Jimmy Ronnie – guitarist, founding member of IRON CLAW
IRON CLAW – With new vocalist Gary Hair, IRON CLAW are busy recording new material and playing live. One new song that has been made public recently is Final Hourand it’s a Hard Rockin’ stomper! Gary Hair sings the daylights out of Final Hour and whoa! I am absolutely looking forward to IRON CLAW’s follow-up to 2011’s A DifferentGame (released on Ripple Music).
Guitarist Jimmy Ronnie shreds and his guitar playing on Final Hour is a showstopper! This song must be played at high volume, there is no other option. Gee, do I dig this new IRON CLAW song? My answer is simple: Metal be thy name, I do.
IRON CLAW – Recording Final Hour at Lovers Lane Studios in Dumfries:
AVATAR – A Metal band that has caught my Metal attention this year, in an enormous way, is Sweden’s AVATAR. Their debut full-length, Black Waltz, was released back on February 14th of this year, via eOne Music. Below is the official music video for Torn Apart, just one of many Metal groove infested songs on Black Waltz.
AVATAR is dark, extreme, modern and groove laden with their Metal sound. Black Waltz is a solid reason as to why I am leaning towards choosing AVATAR as “Best Metal Newcomer Of 2012” and one of the best Metal albums I’ve listened to thus far, this year. Crank up the Metal volume on Torn Apart below and you’ll might just agree with me!
AVATAR:
Johannes Eckerström – Vocals
John Alfredsson – Drums
Jonas Jarlsby – Guitars
Simon Andersson – Guitars
Henrik Sandelin – Bass
* To read my album review for Black Waltz, click on the large link below!
DOG SHREDDER‘s Brass Tactics 12″ is out (released April 17th) via Seattle’s Good To Die Records! The record shows the scorching underbelly of the Bellingham, Washington-based trio at their most over three technical, caustic, unrestrained, psychotically-charged tracks that consume fifteen minutes. To help disseminate the release of this beast upon the lands, the folks at Invisible Oranges are hosting a full stream of Brass Tactics…CLICK HERE!
A stint of DOG SHREDDER live appearances throughout the Pacific Northwest are also confirmed, beginning with two record release shows next week followed by a trio of dates in early May. A more extensive West Coast tour is being devised for early June and will be announced in the coming weeks.
DOG SHREDDER – Confirmed Tour Dates:
4/26/2012 Barboza – Seattle, WA – Brass Tactics Record Release Show w/ Sandrider, Monogamy Party, Brokaw
4/27/2012 The Shakedown – Bellingham, WA – Brass Tactics Record Release Show w/ Sandrider + more
5/10/2012 Dante’s – Portland, OR w/ Black Elk, White Orange, Norska
5/11/2012 The Comet – Seattle, WA w/ The Ruby Doe, Black Elk, Akimbo
5/12/2012 The Shakedown – Bellingham, WA w/ The Ruby Doe, Black Elk, Akimbo
IRON MAIDEN EN VIVO! – Released on March 26th, 2012, via Universal Music, is the live 2-CD from Iron Maiden: En Vivo!This amazing Iron Maiden concert was recorded on April 10, 2011, with over 50,000 fans in attendance at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, the capital of Chile. I’m telling it like it is here, this is one incredibly fun listen and a must own for fans of Iron Maiden. Any Metalhead across the globe should find this double live Iron Maiden to have kick-ass Metal credentials!
Kevin “Caveman” Shirley produced, engineered and mixed this concert event into a top-tier live Metal album, so good is the production and sound quality that En Vivo! surpassed my expectations. Steve Harris co-produced this live gemstone and I cannot express enough admiration I have for his bass playing prowess. No one else even sounds remotely close to Steve Harris on bass. His signature tones are all over every song and… ’nuff said.
Bruce Dickinson sounds just fine and dandy to my middle-aged ears. I seriously walk away impressed by how Bruce sings on these live songs. Vintage. After all these years, it’s incredible to hear Bruce Dickinson sing at this level of quality… live. Certainly it’s not 1985 anymore and vocalists do adapt. If there was any technological assistance in making his vocals sound so grand, I’m not hearing it on En Vivo! or I’m missing it.
