Deluxe editions of LED ZEPPELIN's final three studio albums: "Presence", "In Through The Out Door" and "Coda" will be released in July.

A video "unboxing" of the Super Deluxe edition of "Presence" is available below.

The reaction to the first six LED ZEPPELIN album reissues has been extraordinary, with albums charting in the Top 10 around the globe whilst also garnering 5-star reviews and other critical accolades along the way.

As with the previous deluxe editions, "Presence", "In Through The Out Door" and "Coda" have been newly remastered by guitarist and producer Jimmy Page and are accompanied by companion audio comprised of previously unreleased music related to the original release selected and compiled by Page.

"Presence", "In Through The Out Door" and "Coda" will each be available July 31 from Atlantic/Swan Song in the following formats:

* Single CD - Remastered original album. "Presence" and "Coda" will be packaged in a gatefold card wallet. All CD and LP versions of "In Through The Out Door" will be wrapped in a brown paper page replicating its initial release.

* Deluxe Edition (2CD and 3CD) - Remastered album, plus a second disc of unreleased companion audio. Coda will feature two companion audio discs.

* Single LP - Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a sleeve that replicates the LP's first pressing in exacting detail. All vinyl versions of "In Through The Out Door" will also include the water-sensitive insert that replicates the inner sleeve from the album's initial release.

* Deluxe Edition Vinyl – Remastered album and unreleased companion audio on 180-gram vinyl. "Coda" will feature two companion LPs.

* Digital Download – Remastered album and companion audio will both be available.

* Super Deluxe Boxed Set – This collection includes:- Remastered album on CD in vinyl replica sleeve.- Companion audio on CD in card wallet.- Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl in a sleeve replicating first pressing.- Companion audio on 180-gram vinyl.- High-def audio download card of all content at 96kHz/24 bit.- Hard-bound, 72-page book filled with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia.- High-quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered.

Originally released in 1976, "Presence" was recorded during a whirlwind 18-day session at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. The album — which peaked at #1 in both the U.S. and UK and was certified triple platinum — crackles with energy on ZEPPELIN classics like "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and "Achilles Last Stand" and delivers powerful jolts of the group at its visceral best.

The companion audio disc that accompanies "Presence" has five unreleased reference mixes from the sessions, which reveal works in progress. Along with alternate incarnations of "For Your Life", "Achilles Last Stand" and "Royal Orleans", there is also the previously unheard instrumental curiously titled "10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod)".

On its release in the summer of 1979, "In Through The Out Door" topped the U.S. and U.K. album charts and has since been certified six-times platinum. Sadly, it would be the last album that LED ZEPPELIN recorded prior to drummer John Bonham's passing the following year. Among the seven album tracks are "Fool In The Rain" and "All My Love", two songs that remain rock radio staples to this day.

The album's companion audio disc features an unreleased rough mix of every track from the original album, including early versions with working titles such as "The Hook" ("All My Love"), "The Epic" ("Carouselambra"), and "Blot" ("I'm Gonna Crawl").

The appropriately titled "Coda" was LED ZEPPELIN's final album of studio recordings. Released in 1982, it was comprised of eight unreleased tracks recorded between 1970 and 1978. It peaked at #6 on the album charts and has been certified platinum in the U.S.

The reissue campaign ends with a double-barrel blast of LED. "Coda" will be the only LED ZEPPELIN deluxe edition to include two companion discs, featuring 15 tracks recorded between 1968 and 1974. The oldest song in the collection is also perhaps the most interesting. The frenetic blues jam "Sugar Mama" was recorded in 1968 at Olympic Studios during sessions for the band's eponymous debut. The song was completed but never officially released until now. "Baby Come On Home" from the same session is also included in the set. Also included is the previously unreleased "St. Tristan's Sword", a rollicking instrumental recorded during the "Led Zeppelin III" sessions in 1970.

In 1972, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page took a fabled trip to India to perform with the Bombay Orchestra and now, for the first time, recordings from these sessions will be officially released with dynamic takes on "Friends" and "Four Hands" ("Four Sticks" from "Led Zeppelin IV"). Among the many other highlights featured here is an early version of "When The Levee Breaks" from 1970 titled "If It Keeps On Raining"; rough mixes of "The Wanton Song" and "In The Light", from the "Physical Graffiti" sessions at Headley Grange, the latter a different alternate version than the one included in the "Physical Graffiti" deluxe edition; and an instrumental mix of "Poor Tom" from 1970.

In 1968, Jimmy Page formed LED ZEPPELIN, one of the most influential, innovative and successful groups in modern music, having sold more than 300 million albums worldwide. The band rose from the ashes of THE YARDBIRDS, when Page brought in Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. In 1969, LED ZEPPELIN released its self-titled debut. It marked the beginning of a 12-year reign, during which the group was widely considered to be the biggest and most innovative rock band in the world.

LED ZEPPELIN continues to be honored for its pivotal role in music history. The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, and a year later was awarded with the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm. Founding members Page, Plant, and Jones, and along with Jason Bonham, the son of John Bonham, took the stage at London's O2 Arena in 2007 to headline a tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun, a dear friend and Atlantic Records' founder. The band was honored for its lifetime contribution to American culture at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012. In January of 2014, the band won their first ever Grammy Award as "Celebration Day", which captured their live performance at the Ertegun tribute concert, was named Best Rock Album.

"Presence" track listing:

01. Achilles Last Stand02. For Your Life03. Royal Orleans04. Nobody's Fault But Mine05. Candy Store Rock06. Hots On For Nowhere07. Tea For One

Companion audio

01. Two Ones Are Won (Achilles Last Stand - Reference Mix)02. For Your Life (Reference Mix)03. 10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod) (Reference Mix)04. Royal Orleans (Reference Mix)05. Hots On For Nowhere (Reference Mix)

"In Through The Out Door" track listing

01. In The Evening02. South Bound Saurez03. Fool In The Rain04. Hot Dog05. Carouselambra06. All My Love07. I'm Gonna Crawl Companion audio

01. In The Evening (Rough Mix)02. Southbound Piano (South Bound Saurez - Rough Mix)03. Fool In The Rain (Rough Mix)04. Hot Dog (Rough Mix)05. The Epic (Carouselambra - Rough Mix)06. The Hook (All My Love - Rough Mix)07. Blot (I'm Gonna Crawl - Rough Mix)

"Coda" track listing:

01. We're Gonna Groove02. Poor Tom03. I Can't Quit You Baby04. Walter's Walk05. Ozone Baby06. Darlene07. Bonzo's Montreux08. Wearing And Tearing

Companion audio

Disc One

01. We're Gonna Groove (Alternate Mix) 02. If It Keeps On Raining (When The Levee Breaks - Rough Mix)03. Bonzo's Montreux (Mix Construction In Progress)04. Baby Come On Home05. Sugar Mama (Mix) 06. Poor Tom (Instrumental Mix)07. Travelling Riverside Blues (BBC Session)08. Hey, Hey, What Can I Do Disc Two

01. Four Hands (Four Sticks - Bombay Orchestra) 02. Friends (Bombay Orchestra) 03. St. Tristan's Sword (Rough Mix)04. Desire (The Wanton Song - Rough Mix)05. Bring It On Home (Rough Mix) 06. Walter's Walk (Rough Mix)07. Everybody Makes It Through (In The Light - Rough Mix)

Photo credit: Atlantic Records / The Outside Organisation

Philadelphia black metallers I Am The Trireme have released a new track "Grey Fields Of Ash". The song comes from upcoming album Gnosis: Never Follow the Light, scheduled for release on June 30 via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.

Few bands can match the ferocity and sheer brutal combination of melodic death and vile symphonic black metal that I Am The Trireme (pronounced "tri' reem") has conjured. IATT bring forth a relentless, fast paced, crushing wall of blackened brutality and haunting melodies. Listeners can expect to hear a searing, dark, aggressive blend of brutality and purely sinister blackened metal that is sure to leave them foaming at the mouth.

