Michigan’s The Black Dahlia Murder has just announced a show in Detroit on October 28 at Saint Andrew’s Hall, which will be a celebration of the life and legacy of Trevor Strnad. The concert marks the band’s return to the stage after the untimely passing of their beloved frontman, Trevor Scott Strnad, on the 11th of May this year. Founding member, Brian Eschbach will be putting down his guitar and taking on the role of lead vocals moving forward. A decision that wasn’t made lightly when the band got together to discuss their future after they started to work through the initial shock and grief of losing their best friend. Stepping back into the BDM family is guitarist Ryan Knight. Support for the show will come from Darkest Hour and Plague Years.
Tickets went on sale on Friday, September 16 and can be purchased here.
Decibel Magazine has interviewed all members of the band to discuss what’s next, which will be the cover of the magazine’s November 2022 issue out this month.
Excerpt from Decibel Magazine: “We spent many days thinking things like, ‘Is this over?’” Eschbach tells Decibel. “None of us wanted it to be over. We still feel like there is a lot left to do. I know Trevor would keep this band going if I went down a deep, dark path and weren’t here. It’s bigger than us. When we finally started talking about it, we thought, ‘Let’s remake it from within and see if Ryan wants to return. And I’ll take a crack on the vocals and see how it goes.’ I can’t go out there and do Trevor’s voice or try to be him. I can only execute the music of the Black Dahlia Murder with respect and try to do it the most justice I can. I’ve heard Trevor perform more than anyone else alive.“
Knight says the decision to return was easy despite the difficult circumstances. “The time I’ve spent with this band is the best time I’ve ever had,” he says. “Being away has given me a lot of time to reflect, and it always occurred to me that being in BDM is the best use of my time. I’ve thought a lot about the band while I was away and realized how much value this band has. I almost feel like I let some opportunities slip, being away from the band. So, it feels great to be back and like everything has come full circle. I’ve realized how much I love being in this band.“
Albert Mudrian of Decibel Magazine has been kind enough to post the interview in its entirety on the Decibel site for fans to read. View the article here.
Arizona thrash metal practitioners INCITE will close out the year with a North American headlining tour. The journey will commence on November 17th in Louisville, Kentucky and run through December 17th in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Comments singer Richie Cavalera, “We’re beyond fired up to get part two of our Wake Up Dead headlining tour started. We’ll be hitting a lot of killer cities we haven’t been to in quite a few years. We hope to see you all in the pits burning and shredding with us!”
Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
INCITE – Wake Up Dead North American Tour2022: 11/17/2022 Germantown – Louisville, KY 11/18/2022 Legends – Cincinnati, OH 11/19/2022 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 11/21/2022 Sneaky Dee’s – Toronto, ON 11/22/2022 Turbo Haus – Montreal, QC 11/24/2022 Dominion Tavern – Ottawa, ON 11/25/2022 Backstage – Windsor, ON 11/26/2022 Corktown – Hamilton, ON 11/27/2022 Photo City – Rochester, NY 11/28/2022 Kingsland – Brooklyn, NY 11/29/2022 Planet Trog – Whitehall, PA 12/02/2022 Furnace41 – Atlanta, GA 12/03/2022 Slam House – Bradenton, FL 12/04/2022 The Haven – Orlando, FL 12/05/2022 The Goat – New Orleans, LA 12/07/2022 Boozers – Corpus Christi, TX 12/08/2022 Wonder Lounge – Laredo, TX 12/09/2022 Ridglea Room – Dallas, TX 12/11/2022 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 12/12/2022 The Vanguard – Tulsa, OK 12/14/2022 Reggies – Chicago, IL 12/15/2022 Zymurgy – Menomonie, WI 12/16/2022 Lefty’s -Des Moines, IA 12/17/2022 1867 Bar – Lincoln, NE
INCITE’s latest full-length, Wake Up Dead, was released in April via Atomic Fire Records. With Wake Up Dead, INCITE jettisons the extraneous bloat of slicker bands in favor of authentic grit and determination, consistently churning out “headbanging riffs with concussive force (Kerrang).” Ghost Cult champions, “a massively enjoyable collection of aggression from a band led by someone who has literally lived and breathed metal since the day he was born,” while Dead Rhetoric observes, “Consistent road warriors that they are, INCITE brings another platter to the table that should have no trouble adding more staples to the setlist – ensuring sweat infested hordes a glorious time.”