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With six golden old-school classics of 2 Minutes To Midnight,The Trooper, Iron Maiden, The Number Of The Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Running Free;En Vivo! glistens with the songs that put Iron Maiden at the very top of the Metal food chain. I cannot shake away those psyche-out ostrich bumps that grow on my arms and face, as I listen to these iconic Iron Maiden songs, on this live double CD.
The newest studio album from Maiden, The Final Frontier, is represented well on En Vivo! The intro of Satellite 15 ushers in The Final Frontier to start this stunning concert and I’ve realized once again why It’s my favorite song from that album. The vibes of Iron Maiden 2012 just combine so perfectly with those vibes of Iron Maiden’s past on En Vivo! and it’s terrifically addicting!
Legendary songs. An iconic Metal band. Excellence in vocals and musicianship. Spot-on production. The highest quality of live sound surrounds my senses. IRON MAIDEN. En Vivo! Honestly, what more can I say? There is more… buy this double CD of live Iron Maiden and play it F’n LOUD! Metal be thy name.
Brutal Death Metallers Nephelium announce they will be performing at Death Metal Decapitation 2 in Toronto, ON, May 4th at Hard Luck Bar alongside Derelict (Montreal), Deamon (Ottawa), The Unborn Dead (Toronto), Blastomycosis (Toronto).
When: Friday, May 4th Where: Hard Luck Bar – 772A Dundas St. W, Toronto, ON
Doors at 8PM / 19+ / $10
Bands: Derelict, Deamon, Nephelium, The Unborn Dead, Blastomycosis
Nephelium traces its roots back to the late 1990s from the city of Dubai, UAE and have now re-established themselves in Toronto, Canada for the last 10 years and recently release their debut album “Coils of Entropy” on February 7, 2012.
The album balances equal amounts of brutality and complexity, staying true to the roots of old-school Death Metal and is a 6 track masterpiece that truly embodies Nephelium’s vision of Technical Death Metal with old school roots and Arabian melodies.
CD Cover Design: Juanjo Castellano (JuanCastellano.com) Logo Design: Christopher Horst
Track Listing:
1. Burial Ground 05:04
2. Merciless Annihilation 06:18
3. Hellborne 05:02
4. Malediction 08:52
5. Halls of Judgment 05:56
6. Coils of Entropy 10:15
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“Coils of Entropy” reached #1 on the Canadian College Radio Loud Charts for the month Marchand February.
Guitar World is hosting an exclusive premiere of “18 Days,” the second official single from Death Metal tyrants SIX FEET UNDER. The track comes off the band’s soon-to-be disengaged Undead full-length scheduled for North American release on May 22, 2012 through Metal Blade Records. Offering up 12 tracks of uncompromising, sonic brutality, the record was produced by Mark Lewis (Deicide, Devildriver) and mixed by Jason Suecof (Whitechapel, Job For A Cowboy), at Audio Hammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.
Commented vocalist Chris Barnes: “Creating an album is a lot of work and a lot of focus, but we didn’t really have too many hiccups in the recording. It went really smooth, and it was pretty much the most effortless album we’ve ever tracked. I had a great, great time working on this album; it was so much fun because everything seemed so new again.”
Now featuring Barnes, possessor of one of the most dominating voices of the Death Metal genre, alongside guitarist RobArnold (ex- Chimaira), longtime guitarist Steve Swanson (ex-Massacre), bassist Jeff Hughell (ex-Brain Drill, ex-Vile), and drummer Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Chimaira), SIX FEET UNDER 2012 finds the band recharged and churning out some of the most severe, thought-provoking and downright horrific tunes of their epic discography.
In conjunction with the release of Undead, SIX FEET UNDER will embark upon a near three-week run of live rituals this June. Dubbed the 18 Nights Of Blood Tour, the beatings will begin in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8 and ravage its way across the country before coming to a close on June 29 in Tampa, Florida. Support will be provided by Dying Fetus and Revocation.
In the meantime, be sure to visit the band’s official Metal Blade Page for info on limited pre-order options and to check out first single, “Formaldehyde.”
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* For more info/tour dates on the 18 Nights Of Blood Tour, click the large link below!
