Italy's DISMAL FAITH will release their debut album, Morph, on May 13th via Nadir Music. The album was recorded at Nadir Music Studios by SADIST mastermind Tommy Talamanca.
The upcoming full-lengh has been crafted to fully reproduce the "sonic wall of aggression" that the band unleash on the crowd during their live shows, making them in a short span of time, one of the most interesting acts of the whole underground scene. Dismail Faith have succeeded in melting the most disparate influences like death, black, thrash, hardcore, groove and metalcore.

The work features nine killer songs: prepare your ears to sharp guitars, war-sounding drums and merciless vocals. To be noticed is the apperance of Cafa (from KIJU) on two songs, the result of a long time artistic partnership between the two bands consolidated during the Steel & Marble tour.
Stay tuned, more details to follow. More on Dismal Faith at this location.

FDA Rekotz has announced the signing of American classic death metal clan DEROGATORY. Their debut, Above All Else, will be released by the label later this year. Be prepared for some blastin' death metal in the vein, and with soul of, the good old late '80s/early '90s American death metal elite.
Derogatory is:

Chris Ordonez - vocals, guitar
Joe Viwatkurkul - lead guitar
Daniel Alonzo - bass
Coyoton - drums

Toronto-based hard rock band AUTOMAN.CA - the band led by former KILLER DWARFS drummer Darrell Dwarf Millar on vocals - have premiered their new video, 'Bona Fide', below:
'Bona Fide' can be found on Automan.ca's latest album, Backseat Surprise, which was released in early 2012 via UD Records/SonyBMG. Backseat Surprise was produced/engineered/mixed by Greg Looper (TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS) and co-produced by Darrell Dwarf Millar. A promo trailer for the album can be viewed below:

For more info visit Automan.ca.

Montreal based, melodic death metal band YOUR LAST WISH have inked a worldwide deal with Canadian label Maple Metal Records to release their second full-length album Desolation. North American release date is scheduled for May 1st, and the worldwide release date is set for June 4th.

Your Last Wish was formed in 2003 by guitarist JF Gagné, and the band has gone through a number line-up changes over the years. Desolation was recorded in 2012 with new vocalist, front-woman Roxana Bouchard, guitarists JF and Dave Gagné (no relation), bassist Louis Goulet and drummer Gabriel Fortin.
The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Badass Studio, Montreal, QC by Jef Fortin (BLACKGUARD, NORDHEIM, KÄLTER, UNEXPECT) and produced by Your Last Wish. Your Last Wish released their self-titled debut album in 2007, with only JF appearing on that album.

Your Last Wish have been a solid performer on the Quebec Metal Circuit since their inception, supporting such bands as KALMAH, UNEXPECT, VALFREYA, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, AUGURY and many more, as well as appearing at CMF3 (2012) in Montreal, QC with 30 other bands.

Desolation tracklisting:

'Intro'
'Crisis To Creation'
'Autistic Mind'
'Hastening Death'
'Le Pacte'
'Collision Course'
'Standstill'
'Creep'
'Experiments'
'Mutation'
'Desolation'

The official video for ‘Hastening Death’ can be viewed below:
Your Last Wish line-up:
Roxana Bouchard – vocals
JFGagné – guitars
Dave Gagné - lead guitar
Louis Goulet - bass
Steven Vaccarella – drums

For more details about Your Last Wish visit Facebook.

Greek atmospheric melodic death metal band DAYLIGHT MISERY have checked in with the following update:

"After almost three years of silence it's time to present you the new face of Daylight Misery. Our new album will be titled The Great Absence and all the details concerning the release date, record label, etc. will be announced soon. For now, here is the first official video for the song called 'Erynnis Funeralis'. Enjoy/like/hate it and send us your feedback, and don't forget to share it! Cheerz and stay tuned for more."
For information and updates on Daylight Misery go to their official Facebook page here or go to DaylightMisery.com

GOREGAST has issued an update from their headquarters in Berlin. They recently commissioned Dedy Badic from Badic Art to design a new logo (pictured below) that reflected the band's return to their classic death metal roots. Badic is known for his illustrations for SKELETAL REMAINS and GRUESOME STUFF RELISH.
In early May, Goregast will play three dates with Swe-death monsters PAGANIZER. The dates are posted below. After returning home from the three-day assault Goregast will enter Soundforge Studio in Berlin to record tracks for an upcoming 7-inch EP set for release in September on FDA Rekotz.

Goregast live:

May
8 - Leipzig - Bandhaus
9 - Weimar - SC Schützengasse
10 - Wolfsburg - D-Place

Austrian thrash/death metallers DARKFALL will release their new album, Road To Redemption, on May 24th via Noisehead Records.

