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20 ñåí 2013
AMON AMARTH Frontman To Play Viking Warrior In 'Northmen - A Viking Saga'
 Vocalist Johan Hegg of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH has been confirmed to join the cast of "Northmen - A Viking Saga". Ralph Dietrich, chief executive officer, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, made the announcement today. Hegg will join the production in South Africa this month, playing the role of Viking warrior Valli.
Said Hegg: "The mythology behind our Viking heritage is engrained in everything we do and it is awesome to have the opportunity to be part of 'Northmen - A Viking Saga'. This is going to be one epic adventure and I cannot wait to be on set with my co-stars and this fantastic filmmaking team!"
Dietrich added: "It is an honor to have metal icon Johan Hegg set sail with us and we could not be more excited. Such a fitting addition, Johan's music, as the lead singer of AMON AMARTH, is synonymous with the Viking experience that we are bringing to life in 'Northmen - A Viking Saga'."
Hegg joins "Northmen - A Viking Saga"'s international cast, which includes Tom Hopper ("Knights Of Badassdom", "Black Sails", "Merlin"), Ryan Kwanten ("True Blood", "The Right Kind Of Wrong"), Ken Duken ("Das Adlon", "Inglorious Basterds"), Charlie Murphy ("Philomena", "The Village"), Ed Skrein ("The Sweeney", "Ill Manors", "Game Of Thrones"), Anatole Taubman ("Quantum Of Solace", "The Tudors") and James Norton ("Rush", "Belle").
Directed by Claudio Fäh ("Sniper: Reloaded", "Hollow Man 2") and scripted by Matthias Bauer and Bastian Zach, the film is co-produced by Elite Filmproduktion AG, Two Oceans Production and Jumping Horse Film GmbH. The producers are Karin G. Dietrich, Ralph S. Dietrich and Daniel Hoeltschi for Elite, Giselher Venzke and Bertha Spieker for TOP and Marco Del Bianco, Frank Kaminski, Ulrich Stiehm and Rolf Wappenschmitt for Jumping Horse. VFX production is by Day For Night GmbH.
Nordmedia Fonds GmbH has subsidised the project's development to date, with production financing from Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen. "Northmen" receives further subsidies from South African National Film And Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department Trade And Industry (DTI).
The Salt Company (London) is handling worldwide sales and contracts have already been placed for major territories including the U.K., France, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
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20 ñåí 2013
PAPA ROACH Frontman Is Third-Time Father
 Congratulations are in order for PAPA ROACH frontman Jacoby Shaddix and his wife, Kelly, who are the proud new parents a baby boy, Brixton Gabriel Shaddix. Kelly underwent a Caesarean section procedure a a Californian hospital on Wednesday, September 18 and Brixton was born at 9:45 a.m. local time. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 3 ounces and measured 19 inches long. This is the third son for Jacoby and Kelly, who are also the parents of Makaile Ceilo Shaddix, born March 24, 2002 and Jagger Monroe Shaddix, born September 13, 2004.
During the making of PAPA ROACH's latest album, "The Connection", Shaddix split and reconciled with his wife of 16 years and also fell off the wagon.
"This record is a snapshot of me at my most desperate," Jacoby told The Aquarian Weekly. "As I was writing this record, [my wife and I] were split, so there was a lot of pain and anger and frustration. As the dust settles in my life, I realize that I'm the orchestrator of all this chaos. I'm the one at fault. I'm the fucking problem. When you go through that stuff, sometimes it's hard to own your own shit, to step up to the plate and own it. I just had to because I wanted to do the right thing."
He added: "I was able to make this record, express myself and get my family back together and get my respect from my band. At the eleventh hour, I pulled it off. I don't know, man, this is a repeating cycle in my life. I don't know how many more times I can do this to myself."
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20 ñåí 2013
GALAR issue album update
 Having signed with Dark Essence Records for a further two albums, Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR have been ensconced in Bergen’s Conclave and Earshot Studios with Producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) working on the bands third full-length album which will be titled “De Gjenlevende” (The Bereaved) and which is set for release in early 2014. Drummer Phobos (AETERNUS, GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) has now finished laying down the drum tracks and the band will take a short break from the studio until October. A video from the drum sessions can be seen below http://youtu.be/bbNDHGFtoiY
A follow up to 2010’s “Til Alle Heimsens Endar”, the lineup on the album will once again include GALAR’s two core members of M. Kristiansen on screams, guitars and bass and A. B. Lauritzen on clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano, with Phobos on drums. They will be joined by a series of session musicians that include both a string quintet and a horn quartet in keeping with the epic material the band has produced for the album both musically and lyrically. Consisting of six tracks, one of which will be an instrumental, “De Gjenlevende” is a concept album and, according to GALAR, the songs will be longer, and more epic, than previously. Written entirely in Norwegian, “De Gjenlevende” will come with an explanatory booklet.
Jorge Scholz, the band’s lyricist, recently briefly explained the concept behind the album, which draws its inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. “Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself”.
Fan-filmed footage of GALAR performing the track “Ingen Siger Vart Vunnin” at the Phantoms of Pilsen Festival in 2011 can be seen below.
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20 ñåí 2013
CRONIAN: 'Erathems' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
 CRONIAN (formerly ION) — the Norwegian/Swedish avant-garde metal project featuring BORKNAGAR members Øystein G. Brun (guitars and programming) and Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund (vocals and programming) — will release its third album, "Erathems", on November 12 (four days earlier in Europe) via Season Of Mist's Underground Activists division.
"Erathems" track listing:
01. Cold Wave Eruption02. Ecocracy03. Drifting Station04. Moments And Monuments05. Blackwater Horizon06. Core Resiliency07. Chemical Dawn08. End(Durance) Part III09. Full Moon Inferno (bonus track on European digipak and digital editions)
The cover artwork for the new CRONIAN album was created by the Brazilian visual artist Marcelo Vasco (SOULFLY, DIMMU BORGIR, BORKNAGAR, SATYRICON) and can be seen below.
"I am so excited and honoured to join forces with Season Of Mist for future albums with CRONIAN!", Øystein said back in May.
"We have just finished up the third album and I don't even slightly blush when arguing out loud that it is the very pinnacle of my fairly long musical career. Musically and production-wise, it almost feels like a leap up and into another division.
"Mr. V and I have been working intensely and fully isolated over the last six months with this bastard of an album and we firmly regard this as our most catchy, aggressive, atmospheric and darken flavoured effort to date.
"I am pretty sure this album will blow the socks off of all those who liked our previous releases, as well as fans of BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG and likewise. So being able to work with one of the most credible, passionate and professional labels around makes my day — and make us proud! So excited to get this album out!"
