Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE have inked a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer. The band's eighth album, "The Bonding", will be released on June 21 in Germany, June 24 in the rest of Europe and July 2 in the U.S./Canada. It will be available as a limited-edition ecol book with a bonus CD and some exciting extras, double gatefold colored vinyl with printed inner sleeves, jewel case version and as a digital download.

Commented EDENBRIDGE bandleader and composer Lanvall: "We are extremly happy and proud to be part of the SPV family. After several months of meetings, we feel that the title of our new album, 'The Bonding', fits perfectly into our new home. Our fans should expect a new album filled with emotional and powerful music and a mystical artwork which will form a unity with the message of the album."

Added Steamhammer A&R representative Olly Hahn: "EDENBRIDGE were always a band way ahead and I'm happy that they decided to join the SPV family. Together we will create some exciting things for the new album which will present the band in a light which they deserve!"

"The Bonding" was mixed by Karl Groom (THRESHOLD) at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, England. The CD will feature orchestral parts by the Klangvereinigung Vienna orchestra, conducted by Gerald Mair and recorded at Home Music Studio in Vienna with Georg Luksch. Lanvall stated: "The result is overwhelming. We have decided to record strings, brass/woodwinds and percussion seperately this time. Everything sounds more voluminous and cleaner. The musicians of the orchestra did a tremendous job. Be prepared for a real blast!"

The drum tracks for "The Bonding" were recorded by Max Pointner at Sunprojects Studio.

EDENBRIDGE's seventh album, "Solitaire", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95 back in July 2010.

The "Higher" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Silvan Buege (Blackstage TV).

EDENBRIDGE's live album, "LiveEarthDream", was released in May 2009. The disc was recorded at various concerts in 2008 and was only available through the band's fanshop.

Pictured below from left to right: Lanvall (guitarist, EDENBRIDGE), Olly Hahn (A&R, Steamhammer), Sabine Edelsbacher (singer, EDENBRIDGE)

Swedish metallers SANDALINAS, featuring guitarist Jordi Sandalinas, singer Rick Altzi (MASTERPLAN, AT VANCE, THUNDERSTONE), bassist Mats Rendlert (DREAMLAND) and drummer Alvaro Svanerö (LUCIFER, ex- LOCH VOSTOK), will release a digital EP, entitled Power To The People, prior to their upcoming third full-length album, Circles.
The EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Andy LaRocque (guitarist for KING DIAMOND) at Sonic Train Studios in Sweden. Cover artwork was designed by Pete Alander (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KK Downning Steel Mill).
Listen to the track 'Power To The People' below:
In other news, the band's new smartphone app can be downloaded at this location. Users can listen to samples of the songs 'Power To The People' and 'Haunted Visions'.
More on Sandalinas at this location.

Eugene, Oregon's OMNIHILITY states: "Next album is coming together. It will be entitled Deathscapes Of The Subconscious and will be released on Unique Leader Records this year. We all feel that this will be one of our best albums we have written thus far. Hails to all you sick fuckers that support us!"
In live news, on March 22nd, Omnihility will play The Oak Street Speakeasy in their hometown of Eugene, OR along with CEREMONIAL CASTINGS, TORMENTIUM, and BLOODLUST.

UK-based dirty rock n' roll trio GRIFTER are putting the finishing touches on the follow-up to their self-titled debut full-length, which was released in 2011 via Ripple Music.

Promising to deliver an album full of material that has been described as "heavy as fuck," guitarist/vocalist Ollie Stygall made the following statement about the band's forthcoming record: "We're tantalisingly close to finishing writing for the album. One new track 'It's Not Me, It's You' just needs a few tweaks to round off some of the rougher edges but it's sounding tasty...it has kind of a swing blues vibe to it, albeit much heavier. We're also looking at dusting off "Woman Of Mine" and making the definitive version of it. We've always loved the song but it could do with a spruce up...I have some nice ideas. Once that's done we just need to think about getting in and recording it!!!"
More news on this release as it comes. In the meantime, Grifter's self-titled debut is currently available via Ripple Music

Grifter has recently been confirmed for this year's Hard Rock Hell, which runs from November 28th through December 1st in Pwllheli, Wales. Also confirmed so far are BLACK STAR RIDERS (THIN LIZZY), NAZARETH, GENTLEMANS PISTOLS, THE ANSWER, PAUL DIANNO, BLAZE BAYLEY, LAWNMOWER DETH, CHROME MOLLY AND CRUCIFIED BARBARA with many more to be announced.

More on Grifter at this location.

Reactivated Greek progressive heavy metal band WASTEFALL has amicably parted ways with keyboardist Christos Kyrkilis. The group states: "Since Domenik [Papaemmanouil, guitar/vocals] is more than efficient, he is going to take charge the keyboards concerning the studio recordings. It's better for the chemistry of the band to remain as a quartet."

