With the release of Totalitarian Dystopia, the new full-length from London death slingers, ACRANIA, now less than two weeks away, American Aftermath is pleased to wreck your speakers with sixth track, A Gluttonous Abomination.
Recorded with Stu McKay at Studio 6 in London with mixing/mastering by Chris Foster, Totalitarian Dystopia hurls forth a thirty-six minute maelstrom of audio wreckage through ten corrosive tales dissecting chaos, corruption and the imminent collapse of mankind. The record includes guest appearances from Tom Barber of Lorna Shore, Mendel of Aborted and Jamie Hanks of I Declare War, and promises to engulf an entire new legion of modern death fanatics worldwide with its surgical execution and relentless brutality.
Boasts American Aftermath of the track, “ACRANIA‘s ‘A Gluttonous Abomination’ is a festering slab of disgusting Death Metal and this is definitely something you want to wrap your head around on such a beautiful day.”
Get irate with “A Gluttonous Abomination” at THIS LOCATION.
And if you missed it, feast your eyes an ears on the “Festering With Dishonesty” lyric video now playing at Decibel at THIS LOCATION.
Named after a rare congenital disorder that occurs in the human fetus in which the flat bones in the cranial vault are either partially or completely absent, the politically-bent ACRANIA has spread their message through several independent recordings since their 2012 inception. Their debut split with Blue Waffle and “A Trophy Of Corporate Disfigurement” single, both released in their first year as a band, followed by their The Beginning Of The End EP released last year have helped the band forge a devout fanbase of pit-seeking followers. Having already toured with various acts around Europe including Cerebral Bore and Warpath, plus with upcoming shows booked alongside Thy Art Is Murder, Blood Red Throne and many more, ACRANIA will continue to scoff their way through the scene and proliferate their message of maximized hostility through their blistering fusion of brutality, slams and blastbeats.
Totalitarian Dystopia will be released on August 19th, 2014 via Unique Leader Records. Preorder your copy at THIS LOCATION.
German Death Metal outfit OBSCURE INFINITY have revealed the cover art for their upcoming third full-length, Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness. The artwork comes courtesy of Juanjo Castellano (Blaspherian, Revel In Flesh, Harm), who commented on the album after hearing select tracks, calling it “killer stuff!”
Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness is set for release later this year on FDA Rekotz.
East Coast Death Metal trio HORRENDOUS are set to return with their highly anticipated sophomore release, Ecdysis, on October 14. Picking up where the band’s critically acclaimed 2012 debut, The Chills, left off, Ecdysis sees HORRENDOUS emerge as one of the most intense, brutal, and most importantly, genuine contributors to today’s traditional Death Metal revival.
Ecdysis is set for an October 14 worldwide release on CD, vinyl and digital formats via Dark Descent Records. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Subterranean Watchtower Studios (www.facebook.com/SubterraneanWatchtower). Cover art for the album was done by Brian Smith.
UK’s blackened Death Metal horde SIDIOUS have announced the identity of the drummer who joined the band under a veil of secrecy earlier this year when the band began work on their debut full-length. The mysterious skinsman has been revealed as Krhudd, the mastermind and sole member of COLOSUS, who released its digital-only debut, Blastem, last year on Kaotoxin Records. Other roster shifts have seen guitarist Isfeth take over vocal duties after the departure of vocalist Tom “Void” Allen.
SIDIOUS, featuring members of funeral doomsters EYE OF SOLITUDE, took the underground by storm in 2013 with their debut EP, Ascension to the Throne Ov Self. The new lineup has spent the last 12 months hard at work on their full-length debut. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by world-renowned producer Russ Russell (Dimmu Borgir, Napalm Death) at Parlour Studios and is set for release this fall on Kaotoxin Records. Ascension to the Throne Ov Self is available at the following links:
East Anglia’s monolithic Metal act, The King Is Blind, have announced that they will release their debut EP, The Deficiencies Of Man, via Mordgrimm on September 1st. It is currently streaming via UK’s Terrorizer Magazine. Listen to it here.
Featuring ex-members of Cradle of Filth, The Blood Divine, Entwined and a current member of Extreme Noise Terror, The King is Blind’s debut was recorded, produced and mixed by Tom Donovan (Telepathy, Dingus Khan) at Tom Donovan Studios, Essex (UK) and mastered by Tim Turan (Emperor, Marilyn Manson) at Turan Audio, Oxford (UK).
A lyric video, directed by Sam Scott Hunter (Motörhead), to the track “A Thousand Burning Temples” is now showing below:
The band formed in 2013 and released a demo EP in March 2014 titled Bleeding the Ascension. Shortly afterwards, on March 21st, 2014, the band performed their debut live performance in their hometown of Colchester. The event was received with great praise and shortly before that the band was announced to play the UK’s biggest Heavy Metal open air, Bloodstock Festival.