Road To Redemption was mixed by Peter Fritz (Tonstudio SixtySix, Austria) and mastered by Andy Classen (Stage One Studio, Germany). The album artwork, designed by Michael Freitag, can be seen below:
Road To Redemption tracklisting:

'Road To Redemption (Intro)'
'Misery Of Peace'
'War Has Come'
'Fading Away'
'Phoenix Rising'
'The Gods Await'
'Never Ending Hate'
'Rise To Dominate'
'Echoes From The Past'
'Peacemaker'
'Kill The Need MMXIII'
Darkfall lineup:

Sascha Ulm - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Stephan Stockreiter - Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Thomas Spiwak - Lead Vocals
Markus Seethaler - Bass Guitar
Thomas Kern - Drums
More on Darkfall at this location.

Sensory Records has confirmed the full details for the pending second album from Pleasanton, California-based progressive metal outfit CYNTHESIS, as the final parts to this new opus have fallen into place.
Cynthesis reunites three of the original members of top-tier extreme progressive band ZERO HOUR - brothers Jasun and Troy Tipton (guitars and bass, respectively, both also of ABNORMAL THOUGHT PATTERNS) and vocalist Erik Rosvold, along with ENCHANT drummer Sean Flanagan. While maintaining much of the tech/metal influence of Zero Hour, with Cynthesis the members’ ambitious technical prowess blends seamlessly and organically into the grand atmospheres and melodic passages enveloping their approach, demonstrates the more melodic side of Jasun Tipton’s songwriting.

Formed in 2010, Cynthesis released their debut album DeEvolution through Sensory in April of 2011, causing celebration within the prog community with these members aligning, and in some cases realigning, their talents. Following another massive undertaking and countless hours of constructing and executing this new album, now two years later, the middle part of the dystopian trilogy is about to see the light of day as ReEvolution. A shaman, the central character of the series, is sent out to gather more slaves. He comes across a tribe and senses a light within them that triggers a distant memory of his past, making him realize that this is the original tribe he was taken from. He brings them back to the city and encounters what was done to the population and sets them free.

Mixed and co-produced by Forrester Savell and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side, with nearly forty-five minutes of some of the most creative and imaginative progressive metal likely to be released this year, ReEvolution will see release via Sensory on June 4th.

The cover artwork by Mario Sánchez Nevado can be seen below:

ReEvolution tracklisting:

'Divine Night'
'Convergence'
'The Grand Façade'
'A Most Trivial Pursuit'
'Persistence Of Visions'
'The Noble Lie'
'Release The Deity'

More on Cynthesis at this location.

METAL CHURCH have announced that they will officially start recording their new album after their appearance at the Live 'N' Louder Rock Fest being held on April 14th in São Paulo, Brazil.

"Last day of rehearsals and then the band is off to Brazil," the band says. "When the band gets back they will enter the studio to start drum tracks for the new record."
Metal Church had formally announced in 2009 that they were calling it quits, but reunited for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise where the band performed their legendary debut in its entirety.

"We're just not going to do things the way that we did before," frontman Ronny Munroe revealed recently. "We're not 25 anymore, not saying that we're old, but we need to do things the right way. And we all still get along."

"Everybody understands that this is a complicated business," drummer Jeff Plate added. "A lot of things had to fall into place. We gotta get a good record put together and done first, to be honest that's the first thing. There's a distance between some of the band members, but that's really not so much of an issue. It’s really getting the music to the ears of the fans, in their hands and then getting with someone who can put us in the right environment, at the right show, working with the right band."

Metal Church's last studio album was 2008's This Present Wasteland.
Metal Church 2013 is:

Kurdt Vanderhoof - guitar
Ronny Munroe - vocals
Rick Van Zandt - guirar
Jeff Plate - drums
Steve Unger - bass

Cyclone Empire has announced the signing of Swedish Viking trio EREB ALTOR.
Says the label: "Hailing from Gefle (Gävle), the eldest town in Norrland, Ereb Altor are the newest members of the Cyclone Empire hordes. As Ereb Altor are a already a well known force in the metallic underground scene, most metalheads should already be aware of their breathtaking hymns full of power and might somewhere between viking, doom and black metal always in praise of Swedish godfather Thomas Börje Forsberg (better known as Quorthon) and his musical heritage. After already three fantastic albums the three warriors Mats, Ragnar and Tord are now laying final hands on their fourth masterpiece, Fire Meets Ice. Be pepared for a release in the coming months."
A band statement reads: "We are proud to announce that we have signed a record deal with Cyclone Empire. We were searching for a label with lots of dedication and a great heart and we think may have found that in Cyclone Empire. Ereb Altor will not follow any fucking trends, we will create only pure music directly from the heart and Cyclone will help us to release quality products. The norse Gods have guided us to our new family within the Empire and we sure have a good feeling about it.”

More on Ereb Altor at this location.

