IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson says that up-and-coming bands are "being completely stuffed" by the state of the record industry today because of a growing perception of music as a low-value — or no-value — product.

During an appearance on the August 31 edition of the "Opie Radio" talk show, Bruce was asked if he thinks recording artists are getting "ripped off" by music streaming services like Spotify. He responded: "Yeah, they are. But it's just like one of those, kind of, 'Damned if you do, damned if you don't' moments, really. I mean, it's this thing of… Kids love music, and people love music now more than probably any other time in human history, right? So what do you do? Do you say that people that love everything, 'You're all criminals, just 'cause you love it.' That's what sank all the record labels, who didn't figure out that, actually, these people are not trying to do harm. They just love it, you know?"

Bruce went on to say that streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music benefit established artists more than they do the aspiring ones who have yet to break through.

"What's sad, I think, is for the young bands coming up," he said. "'Cause, I mean, how are they gonna make a living? Because, basically, they are being completely stuffed by not so much illegal downloading, although, yeah, that kind of, obviously, goes on and all the rest of it. But the bar is now so low in terms of what value people place on people's creativity and music and stuff like that, and it's just getting driven down into the basement. So it's like the cult of celebrity — you know, those people who have no talent, except being famous and doing stupid stuff. That appears to be more important and have more value than people who have real talent."

Part of Dickinson's concern lies in the fact that two of his sons — Austin and Griffin — play in bands and are seeing firsthand how the public's increasing reliance on free streaming services has led musicians to struggle staying financially afloat in the music industry.

"My two boys [are] both doing their own thing and they both just got signed to record labels and stuff, and so they're going through the whole process right now," Bruce said. "And the deals that they're looking at… 'Cause, I mean, I go down the pub with my guys, and they sort of say, 'Dad, you wanna take a look at the contracts and see if we're getting ripped off?' And I said, 'Well, I don't really have much of a clue what I'm looking at here, but let me have a look.' [And then I went], 'That one looks a little dodgy to me. You might wanna ask them about that one.' For example, on one contract, there was this thing that said, 'Yeah, we'll give you X thousand advance' — and it's only an advance, so, I mean, it's not a huge amount. The money is, like, twenty percent of what it would have been fifteen years ago, so, for starters, all that is way back. Plus, they wanna be selling t-shirts for you, and they wanna be taking a slice… The record companies are taking a slice of everything. So, anyway, in this contract was one bit that says, 'And we will give you tour support.' Okay? And I went, 'Oh, okay. Well, that's okay. Tour support of X.' And then it said, 'Tour support will be payable after the tour, after you give us all the receipts.' And I'm, like, 'Eh, no.' [Laughs] 'So who's gonna front [the money]…? In other words, you're gonna pay all the money out of the money that you guys have got to live on, and then you've gotta try and claim it back off these schmucks? You've gotta be kidding me. You can't run a tour like that.'"

According to Dickinson, his son Austin has had a particularly hard time dealing with accusations of nepotism from online haters who have claimed that the young vocalist earned his record deal with the help of his father.

"[Austin is in a] band called AS LIONS, and they're just signing to Eleven Seven Records," Bruce explained. "In fact, my son's over here on Thursday, in New Jersey; he's recording the album over here. He's gonna be 25 on the 23rd of September. And Griff's [Griffin Dickinson] in a band called SHVPES [pronounced 'shapes'], and they're signed to Spinefarm."

He continued: "Austin was in a band called RISE TO REMAIN, and they got signed to EMI. And then they — as most bands do — they kind of imploded and they started something new. But that was… He had to take the full force of all the haters and all the trolls and all the Blabbermouth idiots and all the rest of it. They were, like, 'Oh, yeah, well, obviously, he just got the gig 'cause he really can't sing, and he's not as good as his dad.' And all that stuff. Oh, it's hard, it's harsh. But he bashed his way through it, and I'm really pleased for him."

IRON MAIDEN's new album, "The Book Of Souls", will be released on September 4 through BMG in the U.S.A. (Parlophone Records in the rest of world).

The band announced in May that touring plans to support the album wouldn't happen until 2016 to allow Dickinson time to fully recuperate after his successful cancer treatment.

Australian touring mogul and Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah has shot down rumors that a reunited classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES will headline next year's edition of the event.

Internet chatter seemed to start on radio station Triple M when outspoken music fan and owner of Cherry Bar in Melbourne, James Young, took to the airwaves to say he had sources confirming to him the GUNS N' ROSES news.

Speaking to Music Feeds, Maddah said: "It's been nice for me personally to share this fantasy for a few days along with the fans, but it is not happening for [next year's edition of Soundwave].

"I sure hope those guys do get back together again, as there has never been, or, as far as I am concerned, ever will be such a potent force for rock 'n' roll than the original GNR in full flight."

He continued: "If [a reunion of the classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES] does happen, it is going to take longer than six months for the band to be ready to tour. I think it'll take a hundred lawyers six months just to get the five of them into a rehearsal room together. But if, by a miracle, it does happen, then, of course, I'll throw everything I can to be involved and it would be my last act as a promoter, as after that I'll have nowhere to go!"

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash confirmed on August 21 in a Swedish TV interview that he and GN'R lead singer Axl Rose were on friendly terms again, saying: "It was probably way overdue, you know. But it's…. you know, it's very cool at this point. You know, let some of that, sort of, negative… dispel some of that negative stuff that was going on for so long."

Asked if the thawing of his friendship with Axl could lead to a reunion of the band's classic lineup, Slash said: "Oh, I couldn't answer that one," before quickly changing the subject.

