Former Dio guitarist Tracy G is in the studio writing under his band Tracy G Group for a new CD and will be released in October with six songs.

The EP will feature Mike Beatty on the vocals, Randy Oveido on the bass, Adrian Aguilar on the drums with Korn drummer Ray Luzier performing on two tracks.

Video “This Device”; first track off upcoming EP:

Video “Out Of Time”; second track off EP:

Nashville hard rock singer, bassist Jasmine Cain has self-released her fifth album, White Noise.

White Noise is produced by Lincoln Parish, former guitarist for Cage The Elephant, and Mills Logan (Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Luke Bryan) the album features special guests Jeff LaBar from Cinderella, Gerry Finn from Killer Dwarfs, and Christopher Williams from Accept. Michael Starr, from Steel Panther, does a duet on “Fall To Rise”.

White Noise tracklisting:

“Coming In Hot”
“White Noise”
“Break Even”
“Hole”
“Fool’s Gold”
“Into The Grey”
“Nightingale”
“1995”
“Any Given Sunday”
“Fall To Rise”

“Fall To Rise” featuring Michael Starr:

Video “Nightingale”:

Special guests:
Kevin Bebout: Bass (“Any Given Sunday”)
Lincoln Parish: Guitar/Percussion/Synth
Mills Logan: Percussion/Programming
Kenny Greenberg: Guitar (“Break Even” “Hole” “Into The Grey”)
Philip Kelly: Drums (“Any Given Sunday”)
Amber Rose: BGV
Paige Logan: BGV/Vocal Arrangements
Christopher Williams: Drums (“Nightingale”)
Jeff Caughron: Guitar ("Nightingale”)
Gerry Finn: Guitar (Into the Grey”)
Jeff LaBar: Guitar (“Fool’s Gold” “Any Given Sunday”)
Charlie Parra: Guitar ("Fall To Rise”)
Michael Starr: Vocals (“Fall To Rise”)

In a music scene that has become so over saturated with sound-a-like cookie cutter bands, how does a band stand out above their peers? That is a challenge that Southampton, UK 5-piece Gone By Tomorrow faced, and the end result is the new EP Blank Future. Produced by Sam and Joe Graves at Innersound Studios (Asking Alexandria, Glamour Of The Kill, Ben Bruce, Yashin), the EP is set for release on October 16th.

Taking elements from many areas across the rock spectrum, Gone By Tomorrow have armed themselves with catchy choruses, shredding riffs, powerful dynamic breakdowns and much more to create an individual sound that sits within the metalcore genre, without getting lost amongst the crowd. With a solid fan base, earned from prestigious support slots, including The Word Alive, Our Last Night, Ghost Town, The Color Morale and Hacktivist, festival appearances such as Butserfest, Takedown and Messtival and a headline UK tour, Gone By Tomorrow are only heading up.

Blank Future tracklisting:

“Undefined”
“Outspoken”
“I Saved Latin, What Did You Ever Do”
“Here's To You, Dearest Enemy”
“Not The Only Ones”
“The Homecoming”

Gone By Tomorrow have announced a series of UK tour dates for September with Opheon.

Canadian thrash-speed metallers, Warsenal, recently signed a new record deal with Italian label Punishment Records for their new full-length album, Barn Burner, set to be released on September 28th. The new music video for the album track “Dying On Stage” is now streaming below.

Barn Burner tracklisting:

“Dying On Stage”
“Let Me Out”
“Hit ‘N’ Run”
“Conquer”
“Stab You One By One”
“Unstoppable”
“Wars”
“NightStalker”
“Minefield Game”

“Dying On Stage” video:

Scale The Summit’s forthcoming release, V, due out on September 18th via Prosthetic Records, expertly showcases the instrumental progressive rock band's definitive sound as it ebbs and flows across an array of beguiling soundscapes. The album was mixed by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist) who previously worked with the band on their smashing 2013 release The Migration.

With just over a month left until V hits store shelves worldwide, the band have decided to unveil a second track from the album, "Kestrel", which can be streamed below. Commenting on the track, the band stated "Kestrel is a really exciting part of the album for us, as it brings out the band's softest moments and most intense moments all in the same song. Each instrument slowly builds on one another and keeps escalating toward some serious energy. It's a dynamic shift unlike anything we've really done before. We're super excited to play this one live!"

“Kestrel”:

The cover art for V was completed by the UK-based artist Duncan Storr, with whom the band previously worked on their 2013 effort The Migration. The artwork is a composite of images that each correlate to a specific track title, and over the past two weeks, the band has led up to its reveal with teaser snippets of each song along with its associated visuals via social media platforms. You can hear samples of each of the 10 tracks on the new album here.

V tracklisting:

“The Winged Bull”
“Soria Moria”
“Pontus Euxinus”
“Trapped In Ice”
“Stolas”
“The Isle Of Mull”
“Kestral”
“Oort Cloud”
“Blue Sun”
“The Golden Bird”

“Stolas” video:

Mixed and mastered by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist), V is now available for pre-order on CD and LP (including black, white and clear vinyl options) at this location. Digital pre-orders, which include an instant download of “Kestral” and ”Stolas," are also available via iTunes, Bandcamp and Amazon.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of ARMORED SAINT's August 4 performance at Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands as the support act for QUEENSRŸCHE can be seen below.

ARMORED SAINT's seventh studio album, "Win Hands Down", was released on June 2 in North America via Metal Blade. The CD was produced by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, STONE SOUR).

ARMORED SAINT singer John Bush previously stated about "Win Hands Down": "When we began talking about a new record, I told Joey Vera to pretend we were a really huge band and that we could do anything we wanted. At least that was the mindset we should have, from the writing to the production. What came out was 'Win Hands Down', which is our first record in five years."

