QUEENSRŸCHE/CRIMSON GLORY singer Todd La Torre joined Christian hard rockers STRYPER on stage last night (Saturday, January 26) at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California to perform the IRON MAIDEN classic "The Trooper" and STRYPER's "Surrender". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Frontiers Records recently announced the signing of STRYPER to a multi-album deal. The first CD to be made available the agreement will be a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classic songs, due in North America on March 26. Entitled "Second Coming" and produced by Michael Sweet, the CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from "The Yellow And Black Attack", six from "Soldiers Under Command", six from "To Hell With The Devil", as well as two new tracks, "Bleeding From Inside Out" and "Blackened".

Paul Kuhr of NOVEMBERS DOOM, one of the organizers of the forthcoming tribute album dedicated to WOODS OF YPRES frontman David Gold, entitled A Heart Of Gold: Tribute To Woods Of Ypres, has checked in with the following update:
"After speaking with Steph (Ledrew), and going over options at great length, we need to raise the money for the manufacturing of the CDs. To do this, we are going to ask for people to pre-oder by using PayPal. There are two options for you. A donation of $10 will get you a download link in the near future, and for $20 you will get a download link as well as the physical double CD when available. We need to raise $3000 dollars total, and we want to see how quickly it looks like we will reach this goal before releasing the download link."

"This is going to take a bit of faith, that you won't get ripped off, but I assure you, this is going to happen. Stephanie and I are hard at work to make sure. I will keep everyone updated here as to how close we are to reaching that goal. The prices are $10 and $20, but if you want to see this happen faster, by all means, donate more, what ever you can. Every dollar will get this done faster.

Pre-Order Donations - PayPal
$10 - download only
$20 - download and physical double CD

Send donations as a PayPal Gift to pkuhr@comcast.net. In the note section, include your email address for the download link and your physical address for the CD to be mailed. This is important, as the "gift" feature doesn't send that information."

The confirmed tracklist is as follows:

Disc 1
'Thrill Of The Struggle' - CATUVOLCUS
'Adora Vivos' - Raphael from MUSK OX
'Lightning And Snow' - EARTHEN
'Falling Apart' - CANOPY
'A Meeting Place And Time' - PANZERFAUST
'Finality' - KUHRZARTH
'The Sun Was In My Eyes' - ANEMIC
'Retrosleep In The Morning Calm' - ALBIREON
'Suicide Cargoload' (live) - GYPSY CHIEF GOLIATH
'Career Suicide' - RELIQUIS

Disc 2
'Wet Leather' - NOVEMBERS DOOM
'Crossing The 45th Parallel' - ECLIPSE ETERNAL
'Allure Of The Earth' - AMARANTH
'The Shams Of Optimisim' - PAGAN RITUAL
'Silver' - Joel Violette and Rae Amitay of WOODS OF YPRES / THRAWSUNBLAT
'The Sea Of Immeasureable Loss' - BEGOTTEN
'Shedding The Deadwood' - EMPYREAN PLAGUE
'Trillium: The 3rd Of Three Winters' - Justin Bender of INTO ETERNITY
'The Looming Of Dust In The Dark' - THE GOV AND CARVER

Go to the tribute album's official Facebook page here for updates.

Three tracks from the album have been posted: 'The Sun Was In My Eyes by Anemic, 'Lightning And Snow' by Earthen, and 'Finality' by Novembers Doom's Paul Kuhr (with his daughter) and GODDAMN ZOMBIES' Will Bozarth. Check them out below:

Singer Tim Aymar (CONTROL DENIED, PHARAOH), bassist Rev Jones (STEELHEART, MOUNTAIN, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP), guitarists Ken Erb (SHOK PARIS) and Jim Dofka (DOFKA) and drummer Sik Nik, along with special guest violinist April Childers have covered RAINBOW's classic 'The Gates Of Babylon', taken from their last album to feature Ronnie James Dio in 1978, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll.
Jim Dofka comments:
"Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio are icons of rock n' roll, heavy metal, guitar, vocals, performers and songwriters! They fall in that 'one in a million' category!

