Massachusetts metallers REVOCATION have completed work on their new album for a late 2013 release via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2011's "Chaos Of Forms" will be the first full-length album with bass player Brett Bamberger who joined the band in 2012 and was featured on the group's last EP, "Teratogenesis", which was released by Scion A/V.

Commented REVOCATION frontman Dave Davidson: "We're very pleased to announce that the new record is completely finished and is now in the hands of the good people over at Relapse. This release features our best playing to date and we cannot wait for it to be released this summer. RevoManiacs will not be disappointed!"

REVOCATION will take a quick break from working on their new album this spring when it hits the road with GOATWHORE, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and RAMMING SPEED. REVOCATION joins the tour in Bucksport, Maine on April 28 and will play six shows, winding things down in Toronto on May 3.

REVOCATION's latest album, "Chaos Of Forms", was released in August 16, 2011 in North America and September 5, 2011 internationally via Relapse. The follow-up to 2009's "Existence Is Futile" was recorded at Damage Studios in Southbridge, Massachusetts with engineer Pete Rutcho and features 12 tracks with a running time of a little over 45 minutes.

The official lyric video for the song "Scornstar" from Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters ARSIS can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fifth full-length album, "Unwelcome", which will be released on April 30 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Starve For The Devil" was tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER). The artwork was handled once again by longtime collaborator Mark Riddick.

"So, we've had 'Unwelcome' finished for quite some time now and we are happy to finally be able to share the finished product with everyone," commented founder and lead guitarist/vocalist James Malone.

"As a band/musician, it's sometimes difficult to separate yourself from your work and visualize how others are going to interpret your work. In other words, it's sometimes hard to know whether or not your ideas are relevant to anyone but yourself. With 'Unwelcome', we certainly put all of our everything into the writing and recording and stopped paying attention to what's trendy or what we think might appeal to a larger audience. In doing so, I feel we have created one of the most sincere ARSIS albums and perhaps one of the most relevant."

"Unwelcome" track listing:

01. Unwelcome
02. Carve My Cross
03. Handbook For The Recently Deceased
04. Choking On Sand
05. Let Me Be The One
06. Sunglasses At Night
07. Martyred Or Mourning
08. No One Lies To The Dead
09. I Share In Shame
10. Scornstar

Fans can hear the debut of new guitarist Brandon Ellis and drummer/longtime session member Shawn Priest on the "Lepers Caress" EP, which can be downloaded for free here. The effort was released via Scion Audio/Visual (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market.

Brandon Ellis replaced guitarist Nick Cordle, who was tapped to replace Christopher Amott in the Swedish/German extreme metal act ARCH ENEMY.

ARSIS's 2010 album, "Starve For The Devil" (Nuclear Blast Records), sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, landing at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.

Progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT will release their new album, "The Migration", in North America on June 11 via Prosthetic Records. Recorded earlier this year at North Carolina's Basement Studios with producer Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HE IS LEGEND, FOR TODAY), the CD will feature cover artwork by illustrator Duncan Storr (HAWKWIND, EDGE OF SANITY).

"The Migration" track listing:

01. Odyssey
02. Atlas Novus
03. The Olive Tree
04. Narrow Salient
05. Oracle
06. Evergreen
07. The Dark Horse
08. Willow
09. Sabrosa
10. The Traveler

"The Migration" marks the recording debut of new SCALE THE SUMMIT bassist Mark Michell. The album will be released just days after SCALE THE SUMMIT hits the road with INTRONAUT on a summer North American tour.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's 2011 effort, "The Collective", saw the band tour alongside the likes of PERIPHERY, CYNIC, FAIR TO MIDLAND, THE CONTORTIONIST, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, PROTEST THE HERO and TRIOSCAPES. Since that album's touring cycle ended late last year, the band has kept busy, with guitarist Chris Letchford launching his own signature series Strandberg guitar and bassist Mark Michell releasing an instructional book.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's third album, "The Collective", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 39 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Desert Canyons", "The Collective" was recorded at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER).

SCALE THE SUMMIT formed in 2005 while attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. The band relocated to Texas in 2006, where they recorded their first, self-released album. After signing with Prosthetic, they issued "Carving Desert Canyons", which Revolver called "a cinematic blast of intricately melodic fretwork and pummeling percussion," in 2009.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Swedish metallers BOMBUS. The band's new album, "The Poet And The Parrot", will eb released in August. A track from the CD, "Apparatus", will precede the full-length effort on a strictly limited (to 500 copies) seven-inch vinyl single and as digital download. The single will be available from May 2, to coincide with BOMBUS' European tour as the support act for DANKO JONES.

BOMBUS was started late 2008 in Gothenburg by axemen Feffe and Matte as a two-piece but then quickly emerged to a full band with Ulf (bass) and Peter (drums) joining the party. Heavily influenced by MOTÖRHEAD, MELVINS, METALLICA and POISON IDEA, the freshly expanded four-piece started to play its first live shows and evolve their own unique sound more and more. After releasing three seven-inch vinyl singles and the a self-titled debut album in 2010, the band matured a lot by laying down a good amount of live shows what also gained them a massive die-hard fan base. Recently the new bass man Jonas came in the band, as Ulf stepped back from his duties on stage and now takes care of the band's artworks and videos. The story continued and it was the summer of 2011 when Century Media Records got an eye on BOMBUS.

Comments BOMBUS in statement: "BOMBUS are proud to announce that we are teaming up with Century Media Records for the release of our upcoming album 'The Poet And The Parrot'. Century Media has always been a prominent label with a high-quality roster, and we are happy as pigs in shit to now be a part of it."