Gnosis: Never Follow The Light is a poignant passage through the stages of Enlightenment and Ascension. Each song has its own symbol and is comparable to the metamorphic phases of a Butterfly, or in a more morbid sense the five stages of grief. The album leaves room for the listener to use perception as a tool while reaching a common result. Sonically, Gnosis: Never Follow The Light cannot just be lumped into a generic collective genre, attesting to I Am The Trireme's struggle to avoid blending into a scene or live line-up. For IATT the album holds the symbol of constant suffocation and deprivation of carrying out a normal life. Indeed, the band has been completely consumed for two years in the creation of this masterpiece.

 

Tracklisting:

“Mettre Fin A Cette”
“Trusty Noose”
“Basking In The Essence Of My Sorrow”
“Grey Fields Of Ash”
“Thy Sombering Light”
“Ascending Into Oblivion”
“A Sullen Reflection Of Purity”
“Tamerlane (Chapter 1)”
“Tamerlane (Chapter 2)”

Video "Thy Sombering Light":

"A Sullen Reflection Of Purity”:

“Tamerlane (Chapter 1)”:

Following an announcement marking the signing of Melted Space in March, Sensory Records is now confirming the details for the impending release of The Great Lie, a massively ambitious metal opera project led by French composer Pierre le Pape.

A brief trailer for the album has been released, the video listing the full all-star cast of musicians involved in the album, which includes members of Morbid Angel, Mayhem, Dark Tranquillity, Orphaned Land, Shining, Ayreon, Sirenia and many more, in addition to the work of The City of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra!

Melted Space is the creation of French composer Pierre le Pape, who bears a master degree in classical music and movie scores, here creating a modern opera that takes over the classical codes, including numerous characters, scenario, powerful orchestral arrangements and varied ambiances, all set to skilled and catchy songwriting and amazing casting. The new Melted Space album, The Great Lie, features fourteen prestigious and unexpected singers, joined by seven talented guest musicians and The City of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra. Together, this cast has created an epic saga as powerful as moving, and by mixing the tradition of the classic opera with infectious heavy metal, The Great Lie promises to set a new milestone in the genre. The full cast of guests on the album includes David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Attila Csihar (Sunn O))), Mayhem), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Ailyn Gimenéz (Sirenia), Kobi Fahri (Orphaned Land), Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania), Guillaume Bideau (Mnemic), Niklas Kvarforth (Shining), Sylvain Coudret (Soilwork), Adrien Grousset (Hacride), Christine Rhoades (Jeff Loomis), Manuel Munoz (The Old Dead Tree), Arnaud Strobl (Carnival In Coal), Clémentine Delauney (Visions Of Atlantis), Virginie Goncalves (Kells),

Initiated by pianist and composer Pierre Le Pape, Melted Space stands as the first French metal opera boasting the air of a huge choral fresco, bringing together numerous female and male singers and musicians from the international metal scene. Powerful metal meets the refined essence of movie soundtrack-style movements the band has seduced a wide audience. Melted Space's music is inspired by traditional symphonic metal but is also rooted in the black and death metal scenes, each coming to play depending on what action that is taking place within the story that Pierre is telling us.

Melted Space began as an instrumental project by Le Pape in 2007, yet under the thumb of his electro-acoustic teacher, he created a universe of its own which can be described as a potential ultimate step in Dante's Divine Comedy. The first record, 2009's There's A Place, was totally self-produced and while it was a completely instrumental album, it laid the foundations of the band's 2012-releaseed successor, From The Past, which really pushed the name further. Gathering twenty-six musicians, renowned female and male singers, From The Past received rapturous articles and one of the most enthusiastic welcomes. Following this success, Pierre didn't stop there and started to compose a mini-album entitled Between, which was released in May 2013 with Season Of Mist and PlasticHead handling French and European distribution. Melted Space had gone further again as Pierre hired two internationally-known singers to interpret his songs: Liv Kristine (Leaves's Eyes, ex-Theater Of Tragedy) and Ashmedi (Melechesh). Le Pape then hired five talented musicians to go on tour with him as main support act for The Old Dead Tree's last tour in October 2013, and the motivation since has now resulted in additional tour and festival dates, and now, the most ambitious album from the collective yet, with The Great Lie.

(Photo - Guillaume Bideau)

Punishment 18 Records recently signed Australian thrashers In Malice’s Wake. Their new album is entitled Light Upon The Wicked and is expected to be out later this year.

In Malice’s Wake is Australia's premier thrash band combining relentless speed, iconic riffs and haunting melodies. New information will follow soon.

In Malice’s Wake released their last album, The Thrashening in 2011 independently.

Lineup:

Shaun Farrugia – guitars/vocals
Mark Farrugia – drums
Leigh Bartley – lead guitar
Karl Watterson – bass

Italian gothic doomsters Motus Tenebrae have a new home inking a record deal with My Kingdom Music.

Band's new album, titled Deathrising, the fifth of their by now 15 years career, successor to Double Black, is currently at the last steps with the mastering stage and is expected to be released in January 2016 strong of its 11 tracks for more than 50 minutes of obscure and emotional gothic doom metal.

The band continues to push their vision of characteristic dark music to the next level and now with the return of the historic singer Luis McFadden, is ready to push themselves to a wider and international audience.

On the new deal and forthcoming effort, Andreas Das Cox (bass) commented: "Our new album Deathrising signals Luis' (McFadden) return on vocals and it will present the most obscure, powerful and mature music ever released by Motus Tenebrae. It's an output characterized by a great and upsetting riffing and with a strong dose of emotions and pathos as we used to be... we expect with Deathrising very important events supported and proud to be part of a great label like My Kingdom Music is."

Norwegian progressive death metal band Defect Designer have posted their latest video “Crusaders” in support of their second full-length Ageing Accelerator due out on July 13 via Sleaszy Rider Records.

"Crusaders is the most straightforward song from our upcoming album Ageing Accelerator. It is a combination of very old riffs we haven't used before with fresh tunes. We wanted to make something close to grindcore that is easy to play live. It is about wars and invasions that continue now," comments vocalist, guitarist Dmitry Sukhinin.

Defect Designer, consisting of former members of Trollfest, Blood Red Throne, and Diskord, recently signed with the Sleazy Rider record label and revealed the artwork for their upcoming album, Ageing Accelerator.

Artwork is done by Seth Siro Anthon, famous for his work with Soilwork, Paradise Lost, Moonspell, Sybreed and other acts.

Ageing Accelerator recording lineup includes such names as:

- Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy) - drums
- Stelios Mavromitis (SepticFlesh live guitarist) - guitars
- Martin Storm-Olsen (Trollfest) - guitars and clean vocals
- Christos Antoniou (SepticFlesh) - sampling and orchestration
- Dmitry Sukhinin (Diskord) - vocals, bass and guitars

Check the lyric video for “Yellow Grimace” below.

(Photo - Polina Helvete Kulikovskikh)

Diamond Dogs, Swedish rock and roll band formed in 1992 are now back with their tenth full-length album Quitters & Complainers that also includes a 70 minute long bonus live disc Let’s Have It – Live in Bilbao. The release is scheduled for August, 14 via Livewire/Cargo Records. The new video for the new song “Silver Star Delight” has been uploaded.

Diamond Dogs have over the years delivered countless hard rockin’ shows worldwide, they have also been on tour sharing stage with: Nazareth, Ian Hunter, The Damned, Hanoi Rocks, The Cult, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Quireboys, Dan Baird, among others.

Members of Diamond Dogs also have associations with such fine artists as The Hellacopters, Johnny Thunders, The Solution, The Dogs D’amour, The Nomads, Lisa & The Lips, Ian Hunter And The Crunch. Singer Sulo Karlsson is also currently completing a vocal duet album collaboration with American singer Maria McKee. Quitters & Complainers could easily be Diamond Dogs finest release to date.

