Southern California-based Metal/Hardcore outfit TWITCHING TONGUES will take to the streets again this March on tour with Hatebreed, Crowbar, and The Acacia Strain. The trek – set to run from March 16th through March 29th – comes in advance of a short US headlining tour from March 30th to April 8th. See all confirmed dates below.
TWITCHING TONGUES will be touring in support of their forthcoming new full-length Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, set for release March 9th via Metal Blade Records. The title for TWITCHING TONGUES‘ fourth full-length is drawn from a quote by famed social philosopher Eric Hoffer – “Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.”Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred reflects the band’s mentality in approaching the record: paying homage to those who supported them while belligerently responding to their detractors.
With “failure” as a core theme driving Colin Young’s lyrics, it also features his first foray into the political arena, motivated by the contemporary political climate. Directly inspired by film scores, the record has a strong epic feel, the band realizing their vision of having the music flow like a story being told. While still maintaining the same levels of aggression that have traditionally characterized previous offerings, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred features more immediate and memorable melodies that evoke the sound of 2013’s In Love There Is No Law.
For a first preview of Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, sample the band’s latest video for “Harakiri” (directed by David Brodsky) at metalblade.com/twitchingtongues where the record is available for preorder.
TWITCHING TONGUES w/ Hatebreed, Crowbar, The Acacia Strain:
3/16/2018 The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
3/17/2018 Theachine Shop – Flint, MI
3/18/2018 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
3/19/2018 Mr. Smalls Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA
3/20/2018 The Forge – Joliet, IL
3/21/2018 Omaha – Minneapolis, MN
3/22/2018 Sokol Auditorium – NE
3/23/2018 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
3/24/2018 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
3/25/2018 Deluxe @ Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN
3/26/2018 Exit/In – Nashville, TN
3/27/2018 Delmar Hall – St. Louis, MO
3/28/2018 Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
3/29/2018 Reverb – Reading, PA
w/ True Love, Vamachara:
3/30/2018 Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
3/31/2018 Chrome – Waterford, NY
4/01/2018 Town Ballroom – Leopard Lounge – Buffalo, NY
4/03/2018 Middle East Club – Cambridge, MA
4/04/2018 Ballroom at the Outer Space – Hamden, CT
4/06/2018 United Blood Festival 2018 @ The Canal Club – Richmond, VA
4/08/2018 The Masquerade – Purgatory – Atlanta, GA
Few German rock acts can look back at as long and successful a career as BONFIRE. Counting their predecessor – a group called Cacumen, which was also founded by Hans Ziller and featured more or less the same line-up – the band has been around since 1972, has operated under its current moniker since 1986 and released more than two dozen albums. During the most successful phase of their career, Bonfire counted – alongside the Scorpions and Accept – among Germany’s three internationally most acclaimed acts, celebrating major success all over Europe and worldwide. Bonfire’s trademarks are and have always been deeply melodic hard rock songs, driven by captivating guitars, grooving rhythms and haunting vocal melodies. All the features that came together so perfectly on their most popular releases Fireworks (1987), Point Blank (1989) and Branded (2011) are present on their current release Temple Of Lies.
Thanks to their new vocalist Alexx Stahl, who joined the fold two years ago, and a first-rate line-up on all instruments, the band’s creativity explodes on Temple Of Lies and is bound to wow a younger generation of rock music fans, too.
“We were extremely lucky to find Alexx,” offers guitarist Hans Ziller in explanation of the group’s current creative and musical high. “He’s a team player who looks after his voice in a totally professional way and treats it like the important tool that it is. He doesn’t smoke and prepares optimally for every show. In addition, Alexx is a really nice guy. Being at the helm of the band, I couldn’t be happier to have him in the band.” Ziller is just as enthusiastic about his rhythm section consisting of bassist Ronnie Parkes and drummer Tim Breideband (“they seem to have reinvented the groove”), and of course guitarist Frank Pané (“one of the most awesome musicians I’ve ever worked with”). Ziller: “With this line-up, we’ll be able to increase the hardness level of our material whenever we feel like it. Numbers such as ‘Temple Of Lies’ and ‘Stand Or Fall’ wouldn’t have been possible with previous line-ups.”
It’s not only the occasionally tougher pace that impresses on Temple Of Lies (produced by Hans Ziller at the Flatliners Recording Studios in Ingolstadt) from the first to the very last note, but also the album’s diverse high-quality songwriting in general. Driving midtempo tracks (‘Feed The Fire’, ‘On The Wings Of An Angel’, ‘Fly Away’, ‘Crazy Over You’) support the aforementioned uptempo rock numbers and are expertly broken up by the ballad ‘Comin` Home’ and ‘I Help You Hate Me’, which surprises with a reggae groove verse. Temple Of Lies kicks off with the intro ‘In The Beginning’, featuring American voice actor David Michael Williamson (Lord of the Rings). So the fun factor is back in the Bonfire camp, manifesting itself also in the 20-minute bonus track ‘Friedensreich II. – The Return Of The Zünsler Into The T.O.L.’, a humorous sound collage which frequently brings to mind Frank Zappa. The programmatic album title and expressive cover artwork prove that Ziller & Co also live up to their responsibility as socially aware musicians, taking to task “the lies of our world and politicians”. No doubt about it: Temple Of Lies sees Bonfire live up not only to their own history.