The very spirit and attitude of heavy music culture, courses through the veins of INCITE. Over the course of five albums — The Slaughter (2009), All Out War (2012), Up In Hell (2014), Oppression (2016), and Built To Destroy (2019) — the band has cemented their reputation as one of America’s leading groove armadas, heavily hitting home with their blend of old-school thrash majesty, frantic aggression, melody, and skill. Written over the course of several bouts of feverish inspiration throughout the pandemic, with recording duties again handled by legendary producer Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence, Everytime I Die), Wake Up Dead delivers in the most relentless way possible.
INCITE’s Wake Up Dead is available on CD, LP, and digitally. Find ordering options at THIS LOCATION.
Watch the band’s previously released videos for “Deadbeat” HERE, “Mental Destruction” video HERE, and “War Soup” (feat. Max Cavalera) HERE.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, icons of heavy metal, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, have announced a US headlining tour this Fall! The excursion kicks off on November 10th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and runs through November 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Support will be provided by Spirit Adrift and The Native Howl. See all confirmed dates below and purchase tickets HERE.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY w/ Spirit Adrift, The Native Howl: 11/10/2022 Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA 11/11/2022 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 11/12/2022 Snowblind Festival – Atlanta, GA 11/13/2022 Growlers – Memphis, TN 11/15/2022 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH 11/17/2022 Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC 11/18/2022 The Queen – Wilmington, DE 11/19/2022 Granite State Music Hall – Laconia, NH 11/20/2022 Reverb – Reading, PA 11/22/2022 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 11/23/2022 The Forge – Joliet, IL 11/25/2022 Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY 11/26/2022 Mr. Small’s Theatre – Millvale, PA 11/27/2022 The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
Since forming in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has woven their distinct riffs deep into the fabric of heavy metal for over four decades. Across ten landmark, critically acclaimed albums, the band has continued evolving. From the early days of thrash to their more recent, blues-infused metal, the band has managed to progress with each release keeping fans and critics alike guessing.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s most recent full-length, No Cross No Crown, was released in 2018 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Recorded with longtime producer John Custer, the record marks the first studio recording with vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan in over a decade and, earning the #67 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, #12 on the Billboard Top Current Albums Chart, and #3 on the Top Hard Music Albums Chart upon its first week of release, is the highest charting album of the band’s career.
Finnish melancholic metal band Denigrate takes a selection of tour dates in Europe in October and offers a chance to hear their latest Blackguard album live at its entirety.
Denigrate is supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse as follows:
24.10.22 Czech Republic, Prague @ Futurum 26.10.22 Poland, Poznan @ U Bazyala 27.10.22 Poland, Warsaw @ Proxima 28.10.22 Lithuania, Vilnius @ Vakaris 29.10.22 Latvia, Riga @ Melna Piektdiena 30.10.22 Finland, Helsinki @ Ääniwalli
Latest Denigrate album Blackguard was released April 22nd 2022 via Inverse Records.
Swedish Epic Heavy Metal duo Sordid Blade will release full-length debut album Every Battle HasIts Glory October 14 on CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats via Gates of Hell Records.
The album’s first single, “Hidden Enthronement,” is available to stream at: youtu.be/CWW4gOuwiFs
“I view heavy metal as an art form.” It is this simple but impactful summation that spills into the music of multi-instrumentalist and Sordid Blade figurehead Niklas Holm. Formed in 2021 out of his desire to create an epic heavy metal band in the vein of Hammerheart-era Bathory, Manilla Road and Warlord, Holm issued Sordid Blade’s two-song MMXXI demo in 2021. It was an early indicator of Holm’s ability to meld heroic proto-metal with the style and persuasion of his primary influences. After a brief period of soliciting prospective labels, Sordid Blade found its rightful place on Gates of Hell Records for the release of their first full-length, Every Battle Has Its Glory.
Every Battle Has Its Glory was tracked over the course of a year with engineer Kim Ekwall Lattik, with drum recording provided by Magnus Jonsson at Milk Studio, who also mixed the album. The album marks the first appearance of drummer Micael Zetterberg, who joined Sordid Blade after the release of MMXXI. Together, Holm and Zetterberg tap into the broad, illustrious field of true, mid-paced anthemic metal, harnessing stout riffing and choice melodies to form a sound that remains faithful to the style’s storied past.