To celebrate Record Store Day on April 20, Prosthetic Records will release a special gray marble vinyl re-pressing of LAMB OF GOD's 2000 release, "New American Gospel". Limited to 500 copies, the Record Store Day edition will feature the remastered "2006 versions" of the album's original track listing. All proceeds will go toward the Justice Now defense fund for vocalist Randy Blythe, who — despite being exonerated earlier this year — still faces substantial legal bills in the wake of his recent trial in the Czech Republic. You can also make a donation to Justice Now directly.

Produced and engineered by Steve Austin (TODAY IS THE DAY), "New American Gospel" — the band's Prosthetic debut, and their first release under the LAMB OF GOD moniker — is a "groove metal" landmark, and an important step in the band's ascent to the top of the "New Wave Of American Heavy Metal" scene. Praised by Revolver as one of the "69 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time" and by MetalSucks as one of the "21 Best Metal Albums Of the 21st Century...So Far," the album has sold more than 100,000 copies in the U.S. alone.

Founded in 2007 and officially kicked off in 2008 by METALLICA, Record Store Day takes place on the third Saturday of every April and brings together artists and independently owned record stores around the world to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and sold in independent stores.

For a list of participating retail outlets, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

"Circle", the eleventh album from Finnish melancholic dark metal forerunners AMORPHIS will be released on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. Production and mixing duties for the follow-up to 2011's "The Beginning Of Times" were handled by HYPOCRISY and PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren, who has previously worked with such bands as CHILDREN OF BODOM, CELTIC FROST, IMMORTAL and DIMMU BORGIR. The recordings took place at Petrax Studio (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, KORPIKLAANI) in Hollola and 5K Studios in Helsinki. The cover artwork was created by Tom Bates (BLEED FROM WITHIN, DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL) and can be seen below.

A six-minute video clip containing snippets of all songs on the album, as well as a track-by-track commentary by guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen, can be seen below.

Commented AMORPHIS vocalist Tomi Joutsen: "The mystic, androgynous person on the cover represents a spiritual guide. This character was sent from another time and place to help the album's protagonist find a new path for his life."

"Circle" track listing:

01. Shades Of Gray
02. Mission
03. The Wanderer
04. Narrow Path
05. Hopeless Days
06. Nightbird's Song
07. Into The Abyss
08. Enchanted By The Moon
09. A New Day
10. Dead Man's Dream (bonus track)

The album's limited digibook version will come with a bonus DVD containing the following:

* The Making Of "Circle"
* Nightbird's Song (video clip)

Apart from the CD+DVD digibook version, "Circle" will be available on CD (without the bonus track), black 2LP in gatefold, brown 2LP in gatefold and as a bulging limited box, including three bonus tracks and a wristband — exclusively via the Nuclear Blast mail order.

A short summary about the album's concept/story that spreads throught out the lyrics by Pekka Kainulainen, who wrote the lyrics for most recent AMORPHIS albums: "The protagonist has been dealt a bad hand at birth. He’s always felt himself an outsider with strong potential to become marginalized. Through an accident, after a crisis, he finds a connection with his inner powers. A guide is sent to him, from some other time and place. He gets a chance to take hold of his own life and change his destiny. From the past of Carelian Finland he finds his own spiritual tribe and the power to turn the course of his doomed life. This is a story of survival."

Joutsen added about the album title: "'Circle' represents integrity. Back in the days, when there was something special to talk about, wise men used to sit in circle. Not everyone was invited to join them. But in this story, the protagonist was invited among the wise men's circle."

Regarding the direction of the new AMORPHIS material, the band's guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen said: "While promoting 'The Beginning Of Times', we started to feel that we were giving the same explanations over and over again when people asked about the studio process and how the songs came about. Even though the music was very strong, the making process didn't offer any surprises and appeared to be quite secured. Now the addition of a new dimension to the developing process has inspired us to focus on our material even more. The songs are extremely strong, bombastic and skull-pummelling."

"The Beginning Of Times" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 16 — the best chart position ever scored by an AMORPHIS album in that country. The CD also landed at position No. 1 on the Finnish chart.

Behemoth Bike, as the project is initially called, is a custom motorcycle inspired and currently being created in collaboration with the global Polish icon of metal music - BEHEMOTH and particularly band's leader - Adam "Nergal" Darski. The project was initiated and is being enforced by Game Over Cycles, a Polish company producing custom motorcycles. The bike is planned by the designers to be a powerful dark machine with exceptional technical parameters and unprecedented ornamentation. Construction started in January 2013. Currently motorcycle's main components such as body, frame, suspension arms are already completed and the machine is being prepared for test drives. Completion of construction is scheduled for May and will be unveiled during the Impact Festival on June 4th in Lotnisko, Warsaw, Poland.
The whole process can be followed on Game Over Cycles' Facebook profile here.
Behemoth Bike’s basic components:

Engine - RevTech 110"
Front wheel - 19"
Back wheel - 18"
Air suspensions - front and back (by Legend)
Back tire, Monster model, size 360mm.

"Stigmatized", a brand new song from German thrash metal veterans SODOM, can be streamed at NPR.org. The track comes off the band's new album, "Epitome Of Torture", which will be made available on April 29 in Europe and May 7 in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. Vocalist/bassist Thomas "Angelripper" Such, guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and new drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald recorded a total of twelve new tracks (plus a MOTÖRHEAD cover) which "present SODOM as more diverse and multi-faceted than ever," according to a press release.

The band recently filmed a video for "Stigmatized" in Berlin with director Ronald Matthes and Roax Media (SODOM's "Lords Of Depravity" volumes 1 and 2, VOLBEAT, MOB RULES).

