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.  

 

As Darkness Dies (formerly Graven Image) has released a new promotional video for their upcoming album Life Incomplete. The album is being produced by Mike Vescera (Obsession, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen).

The band states: “A year and half ago we started a project that would become a part of our very being. 11 days of recording and guidance from an icon and friend, Michael Vescera, months of production time and we are finally seeing our passion become a reality. As we get closer to the finish line we wanted to share with you some clips of our journey thus far. This is an album that we are infinitely proud of and we thank you for sharing in this amazing endeavor.”

In late June, As Darkness Dies signed a record deal with Pure Steel Records. 

The commented about the signing: “As Darkness Dies (ADD) are pleased to too have signed with Pure Steele Records from Germany. This culminates a lot of hard work and effort by the band and our producer Michael Vescera (Obsession, Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen, Animetal USA) guiding us every step along the way.  To go from local band to being a signed band is something every musician dreams of; we have been given that chance, and opportunity. Art is art regardless of the medium, and to have the chance to get it onto a world stage is something every artist hopes and dreams about. We are looking forward to the future, and looking back on the past, and how and where it all started, a couple of guys playing music just hoping they were good enough for people to like what it is that they are putting together.

“Here’s to all the possibilities, aspirations and dreams, and to giving people something they can hold on too. Music is more powerful than any other force in life because it sums up everything in life. And we all love that one song. Here’s to music, here’s to all it can bring out in each and every one of us.”

Windhand return with their third full-length, Grief's Infernal Flower. The album was produced by Jack Endino (Nirvana, High On Fire, Soundgarden) and is a massive, heavy, personal and modern testament to the power of doom and stoner metal's legacies. One sees the urgency the band have displayed over their career reflected in their music - long-canonized tropes are reimagined and reinvented, Windhand convey an irrepressible sense of motion even within the slowest of songs.

Check out the new track “Two Urns”:

Front woman Dorthia Cottrell firmly establishes herself as one of today's most powerful vocalists by perfectly balancing beauty with enormous force, and the twin-guitar attack of Garrett Morris and Asechiah Bogdan weaves together nine songs of perfect riffs and fuzzed-out bliss. That often-delicate splendor is all tempered by the colossal rhythmic mastery of bassist Parker Chandler and drummer Ryan Wolfe, whose lower-register expertise serves as the backbone of the new record. Though the first two Windhand albums were underground classics, Grief's Infernal Flower stands to see Windhand cementing themselves as one of the premier metal bands of our time. The album will be released via Relapse Records on September 18th.

Grief's Infernal Flower tracklisting:

“Two Urns”
“Forest Clouds”
“Crypt Key”
“Tanngrisnir”
“Sparrow”
“Hyperion”
“Hesperus”
“Kingfisher”
“Aition”

Windhand tour dates:

July
28 - AS220 - Providence, RI
29 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs
30 - Montreal, QC - RRROOAAARRR
31 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison

September
18 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter

October
21 - New York, NY - Gramercy #
22 - Buffalo, NY - Waiting Room #
23 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose #
24 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle #
27 - Seattle, WA - Neumos #
28 - Vancouver, BC - Astoria  #
29 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios #
30 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel #
31 - San Diego, CA - Night of the Shred ^

November
1 - Los Angeles, CA - Roxy #
2 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red #
3 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister #
4 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater  #
6 - Dallas, TX - Dada #
7 - Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest Nites #
8 - Little Rock, AR - White Water Tavern #
11 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups #
12 - Ferndale, MI - Loving Touch #
13 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop #
14 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery #
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts #

# - with Danava and Monolord
^ - with Monolord

 

 
Windhand is:

 

Garrett Morris (Guitars)
Parker Chandler (Bass)
Dorthia Cottrell (Vocals)
Asechiah Bogdan (Guitars)
Ryan Wolfe (Drums)

(Photo - Jordan Vance)

Today, Svart Records announces September 18th as the international release date for Skepticism's highly anticipated new album, Ordeal. A legendary name in metal circles, Skepticism are widely hailed as one of the originators of funeral doom. Their first album for Svart and fifth overall, Ordeal is also the first Skepticism full-length since 2008's Alloy. But instead of going the usual recording-in-the-studio route, the band decided to record this new album live before an audience on January 24th at Klubi in Turku, Finland, with the event also captured on film. A truly unique experience for a truly unique band, Ordeal is a honest and accurate summary of what Skepticism is in 2015.

"Recording the album live was a positive experience. I've come to think of Skepticism being at its best live, and the Ordeal session proved it for me," says keyboardist Eero Poyry. "Having a whole day to concentrate in one shot at a perfect performance brought in a good pressure - and a bit of an ordeal, as well." Adds drummer Lasse Pelkonen, "Recording live made the album sound a bit rough and dirty, which is suitable for us in any case." "Recording live suited me well as a musician," Eero continues. "Only being able to fit in what your hands and feet can do at a time made me play only the essential."

The album will be available as a CD/DVD bundle and also as a LP/DVD set, featuring visual documentation of the whole Ordeal performance. "It is hard to think of a more street-credible approach to recording an album," contends Lasse. "I think metal is good only if one can recognize it as such by sound and arrangement. This happens on Ordeal." "Life is an ordeal, the album is about ordeal, and making the album was an ordeal," guitarist Jani Kekarainen explains. "To me, the music of Skepticism is essentially dynamic and atmospheric. These qualities in music are best presented live. Hence, recording live made it possible to capture the most authentic result for the album." Adds Lasse, "I am personally very happy with the new songs. They contain a lot of atmospheric changes and layering but still sound like Skepticism."

"It is difficult not to be and difficult to be," concludes vocalist Matti. "Ordeal is what music is - genuine without further explanation." Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Maryland rockers CLUTCH will release their new album, "Psychic Warfare", on October 2 via the band's own label, Weathermaker Music. The cover art was created by renowned photographer Dan Winters and can be seen below.

The basic tracks and most of the guitars for the follow-up to 2013's "Earth Rocker" were laid down at producer Machine's studio in Dripping Springs, Texas, while the remainder was recorded at CLUTCH's studio in Maryland.

CLUTCH frontman Neil Fallon told the "Metal Hammer Magazine Show" about the new album title: "'Psychic warfare' is a lyric from the first track, 'X-Ray Visions'. It's about a guy holed up in a motel for unexplained reasons, and he's under great duress, being attacked by psychically-empowered agents of unknown origin. At least, that's the back story I have in my head."

According to Fallon, the "X-Ray Visions" lyrical concept was influenced by Philip K. Dick, the science fiction author whose 1968 novel"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" was the basis for "Blade Runner". Neil said: "[Dick's] general philosophy and questions have always crept into my lyrics, because I share an interest in it. On 'Earth Rocker', 'Crucial Velocity' was definitely a Philip K. Dick song for me. On this record, 'X-Ray Visions' certainly is."