“Temple Of Lies” – Tracklisting:
01. In The Beginning
02. Temple Of Lies
03. On The Wings Of An Angel
04. Feed The Fire (Like The Bonfire)
05. Stand Or Fall
06. Comin’ Home
07. I’ll Never Be Loved By You
08. Fly Away
09. I Help You Hate Me
10. Crazy Over You
Bonus Tracks on Digipak:
11. Comin’ Home (Extended Acoustic Version)
12. Friedensreich – Let The Madness Continue (Director’s Cut)
RIVERS OF NIHIL will take on a North American tour this March and April with Dying Fetus, Thy Art Is Murder, Enterprise Earth, and Sanction. The journey will commence March 15th in Poughkeepsie, New York and make its way through nearly three-dozen cities, drawing to a close on April 22nd in Amityville, New York.
The band will be touring in support of their third full-length, Where Owls Know My Name, set for release on March 16th — just one day after tour kick off — via Metal Blade Records. Whereas 2013’s The Conscious Seed Of Light and 2015’s Monarchy were thematically centered around spring and summer, respectively, Where Owls Know My Name represents the fall. And although that season is usually associated with death, for RIVERS OF NIHIL, the autumn serves as a rebirth.
Where Owls Know My Nam reunites RIVERS OF NIHIL with Monarchy producer Carson Slovak (August Burns Red, The Last Ten Seconds Of Life) and Dan Seagrave, the storied artist behind such celebrated album covers as Entombed’s Left Hand Path and Suffocation‘s Effigy Of The Forgotten.Where Owls Know My Name is often just as punishing as its predecessors while assimilating ingredients from musical genres as varied as electronica, jazz, alternative, folk, and the golden age of Shrapnel Records. The resulting music is indescribably progressive, a multifaceted soundscape that goes beyond the wildest dreams of even the group’s most ardent admirers.
For a first preview of Where Owls Know My Name, “The Silent Life” can be heard at: metalblade.com/riversofnihil where the record can also be preordered in various formats.
RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ Dying Fetus, Thy Art Is Murder, Enterprise Earth, Sanction:
3/15/2018 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
3/16/2018 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY 3/17/2018 Agora – Cleveland, OH 3/18/2018 Opera House – Toronto, ON 3/20/2018 Crofoot – Pontiac, MI 3/21/2018 The Forge – Joliet, IL 3/22/2018 Skyway – Minneapolis, MN 3/23/2018 Aftershock – Merriam, KS 3/24/2018 Summit – Denver, CO 3/27/2018 Bossanov – Portland, OR 3/28/2018 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA 3/30/2018 The Ritz – San Jose, CA 3/31/2018 Glasshouse – Pomona, CA 4/01/2018 Club Red – Phoenix, AZ 4/03/2018 The Vanguard – Tulsa, OK 4/04/2018 The Riff – Springfield, MO 4/06/2018 International – Knoxville, TN 4/07/2018 The Ground – Miami, FL 4/08/2018 Orpheum – Tampa, FL 4/09/2018 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL 4/10/2018 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 4/11/2018 1904 – Jacksonville, FL 4/13/2018 Come And Take It Live – Houston, TX 4/14/2018 Texas Independence Fest – Austin, TX 4/15/2018 Gas Monkey Live – Dallas, TX 4/17/2018 Ready Room – St. Louis, MO 4/18/2018 Skully’s Music Diner – Columbus, OH
4/19/2018 One Centre Square – Allentown, PA 4/20/2018 New England Metal & Hardcore Fest – Worcester, MA 4/21/2018 House Of Independence – Asbury Park, NJ 4/22/2018 Revolution – Amityville, NY
Richmond (VA) – Richmond, VA Dark/Atmospheric Metal group AFFASIA will release debut EP Adrift in Remorse February 23 on Transcending Records. Fusing elements from their diverse influences, AFFASIA play guitar-driven dark, melodic metal with elements of Doom, Death, Darkwave, Shoegaze, atmospheric, and even classical music.
In addition to playing drums on the forthcoming album, Tony Petrocelly of In Trapan Studios (Guitarist/songwriter/producer of Construct of Lethe, guitarist of Grethor and drummer of Lord) recorded, mixed and mastered Adrift In Remorse.
AFFASIA was created as a collaboration between founders Jason Jennings (Guitarist/Composer) and David Waltenbaugh (Guitarist/Composer/Producer in 2012. In 2013 the duo started searching for other members to complete the lineup. Noah Cabitto (Vocalist/Writer/Composer) joined and assisted with writing, lyrics and naming the project. Joshua Sheffield (Percussionist/Writer) joined shortly along with Nick Lucente (Bass Guitar) .