Quitters & Complainers tracklisting:

“Runaway Rome”
“Alright, Alright, Alright”
“Stop Barking Up The Wrong Tree”
“Broken”
“Silver Star Delight”
“Back To Babylon”
“Black Ribbons (For Magic)”
“Goodbye Troubles Soul”
“Rollercoaster”
“Out Of My Heart”

Bonus disc Let’s Have It – Live In Bilbao tracklisting:

“Bound To Ravage”
“Rush For Comfort”
“Every Little Crack”
“Goodbye Miss Jill”
“Autopilot”
“Lift It Up”
“Yesterday’s NYMPH”
“Honked”
“Raise A Holler”
“Brick Chase Bilbao (Jam)”
“Passing Through My Heart”
“Somebody Else’s Lord”
“On The Sunny Side Again”
“Sad To Say I’m Sorry”
“The Band”
“Wild Side Of Life”
“Don’t Turn Me Away”
“Not Guilty (Jam)”

Video “Silver Star Delight”:

Diamond Dogs is:
Sören Sulo Karlsson – vocals
Duke of Honk – piano, organ, vocals
Lars Karlsson – guitars
Johannes Nordell – drums
Morgan Korsmoe – bass

Chicago's District 97 are streaming the new track “Takeover”, from their impending third studio full-length, In Vaults, out via Laser’s Edge on June 23rd.

Their third album for Laser's Edge, In Vaults boasts more than an hour of District 97's unique brew of prog rock, metal, alternative, classical, pop and jazz influences with nine brand new tracks. The album was recorded at IV Lab Studios in Chicago, engineered by Chris Harden with additional engineering by Shane Hendrickson, mixed by Rich Mouser and Jeff Fox at The Mouse House Studio and mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain, and features brilliant cover art designed by Björn Gooßes.

In Vaults tracklisting:

“Snow Country”
“Death By A Thousand Cuts”
“Handlebars”
“A Lottery”
“All’s Well That Ends Well”
“Takeover”
“On Paper”
“Learn From Danny”
“Blinding Vision”

“Takeover”:

Trailer:

UK-based black metal heathens Cradle Of Filth have revealed the censored artwork for their new album, Hammer Of The Witches, which is due for global release on July 10th via Nuclear Blast. The image below will be an insert over the actual cover on store shelves. It will be present in stores in North America as well as Europe.

Hammer Of The Witches will be released on Jewelcase CD, Limited Edition Digipak, Mail Order Edition and 2LP vinyl formats. This highly anticipated and caliginous creation was brought to fruition in Britain’s Witch County, in darkest rural Suffolk at the reputedly haunted Grindstone Studios.

Cradle Of Filth recently premiered the first track from Hammer Of The Witches, entitled “Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych”. According to a brief update from the band, the next single off the album will be "Deflowering The Maidenhead, Displeasuring The Goddess", due to be released in a few weeks.

The official video for “Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych” was filmed in an old jet-engine testing hangar at a former military base and was directed by Sam Scott-Hunter (Devilment, Slipknot, The 69 Eyes), who also took the band's promotional photos. As well as featuring Dani and his troop of reprobates, model and Kinbaku enthusiast Gestalta also makes an appearance. Watch how the idea came about and what the band had to say about the video below:

The official video for new track “Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych” can be found below. As well as featuring Dani and his troop of reprobates, model and Kinbaku enthusiast Gestalta also makes an appearance.

Frontman Dani Filth commented on the making of the video: "The video for 'Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych' was an immense thrill to film as it was undertaken in a jet-engine testing hangar at a former US Military base close to my home town of Ipswich, followed by an equally surreal afternoon spent under the aerobatic flightpath of the Imperial War Museum. Directed by Sam Scott-Hunter, the video is a realised phantasmagoria of horror and hell-bound heartistry, fully encapsulating the beautality of the first single from Hammer Of The Witches, and if my flagrant play-on-words doesn't pique your interest, then the fact that it features a renowned rope bondage queen and the band in full swing just possibly might."

Hammer Of The Witches uncensored artwork and tracklisting follow:

Jewelcase CD

“Walpurgis Eve”
“Yours Immortally…”
“Enshrined In Crematoria”
“Deflowering The Maidenhead, Displeasuring The Goddess”
“Blackest Magick In Practice”
“The Monstrous Sabbat (Summoning The Coven)”
“Hammer Of The Witches”
“Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych”
“The Vampyre At My Side”
“Onward Christian Soldiers”
“Blooding The Hounds Of Hell”

Limited Edition Digipak CD / Vinyl bonus tracks:

“King Of The Woods”
“Misericord”

Cradle Of Filth is:

Dani Filth – Vocals
Richard Shaw – Guitar
Ashok – Guitar
Daniel Firth - Bass
Martin Skaroupka - Drums
Lindsay Schoolcraft – Keys & Female Vocals

 

 

 

Having recently released their first official band-branded beer, dubbed Sacrum,  Polish heathens Behemoth are gearing up for the release of a black IPA beer called Profanum. Details will be revealed as they become available.

Check out the teaser below:

Sacrum was officially launched in May. In the new documentary footage below, the band visit the Perun Brewery, where the Belgian IPA-style ale is produced.

 

 

Swedish power metal heroes Sabaton has uploaded a Heroes on tour video from their show at Rock in Vienna together with Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague.

 

Sabaton are coming back to the UK in 2016 and this time they're bringing Scotland's favourite heavy metal pirates, Alestorm.

Sabaton bassist Pär Sundström comments: "We felt that the last UK tour was not enough and since then we have been thinking of what we can do and talking to our friends in Alestorm we came up with the idea of this tour. When we hit the UK both bands will play a full set! And it‘s in good venues where we can bring more of our stage set than we could in the past. This will be awesome!"

They will also be supported by fellow Swedes, Bloodbound.

Tour dates:

February

26 - Norwich, England - UEA
27 - Manchester, England - Academy
28 - Birmingham, England - o2 Academy
29 - Southampton, England - o2 Guildhall

March

2 - Aberdeen, Scotland - Music Hall
3 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands
4 - Belfast, Ireland - Limelight 1
6 - Dublin, Ireland - Vicar Street
7 - Cardiff, Wales - Tramshed
8 - Bristol, England - Motion
10 - London, England - The Forum

Known for the boundless energy of their soul-soaring live performances saturated with fist-pumping anthems that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit, Sabaton return to the western hemisphere next month as direct support to Finland-based symphonic metal storytellers Nightwish. Openers are Dutch symphonic metallers Delain.

Sabaton have also announced a new and very special kind of festival. So, there is the Sabaton Open Air/Rockstad:Falun festival in the band's hometown Falun, the Sabaton Cruise on the Baltic Sea and now there is also Sabaton Open Air/Noch ein Bier Fest in Germany.

For a long time, Sabaton have had the plans for doing a special and totally unique event in Germany and that will become reality now. In July they will organize Sabaton Open Air/Noch Ein Bier Fest, a headline concert where people will surely get a unique show. For this concert they have chosen the stunning Amphitheatre in Gelsenkirchen (famous from Rock Hard Festival) and as support on this show Sabaton will bring some bands they know that their fans have requested: their old touring colleagues in Powerwolf and Korpiklaani as well as their former bandmates Civil War.

 

 

 

 

Pär Sundström comments: “In 2008 we organized ‘One more beer party’ in Essen in Germany as a release party for Art Of War. Since then the idea has existed of doing something similar. Now, seven years later, all pieces have fallen into position and we are ready. There will be a lot of ‘Noch ein Bier’ that night!”

Find Sabaton's complete live itinerary at this location.