Vintersorg added: "A new album has left our 'systems' and is now finding its path throughout the musical world. It has surely been a great journey to write, record and complete this third album in the CRONIAN chronicle. The music finally matches our vision is and it's been an intense period for me and Øystein to really get there. We're also very pleased to now enter the relationship with Season Of Mist to get this album out. Even if the music has been taking its path out of our bodies, it is still lingering in our minds… It's stuck… And it feels just great. We're so proud of this album and it's just a pleasure to be reminded all the time of what a trip this has been."
CRONIAN's second CD, "Enterprise", was released in October 2008 via Indie Recordings.
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20 ñåí 2013
IMPENDING DOOM: Trailer For Upcoming Album
 Southern California juggernauts IMPENDING DOOM recently entered The Machine Shop (SUICIDE SILENCE, LAMB OF GOD) in Belleville, New Jersey to start recording their next LP with producer Will Putney. A November release via eOne Entertainment is expected.
A trailer for the album can be seen below.
Comments bass player David Sittig: "The material is our best and heaviest work, without a doubt.
"The chemistry between the five of us this time has been different and very unique.
"Our original guitarist, Manny Contreras, rejoined the band and we all could not be happier with what he has brought to the table.
"This is the IMPENDING DOOM album you have been waiting for!"
IMPENDING DOOM's fourth full-length album, "Baptized In Filth", sold 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 106 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 13, 2012, the CD was produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and was mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.
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20 ñåí 2013
KATAKLYSM: New Song 'Like Animals' Available For Streaming
 "Like Animals", a brand new song from Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based death metallers KATAKLYSM, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Waiting For The End To Come", which will be released on October 29 in North America via Nuclear Blast. The artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED) will be featured on the deluxe digipak and LP versions of the effort. The cover by Peter Sallai (SABATON) will be featured on the standard jewel case and limited edition cassette tape versions.
"This other version of the new art made by Eliran Kantor represents a more iconic and epic approach,” commented Iacono. "A man representing all of humanity, shaking the foundation of existence and ultimately beginning the process of destruction. The main foundation is depicted here as the famous KATAKLYSM 'tribal sun' logo. It does not represent the end of KATAKLYSM by any means; more the beginning of a new era after the end of a certain existence."
The follow-up to 2010's "Heaven's Venom", "Waiting For The End To Come" was recorded by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others, and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED, ARSIS).
"Waiting For The End To Come" jewel case and limited cassette track listing:
01. Fire02. If I Was God - I’d Burn It All03. Like Animals04. Kill The Elite05. Under Lawless Skies06. Dead & Buried07. The Darkest Days of Slumber08. Real Blood - Real Scars09. The Promise10. Empire Of Dirt11. Elevate
"Waiting For The End To Come" digipak and LP track listing:
01. Fire02. If I Was God - I’d Burn It All03. Like Animals04. Kill The Elite05. Under Lawless Skies06. Dead & Buried07. The Darkest Days of Slumber08. Real Blood - Real Scars09. The Promise10. Empire Of Dirt11. Elevate12. The American Way (SACRED REICH cover; digipak bonus track)
As previously reported, KATAKLYSM has recruited ex-NEURAXIS drummer Oli Beaudoin to sit behind the kit during the recording sessions for "Waiting For The End To Come". Beaudoin is also playing all of KATAKLYSM's currenty announced shows. Drummer Max Duhamel announced on April 8 that he was taking a break from KATAKLYSM to deal with issues related to alcohol abuse.
KATAKLYSM will embark on a European headlining tour in January 2014. Support on the trek will come from KRISIUN and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE.
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20 ñåí 2013
GODFLESH's First New Recording In Over 12 Years Available For Streaming
 Reformed industrial metal pioneers GODFLESH will release their first new recording in over 12 years through Decibel magazine's Flexi Series in October. A cover of the track "F.O.D. (Fuck of Death)" by legendary death thrashers SLAUGHTER (Canada) will be included in the subscriber version of the magazine's November issue (streeting October 5).
You can now stream the track at this location.
To obtain the GODFLESH flexi disc, subscribe to Decibel by 9 a.m. EST on September 3 to ensure its arrival. Anyone who currently has an active Decibel subscription will automatically receive the GODFLESH disc.
In a recent interview with the French radio station Le 106, GODFLESH's Justin Broadrick stated about the band's forthcoming album — which is tentatively titled "A World Lit Only By Fire" and due in early 2014 — "It will be [musically] similar to the first two or three [GODFLESH albums]. I just think, like we're playing these shows, we feel very pure about we're doing and honoring the initial intentions with what we originally set out to do. Which, I think, like most bands and musicians and all the rest of it, by the time you get on to your fourth album, it's somewhat of a dilution going on to what you initially tried to achieve. It will definitely sound aggressive and it probably won't sound like any of the other records we've made, but it will have the minimalism of the first few records."
Added GODFLESH bassist G.C. Green: "It won't sound like the first two record; it will be more the spirit… When you make records over the years, you change as people, you change as musicians, you progress, you develop and you take other styles on, but I think, having had a break from it and come back to it, it seems that we've gone straight back into what the essence of it was originally, and that's why it feels good."
Continued Justin: "It's getting straight back to the core of what this is all about. And I think having a break from it has probably even more inspired… It's like refocusing and obviously, we're somewhat older and wiser. It's gonna be a really interesting record. It's extremely minimal and very, very brutal — a fairly unforgiving record, really, I think."
GODFLESH's seminal debut full-length album, 1989's "Streetcleaner", was remastered and reissued in a deluxe digipak in Europe on June 21, 2010 and in North America on August 10, 2010 via Earache Records.
"Streetcleaner" was GODFLESH's second release, proving to be one of the band's finest and most recognized albums and helping them to become one of the most influential industrial bands ever. Now "Streetcleaner" was brought up to date as a special expanded version, with all tracks remastered by GODFLESH founding member Justin Broadrick. The album also includes a bonus disc featuring 12 previously unreleased live tracks, alternate mixes and demos, and comes housed in a deluxe multi-panel digipak with detailed liner notes. | 0 | |
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20 ñåí 2013
ULVER: 'Messe I.X - IV.X' Trailer Available
 Norway's celestial dark rock outfit ULVER will release its new album, "Messe I.X - IV.X", on October 8. The effort will be available this fall as a vinyl, download and CD, which also features a 5.1 surround mix of the album.
Fans can pre-order "Messe I.X - IV.X" through the Kscope webstore. A trailer for the CD can be seen below.