David and Nick resigned as active members in late 2014, although their contributions in writing the material had a big impact. In early 2015 Noah Jones (Bass) and Michael Potts (Guitar) were live members. In early summer of 2015 William Carter (Bass guitarist, formerly of Withersoul and Cremains) joined as bassist and Jaden Deesvanburick (Guitarist) joined resolidifying the lineup.
William and Jaden parted with AFFASIA in late 2016. Nick Lucente rejoined in early 2017. Unfortunately once AFFASIA had restarted recording in earnest Joshua had to respectfully resign as the full-time drummer. He was always the band’s guiding light and positively a sheer creative force that the group was proud to have and hope to work with again.
Track Listing:
Another Host
Dissolute
Brittle Sentiment
As You Never Were
Album Lineup:
Noah Cabitto – Vocals Jason Jennings – Guitars Nick Lucente – Bass Adam Coffman – Keys Tony Petrocelly – Drums & Recording Engineer
Blackened death juggernaut BLOOD OF THE WOLF has returned to embark upon a Campaign of Extermination.
This eight-track onslaught is a continuation of the band’s critically acclaimed 2015 debut, I: The Law of Retaliation. To showcase the intensity that is II: Campaign of Extermination, BLOOD OF THE WOLF has launched a stream of the album’s title track.
BLOOD OF THE WOLF will unleash II: Campaign of Extermination on April 7th.
Track listing:
Thunder the Drums of War
Campaign of Extermination
Beneditio Ultionis: Their Blood for my Glory
Erupting Volcanic Wrath
The Sword is my Light and my Salvation
Scorched Earth Ceremony
With Fire and a Thousand Flashing Blades
A Sermon of Slaughtered Foes
Bio:
BLOOD OF THE WOLF is a blackened death metal band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2012, BLOOD OF THE WOLF combines breakneck riffing with memorable melodic passages, relentless drumming and intense vocal delivery. In 2013 the band released a two song demo and in 2015 they released their first full-length, I: The Law of Retaliation. BLOOD OF THE WOLF has been pummeling audiences with relentless, nonstop aggression. The group has shared the stage with national acts like Marduk, Belphegor, Inquisition and Incantation. In 2018, BLOOD OF THE WOLF will release their second full-length album, II: Campaign of Extermination. Fans can expect the same level of barbaric ferocity, decisive, melodic passages and violent drumming.
II: Campaign of Extermination was mixed and mastered by Joe Tiberi, February through August of 2017. All songs written and arranged by Blood of the Wolf. Cover art created by Agus Wibowo. Live photo by Tammy Guillen.
HighVolMusic recording artist NEWMACHINE is wrapping up the recording of their sophomore effort due out late Spring 2018. Final tracks are being recorded and then mixing/mastering begins. The new album titled ‘Full Circle’, is being recorded/engineered by Bo Davis with mixing by Chris Presnell, and mastering still to be determined. “We are looking at a few different mastering engineers, Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, Anthony Focx who also happens to be signed to the same label as we are, and our label is reaching out to Maor Applebaum in L.A.. Maor did the new Snake Eyes Seven record and it is fantastic!”says vocalist Ashton Blake.
‘Full Circle’ will contain 10 tracks of high energy rock. Below is a demo clip from Sonic Recording Studio of the band working on the new track ‘Master of My Fate’.
NEWMACHINE has also finalized their lineup with Ashton Blake (vocals), A.D. Zimmer (bass), Ryche Green (drums), Bo Davis (keys, B3), Steve Cummings (guitar), Lorenzo DelVecchio (guitar).
The band will be performing at 80’s in the Park on February 16th-18th and then again on February 24th with Jefferson Starship at Center For The Arts Of Bonita Springs. A special guest will be on stage with NEWMACHINE for the show on the 24th, details to follow.
FINALLY… THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!!!
THE ORIGINAL MISFITS RETURN TO NEW JERSEY FOR ONLY AREA PERFORMANCE ON SATURDAY, MAY 19th AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ
THE ORIGINAL MISFITS – GLENN DANZIG AND JERRY ONLY
SUPPORT FOR THIS MASSIVE CAN’T MISS EVENT WILL BE SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, & MURPHY’S LAW
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From Misfits Records:
After two unforgettable shows to close out 2017 in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, The Original MISFITS will FINALLY… make their triumphant return to where it all began over 30 years ago in New Jersey. The Original MISFITS have announced that the band will reunite for their only area performance at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on May 19th. Now fans on the east coast will have their first opportunity to experience reunited original singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig and original bassist Jerry Only. This unprecedented reunion and lineup of legendary horror-punk trailblazers/modern-metal pioneers was one of the hottest tickets of 2017, and will now undoubtedly be again in 2018.
