of 1977!  We decided to take our trip back in time very seriously and didn't compromise on anything. First, we worked very hard on a pre-production, then went to record the album on an all-original 1976 Neve desk at Music Lan Studios in Spain. It was all recorded live using vintage drums, guitars, amplifiers, microphones and classic analog outboard units - all to analogue 2 inch tape. In most cases we kept the first take and we did no more than two takes per song. We then mixed in my Orgone Studios on my SSL desk and mastered it to 1/4 inch analogue tape. The result: an exciting, energetic record where I think we managed to capture the spirit of '77."

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us tracklisting:

“It's Alright”
“Tonight”
“Come & Join Us”
“Street Dogs”
“Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now”
“GMDF”
“Tightrope”
“Still Waiting”
“No One Like You”
“She Makes Me”
“Too Young To Go”
“We Want More Rock And Roll”

“It's Alright”:

‘77 tour dates:

October (with Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock)
30 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
31 - Rijssen, Netherlands - Lucky

November (with Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock)
3 - Paris, France - Bataclan
5 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
6 - Bourg En Bresse, France - La Tannerie
7 - Les Pennes-Mirabeau, France - Jas'Rod

November (with Danko Jones, Dead Lord)
13 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
15 - Groningen, Netherlands - Oosterpoort
17 - Zurich, Switzerland - Dynamo
18 - Solothurn, Switzerland - Kofmehl
19 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
20 - Den Haag, Netherlands - Paard van Troje
22 - Deventer, Netherlands - Burgerweeshuis
24 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
25 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix

November
27 - Dortmund, Germany - Leafmeal

‘77 are:

Armand Valeta - Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
LG Valeta - Lead Guitar
Guillem Martinez - Bass
Andy Cobo - Drums

 

German heavy/power metal band, Messenger, are continuing their space saga with the release of a new album. On Starwolf Pt. II: Novastorm, Messenger have set sail to embark on a new mission: to capture the MS Silverstar, the galaxy's biggest and most luxurious cruise ship.
 
Messenger stay true to themselves and deliver straight and melodic metal. Novastorm turned out to be even more epic; you'll hear choirs and orchestral sounds that underline the album's lyrical concept.

The album was produced by Charles Greywolf (Powerwolf) and the band, and will be mixed by Lasse Lammert (Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Svartsot). Wiebke Scholz once again realized the artwork of the upcoming album.

Starwolf Pt. II: Novastorm is set to be released on December 4th via Massacre Records, and will be available as limited edition digipak with exclusive bonus tracks.

 

Earlier this year, Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend played an incredible sold-out show at London's legendary Royal Albert Hall venue, bringing the story of Ziltoid to life on stage as well as playing tracks from across his back catalogue. This larger-than-life evening was captured on film and is set to be released on November 13. Shot on 15 high-definition cameras, it was directed by Paul M Green (OPETH, BB KING, STEVE HACKETT) and features special guests such as Dominique Lenore Persi (STOLEN BABIES), Chris Jericho (world-famous wrestler and singer of FOZZY) and Jean Savoie, with video narration by Bill Courage, as well as 12 singers and actors as cast and choir.

A performance clip of the song "March Of The Poozers", taken from "Devin Townsend Presents: Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert Hall", can be seen below.

Devin had this to say about it: "The show at The Royal Albert Hall was a great experience. To be able to make artistic expression rooted in creativity and then to be able to articulate it in these sorts of ways — at this sort of venue — was pretty awesome. The whole thing was quite a challenge, but ultimately it worked and we were all very satisfied with it. I completely appreciate the support that has allowed this to happen from the audience, and I thank my team and Inside Out Records for busting ass to make this DVD a reality. I think if you enjoy what I do, you'll really dig it. Thank you so much for the opportunity!"

The release will arrive on several formats including an artbook of 44 pages including the entire concert as well as extensive behind-the-scenes bonus footage and a full documentary, pressed on three CDs, two DVDs and a Blu-ray disc, as special edition digipak with three CDs and a DVD and as Blu-ray, including the entire show and bonus material.