The East Anglia quartet is not stopping there. They are already confirmed to perform at Hammerfest VII in March 2015. The band’s aim is to make British Metal the intimidating force it once was and they are already recognized for that by a MetalRecusants writer: “Colossally intimidating… The King Is Blind look set to dominate the British Metal scene”.
The King is Blind are already being recognised for their work. Terrorizer Magazine described the band’s sound as “the groove of old school Death Metal… with deliciously doomy riffs for good measure”. However, as Ghost Cult Magazine notices, the band likes to keep it fresh and has a modern sound: “Drawing comparisons to Celtic Frost, but with the touch and heft of the best modern bands”.
The Deficiencies of Man – Track Listing: 1. A Thousand Burning Temples 2. Of Osiris & Execration 3. Thorns That Pierce The Skull 4. Revelation, Apocalypse
The King Is Blind:
Lee James Appleton – Guitars
Steve Tovey – Vocals / Bass
Paul Ryan – Guitars
Barney Monger – Drums
Concerts:
August 9, 2014 – Bloodstock Festival, Sophie Lancaster stage
Frenetic MELODIC SKATEPUNK THRASH topnotchers STRAIGHTLINE released the official video clip for their highly explosive track “Retrogressive”, which can be seen below:
STRAIGHTLINE:
Bart – guitar & vocals
Herzna – bass
Randy – drums
Enric – guitar
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Wild … wonderful … welcome!!!
STRAIGHTLINE from Munich returns with an electrifying release!
Three relevant questions in advance:
Giant demand about highest musical culture?
Urgently desires for rhythmic precision?
Big appetite for flipping out completely?
For many rebel souls & musical scale strikers there’s only one answer these days:
!!! STRAIGHTLINE !!!
The new (self-released) 7″ EP “Alteration Of The Rules” of the 1998 founded formation offers their roundabout proven style at it’s very best!
With the very sad passing of bassist Paul Gray back in 2010 and the very unexpected departure (or firing) of drummer Joey Jordison, maggots worldwide have wondered aloud if a new SLIPKNOT album would ever come to pass. If anything, it all seemed that things were uncoiling fast, towards the negative direction, in the world of SLIPKNOT. I for one, was 50/50 on whether SLIPKNOT would ever release a new studio album. There were those days when I absolutely felt they wouldn’t.
Well, maggots across the globe now realize that all hope is NOT gone, (get it?), as a new album is on the way… whenever the release date is. In the last few days, a brand new SLIPKNOT song emerged onto the SLIPKNOT website, titled: The Negative One. Maggots everywhere can listen to the song just once, however, once a maggot signs up for the SLIPKNOT email list, another listen of the song will be available. The Metal word is that a music video for this new song, The Negative One, will be released on Tuesday, August 5th; with this single becoming available via iTunes on this same day. Yes, Virgina, there is a Metal Santa Claus! It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since All Hope Is Gone was released and that album will forever be a crème de la crème Metal album for my ears and Metal senses.
As for the new song, well, I’ve only listened to it twice and tried to let each second sink into my Metal scathed brain tissue. It sounds like SLIPKNOT went back to their original album and became reacquainted with every bizarre sonic nuance and psychotic note. Corey Taylor’s vocals are 100% pissed off, with an in-your-face assault of crazed Metal; making for this new SLIPKNOT offering a brain-blast of psycho-raging Metal goodness! In other Metal words, The Negative One comes across just fine as SLIPKNOT; still it would be great to know who is really playing the bass and drums. The guessing game across the internet doesn’t do the trick for me. I’m one maggot that cannot wait for album number 5 from this (now) iconic band. Damn, when it comes right down to it, I miss the hell out of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, by their not being a part of this band anymore. Metal be thy name. – Stone
As stated on the Rigor Mortis – Indiegogo fundraising page:
Texas Speed Metal pioneers, Rigor Mortis are asking for your help to finance the recording and release of SLAVES TO THE GRAVE – their fourth and final album.
On Dec 23rd, 2012 we lost our brother and founding member, guitarist Mike Scaccia. Mike suffered a massive heart attack onstage with Rigor Mortis and died doing what he loved, playing his music with his friends and for his friends. Fortunately, just days before he left us, Mike was able to put the finishing touches on his tracks for what would unfortunately be his and Rigor Mortis’, final… and unquestionably finest, studio record.
Recorded in Feb 2012 at Ministry’s 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, Texas, STTG returns to the original first record line-up of Mike Scaccia – Guitars, Bruce Corbitt – Vocals, Harden Harrison – Drums, and Casey Orr – Bass.
After shopping the record for months, we found that with no hope of touring to support the record, and no chance of a follow-up album, labels were reluctant to release STTG. Though we received nothing but positive feedback, labels were fearful of not recouping their investment without an active band to promote the record. This, combined with the floundering record industry and sketchy economy, we decided we would be better off self releasing Slaves To The Grave, and reaching out to the Metal community to help us give this record the release it deserves.
In addition to the studio cd, the first 5,000 copies will include a “making of” dvd.