MY RUIN vocalist Tairrie B. Murphy has checked in with the following update:

"We're excited to announce that My Ruin guitarist Mick Murphy has been moonlighting on the side with the awesome '70s classic rock cover band CHEVY METAL featuring Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS and Wiley Hodgen. After his first show with the guys in Los Angeles on March 27th, where they played an all-star Rock Against MS benefit at the legendary Whisky A Go Go, they hit the road for three shows in Chile which included a surprise secret show at Lollapalooza in Santiago where they were joined by JANE'S ADDICTION frontman and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell for a killer rendition of 'Mountain Song' and a cover of VAN HALEN's 'Everybody Wants Some'.

Chevy Metal also played a show in Pichilemu for Patagonia Clothing & Gear in honor of Chilean surf legend Ramon Navarro, where they covered the the first four minutes of 2112 by RUSH and 'Let There Be Rock' by AC/DC."

Check out some video clips below:

Chevy Metal with Perry from C3 Presents on Vimeo.
My Ruin recently unveiled the cover art for their upcoming studio album The Sacred Mood which the band have set to release worldwide on June 11, 2013 via TuneCore, Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon.

As a follow up to their 2011 critically acclaimed last album A Southern Revelation, My Ruin returned to Soundtrack Black Studio in the hills of East Tennessee to once again work with friend and studio owner Joel Stooksbury, who mixed, engineered and co produced the new album along with My Ruin guitarist Mick Murphy.
My Ruin vocalist Tairrie B had the following to say about the new album and cover art:

"The Sacred Mood is a subtle reinvention for My Ruin. In an industry that is ever changing, we’re not a band who pays attention to the current trends. We’ve found our sound and we simply do what we do while staying true to our roots. I think our fans appreciate our integrity and we appreciate our fans. We offered the last album as a free download where people could donate to the band if they wanted and it was a great success but we are taking a different approach with our new album which we are self releasing once again. Unfortunately, we have learned over time that most record labels are not for us and we seem to do better on our own as a DIY independent band which is what we always have been, today more than ever with our eighth album The Sacred Mood as a testament to our staying power.

The atmosphere of the new album is heavily drenched in the heat of the South where it was recorded and fueled by insomnia filled nights in Los Angeles where it was written. The cover was designed with this in mind by a talented Manchester, UK based artist and illustrator named Kayleigh Brookes who also happens to be a longtime fan of the band. The art that goes with the album is very different than anything we’ve previously done before. We decided to use real elements of nature mixed with iconic illustrations to create something unique to My Ruin that would go with the otherworldly language of the lyrics. We wanted an ethereal image for the cover and chose the moon for the background because we felt it evoked the mood of the album as a whole. The image was actually inspired by a photograph which was taken by Tor Burrows who has worked with me creating music videos for My Ruin’s last two albums and is currently working on a teaser commercial for the new album which we plan on debuting in April. I really enjoy working with Tor on our videos and being that I have always worked alone when designing the artwork for many of our previous recordings, I thought it would be an interesting change to collaborate with someone on this side of things.

We are releasing The Sacred Mood digitally and designing a unique hardcover print and e-book to accompany it. Included in the book will be photographic images and illustrations of the band, lyrics, musings, a few short stories and original art pieces. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and our new album has given me the perfect opportunity to make it happen. We're looking forward to sharing it with the fans of our band who have continued to follow us over the years and those who are just discovering our music for the first time."

For information and updates on My Ruin go to MyRuin.net or check out their official Facebook page here.

Dutch death/thrash band LEGION OF THE DAMNED is currently working on their new album, Ravenous Plague, which was originally due for release in the summer, but has now been pushed back to late 2013, early 2014 because singer Maurice Swinkels had to abort his vocal sessions for “private reasons.”

The band posted: “Maurice settled a new date with producer Andy Classen to finish his recordings. Because Stage One is booked for the next couple of months and also due to Andy's vacation coming up, Maurice will be able to finish his vocals after summer, this means the album release will be late 2013, early 2014, instead of July as stated before, an exact date will follow. Of course it’s a bit disappointing for all of us, but I am sure it’s worth the long wait, the new album is Legion's fresh new start with new guitarist Twan van Geel, also the band recently signed to NAPALM Records which will release the new album in a really nice limited packaging. However, to add more salt into your painful wounds here with disappointing news we also have a nice surprise coming up with one of the songs that are already recorded and finished, more news about that by the end of April 2013. For now, hang on tight and Legion of the damned will see you guys at the upcoming summer festivals: ExtremeFest, Wacken Open Air, Queens of metal, PartySan and Metaldays where they will perform for the very first time with their new 2nd live session guitarist Hein Willekens, and I am sure they will play 1 or 2 new tracks, so BE THERE!”