On the latest installment of his podcast, "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk revealed that he was told by Slash's management that the guitarist's recent comments were blown out of proportion by the media and the fans, and that Slash is laying low now when it comes to interviews. Trunk did say that he believes a classic GUNS N' ROSES reunion will eventually happen.

The closest anyone came to a GUNS reunion in recent memory was when the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012. Three original members of the band, including Slash, McKagan and Adler, showed up, but Axl and guitarist Izzy Stradlin were no-shows.

At the time Slash said in several interviews that the Hall Of Fame ceremony gave him a sense of "closure."

GUNS N' ROSES recently parted ways with guitarists DJ Ashba and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.

"The Metalist" conducted an interview with Billy Graziadei of hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD prior to the band's July 9 concert in London, England. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below.

Asked when fans can expect the follow-up to 2012's "Reborn In Defiance" album, Billy said: "Early next year; that's the plan, yeah."

He continued: "It's not even like making wine. It's not like you can sit here and say, 'Oh…' 'Cause when you make wine or you make vodka, or whatever, alcohol, there's a finite end to the process. For us, it's, like, when it's ready, it's ready, and I think if we rushed… I'd rather have a kick-ass record that stands the test of time and that we can play live every night at a show that works rather than rushing an album just to get it out because everybody wants it. So when it's ready, it's ready. But we have a whole slew of songs that are kick-ass."

Graziadei also talked in more details about BIOHAZARD's musical approach on the next album. He said: "We focused, and are focusing, on having songs that we could play live. it was always… I love everything that we've done — no apologies, no regrets — but every record… Not solely being into punk or punk rock, which are huge influences, especially for myself. I started playing piano when I was six. Bobby [Hambel] is a phenomenal guitar and musician. We all have musical tastes that vary from songs that we play live, but the energy on stage with BIOHAZARD is what we love the most, and the songs on each record that we play live work well live, 'cause we like that energy; it's a big part of BIOHAZARD. But the musical side is another big part, but that stuff doesn't transcend so much into the live environment.'

He continued: "The new record, for the first time, [we all] kind of just said, 'You know what? We're all in agreement that we don't want a record that doesn't have anything but just full-on, in-your-face, live-style BIOHAZARD. It's all the songs that are just high energy, stuff that will work well live. It's, like, twelve 'Punishment's — that's what we're looking for… It's definitely along the lines of songs like 'Vengeance Is Mine' — more of the high-energy side of BIOHAZARD. I think we infuse our influences unintentionally, but it just comes out naturally. And it's a weird way of having this punk energy and looseness to the tightness of metal and thrash and hardcore."

Billy added: "It's funny, 'cause if I write something and I double the guitars, it doesn't sound like BIOHAZARD until the other guys put their parts into it. Then it has that kind of BIOHAZARD flavor. We've always called it the meatgrinder. It's kind of, like, you take all the elements, you throw them together and you mix it all up and it spits out this pink slop of BIOHAZARD. We're not the type of band that can surgically take apart our music. It's better when it's left raw and in your face."

BIOHAZARD last year inked a new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast. The band was previously signed to Nuclear Blast for Europe only. "Reborn In Defiance" was released in Europe on January 20, 2012 via Nuclear Blast.

Not only was "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, it also marked the last LP recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Seinfeld left the band in June 2011 after the band's new CD was completed and was replaced by Scott Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.

Nottingham, UK-based metallers, The Five Hundred, have launched an audio teaser for their upcoming EP, release (listen below).

If you like your metal with a core at the end, but also with a splash of melody, then get your ears around these guys. The Five Hundred have just completed work on their debut release, recorded, mixed and mastered by Justin Hill (Sikth, Heart Of A Coward), due for launch in November.

The Five Hundred are a five-man musical wrecking machine dedicated to pulverising eardrums and rattling bones across the metal landscape. Dealing in an array of down-tuned riffs and barbed hooks, the UK/Gibraltarian quintet unleash an avalanche of crushing groove and belligerent aggression, broken up by some searing leads, haunting vocal melodies and devastating, earth-shaking breakdowns.

Delivering a potent soundtrack to urban warfare and social discontent, the band have shared stages with groups ranging from brutal grind-fathers Napalm Death and industrial pioneers Fear Factory through to progressive death metallers All Shall Perish and metal media darlings Architects & Tesseract.

The Five Hundred is:

John Eley - Vocals
Mark Byrne - Guitars
Paul Doughty - Guitars
Andy Crawford - Bass
Liam Perez - Drums

More on the band at Facebook.

 

Kind, the new project from members of Elder, Black Pyramid, Roadsaw and Rozamov, are streaming the new track, “German For Lucy” (listen below).

Formed in 2013 by Matt Couto (Elder), Darryl Shepard (Black Pyramid, The Scimitar) and Tom Corino (Rozamov) – after the trio spent time jamming together in-between day-to-day commitments – the doom supergroup Kind quickly cemented their formation with the addition of Roadsaw vocalist Craig Riggs.
 
Out of the mind-bending riffs and extended jam sessions, whole songs began to take shape through winter rehearsals down in Couto’s freezing cold basement in 2104, where the newly formed quartet began laying down ideas for their soon to be released debut, Rocket Science, which officially lands this December on Ripple Music.

 
Shows were soon booked to share the tunes with the curious. Further riffs materialized, new songs banged into shape, and yet more shows confirmed, so keen were the band to test their mettle and mixture of heavy metal, psych, Krautrock and straight-up, classic rock and roll.
 
With four songs recorded at Mad Oak Studios serving as the band's demo, in the spring of 2015, Kind entered New Alliance Studios with engineer Alec Rodriguez to record their first full-length, Rocket Science which will receive an official release this December on the California-based label Ripple Music.