We have both physical and digital distribution in place, manufacturing facility secured, new and improved website and store launching, and high-profile record release events planned.
The record is finished, the cover art is amazing, release date is set for Oct. 7th, 2014. All we need is funding. We’re shooting for a goal of $20,000. The money will go towards paying off our recording debt (studio, engineers, travel, mastering), as well as artwork, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, and promotion. If we go past that goal, the money will go towards additional promotion, etc. as well as other Rigor Mortis projects such as re-pressing and re-releasing the back catalogue, vinyl releases, and new merch.
We’re offering a ton of cool incentives, like signed copies of the cd/dvd, LPs, posters, T-shirts, hoodys, patches, stickers, shot glasses, flasks, original artwork, merch bundles, and much more! We will keep adding rewards throughout the campaign.
So please, help if you can, and if moneys tight, then help us spread the word! We can’t wait for the world to hear what we feel is our greatest work – SLAVES TO THE GRAVE!
Thanks!
RIGOR MORTIS – HISTORY
Rigor Mortis formed in 1983 in Arlington, Texas and immediately became a driving force in the original wave of North Texas Metal. With the emphasis on speed and the subject matter steeped in horror and gore, Rigor stood out as extreme intimidators, on and off stage. Starting out as a 3 piece composed of Mike Scaccia on guitar, Harden Harrison on drums, and Casey Orr on bass, the band added vocalist Bruce Corbitt in ’86 and quickly signed to Capitol Records, releasing their classic self titled debut record in ’88. Two years later, Corbitt left the band and Doyle Bright came in on vocals. Rigor went on to release two more records; FREAKS, on Metal Blade Records and RIGOR MORTIS vs. THE EARTH, on Triple X Records.
In 1991 Mike accepted an offer to join Ministry as well as Revolting Cocks, et al. Rigor Mortis was no more, but the four members remained close friends and supported each others’ endeavors. Mike continued working with Ministry off and on over the years, as well as appearing on countless other projects. For the last several years Mike had also become a rep and clinician for Gibson Guitars. Casey Orr joined shock rockers, GWAR, where he remained off and on from ’94 until mid 2011, in addition to working with a long list of other bands including Blohole (with Scaccia), Speedealer (with Harrison), The Burden Brothers, and The Hellions, to name a few. Harden Harrison went on to play drums with Pervis, Speedealer, Mitra, and most recently Hint Of Death. Bruce Corbitt formed DFW supergroup, Texas Metal Alliance, which evolved into the mighty Warbeast, releasing 2010’s “Krush The Enemy”, and 2013’s “Destroy”, both on Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Records. Casey would join Warbeast in Feb. 2013. Doyle Bright is currently playing guitar with Atlanta Metal vets Hallows Eve.
In 2005, the original lineup of Scaccia, Orr, Harrison, and Corbitt reunited for was to be just a short run of shows. This, of course, led to more shows and talk of a new record. With all 4 members active with other projects and their personal lives, it took a while for the pieces to all fall into place, but in early February 2012, the band entered 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, and recorded their 4th album, SLAVES TO THE GRAVE.
On December 22nd, 2012, while playing onstage with Rigor Mortis in celebration of Bruce’s 50th birthday, Mike Scaccia suffered a sudden and massive heart attack. He was pronounced dead a short time later, after midnight on the 23rd. Rigor Mortis was over. The impact that Mike had on all that knew him is immeasurable. In life he touched us all with his talent and his sense of humor and his friendship. His passing changes everything for many of us. There will never be a fifth Rigor Mortis record. We will never play another show together as Rigor Mortis. Worst of all we’ll never laugh the way we used to.
But we will keep the flame burning. For Mike, for his family, for ourselves, and for the fans.
New York Death Metal legion, INTERNAL BLEEDING, will unleash their long-awaited new full-length, Imperium, to the masses this Fall via Unique Leader Records. Produced by the band alongside Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studio (Suffocation, Dehumanized, Mortal Decay) in Ronkonkoma, New York and engineered by Cincotta and Derek Boyer, Imperium boasts the menacing artwork of Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (Carcass, Cryptopsy, The Haunted, Nevermore et al) and spews forth some of the band’s darkest, heaviest, and most sonically and musically cohesive material of their storied career.
Additionally, Imperium includes a three-part trilogy featuring guest appearances by Suffocation’s Terrance Hobbs and Frank Mullen as well as former INTERNAL BLEEDING throat Frank Rini. At once aurally pulverizing and conceptually strirring, Imperium smokes all its path! INTERNAL BLEEDING is clearly back and ready for a takeover.
In anticipation of its release, today INTERNAL BLEEDING brings fans a ten-plus-minute video examination of Imperium boasting interviews with individual members as well as snippets of each track.
Comments guitarist Chris Pervelis: “We wanted to try to give fans of the band a little bit of insight into each song from both a musical and lyrical perspective. Even though we feel the album is very cohesive and we’re all on the same page musically, each member of the band has a different take on what is important and interesting about the album. It’s these different perspectives that combine to make Imperium a very complete and well-rounded recording.”