Journey guitarist Neal Schon's epic, inventive, all-instrumental double solo album, Vortex, will hit stores in Europe on June 22nd, and on June 23rd in North America/Worldwide via Mascot Label Group. Vortex, is now available to pre-order on 2CD / 2LP at this location. A full album stream can be found below.

The album utilizes rock as its foundation, while also embracing elements of jazz, classical and world music in an 18-track stunning, sonically explosive collection of original compositions. The release is dedicated to Schon's best friend and wife, who serves as his true inspiration every day (Both "Lady M" and "Triumph Of Love" were written for her, the latter of which he performed at their wedding on December 15, 2013). Schon shares, "This is an evolutionary album for me. I’ve always aspired to be a better player and push musical boundaries. And sure, I’ve sold 80-million records with Journey, and I’m proud of that, but this album is really me — all based on my guitar, which is my ‘voice.’ It’s bold. There’s love, and there’s definitely fire and an element of danger. And the energy level is off the hook.”

That’s evident from the first, mysterious-sounding measures of “Miles Beyond,” the scalding tribute to jazz genius Miles Davis’ pioneering fusion recordings that opens the album. The tune blends Schon’s soaring leads, tectonic plates of grinding rhythm and brilliantly layered melodies within an arrangement that embraces Middle Eastern flourishes plus flashes of African drumming by Steve Smith. “Schon & Hammer Now” is a furious jam between the guitarist and his longtime friend and creative foil, Grammy-winning keyboardist Jan Hammer, whose many accomplishments include charter membership in the groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra. And the two match their brilliant technique and relentless invention throughout, sparring with the grace and speed of a young Mohammad Ali. Schon reveals, "Jan is all over this album. I wrote the material to give Jan room to stretch. There are not many three minute ditties. It’s all huge, epic, bombastic…futuristic.” After hearing the completed album for the first time, Hammer made a succinct observation, “This is fucking amazing.”

“Airliner NS910” is further proof. It’s all speed and swagger, with Schon skywriting the song’s sweetly singing theme in the indelible vapor trail of the instantly recognizable operatic tones of his signature model Paul Reed Smith guitars. He reflects, "Since Vortex is a two-record set, it's both my ninth and tenth solo albums. That’s where the ‘NS910’ comes from."

The music of Vortex originated in the hard drives that Schon is constantly filling with ideas for riffs, melodies and chord progressions at home. But they came to life at Berkeley’s Fantasy Studios, his preferred spot for recording since Journey cut the 10-times-platinum number-one album Escape there in 1981. Schon states, "It’s my home away from home. I spend so much time there that they’ve given me my own locker.”

Schon produced and played bass on Vortex, too, and was joined in the studio by Smith and keyboardist Igor Len. Hammer and Len also appeared on Schon’s seventh solo album, The Calling, which was followed by the blues-inspired hard rock album So U. He offers, "Igor and Jan complement each other, and me, beautifully." And Vortex’s “Eternal Love” is a testament to Len’s creativity. The song, a richly emotional ballad, features Len alone on piano. The guitarist observes, “He sat down and played the tune spontaneously, and it was so gorgeous and deep that I had to have it on my album.” Schon offers his own reflective solo performance on Vortex with the sparsely arranged acoustic guitar meditation “Mom,” dedicated to his mother, Barbara Schon. He reveals, "Like most of the performances on this album, it wasn’t premeditated. I’d just pick up a guitar and tell my engineer Jesse Nichols to hit ProTools.”

The intensely creative guitar giant has always had a seemingly innate ability to make glorious music. He began playing at age five and was inspired by soul vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, and blues and jazz guitarists ranging from B.B. King Albert King, and Eric Clapton to Wes Montgomery. When Schon was just 15 years old, Carlos Santana invited him to join his band. Schon’s recording debut was on the classic 1971 album Santana III. He played the solo on the LP’s hit single “Everybody’s Everything.” Recently Schon has been working with Carlos Santana on a new album, co-writing songs and playing key performances including homecoming Santana concerts in Guadalajara and Mexico City that included Journey as the opening band.

Schon formed Journey in 1973 and has led the band through its astonishing 42-year history. Along the way Journey has sold well over 80 million albums, amongst which the band's Greatest Hits release was certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales in excess of 10 million copies. To date sales now exceed 15 million copies. Eight other Journey album releases have been certified multi-platinum. Neal Schon co-wrote the timeless hit “Don’t Stop Believin,’" which now holds the title as the most digitally downloaded song in history. Seventeen additional Journey singles were Top 40 hits, Schon has received multiple Grammy award nominations for both his work with Journey and his solo recordings. And Journey has been nominated for the Rock ‘n’ Hall of Fame.

Besides solo albums and tours and his historic work with Journey, Schon has an extensive history of blue-ribbon collaborations. These include co-founding the supergroup Bad English and forming bands with vocalists Paul Rodgers and Sammy Hagar. He released two collaboration albums with Jan Hammer, Untold Passion and Here To Stay, while also performing on releases from Michael Bolton, Return to Forever’s Lenny White and many others.

One thing he’s never done is considered resting on his laurels. Schon reflects, "I feel more aware and alive now than I've ever been. Part of that is the sobriety I've had for the last seven years. I’ve also evolved as a person and a player though understanding the value of being in the moment – letting things happen and not thinking too much. There's an old blues saying: ‘If you’re thinkin’, you’re stinkin’. When you stop thinking and just play from the heart, you discover your own voice. That’s the real thing, and that’s what Vortex is about for me.”

 

 

Tracklisting:

CD1

“Miles Beyond”
“Awakening”
“Cuban Fly Zone”
“El Matador”
“Eternal Love”
“In A Cloud”
“Irish Cream”
“Lady M (Our love Remains)”
“NS Vortex”

CD2

“Tortured Souls”
“Schon & Hammer Now”
“Airliner NS910”
“Unspoken Faith”
“Twilight - Spellbound”
“Triumph Of Love”
“Mom”
“Talk To Me”
“White Light”

Album stream:

Deadline Music has released a 2CD blockbuster career retrospective from one of the unsung heroes of classic hard rock who toured with every major metal act from Iron Maiden to KISS to Mötley Crüe, the indomitable Axe. The anthology includes the band's biggest hit single “Rock 'n' Roll Party In The Streets”, plus select cuts from the much sought after first two studio albums and much more.

Axe was formed in 1978 from the ashes of a band called Babyface and began recording their first album, Axe in 1979 and started a tour that lasted until 1984. Their second album, Living On The Edge, followed in 1980. In 1981, Axe changed labels and recorded Offering for ATCO Atlantic featuring the hit Rock ’N’ Roll Party In The Streets. The song reached #59 on the Billboard charts of the most-played-songs in 1982, and became a nationwide rock anthem. After 19 months of touring with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, the Scorpions, ZZ Top and Motley Crue, it was time to record the fourth Axe album - Nemesis. Continued success meant more touring. Band leader Bobby Barth was seriously injured in a car crash that led to the disbanding Axe and later joining Blackfoot. After his stint with Blackfoot, Barth took his talents to Australia to join Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo), hitting the Top 5 on the Australian charts.

The reformed 1997 Axe line up featured former Frank Zappa vocalist Bob Harris, Bobby Barth on guitars, Edgar Riley Jr on keyboards and original drummer Teddy Mueller plus bassist Blake Eberhard, and keyboardist Rob Lowe. To his credit, Bob Harris has performed with some of the greatest artists in the music industry. Covering vocals and keys for Frank Zappa, he proved his ability as an outstanding musician and writer. Blake Eberhard is one of Colorado's premier studio and live bassists. He joined Axe after being hired by Barth for several recording sessions, and added a new dimension to the Axe sound. In the interim period between the band's split and the reformation, Edgar Riley Jr had worked with Frank Zappa and had also played with several unidentified bands in the Southern states of America and Teddy Mueller had got involved in the publishing industry.