For years, I have wanted to cover the Rainbow song 'The Gates Of Babylon'. When I finally took the step to cut the track, my band DOFKA, was on hiatus. I reached out to some of my Metal friends and ended up with an amazing group of individuals! And all are Rainbow/Dio fans!! Bass extraordinaire Rev Jones and I have been talking about doing a project for quite sometime. I was very excited to have him aboard. Tim Aymar and I played in Psycho Scream together. We used to cover Mob Rules and Country Girl in our live show. Tim was an obvious choice to share the Dio worship! I have been a fan of Ken Erb's guitar playing since I first heard Shok Paris in the late '80's. Dofka and Shok Paris did a show together in Cleveland a year or so ago. He was the final link! I was lucky enough to have a guest appearance by April Childers on Violin. April and I teach together at JK Musician's Workshop in Pennsylvania.

I really hope you enjoy the track! It's one of my favorite Rainbow songs! Long live Ronnie James Dio and long live rock n' roll!"

Greek black metallers BURIAL HORDES have released the previously unreleased track ‘Absolute Obedience’ for streaming. Check it out below:
The band will enter devasoundz studios on February 16th to begin recording their third album which will be entitled Incendium.

Tracklisting for the new album is as follows

‘Unleash Havoc’
‘Horns Of Consecration’
‘Nailed Curse’
‘Path Of Bloodshed’
‘Abomination’
‘Scorned’
‘Black Shrouds Of Depravity’
‘Incendium’

Stockholm, Sweden’s DYSANGELIC have signed with Sliptrick Records for the release of their new album The Dysangelic Principle which is available now on Spotify. It will be released soon worldwide digitally and on CD.

The album was recorded at Solna Studios with Mike Wead (THE HAUNTED, EDGE OF SANITY, CANDLEMASS, KING DIAMOND).
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Return To The End’
‘Misery Bound’
‘All In Vain’
‘A Dark Room, Furnished In Fading Light’
‘The Mill Of Sorrows’
‘Truth Beyond Reason’
‘Catharsis’
‘Void Of Silence’

The track ‘Return To The End’ can be heard below:

French doom/death FUNERALIUM have announced will release their new two-disc album Deceived Idealism on February 1 via Japanese label Weird Truth and on vinyl LPs via French label Ostra Records. A limited die-hard version will also be available on Ostra Records exclusively.

Mixing and mastering for the album was completed by Chris at Worship studio between May 2012 and July 2012.

According to a press release: “Clocking at 88 minutes, Deceived Idealism is relentless, bleak and crushing. This complex monolith of extreme doom has trodden new paths, drawing its influences from doom metal and old-school black metal, but also filthy death metal and dark metal passages.”

Artwork and design were done by photograph and graphic-designer Yamaneko Tadeshi and can be seen below:
Tracklisting is as follows:

Disc one:
‘Blood, Phlegm And Vomit’
‘21st Century Ineptia’
‘Deceived Idealism’

Disc Two:
‘Hang These Bastards’
‘Don't Hope For Any Better Things Now’
‘The Higher We Climb, The Harder We Fall’

A teaser trailer for the album can be seen below:

LOWBURN out of Finland, featuring past and present members of BATTLELORE, have released a new four song EP entitled Soaring High. It is available both as a limited CD edition and digitally via Bandcamp here.
The band features present Battlelore members Henkka Vahvanen (drums) and Tomi Mykkänen (guitar/vocals), and former B'lore members Miika Kokkola (bass) and Tommi Havo (guitar)

The Soaring High tracklist is as follows:

'Soaring High'
'Running On Fumes'
'The Power It Holds'
'Moonful Of Stars'

Check out the tracks below:

Soaring High EP by Lowburn

For information on Lowburn go to this location.

Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of Norwegian adrenaline-pushers of heavy rock and roll, KVELERTAK. Produced by CONVERGE's Kurt Ballou, KVELERTAK will release their highly anticipated sophomore album entitled "Meir" (which means "more" in English) on March 26. Their first single, "Bruane Brenn" has early critical acclaim from several tastemaker outlets including Stereogum who raves, "It's a total blast of riffs, adrenaline, football chants, and guitar solos, and in its four minutes, you get five decades of rock ‘n' roll, compressed into one massive speedball hit." The single will be available on iTunes beginning February 5 and will be available as an instant download when you pre-order the album, an exclusive CD/T-shirt bundle will also be available that day at the Roadrunner Records webstore. Unlike the majority of heavier bands, they sing in their native language, adding even more character to their already unique sound.