Fallon added that the secluded studio location was the inspiration for the song "A Quick Death In Texas". He explained: "I was staying in a kind of unique, maybe 100-year-old property, by myself. I got spooked out because I come from the East Coast and the suburbs and I was out in the woods. That was the environment that brought out 'A Quick Death In Texas' — and the locals."

"Psychic Warfare" track listing:

01. The Affidavit02. X-Ray Visions03. Firebirds04. A Quick Death In Texas05. Sucker For The Witch06. Your Love Is Incarceration07. Doom Saloon08. Our Lady Of Electric Light09. Noble Savage Clutch10. Behold The Colossus11. Decapitation Blues12. Son Of Virginia

Regarding the musical direction of "Psychic Warfare", Fallon said: "It's probably faster than 'Earth Rocker'. We wrote it pretty quickly after 'Earth Rocker', so we were, kind of, still in that headspace."

CLUTCH drummer Jean-Paul Gaster told The Aquarian Weekly: "There are some similarities in regards to 'Earth Rocker', and there are some songs on it that are sort of familiar, but we did some different stuff, too. There's stuff that is a little funkier, and there's other stuff that's a little more bluesy. So there's more diversity, I think."

Asked about the creative process in CLUTCH, Jean-Paul Gaster said: "The creative process really hasn't changed all that much. It's really just the four of us getting together and banging out jams, so to speak. We work on one or two parts at a time, and often we set those parts aside and work on something new. We'll do that for several months until we have a large pool of ideas to pull from. As we get closer to the recording process, we start to try to fix some of these parts and make them into songs. Sometimes the songs get cannibalized as well, like one song will sort of eat the other, in a way. And even then we have a lot of songs to choose from, so sometimes songs that we have been working on for months won't even end up on the record."

Old-school Swedish death metal legends Wombbath is streaming a new track “Fall Of The Weak”. Taken from Downfall Rising, the band’s first album in 22 years, “Fall Of The Weak” is a filth-ridden, face-ripping return to the glory days of Swedish death metal.

Downfall Rising will be released jointly in North America on Dark Descent and Pulverised August 21.

Downfall Rising was mixed by Jeramie Kling and mastered by James Murphy (Disincarnate, Death, Testament, Obituary).  The revamped Wombbath lineup is anchored by sole remaining member/guitarist Håkan Stuvemark (Skineater) , and also includes vocalist/bassist Jonny Petterson (Ashcloud, Syn:drom), guitarist Al Riglin, and drummer Henrik Åberg. Drumming on the album itself was performed by Infernaeon / The Absence member Jeramie Kling. Taylor Nordbert (Infernaeon) guested on guitar as well.

"Underneath The Rotten Soil":

 

 

Estranged AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been sentenced to eight months of home detention after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and possession of drugs. The 61-year-old faced up to seven years in prison on the threatening to kill charge.

Rudd, who has been struggling with a longstanding meth addiction, was sentenced on Thursday (July 9) at Tauranga District Court on New Zealand's North Island.

Phil's son submitted an affidavit of support to the court in which he said that his dad "has a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt a fly. It's just when the drugs take over, he behaves how he taught me not to," the son wrote.

The rocker reportedly threatened a former employee after his first solo effort, "Head Job", flopped. It was a month later that he called an associate and asked him to "take out" Rudd's personal assistant, whom Rudd then called himself and said, "I'm going to come over and kill you."

Rudd offered the associate $200,000, a motorbike and the choice of one of his cars or a house as payment for the hit, which the associate turned down.

After his initial call to his assistant, Rudd made several more but the assistant hung up each time. Prosecutors said that the assistant "was genuinely fearful of his safety."

When police later raided Rudd's waterside home in the New Zealand town of Tauranga, they spoke with him in his lounge. At one point he picked up a container from the coffee table and put it on the floor. Later testing of the container found cannabis crumbs.

When police searched his jeans, they found a similar bag of methamphetamine. There were more drugs in the bedroom and stashed in the hallway cupboard.

"I was pretty stressed at the time," Rudd told Australia's "A Current Affair".

"I got back here and the people who I had working for me for this [album] launch — it was a total fucking disaster. So I was really pissed off."

In an interview with USA Today last fall, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young stated about Rudd: "Phil created his own situation. It's a hard thing to say about the guy. He's a great drummer, and he's done a lot of stuff for us. But he seems to have let himself go. He's not the Phil we've known from the past."

Speaking about his relationship with his bandmates, Rudd told "A Current Affair": "I wrote them a letter, I tried to get in contact with Angus... I've had no contact with anybody.

"I'm very disappointed ... But, you know, that's life."

Drummer Chris Slade rejoined AC/DC in February for its performance at the Grammy Awards and is playing on its world tour as a replacement for Rudd.

"I'm sure they're having a great old time," Rudd told "A Current Affair". "I'm sure they're really enjoying playing. I'm sure it really sounds great.

"There'll be another tour and another and I'll be on it," he said. "It'll go until we all die. We'll probably all have to be dead before it stops."

He added: "I've seen the errors of my ways... It's onward and upward from here."

Embattled rocker Phil Rudd has failed to escape conviction in court this morning: http://t.co/mJiPt6tcRH pic.twitter.com/2Z1lXEA7jw

— nzherald (@nzherald) July 9, 2015

#BREAKING @acdc drummer #PhilRudd has been sentenced to home detention for eight months STORY http://t.co/ydARjD4yVW pic.twitter.com/D4rxAyTlNh

— 7News Yahoo7 (@Y7News) July 9, 2015

A seven-and-a-half-minute documentary on ASKING ALEXANDRIA's participation in this year's Vans Warped Tour can be seen below (produced by Steven Contreras).

ASKING ALEXANDRIA guitarist Ben Bruce wrote a lot of the lyrics on the band's forthcoming album about the group's former singer, Danny Worsnop, but ended up re-writing them at the urging of Danny's replacement, Denis Shaforostov.

In a recent interview with BryanStars, Bruce stated about the upcoming CD: "We've never gone into a studio thinking, 'We wanna write this, this, this, this.' We just always go in and write whatever feels right. I'll sit down and just play, and whatever comes out, that's what this album's gonna sound like. But one thing that was a huge, huge difference — which was really refreshing — is Denis was really involved with the writing. He would critique me, he would give me ideas, he'd be, like, 'I've heard you do better. Do better.' And he really, really pushed me, whereas Danny would just kind of not do anything. I'd send him the songs and he'd be, like, 'That's shit. I don't like it. It's too heavy. And then, 'If I have to do it, I'll do it.' So there wasn't much interaction between me and Danny. But with Denis, he was very hands-on. He wasn't in the country for a lot of it, so we did a lot of Facetime calls, a lot of texting, a lot of mobile calls and stuff. He was really involved, so I think that's just made for a better and more well-rounded album, especially because he was a fan of the band before. So I'd send him something and he'd be, like, 'Dude, I've heard you do better than this. This is not your best work,' which was awesome. So I definitely think this is the best ASKING ALEXANDRIA record that we've ever written. I think old fans are gonna love it. I think new fans are gonna love it. I just don't see how you can't. I hate sounding cocky, but it's so good, I listen to the songs and I'm singing them — they're stuck in my head — which is something I've never done with our records before."

