Fan-filmed video footage of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor's july 7 acoustic performance at Irving Plaza in New York City can be seen below.

Taylor's new book, "You're Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look At The Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left", was released on July 7 via Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

Taylor is promoting the book with a combination of bookstore events and a solo tour which are one-of-a-kind shows featuring readings from the book, acoustic performance, and audience discussion.

During an appearance on the Nerdist podcast, Taylor stated about "You're Making Me Hate You": "It's fucking brutal. It's just me basically trashing everyone."

Taylor said that his original title — which the publisher refused to allow him to use — was "You're Making Me Hate You (Or How Justin Bieber Sucked A Million Dicks To Make His Money)".

Taylor's last book, "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven", was published in the summer of 2013 and landed at No. 23 on the New York Times "Hardcover Non-Fiction" best sellers list.

His first book, 2011's "Seven Deadly Sins: Settling The Argument Between Born Bad And Damaged Good", also made the list at No. 26.

Polish prog masters Riverside kick off promo activities for their upcoming studio album with a new lyric video for the track “Discard Your Fear” (see below)

Entitled Love, Fear And The Time Machine, the band's sixth studio album will be released via InsideOut Music on September 4th. It features cover artwork by longtime design-partner Travis Smith / Seempieces (Katatonia, Opeth) and contains the following tracklisting.

Love, Fear And The Time Machine tracklisting:

“Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened By A Hat?)”
“Under The Pillow”
“#Addicted”
“Caterpillar And The Barbed Wire”
“Saturate Me”
“Afloat”
“Discard Your Fear”
“Towards The Blue Horizon”
“Time Travellers”
“Found (The Unexpected Flaw Of Searching)”

“Discard Your Fear” lyric video:

Riverside’s Mariusz Duda checked in about "Discard Your Fear" as follows: "On the new album I wanted to combine the 70's and the 80's. The 80's were a decade of musical growing up for me. I remember being enchanted by music deep with bass, chorus and all kinds of reverb. 'Discard Your Fear' is a good example of this flow. The lyrics are about the most popular kind of fear that touches most of us - the fear of the unknown."

Duda previously checked in with the following comment about Love, Fear And The Time Machine: "On the new album I wanted to combine the 70s and the 80s. The 80s were a decade of musical growing up for me. On the new album we don't sound as retro and 70s as before, we moved forward, we sort of demolished the previous foundations and build new ones. Despite the huge dose of melancholy and nostalgia, there is a new space, the songs are arranged with more flow and at the same time they have never been so concise and to the point before. The lyrics on Love, Fear And The Time Machine talk about a transformation. About making an important, perhaps life changing, decision everyone has to make at some point in their lives. What happens to us when we have to make it? On the one hand we're excited by the change, we feel free, liberated, and on the other we fear the unknown, we are afraid of what might happen to us. We go back in time and we go forward in time in our heads. And all that happens when we have to decide something important. The first of the songs on the album is called 'Lost', the last one, 'Found'. If we sometimes get lost in life, it is to go through something and be found again on the other side, to be reborn as someone better and more valuable. I would like this album to be one of those that one day simply becomes your best friend."

Riverside tour dates with special guests The Sixxis:
 
September
12 - Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA Center stage
13 - Richmond, VA - The Canal Club
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Bull Shooters Saloon
16 - New Brunswick, NJ - NJ Proghouse at The Crossroads Theatre
17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hard Rock Cafe
19 - Montreal, QC - Theatre La Tulipe
20 - Quebec City, QC - L'Imperial
22 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
23 - Detroit, MI - Token Lounge
24 - Chicago, IL - Reggies

More dates to be confirmed soon.

"Forever" is not a exactly what we could call a first glimpse of the eagerly awaited second Lethe album. This astoundingly good song is just a little pleasure, generously offered by the magical duo formed by Anna Murphy (Eluveite) and Tor-Helge Skei (Manes, Manii). A short moment of pure genius containing all the precious elements which have forged this unique and exceptional self-identified style and very specific self-created approach, dedicated to anyone who enjoys fresh music and experimental artists.

Tor-Helge Skei explains: “While working on the new album, we made tons and tons of material, countless ideas and sketches and recordings, some of which didn't fit into the album concept… instead of throwing these away, we wanted to show you some different sides of Lethe… so, here's the first one… close your eyes, open your mind, and let the music take you on a musical journey through different moods and states. to places you might not even know existed."

The enigmatic "Forever" artwork was craftred by reknown Artist Costin Chioreanu (Arcturus, Mayhem, etc.).

Download "Forever" for free at this location.

Forever by LETHE
    
Lethe is a metal/triphop/electronic/pop/experimental (?) project featuring Tor-Helge Skei and Anna Murphy, plus close collaborator Eivind Fjøseide, as well as a long list of external contributors. The band was started in the end of 2012, as a 'home' for Anna and Tor-Helge's musical and artistic experiments, and right from the beginning, the main rule has been that there are no rules, no expectations, no compromises.

The band has been categorized as a lot of things, genre-bending, style-bastardization, ecclectic, and even just weird, but even if experimentalism and fuck-all-rules is an important factor, the band is not afraid to incorporate melody and catchiness into the music.

Lethe is something unique, something personal and quite 'different'... Lyrically and conceptually, Lethe is like a journey through the 'back alleys of the human mind/psyche', through dreams and nightmares, paranoia, mental breakdown, inner darkness.. No religion, fantasy, or pretend play.. Real life, real experiences, real horror.

Italian progressive metal act Adimiron have launched a drum play-through video for the track "The Burning Of Methuselah”, taken from the band's fourth studio album, Timelapse, released in fall 2014 via Scarlet Records.

The video also celebrates Federico Maragoni officially joining the Gold Music’s ranks and other endorsements with Vater Percussion Italy and Istanbul Agop Cymbals.