Check out the video along with an additional preorder teaser, below:
Coinciding with the release of Imperium, INTERNAL BLEEDING will wage war on North America as part of this year’s Carnival Of Death tour. Set to embark on October 3rd, 2014 in New York City, the trek will level more than two-dozen cities coming to a close on November 3rd, 2014, in Montreal. The band will be joined by Suffocation, Kataklysm, Jungle Rot and Pyrexia.
INTERNAL BLEEDING – Carnival Of Death Tour 2014 w/ Suffocation, Kataklysm, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia:
10/03/2014 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
10/04/2014 The Webster – Hartford, CT
10/05/2014 Bogie’s – Albany, NY
10/06/2014 Oddbody’s Music Room – Dayton, OH
10/07/2014 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL
10/08/2014 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
10/10/2014 Empire – Springfield, VA
10/11/2014 Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
10/12/2014 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
10/15/2014 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
10/16/2014 Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
10/17/2014 Rail Club – Fort Worth, TX
10/18/2014 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
10/19/2014 Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
10/20/2014 Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV
10/21/2014 The Whisky – West Hollywood, CA
10/22/2014 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
10/23/2014 Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR
10/24/2014 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
10/25/2014 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC
10/26/2014 The Level – Kelowna, BC
10/27/2014 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB
10/28/2014 Rock Bottom – Saskatoon, SK
10/29/2014 The Zoo – Winnipeg, MB
10/31/2014 Mine Mill Hall – Sudbury, ON
11/01/2014 The Opera House – Toronto, ON
11/02/2014 Paramount – Rouyn, QC
11/03/2014 Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
Imperium will be released via Unique Leader Records on September 30th, 2014. Preorder packages are currently available at THIS LOCATION.
Revolver Magazine is now hosting an exclusive stream of the latest high-octane Thrash/Hardcore output from Saint Louis, Missouri-based awesome party squad, CROSS EXAMINATION.
Closing a six-year gap between releases, CROSS EXAMINATION comes out flailing and impaling with the rabid Dawn Of The DudeEP, bridging influences from Cryptic Slaughter, Nuclear Assault, Excel, D.R.I. and the like into a rabid, high-caliber, circle-pit whirlwind comparable to Ramming Speed, SSS and Power Trip. What’s the last thing to go through a fly’s mind as it hits your windshield? Its ass. And that’s about the same impact this EP will have on the listener.
Sliced from the meaty seven-track slab of crossover contamination, “Hail To The Jeef,” is today exclusively being served up by Revolver Magazine; get some at THIS LOCATION.
The EP’s closing track, “The Dawn Of The Dude,” is also playing below:
Chicago-based Organized Crime Records will unload the Dawn Of The Dude via 7″ vinyl and digital download on August 19th, with distribution through Revelation Records. Preorders will be live this week at the label’s website HERE.
Formed in 2004, in their first four years as a band CROSS EXAMINATION wasted the masses with a plethora of auditory evidence, including their initial demo, a split with Spring Break!, their raging 2006 The Hung Jury EP and their 2008 debut full-length, Menace II Sobriety, the latter two titles via Organized Crime Records. This first new output since their LP is quite possibly their most scathing, grey-matter-reducing sonic beating yet.
The seven new tracks contained on the Dawn Of The Dude barely hitting thirteen minutes, the EP still packs more balls and bong-rips than virtually any comparable contemporary groups. Your brains will simply leak from your blown-open ear canals as you bang your head’s filler into fluid to the perpetually rabid beats, the material featuring even more rasping, schizoid/hyper vocals and a pummeling crusty edge.
THIRD ION, the new Canadian Prog Metal group featuring former members of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND and INTO ETERNITY, have released its debut single “Capitol Spill.” The track is now streaming below:
THIRD ION is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, and science. The debut album is currently over half written, and will contain eight to ten songs, including the title track which is written entirely in 13/8 time signature. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980s classic gaming inspirations.
BIO:
A project talked about, envisioned, and anticipated by Justin and Aaron since the day they met, by chance, in mid-2010. A few of the songs have been in the works since shortly after they met, but meeting Mike and getting him on board was the jump-start needed to truly get this band off the ground.
Now with the addition of Tyler on vocals, and the first few songs demoed, everyone is extremely excited about the future of this project and where it could go. Planning is underway for an amazing live show, with an emphasis on minimalism and mood. Every single member of this band comes from a large base of touring and recording experience and plan to use their resources to get this new project on the road and heard by as many people as possible. Plans are already under way to tour Canada and seek label or grant funding to support the tours.
THIRD ION:
Justin Bender – Guitar
Aaron Edgar – Drums
Mike Young – Bass
Tyler Gilbert – Vocals
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Member Background:
Justin is a guitar player, producer/engineer and song-writer, most known for playing with and producing the Canadian Heavy Metal veterans Into Eternity. Over a decade of live playing, live sound and studio experience, Justin has toured the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia. The main focus of his career has been studio production, which he has become well established in Regina, SK working out of both Touchwood Studios, and Blue Door Recording.