Fourth Installment Of “The Leads Are Weak” Video Series Posted
Death Metal collective JOB FOR A COWBOY today announce four special headlining dates in Japan! Following their trek on the Metal Alliance Tour, which is currently underway, the band will play two shows in Tokyo as well as Nagoya and Okinawa beginning on May 18. Confirmed dates are below:
JOB FOR A COWBOY in Japan:
5/18/2012 Shibuya Cyclone – Tokyo, Japan w/ United
5/19/2012 Sakae R.A.D – Nagoya, Japan w/ Infernal Revulsion, Death I Am, Hostile Eyes, Neuerwind
5/20/2012 Shibuya Milkyway – Tokyo, Japan w/ Arise In Stability, Metal Safari, Infernal Revulsion, Death I Am
5/21/2012 Chatan Salt & Papper – Okinawa, Japan w/ Illuminati, Shores, Roach, Shakes Beard
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JOB FOR A COWBOY will be touring in support of their brand new studio recording, Demonocracy, released in North America last week through Metal Blade Records. The intricate, Jason Suecof-produced offering tackles various political and economic themes and continues to crush the masses nationally. In a recent review Ultimate-Guitar noted of the record: “The album plays like a constant assault, and while never backing off it still manages to add enough structure for individual songs to become memorable,” adding that, “the soloing is surprisingly catchy and well-executed while still managing to sit well in the context of the songs.”
Alternative Press calls Demonocracy “an ass-kicking, skull-cracking record,” while Stereokiller agrees: “…a solid slab of some really heavy technical death metal. JOB FOR A COWBOY has separated themselves from former peers such as All Shall Perish and Whitechapel, and has now firmly fitted themselves with the likes of Suffocation and Dying Fetus.”
In related news, the fourth in the “The Leads Are Weak” instructional video series by guitar wizard Tony Sannicandro is currently posted for your viewing pleasure. Subtitled “Getting Sexual,” Sannicandro elaborates: “One of the most important things to me in soloing is good phrasing. The first half of the ‘Misery Reformatory’ solo is a pretty cool example of good phrasing that fits the song. It would have been easy to go to the classic E-minor and start burning like the clap, but I figured it would be better to break it down a little simpler and make it sexy. This is easy to play but it’s a good lesson in outlining the solo like the curves of a beautiful broad.” See for yourself at THIS LOCATION.
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JOB FOR A COWBOY are nearing the end of the Metal Alliance Tour. Joined by The Faceless, Dying Fetus, 3 Inches Of Blood, Impending Doom, Wretched, and headliners, Devildriver, the remaining dates include:
JOB FOR A COWBOY – Metal Alliance Tour 2012
w/ Devildriver,The Faceless, Dying Fetus, 3 Inches Of Blood, Impending Doom , Wretched [remaining dates]
4/18/2012 Dos Amigos – Odessa, TX
4/19/2012 House of Blues – Dallas, TX
4/20/2012 Emo’s East – Austin, TX
4/21/2012 House of Blues – Houston, TX
JOB FOR A COWBOY
6/30/2012 La Respuesta – San Juan, PR
DEMON LUNG – From Las Vegas, Nevada, arrives DEMON LUNG. Yes, this Doom Metal band have arrived with their self-released debut EP: PAREIDOLIA. Led by vocalist Shanda Frederick, her captivating tones of doomed despair combine seamlessly with the molasses thick riffs and trudging rhythm that Demon Lung executes. Demon Lung plays their Doom Metal as if they’ve been around since the mid 70’s. Yes, Demon Lung plays that tight and are that admirably grim around the edges.
The more I listen to this four song debut EP, the more I wish it was a full-length of ten or twelve more songs. Yes, Demon Lung has sucked me into their Doom lined tunnel of sound and I am not looking for any damn place to hide. I want in. Demon Lung hasn’t gone out and tried to reinvent the Doom Metal wheel on Pareidolia. Instead, this band plays with a spirit of Doom that summons up all things splendid about this genre’s past, bringing a fresh sound to the Doom Metal present.
Crunchy, Doom inspired guitar, a ground shaking rhythm section, horror laced lyrics and Shanda on vocals. This is a recipe for future success in the world of Doom and Metal as a whole. Whoa. After several listen throughs of Pareidolia, I’m thinking I’ve been taken away to the center of the Earth, where only I know about Demon Lung and only I can celebrate with them… the sacred sound of Traditional Doom Metal.