“I'm really proud to announce a series of important agreements that will give even more support to my work as a drummer, important goals that can be reached only with work, dedication and love”, says Federico. ”Chops, musicality and stamina around the drum-set are the only weapons to win the track’s structure, feeling and odd time signatures. ”

 
Released late last year, Adimiron's new album, Timelapse, mixes furious riffs and progressive/avant-garde atmospheres with a post-death metal touch. This new, dark, sinister effort combines all of the elements that make Adimiron's sound so distinctive: rhythmic spasms and asymmetric textures embedded in a progressive and dramatic scenario. Focusing on the synthesis, Timelapse reveals fascinating and obscure landscapes with no boundaries of any kind.

Timelapse can be purchased online via Bandcamp here, or via  iTunes and Amazon.com.

Timelapse by Adimiron

"Gone Too Long", the new video from Northern Irish rockers THE ANSWER, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Raise A Little Hell", which was released in North America on March 10 via Napalm. Commented THE ANSWER lead vocalist Cormac Neeson: "During summer 2014 we hightailed ourselves down to Madrid to record our new album with longtime friend and producer Will Maya. Our time in Spain represents one of the most productive and enjoyable chapters in THE ANSWER's colorful history.

"Our new album, 'Raise A Little Hell', comes from deep down inside. We brought the blues, the swagger and soul back into the studio and emerged from it with an album that encapsulates our unabated love for making the music we make. We're all incredibly proud and thrilled with this record!"

Asked how "Raise A Little Hell" compares to THE ANSWER's past releases, Neeson told GigsAndFestivals.com: "I think every album we put out there is a bit different. It's constantly evolving. We've never really capped our development as a band. We're always continually looking for different inspirations and ways of keeping our music fresh. As a result of which, I don't think any one of our five records sound like another, which is a good thing. It's probably a sum of our parts this one. It kind of felt like making [debut album] 'Rise' again, in that we were writing music for the joy of writing music and no other reason. We were kind of free from all that external pressure that comes from having record deals and a core fan base that you really have to live up to, in terms of their expectations. We were able to block all that background noise out this time around. It's also got a bit of the aggression of 'Everyday Demons', and of 'New Horizon' in there too, and then a bit of the diversity of 'Revival'. I really think it's where all our influences and all our muses meet in the middle." THE ANSWER consists of Cormac Neeson (vocals), Paul Mahon (guitar), Michael Waters (bass) and James Heatley (drums).

Photo credit: Stefan Heilemann

Montreal black metal extremists Funeste have officially released their debut EP, entitled Le Triomphe du Charnier, via Black Element Productions. The EP, mastered by Colin Marston (Gorguts, Krallice, Behold The Arctopus), is available digitally via the band's official Bandcamp page. The physical version of the EP will be available on CD this coming August via Black Element. Additionally, the band is currently working on a conceptual visual companion for an as-yet-unnamed song from the EP.

The release, the first for both band and label, draws inspiration from the members' own personal experiences, aiming to deliver music that is as heartfelt as it is devastating. Although living in the same city, the duo of Léo F. (guitar and programming) and Y. Pannos. (guitar, bass, vocals, production), have yet to compose their music together in person, choosing instead to sculpt the songs independently with their own personal influences, experimenting with styles and textures, and ultimately forging their very own conventional, uncompromising, incredibly oppressive sound.

Check out the new song “Hilkhot Avodat Kokhavin” streaming below.

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the renaissance-inspired rock band formed by Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night, performing on July 8 in Paris, France can be seen below.

On September 18, Frontiers Music Srl will release "All Our Yesterdays", the tenth studio album from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT.

"All Our Yesterdays" will be released on a variety of formats: CD, CD/DVD and digital versions on September 18 and in LP and box set configurations on October 16. Pre-orders for the CD and CD/DVD versions are available on Amazon.com.

* CD/DVD Deluxe edition includes the full album plus a DVD with music videos for "All Our Yesterdays" and "Will O' The Wisp", plus an extensive interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night on the making of the new album

* 2LP vinyl edition with a gatefold sleeve

* Box Set Limited Collector's edition includes CD/DVD deluxe edition, 2LP, tshirt (L size ONLY), poster, lithograph BLACKMORE'S NIGHT vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Candice Night says: "There's a theme to 'All Our Yesterdays'' chosen songs that focuses on the attitude of living in the present, and looking toward the future, because we are, indeed, enriched by our past. My main theme and inspiration has always been nature and folklore from around the world."

Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore's lives and creative journeys have taken them through different characters and songs from a variety of times in history. That is part of the attitude in the song "Where Are We Going from Here", about a traveling minstrel's journey through life and age.

The title track (and also the first single and video), "All Our Yesterdays", echoes the sounds of Candice's Russian roots, while a new song written by Germany's George Hesse is an old-style, fiddle-driven instrumental with the Welsh title "Allan yn y Fan" (meaning "Out There"). Ritchie's heritage includes family from Wales.

The album also includes stunning instrumentals: the acoustic guitar piece "Queen's Lament" and the dramatic "The Darker Shade of Black" that spotlights violin and guitar.

Elsewhere on the recording, "Earth Wind and Sky" is a delicate ode to nature. "The Other Side", a latter-day folk dance joins two jigs that Candice sings: "Coming Home" and the supernatural-themed "Will o' the Wisp".

"All Our Yesterdays" gets further inspiration from Candice and Ritchie's home town, where they take part in community folk nights during which the neighbours share guitars and songs, and sing melodies that have come from a variety of times in their own history. That's how they fell in love with songs of various radio formats of years gone by. The album includes the Linda Ronstadt hit "Long Long Time" (penned by Gary White); the Mike Oldfield song "Moonlight Shadow"; and an inspiring Maypole Dance treatment of Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe".