More news will follow soon but in the meantime, listen to “German For Lucy”:

Monster Energy Aftershock Festival has joined forces with Slipknot's Scream Park for the Monster Energy Aftershock Pre-Party on Friday, October 23 from 7 p.m. to midnight in Sacramento, California. HELL OR HIGHWATER will headline the Pre-Party (with more bands to be announced) and has also been added to the Saturday, October 24 lineup of the Monster Energy Aftershock Festival at Gibson Ranch just outside Sacramento.

SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor and M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan have partnered with Sacramento-based Scream Park California to produce an event that explores a whole new, intensely visceral world of horror, as only SLIPKNOT can provide. Slipknot's Scream Park features three haunted houses and thunderous live horror entertainment. Slipknot's Scream Park will also have an onsite presence at Monster Energy Aftershock on October 24 and 25.

A limited number of guests can gain admission to the Monster Energy Aftershock Pre-Party by showing proof of purchase of an Aftershock ticket. This will allow free access to the Aftershock Pre-Party, which will include live music and food trucks. That night, guests will be able to go through the haunted houses at Slipknot's Scream Park for a discounted price of $15. More details will be available soon about music performances at the Pre-Party and how to obtain free Pre-Party admission, as space will be limited.

The fourth annual Monster Energy Aftershock will feature a spectacular music lineup of hard rock, alternative and metal artists, as well as an expanded festival site with onsite camping Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. The band lineup for Monster Energy Aftershock 2015 includes SLIPKNOT, FAITH NO MORE, DEFTONES, SHINEDOWN, JANE'S ADDICTION, MARILYN MANSON, COHEED & CAMBRIA, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, BREAKING BENJAMIN, SEETHER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, ALL TIME LOW, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, and many more performing on four stages. In addition, the festival will feature live, in-ring matches with WWE's NXT Superstars.

Visit www.aftershockconcert.com to view the daily band lineup, and purchase VIP and GA tickets, as well as camping and hotel packages.

Slipknot's Scream Park is also offering an Aftershock Scream Park Bundle for $119.50. This package includes one 2-day General Admission weekend ticket to Monster Energy Aftershock and one Scream Park General Admission ticket (a $25 savings). Purchase your combo tickets for both Slipknot's Scream Park and Monster Energy Aftershock Festival at link text or www.slipknotscreampark.com. Slipknot’s Scream Park is located at 4909 Auburn Blvd. in Sacramento, California.

Intromental Worldwide announce the signing of international prog/death metal powerhouse Subterranean Masquerade, which features members of Green Carnation, Orphaned Land, Novembers Doom and Tristania.

Says Intromental: “This is a band that not only pushes the boundaries of heavy metal and prog rock, but also accomplishes to create a sound so distinct that you're never in doubt that this is something unique you're listening to. It goes without saying that we were already fans of the band before the first contact was made, and it gives us immense pleasure to welcome Subterranean Masquerade to Intromental.”

The band recently released a video for the track “Blanket Of Longing”, from their album The Great Bazaar.

 

 

Tracklisting:

"Early Morning Mantra"
"Reliving The Feeling"
"Tour Diary"
"Nigen"
"Waiting"
"Specter"
"Father And Son"
"Home" (Bonus Track)
"Beyond The Pale" (Bonus Track)

“Blanket Of Longing” video:

“Tour Diary” video:

“Tour Diary” lyric video:

New Era Productions and Hammerheart Records team up and decide to release the Occult Studio Demo 1993 on LP and CD. Both releases will be very limited editions, and there will be live-recordings added (on side B) to spice up this already cool release. More news is to be announced in the upcoming months, they are aiming for a release in February/March, 2016.

Occult is the band formed by Sephiroth after Bestial Summoning called it quits. The Studio Demo 1993 made a huge impact in the worldwide underground, and it featured vicious blackened thrash metal.

After five great blackened thrash metal albums the band decided to start afresh and became known as Legion Of The Damned, the band that finally justified the quality of the Occult releases through the years. Legion Of The Damned is active until today and a major player when it comes to intense European thrash metal, and a band playing worldwide live.

 

Guitar World has posted a guitar playthrough video for “Long Live”, featuring Atreyu guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel. Watch below:

Atreyu will release their new album, Long Live, on September 18th via the joint venture partnership between Raw Power Management's Search & Destroy label and Spinefarm Records.

 

 

The band have released a lyric video for the new track “Start To Break”. Watch below:

Check out the new video for the upcoming album’s title track:

The band recently posted the following teaser video:

San Diego's Wovenwar will return to the road next month with Atreyu, beginning September 18th at The Glass House in Pomona, CA. Tickets are on sale now.

Tour dates:

September
18 - Pomona, CA - The Glass House
19 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

October
2 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
5 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
6 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
7 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
9 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
11 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
12 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa

Guitar legend Steve Vai has checked in with the following message:

"Hey Folks,

I’m often asked who is my favorite new young guitar player. Well, here he is: Daniele Gottardo. 

He’s Italian and I have been following him for quite some time now. He has an elegant touch, stunning intonation, innovational style and he honors the melody. Enjoy, and check out his new record here for a real treat."

For information on Gottardo check out his official Facebook page here.

Vai Academy 2015 - All About The Guitar, the ultimate guitar experience music camp, was held in Vail, Colorado August 2nd - 6th. Vai has checked in with the following recap of the experience:

"Hey folks,

I’m just returning back to some studio normalcy after my extended Colorado extravaganza.  The Vai Academy camp this year was a real highlight. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to have these camps. I’ve read much of the feedback from the attendees and found them to be both uplifting and informative.