As I come to my Metal senses here… please understand… Demon Lung is highly, highly recommended to all my fellow Metal and Doom Metal brethren. Two words of advice for your next Metal album purchase: DEMON LUNG. Metal be thy name.
Germany’s young Sleaze Rock crew KISSIN’ DYNAMITE are preparing to unleash their newest full-length Money,Sex & Power onto hard-partying North American crowds on April 24th. Listen to the first two tracks from the album, including the title track “Money, Sex & Power” and the following “I Will Be King” and much more at the band’s official website HERE.
Considered to be the great hope of the German Hard Rock scene, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have dominated stages across Europe since the release of their debut album Steel Of Swabia in 2008, when the singer was just 16 years old! After winning over crowd after crowd with their energetic live show and infectious anthems, the band’s sophomore album Addicted To Metal was released by Germany’s massive AFM Records in 2010, which even featured the legendary Udo Dirkschneider (Accept, U.D.O.) on the title track.
Their success and experiences over the past few years have shaped the band and increased their professionalism in every department, which is apparent on their third full-length, Money, Sex & Power. Here KISSIN’ DYNAMITE release ten blazing numbers which still follow the classic Metal path of previous releases, yet more than before they display their very own brand of Sleazy Heavy Rock, inspired greatly from timeless masters of the art including Mötley Crue, Whitesnake, AC/DC and Guns ‘N Roses. Money, Sex & Power showcases the band taking their authentic, raw, melodic and powerful songs to new levels, and sees them more determined to dominate the rock scene than ever before.
FEAR FACTORY has released a special trailer that is a visual preview into the story behind their forthcoming new album, The Industrialist. Set for release June 5, The Industrialist is the second album written by vocalist Burton C. Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares since reuniting in 2009 after a seven-year split. An audio snippet for the album’s lead single, “Recharger,” is now available at the band’s official YouTube page; the single is available via iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers beginning April 24.
As previously announced, The Industrialist is a conceptual record based around a short fiction written by Bell; lyrics to the album’s ten songs divulge the narrative as discussed recently by Bell with Decibel Magazine. The album will be available on three formats – standard CD, a limited edition deluxe digi-book (featuring two additional songs), and 180-gram double vinyl. Pre-orders for the album in all formats will be available shortly via Candlelight Records’ official webstore.
Bell notes, “the protagonist (The Industrialist) is the incarnation of all industries in the form of an automaton. The mechanical, technological, and scientific advances through the industrial age led to the creation of The Industrialist. In the story, the automaton becomes sentient as it collects memories with each passing day. Through observation and learning, it gains the will to exist. What was meant to help man, will eventually be man’s demise.”
The Industrialist follows the 2010 release of Mechanize. Widely regarded, the album was the first release from FEAR FACTORY in six years. Mechanize debuted on Billboard’s Top 100 album chart week of release and topped CMJ’s Loud Rock radio chart as programmers embraced the band’s triumphant return. Sirius XM and Headbangers Ball’s host Jose Mangin noted, “after Mechanize dominated 2010 as Liquid Metal’s Album Of The Year, North America is chompin’ at the bit to get an ear full of new Fear Factory. I have no doubt that FEAR FACTORY are going to kick our collective asses in 2012.”
Members of FEAR FACTORY are currently in Los Angeles rehearsing for upcoming performances in South America followed by their first U.S. tour since late 2010. Bell and Cazares presented members of Slipknot the “Comeback Of The Year” award last week at the 4th Annual Revolver Golden God Awards; an award they were nominated for in 2010. Xbox broadcast the program, including pre-ceremony black carpet interviews, to all game console owners; Revolver Magazine streamed the event live via their Facebook page. Rebroadcast information will be announced by Revolver Magazine shortly.
* The trailer for The Industrialist was digitally manipulated and chopped by James Zahn. To check out more of his work, visit http://www.therockfather.com.