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT is a true musical and spiritual collaboration between vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night and her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The two met in 1989 when DEEP PURPLE challenged Candice's then-radio station to a charity soccer match. In 1993 she sang on RAINBOW's "Difficult To Cure" tour. They co-wrote four songs for RAINBOW's "Stranger In Us All" and in 1997 they formed BLACKMORE'S NIGHT; they continue to play Faire Festivals all over the world.

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT is:

* Ritchie Blackmore - electric/acoustic guitars, mandola, hurdy gurdy, nickelharpe* Candice Night - vocals, chanter, cornamuse, shawms, rauschpfeife* Bard David of Larchmont - keyboards* Earl Grey of Chimay - Bass and rhythm guitar* Lady Lynn - harmony vocals, shawm, flute, recorder* Troubadour of Aberdeen - drums

The Art Gates Records team has announced the incorporation of Goth-industrial metal act Zentaura as the new artist to join its rooster.

This project started in the year 2012 in the city of Madrid (Spain). Zentaura combines metal music with electronics, highlighting sequences and vocals, which are clean, serious, dark and rocking; having as a result the original sound of the band, not very common in the industrial metal scene. All this combined with a dark and powerful image.

The lyrics are visceral, Zentaura define themselves as dark/industrial metal and they create the music they would like to listen.

In words of the band:

“We’re very satisfied to achieve a new level signing with Art Gates Records and we’re very excited about what is going to come from now on.”

The debut opus of the band, entitled Made With Blood, will be released through Art Gates Records worldwide this autumn.

Vocalist Jo and his brother David Amore (drums) have just left French heavy metal pioneers Nightmare. Therefore, the remaining members Yves Campion (bass), Franck Milleliri (guitar) und Matt Asselberghs (guitar) decided to change plans and not continue to work on the band’s planned project of re-recording songs from their first two albums. Instead, Nightmare will search for new members to replace Jo and David, to start working on a studio album will all brand new material (to be released in the second half of 2016) soon.

See the full statement here:

“It's with deep sadness that we have to announce the departure from the band of Jo and David... We respect their choice and wish them all the best in their current and future musical adventures. We will never forget what we have accomplished together starting in the early ‘80s, and it will remain forever engraved in our hearts and memories... The answer to the question that everyone asks: ‘Did the band split?’ is: NO, the band is still alive!!! We are well aware of the huge challenge that we have to face now, and there will inevitably be a change of identity... Naturally, the re-recording of the first two albums originally planned to be released early 2016, without Jo and David has no meaning and no interest at all anymore, and we are forced to stop this project!

“We are very sorry and we send our apologies to all the fans who wanted to see us live in Belgium at the Kraken Fest on November 7th 2015. (a big thank to you Nadia!)... and we promise that we will return in Belgium in 2016! We want to thank our record company for their huge support in these difficult moments, and all the fans who support us and who want this adventure to continue... The new album is still expected for the second half of 2016 and we will give you more news very soon… Stay connected!”

The release date of the ST. Elmos Fire album St. Elmos Fire is August 7 and Warning From The Sky is August 14. 

In the course of the Heavy Metal Classics-series Karthago Records is going to reprint the whole back catalogue of the Californians ST. Elmos Fire. As usual limited to 1000 copies and provided with a certificate, the four studio albums will be re-released on CD during August. Formed in 1979 by guitarist Jeff Jones, the melodic US metal quartet earned a good reputation in the club scene of San Francisco and Los Angeles. After they played shows with superstars like Mötley Crüe, Y&T and Nazareth and recruited Trauma drummer Kris Gustofson, they released their self-titled debut back in 1986 through the French label Dream Records.

Debut album description:

“Traditional US metal with powerful, poignant melodies is driven by the magic voice of Zane Lazar. Multifaceted, often singing more high pitched he refines the strong tracks with his sublime vocals. Straight rockers like ‘Too Bad’ and ‘Inside The Hunter’ are placed next to ballads like ‘More Than The Air’. As bonus the reissue is provided with a demo version from 1980 (‘Don’t Drop It’) as well as alternative versions of the albums tracks ‘More Than The Air’, ‘Too Bad’, ‘Innocent’ and ‘Real Life’.”

St. Elmos Fire tracklisting:

“Fade To Black”
“Into The Night”
“Don’t Drop It”
“More Than The Air”
“Too Bad”
“Breaking Out”
“Real Life (How Does It Feel)”
“Inside Of The Hunter”
“Innocent”

Bonus tracks:
“Don’t Drop It”
“More Than The Air”
“Too Bad”
“Innocent”
“Real Life”

Description of Warning From The Sky:

“The second album Warning From The Sky was first released in 1988 through the German label Bellaphon. Starting with the catchy, straight rocker ‘Don’t Want Your Love’ the Californians delivered absolutely first-class melodic heavy metal. Emotional (semi-)ballads like ‘Caught In The Heartbreak’ and ‘World Gone Insane’, the zippy title track or the straight, pounding ‘Hot N‘ Love (She Rocks The Night)’: Every single song on this nine track album convince immediately and will fascinate headbangers with good musical taste also 27 years after its first release. The re-release is provided with two bonus tracks from the band’s early days. Still with former singer Tim Raynor-Allwein St. Elmos Fire had been a pure hard rock band back then.”

Warning From The Sky tracklisting:

“Don’t Want Your Love”
“Let It Burn”
“Caught In The Heartbreak”
“Hot N’ Love (She Rocks The Night)”
“Tearin’ It Down”
“Hearts On Fire”
“Warning From The Sky”
“No Way Out”

Bonus tracks:
“Piece Of Your Love”
“Swineherd” 

Finish symphonic metallers Amberian Dawn have unveiled the first details of their next masterpiece. Together with AD's co-producer Mikko P. Mustonen (known for his work with Delain, Ensiferum and Sonata Arctica), vocalist Capri and the band’s composer Tuomas Seppälä the band are hard at work right now on the new album.