I think my favorite part of the camp is when I get to play with the campers…such a diverse group of listeners and players, and it’s always a treat to get into their inner ear on a one-on-one basis, and find some cool notes together.

I can’t thank the staff, band, and campers enough. This was a wonderful life experience, and I’m looking forward to the next one. Having said that, I think the next one might be in January 2017 because it looks like I’ll be on tour most of next year and August is a hefty load. Things could change but please keep a close eye on Vai Academy announcements.

We will continue to find ways of improving the Vai Academy and offering a life-enriching experience for all who attend. The Class of 2014 at Vai Academy and I recoreded a song and it will be released soon, with all proceeds going to The Make A Noise Foundation.

I’m thinking that the next camp will focus more on finding your inner note, your unique voice on the instrument. I want to re-introduce the 10-Hour Workout with classes that go deeper into technique, creating effective practice routines and communicating with other musicians. Haven’t thought of a name yet but it’s brewing."

Deep gratitude,
s

Back in April, Vai released  a video for the song “The Story Of Light” from the Stillness In Motion DVD. This selection opens The Space Between The Notes – a fascinating tour diary and video montage of life on the road with Vai and the band.

Vai states: “This is the piece that took the most time and the one I’m most happy with.”

An exclusive full performance of guitar legend Steve Vai's "Weeping China Doll" from the 2DVD release, Stillness In Motion: Vai Live In L.A. can be viewed below:

The double album and DVD, was released April 7 through Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings, were recorded October 12, 2012, at L.A.’s Club Nokia. It was the 49th show from Vai’s Story of Light World Tour.

The new self-titled vinyl 7" from Winnipeg, Manitoba's Besieged is out now on Unspeakable Axe Records; stream and / or purchase it via the widget below.

Besieged by Besieged

Following the success of the Sepultura and Slayer inspired Victims Beyond All Help, Besieged lay dormant for a few years, before returning with a more death-infused assault on the eardrums. The increased influence of old school death metal like Pestilence is clear, while the band still sticks closely to its "faster, heavier, more" mission statement. A new album is in the works, probably for 2016, but for now let this 7-inch tide you over.

To learn more, vist Besieged on Facebook.

 

   

Japanese teenage girl pop metal band BABYMETAL spoke to NME backstage at this past weekend's Reading and Leeds festivals. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked which band at the event they would like to teach their dance moves and why, BABYMETAL's Moametal said: "I would like to teach METALLICA our dance moves, just because we've learned so much from them about metal."

Regarding what they learned from METALLICA, BABYMETAL's Su-metal said: "First of all, we learned about metal, but also by watching METALLICA performances, we have learned how to interact with the fans. We have learned all of that from just watching METALLICA."

BABYMETAL has announced its return to the U.K. next year. The group will headline London SSE Arena Wembley on April 2, 2016. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2.

BABYMETAL has signed with RAL/Sony Music Entertainment for the U.S. release of the band's 2014 critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. The CD features two bonus tracks and was made available digitally on May 12 and physically on June 16.

"Babymetal" was released via earMUSIC in Germany, Sweden, Finland and Spain on May 29, in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark on June 1, and in Italy on June 2

The European release was made available as the standard edition as well as a deluxe edition that includes a bonus DVD compiling six music videos from BABYMETAL.

Obscene Entity have are streaming their new track "Euphoric Vanity”, a blistering 4-minute track of furious death metal from their upcoming album, Lamentia. You can listen to "Euphoric Vanity" below.

The band describes the track as: ''A small exploration on duality of opinion. This song focuses on one man's thoughts of another's exploitative chemical endeavours. 'Euphoric Vanity' is a small window into the mind of the fickle.’’

Lamentia will be available on CD and cassette via Tridroid Records on November 27th.

“Euphoric Vanity”:

From the East Anglian region of the UK, Obscene Entity forges together elements of grind, death and black metal to create a multifarious manifestation of extreme music greater than the sum of its parts.

In 2012, founding members Matt Adnett (guitars/vocals), Luke Braddick (drums), and Calum Gibb (bass/vocals), released Obscene Entity’s self-titled début EP. The record helped to quickly establish them as a formidable presence within the underground circuit, along with the raw and fiercely delivered live shows they performed to promote it, landing them supporting slots for bands such as Napalm Death, Kraanium, Anaal Nathrakh and Voices.

In late 2014 recording for the début full-length album was completed, and sent to be mixed and mastered by Dan Abela, whose production talents were responsible for both Voices albums and that of the Antichrist Imperium. The resulting product Lamentia, is a loosely-based concept album of the fragility of the human mind and states of psychosis experienced through both subjection and self-infliction.
 
Lamentia is a relentless account of Obscene Entity's unhinged development, capitalizing on the visceral energy and seamless dynamics that earned them their fast-accumulating recognition.

 

Divebomb Records announce their partnership with Metal Blade Records to bring fans new editions of both Artch albums. Each release contains new liner notes with full lyrics, essays by Carlos Ramirez of Noecho.net as well as archival photos and vintage articles. They will be available direct from the Divebomb Records store starting September 25th. The first 100 customers to order both albums get a free, limited edition, Artch logo magnet.

History books have heralded Norway as the black metal movement’s most fertile breeding ground, but the country’s heavy metal scene isn’t exclusively about corpse paint and Helvete. One of the finest and most underrated groups to come out of the land of 10,000 lakes is undoubtedly Artch. Formed in 1983, the power metal outfit released two demos before hooking up with Eric Hawk, a killer vocalist from Iceland.