As previously reported, Ravenous Plague is being recorded with none other than master producer Andy Classen (TANKARD, KRISIUN, HOLY MOSES) at the Stage One Studio in Germany. Classen produced their albums Feel The Blade, Malevolent Rapture, Sons Of The Jackal and Cult Of The Dead. The band's latest album, Descent Into Chaos was produced by Peter Tägtgren in Sweden at the Abyss studio.

For more info visit Facebook.

Salerno, Italy-based heavy rockers CIRCLE OF WITCHES will be releasing their second full-length studio album later this year.
Gabriel Management report: Do you like your music to be dirty, loud, straight and powerful? Then better remember this name: Circle Of Witches! The band was formed in Salerno, Italy, in 2004, and except releasing several demos and debut album in 2007, managed to play hundreds of club and festival shows. Imagine the following mixture: lyrics about magic, urban legends, sex and rock 'n' roll, influence of acts such as MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, KYUSS and FU MANCHU, and an ultimate raw energy and die hard attitude - so you will know what to expect. Stage is these three guys' natural environment, so if you show up at their live show, you can be sure their sweat will make the floor slippery, and the amplifiers will reach its peak.
Now, shortly after mini tour during which Circle Of Witches played in Italy, Austria and England, the band closed down doors to their rehearsal room, where they work on new, full lenght studio album, which will be recorded this summer - together with producer Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, CRYSTAL VIPER, BURNING STARR). So, are you happy with the new GRAND MAGUS album? Can't wait for the new Black Sabbath record and tour? Good. If you like these two, remember that there is new band for you on the horizon. Circle Of Witches, bringers of Hell 'n' Roll!
Circle Of Witches lineup:

Mario HellBove - voice and guitars
Joe Evil - 4, 5 and 8 string bass, backing vocals
Fabio Thunderbird - drums, percussions, backing vocals

More on Circle Of Witches at this location.

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have taken to Twitter in response to the news that Chi Cheng, the bassist for the DEFTONES, died yesterday at the age of 42. Chi had been in a semi-comatose state for more than four years after being seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008. In addition to not recovering full consciousness, Cheng had been in and out of hospitals for various infections as his family has struggled with the mounting costs of care since he lost his health insurance a few months after the accident.

Cheng was taken to the emergency room, where he died at 3 a.m. on Saturday. "His heart just suddenly stopped," Cheng's mother, Jeanne Marie Cheng, wrote on the OneLoveForChi.com web site. "He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear. He fought the good fight. You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone."

Cheng required surgery after the car accident to remove part of his brain, but his recovery was strong enough that he was taken off life support seven months later.

Over the course of the past couple of years, Cheng emerged from his coma for brief intervals. He was able to open his eyes and apparently could see and hear things going on around him, but could not respond verbally.

DEFTONES have held several benefit concerts and continued to donate money from the band's tours. Singer Chino Moreno said that the group's fans have continued to help as well. "Whatever people can do, it's all appreciated, and it's all just in the hopes that there will be one day where he can talk back and have a conversation and see his kids and, you know, continue on living, you know," he said. "That's what we pray and hope for, you know what I mean, that's all we can do."

Sergio Vega continues to play bass for the band. Vega stepped in for touring purposes after Cheng's accident, and stayed on to record 2010's "Diamond Eyes" and last year's "Koi No Yokan" with the group.

After the release of The Grandiose Nowhere in 2010 and the following tour in 16 countries around the globe, including destinations like South America, China and Spain, where the band experienced unforgettable memories and groundbreaking events, Germany's LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, revolving around mastermind Oliver Niklas, took a break to concentrate on the arrangements for songs on their new album, Antiadore

According to a press release, "the band stayed true to their sombre roots on this album, but has elevated the characteristic sound to new heights, thus even exceeding their previous masterworks such as The Grandiose Nowhere or Songs For The Last View. Antiadore is heavy, melancholic, and touches upon the hidden feelings in the darkest corners of the soul."
Antiadore release dates:

May
24 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
29 - Spain, Sweden, Norway
31 - Finland, Benelux

June
3 - Rest of Europe
11 - North America
Antiadore tracklist:

'My Release in Pain'
'Antiadore'
'What I´m Not'
'All For Nothing'
'Dead To Me'
'Abandon'
'Still In Need'
'Deny For Now'
'Head Held High'
'My Chest'
'Remembrance Song'
'A Sigh'
'Words' (Bonus Track)
'Doomed and Unarmed' (Bonus Track)

More on Lacrimas Profundere at this location.

VENGEANCE founder Jan Bijilsma's band SERIOUS is recording their new album, due for release late in 2013. In preparation for the release, the band has put a four song EP to precede the album on iTunes and Spotify. Towards the end of April, the EP will be available in record stores through Rough Trade.