Swiss metal hopefuls, Broken Fate, are streaming the title track of their debut album, The Bridge Between, out November 6th via Massacre Records.

Vocalist and guitarist Tobias about The Bridge Between: "We wanted to create a nice mix between our modern and our old-school influences on the album, and I think we did well. Everyone who's into old-school thrash, modern metal, hard rock or rock will love our album!"
 
The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Christian Schmid and R.D. Liapakis at Music Factory/Prophecy Studios.
 
Tobias also talked about the album artwork, created by Anestis Goudas: "The artwork pretty much symbolizes us: The man under the bridge, who has to fight his way to the top, and who has to conquer a lot of things before reaching the Rock Olymp. Broken Fate currently stands on the bridge between, and our journey is the reward!"

Tracklisting:

“The Beginning (Intro)”
“Your Night”
“Mind Control”
“The Bridge Between”
“No Chance”
“Thorns Of A Rose”
“Rising To The Dream”
“Freedom”
“Fall Of Serenity”
“The Moment With You”
“Take You Away”
“Forever In Me”
“Broken”
“Steel Grove”
“Layla”
 
“The Bridge Between”:

Bass Player Live returns for its eighth year in Los Angeles with the premier live bass guitar event. The event from Bass Player Magazine will be held November 7th and 8th at SIR Studios, featuring exhibits by top gear manufacturers and clinics by world class bassists. An All-Star Concert featuring this year’s award recipients will be held on the evening of November 7th at Musicians Institute (6752 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood, CA)

Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister will receive a Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award, who will accept his award at the All-Star Concert. Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo will present the award.

Go to this location for a complete rundown of the artists featured at this year's Bass Player Live event.

Speaking with Mick Stingley of Uproxx, Lemmy answers whether the still record all of its shows, and if there will there be any new live albums released soon?

Says Lemmy: “No. We used to, but we stopped doing that. We tape the occasional one just to see that we’re keeping up, you know what I mean? But we might possibly release another live album down the line. We’ve got a European tour in the fall, you know, so we might do something in London for the 40th anniversary. Forty years this year.”

Read more at Uproxx.

By now everyone knows that Motörhead walk their own path and do things their own way. To celebrate 40 years of eardrum crushing, Motörhead Whisky is now released in collaboration with beverage partner Brands For Fans and award-winning Swedish distillery Mackmyra.

The un-compromising attitude that characterizes the band’s music is also obvious in Motörhead Whisky: bourbon-influences up front, it’s an alert and vital - almost cocky - perfectly balanced whisky with nice caramel and typical vanilla notes from American oak. October 1st saw the release of Motörhead Whisky at Systembolaget in Sweden to start with, and the band have played an active role in both choosing casks and blends to put their name on the label.

With Motörhead Whisky the band have made two top releases in one blow since the new album Bad Magic was just released earlier this summer and topped the charts in several countries.

Lemmy Kilminster, Motörheads legendary front man, founder, gravel-voiced vocalist and bass player says: "Life is less painful with Motörhead Whisky. I may consider having a sip now and then."

Mikkey Dee, Motörhead-drummer: "We think it’s great fun to launch a whisky in collaboration with a Swedish, world-famous distillery, Mackmyra. The whisky is incredibly good, with full character and fully flavoured with a superb bourbon touch, as it’s been aged in new American oak casks. All of us in the band have been active in the production process and are very proud over the result, and are happy to now launch such a great, characteristic whisky, Motörhead-style."

Sari Wilholm at Brands For Fans adds: "Motörhead are legends, and it has been a tough job to find the right style and type of whisky for them to stand for. Mackmyra produces world-class whisky, and the rich bourbon flavour in Motörhead Whisky showcases the amazing blending talents of Angela D’Orazio. The band has been trying casks and blends and have found a smooth whisky with a tough attitude to release. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this release." Motörhead Whisky suits any occasion where you’d otherwise have chosen a bourbon, as well as times where a classic scotch malt whisky would have been your first option.