In other news, since drummer Kostis Papalexopoulos is still in exile in London, WASTEFALL has recruited Konstantinos Galimis (AGNOSIA, ex-RAVENCULT) as his replacement. Konstantinos said: "I am very happy and proud to be part of this new era for the band! I can't wait to perform on some amazing tunes behind WASTEFALL's drum kit!"

WASTEFALL recently entered the studio to record a new EP called "Meridiem" (South) for a spring digital release. A video for one of the new songs will be filmed by LensOrama.

WASTEFALL launched its official comeback to the metal music scene with a new song, "Recycle The Elite", which can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. Plans are also underway for the band to record a full-length album.

"There is nothing like being part of a band's decision-making process," says WASTEFALL co-founder guitarist/lead vocalist Domenik Papaemmanouil. "Each and every one of us would love to be in the studio with our favorite bands talking about which songs should be in the album and why. Don't forget, we are also fans of this genre!"

Added WASTEFALL guitarist and co-founder Alex Katsigiannis: "After years of being in hiatus, we now want to re-engage with our fans, or potential ones. We want to make them be part of the album process and part of the WASTEFALL family. We have many surprises up our sleeves that can't be named right now. What I can tell you is that WASTEFALL is here to stay!"

WASTEFALL's third album, "Self Exile", was released in 2006 via Sensory Records. The CD was mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, TNT, JORN LANDE) at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark.

"Signals Of Infection", the first video from San Francisco Bay Area thrashers HATCHET, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Dawn Of The End", which will be released on March 5 via The End Records. According to a press release, the CD "showcases a much more aggressive and professionally oriented band" than was the case on 2008's "Awaiting Evil".

Commented HATCHET guitarist Julz Ramos: "We wanted to do a simple and effective video for this song. Being that it is our first one, we didn't want to go overboard and try and do something we weren't experienced to do yet and have it not come out awesome looking. So we went with a basic performance piece taking influence from some of our favorite thrash videos of the late '80s early '90s — VIO-LENCE, DEATH ANGEL, OVERKILL and DEMOLITION HAMMER, to name a few. Hopefully it gives an insight into what its like being up close and personal with us when we're performing Plus it's an awesome 'film noir'-type style. Props to our director and editor Wayne Marsala of Greyhaven Productions."

"Dawn Of The End" track listing:

01. After The Dark
02. Silenced By Death
03. Screams Of The Night
04. Fall From Grace
05. Revelations Of Good And Evil
06. Signals Of Infection
07. Dawn Of The End
08. Sinister Thoughts
09. Welcome To The Plague
10. Vanishing Point

Growing up in the San Francisco area suburbs as young metalheads can make it quite likely to take influence from the pioneers of metal that spanned the area in the 1980s. So it's no surprise that HATCHET describes its sound as "pure, uncompromising, Bay Area thrash metal."

Since the release of "Awaiting Evil", HATCHET has completed three full DIY U.S. tours that have helped put them on the map for up-and-coming thrash metal bands. Unfortunately, in this time, the band also saw its share of personnel shuffles, which stalled the group's overall progress. Throughout the changes, founding member Julz Ramos always had the passion to keep the band going, even moving to take on vocal duties. Now in 2013, the band has never been stronger with its most dedicated, mature, and musically inclined members since its birth.

"Signals Of Infection" video:

British hardcore band GALLOWS has parted ways with guitarist Stephen Carter. The group states: "We will be moving on as a four-piece like the early days."

Released on September 10, 2012 through the band's own label Venn Records (in partnership with [PIAS] Recordings), GALLOWS' third and self-titled album proves that their reputation as the U.K.'s most notorious and exciting punk band will not be changing any time soon. Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by long-term friends Thomas Mitchener and Steve Sears at Broadfields Studio in Watford in May this year, it is, say the band "our statement of intent, our laugh in the face of those who said GALLOWS were done when in reality we're just warming up," they continue. "We couldn't feel more vindicated and proud."

One of the album's many standout tracks, "Outsider Art", was released as a single on October 1, 2012.

"I've spent the last 10 years of my life getting lost on the road," explained vocalist Wade MacNeil. "There's some dark stories to tell. 'Outsider Art' is just one of them."

A special edition version of the album also includes a DVD documentary that provides a fascinating and often hilarious insight into the world of GALLOWS.

GALLOWS is:

Wade MacNeil (vocals)
Lee Barratt (drums)
Laurent Barnard (guitar)
Stuart Gili-Ross (bass)

Arizona grind masters LANDMINE MARATHON will embark on a week-long West Coast tour en route to the Obscene Extreme festival in Mexico alongside NAPALM DEATH, PHOBIA, DYING FETUS and many more. The trek will kick off on March 19 in Las Vegas and continue until the band reaches Mexico City on March 28. The band will also make its European live debut later this year at the European Obscene Extreme festival in the Czech Republic.