"SODOM haven't had an official video clip for some time, so it's about time we did one," Angelripper said. "That’s why the mini film will be uncompromising, a shocking clip which our fans can look forward to!"

"Epitome Of Torture" track listing:

Limited-edition digipak:

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)
04. Stigmatized (02:56)
05. Cannibal (04:19)
06. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)
07. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
08. Katjuscha (03:43)
09. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)
10. Tracing The Victim (04:46)
11. Waterboarding (05:06) (bonus track)
12. Splitting The Atom (04:28) (bonus track)

Jewel Case:

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)
04. Stigmatized (02:56)
05. Cannibal (04:19)
06. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)
07. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
08. Katjuscha (03:43)
09. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)
10. Tracing The Victim (04:46)

2LP (colored vinyl):

LP 1

Side 1

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)

Side 2

01. Stigmatized (02:56)
02. Cannibal (04:19)
03. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)

LP 2

Side 1

01. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
02. Katjuscha (03:43)
03. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)

Side 2

01. Tracing The Victim (04:46)
02. Waterboarding (05:06) (bonus track)
03. Splitting The Atom (04:28) (bonus track)
04. Ace Of Spades (02:36) (bonus track)

"'Epitome Of Torture' features not only your typical SODOM fare, but also two or three numbers which are slightly more moderate and melodic than what people have come to expect from us," says Angelripper, "so wait and see!"

SODOM will celebrate the release of "Epitome Of Torture" on April 26 at Endzeit in Essen, Germany.

"Katjuscha" has little to do with the same-named folk song by Mikhail Isakovsky, but is about the Russian rocket launcher which has been responsible for death and destruction thousandfold.

"The Katjuscha has been produced since World War II and is still used today," the SODOM frontman explains. "It's been responsible for the death of more people than Stalin's organ. To name such a deadly weapon after a girl is as grotesque as giving the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima the code name 'Little Boy'."

It's obvious that SODOM hasn't changed its scornful view of the world, presenting an album in "Epitome Of Torture" that is as uncompromising as ever in musical as well as lyrical terms.

"Unfortunately, there's still plenty of inspiration for angry lyrics around," says Angelripper. The bitter thrash metal attack "Waterboarding", which deals with torture methods, fits perfectly into this context.

"It always surprises me how inventive — in the most negative sense of the word — people can be when it comes to torturing others," states the vocalist. "At the same time, 'Epitome Of Torture' features not only typical SODOM numbers, like the title track, our new hit 'S.O.D.O.M.' and 'Stigmatized', the toughest SODOM number in ages, but also two or three recordings which are slightly more moderate and melodic than what people have come to expect from us." Angelripper is referring to songs such as "Cannibal" and "Tracing The Victim", which allow Bernemann to present his impressive musical skills, as well as "Into The Skies Of War", on which Angelripper allowed himself to be inspired by icons such as MOTÖRHEAD and TANK. "Luckily, it's impossible to hide my influences," he says.

"Epitome Of Torture" was produced by Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., ENEMY OF THE SUN), whose expertise as a sound engineer and audio magician thoroughly enhanced SODOM's previous CD, 2010's "In War And Pieces". Angelripper says: "Waldemar is a true authority. He doesn't let you get away with anything, he knows all our weak spots. Which occasionally makes working at the studio a little demanding, but at the end of the day, it's all worthwhile, as the result shows." The SODOM frontman describes the sound on "Epitome Of Torture" as "hard as nails and contemporary, without ignoring our tried-and-tested old-school attitude."

"Epitome Of Torture" will be available in four different formats: a limited-edition digipak, including two bonus tracks and a poster; regular jewel case; as a double gatefold vinyl, including three bonus tracks; and as a digital download. The cover artwork featuring SODOM's popular "Knarrenheinz" logo was developed by graphic designer Meran Karanitant, who has previously worked with SIX FEET UNDER, HATEBREED and DIMMU BORGIR, among others.

"Spectral Light", the new video from the Finnish atmospheric rock act THE CHANT, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's third album, "A Healing Place", which was released last August via Lifeforce Records.

"A Healing Place" track listing:

01. Outlines
02. Spectral Light
03. Riverbed
04. The Black Corner
05. Ocean Speaks
06. Distant Drums
07. My Kin
08. Regret

THE CHANT is a seven-member band from Finland. The current lineup has been existence since 1999, but it took some years and a couple of demo recordings before the group's debut album, "Ghostlines", was released in 2008. It already based on this unique melancholic music full of beautiful melodies and harmonies, THE CHANT have become known for. With "This is The World We Know" (2010), the Finns strengthened their approach of playing atmospheric rock with gothic and progressive influences.

The majority of the songs for "A Healing Place" were recorded by THE CHANT themselves and showcase a band going deeper into an even more complexand layered sound with unexpected twists and an arcane ambience. The Finns take their listeners into a place where they have to fumble ingrey mist, before being able to see all the shades of color. The agonizing sides of life have to be faced, before being able to clean oneself from them. The seemingly positive exterior of "A Healing Place" hides bitter and dismal moods.

With "A Healing Place", the Helsinki-based septet takes a stand as one of Finland's progressive rock bands people have to be aware of. Based on a deeply atmospheric, almost cinematic sound, THE CHANT rely on dreamy guitarmelodies, spherical piano-playing and a remarkable voice. This album full of soundscape-driven, ambitious rock music should please fans of ANATHEMA, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, PORCUPINE TREE and A PERFECT CIRCLE.