Batch one of Motörhead whisky is a limited edition Swedish Single Malt Whisky with an oaky and slightly fruity character, characterized by ageing five years in new American oak barrels, where parts of the whiskey has got a final touch from oloroso oak barrels the last six months. Alcohol strength is 40% and the whisky is cool filtered, so no cloudiness should occur in the bottle or the glass, if the whisky is served at a lower temperature. In summary this becomes an enjoyable, easy to drink and easy oaky and spicy Swedish Single Malt Whisky.

Angela D'Orazio, Master Blender / CNO, Chief Nose Officer explains: "These wonderful oak barrels! I often come across fine barrels of whisky down in the mine, and here we have a bunch of great new American oak barrels that have matured a full five years. We talked about making a Swedish Malt Whisky with taste influences from Bourbon to the guys, - and there it was only waiting for us. For a little touch of something more, we added a small portion of whisky for six months ending on Oloroso oak barrels."

For more on this product head to Brands For Fans.

Willowtip has announced that it will release the long-awaited new album from Dutch death metal band Brutus.

Over 10 years have passed since Brutus' debut album Slachtbeest was released and much has happened inside the Brutus camp. As fans of the band already know, the driving force behind Brutus, Maarten “Ploegbaas” Luysterburg, tragically took his own life in 2006.

Since then the band has had a hard time coming to grips with the fact that the fuel had gushed from the machine. But after taking some time off, the remaining members of Brutus decided to continue on, building off the blueprint that Ploegbaas started for a new Brutus album.

Murwgebeukt, the band's first release since 2004, is a triumphant feat in death metal, a 54 minute overwhelming force dealing with the life and misery of an entity that is cheated into mortal existence… burdened, afflicted and finally martyred by it.

Ploegbaas was fully responsible for the lyrics and artistic concept of Murwgebeukt. The furious vocals are delivered atop an intense slab of double bass driven death metal of the heaviest kind, grooving its way through one classic riff after another. Ferocious bottom end brutality not easily compared to any other act in the genre. Distilling diversity from monotony.

Brutus' Murwgebeukt will be released January 8th, 2016 on CD/Digital.

Dutch bashers Delain have checked in with the following update: 

"There's no such thing as too many guitars! After playing several occasional shows with Merel Bechtold on guitars, Delain have decided to adopt her into the family permanently and continue with double guitar power.

First chance to see Merel perform with Delain again will be on the European headline tour, which started starting October 22nd. For dates and tickets, check Delain.nl."

Bechtold states: "I'm excited to become a permanent Delain member and hugely looking forward to the upcoming tours and albums. See you on the road!"

Delain are currently in the UK and will hit the European hot-spots of France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. This special European tour will wind up in early November.

As special guest on European dates of this run, two of Holland's finest musicians - Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen and vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen - have united for a new project dubbed The Gentle Storm. Anneke will take The Gentle Storm including their new album on the road backed by well known Dutch talents. Arjen, however, will not be part of the live production.

Tour dates:

October
23 - Birmingham, UK - Institute Library
24 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
25 - London, UK - Academy Islington

October
28 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
29 - Paris, France - Divan Du Monde
30 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
31 - Andernach, Germany - Juz Live Club

November
2 - München, Germany - Backstage Halle
3 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
4 - Graz, Austria - Explosiv
5 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
6 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Randal Club
7 - Warschau, Poland - Club Progresia

26 years after taking the U.S. rock charts by storm, the classic ballad "Anytime" from singer Robin McAuley is finally available, for the first time, via digital download. Originally released in 1989 on the MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP "Save Yourself" album, the song had new life breathed into it by writers Robin McAuley and Steve Mann.