About the signing, Dave Rath, Senior Vice President of A&R at Roadrunner Records said, "Every decade or so, hard rock and heavy metal gets a well-deserved kick in the ass. KVELERTAK is the band to do just that. These guys remind us that rock music should truly affect us. Roadrunner is proud to deliver KVELERTAK to a world waiting for a musical awakening. If this band doesn't get your heart racing, then you don't have one."

KVELERTAK's euphorically-received self-titled 2011 debut was iTunes 2011's U.S. Metal Breakthrough Artist of The Year. Pitchfork described their sound as having "monolithic walls of adrenal-gland-strangling sound" while LA Weekly named frontman Erland Hjelvik #2 on their list of top ten metal frontmen (and women) under 30.

Overseas the band has racked up numerous accolades. KVELERTAK was called "the best Norwegian debut of all time" by Norwegian rock authority Asbjørn Slettemark, named "Best Debut Album" by Metal Hammer Germany, "Best New Artist" and "Best Rock Album" at the Spellemannprisen (Norway's Grammy equivalent) and has received countless additional critical acclaim from Metal Hammer U.K. and Kerrang! who called them "the most exciting new band on the planet."

From storming 2011's SXSW festival to being personally invited by MASTODON to support them in Bergen, Norway, to Dave Grohl presenting them with their first gold discs at a sold-out show at Telenor Arena, Norway's largest indoor venue, KVELERTAK, or "chokehold" in English, are only getting started.

With the explosive first single "Bruane Brenn" to the slowed down guitar crunching of "Evig Vandrar" to the brutally chaotic "Nekrokosmos", "Meir" is an album that certainly lives up to the hype of giving the listener "more." Tight rhythms, inventive guitar hooks and melodies that seep into your consciousness, this is an album that constantly surprises.

"It is both catchy and heavy; we're pushing our limits in both ends of that spectre. It's very varied and there are a lot of surprises in store. I mean, it's unlike anything I myself have heard before, so we even managed to surprise ourselves," said lead singer Erlend Hjelvik.

Look for KVELERTAK North American tour dates to be announced soon.

KVELERTAK is Erlend Hjelvik (vocals), Vidar Landa (guitars), Bjarte Lund Rolland (guitars), Maciek Ofstad (guitars), Marvin Nygaard (bass) and Kjetil Gjermundrød (drums).

"Meir" track listing:

01. Åpenbaring
02. Spring Fra Livet
03. Trepan
04. Bruane Brenn
05. Evig Vandrar
06. Snilepisk
07. Månelyst
08. Nekrokosmos
09. Undertro
10. Tordenbrak
11. Kvelertak

WINGER's Kip Winger and guitarist Reb Beach (also WHITESNAKE) took part in the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's Shuffle program for dates in Denver (January 18th at the Boettcher Concert Hall) and Parker (January 20th at Boettcher Concert Hall). The event featured performances of the Winger hit 'Headed For A Heartbreak' and THE BEATLES classic 'Eleanor Rigby' among others.

Reb Beach comments about the show: "Just got home. Playing with that orchestra was one of the top five experiences of my life. I felt like Jeff Beck!! Big thanks to the amazing Kip Winger, who charted everything out for like 70 musicians. He also wrote the new middle section. I'm honored to have a genius for a friend, who includes me in his bold endeavours. Now it is off to beautiful Italy, where I get to rock out with some other friends!"

Check out fan-filmed footage below:

EXES FOR EYES guitarist/ex-ANNIHILATOR bassist Dave Sheldon - who appears on the Live At Masters Of Rock DVD - has checked in with the following update:

"The majority of the new Exes For Eyes material is now in the hands of James Arsenian Beard (ENDAST). Time to write some lyrics to what is shaping up to be a fucking crusher of an album!"
As previously reported, Elegy Guitarworks is a new Toronto-based guitar company launched by Sheldon and SOILWORK frontman Björn "Speed" Strid, specializing in 6, 7 and 8 string guitars and 4,5, 6 and 7 string basses.

"Conceived the day the world as we knew it was supposed to end, Elegy Guitarworks was founded December 21, 2012. Born in the light of a new friendship, Elegy Guitarworks focuses on bringing professional quality instruments to the cost-conscious player. The Mayans were wrong...and this is their Elegy."