Line-up:
Niklas Holm: Vocals, Guitar, and Bass
Micael Zetterberg – Drums
Holm’s lyrics deal with existential themes and how the individual can gain strength by focusing on what’s really important in the world. His lyrics are driven by metaphor, developing a sort of “code” for the listener to decipher. Once they do, they will find a wealth of songs with deep, emotional subject matter that adds another layer of depth and intrigue to Sordid Blade. Even the instrumental “Kiolsvarf” is topical — it is a Swedish term to describe a family drowning at sea.
The Carl Larsson (1853-1919)-created cover art was the last piece to the Every Battle Has Its Glory puzzle. Zetterberg found one of Larsson’s paintings in a book and shared it with Holm. Holm knew the creation was the perfect choice — its dark style reflected the overall theme of the album.
It is by which this thoughtful depth and exploratory nature that Sordid Blade sets itself apart. The epic metal field is growing increasingly crowded, but for those in search of something with an emotional and personal atmosphere, there is no better choice circa 2022 than Sordid Blade.
Italian heavy metal band Crying Steel have announced that they have signed to Underground Symphony Records for the release of their upcoming album.
The 5th studio album is scheduled to be released in January 2023 in deluxe digital format. Further information will be revealed soon.
Underground Symphony is also based in Italy and is known to have released material from bands such as Sabaton, Labyrinth, Manilla Road, White Skull among others.
The band commented: “We are honoured to be joining Underground Symphony’s roster and have a feeling we will have a fruitful relationship. After being stuck at home during the pandemic lockdowns, we can’t wait to show you the new music we cooked up. Stay Steel!”
Crying Steel was formed in 1982 and is considered to be one of the very first heavy metal acts to come out of Italy. The band’s discography includes: Crying Steel (1985), On the Prowl (1987), The Steel is Back! (2007), Time Stands Steel (2013), Stay Steel (2018) and Steel Alive (2019).
Crying Steel will be performing at Boyler Fest, Bologna (17th September), Sheratan Live Club, Carpi (24th September), Metropolis Live Club, Frosinone (7 October) and Let it Beer, Rome (8 October) with more dates to be announced soon.
Progressive/symphonic power metal quintet INDUCTION will release their sophomore full length, Born From Fire, on November 25th via Atomic Fire Records.
Notes guitarist and band mastermind Tim Kanoa Hansen. “We tried to deliver a good mix of big hits, great melodies, emotions, brutal anger, intricate riffs, and arrangements as well as making it a ton of fun while listening. We are sure this album will convince old and new fans alike of what INDUCTION means. We sincerely hope that everyone finds themselves in some of the songs.”
The record, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf).
Born From Fire will be available on CD, 2xLP vinyl, and digitally. Find special preorder bundles at THIS LOCATION.
BornFromFire – Track Listing:
Born From Fire
Scorched
Fallen Angel
Go To Hell
Embers
Order & Chaos
The Beauty Of Monstrance
Queen Of Light
I Am Alive
Ghost Of Silence
Eternal Silence
Sacrifice (Bonus Track)
Keep up with INDUCTION’s upcoming European live dates at their official website HERE and stream the band’s previously released songs on the streaming platform of your choice HERE.
Originally founded in 2014, INDUCTION left their first mark with first single, “The Outwitted Consecration,” in 2016 before completely entering the metal world by releasing their eponymous debut album in 2019. Its enormously positive reception even paved them the way to touring across Europe alongside Brazilian power metallers Armored Dawn in November of the same year. It was a notable career start for the quintet that was unfortunately halted by the pandemic leading to a break (at least on the live front) that wasn’t only used by the band to work on their sophomore album but also to renew their power.
Maryland-based Crossover Thrash Metal quintet NINTH REALM will release their debut full-length album AFateUnbroken November 4 on Mercenary Press. The album is a perfect blend of of crossover thrash and traditional heavy metal that represents the band’s refined vision. “Plea to the Heavens,” the album’s first single, is streaming now at:
“Plea to the Heavens” is also streaming on Spotify.