EP tracklisting:

‘As I Am’
‘People Are People’ (originally written by DEPECHE MODE)
‘Leave It All Behind’
‘Code Blue’

Check out the video for ‘As I Am’ below:

All keyboards were arranged and performed by Joost Van Den Broek (AFTER FOREVER, AYREON, REVAMP)



For more info visit SeriousOfficial.com.

Seattle, Washington's LESBIAN will release its third full-length album, "Forestelevison", on June 25 via Translation Loss. The CD is a single song, 44-plus-minute all-encompassing force of nature! Never has an album sifted through the deepest trenches of prog-influenced epic-doom and blackened metal to produce such an awe-inspiring aural assault to the senses.

Recorded at Avast! Studios with longtime producing collaborator Randall Dunn (WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, EARTH, BORIS) and featuring gorgeous artwork by Arik Roper, "Forestelevisonwill" will be made available on CD (digipack), digital and 2xLP. The 2xLP version will come housed in deluxe gatefold packaging and include an exclusive vinyl-only extended outro bonus track.

Consisting of guitarists Arran McInnis and Daniel La Rochelle, bassist/vocalist Dorando Hodous and drummer Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy, LESBIAN has grown accustomed to composing lengthy eclectic journeys that take the listener through myriad genres ranging anywhere from doom to prog to psyche to '70s rock to black metal to grunge and beyond. "Forestelevison" continues LESBIAN's music genre-defying journey from their prior full-length on Holy Mountain Records called "Power Hor", a split 10-inch with OCEAN on Roadburn Records, a self-released two song tour EP, and a second full-length on Important Records called "Stratospheria Cubensis".

Former VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT bassist Michael Anthony was a guest on yesterday's (Monday, April 8) edition of Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM satellite radio show, "Eddie Trunk Live". The two discussed the passing of Andy Johns, working with the legendary engineer and producer, hot sauce, David Lee Roth and all sorts of things in between. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below (courtesy of Michael Anthony's official web site).

Asked about VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine in which he said he wanted Anthony back in the band, the bassist said: "It was flattering to hear Dave talk like that. He never used to talk like that when we were all playing together. [laughs] But hey… I really don't know what to say to that. It was flattering that he said that. And, obviously, I'm the kind of guy that… water under the bridge. I don't hold any kind of grudges for anything, and you never know what will happen at anytime…. At this point in your life and career and whatever, the career aside, it's more about the friendship and just people. And if the music side of it, if that happens, if that comes about, all the better, but that's not what it's really about at this point."

During the Rolling Stone interview, Roth touched upon the touchy subject of Anthony replacing current bassist — and Eddie Van Halen's son — Wolfgang Van Halen, from here on out. "But Ed has his own vision, I'm assuming," Roth said. "We haven't really been able to speak about it and it's a disappointment, just as not having a chance for a reunion of the original band. Clearly, vocals are every bit as much a component of success as a rhythm section or a guitar solo. . . what we have at our fingertips is arguably one of the greatest high tenor voices ever — that was in Michael Anthony. In our tiny little corner of the universe, that voice is as identifiable as the high voice in EARTH, WIND & FIRE, as identifiable as the high voice in the BEACH BOYS. VAN HALEN is an indelicate house blend of both — that's intentionally."

Interview (audio):

British thrashers EVILE will release their fourth full length release and follow-up to 2011's Five Serpent's Teeth called Skull on May 27th in Europe on Earache Records and in North America via Century Media/Earache Records. The artwork for the album was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED).
Skull features the following tracklisting:
'Underworld'
'Skull'
'The Naked Sun'
'Head of the Demon'
'Tomb'
'Words Of The Dead'
'Outsider'
'What You Become'
'New Truths Old Lies'

Check out an album teaser below:
Skull was once again recorded with producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England.

Evile lead guitarist Ol Drake comments: "Skull is not what you think. Skull is not where you think. Skull is a mythical void in the deep fathoms of space."
Evile will be celebrating this year's Record Store Day by releasing a split 7" picture disc vinyl with Swedish death metal legends ENTOMBED. The limited edition release will feature Entombed's classic 1990 track, 'Drowned', along with Evile's 2012 cover version, available on vinyl for the first time. The 7" will be available in independent record stores on Saturday, April 20th in strictly limited quantities.

Evile will also be performing a special show for fans at Crash Records in Leeds, UK on April 20th at 4 PM. Space is limited, but fans who buy the 7" vinyl from Crash Records on the day will get free entry to the show (space permitting).

For more information about Record Store Day and to see the list of participating UK stores, go to this location.

"Sorrow Descending", a brand new song from CHAOSTAR, the band led by SEPTICFLESH guitarist Christos Antoniou, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track comes off CHAOSTAR's fourth album, "Anomima", which will be released on May 10 in Europe and May 14 in North America via Season Of Mist. The limited-edition version of the CD will come with a bonus DVD entitled "Anomimata".

"Anomima" will feature guest appearances by David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) and Fernando Ribeiro (MOONSPELL).