He continued: "There's everything from classic ARMORED SAINT rocker songs to epic songs and we all dug deep to deliver something special. If we weren't going to, then we shouldn't have bothered. I'm glad we did."

In episode #137 of One On One With Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by Savatage / Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist, Chris Caffery.

Chris discusses his new album Your Heaven Is Real, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, Savatage's upcoming plans, the TSO/Savatage at Wacken performance, his line of hot sauces, and much more.

On the future of Savatage, Chris states: "The ultimate decision for Savatage is up to Jon (Oliva).” On making a new Savatage album: "If they decide it's time to do another record then we'll do it. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Listen below:

WJCU disc jockey and former WEA employee Bill Peters announced on his long running Metal On Metal program (August 7th) that after their Wacken Open Air appearance, Savatage plan to continue.

Peters: "I'm friends with their manager. He used to work together at Atlantic. They were very happy with how the show went. They were using it as a test. Based on how it went, they're excited and want to do some more shows and possibly record a new album."

Stay tuned for updates.

At the 2015 installment of the Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) festival in northern Germany, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) and Savatage wowed 80,000-plus attendees with a never-before-attempted music festival performance. Following a 40-minute Savatage set and a 40-minute TSO set, TSO and Savatage band members, across two of the festival’s main stages, performed a perfectly coordinated set of fan-favorites. This ambitious feat, both musically and logistically, was helmed by Paul O'Neill. Al Pitrelli led TSO on the “True Metal Stage” and Jon Oliva headed Savatage on the “Black Stage.” Beyond the unprecedented act of two bands hitting the stage at the same time, this show was also memorable as it marked progressive metal originators Savatage’s first show in over a decade, TSO’s first European festival show, as well as the only live appearances of both bands in Europe in 2015.

Check out pro-shot footage of the dual-stage performance of "Fortuna - Carmina Burana" courtesy of Germany's 3Sat network:

At 9:45 PM, Savatage, including members Oliva, Pitrelli, Johnny Lee Middleton, Chris Caffery, Jeff Plate, Zak Stevens, Bill Hudson, plus several backing musicians (including TSO's Vitalij Kuprij), ripped through such Savatage songs as “Gutter Ballet,” “Hall of the Mountain King,” “Edge of Thorns,” "Jesus Saves" and more.

As the Savatage set came to a close, guitarist Pitrelli raced to the other stage to join TSO for a fierce performance including songs from their upcoming release Letters From The Labyrinth – “Prometheus,” “Toccata/Carpimus Noctem” from the platinum-certified Night Castle and more. For TSO’s first set, the band consisted of John O.Reilly and Jeff Plate (drums), David Z and Middleton (bass), Angus Clark and Caffery (guitars), Mee Eun Kim and Derek Wieland (keyboards), Asha Melvana and Roddy Chong (strings). Vocal duties were handled by Jeff Scott Soto, Kayla Reeves and Andrew Ross, with the group bolstered at times with dancers, background vocalists and more.

At 11 PM came the portion of the performance that left the crowd astonished: all band members took to their respective stages and began an hour-long simultaneous performance playing the same songs concurrently. They stormed through the set containing such songs as Savatage’s “Turns To Me,” a rousing version of “Believe” with a duet featuring Oliva and Robin Borneman along with TSO favorites including “A Last Illusion,” “Requiem,” "Beethoven," and “King Rurick” from TSO’s forthcoming release. A united Trans-Siberian Orchestra featured four guitarists, four keyboard players, two drummers, two bassists, a string section, and multiple vocalists (including the addition of TSO's Russell Allen and Savatage’s Stevens to the above). It was a sight to behold, with several generations on stage: from teenagers taking their first steps on an international rock stage to seasoned veterans who have toured the world.

Throughout the two-plus hours, along with an unprecedented sonic storm, fans were treated to an incredible pyrotechnic display estimated to have cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. As anyone on site could attest, it was an unparalleled auditory and visual experience.

Check out some fan-filmed footage below:

Hailing from Kotka, Finland, female-fronted quintet Crimson Sun play modern melodic metal with an in your face attitude. Crimson Sun has released two new tracks from their debut album, “Clockwork Heart” and “Eye Of The Beholder’. 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”

“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 live dates:

August
14 - Dark River Festival 2015 - Honkala, Finland
15 - Virgin Oil - Helsinki, Finland

Crimson Sun is:

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

A Sound Of Thunder have released a cover version of the classic Manowar song "Pleasure Slave". The song can be streamed below. The band is offering a high-quality digital download of the track as a free bonus with its current Kickstarter campaign.

As if Manowar weren't controversial enough among metal heads, the song "Pleasure Slave", a bonus track from Manowar's sixth album Kings Of Metal, is infamous for its lyrical content.

"Joey DeMaio wrote one of the most hilariously sexist songs of all time," stated A Sound Of Thunedr vocalist Nina Osegueda.  "And that's cool, but turnabout is fair play.  This one's for you, Joey!"

"There is no greater joy than taking a hilariously misogynistic piece of music and turning it upside-down," Osegueda continued. "The composition itself is great, but I always wanted it to be a little faster. The vocals were a challenge, but I had fun using my low register more than usual. As for the background vocals, we had a great time recording a bunch of our male fans making horrible orgasm noises. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life!"

A Sound of Thunder guitarist Josh Schwartz also commented on the track: "Ironically, this song has probably given me more pleasure over the years than any other.  The lyrics are so ridiculously over the top, and Eric Adams delivers them with such conviction, that I can't help but crack up when I hear it...we are talking laughing so hard I'd be in tears sometimes!  So full disclosure: we actually love Manowar and embrace their cheese, and just thought it would be fun to turn this one on its head.  Our fans paid for the production of this song so we're releasing it for free to the whole world to hopefully spread some smiles and laughter.  Hail, kill, and enjoy!"