Asked how ASKING ALEXANDRIA's forthcoming album compares to some of the band's earlier efforts, Bruce said: "I think there are some huge arena-rock songs — just massive songs that I can just see in an arena just thousands of people singing every word from start to finish. So they're not heavy, but they're just great, great songs. But, for the most part, the record's actually a lot more similar to [2011's] 'Reckless & Relentless'. We've brought a lot more of the electronic influence back. Obviously, [2009's] 'Stand Up And Scream' is very electronic-driven, and we've brought a lot of electronics back. Not in the same way — it's not techno or anything like that — but there's a lot of electronic sounds and ambience and stuff, which is really cool. I don't know… We wanted to feel young again. So I sat down with Joey [Sturgis, producer] and I listened to 'Stand Up And Scream' from start to finish, and I listened to 'Reckless & Relentless' from start to finish, and I was, like, 'These albums are sick, man. I miss that raw energy, that aggression, that passion that we had.' So I think we've brought a lot more of that back into this new record."

SLAYER's eleventh studio album, "Repentless", will be released on September 11 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated "World Painted Blood" marks the band's first release since the 2013 departure of drummer Dave Lombardo and the death of SLAYER's co-founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman. Gary Holt (also of EXODUS) stepped in for Hanneman after Jeff became ill four and a half years ago, while Lombardo was replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.

Regarding SLAYER's current lineup, the band's guitarist Kerry King told the Detroit Free Press: "I have no desire to change things up. If I had my choice in how things play out, yeah, this is definitely the last version of SLAYER anyone will see."

King recently told the OC Weekly that he "definitely" wanted to address Holt's status in SLAYER by offering the EXODUS axeman a deal that would make him a permanent member of the Tom Araya-fronted outfit. "We just got recording ['Repentless'] out of the way and we still had to get Paul situated. Not as if this issue wasn't important to us, we just had other things on our mind. I know we got Paul's deal in — and I don't even know if that's even gotten finalized yet, but I know we got the paperwork through and it's in the process. To us, we had to do that first, because Paul was in the band for ten years prior to this. The next thing to do is make a legit offer to Gary if he's going to stay on board. And that's okay if he's not interested in staying. I certainly wouldn't ask him to quit EXODUS; that's not part of it at all."

Holt did not contribute to the songwriting process on "Repentless", although he did lay down guitar solos on most of the album's twelve tracks.

"I would have loved for Gary to have been more involved with writing," King explained to LA Weekly. "I thought a long time about this, but I didn't think SLAYER fans were ready for that yet. Even though Gary's a household name in thrash, I didn't feel that the first SLAYER record without Jeff should have Gary Holt contributing as a writer."

Hanneman died in May 2013 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. He is credited for writing many of SLAYER's classic songs, including "Angel Of Death" and "South Of Heaven".

Hanneman's last appearance with SLAYER was in April 2011, when he played an encore with the band at the "Big Four" concert in Indio, California.

Photo by Andrew Stuart

UK melodic black/death metal act Hecate Enthroned has announced they have parted ways with vocalist Elliot Beaver. Beaver joined the band in 2013 and performed on their last full-length album Virulent Rapture.

A band statement reads:

“Today we are writing this statement to inform all of our fans and confirm that as of this weekend Elliot and Hecate Enthroned have parted ways. There is no bad blood between us and this has not been an easy decision. Elliot has played some amazing shows with us, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway and extensively throughout the UK, also making a huge contribution to the band in the studio as well as live. Unfortunately over the last few months as the new album has been taking shape it has become clear that we (Hecate) and Elliot are going in different musical directions. So with no dramas and no animosity the decision has been made for us to part ways. As we have said we're all still mates, as that's what this band is about to us first and foremost. We all wish Elliot well in his next musical expressions and we advise you all to keep a keen eye out for his next projects.

“As for us it's still full steam ahead with the new album and celebrating our 20th anniversary with shows and video releases throughout the rest of the year, we will have some more news for you soon!” 

From phobia to dementia, French death metal outfit Antropofago have progressed beyond all expectations and are set to return with a merciless, technical, catchy and brutal second album.

 Four years after their debut full-length, Beyond Phobia, Antropofago further explore the depths of human psychosis with Æra Dementiæ, a dementia-based concept album that continues the chilling look into phobia that was its predecessor. The album sees Antropofago reach new levels of technical prowess, production and artistic maturity.

 Still as diverse in its approach of technical death metal, the new material is marked with well-placed doses of brutality and addictive choruses to make Æra Dementiæ the breakthrough album for Antropofago. Featuring a special guest solo by Nicolas Alberny (Gorod) and guest vocals by label-mates Laurent Chambe (Nephren-Ka), Aara (ex-Savage Annihilation), Benoit Jean (ex-Insain) and other surprise contributors, the album is full of hidden little gems and the over-the-top musicianship.

With the first pressing limited to 500 copies, Kaotoxin Records will release the album on August 14 as a deluxe DigiSleeve double CD featuring an expanded version of the band's 2012 Between Fear And Madness EP. Further physical and digital editions will be released on the same day as two separate releases, with Æra Dementiæ and Between Fear and Madness [Redux] sold individually. The band is streaming a new track from the album with “Helter Skelter”.

Æra Dementiæ tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Encounter With The Doppelganger”
“Body Cell”
“Helter Skelter”
“Æra Dementiæ”
“Paranoid Visions (Pt. 2)”
“The Other Me”
“God Ov Fire”
“Voices”
“Insania Lupina”

Between Fear And Madness [redux] tracklisting:

“Cannibal Way Of Life”
“Paranoid Visions (Pt. 2) (2012 version)
“Bloodred Honeymoon”
“Psychopathia Sexualis”
“Safer In My Head”
“The Butcher”

"Helter Skelter":

A play-through video of guest guitarist Nicolas Alberny (Gorod) laying down the solo for the track "Insania Lupina":

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have signed Luxembourg's doom metal/sludge masters Plaguewielder and are set to release their intense debut album Chambers Of Death August 25 on CD and digital formats.

Below is the official description:

“Horror Pain Gore Death Productions presents the debut album from Plaguewielder entitled Chambers Of Death. The only active doom/sludge metal band from Luxembourg, Plaguewielder incorporate a wide range of atmospheric sounds from epic doom to death/doom, funeral doom, stoner doom, dark ambient, sludge and drone, while also including elements of black, death, post, and avant-garde metal. Chambers Of Death features five intense tracks totaling 47+ minutes of original, twisted, droning and hypnotic metal loaded with dread and anxiety. Spine-chilling vocals accompany the monolithic guitar riffs and brooding synths that drag you down into abysmal desperation, while atmospheric landscapes engulf you with velvet bass lines and soaring delayed guitars as you enter the theatre of madness. The hypnotizing melodies take you on a journey into the depths of the human condition before your ultimate descent into the grave.”