Ticket prices starting at $49.50 (not including applicable service charges or fees) have gone on-sale to the general public on Friday, February 2nd at 10 a.m. EST at ticketmaster.com.
From the time of their first gig in 1977, the MISFITS and their iconic imagery went on to become one of the most crucially influential, genre-defying bands to ever emerge from North America. The MISFITS significance extends well beyond the narrowed path of punk rock, metal & hardcore. Although not cognizant of how significant they would become, what the Original MISFITS achieved in their initial seven-year window deconstructed and redefined rock music.
The MISFITS with Danzig’s anthemic songs and unmistakable voice, Only’s ferocious bass sound, and the Original MISFITS melody-induced choruses and authentically bruising musicianship, cemented their importance with all ensuing generations. And now legions of diehard fans from around the world will have the opportunity to hear the Original Band that forges a level of intensity unprecedented in the new millennium. Don’t miss this important chapter in the legendary band’s legacy of brutality.
‘Medicine Man’, the title track of the new album from Canadian heavy metal group SNAKE EYES SEVEN, can be streamed below. The album is due on March 30th via HighVolMusic and distributed by AMPED Distribution. ‘Medicine Man’ is the long-awaited follow-up to 2010’s ’13 Crows’ and was recorded by Canadian producer Cam MacLeod who isalso the band’s lead guitarist. The album was mastered by Maor Applebaum (Halford, Adrenaline Mob, Armored Saint). The cover artwork for ‘Medicine Man’ was created by ‘Scozz’ at Graphics by Scozz Studios.
‘Medicine Man’ – Track Listing:
Speaking Ill of The Dead
Can You Hear Me Calling
Medicine Man
The Kill
The Critic
Angel of Death
SOB
What About Peace
Goodbye Ronnie
HeavyMetalHardRock says “WE CAN’T RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM ENOUGH..FRESH AND SMART HARD ROCK AT HIGH LEVEL!”
Hair Band Heaven says – “I can’t recommend this album enough. Sure to make my 2018 Top Ten list.”
Founder and guitarist Cole Stevens credits producer Cam MacLeod for the amazing outcome of ‘Medicine Man’ as well as his band-mates Danny Deane (vocals), Mike Cillis (bassist), Erik Young (drums). “This version of SNAKE EYES SEVEN is top notch. The songs are strong and the band is solid.”
The video premiere of ‘Medicine Man’ is set for February 16th. For more details checkout the recently launched website at www.snakeeyes7.com.
ACT OF DEFIANCE, the Heavy Metal group featuring the talents of Chris Broderick (ex-Megadeth), Shawn Drover (ex-Megadeth), Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall, Times Of Grace), and Henry Derek (Scar The Martyr), released their latest full-length album, Old Scars, New Wounds, via Metal Blade Records in September of 2017. Now, in 2018, the band returns to the road on a US headlining tour this March. Support will be provided by Shattered Sun. See all confirmed dates below. Follow ACT OF DEFIANCE and never miss a show near you at bandsintown.com/actofdefiance.
Issues Broderick of the upcoming trek: “ACT OF DEFIANCE is extremely excited to be touring in March for the release of our newest CD Old Scars, New Wounds. We are very happy to have along with us our friends in Shattered Sun and are stoked to see what they bring to a live show as I know they will kill it!”
ACT OF DEFIANCE w/ Shattered Sun:
3/01/2018 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 3/02/2018 Slidebar – Fullerton, CA (Free Show!) 3/03/2018 Club Red – Mesa, AZ 3/04/2018 The Dive Bar – Las Vegas, NV 3/06/2018 The Green Room – Flagstaff, AZ 3/07/2018 Rockhouse – El Paso, TX 3/08/2018 Rock Box – San Antonio, TX 3/09/2018 BFE Rock Club – Houston, TX 3/10/2018 Curtain Club – Dallas, TX 3/11/2018 The Ruins Live – Oklahoma City, OK 3/12/2018 Riot Room – Kansas City, MO 3/13/2018 Fubar – St. Louis, MO 3/14/2018 Token Lounge – Westland, MI 3/15/2018 The Forge – Joliet, IL
3/16/2018 The Outpost – Kent, OH
3/17/2018 Back Bar – Janesville, WI
3/18/2018 The Drinkery – Omaha, NE
3/20/2018 Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
3/21/2018 Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO
Old Scars, New Wounds debuted at #20 on the Billboard Top New Artist Albums charts, as well as #58 on the Canadian Hard Music Charts upon its release. The album, which Team Rock calls, “technical, extreme metal that’s as versatile as it is hard-hitting,” is available now via metalblade.com/actofdefiance.
Promising Greek speedsters SACRAL RAGE have started work on the follow-up to 2015’s Illusions in Infinite Void debut full-length for a 2018 release via Cruz Del Sur Music. The as-yet-titled album will be produced by SACRAL RAGE, with drum and guitar recordings taking place in Ignite Studios in Athens. The band will track vocals and bass in White Socks Studios and will have the album mixed and mastered by Stamos Koliousis at an undisclosed location in Norway.