"Inner Sanctum", a brand new song from German melodic folk/death metallers SUIDAKRA, can be streamed in the YouTube studio clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Eternal Defiance", which will be released on May 24 via AFM Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Kris Verwimp and can be seen below.

"Eternal Defiance" track listing:

01. Storming The Walls
02. Inner Sanctum
03. Beneath The Red Eagle
04. March Of Conquest
05. Pair Dadeni
06. The Mindsong
07. Rage For Revenge
08. Dragon’s Head
09. Defiant Dreams
10. Damnatio Memoriae
11. Mrs Mcgrath (bonus track)

Commented SUIDAKRA singer Arkadius Antonik: "As on the previous two releases, it will be a concept album again, created by [famous Belgian graphic artist] Kris Verwimp in cooperation with us. Our new concept includes a lot of new elements and suprises which will be reflected in the music as well."

In a 2012 interview with Metal Kaoz, Antonik stated about SUIDAKRA's new material: "The songs … are bombastic and we also finished the first song with Tina's [Stabel] female vocals. This time, it's gonna be a faster song with a real epic and catchy chorus."

Bassist Marcus Riewaldt last year announced his departure from SUIDAKRA. He said in a statement, "After more than 250 shows and 10 years being in the band, I feel that now time has come to change my priorities a bit and see what else life has to offer for me. No hard feelings involved; it's just that I cannot motivate myself for another writing-rehearsing-recording-promoting-touring cycle and that I'm really annoyed by some of the music business mechanisms that one has to deal with in order to continue this beautiful and exciting, but at the same time very time- and energy-consuming hobby. I wish SUIDAKRA much luck and success for the future — it would all be well deserved!"

SUIDAKRA has already secured a replacement bassist in Tim Siebrecht, who was a stand-in guitar player for SUIDAKRA on several occasions in recent years.

SUIDAKRA's tenth album, "Book Of Dowth", was released on March 25, 2011 via AFM Records.

German metallers TERVINGI, the new band around ex-LYFTHRASYR guitarist Johann Frey, have released a video for the song 'Die Seherin' which can be viewed below:
'Die Seherin' can be found on the band's first album, Gotensaga, which deals with the story of the westgoths, which are also called Tervingi. The band plays catchy metal somewhere between death and heavy metal, which is a a guarantee for great entertainment, according to a press release.
Band lineup:
Johann Frey - lead, rhythm guitars and vocals
Aria Keramati Noori - lead and rhythm guitars
Todd Goldfinger - bass guitar
Tomasz "Nefastus" Janiszewski - drums
Julian Pešek - keyboards
More on Tervingi at this location.

The official lyric video for the song "The Serpent King" from THE RESISTANCE, the Swedish extreme metal band featuring former members of IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED and GRAVE, can be seen below. The track comes off THE RESISTANCE's full-length debut, "Scars", which will be released on May 10 in Europe and May 14 in the U.S. via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group. The 12-track CD is reminiscent of the good old days of Swedish death metal back in the 1980s/1990s when bands like ENTOMBED, GRAVE and DISMEMBER proved how insanely brutal and relentless, yet immensely captivating and technically adept extreme music can be. Well, apparently some established Swedish musicians did miss them, so they put things right: They brought back the old Swedish death metal.

"If you listen to ENTOMBED's 'Left Hand Path' today, it still blows everything away. And it's over 20 years old," says THE RESISTANCE/ex-IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad. "[It's] just awesome death metal!"

"Scars" will be released on CD (as an elaborated digipack), on classic vinyl as well as a download.

"Scars" track listing:

01. Clearing The Slate
02. Your Demise
03. To The Death
04. Expand To Expire
05. Imperfected
06. I Bend - You Break
07. The Serpent King
08. Eye For An Eye
09. My Madness
10. Warmonger
11. Scars
12. (I Will) Die Alone

THE RESISTANCE will embark on a short European tour in May. Support on the trek will come from BETZEFER and COLOSSUS.

THE RESISTANCE released its debut EP, "Rise From Treason", in North America on January 29 via earMUSIC. The EP was made available on CD, limited-edition seven-inch vinyl and as a digital download.

The band last year parted ways with bassist Alex Losbäck Holstad (ex-DESPITE, DECAMERON, CARDINAL SIN). A replacement has not yet been announced.

The song "Eye For An Eye" was originally made available on the sampler CD that was distributed to the subscribers of Sweden's Close-Up Magazine in the August 2011 issue.

THE RESISTANCE made its live debut on October 8, 2011 at Club Distortion in Stockholm, Sweden.

THE RESISTANCE's lineup is as follows:

* Marco Aro (FACE DOWN, THE HAUNTED) - Vocals
* Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Glenn Ljungström (IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Chris Barkensjö (CARNAL FORGE, GODSIC, GRAVE) - Drums

Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Brazilian thrashers DEATHRAISER have released their first video, for the song 'Terminal Disease', which can be seen below. The video was produced and directed by Nicolas Gomes, (VIOLATOR, EXPOSE YOUR HATE), and according to the band, his work was "exceptional, reaching the goal in full and leaving all proud!"
'Terminal Disease' appears on Deathraiser's debut album, Violent Aggression. Originally issued in 2011 by Spanish label Xtreem Music, Violent Aggression was re-issued in 2012 by Brazilian label Kill Again Records.

Comprised of: vocalist/guitarist Thiago Martins, guitarist Ramon Bedim, bassist Junior Gaetho, and drummer William Fernandes, Deathraiser is already preparing for their second album.

Swedish black metal band SVARTSYN has revealed the first track off their upcoming full-length entitled Black Testament. The album will be released May 28th in Europe, and June 11th in North America via Agonia Records.