BW&BK's Carl Begai spoke briefly with Sheldon about the new venture:

Sheldon: "We should have everything sorted out for the guitars late spring early summer. We're doing small batches of prototypes with several different builders, going to pick our favourite ones, then put them into production. Ideally, get some Canadian distribution and sell 100 - 200 units annually."

Stay tuned for more updates. Go to the Elegy Guitarworks official Facebook page here.

SAIGON KICK guitarist Jason Bieler has recorded a cover of the OASIS hit 'Wonderwall' for his OWL STRETCHING side project, which he told BW&BK first-hand is "a constantly morphing project with different guests that I use as a vehicle to release new music." Check it out via the audio player below.
The reunited Saigon Kick - Matt Kramer (vocals), Phil Varone (drums), Jason Bieler (guitar) and Tom Defile (bass) - have announced their first reunion show, on Saturday, March 30th at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, CA. More dates to be announced.
Saigon Kick earlier issued the following update: "For those of you who are interested, we set up an email list so you can now get all the latest Kick news directly in your inbox. We will not spam or send tons of emails...just the big important stuff. You can sign up for the email list at SaigonKick.com."
Frontman Matt Kramer recently checked in with the following update:

"To a lot of people Saigon Kick was a one hit wonder. And since I left the band months after our first hit, that is a fact. The upside is there were two sides; we were also a very cool band with absolute belief from Atlantic Records, and a one hit wonder. That after all this time is, in a weird way, a plus.

Maybe Saigon Kick has finally come of age? Looking forward to jamming hard with the lads."

More on Saigon Kick at this location.

Norway's TNT have checked in with the following update:

"TNT is selling this new song 'Hidden Treasures' (Tekrø/Mills) at auction! You can have a taste from the unmixed version below.

Starting Bid is NOK 60.000 and will give the buyer the mechanical rights to the song for 15 years. That means income of all downloads through iTunes, etc. and sale of CDs, single or tracks on collection CDs, and records. More info at TNTtheband.com."
'Hidden Treasures'

As previously reported, TNT/ex-SHY singer TONY MILLS is currently recording a new solo album, a follow-up to 2008's Vital Designs.

Tony is working with a number of known artists, including Tommy Denander, Bruce Gaitsch, Gregg Bissonette (DAVID LEE ROTH, RINGO STARR), Tony Franklin (THE FIRM), Erik Engerbretsen, Mike Garson, Simon Harrison, Terje Eide, Neil Hibbs, and Roger Gilton.

Updates to follow. For more on Tony Mills visit his new website here, or check out his Facebook page at this location.

Audio Fidelity have delayed the release of the SACD (Super Audio CD) version of RUSH's Counterparts album until February 19th. According to a press release, the limited edition of this 1993 album was the 15th studio album by Rush and highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200 (only behind PEARL JAM's Vs.). The lyrics of Counterparts continue the trend of Roll The Bones with dark and emotional themes being the primary focus. Some songs are "heavy" sounding tracks like 'Animate' and 'Stick it Out', which topped the Mainstream Rock Tracks for four weeks in late 1993, becoming the band's fifth single to do so. 'Leave That Thing Alone' earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental.
Counterparts features the following tracklisting:
'Animate'
'Stick It Out'
'Cut To The Chase'
'Nobody's Hero'
'Between Sun & Moon'
'Alien Shore'
'The Speed Of Love'
'Double Agent'
'Leave That Thing Alone' (instrumental)
'Cold Fire'
'Everyday Glory'

Olesnica, Poland's ENTROPIA will release their debut album, entitled Vesper, in late February. The album is composed of six tracks, almost fifty minutes in length. Check out the album artwork, created by Marcin Gadomski from Upgrade Design Studio, below:
With Vesper, Entropia is detaching itself from its post-metal origins to explore the depths of black metal blasts accompanied with post-rock sensitivity and etherealness of shoegaze. Jakub Mankowski, a Fryderyk prize nominee and producer of BEHEMOTH, BLINDEAD and OBSCURE SPHINX was the sound engineer responsible for Vesper's sound.

Vesper will be released as a limited digi-pack, manufactured by 8merch in a number of 200 and will be available for sale at this location.