The album will be released worldwide on October 23rd via Napalm Records. Handling production duties on the record is composer Tuomas Seppälä, who also plays keyboards and guitar.

Amberian Dawn mastermind Tuomas Seppälä on the upcoming album, entitled Innuendo: “This is one of the most melodic and vocal-driven album in AD's history. I've composed these songs in a little bit of a different way than I've used to do before. I have worked with these songs without any limitations. Some of the elements I've used have been quite unusual in the heavy metal genre and there's going to be a fresh new sound for AD. Musically these songs are still very much influenced by classical music but also by electro-composers like Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis for example. Our new vocalist Capri was able to bring tons of emotion with her sound and lyric writing and I'm sure that this album will be our best so far!”

Together with their label mates in Delain, and Anneke van Giersbergen of The Gentle Storm, Amberian Dawn is going to hit the road in October and November. Make sure to be part of this very special tour.

Amberian Dawn tour dates include:

August
14 - Hodonin, Czech Republic - Made Of Metal Open Air

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

November
2 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
3 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
4 - Graz, Austria - Explosiv
5 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
6 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Randal Club
7 - Warsaw, Poland - Club Progresia
8 - Berlin, Germany - K17

Kataklysm will release Of Ghosts And Gods on July 31st worldwide via Nuclear Blast. Check out the new track “Soul Destroyer”, streaming below:

With the completion of their twelfth studio album, the band is prepared to unleash an aural assault of the best kind among the masses. They recently release a new teaser for the video for ”Marching Through Graveyards”. The music video will be released on July 24th.

Of Ghosts And Gods will be the first death metal album to release a concept video for each song. The band will premier a new video every day, from July 22nd to July 31st. Stay tuned for further details.

 

 

Guitarist J- F Dagenais tracked drums, guitars and bass for the album, while vocals were recorded by producer Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, DevilDriver, Cannibal Corpse). The entire process was mixed and mastered in the UK by legendary producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Testament, Exodus, Amon Amarth).

The new album artwork was done by up and coming dark and macabre artist Art by Surtsey. The new Kataklysm cover art echoes a sinister artwork depicting the reality of humanity’s beautifully disturbing existence and its impending death through the Mortal and the Everlasting, the background shows an ancient Incantation written in Aramaic.

Of Ghosts And Gods track listing:

“Breaching The Asylum”
“The Black Sheep”
“Thy Serpents Tongue”
“Soul Destroyer”
“Vindication”
“Marching Through Graveyards”
“Shattered”
“Hate Spirit”
“Carrying Crosses”
“The World Is A Dying Insect”

“The Black Sheep”:

“Thy Serpents Tongue”:

Preview:

About the album, the band previously stated: “It has all the elements that make Kataklysm the force that it is with unrelenting power, melodic hooks, extreme passages and the head stomping grooves Kataklysm is well known for, plus it jumps into new territory in the true nature of the band’s adventurous exploits to push the limit. The end result will be our fans head banging with their horns in the air and shouting the hymns - and that’s our satisfaction right there. We will be hitting the road this summer with a string of festivals in support of the album. This is a determined Kataklysm like you’ve never seen before. Be ready."

Kataklysm have announced dates for their Of Ghosts And Gods European tour 2016.

Mastermind Maurizio states: “It’s been a little awhile since we have visited the clubs and theaters of Europe , the last run was incredible as we remember it well, this time we come stronger then ever supporting the bombastic Of Ghosts And Gods with an unprecedented 44 shows across the old continent as we will be visiting new cities and also countries such as Norway, Finland, Estonia and Latvia for the very first time… excitement is an understatement! We will be bringing a full Kataklysm show so you can feel the real experience our way and we are bring with us our brothers:  the Greek titan kings of SepticFlesh and Belgian gore masters Aborted to bring the power and the blood, in true Kataklysm tradition the tour will be in January / February, so come start the year the right way and experience this sonic assault when it comes to destroy your town.”

Tour dates:

January
7 - Berlin, Germany - C-Club
8 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
9 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
10 - Aarhus, Denmark - Voxhall
11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
12 - Göteburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
13 - Oslo, Norway - Blå
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Strand
16 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
17 - Tallin, Estonia - Tapper
18 - Riga, Latvia - Melna Piektdiena
19 - Vilnius, Lithuania - New York
20 - Warschau, Poland - Progresja
21 - Cracov, Poland - Fabryka
22 - Prag, Czech Republic - Meet Factory
23 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
24 - Budapest, Hungary - Dürer Kert
25 - Lubljana, Slovenia - Kino Siska
26 - Wörgl, Austria - Komma
27 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Majestic
28 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA
29 - Geiselwind, Germany - Musichall
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z 7
31 - München, Germany - Backstage

February
1 - Genf, Switzerland - Lùsine
2 - Montepellier, France - Rockstore
3 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
4 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
5 - Limoges, France - CC John Lennon
6 - Vannes, France - Echonova
7 - Rouen, France - Le 106
9 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
10 - St. Etienne, France - Le Fil
11 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
12 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
13 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
14 - Paris, France - La Machine
15 - Bristol, UK - Fleece
16 - Glasgow, UK - Audio
17 - Dublin, Ireland - Voodoo Lounge
18 - Manchester, UK - Sound Control
19 - Nuneaton, UK - Queens Hall
20 - London, UK - Underworld
21 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13

Belgium’s fast rising brewery powerhouse Eutropius has joined forces with Montreal death metal masters, Kataklysm, to bring the band‘s own branded beer to the world. What makes this alliance special is, that this speciality craft beer has been brewed with the bands approval on a unique recipe for a pure Belgian blonde beer and stands at a mighty and unholy 6,66% alcohol content, a smooth refreshing tasting beer that packs power just like the bands music. Keeping true to the bands origins, the beer has been baptized with the St. Tabarnak name; 'Tabarnak' is a popular slang word in Quebec, Canada and fits perfectly with the bands heritage, upbringing and rebellious nature.