Comments guitarist Marios: “The music retains the classic SACRAL mixture of tech madness/aggressiveness with the addition of more complex structures at times, along with a darker vibe and more layered sounds than the previous one. In terms of composition and arranging of the songs, the way we worked hasn’t changed since our last work. The only difference was that we had to overcome and re-invent aspects of ourselves in order to present something different and fresh from our previous works.”
SACRAL RAGE‘s sound – a blend of tech thrash in the vein of CORONER mixed with the sci-fi aura of VOIVOD and the melodic class of HELSTAR – has taken on a more aggressive form according to Marios, even finding the band going down even darker paths than before. “It’s like we expanded every aspect of ‘Illusions…’ with this one. The songs came out bigger than expected without losing the character and the sound of the band. Lyrically, we present stories of the near (or not) future and visions of a traveler that wanders through time.”
The positive reception to Illusions… helped spread the SACRAL RAGE name throughout Europe and included several key festival stops along the way. Aware of the expectations for their sophomore album, Marios feels like it’s time for SACRAL RAGE to assert their place in the heavy metal underground.
“With our second release, we aim to make the next step for the band and participate in bigger festivals, as we believe that our live performance is one of our strong points,” he closes. “We also hope that our music will be unleashed on much more people than before.”
Feb 3rd thru 8th – Cruise To The Edge
Feb 9th – Miami, FL – Magic City Casino (Monsters of Rock Cruise Pre Party)
Feb 11th – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live Feb 12th – Atlanta, GA – Variety Theater Feb 13th – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle Feb 15th – Asbury Park, NJ – House Of Independants Feb 16th – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom Feb 17th – Battle Creek, MI – Music Factory Feb 18th – Joliet, IL – The Forge
2018 Festival Dates:
June 22nd – Clisson, France – Hellfest
June 23rd – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop
June 24th – Milan, Italy – Teatro Degli Arcimbodi
June 30th – Barcelona, Spain – Be Prog My Friend
July 1st – Maidstone, England – Rambling Man Festival
July 14th – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo MetalFest
Aug 3rd – Germany – Wacken
Aug 18th – Warsaw, Poland – Prog In Park II
Sept 22nd – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Roman Amphitheater
(A Very Special Evening with SONS OF APOLLO & the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony including a COVERS Set!)
Brooklyn, New York’s THE GOLDEN GRASS is free-wheelin’, good-time rock ‘n’ roll band manifesting a soulful mix of heavy-country-funk-boogie and progressive-psychedelic-freakbeat. The group effortlessly draws their influence from a time when rock ruled the world as if they truly are from that “Golden” era. But their gift to us is in The Now, and it is an epic, soulful, and hard-hitting maelstrom of anthemic and tough-swinging aural delights.
Described the UK’s NME of the band accurately, “Straight from the summer of 1970, hell-bent on picking up where Hendrix and co. left off, THE GOLDEN GRASS majestically encapsulates the timeless feel of their ’60’s/’70’s influence.” Nodding to the likes of such American rock legends as The James Gang, The Allman Brothers, and Grand Funk Railroad, the soulful British psych/mod of The Move, The Pretty Things, and The Action, and the heavy umph of Budgie, Blue Cheer and Blackfoot, THE GOLDEN GRASS synthesizes their influences into a seamless, memorable, and high-energy performance. Kerrang hailed the band’s, “sunburst anthems, rainbow brightness, heat-haze psychedelia,” while Classic Rock commended a band that, “grooves away in a manner of The Who via ’60s New York,” adding, “Heavy, Black Sabbathish riffs grow into spacy jams…But it’s their capacity for swinging rock’ n’ roll that gives them serious charm.”
THE GOLDEN GRASS will release their third full-length, titled Absolutely, this Spring via Listenable Records. An eight-track sonic adventure steeped in psychedelic flavored blues riffs, the mind-warping fantasy of early progressive/jazz rock, a pulsating British freakbeat/mod sound, heavy doses of proto-metal power, funk, sou, and a southern rock edge, Absolutely is undoubtedly the band’s strongest, most accomplished offering to date.
Absolutely will see North American release on April 6th via Listenable Records with teaser tracks, preorders, and further info to be announced in the coming weeks.
German Classic Metal hybrid PULVER will release their self-titled debut 7-inch on April 20 via Gates Of Hell Records, a sub-label of Cruz Del Sur Music.
Recorded by Heiner Kunkel at Dreiklang Audio in the band’s hometown of Aschaffenburg, the 7-inch was mixed at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin by Richard Behrens. The recording took place roughly a year after PULVER‘s 2016 formation, showcasing a band adept at harnessing the rawness of NWOBHM with the melody and power of traditional and progressive metal.