You can hear the album track, 'Gauss', below:
Entropia lineup:

Michal Dziedzic - guitars, vocals, samples
Marek Cenkar - bass, vocals
Damian Dudek - keys, synth
Patryk Budzowski - drums
Michal Duda - guitars
More on Entropia at this location.

Six Weeks Records announce that they’ll be releasing Devious Persecution And Wholesale Slaughter, the new LP from Houston, TX grindcore commandos PLF.

The album is due out on February 8th, and was recorded/mixed in spring/summer 2012 by Garry Brents at GAB Recordings and Mike BBQ at Big Door Studios, and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door in Summer 2012. The album artwork comes courtesy of Daniel Shaw. Check it out below:
The album features Bryan Fajardo (PHOBIA, NOISEAR, KILL THE CLIENT, GRIDLINK) on drums, and is poised to be the most vicious, neck-snappingly infectious grind record of 2013. You’ve been warned!

Devious Persecution And Wholesale Slaughter is the veteran grindfreaks’ third full-length and fourteenth overall release since their 1999 inception. Their discography stretches to include two LPs (Pulverizing Lethal Force in 2007 and Crushing Fury Of Bastardization in 2008), a 7" ep (Swarming Industrial Cancer, 2003), two split LPs (with Germany’s Bizarre X in 2005, and California’s In Disgust in 2010), and nine split 7" eps with a dizzying array of international bands, including UNHOLY GRAVE, CYNESS, AND MASSGRAVE).

Since they came thrashing and howling into life, PLF have wrought havoc across the globe, sullying the stage at Maryland Death Fest (2009/2010), Bloodshed Festival in the Netherlands (2008/2011), Obscene Extreme in the Czech Republic (2006), UGZ Speed Trials (2008 /2010), Etengabeko Zarata Festival in Spain’s Basque Country (2008), Rites of Darkness (2011), and Short, Fast and Loud Zine’s 10 year Anniversary Festival (2011) amongst others, and playing many hundreds of shows in clubs, warehouses, squats, houses, basements, open air stadiums, 'metal clubs', bars, parking lots, fields, pool halls, and garages across North America and Europe.

Devious Persecution And Wholesale Slaughter will be available on CD and LP on February 8th. It can be purchased directly from Six Weeks Records or from Independent Label Distribution.

Emerging bold and grim upon the vast and barren fields of Canadian black metal, WILT have announced their self-titled debut will be released on vinyl by Canadian label War on Music Records.

According to a press release, "the album takes you on a visceral journey into your mind and into the crevices of the Earth. With influences rooting from AGALLOCH, WINTERFYLLETH, WOODS OF YPRES, WITTR, ALTAR OF PLAGUES, and many more, they hinder their own true and unique sound, moving beyond any regional comparison, and gnawing a distinct withered mark upon the genre of black metal."
The four track 12" runs just shy of 30 minutes.

Tracklisting:
'Autumn Veil'
'Cold Misfortune'
'Empyrean'
'Pale Consternation'

Artwork comes courtesy of Sam Nelson and the logo was done by The Lord of Logos, Christophe Szpajdel. Dan Lowndes handled mastering duties.

The vinyl will be released early spring 2013 as an exclusive limited run on Frost-white 180g color vinyl. One time pressing, 300 copies.

Joel Hoekstra (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, NIGHT RANGER, Rock Of Ages) has joined Arjen Anthony Lucassen (AYREON), Lars Eric Mattsson (MATTSSON, BOOK OF REFLECTIONS), Dave Reffett (SHREDDING THE ENVELOPE), Scott Tipping (MAGIC BOX) and others to be confirmed soon as a special guest on the all star debut album from BORDONI, entitled Songs Of Future Past.
Bordoni features Andrew Bordoni on guitar, Scott Stevenson on keys, Shawn Sommer on bass, Bill Fornari on saxophone and Tom Hipskind on drums.

When asked to describe the all instrumental album, guitarist Andrew Bordoni said: "Think of it like TOTO on steroids with a mix of JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI, DEEP PURPLE and PINK FLOYD, but with its own personality, vibe and style. I really think we've created something really special and unique that can be enjoyed from anyone who enjoys rock, hard rock, progressive rock, metal and beyond.”
The profits from the sales of the first 500 copies of the album will help fund a soup kitchen, children’s programs and orphans in Lithuania.
In 2009 Andrew donated 11 guitars to the Taurage Orphanage in Lithuania and many of the kids have become passionate about music since.