The beer will be coming out this August to commemorate the release of the bands new album, Of Ghosts And Gods. It will be available in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland in the first month with plans to release it and distribute it across Europe, Canada and the States for this fall.

Eutropius Brewery CEO Wouter Vermeersch comments: “Today, our brewery can finally announce its deal with the Canadian death metal force Kataklysm. We are proud to cooperate in unleashing their own blonde ale beer into the world.”

Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono comments: “It‘s a total honour being asked to partake in such a project. We started with our own hot sauce to start the party for our new record release and now we have the beer to go with it, the music is coming this summer and all this is for our fans. They deserve it! Cheers Tabarnak!“

 

Japan's conquering sons X Japan are gearing up for the release of their first album in 20 years. The as-yet-untitled record will be unleashed on March 11th, 2016 and a documentary charting the band's career will be issued the day after the album launch.

Drummer Yoshiki confirmed reports that X Japan will debut the film at London's SSE Wembley Arena as part of their #XDAY celebrations on March 12th. A video trailer for the event has since been released and can be viewed below.

The film chronicles the evolution and groundbreaking history of Japan’s most iconic rock band, from their start to their current projects – including 2014’s magnificent Madison Square Garden concert, the band’s first US show in 4 years.

The documentary is directed by Stephen Kijak who was commissioned by The Rolling Stones to direct their 2010 documentary Stones in Exile chronicling the making of their 1972 album Exile on Main St. which premiered in Cannes and on BBC1. He is also well known in the UK for his earlier work Scott Walker – 30 Century Man, which was executive produced by David Bowie and earned great critical acclaim.

Tickets for #XDAY go on sale via LiveNation this afternoon (July 4th) after founder and drummer Yoshiki makes a personal appearance at Paris’s Japan Expo at Paris-Nord Vilepinte Exhibition Center.

Yoshiki will be joined by X Japan’s lead vocalist Toshi next Saturday, July 11th at Hyper Japan at London's O2. The duo will perform a song from the new album as part of a special unplugged performance at 3:30pm. Tickets are available here.

The album will be the follow-up to their fifth record, 1996's Dahlia, while the The film is produced by Passion Pictures’ John Battsek, producer of the 2013 BAFTA and Academy Award-winning feature documentary, Searching For Sugar Man.

X Japan drummer/founder Yoshiki spoke with TeamRock.com earlier this year for Metal Hammer. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: You’ve spoken before about how KISS were the first Western rock band you fell in love with: what was it about that band that so captivated you?

Yoshiki: "I first discovered KISS with the Love Gun single, and then I bought the live album, Alive. Then I got the chance to see their show, and I was like 'What the hell is going on?' At the time I was studying classical music, so to see KISS play was a big shock. I encountered the band first by accident. I was in a record shop and saw this record with crazy make-up and four people standing and I thought 'What is this?' so I asked the people in the shop to play it. And it was like 'Wow!'"

Q: Did discovering this new world offer an escape from your reality at the time?

Yoshiki: "I think so. My father committed suicide, so at the time I was very sad, crying every day and angry. When someone takes their own life there are lots of thoughts: 'How about my mother? My brother? Our family?' You think about those things. But rock music absorbed my anger, especially. And KISS was my entrance to that world. I remember listening to Led Zeppelin, and when I first heard Stairway To Heaven that really affected me too. It was rock music, but it was so beautiful. And then another real big turning point for me was Iron Maiden: I bought the first album and Killers, with Paul Di’Anno, and then of course Number Of The Beast when Bruce Dickinson joined the band. Those three albums changed me: they had beautiful melodies but were still very heavy. And when we started our own band we wanted to be even faster and heavier!"

Click here for more.

Murder FM will release their album titled Happily Never After on August 7 on Famous Records Global and distributed worldwide by Pavement Entertainment. 

The upcoming release was co-produced by Beau Hill and Norman Matthew, as well as features a bonus remix by Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe). Additionally, Murder FM will be playing Dirtfest 2015 on the Main stage August 8, 2015 with a full tour to follow.

Their rising success was based largely in part by their shocking and elaborate videos which received much attention and impressive view numbers on YouTube. The band also gained lots of positive international press which carried over to the States and led to supporting slots with Rob Zombie, Deftones, Five Finger Death Punch, Pop Evil and many more. With a full length LP in tow, Murder FM is set to release their passion and unique brand of Rock/Industrial style Metal to the world.

Happily Neverafter tracklisting:

“Legion”
“We The Evil”
“Last Breath”
“Machine Gun Kisses”
“Burn”
“Slaves”
“Lethal Lovers”
“Like Glass”
“Happily Neverafter”
“Rainy Day”
“We The Evil” (Tommy Lee remix)

Murder FM is:
Norman Matthew:  vocals, guitar, programming
J6: bass, backing vocals
Matt X3r0: guitar, backing vocals
Jason "Shakes" West: drums

Italian dark metallers Graveworm will release their new studio album, Ascending Hate, on June 19 in Europe, and on July 7 in North America. A lyric video of new track "Downfall Of Heaven" is streaming below:

A snippet of their Bon Jovi cover "Runaway" is streaming and it can be found as a bonus track on the digipak version of Ascending Hate.

Ascending Hate will be available in the following formats: CD, Digipak (incl. sticker), Ltd. White Vinyl, and Ltd. Metal Box (incl. Digipak, t-shirt, signed autograph card and gimmicks).

Ascending Hate tracklisting:

"The Death Heritage"
"Buried Alive"
"Blood Torture Death"
"To The Empire Of Madness"
"Downfall Of Heavens"
"Stillborn"
"Liars To The Lions"
"Rise Again"
"Son Of Lies"
"Nocturnal Hymns Part II (Death’s Anthem)"

Bonus track on Digipak: "Runaway" (Bon Jovi cover)

"Blood Torture Death":

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida based melodic heavy metal act Artizan has premiered a new track “Wardens Of The New World” from their new album The Furthest Reaches featuring guest vocalist Sabrina Cruz of power metal act Seven Kingdoms.