“Axe has been one of the greatest musical and personal adventures in my life. However, it was always bitter sweet, because the tragic death of Michael Osborne created the space that I later filled. I will always be thankful to my friend Mark Pinske for introducing me to Bobby Barth. From the start he mentored me into the band's style and graciously included me in the writing process, and became one of my dearest friends for life. Axe has always been about the music - not the hype - and I feel honoured to be a part of it.” - Bob Harris

A brand new Axe album, Axe (Twenty Years From Home), was released in September 1997 featuring re-recorded versions of choice tracks from each of the first four Axe albums, plus two from the recently released V record. For their 2001 album The Crown the group inducted new personnel guitarist Danny Masters and drummer Christian Teele. Axe would release a limited edition mini album Live In America 1981 to commemorate their European 2001 tour dates. In the mid-2000's, Axe reformed again including singer Bob Harris and adding new members, Brad Banhagel, David Landes. The band toured throughout the US and Europe.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“Life's Just An Illusion”
“Hang On”
“Sympathize”
“Forever”
“Back On The Streets”
“Battles”
“Living On The Edge”
“Fantasy Of Love”
“First Time, Last Time”
“Carry On”
“Running The Gauntlet”
“For A Little While”
“Rock 'n' Roll Party In The Streets” *
“Steal Another Fantasy” *
“Jennifer” *
“Burn The City Down” *
“Now Or Never” *
“Holdin' On” *
“Silent Soldiers” *
“Bad Sometimes” (Bonus Track)

Disc 2
“Heat In The Streets” *
“Young Hearts” *
“All Through The Night” *
“Eagle Flies Alone” *
“Let The Music Come Back” *
“Masquerade” *
“Magic (In Our Eyes)”
“Heroes and Legends”
“Burn Me Once Burn Me Twice”
“Where There's Smoke, There's Fire”
“Any Place On This Highway (Is Home)”
“The Crown”
“Good Times”
“Torturous Game”
“Foolish Deception”
“No Heroes” (Bonus Track)

* Re-Recorded Versions

Danish blackened death metal outfit, Crocell, have released a new music video for the track "Tyrant Of Iron”. The video was shot during Crocell's spring tour with fellow Danish metallers Impalers, and it combines three of the most essential Crocell elements: raw death metal, live concerts, and schnapps!

"Tyrant Of Iron" is the opening track from Crocell's fourth album, Prophet's Breath, their most brutal, most blackened and most intense album to date, according to the band. It is also the first Crocell album to feature guest vocals, namely by S from Horned Almighty who participates on the track "Contagious Purity".

 

 

Prophet's Breath was produced at JBO Sound by Jacob Olsen, and it was released through Deepsend Records in May.

"Tyrant Of Iron” video:

The creators of cinematic metal are back with their most outstanding record: Prometheus - Symphonia Ignis Divinus, to be released on June 19th (Europe), June 22nd (UK), June 30th (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records. Audio snippets from the album can be heard below:

“The love for the cinema and the movie soundtracks is something clear and evident in each song of the album. The epic, cinematic impact of the music is something flowing in my blood and carved in my genetics”, commented Luca Turilli.

The album was composed and produced once again by Luca Turilli, responsible as always of all the orchestral and choral arrangements. It was recorded and mixed at the Backyard Studios of Sebastian Roeder (Bonfire a.o.) and mastered by Christoph Stickel (Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock) at MSM studios.

Seven months of composition, three months of production, over 50 days of mix, two choirs, several special guests, including Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Dan Lucas (Karo) and David Readman (Pink Cream 69). Including 70 minutes of epic music, sounding cinematic, bombastic and dramatic as never before, the new Rhapsody masterwork will lead the listener to an emotional and memorable journey between quantum gates, parallel dimensions, myths and legends hiding cosmic truths, ancestral secrets and spiritual revelations.

And this time it was not enough for the band to simply sound cinematic. It came the time for Rhapsody to finally “look” cinematic too. Therefore, the new cover artwork and the album booklet, introducing the new cinematic graphic style of the band, were realized by the well-known amazing artist named Stefan “Heile” Heilemann (Epica, Lindemann).

 

 

Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus tracklisting:

“Nova Genesis (Ad Splendorem Angeli Triumphantis)”
“Il Cigno Nero”
“Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)”
“Anahata”
“Il Tempo Degli Dei”
“One Ring To Rule Them All”
“Notturno”
“Prometheus”
“King Solomon And The 72 Names Of God”
“Yggdrasil”
“Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer’s Fall Part II: Codex Nemesis”
I.  “Codex Nemesis Alpha Omega”
II.  “Symphonia Ignis Divinus (The Quantum Gate Revealed)”
III.  “The Astral Convergence”  
IV.  “The Divine Fire Of The Archangel”
V.  “Of Psyche And Archetypes (System Overloaded)”

Digipak Bonus:

“Thundersteel” (cinematic Version)

 

 

The digipak version of the album will include the cinematic version of “Thundersteel”, the famous song from Riot, performed by the Rhapsody singer Alessandro Conti in duet with Ralf Scheepers.

Pre-order your copy here.

“Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)” lyric video:

Album trailer:

Studio trailers:

“Prometheus” lyric video:

 

Lords Of The Trident have released a new video for the song "Knights Of Dragon's Deep”. The track is featured on their recently released album, Frostburn.

 

 

Lead vocalist Fang Von Wrathenstein has checked in with the following update: "You want a music video with fire? Explosions? Battles? Swordplay? Bloodshed? Then you've come to the right place. The video follows the story of our first song from 2015's Frostburn. An evil frostwyrm's magic has covered the lands with ice and death, and the blizzard is starting to encroach on the nearby kingdom. The king sends for the Knights Of Dragon's Deep - a group of legendary dragonslayers. However, the minions of the frostwyrm - including his head sorceress - are already on the hunt for the knights.

We pitched the idea for this video to the mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, and he thought the idea was so epic, the city itself actually funded the entire production! He just kept throwing stacks of bills at us and screaming "A TRIBUTE TO THE LORDS! A TRIBUTE TO THE LORDS!" True Story.

This is your first chance to see our latest lead shredder, Baron Taurean Helleshaar, in action! Prepare your face for melting, and bear in mind that by reading this sentence, we cannot be responsible for any plastic surgery costs to put your face back together afterwards."

"Knights Of Dragon's Deep" video:

New Hampshire's post-black metal band, Vattnet Viskar, is streaming their sophomore full-length, Settler, in its entirety today to celebrate its release in North America.

The album artwork was created by multimedia artist, Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden), who also created the video for "Breath Of The Almighty", from the band's Sky Swallower album.

Settler tracklisting:

“Dawnlands”
“Colony”
“Yearn”
“Impact”
“Glory”
“Heirs”
“Settler”
“Coldwar”

“Glory”:

“Impact”:

“Yearn”:

“Colony”:

“Settler”:

Currently on the road with 1349 and Necrophagia, Vattnet Viskar has just announced another North American tour-- this time with The Atlas Moth and Atriarch.

Tour dates:

June (Chaos Raids North America 2015 with 1349 and Necrophagia)
16 - San Antonio, TX - Korova
17 - Fort Worth, TX - Tomcats
18 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
19 - Orlando, FL - The Haven
21 - Johnson City, TN – Hideaway (only Vattnet Viskar)
22 - Columbus, OH - Double Happiness (only Vattnet Viskar)

August (The Atlas Moth dates with Vattnet Viskar and Atriarch)
6 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock *
7 - Merriam, KS - Aftershock *
8 - Englewood, CO - Moe's *
10 - Boise, ID - Shredder *
11 - Seattle, WA - Highline
12 - Portland, OR - Ash St. Saloon
13 - Oakland, CA - Golden Bull
14 - Glendale, CA - The Complex
15 - Tempe, AZ - Yucca Tap Room
16 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
17 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
18 - Austin, TX - Empire Control Room
19 - Houston, TX - Rudyards
20 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
21 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
22 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
23 - Asheville, NC - New Mountain
24 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
25 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
26 - Boston, MA - Great Scott
27 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
*The Atlas Moth, Vattnet Viskar only

 

 

 

"The Science Of Noise", the new video from Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "Construct", which was released on May 27, 2013 via Century Media Records. The CD was mixed by Jens Bogren (PARADISE LOST, OPETH, KATATONIA) at his Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden.