"These kids need some hope in their lives and the power of music can provide that. Music saved my life when I was a kid, so this is a way for me to pay it forward and hope that I can pass on the hope that saved me to other kids that might need it.”

Songs of Future Past is available for pre-order at this location and will be released on April 28th.

Belfast, Ireland-based metallers 7 DAYS DEAD have announced details for their debut EP, Beyond Within. Expect “in your face metal with big heavy grooves, huge vocal melodies and seriously catchy hooks”, comments drummer Stephen Brown.

The self-released record drops on February 16th and the band have announced a launch show to celebrate the release at Limelight 2, Belfast. The band has welcomed local heavy metal veterans HONEY FOR CHRIST as main support to the event with SPITTIN' BONES and RED SIX opening proceedings.
Beyond Within was recorded at Manor Park Studios, Northern Ireland with producer Neal Calderwood (THE ANSWER, THE DANGERFIELDS, GENERAL FIASCO, MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, THERAPY?). Artwork undertaken by Kieran Hill from Dog Day Design.

The tracks 'Haunted' and 'By Any Means' can be heard below:
7 Days Dead lineup:

Mark Johnston - Guitar
Stephen Brown - Drums
Chris ‘Kaxxx’ Cassidy - Bass
Ryan McManus - Vocals
More on 7 Days Dead at this location.

Serbian-based rock band DESTINY POTATO are currently in the studio working on their debut album, tentatively titled Lun, due out summer 2013 via Century Media Records. To give fans a preview of this forthcoming release, Destiny Potato mastermind David Maxim Micic has posted a guitar play-through of the new album track, 'Blue Sun', which can be viewed below:
Maxim comments: "As our final days in the studio are finally here, we thought it's about time to put some new music out. More updates, interviews, music, lessons and great news are on the way but for now you can enjoy this instrumental version of Destiny Potato's song 'Blue Sun'. Stay Awesome! Potate!"

Destiny Potato was formed in the spring of 2011 by Maxim and singer Aleksandra Djelmas, who had been writing and recording songs together since they were 16. Maxim and Djelmas attended the same high school and both of their fathers played in one of Serbia’s most popular progressive rock bands, YU GRUPA. When deciding on band name, Maxim and Djelma wanted to come up with something light-hearted to fit their personalities, yet something that everyone would remember - Destiny Potato seemed a fitting choice, and it has stuck with them ever since.

A rough mix of the previously released album track, 'Dark Side Of You', can be heard below:
Destiny Potato lineup:

Aleksandra Djelmas - vocals, piano
Ana Little Fog Maglica - vocals, violin
David Maxim Micic - guitar, keyboards and production
Milan Jejina Yeqy – drums
Bojan Kvocka – bass
Dusan Vanja Andrijasevic – guitar
More on Destiny Potato at this location.

Black metal/punk desecrators THE BEYOND are set to release their new full length album, entitled Frostbitepanzerfuck, on CD format on February 19th via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.

Expanding on their classic sound of early 90's Norwegian black metal, Frostbitpanzerfuck also incorporates elements of blasting d-beat and sleazy punk rock. Prepare yourself for total degradation as the The Beyond spew forth an all out crossover assult of perversion, filth and mayhem! This CD is pressed on a unique vinyl style CD that is compatible with all standard CD players.
Tracklisting:

'Roto-Cunt'
'Goat Sodomizer'
'Cunt Sucking Cannibal' (GG ALLIN cover)
'Frostbitepanzerfuck'
'Attack Of The Zombie Brigade'
'The Splatterhouse Maniacs'
'Necro Overload'
'Exterminate Humanity'

Listen to the track 'Goat Sodomizer' below:
Pre-order at this location.

The Beyond lineup:

Danny Starkiller - vocals, guitar
Andy Craven - lead guitar
R.W - bass
Lucas Sweger - drums
More on The Beyond here.

Santa Cruz metallers ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS are in the studio with Zach Ohren (ANIMOSITY, ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH, LIGHT THIS CITY) working on their fifth full-length album for a tentative late spring release. The band has welcomed original vocalist Remi Rodberg back into the band full time. Remi's vocals can be heard on early ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS releases like "Hits From The Bow" and "The Game Of Life", which were defining albums for the band and the genre itself. With the new material, look out for a faster, heavier, crazier, yet extremely focused ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS as the band looks to return to its roots, with Rodberg adding a key piece.