“Our origin is pretty basic,” notes vocalist David Fröhlich. “There isn’t really a huge hard rock/heavy metal scene in a small city like ours, so everyone pretty much knew each other anyway. One day in late 2016, we decided to start jamming and pretty soon noticed that everything fits together quite well, so we continued until the point where we found the songs presentable enough to release a demo and here we are now!”
PULVER plans on following up the release of the 7-inch with the recording of their first proper full-length, along with other activities, according to Fröhlich. “We’re gonna play a lot of shows, meet new people on the road and have some fun!”
For fans of MOTORHEAD, FIST, IRON MAIDEN and early NWOBHM.
Heavy Metal/Rock unit BLACK WIZARD will return to Europe this spring on a near three-week tour alongside Anciients. The journey begins March 1st in Antwerp, Belgium and ends March 30th in Utrecht, Netherlands with additional live adventures in the plotting stages. See all confirmed dates below.
BLACK WIZARD will be touring in support of their forthcoming full-length Livin’ Oblivion. Set for North American release this March via Listenable Records (February 23rd in Europe), the record was produced and engineered by Michael Kraushaar in Vancouver, British Columbia and comes sheathed in the cover art of renowned Berlin, German-based illustrator Eliran Kantor (Testament, Crowbar, Satan).
Livin’ Oblivion centers itself on the obliteration or slow decay of one’s self, morals, and life as we know it. “We are living in an age where the powers of the World are taking steps backwards and moving away from a positive future,” the band elaborates. “There is a large number of disenfranchised youth and young adults that would rather live their lives in oblivion – drinking, drugs, partying etc. – than chasing any kind of future or dreams, simply because the rest of the world seems to be falling apart around them.”
The first single “Feast Or Famine” is most definitely based off of this idea, and continues to exist throughout the record. It being one of the faster, more aggressive tunes off the record, it’s a reflection of the band’s road worn personas and chemistry as a collective. Taking cues from thrash legends (early Metallica/Slayer) and influential contemporaries, BLACK WIZARD sounds as inspired as ever, and are ready to take over the world…even if there isn’t much time left.
If you missed it, view the band’s performance video for “Feast Or Famine,” recently premiered by Decibel Magazine, at THIS LOCATION.
For Livin’ Oblivion ordering info visit THIS LOCATION.
BLACK WIZARD w/ Anciients:
3/01/2018 Music City – Antwerp, BE
3/02/2018 Innocent – Hengelo, NL
3/03/2018 MTS Records – Oldenburg, DE
3/04/2018 Merleyn – Nijmegen, NL
3/05/2018 Excalibur – Reims, FR
3/07/2018 Audio Glasgow – Glasgow, UK
3/08/2018 TBC – Falmouth, UK
3/10/2018 Temple of Boom – Leeds, UK
3/11/2018 The Phoenix – Coventy, UK
3/12/2018 TBC – London, UK
3/14/2018 Texas Bar – Leiria, PT
3/15/2018 Stairway Club – Cascais, PT
3/16/2018 DRAC – Figueira da Foz, PT
3/17/2018 Woodstock 69 – Porto, PT
3/18/2018 Wurlitzer – Madrid, ES
3/19/2018 Rock Sou/2018 Barcelona, ES
3/22/2018 Sound-N-Arts Music Club – Bamberg, DE
3/23/2018 MKNZ – Illirska Bistrica, SL
3/26/2018 Liwi – Leipzig, DE
3/27/2018 Jagerclause – Berlin, DE
3/29/2018 Jungle – Cologne, DE
3/30/2018 dB’s – Utrecht, NL
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Hailing from Vancouver, BLACK WIZARD was forged in 2009 between high school friends. Some years and personnel changes later, the band is going stronger than ever. Founding members vocalist/guitarist Adam Grant and drummer Eugene Parkomenko were both working underwhelming construction jobs at the time, passing the days to the sounds of Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Witch, and Electric Wizard. Today, Parkomenko and Grant are accompanied by guitarist Danny Stokes and bassist Evan Joel. Having followed a true DIY aesthetic, the band has released three full-length LPs along with a 7″ single independently and sold over five thousand copies worldwide. In classic WIZ fashion, Livin’ Oblivion has evolved from their previous efforts boasting a bigger, heavier, sharper, and louder approach than ever before. Faster thrash elements have been added, while staying true to that sultry, Thin Lizzy-esque twin lead vibe throughout.
Since their first Listenable album release, New Waste, in early 2016, the band has toured non-stop including a Canadian mini-tour with Red Fang, a six-week stadium tour with Killswitch Engage and Volbeat, a month-long US tour supporting Brant Bjork and Royal Thunder, a month-long North American tour supporting Weedeater, and so much more. At home on the road, BLACK WIZARD is ready to take to the streets again kicking 2018 off with their fourth European run.