"Messe I.X - IV.X" track listing: 01. As Syrians Pour In, Lebanon Grapples With Ghosts Of A Bloody Past02. Shri Schneider03. Glamour Box (Ostinati)04. Son Of Man05. Noche Oscura Del Alma06. Mother Of Mercy The follow up to 2011's acclaimed "Wars Of The Roses", "Messe I.X - IV.X" is a different entity; reverberating 2007's somber and solemn "Shadows Of The Sun", with the band even going as far as to say it feels like a companion piece to it. The album also echoes the early electronic experiments of EPs "Silence Teaches You How to Sing" and "Silencing The Singing", and is furthermore said to invoke the ghost of an abandoned Nattens madrigal renaissance-project. Six compositions altogether written, produced, recorded and mixed by ULVER, this time consisting of Ole Alexander Halstensgård, Kristoffer Rygg, Jørn H. Sværen and Tore Ylwizaker, with additional aid and advice from composer Martin Romberg, who also arranged the music for the 21 members of Tromsø Chamber Orchestra. The album also features the extraordinary talents of contemporary composers/musicians Ole-Henrik Moe and Kari Rønnekleiv. The Norwegian master has evolved over the past two decades to cross an astonishing body of disciplines, taking in ambient, avant-garde, electronic, psychedelic, prog and jazz influences. Now it is the electronic, atmospheric and classical sensibilities which come to the fore on "Messe I.X - IV.X".
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20 ñåí 2013
THE GATES OF SLUMBER Bassist Quits
 Jason McCash, bassist, co-songwriter and co-lyricist for Indianapolis doomsters THE GATES OF SLUMBER, has announced his departure from the band. He says: "It's nothing at all against Karl [Simon; vocals, guitar] and Bob [Fouts; drums] but I think it's something I have to do at this time. I really hope and wish the best for them and the group.
"I am not done with music, though I'm leaving THE GATES OF SLUMBER, as I have a whole album's worth of material written that was suppose to be part of the next THE GATES OF SLUMBER album that I very much want to see come to life. The material that I have are still in the the same vein as in songs like 'Death March', 'Dragon Caravan' and 'Day Of Farewell'. I plan on still bringing these songs to life, but it just wont be under the THE GATES OF SLUMBER banner.
"I've spent a massive portion of my life in this band. Living it, cultivating it, breathing it and loving every moment in it. I will miss it and I do look back on what I've helped create with a very proud heart.
"I am sorry for this to happen but it is just time for me to leave. "
THE GATES OF SLUMBER's "Death March" video can be seen below. The song comes off the band's "Stormcrow" EP, which was released on January 29 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. The CD was recorded by Sanford Parker and it features cover artwork by Dave Quiggle.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER last year parted amicably with drummer J. Clyde Paradis, who recorded and toured behind the 2011 album "The Wretch" (Rise Above Records).
THE GATES OF SLUMBER started in 1998 as a backlash against the stoner rock trend prevalent at the time and with their mixture of BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM, and prime-era CELTIC FROST, the band has crushed or converted unbelievers ever since.
"The Wretch" was released in May 2011 via Rise Above/Metal Blade. The CD was recorded at England's Orgone Studios with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, ANGEL WITCH). | 0 | |
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20 ñåí 2013
Swedish Doomsters BELOW Recording With KING DIAMOND Guitarist
 Swedish epic doom metallers BELOW are currently hold up at Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden with KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque recording their Metal Blade Records debut.
BELOW draws influences from BLACK SABBATH, CANDLEMASS and KING DIAMOND, so going with La Rocque as the producer was a clear choice for the group.
"The progress of the recording of our debut album is going great and to have the opportunity to work with Andy La Rocque and Olof in Sonic Train Studios is amazing," says the band.
"We are currently finished recording the drums, the bass and the main guitars, and will start with the vocals this weekend. It sounds amazing already. It will be a truly epic album that will leave its mark in the history of doom."
La Rocque adds: This is one of the heaviest bands I have worked with in the studio for a very long time, and the sounds so far is amazing! And always great to work with great musicians!"
The Swedish quintet is working with Tobias Rosén — bass player of fellow Metal Blade Records artists NOCTUM — of Howlin' Owl Productions and a split seven-inch single is in set to be released by Dark Descent Records. The full-length CD will follow in 2014.
In November, BELOW will tour Europe for the first time supporting the mighty doom band DEVIL from Norway. | 0 | |
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20 ñåí 2013
SEPULTURA: New Song 'The Age Of The Atheist' Available For Streaming
 "The Age Of The Atheist", a brand new song from Brazilian/American metallers SEPULTURA, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track will be released as a digital single and on colored vinyl on September 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. Track listing:
Side A: "The Age Of The Atheist"Side B: "Zombie Ritual" (DEATH cover)
"The Age Of The Atheist" comes off SEPULTURA's new album, "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart", which will be released on October 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was created by Brazilian artist Alexandre Wagner, who specializes in charcoal drawing techniques.
Guitarist Andreas Kisser commented on how he discovered the work of Alexandre Wagner. "It was through Silvio Bibika, who was my roadie for a long time," he said. "He always shows me things in general that SEPULTURA might need. Alexandre, who is from Belo Horizonte, Silvio showed me a year ago. So before we went to the United States, to record the album, I was at his house to talk about the cover, tell him the album title, talk about the concept of the film 'Metropolis', so he could do something original. But when I saw the picture with the drawing, I thought it was all about what we wanted and we did not need something new. I asked him to do a tribal S in the style of the cover. The S made by Alexandre will be on the back cover."
Said Alexandre: "I did this series of charcoal drawing work when I still lived in Belo Horizonte. They were all made there. They were quick drawings without much reference, almost an experimentation that may have came from a desire to use the most basic of basic materials — coal, paper and wood. The cover design was already done, Andreas saw it and liked it. We talked a little more and I also sent some other pictures for the booklet. I was pleased with the choice of the theme of the album, I like Fritz Lang very much, and not only 'Metropolis'. 'Dr. Mabuse der Spieler' is a fucking great movie."
As a Mineiro, from Belo Horizonte like SEPULTURA, Alexandre was glad to be part of the band’s history. "It's impossible to be from Belo Horizonte and not know the band," he said. "Some of their albums followed me for a long time, especially 'Chaos A.D.' I remember seeing 'Refuse/Resist' on TV and thinking it was wonderful. It’s really cool to work with the guys, being part of something together. It is somehow a shared history."
"The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" track listing:
01. Trauma Of War02. The Vatican03. Impending Doom04. Manipulation Of Tragedy05. Tsunami06. The Bliss of Ignorants07. Grief08. The Age Of The Atheist09. Obsessed10. Da Lama ao Caos (CHICO SCIENCE & NAÇÃO ZUMBI cover)
Although it was inspired by Fritz Lang's classic 1927 movie "Metropolis", the CD, "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" is not a concept album or a soundtrack like its precedessors "Dante XXI" (based on "The Divine Comedy") and "A-Lex" (based on "A Clockwork Orange").
"The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" was tracked over a 40-day period at producer Ross Robinson's (KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, SLIPKNOT) studio in Venice, California and is being mixed and mastered by co-producer Steve Evetts, who previously worked with SEPULTURA on the "Nation" (2001), "Revolusongs" (2002) and "Roorback" (2003) albums, in addition to having collaborated with Ross on a number of other projects in the past.