"Most people don't realize the song was written by me and Steve," explains the charismatic singer, who is a current cast member of "Raiding The Rock Vault", a Papa Entertainment and Mission Productions show about the evolution of classic rock which was voted "Best Musical" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal two year in a row. "As the original writers and musicians of the song, it was great fun to create a new version of it."

"Anytime" reached No. 2 in the AOR charts and No. 6 in the Billboard Hot 100 in its day and currently has well over two million views on YouTube. It is no surprise, that fans are wondering why this song has never been available on iTunes. "I've been asked that question over and over," said Robin. "It's not just 'Anytime'. Most MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP songs are unavailable on iTunes. I called Steve to vibe it out and we decided to shake off the dust and re-record it."

Steve Mann, who was the rhythm and lead guitars/keyboard player in the MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP, currently lives in Germany, and was thrilled to give the song a new musical revival.

"When Robin and I originally wrote the song back in 1988, we knew we had crafted something very special," said Steve.

"The idea of re-recording 'Anytime' presented the perfect opportunity to revamp the song as well as make it available as a digital download.

"It's been absolutely fantastic working with Robin again after all this time and I was stunned to hear him singing better now than ever. His performance on this new version tops even the original in my opinion. We are really proud of this new recording."

Although the pair had not been in touch for over 25 years, re-recording the song was a breeze. Robin laid down the vocals at his pal Paul Shortino's studio . Paul is a fellow cast member in "Raiding The Rock Vault", and also lent his voice for backing vocals. Steve Mann recorded all music and mastered the hit single at his own facility, Flying Vivaldi Studio in Germany.

"It was so effortless and Steve is such an easy guy to work with that we are itching to look at more material," said Robin.

Why now and what's different between the 1989 classic and this 2015 version?

"'Anytime' was released in October 1989; what better way than to re-introduce the song in the same month as its original release," said Robin. "As for the difference... You are just going to have to listen for yourself."

South Carolina's Everthrone have unveiled the second video from their forthcoming album, The Dawning, which sees release in stores on December 11. "Loss" reveals a more introspective and mellow side to the group.  It follows up "Consciousness" which was the first video released a few weeks ago.

In celebration of the release of The Dawning, Everthrone will be performing the album in its entirety at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, NC on November 27.

Tracklisting:

“This Great Expanse”
“Consciousness”
“Children Of A Dying Sun”
“Under A Burning Sky”
“Crimson Gold”
“The Anarchist”
“Loss”
“Masquerade”
“Word Of The Oracle”
“All Things Manifest”

“Loss”:

“Consciousness”:

Los Angeles melodic metal band, Ninth Circle, confirm they have begun writing their fourth album, the follow-up to the Pure Rock Records release, Legions Of The Brave.

Bassist Frank Forray sheds light on the bands secretive writing process” “There’s nothing really magical about our writing system. It is really more a process than anything else.” Frank goes on to explain the band’s writing process: “Generally what happens is I’m constantly writing music, usually all year long. At this point I typically have about 35 new songs. Some are based on ideas from previous sessions, but the majority of ideas are brand new ideas.”

Frank goes on to explain his writing process: “I normally start with a main riff which often becomes the chorus. Then I build the verse based on the variation of the main the riff, then the pre-chorus or bridge then back into the chorus. Where I generally start to stretch musically is around the guitar solo.”

“The guitar solo”, as Frank explains, “leaves us opportunities to take a left turn or two, then a right turn that the listener would not often expect. For example, The Power of One, All or Nothing and Grinding the Bastards down are great examples of where we take some interesting  turns before the guitar solo kicks in. I think this makes our songs much more interesting. In a way I think this has become Ninth Circle’s signature sound.”

Frank describes how the band puts it all together before they head into the studio: “Once I have pieced everything together musically and lyrically, then I take it to the band. I write all the music first. Then I have to be inspired by a title or phrase which I usually create based on a personal experience or something of high interest to me such as human behavior or psychology, historical events, or based on my principles of treating people fairly with respect and dignity.”