BLACK WIZARD: Adam Grant – vocals/guitar Eugene Parkomenko – drums Danny Stokes – guitar Evan Joel – bass
Psychedelic Stoner Doom collective GREEN DRUID will release their debut full-length Ashen Blood via Earache Records this March. Brooding, atmospheric, and isolationist with weighty riffs summoning the Lovecraftian horrors of the cosmos, GREEN DRUID‘s music entrances listeners with tales of the Old Blood and of dismal worlds too soon forgotten.
Hailing from the land of Denver, Colorado – the first US city to legalize marijuana – GREEN DRUID worships at the feet of the monolithic amplifier, and performs holy communion with the tremorous onslaught of murky tones that emanate from its maw.
“While our first EP and foray into the world of doom could be viewed as us learning the ins-and-outs of the genre, Ashen Blood is where we really started to hone in on our own voice,” issues the band. “Taking influence from the dark fantasy landscapes of games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, we strove to create a truly doomed psychedelic experience.” Fans of Sleep, Electric Wizard, Sunn O))), Thou, Khemmis, The Sword, and Bongripper pay heed.
Ashen Blood will descend upon the ears of the worthy on March 16th on CD, LP, and digital formats. For preorder bundles, go to THIS LOCATION.
In the meantime, sample GREEN DRUID’s “Dead Tree” video at THIS LOCATION.
In related news, GREEN DRUID will rumble the stages of several venues in the coming weeks with additional performances to be announced soon. See all confirmed dates below.
GREEN DRUID – Concert Dates:
1/20/2018 Surfside 7 – Sort Collins, CO w/ Chieftain
1/21/2018 Buckhorn Bar & Parlor – Laramie, WY w/ Stoic., Euth, Old Haunts
Avant doom collective EYE OF NIX will play this year’s edition of Northwest Terror Fest alongside Witch Mountain, Woman Is The Earth, Falls Of Rauros, and Ragana. The band will be performing tunes from their Black Somnia full-length, issued late last year via newly launched Scry Recordings. EYE OF NIX will also play a special record release show February 2nd with additional live rituals in the plotting stages.
Captured by renowned producer Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Om, Pallbearer) at The Hallowed Halls in Portland, Oregon and mastered by Brad Boatwright (Gatecreeper, Necrot), Black Somnia centers itself on themes of fear, control, and anxiety while shape-shifting through a lens of blackened psychedelia and doom. Commented vocalist Joy Von Spain, “For me, the album is an exploration of the forces of fear and control, responses to these insidious, unseen powers, the specter that remains when we awaken from mysterious and frightening dreams. Billy Anderson worked with us on ideas to preserve the noisier elements of our sound and create layers of atmosphere surrounding the voice.”
Black Somnia is available digitally and in a full color gatefold LP presentation with 180-gram black vinyl, limited to 250 copies at the EYE OF NIX Bandcamp page at THIS LOCATION where the record can also be streamed in full.
EYE OF NIX:
2/02/2018 Highline – Seattle, WA
5/31/2018 Northwest Terror Fest @ Barboza – Seattle, WA
EYE OF NIX first began to create abrasive yet kaleidoscopic sounds in 2012. Current members — vocalist Joy Von Spain, guitarist Nicholas Martinez, bassist Zach Wise (Hissing), noise artist Masaaki Masao, and drummer Luke Laplante — strive to conjure music that’s threatening, beautiful, and harsh. EYE OF NIX toured the West Coast with noise veterans Blue Sabbath Black Cheer in 2013, then chose an expanded route including the Rockies and Southwest in 2015. Since their inception, EYE OF NIX has shared the stage with diverse notable acts such as Voivod, Jarboe, SubRosa, Sea Of Bones, King Dude, Lesbian, Worm Ouroboros, Eight Bells, Tengger Cavalry, and more.
Moros, their first LP, was released in 2015 via Eugene-based imprint Belief Mower (Muscle And Marrow, Hungers). The album was captured by the hands of accomplished Seattle-based engineer Brandon Fitzsimons (Bell Witch, Anhedonist) at Airport Grocery in Seattle and mastered by Justin Weis at Trakworx in San Francisco. The record was reissued digitally with two bonus studio tracks: “Blood In The Fire” and “Rome Burned.”
BEHEMOTH, along with Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Testament, all bands who have close ties to and have shared the stage multiple times with Slayer over the years, will accompany the band on leg one, North America, of what will be Slayer’s final world tour. The trek begins May 10th when a twenty-six-date odyssey will have them crisscrossing the country, from San Diego to Toronto, Orlando to Minneapolis. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, January 26th; log onto www.behemoth.pl for all ticketing info.