The cover artwork was designed by Metastazis and can be seen below.

Commented Christos: "David narrates the prologue of the most vicious song on the album, shading his dark and imposing shadow over the band's music. I consider that cooperation as one of the most representative of CHAOSTAR's new work. A tragic heroine taken from the ancient Greek tragedies meets the devilish power of the unsurpassable voice of Mr. Vincent."

With regards to Ribeiro's involvement with the CD, Antoniou said, "His deep gothic voice will give a completely powerful atmosphere to a duet."

CHAOSTAR's current lineup is as follows:

Christos Antoniou: Composer/Synths
Androniki Skoula: Vocals
Fotis Benardo: Percussion
George Diamandopoulos: Traditional Instruments
Charalampos Paritsis: Electric Violin
John Thermos: Synths

After the independent release of their first record, "The Underworld" (2000), CHAOSTAR signed a deal with the French label Holy Records, which issued the "Chaostar" (2000), "Threnody" (2001) and "The Scarlet Queen" (2004) albums, as well as the compilation "Underworld" (2007).

When SEPTTICFLESH returned from a self-imposed creative break with their highly successful album "Communion" (2008) on Season Of Mist, Christos also revived CHAOSTAR and placed his trust in the same label.

Long-running British rockers STATUS QUO are releasing a soundtrack to their first-ever feature film called Bula Quo!, a 90-minute action movie featuring the band as themselves and also starring Craig Fairbrass (Cliff Hanger, Rise Of The Footsoldier, Eastenders) and Laura Aikman (Keith Lemon The Movie, Freight, Surviving Picasso) with Jon Lovitz (Saturday Night Live, Friends, The Wedding Singer). The film was directed by Stuart St. Paul, who has worked on projects ranging from Duran Duran's seminal Wild Boys video, to Aliens, Batman and three Bond movies.

Bula Quo! - the new two CD album is due out on June 10th and features reworked or live versions of ten classic Status Quo hits including a Fijian-style rendition of ‘Living On An Island’.

The first single ‘Bula Bula Quo’ was premiered on BBC Radio 2 today, and can be heard here.

Plus, The limited edition deluxe box set includes:
- 2xCD edition of Bula Quo!
- An exclusive gatefold vinyl LP
- 7” single
- Collector’s flight ticket (individually numbered certificate of authentication)
- Set of glossy postcards
- Full color poster

To pre-order the album, visit StatusQuo.co.uk.

A trailer for the film can be viewed below:

Norwegian thrash metallers CRITICAL SOLUTION's debut CD, Evil Never Dies, will be released on May 16th. The concept album tells the story of Wallace Green: Wallace and his company are sailing to Sad Hill, where he assassinates the king, with his own life to follow. After Wallace's death, he makes a deal with the devil to live again and becomes the Soulmaker. He does his evil agenda and spreads terror across the world.

The band have just released the first single/lyric video for the song 'Wallace Green' below:

Evil Never Dies was recorded at Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.

Vocalist/Guitarist Christer Slettebø about the whole experience: "To release this album is absolutely amazing! One of many dreams is coming true for us. Also to be so honored to have both Whitfield Crane and Andy LaRocque on the album as guests, well its fuckin' rad! So it is great to finally get the album out and we hope people will like it!"

Evil Never Dies tracklisting:

'God Of Anarchy'
'Sad Hill'
'Crime Of Passion'
'Wallace Green'
'This Burning Hate'
'The Execution'
'Dead Man Walkin''
'Evil Never Dies'
'Soulmaker'
'Hell's Warrior'
'War Machine'

Bonus Tracks:
'Speed King' (DEEP PURPLE cover)
'Killed By Death' (MOTÖRHEAD cover)*
'Seek And Destroy' (METALLICA cover)**

* Featuring Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE) and Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND)
** Featuring Andy LaRocque

A sample for the song 'God Of Anarchy' has been uploaded here.

A teaser for 'Killed By Death' featuring Witfield Crane and Andy La Rocque can be viewed below:
For more details visit Facebook.

"Trial Through Fire", the long-awaited sophomore album from CITY OF FIRE — the band featuring Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY), bassist Byron Stroud (3 INCHES OF BLOOD, FEAR FACTORY, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), guitarist Terry "Sho" Murray, and drummer Bob Wagner — has been officially released through GRB Productions Ltd.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Deliver Me
02. Follow Mantis
03. Bad Motivator
04. Prometheus Unbound
05. Olympus Mons
06. Oceanaut
07. Dichotomy Blues
08. Made Of Stars
09. Steps To Redemption
10. Enjoy The Silence

In an interview with The Sanctuary Of Rock, Bell stated about CITY OF FIRE's new CD, "The writing process is very similar to other bands. The guys had music ideas and were recorded on a demo. I would sit with Terry in the studio and just sing out ideas. I usually have some words to 'throw down' and I try to incorporate them into the song. A lot of times, I just say things that come out, like speaking in tongues.