Dates on FEAR FACTORY’s upcoming American tour are noted below:
5/01/2012 Backstage Live – San Antonio, TX
5/02/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX
5/03/2012 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
5/05/2012 State Theater – St. Petersburg, FL
5/06/2012 Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
5/07/2012 Masquerade – Altanta, GA
5/09/2012 Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC
5/10/2012 Theater of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/11/2012 Wally’s Pub – Hamton Beach, NH
5/12/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD
5/13/2012 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
5/15/2012 McGuffy’s House of Rock – Dayton, OH
5/16/2012 The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI
5/17/2012 Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
5/19/2012 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
5/21/2012 Ace of Spade – Sacramento, CA
5/22/2012 Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
5/23/2012 Yost Theater – Santa Ana, CA
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on FEAR FACTORY, click on the links below:
BEAK – Chicago’s Extreme/Post-Metal troupe BEAKwill be playing at the Chicago Loves Nexer Benefit Concert, this coming Sunday, April 22nd. BEAK’s Jason Goldberg told Metal Odyssey: “it’s a benefit for a mutual friend of everyone’s who was a hit and run victim on his bike.”
Also performing at this benefit concert will be: YAKUZA, THE BLOODIEST INDIAN (Feat. members of Bloodiest & Indian) and PANZER.
KISS – Being a KISS fan (usually) means that the lure and hunt for this iconic band’s memorabilia is real and fun. I’ll only buy KISS memorabilia that I can afford and I’ve even passed over many “smaller” items these past several years. Nonetheless, my KISS Kollection will always have a piece added to it from time to time. Just this morning, I bought another kool KISS kollectible. It’s the recently released: KISS Hot Wheels Tour Hauler.
The artwork from the 1976 KISS “Destroyer” album is on the side of this hauler, complete with the classic KISS logo. The top of the hauler has the klassic KISS (band member) symbols. I’m going to keep it in its original cardboard packaging and display it as is. I feel, Hot Wheels did an amazing job in making this KISS Tour Hauler look super sharp.
Over the last couple of months, I have seen and passed over buying this KISS gem. (I am a frugal Mealhead). Finally, when I walked past this KISS Tour Hauler at my local Super Walmart this morning, the urge to own it became too damn intense for me to resist. The front of the box reads “8+”, so I guess I’m old enough to own it. I paid $17.97 (U.S.) for this piece of KISStory and that’s a ton cheaper than it costs to fill my gas tank today. Metal be thy name.
FortaRock Festival 2012 – This kick-ass Metal festival will be happening in Park Brakkenstein, Nijmegen, Netherlands on June 02, 2012. SLAYER is headlining! Machine Head, Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Meshuggah, The Devin Townsend Project, Asphyx and Trivium. Whoa! And yes… Metal be thy name.
ROYAL HUNT – Denmark’s Metal champions and Frontiers Records recording artists, ROYAL HUNT, are embarking on their 20th Anniversary World Tour! Check out the ROYAL HUNT 2012 Tour Presentation (official video) below! Led once again by DC Cooper on vocals, ROYAL HUNT will be supporting their newest studio album: Show Me How To Live.
Melodic, Symphonic and Progressive… the Metal of ROYAL HUNT cannot be denied!
ROYAL HUNT – Show Me How To Live
* To read my album review on Show Me How To Live, click on the large link below!
RUSH – Progressive Rock/Hard Rock legends. Pioneering a sound so unique to the Rock world and expanding on their musical genius that spans five decades. RUSH. Enormously influential to generations of other musicians and bands alike. RUSH. Canada’s national treasure. RUSH. Clockwork Angels, the 20th studio album from their illustrious musical career, will be released on June 12th, 2012, on Roadrunner Records.
Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and co-produced by RUSH. Nick Raskulinecz produced the last RUSH album; 2007’s Snakes & Arrows as well. The first single from Clockwork Angels will be Headlong Flight; arriving April 19th on Rock radio. A North American tour to support Clockwork Angels will be announced shortly!
Selfmadegod Records is proud to be unleashing some grim brutality under the banner of Uppsala, Sweden-based outlaws USURPRESS.