LANDMINE MARATHON's new vocalist Krysta Martinez commented: "I couldn't be more excited to be hitting the road for the first time with LANDMINE MARATHON and playing these West Coast dates on our way to Mexico for Obscene Extreme America! Obscene Extreme America truly has one of the most crushing lineups I've ever seen! I am so glad to be involved!"

LANDMINE MARATHON is currently writing the follow-up to its critically acclaimed 2011 release "Gallows", which was awarded "Album Of The Month" honors by Terrorizer, who praised its "killer riffs, righteous anger and a burning desire to fuck shit up." Such praise earned the band a hand-picked spot on METALLICA's Orion Music + More festival in 2012.

LANDMINE MARATHON recently re-recorded two songs ("Bile Towers" and "Dead Horses") with Martinez; both are now available digitally.

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of up-and-coming grind/thrash metallers RAMMING SPEED. The group's new album, "Doomed To Destroy, Destined To Die", was recorded at GodCity Studios with Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, KVELERTAK, BLACK BREATH) and mastered at AudioSiege with Brad Boatwright (SLEEP, HIGH ON FIRE, SUNN O))), TRAGEDY). It is tentatively set for a late spring/early summer release. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Drummer Jonah Livingston commented on the signing: "We are incredibly excited to finally announce that we've signed on with Prosthetic Records, a label whose roster proves its dedication to all facets of heavy music. While our band has been extremely lucky to work with labels like Tankcrimes and Brutal Panda, this is an incredible opportunity and we're ready for the step forward! See you on the road!"

Hailing from Boston, this heavy-hitting quintet — whose sound combines the charging rhythms of d-beat punk and the aggression of thrash with NWOBHM-worthy guitar harmonies and grind's blinding speed — is no stranger to the metal scene, having previously released a variety of records, tapes and EPs through several labels. Their aggressive tour schedules across the U.S. and Europe with such notable acts as TRAP THEM, HOLY GRAIL, TORCHE, MUNICIPAL WASTE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, PHOBIA, BLACK TUSK and SAVIOURS led Noisecreep to call the group "one of the hardest-working bands in heavy metal." Fittingly, the band will spend April and May touring with GOATWHORE, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and REVOCATION in the Northeast and Midwest.

Irish Christian melodic death metallers FORCHRISTSAKE has been hard at work in the studio and they are nearing completion on the recording of their debut album, Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror. They have revealed the cover art for the album, which can be viewed below:
Tracklisting for the album is as follows:

‘Blackened Lands’
‘The Hollow Way Of Thinking’
‘Leech’
‘At The Gates Of Depravity’
‘Deliver Us From Evil’
‘Last Call’
‘Shadow’
‘Serpent Rising’
‘Red Moon’
‘Walk Among The Dead’
‘Necronemeis’
‘Inhalation Asphyxia’
‘Deification’
‘Inferno’
‘Apocalyptic Visions Of Divine Terror’
‘The Dawn Of A New Day’

Roxx Records has set a release date of May 7th. Pre-order packages are now available here.

Apocalyptic Visions Of Divine Terror will be offered in several different packages, including a special package that contains the last copies of the bands personal pressings of their debut self-released Death Is But A Breath Away EP.

"Scarlet", the new Wes Richardson-directed video from Maryland-based experimental, progressive metallers PERIPHERY, cane be seen below. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Periphery II: This Time It's Personal", which sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 44 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Periphery II: This Time It's Personal" was released in North America on July 3, 2012 via Sumerian Records and was made available in Europe on July 16, 2012 through Century Media Records. The CD features guest appearances by John Petrucci (DREAM THEATER), Guthrie Govan (THE ARISTOCRATS) and Wes Hauch (THE FACELESS).

In an interview with Metal Assault, PERIPHERY guitarist Misha Mansoor stated about the band's musical progression since its debut record, "Our first album was pretty diverse, and with that we created a framework so that we could kind of experiment and push in any one of those directions, and not have it be something weird or something that sounds forced, you know. There's always been an aspect of that sound and we're just expanding on it further. And I think very true to that, that's what we did on this album. We're still kind of going in all of those directions, but a little bit further, and with a little bit more experience, you know."

He added, "This album is PERIPHERY the band as opposed to my project with a bunch of dudes. This is really the first time we've been able to work together as a band and write an album together. I think that's really cool because it's not just me. You're hearing so much more, you're hearing something that's greater than the sum of its parts."