In other news, ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS will play the annual NSN Festival in Mission, Texas on Wednesday, March 13. The band will perform alongside ESCAPE THE FATE, ATTACK ATTACK!, CHIODOS, JONNY CRAIG, UPON A BURNING BODY, HANDS LIKE HOUSES, FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS, THE MAINE, and many more.

"Motherland", the fourth album from ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS, was released in May 2011 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Castle Ultimate studios in Fremont, California with producer Zack Ohren (AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, ALL SHALL PERISH)

According to Metalfan.nl, Norwegian black metal staples SATYRICON are currently finishing off the songwriting for the eighth studio album. The recordings begin in February and will last until the summer. The release of the album is scheduled for September.
According to leader Satyr, the music will greatly differ from what the group has released in the two previous decades.

Satyricon will premier new material at Oslo, Norway's Inferno Festival, which is being held at the venues Rockefeller, John Dee, Rock In, Blå, Unholy, Victoria and Revolver from March 27-30th.

Polish death metallers VADER are currently touring in Europe on Back To The Black Tour 2013. Quality video footage shot on their Netherlands show on January 22nd can be viewed below:
Vader’s tour setlist includes the both their classic albums Black To The Blind and Sothis being played in their entirety.
Second part of the tour will take place in May and will cover for the most part Eastern Europe, Italy, Spain, Portugal and several festivals.

Current dates are below:

January
27 - Travagliato, Italy - Circolo Colony
29 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Gala Hala
30 - Vienna, Austria - Escape Metalcorner
31 - Ingolstadt, Germany - Eventhalle Wespark

February
1 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks
2 - Paris, France - Le Forum
3 - Plymouth, UK - White Rabbit
4 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece
5 - Glasgow, UK - Ivory Blacks
6 - Dublin, Ireland - Button Factory
7 - Manchester, UK - NQ Live
8 - London, UK - Underworld
9 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg
10 - Alkmaar, Netherlands - Victorie

Check out a tour trailer below:
(Thanks Metalshockfinland.com)

Switzerland's CORTEZ release their new album, Phoebus, on January 31st. The new video, for the album track 'Arrogants Que Nous Sommes', directed by Sml Vny, can be seen below:
Recorded between the band's own studio and Rec Studios with Serge Morattel, Phoebus is available on deluxe gatefold 2xLP via Throatruiner Records, Basement Apes and Get A Life! The album is also available on CD via Basement Apes and Lost Pilgrims.

The artwork for the album was created by Dehn Sora (BLUT AUS NORD, ULVER, OMEGA MASSIF).
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Temps-mort’
‘Transhumance’
‘Au delà des flots’
‘Arrogants que nous sommes’
‘Un lendemain sans chaine...’
‘L'autre estime’
‘Sulfure’
‘Nos souvenirs errants’
‘Idylle’
‘Borrelia’

An album teaser can be heard below:

Romanian deathcore/death metallers CAP DE CRANIU are currently streaming their album I'll Kill If I Live in its entirety. Check it out below:



I’ll Kill If I Live was released on February 9th 2012 via Metalfan Records Division.

The artwork for the album was designed by frontwoman Calin Raduta.



Tracklisting is as follows:
‘The Autumn Bodycount’
‘All That Glitters Is Sold’
‘Don't Wake Up Memories When They Aren't There’
‘Time Made Me Hate Eternity’
‘Old Habits Die Hard’
‘You Made Your Bed, Now Sleep In It! Forever!’
‘Reason Is Dead’
‘Tales Of Dead Men’
‘Death And Taxes’
‘Every Bird Lives By It's Own Song’
‘The Stone Thrower’
‘I'll Break You Again Tomorrow’
‘I'll Kill If I Live’

Italy's Southern hard rock act TOMBSTONE HIGHWAY is set to release their debut studio album entitled Ruralizer on February 26th in Europe and March 19th in the US on Agonia Records.