Aaron lives drums. He teaches, records, gigs, does clinics and is a published author (drum related – of course). On top of all that he is the editor in chief of Drums Etc. magazine and has a weekly broadcast show on Drumeo. His educational material (also drum related, of course) on Youtube has reached a million views, with almost 7000 subscribers to his channel. Coming up on March 30th, Aaron will be headlining the Vancouver Island “Day of Drum Festival.”
Mike has been a professional session bassist for the past 15 years. He is well versed in all styles of music and has played everything from Metal (Devin Townsend Band, Terror Syndrome) to rock (Jet Black Stare, Ten Ways, the Matinee), to Funk, Pop, Country and Jazz. He has toured North America and Europe with a variety of projects and currently resides in Vancouver, where he gigs, plays sessions and occasionally teaches. Mike also loves coffee, cartoons and all things nerdy.
Tyler was the last addition to the project and is also a full-time musician. Like the rest of the band, he has dedicated his entire life to his musical career. He has been involved in writing, playing and singing music since his childhood, he grew up surrounded by musical relatives in Regina, Saskatchewan. His primary training was of the guitar but he also dwells on piano, bass and harmonica, playing a mix of new-folk songs with soulful vocals. Tyler accepts influences of all sorts; his main influence taps are of Zakk Wylde, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Michael Jackson. Since 2008, Tyler has recorded and released three solo records and has received radio airplay all across Canada.
California-based Unique Leader Records declares war with the addition of vicious Italian quartet, BLOODTRUTH, to their perpetually expanding army of Extreme Metal architects.
Initially forged in 2009 as the side project of Fleshgod Apocalypse members Francesco Paoli and Paolo Rossi and now featuring the updated lineup of vocalist Luigi Valenti, guitarist Stefano Rossi Ciucci, bassist Riccardo Rogari and drummer Giacomo Torti, BLOODTRUTH heaves forth a sonic fire-ball of speed, brutality and unadulterated hate. Fusing the cryptic atmosphere of early ’90s Death Metal and evocative Gregorian chant, representing the band’s homeland and history, with methodical technicality, BLOODTRUTH are ceaseless in their ear-lacerating capabilities.
Following their two-track promo released in 2012, BLOODTRUTH is ready to release their debut full-length, Obedience. Engineered by Francesco Paoli and Cristiano Trionfera (both of Fleshgod Apocalypse) at Sonic Hammer Studios, then mixed and mastered by Italian Death Metal producer and legend Stefano Morabito of 16th Cellars Studios (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Eyeconoclast, Inherit Disease et al), the ten tracks on Obedience tap into a wealth of unadulterated lyrical hatred released through incinerating waves of limb-removing, guttural metal. Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (Exodus, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Kataklysm) created some of his most intense artwork for the release, the perfect summary of the level of extreme comprising Obedience.
Check out the Obedience teaser video below:
Obedience – Track Listing:
1. Subvenite (Intro)
2. Surrounded By Blind Bigots
3. Throes Of Death
4. Suppurating Of Deception
5. Coerced To Serve
6. Quench Your Thirst
7. Summoning The Heretics
8. Foresworn
9. March Of The Fools
10. Obedience
Unique Leader will unload Obedience on September 16th, 2014 with further BLOODTRUTH intel to be released in the weeks to come.
In celebration of an astounding thirty-year career, SEPULTURA, who stands among Brazil’s most successful bands ever, will unleash a new live offering entitled Sepultura And Les Tambours du Bronx: Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio.
In a spectacular performance that finds SEPULTURA accompanied throughout by the French industrial percussion group Les Tambours du Bronx, notorious for beating 225-liter barrels with beech wood bats or even axe handles, the show was recorded from the band’s main stage appearance at the legendary Rock In Rio gala in 2013. Featuring SEPULTURA‘s most revered tunes including “Refuse/Resist,” “Territory” and “Roots Bloody Roots,” which sees the audience chanting the entire cut from beginning to end, the sheer volume of sound, percussive enormity and powerful presentation sets this release apart from any previous SEPULTURA concert offering to date.
With a one-hour run time divided into thirteen cuts, the album also features a cover of Prodigy’s “Firestarter,” the fan-chanted “Sepulnation,” and music from the band’s Kairos full-length. Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio will come available on CD, DVD and for the first time in the band’s history, Blu-Ray via a partnership with Rock In Rio, MZA Music and Eagle Rock Entertainment. In addition, the DVD includes an exclusive documentary of behind-the-scenes preparation with interviews, rehearsal and sound-check footage and clips of the band just seconds before they hit the stage.
Sepultura And Les Tambours du Bronx: Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio will be released in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment on September 16th, 2014.
Long-running Ohio riff rock peddlers, LO-PAN, are pleased to unveil the details of their long-awaited new full-length fittingly titled, Colossus.