The CD is available in both standard and limited editions. The limited edition CD includes alternative artwork by Eliran Kantor with a slipcover, as well as the bonus track, “Come Sail Away”.

Standard Version Artwork by Marc Sasso

 

Limited Edition Artwork by Eliran Kantor

The Furthest Reaches was released April 24 via Pure Steel Records, coinciding with their appearance at the legendary Keep it True festival in Germany. Orders are now available at the official Artizan website.

Album sampler:

 

After nearly a decade as a band, Hamilton, Ontario melodic-hardcore group Counterparts is gearing up for what could well be one of their greatest releases yet. The band’s upcoming fourth studio album, Tragedy Will Find Us, is scheduled for release on July 24 via Pure Noise Records and finds them at their most creative as they start their next chapter. A new track “Tragedy” is streaming at this location. Preorder the album here.

Tragedy Will Find Us is a record of redemption that marks a turning point for the band. Singer Brendan Murphy recently said the album represented him at rock bottom with nowhere to go but up. The intensity of that sentiment can be found throughout the record’s eleven songs, including hard-hitting new tracks “Burn” and “Collapse.”

Counterparts will embark on a month long tour with Every Time I Die, Real Friends, Gnarwolves, Brigades and Gatherers later this month.

Tour dates:

July
23 - Richmond, VA - The National
24 - Greensboro, NC - Greene Street
25 - Wilmington, NC - Ziggy’s By The Sea
26 - Atlanta, GA - Centerstage
27 - Orlando, FL - Venue 578
29 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
30 - San Antonio, TX - Alamo City Music Hall
31 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls

August
1 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
2 - Riverside, CA - Riverside Municipal Auditorium
3 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
4 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
7 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
8 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre
9 - St. Louis, MO - The Ready Room
10 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
11 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
12 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
13 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
14 - London, ON - London Music Hall
15 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
16 - Patchogue, NY - The Emporium (Today’s Mixtape Festival)
18 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
19 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall
20 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
21 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
22 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Theater

Tragedy Will Find Us tracklisting:

“Stillborn”
“Thread”
“Resonate”
“Stranger”
“Burn”
“Tragedy”
“Withdrawal”
“Choke”
“Collapse”
“Down”

“Solace”  

“Burn” video:

Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Counterparts formed in 2007 and currently features Murphy on vocals, Jesse Doreen and Adrian Lee on guitars, Kelly Bilan on drums and Brian Kaczmarczyk on bass. To date, the band has released three studio albums and an EP, including their 2013 breakout album The Difference Between Hell and Home, which debuted at #49 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

(Photo - Joshua Halling)

 

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has slammed rapper Kanye West for claiming to be "the greatest living rock star on the planet."

Admittedly not known for his modesty, West told attendees at last month's Glastonbury festival in England that they were witnessing something special. "You're watching the greatest living rock star on the planet!" Kanye said during his performance.

Taylor, who headlined England's Download festival in June with SLIPKNOT, took issue with West's claim, recording a video message for Kanye during a visit to the Music Choice studios in New York City. Corey said (see video below): "Kanye, you are not — not — the greatest living rock star of all time. The fact that you had to tell people that kind of says it all. You remind of the guy who brags about pussy. They never get as much as they brag about. Stop it. [Slaps wrist] Stop it!"

The outspoken rapper has previously compares himself to visionaries in the fields of art, fashion, technology, sports and business.

During a 2013 concert in Paris, West called himself Picasso, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney and Basquiat.

"You're Making Me Hate You" is being released today (July 7) via Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

Taylor is promoting the book with a combination of bookstore events and a solo tour which are one-of-a-kind shows featuring readings from the book, acoustic performance, and audience discussion.

Corey's last book, "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven", was published in the summer of 2013 and landed at No. 23 on the New York Times "Hardcover Non-Fiction" best sellers list.

His first book, 2011's "Seven Deadly Sins: Settling The Argument Between Born Bad And Damaged Good", also made the list at No. 26.

Samuli Väänänen of Finland's Radio Nova recently conducted an interview with Franky Perez and Eicca Toppinen of Finnish/American cello rockers APOCALYPTICA. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is footage of the band performing the songs "Shadowmaker" and a cover of the METALLICA classic "Nothing Else Matters" at the Radio Nova studios.

Speaking about how APOCALPYTICA ended up recruiting the Las Vegas-based Perez as its vocalist, Eicca said: "When we started to search for a singer, we felt it [was] risky, because we thought it's hard to find a world-class singer. We thought that the singer needs to be on the level that our guests [on previous albums] have been. And how can you find a singer who's available and who can take the gig? It's not the easiest gig, you know, to take. You know, it's a partly instrumental band, and it's partly with vocals, on stage also. And it's not about finding a front face for the band; it's a totally different thing. The singer is one of us, and one of the musicians, actually, in this group. We just thought, we checked out all [of Franky's] stuff, [his] funk stuff, and all this stuff on the Internet, and we were, like, 'That guy is an amazing singer, but is he really…?' You know, he needs partly to move to Finland, he needs to spend a lot of time here. What kind of family situation he has, and is he available or willing to do it? It's a big step to take the job. So we were a little bit concerned. And it was funny that we never met [before]. We've been working with the same people, we know the same people in the music industry, and the same bands and musicians, but we never met in person. Even we were [playing] at the same festival [in 2008]."

Asked about his impressions of the APOCALYPTICA guys, Franky said: "It's actually… and maybe the public will be happy to know that… these men are very proud of their country. And so they made a point of showing me proper Finnish culture. And I love it here. It's gorgeous here. And people have been very friendly… One thing you all should know… And maybe it's a Finnish thing, but I don't think so. I think it's an APOCALYPTICA thing. These guys love being naked. I don't get it. I've been naked once, but they're naked all the time."