Chambers Of Death tracklisting:

“Existence Is Our Exile”
“Drowned”
“Casket Of Dying Flesh”
“Father Suicide”
“The Funeral March”

“Drowned”:

Video “Father Suicide”:

Preorder the album for $10 with free shipping at HorrorPainGoreDeath.com and preorder the digital download for only $6.66 at Bandcamp.

Metal Blade Records is excited to announcing the signing of Australian thrash metal act, Harlott. Forged in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, Harlott are the finest example of the thrash metal genre in recent years. Taking their influence from the 80's Bay Area thrash scene, and blending it with the Teutonic melody and grit, they focus on high energy, up tempo music with lyrical influence from war, religion, chaos, and the human condition. Unrivaled live concerts, an aggressive recognizable sound, clinical musicianship, and a classic 'Aussie' sense of humour have earned Harlott a strong and dedicated fan base, which continues to grow day to day.

Harlott's debut release Origin blew audiences away with its unrelenting speed, ferocious sound, and hook driven riffs, and did much to solidify Harlott as an up and coming force to be reckoned with. The four piece thrash outfit followed with a national tour, a string of Australian Heavy Metal Festival performances and a handful of support positions, including Germany's Accept and Megadeth's very own Dave Ellefson.

Their follow up release Proliferation only proves that the band means business, and could not only match their own fury, but even surpass it.

Check out the first single “Denature” streaming below. Pre-order Proliferation on CD, vinyl, or digitally at this location.

The band comments: "Harlott are extremely excited to be signing on with Metal Blade for the worldwide release of Proliferation. Metal Blade have worked with some of the most important and influential heavy metal bands of all time, and we feel absolutely privileged to have the opportunity of engaging with such dedicated persons from a record company that has been so vital to the history of our music."

Proliferation tracklisting:

“Proliferation”
“Denature”
“Systematic Reduction”
“Restless”
“The Fading Light”
“Lord Of War”
“Civil Unrest”
“Hellbent”
“Bloodlust”
“Cross Contamination”
“Legion”
“Means To An End”

“Denature”:

Harlott are hungry for the world, and in October 2015 they will be dominating Europe with Canada's Annihilator, the first step in what is to be a long and grueling career in total devastation.

 

 

Chilean / Belgian band King Heavy have revealed the artwork for its self-titled debut album. The band is set to release the album on Cruz Del Sur Music on September 4 in Europe and September 19 in the US.

King Heavy is anything but the typical brand of mono-dimensional, superficial doom metal. Aside from strong elements of Candlemass and of the more traditional doom metal sound, King Heavy offers epic arrangements and a twisted touch that reminds of Black Sabbath's Born Again, Celtic Frost's Into The Pandemonium and the early, darkest side of Danzig.

The album contains seven songs for a total running time of over 47 minutes and was engineered, mixed and mastered by Pablo Clares at DM6 Studio, Chile;  vocals were recorded by Peter Maene at Creative Factory, Belgium.

Shortly after the release of the album, the band will engage an European tour which will bring them to Malta's Doom Fest, Dutch Doom Days,  and Biebob. Other tour dates will be published and confirmed very soon.

Tracklisting:

“La Gárgola”
“Life A.D.”
“As Dawn Broke On The Day”
“Thirteen Chosen Ones”
“Wounds”
“The Crowning”
“He Who Spoke In Tongues”

Slovakia’s Broken Rain have released a music video for their track “Strong”, featured on the group’s debut album, Here Comes The Pain (2015).

Here Comes The Rain tracklisting:

“Burn The Witch”
“Seize The Fire”
“Forgotten Heroes”
“Wanna Love My Girl”
“Burning Eyes”
“Here Comes The Pain”
“So Far Away”
“I Want To Play Rock”
“Tonight”
“Prisoners In The Wasteland”
“Strong”
“Broken Rain”

“Strong” video:

Apathia Records has announced the signing of Erdh, the cinematic metal project led by Nicolas Pingnelain and Emmanuel Lévy (Wormfood).

Three years after their debut album, the critically acclaimed Resilient, the band has decided to explore new grounds and sideways from metal for the time of an EP.

Sideremesis will feature approximately 25 minutes of electronic music, including a remix by the electro scene legend Mlada Fronta, and will be released on October 19th in CD digipack and digital via Apathia Records.

 

On July 20th, The Sword will release a vinyl 7” of the title track to the new album High Country to various indie stores across America. The single will feature on the B-side the non-album track, “Hexenringe”. The vinyl single will be limited to 1,000 copies. Anyone purchasing the single will receive a $2 off coupon towards the purchase of the full length album.

The Sword has unveiled the cover art for their fifth album, High Country, scheduled for release on August 21st on Razor & Tie. The title track is streaming below, and pre-orders for the album are up at The Sword's official website.

As with their previous release, Apocryphon, High Country will be available today for preorder through Razor & Tie as well as the band’s merch site. The Razor & Tie preorder includes multiple bundles featuring double colored vinyl, cassettes, three t-shirt designs, a hoodie, as well as a lithograph of the album art.  The CD and double vinyl can also be preordered as standalone pieces.  

The band’s pre-order features one bundle which includes the CD, an exclusive double colored vinyl with earth and sky printing, a custom engraved and numbered stash box with album art featured on the inside the of the lid, a custom shredder card, a custom packet of rolling papers, and a custom engraved dugout.  The band will also be releasing at the store new t-shirt designs. As previously reported, the band will be commencing a Europe/ UK/ Scandinavia tour August 21st. An extensive North American tour commencing in October will be announced in August.

Dates for the first international leg of the High Country tour are below:

August
21 - Trondheim, Norway - Pstereo Festival
22 - Oslo, Norway - Parkteatret
23 - Goteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
25 - Helsinki, Finland -Tavastia
27 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Strand
28 - Malmo, Sweden - KB
29 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Lille Vega
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Rock Café St Pauli
31 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet

September
2 - Wien, Austria - Arena
3 - Munich, Germany - Magnet
4 - Milan, Italy - Legend
5 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
6 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Salzhaus
7 - Stuttgart, Germany - Universum
9 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix Club
10 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Extase
11 - Cologne, Germany - Luxor
12 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire
14 - Nottingham, United Kingdom - Basement
15 - Glasgow, United Kingdom - King Tuts
16 - Manchester, United Kingdom - Academy 3
17 - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom - Slade Rooms
18 - London, United Kingdom - Underworld
19 - Bristol, United Kingdom - The Thekla

Finland death metal act Necropsy has announced the details of their second full-length album Buried In The Woods.

Existing since 1987, Necropsy has recorded a good bunch of demos, all of them being reissued on a 3CD/4LP set through Century Media in 2013. One of their highest points back in early ‘90s, was the release of a split album with Demigod and a 7" EP titled Never To Be Forgotten, although it wasn't until 2011 when they released their debut full-length Bloodwork on a small Finnish label without any kind of impact due to its lack of promotion and distribution, which wasn't an obstacle to get them signed to Xtreem Music that would release a MCD in 2013 entitled Psychopath Next Door.