The new song entitled 'Bite the Dust (And Bleed)' - featuring guest appearance by electric guitar virtuoso Mario Percudani (HUNGRYHEART, MITCH MALLOY) - can be streamed below:
According to a press release, "Tombstone Highway is a classic blend of feisty stoner/southern rock and doom metal, with catchy guitar solos and old-school heavy metal parts that may remind of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, CORRISON OF CONFORMITY, PRIDE AND GLORY, DOWN, BLACK SABBATH, or even ZZ TOP riffage. The band even uses also a banjo and Hammond organs."
Ruralizer consists of eight original songs and a cover of MOUNTAIN's 'Mississippi Queen' with a playing time of almost 50 minutes and will be made available on Digipack CD and digital download. It was recorded at Elfo Studios by Daniele Mandelli who is also in charge of mix and mastering.

The band commented: "We're very proud of how the album came out and we strongly believe it's the perfect way to begin our legacy. People into heavy, ballsy southern-tinged Hard Rock should take note!"

Three songs from Ruralizer can be heard Tombstone Highway's Reverb Nation profile here.

Ruralizer tracklist:
'Old Blood'
'Acid Overlord'
'Graveyard Blues'
'Hellfire Rodeo'
'Ruralizer'
'Bite The Dust (And Bleed)'
'At The Bitter End'
'Mississippi Queen'
'Hangman's Friend'

For more details on Tombstone Highway visit Facebook .

NEROARGENTO's forthcoming album entitled Underworld will be released worldwide on March 12 via Coroner Records.

The album has been mastered by Ettore Rigotti at The Metal House Studio (DISARMONIA MUNDI, BLOOD STAIN CHILD, SLOWMOTION APOCALYPSE, DESTRAGE, STIGMA).
Underworld tracklist:
'Out Of Control'
'The Silent Man'
'Underworld'
'We Must Decide'
'Something New'
'Like A Stone'
'Edwank's Drunk Story'
'What I have To Do
'Never Back Down'
'Show Your Kindness Too'
'Another Try'

The video of 'Underworld' can be seen below:
The Underworld album trailer can be seen below:
You can listen to a full preview of the song 'The Silent Man' taken from the forthcoming Underworld by clicking here.

German death metallers LIFELESS have completed work on their long-awaited second album, "Godconstruct", for a March 1 release via FDA Rekotz. According to a press release, the follow-up to 2008's "Beyond The Threshold Of Death" "contains 11 new stunning and catchy pure classic Death Metal hymns deep from the crypts of Germany, which will crawl into your rotten ears and devour you from the inside out."

"Godconstruct" will be offered in CD, vinyl and digital formats. The vinyl version will come in two different editions, the Die Hard Edition, which is limited to 100 copies on blue vinyl and comes with poster, inlay, sticker and an embroidered patch, and the Obscure Edition on black vinyl with inlay.

01. Praeludium: Endzeit
02. Godconstruct
03. Towards Damnation
04. Moribund
05. Blood For The Gods
06. The Truth Concealed
07. Interludium: Zeitenwende
08. Seething With Rage
09. Sworn To Death
10. Reconquering The Soul
11. Blindead
12. Perdition Of The Whore

The song "Moribund" is now available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.

"Beyond The Threshold Of Death" was re-released in the U.S. in June 2010 through Ibex Moon Records, the label founded by INCANTATION mastermind John McEntee. The U.S. version of the album featured new artwork and a cover version of DISMEMBER's classic "Casket Garden" as a bonus track.

Stockholm, Sweden-based rock band 5TH SONIC BRIGADE will release a brand new single titled "Teacher" on February 20 via OMM/SPD. The group has also begun writing material for its next full-length album, to be released in the fall.

The cover artwork for the "Teacher" single was created by Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg (ex-SOILWORK) and can be seen below.

5TH SONIC BRIGADE's latest album, "5th Sonic Brigade", received overwhelmingly positive reviews when it was released in 2009.

5TH SONIC BRIGADE has parted ways with Ryan Roxie (ALICE COOPER), Henry Ranta (ex-SOILWORK) and Richard Evenlind (ex-NOICE) and has replaced them with guitarist and skateboard legend Rodrigo Valdebenito (touring bassist for the 5TH SONIC SUMMER 2009 tour) and drummer Johan Östling (ex-SEXYDEATH).

5TH SONIC BRIGADE is:

Marcus Öhrn - Vocals
Rodrigo Valdebenito - Guitar
Peter Samuelsson - Bass
Mikael Axelius - Keyboards
Johan Östling - Drums