APOCALYPTICA's new album, "Shadowmaker", was released on April 21 via Eleven Seven Music Group's Better Noise imprint. The CD was recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES, MASTODON).

CANDLEBOX is reigniting the flame this summer as it announces plans for a summer and fall tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band's sophomore album, "Lucy". Released in 1995, "Lucy" was the successful follow-up to CANDLEBOX's debut and achieved gold certification thanks to songs like "Simple Lessons", "Best Friend" and the title track. The tour, which will kick off July 23 in Lake Charles, Louisiana and run through the fall, will feature hits from "Lucy" as well as fan favorites. In other news, CANDLEBOX has confirmed a lineup change. After twenty-plus years of rocking the road and creating great music together, Peter Klett and Scott Mercado have decided to take a break from touring with CANDLEBOX. Parting ways amicably, Klett and Mercado have decided to devote their careers full time to LOTUS CRUSH and their other side projects. "I'm stoked that Pete and Scott are having such great success with LOTUS CRUSH and their other projects. I wish them nothing but the best," said Kevin Martin, lead singer for CANDLEBOX. Klett added: "It's time; there is nothing greater than playing music you've created in front of fans who love it with their heart and soul. That is what we have done with CANDLEBOX for 20-plus years. The wonderful people who have embraced us have done it with class. For that, Scott and I are extremely grateful."

The CANDLEBOX lineup continues with current member Adam Kury on bass and guitar, drummer Dave Krusen, who played with CANDLEBOX from 1996-2001 and was in PEARL JAM and was featured on the iconic "Ten" album, Mike Leslie and FOSTERCHILD guitarist Brian Quinn, who was labelmates and friends with Martin for years.

Tour dates: Jul. 23 - Lake Charles, LA - L'Auberge du LacJul. 25 - St. Clair, MI - St. Clair RiverfestJul. 30 - New Bedford, MA - Feast of the Blessed SacramentAug. 01 - Sturgis, SD - Easyriders SaloonAug. 08 - Fort Bliss, TX - Ft. Bliss Army BaseAug. 15 - Glen Flora, WI - North Woods Rock RallyAug. 21 - Sioux City, IA - Hard RockAug. 22 - Island Lake, IL - Sideouts Bands in the SandAug. 28 - Tacoma WA - Uncle SamsAug. 29 - Central Point, OR - Lithia Motors AmphitheaterSep. 11 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino AmphitheaterSep. 19 - Cottonwood, AZ - Thunder Valley RallySep. 17 - Houston, TX - CWM Pavilion

Frankfurt, Germany’s The Green River Burial will release Blight on vinyl 7” and digital formats on August 1st via Bastardized Recordings. The two-song release showcases the band's movement into darker, groovier territory. The EP is the first chapter of a developing concept project that will be continued on the group's upcoming full-length release.

Blight follows 2012 Bastardized Recordings release Separate & Coalesce. The Green River Burial sound mirrors and translates the ambition, passions and influences of the four members resulting in an unique, individualistic style. Growing from hardcore roots, the new EP demonstrates a shift toward more of a groove-oriented, modern metal style.

 
Tracklisting:

“Armilus”
“Dajjal”

The Green River Burial have played numerous internal shows, tours, and festivals with bands like Suicide Silence, Thy Art Is Murder, Architects, Emmure, August Burns Red, Stick To Your Guns, Of Mice & Men, Behemoth, The Black Dahlia Murder, Hatebreed, I Declare War, The Acacia Strain, and Bury Tomorrow. Known for their powerful live performances, The Green River Burial won't stop until every venue is filled and every staged is destroyed.

 

Robbie Williams has won his battle with guitar legend Jimmy Page over the singer's plans to refurbish his London mansion, reports Express.co.uk’s Robert Kellaway.

Williams, 41, has been involved in a planning dispute with his rock star neighbour since buying the former home of the late film director Michael Winner for £17.5million. He withdrew two sets of plans after Page objected, claiming any work could damage his historically important neighbouring west London home.

 

 

Williams came up with fresh plans in March to which Page once again objected. The plans included alterations to every floor, the removal of a swimming pool and gym, new air conditioning, minor excavation and the demolition and replacement of a garage.

Page's neighbouring Tower House is regarded as one of the most important properties in west London and was once saved from demolition by the poet Sir John Betjeman. And Page, 71, fears vibration from any work could damage his property and also said the proposed garage was "extremely unfortunate in architectural terms". He backed up his claims with letters from conservation architects and engineers.

Read more at this location.

US death metal trio Ectovoid will release the sophomore album Dark Abstraction on July 17, via Hellthrasher Productions. The band has just dropped the second advance track Mental Netherworlds, which is available for streaming below.

Dark Abstraction was written throughout the past three years and features eight brand new songs that shift the band's sound to new spheres, while remaining true to the morbid and punishing ancient death metal of their roots. 

Ectovoid's drummer, C.M., comments:

"We focused our efforts on making this album a step forward from our debut in all dimensions - production, musicianship, songwriting, and lyrics. We were fortunate to be able to collaborate with two fellow musicians in the creation of this album who we greatly respect - Joshua Freemon of Hellgoat handled all recording and mixing, while Damian Herring of Horrendous mastered the album. Both of their inputs were invaluable from the technical side of things and the results are clear when hearing the production. Musically, we pushed ourselves to create songs that were darker, heavier, more intricate, and more otherwordly than anything we had written previously. We are proud of the final outcomes and feel that this album perfectly represents our vision as a band."