The song 'Demoness With Seven Names' can be streamed below:
Black Testament will contain the following seven songs:

‘Revelation In The Waters’
‘Venom Of The Underworld’
‘Demoness With Seven Names’
‘Carving A Temple’
‘Eyes Of The Earth’
‘Rising Beast’
‘Black Testament’
Band founder Ornias comments: “Black Testament can be described as a sinister mix between Destruction Of Man and Timeless Reign releases.”

To pre-order Black Testament, visit this location.

ENSHINE, the new death/doom project by Jari Lindholm, (guitar; ex-SLUMBER, ATOMA) and Sébastien Pierre (vocals; also in FRACTAL GATES, INBORN SUFFERING), will release their debut album, Origin, on May 15th via Rain Without End Records. The album is now available for pre-order at this location.
Origin tracklisting:

'Stream Of Light'
'Refraction'
'Cinders'
'Astrarium'
'Ambivalence'
'Nightwave'
'Immersed'
'Above Us'
'Constellation'

The album's lead track, 'Stream Of Light', is streaming below:
The idea of Enshine was conceived in 2009 as a solo project by Jari and later become a Swedish/French collaboration with Sébastien. Production of the debut album was finished in the summer of 2012 after two years in the studio. The album was recorded and mixed by Enshine and mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson at the Panic Room. Additional session performances were done by Siavosh Bigonah (bass; Slumber, Atoma) and Oscar Borgenstam (drums; Atoma) with supporting choir vocals performed by Sandy Mahrer.
According to a press release, "the new album is full of quality death/doom metal, plenty of melody, texture and a dynamic range spanning from bombastic metal to more meditative instrumentals."

Check out an album teaser below:
For more details visit Facebook.

JULIAN LENNON has released a video for his new single 'Someday', which features AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler. The song is out today, April 8th, via iTunes.

Check out the new video below:
The song, “highlights another year of inspiration for me, in regards to my music, photography and philanthropy work, and 'Someday' is a reflection of that,” Lennon said in an email announcing its release.
Lennon also said his album, Everything Changes, which has previously been available in the UK, will be available worldwide shortly after the single is released.

Tyler told the London Evening Standard that he and Lennon decided to collaborate after Lennon heard him sing in the shower.
Julian Lennon

"A lot of stuff happens in L.A. We were staying at a hotel where Julian Lennon was staying, and one morning I was singing in the shower. The window was open, and I just heard, 'Steven?' We brought him over to the studio and he sang on the opening track," he said.

Read more at Examiner.com.

U.D.O. members Udo Dirkschneider (vocals) and Fitty Wienhold (bass) were interviewed for the latest installment of the "Talking Metal" podcast. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below. (Note: Go to the 14:50 mark to hear the full interview.)

Asked about his former band ACCEPT and whether he has heard the two albums the group has recorded with singer Mark Tornillo — 2010's "Blood Of The Nations" and 2012's "Stalingrad" — Udo said: "I was listening to 'Blood Of The Nations', of course. I mean, good album, good singer. The second album, I only heard one song, 'Stalingrad'. I think the second album, for me, is not [as] good as the first one. I had the feeling they were recording already the second album together with the first one; [at least that's what] it sounds like."

He continued: "Wolf [Hoffmann, ACCEPT guitarist] said he was not in contact with me about the reunion, but then what can I say?! This is not true. He was asking me. But then we had a long talk and then at the end I said, 'No, guys, I don't wanna do it again. I'm really happy with U.D.O. And I wish you all the best. Good luck for the future.' That's it."

"Talking Metal" podcast (audio):

"Retracing Memories", the new video from Austrian metallers THE SORROW, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Misery Escape", which entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 18. Released on October 26, 2012 in Europe and November 6, 2012 in North America via Napalm Records, the CD was produced and mixed by Sky Van Hoff and mastered by Jens Dreesen.

"Misery Escape" track listing:

01. Retracing Memories
02. The Escape
03. Burial Bridge
04. My Oblivion
05. A Reason
06. Buried In The Deep
07. A Thin Red Line
08. Perspectives
09. Lost Chapters
10. Dead Home
11. Follow The Lights

Limited-edition bonus tracks:

12. Nails & Daggers
13. Hold on Hope

THE SORROW's third, self-titled album, entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 24.

I INVENT, the new band formed by members of WIDOW SUNDAY, BATTLESHIPS, ANOMIA, and FOOTAGE OF A YETI, have posted a pre-production version of a new song, titled 'Sequester'. The track is expected to appear on the band's debut EP, entitled I, due in early summer.

Check out 'Sequester' below:
i invent is:

Jesse Heimowitz - vocals (FOOTAGE OF A YETO)
Sean Duffy - guitar / programming (Widow Sunday)
Kyle Jarvenpaa - guitar (ANOMIA/Widow Sunday)
Phil Anderson - bass (BATTLESHIPS)
Darin Moyen - drums (Widow Sunday)
For more details visit Facebook
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Stuttgart, Germany-based female-fronted metal act SOULDRINKER, the new band featuring guitarist Markus Pohl from MYSTIC PROPHECY, singer Iris Boanta from THE MYSTERY, and members of WATCH ME BLEED, are streaming their new track, 'Burn The Pact', featured on the band's new EP, Semper Fidelis. Listen to the track below:
A video for the Semper Fidelis track 'Sixteen Men Of Tain' can be seen below:
Check out a lyric video for the track, 'To All That Is Lost', below:
Souldrinker lineup:

Iris Boanta - vocals
Alex Gindu - growls
Markus Pohl - guitar
Chris Rodens - bass
Steffen Theurer - drums