Alberta power thrashers EDGE OF ATTACK released their self-titled debut album via Nova Scotia label Spread The Metal Records on February 19th. The band has issued the following statement:

"After having waited so long to release this album, we can't be happier with its result! Our only hope is that everyone hears it and feels our dedication to this music. More than anything, we're grateful to everyone who really stuck their neck out to get us this far. This album is our very first benchmark."

The album is available for purchase via the Amazon widget at the bottom on the page. Audio samples of all tracks are also available at the same location.
Produced by EAO guitarist/vocalist Jurekk Whipple, the debut features ten tracks of haunting vocals, shredding guitars, complex bass lines, furious drumming plus choral and symphonic arrangements along with guest artists by solo artist Ivan Gianinni, Ryan Boivard (HALLOWS DIE) and Pellek (DAMNATION ANGELS).

Edge Of Attack tracklisting:
'In Hell'
'The Haunting'
'Demon (Of The Northern Seas)' feat. Ivan Giannini
'Take Me Alive'
'In The Night'
'Edge Of Attack'
'Rise Above'
'Forever'
'The Damned' feat. Ryan Bovaird
'Set The World Aflame' feat. Pellek

The track 'Forever' can be heard below:

German death metal and hardcore fusionists HEAVEN SHALL BURN will release their new album, "Veto", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: April 19
Rest Of Europe: April 22
Australia, New Zealand, Finland: April 26
USA, Canada: April 30

The cover of "Veto" shows the John Collier painting of Lady Godiva (c.1898). HEAVEN SHALL BURN guitarist Maik Weichert comments as to why this piece of art works perfectly with the underlying concept of the album: "It as an icon regarding the fight for social justice. The image also represents a contemporary issue: i.e. today's leading class being isolated from the people and the conflicts arising from that. It is also a great way to show our fans how current problems and topics can be reflected and derived from historical artworks."

"Veto" track listing:

01. Godiva
02. Land Of The Upright Ones
03. Die Stürme Rufen Dich
04. Fallen
05. Hunters Will Be Hunted
06. You Will Be Godless
07. Valhalla
08. Antagonized
09. Like Gods Among Mortals
10. 53 Nations
11. Beyond Redemption

Do you fancy hearing the song "Land Of The Uprising Ones" off "Veto"?

Head to LandOfTheUprightOnes.com, but this time you will need to do a bit of work in order to get a hold of your download: Century Media has chopped up the song in eight pieces and will leave it up to you to work out the right sequence. Once you solve the puzzle, you can download the song for free.

Says Weichert about the track: "The song is dedicated to Thomas Sankara, a relatively unknown revolutionary whose fate is closely linked to Burkina Faso which can be translated to 'Land of upright/honest people' or 'Land of honest people.' It's a very heavy track."

To celebrate the release of "Veto", HEAVEN SHALL BURN will play three exclusive release shows in Europe:

April 20 - Leipzig, Germany - Impericon Festival III, Agra
April 26 - Vienna, Austria - Impericon Festival, Gasometer
April 27 - Zürich, Switzerland - Loudfest, Komplex

HEAVEN SHALL BURN's latest album, "Invictus", landed on the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 9. This marked HEAVEN SHALL BURN's and Century Media Records' first-ever Top 10 release in Germany. The CD also charted in Austria (#15), Switzerland (#38) and Greece (#14).

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have recruited a new member for their live performances. Canadian multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Schoolcraft, singer and songwriter of her own solo project SCHOOLCRAFT, is the new keyboardist for the band, and will also assist them on backing vocals.

A short interview with Schoolcraft can be found at RockOverdose.gr.

CRADLE OF FILTH's tenth studio album, "The Manticore And Other Horrors", sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous full-length effort, "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa", opened with 5,800 units in November 2010 to land at No. 99.

CRADLE OF FILTH's 2008 CD, "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder", premiered with a little over 11,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 48. This was slightly less than the first-week tally registered by 2006's "Thornography", which shifted nearly 13,000 copies the first week out to enter The Billboard chart at No. 66, and "Nymphetamine", which premiered with almost 14,000 copies back in October 2004.

"The Manticore And Other Horrors" was released in North America on October 30, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Recorded in eight weeks at both Springvale and Grindstone studios (where it was also mixed by Scott Atkins), Suffolk, "The Manticore And Other Horrors" is a testament to the longevity of the 'FILTH, as not only does it reek of CRADLE's (feared or revered) brand of delicious metal vamperotica, but this thoroughly modern album places the band firmly in fresh killing fields anew.

San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans VICIOUS RUMORS will release their eleventh studio album, "Electric Punishment", on April 26 in Germany, April 29 in the rest of Europe and May 7 in U.S./Canada via Steamhammer/SPV. It will be available as a jewel case, on double gatefold colored vinyl and as a digital download. The cover artwork was once again created by German artist Christoph Schinzel, who has previously worked with ANVIL, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, RAVEN and AGENT STEEL. The CD was recorded at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California with producers Juan Urteaga and VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe.