“If you are lucky enough to be invited to play even just once with living legends like Slayer, it’s an incredible honor. Slayer gave Lamb Of God our very first two overseas shows. Slayer has subsequently taken us on several full-length tours, both at home and abroad. The guys in Slayer and their crew have also always been very, very cool to our band. It is irrefutable that Slayer helped create the genre of aggressive metal, and all modern bands of that ilk owe them a huge debt – I know we do. To be asked to be a part of their final tour – well, it just makes you stop and realize just how lucky you are. Hail Slayer! We’ll see you on the road…” – Randy Blythe, Lamb Of God
“It’s truly an honor to be on Slayer’s final tour. Anthrax and Slayer have toured together for decades, we are family, band and crew, so we want to help give Slayer the best send-off possible, and to have one last blast with our friends. But you know, at the end of the day, Slayer will never die.” – Frank Bello, Anthrax
“Well, well, well… the dream comes true AGAIN it seems. BEHEMOTH will be teaming up with mighty Slayer again for another extensive North American run later this year! Nothing short of epic if you ask me! I cannot wait to confront American legions again before we unleash the new record. One of the biggest metal tours this year: Testament, BEHEMOTH, Anthrax, Lamb Of God and Slayer. Can you miss it out? FUCK NO!” – Nergal, BEHEMOTH
“Sharing the stage with Slayer once again is going to be an honor, and to be a part of the final tour is going to be a special privilege for us. Slayer has influenced so many aggressive bands in their career. This tour will be an epic time for all who attend. Do yourself a favor and clear your calendars when this show comes to town. This will be your last chance to see a tour like this. Get ready North America for the devastation.” – Chuck Billy, Testament
BEHEMOTH w/ Slayer, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Testament:
5/10/2018 Valley View Casino Center – San Diego, CA
5/11/2018 FivePoint Amphitheatre – Irvine, CA
5/13/2018 Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo – Sacramento, CA
5/16/2018 PNE Forum – Vancouver, BC
5/17/2018 South Okanagan Events Centre – Penticton, BC
5/19/2018 Big Four – Calgary, AB
5/20/2018 Shaw Centre – Edmonton, AB
5/22/2018 Bell MTS Centre – Winnipeg, MB
5/24/2018 The Armory – Minneapolis, MN
5/25/2018 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
5/27/2018 Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre Freedom Hill – Detroit, MI
The Metal Queen unveils: “The writing process of the album is done and we’re currently finalising the mixing. This new record is going to be a diverse album with many fast songs and countless metal anthems. To be honest, one of these songs could become the next ‘All We Are’!”
With this hit and her new album, the blonde metal angel + band are going to celebrate their 35th band jubilee on a huge world tour during late summer 2018! From November 16th onwards, DORO will perform once again in Germany and Austria (see all dates below).
What else can DORO tell about the upcoming album?: “The first song that I’ve written for the new album is a song dedicated to Lemmy. It’s called ‘Living Life To The Fullest’!”
Following the DORO tradition, there will be of course also another German song on the album. A midtempo track, dealing with a deep friendship, just as in ‘Für Immer’!
Make sure you don’t miss DORO’s new songs, as well as her biggest metal anthems like ‘All We Are’, ‘Für Immer’, ‘Burning The Witches’, ‘Raise Your Fist’ and many more – live! These are all European dates up to now:
Presented by: Metal Hammer, Radio Bob, Slam Magazine, Musix, Metaltix
16.11. D Bremen – Aladin
17.11. D Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
18.11. D Berlin – Astra Kulturhaus
20.11. D Görlitz – Kulturbrauerei
21.11. A Wien – Simm City
23.11. D Memmingen – Kaminwerk
24.11. D Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
25.11. D Saarbrücken – Garage
27.11. D Frankfurt – Batschkapp
28.11. D Erfurt – Stadtgarten
30.11. D Köln – Live Music Hall
01.12. D Bochum – Zeche
We had some great times on the first leg of the tour that we decided to add another batch of dates with some more of our favorite bands to play with! We will be hitting the road CROWBAR, THE ACACIA STRAIN & TWITCHING TONGUES this March for the 2nd leg of the 20 Years of Desire & 15 Years of Perseverance Tour!
CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:
3/15 — Boston, MA — House of Blues*
3/16 — Syracuse, NY — Westcott Theater
3/17 — Flint, MI — The Machine Shop
3/18 — Grand Rapids, MI — The Intersection
3/19 — Millvale, PA — Mr. Smalls Theatre
3/20 — Joliet, IL — The Forge
3/21 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
3/22 — Omaha, NE — Sokol Auditorium
3/23 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly’s
3/24 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
3/25 — Indianapolis, IN — Deluxe at Old National Centre
3/26 — Nashville, TN — Exit/In
3/27 — St. Louis, MO — Delmar Hall
3/28 — Columbus, OH — Newport Music Hall
3/29 — Reading, PA — Reverb
3/30 — Providence, RI — Fete Music Hall**
*3/15 Boston = no support; Hatebreed supporting Dropkick Murphys
**3/30 Providence = no support; Hatebreed only
___________________________
LONG LIVE HATEBREED, CROWBAR, THE ACACIA STRAIN & TWITCHING TONGUES.
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