The band recently released a video for “Tower Of Souls”.

"Tower of Souls" is the soundtrack to the first major battle between Shadowman, the hero, and Master Darque, the villain. Master Darque is trapped in a hell-like domain known as the Deadside, but is nearing the culmination of his plan to escape and wage war on the Earth. Only Shadowman has the power to stop Darque's scheme, so Darque recruits Baron Samedi, the voodoo lord of the dead, to keep Shadowman occupied. But Samedi's loyalties are not what they seem: he betrays Darque and clears a path for the final confrontation between Darque and Shadowman.

“When we wrote the song we wanted to capture the sinister nature of Darque's plot and the huge consequences involved, so we used a lot of sinister and dissonant notes and chord changes. An unrelenting triplet beat drives the song forward and gives it an almost militaristic feel. Hopefully the listener feels that he's right in the middle of an epic battle on the Deadside!”

The lyric video features panels straight out of Valiant Entertainment's Shadowman comic book series on which the song and album are based.

A Sound Of Thunder recently announced its new album Tales From The Deadside with a Kickstarter campaign that reached full funding in under 24 hours.  The full-length concept album is based on Valiant Entertainment's Shadowman comic book series.  The album was recorded at Assembly Line Studios with RIAA-platinum awarded producer Kevin '131' Gutierrez (Shinedown, While Heaven Wept, Raven).

Tales From he Deadside is set for release on September 25th. The Kickstarter campaign runs through August 17th and features many exclusive items including colored vinyl, picture discs, t-shirts, and digital bonus tracks featuring additional guest musicians yet to be announced.

Tony Carey (Rainbow, Planet P Project) has recorded keyboards on A Sound Of Thunder's cover of the Rainbow classic "Death Alley Driver". The track is exclusively available via A Sound Of Thunder's current Kickstarter campaign.  A preview of the track is streaming below:

Despite an imposing catalog as a solo artist and with his own Planet P Project, among metalheads Tony Carey is best known as part of the definitive lineup of Rainbow. Along with Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, and Jimmy Bain, Carey performed on the seminal Rising and On Stage albums. Carey's hair-raising synthesizer notes on "Tarot Woman" and haunting Mellotron chords on "Stargazer" are just some of his highlights on Rising, an archetypal cornerstone album of melodic and power metal.

"This is a very cool cover of a very cool song, by a very cool band. So that's all cool..." said Carey.  "As far as my part goes, I threw down some old-school Hammond and played a much-too-fast solo bit on a Minimoog (remember those?) and woke up on the Sunset Strip in pre-Apocalypse 1976... lots of fun, and not something I do very often. Hollywood Swingin'! Thanks for having me."

A Sound Of Thunder guitarist Josh Schwartz added: "Tony is an immensely accomplished musician and producer and I can't overstate how honoured I am to have him on our recording. His work with Rainbow only scratches the surface of his many talents. Fans will know that Tony didn't play on the original version of “Death Alley”. By adding wall-to-wall Hammond organ and his own personal style, Tony has warmed up the song and given it a kick in the pants and a very cool '70s vibe not present on the original."

The band recently announced the first exclusive KickStarter-only bonus track in their campaign - a cover of Dio’s "Last in Line" featuring Benedictum’s Veronica Freeman. Details on how to get the track can be found here. A sample of the song can be found below:

"The story of Shadowman, his alter-ego Jack Boniface, and the many characters in his world inspired us to create what we believe is our best album to date," said A Sound Of Thunder guitarist Josh Schwartz. "We let the story lead us to places our music has never been before, combining all the elements of supernatural horror, drama, action and adventure found in the comics. Of course everything has gone through our own unique Thunderous filter, and all the familiar ASOT elements will be there, Shadowman's harrowing journey demanded no less!"

A Sound Of Thunder was formed in Washington, DC in 2009. Their most recent album The Lesser Key of Solomon was released on September 9th, 2014 via Mad Neptune Records and debuted at #43 on the Billboard Heatseeker’s Albums chart.

A Sound Of Thunder:

Nina Osegueda- vocals
Josh Schwartz- guitars/ keyboards
Jesse Keen- guitars/ keyboards
Chris Haren- drums/ percussion

 

Comatose Music and Norwegian sickos Kraanium are teaming up once again for the band’s next slab of bloody depravity.

Chronicles Of Perversion is the new offering from these purveyors of the twisted and grotesque. Kraanium's fourth full-length release since their 2001 inception contains 11 tracks of stomach wrenching, pure guttural brutality as you would expect, and only as they can deliver. The band continues to embody the slam genre and this release promises to be their most violent, pit stomping music to date in true Kraanium form... not for the feeble.

Artwork for Chronicles Of Perversion by Marco Hasmann. Highly recommended for fans of Devourment, Abominable Putridity and Waking the Cadaver. A stream of the track “Acid Combustion” can be found below. Comatose Music will release Chronicles of Perversion on September 18th.

Tracklisting:

“Rock Filled Orifice”
“Human Skin Fuck Doll”
“Hung By Your Entrails”
“Destined For Surgical Defilement”
“Evisceration Of Pre-Teen Cadavers”
“Chronicles Of Perversion”
“Acid Cumbustion”
“Rusty Knife Defloration”
“Fermented Uteral Mastication”
“Sodomize Her Headless Corpse”
“Revisitate To Mutilate”

“Acid Combustion”:

Detroit death-doom band, Temple Of Void, recently signed to underground independent label Shadow Kingdom Records. The band's first order of business with its new label will be a reissue of the group's debut album, Of Terror And The Supernatural, a pulverizing record that steamrolls via a morbid, high-fidelity death metal assault. The album will see a September 4th release through Shadow Kingdom, complete with eerie cover art by legendary science fiction and fantasy artist Bruce Pennington. The track “The Embalmer’s Art” can be heard below.