SEPULTURA recorded a total of 14 songs for the follow-up to 2011's "Kairos", including a cover version of DEATH's "Zombie Ritual". The CD will also feature a guest appearance by former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. In a recent interview with JacksonGuitars.com, Kisser stated about the direction of the new SEPULTURA album: "I write stuff all the time — riffs or ideas on an acoustic guitar. But we really started working on this album in February of this year, so it was pretty quick. We have Eloy Casagrande as our drummer, and he's 22 years old. The guy's a beast. One of the best drummers I've seen on the planet Earth. He has this metal blood that has so much energy and brings so many possibilities for riffs and stuff like that. It is a SEPULTURA album, but like every SEPULTURA album, there is something different. I think the main difference now is the drummer. It's the first time we've worked in the studio with him. It's been almost two years [since the last album], and it's very exciting."
Asked about SEPULTURA's decision to include a bonus track covering DEATH's "Zombie Ritual", Kisser said: "Without DEATH, there wouldn't be a SEPULTURA — especially in the beginning. The very early albums — like 'Morbid Visions' and 'Schizophrenia' — there's a lot of influence from Chuck Schuldiner and his riffs. You can hear that very clearly in our early music. And we never really had the opportunity or idea to play that. We really play our idols, like BLACK SABBATH or MOTÖRHEAD and some Brazilian stuff, but because we covered so many different bands, I think it was time for this tribute to this great band."
SEPULTURA's upcoming CD will mark the first time the band will have recorded an album outside Brazil since "Against".
The reunion between SEPULTURA and Robinson was first suggested by Monte Conner, the former Roadrunner Records A&R chief who is now the head of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a U.S. partnership with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.
Robinson produced SEPULTURA's classic "Roots" album in 1995. Released in February 1996 by Roadrunner, it was the band's last studio album to feature founding member and vocalist Max Cavalera.
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20 ñåí 2013
PROTEST THE HERO: 'Clarity' Lyric Video
 The official lyric video for the song "Clarity" from the Canadian band PROTEST THE HERO can be seen below. The group, which recently made headlines when its Indiegogo campaign to fund a new album more than doubled its $125,000 goal with time to spare, will release its fourth studio CD, "Volition", on October 29 (one day earlier internationally). On the same day as the commercial release, the band will fulfill all of the orders associated with the Indiegogo campaign. Those CD and vinyl copies will feature artwork different from the commercial release and additionally will include the perks that were offered during the Indiegogo campaign. The long-awaited follow-up to 2011's "Scurrilous" (Vagrant), "Volition" has been licensed to series of worldwide partners who will help distribute and market it to both traditional stores alongside digital service providers, thus making the new record available on a worldwide scale. PROTEST THE HERO and Razor & Tie will join forces for the United States, while the album will be released in Canada through Sony Music and in the rest of the word via Spinefarm.
"Volition" track listing:
01. Clarity 02. Drum-Head Trial 03. Tilting Against Windmills 04. Without Prejudice 05. Yellow Teeth 06. Plato's Tripartite 07. A Life Embossed 08. Mist 09. Underbite 10. Animal Bones 11. Skies
The cover artwork can be seen below. The band explains: "Our successful crowdfunding campaign allowed us a new level of both artistic and business minded freedom.
"We had the pleasure of recording an album with budgets and deadlines created only by ourselves and we think the project benefited the world over because of that.
"We can't thank our dedicated contributors enough for putting us in the driver seat. It has been an arduous process because we have had to create two completely different packages for this album. One will be the exclusive release which will only go to people who contributed to our campaign. The other is going to be the more standard release which we hope everyone will see on record store shelves (and digitally, of course).
"We realized pretty quickly after recording that we were going to need some help with the distribution of the traditional release. We knew we wanted our album to be available around the world in as many formats as possible. With this in mind, and with our new found sense of control we have teamed up with some new pals. All of which are completely on board with our non-traditional view moving forward. No advances, no multi-record deals, no hidden agendas.
"We hope you are able to get your hands on at least one of these versions of our new album, regardless of where you are in the world. It's scary, but wonderful to say...this album absolutely would not have been possible without the generosity and support of those who contributed to the making of our new album. We will forever be in your debt!” PROTEST THE HERO recently parted ways with its longtime drummer Moe Carlson.
"[Moe] approached me one day — he approached everyone individually — and said, 'Just to let you know, I'm going back to school,' and I was like, 'Good for you. That's awesome,'" PROTEST THE HERO singer Rody Walker told AUX. "And then he said he didn't have any intentions of touring ever again. That kind of sucked. It was a shock, obviously, but he's been really good about the whole thing."
The band explained in a post on its Facebook page: "When our gruelling studio schedule just wouldn't work with [Moe's] gruelling school schedule, we realized we would need to find a session player for the new album. With Moe's guidance and approval, we found us a nice match in [LAMB OF GOD's] Chris Adler! Having known Chris for a few years, and with he and Moe being drum buddies, it seemed like a perfect fit. We are happy to say that Chris has already come and gone from Canada and has left us with some beautiful drum tracks."
Speaking to AUX, Walker explained how Adler's influence could make the new PROTEST THE HERO record its heaviest to date.
"He's coming from such a different spot than us," Walker said. "We come to heavy metal through punk rock. It must have been strange for him playing some punk beats, and some of the punk beats he plays in a heavy metal way. This may come out being one of our more heavy-sounding records, or more metal-sounding record."
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20 ñåí 2013
CLUTCH Guitarist's DEEP SWELL To Release Debut Album Next Month
 DEEP SWELL, the Shepherdstown, West Virginia-based band featuring CLUTCH guitarist Tim Sult, will release its debut album, "Lore Of The Angler", on on October 15 via CLUTCH's record label, Weathermaker Music.
With a powerful female lead vocalist and precise rhythmic force, DEEP SWELL's sound is a mix of riff-based rock, funk-tinged psychedelia and mysterious poetic lyrics.
Years of friendship and mutual appreciation for each other's talents brought Sult into collaboration with drummer Jesse Shultzaberger and bassist Logan Kilmer. Shultzaberger is a versatile drummer who currently tours with the Americana band THE WOODSHEDDERS. Kilmer, who honed his technique and methods with NOETIC PULL, plays five-string with a smooth funky bass style to the depth of which helped spawn the band's name.
At the beginning of 2012 they met Briena Pearl and invited her to join the trio. Pearl, a lifelong student of voice, theater, and dance, quickly proved the sheer force of her talent as a singer and songwriter, thus establishing an instant chemistry with the band and a clear direction for their emerging sound. With this final addition in place DEEP SWELL's dynamic sound was forged.