The unit fuse classic founding Death Metal patterns with dissonant, primitive Crust/Punk tones into a raw, filthy attack. Having only soiled the Metal underworld with a demo and short split 7″ releases to date (one with Bombs of Hades, the other with Pyramido), but that will all change on the 1st of May when their latest output In PermanentMidnight will be released. Recorded and mixed by Lawrence Mackrory in Blueflame Studio and Great Scot! Audio, the whiplash-inducing MCD runs rampant with eight thunderous USURPRESS hymns in twenty-two minutes.
Formed in 2010, USURPRESS was founded by members Stefan Pettersson (ex-Sportlov, Diskonto/vocals), PåhlSundström (ex-Blotseraph,Shuriken/guitar) and Calle (drums), later expanding to a four-piece by recruiting bassist Daniel Ekeroth (ex-Tyrant, ex-Insision, Dellamorte, author of Swedish Death Metal).
Following the release of In Permanent Midnight, USURPRESS will embark on their first European tour this Summer, coinciding with the release of their debut LP which is being finalized now for release via Selfmadegod on CD and Iconoclast on LP. More info on both to follow in the weeks ahead…
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In Permanent Twilight – Track Listing:
1. Pleasing the Usurpress
2. Unpunished
3. I am an Empire
4. The Initiated (Will Fall)
5. Embrace Your Non-Existence
6. Primitive Majesty
7. Downtrodden Isolation
8. In Permanent Twilight
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on USURPRESS, click on the links below:
3 INCHES OF BLOOD and GOATWHORE will be unleashing their Metal upon Europe this May! HAVOK and ANGELUS APATRIDA are supporting. Check out the dates and venues below to see if this tour will be near you. Metal be thy name.
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3 INCHES OF BLOOD– LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL – EUROPEAN TOUR 2012:
05.05.12 – Essen, Germany @ Turock
06.05.12 – Rotterdam, Holland @ Baroeg
07.05.12 – Nottingham, UK @ The Rescue Rooms
08.05.12 – Aberdeen, UK @ The Tunnels
09.05.12 – Manchester, UK @ Moho
10.05.12 – Belfast, North Ireland @ Limelight
11.05.12 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Pint
12.05.12 – Plymouth, UK @ White Rabbit
13.05.12 – London, UK @ Underworld
14.05.12 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
15.05.12 – Stuttgart, Germany @ 1210
16.05.12 – Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk
17.05.12 – München, Germany @ Feierwerk
18.05.12 – Massa, Italy @ Swamp Club
19.05.12 – Italy – Misano Adriatico (RN) @ Boulevard Club
20.05.12 – Wien, Austria @ Viper Room
21.05.12 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Gala Hala
22.05.12 – Prague, Czech Rep @ Hoodoo Club
23.05.12 – Dresden, Germany @ Chemiefabrik
24.05.12 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
25.05.12 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Pumpehuset
26.05.12 – Berlin, Germany @ K17
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* For more info on these kick-ass Metal bands, click below!
In celebration of its release, this week the Hardcore warriors over at Toxicbreed’s Funhouse are hosting a stream of THE LOVE BELOW‘s debut full-length Every Tongue Shall Caress, the brutal release having been freshly unleashed last week by A389 Records. Check out all 13 scathing tracks RIGHT HERE.
THE LOVE BELOW will take part in the first-ever West Coast A389 label showcase in Pomona, California on May 19th, joining labelmates Integrity, Ringworm, Seven Sisters Of Sleep, Young And In The Way and more. The band will follow the showcase with a full US tour including a performance at this year’s annual Chaos In Tejas throwdown alongside Sham 69, Saint Vitus, Absu, Ringworm, Dropdead, Nasum, Winter, The Mob, and dozens more.
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THE LOVE BELOW live:
5/19/2012 The Glass House – Pomona, CA @ A389 showcase w/ Integrity, Ringworm, more [info]
5/31/2012 The Nile – Phoenix, AZ w/ Cold World, Backtrack, Dead End Path
Recorded at Eastland Studios in East Los Angeles and at Gramma’s Boy in Fullerton by Dan Bieranowski, THE LOVE BELOW‘s introductory full-length Every Tongue Shall Caress belts out thirteen high-angst numbers in under twenty-four minutes. Comprised of members of Carry The Casket, The Mistake, and Mother Speed, TLB haphazardly coalesce elements of ’90s icons Fall Silent, Endeavor and Left For Dead into a sound akin to more contemporary acts like Pulling Teeth, Trash Talk and Cursed, resulting in purely unhinged mayhem.