Temple Of Void creates crushing metal that will appeal to fans of Autopsy, Bolt Thrower, Dismember, Hooded Menace, Incantation and (old) Paradise Lost. The band's sound combines the slow tempos and depressive moods of doom metal with the subhuman vocals and double kick drumming of classic death metal. Check out the video for Temple Of Void's "Savage Howl" below.

 

 

Tracklisting:

 

“The Embalmer’s Art”
“Savage Howl”
“Beyond The Ultimate”
“Invocation Of Demise”
“To Carry This Corpse Evermore”
“Rot In Solitude”
“Exanimate Gaze”
“Bargain In Death”

“The Embalmer’s Art”:

“Savage Howl” video:

 

 

Omnium Gatherum are streaming their new single, “Skyline”, featured on their new 7” split with Insomnium. The track will also be included on the band’s new album, due in February 2016.

The release with Insomnium is double A-sided (meaning, each band has their own front-cover side) and contains one track from Insomnium, "Out To The Sea" (which previously appeared on the now sold-out Shadows Of The Dying Sun deluxe CD box-set edition), and one track from Omnium Gatherum, "Skyline".

Featuring artwork by Olli-Pekka Lappalainen (who previously created designs for both bands), this tour exclusive 7" is limited to 500 copies and available at all upcoming shows while supplies last.

Tracklisting:

Side A
“Out To The Sea” (Insomnium)

Side A
“Skyline” (Omnium Gatherum)

 

 

Tour dates:

August
11 - New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre
12 - West Springfield, VA - Empire
13 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
14 - Albany, NY - Bogie's
15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
16 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
17 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
18 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
19 - Winnipeg, MB - Zoo Cabaret
21 - Edmonton, AL - Pawn Shop
22 - Calgary, AL - Nite Owl
23 - Vancouver, BC - Red Room
24 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
25 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
26 - San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside
27 - Los Angeles, CA - Whiskey a Go Go
28 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
29 - Las Vegas, NV - LVCS
30 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red

September
1 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
3 - Louisville, KY - Expo Five
4 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
5 - Toronto, ON - Garrison
6 - Ottawa, ON - Ritual
7 - Quebec, QC - Le Cercle

 

On the heels of Myrkur's universally praised debut EP, comes M, the Danish black metal phenom's first full-length album. Recorded in various locations of Oslo, Norway (including renowned artist Emanuel Vigeland's Museum) with co-producer Garm - the mastermind behind black metal legends Ulver - M finds Myrkur achieving the grandiose heights that everyone hoped she would climb to.

The melodies are lush and the brutality devastating. M is a highly developed metal masterpiece that blends second-wave black metal, Nordic folk music, classical instrumentation and haunting choirs. Rounded out on record by members of Mayhem, Dodheimsgard & Nidingr plus a guest appearance from Christopher Amott of Arch Enemy, Myrkur has quickly established herself as one of the best and most intriguing acts in metal today.

M will see its worldwide release August 21st via Relapse alongside her first ever live performance, headlining the black stage at Denmark's Roskilde Festival with Deafheaven and Tombs. Numerous other festival appearances around Europe are planned throughout the year. Physical and digtal pre-orders are now available and include a special deluxe LP package containing an exclusive bonus track of the "Skadi" demo.

The album track “Dybt I Skoven” is streaming below:

Myrkur on the concepts of M: "The album is a story where the songs are connected. It is Nordic folk music, black metal, classical choirs and more. It feels like a soundtrack to some sort of Norse mythology horror movie with blastbeats. I wrote it about many things, as a goddess who wants revenge and to kill off people in my life, perhaps also a side of myself. I feel a strong sense of being divided into two, not one whole. a side of light and a side of shadows battle within me. And sometimes a disassociation to reality. A disconnect to the normal world and to what I am. This album tells my story and the transformation to one is complete in my mind."

Producer Kristoffer Rygg aka Garm of Ulver on M: "In a - for me - short, but efficient time I feel that we managed to sew together a production that will be instantly recognizable in the plethora of "history conscious" metal music, with it's stylistic wavering between classical, folk, rock (shoegaze) and (black) metal traditions. At the same time "M" also sounds strangely contemporary to me. It goes in circles, I guess. Soundwise it's all out classic analogue stuff. No triggered drums, brick walling or all on grid here. It's a really natural sound harkening back to the days of old. That's the feel (or soul) we were after and I think we captured it. It's no secret that Amalie loves Bergtatt (our first album), and there's even a song on the album to prove it! I'm not really a type to gush, but Myrkur is a multi-talent and she knows it. Fortunately for me we really hit it off and were on the same page from the get-go... I think our time of meeting was really auspicious as I've been working a bit with Ulver's old metal back catalogue recently and with that stuff fresh in mind the feeling came natural and was a total trip for me, to summon that epic, sylvan Scandinavian sound, as it were. I am really proud to be involved, to help her make her vision come to life, and also to have her carry the torch, so to speak. I think it's a killer album and I'm anxious to see what people think."

Tracklisting:

“Skøgen Skulle Dø”
“Hævnen”
“Onde Børn”
“Vølvens Spådom”
“Jeg er Guden, I er Tjenerne”
“Nordlys”
“Mordet”
“Byssan Lull”
“Dybt i Skoven”
“Skadi”
“Norn”

“Skøgen Skulle Dø”:

“Onde Børn” video:

“Hævnen”:

Mirkier live dates:

August
22 - Midgardsblot Metalfestiva - Borre, Norway

Introducing Norway’s Magick Touch, musically sawing a beautiful woman in half on their nine track debut album, Electrick Sorcery.