A Fate Unbroken is a nine-track album that takes the influence of the widest range of heavy metal, 80s-toned thrash, death thrash, and hardcore that the decisive genres have to offer. Not only do the riffs, consistent guitar solos, and blackened vocals take the listener through a whirlwind of Slayer/Demolition Hammer era thrash metal, but the lyricism and quintessential raw fantasy style of their art and themes harken back to a Frank Frazetta/Ralph Bakshi age of pure Sword & Sorcery. A Fate Unbroken, for all intents and purposes, is a Maryland band’s attempt to bring a reunion of heavy metal and hardcore punk back to its raw, old-school roots.
Basing their lyricism and overall theme around the original fantasy realm of Tythorin, NINTH REALM delivers an electrifying synthesis of traditional heavy metal and hardcore punk for fans of both respective genres to enjoy.
Line-Up:
Joey Burke – Drums Ben Hageage – Vocals Jared Henry – Bass Liam McMahon – Lead Guitar Charles House – Rhythm Guitar
Pulling from a range of influences that span everything between blackened thrash to old-school death metal, the music of NINTHREALM rips and tears with a ferocity and cadence that perfectly encapsulates the epic scale and grisly atmosphere of grim-dark fantasy. Between the use of aggressive thrash d-beat and viscerally direct song structure of classic metal acts such as Celtic Frost, combined with the melodic riffage of classic bands like Testament/Mercyful Fate, and an added twist of Cro-Mags/Leewaystyle crossover, NINTH REALM wields what is perhaps one of the most poignant new sounds to emerge from the metal underground in recent memory.
FFO: Power Trip, Eternal Champion, High Command, Iron Age
BIO: Sharing a bond for all things heavy metal and high fantasy, college classmates Joey Burke (drummer) and Liam McMahon (lead guitarist) joined forces in the fall of 2018, writing and practicing every week to produce the 2019 demo, Gates of Tythorin. Later adding Jared Henry (bassist) and Ben Hageage (vocalist) to the mix, Ninth Realm solidified their sound with their succeeding 2020 EP, All Hail Treachery. In 2022, to offer a glimpse at what is to come with their debut LP, Ninth Realm released Ondreis MMXXII, a promo tape featuring two songs that both share a track space on the debut full-length record.
Big news coming from the Jasta front! We’ve just added Biohazard’s very own Bobby Hambel to the September 16th Jasta Jam in Orlando, Florida! Grab your tickets through the button below before they run out! Meet and greets are available for purchase at www.martyrstore.net
Heavy metal icons MERCYFULFATE today announce their first North American headlining tour in over two decades! The journey will commence on October 25th in Dallas, Texas and weave its way through fourteen cities, closing on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia. The tour follows the band’s stunning headlining performance at this year’s edition of Psycho Las Vegas.
Vocalist King Diamond comments, “These will be the first MERCYFULFATE concerts in North American theaters in over twenty years. Memories of a lifetime. Your special chance to see MERCYFUL FATE with the full European festival production, but up close and personal. You cannot miss this… I hereby respectfully invite you to Come To The Sabbath by which you may free your soul and feast with us in the dark Of Night. Witches and Demons, you may come as you are! Satanic Regards – King Diamond 666.”
Support for MERCYFUL FATE will be provided by Kreator and labelmates, Midnight. Various presales are available throughout the week:
Citi Presale: Tuesday, September 6th @ 11:00am ET | Password: Citi BINs Mercyful Fate Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, September 6th @ 12:00pm ET | Password: EVIL Ticketmaster Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am ET | Password: MELISSA Live Nation Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: VENUE Blabbermouth Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: SABBATH Knotfest.com Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: OATH
All presales end Thursday, September 8th at 10:00pm local time. General onsale date is Friday, September 9th at 10:00am local time at mercyfulfatecoven.com. These shows will sell out! Don’t miss it!
Additionally, multiple limited VIP packages will be available which will include Meet & Greets, photo opps, private Q&As, exclusive merch, and more starting Wednesday, September 7th at mercyfulfatecoven.com. Secure yours today.