Named for the Colossus of Rhodes, a ninety-six-foot statue of the titan-god of the sun, Helios, constructed in 280 BC to mark a failed siege and the indomitable nature of the Greek city of Rhodes itself, LO-PAN‘s fourth opus serves as their most personal manifestation to date and a true testament to their evolution both as a band and individually.
In the three years since of the release of third long-player, Salvador, the Columbus four-piece have logged countless miles, crossing the country multiple times over on headlining tours and supporting the likes of Torche, High on Fire, KENmode, Whores, Fu Manchu and Weedeater. They’ve become one of the most ferocious live acts in American heavy rock, and Colossus stands tall to reap the rewards of their experience.
For the first time in their near decade-long existence, LO-PAN knew exactly what they wanted when they hit the studio. They’d road-tested songs like “Eastern Seas” and the title track for over a year, and partnering with producer/engineer Andrew Schneider (Unsane, Rosetta, East Of The Wall et al) at his Translator Audio studio in Brooklyn just days after headlining Small Stone showcases in that city and Boston last March, they belted out songs that reveal just how much they’ve moved beyond their influences and arrived at their own sound — a style built on aggression without caricature, fuzz without cliché, melody without redundancy and their meanest groove to date.
Complete with cover art courtesy of Jason Alexander Byers (ex-Disengage, Black Black Black), Colossus, like its namesake, was built in defiance of gods and men, and while LO-PAN‘s loudest statement has always been made on stage, the material they craft and the power with which they execute it on this album is bound to stand for years to come.
_____________________________
Colossus Track Listing:
1. Regulus
2. Land Of The Blind
3. Black Top Revelation
4. Marathon Man
5. N.P.D.
6. Colossus
7. Vox
8. Eastern Seas
9. Relo
10. The Duke
Colossus will be released via Small Stone on October 7th, 2014.
Critical Praise:
“LO-PAN could easily stand as one of the most important bands of their generation in the genre.” – The Obelisk
“With enough stoner rock goodness to destroy bridges and skyscrapers alike, LO-PAN show that they are one of several absolutely essential rock outfits working today and a major force to be reckoned with.” – Sputnik Music
Northern Oak, the South Yorkshire Progressive Folk Metallers, unveil new album details, including the track listing and artwork, for ‘Of Roots And Flesh’.
Ranging from existential rage on ‘The Gallows Tree’, relentless doom and sorrow on ‘Taken’ to a desire to see the best of humanity in the title track, ‘Of Roots And Flesh’ rewards with a seamless blending of vocal styles and a fusion of electric and acoustic guitars, flutes, violins and even melodeons as the band takes you on a musical journey through the nature of struggle.
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See the full track listing for ‘Of Roots And Flesh’ below, which is set for release on 4th October 2014.
1) The Dark Of Midsummer
2) Marston Moor
3) Gaia
4) Nerthus
5) Isle Of Mists
6) Taken
7) Requiescant In Pace
8) The Gallows Tree
9) Bloom
10) Of Roots And Flesh
11) Only Our Names Will Remain
12) Outro
The album art, completed by Lithuanian born artist Augustinas Našlėnas, can be seen below.
Northern Oak are renowned for their ability to weave vicious Black Metal riffs with haunting flute folk melodies. Since the release of their 2010 album ‘Monuments’ the band has toured the length and breadth of the UK with their energetic live show, furthering their reputation and earning the band show time at prestigious festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air and Warhorns.
The recording of the new album was entirely funded through a Kickstarter campaign run by the band. The incredible show of support from their loyal and ever-growing fan base allowed Northern Oak to record the album at Skyhammer Studios with renowned producer Chris Fielding (Primordial, Electric Wizard, Conan).
Laser’s Edge division, Sensory Records, has confirmed the late Summer release of the new live album from Los Angeles-based Progressive/Power Metal group, REDEMPTION.
In 2012, REDEMPTION co-headlined the world-famous ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, where the band recorded a unique show featuring nearly eighty minutes of material and staged with complementary visuals that drive home the compelling emotional impact of this band. That performance is now being constructed for official worldwide release as, Live From The Pit, to be delivered in a CD/DVD package including additional bonus material, including a 5.1 surround mix and more.
From fan favorites such as the never-before-performed “Parker’s Eyes” to the crushing emotional weight of “Stronger than Death,” the band’s performance captured the special ability of its music to deeply connect with fans. In the words of one concert goer, REDEMPTION‘s show “was definitely the most exhausting, personal and emotional musical experience I’ve ever had.”
Live From The Pit will see release via Sensory Records, REDEMPTION‘s original label, responsible for their seminal first two albums, on September 16th, 2014.