Sult commented on being a part of DEEP SWELL and the new release: "I'm very excited about working with another group of talented artists and I'm looking forward to introducing the new project to the world."
In February 2013, DEEP SWELL recorded "Lore Of The Angler" at Magpie Cage Recording Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Three months later, they were signed to Weathermaker Music, with the label overseeing distribution, touring and publicity for the album starting this fall. DEEP SWELL has scheduled a handful of dates in supporting of "Lore Of The Angler", including a CD-release party on October 19 in Shepherdstown at Opera House Live. Following that show, the band will out through October 23, with LIONIZE providing support. "Lore Of The Angler" track listing:
01. Shows Off02. You're Not Sleeping03. Criminal Reward04. Hilltop05. By Woah06. Cry Wolf07. White Coat08. Thinking09. Green Eyes10. Small Girl Learn | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
IN FLAMES: 'Sounds Of A Playground Fading' Video Released
 "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", the video for the title track of the tenth studio album from Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, can be seen below. The clip, which is made up of concert footage, was produced by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.
IN FLAMES will play a very special show at the Gröna Lund amusement park in Stockholm, Sweden on September 27. Gröna Lund had in fact closed their park for the season, but when they got word that IN FLAMES was available, they decided to re-open the park, just for this concert.
"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" (Century Media) sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart.
IN FLAMES' previous album, "A Sense of Purpose" (Koch) opened with 20,000 units to land at No. 28. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which shifted just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to enter the chart at position No. 58.
"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" was the first IN FLAMES album to be recorded without founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who quit the band in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.
IN FLAMES guitarist Niclas Engelin recently sat out a few of the band's shows. His temporary replacement for those gigs was Patrik Jensen from THE HAUNTED.
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19 ñåí 2013
IRON MAIDEN's Brazilian Concerts To Be Professionally Recorded
 According to IRON MAIDEN's recording engineer Tony Newton, the band's two Brazilian concerts in São Paulo (September 20) and Rock In Rio festival (September 22) will be professionally recorded. It is not presently clear if the resulting footage will be made available commercially.
In a recent interview with the Turkish web site Hafifmuzik.org, MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson revealed that there will be no new studio album from the band in 2014. He did, however, assure fans that MAIDEN has plans to release a new CD, although most likely not before 2015.
IRON MAIDEN last month landed at position No. 1 on Billboard.com's "Hot Tours" list of top-grossing tours with $8.5 million in ticket sales from six performances on their summer tour of Europe. The shows were attended by a total of 121,280 fans, including a two-night, sold-out stand on August 3-4 at the O2 Arena in Lonon, England, where the band played to 27,000 fans. With totals added from this summer's Europe dates, overall ticket sales from the tour top $42 million from 45 reported concerts.
MAIDEN's 15th studio CD, 2010's "The Final Frontier", featured 10 tracks that had an average running time of seven minutes and 40 seconds, with the shortest song, "The Alchemist", clocking in at four minutes and 29 seconds, and the longest, "When The Wild Wind Blows", lasting ten minutes and 59 seconds.
"The Final Frontier" sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.
IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Final Frontier" was IRON MAIDEN's fourth U.K. No. 1 album. The band previously topped the chart in 1982 with "The Number of the Beast", in 1988 with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and in 1992 with "Fear of the Dark".
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19 ñåí 2013
ERYN NON DAE.: 'Hidden Lotus' Video Released
 "Hidden Lotus", the new video from Toulouse, France-based progressive metallers ERYN NON DAE. (formerly END.), can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Meliora", which was released in October 2012 via M&O Office. The follow-up to 2009's "Hydra Lernaia" was recorded at Mobo's ConKrete Studio in Bordeaux, France.
According to a press release, "Meliora" "is both cerebral and organic, complete with dynamic relief, softer abstract and atmospheric passages of contained energy appear and transport the listener. From this highly textured mosaic the concept comes to life: this time coming from a long introspective process. 'Meliora' speaks of the metamorphosis of a man into a higher being. This transformation is born from a realization of inner truth. On this inexorable journey towards the end, a light may be found.
"The lyrics of 'Meliora' swing between appeasement and resignation, with references to mythology and alchemy. Filled with actual experiences, the album expresses a physical and psychic quest. The lyrics are raw and fragile, vindictive and sensitive, bleak yet filled with goodwill and hope. 'Meliora' is, finally, a fragment of pure humanity."
"Meliora" track listing:
01. Chrysalis02. The Great Downfall03. Scarlet Rising04. Ignitus05. Muto06. Black Obsidian Pyre07. Hidden Lotus
For more information, visit the band's Facebook page. | +1 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
THE SKULL Plays First Show With Original TROUBLE Drummer JEFF 'OLY' OLSON (Video)
 THE SKULL — the new band featuring original TROUBLE members vocaist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson alongside TROUBLE's longtime bassist Ron Holzner and SACRED DAWN guitarists Michael Carpenter and Lothar Keller — peformed at Tequila Jaxx this past Saturday, September 14 in Mentor-On-The-Lake, Ohio. Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below. This was THE SKULL's first performance with Olson.
Olson rejoined THE SKULL last month, explaining in a statement: "I know that I've mentioned that I wouldn't perform TROUBLE's music anymore unless it's with the other original members, but I've had a change of heart. I want to rock again.
"Although I have been having a great time playing keys for IN-GRAVED (led by former PENTAGRAM guitarist Victor Griffin), I miss the drums and playing classic TROUBLE songs. I'm still going to jam with Victor, but there is room for THE SKULL too."
He added: "In just a few short months, 2014 will mark the 30th anniversary year for TROUBLE's debut record, 'Psalm 9'. TROUBLE guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin are having fun with their new record, and I had fun writing some intros for it. It's just that Eric, Ron, and myself want to jam too and celebrate our 30th anniversary as well with a tour and a new record. We've worked just as hard as Bruce and Rick over the years and we feel that we've earned the privilege to celebrate with the fans as well. There is no animosity between the two bands and we intend to keep it that way."
"We are currently writing a debut record, set for release in 2014 and I've already submitted several songs to the guys. Excitement is in the air."
THE SKULL's debut CD will be produced by Billy Anderson (HIGH ON FIRE, SLEEP, NEUROSIS) this autumn in Portland, Oregon and will be released via as-yet-undetermined record label.
THE SKULL is:
Eric Wagner - vocalsJeff Olson - drumsRon Holzner - bassMichael Capenter - guitarLothar Keller - guitar
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19 ñåí 2013
INSOMNIUM: New Song 'Ephemeral' Released
 Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM have released the first song, "Ephemeral", off their forthcoming album, to be released in 2014 via Century Media Records. The first track to feature new guitarist Markus Vanhala (also in OMNIUM GATHERUM), who replaced Ville Vänni in 2011, "Ephemeral" will be made available digitally in Europe on September 23 and will be accompanied by three bonus tracks — acoustic songs that can be heard in the background of the recently released INSOMNIUM documentary.