MERCYFUL FATE w/ Kreator, Midnight: 10/25/2022 Dallas, TX – The Factory 10/27/2022 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre 10/29/2022 Inglewood, CA – Youtube Theater 10/30/2022 Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento 11/01/2022 Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium 11/03/2022 Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana 11/04/2022 Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J. Brady Music Center 11/05/2022 Detroit, MI – Masonic 11/08/2022 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring 11/10/2022 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theater 11/11/2022 Laval, QC – Place Bell 11/13/2022 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall At Fenway 11/14/2022 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia 11/16/2022 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
MERCYFUL FATE is currently working on a new album and recently gave fans a taste of the new material when they debuted a song called “The Jackal Of Salzburg” in Germany this past June as well as at Psycho Las Vegas. The band’s current lineup is King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitars, Bjarne T. Holm on drums and Joey Vera on bass.
MERCYFUL FATE was formed in early 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. They were later joined by guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen, and soon thereafter drummer Kim Ruzz would join to complete the band lineup. The band recorded two demos in 1981 and later signed with Rave On Records in Holland for the recording of their successful self-titled EP, released in November of 1982. The Mercyful Fate EP was soon in heavy rotation around core metal radio stations, launching a new breed of heavy metal with their unique sound.
The band joined Roadrunner Records in 1983 and their debut full-length, Melissa, was recorded and released that same year. The following year, MERCYFUL FATE returned to the studio to record their now legendary Don’t BreakThe Oath full-length, released in September of 1984.
MERCYFUL FATE embarked upon a two month US tour in support of the record, which took them across the States several times sharing the stage with the likes of Motörhead and Exciter. The shows had created a brush fire within the metal community. The band reaped recognition globally, closing the year with a five-date tour in Germany with Motörhead, Girlschool, Helix, and Talon.
MERCYFUL FATE’s first concert of 1985 was in their hometown of Copenhagen at an old movie theater with a large capacity. The show sold out and their stage show exhibited a new level of distinction. The night was a huge victory and a new highlight for the band.
By April of 1985 however, MERCYFUL FATE decided to part ways for each to pursue new challenges. The King Diamond band was born and reaped critical acclaim the following years with five studio albums on Roadrunner Records. King Diamond has since signed with Metal Blade Records and is going stronger than ever before.
In the Summer of 1992, MERCYFULFATE decided to reunite and penned a new deal with Brian Slagel and his label, Metal Blade Records. In The Shadows was released in 1993 and was an instant triumph furthered by a sold out US tour.
MERCYFUL FATE has gone on to release another five studio albums and have toured Europe, the US, and South America multiple times. The highlight of 1999 was their critically acclaimed album 9 which was followed by a European tour with Metallica, where King Diamond and Hank Shermann joined the band onstage several times for the medley “Mercyful Fate” which Metallica had recorded on their Garage Inc. double tribute album the year prior. Tours in the US and in South America followed, marking the band’s last live performances for over a decade. MERCYFULFATE then went on hiatus, but made a brief appearance when members joined Metallica onstage in 2011 for their 30th anniversary show in San Francisco, California.
Swedish metal titans MESHUGGAH will kick off their long-awaited US headlining tour this month! Set to commence on September 16th in Worcester, Massachusetts and run through October 16th in Atlanta, Georgia, the month-long trek includes a stop at this year’s editions of the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Kentucky and Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. Support will be provided by Torche throughout the tour’s duration as well as special guests Converge from September 16th through September 30th and In Flames from October 2nd through the tour’s conclusion. Tickets are on sale now at meshuggah.net/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
MESHUGGAH will be touring in support of their critically lauded Immutable full-length, released earlier this year via Atomic Fire. Recorded at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden, mixed by Rickard Bengtsson and Staffan Karlsson, and mastered by multiple Grammy award winner Vlado Meller (Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System Of A Down), the band’s ninth studio album and follow-up to their Grammy-nominated full-length The Violent Sleep Of Reason showcases just how far ahead of the pack the band continues to be.
Full of surprises and yet instantly recognizable as the work of metal’s most idiosyncratic force, Immutable redefines and redesigns the MESHUGGAH sound across more than an hour of the most stimulating and engaging music the band has ever composed. Despite the challenges of the last few years, the progressive principles that have always cemented the band’s artistic efforts remain as steadfast as ever. As we spiral towards a dystopian MESHUGGAH still stands unique with Immutable, their most fearlessly creative studio album to date.
Immutable is available on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats. Find ordering options and additional merchandise at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “The Abysmal Eye”HERE and “Broken Cog”HERE.