Thorpe, Brian Allen, Larry Howe, Stephen Goodwin and Thean Rasmussen are back with nine new songs and a wicked cover of "Strange Ways" by KISS, all of which are sure to satisfy the faithful VICIOUS RUMORS fans. "Black X List" and "D-Block" are thrashy speed killers while "Escape (From Hell)" and "Together We Unite" add a classic flavor.

"Electric Punishment" will feature special guest appearances by Mark McGee, Brad Gillis and VICIOUS RUMORS' touring guitarist Bob Capka.

States Thorpe: "We have permanently grown. There have been no two identical albums in our career because each album has a new, fresh approach. Still, we've never strayed from our course — perhaps precisely for this reason. We've remained faithful to our ideals and have always been honest with our fans. I think our loyal followers value that VICIOUS RUMORS have never jumped on any kind of bandwagon. Everything we do comes from the heart and 'Electric Punishment' documents that no other band on this planet sounds like VICIOUS RUMORS. To us, that's an incentive, a challenge and a quality feature all in one. And it's something our fans can rely on when we set off on our next monster tour in spring 2013."

VICIOUS RUMORS will embark on a club tour in May and will play important festivals in Europe before going on to Japan and the USA.

"Electric Punishment" track listing:

01. I Am The Gun
02. Black X List
03. Electric Punishment
04. D - Block
05. Escape (From Hell)
06. Dime Store Prophet
07. Together We Unite
08. Eternally
09. Thirst For A Kill
10. Strange Ways (KISS cover)

VICIOUS RUMORS released a new live album, "Live You To Death", on November 27, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) through SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded by Pontus Norgren of HAMMERFALL, mixed by Juan Urteaga and produced by VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe.

2011 was the year VICIOUS RUMORS stormed European stages with their highly acclaimed studio album, "Razorback Killers", playing 92 shows in 12 months.

"Live You To Death" was recorded in December 2011 on the band's European tour as the support act for Swedish metallers HAMMERFALL. It features 11 songs, including two very special studio recordings: cover versions of "Sign Of The Southern Cross" by BLACK SABBATH and "Running Wild" by JUDAS PRIEST.

"Razorback Killers" was released in Europe in March 2011 and in the U.S. in April 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California with Urteaga and Thorpe.

CHAOSTAR, the band led by SEPTICFLESH guitarist Christos Antoniou, will release its fourth album, "Anomima", 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". A trailer for the DVD can be seen below.

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

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.

"After six years of silence, I am very pleased to continue my experimental side with Season Of Mist," commented Christos."I know how they work and they understand what CHAOSTAR is about."

He added, "I am thinking about writing an 'opera' based concept on Euripides' drama masterpiece 'Medea'. I will definitely not follow the previous atmosphere, which was rather based on 'classical' music. A combination of extreme metal sounds and modern textures will play a dominant role in my forthcoming sound."

The second of three trailers for "Power & Volume", the forthcoming debut album from FREE FALL, the Swedish rock band featuring guitarist Mattias Bärjed (SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES) and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg (THE [INTERNATIONAL] NOISE CONSPIRACY), can be seen below. The CD will be released on February 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Power & Volume" track listing:

01. Power & Volume
02. Free Fall
03. Midnight Vulture
04. Top Of The World
05. Attila
06. World Domination
07. Love Bombing
08. Damnation
09. Meriola Blues
10. Meat

Bonus:

11. Change Coming
12. Yeah!!!

The video for the "Power & Volume" title track can be seen below. The band states: "The purpose of this video is to replace an empty mind with an open mind."

The "Power & Volume" song was made available as a seven-inch single on black (retail version) and white vinyl (Nuclear Blast mailorder only) as well as digitally via iTunes. All versions also include the rare non-album track "Stand Up For Your Rock 'N' Roll".

FREE FALL is:

Jan Martens - Bass
Mattias Bärjed - Guitar
Kim Fransson - Lead vocals
Ludwig Dahlberg - Drums

Atlanta, Georgia-based metallers HALCYON WAY have completed the writing process for their fourth album, to be released in the second half of 2013. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to "IndoctriNation" (Nightmare Records) will once again feature the hook- and riff-infused brand of metal HALCYON WAY has been notorious for.

HALCYON WAY's new album is being produced by the band's own Jon Bodan (guitar), while Lasse Lammert will once again handle mixing. Additionally, the group will work for the first time with Seth Von Paulus, the vocal engineer who has worked with names such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and SMASHING PUMPKINS, among others.