Buried In The Woods tracklisting:

“Buried In The Woods”
“Cold Fart Morbidity”
“Just Sharpen My Knife”
“Dead Inherit The Land”
“Full Moon Catlin”
“Pages Of Flesh”
“Best Day Ever”
“Father Heresy”

“Buried In The Woods”:

Release date for Buried In The Woods is set for August 1 through Xtreem Music.

Rivers Of Nihil unveils Monarchy, their sophomore full-length album. The record will be available worldwide on Metal Blade Records on August 21st. Listen to the album’s title track now:

Bassist Adam Biggs commented about the song and concept of the album: "The whole album is a concept piece, lyrically. It follows the struggles of a new breed of intelligent life on a planet earth that is now essentially a vast, oceanless desert. These beings, as humans did long before them, create a ruling class that dominates the masses through religious fear. By the time we reach the title track, this "Monarchy" is in full swing. Musically, the track expresses this dominant oppression via an exploration of our heavy, groove-oriented side. This one is a bruiser, but it doesn't abandon our taste for blast beats, fierce riffs, lead work and an overall sense of shred."

Another new track, "Perpetual Growth Machine”, is streaming below, while pre-order bundles are available now at this location.

Rivers Of Nihil began their musical journey in 2009, and recorded their first EP, Hierarchy, with Carson Slovak. Six years and multiple tours later, the band returned to Slovak and Atrium Audio in Pennsylvania, after having recorded their previous effort The Conscious Seed Of Light in 2013 with Erik Rutan at Mana Studios in Florida. Since the release of that album and signing with Metal Blade Records, Rivers Of Nihil found themselves quickly climbing the global metal ranks on the strength of overwhelmingly positive reviews and tours with Death (DTA Tours), Obituary, Whitechapel, Dying Fetus, Black Crown Initiate, plus an appearance at the storied New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.

During the album campaign, the band was joined by new drummer Alan Balamut and guitarist Jon Topore. Balamut and Topore join guitarist Brody Uttley, bassist Adam Biggs, and vocalist Jake Dieffenbach to form the up-and-coming force of modern death metal that is Rivers Of Nihil.

Guitarist Brody Uttley cites recent personal hardships as a major factor in the creative process for Monarchy. Uttley divulges that, "I lost a few close friends. The loss of these people had a profound influence on the creation of the music for this record. I was having strong feelings of rage, sadness, hope, and frustration as a result. The songs turned out heavier, darker, sadder, and more frightening than I had ever hoped that they would." The mood of this album, and the song sequence, reflect these emotions. Monarchy begins with the most heavy and darkest tracks, and continues to develop more progressive leanings until the end when Uttley says "the emotional tension completely falls apart."

The seasonal concept that began with spring on The Conscious Seed of Light continues, of course, with Monarchy, as it welcomes the oppressive heat of summer. The story takes place millions of years after the events in The Conscious Seed of Light.

Adam Biggs, who also serves as the band's primary lyricist, explains: "The Earth has been transformed into a vast desert wasteland, where after aeons of lifelessness, new beings begin to take shape and begin their journey as shepherds of the planet. But after a while, a class system forms from a sun-worshiping religious dictatorship, and these beings start to lose their way. Only the guidance of an ancient earthly force can help them save themselves as well the planet."

"Perpetual Growth Machine”:

 

Frontiers Music Srl will release "Beth Out Of Hell", the new album from the Swedish symphonic metal band THE MURDER OF MY SWEET, on August 21.

The official lyric video for the "Beth Out Of Hell" song "Humble Servant" can be seen below.

"Beth Out of Hell" is an apocalyptic love story where Lucifer's Daughter falls in love with the Archangel Michael," says THE MURDER OF MY SWEET singer Angelica Rylin. "The story in the new album basically takes off right where we left you with the last three songs of 'Bye Bye Lullabye'."

Adds THE MURDER OF MY SWEET drummer and producer Daniel Flores: "It took us three years to record this album, and the reason for that is that we wanted to give the fans an album they truly deserve. We made a conscious effort to keep all the songs very interesting and diverse, much like in a film or a musical."

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET released its debut album, "Divanity", in 2009 and received swift praise from media around the world. Much of the positive response was directed at the heavy orchestrations and Angelica Rylin's strong, soaring vocals. The CD's first single, "Bleed Me Dry", reached a peak position of No. 14 on the Swedish international singles chart. In the summer of both 2010 and 2011, the band toured in Sweden, France and Germany and played at festivals like Sweden Rock, Rock Weekend, Baltic Festival, Raismes Fest and Wacken Open Air. The darker Nordic months were spent in the studio where Flores and Rylin worked on the follow-up album, "Bye, Bye Lullaby", which was released in 2012.

Now THE MURDER OF MY SWEET is back with its most ambitious and exciting album to date. The CD is definitely darker and heavier compared to their previous two records, but still features the trademark over-the-top symphonic arrangements, cinematic elements and riffs the band is known for. This release also marks the debut of the band's new bass player, Patrik Janson (PLATITUDE).

"Beth Out of Hell" track listing:

01. Hell On Earth02. The Awakening03. World In Ashes04. Always The Fugitive05. Bitter Love06. Still07. Humble Servant08. Requiem For A Ghost09. Euthanasia10. Tide After Tide11. Poets By Default12. Heaven Succumb13. Means To An End

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Beth Out of Hell" is available below.

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET is:

Angelica Rylin: lead and background vocals Daniel Flores: drums, keyboards, vocalsChristopher Vetter: guitarPatrik Janson: bass

"Fallen", the new album from STRYPER, will be released worldwide on Friday, October 16 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and will include a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".

The first song from "Fallen", "Yahweh", which was co-written by SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery, can be streamed below.

"Fallen" track listing:

01. Yahweh02. Fallen03. Pride04. Big Screen Lies05. Heaven06. Love You Like I Do07. All Over Again08. After Forever (BLACK SABBATH cover)09. Till I Get What I Need10. Let There Be Light11. The Calling12. King Of Kings

The cover artwork for "Fallen", which can be seen below, was designed by Stanis Decker, who worked with STRYPER on 2013's "No More Hell To Pay". STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet says: "We sent Stanis the concept about Lucifer being cast out of heaven and he sent us this amazing illustration, capturing the original idea perfectly. We're excited to be able to finally show all of you!"

Sweet recently stated about the musical direction of "Fallen": "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down — not like the modern Drop B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, 'Unchained' VAN HALEN kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

He added: "The album was written and arranged very quickly (9-10 days, actually). This by no means reflects on the quality of the album. It's some of our best material to date and so far those who have heard it have said the very same. Chris Jericho [FOZZY singer and WWE wrestling superstar] texted me and said that 'Yahweh' may be the best song since reuniting.

"There are songs on this album that coincide with sitting down and reading the bible.