The band comments: "The festival season has just started, which is a good reason to release our very live based video clip for 'The Science Of Noise'.

"The bulk of the material was shot during last year's 'World Construct' tour, but, for various reasons, the video wasn't completed until now.

"Also, we're very pleased to welcome Erik Jacobson (from the Gothenburg-based DEALS DEATH) as a stand-in guitarist while Niklas is busy with parental duties. Furthermore, our old brother Anders Iwers (TIAMAT, AVATARIUM, CEREMONIAL OATH) is handling the bass guitar, making this a very special run.

"Hope to see as many of you as possible at the shows!"

Speaking about the progress of the songwriting sessions for DARK TRANQUILLITY's follow-up to "Construct", drummer Anders Jivarp told Josh Rundquist (a.k.a. That Drummer Guy): "Myself and our keyboard player [Martin Brändström] have been writing ever since June. Pretty much three times a week we meet up in his studio and just write, so we have a lot of material — actually, almost six [or] seven songs done. Not with guitar solos and vocals, but it's there."

He continued: "We're talking about recording the album in October [and] November, [and it makes] sense to release it in maybe March [or] April [of 2016]."

Regarding the musical direction of the new DARK TRANQUILLITY material, Anders said: "I've been writing, like, 95 percent of it. It's very guitar oriented. It's very… I'm surprised, actually, how a drummer and a keyboard player can create so many guitar riffs. 'Cause 'Construct' was a little bit different; it was more… [It didn't have] too many guitar riffs necessarily. But I would say it's gonna surprise a lot of listeners. Maybe they wil say, 'Oh, [it sounds like] old DARK TRANQUILLITY,' with so much guitar riffs and stuff. It's a little bit towards that direction, I dare to say, even if it's not… I played some of the songs for Niklas [Sundin], our guitar player, and he was, like, 'Woah! Fuck! What's this?' [Laughs] So… We'll see. No ballads so far. I'm very happy with it."

He continued: "I'm surprised, actually, that me and Martin could do that, actually. 'Cause I was… When I started writing, I was, like, 'Hmm… How is this album gonna sound? Maybe like ANATHEMA [and] OPETH… This mellow, soft…' You know?! 'Cause I like that. But when I started writing, it was, like… no. This is what I've got. All this fast stuff. So… Maybe the album after that will be the slow one. We'll see."

The official lyric video for the song "Soul Hacker" from Los Angeles cyber metallers FEAR FACTORY can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album "Genexus", which will be released on August 7 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

"We chose the song 'Soul Hacker' for the first single 'cause it's heavy, catchy and has a lot of groove," comments FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares. "You can really hear the aggression in Burt's [C. Bell] vocals on this one, not to mention on the entire album. We think people are really going to love this song and record; it's super varied, melodic, aggressive and heavy." Cazares continues: "We wanted to make it a little more interesting than your typical lyric video, so we included some live footage of the band from our last few tours and images of ourselves performing the song on TV screens. Hope you guys like it!"

The follow-up to 2012's "The Industrialist", "Genexus" was co-produced by longtime collaborator Rhys Fulber, along with Dino Cazares and Burton C. Bell and mixed by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by Anthony Clarkson. Drums on "Genexus" were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).

The first trailer for "Genexus", featuring an audio snippet of the song "Protomech", is available below.

"The word 'genexus' is a hybrid of two words: 'genesis' and 'nexus,'" explains Burton C. Bell. "This word describes the next transition in human evolution as man moves forward to a 'mechanical' state of being. Ray Kurzweil predicts that the singularity will occur around 2045. 'Genexus' is the term for that next evolutionary process. Where humans are machines, machines are human, and the differences are oblivious to the naked eye."

He continues: "This album is a record of thought patterns, psychology and struggles of the Genexus generation. The cognitive machine has arrived, and it wants autonomy from the industry that created it. This machine struggles, like every other human has throughout the course of history. This is the story of every one of us."

"Genexus" track listing:

01. Autonomous Combat System02. Anodized03. Dielectric04. Soul Hacker05. Protomech06. Genexus07. Church Of Execution08. Regenerate09. Battle For Utopia10. Expiration Date

Limited digipak bonus tracks:

11. Mandatory Sacrifice (Genexus Remix)12. Enhanced Reality

Says Cazares: "We really feel this is a very special FEAR FACTORY album. While being careful not to replicate ourselves, this album still has a very classic FEAR FACTORY vibe that we feel will appease both old and new fans. The aggressive, melodic and industrial elements are all intact and shine more than ever.

"Burt and I produced the album with Rhys Fulber co-producing. Damien Rainuad and Giuseppe Bassi handled most of the keys and pre-production. We also enlisted the masterful metallic skills of Andy Sneap for an amazing mixing job!

"We would like to thank everyone who has been a big part in the making of this record. We can't wait for everybody to hear it."

Speaking about what FEAR FACTORY is trying to accomplish with its forthcoming album, the band's first since signing with Nuclear Blast, Cazares said: "It's still just to be who we are. We are 'cyber metal,' whatever you wanna call it, but it's still a lot of the killer riffs, killer double bass, Burt's beautiful, melodic vocals. Conceptually, it's always still futuristic, man-versus-machine type of thing, but, you know, we thought we're gonna keep it real, keep it what we are and who we are."

Asked about how it feels to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of FEAR FACTORY's classic "Demanufacture" album in 2015 with only two members of the band's classic lineup remaining in the group, Dino said: "The two main members are in the band right now. The soul of the machine is still intact, and that's me and Burton. And I don't think anything has changed, really."

He continued: "Every album we do always has to have something a little different. From the beginning, from the first album, 'Soul Of A New Machine', it was very death metal inspired, [with] a little bit of industrial. The second album, 'Demanufacture', the classic album… Every record changes. 'Obsolete' was a big difference, you know what I mean?! But my right hand is still there, the passion is still there, Burt's killer melodic vocals are still there. So I think that's all that matters."

FEAR FACTORY recently parted ways with bassist Matt DeVries (previously of CHIMAIRA, where he played guitar, and SIX FEET UNDER and replaced him with Tony Campos (ex-SOULFLY, STATIC-X, PRONG, MINISTRY).

FEAR FACTORY will hit the road this July with COAL CHAMBER.

MAIDEN UNITED, the acoustic IRON MAIDEN tribute project featuring Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, HEADSPACE) and Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION), released its latest album, "Remembrance", on May 22 on CD, red 12-inch vinyl and as a digital download.

MAIDEN UNITED is an IRON MAIDEN tribute project which performs classic MAIDEN songs in new acoustic arrangements. "Remembrance" is the third full-length album released by this project. MAIDEN UNITED's debut album, "Mind The Acoustic Pieces" (2010), was an acoustic re-imagining of the entire classic IRON MAIDEN album "Piece Of Mind" with new arrangements. The second album, "Across The Seventh Sea" (2012), contained tracks from different MAIDEN albums.

MAIDEN UNITED's cover version of the song "Futureal", featuring a guest appearance by ex-MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley, can be streamed below.