"There is no theme, but everything we were writing about was happening in our lives, so that is why we call the album 'Trial Through Fire'.

"It was a very difficult writing process. We were all going through personal issues, and also the band was dealing with business issues.

"I am very proud of the work we have done. We 'found' our sound on this record."

He added, "The main difference [between the recording process for 'Trial Through Fire' compared to that of CITY OF FIRE's 2010 self-titled debut] was that we knew what we wanted to achieve. We knew what are strong points were with the band's music. We all had a great understanding of the band itself. Terry has a great sense of what my voice can do, so he and the guys were able to write the music that suited everyone. We were very 'cohesive' as a band. We knew everyone's strong points."

Funding for the new CITY OF FIRE CD was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

Said Burton: "That was our [manager's idea]. She found success in it with another band she has worked with. It was a fantastic idea. Not only did it generate the funds we needed, it also created a grass-roots fan base that is important for a new band. It created a personal network between the band and our new fans, and they are a very happy, as we are."

CITY OF FIRE's "Bad Motivator" video can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with director Cody Calahan, who previously co-created, produced and directed a pilot for a television show called "The Rusty Kitchen".

Commented Burton: "The video was created through the program MuchMusic in Canada — it is Canada's MTV. Every year, they give grants to new bands to make a video. We applied and got the grant. The video was made through all Canadian videographers, directors etc. . . It was the first time I met Cody Calahan, and I look forward to working with him again. He is very ambitious and I like his creative ideas."

InsideOut Music recently signed a worldwide deal with SOUND OF CONTACT. The brainchild of Simon Collins (son of legendary musician PHIL COLLINS) and keyboardist/co-producer Dave Kerzner, the band will release their debut album, Dimensionaut, on May 28th in North America.
Sound Of Contact marks the beginning of a new chapter for Collins - after ten years as a solo artist, his dream of being in a band has come to fruition with the help of Kerzner, Matt Dorsey, Kelly Nordstrom and Hannah Stobart (WISHING TREE), and a debut record mixed by Nick Davis (GENESIS, XTC, MARILLION).
On the signing to InsideOut, Collins comments: "I'm really excited about working with InsideOut Music and Century Media in what I feel will be a long and successful relationship between my new band Sound of Contact and a label that truly loves music and gets what we're doing."

Snippets of tracks from the album are streaming in the clip below:
Check out the trailer for the album below:



Label-head Thomas Waber adds: "I am extremely pleased about this new partnership with Sound Of Contact and we are really looking forward to working on their amazing debut album!"

In advance of the album's release, the band will begin a stint with legendary prog band SPOCK'S BEARD, and label-mates BEARDFISH, as part of the InsideOut Music 20th Anniversary Tour, a premier event that will see the band taking their music to Europe for the first time. The line-up for these shows will feature Collins, Kerzner and Matt Dorsey joined by John Wesley (PORCUPINE TREE, FISH) and Jonathan Schang (DISTRICT 97). Prior to this tour, the band will be featured as part of the Marillion Weekend in Montreal, Canada performing on March 24th. This will mark the beginning of what is sure to be an incredibly exciting and eventful year for the band.
Watch out for more information on their forthcoming debut concept album, Dimensionaut, in the coming weeks. More on Sound Of Contact, including the band's live itinerary, at this location.

Australian melodic power metal band BLACK MAJESTY will begin recording their new album in July 2013 at Grapow Studios in Slovakia with MASTERPLAN’s Roland Grapow.
Black Majesty will also release a compilation album in mid/late 2013, titled The Royal Collection, through Limb Music. The collection, compiled from the band's first five albums, will include demos, videos and rare bonus material.
Stay tuned for updates. More on Black Majesty at this location.

North Eastern Ohio-based progressive heavy metal band SHADES OF REMEMBRANCE will release their second full length CD, Veil, on April 26th. There will be a CD release show on that date at the Rock City Tap House, in Parma, Ohio.
Shades Of Remembrance was formed when Elm Burgess and Al Bauhof stepped away from their neoclassical instrumental band and started to write more progressive music with vocals. Elm’s brother Calvin, joined on rhythm guitar/vocals. Finally, Todd Martin joined on drums/percussion to complete the S.O.R. sound. Calvin Burgess is formally of the band CHEMIKILL, a well- known Cleveland based power metal band in the late 80s. Calvin switched from bass to guitar for the chance to perform with his brother and close friends.
Shade of Remembrance’s material is full of energy and emotion. Driving drums and bass, countered with progressive guitar parts and shredding leads complete the sound. Vocals are reminiscent of FATES WARNING, IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER, and QUEENSRYCHE. Calvin’s vocals have also brought a harder edge to the S.O.R. sound. A couple of tracks grind into the depths of old school thrash metal.
Shades Of Remembrance is:

Elm “Peppo” Burgess - Bass/Lead Vocals
Al Bauhof - Lead Guitar
Calvin Burgess - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Todd Martin - Drums/Percussion

A video for the track 'Pain' can be seen below. More on the band at this location.