Electrick Sorcery will be released digitally on August 30th, via SCS Records. Enjoy the full album, streaming now at this location.

Magick Touch explore the mystery and magic of the hard rock riff, a cosmic entity that has amused and frightened mankind for ages. By utilising the unholy trinity of electric guitar, thunderous bass and explosive drums, the band seeks to evoke and further enhance the elements that human kind in a casual manner refers to as Hard Rock.

Whereas paying great respect to the groundbreaking and inspirational work of ancient sorcerers like Lynott, The Youngs & Scott, Blackmore, Coverdale, Stanley, Frehley, Simmons and young master Hudson, Magick Touch do not shy away from adding contemporary (magic) touches to the traditions of the Elders. Proud to be in the service of the greater universal powers, there is still Hard Rock to be revealed - believe the true wonders to come!

Band lineup:

Bard Nordvik - lead drums, vocals
HK Rein - lead guitar, vocals
Christer Ottesen - lead bass, vocals

Guitar legend Steve Vai recently checked in with the following announcement:

"Hey Folks, Steve here. We are thrilled to be posting The Space Between The Notes one leg at a time (nine in total) once a week over the next nine weeks, in full resolution! This bonus footage was culled from multiple sources including pics and vids from fans, band, crew, family, and myself. It’s a chronological video diary that has bits from each of the 253 engagements and 52 countries we visited on the last tour, The Story Of Light tour. It was a glorious life experience for us and we are stoked that we can present it here for you. Enjoy!"

Story of Light Tour: The Space Between the Notes (Tour Mischief) runs down as follows:

Leg 1 (Rehearsals/USA)
Leg 2 (Europe/Eastern Europe)
Leg 3 (Vegas/Netherlands/Russia/Ukraine/Europe)
Leg 4 (Australia/NZ/Indonesia/China/S. Korea/Japan/Taiwan/Thailand)
Leg 5 (Europe...again)
Leg 6 (USA...again)
Leg 7 (Mexico/South America/China)
Leg 8 (Vegas/Singapore/Malaysia/Israel/Europe/Russia/Ukraine)
Leg 9 (USA/St. Barths/Japan/France/Poland)

Leg 1:

Leg 2:

Leg 3:

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.

 



 

 

"Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart", a brand new song from former AUDIOSLAVE and current SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell, is available for streaming at Apple Music. The track is the first single from Cornell's new solo album, "Higher Truth", which will be released on September 18. The CD was produced by Brendan O’Brien (BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM, NEIL YOUNG).

Cornell will embark on a solo acoustic tour of North America this fall in support of "Higher Truth". The trek begins on September 20 in Los Angeles, winding down on November 2 in Austin, Texas.

Cornell will play songs from throughout his entire career at the shows including material from SOUNDGARDEN, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, AUDIOSLAVE and his three previous solo efforts.

The singer told The Pulse Of Radio a while back how he first started doing acoustic gigs. "It came from all the way back as far as SOUNDGARDEN with a song called 'Mind Riot', where I would just start to do it alone," he said. "And what I noticed was dynamically it was really great in the middle of a set to give the audience a break from just the sonic pounding. And in AUDIOSLAVE, I started having kind of like a four-, five-song interlude where I would just play acoustic guitar and sing. It was just so intimidating, but there was something about that, I guess, that I liked."

Cornell's previous solo albums include 1999's "Euphoria Morning", 2007's "Carry On" and the controversial 2009 release "Scream", which found the hard rock singer teaming with producer Timbaland for a more pop-urban sound.

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010, touring extensively and releasing the "King Animal" album in 2012. Work on a new studio set is expected to begin sometime later this year.

Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that he sees working with SOUNDGARDEN again as having a positive influence on his solo career. "One thing about a solo artist is you can just be in a room way too long with yourself and your own thoughts and your own songs, and it feels really good to be working with Ben [Shepherd, bassist] and Matt [Cameron, drummer] and Kim [Thayil, guitarist] again, and it's actually a really nice reprieve also from just being alone, doing what I do. It's helping with the balance, I think, too."

Finland's Re-Armed will unleash death on August 21st in the form of new single/EP, Total Lack Of Communication. The band has made all three EP tracks available for streaming and free download in advance of the official release. Grab 'em all here (tracks streaming below).

Death/thrash metal with groovy rhythms and a dash of grind, the self-released EP follows 2014 sophomore album Rottendam (Eternal Sound Records). Total Lack Of Communication is designed to keep the fires burning and blood flowing while the band works on new material for a new full-length album. Visit the Re-Armed shop for a variety of EP bundle packages and merch galore.

Tracklisting:
 
“Total Lack Of Communication”
“Meant To Be Broken”
“Unhuman”

Re-Armed will tour China from September 24th - October 11th.  The band has also announced these upcoming show dates:

August
15 - Bar15 - Seinäjoki, Finland (with End Time Design)
22 - PRKL - Helsinki, Finland (with Profane Omen)
29 - Beermageddon Metal Festival - UK

September
4 - Blackpool - Järvenpää, Finland (with Frosttide, MySore)

Re-Armed have been around since 2001, when five guys from Kerava, Finland decided to start playing similar music likened to so-called "Gothenburg metal." Their musical style has evolved along with many critically acclaimed demo tapes, gigs, lineup changes and a well-received debut album Worldwide Hypnotize, which was released internationally on January 2012 via Massacre Records. After releasing their debut, the band supported names such as Chimaira, Suffocation, Origin, Cattle Decapitation and Cryptopsy for the tours in Europe. In this year Re-Armed also made their first big outdoor festival appearance at Bloodstock Open Air at Catton Hall in the UK.