With Hawk on board, Artch would eventually sign with Metal Blade Records and release Another Return, their debut full-length. Arriving in stores in 1988, the album garnered rave reviews from the heavy metal media of the day.

1991 saw Artch unleash their sophomore album, For The Sake Of Mankind. The record was packed with anthemic tracks such as “When Angels Cry” and “Titanic”, and it also finds the band also introducing more hard rock elements into their sound. As great as For The Sake Of Mankind is, it failed to bring them commercial success, eventually leading to Artch’s breakup in the early ‘90s.

Their lack of mainstream attention never got in the way of Artch’s popularity within the underground metal scene in the following decades. A longtime fan of the band, Divebomb Records founder Matthew Rudzinski secured the rights to the Artch albums and is bringing you updated reissues of both. Featuring new liner notes, rare photos, and bonus tracks (on For The Sake Of Mankind), these discs will surely sell out of their limited edition runs.

Another Return tracklisting:

“Conversio Prelude”      
“Another Return To Church Hill”      
“Power To The Man”      
“Loaded”      
“Where I Go”
“Metal Life”
“The Promised Land”
“Shoot To Kill”  
“Living In The Past”
“Reincarnation”

For The Sake Of Mankind tracklisting:

“When Angels Cry”
“Appologia”
“Burn Down The Bridges”
“Paradox”
“To Whom It May Concern”
“Titanic”
“Confrontation”
“Turn The Tables”
“To Be Or Not To Be”
“Batteries Not Included”
“Razamanaz”

Bonus tracks:
“Daredevil”
“Jezebel”
“Dog On The Run” (Demo)
“Sirens” (Demo)

Be sure to catch Artch appearing at Keep It True XIX in April 2016.

Hailing from Kotka, Finland, female-fronted quintet Crimson Sun play modern melodic metal with an in your face attitude. Crimson Sun has released two more tracks from their debut album, “Portrait Of A Ghost” and “The Herald”. The songs appear on Towards The Light, which was released on August 3rd via Maple Metal Records. Both tracks are streaming below.
 
Towards The Light was recorded last Fall at Deep Noise Studios, Kouvola, Fi with Saku Moilanen, and the mastering was done by Jacob Hansen (Epica, Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear)in Denmark. The album cover art is by renowned Serbian artist Slobicus Doomicus.

Jacob Hansen has shared his comments on Towards The Light: “I really enjoyed the songs and the band. To me, this band could easily become ‘the Next Big Thing’! The song structures and overall sound is catchy, as well as being heavy. Fine tuning this combination could mean big business!”

Towards The Light tracklisting:

“The Storm”
“Eye Of The Beholder”
“Awaken”
“Towards The Light”
“The Herald”
“Portrait Of A Ghost”
“Enter The Silence”
“The Spark”
“Clockwork Heart”
“Memories Burning”

“Portrait Of A Ghost”:

“The Herald”:

“Clockwork Heart”:

 
“Eye of the Beholder”:

"The Storm" lyric video:

 
Album teaser:

Intro video:

Crimson Sun was founded in 2001 by guitarist Joni Junnila, and the band went through various member changes before settling down with the quintet that recorded their EP The Border in 2013.

Crimson Sun is:

Sini Seppälä - Vocals
Joni Junnila - Guitars
Jukka Jauhiainen - Bass
Miikka Hujanen - Keyboards
Antti Rantavuo - Drums

Metal Blade announces the signing of Greek black metallers Ravencult.

The band comments on the signing: "Ravencult is proud to join forces with legendary Metal Blade Records for a worldwide deal. We are honoured that our upcoming third full length album in 2016 will be added to a glorious back catalogue that includes masters like Slayer, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Cirith Ungol, Immolation, Bolt Thrower amongst others.

"Those who are familiar with us know our driving force has always been a deep devotion to real, straightforward riff-based metal, defending the sound of Old and the mentality that follows. Not only this remains the case, but shall be also enforced as we consider this a new channel for us to spread our aural primitivism."

Spawned into existence during 2001 to revive a more relentless side of black metal, Ravencult brings forth an unpolished, organic sound to manifest their morbid darkness. Originating from Athens, Greece, they have evolved from a late 80's/early 90's black metal approach on their debut album, Temples Of Torment, to a macabre union of pounding black/thrash metal on their sophomore Morbid Blood full-length. Their live appearances are a feast of tension and sonic violence, and they have performed in over 20 countries. Conjuring forth the forces of black thrashing command with fanatic devotion, Ravencult is Greece's guard of sinister metal.

Listen to the latest recording of Ravencult, "Into Depths" from this year's split with Thou Art Lord:

Ravencult is:

A. - Vocals
S. - Guitars
K. - Bass
J. - Drums

Los Angeles-based post-apocalyptic sludge outfit, Ancient Altar, has released their sinister sophomore album, Dead Earth, via Black Voodoo Records. The album depicts the end of humanity at the hands of vile and corrupt politics (well-timed, given the current state of affairs) and the necessary destruction of Earth while a lucky few escape to rebuild on a distant planet. Bleak concepts meet addictive riffs, and the reviews have been unanimously and overwhelmingly positive.

A cassette version will be released later via Midnite Collective, and more US tour announcements will follow. A full stream of the new release can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Leader, Liar”
“Albion”
“Dead Earth”
“Void”

Ancient Altar hails from the land of the unrelenting sun, crippling drought, and excess known as Los Angeles, born of arcane philosophy and a stripped-down approach to bristling, daunting, towering doom. Formed in late 2013, the band features bassist Scott Carlson and guitar player Barry Kavener splitting vocal duties, along with second guitarist Jesse Boldt and drummer Etay Levy.
 