"Remembrance" track listing:

01. Strange World02. Charlotte The Harlot03. Killers04. Remember Tomorrow05. Burning Ambition (ft. Bob Verschoyle)06. Futureal (feat. Blaze Bayley)07. Aces High08. Prowler (feat. Paul Di'Anno)09. Still Life '15 Contributing musicians:

* Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, HEADSPACE) - Vocals* Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION) - Guitar* Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS) - Bass* Stef Broks (TEXTURES) - Drums* Huub van Loon (DEARWORLD, BARRY HAY) - Piano* Thijs Schrijnemakers (ORGEL VRETEN) - Hammond* Mike Coolen (WITHIN TEMPTATION) – Drums on "Prowler"* Marco Kuypers (CLOUDMACHINE) – Piano on "Prowler"* Thunderstick (SAMSON) - Drums on "Burning Ambition"* Paul Di'Anno (IRON MAIDEN) - Vocals on "Prowler"* Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) - Vocals on "Futureal"* Wudstik (AYREON) and Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) - Vocals on "Aces High"* Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) - Violin on "Still Life '15" "Strange World" was released as a two-track single on CD and iTunes on January 30. Single track listing:

01. Strange World (album version)02. The Evil That Men Do (alternate version feat. Wudstik on vocals) "Still Life '15" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

For more information, visit www.MaidenUnited.com.

DEATH DEALER, the band featuring MANOWAR and the DICTATORS guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman alongside vocalist Sean Peck (CAGE), guitarist Stu Marshall (producer and guitarist for such voices as Udo Dirkschneider and Steve Grimmett), bassist Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN), and drummer Steve Bolognese (INTO ETERNITY), will release its sophomore album, "Hallowed Ground", on September 11 via SMG Records. The 13-track CD was mixed and mastered by Stu Marshall at Frontier Studios in Sydney, Australia, and contains "massively epic orchestrations, speed metal anthems, and singalong headbangers," accoding to a press release.

DEATH DEALER will hit the road this summer for a string of European dates. Available at these shows — which will run from July 16 through August 2 — will be a "Death Dealer Limited Edition Metal Tour Package", which will contain the following items (housed in a custom printed tin container):

* "Warmaster" CD* Limited-edition T-Shirt (L, XL)* Patch* Download card with three new DEATH DEALER songs ("Break The Silence", "Plan Of Attack" and "The Anthem") from the forthcoming "Hallowed Ground" album

The new DEATH DEALER song "Plan Of Attack" can be streamed below.

DEATH DEALER's debut album, "War Master", was released in August 2013 through Steel Cartel Records.

"The DEATH DEALER sound is a mighty combination of five very talented, seasoned musicians," explained Ross. "It's classic power metal with the brutal edge of thrash, speed, and precision."

DEATH DEALER in 2013 parted ways with drummer Kenny "Rhino" Earl (MANOWAR) and replaced him with Bolognese.

A former drummer for INTO ETERNITY and a Berklee College Of Music instructor, Bolognese is often spoken of as "the drummer's drummer," having received mentoring from drum prodigy Mike Mangini (DREAM THEATER).

Frontiers Music Srl will release of CHAOS MAGIC's self-titled debut album on July 3 in Europe and July 10 in North America.

The song "One Drop Of Blood" from "Chaos Magic" can be streamed below.

CHAOS MAGIC is the new alliance between Finnish songwriter/producer Timo Tolkki (formerly of STRATOVARIUS) and Chilean singer Caterina Nix. Nix previously collaborated with Timo on the second chapter of the AVALON rock opera "Angels Of The Apocalypse", where she shared lead vocals on songs with such singers as Simone Simons (EPICA), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), and Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH).

Caterina's career started by singing lead vocals for the Chilean metal band AGHONYA with whom she opened shows for such bands as AFTER FOREVER, EDGUY and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

"I met Timo in Chile some years ago, during one of his visits to the country with STRATOVARIUS," says Caterina. "I remember going to a meet-and-greet with the band, and Timo and I just started talking like we had known each other for ages. We developed a very nice sort of father-to-daughter friendship and we have been in contact ever since. One day I decided to send him my music, just to know his opinion about it, and thankfully, he was pleasantly surprised. That's how it all started, really."

The "Chaos Magic" album was written, performed and produced by Tolkki to develop the vocal talent of Caterina and shows a diverse side of Timo's musical talents.

"I feel the music Timo created for this project is very current, it's strong and also shows some more delicate moments, without losing its edge," says Caterina. "It was a joy for me to sing these beautifully contagious songs. I did my best to bring emotion and passion into the songs, which I guess wasn't so hard, since I was truly so excited."

She adds: "I hope this album reaches several layers of music listeners. It's quite captivating and nothing would make me happier than singing these songs live... giving myself to the audience and feeling that connection, which is truly priceless to me."

"Chaos Magic" track listing:

01. I'm Alive02. Dangerous Game03. One Drop Of Blood04. Seraphim05. From The Stars06. A Little Too Late07. Passionflow08. Dead Memories09. Please Don't Tell Me10. Right Now11. The Point Of No Return

CHAOS MAGIC is:

Caterina Nix - Lead VocalsTimo Tolkki - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, ProductionJami Huovinen - Drums

Fly-on-the-wall footage of METALLICA's June 2 performance at the Sonisphere festival in Milan, Italy can be seen below. The 15-minute clip, which was shot by a MetOnTour reporter, includes drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett in the meet-and-greet, tuning-room footage and "Lords Of Summer" from the show.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Fuel02. For Whom The Bell Tolls03. Metal Militia04. King Nothing05. Disposable Heroes06. The Unforgiven II07. Cyanide08. Lords Of Summer09. Sad But True10. The Frayed Ends Of Sanity11. One12. Master Of Puppets13. Fight Fire With Fire14. Fade To Black15. Seek And Destroy

Encore:

16. Creeping Death17. Nothing Else Matters18. Enter Sandman

METALLICA currently has 10 dates on its calendar between now and mid-September, including this year's edition of Lollapalooza, which will take place at Grant Park in Chicago, on July 31, August 1 and August 2.

The band has reportedly been working on its tenth studio album, which will follow up 2008's "Death Magnetic".

METALLICA has made available for purchase a limited-edition box set containing 50 CDs that chronicle the band's tours of Australia and New Zealand in 2010 and 2013. The set features recordings of 62 different METALLICA originals and covers from 25 different shows, each on two discs, and retails for a hefty $395.

Despite insisting that work has been proceeding on a new CD, METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in the last year, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson", and a Rock In Rio USA stint.

Sweden-based melodic death metal experts SOILWORK will release their tenth studio album, "The Ride Majestic", worldwide on August 28 via Nuclear Blast. Joining the band on tour in support of the CD will be new bassist Markus Wibom, formerly of Helsingborg hardcore group HEARTS ALIVE. Wibom replaces longtime bandmember Ola Flink, who has amicably left the group to focus on other endeavors. Wibom has been a personal friend of the band for many years and has previously toured with SOILWORK as a guitar tech and lighting designer. Wibom made his live debut with SOILWORK in Stockholm on April 30. SOILWORK vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid states: "We all, sooner or later, come to a crossroad in our lives when our focus of being fueled by the past is just as strong as our visions of the future and we have to make that incredibly hard decision. Where do I go now?

"Flink will forever be a symbol for SOILWORK and of all we were and still are about. That being said, we all could sense that he eventually would come to the above mentioned crossroad. He understandably and respectfully chose to step down. "So, where do WE go now? Let me introduce you to one of the finest and most stand-up people I know: Markus Wibom. He's been a longtime friend and is an overall multi-instrumental amazing musician. He's been with us before, on past world tours. He's also an amazing character and I couldn't think of a better person to fill Flink's shoes, which indeed are very big… literally. (Markus's shoe size is actually even bigger, if anybody wants to know)

"Anyway, as much as I will miss Flink, I'm just as excited to tour the world with one of my absolute best friends.

"Thank you, Flink; you will forever rule. Thank you, Markus, for taking this on. I know you will blow people's minds, once the world tour of 'The Ride Majestic' commences.