"We're all very excited about the material that we have in our hands," says Bodan. "We believe that this will be our best release yet, and with both Lasse and Seth onboard, I believe this will be the album that will help cement the HALCYON WAY brand once and for all."

In touring news, HALCYON WAY will hit the road in North America as the support act for U.D.O., the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT vocalist Udo Dirkschneider. The ten-show trek kicks off on April 9 in Amityville, New York and runs for eleven days throughout the Northeastern/Midwestern U.S. and Canada.

Swedish death metallers VOMITORY have released the following statement:

"After 24 years, eight albums and hundreds of live shows across 30 countries, we have finally come to the end of the road. We in the band — Tobias, Urban, Erik and Peter — have made the collective decision to end VOMITORY by the end of 2013. It has been a blast on all accounts, but all good things come to to an end, and for VOMITORY, it is now. We will still play as many shows as possible during 2013, and we hope to see as many of you fans as possible there, so we can thank you for your true support during all these years!"

VOMITORY's eighth full-length album, "Opus Mortis VIII", was released in 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Leon Music Studios outside Karlstad, Sweden with producer Rikard Löfgren.

VOMITORY is:

Erik Rundqvist - Bass/Vocals
Tobias Gustafsson - Drums
Urban Gustafsson - Guitar
Peter Östlund - Guitar

A PERFECT DAY, the Italian hard rock power trio led by Andrea Cantarelli, guitarist and co-founding member of the Italian heavy metal band LABYRINTH, has released its cover version of "Skyfall", ADELE's official theme song to the James Bond film of the same name. Check it out in the YouTube clip below.

Formed in 2011, A PERFECT DAY started when Andrea presented the concept of starting from scratch a new hard rock band — which could work on strong melodies and aggressive guitar riffs — to his bandmate Roberto Tiranti. He immediately loved the music that Andrea played him and started to work on songs and melodies. The lineup was then completed with Alessandro Bissa (LABYRINTH, VISION DIVINE) on drums.

A PERFECT DAY's debut album and the band's direction revolves around the rock and hard rock of the American post-grunge sounds. As for music, melody plays a leading role. Although, on the one hand, it is supported by a very relaxed atmosphere, it contrasts, on the other, with the wall of sound created by the heavy guitar riffing.

The moniker A PERFECT DAY alludes to everyone's daily experiences. It obviously refers to the positive ones, but it is also an attempt to point out, with a certain touch of irony, the good side of the most difficult and sad happenings of our lives.

A PERFECT DAY is:

Roberto Tiranti: Vocals, Bass
Andrea Cantarelli: Guitar
Alessandro Bissa: Drums

Former THE HAUNTED frontman Peter Dolving will release his solo album entitled "Thieves And Liars" on March 19 via Deadlight Entertainment.

According to a press release, "Thieves & Liars" "is far from the idea of metal and hardcore. Instead, [the CD] spring from layers of guitars, classic rock, eclectic melodies and even goth. THE CURE, NEW ORDER, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, MASSIVE ATTACK and Mark Lanegan are names that spring to mind in describing the record that was recorded in 2011/2012, mixed by BURST and SÓLSTAFIR producer Fredrik Reinedahl and mastered by legendary producer/engineer Tue Madsen (SICK OF IT ALL, HATESPHERE)."

Regarding how the effort came together, Dolving said, "Beginning in July 2011, I had come to a place in my life and art where for some reason I knew, this is it. No more adapting to groups, superficial ideas of genres, or styles. I started recording, with no censoring, complete flow of consciousness. Free creation. Finally. Without restraints. And I made a couple of songs every weeks, it just kept pouring out. I realized this was a truly inspired record falling into play.

"As the songs kept coming, I asked Per Möller Jensen, who I'd been playing with in THE HAUNTED for 10 years if he would like to play on the record, and he was completely open for diving into it. He explained he wanted time to really put his heart into and certainly he did. Mixing an amazing classic rock feel and a energetic inspiring jazz influence his drums blew my mind as I heard what he had come up with for the songs.

"I spoke to [producer] Tue Madsen, who I had befriended during hours of work with THE HAUNTED, we share a deep love of music and we decided that he would master. Fredrik Reinedahl who got involved with HOUSE OF DOLVING back when we started recording in 2011 has become a dear friend along the process. We met each other for the first time back in summer of '95 and he kept playing stuff to me that I really love that he had or was mixing. BURST, PASSENGERS, ABANDON and later SÓLSTAFIR. The man is a bona fide sound wizard and really one of the smartest, loving people I know.

"And a year after a couple of hundred alone long nights at end, it's all in place. This is 'Thieves And Liars'.

"I really hope you will enjoy it as much we have making it."