Dead Earth is the band’s sophomore effort, coming just a year after their 2014 eponymous debut, which was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, and just a few months after a devastatingly stunning set at Psycho California in May. Dead Earth is a loose concept album based on war, corrupt leaders, and religion destroying planet Earth as we speak—which is happening, and only getting worse. The album depicts the only way for humanity to survive: leaving this dead earth and starting over somewhere else. The record dips and dives between themes of the utter despair of the human race’s impending doom—and a sense of hope as we triumphantly make our terrifying yet absolutely necessary escape toward a fresh start and a new future.
 
Ancient Altar is:

Barry Kavener: guitar and vocals
Scott Carlson: bass and vocals
Jesse Boldt: guitar
Etay Levy: drums

 

On September 18th, Christian Mistress will release their new 8-song excursion in pure American heavy metal - their LP titled To Your Death. Album opener, “Neon”, can be heard below:

Marked by the powerful vocals of Christine Davis and the rich harmonies of guitar duo Oscar Sparbel and Tim Diedrich, Christian Mistress is simultaneously relevant and anachronistic. Formed in Olympia, Washington in 2008, the band quickly distinguished themselves through their tasteful treatment of the grit and style pioneered by early 80’s NWOBHM as well as through the unique, raspy vocal presence of Christine Davis. After releasing a demo and a single in 2009, the following year saw Christian Mistress partner with Olympia label 20 Buck Spin to release their debut full-length Agony & Opium.
 
Agony & Opium eventually caught the attention of Relapse Records, who signed Christian Mistress in 2011. Shortly thereafter, the band recorded their second full-length album, Possession; a 41-minute slab of traditional heavy metal mixed with classic rock sensibilities. Released in February 2012, Possession netted the band widespread recognition.
 
After relocating to Portland, OR, Christian Mistress has now returned with their new full-length To Your Death, an album that serves the song, the art, and the listener, while ignoring the line drawn between past, present and future. By now, it’s clear that Christian Mistress are deeply passionate about what they do, and aren’t simply following the latest trends.
 
To Your Death will be available on CD, LP and Digital formats September 18th from Relapse. More track premieres, video, and info coming soon.

Tracklisting:

“Neon”
“Stronger Than Blood”
“No Place”
“Walkin’ Around”
“Open Road”
“Ultimate Freedom”
“Lone Wild”
“Ill”

“Open Road” video:

“Stronger Than Blood”:

Christian Mistress is:

Oscar Sparbel - Guitar
Jonny Wulf - Bass
Christine Davis - Vocals
Reuben Storey - Drums
Tim Diedrich - Guitar

 

VA-based grindcore monarchs Pig Destroyer’s remixed and remastered Relapse debut, Prowler In The Yard, is now streaming in full prior to its September 4th release. Fully reworked by guitarist/engineer Scott Hull, the landmark 2001 release has gotten the super-deluxe reissue treatment as another portion of Relapse’s 25th anniversary festivities and is now available for your listening pleasure (or pain).

All editions of the Prowler reissue include a never-before-heard bonus track from the original album sessions, exclusive photos, expanded artwork, and new liner notes. The reissue is available as a 2CD set, a digital download, and on various LP colours. The 2CD set (strictly limited to 2,000 copies) also includes a disc of the original version of the album. Pre-orders are available through Relapse here and through Bandcamp here.
 
Stream the album in its entirety below:

Trailer:

Bucharest metallers Goodbye To Gravity will release their second full-length, entitled Mantras Of War on October 30th via Universal Music Romania. A new lyric video for the album’s lead track, “The Day We Die”, can be found below.

The ten tracks were produced and engineered throughout 2014 by bassist Alex Pascu at Traian 150 Studios in Bucharest, Romania. The band then left for the picturesque island of Santorini to mix the album at Black Rock Studios, with the help of veteran mixing engineer Kostas Kalimeris, who worked with artists like Bring Me The Horizon, Steve Harris and Joe Bonamassa. The record was mastered by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein, Volbeat, Amorphis) at Chartmakers Mastering in Helsinki, Finland.

The cover artwork was painted in watercolor by artist Radu Damian, for an astonishing retro Sci-Fi look.

Alex Pascu, about Mantras Of War: “We didn’t make any compromises on this record. The tracks have a very organic sound, thanks to the analog equipment used in all production stages. We wanted to avoid the lifeless and loudness-war-ridden sound that plague some of the current metal records and create a wide sonic spectrum that emphasizes the incredible energy of these new songs.”

“We’re extremely excited with the result!”, adds Andrei Găluț, the band’s singer. “I think the band has a tighter and more mature feel on Mantras Of War. After three years of playing together, we’ve managed to get a better perspective of where we wanted the new stuff to go: faster, more aggressive songs, yet retaining the melody and catchiness we had on our debut album. The tracks are very challenging to play, but we can’t wait to take them out on the road and check out everybody’s reaction!”

Vlad Busca, the label’s representative, declared: “Goodbye To Gravity is for sure one of the most promising bands on the local scene, with a distinct sound on both live appearances and studio recordings. We crossed our paths several times during the years and I always admired their ambition and professionalism, therefore the label’s decision to sign them was a very easy one to make. We hope that this collaboration to be a step forward for all the parties involved.”

Tracklisting:

“The Day We Die”
“Shadow Puppets”
“Atonement”
“Four Minutes Of Rage”
“Rise From The Fallen”
“Heed The Call”
“What If”
“Spaceman” (Babylon Zoo cover)
“This Life Is Running Out”
“Ode To A Sacrifice”

“The Day We Die” lyric video:

Relapse Records announces the signing of Southern California's Seven Sisters Of Sleep. Formed in mid-2009, SSOS play a venomous mixture of doom, death metal, black metal, d-beat and grind, and have released two full-lengths on A389 Recordings / Southern Lord in addition to numerous splits and EPs. Their latest album, Opium Morals, can be streamed via Bandcamp here.
 