"Please give Markus a very warm welcome, everyone!" Wibom adds: "It's a great honor and a true pleasure to play with such skilled musicians and amazing people! It's going to be awesome to share the stage with those guys after all these years on the road together, and with the new record coming up — it absolutely kills!" Catch Wibom out on tour with SOILWORK on the band's upcoming European headline tour, dubbed "The Tour Majestic", with support from HATESPHERE. The European dates will follow SOILWORK's upcoming U.S. tour with SOULFLY, DECAPITATED and SHATTERED SUN, in addition to several European summer festival dates coming up soon.

According to TMZ.com, JOURNEY drummer Deen Castronovo was arrested for assault after a domestic dispute over the weekend.

Salem, Oregon police officers were called to a residence — believed to be Castronovo's —around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 14. After entering the home, the cops arrested the musician without incident.

Castronovo was booked for assault, coercion, and menacing. He has since been released on bail.

Castronovo was previously arrested in January 2012 for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend. He was subsequently ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and attend anger-management classes as part of a plea deal.

A representative of Castronovo's claimed at the time that the altercation was "a misunderstanding that should not have been escalated to such a level in the first place."

JOURNEY is scheduled to open the 2015 Hollywood Bowl season this coming Saturday, June 20 with a performance with Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The band will perform a full set, marking the group's first-ever appearance with an orchestra.

Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo -- Arrested for Assault ... 2nd Domestic Incident http://t.co/0CdaQZ6PCP

— TMZ (@TMZ) June 16, 2015

Due to injuries sustained in Dave Grohl's fall from the stage during FOO FIGHTERS' June 12 show at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden, doctors have required the cancelation of the remainder of the band's dates in Europe. After undergoing surgery Monday, Dave's full recuperation time is still to be determined.

It was previously announced that FOO FIGHTERS' June 14 appearance at the Pinkpop festival and June 16 show at the AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland were canceled. The following dates have now been canceled as well:

June 19-20 - London, UK - Wembley Stadium June 23 - Edinburgh, UK - BT Murrayfield StadiumJune 25 - Werchter, Belgium - Festivalpark Werchter June 26 - Glastonbury Festival 2015

Said Dave in a message to his followers: "Two songs into our set at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, I made a mad dash to the right of the stage during 'Monkey Wrench' to shred some tasty licks for the kids up front. It was a beautiful night, beautiful stadium, 52,000 screaming people….dream gig! Well….wait for it….I definitely shredded something (ZING!) Wound up feet first over the edge (pun intended), dropping about 12 feet, dislocating my ankle and snapping my fibula like an old pair of take out chopsticks. Whoopsie daisy. Not good. Without realizing the extent of my injuries, I stood up to get back onstage and crumbled like a sack of Joe Theismanns (look it up, kiddies). That shit was B-R-O-K-E.

"As I lay there on my back, I just thought, 'Are you kidding me? We haven't even gotten to the screamy bit of the song and the gig is fucking OVER?' So, I asked for a microphone and told the audience I'd get fixed up and come right back to finish the show ASAP.

"Shock? Probably. But, I couldn't stand the thought of such a perfect night going to waste! I looked at our drummer Taylor, and said, 'Bust out some CHEVY METAL covers while they fix me up!' So, as the band kicked in to 'Stay With Me' by THE FACES, the medics poured me onto a stretcher, took me off to the side, cut my favorite pants off (so bummed) and popped my ankle back into place. I asked if I could get back onstage to finish the show, but they said I needed a cast (which was 20 minutes away at the hospital) to hold my ankle in place. So I looked my EMT, Johan, in the eyes and said, 'Well, then you're coming up there with me right now and holding it in place until they can bring the cast here. Ready?' He stared at me wide-eyed for a second and said, 'OK, let's go…'

"I don't know who was more scared, me or Johan. Five minutes later, I don't know who was having more fun, me or Johan. (I actually looked at him in between songs and said, 'This is pretty fun, isn't it?' He smiled and nodded yes.)

"Like clockwork, the cast arrived, I walked offstage for a song or two as they put it on me, and then came back to finish the gig. Let's just say that singing our song 'Walk' with a straight face was pretty goddamned hard. 'These Days' was a good one, too. (Easy for you to say! Your leg has never been broken!) All in all, it was without a doubt the single most bizarre FOO FIGHTERS show in the entire 20 years of being a band. Hands down. What seemed like a tragedy at first turned into a triumph, and we all walked away with a new sense of appreciation for what we've got…

"Straight to the hospital for x-rays, where we finally saw the extent of the damage. That's when things got really real. I was told I needed surgery to fix the break. I decided to fly back to London and find a doctor that could see me ASAP. (Thanks for the recommendation, Paul!) An MRI and a few x-rays later, we set a date and prepared for the operation.

"Operation went well. Had a great team and nice stay in hospital. Good curry, too! Thank you to everyone involved.

"So….here I am, recovering with six metal screws in my leg, thinking about a lifetime of holding up TSA lines from here to Kalamazoo….damn.

"Here's the not so witty bit… My doctors have advised me to lay low for a while. The most important thing now is for me to recover from the surgery, to keep my leg elevated so as to keep swelling down and prevent any infection/complication that could do long term damage. I'm not out of the woods yet, folks…

"Which means, and it kills me to say it…..the doctors have told us to cancel shows. I'm really so sorry, guys. You know I hate to do it, but I'm afraid it's just not physically possible for me at the moment. We're doing our best right now to work out a plan, so bear with us. You know we're good for our word. But for now, I need to make sure we have YEARS of gigs ahead of us….

"You have always stood by our band, and we will always stand by you. Like I say at every show, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. And I mean that. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I will do everything I can to come back and give you a night to remember for the rest of your lives AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

"Until then… my sincerest apologies."

FOO FIGHTERS are scheduled to kick off a massive North America tour in Washington D.C. on July 4, the 20th anniversary of the release of the band's first album.

Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) recently spoke to Bloody Disgusting about LINDEMANN, his new project with vocalist Till Lindemann of German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN.

Asked how the idea for the project first came about, Peter said: "In 2013, Till invited me to a festival in Sweden that RAMMSTEIN was headlining. When I got there, he said, 'Hey, I'm going to have two years off. I want to write some music with you.' I said, 'Okay. Let's do it!' And that's really how it started."

He continued: "[Till] was always a fan of PAIN's music. He wanted to do guest vocals on PAIN songs, but when I was free, he was busy, and when he was free, I was busy, so it never worked out. So, finally we started to do one song, which was 'Ladyboy', and it was just like opening a funnel. The ideas just crawling out left and right and now we have 12 songs. It's insane."

Peter also spoke about Till's decision to sing in English for the first time in his career. Tägtgren said: "I don't miss the German, let's put it that way. [Laughs] His voice is so strong, I just think it's genius. I know the hardcore RAMMSTEIN fans might not be happy, but when he sings in English, you don't miss the German language. It sounds fucking killer. It's really fucking amazing."

He continued: "It was good, because some songs he started writing the lyrics first, and I got inspired by the words. I started writing music on that. He would call me and ask what I'm doing. He told me once that he was in Canada on the Yukon River and I was, like, 'What?!' And he was telling me about how he wrote lyrics for this river and how he wanted me to write a song. So, he sent me the lyrics and it inspired me to write music. That's the way we've been working together. It feels very unique. Once, he was singing into his iPhone and he sent me the file and I built music around it. That's how we got 'Praise Abort'."

According to Peter, there are already ideas for LINDEMANN's follow-up to the "Skills In Pills" album, which will be released on June 23 via Warner. "We're rolling already!" he said. "We were already writing stupid lyrics when we were drunk and shit. We're going at it. We're going to go as long as we have inspiration. Maybe it stops at five songs but at least we have half an album done, you know? It's just so easy to write music together. No pressure. We do it because we can."

Photo courtesy of Warner Music / Tomaso Baldesarini