The second album Rottendam was released on January 2014 via Eternal Sound Records, but major lineup changes froze the band almost for a year. Former guitarist/songwriter Tommi Helkalahti decided to leave the band, leaving vocalist Jouni Matilainen as the only current former member in the band.

Re-Armed is:

Jussi Venäläinen - Guitars
Juhana Heinonen - Bass and Backup Vocals
Jouni Matilainen - Lead Vocals
Mika Oinonen - Guitars and Backup Vocals
Iiro Karjalainen - Drums

Temple Of Torturous announce the signing of Santiago de Chile’s progressive rock act, Bauda, for the release of the band’s third full-length album Sporelights, due out on October 20th in Europe and on November 3rd in North America.
 
Bauda was started by guitarist/vocalist/ chief-lyricist-songwriter César Márquez in 2006 as a solo project and have previously released an EP entitled Del Mar Al Aire in 2006 and two full-length albums, Oniirica (2009) and Euphoria… Of Flesh, Men And The Great Escape (2012).
 
Produced by René Rutten from Dutch alternative rock band The Gathering and Bauda between Holland and Chile, the band’s new effort Sporelights represents a confident progression from its predecessor Euphoria… and once again confirms their flexibility and talent for crafting powerful, intimate and poignant music.
 
Today, Bauda premiere their new music video for the closing track “Dawn of Ages”, watch below.

Guitarist/vocalist César Márquez offered the following comments on the music video: “The concept behind “Dawn of Ages” is loneliness and how we are trapped in these modern and chaotic societies. It’s a song about our routines, about our quotidian, but with the hope of improving "something" and assuming your own path in this world.”

“Best Metal/Hard Rock Metal” winners at the 2013 Artist In Music Awards, Haster announce they have inked a record deal with UK metal label Musicarchy Media to release their sophomore album, The Current Sea.

After being nominated “Best Metal Band” at the OCMA last year - award won by Avenged Sevenfold - and successfully starting their Kickstarter campaign where they reached 70% of the target in less than 24 hours, Haster has been approached by Musicarchy Media who immediately admired the band’s sound, history and work ethics.  

Jarret Stockmar, vocals, had to say about the signing: “Every small step Haster has taken opened a door to new opportunities. Signing with Kiara Laetitia and her label Musicarchy Media is the single biggest step this band has ever made - I cannot wait to see what opportunities come of it.  Kiara's experience as a professional, touring artist sets her apart from other labels - she knows and understands our perspective. I am so grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait for this album to hit the shelves”. Kiara Laetitia, label manager, added: “I’m thrilled about having Haster with us! They have everything we look for in bands: awesome tracks, solid sound, great attitude, dedication and commitment.”

Haster formed in late 2010 set on bringing back the American alternative metal movement spliced with hard rock influences. Adopting styles from acts such as Chevelle, Tool, and Korn, the band displays a relentless show schedule, having played more than 80 gigs in 2014 alone, a humble attitude and an overwhelming growth that is inspiring an emotional connection with fans worldwide. By placing importance on live performances as well as social media, the band reaches out to an enormous number of followers on a daily basis, so much that they are quickly becoming a movement.

Their new album, The Current Sea, will be released in fall 2015 and follows the Let It Go LP, which has was independently released on March 25th, 2014.

The band is planning a headlining US tour around Halloween in support of the effort.

 

Sweden’s Casablanca will release their new album, Miskatonic Graffitti, on September 25th via Despotz Records.

The third full-length album from Casablanca, is a concept album based on the Chuthulu mythology, with a twist. Before man The Old Ones ruled the world stated H.P. Lovecraft. But before The Old Ones, The Original human being of the Golden Void (the Original) ruled the earth Casablanca now claims.

The Originals were creatures way beyond superstition and religion. Knowledge, enlightenment, style and rock ‘n’ roll was the real thing. But then came The Old Ones... Shackled and tossed away into another dimension by The Old Ones who soon would share their destiny. Ever since then The Old Ones have an urge to return and destroy the modern man and rule the world once again. However, The Originals also have an unwavering desire to somehow return and prepare humanity in time before The Old Ones return to throw the world into absolute darkness once again.

This is a story that instead of total cosmic terror, choose to highlight the passionate life stories standing strong in an almost hopeless situation. This is a story of those who despite the impending collapse of the civilization; do not give up the fight, or their dreams of sex, love, rock and fast cars.

Miskatonic Graffiti comes in three sections. In the first section (Enter the Mountains) The Phantom returns to our four dimensional space, approximately 200 years ago. The touchdown takes place in a location later to be called The Mountains, a place where gates to other worlds may appear.

Here’s where the majority of the stories on the album take place, and it’s where The Phantom established The Miskatonic University to arm man with knowledge and wisdom before the dark times, that slowly but surely will come.

The Phantom is the sole returner of The Originals and got its name by the students who considered it “the phantom of the university”. The modern contemporary human being who The Phantom meets along generations of preparation leaves deep impressions and new thoughts in its former imprisoned soul. Rather than just taking the roll as a teacher and commander, The Phantom in its mind transforms itself into the world's greatest rock star. Raised, reborn, released and furious with eons of hunger and revenge in his arsenal to prove it. Its golden colour is due to the atmospheric composition when it once walked the earth. Many would consider it a curse; to him it is a blessing. All hail the golden god.

In the second section we get inside the unbearable simplicity and mortality within the band around The Phantom, their dreams and everyday life in The Mountains. We meet the crabby couple Mat and Josie. He’s the quarterback in university’s football team; she’s the knockout queen of the cheerleaders. Born and raised in The Mountains, misplaced and destined for better.