Live From The Pit –Track Listing:
1. Intro/Threads
2. The Suffocating Silence
3. Dreams From The Pit
4. Parker’s Eyes
5. Fall On You
6. Noonday Devil
7. Nocturnal
8. Stronger Than Death
9. The Origins Of Ruin
10. Black And White World
11. The Death Of Faith And Reason
12. Walls
[DVD bears same track listing plus 5.1 surround mix and bonus material]
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REDEMPTION is one of the leading Progressive Metal bands in the world today. Formed in 2000 by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk, the band features legendary Progressive Metal vocalist Ray Alder of Fates Warning, as well as guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel), and the phenomenal rhythm section of Chris Quirarte (drums) and Sean Andrews (bass). REDEMPTION‘s combination of heaviness not usually found in Progressive Metal, irresistible melodies and emotional urgency has created a unique and resonant voice for this band that sets them apart from the many clones in the genre, and which has gained them the attention of fans, critics and musicians.
Through the band’s first three studios albums – 2002’s self-titled debut, 2005’s The Fullness of Time, and 2007’s The Origins of Ruin, REDEMPTION gained a loyal fan base and garnered rave reviews worldwide from critics, who describe Redemption’s music as, “one of the best Progressive Metal acts to emerge in the past decade” [DPRP], praised their “magical aura and incredible songwriting” [Blabbermouth], stating, “it’s powerful, catchy, enslaving, technical; it’s the whole bunch” [Lords Of Metal] and having been dubbed, “the new star on the US prog-metal sky” [Squealer Rocks].
REDEMPTION has captivated audiences around the world with their incredible live performances. This was proven on a massive scale in 2008, when the band supported Dream Theater on a five-week North American tour and documenting a headlining show at the tour’s end, entitled Frozen in the Moment, the band returned to the studio to release 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day and 2011’s This Mortal Coil.
Polish Death Metal monsters DECAPITATED just revealed the track list of their upcoming album “Blood Mantra” which is set to be released September 26th, 2014, via Nuclear Blast:
01. Exiled In Flesh
02. The Blasphemous Psalm To The Dummy God Creation
03. Veins
04. Blood Mantra
05. Nest
06. Instinct
07. Blindness
08. Red Sun
Digipak Bonus-Track:
09. Moth Defect
“Blood Mantra” was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok (Poland) under the direction of Wojtek and Slawek Wieslawscy. Three years have passed since the highly praised album “Carnival Is Forever” was released. Now DECAPITATED are back – stronger than ever!
Guitar player & founding member Wacaw “Vogg” Kietyka states:
“Extreme and groove – I think that’s the best way to describe our new album. This time we feel that we have something totally crushing and huge. “Blood Mantra” is the most heavy and mature album we ever did in our carrier. I cannot wait to start to play songs live because riffs are so deep and powerful.”
Don’t Miss DECAPITATED Live:
31.07. DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air
09.08. UK Derbyshire – Bloodstock
13.08. DE Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze
15.08. PL Bydgoszczy – Sliwka Fest
09.12. UK London
10.12. UK Glasgow
11.12. IRE Dublin
12.12. UK Birmingham
13.12. UK Manchester
The history of LONEWOLF, hailing from Grenoble (France), began back in 1992. They played True Heavy Metal since the very beginning and soon released several demo tapes as well as a 7” and recorded even an album, which unfortunately never got released and is referred to as “the lost album”. Following a bad experience with a French label, LONEWOLF split up in 1996.
They came back in 2000, along with the demo “March Into The Arena”, which was re-released as the band’s debut album via Goi Music in 2001.
The second album “Unholy Paradise” followed two years later. “Made In Hell” was released in 2008 via Eat Metal, followed by “The Dark Crusade” in 2009 (via Kathargo Records/Killer Metal Records). The band’s latest albums are “Army Of The Damned” (2012, Napalm Records) and “The Fourth And Final Horseman” (2013, Napalm Records).
LONEWOLF were the first French band ever to play in Greece and were opening act for Grave Digger at their first gig in France. During the past decade, LONEWOLF went on headliner EU tour w/ Dragonsfire and Iron Fate in 2011 and were part of the “Wolfsnächte Tour” 2012, along with Powerwolf, Stormwarrior and Mystic Prophecy. They also played at festivals such as the Up The Hammers (GR), Headbangers Open Air (GER), Hard Rock Session (FR), Beastival (DE) or the Metalfest Open Airs (DE and AT).
LONEWOLF’snew album “Cult Of Steel” will be released in autumn 2014 via Massacre Records!
JUDAS PRIEST – I ponder rather consistently, as to which albums are my favorite from the Judas Priest catalog. I’ve decided to choose my top six Judas Priest albums once and for all. Or is it really once and for all? Everyone has their own likes and dislikes; therefore my list is just that, a personal choice. Four out of the six albums I’ve chosen are from the classic era of Judas Priest; an era that catapulted this iconic band into super Metal stardom.
Let me know which Judas Priest albums you would choose as favorites, via comments; it will be interesting discussion! Judas Priest really are the Defenders Of The Faith. There are great Metal bands and then there are F*#king great Metal bands. Judas Priest for me are F*#king great. Metal be thy name. – Stone
#6
PAINKILLER
Released in 1990, Painkiller was a comeback album for Judas Priest after the Turbo and Ram It Down mainstream darlings. This was also the last studio album before Rob Halford stepped out and Tim “Ripper” Owens stepped in for 1997’s Jugulator and 2001’s Demolition. A kick-ass album is Painkiller, front beginning to end it rages. ‘Nuff said.