Seven Sisters Of Sleep recently completed recording their third full-length record with Paul Miner at Buzzbomb Sound Labs in Orange, CA. The album, which is the most developed work the band has produced thus far, will see an early 2016 release via Relapse.

The band commented on the new material and signing, “We are proud and excited to be working with Relapse with our upcoming new full length and it is unquestionably our heaviest material to date.”

More on Seven Sisters Of Sleep at Facebook.

Hailing from Toronto (Canada), Cauldron has signed with The End Records to release their long-awaited fourth studio album, In Ruin. For the new album the trio returned to the Lincoln County Social Club recording studio in Toronto, where they recorded two of their previous albums, including Burning Fortune (2011) and Tomorrow’s Lost (2012).

Co-produced by Chris Stringer (Rush, Timber Timbre), In Ruin, scheduled for an early 2016 release, is sure to deliver more riffs, more attitude and more modern heavy metal classics while laying waste to all of the genre's imitators.  

"We are quite pumped to finally see our new album release plans come to light and are quite excited about our new endeavor with The End Records. We were very proud of our last record Tomorrow's Lost, so we had to take our time and make sure to top it with a proper follow up. I am confident we've accomplished that." – Jason Decay, Cauldron

Swedish heavy metal foursome Enforcer recenlty announce their 2016 North American co-headlining tour with Warbringer. The 43-date Enforcer/Warbringer co-headlining trek launches at The Gramercy Theatre in New York, New York on January 5th, hits nine Canadian cities, West Hollywood, New Orleans, and then wraps up at the Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia on February 20th. Joining the bands as support are Canadian heavy metallers Cauldron and Southern California quartet Exmortus.

Confirmed dates:

January

5 - The Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
6 - Championship Bar and Grill - Trenton, MJ
7 - Trickshots - Clifton Park, NY
8 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
9 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
10 - FouFounes - Montreal, QC
11 - Salle Multi - Quebec City, QC
12 - Ritual - Ottawa, ON
13 - Hard Luck - Toronto, ON
14 - The APK - London, ON
15 - Montage Music Hall - Rochester, NY
16 - Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
17 - Altar Bar - Pittsburgh, PA
18 - Ace OF Cups - Columbus, OH
20 - Token Lounge - Westland, MI
21 - Fubar - St. Louis, MO
22 - Mojoes - Joliet, IL
23 - The Metal Grill - Cudahy, WI
24 - Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN
25 - Zoo Cabaret - Winnipeg, MB
27 - Nite Owl - Calgary, AB
28 - Pawn Shop - Edmonton,  AB
30 - Rickshaw Theater - Vancouver, BC
31 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA

February
1 - Hawthorne Theatre -Portland, OR
2 - Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
3 - Whiskey a Go Go - West Hollywood, CA
4 - Brick by Brick - San Diego, CA
5 - Club Red - Tempe, AZ
6 - LVCS - Las Vegas, NV
8 - In the Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
9 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
10 - Aftershock - Merriam, KS
11 - Red 7 - Austin , TX
12 - 210 Kapones - San Antonio, TX
13 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
14 - Trees -Dallas, TX
15 - Siberia - New Orleans, LA
16 - Orpheum - Tampa, FL
17 - The Haven - Orlando, FL
18 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
19 - Expo Five - Louisville, KY
20 - Canal Club - Richmond, VA

(Photo: Brittany Deck / BKHphoto)

 

InsideOut Music announces the worldwide signing of legendary US rock group Kansas for the release of their forthcoming 15th studio album.

Kansas needs no introduction, having sold over 30 million records in their career, as well as achieving eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point Of Know Return, The Best Of Kansas), a platinum live album (Two For The Show) and a million-selling gold single (“Dust In The Wind”).

Drummer and founding member Phil Ehart had this to say about the signing: “In speaking for all the members of Kansas, we could not be more enthused about signing with InsideOut. They are the greatest Prog music label on the planet and we are very proud to be a part of their stable of artists. It’s our first album of new music in 15 years and we are very happy to be working with the great team at InsideOut.”

InsideOutMusic label-head Thomas Waber adds: "We are extremely excited about signing Kansas, the biggest and most important prog band to come out of the US! I grew up listening to them and their music is a part of my DNA. Everyone on the team is working hard in making the next studio album count 150% and for it to become an important part in the legacy of this great band. We are very proud to become a part of the journey!"

Kansas is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, lead singer/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, and original guitarist Richard Williams. They are currently in the midst of an extensive US tour.

Kansas continues to remain a fixture of classic rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on popular video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and through their songs inclusion in various television shows such as Supernatural, South Park, and the films Old School, and Anchorman.