MESHUGGAH: Jens Kidman – vocals Mårten Hagström – guitars Dick Lövgren – bass Fredrik Thordendal – guitars Tomas Haake – drums
Progressive Death Metal quartet LAMENTATIONS will release sophomore full-length album Passion Of Depression on CD, double-vinyl LP, and digital formats November 11 via WillowtipRecords.
The album’s first single, “Prodigal,” is streaming now on: YouTube and Bandcamp.
LAMENTATIONS are back with their second full-length, following 2016 debut album, “Echoes in the Wind”. Frontman Danny “Jungle” Jacob is now working with members from the sister band Monotheist: Chris Stropoli (Drums), Prophet (Guitar); and Jose Figueroa (Bass).
“Passion Of Depression” is a cinematic concept album that portrays the pain, pleasure, joy and sorrow that encompass one’s life journey. Razor sharp, methodical riffs drive complex, serpentine compositions supported by a myriad of keyboards, and other classical instrumentation.
The music on the album is supported by various guest musicians, who add a sense of mysticism to an already otherworldly journey, including guitarists Jason Gobel (ex-Cynic), Santiago Dobles (ex-Cynic), Ole Borud (Extol), Ethan Mckenna (Black Crown Initiate), Max Phelps (ex-Cynic, Exist), which are sure to elevate the album’s already multi-layered, grandiose and emotional sound even further.
Sludge metal newcomers, GNASH, are preparing to unleash their debut EP, SharedNightmare, on September 22nd.
Josh Richter of GNASH comments:
“I’ve never done a concept record before so I wanted to try to tell a story in great detail over an entire record rather than just one song. As dark and gruesome as the concept is, the underlying theme is the feeling of carrying around emotional baggage and trauma your whole life and the effects it takes on someone. Life is a heavy burden sometimes.”
Formed this year in Columbus, Ohio, GNASH has already established a powerful and unique sound, drawing influence from the depth of death metal, the raw emotion of black metal, and heaviness of sludge metal, the band’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, is a profound and thought-provoking insight into the darkest reaches of mental health issues.
Shared Nightmare tells a tale of conjoined twins, where one half of the pair dies. The remaining twin must continue on in life, carrying with him a corpse he can’t be rid of. The EP is an exploration of what it means to bear trauma and the toll it takes after a lifetime of being weighed down by such inescapable feelings.
Not for the faint of heart, prepare to be transported into a dark and chilling tale in GNASH’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, coming September 22nd.
Heavy trio RESIDUALSELF are conjuring a melting pot of heavy sounds in their new single “Witches”. Spellbinding solos, dynamic groove rhythms and devilish harsh vocals blend together in this enchanting release. The offering “Witches” will manifest on September 16th.
The band comments:
“RESIDUAL SELF created this song for the events 330 years ago taking place in Salem, Massachusetts. With the lyrical themes of revenge and retribution, the witches have returned, along with their magick. In New England, where RESIDUAL SELF is based, there is a huge jam band scene that both Rex and David have experience playing in. This song “Witches” draws on both our background experience, and our location close to Salem. It is the lengthiest song we’ve made so far with multiple guitar solos from Josh. This is our answer to a jam style song, but bringing the hard and heavy style RESIDUAL SELF is known for.”
“Witches” written by Rex Mazza
Initially created as a solo project by Rex Mazza, RESIDUALSELF soon grew into a three-piece and the outfit signed with SliptrickRecords in 2020 to release their first full length album Revenge. The single “Witches” is a concoction blending their heavier aggressive sound with the jam style. This is achieved by the band through the grunts and growls of Rex, Josh’s multiple lengthy guitar solos, and David’s prowess that keeps the steady drum groove going. With their stark sounds and somber lyrical themes based on lustful intent, greedy resolve, and wrathful decisions, RESIDUAL SELF aims to awaken the true primal nature and strike one’s soul to the bone, unveiling who you truly are; a monster? a devil? or something more?
Become bewitched and entranced by the compelling rhythms of RESIDUALSELF‘s heavy sound. Experience the folly and charm of their magic, but beware the devilry and dark side to their craft.
RESIDUAL SELF: Rex Mazza – Bass/Vocals Joshua Spaulding – Guitar David Sasso – Drums
Shadow Kingdom Records announces the signing of Cruel Force. The first fruit of this union shall be the band’s highly anticipated third album, which will see release next year. Additionally, reissues of the band’s cult two albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, will follow on Shadow Kingdom on all formats.