#5
REDEEMER OF SOULS
I honestly never anticipated such a milestone album from Judas Priest! With the absence of guitarist and founding member K. K. Downing, I wondered how anyone else could step in? Well, Richie Faulkner has stepped in, quite superbly! Rob Halford sounds like he’s 25 years old on this album! This is a grand follow-up to 2005’s Angel Of Retribution; with my making no insult to 2008’s concept (detour) album Nostradamus.
I could easily have made this new Priest offering my #2 pick; only I would be ignoring all the influential reasons why I fell in love with this band in the first place. This new album from Judas Priest has me psyched-out beyond Metal belief; a consummate Metal album of 2014! I’m tempted to put this Redeemer Of Souls CD under my pillow at night. Just kidding. No, I’m not.
#4
DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH
1984 was a very, very good year due to Defenders Of The Faith being released. With classics such as Freewheel Burning, Love Bites, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll and the anthemic Heavy Duty, studio album #9 from Judas Priest will forever give me super Metal powers. Well, I think so, anyways.
#3
SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE
There’s no denying that Screaming For Vengeance was my first album (vinyl) purchase of this amazing band. The first time I heard a Judas Priest song was You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’and I was transformed! The Hellion sent me over the Metal edge! I never heard anything that badass in my entire life! The rest is my being a Metalhead history. Thank you, thank you, Judas Priest. Thank you, again.
#2
BRITISH STEEL
“Grinder, Looking for meat, Grinder, Wants you to eat”
Yes, even your neighbors grandmother knows the songs Living After Midnight and Breaking The Law, however, it’s songs such as Grinder and Metal Gods that makes British Steel a beacon for Metal.
#1
STAINED CLASS
A 1978 release, Stained Class was ahead of its time. Really. Please name another Metal band that captured a Metal sound like this, back in 1978! You can’t! Black Sabbath’s Doom and Stoner Metal was the complete opposite! KISS, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, Rainbow, Ted Nugent and Led Zeppelin were all too unique with entirely different sounds; so different in fact, that Judas Priest made everyone else in 1978 sound like Hard Rock bands. This was… METAL! A New Wave Of British Heavy Metal!
This Judas Priest album was a look into the future of Metal, as we all know and cherish it today. Without this era of Judas Priest, there would be NO Metallica or any of their 1980’s peers; I firmly believe that. A strong, lean and yet (never before heard) powerful album, lyrically oozing with a rabid bite that only Rob Halford could deliver vocally! Stained Class is my favorite Judas Priest album of all-time. Metal be thy name. – Stone
Exceptional, the new video from Heavy Metal supergroup, UNISONIC, is currently playing at Metal Insider. The song comes by way of the band’s forthcoming new full-length, Light Of Dawn, set for release in North America next month.
UNISONIC boasts a royal lineup of former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, also ex-Helloween) alongside guitarist Mandy Meyer (Asia, Gotthard, Krokus), bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Kosta Zafiriou (both of Germany’s Pink Cream 69).
Spring of 2014 saw UNISONIC produce the twelve new tunes that comprise sophomore offering, Light Of Dawn, all of them performed with surgical precision and punctuated by Kiske’s world-class vocals. “Our first world tour has really welded us together,” Kiske notes of the group’s unmistakable evolution. “The touring made us realize the importance of a congenial atmosphere for our creativity and how much I missed this team spirit over the past twenty years. Only musicians who feel really comfortable with each other can deliver their optimum performance.” Dennis Ward, a driving force within the unit, one of its main composers and as on 2012’s self-titled debut, its producer, agrees: “At the end of the day, you have to tour to get immediate fan reactions to your material. In this respect, the shows were very interesting and extremely encouraging. There’s no doubt that they gave UNISONIC enough energy to make working on Light Of Dawn child’s play for everybody involved.”
Metal Insider is currently offering up the first taste of the record with the fittingly named “Exceptional” video, viewable at THIS LOCATION.
Light Of Dawn – Track Listing:
01. Venite 2.0
02. Your Time Has Come
03. Exceptional
04. For The Kingdom
05. Not Gonna Take Anymore
06. Night Of The Long Knives
07. Find Shelter
08. Blood
09. When The Deed Is Done
10. Throne Of The Dawn
11. Manhunter
12. You And I
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Light Of Dawn follows the band’s For The Kingdom EP released digitally in North America in May. The six track collection features album track “For The Kingdom,” exclusive EP number “You Come Undone” as well as four live recordings from their show at the Masters Of Rock Festival 2012 in the Czech Republic.
Light Of Dawnwill see its Stateside release viaEagle Rockimprint Armoury Recordson August 12th, 2014.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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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