Kansas tour dates:

September
4 - Taste of Colorado - Denver, CO
5 - Saban Theatre - Beverley Hills, CA
6 - Freemont Street Experience Summer - Las Vegas, NV
8 - Crest Theatre - Sacramento, CA
10 - Chumash Casino - Santa Ynez, CA
11 - Casino Pauma - Pauma Valley, CA
12 - Santa Clarita PAC - Santa Clarita, CA
17 - Marina Civic Center - Panama City, FL
18 - Newberry Opera House - Newberry, SC
19 - Niswonger Performing Arts Center - Greeneville, TN
25 - Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel - Providence, RI
26 - The Big E - West Springfield, MA
27 - Blue Ocean Music Hall - Salisbury, MA

October
1 - Emporia Granada - Emporia, KS
2 - Lied Center of Kansas - Lawrence, KS
3 - United Wireless Arena - Dodge City, KS
9 - Tarrytown Music Hall - Tarrytown, NY
10 - Patchogue Theatre - Patchogue, NY
11 - Sherman Theater - Stroudsberg, PA
15 - Landis Theater - Vineland, NJ
16 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA
17 - Turningstone Resort & Casino Showroom - Verona, NY
22 - Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL
23 - Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL
24 - Diamond Jo Casino - Dubuque, IA
25 - Mystic Lake Casino - Prior Lake, MN
29 - Capitol Theatre - Clearwater, FL
30 - Maxwell C. King Venter for the Performing Arts - Melborune, FL

December
4 - Parker Playhouse - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
5 - The Plaza Theatre - Orlando, DL
6 - Florida Theatre - Jacksonville, FL

March
5 - Oxford Performing Arts Centre - Oxford, AL

April
8 - American Music Theatre - Lancaster, PA
15 - Potter Centre - Jackson, MI

May
14 - Marion Palace Theatre - Marion, OH

Kaaos TV conducted an interview with Swedish multi-instrumentalist and producer Peter Tägtrgren (LINDEMANN, PAIN, HYPOCRISY) before PAIN's August 28 performance at Seinäjoki Metal Fest in Seinäjoki, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On LINDEMANN, his collaboration with RAMMSTEIN frontman Till Lindemann:

"We just got back doing a second video for it now. I got back two days ago. It's gonna be something else again.

"There is no gig plans or anything right now, but, I mean, there's still so much to do with it, after releasing this album, and also during the release that we had. But I think it's gonna cool down a little bit now. And I rebuilt [my] studio, so now I'm gonna start getting into the studio mood again and start writing some music and producing bands."

On the response to LINDEMANN's debut album, "Skills In Pills":

"It's been really good. I mean, some people are, 'Ah, the lyrics are so immature.' [But] I think it's funny lyrics. me and Till are immature people. So, you know, we're just having fun with… He's discovering the English words; he's always been writing in German [with RAMMSTEIN]. And now, his crazy ideas and all the English stuff, it's like plucking the tree, he always tells me, from fruit, because the German tree is already empty for him, he said. So it's really refreshing for him to do all these things in English. I mean, so far it really went very well — Number One in a lot of countries, including Finland. So it was surprising. Some [reviews] are more, like, 'Yeah, immature guys going crazy.' But, hey, it's a party album. It's like, you know, Billy Idol in 2015 on… I don't know… speed. It's a party album. We want people to get a good feeling when we do it. It's great party music, I think. It's an album that you can get in a mood before you go to a festival, or before you go out to the bar or something, to get a good feeling."

On LINDEMANN's plans to perform live:

"Mainly, it is that we have to see if the promoters are interested in it, and how should we do it? Should we do it huge, or should we do it very small club punk rock? We don't know anything yet. So we're still collecting info from our promoter. He's throwing out some lines here and there to see who is interested and what can we expect, and where will we be on the bill? Will we play in the bar, or in the tent or on the main stage? We need to know these things before we start planning: 'Okay, are we gonna go crazy with the stage, or should we go very small?' It's still a little bit too early to know."

"I think if it's gonna happen, it's gonna be festivals. That's what I think right now. Everything changes constantly between me and [Till]. So you never know. Maybe tomorrow we're gonna play on the moon. So, we never know. We'll find out… It's better not to say too much until we know for sure. But I hope that we're gonna go out and play."

On what plans he has for PAIN and HYPOCRISY at the moment:

"That's the funny thing, you know: I have no plans at all right now. Whatever comes up in my brain… Maybe I'll write another LINDEMANN album; I don't know. We'll see in a few weeks when my studio is really rebuilt and done, when I sit down and start writing music again, what it's gonna be. I have no clue… I have, like, almost a half album done with LINDEMANN, actually, because I kept on writing when we were done with the album. And plus, we have some leftover stuff that we didn't release. So maybe it's gonna go faster to make a LINDEMANN album and then jump into PAIN or HYPOCRISY after that. I really couldn't say. We have to check a little bit how the schedule is with RAMMSTEIN as well."

"Skills In Pills" was released on June 23 via Warner Bros..

The album was made available in the following formats:

* Standard Edition (2-panel digipack, 28-page booklet)* Special Edition (Blu-ray-packaging, 28-page booklet, bonus track "That's My Heart")* Super Deluxe Edition (large-size book, hardcover, 80 pages, telescope-carton, CD+bonus track "That's My Heart")* Vinyl (gatefold sleeve, 28-page booklet, bonus track, includes album-download code)* Digital

Photo courtesy of Warner Music / Tomaso Baldesarini

Former members of guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen's touring band Michael Vescera (vocals) and Barry Sparks (bass) - who also worked together on former Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow's Kaleidoscope solo album - have launched a new band, Riot On Mars. They have posted a clip of the band covering the Nazareth classic "Beggars Day" with original nazareth singer Dan McCafferty. Check it out below:

Riot On Mars' debut, First Wave features the following tracklist:

"Carry On"
"Out Of Sight"
"Movin' On"
"Sacrifices"
"Prologue"
"This Is The Time"
"State Of Mind"
"Chaotica"
"All To Light"
"Wasted Days"
"What Lies Beyond"
"Consequences"
"Alba Peters Suite"
"Beggars Day"
"Rose In The Heather"

Audio samples from the album are available at this location.

Go to the Riot On Mars Facebook page here.