Truest of the true, Germany’s Cruel Force burst onto the scene in 2008 with the Into the Crypts… demo. While many have tried to emulate the ancient German (black)thrash sound, Cruel Force brimmed with an authenticity that could not be denied, as well as songwriting that added to that noble tradition rather than lazily picking at its corpse. Their two successive albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, made Cruel Force a certifiably CULT name in the international metal underground. Sadly, the band fell into a hiatus following that second album, but now are reinvigorated with the comeback 7″ EP Across the Styx and are ready to make up for lost time with their imminent new album with Shadow Kingdom.
Check out their latest single to give you a taste of what’s to come with the new album:
CRUEL FORCE – “Across The Styx” (Official Video)
A statement from the band as follows: “Today, we would like to announce that we have signed a deal with Shadow Kingdom Records for the release of our third album and for the re-release of our first two records. Signing with an American label was the right choice for us since we know that a big part of our fanbase is situated on the other side of the Atlantic, and we know that it was always a problem for you to get a hold of our releases, now even more than ever with the increase of postage costs. This way, we hope that access will get easier and more affordable for you folks.”
Concluding, the band says, “As for Europe and Germany in particular, everything will also be readily available through Shadow Kingdom‘s extensive distribution network and through our own BigCartel shop. We feel that this is the best decision for the band and the fans, and we are looking forward to spread the metallic mayhem through Shadow Kingdom Records in the future!
Further news about Cruel Force‘s third album will be announced in time.
Tankcrimes is pleased to unveil a limited edition vinyl reissue of WingsOfChains, the debut full-length from Richmond, Virginia speed metal cult, BAT.
BAT‘s esteemed membership on WingsOfChains is well known featuring vocalist/bassist RyanWaste (Municipal Waste, Volture), guitarist Nick Poulos (Volture,) and drummer Felix Griffin (D.R.I.) and their collective experience bleeds through every gnarled note of the record.
Initially released in 2016 via Hells Headbangers, the twelve-track production is an unapologetic firestorm of filth and fury. But more than that, such hard-charging and immediately headbanging speed metal can only come from total diehards who intimately know the secret of steel. From the opening “Bloodhounds” on down to the band’s titular theme song, the trio barrels forth like filth hounds of Hades, pounding metal with violence and force, leaving “Total Wreckage” in their wake.
BAT’s Wings Of Chains is available in three color variants – Splatter, Black “DJ Variant,” and Purple. Secure your copy before they’re gone at the Tankcrimes webshop HERE.
Witherfall has absolutely nothing to do with this tour cancellation. We found out during rehearsals that the tour had been pulled, one week before the band were set to fly out to pick up our bus. Witherfall had every last production detail on our end completely solidified. Airline tickets, Bus, Trailer, Driver, Tour manager, Shipping of Tour merchandise (which has dates printed on them that no longer exist!!!) Rehearsals, Witherfall Beer at venues and countless other expenses that will not be reimbursed. Needless to say, we are devastated by this news. Each one of the aforementioned pieces took months of planning and every detail was carefully managed making this endeavor very time consuming and VERY expensive.
The reality of the math is Witherfall will need to eat the upfront costs of over $12K not including what our crew, and band members will lose because they turned down other work. None of these expenses will be recouped. We apologize to our fans that has had plans that were affected. We had every intention of bearing the cost to put the band out on the road. Again, we had everything planned and were ready and excited to get to play and meet the fans coming out.
We are extremely upset by this last minute rug pull. Even the best case scenario the band would still be operating at a loss but that is the price of bringing our music to you all. If you’d like to purchase a souvenir of tour and support the band (Tour Funeral Expenses) you can get one of these packages or a shirt here:
Taken from their upcoming album “Symbol Of Eternity” German Heavy Metal legends GRAVE DIGGER release their third single + matching video next week Friday, August 19th, 2022, check out the teaser here or below: https://youtu.be/HxmpXcBrRhk
More than ten years without a new studio album could be reason enough for a band to fall into oblivion, unless of course they left a lasting impression on their fans before their hiatus. In case of Swedish melodic metal masters DRAGONLAND, who have inspired their extensive following repeatedly since the release of their debut “The Battle Of The Ivory Plains” in 2001, the anticipation of new material has continued to grow from year to year since their 2011 release “Under The Grey Banner”. Finally, DRAGONLAND returns to the heavy music scene, with their brand new, colossal album “The Power Of The Nightstar” which is slated for a release on October 14, 2022 via AFM Records!