“Once I have a finished product I bring it to the band. I am generally writing for Dennis Brown. I consider myself the Bernie Taupin to Dennis’ Elton John. Dennis’ style and my style are very similar and generally my brain is moving so fast that I am in constant writing mode and present things to Dennis all the time.”

“Currently we are in the bringing ideas to the band mode. Because I have so much material written I have to pare it down to the best 12 to 15 songs. From there it gets even more pared down and then Dennis introduces ideas which he has been working on. Right now we have worked up three new songs with working titles of “Return Of The King”, “Prelude To Glory” and “When The Sun Goes Down”.”

Frank describes the band’s enthusiasm with the new material, “We have been supporting our current album for about 18 months and we are hungry for new songs. Our new songs, as compared to the last album, are a bit more straight ahead metal songs with some elements of power metal, progressive metal and shorter than the previous batch of songs. Dennis and I committed to getting to the point much quicker this time.”

A year ago, Swedish metal veterans Destiny was asked if they wanted to participate on an album for the football (soccer) team IFK Gothenburg. Since all members of the band were supporters there was never any doubt to say yes even though they were in the middle of the recording of the upcoming album, Climate Change.

Stefan Björnshög explains: “It was a quick process. Between last Christmas and New Yeas Eve I began to write the music. I wanted it to be a song that would work well for the Destiny fans even if they were completely uninterested in football but also easy enough to sing along with this the first time you hear it as supporter of the team. That is why Destiny for the first time released a song with Swedish lyrics.

When the music felt ready the whole band met in the studio and within hours we both learned and recorded the song. Next Jonas Heidgert and our sound engineer and producer Henrik Pettersson wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocals. Some additional vocals and guitars were recorded the following day, but basically everything was completed in one day. We have never worked this fast before. I am very satisfied and think we have succeeded with both goals.

The video that was filmed on top of Ramberget with Gothenburg as background is the icing on the cake, and provides the perfect setting for the song, "Förväntan Stiger” (Anticipation Rises).”

“Förväntan Stiger” video:

Destiny recently announced the addition of guitarist Veith Offenbächer to the band’s lineup. Offenbächer, formerly of Dawn Of Destiny, is an experienced German guitarist born in 1976. In 2006 he joined the German band Dawn Of Destiny with whom he released five albums as well as guesting on their sixth. Early 2015, after a final tour, Veith left Dawn Of Destiny and Germany and moved with his family to Sweden.

Veith had been a fan of Destiny since the early nineties and a couple of years ago he met Stefan Björnshög which in turn last year led to a guest appearance on the coming Destiny album, Climate Change. After that it was only natural that after his relocation to Sweden that he would eventually end up in Destiny, who already had plans to add an extra guitarist as a compliment to Michael Åberg.

Veith will make his live debut with Destiny in the first half of 2016 promoting the new anniversary album, Climate Change.

​The anniversary album was originally going to be called The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminologym but for several reasons that title was scraped in favour of Climate Change. The album will be released in the first half of 2016 and will contain five newly recorded old songs that have never before been released, as well as nine newly re-recorded old album songs.

The album will also feature special guest Adde Larsson on drums on most of the tracks, as well as guest performances from some former Destiny members. The album will be recorded at Destiny Recording Studio (DRS) by Henrik Pettersson of Tarmpolin Recordings

Album artwork by Mattias Norén.

(Photo: Viktoria Larsson)

 

Ohio-based pagan/melodic death metal band, Hammer Horde, will release their new album, Fed To The Wolves, on December 1st via Storm Surge Records. A new album teaser is streaming below.

The album artwork was done by Kris Verwimp:

Tracklisting:

“Starborn
“Tale Of The Wayward Voyager”
“Fed To The Wolves”
“Unholy Harbingers Of War”
“Hail And Kill” (Manowar cover)
“Ortum Aurorae”
“The Scourge Of Man”
“As Embers Fade”

Album teaser:

Stay tuned for updates.