IN THIS MOMENT have confirmed more summer shows in Europe. After supporting HALESTORM in the UK in March, they are coming back for summer festivals and selected shows in June.
Catch In This Moment live at the following shows:

June
8 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock im Park
9 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock am Ring
14 - Donington Park, UK - Download
19 - Manchester, UK - Academy 1 (with Danzig)
21 - Helsinki, Finland - Nummirock
24 - London, UK - Roundhouse (with Danzig)
28 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop
29 - Spalene Porici, Czech Republic - Basinfire Festival

Just in time for their upcoming run, In This Moment will re-release their album, Blood, that will come as a 2CD for a fan-friendly price. CD2 of"Blood (Re-Issue + Bonus) will be out June 3rd and has the following tracks added:

'Closer'
'Blood' (Sluggo Remix)
'Adrenalize' (Mr. Kane Remix)
'Whore' (Nikka Bling Remix)
'The Blood Legion' (Mitch Marlow Remix)
In This Moment have released an official video for their new single 'Adrenalize', out now and also featured on Blood. The video was shot in Eastern Los Angeles at one of the most haunted locations in the country, the abandoned Linda Vista Hospital. Directed by Robert John Kley, the video takes fans on an eerie journey with In This Moment throughout the hospital, that was officially shut down in 1991.

The new clip, as well as the track's lyric video, can be seen below:
The band shot the video for 'Adrenalize' back in February. Vocalist Maria Brink stated: "There are no words to express how grateful I am for the creative process of shooting our new 'Adrenalize' video. It was a weekend long deal and so rewarding; by far our best video ever and best piece of visual art we have created! So excited for you all to see it and be a part of it! Big things are happening more every day!"

Leipzig, Germany-based opera metal act MOLLLUST have released a new live video, filmed on March 17th in Leipzig. Watch the footage below:
Molllust lineup:

Janika Groß - vocals, piano
Frank Schumacher - e-guitar, vocals
Sandrine B. - e-violin
Lisa H. - cello
Johannes Hank - bass
Tommaso Soru - drums
More on Molllust at this location.

One year after the release of their debut Ekpyrosis (Periodic Destruction), North German melodic death metallers BURIAL VAULT are back with their second album.
With Incendium, the quintet is about to release more than an ordinary album. Inspired by Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 the band developed a concept that embodies a metamorphosis of a human in an inconvenient future both on musical as on textual level. This dynamic and diverse album reaches from acoustic passages to eruptions of black metal blast-beats and slow death metal attacks. Inendium was recorded at Soundlodge Studios by Jorg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, DEFEATED SANITY) and features artwork from Ben Borucki (AGATHODAIMON, SUICIDE SILENCE).

Incendium is set for a May 24th release on Apostasy Records.
Tracklisting:

Chapter I:
'The Stench Of Burning Thoughts'
'A Blind Follower And A Watchful Hound'

Chapter II:
'Soil & Green'
'Peculiar'
'The Nightly Horror'
'Prelude To Peripety'
'Fatal Accident'

Chapter III:
'Struggling Doubt'
'Moment Of Truth'
'Awareness'

Chapter IV:
'Surveillance Web'
'Catharsis'
'Black Into White'

More on Burial Vault at this location.

Swedish grind guerillas EXHALE have revealed the artwork and tracklisting for their third full-length effort, When Worlds Collide.
Dutch illustrator Dennis Sibeijn (SLAYER, EXODUS, ABORTED) was chosen to put the band's visual aspect of When Worlds Collide into the most twisted and modernistic form possible. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Hoborec Studios with Ulf Blomberg handling production duties.
Tracklisting:

'Wrath Unleashed'
'Avsky'
'Apocalypse'
'Machinery'
'Barriers Of Blood'
'Monuments Of The Dead'
'Concealed Within'
'Till Slakt'
'Glorify The Dumb'
'Vigilante'
'In This Valley'
'Etiketter'
'Illusions'
'Left Inside'

When Worlds Collide is due out this year on Pulverised Records.

Exhale recently released a video for 'Wrath Unleashed', the opening track from When Worlds Collide. The music video was filmed and directed by acclaimed Swedish videographer Daniel Falk from FramedNoise.com. Check it out below:
Exhale is:

Martin Brzezinski - Vocals
Johan Wold Ylenstrand - Guitar
Gustav Elowson - Drums
Johan Fogelberg - Bass
Andreas Allenmark - Guitar
More on Exhale at this location.