Following the previously-released, first single and album title track, now, DRAGONLAND shared a music video for a new song, “Flight From Destruction”, showcasing the album’s amazing range of wonderfully haunting, fast-paced melodic metal the band is known and loved for!
Watch DRAGONLAND’s brand new music video for ‘Flight From Destruction‘ HERE
“The Power Of The Nightstar” impressively illustrates, that DRAGONLAND continue to be among the most energetic and passionate bands of their genre. The album is not only the band’s longest and most elaborate record to date, it also documents a remarkable artistic development.
“The overall approach is a bit more cinematic sound-wise than our earlier releases,” keyboardist Elias Holmlid explains, adding: “Compared to ‘Under The Grey Banner’, the new album features more electronic elements while retaining and refining the symphonic parts. Fans of Dragonland will definitely recognize the songwriting style, which we’ve taken to even more epic proportions this time around, with dense choirs and maximized production values.”
DRAGONLAND‘s upcoming magnum opus was mixed and mastered by studio icon Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, and will be available on October 14, 2022 through AFM Records. The pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
“The Power Of The Nightstar” – track listing:
01. The Awakening 02. A Light in the Dark 03. Flight from Destruction 04. Through Galaxies Endless 05. The Scattering of Darkness 06. A Threat from Beyond the Shadows 07. Aphelion 08. Celestial Squadron 09. Resurrecting an Ancient Technology 10. The Power of the Nightstar 11. Final Hour 12. Journey’s End 13. Oblivion
Chicago-based thrash trio MISFIRE will support Warbringer on their upcoming US run of live dates! The Unraveling Tour begins September 13th in Fresno, California and runs through October 1st in West Hollywood, California. Additional support will be provided by Heathen, making it one thrash tour not to be missed!
Comments MISFIRE drummer James Nicademus, “We are proud and honored to be welcomed as a part of the US Unraveling tour with our friends Warbringer and thrash metal legends Heathen. See you all soon!”
Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
MISFIRE w/ Warbringer, Heathen: 9/13/2022 Strummer’s – Fresno, CA 9/14/2022 The Atrium – Santa Cruz, CA 9/15/2022 Goldfield Trading Post – Sacramento, CA 9/16/2022 Mano Oculta PDX – Portland, OR 9/17/2022 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 9/18/2022 The Shredder – Boise, ID 9/19/2022 HQ – Denver, CO 9/21/2022 1867 Bar – Lincoln, NE 9/22/2022 89th St. Collective – Oklahoma City, OK 9/23/2022 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX 9/24/2022 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 9/25/2022 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 9/26/2022 Rockhouse Bar & Grill – El Paso, TX 9/27/2022 Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ 9/28/2022 Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV 9/29/2022 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 9/30/2022 Doll Hut – Anaheim, CA 10/1/2022 Whisky-A-Go-Go – West Hollywood, CA
MISFIRE will be touring in support of Sympathy For The Ignorant, their ferocious debut full-length released through MNRK Heavy earlier this year. Conjuring old-school flavored thrash metal devastation with the kind of bombastic firepower that could wake the dead, MISFIRE creates more of a racket than bands twice their size, unleashing song after song of unrelenting savagery. It’s music that could have arrived in the thrash golden age of 1986, when bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Dark Angel, and Sodom delivered crucial records. And yet MISFIRE is forward-thinking, injecting modern metal mastery into their brew for a potent and timeless sound.
Captured in a small studio and engineered by vocalist/bassist Sean Coogan, MISFIRE’s SympathyForTheIgnorant is free from click-tracks and other unnecessary frills, projecting the purity of what three musicians raised on Pantera and the Big 4 sound like in a room together. The record is heavy, brawny, and confident, filled with the kind of earworm thrash metal riffs that sends aspiring players to the guitar store.
Sympathy For The Ignorant is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find ordering options at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Fractured” HERE, “Red Flag” HERE, and “War Of Mine” HERE.
MISFIRE: Jay Johnson – vocals/guitar Sean Coogan – vocals/bass James Nicademus – drums
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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"
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