Sergeant of Doom, or rather sergeant at arms, is the right hand of The Phantom. He’s a university dropout, a street car racer and a catcher in the rye with an unknown background.

We also encounter The Death Organ who holds guest lectures in the astrophysics of the body and Sister Sundown who only can be seen after dark. Two who walks in shadows is found in Eric the Viking and Mr. Roxiewicz who despite heavy missions elsewhere still march in The Armies of the Night.

In the third and last section (Exit the Mountains) we sense the euphoric feeling of victory, the feeling of resignation and the feeling of someone trapped in a corner attacking with nothing to lose.

Exit the Mountains is the revolution of the restless, where boredom becomes the perfect human weapon against creatures running on a different poison. Make it or break it, as long as it leads to something else, something better than here and now. If we go down, we go down fighting.

The Phantom knows what needs to be done, time is the answer but time is short...

Casablanca lineup:

Anders Ljung (Space Age Baby Jane) - Vocals
Josephine Forsman (Sahara Hotnights) – Drums
Erik Almström (Bullet) - Guitar
Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper, Slash’s Snakepit ) - Guitar
Erik Stenemo (Melody Club) - Guitar
Mats Rubarth - Bass

 

Formed in London in 2012, Derange have been slowly building up to the release of their debut album, The Awakening.

Produced by the legendary Russ Russell (Dimmu Borgir, Napalm Death, Sikth, Amorphis, Evile etc.) The Awakening is a glorious tech-metal affair, referencing forward thinking bands like Karnivool, TesseracT and Periphery, all topped off by the haunting and powerful vocals of Cat Pereira. Described by Russell; “one of the best vocalists I've ever come across”, Pereira is a formidable talent, bringing equal parts aggression and melody to  Derange’s complex and powerful music.

With the singles “Ego” and “Unleash” making their mark soon after the band’s inception, Derange would take their time to produce their Change EP (featuring the single/video “Pretty Ones”) but once released it would bring the band to a much wider audience.

Since then the band have been hard at work bringing The Awakening to fruition, spending long hours under the expert tutelage of Russ Russell, honing their songs into their final form. The Awakening is out October 5th.

Band lineup:

Cat Pereira - vocals
Nick Crosby - guitar
Joe Macpherson - bass
Warren de Melo - drums

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman has told Ultimate Guitar in a new interview that he is not a fan of the 1960s musician Jimi Hendrix.

"I'd rather chew glass than listen to Hendrix," he said. "I never got Hendrix. When I think of Hendrix, an image comes in my mind about a lot of hippies rolling around in mud tripping on acid and it just doesn't turn me on at all. And all that noise and feedback, and I'm like, 'Play in tune.' I'm a big tuning guy and that's probably why I don't like [Bob] Dylan, because things go out of tune and it kills me."

He continued: "But then again, all of my favorite guitarists hail Hendrix: I'm a big Uli Jon Roth fan, and he's the most beautiful guitarist. He probably loves Hendrix as much as Hendrix's own mother does. All the guys I respect love Hendrix, so I know there's something there. It's just that I never got it, because it never fit into my experiences."

Marty has since elaborated on his comments, writing on his Facebook page: "When I was a beginning guitarist, all the good players in town would tell me I should listen to this guy or learn from this album, and check out this guitar master or that one. Of course I wanted to impress my friends as well as 'learn from the best,' so I diligently checked out all the most respected players. I soon realized that although the artists that were suggested to me were certainly brilliant masters, I found little joy in analyzing their music, because I just plain didn't understand it or even like much of it. It meant nothing to me, like homework from a teacher in school."

He continued: "When I dug into the music that I did actually like, even though much of it was a bit obscure and not 'approved by the local big-shot guitarists,' I really enjoyed the process of learning and as a result, I wound up easily and subliminally able to decide what I want to play in my own music."

Marty added about the Ultimate Guitar article: "Good interview below: Of course their headline makes me look like an a--hole, but that's how I talk to my friends, and that's how I consider all of you out there, so enjoy."

Jason Rockman, SLAVES ON DOPE singer and on-air announcer on the Montreal, Quebec, Canada radio station CHOM 97 7, conducted an interview with KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer at this past weekend's Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about KORN's influence on the heavy music scene of the past couple of decades, Shaffer said: "When we're doing festivals like this and I have other bands, or other musicians, come up to me and say, 'You had a big influence on me playing guitar,' or, 'You had an influence on our direction,' or whatever, then it starts to be, 'Wow, that's really cool.' Then you start to realize the impact that you made, and [you feel] the gratitude, because we still get to do it — we still get to create and reinvent ourselves on each album. But it's still a challenge, man. And then now, with the record industry changing, you're trying to find new avenues to discover new music from bands. Even [for] established bands, it's tough."

KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch said in a new interview on "You Don't Know Jack" that material the band is writing for its 12th album is "heavier than anyone's heard KORN in a long time." He added, "We're really pleased with what's going on. We just want everyone to be happy with the album. We want everybody to be smiling at the end of the process, so we do have other things to consider. But, yeah, we're gonna come out heavier than anyone's heard KORN in a long time, I think. And just the beginning stages are proof of that to me."

Welch was asked if some recent performances of KORN's 1994 self-titled debut in its entirety had led the band back to a heavier sound. He replied, "I think it's helped being on the SLIPKNOT tour last year and seeing the crowd and just seeing Jonathan [Davis, singer] lead the arena in all the arenas we played. I think it sparked and reminded everybody in the band what KORN started out to be."

KORN has booked a fall North American tour on which the band will perform its debut album in its entirety at every stop. The trek kicks off on October 1 in Chicago, winding down a month later on October 30 in Oakland.