Comments the band: "After the success of our last single, 'Weather The Storm', we decided that it would be a good idea to record some new material this summer before releasing the actual new full-length album. This was also a good opportunity to explore different studios and work with different people. Just to explore our sound a bit more in terms of production.
"And here we are finally; happy to introduce you our new single, 'Ephemeral'.
"The drums recorded by Kimmo Perkkiö at SF Sound (Finland). Everything else recorded by Teemu Aalto at Korkeakoski Studios, Kotka (Finland). The song was mixed and mastered by André Alvinzi and Jens Bogren, respectively, at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.
"It was nice challenge to work on the instrumental side of INSOMNIUM and come up with music that has more cinematic edge to it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do."
INSOMNIUM's latest album, "One For Sorrow", was released in October 2011 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.
INSOMNIUM in 2011 parted ways with guitarist Ville Vänni and replaced him with Markus Vanhala (OMNIUM GATHERUM).
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19 ñåí 2013
ALESTORM To Release 'Live At The End Of The World' DVD
 Scottish folk/power metallers ALESTORM will release a concert DVD, "Live At The End Of The World", on November 13 in Spain, Sweden, Norway; November 15 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Benelux; November 18 in the rest of Europe; and November 26 in North America via Napalm Records.
Filmed in January in Australia and New Zealand, this double-disc set (1 DVD, 1 audio CD) contains professionally filmed footage of the band's headlining show from Melbourne, plus bonus material.
"Live At The End Of The World" track listing:
01. The Quest02. The Sunk'n Norwegian03. Leviathan04. Shipwrecked05. Over The Seas06. Midget Saw07. Nancy The Tavern Wench08. Pirate Song09. Back Through Time10. Wenches & Mead11. Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid12. Keelhauled13. Rumpelkombo14. Set Sail And Conquer15. Captain Morgan's Revenge16. Rum
ALESTORM's "Shipwrecked" video was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia with director Ivan Colic, who has previously worked with EPICA, KAMELOT and KATAKLYSM. The song comes off the band's third album, "Back Through Time", which was released in June 2011 via Napalm Records.
"Back Through Time" was produced by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios in Lübeck, Germany. The effort was made available as a jewelcase, mediabook, LP, and special-edition boxset "featuring bonus tracks and other mad shite!"
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19 ñåí 2013
SILENT VOICES Featuring SONATA ARCTICA Members: New Singer Announced
 SILENT VOICES, the Finnish melodic metal band featuring SONATA ARCTICA keyboardist keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg and bassist Pasi Kauppinen, has announced the addition of vocalist Teemu Koskela (WINTERBORN) to the group's ranks. Teemu already fronted SILENT VOICES for three successful shows in the U.K. and Czech Republic earlier this year.
"We are very excited to finally share with everyone that Teemu Koskela is the new vocalist of SILENT VOICES," the band says in a statement. "Teemu is an incredible vocalist and a great guy. His voice is a very strong addition to the SILENT VOICES family."
SILENT VOICES has inked a new deal with the Swedish label Inner Wound Recordings for the release of its upcoming album, "Reveal The Change".
"The entire band and all the people we are working with are very excited about this new album," says the group. "We cannot wait for everyone to hear the new songs and to be back on tour again." | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
SAHG: 'Slip Off The Edge Of The Universe' Song Available For Streaming
 Norwegian psychedelic quartet SAHG, which specializes in doom-infused '70s rock, will release their new album, "Delusions Of Grandeur", on October 25 via Indie Recordings.
"Delusions Of Grandeur" track listing:
01. Slip Off The Edge Of The Universe02. Blizzardborne03. Firechild04. Walls Of Delusion05. Ether06. Then Wakens The Beast07. Odium Delirium08. Sleeper's Gate To The Galaxy
The song "Slip Off The Edge Of The Universe" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
"Delusions Of Grandeur" is a concept record "about a person, whose delusions of grandeur escalate to the level where they consume him completely," explains SAHG's Olav Iversen (vocals, guitar). "From becoming increasingly psychopathic and dominant, he loses touch with everyone around him and isolates into his own imaginary, psychotic world, where he becomes the almighty ruler of the universe. As he stands on the highest peak of his domain and beholds all that he has conquered, he suddenly slips off the edge and floats away, weightless. Helpless and stripped of all power, he drifts further into the open space, until he disappears into the darkness. It's an album about how desire for power and property can distort and destroy who we are."
SAHG's new CD was recorded at Duper studio in Bergen, Norway.
SAHG's third album, "Sahg III", came out on August 30, 2010 through Indie.
SAHG is:
Olav Iversen - Vocals/GuitarTony Vetaas - BassThomas Tofthagen - GuitarThomas Lønnheim - Drums | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
SIGNUM REGIS: 'Exodus' Album Details Revealed
 Slovak melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS will release its third album entitled "Exodus" on November 15 in Europe and December 3 in North America via Ulterium Records. The CD features guest vocals by Lance King (ex-PYRAMAZE, BALANCE OF POWER), Michael Vescera (OBSESSION, ANIMETAL USA, ex-LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Matt Smith (THEOCRACY), Daísa Munhoz (VANDROYA, SOULSPELL), Eli Prinsen (SACRED WARRIOR, THE SACRIFICED), Samuel Nyman (MANIMAL), Thomas L. Winkler (GLORYHAMMER, EMERALD), Göran Edman (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOHN NORUM) and Mayo Petranin (CASTAWAY). The album was mastered by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, JORN, CIRCUS MAXIMUS) and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE).
"Exodus" is a historical concept album about the Israelites who were enslaved in ancient Egypt.
"Exodus" track listing:
01. On The Nile02. Enslaved03. The Promised Land04. Let Us Go!05. Wrath Of Pharaoh06. The Ten Plagues07. Last Days In Egypt08. Exodus 09. Song Of Deliverance10. Sole Survivor11. Mountain Of God (CD bonus track)
A teaser for the album is available in the YouTube clip below.
"Exodus" can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records store. | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY: 'Spoke In The Wheel' Video From 'Unblackened' DVD
 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's video for "Spoke In The Wheel", off the band's new live DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video, "Unblackened", can be seen below.
"Unblackened" will be released on September 24 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde's label home, eOne Music, will also release the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name. The double disc release will have six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of "Queen Of Sorrow" and "Won't Find It Here", and covers of LEON RUSSELL's "Song For You" and BILL WITHERS' "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".
Since their early Nineties inception, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, formed and helmed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. "Unblackened", however, unveils another side of the band.
Filmed and recorded on March 6 in high definition at Los Angeles' Club Nokia, "Unblackened" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Wylde plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanase on guitar, John DeServio on bass/vocals, Chad Szeliga on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano, and Greg Locascio providing additional vocals.
Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtler nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity. Classic tracks like "Stillborn", "The Blessed Hellride", "In This River", "Throwin' It All Away", "Losin' Your Mind" and many others are still punctuated by the stinging, searing solos that fans know and love, while showcasing the versatility of the band.
In addition to the concert, "Unblackened" is rich in bonus material. A new interview with Zakk, photo gallery, music video for "Losin' Your Mind", and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison Stocken in the U.K . are all included.
DVD track listing:
01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In The Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away12. Takillya (Estyabon) 13. Won't Find It Here14. Rust15. Speedball16. I Thank You Child17. Stillborn
CD track listing:
Disc 1
01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In the Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away
Disc 2
01. Takillya (Estyabon)02. Won't Find It Here03. Rust04. Speedball05. I Thank You Child06. Stillborn07. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone09. Lovin' Woman10. Queen Of Sorrow (unplugged)11. Song For You (cover)12. Won't Find It Here (unplugged)13. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
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19 ñåí 2013
KVELERTAK: 'Evig Vandrar' Animated Video Released
 "Evig Vandrar", the new video from Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK, can be seen below. The animated clip was helmed by Torjus Førre Erfjord, who also worked on the band's video for the song "Blodtørst".
"Evig Vandrar" comes off KVELERTAK's sophomore album, "Meir", which topped the official chart in Norway. The CD, which sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, was issued on March 26 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by CONVERGE's Kurt Ballou and features cover artwork by John Dyer Baizley.
"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 vocalist Erlend Hjelvik.
KVELERTAK is Erlend Hjelvik (vocals), Vidar Landa (guitars), Bjarte Lund Rolland (guitars), Maciek Ofstad (guitars), Marvin Nygaard (bass) and Kjetil Gjermundrød (drums).
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19 ñåí 2013
HECATE ENTHRONED Signs With CRANK MUSIC GROUP
 U.K. black metallers HECATE ENTHRONED have inked a deal with Crank Music Group for the release of their upcoming album. The long-awaited follow-up to 2004's "Redimus" is tentatively due at the end of November. A short U.K. tour to promote the upcoming opus will kick off at the beginning of December.
HECATE ENTHRONED recently announced the addition of vocalist Elliot Beaver (AETERNUM) and drummer Gareth Hardy to the group's ranks. The band states: "This heralds a new start as well as a new lineup for the band."
HECATE ENTHRONED bassist, Dylan Hughes previously stated about the band's upcoming CD: "The new material is very much guitar-driven, lots of heavy and fast riffs (tuned to C#), giving a relentless feeling to the tracks which we have tempered with a big orchestral sound. The choirs and orchestras have always been a big part of the sound with HECATE and that is very true with this material. In some parts, it recaptures some of the moods from the very early releases. Because of the fact we are recording ourselves, we aren't pressured too much by time constraints and can spend more time on getting the right sound and mix as we feel in the past we have had to sacrifice certain things to reach a recording deadline."
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19 ñåí 2013
CANCER BATS: 'R.A.T.S.' Video Released
 "R.A.T.S.", the new video from Canadian metallers CANCER BATS, can be seen below. The song — which features guest vocals from Rob Urbinati of SACRIFICE — comes off the band's fourth full-length album, "Dead Set On Living", which was released in the U.S. in April 2012 via Metal Blade Records.
Shot in Bulgaria during CANCER BATS' recent trek through Europe, the "R.A.T.S." video follows a man who has recently been terminated from his employment.
Once again utilizing the legendary Vespa Studios and producers Eric Ratz and Kenny Luong, "Dead Set On Living" brings yet another dimension to the BATS' menacing style of thrash-tinged hardcore rock. The blazing "Bastards!" also features vocal boosts from DEVILDRIVER's Dez Fafara and AN HORSE's Kate Cooper.
"We've been very lucky to experiment as much as we have," said CANCER BATS vocalist Liam Joseph Cormier. "I love that we can have thrash songs, hardcore songs, and the more QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or KYUSS kind of groove-based tunes."
Thematically, the album offers a strong focus on the bilateral relationship of dark and light, destruction and construction, life and death. The title track, for example, refers to a close friend of the band who ended up in the hospital in serious condition; only to have the experience cement his will to survive. "Road Sick", as the title may imply, finds Cormier struggling with the hardships that come with a career spent on the road.
"Our lives are all about touring, but that song is more universal," Cormier revealed. "It's really for anyone away from their loved ones, dealing with that situation."
Still, whereas 2010's "Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones" had a much darker tinge, "Dead Set On Living" strikes a tighter balance between the opposing forces and brings listeners closer to the light at the end of the tunnel by encouraging them to push through peril. "We all reach these dark places where we feel angry or alone," said the singer, "but that gives us a reason to pick ourselves up and strive to make something better." | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
MINISTRY Guitarist's SUPERMANIC: 'She Said' Video Released
 "She Said", the first video from SUPERMANIC, the Los Angeles-based industrial rock band led by Grammy Award-nominated guitarist Sin Quirin (MINISTRY, REVCO, LORDS OF ACID) and singer and music producer Kallaghan (CHARLES MASSABO), can be seen below. The group is currently working on its first album for a tentative 2014 release.
"She Said" was produced by Charles Massabo and features drums by Devin Sack Saqq.
In a recent interview with Sic Asylum, Sin stated about SUPERMANIC: "Kal and I met about a year ago at NAMM. We had a mutual friend that introduced us, over the course of the year we kept in touch and when I got home from the MINISTRY tour we really started talking about starting this project. We really hit it off and had long talks about what it is we really wanted to accomplish. We were very careful to talk about every detail with each other, even who we wanted in the band. We wanted to make sure that we go the right people involved and not get players who later on we would regret bringing on.
"We went into it wanting to start a rock band. Obviously, I come from the industrial side so it would be inevitable to get some electronics in there, but at the end of the day we wanted to do some of these songs with an acoustic guitar and the song still be very strong.
"We definitely are building the band on delivering strong and heavy rock songs, and though the industrial influences may be there, I didn't want it to be compared to anything else I have ever done.
"As you know, I am heavily influenced by bands from the '60s and '70s and really wanted to draw from those influences, and Kal was really into writing catchy/hooky kind of melodies, so that became the foundation for the band.
"We have a handful of material so far and the ranges of the songs will blow you away.
"Kal has such a great voice and I am not kidding when I say it is one of the best set of vocals I have heard in a long time. You are going to really hear that as well when we start slowly releasing some more material. Kal just has such a strong voice that, to me, he is right up there with some of the cats you hear on the radio." | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
EMMURE To Enter Studio This Fall
 Queens, New York-based deathcore act EMMURE will enter the studio later this year to begin recording its sixth full-length album for a spring 2014 release via Victory Records.