Phoenix, AZ-based thrash metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM opened for TESTAMENT in Denver, CO on February 25th, where drummer Kelly David-Smith spoke with Superskum.com. Check out the footage below:
Flotsam And Jetsam returned to Metal Blade Records to release their new album, Ugly Noise. It is the band's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow up to their 2010 album, The Cold. The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith on drums, who haven't recorded with Flotsam And Jetsam since High in 1997.
Flotsam And Jetsam's Kelly Smith comments on working with Metal Blade: "We have just inked a distribution deal for the release of Ugly Noise through Metal Blade Records. Ugly Noise will be released worldwide in late March/Early April of 2013. It was the obvious choice for us after our long-standing relationship and Metal Blade's 30 year history of metal. You can't match what they can do with 30 years of experience behind them. We are excited and looking forward to working with MB in 2013."

The lead single/title track is available for streaming below:

Milton Keynes, UK-based groove metal act HEART OF A COWARD have released a teaser from their second full length record, scheduled to hit shelves later in 2013 globally. The new track 'Deadweight' is out today, with an exclusive new video which can be seen below:
A high quality MP3 download of the new track is also available here from 6 PM this evening.

With the debut album reaching worldwide demand, the quintet hit the studio hard to raise the bar even further and create a new record, which is destined to make a serious impact amongst their peers and the current metal market on a global basis.

Heart Of A Coward lineup:

Jamie Graham (Vocals)
Carl Ayers (Guitars)
Steve Haycock (Guitars)
Vishal "V" Khetia (Bass)
Christopher "Noddy" Mansbridge (Drums)

More on Heart Of A Coward, including their live itinerary, at this location.

Poland's J.D. OVERDRIVE have unveiled the artwork and tracklisting for their sophomore studio album, Fortune Favors The Brave, due in late May (early June in North America) via Metal Mind Productions.
The mixing and mastering duties for the album was held by Piotr Gruenpeter, who's best known for providing electronics, noise and production quality for the post-black phenomenon THAW, as well as from bands SEARCHING FOR CALM and SUN FOR MIILES.

Wojtek ‘Susel’ Kaluza, the band’s vocalist comments: “First results are simply amazing and we can't wait to show you the final album. It's gonna be heavy, raw and crushing!”
Tracklisting:

'Bad Karma'
'Born To Destroy'
'Funeral Stopper'
'Beware The Boozehound'
'Call Of The South'
'Standing Tall'
'Shadow Of The Beast'
'The Revelation'
'Like Heroes To The Slaughter'
'Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst'

The new album will feature two guest appearances - a fantastic guitar solo is provided by Piotr "Dziki" Chancewicz from the Polish band MECH and Hammond parts by Piotr "Voltan" Sikora from LEASH EYE and EXLIBRIS.

You can watch a video from the recording studio below:
Fortune Favors The Brave is scheduled for a release on May 27th in Europe and July 4th in North America (via MVD).
J.D. Overdrive lineup:

Wojtek "Susel” Kaluza – vocal
Michal "Stempel” Stemplowski – guitar
Lukasz "Joorek” Jurewicz – drums
Lukasz "Peo” Pomietlo – bass

More on J.D. Overdrive at this location.

FLYLEAF last month took part in an interview and acoustic performance at the studios of the Las Vegas, Nevada radio station KOMP 92.3. You can now watch video footage of the session below.

FLYLEAF's new lineup made its live debut on November 1, 2012 at the Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan, Texas in front of a sold-out capacity crowd of 400. The show featured the debut of new singer Kristen May, who replaced original vocalist Lacey Sturm after the latter abruptly departed the group in October.

Sturm left the band on the eve of the release of its third album, "New Horizons", which came out on October 30, 2012 and sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Sturm issued a statement about her exit from the group she co-founded, saying, "I am very thankful to have recently become a mom to one of the greatest blessings of my life, my son Jack . . . I understand that, for me, living life to the fullest in this season means to step down as the lead singer for FLYLEAF."

The new album follows up 2009's "Memento Mori" and FLYLEAF's self-titled 2005 debut, which have combined to sell more than 1.6 million copies in the U.S.

Interview:

San Francisco-based doom rockers ORCHID have released the title track of their upcoming album, "The Mouths Of Madness". Check it out below.

"The Mouths Of Madness" will be released on April 26 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Comments Mindell: "I wanted the cover of the album to be really classic and strong, like one of the records from my childhood where when you'd see the colors and shapes on it from across the room, you'd immediately recognize it. A classic 'icon' ...so it's very simple, really. But then I did a really elaborate painting for the inside that is totally ornate. I wanted people to open this kind of sparse, plain thing and be drawn into another world that kind of visually told the story of some of the emotions of the record. Kind of like peeling a weird fruit open... the inner painting was really inspired by some of the Latino psychedelic murals that were done around San Francisco in the late '60s-early '70s... like the cover of 'Abraxas' by SANTANA, which is a record I grew up on and always loved. So, it's the 'ORCHID version' of those murals."

Guitarist Mark Thomas Baker stated about the extensive "The Mouths Of Madness" production process: "Most of the tracks on 'The Mouths Of Madness' were cut in early June 2012. We were pretty fresh off of our European tour and full of confidence. The basics done at that time were the best recording experience that we've had so far. Everybody got along great and did great work.

"We did this album with a completely different guitar sound than 'Capricorn'. I think it sounds much heavier in that regard. We take a lot of time to get things right. I hope people enjoy it and let it sink in. I think it's miles above our past efforts."