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on THE LOVE BELOW, click on the links below:
Festival aims to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
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Halifax based Spread The Metal Festival (whose goal is to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada with 100% of ticket revenues) is proud to announce the first round of Canadian bands supporting the fest and charity fundraiser.
“Spread the Metal Records has lofty ambitions for this festival and as it grows each year, I want to prove that the label is as committed to philanthropy as we are to releasing phenomenal records. We take on the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves, and this festival has the power to help a lot of people, year after year.” – Matt Day STM owner and festival organizer commented.
ABOUT: Spread The Metal Fest was inspired by STM Records owner Matt Day, whom previously worked for HSF as a volunteer and decided it was time to give back to the community and help an organization and cause that promotes awareness of heart disease along with financial support. About: Spread the Metal Records is an artist-oriented label.
They recognize the commitment of all those who have signed with them and those who continue to support them in other ways. A label is only as strong as its artists, and indeed the job of the record label is to create an environment where they can pursue their artistic vision. That means giving straight answers, holding themselves accountable, taking responsibility for their mistakes, and recognizing their own limitations.
STM believes in every release that they put out and they have more respect for the fans than to expose them to a sub-par album. STM demands the best from themselves, and so they can’t accept any less from the bands that they represent.
Stone Says: I have lost both my mother and sister to that evil bitch called a stroke. I fully endorse and applaud the efforts of Matt Day and his Spread The Metal Festival and Spread The Metal Records. I also admire each and every band on this festival bill for giving their time for such an extremely important cause. A Metal kudos to everyone involved in making this fantastic festival happen. Metal be thy name.
One of Poland’s top contemporary Traditional Metal acts, CRYSTAL VIPER, are prepared to release Crimen Excepta on April 24th via AFM Records, their fourth full-length album to date.
Welcome to the world of CRYSTAL VIPER: a world full of Flying Vs, tube amps, leather and chains. The band’s powerful old-school sound runs deep with influences hailing from Mercyful Fate, Warlock and Iron Maiden, yet with a dark thrash edge born of Nifelheim persuasion at times, all fueled by frontwoman Marta Gabriel, her commanding vocals akin to Chastain’s Leather Leone with a touch of Doro Pesch.
The follow-up to 2010’s acclaimed Legends full-length, Crimen Excepta is a concept album about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction mixes with historical facts. Recorded with producer Bart Gabriel (Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, Sacred Steel, Mortician), Crimen Excepta is inarguably CRYSTAL VIPER‘s darkest and most aggressive material to date.
Bringing more of their personal Black and Death Metal influences to the table, even bringing in guest members such as Hell vocalist David Bower who appears on the album’s title track, as well as Vader’s Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek to record a cover of the Vader classic “Tyrants Of Hell” for a bonus track to the album. Additionally, CRYSTAL VIPER recorded “Ghosts Of Sherwood”, a theme song for the forthcoming 3D cinema horror movie Robin Hood: Ghosts Of Sherwood, which also appears as a bonus track to the album.
As with previous CRYSTAL VIPER works, the cover art for Crimen Excepta was painted by legendary French artist Chris Moyen, known from his cooperation with acts such as Slayer, Trivium, Beherit, Blasphemy and more. View the cover art, a trailer for the new album to hear the opening track from the album, “Witch’s Mark,” AT THIS LOCATION.
CRYSTAL VIPERlineup:
Marta Gabriel – vocals, guitars
Andy Wave – guitars
Tom Woryna – bass
Golem – drums
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Crimen Excepta Track Listing:
01. Witch’s Mark
02. Intro 1
03. Child Of The Flame
04. Intro 2
05. It’s Your Omen
06. Intro 3
07. Crimen Excepta
08. Intro 4
09. Medicus Animarum
10. Intro 5
11. The Spell Of Death
12. Intro 6
13. Hope Is Gone, Here’s New Law
14. Intro 7
15. Fire Be My Gates
16. Intro 8
17. Tyrani Piekiel
18. Ghosts Of Sherwood
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on CRYSTAL VIPER, click on the links below:
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Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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