"Thieves And Liars" track listing:

01. Meinhof
02. Song For You
03. Hands On
04. One Sweet Moment
05. Ordinary Folk
06. Sunday Mornings
07. Cocksucker Blues
08. My Will To Die
09. No Solicitors
10. So Sick
11. All This Beauty

"Hands On" can be streamed below.

Previously a vocalist for MARY BEATS JANE, Dolving joined THE HAUNTED in 1997 and sang in their debut self-titled album. In 1998, he left the group to concentrate on a band called ZEN-MONKEY but returned in 2003 following the departure of Marco Aro (the vocalist which took over Dolving's spot after Peter's 1998 exit). He has since appeared on the studio albums "Revolver" (2004), "The Dead Eye" (2006), "Versus" (2008) and "Unseen" (2011).

Brendan Crabb of TheMusic.com.au recently conducted an interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On metal's current state:

Kerry: "It seems to me like it's just cruising along, status quo. I'm yet to see anything new that's like a threat; not even a threat, like the next suitor to the throne. You've first got your MAIDEN, SABBATH and PRIEST and then you've got METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT and bands like that. After that, there's a lot of bands, but I don't think anybody's the chief, you know what I mean?"

On SLAYER's forthcoming studio album:

Kerry: "As usual, every time we get ready to put out a record, [Rick Rubin's] American Recordings changes distribution, so that always holds us up. So we've got three weeks 'til we're done in Australia, and hopefully all their pieces fall where they need to fall, we can get some contracts done and start recording. We've got plenty of music; I'm taking my days off in Australia to work on lyrics, so hopefully we'll just get closer to the end product, so we're not going to waste a lot of time in the studio. I think it's pretty much SLAYER. As a guitar player I try to come up with things I've never heard us do or maybe I've never heard anybody else do, but still in the parameters of super heavy music. If you get a surprise, I would say chances are it's still heavy; you're just not used to hearing heavy in that way."

On the status of SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who has been absent from the road for the past two years while he is recovering from contracting necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite:

Kerry: "If he came in, knocked on my door in five minutes and said, 'Hey dude, I'm ready, let's go practice', I'd say, 'Good, get your gear, let's go practice.' But until that day comes, I've gotta cover SLAYER's butt and have his gig filled in. 'Cause I don't want it to be a carousel, where there's, if Gary [Holt of EXODUS] can't do it, we get somebody else, and if he can't do it, we get somebody else again. I want to have continuity. We told Gary when our schedule is and said, 'Please keep it open,' because we don't know when Jeff's gonna be able to play guitar. Jeff's kind of like a wait-and-see thing.”

On whether SLAYER plans to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of the band's debut album, "Show No Mercy":

Kerry: "I always think reissues, unless there's something of serious value on it… A fan could just see that as a big rip-off, and that's certainly not what we're about. That being said, if we came up with some great content or something, sure, I could see that happening. Later on in the year, maybe we might do more 'Show No Mercy' songs. I can't imagine playing the whole record, but I know there's at least one song we're playing down in Australia on this run.

"I wish somebody told us before 'Reign In Blood' we didn't need reverb. But it's good shit, you know? People always ask me, 'Do you think you should go re-record 'Show No Mercy' and 'Hell Awaits'?' I say no, because those are a moment in time and that's what SLAYER was. If we were recording them again now, the way SLAYER sounds… Rule number one: it would sound like a completely different record. Which could be good or bad, I don't know. But people love those historically for what they are.”

Read more from TheMusic.com.au.

Canadian black metallers EMPYREAN PLAGUE have released the official video for 'Imprint Evidence Destiny', the title track from the band's 2011 release.

The video was directed by Christopher M. Ray (VANQUISHED) and produced by Hora Morior Productions. Check it out below:
Empyrean Plague lineup:

Mike Burge - Guitar, Vocals
Kyle Tayler - Guitar
Liam Ahola - Drums
Kye Bell - Bass
More on Empyrean Plague at this location.

Raleigh, NC-based metal act BLATANT DISARRAY have begun recording their second full length album, which is being engineered and produced by guitarist/vocalist Mike Schaefer in his studio in Raleigh.
The new album will be released this summer via Tribunal Records. Stay tuned for complete details.

Blatant Disarray lineup:

Mike Schaefer - Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Johnson - Lead Guitar
Trey McLamb - Drums
Patrick Strickland - Bass
More on Blatant Disarray at this location.

Arizona-based thrash metal act SARGON have covered JUDAS PRIEST’s classic, 'Hell Bent For Leather'. Judas Priest is one of Sargon’s biggest influences/inspirations and are directly responsible for the band’s thrash n' roll sound. The track was recorded at Ryan Arcane Digital Studios by Ryan Butker, mixed at PTY Studios by Ignacio Molino, and mastered at The Audio Refinery Studios by Eric Koondel.
The track is streaming below:
In addition, the band announces that they have started the writing process for the follow-up to their full-length album, In Contempt, released in 2011 via Old Cemetery Records.