According to the Dallas Observer, RIGOR MORTIS and WARBEAST singer Bruce Corbitt was scheduled to undergo heart surgery yesterday (Monday, August 10) after experiencing two heart complications in less than five days last week.

The 52-year-old Dallas native was told by doctors that he would need heart surgery after finding that his heart was misfiring.

"It became very evident that I can't live a normal life anymore without doing the surgery, without fixing the problems," Coribtt said. "It's not fair to me, my wife, my family and my band to have to worry. It's no way to live: 'Oh we can't go out of town without worrying about his heart messing up.' Nah, it's worth the risk of surgery to live a normal life again. I feel like a walking time bomb."

Corbitt has reportedly already spent nearly $50,000 on the medical costs associated with his heart failure and a YouCaring page has been launched seeking to raise money to help with his medical expenses. "Bruce has been there to help so many of us, and as a proud man, he will not ask for himself," the page says. "So let's all support him and donate."

According to Corbitt, Obamacare had forced him to get health insurance, but it only covers a portion of the expenses. "I just thought about the bills and my wife and my family and what they're going through to help me pay some of these bills," he says. "I thought I would be smart and not be stubborn."

RIGOR MORTIS guitarist Mike Scaccia, who also played with MINISTRY and the REVOLTING COCKS, died on December 23, 2012 of a sudden heart attack brought on by a heart disease (official cause of death: atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease), according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. Officials ruled it a natural death. He was 47 years old.

A benefit concert for Corbitt wil be held on Saturday, October 17 at The Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Appearing on the bill will be RABID FLESH EATERS, CREEPER TEXAS METAL and WIZARDS OF GORE (a.k.a. RIGOR MORTIS without Scaccia).

EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan) played a brand new song, "My Heart Is Of The North", from his forthcoming solo album during his set at this year's edition of the Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Ihsahn told Eternal Terror in June about his forthcoming solo CD: "I would say in 95 percent of cases, [when I am working on a new album] it's all fresh [ideas that I end up using]. This time, it's a bit diferent. There are a few themes from my upcoming album that were, not leftovers, but things that I wrote in the period when I did [2013's] 'Das Seelenbrechen', but that did not fit into that album, but that I, in my mind, [thought] 'This wil fit better in the next one.' Because the previous album was such a, kind of, different type of album."

Asked if he is the type of artist that listens back to his albums and wishes he could go back and change things about each one, Ihsahn said: "Well, I used to be like that, but now, I guess, since I've done quite a few albums over the years, for me, they're more representations of times. And, I guess, also with my solo work, I've had particular ideas… not limiting, but making a framework for each album to work within, so that it becomes a project and kind of an experiment in itself. So whereas the previous album was this total freeform, mental-trip kind of thing, this new album is much more focused on the rhythmical aspects and something that is inspired by other types of music that I really enjoy that are really focusing in on good choruses and really… not necessarily technical, but really cool guitar riffs. At least that's the intention — to focus on a more classic vibe."

Released in October 2013, "Das Seelenbrechen" was described in a press release as "a bold and adventurous recording that is a musical contrast to the progressive shades and saxophone augmentations of the EMPEROR vocalist/guitarist's previous two albums (2009's 'After' and 2011's 'Eremita')."

In 2014, EMPEROR celebrated the 20th anniversary of its "In The Nightside Eclipse" album by making a number of festival appearances.

While visiting Jackson headquarters, former MEGADETH and current ACT OF DEFIANCE guitarist Chris Broderick took some time to answer the tough questions in another "Jackson Speed Round". Learn about the song he wished he wrote, the craziest guitar mods he's ever seen and his must-have items while on tour.

Broderick recently spoke to Guitar World magazine about his decision to leave MEGADETHM last fall, explaining that he "was constantly weighing the positives against the negatives" during his tenure with the Dave Mustaine-led group.

Only hours after drummer Shawn Drover announced his exit from MEGADETH on November 25, 2014 to "to pursue [his] own musical interests," Broderick revealed he also quit the legendary metal band, saying that he was leaving the group "due to artistic and musical differences."

Asked if there was a dress code in MEGADETH, Broderick told Guitar World: "There definitely was a dress code that he wanted to maintain for a MEGADETH look. For me, with everything in this camp, I saw very early on that Dave [Mustaine] is the owner of the company and he is the one that has the right to say how the company is presented and how it should look. The only time we had any issues was when I didn't know a specific thing about how he wanted my appearance to be, and then I would find out as we went along. I saw it very early on as a job requirement and I felt that if the job is worth it to me then I would make those changes."

Regarding whether he had considered leaving the band in the past, Broderick said: "I was constantly weighing the positives against the negatives. I likened it to a lawyer that's working for a firm and finally wants to break out and start his own firm or a chef that wants to open up his own restaurant. You have to deal with the corporate mannerisms from the company you're working for. And once it gets to a point where you feel like you would be happier on your own, that's when you finally to cut the cord. I had been thinking about what to do for a long time, but up until I decided to leave, I always felt the positives outweighed the negatives."

Asked when that balance tipped, Broderick responded: "Not until the last quarter of 2014. I was dwelling on my lack of musical creativity in the band. Dave was getting ready to go in and do another CD and my heart just wasn't in it because I knew I wasn't going to have any artistic say in the definition of the album and the music. He was calling, saying, 'Hey, I want to get you guys down there.' The last thing I wanted to do was go down there and work on a partial CD and then say, 'Hey, this isn't for me.' It was just the right time to leave."

ACT OF DEFIANCE, the band featuring Broderick and Drover, alongside ex-SCAR THE MARTYR singer Henry Derek Bonner, and SHADOWS FALL's Matt Bachand (bass), will release its debut album, "Birth And The Burial", on August 21 via Metal Blade Records.