"The music is heavy and the lyrics are bold and powerful, some taken right from scriptures.

"Sonically, I think this is our best-sounding album to date! Everything is crystal clear. The highs are crisp and the lows are tight and punchy. The more I listen, the more excited I am for all of you to hear it!!!"

METAL ALLEGIANCE — the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT — which debuted on MOTÖRHEAD's Motörboat cruise last year, and performed at this year's NAMM show and on the ShipRocked cruise, will release its self-titled debut album on September 18 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Brought together by METAL ALLEGIANCE principal partner Mark Menghi, the project's original material came together from the creative minds of David Ellefson of MEGADETH, Mike Portnoy of THE WINERY DOGS, and Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT, alongside Menghi. The four writers then reached out through their metal rolodexes to a diverse lineup of performers, each adding their own personal musical stamp to the collection of nine original songs.

"Metal Allegiance" contains appearances by:

* Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)* Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL)* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES)* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)* Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)V* Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)* Gary Holt (EXODUS)* Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED)* Chris Jericho (FOZZY)* Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)* Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY)* Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X, KXM)* Troy Sanders (MASTODON)* Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)* Steve "Zetro" Souza (EXODUS)* Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

A new "Metal Allegiance" studio clip featuring Blythe and Holt can be seen below.

Blythe said: "When LAMB OF GOD asked Alex Skolnick to rip a guest solo on 'Ashes Of The Wake', it was a big deal to us to have one of the legends of our scene play on our record. Much to my amazement, years later he returned the request, and it's an even bigger deal to me to be asked on a peer level to contribute to a project with so many stellar players. I was honored to be chosen. 'Gift Of Pain' rips! Play it LOUD!"

"It's always my pleasure to jam with such esteemed musicians and brothers, and my contribution to this project is further proof of that fact. Hail to all heavy metallers the world over!" stated Philip H. Anselmo.

Mike Portnoy added: "I could not be any more excited or proud of the METAL ALLEGIANCE album... It's everything I've always dreamed of and hoped for and a hundred times more!"

From the blistering opening of album starter "Gift Of Pain" to the final notes of closer "Pledge Of Allegiance", it is clear this collective have created something special. The diversity of the individual tracks is apparent through each musical collaboration.

The standard edition CD of "Metal Allegiance" will feature the nine original songs. A digipak edition will be available that features an all-star tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover of his classic song "We Rock" as well as a 45-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album. A double vinyl version will also be available that will feature all 10 songs as well.

"Metal Allegiance" track listing:

01. Gift Of Pain

Vocals: D. Randall BlytheLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

02. Let Darkness Fall

Vocals: Troy SandersLead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums & Percussion: Mike PortnoyAdditional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex BrownAdditional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

03. Can't Kill The Devil

Vocals: Chuck BillyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

04. Dying Song

Vocals: Philip H. AnselmoLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: Mark Menghi Drums: Mike Portnoy

05. Scars Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina ScabbiaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick Bass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike Portnoy

06. Destination: Nowhere

Vocals: Matthew K. HeafyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

07. Wait Until Tomorrow

Vocals: Doug Pinnick & Jamey JastaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

8. Triangulum I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction

Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

09. Pledge Of Allegiance

Vocals: Mark OseguedaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

10. We Rock (DIO cover) (deluxe edition only)

Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve "Zetro" SouzaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt Nuclear Blast Entertainment president Monte Conner offered up his label as the home for METAL ALLEGIANCE after several meetings. Upon hearing the demos and seeing the list of performers, he felt it was something he wanted to be a part of.

"I am incredibly fortunate to be able to work with legendary musicians and personal heroes like David Ellefson, Alex Skolnick and Mike Portnoy, as well as METAL ALLEGIANCE founder Mark Menghi," he said. "These guys wrote an amazing and diverse record that is 100 percent pure metal, and lined up some killer guest vocalists and lead guitarists to bring it home in an epic, shredding fashion — just the leads on this record alone will blow people away!" he said. "Perhaps the coolest part of all is that unlike similar projects in the past that existed as studio-only creations, METAL ALLEGIANCE were a touring entity first and have now organically evolved into a studio band that makes albums. I am very grateful to these guys for choosing me and the Nuclear Blast team as the vehicle to bring their music to the metal masses."

Stemming from an initial idea in 2011, METAL ALLEGIANCE was born as a way to unite a collection of hard rock and heavy metal's most notable musicians in a setting born under one ideal, a love of music and performing. In 2015, that ideal still holds true and has become the foundation for everything METAL ALLEGIANCE; furthered with the release of the upcoming debut album. While the lineup may change, the passion, the energy and the emotion all remain the same. METAL ALLEGIANCE is more than just a record or a concert, it’s an experience and a lifestyle.

Previous participants in METAL ALLEGIANCE live events have included Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown (PANTERA); Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante and Scott Ian (ANTHRAX); Gary Holt, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT); Troy Sanders (MASTODON); and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). These unforgettable events have also spawned surprise appearances by the likes of Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee (MOTÖHEAD), Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan (THE WINERY DOGS).

Portnoy recently told Loudwire about METAL ALLEGIANCE: "There's this misconception that it's my metal project, which it's not. This is something that I am working in equal collaboration with [Ellefson] and [Skolnick]. It's our project."

He added: "It's a great, great metal album that the three of us have written and recorded together, and we're gonna have lots of various other friends and special guests joining us on it. And more info to come, but, for me, it's a great, great metal outlet, because… Since I left DREAM THEATER, I've had prog bands and classic rock bands and alternative things, but I haven't had a true, true thrash metal-oriented outlet — other than the METAL ALLEGIANCE shows that I've done, but that's live. So, yeah, it's exciting for me."

Portnoy previously told MikePortnoyWarriors.com about METAL ALLEGIANCE: "For me, I'm getting to do the full-blown, double-bass shredding drumming that I've only been able to hint at with DREAM THEATER or with AVENGED or with ADRENALINE MOB. So now it's a full-blown album. And the whole album is not thrash. I mean, this album is really kind of the history of metal; there's moments that are early metal, like very [BLACK] SABBATH-esque, and then there's moments that are full-on mid-'80s thrash — EXODUS, SLAYER, early METALLICA, 'Kill 'Em All' METALLICA — so there's a good chunk that's very, very much like that. And then there's moments that get more into '90s type of ALICE IN CHAINS sort of stuff. So it's almost a good history-of-metal sort of album. But I definitely have gotten my metal chops in. It's been fun. It's been really, really cool. I can't wait for people to hear this album."