Sargon welcome the addition of lead guitarist Jack Fliegler and drummer Michael Ohlson who stepped in for former drummer Rickard Stjernquist after he decided to focus on his main band, BENEDICTUM, and other projects. The band is thankful for the work Rickard put into Sargon’s 2012 EP The Bitter End and wishes him much success in all his endeavors.
Sargon lineup:

Frank Van Kwartel: Guitar/Vocals
Kelly Conlon: Bass
Michael Ohlson: Drums
Jack Fliegler: Lead Guitar

More on Sargon at this location.

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Belgium's STEAK NUMBER EIGHT, and the release of their second album, The Hutch. The new album will be released on April 22nd in Europe, April 19th in Norway, Germany and Austria, and March 18th in Benelux.

Get a taste of the new album by checking out the first song, 'Black Eyed', below:
Steak Number Eight surfaced for the first time in 2008 crushing windows with their bare hands and storming stages. The Steak Number Eight blitzkrieg soon turned into a genuine metal offensive. By touring intensively the band was soon known for its crushing live reputation and it wouldn’t take too long for them to record their first full-length album.

Meanwhile, two years and three UK tours further down the line, Steak Number Eight have evolved into a band that can make a difference and leave behind their tracks of musical mayhem. The audience licks their wounds. Performances at Graspop Metal Meeting, Dour Festival and Pukkelpop not only turned Steak Number Eight into an experienced, well-oiled touring machine... the band also recorded 11 smashing new tracks for the long awaited successor of the debut album All Is Chaos.

On the new album, The Hutch, Steak Number Eight digs deeper than ever before, finding a perfect balance between devastating guitars and a hopeful sense of melody.

More on Steak Number Eight at this location.

French atmospheric doom metallers ANGELLORE signed a deal with Dreamcell11/Aural Music Group in 2012 for the release of their debut album, entitled Errances. The album will finally be released on March 18th.

The track 'I Am The Agony' can be heard below:

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in December 2009. The mixing and mastering parts were taken care of by Florent Krist at Studio AV in France.

For information and updates on Angellore go to this location.

Andorra-based progressive seath metallers PERSEFONE have issued a new video for the title track, 'Spiritual Migration', taken from their upcoming fourth album Spiritual Migration, to be released by Vicisolum Productions on March 29th.
Spiritual Migration was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, MERCENARY, PESTILENCE, DESTRUCTION), at Hansen Studios in Denmark, and is a portrait of all the emotions the band has gone through within the first decade of their existence. Fine-tuning has never been a better word to describe the progression of a band, than in the case of Persefone.

The artwork for Spiritual Migration was created by Travis Smith (KATATONIA, NEVERMORE).
Spiritual Migration tracklisting:

'Flying Sea Dragons'
'Mind As Universe'
'The Great Reality'
'Zazen Meditation'
'The Majestic Of Gaia'
'Consciousness (Pt.1): Sitting In Silence'
'Consciousness (Pt.2): A Path To Enlightenment'
'Inner Fullness'
'Metta Meditation'
'Upward Explosion'
'Spiritual Migration'
'Returning To The Source'
'Outro'

On April 5, EISREGEN will release a digital compilation, entitled Der Tod Ist Ein Meister Aus Thüringen. It will contain 20 tracks including a song that hasn't been available as a download before.
Der Tod Ist Ein Meister Aus Thüringen tracklisting:

'Der Mann Mit Dem Koks Ist Da'
'Engelmacher'
'Madenreich'
'Schakal - Ode An Die Streubombe'
'Madenreich' (Remix)
'Eisenkreuzkrieger'
'Erscheine!'
'Elektro-Hexe'
'N8verzehr'
'Leichenlager'
'Eine Erhalten'
'Alphawolf'
'Das Liebe Beil'
'Zauberelefant'
'Eispalast'
'Frischtot'
'1000 Tote Nutten'
'Salz Der Erde'
'Knochenkult'
'Tod Senkt Sich Herab'

Listen to snippets from the compilation here.

French black metallers HELL MILITIA recently parted ways with vocalist Meynac'h. The band have issued following update:

"Meynac'h will not be an active member of Hell Militia anymore. RSDX (ex-BETHLEHEM, WELTBRAND) is now joining the great cult of the Pig as vocalist. In our coming shows, Hell Militia will show to all that the spiritual anger is greater than ever. So be ready for a new chapter of Hell Militia, in filth and light. We salute both our brethren Meyhnac'h and RSDX. Halleluyah, motherfuckers!"

Catch the new line-up live at Hellfest this June.