Mastering engineer Richard Whittaker, who also took care of the latest BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY rereleases/analogue transfers, comments: "I've been a huge fan of ORCHID since I first heard their debut EP back in 2009, and they've certainly come a long way since then. So, as you can imagine, to be asked to work with ORCHID on their records was an honour and a pleasure. They're a great bunch of guys and a stellar band to be involved with.

"'The Mouths Of Madness' is such a well-crafted and awe-inspiring album. Sonically, its 1974 meets 2013 which, for me, takes the SABBATH/PENTAGRAM vibe to whole new level."

As an appetizer for "The Mouths Of Madness", ORCHID recently released the exclusive 10-inch vinyl EP "Wizard Of War", containing a brand new track, a rare bonus track as well as one song off the band's stunning debut album, "Capricorn".

ORCHID was named "the best and most important doom band of the past five years" by Rock Hard Germany's editor-in-chief Götz Kühnemund. In addition, BEHEMOTH mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski stated: "BLACK SABBATH should do an album like 'The Mouths Of Madness'!"

Since its inception in 2006, ORCHID — which features in its ranks well-known tattoo artist Theo Mindell on vocals — has achieved massive global awareness with their stunning releases "Through The Devil's Doorway" (EP, 2009) and "Capricorn" (full-length, 2011).

ORCHID is:

Theo Mindell: Vocals
Carter Kennedy: Drums
Mark Thomas Baker: Guitar
Keith Nickel: Bass

MISERY SIGNALS has raised more than $50,000 through the crowdfunding site Indiegogo.com for the release of its fourth full-length album. The CD will be the first independent release from the band after parting ways with Ferret Music.

In the course of three full-length albums, MISERY SIGNALS' unique style of aggressive riffs, bright guitar melodies and progressive time signatures have become a significant influence on bands in the genre. Their groundbreaking 2004 debut, "Of Malice And The Magnum Heart", placed the band at the top of their genre for their talent and impeccable musicianship. Following up with the release of "Mirrors" in 2006, the band continued to cultivate a dedicated following with the addition of Karl Schubach on vocals. Their latest release, "Controller", hit heavy and hard with crushing energy appeasing old and new fans alike. After a year of world touring, in support of "Controller", and with the departure of longtime members Stu Ross and Kyle Johnson, the remaining members put the band on pause to focus on other interests and side-projects. With a revitalized lineup and an overflowing passion to create music again, MISERY SIGNALS is ready to be back in full force.

Founding member and guitarist Ryan Morgan explains: "We are very fortunate to be back in control of MISERY SIGNALS. Although it took time, lawyers and headaches, parting ways with Ferret Music in its current state was the absolute best choice.

"Ferret Music was a great label for years, but when it was absorbed by a major label, things became really impersonal and slow. We struggled with that at first but it turned out to be the impetus we needed to make a move towards being more independent and autonomous.

"The new album is now underway. It's being made on our own terms and we couldn't be more excited. We thank all of our listeners for the patience and support."

The production itself will be overseen by MISERY SIGNALS members and co-producers Ryan Morgan of Paper Crane Audio (LOWTALKER, BURNING EMPIRES), and Greg Thomas of Silver Bullet Studios (SHAI HULUD, ENABLER, MAKE DO AND MEND). There will be further production contributed by Steve Evetts, Eric Rachel at Trax East, and Will Putney at Machine Shop.

In addition to receiving the new album, MISERY SIGNALS is offering fans unique perks that will only available through the Indiegogo campaign. The perks range from digital downloads to a vinyl box set, the guitars used to track the album and even the opportunity to provide backing vocals on the record.

Fans of MISERY SIGNALS should also expect to see the exciting second episode of "Transmissions", the MISERY SIGNALS online series, produced by Matt Mixon, long time friend of the band. "Transmissions" chronicles the making of the album, the various studios and producers involved, the evolved line-up, and exclusive behind-the-scenes perspective.

Indiegogo.com has been used by artists as varied as ONEREPUBLIC, PROTEST THE HERO, and GEORGE CLINTON, and it's fast becoming the go-to website for musicians wanting to raise funds for any number of projects. Indiegogo.com is an open platform and therefore does not curate which artists can launch projects. A flexible funding option allows artists to keep the funds they raise even if they don't hit their goal.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based melodic hardcore band LIFERUINER has signed with Transcend Music in Europe and InVogue Records in USA/Canada. The group's sophomore album, "Future Revisionists", will be released on June 4.

According to a press release, "Future Revisionists" represents a strong message of equality, integrity and passion. The band hopes to inspire change, not only with their music, but also their message.

"Future Revisionists" track listing:

01. Vacant
02. Waivered Lives
03. Savages
04. Feeling/Meaning
05. C.O.P.E.
06. Fissure
07. Harvest/Famine
08. Despair
09. Dreamcatcher
10. Self Purgatory

The new video for the debut single, "Vacant", can be seen below.

LIFERUINER will tour globally this summer and fall in support of "Future Revisionists".

"Facades", the new video from Miami, Florida-based progressive death metallers ABIOTIC, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Dan Drescher.

Comments the band: "We shot at two locations in Orlando, Florida and could not have asked for a better crew on set… Dan was definitely in the same mindset as we were in taking this video to the next level. Prepare yourselves for something insane."

"Facades" comes off ABIOTIC's full-length debut, "Symbiosis", which was released on October 23, 2012 via Metal Blade Records.

According to a press release, ABIOITIC transcends high above the rest with a most preternatural sound. By interweaving well-cultivated musical dexterity and pronounced lyrical finesse, ABIOITIC epitomizes an unwonted entity of unmatched musicianship. In a short amount of time since the quintet's inception in 2010, this ghoulish coterie has made a paramount impact in the death metal scene and support from the masses continues to grow.