Regarding how he fits alongside other METAL ALLEGIANCE members, Portnoy said: "To me, METAL ALLEGIANCE is… it's the ultimate hang. And, for me, it's awesome, because I'm really the only guy on the roster that's not normally in a thrash or metal band; I come from a kind of different world. So, on the outside, it may look weird that I do this, but I've always been the biggest metal fan through and through. I grew up listening to the same stuff as all these guys — we all grew up listening to [BLACK] SABBATH and [JUDAS] PRIEST and [IRON] MAIDEN and KISS and AC/DC and MOTÖRHEAD — so I have the same musical background as these guys. And once all the guys in METAL ALLEGIANCE were coming up — in MEGADETH and SLAYER and PANTERA and ANTHRAX — I was coming up around the same time as well, just in a different genre. But these guys were always my friends; I was always hanging out with the ANTHRAX guys and the PANTERA guys… whatever. I felt a close kinship to all the guys in this thrash world, and they became my friends. So, with METAL ALLEGIANCE, for me, it's a natural thing to be involved with these guys. All these guys are great guys, great friends. We love jamming together, and the whole METAL ALLEGIANCE thing is just… You know, we're fans. When we're up on stage playing this stuff, we're as much fans as the people on the other side, in the audience. We're on the side of the stage headbanging and cheering everybody on and having a good time. So that's what it's about: it's just metal by metal guys who are still metal fans."

Sweden’s Dead Lord have launched the first track from their upcoming album, Heads Held High, to be released worldwide via Century Media Records on August 21st. “Strained Fools” is streaming below:

Heads Held High will be released in the following formats:

1. Limited CD Digipak (matte cardboard, bonus track, logo patch)
2. Standard CD
3. Deluxe LP (180 g vinyl, inside-out print, inlay, double-sided poster)
4. Digital download / stream

Here is the colour split of the LP version:

Orange vinyl: 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro Europe)
Red vinyl: 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro US)
Clear vinyl: 200 copies (exclusively available at High Roller Records)
Black vinyl: unlimited

The pre-sale at CM Distro will start on July 24th.

The album’s artwork was created by Pol Abran / Branca Studio and can be seen below.

Right in time for the release of the album, Dead Lord will conquer European stages together with Audrey Horne and Dead City Ruins. Dates can be found on the flyer below.

Dead Lord lineup:

Hakim Krim - Guitar and vocals
Olle Hedenström - Guitar
Martin Nordin - Bass
Adam Lindmark - Drums

Australia’s Black Majesty return with their sixth studio album, Cross Of Thorns, to be released on September 4th. The new album continues the band’s evolution of finely crafted melodic power metal anthems.

Charismatic frontman John Cavaliere shines on the new album with emotive vocals that showcases the fine ‘timber’ in his voice on songs like “Phoenix”,
Crossroads” and “Vlad The Impaler” - not to mention on the cover version of the Gary Moore classic anthem “Out In The Fields”.

“Vlad The Impaler” will be available as a digital single from July 31st.

Cross Of Thorns is dedicated to Dirk Illing, the band’s long-time friend and artist of all five previous album covers – “R.I.P. our friend!” Mixed by Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan) the album sounds amazing. Big drums, bass and guitars are all evident on the new release.

Previous appearances at fests such as Wacken Open Air, Masters Of Rock, Screamfest and tour supports with the likes of Saxon, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Edguy and Dragonforce, Black Majesty will continue to build on their ever growing fan base with further touring, including some upcoming special acoustic shows in Europe to coincide with the release of the new album.

Black Majesty is:

John Cavaliere – lead vocals
Stevie Janevski – guitars
Hanny Mohamed – guitars & keyboard
Evan Harris – bass
Ben Wignall – drums

Psychedelic doom purveyors, Dark Buddha Rising, will be releasing their fifth studio album, Inversum, this fall. Their first release on Neurot Recordings, Inversum will be unveiled on September 25th.

The album follows Dark Buddha Rising's 2014 European tour with Mr. Peter Hayden, with the Finnish black psychedelic doom six-piece deservedly garnering further recognition as masters of the art of the hypnotic and dark sonics, which they've been honing for the past eight years since their inception.

Inversum swallows the listener into an introspective realm of dark psychedelia, menacing mysticism and weighty, trudging riffs and includes the stunning artwork, borne out of a collaboration between V. A. and Karmazid.

Elaborates the the band: "Inversum is the opening of the Third Cycle Of Dark Buddha Rising. It acts as an initiation for the new members V. Vatanen (guitar, vocals), J. Saarivuori (keyboards) and M. Neuman (vocals). Also, it is the first release through Neurot Recordings. Most of all, Inversum is the first album that is recorded, produced and mixed by ourselves in the depths of the Wastement, the asylum of eternal feedback. The process that led to the manifestation of the Inversum, was heavily guided by both intuition and determination, in order to take the music even further down the path we have chosen. Inversum is a monument built upon the foundation of our work and sculpted with the initial principles of Dark Buddha Rising, to celebrate the Black Arts of Psychedelia.”

CD cover

 

Inversum tracklisting:

“E S O”
“E X O”

LP cover

 

 

US power metal band Zandelle has released a video for “Unending Fortitude” taken from their upcoming album Perseverance. The album will be out July 24 via Pure Steel Records.

A description reads:

“The US power metal band Zandelle now has worked together with Pure Steel for many years. Already the last studio album Flames Of Rage (2009) and the 2-CD-compilation Shadows From The Past has been released through Pure Steel Records.

“After a few years the quintet got back to the studio again and still knows how to deliver the goods to the old fan base. With eleven new tracks Zandelle still deliver melodic, powerful Power Metal, which sometimes reminds back to Helloween. But still the typical US-American steel is driven by a powerful keyboard. Of course, the dynamic production is a typical brand mark of this 20-year old band.”

Perseverance tracklisting:

“Resurgence”
“Unending Fortitude”
“Lycanthrope”
“Shadow Slaves”
“End Game”
“Beyond The Point”
“Innocence Lost”
“Midnight Reign”
“Perseverance”
“Avenger Of The Fallen”
“Revengeance (From The Ashes)”

Video "Unending Fortitude":

Heaven & Earth--the Los Angeles-based quintet who masterfully fuse elements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical on their album Dig, which they toured Europe in support of throughout 2014--are back in the studio working on a new album (produced by Dave Jenkins and available via Quarto Valley Records) set to be released this fall (title and date TBA). In between writing and recording the new album, Heaven & Earth--Stuart Smith (band founder/guitarist), Joe Retta (vocals), Kenny Aronoff (drums), Lynn Sorensen of Paul Rogers/Bad Company (bass/vocals) and Ty Bailie (keyboards)--will make an appearance at the Väsby Rock Festival in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday, July 17. Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio) will be filling in on drums for Aronoff, the band's regular drummer, as he's currently on tour with John Fogerty.

Says Stuart: "We've been hard at work writing for the new Heaven & Earth album which has been a long process as we felt we had a lot to live up to after Dig. We spent 14 months crafting and recording the songs for that album--and after all the positive reviews and press, myself and Bruce Quarto, our record company president, felt that we had to bring out something equally as good or better. We've been aiming for the 'better' end of the bar we previously set." 

Stuarts adds:  "I'm pleased to say that we've got quite a few new songs that we're really happy with and will be releasing a few teasers very soon.  We'll also be debuting a few songs off the new upcoming Heaven & Earth album at the Vasby Festival this month so we're really looking forward to that. On a personal note I'd like add that I'm really looking forward to playing live for the first time my Stuart Smith Signature Model guitar built by Aero3 Guitars. It's been sounding amazing on recordings and rehearsals but I'm looking forward to blasting it out at a big festival."