EMMURE will close out 2013 by headlining the Never Say Die! tour in Europe (October 4-26) and then a full U.S. tour (October 29 - November 22) alongside ASKING ALEXANDRIA, SEVENDUST, ALL THAT REMAINS and FOR TODAY.
Comments EMMURE guitarist and founding member Jesse Ketive: "We couldn't be happier to announce that following Never Say Die! and the ASKING ALEXANDRIA tour, we will be heading into the studio to work on the new album which is aimed for a spring release!
"We have been working hard in between our rigorous world touring schedule this past year and a half and we can't wait to unveil new material.
"We have re-signed to Victory Records and there will be a lot of new things developing for EMMURE through the end of the year.
"Thank you for your constant support through the years and we promise to deliver one of the best EMMURE records to date. See you on tour."
EMMURE's fifth full-length album, "Slave To The Game", was released in April 2012 via Victory Records. The CD was recorded with producer Joey Sturgis (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), who previously worked with the band on 2011's "Speaker Of The Dead".
"Slave To The Game" marked the recording debut of EMMURE's new drummer, Mark Costillo, who has previously played with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and BURY YOUR DEAD.
In an interview with Alternative Press, EMMURE vocalist Frank Palmeri stated about "Slave To The Game", "I think this record is just brutal-sounding. It's got everything I think that people expect from us — and I mean that in the sense that we kind of gave people, or at least for ourselves, more of what we felt the music should be from EMMURE. I'm probably making no sense right now. [laughs] It's just a heavy fucking record. It's another EMMURE record that hopefully people get to enjoy with us, because we dig it and that's what it comes down to. We just make albums we try to enjoy and hopefully people can come along for the ride."
When asked what Joey Sturgis brought to the recording this time around, Palmeri said, "He's got kind of amazing input as far as the music goes and his creative mind. He's a pro at what he does. Honestly, as far as heavy music goes right now — especially with this new age of bands that have come up and become so popular — a lot of their success is owed to Joey Sturgis. He's not only such a talented engineer and producer, but he's just a creative person all around that really brings something extra to the table when something is lacking or even perhaps just a new fresh mind to material that maybe bands themselves weren't aware of. It's always good to have an outside perspective from someone who is just talented. It paid off for us on our last album and I think this one as well." | 0 | |
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19 ñåí 2013
PRIMITAI: Video For 'Scream When You See Us' Track Featuring JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER
 One of the U.K.'s finest exponents of traditional metal, PRIMITAI has released the video for its new single, "Scream When You See Us". The track, which features a guest appearance by JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner, is described in a press release as "a powerful blast of melodic metal but one that never loses sight of the rich heritage of bands like PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN and having the dextrous six string skills of Faulkner adds a whole new level of intensity."
"Scream When You See Us" comes off PRIMITAI's new album, "Rise Again", which will be released on October 14. The debut single from the album, entitled "Fortune Favours The Brave", was made available on July 31. The track is described in a press release as "a fist-in-the-air, intense slice of no-holds-barred heavy metal."
Comments PRIMITAI drummer Chris Chilcott: "Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (DREAM EVIL, ARCH ENEMY, SABATON, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL, FIREWIND) at Studio Fredman, Gothenburg, Sweden, and recorded by Tom Keech at Stakeout Studios, London, this album represents a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears. We're very proud of what we've achieved with our latest creation and can't wait for you guys to hear it."
PRIMITAI recently announced the addition of guitarist Tom Draper to the group's ranks. He replaces founding member Nick Saxby, who left the band earlier this year. Tom's arrival has added a fresh impetus to proceedings as well as, alongside Srdjan Bilic, some inspired guitar work.
PRIMITAI is:
Guy Miller (vocals)Tom Draper (guitar)Srdjan Bilic (guitar)Jamie Lordcastle (bass) Chris Chilcott (drums)
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19 ñåí 2013
ANGRA: 'Angels Cry: 20th Anniversary Tour' DVD Artwork Unveiled
 Brazilian melodic metallers ANGRA celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of their 1993 debut album, "Angels Cry", with a special concert on August 25 at HSBC Brasil in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The show, which was recorded for a DVD, featured guest appearances by Tarja Turunen (NIGHTWISH) and Uli Jon Roth (SCORPIONS).
The official cover artwork for the "Angels Cry: 20th Anniversary Tour" DVD can be seen below. The disc is tentatively due before the end of the year.
ANGRA's setlist was as follows:
01. Angels Cry 02. Nothing to Say 03. Waiting Silence 04. Lisbon 05. Time 06. Millennium Sun (intro w/ Kiko Loureiro on keyboards)07. Winds of Destination (intersection w/ Kiko Loureiro on keyboards)08. Gentle Change 09. The Voice Commanding You (Rafael Bittencourt on vocals)10. Late Redemption 11. Silence and Distance (intro w/ Kiko Loureiro on keyboards)
Acoustic set
12. Reaching Horizons (Rafael Bittencourt on vocals)13. Unholy Wars / Caça e Caçador (Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro on vocals)14. A Monster in Her Eyes (Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro on vocals)15. Make Believe (Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro on vocals)
Encore:
16. No Pain for the Dead (with Familia Lima on strings)17. Stand Away (Tarja Turunen on vocals and Familia Lima on strings)18. Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush cover) (Tarja Turunen on vocals and Uli Jon Roth on guitar)19. Evil Warning (Amílcar Christófaro on drums)
Encore 2:
20. Unfinished Allegro (Familia Lima on strings)21. Carry On 22. Rebirth23. The Sails Of Charon (SCORPIONS cover) (Uli Jon Roth on guitar and Rafael Bittencourt on vocals)24. In Excelsis 25. Nova Era
Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.
Former ANGRA singer André Matos celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Angels Cry" by performing the LP in its entirety on his recent solo tour, which kicked off in March. The show consisted of two parts, with the first part focusing on the material André wrote and recorded with SHAMAN and VIPER, as well as during his solo career.
ANGRA tapped acclaimed Italian vocalist Fabio Lione (VISION DIVINE, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, KAMELOT) to front the band for its most recent live performances, including an appearance aboard 70000 Tons Of Metal, the world's biggest heavy metal cruise, which sailed on January 28 from Miami, Florida and returned to the real world on February 1.
Singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi quit ANGRA in May 2012. He explained in a statement, "There comes a moment in a man's life when it is necessary to make a radical decision in order to move forward with dignity and renewed energy."
Falaschi joined ANGRA in 2000 and appeared on the band's last four studio albums — 2001's "Rebirth", 2004's "Temple Of Shadows", 2006's "Aurora Consurgens" and 2010's "Aqua".
ANGRA has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Falaschi, who is focusing on ALMAH and other projects.
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Amon Amarth