The five-piece group consists of vocalist Ray Jimenez, bassist Alex Vazquez, drummer Andres Hurtado and guitarists Matt Mendez and Johnathan Matos. The band had previously released two singles and a seven-song studio EP entitled "A Universal Plague".

"Symbiosis" track listing:

01. Metamorphilia
02. Vermosapien
03. A Universal Plague
04. To Burgeon and Languish
05. Hegira
06. Conquest of Gliese
07. The Singe
08. Exitus
09. Facades
10. The Graze of Locusts

Michigan's unstoppable sons of molten melodic death metal THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will release their sixth full-length album, "Everblack", on June 11 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Audiohammer Studios (lead guitars and vocals), Rustbelt Studios (drums), and Regal Fecal (guitar and bass). Mixing was handled by Jason Suecof and Ryan Williams, mastering was completed by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York. Frontman Trevor Strnad's horror-inspired lyrics persist on "Everblack", beginning with "In Hell Is Where She Waits For Me", a reference to the murder from which the band took for its moniker. The cover artwork was painted by renowned artist Nick Keller.

Strnad elaborates on the lyrical concepts: "The opening track is the first actual song we've done about the Black Dahlia. This one is for the fans… they've been asking for this to happen for a long time. The story takes place at the Elizabeth Short's rain drenched funeral, where her killer in attendance… just one of the many macabre tales woven into the fabric of 'Everblack'. Subterranean flesh-farming vampires, vine rape, Jeffery Dahmer, amputation… it's all here! With this sixth slab of sickness I tried my best to honor the band's legacy and write lyrics that will keep the legions of horror fiends perspiring with fear."

Available at MetalBlade.com/bdm are a variety of limited edition pre-order bundles. Fans can grab "Everblack" on a triple gatefold double LP with purple/white marbled vinyl, along with "crime scene bundles." An evidence pack, which includes toe tags, deceased band member photos, spent shotgun shells, and more can be viewed now. These bundles are extremely limited and expected to sell out quickly.

"Everblack" track listing:

01. In Hell Is Where She Waits For Me
02. Goat Of Departure
03. Into The Everblack
04. Raped In Hatred By Vines Of Thorn
05. Phantom Limb Masturbation
06. Control
07. Blood Mine
08. Every Rope a Noose
09. Their Beloved Absentee
10. Map Of Scars

The song "Into The Everblack" is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

In a recent interview with Kaaos TV, Strnad stated about "Everblack": "The writing was still taken care of Ryan [Knight] and Brian [Eschbach] — the guitar players. It was split pretty much 50/50 — pretty much like 'Ritual' [2011] was; half the songs by Ryan, half the songs by Brian. I think what Max [Lavelle, bass] brought to this record is a really, really crushing bass sound that's a little bit new for us, like a little bit more overdriven and distorted and it's really energetic and heavy as fuck. And Max killed it in the studio; he did great. [New drummer] Alan [Cassidy] also did great. He didn't really have as much time to study the songs, because he came into the band so quickly, you know what I mean?! We needed him to come on tour with us to take Shannon's [Lucas] place, and things worked out so great with him that we asked him to stay. But he had to learn the songs for the album really fast. He was at home in Wyoming playing drums for 10 hours a day, he said, getting prepared for the album. He brought a lot to the drums; he's a got a really awesome style, I think his fills are bit more busy than Shannon's. I think that there's gonna be some stuff that makes him really stand out and will get people excited about him. 'Cause I know right now people are, like, 'Wow, they suffered a huge loss, losing Shannon.' Shannon is a great drummer, definitely, but he's gonna like what Alan has done on this record, too; it's really impressive stuff and I definitely feel like we found the right guy for the band. So his playing is exciting and people are gonna take notice, for sure, as soon as that record drops. And I'm excited to get it out for that reason, you know — to kind of say to everyone, 'We're back.' [laughs]"

Regarding whether drummer Alan Cassidy is now a full-fledged member of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, Strnad said: "It's very, very recently we asked him to join [the band as a member] — even after the album [was completed]. But he's a great dude, great positive energy. He's young, man — 23 years old — and he's a monster at the kit. So it's a good relationship, it's been a lot of fun, he's very positive and a really hard worker, and we've never had to ask him to do anything twice. He couldn't have played on the album, he couldn't have come on the tour if he wouldn't have been a psychopath workhose, but he really was — he really worked really hard and exceeded our expectations and now he's here with us and we're definitely proud to have him."

On the topic of how "Everblack" compares to "Ritual", Strnad said: "I think that it kind of took what we learned with 'Ritual' and pushed it even further, I think. The biggest change for me, writing 'Ritual', was having more surprises in the songs and more dynamics — buildups, some quiet parts, samples, different kinds of instruments incorporated into the album. That has all carried over to this new one. And better solos, more solos, more time to solo. Ryan's guitar work on this album is mindblowing. He shocks us, pretty much, every time we come back to do an album with what he's learned and he really sets the bar high for himself. So there's definitely some fretboard fireworks on this one. I don't know, man. People that liked 'Ritual', I think they're gonna love the new one; it's just us taking it further — darker music, more melody…. The melody that was really prevalent in 'Ritual' is there. But there's also some heavy stuff, too — some slow, MORBID ANGEL-esque kind of slimy stuff. So I think people are gonna be really happy with it… [It's[ a good mixture of all things DAHLIA. We [wanted to] keep it kind of raw with the mix — not too polished. Keep things sounding 'real' — like 'Ritual' was; I think that was a good move."