Midlands, UK-based metallers, Gehtika, have been kicking asses and assaulting the senses with their punishing brand of extreme metal and entertaining live performances for the past four years and it was only a few months back that the outfit announced that they had barricaded themselves behind the doors of Loud Noises Productions in JJM Studios, Walsall UK to track a brand new record with producer Owen Davies.

Gehtika have emerged, and with them comes their latest slab of artistic madness. Entitled A Monster In Mourning, the album follows a concept the band had initially explored on single “Stack The Pyres” (which also features on the album).

Vocalist Anthony Knight elaborates, "Myself and guitarist, Scott Allen, were spit-balling some ideas just before we started writing the album and we both loved the sound we'd created with “Stack The Pyres” and the concept of the lyrics... The ideas just kept on coming, and not just for the sound and the concept, but the things we could do with the concept i.e. the book for the limited edition album... which fills the gaps in the story between the tacks. So essentially that one track became the basis for the entire album. We re-recorded 'Stack The Pyres' for the album so even those who have heard the single version now have something a bit different to look forward to!"

"A Monster In Mourning is the title of one of the album tracks and we felt that this song summed up the whole concept of the story. One of the main characters has a fairly monstrous reputation, yet within the lyrics and the story you get to see why he's become the way he is and even get to see things from his point of view; see that he's filled with remorse and tormented by his conscience. So naming the album after this track, and with reference to this character in particular, just made sense."

"As we'd agreed that this would be a concept album following a story from start to finish, we had to work quite differently to how we usually would; for a start I had to come up with some 'working track titles' to give a feel for each stage/chapter of the story - this helped Scott and Topher in writing riffs that would suit the feel of each track. For example the opening track ‘One Night: Seven Sins” sets the background events that are responsible for everything else that happens in the story, so this needed to be big and epic, which is especially brought out in Topher's solos! Then there's “The Massaquerade” which is about a massacre at a masquerade so it's lively, bouncy, fast and brutal.

"Despite us setting a bit more of a structure to the writing process, this didn't limit us in any way and still felt very natural for everyone; it was like getting to write the story and the film score all at once! It was a lot of fun and I think it'll definitely be a way of writing we'll revisit in future!"

A Monster In Mourning is out on August 17th.

Tracklisting:

“Apollyon”
“One Night Seven Sins”
“Step Forth From The Darkness”
“Stack The Pyres”
“Empire In Decay”
“A Monster In Mourning”
“Reckoning”
“The Massaquerade”
“Shepherd Of Erebus”
“The Fiend Staring Back At Me”
“A Halo Of Crows”

“Stack The Pyres”:

Calgary’s False Flag are streaming the new track “Reversion Of Sin”, from their upcoming Nest Of Vipers EP. Listen below:

Nest Of Vipers, the third release from Calgary’s False Flag has been announced, and this time they are taking it on the road. Their signature bottom end sound is mastered by Alan Sasha Laskow at Perfect Fifth (Every Hour Kills, Divinity, Death Toll Rising, and Titan’s Eve) and their new EP is slated to be available Tuesday, August 4 and can be pre-ordered at this location. The group is travelling across the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan to hit six different cities.

“We are very excited to share our new EP Nest Of Vipers with our fans and peers, but especially the people that haven't heard us yet. This EP is a huge push forward, in that it showcases our many influences while still keeping the same low tuned groove that our fans have come to expect from us. The songwriting, performances, and production are finally up to our own standards and we are more excited than ever to unleash these heavy tunes for you all to hear!” comments Russ Gauthier (guitar and vocals).

 

 

Nest Of Vipers tracklisting:

“Sacrifice Of Solitude”
“Perfidious”
“Reversion Of Sin”
“Nest Of Vipers”

 

 

Nest Of Vipers tour dates:

July
21 – Medicine Hat, AB – Liquid
22 – Regina, SK – The Club
23 – Saskatoon, SK – Vangelis Tavern
24 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous Pub
25 – Red Deer, AB – Slumland
26 – Calgary, AB – Morgan’s Pub
31 – Calgary, AB – Distortion

(Photo by: Channing Peterson)

Israel-based thrash metallers, Hammercult, will release their brand new studio album Built For War via Steamhammer / SPV on the following dates:

Europe / Germany: August 28th
US / Canada: September 4th

Built For War will be available in three different physical formats (tracklistings below):

1. Jewelcase CD
2. Ltd. Edition digipac CD + DVD (live in Tel Aviv)
3.) Ltd. Edition LP version - coloured 180gr. vinyl (red), printed inner sleeve, 1 vinyl only bonus track, CD in paper sleeve included (Ltd. to 500 copies worldwide!)

Check out a new teaser video:

Vocalist Yakir Von Hammer states: “Every song on the album is the kind of pumping anthem which Hammercult are known for – but this time we’ve taken the songs to different places, with a more melodic and more original approach which really stands out. The vocals on Built For War are very unique and range from screams to growls, hardcore shouts to clean vocals – which I honestly believe has never been done before by a single performer. If I had to summarize Built For War in a single sentence it would be ‘Destruction meets Manowar in an explosive mix of extreme music and true metal’.”

Digi tracklisting:

CD
“From Parts Unknown (Intro)”
“Rise Of The Hammer”
“I Live For This Shit”
“Spoils Of War”
“Ready To Roll”
“Raise Some Hell”
“Blackened Blade”
“Let It Roar”
“Ode To Ares (Interlude)”
“Altar Of Pain”
“Blood And Fire”
“Saturday Night Circle Pit Fight”
“Road To Hell”

DVD (live in Tel Aviv 2014)
“Hymn To The Steel”
“Steelcrusher”
“Diabolic Overkill”
“Metal Rules Tonight”
“Into Hell”
“Black Horseman”
“We Are Hammercult”
“Let The Angels Burn”
“Stealer Of Souls”

CD tracklisting:
“From Parts Unknown (Intro)”
“Rise Of The Hammer”
“I Live For This Shit”
“Spoils Of War”
“Ready To Roll”
“Raise Some Hell”
“Blackened Blade”
“Let It Roar”
“Ode To Ares (Interlude)”
“Altar Of Pain”
“Blood And Fire”
“Saturday Night Circle Pit Fight”
“Road To Hell”

LP tracklisting:

Side 1
“From Parts Unknown (Intro)”
“Rise Of The Hammer”
“I Live For This Shit”
“Spoils Of War”
“Ready To Roll”
“Raise Some Hell”
“Blackened Blade”

Side 2
“Let It Roar”
“Ode To Ares (Interlude)”
“Altar Of Pain”
“Blood And Fire”
“Saturday Night Circle Pit Fight”
“Road To Hell”
“Evil Has No Boundaries” (Vinyl only bonus track, Original by Slayer)