The album’s artwork was made by Bartłomiej Kurzok:

Dark Abstraction tracklisting:

“Obscure Altars”
“Visions Of Reflective Decay”
“Mental Netherworlds”
“Precipice Of Absolute Chaos”
“Rituals Of Hallucination”
“The Expanse Between Slumber And Death”
“A Prisoner Of Paradox”
“Spawned From Unending Mystery”

“Mental Netherworlds”:

“The Expanse Between Slumber And Death”:

 

 

Preorder the album at this location.

After a sweaty but successful show at the Under The Black Sun Festival last weekend, Thyrgrim will now enter the studio to record their new album Dekaden. The German black metallers have also published some more details about the new album with the tracklist as well as the official release date.

Dekaden will be available on October 9 via Talheim Records.

Dekaden tracklisting:

“Dette Er Tysk Svart Metal”
“Die Hölle Ist Hier”
“Die Seuche Mensch”
“Zeichen zdeiner Schwäche”
“Hass” (re-record, originally on the album Niedergang)
“Interlude”
“Der Weg”
“Gezeiten”
“Sterbend II”
“Wenn Es Schneit” (re-record, originally on the album Winterhall)

(Photo by: Sunvemetal)

The Danish stoner/hardcore band Evra is about to play a handful of shows in Europe in advance of the upcoming August release of their debut album Lightbearer. To give people a taste of what to expect, the band now reveals the second single from the album, the song "Curse Of The Moon” which can be heard below here. The track offers another unholy concoction of ominous guitar melodies and surprising tempo changes, distilled on the band's influences in doom, stoner metal and chaotic hardcore.

The album was mixed and recorded by Lewis Johns (The Ranch Production House) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Audiosiege).

Along with the single reveal, the band has also unveiled the artwork for the coming album, created by Jakob Printzlau (Plastic Kid):

Lightbearer tracklisting:

“I Lysets Skær; An Introduction”
“Curse Of The Moon”
“Enola”
“Washed Away”
“The Occultist”
“Paranoia”
“Lightbearer”
“Let Them Fall”
“Formørket; The End”

“Curse Of The Moon”:

Video “Lightbearer”:

For those wishing to catch one of Evra's notoriously furious live shows, the band is touring with the Danish doom band The Hyle, and will be playing the following shows prior to the album release:

July
7 – Berlin, Germany – Koma
9 – Rostock, Germany – Alte Zuckerfabrik
10 – Hamburg, Germany – Der Clochard
12 – Liege, Belgium – La Legia
13 – Antwerp, Belgium – TBA 

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo's documentary film on the life and music of bass legend Jaco Pastorius, "Jaco - A Documentary Film", is on track for a November 2015 release.

According to a posting on the project's official Facebook page, "We are doing some film festivals this summer (you may have seen these announced previously), currently Munich and Montreal are underway. Some final edits are taking place as we speak. Recently some incredible never-seen, rare Joni Mitchell footage was supplied to us and is being added at the 'last minute.' We think it will be worth the extra effort."

The film is being produced by Trujillo and Johnny Pastorius, Jaco's son, and directed by acclaimed director Paul Marchand.

Trujillo told LA Weekly that "Jaco - A Documentary Film" has already cost him a lot of money out of his own pocket. Trujillo revealed: "When you are trying to do it right, it's costly. I've been a part of this film for five years. I've spent a huge chunk of money. It's great because I feel it needs to be done, but I have [other] responsibilities, too." Trujillo explained that just because he is a member of METALLICA, that doesn't give him access to unlimited funds, saying, "People don't understand. I didn't write [METALLICA's huge hit] 'Enter Sandman'. It's a little different for me."

The Pulse Of Radio asked Trujillo how close the film was to being finished. "I would say we're moving towards a final edit, but at the moment we are at about 110 minutes, you know," he said. "We'd like to curtail that a bit but it's kind of difficult because if you were really gonna tell the ultimate Jaco Pastorius story and share it with the universe, it would be a nine-hour series."

Trujillo recently launched a PledgeMusic campaign to raise the last batch of funds needed to complete production on the documentary.

Contributors to the PledgeMusic fund can purchase a variety of items for their money, including bass lessons with Trujillo, signed DVDs of the film and a replica of Pastorius' "bass of doom."

"Jaco - A Documentary Film" tells the story of the electric bass pioneer through interviews with family, friends and fellow musicians such as Flea, Joni Mitchell, Sting, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Geddy Lee, Bootsy Collins and Carlos Santana. Trujillo has been working on the project for nearly five years.

Pastorius was a self-taught, larger-than-life musician who made almost mythical impact on music and reinvented the electric bass, giving it both edge and beauty.

Norwegian black metallers Svartelder, whose lineup includes members of Carpathian Forest, In The Woods, Den Saakaldte, Pantheon I and Old Forest, have today released a teaser video that gives a taste of what to expect from their upcoming digital EP release.

The EP, which will be titled Askebundet, is set for release on July 10th July via Svartelder's BandCamp page at this location, where the title track of the EP is currently available as a single. The teaser video, by Kobold, can be seen below.

Artwork for Askebundet  is also by Kobold, and tracklisting for the 3-track EP,  which comes in at just under 25 minutes is as follows:

“Askebundet”
“Bleeding Wounds”
“Ingen Vet Jeg Var...”

After an initial flurry of activity, Svartelder largely remained dormant until founder and  frontman Doedsadmiral, decided to reactivate the project with an infusion of new blood in the shape of vastly experienced musicians who have taken the band's original old-school Norwegian black metal roots and contributed their own individual styles to broaden the whole sound and take it in new directions.   

Interestingly, the musicians themselves have chosen to use different names for their work in Svartelder,  something that allows  them to explore new avenues without any of the pre-conceptions and expectations from fans that may arise because of their previous bodies of work.  Aside from Doedsadmiral on vocals, the rest of the lineup comprises Maletoth on bass and guitars, AK-47 on drums, and Kobold on keys.   

The band are currently working on their debut full-length album and are looking for a label.